Author: Ľubomír Samák

Asus and Noctua are collabing on GeForce RTX 4000 cards as well

Graphics, News | | Ľubomír Samák

Asus graphics cards with Noctua coolers wasn’t just a one-season affair. On the contrary, it seems that this could be a tradition that will now continue in the Ada Lovelace GPU generation. Information is extremely scarce so far, but we did hear something from the ones in charge and some details are clear. However, we can only speculate about most of it until CES 2023, where the official unveiling of these graphics will take place. Read more “Asus and Noctua are collabing on GeForce RTX 4000 cards as well” »

SilentiumPC Spartan 5 Max tests under higher load (125 W)

CPU coolers, Extra tests | | Ľubomír Samák

We’ve already tested the SilentiumPC Spartan 5 Max CPU cooler, but with a fairly low-power processor. Its results thus merged with the simpler (Spartan 5) model without the “Max” in the name. On more powerful CPUs with more thermal output, however, the situation changes somewhat. How does the Spartan 5 Max compare to other coolers on a processor with 125 W, i.e. at the TDP level of Intel’s “K” models? Read more “SilentiumPC Spartan 5 Max tests under higher load (125 W)” »

BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072): Sturdy rotor with ARGB LEDs

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Illuminated fans from BeQuiet! have the advantage over many competing models in a more robust rotor design. This is also due to the fact that it is not made of “light conductive” material and therefore some may not like the Light Wings fans, but aerodynamically they have the edge over other models. This is not only because of the choice of raw materials and their robustness, but also the overall shape of the blades. Read more “BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072): Sturdy rotor with ARGB LEDs” »

Noctua is behind schedule, new 140mm fans have been delayed

Cooling, Fans, News | | Ľubomír Samák

This is not entirely new information. On the contrary, the news that Noctua won’t release 140mm fans made of “sterrox” this year after all is quite old. Still, it disappeared on Twitter among other posts, and the reach to the public is quite small. We, too, have only now gotten around to the delay of Noctua’s long-awaited fans. So if you’re still waiting and hoping, know that they won’t be coming this year, for certain. Read more “Noctua is behind schedule, new 140mm fans have been delayed” »

MSI MEG X670E Ace: A truly extreme motherboard that… has it all

Extra tests, Motherboards | | Ľubomír Samák

We haven’t tested modern motherboards for AMD platforms so far and all attention has been paid to boards with Intel chipsets. That will change now, at least for a while – more AMD X670(E) and B650(E) boards will be added to the tests, but the bar will be set high. We’re starting with MSI’s top-of-the-line MEG X670E Ace motherboard, which won’t be beaten by any other board “just like that”. Read more “MSI MEG X670E Ace: A truly extreme motherboard that… has it all” »

Thermalright revives low tower coolers with the Assassin X 90 SE

Cooling, CPU coolers, News | | Ľubomír Samák

There used to be no shortage of them, but now they’re quite rare – CPU coolers with smaller, 92-millimeter fans that are also compatible with slimmer cases. One such new product has been released by Thermalright. The Assassin X 90 SE cooler will soon come in handy when selecting a suitable solution for more low-power variants of desktop processors from both Intel (Raptor Lake) and AMD (Raphael) with a TDP of 65 W and lower. Read more “Thermalright revives low tower coolers with the Assassin X 90 SE” »

Removing notches on fan blades? Sometimes a mistake

Analysis, Cooling, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

On edges of blades of some fans there are small notches forming a kind of teeth, typically on the trailing edges, closer to the motor. These elements serve to break up tonal peaks, and it’s curious that manufacturers are abandoning them rather than adding them. In some designs, however, such a modification can be seen as a backwards move; elsewhere it’s an understandable one. We have a few examples for you. Read more “Removing notches on fan blades? Sometimes a mistake” »

BeQuiet! MC1 Pro: Direction top, higher profile and heatpipe

Cooling, Extra tests, SSD coolers | | Ľubomír Samák

The “pro” variant of the BeQuiet! MC1 cooler for M.2 SSDs uses a heatpipe to dissipate heat faster and distribute it more evenly into the heatsink body, unlike the non-pro model. However, greater thermal peformance is achieved also because of the larger radiating area of its heatsink. The latter is still relatively low-profile, does not interfere with anything, and most importantly, so far outperforms all SSD coolers of similar size tested so far. Read more “BeQuiet! MC1 Pro: Direction top, higher profile and heatpipe” »

Six new 120/140mm EK-Loop FPT fans on sale

Cooling, Fans, News | | Ľubomír Samák

The EKWB Vardar fans are now discontinued, but there is a replacement in the form of fans from the new FPT series. These are designed primarily for what this company is most dedicated to – custom loops. Along with high airflow, the specs promise high static pressure, which is key on obstacles such as radiators to achieve the highest possible cooling efficiency (air performance to noise level ratio). Read more “Six new 120/140mm EK-Loop FPT fans on sale” »

Intel Core i7-13700K: Efficient choice for a gaming “workhorse”

Extra tests, Processors | | Ľubomír Samák

The sixteen-core desktop Raptor Lake (Ci7-13700K) is a curious compromise between Core i9 (13900K) and Core i5 (13600K). Compared to the Core i5, it is significantly faster thanks to higher clock speeds and Turbo Boost 3.0 support, and it doesn’t lose much performance compared to Core i9 in lighter workloads, including gaming, but it is significantly more power-efficient. Read more “Intel Core i7-13700K: Efficient choice for a gaming “workhorse”” »

Axagon CLR-M2L3/6/10 triple test: Pressure for minimal prices

Cooling, Extra tests, SSD coolers | | Ľubomír Samák

The prices of dedicated SSD coolers we’ve tested recently are climbing towards the prices of the cheapest CPU coolers. Considering the smaller amount of material and the simpler design, this is perhaps a bit disproportionate. That’s why Axagon came up with the CLR-M2Lx coolers at half the price of the renowned CLR-M2 model. Meanwhile, the cooling performance of the top-of-the-line CLR-M2L10 is comparable, and lower-profile variants are also available. Read more “Axagon CLR-M2L3/6/10 triple test: Pressure for minimal prices” »

DeepCool released a 4-chamber case with ventilation flaps

News, PC cases | | Ľubomír Samák

For users who find conventional designs dull, cases such as the Quadstellar Infinity are emerging. In addition to the unconventional appearance inspired by space bodies, there are a number of noteworthy features that have an impact on cooling. The interior is divided into four segments for which the airflow can be individually controlled. And the installation of components is also different than in “conventional” cases. Read more “DeepCool released a 4-chamber case with ventilation flaps” »

BeQuiet! now has a very low-profile CPU cooler, the Pure Rock LP

CPU coolers, News | | Ľubomír Samák

A really low-profile CPU cooler. That’s the thing BeQuiet! didn’t have in its offer until now . With the 45 mm tall (or rather short) Pure Rock LP, the situation changes. Compared to many competing solutions, this cooler has the advantage of wider compatibility. Mainly, it supports the AMD AM5 platform which surprised some small top-flow coolers and took them off the compatibility list. Read more “BeQuiet! now has a very low-profile CPU cooler, the Pure Rock LP” »

Intel Core i5-13600K: Better value than Ryzen 5 7600X? Yes and no

Extra tests, Processors | | Ľubomír Samák

The Intel Core i5-13600K processor gives the impression of being from a slightly different class than the Ryzen 5 7600X. AMD’s Raphael with only 6 cores against 14 cores (albeit eight of them only small, Gracemont) of Raptor Lake may look like an underdog that should be significantly cheaper. However, one must be careful when making judgments. Although the Ci5-13600K is a great processor, so is the still only Ryzen 5 7000 in the game so far. Read more “Intel Core i5-13600K: Better value than Ryzen 5 7600X? Yes and no” »

Perforated front and a display, the new DeepCool case

News, PC cases | | Ľubomír Samák

DeepCool has modified the original design of the CH510 to allow for more efficient cooling, which can also be better controlled with the Mesh Digital variant. It has an information panel with temperatures of key components. It is implemented using a simple display, so the price has not risen too much and is still attractive. There is higher airflow due to the more open shell and also the added positions for installing optional fans. Read more “Perforated front and a display, the new DeepCool case” »

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