We watched the Arctic BioniX F120’s behaviour during tests with our jaws dropped. First of all, because in some situations it really has top efficiency, and at a low price of around ten euros. But that’s how it excels in theoretical applications where nothing stands in it’s way. When it works with a filter, grille or radiator, the magic of the BioniX is gone. Such a significant turnaround is unique and fascinating. Read more “Arctic BioniX F120: The efficient fan that loses to obstacles”
Every SilverStone Air Penetrator series fan includes an aerodynamic grille on the exhaust. This is firmly attached to the frame, but can be forcibly removed. The AP123 fan has gone through such a process and we will demonstrate the benefits of this grille. Whether it is good or bad cannot be noted briefly, but the way SilverStone communicates it to the public is again a bit unfortunate and misleading. Read more “We cut the grille out of the Air Penetrator. Better than the original?”
We have tested a dust filter that combines the best features of plastic and nylon filters. It has high mechanical resistance, is easy to clean and yet also has low restrictiveness, so it does not significantly change the sound of the fan and does not increase its noise level. Compared to plastic filters, it does not even “hiss”. This addition thus extends the database of results with the latest type of dust filter, one with a metal grille. Read more “Akasa metal filter beat the “plastics” in tests by a good chunk”
We will do as we promised. We will test all motherboards with two processors – a powerful one, which will push the board hard, and a weaker one, which will show something a bit different. Namely, how the more expensive motherboard will (not) help the cheaper processor from the lower class. Can more expensive boards really benefit cheaper models in CPU tests, as some believe? Read more “Follow-up: MSI MAG B660M Mortar WiFi performance with Core i5”
Until recently, 32-inch monitors were a relatively marginal category and manufacturers were pushing mainly the smaller 27″ versions. Recently, it seems as if the market is swarming with 32″ monitors, and after the latest from AOC, we take a look at two new gaming models from MSI right away. At first glance they look the same, but besides the name they differ in panels, connectivity, or other small details, which we will gradually break down. Read more “MSI double monitor test: 2160p or 1440p resolution at 32″?”
While others have resigned from full-fledged motherboard tests long ago, we’re just kicking it off. Tests with differently powerful processors, without power limits, but also with limits set by Intel. And when we test performance, we also test M.2 slots, USB or Ethernet. Power draw analysis done at the level of individual branches, and thermal imaging with temperature tests (including SSD heatsink efficiency measurements) are a no-brainer. Read more “Larger test of the smaller MSI MAG B660M Mortar WiFi mobo”
With all the hardware news, it’s good to stop and look back sometimes. In cooperation with the now-defunct ExtraHardware.cz magazine, we once created the biggest cooler comparison on the Internet. However, until now it has never been published in English. So finally. A large part of the coolers are still up-to-date (including Noctua NH-D15) but there are also some historical models such as Thermaltake Sonic Tower or the first Scythe Mugen. Read more “Gigantic retrotest of 80 CPU coolers (2005–2015)”
A harsh headline, but a fair one. We always try to find mostly good things when testing, but sometimes it’s tricky. That’s the case here, where SilverStone is misleading its customers. The grille doesn’t significantly increase noise? We have no sympathy for hoaxes like this. Especially when it’s all “well thought out” and staged. Such practices do not shed a good light on the combination of three different blade shapes, which actually has something to it. Read more “The AP123 or how SilverStone’s been fooling people for years”
The SilentiumPC Fera 5 concept recently showed us how even a small cooler can be really efficient if the heatsink and fan optimization is done well. Today it’s the turn of the SilentiumPC Fortis 5, which is another iteration of SilentiumPC’s popular cooler, but now optimized in collaboration with Synergy Cooling. What’s more, today’s article is a straight triple test as we’ll be testing all three variants of the Fortis 5 cooler against each other. Read more “SilentiumPC Fortis 5: Fera’s bigger and quieter brother on steroids”
Velox 100Ps are some of MSI’s newest cases. In the Airflow variant (Velox 100P Airflow), it has a heavily perforated front, which is something we are interested in at HWCooling. The case is one of the more expensive midi-towers and doesn’t lack tempered glass or ARGB lighting. Naturally, though, our tests were mainly considering the design, equipment and cooling, since this Velox has the Airflow in its name. Read more “MSI MPG Velox 100P Airflow: Cooling in the first place?”
In this test, we’ll take a look at Noctua’s anticipated first representative and how it ranks next to other fans. We’ll start from the bottom with the most affordable one from this Austrian company. It should be noted that Noctua views this class of fans slightly differently than other brands, and has the base perched very high. However, there is one BUT, which is rather insignificant, but still “lifted some people out of their chairs”. Read more “Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM: Not every low-end is the same”
I usually praise AOC in our tests for its great price-performance ratio, as the monitors we’ve tested so far have been aimed more at the lower to mid-range segment. Thus, there were usually a few compromises that the manufacturer made to keep the price attractive. The new AG324UX, however, is something entirely different. It is the first truly high-end gaming monitor from AOC in our tests to offer 4K at 144Hz, Adaptive Sync, HDR and USB-C. Read more “AOC Agon 4 Pro AG324UX: Finally in the big leagues”
SilentiumPC presents the Fluctus 120 PWM as its very best fan. But, to beat the whirring Sigma Pro 120 PWM and the obviously sketchy Sigma Pro Corona RGB 120 is relatively simple. The company’s marketing, however, talks about psychoacoustic optimizations. And while there’s no reason to smirk (psychoacoustics is a legitimate scientific field), there were some imperfections that the Poles didn’t avoid. Read more “SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM: “Miracle” fan from the Fera 5″
Today I have the pleasure of introducing the Assassin III premium air cooler from DeepCool. Its size and construction is majestic, yet its design is pleasantly minimalistic without unnecessary bling. It also boasts high cooling efficiency (claimed TDP is up to 280 W). So I’m really curious to see how it performs in real tests on a hot CPU and what its acoustic performance will be like. Read more “DeepCool Assassin III – Silent killer of noise and temperature”
While the Silent Gale P12 isn’t the first fan in MSI’s lineup (like the Strix XF120 from Asus), it beats anything previous from the company by a mile. This is by the efficiency of the rotor, which is suitable for radiators as well as for a case, but also by the overall robust design. There’s a big, powerful but quiet motor, and you won’t even know about the hydrodynamic bearings. Read more “MSI MEG Silent Gale P12: A dominant all-rounder for a price”
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