The AMD B850 chipset is a good option for users who won’t take advantage of the broader capabilities of more expensive motherboards (typically with the X870 or X870E chipsets). The reward is a lower price, and in the case of the B850 Aorus Elite WiFi7, it really is lower. This motherboard is one of the most affordable models that Ryzen 9000 or Ryzen 7000 CPU owners may be interested in. And in tests, it does not perform badly at all. Read more “(Gigabyte) B850 Aorus Elite WiFi7: Is it really cheaper? Yes”
Category: Motherboards
Test: MSI Z890 Ace (and CU9 285K) with CoreLiquid I360 cooler
What would be the results of standard motherboard tests if we used the MSI MAG CoreLiquid I360 cooler with them? Better. Specifically, lower temperatures would be achieved for the CPU cores, which would then run at higher clock speeds, which naturally means higher computing performance. Not dramatically, but if we are to illustrate the situation with plates of scales, their position is quite clear. Read more “Test: MSI Z890 Ace (and CU9 285K) with CoreLiquid I360 cooler”
MSI MEG Z890 Ace: 28 phases for Arrow Lake CPUs and…
Extremely robust power delivery, 10-gigabit ethernet, a huge number of USB ports and more – that’s what comes with one of the most feature-packed LGA 1851 platform motherboards, the MSI MEG Z890 Ace. This is mirrored, of course, by the remarkably high price tag. Such a wealth of features comes at a price, and it’s all about whether you see a potential in it that you can appreciate. Be that as it may, MSI has packed it really properly. Read more “MSI MEG Z890 Ace: 28 phases for Arrow Lake CPUs and…”
PCI Express 7.0 to be ready this year: 4× faster than “Gen 5”
Nvidia’s new graphics cards are the first standard GPUs for gaming PCs to support PCI Express 5.0 instead of PCIe 4.0, but they are a bit late to the party as PCIe 5.0 support has been expected from the 2022’s generation of GPUs already. Development of these interfaces is well ahead of adoption, and it looks like the specification for the n+2 generation that awaits us sometime in the future will be ready this year. Read more “PCI Express 7.0 to be ready this year: 4× faster than “Gen 5””
First look at B850 boards. ROG Strix and Aorus Elite WiFi7
New B850 motherboards have been released for AMD Ryzen 9000 (and possibly 7000) processors, promising lower prices (compared to X870/E motherboards). Not much was known about the specific models until the last minute. But now we’ll take a look at two, one from Asus and the other from Gigabyte, which we’ll also take a look at in detailed tests later on. So for now, just a little preview. Read more “First look at B850 boards. ROG Strix and Aorus Elite WiFi7”
Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7’s award changed to “Smart buy!”
At first we weren’t entirely sure, but now, after testing several models, it’s pretty clear – the Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 motherboard from Gigabyte deserves the Smart buy! editorial award. The set of its features in ratio to the price is really attractive. At around 340 EUR, it can be a good choice even for the most powerful CPU of the Intel LGA 1851 platform – the Core Ultra 9 285K. Read more “Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7’s award changed to “Smart buy!””
Windows 11 requirements dropped? Unfortunately, it’s not true
Unfortunately, in this case it comes down to the saying that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Reports have appeared on the web reporting that Microsoft has changed its mind about Windows 11’s strict requirements and will allow installation on older computers without a TPM. This would save a lot of older PCs running Windows 10. No such luck though, these rumors are just a misunderstanding of old documents. Read more “Windows 11 requirements dropped? Unfortunately, it’s not true”
ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi. Asus’s take on LGA 1851
We are expanding our motherboard tests with the Asus ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi. This one is priced between the Gigabyte (Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7) and MSI (MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi) models, which we’ve already analyzed in depth. This is also a board designed for Intel Core 200S CPUs (Arrow Lake). More towards the more powerful CPU classes, as the tested ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi has a robust VRM, among other things. Read more “ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi. Asus’s take on LGA 1851”
MSI MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi: Dangerously close to the top
MSI’s Carbon series motherboards are among the most feature-packed not only within the company’s lineup, but overall. Similar to the variant (MPG X870E Carbon WiFi) for AMD, the model for Intel LGA 1851 platform – MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi – is also packed with headers and ports. From this detailed analysis, you’ll also learn how this motherboard performs across hundreds of different tests. Read more “MSI MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi: Dangerously close to the top”
(Gigabyte) Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 in test with Core Ultra 9 285K
We’re kicking off a round of Z890 motherboard tests loaded with the most powerful CPU for the LGA 1851 platform – the Core Ultra 9 285K. We’re doing this with Gigabyte – the Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 from the mid-range, or the upper mid-range, if you like… There will be competing models in a similar category later on, but now to the motherboard, which has undergone many changes from the Z790 Aorus Elite AX of the previous generation. Read more “(Gigabyte) Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 in test with Core Ultra 9 285K”
MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi: Basis in above-standard features
Two network adapters, over twenty USB ports, a really powerful VRM… in short, a motherboard for those with more demands than usual. The X870E Carbon WiFi is also rich in connectivity thanks to the two chips that make up the chipset’s south bridge. Overall, this makes it a very well equipped motherboard for the AMD AM5 platform that is more expensive, but you still don’t have to pay a devastating amount for it. Read more “MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi: Basis in above-standard features”
Full of latest hardware and… surprises – SOŠE Liptovský Hrádok
The last stop of this year’s HWCooling Techtour. It was different, but still energetic, professional and enriching for students. In Liptovský Hrádok, we found out the “overall winner” of the skills competition and managed to do other things that we hadn’t quite done before. Third time’s the charm? Definitely. The students were (again) very active, curious and overall well prepared. Read more “Full of latest hardware and… surprises – SOŠE Liptovský Hrádok”
LGA 1851: On CPU bending, RL-ILM and contact frames support
The just launched Arrow Lake processors do bring a new platform and the LGA 1851 socket, but that doesn’t mean incompatibility with coolers. Although Arrow Lake has more contacts, the processor size and mounting holes have remained the same, so all the coolers compatible with the LGA 1700 socket will keep working. However, there is one thing Arrow Lake is not compatible with – aftermarket socket mods used to prevent CPU bending. Read more “LGA 1851: On CPU bending, RL-ILM and contact frames support”
Premiere of Intel Core Ultra 200S at SPŠT Martin
The old cinema hall of the Secondary Industrial Technical School in Martin has come to life again. On the occasion of the world premiere of Intel Core Ultra/Arrow Lake processors and Gigabyte Z890 motherboards, we organized expert lectures for the students and they could also physically see the hardware on site. In addition, they demonstrated their knowledge and also their excellent skills in mounting coolers on a CPU. Read more “Premiere of Intel Core Ultra 200S at SPŠT Martin”
LGA 1851 is here. MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi tested
The information embargo on Z890 motherboard tests (and also Intel Core Ultra 200S/Arrow Lake CPUs) is over. We kicked off our tests with an in-depth analysis of the MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard, which also sheds light on the features of the Core Ultra 7 265K CPU. Primarily though, this will now be about the Z890 Tomahawk, which in some places has some major changes from its last generation. Read more “LGA 1851 is here. MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi tested”
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