Static pressure vs. airflow, part 1/3: Quantities under control

Analysis, Cooling, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Fan marketing materials could not do without the use (or is it misuse?) of key variables. There are plenty of them everywhere, but no one anywhere explains the nature of how they work, always just the supposed consequence. After all, for expected sales, companies need you to understand their presentations, which often contradict the laws of physics. But we will take a look at them, in all simplicity. Read more “Static pressure vs. airflow, part 1/3: Quantities under control” »

We tested three available Asus routers. Pick your favourite

Extra tests, Networks, Routers | | Tomáš Brestovanský

The Asus Networking Division offers routers for just about every application and environment. Whether you’re looking for an affordable WiFI router or as an avid gamer, you can’t do without RGB LED lighting. The same is true if you need to cover a larger area, for example a house, for which Mesh solutions are already needed, and it is the AiMesh function that is one of the main strengths of this manufacturer’s routers. Read more “We tested three available Asus routers. Pick your favourite” »

Intel Arc A380 GPU performance is worse than RX 6400 after all

Graphics, News | | Jan Olšan

After missing previous 2021 and Q1 2022 deadlines, Intel Arc discrete desktop graphics cards with the Xe HPG gaming architecture went on sale in China this month. But instead of some bombastic arrival, Intel is releasing them rather quietly, first only in China and only in the OEM market. But maybe that’s because they’re not really impressive yet – the first Arc A380 model seems to be falling well short of expectations in tests. Read more “Intel Arc A380 GPU performance is worse than RX 6400 after all” »

Fractal Design Pop Air (RGB) review. Dullness aside

Extra tests, PC cases | | Martin Bednár

The Pop series is a new range of cases from Fractal Design. Pop is divided into two categories, Air and Silent, and these into three size variants. We received the Pop Air case, which is the middle sized model. It is the only one in the series to offer a wide choice of colour options. The Pop Air has a perforated front panel, and cooling should be more efficient as more of the mask area is open. Read more “Fractal Design Pop Air (RGB) review. Dullness aside” »

Gelid Zodiac fan: ARGB LED and excellent price/performance ratio

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Aside from whether the fan is named after the zodiac or a serial killer from California, we know all about Gelid’s latest fan. In the end, the inspiration may stem from the latter as well. After all, it has a backlight option and at the same time “kills”, performance-wise, the price-equivalent fans without it. And attractive models at that. But there is one thing that can erase all the good features. Read more “Gelid Zodiac fan: ARGB LED and excellent price/performance ratio” »

A matter of (dis)honesty: expensive NZXT paste with only 6.3 W/mk?

Cooling, News, TIMs | | Ľubomír Samák

NZXT has released its first thermal paste and looking at its parameters opens the topic of what quality the manufacturers present us on paper. However, NXZT is probably not pretentious, on the contrary, the paper thermal conductivity of their thermal paste is surprisingly low considering the price. Is this the reality, are other manufacturers (with two to three times higher thermal conductivity values) misleading or is NZXT thermal paste uncompetitive? Read more “A matter of (dis)honesty: expensive NZXT paste with only 6.3 W/mk?” »

Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM: Fractal Design knows what works in cases

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Sometimes they don’t even get a chance and are immediately replaced by other, “better” ones. We’re talking about fans that come pre-installed in computer cases. We are going to test one of them now and although there are reasons to replace the Dynamic X2 GP-12 (PWM), be careful not to end up being worse off. After all, these aren’t exactly ordinary fans. They even have more specific aerodynamics and acoustics modifying features. Read more “Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM: Fractal Design knows what works in cases” »

Summer looks exciting, BeQuiet! prepares the Silent Wings (Pro) 4

Cooling, Fans, News | | Ľubomír Samák

The fourth generation of the new BeQuiet! Silent Wings fans have all the ingredients to reach the very pinnacle of efficiency. The rotor is based on the proven shape of long, distinctively curved blades. These are, moreover, very close to the frame to maximize pressure. After this parameter, you probably already think of Noctua’s “sterrox” fan, which, however, the BeQuiet! one can surpass with its typical grooves. Read more “Summer looks exciting, BeQuiet! prepares the Silent Wings (Pro) 4” »

Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate: Switches? Whichever wherever

Extra tests, Keyboards | | Martin Bednár

Interchangeable mechanical switches, which can be combined in different ways, and an LED display with text personalisation options make the ROG Strix Flare II Animate a rather special keyboard. Like most more expensive models, it has a proper (and comfortable) wrist rest. Overall, not too much has been skimped on here, the build is sturdy, and with this keyboard as well Asus has bypassed third-party switches and used its own. Read more “Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate: Switches? Whichever wherever” »

Intel Arc graphics require PCIe Resizable BAR. Performance reasons?

Graphics, News | | Jan Olšan

Intel has finally entered the discrete gaming GPU market, even if it’s just the cheap Arc A380 in China. Intel has tried the waters with the Iris Xe card before, but it bizarrely didn’t work with most PCs except for a few select boards. It’s only this new product that finally represents a standard graphics card. However, there are still some oddities: Intel says it requires the board and processor to support PCIe Resizable BAR. Read more “Intel Arc graphics require PCIe Resizable BAR. Performance reasons?” »

BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039): It wouldn’t do without the grooves

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

So, now we get to see what the grooves on the entire surface of the blades, which are typical of BeQuiet! fans, are worth! Judging by the geometry, we were initially concerned that the results might go in a similar direction to the Arctic BioniX F120. But it’s a lot better than that, and the 120 mm Pure Wings 2 even achieves a top price/performance ratio while running very quietly. The best of the fans tested so far. Read more “BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039): It wouldn’t do without the grooves” »

SilentiumPC Navis F240 ARGB: A small AIO with a big potential

Cooling, CPU coolers, Extra tests | | Pavel Sekerka

At the end of April, SilentiumPC launched a pair of new AIO coolers from the Navis series. These are the F240 and F240 ARGB models, which differ only in RGB backlighting. Both of these coolers are equipped with Fluctus fans, so you can expect a pleasant acoustics as well as solid cooling effectiveness. Combined with a very attractive price tag, these coolers have the potential to become bestsellers in their class. Read more “SilentiumPC Navis F240 ARGB: A small AIO with a big potential” »

AMD Radeon roadmap: RDNA 3 has new compute unit, uses chiplets

Graphics, News | | Jan Olšan

AMD held its Financial Analyst Day 2022 last week, unveiling their future plans there – we’ve already covered what the company said about Zen 4 processors coming out this year, Zen 5 coming out in 2024, and the processor roadmap (for Ryzen 7000 and 8000, Epyc 7004 and 7005). Besides that, the GPU roadmap with the future RDNA 4 architecture was also presented, and we learned new things about the RDNA 3 GPUs coming out this fall. Read more “AMD Radeon roadmap: RDNA 3 has new compute unit, uses chiplets” »

ASRock B660 Steel Legend or the cheapest motherboard in tests

Extra tests, Motherboards | | Ľubomír Samák

The low price of a motherboard brings with it a few unconventional limitations. Ones that are not often found in competing models for similar money. Some of these are of the safety variety to avoid unnecessary damage to critical components. For a customer buying a standard, reasonably set-up build in this price class, they won’t be a bother, and saving money with the B660 Steel Legend can be beneficial. Read more “ASRock B660 Steel Legend or the cheapest motherboard in tests” »

Alphacool: Our new thermal paste is faster than stainless steel

Cooling, News, TIMs | | Ľubomír Samák

Watch out, Alphacool has started aiming pretty high. In the specifications for the latest Apex thermal paste, it lists a thermal conductivity that it claims is not only above the best competing thermal pastes, but even outperforms some metals. Unless Alphacool is stretching reality, this is going to be an extremely effective formula. You won’t guess what its main ingredient is. Read more “Alphacool: Our new thermal paste is faster than stainless steel” »

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