Here the latest reviews and articles, including Samsung unveils 840 EVO solid-state drive family, Mesa 9.2 Can Boost Intel Haswell Graphics 30~40% On Linux, Gigabyte G1.Sniper 5 Motherboard, G.SKILL TridentX 2933 MHz C12 2x 4 GB kit, and Interview with Joran Schoonderwoerd from MSI



Samsung unveils 840 EVO solid-state drive family @ The Tech Report

There's a new lineup of Samsung solid-state drives on the way. This one seems poised to supplant the budget-focused 840 Series, and it claims to deliver both better write performance and higher-capacity options.

Read more: Samsung unveils 840 EVO solid-state drive family @ The Tech Report

PowerColor Devil HD7870 2GB @ PureOverclock

As AMD’s 7000 series lineup has developed, we’ve seen the flagship 7900 and budget 7700 cards, and also the middle ground of the 7800 models. It’s here in the mainstream performance segment where we find something interesting developing. The Radeon 7870 has seen two iterations of sorts, with the original Pitcairn-based GPU products, then the Tahiti-based version. And now PowerColor is putting a familiar spin on the former, with the release of the Devil HD7870 custom graphics card.

It’s essentially a handcuffed version of the Radeon 7950, so the performance should be good against the competiton, but without the price tag of the premium 7950. It’s a bit of an interesting choice by PoweColor, targeting gamers with the newly branded card as AMD’s lineup matures, and before we see the next generation models hitting shelves presumably later this year.

Read more: PowerColor Devil HD7870 2GB @ PureOverclock

Corsair Obsidian 350D mATX Case Review @ Hardware Canucks

Corsair’s history in the case market started with the Obsidian 800D, a well designed and executed case that took many of their competitors by surprise. Since then, the Obsidian series has continued through a number of iterations, every one of which refined the original’s approach by adapting it for different market conditions. There have been budget-conscious Obsidians and higher end versions that included everything an enthusiast could possibly want alongside new innovations. Now, Corsair is moving their iconic enclosure series towards the mATX form factor, a segment which has been growing at a breakneck pace as of late.

Read more: Corsair Obsidian 350D mATX Case Review @ Hardware Canucks

EK Water Blocks TITAN Full Cover Block Kit Review @ Madshrimps

The Nvidia TITAN card is one serious monster gaming graphics card. Maximum performance awaits you if you are able to pay the atmospheric price tag. For those that want the fastest single GPU graphics card at the moment, this is the right one for you. But it's not all roses here for Nvidia's fastest GPU. The TITAN card is seriously limited by an average power design, allowing almost no extra headroom for that little extra crunching power. Secondly the stock heatsink is also running on its toes to keep the card just below throttling temperature. The latter is where watercooling comes to the rescue. Slovenian EK Waterblocks was so kind to send us one of their full cover block TITAN versions bundled with the backplate. A newer XL version of this full cover block also has popped up in the EK online shop. Time to unpack one of EK's marvels.

Read more: EK Water Blocks TITAN Full Cover Block Kit Review @ Madshrimps

Mesa 9.2 Can Boost Intel Haswell Graphics 30~40% On Linux @ Phoronix

Yesterday I shared open-source Linux graphics benchmarks showing the Intel Ivy Bridge performance improving on Mesa 9.2 over the earlier releases of this important open-source Linux graphics driver component. However, for the latest-generation Intel "Haswell" graphics, Mesa 9.2 is an even more important upgrade. Here's a look at the performance benefits in moving from Mesa 9.1 to the soon-to-be-released Mesa 9.2.

With Intel Haswell processors only having been released in early June and Mesa 9.1 being from early 2013, there's been months worth of performance optimizations building up for Haswell that aren't yet found widespread on the Linux desktop for owners of the new CPUs. (Fortunately this will be improved in the future with a new Mesa release process.) Ivy Bridge performance also improved as the aforelinked article shows, but Haswell is quite noticeable as the Linux support is still stabilizing, becoming feature-complete, and catching up to the Intel Windows driver. (The long-awaited Intel Haswell Linux vs. Windows results are also forthcoming, but the latest delay is due to having to order a new Microsoft Windows disc after losing the previous one, but that should be here in the next day or two.)

Read more: Mesa 9.2 Can Boost Intel Haswell Graphics 30~40% On Linux @ Phoronix

WhatsApp Is Moving To A Subscription Model? Don't Panic! @ Tech ARP

Today, the WhatsApp team not only released a new update for the Apple iPhone, they also announced that they are moving iOS users to the subscription model. That set everyone panicking about what that meant for them.

Would they have to pay to use WhatsApp if they were early adopters who downloaded WhatsApp FOC? Would they have to pay to use WhatsApp if they purchased the app from the App Store earlier?

Well, don't panic. It's not going to affect current users of WhatsApp for iPhone, but it's not all good news either. Let us explain why.

Read more: WhatsApp Is Moving To A Subscription Model? Don't Panic! @ Tech ARP

I choose to be spied on @ The Tech Report

In his latest blog post, TR's Cyril Kowaliski discusses the inaction and complacency with which many technology enthusiasts are responding to the NSA spying scandal.

Read more: I choose to be spied on @ The Tech Report

Gigabyte G1.Sniper 5 Motherboard @ Hardware Secrets

The Gigabyte G1.Sniper 5 is a high-end socket LGA1150 motherboard targeted for the "Haswell" processors (fourth-generation Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors). Its main highlights include the presence of a professional grade audio circuit, two Gigabit Ethernet ports (one of them being a high-end Killer E2200 controller chip), Wi-Fi interface, and more.

Read more: Gigabyte G1.Sniper 5 Motherboard @ Hardware Secrets

Sonivo Induction Easy Speaker Review @ TechReviewSource.com

The Sonivo Universal Induction Easy Speaker offers a new way to enjoy listening to your music on your mobile device. It has integrated induction technology to amplify your music all without wires. And for devices without an external loudspeaker, there is a built-in speaker and audio input jack.

Read more: Sonivo Induction Easy Speaker Review @ TechReviewSource.com

G.SKILL TridentX 2933 MHz C12 2x 4 GB kit @ techPowerUp

G.Skill's F3-2933C12D-8GTXDG kit is a weapon for the seasoned overclocker and Haswell-based systems. Clad in black and red, it is a complex kit that, once quenched and hardened, proves to be valuable to any serious overclocker.

Read more: G.SKILL TridentX 2933 MHz C12 2x 4 GB kit @ techPowerUp

Corsair Carbide 300R Mid-Tower Case Review @ Legit Reviews

As much as we'd all love to own the most expensive of everything, it's only when you come back to reality that you realize that most people cannot. Today we have Corsair's Carbide 300R in the house, which is supposed to be built and designed for those who have a tighter budget, but can spend closer to a Benjamin on a case. We will take a look and see what kind of features this case has, and see if spending a few bucks less will be worth it to you.

Read more: Corsair Carbide 300R Mid-Tower Case Review @ Legit Reviews

AOC g2460P 24in Gaming Monitor Video Review with Kaeyi Dream @ HardwareHeaven.com

Today Kaeyi Dream takes a look at the AOC g2460P 24" Gaming Monitor in her latest video review for HardwareHeaven.

Read more: AOC g2460P 24in Gaming Monitor Video Review with Kaeyi Dream @ HardwareHeaven.com

ASUS SABERTOOTH Z87 Intel Motherboard Review @ Benchmark Reviews

ASUS newest TUF motherboards are built on Intels new Z87 chipset, for the new Haswell-based LGA 1150 CPUs. The TUF line emphasizes reliability and durability rather than a cornucopia of consumer features or the ability to reach heroic overclocking levels. Can an enthusiast love the SABERTOOTH Z87? Benchmark Reviews checks this board out to see what makes it special enough to include in your next rig.

Read more: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z87 Intel Motherboard Review @ Benchmark Reviews

HTC One Mini hands-on review @ The Inquirer

We test drive HTC's pint-sized Android smartphone     

Read more: HTC One Mini hands-on review @ The Inquirer

Interview with Joran Schoonderwoerd from MSI @ KitGuru

Anyone who can remember progressing from a Commodore 64 to a PC – largely with gaming in mind – can rest assured that it’s a very familiar path for the KitGuru editorial team. When we got the opportunity to interview MSI’s Product Manager, Joran Schoonderwoerd, we were definitely interested. Read on to see why!

Read more: Interview with Joran Schoonderwoerd from MSI @ KitGuru