http://www.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/front-large.jpg
Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell Processor Review
Just a year ago Intel launched their Ivy Bridge processors and now a year later we have another platform launch from Intel. The 4th Generation Core Haswell processors are the “tock” to Intel’s “tick” and “tock” release schedule. A “tock” represents a new architecture and a “tick” represents a process refinement. So Haswell brings with it a new architecture, but is still built on the same 22nm process as Ivy Bridge. Intel has introduced a new LGA1150 socket with Haswell and a new chipset so you will not be able to throw this processor in an older motherboard, you will have to buy a new one. Today we are taking a look at the top of the line Haswell desktop chip the Core i7-4770K. Of course the “K” denotes that it is an unlocked processor. This is a quad-core processor that has a default clock speed of 3.5 GHz and a turbo frequency that goes all the way up to 3.9 GHz.
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/front3.jpg
XSPC AX Radiator Desk Stand Review
One of the biggest limiting factors in what you can do with watercooling is how much room you have in your case. With so much equipment to pack in for watercooling alone, space ends up being one of the chief concerns for builders and modders. And the single biggest limiting factor: how much radiator one can fit. Radiators are large, bulky, and inflexible in how they need to be installed. This can easily lead to the builder having to sacrifice cooling surface for space. There is a solution to this problem though; external radiator stands. And if you have chosen to use XSPC’s AX series of radiators, then you’re in luck. Today we will be looking at the AX Radiator Desk Stand from XSPC.
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/phantom630.jpg
Win a NZXT Phantom 630 Case!
It is summer time and it is the perfect time to give you, our readers some free hardware! We have teamed up with our friends at NZXT to give away a brand new NZXT Phantom 630 Case! This Ultra Tower not only looks good it has room for quite a lot inside like long graphics cards, XL-ATX Motherboards, 8 hard drives and a lot of watercooling! Like many of our contests we will be running this one on Facebook and it is extremely easy to enter!
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/reactormod.jpg
Case Mod Friday: ReactorMod
Welcome to another Case Mod Friday showcase! This week we have a builders ReactorMod build. Here is what he had to say about it: It's a modded Chieftec BX-03 case. I wanted to make it look like it's quite old and kinda shabby. I was thinking about this build for quite a long time, so I managed to collect some cool stuff that I've found on a nearby scrap yard (e.g. switch or steel sheet that I used to make the radiator cover). I also used some spare parts that I had lying around.
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/front2.jpg
Enermax Triathlor FC 550W Power Supply Review
Enermax is a brand whose strong product is their power supplies, especially when it comes to the high-end spectrum. Their Platimax and MAXREVO units are some of the best out there. But these units are not cheap in terms of cost. Enermax knows not everyone has a ton of cash to throw at a new power supply so they have created the Triathlor series of power supplies. There are actually the Triathlor and Triathlor FC units. The Triathlor units are lower wattage and non-modular and the Triathlor FC units are higher wattage and are modular. Today we are checking out the Triathlor FC 550W unit which is 80PLUS Bronze certified and offers quiet operation.
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/front1.jpg
SilverStone ARM22SC ARM Two Dual LCD Monitor Mount Review
We mainly know SilverStone for their cases and for good reason, they are high quality and look great. What if SilverStone took that same quality and put it into a LCD monitor mount? Then you would have what we are reviewing today which is the ARM Two ARM22SC dual LCD Monitor Mount from SilverStone. LCD arms are a great addition to any computer setup, especially if you are using a multi-monitor system. The ARM22SC is constructed with robust aluminum alloy and steel so this is a heavy duty piece of hardware. It will support two displays with VESA mounts. Read on as we get this installed and see how it transforms our desk.
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/XIOS_DS_main2.png
Win a Pivos XIOS DS Media Player!
Pivos is a company we have been working with lately and they make some pretty cool little media players. We have already reviewed their XIOS DS media player and it is a very unique device. Pivos was nice enough to give us one to give away to our readers! Just like all of our contests this one is very easy to enter and we will be running it on Facebook? So what are you doing get out there and get your entry in!
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/blackandwhite.jpg
Case Mod Friday: Black and White
Welcome to another Case Mod Friday showcase! This week we have Christian Black and White build. Here is what he had to say about it: Well this is the first time I do something like this, and it really is interesting the world of case modding the project is BLACK AND WHITE and really was a design chosen because I began to paint the cabinet only and one thing leads to another as in all cases and was thinking of some ideas for covers.
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/hdd-history.jpg
The History Of The Hard Drive
In 1953, engineers in IBM's California-based laboratory invented the very first hard drive. Since that first disk drive, technological advances have been made at an astonishing rate, with data capacity increasing and size and price decreasing exponentially, year on year. 60 years on, the hard drives of today are unrecognizable from the first models, which took up an entire room. Hard drives today are measured in terms of gigabytes and terabytes, rather than megabytes-an amount of data that would have been almost unimaginable in the early history of computers. Here we take a look back at the evolution of the hard drive as it grew from 5MB to 4TB.
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/front.jpg
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 Review
Lenovo has been making headlines with their IdeaPad Yoga. It is a tablet convertible that can be used as a laptop as well. There are 11-inch and 13-inch models. While the larger 13-inch model has the choice of Intel Core processors, the 11-inch does not and is rather powered by the NVIDIA Tegra 3 platform. Today we will be taking a look at that unit which does offer a very sleek and slim design, responsive 11.6-inch touchscreen, Lenovo’s patent-pending hinge design that allows the screen to flip completely over and it is running Windows RT. Let’s check it out!

Archive for January, 2009

CES 2009: Intel's Imaging Software

CES 2009: Intel's Imaging Software

One thing that Intel did show to us was their new imaging program that is currently in beta. One of the biggest problems people have is organizing their photos. Intel wants to solve that problem with this new program that makes a database of your photos so you can find them in an easy to use calendar. Not only will this system organize your photos, but it will also organize your videos as well. You will be able to edit your photos, makes changes, and more all in real time. The video has facial recognition as well. From what Intel tells us this software will be bundled with Intel motherboards, no word on if it will be available for sale as a standalone product.

+Continue Reading

ASRock N7AD-SLI Socket 775 nForce 740 SLI Motherboard

ASRock N7AD-SLI Socket 775 nForce 740 SLI Motherboard

nVidia, for one, has developed a new chipset for the LGA 775, the nForce 740i SLI. They took the bridges c55 + MCP51, used in the nForce 650i chipset, and built around it a platform for an entry-level SLI motherboard, to complement the nF 750i SLI and nF 790i SLI boards. Our friends at ASRock are the first to build a motherboard from the 740i SLI, the N7AD-SLI. They also have launched their new quick-boot system, ASRock Instant Boot, on this motherboard. Read on as we look at this latest offering for the LGA 775 processor.

+Continue Reading

CES 2009: Microsoft

CES 2009: Microsoft

Microsoft was present at CES this year, but didn’t announce anything major. We did get the first major look at Windows 7, as well as a look at upcoming things from Microsoft Auto. There’s also a new set-top box on the way.

+Continue Reading

CES 2009: CyberPower

CES 2009: CyberPower

CyberPower is one of the leading computer system manufacturers in the US, pumping out awesome gaming rigs and entry level systems. They use some of the best hardware available and really put together systems that anyone would enjoy. They were nice enough to invite us up to their suite to check out all of their new systems. Read on to see what CyberPower has in store for you in 2009.

+Continue Reading

Rosewill Wind Ryder Midtower PC Case Review

Rosewill Wind Ryder Midtower PC Case Review

Today I will be looking at one of Rosewill’s latest products, a steel midtower called the Wind Ryder. Until very recently, Rosewill used model numbers instead of names, this is among the few Rosewill cases that are named. The biggest feature of this case is the incredible price, which will go a long way towards keeping a budget rig stay within your set budget. Will this inexpensive case fit the bill, or will it cramp your style? Read further to see!

+Continue Reading

CES 2009: Lexar/Crucial

CES 2009: Lexar/Crucial

Lexar/Crucial had many memory products on display, but there were two things which were more noticeable than anything: a computer in a globe, and the SSD shaker. The globe computer’s memory was connected to various LEDs placed where major cities are, and the SSD shaker, well, shook an SSD like a jackhammer while a movie played from it. ThinkComputers was there.

+Continue Reading

CES 2009: SanDisk

CES 2009: SanDisk

Memory maker SanDisk showed off a few new things this year, most interestingly its third generation SSD technology. It received an award for its second generation SSD technology, too. We’d be in error to omit the release of its strange new PMP, too. ThinkComputers checks it out.

+Continue Reading

CES 2009: Sands Expo

CES 2009: Sands Expo

I spent an afternoon at the Sands this year, something which I was unable to do last year. The Sands exhibitors’ are comprised of primarily foreign exhibitors. Many are Taiwanese; in fact, there’s an entire section of the floor dedicated to Taiwanese companies. There are a few from China, a few from Japan, a few from Canada, and a few from Europe. I visited the boothes of CoolIT, Lian Li, QNAP, Seventeam, Super Talent, and Zotac.

+Continue Reading

CES 2009: ASUS

CES 2009: ASUS

ASUS probably had the largest and busiest booth in the south hall of the Las Vegas convention center this year. They had quite a few things on display including motherboards, video cards, notebooks and more. Just like everyone else they also had a few all-in-one solutions on display. Let’s take a look at what all the craziness was about at the ASUS booth.

+Continue Reading

CES 2009: Antec

CES 2009: Antec

Antec has been relatively quiet over the past year, just a few releases. This year at CES they invited us up to their suite to check out some of their new products and even to take a look at a prototype case that looks nothing like anything that is out right now! Let’s see what Antec will be releasing this year!

+Continue Reading