Here a roundup of today's reviews and articles:

8th Gen Intel Core Desktop CPU Tech Report
AMD Zen 2 Architecture: Socket AM4, 2019, Code-named "Matisse"
Asus' Tinker Board single-board computer reviewed
Gigabyte Aero 15X Review
Gigabyte X299 Aorus Gaming 3 Preview
In Win 101 Computer Case Review
Koolance VID-NX1080 GPU Water Block
Rosewill Nebula GX50 Review

8th Gen Intel Core Desktop CPU Tech Report

Earlier, we shared with you leaked *Intel Coffee Lake* details. Now we'll share with you the Intel presentation on the *8th Gen Intel Core desktop CPUs*!

Read full article @ TechARP

AMD Zen 2 Architecture: Socket AM4, 2019, Code-named "Matisse"

AMD's Zen-based Ryzen and Threadripper have been said by the company as representing the "worst case scenario" of performance for their architecture. This is based on the fact that there are clear areas for improvement that AMD's engineers were keenly aware of even at the moment of Zen's tapping-out; inadvertently, some features or improvements were left on the chopping block due to time and budget constraints. As unfortunate as this is - who wouldn't love to have even more performance on their AMD processors - this also means AMD has a clear starting point in terms of improving performance of their Zen micro-architecture.

Spanish website Informatica Cero have gotten their hands on what they say is an exclusive, real piece of information from inside AMD, which shows the company's CPU roadmap until 2019, bringing some new details with it. On the desktop side, there's mention of AMD's "Pinacle Ridge" as succeeding the current Zen-based "Summit Ridge" Ryzen CPUS in 2018. These leverage the same Summit Ridge architecture, but with a performance uplift; this plays well into those reports of 12 nm being used to manufacture the second-generation Ryzen: it's an AMD tick, so to say. As such, the performance uplift likely comes from increased frequencies at the same power envelope, due to 12 nm's denser manufacturing design.

Read full article @ techPowerUp

Asus' Tinker Board single-board computer reviewed

With success comes imitators. Maker-focused e-shops now have pastry cases filled with a host of Pi clones in Banana, Orange, and Rose flavors in addition to BeagleBoards and Odroids. Some of these clones have sought to undercut the Raspberry Pi on price, while others add extra I/O capabilities like SATA ports. Asus is the first major motherboard vendor to enter this space, and its Tinker Board boasts Gigabit networking, more memory, a faster CPU, and enhanced graphical capabilities, including 4K video playback. The original goal of this review was to put the machine's horsepower to the test, but software problems prevented us from performing many of the intended benchmarks.

Read full article @ The Tech Report

Gigabyte Aero 15X Review

Gigabyte's best-selling gaming laptop gets an Nvidia Max-Q refresh. Less than six months have passed since the likeable Aero 15 gaming laptop passed through the HEXUS labs, but Gigabyte already reckons it can go one better with a mid-cycle refresh dubbed the Aero 15X. Why the urgency to launch a new model so soon after the original? It's an opportunity to get onboard the Nvidia Max-Q bandwagon.

From a visual perspective, the Aero 15 and Aero 15X look and feel identical, but pore over the specification sheets and you will identify one significant upgrade; whereas the Aero 15 comes equipped with a GeForce GTX 1060, the Aero 15X is rocking a GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q.

Read full article @ Hexus

Gigabyte X299 Aorus Gaming 3 Preview

The X299 Aorus Gaming 3 is basically Gigabytes entry-level motherboard when it comes to their X299 offerings. One might be tempted to assume that the vendor has been saving money everywhere but this board comes with a suprisingly high-end power design as well as an extensive RGB backlight, which illuminates the entire motherboard.

Read full article @ ocaholic

In Win 101 Computer Case Review

The In Win 101 offers an easy to build chassis with an elegant look at a great price.

Read full article @ APH Networks

Koolance VID-NX1080 GPU Water Block

The Koolance VID-NX1080 GPU water block offers two top options - acetal and acrylic - with excellent build quality, good value for your money, and an optional backplate that puts most others to shame. It does fall short on relative performance, but will be a very strong consideration for those on a budget.

Read full article @ techPowerUp

Rosewill Nebula GX50 Review

Rosewill Nebula GX50 is an affordable USB headset with an impressive list of features, considering its $45 price. It has a metal headband, rubberized ear cups, an in-line control unit, RGB LEDs and 7.1 surround sound. Are we crowning the new king of budget gaming headsets?

Read full article @ techPowerUp