"The thing that’s hard to explain with this case is the engineering skill that has gone into it. There are many cases that pack features in, but bits don’t line up, screw threads aren’t perfect and you have to force bits into place. The Lian Li PC-C32 is nothing like that; every screw glides in, everything slots in perfectly and it just screams quality... Overall this is a solid case, with features that you don’t normally find on a desktop enclosure, like the rear-loading PSU or rack mounting ability. If you are looking for a horizontal desktop case, or even a media PC, give the Lian Li PC-C32 a good look."
XSReviews
Lian Li PC-C32 chassis review by XSReviews - Introduction & Conclusion.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Battlefield 3 - Focusing on PC first!
The Battlefield 3 release date firms up as 27th October 2011 (sooooo close now!). With the games primary development platform being the PC, we're expecting a spike in FPS orientated peripherals leading into 'the fighting season'.
Would you like to know more? Read the article about BF3 on PC and take a look at the official BF3 website.
Would you like to know more? Read the article about BF3 on PC and take a look at the official BF3 website.
Thermaltake Level 10 GT chassis review on NinjaLane
"we can clearly see what really makes the Level 10 GT the unique case it is and why it seems so large. Visually the case is divided into 4 sections. The lower right features the Thermaltake easy swap HDD system giving you external access to your harddrives while still retaining a keylock security system. To the left of the drive bays you will find a primary intake fan complete with airflow direction fins and a fine mesh dust filter. Each of the upper sections is for visual appeal featuring a vent and window."
Dennis Garcia - NinjaLane
Thermaltake Level 10 GT chassis review by NinjaLane - Introduction & Conclusion.
Dennis Garcia - NinjaLane
Thermaltake Level 10 GT chassis review by NinjaLane - Introduction & Conclusion.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Microsoft Windows 8 - Convergence is my game!
Get a quick introduction to some features of the coming Windows 8 release (estimated April 2012) from BBC News. Can you say ‘convergence’?
Thermaltake TR2 800w PSU review on VR-Zone
"The overall performance of the TR2 800W is very good, considering the market focus of the power supply. It offers very good electrical performance, keeping the voltage ripple of all lines low and its electrical efficiency high."
Ironlaw - VR-Zone
Thermaltake TR2 800w PSU review by VR-Zone - Introduction & Conclusion.
Ironlaw - VR-Zone
Thermaltake TR2 800w PSU review by VR-Zone - Introduction & Conclusion.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Thermaltake Level 10 GT chassis review on PureOverclock
"There's quite a bit to really like about the Thermaltake Level 10 GT. It’s well built, has a ton of unique and handy features, and the styling it utterly unique. It’s not everyday that we see a case like this, and Thermaltake has indeed taken the best of the Level 10 and captured its essence, albeit in scaled-down format, here in the GT."
Stan Miranda - PureOverclock
Thermaltake Level 10 GT chassis review by PureOverclock - Introduction & Conclusion.
Stan Miranda - PureOverclock
Thermaltake Level 10 GT chassis review by PureOverclock - Introduction & Conclusion.
Noctua NH-D14 CPU Cooler review on FunkyKit
"I had heard a lot of good things about the Noctua’s coolers, and I went into the review with huge expectations, and to be honest those expectations were easily exceeded. It showed impressive performance in all tests, and not to forget to mention that it is very silent. Another thing that I want to mention is that Noctua has made the mounting and installation of the cooler so easy that even people with no experience can handle it. It also includes Noctua NT-H1 thermal component and great accessory bundle.... I think the Noctua NH-D14 is one of the best solutions for your CPU cooling. Period."
Erkan Tairi - FunkyKit
Noctua NH-D14 CPU cooler review by FunkyKit - Introduction & Conclusion.
Erkan Tairi - FunkyKit
Noctua NH-D14 CPU cooler review by FunkyKit - Introduction & Conclusion.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Tt eSPORTS Dasher mouse pad review on RBMods
RBmods have examined the new Tt eSPORTS Dasher mouse pad - impressive!
"This is an excellent mousepad, one of the best I have ever reviewed! I would say it is very similar to Qpad mouse pads and works as well as they do. I have used Qpad for ages now and it might actually be time to swap mouse pad now that I have found something this good to replace them with."
Niko Lupala - RBmods
Tt eSPORTS Dasher mouse pad review by RBmods - Introduction & Conclusion.
"This is an excellent mousepad, one of the best I have ever reviewed! I would say it is very similar to Qpad mouse pads and works as well as they do. I have used Qpad for ages now and it might actually be time to swap mouse pad now that I have found something this good to replace them with."
Niko Lupala - RBmods
Tt eSPORTS Dasher mouse pad review by RBmods - Introduction & Conclusion.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Logitech Harmony Remote Controls - In Stock!
Harmony remotes feature activity based control that makes getting to what you want to do as simple as pressing a button! Want to watch something from your DVR? Play a DVD? Listen to your music player? Just press a single button or command and all the right devices turn on the way you want them to. Harmony remotes are even smart enough to control different devices for volume, channel, playback controls and more, even behaving differently in each activity.
Do you want to know more? Learn about how Logitech Harmony remote controls can change your digital lifestyle. When you've decided which Harmony is right for your application, head on down to the Harmony section to place your order today!
Do you want to know more? Learn about how Logitech Harmony remote controls can change your digital lifestyle. When you've decided which Harmony is right for your application, head on down to the Harmony section to place your order today!
"Do you really need a sound card in 2011?" We have onboard audio don't we?
"When integrated on a motherboard, audio is usually handled by a single codec chip. Apart from the processing done in software by an associated driver, this lone piece of silicon is responsible for translating binary bitstreams into something that can be output to your speakers or headset. That's quite an important role, but as is too often the case, motherboard makers tend to opt for the simplest and cheapest implementation that will get the job done. I understand their dilemma, at least to some extent. Audio must compete with other peripheral chips in a world where board real estate is at a premium, and it's not really as sexy as USB 3.0 or 6Gbps SATA.
Obviously, discrete solutions have a natural advantage. Not only do they get to focus solely on delivering quality sound, they can also spread out on an expansion card. With plenty of room to breathe, sound cards are free to tackle tasks that would otherwise be performed by a single audio codec with a small army of chips and auxiliary components...
That brings me to the question we posed at the beginning... which is whether you really need a sound card at all. The simple answer is no. You can get by with integrated audio and live blissfully unaware of what you're missing or stubbornly claim that no difference exists. I bet you could get by playing games at lower resolutions and without antialiasing and anisotropic filtering, too. You probably don't really need a solid state drive to load games a few seconds faster, and you'd likely survive with two CPU cores rather than four or six. The question is not whether you need those upgrades, but if they're worth the additional expense." Geoff Gasior - TechReport
Considering the current popularity of the MP3 file formats and the reinterest for many in music and personal audio in general, considering all that time you spent debating the abilities of one brand or series of audio cassette over another, considering how much you spent on that turntable, amplifier and your lounge room speakers. Considering, just for one moment, how important music is in your life....
Taking a step back - and you still think that muddy, opaque sound you're getting from your onboard audio source 'does the job'? If you think so, I can only suggest you actually take the time to compare the same MP3 or CDA file played between the two sources. The small expense on a quality, dedicated audio card is nothing to what you'll spend this year on iTunes or at your local music vendor. So start hearing your music the way it was meant to be heard – and you’ll shortly agree that there is no better money spent!
Obviously, discrete solutions have a natural advantage. Not only do they get to focus solely on delivering quality sound, they can also spread out on an expansion card. With plenty of room to breathe, sound cards are free to tackle tasks that would otherwise be performed by a single audio codec with a small army of chips and auxiliary components...
That brings me to the question we posed at the beginning... which is whether you really need a sound card at all. The simple answer is no. You can get by with integrated audio and live blissfully unaware of what you're missing or stubbornly claim that no difference exists. I bet you could get by playing games at lower resolutions and without antialiasing and anisotropic filtering, too. You probably don't really need a solid state drive to load games a few seconds faster, and you'd likely survive with two CPU cores rather than four or six. The question is not whether you need those upgrades, but if they're worth the additional expense." Geoff Gasior - TechReport
Considering the current popularity of the MP3 file formats and the reinterest for many in music and personal audio in general, considering all that time you spent debating the abilities of one brand or series of audio cassette over another, considering how much you spent on that turntable, amplifier and your lounge room speakers. Considering, just for one moment, how important music is in your life....
Taking a step back - and you still think that muddy, opaque sound you're getting from your onboard audio source 'does the job'? If you think so, I can only suggest you actually take the time to compare the same MP3 or CDA file played between the two sources. The small expense on a quality, dedicated audio card is nothing to what you'll spend this year on iTunes or at your local music vendor. So start hearing your music the way it was meant to be heard – and you’ll shortly agree that there is no better money spent!
Q&A with Auzentech - What makes an Auzen audio card an AUZEN audio card?
Consider your inner audiophile. That's the part of you that loves fidelity and multi channel playback. The side of you that realizes down sampled music is missing something. The portion of your mind that thinks two channel stereo is about 5.1 channels too few. It's the part of you that wants an audio sound card.
Considering your inner audiophile, you sense that something has gone terribly wrong. Just when true lossless recording and playback is possible without any of flaws introduced from analog recording and playback, the age of MP3 players arrived. Portability became more important than fidelity. Enthusiasm about music is everywhere. And everywhere that music is downsampled using mediocre audio sound cards... Your inner audiophile is less than happy.
If your inner audiophile is feeling ignored, an Auzentech audio sound card can help!
Bask in pure digital bitstreams played through your external AV receivers. Rock to directly powered multi-channel speakers. And in a pinch, experience virtual surround sound using only two speakers or headphones. The sound is crisp and true to the original source. If you're serious about audio, you need to get a serious audio sound card.
Q: How are Auzentech sound cards better than motherboard sound cards including boards that use the C-Media chipset?
A: At the heart of Auzentech sound cards are either C-Media chipsets (X-Meridian, X-Raider & X-Studio) or the Creative X-Fi chipset (X-Fi HomeTheater HD, X-Fi Forte & X-Fi Bravura). Auzentech engineers designed their sound cards specifically for these chipsets.
Q: How are Auzentech sound cards better than other cards using the same chipset?
A: The only similarity, if any, would be the chipset. Unlike many manufacturers, Auzentech does not copy the "reference" PCI board design provided by the chipset manufacturer. Auzentech sound cards are custom designed and the board is built from the highest quality components.
Q: What is so special about Auzentech circuit board design?
A: Auzen's design is completely their own, designed by engineers who are experts in digital and analog audio - they are audiophiles! That's why Auzentech designs sound cards with a 4 layer printed circuit board (PCB). Other cards use a 2 layer PCB. Auzentech need more PCBs because they use more components. A 2 layer PCB with all the components Auzen include would be closer to the size of a motherboard!
Q: Why should I care about circuit board design?
A: When two sound cards include the same chipset, it is the board which makes them different.
Q: Why do you use more components on your sound cards?
A: More components produce better audio, if you know how to use them, and if they are of high quality. An analog signal, for example, will degrade the farther it travels along a circuit. Auzen use additional components to enhance the quality all along the board. You can see this yourself. Compare the number of components on the X-Fi Forte and X-Fi Bravura alongside Creative sound cards also based around the X-Fi chipset. Study the cards for a while and you will begin to see why Auzentech cards sound better.
In the end, the proof is in the listening and the result of Auzen's insistence on quality components is amazing, audiophile quality sound.
Considering your inner audiophile, you sense that something has gone terribly wrong. Just when true lossless recording and playback is possible without any of flaws introduced from analog recording and playback, the age of MP3 players arrived. Portability became more important than fidelity. Enthusiasm about music is everywhere. And everywhere that music is downsampled using mediocre audio sound cards... Your inner audiophile is less than happy.
If your inner audiophile is feeling ignored, an Auzentech audio sound card can help!
Bask in pure digital bitstreams played through your external AV receivers. Rock to directly powered multi-channel speakers. And in a pinch, experience virtual surround sound using only two speakers or headphones. The sound is crisp and true to the original source. If you're serious about audio, you need to get a serious audio sound card.
Q: How are Auzentech sound cards better than motherboard sound cards including boards that use the C-Media chipset?
A: At the heart of Auzentech sound cards are either C-Media chipsets (X-Meridian, X-Raider & X-Studio) or the Creative X-Fi chipset (X-Fi HomeTheater HD, X-Fi Forte & X-Fi Bravura). Auzentech engineers designed their sound cards specifically for these chipsets.
Q: How are Auzentech sound cards better than other cards using the same chipset?
A: The only similarity, if any, would be the chipset. Unlike many manufacturers, Auzentech does not copy the "reference" PCI board design provided by the chipset manufacturer. Auzentech sound cards are custom designed and the board is built from the highest quality components.
Q: What is so special about Auzentech circuit board design?
A: Auzen's design is completely their own, designed by engineers who are experts in digital and analog audio - they are audiophiles! That's why Auzentech designs sound cards with a 4 layer printed circuit board (PCB). Other cards use a 2 layer PCB. Auzentech need more PCBs because they use more components. A 2 layer PCB with all the components Auzen include would be closer to the size of a motherboard!
Q: Why should I care about circuit board design?
A: When two sound cards include the same chipset, it is the board which makes them different.
Q: Why do you use more components on your sound cards?
A: More components produce better audio, if you know how to use them, and if they are of high quality. An analog signal, for example, will degrade the farther it travels along a circuit. Auzen use additional components to enhance the quality all along the board. You can see this yourself. Compare the number of components on the X-Fi Forte and X-Fi Bravura alongside Creative sound cards also based around the X-Fi chipset. Study the cards for a while and you will begin to see why Auzentech cards sound better.
In the end, the proof is in the listening and the result of Auzen's insistence on quality components is amazing, audiophile quality sound.
The revolution has not been televised - Ask your kids!
Turned on the radio lately? You've probably heard many of the latest offerings from Australian music artists on stations like Triple J and the other popular FM stations. Like the music or not, what you may not realise is that a huge proportion of these new recording artists are producing entire albums - not just riffs or beats - in their own homes! Long gone are the days you'd have to travel to Abbey Road Studios to get a decent recording.
A great example is the well known Melbourne artist Illy, whose recent album "The Chase" has done amazingly well world wide for an offering largely recorded in a bedroom in Frankston, Melbourne! An example of his work is below:
Auzentech have always been at the forefront of the home recording revolution. One of the major strengths of the Auzen range are the Professional Microphone Pre-amplifiers found on so many of their audio cards, including the HomeTheater, Forte and Bravura.
A great example is the well known Melbourne artist Illy, whose recent album "The Chase" has done amazingly well world wide for an offering largely recorded in a bedroom in Frankston, Melbourne! An example of his work is below:
Auzentech have always been at the forefront of the home recording revolution. One of the major strengths of the Auzen range are the Professional Microphone Pre-amplifiers found on so many of their audio cards, including the HomeTheater, Forte and Bravura.
X-Raider - That big band sound for a buskers charge!
Powered by the C-Media CMI8768 chipset, the Auzen X-Raider 7.1 provides 24-bit (96kHz) high quality eight channel audio and sports features that make it ideal for MP3s, games, movies, music and more. The Auzen X-Raider 7.1 is a PCI sound card with swappable OPAMPs for all channels, SPDIF optical in & out, internal digital output via two pin connector, support for HD front panel audio, magic voice, microphone echo, key shifting, Xear3D, EAX 1.0 & 2.0, A3D and DirectSound.
What many consider the best sounding audio card of all time - restrung!
The X-Meridian 7.1 2G is the second generation of the X-Meridian, the game changing high performance audio card which marked the dividing line between audio that sounds great and audio that sounds perfect. Auzentech took what many consider the greatest sound card of all time and updated it with the best of today's technology, making the X-Meridian 7.1 2G more than simply the must have PC audio solution for audiophiles. It's a feast for the ears! Lets take a look at some reviews:
"There are plenty of expensive sound cards with excellent audio quality, but few have the flexibility of the X-Meridian 2G, with its individual DACs for every channel, SPDIF in and out, and upgradability through a daughterboard. Auzentech is holding its own against the latest premium audio hardware from Creative and Asus, and doing so in great style: the X-Meridian 2G is the best card we’ve heard for analogue audio for music and films."
X-Meridian 7.1 2G PCI Sound Card review by Bit-Tech - Full Article.
"We had a few people stop into the audio lab during listening testing and each time we received comments on the cards sonic prowess. We noticed our visitors tapping their foot during their visit to our audio lab and that is what we are all after in an audio source."
X-Meridian 7.1 2G PCI Sound Card review by Guru3D - Full Article.
"There are plenty of expensive sound cards with excellent audio quality, but few have the flexibility of the X-Meridian 2G, with its individual DACs for every channel, SPDIF in and out, and upgradability through a daughterboard. Auzentech is holding its own against the latest premium audio hardware from Creative and Asus, and doing so in great style: the X-Meridian 2G is the best card we’ve heard for analogue audio for music and films."
X-Meridian 7.1 2G PCI Sound Card review by Bit-Tech - Full Article.
"We had a few people stop into the audio lab during listening testing and each time we received comments on the cards sonic prowess. We noticed our visitors tapping their foot during their visit to our audio lab and that is what we are all after in an audio source."
X-Meridian 7.1 2G PCI Sound Card review by Guru3D - Full Article.
A boatload of features! The audio card which leads them all - X-Fi HomeTheater HD
The Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD is recognised as the leading retail PC audio solution available to consumers world wide. Topping all comers from Asus, Creative and the other major players in the PC audio market, the X-Fi HomeTheater HD is renowned as the best sounding, most well rounded package released to date for layman to audiophile. Just take a look at some reviews:
"This card offered a boatload of features to the end user, full analog, SPDIF digital and HDMI output standards to boot. While HDMI output is a great feature on this card it is only one feature among many. There are many kinds of users and this card seems to be targeting as wide an audience as possible. No matter what you’re after, Gaming, Music, DVD, BD Media or high resolution options for your desktop or HTPC, the Auzentech Home Theater HD 7.1 has you covered. The fact that this card negates the need for a receiver is an awesome feature to those without the required external gear. Offering full surround sound with no destructive compression routines and preserving the original audio content as originally recorded. Yes, it is a great time for PC audio!... Based on our testing, the sound quality produced by the Home Theater HD 7.1 and the sheer features set this card is highly recommend by the Guru3D audio Lab. If you’re looking for an excellent sounding well rounded audio card, you can put the Auzentech Home Theater HD 7.1 to the top of your list."
X-Fi HomeTheater HD HDMI v1.3a PCIe Sound Card review by Guru3D - Full Article.
"Over the half a year that the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD worked in my computer, it never gave me a single reason to be disappointed but provoked positive emotions only. Although the HDMI output and the support for multichannel HD audio are not exclusive features anymore, no other sound card can match the mix of qualities Auzentech offers in its latest product. The card differs from its main opponent ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 with the X-Fi audio processor which is still unrivalled in games. Sound cards from Creative with the same processor (excepting the newest Titanium HD) are much inferior in sound quality and cannot transfer multichannel audio over HDMI. And none of these opponents can boast an integrated headphone amplifier with a dedicated output or a semiprofessional microphone amplifier."
X-Fi HomeTheater HD HDMI v1.3a PCIe Sound Card review by XbitLabs - Full Article.
"This card offered a boatload of features to the end user, full analog, SPDIF digital and HDMI output standards to boot. While HDMI output is a great feature on this card it is only one feature among many. There are many kinds of users and this card seems to be targeting as wide an audience as possible. No matter what you’re after, Gaming, Music, DVD, BD Media or high resolution options for your desktop or HTPC, the Auzentech Home Theater HD 7.1 has you covered. The fact that this card negates the need for a receiver is an awesome feature to those without the required external gear. Offering full surround sound with no destructive compression routines and preserving the original audio content as originally recorded. Yes, it is a great time for PC audio!... Based on our testing, the sound quality produced by the Home Theater HD 7.1 and the sheer features set this card is highly recommend by the Guru3D audio Lab. If you’re looking for an excellent sounding well rounded audio card, you can put the Auzentech Home Theater HD 7.1 to the top of your list."
X-Fi HomeTheater HD HDMI v1.3a PCIe Sound Card review by Guru3D - Full Article.
"Over the half a year that the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD worked in my computer, it never gave me a single reason to be disappointed but provoked positive emotions only. Although the HDMI output and the support for multichannel HD audio are not exclusive features anymore, no other sound card can match the mix of qualities Auzentech offers in its latest product. The card differs from its main opponent ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 with the X-Fi audio processor which is still unrivalled in games. Sound cards from Creative with the same processor (excepting the newest Titanium HD) are much inferior in sound quality and cannot transfer multichannel audio over HDMI. And none of these opponents can boast an integrated headphone amplifier with a dedicated output or a semiprofessional microphone amplifier."
X-Fi HomeTheater HD HDMI v1.3a PCIe Sound Card review by XbitLabs - Full Article.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Logitech Z906 5.1 speaker introduction
The *seriously awesome sounding* Z906 5.1 speaker set is now available from Mittoni! Recognised as the successor to the Z5500 set, the Z906 offers better mid ranges and a tweaked subwoofer to better match the power of the satellites. The Z906 also supports many audio features we'd never even dreamed of when the Z5500's were released so many years ago! Have you upgraded yet?
Australian consumers turn to the internet
"Rising living costs and economic woes are seeing more Australian consumers turn to the internet to shop for groceries and everyday items. This shift is being sparked by the rising Australian dollar and an influx of overseas retailers entering the Australian market. Online retail spend jumped 14% last year and is tipped to grow a further 13% to $21.8 billion according to Forrester Research reports."
Neha Kale - PowerRetail
Do you want to know more? Check out PowerRetail's Full Article.
Neha Kale - PowerRetail
Do you want to know more? Check out PowerRetail's Full Article.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Auzentech X-Meridian 2G soundcard review on XSReviews
"the Meridian 2G is certainly one to look out for. It has excellent movie and music playback abilities, while delivering a solid soundstage of instruments and sound effects that are easy to find in the mix while maintaining their role as part of the meta sound... it does a job that will run rings around onboard systems and certainly give those designed for it a run for their money. The fact that you can upgrade OpAmps as well as utilise an add-in card for mixing and recording purposes is excellent... All in all, a solid card that would be perfect for an audiophile or budding editor."
XSReviews
Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 2G soundcard review by XSReviews - Introduction & Conclusion.
XSReviews
Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 2G soundcard review by XSReviews - Introduction & Conclusion.
Thermaltake Level 10 GT chassis review on Vortez
"Thermaltake’s Level 10 GT is a great all round case with some security conscious design concepts and all the space you need to get high-end hardware inside the chassis. It may not have the same “wow” factor that the original Level 10 brought, but we now have a much more affordable representation and a design not too far away from the original design.
The Level 10 GT is marketed towards the extreme gamer, those that perhaps attend LAN parties – it comes with an easy to transport handle and has all the security features you could ever want, causing would-be thieves to take their grubby hands of your much loved rig. Its visual appearance may not suit everyone’s taste but being a gamer case it certainly fits the bill with the LED control and colorshift fans giving you the option of choosing the colour to have glowing from each of the 200mm fans.
Getting kit inside the Level 10 GT is easy and we have tool-less mechanisms throughout the case to assist with hassle-free installations. Even the optical drive bay fixings have been put on the alternate side to provide more stability when pressing the eject button on your drive.
David Mitchelson - Vortez
Thermaltake Level 10 GT chassis review by Vortez - Introduction & Conclusion.
The Level 10 GT is marketed towards the extreme gamer, those that perhaps attend LAN parties – it comes with an easy to transport handle and has all the security features you could ever want, causing would-be thieves to take their grubby hands of your much loved rig. Its visual appearance may not suit everyone’s taste but being a gamer case it certainly fits the bill with the LED control and colorshift fans giving you the option of choosing the colour to have glowing from each of the 200mm fans.
Getting kit inside the Level 10 GT is easy and we have tool-less mechanisms throughout the case to assist with hassle-free installations. Even the optical drive bay fixings have been put on the alternate side to provide more stability when pressing the eject button on your drive.
David Mitchelson - Vortez
Thermaltake Level 10 GT chassis review by Vortez - Introduction & Conclusion.
Thermaltake FrioOCK CPU cooler review on NinjaLane
"Overall performance was very good and the C/W numbers proved that the FrioOCK can handle a decent amount of heat. The 130mm fans are also PWM design so they will vary based on the CPU fan signal. These fans are also limited by a variable speed dial so that you can set a maximum fan speed and let the system adjust the RPM based on load.
Dennis Garcia - NinjaLane
Thermaltake FrioOCK CPU cooler review by NinjaLane - Introduction & Conclusion.
Dennis Garcia - NinjaLane
Thermaltake FrioOCK CPU cooler review by NinjaLane - Introduction & Conclusion.
Lian Li PC-P80N review on Tweaktown
"The things I came to expect with Lian Li are not lost with this new arrival. There is the typical brushed aluminum exterior Lian Li owners have loved for years. It also comes with the strikingly opposite, bare aluminum interior and rear panel. That is a combination that every time I see, I get a warm fuzzy feeling inside. What you don't know at first glance is that Lian Li not only offers you a huge case with the latest sample, but it seems they also took a new approach on a few things inside and out. This should offer a better user experience during the build process and in maintenance, as well as aesthetically appealing to the younger crowd as well.
The chassis we are going to be looking at over the next few pages is the Lian Li Armorsuit PC-P80N. To give you the basic rundown before you see the specs, let me try to draw a picture. A lot of brushed black aluminum, a bold front door with styling that is carried over into almost a complete raised section from the front at the bottom, around the top and ending at the rear of the chassis. Add in six fans, room for a huge amount of equipment justifying its over sized full tower stature, eleven expansion slots, room for twelve hard drives… I should really stop, as I just keep getting carried away trying to describe this chassis without giving it all away too early.
Chad Sebring - Tweaktown
Lian Li PC-P80N review by Tweaktown - Introduction & Conclusion.
The chassis we are going to be looking at over the next few pages is the Lian Li Armorsuit PC-P80N. To give you the basic rundown before you see the specs, let me try to draw a picture. A lot of brushed black aluminum, a bold front door with styling that is carried over into almost a complete raised section from the front at the bottom, around the top and ending at the rear of the chassis. Add in six fans, room for a huge amount of equipment justifying its over sized full tower stature, eleven expansion slots, room for twelve hard drives… I should really stop, as I just keep getting carried away trying to describe this chassis without giving it all away too early.
Chad Sebring - Tweaktown
Lian Li PC-P80N review by Tweaktown - Introduction & Conclusion.
Logitech G510 review on Eteknix
"I have to say that the G510 is an amazing keyboard in terms of usability, as it's virtually silent compared to other keyboards on the market, and the keys feel as it you are pushing them against a soft pillow that slowly springs back...
A nice addition back to the G-Series keyboards is the volume scroller that Logitech left off in some older models, but now it's here to stay and incorporates a lovely fluid motion and a sense of fantastic build quality...
Well it seems that I did have a bit more to say on top of all that and can only summarise by saying that the G510 will not disappoint you in any way, and is made from the best materials, with the great styling thought and build quality invested into it."
Aruffell - Eteknix
Logitech G510 keyboard review by Eteknix - Introduction & Conclusion.
A nice addition back to the G-Series keyboards is the volume scroller that Logitech left off in some older models, but now it's here to stay and incorporates a lovely fluid motion and a sense of fantastic build quality...
Well it seems that I did have a bit more to say on top of all that and can only summarise by saying that the G510 will not disappoint you in any way, and is made from the best materials, with the great styling thought and build quality invested into it."
Aruffell - Eteknix
Logitech G510 keyboard review by Eteknix - Introduction & Conclusion.
Aussie online consumers are "power shoppers" - Soooo you'd best be setting up that online shop then eh!
"Most of the world’s cross-border power shoppers come from Canada (37%), followed by Europe (26%) with Australia and New Zealand representing 19% of this market – an impressive feat considering the region’s relatively small population. Australians were also twice as likely as Canadians and Europeans to become power shoppers with one in six Australian customers ranking within the top ten percent globally."
Neha Kale - PowerRetail
Do you want to know more? Check out PowerRetail's Full Article.
Neha Kale - PowerRetail
Do you want to know more? Check out PowerRetail's Full Article.
Prolimatech Genesis CPU cooler review on Vortez
"Let’s start by applauding Prolimatech for an excellent job on the Genesis. It is a breath of fresh air when we see a unique concept that turns out to be so successful as it demonstrates the risks that manufacturers have taken to further the field of air cooling. Tower heatsinks will always be good performers if a certain formula is used but to create a new design takes a different level of engineering which Prolimatech has somehow pulled off. I must admit that I was sceptical when first introduced to the Genesis. The relatively narrow radiators seemed like a novel but bad idea considering other manufacturers were focussing on ever bigger tower heatsinks, and even thick dual tower ones. However, on closer analysis we found that Prolimatech have carefully designed the radiators to have a greater length allowing the overall surface area to be higher than the best single tower heatsinks currently available. A promising start for such a concept but the key question was how it was going to translate to real world performance. Thankfully, Prolimatech delivered. Its efficiency with various fan combinations matched the likes of the Thermalright Venomous X and even the Thermalright Silver Arrow and Noctua NH-D14...
The Genesis has other advantages thanks to its unique design but there are compromises to be made. The sheer size of CPU coolers always raises the question of RAM compatibility. Prolimatech somehow managed to address this issue and moreover compliment users’ choice of memory modules. The position of the horizontal radiator provides around 5cm of clearance so taller memory modules (Corsair Vengeance) will be supported without fans getting in the way. The fan placement also means that the Genesis can provide additional cooling to those modules."
Sahil Mannick – Vortez
Prolimatech Genesis CPU cooler review by Vortez - Introduction & Conclusion.
The Genesis has other advantages thanks to its unique design but there are compromises to be made. The sheer size of CPU coolers always raises the question of RAM compatibility. Prolimatech somehow managed to address this issue and moreover compliment users’ choice of memory modules. The position of the horizontal radiator provides around 5cm of clearance so taller memory modules (Corsair Vengeance) will be supported without fans getting in the way. The fan placement also means that the Genesis can provide additional cooling to those modules."
Sahil Mannick – Vortez
Prolimatech Genesis CPU cooler review by Vortez - Introduction & Conclusion.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Lian Li PC-Z60 mid tower chassis review on Eteknix
"Lian Li have always been a company who I consider as the crème de la crème of the chassis world, because they simply don't follow the mould of the cheap tacking gaming cases that we keep seeing pop up from time to time. Instead they product elegant designs with fantastic build quality and the PC-Z60 has followed on and done exactly that.
The style is nothing short of spectacular and being honest they haven't really focussed that much on it, because they don't need to. They simply saw that less is more and got it bang on the money. The brushed aluminium style makes it a suitable case, no matter what the environment.
The features are also something that really stand out, with the hard drive cage and its locking functionality and the heavy duty locking mechanism that operates the PCI expansion slots was a real treat for us in comparison to the cheaper plastic lever system that most brands include.
The best feature of the case was undoubtedly the cable management, not just with the cable clamp but the general space that the chassis allowed for us to manoeuvre our cables and connectors in such a way that good airflow was provided, with a neat, tidy look."
Aruffell - Eteknix
Lian Li PC-Z60 chassis review by Eteknix - Introduction & Conclusion.
The style is nothing short of spectacular and being honest they haven't really focussed that much on it, because they don't need to. They simply saw that less is more and got it bang on the money. The brushed aluminium style makes it a suitable case, no matter what the environment.
The features are also something that really stand out, with the hard drive cage and its locking functionality and the heavy duty locking mechanism that operates the PCI expansion slots was a real treat for us in comparison to the cheaper plastic lever system that most brands include.
The best feature of the case was undoubtedly the cable management, not just with the cable clamp but the general space that the chassis allowed for us to manoeuvre our cables and connectors in such a way that good airflow was provided, with a neat, tidy look."
Aruffell - Eteknix
Lian Li PC-Z60 chassis review by Eteknix - Introduction & Conclusion.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Kickin it @ The Overclockers Choice (First Half 2011) Awards!
Best Cooling: Noctua NH-D14
Best Memory: G.Skill RipjawsX Series DDR3
Best Accessory: Logitech MX518
Do you want to know more? Check out all the awards from Overclockers’ Choice Awards – Winners for First Half 2011!
Best Memory: G.Skill RipjawsX Series DDR3
Best Accessory: Logitech MX518
Do you want to know more? Check out all the awards from Overclockers’ Choice Awards – Winners for First Half 2011!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Lian Li Monoliths For Server & HPTX Builds
Lian Li offers a range of chassis specifically designed for the largest of retail motherboards - the HPTX form factor. We now have three case models appropriate for these over sized mainboards including the well known PC-V2120, the revised edition of the iconic classic PC-P80N and the brand new PC-Z70. If you have a requirement for server sized cases, or you have enthusiast customers whom have to have the 'biggest and the best', look no further than the Lian Li HPTX compatible range.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Lian Li USB3 Mainboard 20Pin To Type A Converter
Now here is a truly universal product! If you sell motherboards and cases - you should also be offering this unique *INEXPENSIVE* adapter. The UC-01 converts a 20pin USB3 header on a mainboard to dual Type A connectors. With this adapter, you'll find wiring front or top panel USB3 ports easier and no longer requires an ugly looking pass round solution to the rear of the chassis. Lian Li is renowned for elegant style and this adapter ensures your next PC builds are looking fully slick!
Lian Li Silent Force PSUs - Did you know you get the best for less?
Lian Li Silent Force cable management (modular) PSUs. You'd expect to pay a lot for those wouldn't you? Well, you'd be wrong! Compare Lian Li PSU pricing with other enthusiast level power supplies and you'll be pleasantly surprised....
With the highest quality internal components (crack one open and you'll find Nippon's MIJ labels everywhere), excellent stability under load and that undeniably attractive Lian Li styling, it's time to take another look at the Lian Li Silent Force power supply range:
"The Lian Li Silent Force 750W PSU is a very well designed and balanced product with an excellent electrical performance and elegant appearance. It will certainly satisfy any enthusiast, specifically modders and HTPC users with its great acoustics performance and modular design. The components have been carefully chosen, the heatsinks are very good and even the textured paint job is unique and refreshing in style." Wrote Grace from HardwareHeaven. Adam from LanOC had these comments about the 850w version - "Obviously packaged with care and consideration for the customer, and the mesh bag to hold the cable extensions is a nice touch. Lian-Li isn't shy from the get go about advertising their product, and with good reason. The Silent Force installs smoothly, and with a simple black finish it pretty much fits with any theme. As far as performance is concerned, there's not much more that could be asked for. Wattage and voltage are consistent, even under load, and the power supply stays cool and does so quietly. The Silent Force is, indeed, silent, efficient, and quite the steal considering the quality Lian Li has invested."
Do you want to know more? Read the full articles quoted above from HardwareHeaven here and from LanOC here. Learn more about what makes Silent Force power supplies special on Lian Li's product pages.
With the highest quality internal components (crack one open and you'll find Nippon's MIJ labels everywhere), excellent stability under load and that undeniably attractive Lian Li styling, it's time to take another look at the Lian Li Silent Force power supply range:
"The Lian Li Silent Force 750W PSU is a very well designed and balanced product with an excellent electrical performance and elegant appearance. It will certainly satisfy any enthusiast, specifically modders and HTPC users with its great acoustics performance and modular design. The components have been carefully chosen, the heatsinks are very good and even the textured paint job is unique and refreshing in style." Wrote Grace from HardwareHeaven. Adam from LanOC had these comments about the 850w version - "Obviously packaged with care and consideration for the customer, and the mesh bag to hold the cable extensions is a nice touch. Lian-Li isn't shy from the get go about advertising their product, and with good reason. The Silent Force installs smoothly, and with a simple black finish it pretty much fits with any theme. As far as performance is concerned, there's not much more that could be asked for. Wattage and voltage are consistent, even under load, and the power supply stays cool and does so quietly. The Silent Force is, indeed, silent, efficient, and quite the steal considering the quality Lian Li has invested."
Do you want to know more? Read the full articles quoted above from HardwareHeaven here and from LanOC here. Learn more about what makes Silent Force power supplies special on Lian Li's product pages.
Lian Li PC-A05FN - "The little case that can!" - OMG - The PSU's at the front!
Every now and again, the IT channel is turned on its head. We've all come to "expect the expected" in terms of TAC and PSU design in particular. Lian Li have raised eyebrows world wide with the launch of their new PC-A05FN mini tower case. Just when you thought it was safe to assume that the "PSU goes at the back" and that "the best way to cool a tower chassis is to induct air from the lower front and shunt it out the back near the top". WELL THINK AGAIN! The PC-A05FN challenges pretty much all current 'standards' in case design:
Firstly, it's a tiny wee thing which holds a WHOPPING video card. Won't overheat with the latest weapons in either Nvidia's or ATI's arsenal either. Takes 2.5" SSD too. Nice.
Secondly, the power supply unit is mounted to the bottom of the front bezel, not at the back of the case, which is 'typical'.
Thirdly, the usual airflow pathway - from the bottom front to the upper rear of the case - has been reversed. It works better too!
And perhaps the greatest challenge the PC-A05FN offers the channel is that notion that Lian Li products are "expensive". You need to rethink this one too!!! Talk to your account manager today and be enlightened. WORD!
"In most of Lian Li's PC chassis front-panel fans are for intake and back-panel fans are for exhaust, but in the PC-A05FN this is reversed. At the top of the back-panel, a 120mm intake fan pulls cool air into the chassis. Hot air is expelled with the help of a front-panel, 120mm exhaust fan positioned directly in front of the HDD cage with the air escaping through venting along the side edges of the front-panel. For users who want to increase airflow, Lian Li has included a 140mm top-panel fan mount (fan not included). Additionally, designers have included a vent directly beneath the PSU mount, protected by a washable air-filter. Two rubber-lined holes on the back-panel enable LCS and venting along the back-panel also helps to keep temperatures cool, even when components have been overclocked."
Hilbert Hagedoorn - Guru3D
You can read Hilbert's article on Guru3D here.
Do you want to know more? Check out Lian Li's Full Product Information page.
Firstly, it's a tiny wee thing which holds a WHOPPING video card. Won't overheat with the latest weapons in either Nvidia's or ATI's arsenal either. Takes 2.5" SSD too. Nice.
Secondly, the power supply unit is mounted to the bottom of the front bezel, not at the back of the case, which is 'typical'.
Thirdly, the usual airflow pathway - from the bottom front to the upper rear of the case - has been reversed. It works better too!
And perhaps the greatest challenge the PC-A05FN offers the channel is that notion that Lian Li products are "expensive". You need to rethink this one too!!! Talk to your account manager today and be enlightened. WORD!
"In most of Lian Li's PC chassis front-panel fans are for intake and back-panel fans are for exhaust, but in the PC-A05FN this is reversed. At the top of the back-panel, a 120mm intake fan pulls cool air into the chassis. Hot air is expelled with the help of a front-panel, 120mm exhaust fan positioned directly in front of the HDD cage with the air escaping through venting along the side edges of the front-panel. For users who want to increase airflow, Lian Li has included a 140mm top-panel fan mount (fan not included). Additionally, designers have included a vent directly beneath the PSU mount, protected by a washable air-filter. Two rubber-lined holes on the back-panel enable LCS and venting along the back-panel also helps to keep temperatures cool, even when components have been overclocked."
Hilbert Hagedoorn - Guru3D
You can read Hilbert's article on Guru3D here.
Do you want to know more? Check out Lian Li's Full Product Information page.
Lian Li Network Attached Storage (NAS) enclosures
With slick looks, easy setup and excellent specs - Lian Li's awesome series of Network & USB Attached Storage enclosures suit the home and office.
* CORTINA ILCS3516C CPU 300Mhz.
* DDR RAM 128MB.
* Flash 16MB.
* Support http web basic GUI (V.2.25b).
* Support SAMBA (v3.0.30).
* Support FTP Server (NTP4.1.73).
* Support BT Server (Torrentflux 1.11).
* Support UPNP Specification 1.0.
* Support DLNA Server (Sysbas V 3.3).
* Support 10/100/1000 Mbps transfer rate.
Do you want to know more? Check out Lian Li's Full Product Information pages.
* CORTINA ILCS3516C CPU 300Mhz.
* DDR RAM 128MB.
* Flash 16MB.
* Support http web basic GUI (V.2.25b).
* Support SAMBA (v3.0.30).
* Support FTP Server (NTP4.1.73).
* Support BT Server (Torrentflux 1.11).
* Support UPNP Specification 1.0.
* Support DLNA Server (Sysbas V 3.3).
* Support 10/100/1000 Mbps transfer rate.
Do you want to know more? Check out Lian Li's Full Product Information pages.
Lian Li Computer noise reduction foam
The perfect solution to unwanted system generated emissions, Lian Li's excellent series of noise reduction foam panels stick to the inside of your PC chassis panels and reduce annoying leakage. No one wants a PC which sounds like Concorde landing in Sydney.....
Do you want to know more? Check out Lian Li's Full Product Information pages.
Do you want to know more? Check out Lian Li's Full Product Information pages.
Lian Li Lancool PC-K63 mid tower case reviews
"The Lian Li Lancool PC-K63 is a great little mid-tower chassis, which comes packed full of features. The Lancool comes equipped with USB 3.0, which is great to see since more and more devices are integrating USB 3.0. The wire management solutions utilized in the K63 are excellent, especially for the price point (MSRP is $129.99). From a brand like Lian-Li, we expect nothing less. The dust filtration used is also as good it gets, with every intake area covered with a filter to help minimize dust from entering your system.
Furthermore, despite being a mid-tower enclosure, it’s very spacious. After installing our test system, we found that the GTX 590 fit easily. You can have one of the most powerful single-card solutions with you at every LAN party. The tool-free component clips make everything fast and easy so you will have as little downtime as possible while building a new rig or upgrading your chassis.
Overall, we were very pleased with everything the Lian Li Lancool PC-K63 brought to our review table. The case was still very well constructed and used high quality parts even though it is under the Lancool name."
The Duke – TechReaction
Lian Li Lancool PC-K63 mid tower chassis review by TechReation - Introduction / Conclusion.
Do you want to know more? Check out Lian Li Lancool's Full Product Information page.
Lian Li NC-09 notebook stand & cooler
"The first thing you’ll notice when you unpack the NC-09 is its awesome sleekness and sophisticated look. The unit looks more expensive than it is. The body of the cooler is anodized in black and silver with aluminium, and gives an elegant brushed metal look....
If you use your laptop on your lap or bed more often – the NC-09 should be an important accessory. Even if you keep your notebook on the table but work long hours, NC-09 can help you keep the unit cool. It is very useful particularly in cases where your old laptop is robbed off its four tiny little feet.
From looks point of view, it is probably one of the best-looking aluminium cooling pads in the market today. The sleek and brush-metal look makes it a perfect companion of the high-end stylish notebooks."
Lian Li NC-09 notebook stand review by NotebookCheck - Full Article.
Do you want to know more? Check out Lian Li's Full Product Information page.
If you use your laptop on your lap or bed more often – the NC-09 should be an important accessory. Even if you keep your notebook on the table but work long hours, NC-09 can help you keep the unit cool. It is very useful particularly in cases where your old laptop is robbed off its four tiny little feet.
From looks point of view, it is probably one of the best-looking aluminium cooling pads in the market today. The sleek and brush-metal look makes it a perfect companion of the high-end stylish notebooks."
Lian Li NC-09 notebook stand review by NotebookCheck - Full Article.
Do you want to know more? Check out Lian Li's Full Product Information page.
Monday, July 4, 2011
"the new mid tower PC case for the masses" - The Lian Li PC-6 arrives!
The chassis which has been described as the "new mid tower PC case for the masses" due to it's exceedingly high feature list, compatibility for MONSTER video cards (seriously BIG!) and surprisingly low cost - has now arrived!
Check out the introductory video below:
To our system building resellers: If you haven't had the pleasure of working with a Lian Li chassis to date..... NOW IS YOUR TIME!
Check out the introductory video below:
To our system building resellers: If you haven't had the pleasure of working with a Lian Li chassis to date..... NOW IS YOUR TIME!
ReviewStash check out Noctua's NF-P14 FLX fan
Daniel from ReviewStash has taken a look at the impressive Noctua NF-P14 FLX fan.
"If you're willing to shell out the money for the NF-P14 FLX, you definitely will not be disappointed by the performance it offers. It is absolutely ideal for a large case that needs to be kept both cool and quiet. Considering you get an extra two or so degrees Celsius of headroom out of your cooling system and a respectable drop in decibel rating, it's incredibly difficult to underestimate the usefulness of this fan. While similar products exist, none match the specifications that Noctua has delivered."
Daniel Levy - ReviewStash
Noctua NF-P14 FLX fan examined by ReviewStash - Full Article.
"If you're willing to shell out the money for the NF-P14 FLX, you definitely will not be disappointed by the performance it offers. It is absolutely ideal for a large case that needs to be kept both cool and quiet. Considering you get an extra two or so degrees Celsius of headroom out of your cooling system and a respectable drop in decibel rating, it's incredibly difficult to underestimate the usefulness of this fan. While similar products exist, none match the specifications that Noctua has delivered."
Daniel Levy - ReviewStash
Noctua NF-P14 FLX fan examined by ReviewStash - Full Article.
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