Category: Extra tests

When E cores are disabled: Core i5-13400F vs. Core i5-12400(F)

Extra tests, Processors | | Ľubomír Samák

With the little (E) cores turned off, the Core i5-13400(F) becomes a 6-core processor with 12 threads in the same way that the older Core i5-12400(F) is. This intergenerational comparison is also a side product of tests main goal of which is to show the impact of E cores not only on computational and gaming performance, but also on operational characteristics. The biggest differences occur in the situations that mainstream PCs run into most often. Read more “When E cores are disabled: Core i5-13400F vs. Core i5-12400(F)” »

Prisma AL-14 PWM: The best 140mm fan by Fractal Design?

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Fractal Design claims the Prisma models as its most efficient 140mm fans. According to the specs, they are supposed to achieve the highest airflow at a lower noise level than the Aspect 14s. However, this is physically impossible due to the constructional differences of the two fans. The title of the article has a bit of a pejorative tone and while the Prisma AL-14 PWM is a decent fan, it already has a superior from its own ranks. Read more “Prisma AL-14 PWM: The best 140mm fan by Fractal Design?” »

Not every Core i5-13400F is the same: Raptor (B0) vs. Alder (C0) lake

Extra tests, Processors | | Ľubomír Samák

In the vast majority of Intel Core i5-13400F processor tests (including ours), you’ve studied the results of the variant built on the Golden Cove cores from the Alder Lake generation. But there is also an iteration from Raptor Lake (with Raptor Cove cores). However, this processor is harder to get hold of, its availability is considerably weaker, but it is obtainable. You’ll find out if it’s worth the extra effort from the comparative analysis. Read more “Not every Core i5-13400F is the same: Raptor (B0) vs. Alder (C0) lake” »

Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB: Short/quiet and lighted (blades)

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Blade length is always the “topic”, but will be more common with 140mm fans than smaller variants. Some bet on long blades for preference of selected features, the other manufacturer on short ones. And such (short) and overall more robust blades are also used by the 140mm Aorus fan. From certain points of view this is quite a big advantage, but for which something had to be sacrificed. It’s a quid pro quo. Read more “Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB: Short/quiet and lighted (blades)” »

Enermax Aquafusion ADV 240 – Pretty liquid cooler with big noise

Cooling, CPU coolers, Extra tests | | Pavel Sekerka

The Aquafusion ADV 240 is the first AIO cooler from Enermax that I have the pleasure to test. The subject of today’s review is also the interesting white design variant, which in combination with the RGB backlighting of the fans and the infinity mirror effect on the cooler block looks really premium. The price of this cooler comes out to an affordable 105 EUR, which could provide a solid price-performance ratio if it performs well in tests. Read more “Enermax Aquafusion ADV 240 – Pretty liquid cooler with big noise” »

BeQuiet! Light Wings (140 mm): Different size, different geometry

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

We analyzed the “Light Wings” fan fairly recently, but that was in the 120 mm format. BeQuiet! approached the 140mm model a little differently. Although the frame is only proportionally enlarged, the shape of the rotor is already significantly different. It relies on long, curved blades, which look great in this cross-section, but there are some design caveats. Still, in some applications, this fan excels. Read more “BeQuiet! Light Wings (140 mm): Different size, different geometry” »

Axagon CLR-M2FAN: Active SSD cooler for closed off spaces

Cooling, Extra tests, SSD coolers | | Ľubomír Samák

Many people look down on SSD coolers with fans, saying that “a proper heatsink must be enough in this power class”. But it’s a bit more complicated than that. Direct fan cooling of the fins makes sense for SSD coolers as well. However, this is only sometimes the case, it depends on the environment in which the SSD is operating. And when it fits yours, you can’t overlook Axagon’s cooler (CLR-M2FAN) when deciding. Read more “Axagon CLR-M2FAN: Active SSD cooler for closed off spaces” »

FD Aspect 14 RGB PWM: Larger rotor, higher airflow per dBA

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Starting with the Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM test, we are starting to build a database of 140mm fan results. These may have a smaller market presence due to poorer compatibility, but compared to the 120mm models they have the makings of higher efficiency, which is why they are more popular among many users. The Aspect 14 RGB PWM fan, in addition to its aerodynamic qualities, also fights for customer favour with its lighting. Read more “FD Aspect 14 RGB PWM: Larger rotor, higher airflow per dBA” »

Qnap TS-435XeU – compact and quiet NAS for 1U rack

Extra tests, Networks | | Ľubomír Samák

Network storage is primarily used in enterprises and server farms, but it can also be used in a home. After all, who among us doesn’t have hundreds of photos and videos on our smartphones or cameras. Also not to forget regular backups and external HDDs, which are not really practical in this regard. But what to do if you’re looking for an affordable and quiet NAS, but with premium connectivity and six slots? Read more “Qnap TS-435XeU – compact and quiet NAS for 1U rack” »

MSI RTX 4070 Ti Suprim X 12G: Band-aid for the “too pricey 4080”

Extra tests, Graphics | | Ľubomír Samák

After the GeForce RTX 4080 graphics cards, which wasn’t to many people’s taste due to the higher price, Nvidia has released a significantly cheaper GPU for the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti. The performance versus the RTX 4080 is admittedly noticeably weaker, but percentage-wise not by as much as the roughly two-thirds lower price of the RTX 4070 Ti. In our tests, we analyze MSI’s non-reference design from the top-of-the-line Suprim series. Read more “MSI RTX 4070 Ti Suprim X 12G: Band-aid for the “too pricey 4080”” »

Philips 27B1U5601: Affordable monitor for your work desk

Extra tests, Monitors | | Tomáš Brestovanský

A business monitor with a USB-C port, Windows Hello camera, KVM switch, LightSensor and PowerSensor. If you’ve heard this somewhere before, it was probably the Philips 34B1U5600 that we recently tested.This time, we’re focusing on the smaller, 27-inch variant, which is perhaps even more suited to the workplace environment than the curved widescreen. What makes the 27B1U5601 different besides the smaller diagonal? Read more “Philips 27B1U5601: Affordable monitor for your work desk” »

DeepCool FK120 fan: Efficiency ceiling for some scenarios

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

It is made in the same injection mould as the FC120, but still has noticeably better properties. Stronger material, higher weight, different bearings and a more powerful motor make the FK120 one of the most attractive options among inexpensive fans. But that’s only assuming the “right” adjustment. Outside of that, this fan can be quite uncomfortable and ironically for the same reason it is sometimes unbeatable. Read more “DeepCool FK120 fan: Efficiency ceiling for some scenarios” »

Ryzen 9 7950X: AMD’s elite CPU beats but also doesn’t beat Core i9

Extra tests, Processors | | Ľubomír Samák

We saved our tests of the most powerful Ryzen 7000 processor for last, for a number of reasons, as the last “X” model to expand the results database from this generation. The Ryzen 9 7950X, with its 32 threads, stands up to its 32-threaded competitor in the form of the Core i9-13900K with sovereignty, despite having eight fewer cores. Some might even state that it is the more cost-effective processor. But it comes down to your own point of view. Read more “Ryzen 9 7950X: AMD’s elite CPU beats but also doesn’t beat Core i9” »

MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi: The cheapest of the decent ones

Extra tests, Motherboards | | Ľubomír Samák

The higher price of motherboards is one of the main topics around desktop PCs. Especially in the context of the AMD platform. However, if you decide to build your rig on DDR5 memory with the vision of a longer life expectancy, the B650 Tomahawk WiFi, in comparison to similarly equipped motherboards with Intel chipsets, is rather higher on the “price” scales and with a more attractive price/value ratio. Read more “MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi: The cheapest of the decent ones” »

Intel Core i5-13400F: Best price/perf ratio, questionable for games

Extra tests, Processors | | Ľubomír Samák

Thanks to the addition of E cores even in the lowest Core i5 Raptor Lake models (13400F and 13400), the raw performance between generations has advanced the most in years. However, the improvement may not always happen, the relatively small number of performance ones (P) combined with the lower Turbo Boost 2.0 clock speeds some games don’t like, and when they reach for E cores, the concept of big.LITTLE is at once detrimental. Read more “Intel Core i5-13400F: Best price/perf ratio, questionable for games” »

1 2 3 … 19