Here a roundup of today's reviews and articles:

20XX Early Access Preview
ASUS MG279Q 144Hz IPS FreeSync Monitor Review
Case Mod Friday: Project Alternate
G.Skill Trident Z F4-3200C16D-16GTZ 2x8GB DDR4 RAM Review
Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 7 Motherboard Review
Intel Core i5 6500: A Great Skylake CPU For $200, Works Well On Linux
MSI GTX 980 Ti Sea Hawk Review
MSI Z170A GAMING PRO (Intel LGA 1151)
Patriot Viper 4 3400MHz CL16 PV48G340C6K 2x4GB DDR4 Review: Fast is the New Normal
Rosewill B2 Spirit Full Tower Case Review
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 Review: Meet Samsung's Ultra-Slim Android Tablet
Scythe Ninja 4
TDK TREK Flex A28 Wireless Speaker Review
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 Review
TP-Link Archer VR900
TP-Link Archer VR900 AC 1900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Modem Router Review
Vertagear Racing Series S-Line SL4000 Review
Windows 10 Mobile Build 10549 Hands On and Gallery
Z170 Charts: 11 Boards - Supermicro C7Z170-SQ

20XX Early Access Preview

I got my hands on a key for 20XX a week or so before the demo was released for Mighty No. 9, and I remember when it was announced somewhat shrugging, and starting a new run in the formerly mentioned title. The similarities between the two are obvious, not only in their influence from the Mega Man franchise but also that they are both in this weird, pre-release stage that so many games find themselves in. I’m still very much looking forward to a modern day Mega Man from the original development team, but 20XX has managed to scratch an itch that has otherwise been delayed.

Read full article @ LanOC Reviews

ASUS MG279Q 144Hz IPS FreeSync Monitor Review

When we took a look at the ASUS ROG SWIFT PG278Q G-SYNC monitor last year, we praised it for its sleek design, thin bezels, support of NVIDIA’s adaptive refresh rate technology, and high-quality TN panel—relatively speaking. TN (Twisted Nematic) panels generally have fast response times and can be more affordable, but at the expense of color accuracy and viewing angles. The TN panel used in the ROG SWIFT was surprisingly good, but it still couldn’t compete with higher-end IPS panels in terms of overall quality. And because the display was designed for G-SYNC, it was outfitted with only a single DisplayPort input. So, while we really liked the ROG SWIFT PG278Q, it wasn’t without its drawbacks.

If you had asked us back then what we’d like to see upgraded in a display like the ASUS ROG SWIFT PG278Q, we would have said a fast IPS panel and additional inputs would have been ideal. But, IPS panels with ultra-high refresh rates were virtually non-existent last year. That’s not the case today, however. The ASUS MG279Q we’re going to show you here has an IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, a bunch of inputs, and many of the same styling cues we liked on last year’s ROG SWIFT...

Read full article @ HotHardware.com

Case Mod Friday: Project Alternate

Welcome to another Case Mod Friday showcase! This week we have DeBlow's “Project Alternate” build. Here is what he had to say about it, "After what feels like a very long year I have decided to start work on my new desk build. The idea for this desk came to me when i was working on my last desk & at one point I almost started the project again, but I'm glad i didn't. Most people liked the desk & I learned a great deal during the build. The Project Alternate design slightly changed month by month & I will show some of the other plans & explain why the changes was made. This time I'm hoping to outdo my last desk & hopefully help others in the process. The desk work is about to start, using mostly MDF, Perspex, clay, metal & glass I plan to build the desk in 3 parts, starting from the bottom, then middle followed by the top section. The tricky parts will be the sharp corners & angles on the edges.

Read full article @ ThinkComputers.org

G.Skill Trident Z F4-3200C16D-16GTZ 2x8GB DDR4 RAM Review

On Friday last week, I was hanging out with my colleague Brian Cheung at the student center at the University of Calgary. As we were talking, one of my friends walked by, and pointed at the "hipster" sticker at the back of Brian's laptop. Since the topic came up, I asked my friend, "Do you think Brian is hipster?" Without much thinking, she said, "Yes." Being the owner of the de facto hipster MacBook Pro sleeve here at APH Networks, the Inateck MP1320, I could not resist but to ask a follow up question. "Do you think I look hipster?" To which she said, "Not really, you look... academic." Basically, my friend called me a nerd, but I am not going to lie -- I am actually proud of it, because I am, indeed, a nerd. After all, it does not hurt to look like one to be like one. In the Kingston HyperX Fury HX426C15FBK4/32 4x8GB review I wrote a couple a weeks ago, I talked about how we have covered "components that looks fast and performs poorly, looks subtle but goes like heck, and everything in between". We have come to the conclusion the Kingston RAM is the kind of product that looks subtle while delivering solid performance, which is something I appreciate. Today, we will take a look at the G.Skill Trident Z F4-3200C16D-16GTZ 2x8GB. Clocked at a stratospheric 3200MHz for a 2x8GB kit and equipped with a set of sharp, medium profile aluminum heatspreaders with red accents, will the company's latest product in their flagship DDR4 lineup be the kind of product that not only looks fast, but is actually fast in our benchmarks? We took in a set to find out if it looks like a performance part to be a performance part, just like how I am proud of the fact I look like an academic to be a academic.

Read full article @ APH Networks

Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 7 Motherboard Review

It is almost undeniable that performance is the primary currency when purchasing components for a pixel-pushing gaming machine. But in the same way that enthusiasts may appreciate a fast car for its sleek lines and eye-catching paint job, appearance is another of the important parameters to gamers building a system they are proud to sit next to.

Read full article @ KitGuru

Intel Core i5 6500: A Great Skylake CPU For $200, Works Well On Linux

With Skylake's retail availability improving, we're starting to see more of the Skylake processors in stock besides just the i5-6600K and i7-6700K. One of the other processors now widely available is the Core i5 6500, which is a step down from the Core i5 6600K, but retails at just $199 USD -- making it an attractive offer for many building new PCs and trying to stick to a decent budget. I've been testing out an i5-6500 under Ubuntu Linux and so far this processor with HD Graphics 530 is running well and offers compelling CPU performance relative to older Intel hardware as well as AMD's APU/CPU competition.

Read full article @ Phoronix

MSI GTX 980 Ti Sea Hawk Review

NVIDIA’s GTX 980Ti certainly isn’t a stranger to these pages but after reviewing nearly a half dozen examples we were secretly hoping for something more. Granted, Zotac’s AMP! Extreme posted some absolutely mind-bending performance numbers and ASUS’ STRIX OC ended up being one of the best graphics cards we’ve reviewed all year but after a while, all of the air-cooled cards ended up feeling eerily similar. This is why MSI’s GTX 980 Ti Sea Hawk is like a breath of fresh air so-to-speak since it boasts an integrated water cooler.

Read full article @ Hardware Canucks

MSI Z170A GAMING PRO (Intel LGA 1151)

MSI listens to all you gamers out there who want Intel LAN instead of KIllerNIC, and who are tired of all the dragons. The MSI Z170A GAMING PRO is the board that rids itself of the things many users complain about, adding in a new twist instead. Pro gaming for the MSI Z170A GAMING PRO?

Read full article @ techPowerUp

Patriot Viper 4 3400MHz CL16 PV48G340C6K 2x4GB DDR4 Review: Fast is the New Normal

What stings the most about upgrading to new technology is not so much the effort it takes to understand it but, the sizable bite it takes out of the wallet. Understandably, the first of such things out of the gate will carry a high price tag but that is why competition in the market is important. More options means more … Read more.

Read full article @ Modders-Inc

Rosewill B2 Spirit Full Tower Case Review

Today, we will be taking a look at the Rosewill B2 Spirit, a full tower case that can be purchased at their main etailer, Newegg for $139.99 after a $30 rebate and free shipping. This new full tower case boasts many features that those wanting a full tower demand.

Read full article @ Legit Reivews

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 Review: Meet Samsung's Ultra-Slim Android Tablet

At 5.6mm thin for both the 9.7- and 8.0-inch models, Samsung is touting the Galaxy Tab S2 as the thinnest tablet on the market. The high-end hardware you’ll find in this device, including the Exynos 7 Octa SoC and 2,048 x 1536 Super AMOLED display, make it a serious competitor to the iPad Air 2 and latest iPad Mini. Samsung's software may be it's weakest point but this is the first tablet I’ve seen this year that made me want to try out Android on tablets once again.

Read full article @ TechSpot

Scythe Ninja 4

Scythe is looking for a stealth kill on the competition with their new Ninja 4 CPU cooler. Featuring a massive Tower, it can run semi-passive or with dual fans. Versatile and deadly, it looks to beat the heat and the competition.

Read full article @ techPowerUp

TDK TREK Flex A28 Wireless Speaker Review

Portable speakers have been amongst my favorite mobile gadgets ever since i started using them roughly 5-6 years ago when i went to a place where there was hardly any electricity available (the generator just wasn't that good i guess). It didn't take long for me however to realize that wireless portable speakers could even replace full sized ones in some places (areas where you will never throw a serious party for example) so as i type these lines i use a grand total of 6 such devices. One of those i use whenever I’m away, three are permanently located in my place up in the mountains and 2 more located in both my house and the lab. Choosing however the proper wireless portable speaker is certainly not easy not only due to the very large number of manufacturers out in the market today but also due to the plethora of features and specifications offered by such devices. TDK just launched the latest addition in their TREK Flex line of portable speakers called the A28 and we've spend a good part of the last month using it to see if it's worth spending your hard earned money for.

TDK Life on Record, a leading global brand with a rich audio legacy, is dedicated to personalizing and enhancing audiophiles’ ever-evolving digital music lifestyles. TDK Life on Record audio products are carefully crafted to focus on performance, marrying a clean, striking design with the precision and flexibility of modern technology. This world-class line of premium audio products delivers a warm, authentic, high-fidelity entertainment experience. The TDK Life on Record logo is a trademark owned by TDK Corporation and is licensed exclusively to Imation Corp., a leading global developer and marketer of brands that empower people to capture, save and enjoy digital information. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

The TREK Flex A28 is yet another IP65 (dust and water proof) certified weatherproof (it's also IK07 shock resistant certified) wireless portable speaker but unlike previous models released by TDK this one features a cylindrical design very similar to that of the BOOM by Ultimate Ears (just smaller). Inside this cylindrical enclosure TDK has placed two 40mm full range dynamic drivers (4W power output each), one 90x42mm oval shaped passive radiator (featuring MaxxBass technology), NiMH (Nickel–metal hydride) rechargeable battery which can keep the A28 going for up to 8 hours and an microphone. The A28 also features Bluetooth v2.1+EDR (enhanced data rate) connectivity with NFC (near field communication), A2DP (advanced audio distribution profile), HFP (hands free profile), HSP (headset profile) and AVRCP (audio/video remote control profile).

Read full article @ NikKTech

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 Review

The first Android tablet I ever used was the original Galaxy Tab. It was a 7" Android tablet running Android Froyo, and it seemed a lot like a large version of my Galaxy S. In hindsight, it wasnt a very good tablet, but Samsung was one of the first Android vendors to enter the market and they were working with a version of Android that had never been designed with tablets in mind. As Android moved to Gingerbread and then to the tablet exclusive release of Android Honeycomb, Samsung was always among the group of manufacturers producing Android tablets. While some vendors like LG and HTC have left and returned to the tablet market, Samsung has continually producing new Galaxy Tab tablets, and those tablets constitute a very large portion of the Android tablets that are sold each year. Read on for the AnandTech review of Samsungs newest tablet, the Galaxy Tab S2.

Read full article @ Anandtech

TP-Link Archer VR900

A high-performance modem router for any type of Internet connection. Which is the most important tech device in your home? Looking beyond what's likely to be an array of frivolous gadgets, it's safe to say that the core essentials are what matter most - the boiler, the oven and the kettle (I'm standing by that one). These are the items we take for granted everyday, and should one break down, there's a very real chance someone in your home will descend into a state of panic.

And when you think about it, you could argue that the Internet router should be included on that list. Web connectivity has become an integral part of our lives, and the humble router plays a central role in dolling out megabits to our growing collection of connected gizmos.

Yet, despite its importance, the router is a lot like a bank account in that you probably got one for free at some point, and though it's relatively basic, you don't feel any real urge to change. But should you? To find out, we're taking a closer look at the TP-Link Archer VR900, a premium £140 dual-band router designed to work with any kind of Internet connection.

Read full article @ Hexus

TP-Link Archer VR900 AC 1900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Modem Router Review

For today’s review I am taking the TP-Link Archer VR900AC 1900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit VDSL/ADSL Modem Router for a spin in our test area to see how well it performs, it surely sounds like a great device. While the Archer VR900 looks very similar to the Archer C9 that we reviewed not long ago, it’s quite the different device and it also sports some general improvements over the C9.

Most noticeable is the built-in modem that allows you to connect it directly to your phone line when using that sort of connection. There is no need to keep the old modem around and couple a router on the back of it in order to gain the features and functionality you want; The Archer VR900 does it all. It supports all current ADSL as well as VDSL formats right out of the box.

Read full article @ eTeknix

Vertagear Racing Series S-Line SL4000 Review

Sitting down in front of a PC is something which many of us engage in throughout the day; whether for work or leisure. We’re required to remain perched on a seat for up to eight hours of a day (and more in some cases). Prolonged periods of time spent sitting down is generally regarded as quite a bad practise because repetitive strain injury (RSI) can occur and so today we’ll be exploring a product which offers a practical solution in this regard – if you’re spending large amounts of time sitting, surely it’s important to sit somewhere comfortable right?

Vertagear are a start-up company which launched this year – their first line of products include a Racing Series of computer chair which seeks to enhance the user experience for the gamer. Today we’ll be taking a look at the SL-4000; a computer chair with stylish, quality and features which should go a long way to improving lifestyle in the office.

Read full article @ Vortez

Windows 10 Mobile Build 10549 Hands On and Gallery

I have spent some time with the latest mobile build of Windows 10 that arrived for Windows Insiders this week and share some of my thoughts on it along with a screenshot gallery.

Read full article @ WinSupersite

Z170 Charts: 11 Boards - Supermicro C7Z170-SQ

In our comparison tables, meanwhile you find benchmark values regarding 11 recent Z170 motherboards. Furthermore we do not comment the benchmark values. The idea and also the goal is to present to you a market overview which helps you choose the right motherboard.

Read full article @ ocaholic