Gigabyte’s B350 and X370 boards get official support for Zen 3

Motherboards, News | | Jan Olšan

It’s taken over a year, but first generation AM4 boards getting compatibility with B350 and X370 chipsets with AMD’s latest Zen 3 based processors is finally becoming a reality now. AMD hinted earlier this year (non-committally, however) that the previously forbidden ability to upgrade these boards to Ryzen 5000 might be allowed. And now support is indeed making its way to boards from yet another brand – Gigabyte. Read more “Gigabyte’s B350 and X370 boards get official support for Zen 3” »

Intel Core i3-12100F: No. 1 for nimble PCs at a bargain

Extra tests, Processors | | Ľubomír Samák

We recently enjoyed the pleasing results of the Core i3-10105F here, and that processor already has a successor – the 12100F. It presents an option in the Alder Lake family for users on a budget. But that doesn’t mean it will limit you in performance. Plus, in target environments (especially simpler gaming PC builds), the latest Core i3 is nicely power-efficient without breaking your bank account. Read more “Intel Core i3-12100F: No. 1 for nimble PCs at a bargain” »

Thin Mini-ITX motherboard with LGA 1700? It’s here, from Asus

Motherboards, News | | Ľubomír Samák

Asus has the first standardized motherboard (Thin Mini-ITX format) with LGA 1700, which is powered by a 19V adapter and is also designed for retail sales. The wait was, naturally, for the power-efficient Intel processors from the 12th Generation Core. The Pro H610T D4-CSM motherboard is designed primarily for enterprise clientele, and its equipment is optimized with this in mind. All Alder Lake processor models with TDP up to 65 W are supported. Read more “Thin Mini-ITX motherboard with LGA 1700? It’s here, from Asus” »

GPUs finally getting cheaper, Radeon prices are lowest in a year

Graphics, News | | Jan Olšan

Although the chip shortage crisis is far from ending with new and potentially dangerous problems arising in the world, some semblance of normality might now be coming to hardware prices. Of those, graphic cards are the most affected by the crisis and also most important to us. The last couple of weeks have seen a promise of the end of the current state of desolation with epic prices and “soviet-style” empty shelves. Read more “GPUs finally getting cheaper, Radeon prices are lowest in a year” »

Arctic BioniX F120: The efficient fan that loses to obstacles

Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

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” »

Alphacool has steel blackplates. Higher pressure, higher durability

Cooling, CPU coolers, News | | Ľubomír Samák

Finally, someone brings up the topic of metal backplates for liquid AIO coolers. There is an ingrained belief among manufacturers that plastic backplates are sufficient for liquid coolers. They are not enough though, for a number of reasons. It is therefore good news that Alphacool is releasing steel backplates as optional accessories for multiple coolers. And if you own any of the supported coolers, you can request one – free of charge. Read more “Alphacool has steel blackplates. Higher pressure, higher durability” »

We cut the grille out of the Air Penetrator. Better than the original?

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

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?” »

One of the first: Akasa’s new small top-flow coolers for LGA 1700

Cooling, CPU coolers, News | | Ľubomír Samák

The LGA 1700 mounting hole change sent all the cheap alternatives to Intel’s box coolers into retirement. Akasa is starting to build a selection of third-party coolers from the ground up, with three different models. These, of course, were not created from scratch, and among the first batch of “revived” coolers with larger push-pin spacing, there is also a low-profile model with a height of only 27 mm. Read more “One of the first: Akasa’s new small top-flow coolers for LGA 1700” »

Akasa metal filter beat the “plastics” in tests by a good chunk

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

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” »

Zen 4 & AM5 will come sooner than thought. Ryzen 7000 in summer

News, Processors | | Jan Olšan

Finally getting new architecture in desktop (and finally using a modern manufacturing process) has reinvigorated Intel processors. It looks like AMD is under pressure now, as it has reportedly decided to make a move that doesn’t happen often: its much-anticipated next generation of 5nm processors with Zen 4 architecture may be coming to market much sooner than originally planned. Presumably to respond to Intel’s consolidation. Read more “Zen 4 & AM5 will come sooner than thought. Ryzen 7000 in summer” »

Follow-up: MSI MAG B660M Mortar WiFi performance with Core i5

Extra tests, Motherboards | | Ľubomír Samák

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” »

Overclocking 65W Alder Lake processors: which boards can do it?

Motherboards, News, Processors | | Jan Olšan

Last month, we were pleasantly surprised by the news that Intel’s new desktop platform (Core 12th Generation/Alder Lake) CPUs can be overclocked via BCLK. Despite Intel seeking to only allow OC  on the more expensive K-series enthusiast models. We took a look at which boards currently make it possible and if it’s worth it. Because whether BCLK OC helps or not depends on the cost of the overall setup more than anything else. Read more “Overclocking 65W Alder Lake processors: which boards can do it?” »

MSI double monitor test: 2160p or 1440p resolution at 32″?

Extra tests, Monitors | | Tomáš Brestovanský

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″?” »

Nvidia 12pin, PCIe 5.0 GPU power connector and interoperability

Graphics, News | | Jan Olšan

In 2020, Nvidia introduced a new power connector with GeForce RTX 3000 (Ampere) graphics. This originally seemed to be a proprietary Nvidia design that was only used by their own Founders Edition cards (and it required getting adapters/new cables for most PSUs). But now it seems to be turning into a standardised power connector under PCI Express 5.0 – well, almost. The situation around these cables is a bit more complicated. Read more “Nvidia 12pin, PCIe 5.0 GPU power connector and interoperability” »

Larger test of the smaller MSI MAG B660M Mortar WiFi mobo

Extra tests, Motherboards | | Ľubomír Samák

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” »

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