Here a roundup of the latest reviews and articles:

3x AMD Radeon R9 290 / 2x AMD Radeon R9 290X review: ASUS, Gigabyte and Sapphire review: ASUS, Gigabyte and Sapphire
AMD Radeon: Windows 8.1 Catalyst vs. Linux Gallium3D vs. Linux Catalyst
Biostar Hi-Fi A88W 3D Review
Corsair Graphite 760T Review
Corsair Graphite Series 730T & 760T Full Tower Chassis Review
Corsair Graphite Series 760T Review
Corsair Graphite Series 760T Review
Corsair Graphite Series 760T Review
Corsair Obsidian 450D Review
GT Omega Pro Racing Office Chair Video Review
Hands-on review: Office for iPad
Intel 730 Jackson Ridge 240GB SSD RAID 0 Review
Luxa2 GroovyW Wireless Speaker and Qi Charger Review
MSI A88X-G45 Gaming Motherboard Review
OCZ Vertex 460 240GB SSD Review
Ozone Boson Portable Gaming Mouse Pad Review
PAPAGO! P2 Pro Dashcam Review
PAPAGO! P3 Dashcam Review
Raidmax RX-1000AE 1000W Power Supply Review
SilentiumPC Fera 2 HE 1224 CPU Cooler Review
Turtle Beach Ear Force i60 Wireless Headset Review
XFX Type 01 Bravo Case Review

3x AMD Radeon R9 290 / 2x AMD Radeon R9 290X review: ASUS, Gigabyte and Sapphire review: ASUS, Gigabyte and Sapphire

When AMD introduced its new Radeon 290 and 290X flagship cards at the end of 2013, the cards were welcomed by many hardware enthusiasts. As usual with new releases there were minor flaws and points to be improved, the biggest one being temperature and noise levels of the new cards. This has caused many to wait for cards with aftermarket coolers to be introduced, we already tested ASUS' offering of the R290X some time ago, but now we have also received their version of the 290 as well as 290 and 290X versions by Gigabyte and Sapphire. As usual we did a comparative test between the new cards to see how their cooling solutions hold up.

By now we can conclude that AMD's introduction of their high end Radeon 290X has been a success, most online shops tell us that sales of the new cards have been very high and certainly well above their expectations. Maybe even more popular than the 290X flagship is the radeon R9 290, as these cards are much cheaper than the 290X models, but only perform around 5% slower. The price/performance ratio of the 290 is excellent, this is something even the biggest nVidia fanboy can not deny.

One of the issues that the Radeon 290 has however is its operating temperature and subsequent noiselevel. The reference card has been set to run up to 95 degrees celcius, not a problem according to AMD, but a lot of users are feeling a bit uncomfortable with tempratures that close to 100 degrees. Not only high temperatures, but also noiselevels to keep it cool are not the best we have seen, we measured 40.5 dB(A) idle and 55.6 dB(A) under load on a reference 290 card. The 290X running in Über Mode manages to be 1 dB(A) louder than the 290 under load, values that we think are too high for consumer cards. A big opportunity for AMD's partners improve both temperature and noise with better coolers.

Read full article @ Hardware.Info

AMD Radeon: Windows 8.1 Catalyst vs. Linux Gallium3D vs. Linux Catalyst

Our latest Windows vs. Linux benchmarks on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS are of three different AMD Radeon graphics cards from three different generations as we test the performance of Microsoft Windows 8.1 against Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, when using both the AMD Catalyst proprietary driver and the open-source R600/RadeonSI Gallium3D drivers.

Earlier this week I delivered updated Intel Haswell graphics benchmarks under Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro x64 and Ubuntu 14.04 LTS x86_64 and now the tables have turned to the AMD Radeon graphics cards. For this article the Radeon HD 5830, Radeon HD 6870, and Radeon R9 270X graphics cards were tested as a diverse spectrum of GPUs supported by both the closed-source Catalyst drivers and the open-source Gallium3D drivers from AMD.

Read full article @ Phoronix

Biostar Hi-Fi A88W 3D Review

We take our first look at AMD's FM2+ platform with a value-oriented product from Biostar that boasts some upgraded audio abilities. The Biostar Hi-Fi A88W 3D comes with the focus and feature set that has become Biostar's calling, as the company has its own take on entry-level enthusiast designs.

Read full article @ techPowerUp

Corsair Graphite 760T Review

It was only a few days ago that we were looking at the new Obsidian 450D and yet again, today Corsair are in the spotlight. Advocates of the Graphite Series and more particularly the 600T will be pleased to know that a new case is joining the family – 760T.

It’s been some 4 years since 600T arrived on the scene and yet this case still holds a special place in many a system builder’s heart. Can this new high-end offering change all this?

760T is a full ATX computer chassis which features two-tone aesthetics and comes equipped with two hinged and latched side panels. Inside, a plethora of hardware can be installed some of which include extensive water cooling support.

Read full article @ Vortez

Corsair Graphite Series 730T & 760T Full Tower Chassis Review

Corsair have gone from strength to strength over the last few years, releasing premium grade chassis products that have proven extremely popular with system builders around the world. Their Graphite series is one of the hottest ranges on the market and has already been very successful for Corsair, so we were very excited to hear that not one, but two new entries for the Graphite series are being released and even more excited when I found out I would be able to put them both to the test.

The Graphite 600T, the previous top dog of the range, is still one of the best chassis on the market, it features sleek looks, an easy access side panel and high component compatibility, all of which make it a premium choice for those looking to build a high-end gaming rig. The new Graphite 760T looks set to top it in almost every way and the clue to that is that its product name features a bigger number, usually a good indication of an upgrade. In addition to this we also have the Graphite 730T, which is a slightly cheaper edition of the 760T that is pretty much identical in terms of specifications, but lacks the side panel window and fan controller, a mild downgrade which will save you around £30 overall.

We have both the 730T and the 760T at our disposal today and while they share a pretty similar design and feature set, we thought it would be great to see them alongside each other and figure out which one is better value for money. As you can see from the specifications below, both cases are packed with features that make them ideal for any high-end gaming rig, you’ll find room for several large graphics cards, loads of storage, extensive cooling options and a whole lot more.

Read full article @ eTeknix

Corsair Graphite Series 760T Review

We test and review the all new Corsair Graphite Series 760T chassis. The chassis finds its legacy in the Graphite series, but this one certainly is a bit different in a couple of ways. The looks are insane with a big redesign, large see through panel, hinged and latched doors, magnetic top panel and yes even a fan controller. It is one of these x-factor products really, and we feel it will get embraced by a large chunk of the the PC enthusiast community. The chassis is a full-tower based chassis. Let's have a peek at what Corsair has to offer shall we?

Now I should mention that two models are actually being released today, the Graphite Series 760T and the Graphite Series 730T. The 760T will be the company flagship Graphite chassis. The chassis will feature a transparent side panel and one opaque side panel on the opposing side. Both are hinged in the back functioning as a door that can be opened up, but also removed. The panels are mounted in a steel frame and roof. The 730T is the very same chassis, but with steel side panels as opposed to the windowed 760T. So that is the only difference.

Both the Graphite 760T and 730T have nine expansion slots, six 3.5-inch/2.5-inch combo bays (two modular hard drive cages), with four tool-free 2.5-inch side-mounted cages for SSDs, three tool-free 5.25-inch bays, 2x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, thumbscrews for all expansion slots, and cable routing with tie-downs to keep things tidy.

Read full article @ Guru3D

Corsair Graphite Series 760T Review

It’s finally here. Announced at CES 2014 and teased ever since, Corsair’s Graphite 760T has arguably become one of the most talked-about and eagerly anticipated cases of the year. The reason behind the community’s breathless reception to this case is straightforward: not only has Corsair been a purveyor of well-regarded enclosures for years now but the 760T is also the first full tower offering in the affordable Graphite series. With that being said, with nearly two dozen cases to their name, Corsair runs the very real risk of competing with themselves. It’s certainly an envious position to be in.

Read full article @ Hardware Canucks

Corsair Graphite Series 760T Review

Meet the long-awaited successor to the Graphite 600T. Corsair's recent Obsidian Series chassis have been good, solid enclosures, but they may be deemed a little staid among more flamboyant gamers. The 350D, 450D and 750D all look alike, and if you prefer gaming rigs that are different to the norm, you may be better off perusing the Carbide and Graphite Series product lines, both of which have repeatedly demonstrated eccentric tendencies.

The Graphite 230T and Carbide Air 540 are two recent examples, but the quirkiness dates right the way back to the Graphite 600T, which in our estimation is still one of the best-looking PC chassis to date. Today, we get to take a closer look at the 600T's long-awaited successor, the Graphite Series 760T.

Read full article @ Hexus

Corsair Obsidian 450D Review

Corsair Obsidian 450D is the successor of the famous micro-ATX model of the same series, called 350D. The case is similar to the old model and shares the same clean and elegant design. Corsair 450D, unlike the 350D, is able to accommodate ATX motherboards. If you love simple design but with a good ventilation, then this model is very recommended for you.

Read full article @ ocaholic

GT Omega Pro Racing Office Chair Video Review

Today Kaeyi looks at a slightly different product than usual but one everyone undoubtedly uses - a chair. Here we have the GT Omega Pro Racing Office chair, featuring that familiar bucket race seat design.

Read full article @ HardwareHeaven.com

Hands-on review: Office for iPad

There are already several Office apps for iOS, from the OneDrive and OneNote apps to the simplistic Office for iOS (now renamed Office Mobile); Office for iPad is a different and more impressive beast. What you get are versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint designed for iPad. They don't have anything like all the features of Office 2013 for Windows or Office 2011 for Mac, but they do have a great touch interface that makes the features you actually get, work well with just your fingers whether you're fixing a broken formula in Excel or adding pictures to your presentation in PowerPoint or tracking changes and reviewing comments in Word.

Read full article @ Techradar

Intel 730 Jackson Ridge 240GB SSD RAID 0 Review

KitGuru reviewed the Intel 730 Jackson Ridge Solid State Drive back on March 6th, and there was a lot of interest in the review. Since then Intel sent us over two more 730 drives and today we supplement our original findings by adding some RAID 0 results.

Read full article @ KitGuru

Luxa2 GroovyW Wireless Speaker and Qi Charger Review

How much has your phone usage elevated over the last couple of years? I’m not referring to talk time, or even necessarily communication, I am referring to the actual amount of time the phone is in your hand or in use out of your hand. You know, the games, the social media, the web browsing and the media playback. Services like Pandora, Spotify and Netflix has absolutely boomed on phones, while increased storage has made it easy to simply move a good amount of music right onto your phone. But there is a shortcoming; most phones, to put ever so gently, don’t sound very good in playback by themselves. Then there that whole battery drain issue to contend with from playing media. So, what you wind up needing is a small portable speaker with great sound…and it would be nice if it could use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly….and offer a good amount of playback time….and while we are at it, it would be nice if it could charge your battery without needing to be plugged in. Does that sound impossible? To Luxa2, it sounds like their new GroovyW.

The Luxa2 GroovyW is an absolute Swiss Army Knife of addons for your smartphone, featuring audio playback by Bluetooth or hardwire, speakerphone, wireless Qi charger, wired charger and battery bank. There is even an app for the Lux2 Groovy W which adds a five-band EQ, powerful music player, and internet radio. In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the GroovyW features NFC for pairings as simple as placing your phone on top of the player. The GroovyW’s playback portion features easy to use, illuminated soft-touch controls, 10 hour playback on a single charge and incredibly rich sound for a small package. The included battery pack features wireless Qi charging from its 4000 maH li-polymer battery, as well as wired charging and the ability to boost playback time to thirty hours. When paired, the GroovyW can also act as a speakerphone. USB to mini-USB and 3.5mm audio cables are included to provide connectivity for almost any scenario.

Read full article @ HiTech Legion

MSI A88X-G45 Gaming Motherboard Review

I would definitely consider myself one of those people who likes to shop around and does not jump at the first deal that comes at them. I like to do my research and find the product that is going to fit my needs best and not cost me extra money. This style of living is not making me richer by any means, because sometimes I end up purchasing a more expensive item, even though other times I may end up purchasing something really cheap because it works just as well. It all seems to balance out in the end and I end up spending an average amount on items overall.

The one thing that I don’t like to skimp on is my electronics. Though there are exceptions to every rule and sometimes you can find low cost electronics or components that are awesome. I have not come across too many components that would fall into this category, but recently we took a look at the AMD A10-7850K APU and I have so say I was thoroughly impressed with is ability to kick some butt, especially considering its low price tag. An APU of course won’t work on its own and the MSI A88X-G45 Gaming board seemed like the perfect companion and was also low priced to fit the need.

Read full article @ HiTech Legion

OCZ Vertex 460 240GB SSD Review

Technology companies often take seemingly odd paths in acquisitions and mergers. Sometimes the paths work out well for all parties involved, but many times smaller companies are absorbed purely for patent purposes or for their technology to be used in another manner. Currently, people are speculating as to why Google possibly bought Nest. We all know it wasn’t for Google to go into the home thermostat business. Nest has something that Google wants aside from being able to turn up the heat in your house from your Android device. Conspiracy theorists will claim that Google is going to use your thermostat to spy on you….which may be true, but it seems more likely that there is a piece of proprietary Nest software or a patent that is highly desirable for a different purpose.

On the hardware end, we have seen mergers that truly have made the mechanical drive market almost a duopoly. Seagate took over Samsung’s drive operations, while Western Digital took on Hitachi. This left Toshiba as the only other major manufacturer of mechanical drives, albeit on a much smaller scale. However, Toshiba knows that the future is in SSD, not mechanical, and took a big step in purchasing OCZ. While the move may have seemed curious, given OCZ’s tenuous financial situation, Toshiba knew it was a wise investment, not so much for the drives themselves, but for the Indilinx controller. Coupled with Toshiba’s ability to provide the flash to the drive at a price point that OCZ could not achieve alone, it makes perfect sense. So while we have a merger of a large mainstream company taking on a small esoteric company, Toshiba is thankfully letting OCZ do what they do best, continue producing top tier enthusiast drives.

Read full article @ HiTech Legion

Ozone Boson Portable Gaming Mouse Pad Review

Here we are again, now with the review of the Ozone Boson portable gaming mousepad! Back in the day when I only had a laptop to play games I did not have a mouse pad, I had a Logitech mouse that worked on all surfaces. So I did not need one, then when I bought my new (awesome) computer (hardware) I also ordered a keyboard and a new mouse because my Logitech was getting old so why don't buy a mousepad too I tough, so I bought myself a Steelseries Qck and now I can not work or play without a mousepad, its just soft and your mouse will always work. The Mionix Naos 7000 I am testing now will not work on my wooden desk so that is a bit annoying but with a mousepad like the Qck, Boson or whatever mousepad you use it will work. So readers let us take a look at the features and specifications of the Ozone Boson.

Read full article @ FunkyKit

PAPAGO! P2 Pro Dashcam Review

The usage of dash cams hasn’t boomed yet. It’s still some what in its infancy. There are many different versions that can be found on retailers like Amazon or Ebay that are really cheap and don’t really provide the necessary quality and feature sets to really make them relevant. But that’s about to change. Let me introduce you to Papago!.

Papago! has been in the GPS industry for over a decade. With all of the experience they’ve gained they have built a very strong following in countries like Taiwan, China, Russia, South East Asia, Japan, and Australia. And with their recent expansion into the United States they’re not only looking to follow others to bring another novelty dash cam into the market, they’re looking to dominate it.

Pulled directly from their website, “PAPAGO! Inc. has devoted itself to offering better services and driving technology for every consumer”. So let’s see how well they live up to that devotion.

Read full article @ eTeknix

PAPAGO! P3 Dashcam Review

The PAPAGO! P3 Dashcam is the company’s top-of-the-line dashboard camera unit, with many extra features beyond just recording what it sees out the windshield. Its Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) includes Stop and Go, LDWS (Lane Departure Warning System) and FCWS (Front Collision Warning System), as well as a number of other capabilities.

Read full article @ Benchmark Reviews

Raidmax RX-1000AE 1000W Power Supply Review

We mainly know Raidmax for their cases, but they also make power supplies. When talking about power supplies many people go for the highest wattage possible, but many people will never use that wattage in a 1200W+ unit. 1000W units are perfect for systems with multiple graphics cards and other demanding components. The RX-1000AE from Raidmax is a 1000W unit that is semi-modular, has an 80PLUS Gold certification, and a silent 135 mm cooling fan. What’s even better is that this unit is currently selling for around $150. Not bad for a 1000W unit with these features, but will the RX-1000AE make it through our tests? Read on as we find out!

Read full article @ ThinkComputers.org

SilentiumPC Fera 2 HE 1224 CPU Cooler Review

As I'€™m sure we are all aware overclockers, enthusiasts, professionals and even gamers always like to spend as much as possible when building and/or updating their systems to ensure the best possible performance and endurance through time. Some may focus mostly on processing power, others on available memory and others on the graphics but what they all have in common is the extra weight when choosing the right CPU cooling system for the job. However the largest segment of the market is actually taken by casual users who are not really interested in spending lots of money for a system and that makes things a bit harder since price/performance is always an issue. There are of course countless low-cost entry level CPU coolers in the market of every size and type but with a few exceptions performance is not something they excel at. Today we will be taking a look at one such solution and more specifically the Fera 2 HE 1224 by SilentiumPC.

Read full article @ NikKTech

Turtle Beach Ear Force i60 Wireless Headset Review

Turtle Beach has sent us their i60, a headset with an unexpected design from the likes of a company most well known for their video game console headsets. The Ear Force i60, with its aluminum and white accents, is designed and stylized to match and be used with Apple products such as Mac systems and iPhones. It also has a list of features including Dolby Headphone virtual surround and wireless connectivity. Usage of the i60 is limited to PCs, Macs, and mobile devices....

Read full article @ Legit Reviews

XFX Type 01 Bravo Case Review

To conclude, XFX has done a decent job with its first chassis and the box even has a check box for an "Alpha" next to the "Bravo", which I can only assume is a white version of the same chassis since XFX website doesn't even mention it. Mysteries aside, I think the flaws in this chassis makes a dent, in what could be, a great chassis. I would advise to get this only if you know what you are getting into and really like the look. In short, to get the full amount of value, you will have to invest a bit of money into buying extra fans if you want the best temperatures.

Read full article @ OCC