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

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” »

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

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″?” »

Larger test of the smaller MSI MAG B660M Mortar WiFi mobo

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” »

MSI MPG Velox 100P Airflow: Cooling in the first place?

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?” »

PCIe 5.0 SSD for Alder Lake: MSI Spatium in card form-factor

This November, Intel Alder Lake CPUs have brought PCI Express 5.0 support to desktop computers (but not notebooks). Its high bandwidth is now of most use for SSDs, but unfortunately the Alder Lake platform does not offer PCI Express for M.2 slots. However we will still get SDDs for PCI Express 5.0. MSI and Phison have now revealed their Spatium disks designed as a card for PCIe 5.0 slots, circumnavigating the absent M.2 support. Read more “PCIe 5.0 SSD for Alder Lake: MSI Spatium in card form-factor” »

MSI MEG Silent Gale P12: A dominant all-rounder for a price

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” »

Gigabyte and MSI B350 & X370 boards support Ryzen 4000/5000

One of the hot topics of last year was AMD not making Zen 3 processors compatible with the first generation of AM4 socket boards, so the 300 series chipsets are out of luck. However, this issue has seen an unexpected development. Last month, a number of 300-generation boards received new BIOSes, enabling official upgrades to newer processors – Ryzen 4000G APUs and, in some cases, even Ryzen 5000s. Read more “Gigabyte and MSI B350 & X370 boards support Ryzen 4000/5000” »

GPU Intel Arc graphic cards produced by Asus, MSI and Gigabyte

As you probably know, graphic cards come in reference editions with Nvidia or AMD-designed coolers, or in so-called non-reference versions with cooler and PCB designed by the producers (e.g. Evga or Sapphire) themselves. Such designs are often quieter and faster (overclocked). According to recent news you can look forward to the same with the upcoming Intel Arc, which will be produced by multiple well-known companies. Read more “GPU Intel Arc graphic cards produced by Asus, MSI and Gigabyte” »

Most MSI cases will support USB 3.2 gen. 2×2

MSI has been intensely committed to application of the 20-gigabit standard of USB 3.2 gen. 2×2 for a long time. So far this was only in regards to the external connectors on the rear panel of motherboards with an Intel chipset. According to current information, this interface will soon be supported internally and MSI even intends to add it to the cases as well. However, this will only apply to the next generation of motherboards. Read more “Most MSI cases will support USB 3.2 gen. 2×2” »

MSI MPG CoreLiquid K360 – Big cooler with big ambitions

The MPG Coreliquid K360 is the imaginary flagship among MSI’s coolers. Its interesting features include, for example, a fully customizable LCD display or a hidden fan for cooling the surroundings of the processor socket. Nowadays, of course, ARGB fan backlighting cannot be missing. But can this cooler also defend its high price? Today’s review will give you answers to not only this question. Read more “MSI MPG CoreLiquid K360 – Big cooler with big ambitions” »

MSI RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X Trio: mid-class with a high-end cooler

You are probably already looking forward to the announced tests of the RX 6700 XT, but first let’s look at the results of the RTX 3060 Ti. We managed to add this graphics card to our database right before the new Radeon at the last minute and it is important for a full review of the RX 6700 XT. But now we’re going to see a sisterly duel of the RTX 3060 Ti and RTX 3070. These graphics cards are close in terms of performance and price. Read more “MSI RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X Trio: mid-class with a high-end cooler” »

MSI RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio: 24 GB VRAM – the extra mile

No compromises in performance! If this is your motto, then you cannot miss the test of the graphics card GeForce RTX 3090. It will also feed 4K resolution, has the fastest ray tracing and OptiX acceleration, huge video memory and, the review sample from MSI also has many more attractive features. The biggest drawback, as is usual with high-end hardware, is the price. It is really high. Read more “MSI RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio: 24 GB VRAM – the extra mile” »

MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio: 250 W, extraordinarily quiet

The availability of more powerful graphics cards for common consumers is lousy, but if you are lucky enough to get one, it will most probably be equipped with a GPU GA104-300-A1, which is in the GeForce RTX 3070. Most cards have this GPU and one of the most attractive is the MSI Gaming X Trio with Tri Frozr 2 cooler. It is really oversized and thanks to it, this graphics card significantly exceeds the reference boost. And is also pretty quiet while doing so. Read more “MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio: 250 W, extraordinarily quiet” »

MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD: gaming monitor with pro features

We have recently looked at several multimedia-oriented, design or professional monitors, but most of you will probably be most interested in gaming models. We got a hot news from MSI with the complicated designation Optix MAG274QRF-QD. It has a 27″ QHD 165 Hz display with Quantum Dot and G-Sync support, which are really solid features. Are we looking at a new go-to monitor for passionate gamers? Read more “MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD: gaming monitor with pro features” »

AMD X570 cooler: Will 4 heatsinks beat a VRAM fan?

The hated fans in the AMD X570 chipset cooler would rather be turned into a proper heatsink by many users. In reality, however, it is not as easy as it may seem. Why don’t manufacturers do it on their own? We tested different speed modes with a fan and compared them with a pure heatsink and also one supplemented by small passive coolers with needles. Read more “AMD X570 cooler: Will 4 heatsinks beat a VRAM fan?” »