Here a roundup of todays reviews and articles:

AMD Radeon R9 285 Tonga Performance On Linux
Antec Kuhler H20 1250 CPU Cooler Review
ASRock X99 Extreme4 Motherboard
ASRock X99 OC Formula Review
BitFenix Fury 750G Semi-Modular Power Supply Review
Cooler Master Hyper D92 Review
Cooltek UMX2
Corsair Graphite 780T Full Tower Case Review
Deepcool Maelstrom 240 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler Review
Digital Storm Bolt II: Devil’s Canyon Inside
Fractal Design Core 2300 Case Review
Func MS-2 Mouse Review
History of the PC, Part 5: Computing goes mainstream, mobile, ubiquitous
In Win D-Frame Mini
NVIDIA GTX 970 SLI Performance Review
Palit GTX980 Super Jetstream OC Review
Rollei CarDVR-120 GPS 1296p Car Camera Review
Samsungs 840 EVO update fixes slow reads with old data
The Thermaltake Urban T81 Full Tower Enclosure Reviewed
Thermaltake Frio Extreme Silent 14 Dual CPU Cooler Review
Workstation Graphics Card Comparison Guide Rev. 8.4
XFX R9 280 Double Dissipation 3GB Video Card Review

AMD Radeon R9 285 Tonga Performance On Linux

Announced over the summer when AMD was celebrating their 30 years of graphics celebration was the Radeon R9 285, a $250 graphics card built on the company's latest GCN graphics processor technology to replace the Radeon R9 280. We finally have our hands on a Radeon R9 285 "Tonga" for delivering the first look at its Linux performance.

The Radeon R9 285 offers roughly the same performance as the Radeon R9 280 while at the same price. However, for the Radeon R9 285 comes a new GPU compared to the R9 280 being derived from the three-year-old Tahiti GPU. The Radeon R9 285 is powered by AMD's Tonga GPU and is the first GPU on the market using the GCN 1.2 architecture revision. The GCN 1.2 "Volcanic Islands" revision features better performance improvements (particularly for tessellation), a new video encoder/decoder, and an updated ISA that's more efficient.

Read full article @ Phoronix

Antec Kuhler H20 1250 CPU Cooler Review

Today I will be reviewing the Kuhler H2O 1250 by Antec. Why liquid cooling over air cooling you ask? Liquid has a higher heat density than air. Liquid absorbs heat 23 times faster than air. Component life doubles with each 10 degrees temperature decrease. Still not convinced? Unlike the days before all-in-one units, the Antec Kuhler H2O 1250 requires no maintenance, SET IT AND FORGET IT.

Read full article @ FunkyKit

ASRock X99 Extreme4 Motherboard

The ASRock X99 Extreme4 is a mid-range motherboard for the new Intel high-end "Haswell-E" processors, based on the new LGA2011-v3 socket. It includes three PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots, ten SATA-600 ports, six USB 3.0 ports, and a high-end audio codec. Let's take a good look at this board.

Read full article @ Hardware Secrets

ASRock X99 OC Formula Review

ASRock has shipped us their ASRock X99 OC Formula. The motherboard can supply "1300W" of maximum CPU power using its 12-phase CPU VRM. This phat X99 motherboard comes with eight DDR4 DIMM slots can support up to 128 GB of quad-channel DDR4 memory. Yeah, what candy is to kids, this platform is for enthusiast PC gamers. As expensive as this upgrade is, we all like it, love it and if possible would buy it. The motherboard manufacturers know this, and as such they developed some X99 motherboards that are almost ridiculous in design.

The Intel Core i7-5960X and other Haswell-E chips have been released on the market September 2014 and based on a new socket LGA2011-V3 infrastructure and DDR4 quad channel memory. The new Haswell-E series being released feature three models, two 6-core and one 8 core processor series intended for the most high-end desktops anno 2014. For Intel it is the first 8 core desktop CPU for consumers. However Intel has been offering 8 and even 12 core processors in their Xeon server line for quite some time now to the business channel. With the new Haswell-E processor comes a new chipset and slightly revised processor socket. Intel still uses Socket 2011, but it's a revision 3 socket, meaning that the older Socket 2011 will not work on the new X99 chipset motherboards. That of course goes both ways, you cannot use Haswell-E on say an X79 motherboard. Interesting is a first introduction towards DDR4 memory. The new memory allows for lower voltage memory modules, this memory defaults towards 2133 MHz at 1.2 Volts. However the memory controller is quad-channel compatible. As a result with overclocked memory at roughly 3 GHz, you can reach 70 maybe 80 GB/sec on your memory bandwidth, which are insane numbers. In this article we'll have a chat about a X99 motherboard in terms of the chipset and then will throw a decent photo-shoot and a benchmark suite at the products and get an indication what performance is like with the Intel Core i7-5960X and X99 Platform.

The OC Formula series really are the ASRock flagship products, this is enthusiast class alright. This MSI board will come with nice PC options like 8-pin EPS connectors, a digital phase VRM design for the processor and memory, five PCI-Express x16 slots . There is an extra EMI shield that covers audio, The board comes with two Gigabit NICs. Storage wise you will get ten SATA 6 Gb/s and nit one but two M.2 slots. Overclocking features are wide and diverse, the board comes with a diagnostic POST LED display.

Read full article @ Guru3D

BitFenix Fury 750G Semi-Modular Power Supply Review

BitFenix are the latest in a long line of brands to make an entry into the power supply market. The story with BitFenix is very similar to that of Fractal Design as both brands started out selling PC cases and expanded to power supplies after experiencing great success. Power supplies and fans are probably the two closest linked components to cases which is why you’ll often find that brands who make cases also sell power supplies (Cooler Master, Corsair, Fractal Design, BitFenix…) and brands who made power supplies expanded to start making cases (be quiet!, XFX…). The BitFenix Fury series of power supplies is actually fairly unique though, they aren’t just “rebadging” a common OEM design and sticking their label on it. BitFenix haven’t produced the power supply themselves, FSP are the OEM provider, but they have worked with FSP above and beyond the normal level of cooperation to create a custom power supply design that they can call their own. The most notable unique feature is that the PSU features custom sleeved cables, even the ones that are hard-wired feature custom sleeving.

Read full article @ eTeknix

Cooler Master Hyper D92 Review

There is no need for a fancy introduction, as Cooler Master's family of cases, power supplies, cooling solutions, and gaming peripherals speak for themselves. The company is often found at the top of the short list for practically anyone looking for stylish, long-lasting, affordable hardware. Cooler Master has certainly earned a fine reputation for delivering quality and performance with the Hyper series of coolers. The Hyper series is a successful line of air coolers that currently consists of around twelve models. The Hyper D92 is a mid tower-style cooler and is a new addition to the lineup. If you are familiar with the N520 from the 2009 vintage, then you may notice some similarities.

The N520 had a unique design that placed the fans' axial alignment offset to each other. This offest helped to reduce the natural deadzone of air behind the fan hub area. A lot has changed since 2009. The new D92 uses the same offset concept and to further improve the performance of the D92, it also uses direct contact heat pipes and more powerful fans. We also have an improved mounting system over the N520.

Cooler Master also uses the ACS (Accelerated Cooling System) with the Hyper D92. We will go over the ACS later in the review.

Read full article @ OCC

Cooltek UMX2

The Cooltek UMX2 is a compact full ATX case with a designer body. Constructed of solid aluminum and utilizing an interesting approach to the interior layout, it does not only look good, but sounds intriguing as well. But is it all superficial beauty or does it also have what counts on the inside?

Read full article @ techPowerUp

Corsair Graphite 780T Full Tower Case Review

When Corsair releases a case, they watch which features are popular and incorporate those into their next case line. When they released the Graphite 600T the side panels and the front I/O cluster were hits, however it was only a mid-tower with customizable interior to fit larger than normal systems in a mid-tower case. Taking the side panel style and front I/O cluster, Corsair expanded that into a full tower case and provided some additional popular features such as hidden 2.5" hard drives, large liquid cooling radiator support and an updated design. Corsair sent over the White model of the Graphite 780T for us to take a look at...

Read full article @ Legit Reviews

Deepcool Maelstrom 240 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler Review

Recently we took a close look at DeepCool’s initial offering in the AIO cooler category, the Maelstrom 120. Released under their new moniker Gamer Storm we found that although it was a decent first attempt, it left us wanting in a few areas. Mostly we were hoping for just a little more performance. Well as it happens DeepCool also offers a Maelstrom 240 AIO. This unit is the big brother to the 120, and is nearly identical aside from having a larger radiator. Could this be the answer to the performance gap the 120 left us with? Read on as we take an in depth look at the DeepCool Maelstrom 240.

Read full article @ ThinkComputers.org

Digital Storm Bolt II: Devil’s Canyon Inside

The Digital Storm Bolt II is a midsize system that fits some powerful components into a very sleek, sophisticated case – one that looks as good standing upright as it does on its side, which is an important feature for a computer that might end up on your home theater setup. At $3,481 (as tested), the Bolt II’s price tag might raise some eyebrows, but the price strikes us as unsurprising for this rig, which is a luxury PC, after all. Given the prices we’ve seen in luxury gaming PCs of late, the Bolt II certainly commands a premium, but it's not out of line with expecations, especially considering the Devil's Canyon CPU, Liquid Cooling, and GeForce GTX 780 Ti inside...

Read full article @ HotHardware.com

Fractal Design Core 2300 Case Review

When it comes to building a computer, not everyone needs a ton of LED fans along with a fancy exterior design. A fully-fledged PC with fancy mods may look appealing to the eyes, but it would not be ideal for a professional business environment. As the little brother to the Fractal Design Core 3300, the Core 2300 with its brushed aluminum finish and black exterior maintains the same clean aesthetics commonly found on most Fractal Design computer cases. With the capability to add a total of seven fans, the Core 2300 provides the cooling performance of an actual gaming computer case along with the professional and elegant aesthetics suitable for a business environment. Inside is the innovated vertical hard drive bracket. This allows for three 3.5 inch drives and three 2.5 inch drives to be mounted simultaneously. At Benchmark Reviews, we will take a close look at what the Fractal Design Core 2300 has to offer.

Read full article @ Benchmark Reviews

Func MS-2 Mouse Review

Today we take a look at a new mid-range gaming mouse in our Func MS-2 Review.

Read full article @ HardwareHeaven

History of the PC, Part 5: Computing goes mainstream, mobile, ubiquitous

The new millennium brought a closer relationship between people and computers. More portable devices became the conduit that enabled humans' basic need to connect. It's no surprise that computers transitioned from productivity tool to indispensable companion as connectivity proliferated. This is the fifth and final installment in a series exploring the history of the microprocessor and personal computing, from the transistor to modern day chips on connected devices.

Read full article @ TechSpot

In Win D-Frame Mini

Today we are checking out In Win’s latest creation the D-Frame Mini, a Mini-ITX gaming case with a twist. Like the original what we have here is a very fancy open air-chassis unlike no other. The design has been somewhat improved from the original and so too has the price. That said at $350 the D-Frame Mini is still mighty expensive, but is it worth it? Let’s find out...

Last year we reviewed a number of interesting computer cases. Products such as the Cooler Master HAF XB, which was configured much like a test bed, caught our attention. As did Lian-Li’s incredibly massive D8000 full HPTX tower that could handle twenty 3.5” hard drives. At the opposite end of the case spectrum we also enjoyed the Silverstone Sugo SG10, which despite its tiny capacity could handle some very big hardware.

Still, of all the weird and wonderful cases we reviewed in 2013, for me the one that stands out the most in my mind is the In Win D-Frame. This case was a master piece and despite being impractical, fairly feature-less and wildly expensive, it was nonetheless my favourite.

Read full article @ Legion Hardware

NVIDIA GTX 970 SLI Performance Review

Along with the GTX 980, NVIDIA’s GTX 970 has shaken the graphics card market to its very foundation. While the GTX 980 is a relatively expensive (albeit still well priced) high end GPU, the GTX 970’s price of just $330 makes it a surefire hit for anyone who is looking for affordability and excellent performance metrics.

The GTX 970 has been launched in so-called “virtual” form which means there isn’t any reference design per se. Rather, NVIDIA has given their board partners a set of specifications that need to be followed for minimum base / boost frequencies, cooling capabilities and current capacity. Past those metrics the cards are being freely engineered and the amount of variety available from day one has been nothing short of incredible. Unfortunately, this hasn’t necessarily led to widespread availability and the GTX 970 is still nearly impossible to find at retailers. Expect that situation to change in the next few days and weeks as China's Golden Week Holiday is finished and cards will start shipping from manufacturers again.

Even with limited stocks, an SLI setup with a pair of GTX 970 cards has actually become the de facto standard for anyone who wants optimal performance without a huge outlay of money. As a matter of fact, provided you can find two of these cards without an atrocious markup attached to them, two GTX 970’s will cost less than a most single GTX 780 Ti’s did not three weeks ago. That’s an incredible value when you consider the amount of future-proofing packed into this setup. Dual GTX 980's provide awe inspiring performance but cost significantly more as well.

Read full article @ Hardware Canucks

Palit GTX980 Super Jetstream OC Review

Nvidia’s recent GTX970 and GTX980 launch has been one of the most successful we can remember. We have already analysed many partner cards and today we look at the new flagship model from Palit – the GTX980 Super Jetstream. This card is the first one that ships with a core clock speed over 1,200mhz ‘out of the box’. It is also the first high end Maxwell card we have tested with enhanced memory timings as well. How does it stack up against other cards available on the market today?

Read full article @ KitGuru

Rollei CarDVR-120 GPS 1296p Car Camera Review

Driver error is a phrase I’ve heard many times from people who tried with very little luck to convince police officers and insurance companies that they weren't responsible for car accidents. Unfortunately although technology has made it possible for everyone to have a tiny camcorder on the dashboard of their cars to avoid such issues not many decide to do so where i live but judging by the sheer number of people who are currently using such devices in large countries like the USA, Taiwan and Russia i suspect that it will not be long before this changes. Not too long ago the very first next generation 1296p (2304x1296/30fps) SuperHD/XHD Dashcam models were revealed and we had the chance to test the Marcus 3 by Vicovation which was quite good although we did feel that there was room for improvement. Today we will be taking a look at the SuperHD proposal by Rollei the CarDVR-120 GPS Car Camera.

Rollei’s history goes back to the year 1920 and a workshop in Braunschweig. With the launch of the twin-lens Rolleiflex, a landmark film camera, Rollei quickly established a global reputation for precision engineering. A cult brand, it gave rise to its very own photo style in the 1950s and ’60s. In 2007 Hamburg-based RCP-Technik GmbH acquired the European rights to Rollei and since then has marketed Rollei consumer products with growing success. Rollei products are currently sold in more than 20 European countries. The Rollei product range features digital cameras, camcorders, action camcorders, digital picture frames, slide scanners, professional tripods as well as camera and iPhone accessories. Excellent service is assured for all Rollei products with the all-inclusive package for 24 months. If a defect is found within this time, the product can be returned and a new one received within eight days.

Much like the Marcus 3 by VicoVation the CarDVR-120 GPS by Rollei wears the A7LA (A7LA50D) SoC by Ambarella which can record up to Super HD (2304x1296p) resolution at 30fps, Full HD (1920x1080p) resolution at up to 60 fps and dual channel Full HD (1920x1080p) at 30fps (ideal for dual camera models). The A7LA SoC includes a high speed 700MHz ARM CPU which is responsible for advanced analytics algorithms such as the lane departure warning, forward collision warning, forward car movement detection and the low light warning systems. It also supports WiFi connectivity, motion sensor, super wide angle recording, high dynamic range (HDR), 3D noise filtering, automotive smart auto exposure, full-resolution over-sampling, dynamic tone mapping and advanced night vision for low light conditions. A 2.7 inch 16m color LCD screen is also present at the rear so you can see exactly what it is you're shooting. Of course once again since video samples will be stored in our server we will only test the CarDVR-120 GPS Car Camera in Super HD mode (not that anyone would get a Super HD model just to use the Full HD mode).

Read full article @ NikKTech

Samsungs 840 EVO update fixes slow reads with old data

Samsung's 840 EVO SSD is afflicted by a bug that slows read performance with older data. We have new information on the cause of the issue and an early look at the Performance Restoration tool that addresses it.

Read full article @ The Tech Report

The Thermaltake Urban T81 Full Tower Enclosure Reviewed

Attractive full tower enclosures are among the more popular choices of modders due to their size and versatility. You can add more custom (or larger all in one systems like the Thermaltake Water 3.0 Ultimate) liquid cooling loops, utilize larger radiator configurations, and add better looking modified components. Full towers with a complete or wider range of features like tool-less or removable bays, cut outs, grommet lined machining, and painted interiors are among the most selected for complex builds. And it looks like Thermaltake has a strong contender in this space, and they call it, the Urban T81!

Read full article @ Futurelooks

Thermaltake Frio Extreme Silent 14 Dual CPU Cooler Review

Thermaltake are back with their brand new CPU cooler; the Frio Extreme Silent 14 Dual. In the past they have released some excellent products geared towards gamers and overclocking enthusiasts, boasting good value, low temperatures and low acoustics. A near silent PC is always hard to put together and normally you have to sacrifice some of the cooling power to get the PC as quiet as you would like. This cooler is set to try and tackle both problems head on, focusing on silence whilst keeping the performance that we all desire.

I’ve got high hopes for this cooler and with stiff competition coming from the likes of be quiet! and the AIOs that are on the market it will certainly be interesting to see how this stacks up against the competition.

As you can see from the specification below, the cooler supports all major socket types for both Intel and AMD. It comes equipped with two 140mm PWM fans and 0.4mm aluminium fin construction.

Read full article @ eTeknix

Workstation Graphics Card Comparison Guide Rev. 8.4

These days, there are so many workstation graphics card models that it has become quite impossible to keep up with the different configurations. Therefore, we decided to compile this guide to provide an easy reference for those who are interested in comparing the specifications of the various workstation graphics cards in the market as well as those already obsolescent or obsolete.

Currently covering 184 workstation graphics cards, this comprehensive comparison will allow you to easily compare up to 24 different specifications for each and every card. We hope it will prove to be a useful reference. We will keep this guide updated regularly, so do check back for the latest updates.

To make it easy to compare the specifications, we split it up into three sections for your convenience. However, if you prefer to compare all the graphics cards for each company in a single table, we also have a single list which can be accessed by clicking on Full List. Just click on the company and the type of list you prefer.

Read full article @ Tech ARP

XFX R9 280 Double Dissipation 3GB Video Card Review

The AMD Radeon R9 280 is almost to the end of its shelf life, and you know what that means, record low pricing making an excellent value for performance right now. We have the XFX R9 280 Double Dissipation 3GB and will be comparing it with an R9 285, and also a custom GTX 760. This may be a deal!

Read full article @ HardOCP