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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/intel-core-i7-4770k-haswell-processor-review/
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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/xspc-ax-radiator-desk-stand-review/
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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/win-a-nzxt-phantom-630-case/
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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/case-mod-friday-reactormod/
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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/enermax-triathlor-fc-550w-power-supply-review/
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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/silverstone-arm22sc-arm-two-dual-lcd-monitor-mount-review/
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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/win-a-pivos-xios-ds-media-player/
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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/case-mod-friday-black-and-white/
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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/the-history-of-the-hard-drive/
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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!
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/lenovo-ideapad-yoga-11-review/

ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard Review

Installation

Test Rig:
Intel Core i7 870 LGA 1156 processor
Asus P7P55D EVO Intel P55 motherboard
OCZ Platinum DDR3-1333 7-7-7 4GB dual channel memory kit
Sapphire Radeon HD 5850 video card
OCZ Z Series 650 watt power supply
Prolimatech Mega Shadow CPU cooler
Ikonik Zaria midtower
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit

The pins on Intel LGA 1366 and LGA 1156 CPU sockets are very fragile. Take extreme caution not to touch them. The onboard memory controllers on Core i7 and i5 processors require a maximum Vdimm of 1.65v. Overvolting memory will damage the CPU, DO NOT INCREASE THE MEMORY VOLTAGE OVER 1.65V!

Observe the key openings on the CPU and the keys on the CPU socket to determine proper orientation of the CPU. Place the CPU onto the socket, close the retainer bracket and fit the end under the retaining lug located on the motherboard. Carefully lower the locking lever, stop immediately if there is too much resistance, though there will probably be quite a bit. Lock the lever. Prep the CPU by cleaning with isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth.


ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard

Apply thermal compound per manufacturer’s instructions on the CPU surface. You will need to spread the compound with a credit card or other thin flat item if the CPU cooler has exposed heatpipes that directly touch the CPU surface, as that cooler configuration does not allow the compound to spread properly. Prep the cooler base with isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth.

ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard

Install the CPU cooler per manufacturer’s instructions. Again, the cooler must support LGA 1156. Install the system memory. Be aware that when using two memory modules with a P55 motherboard, the memory must be in the pair of alternating slots away from the CPU cooler, the forwardmost memory slot and the second slot away from the CPU. For those who have owned LGA 775 motherboards this can be a little confusing since you are using the opposite slots that you traditionally used. If you are using all four slots, I recommend using only a pair when booting the rig for the first time.

Install the optical drive into the case.

ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard

Install the power supply into the case. Install the hard drive(s) into the case.

ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard

Install the motherboard offsets into the case. Install the I/O shield into the designated opening in the rear of the case. Install the motherboard into the case.

Wire things up by connecting power cables, drive cables, fan wires, and case header wires. Install the video card, install the PCI-E power cables, double check your work, and you’re done.

ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard ASUS P7P55D Evo Intel P55 Motherboard

ASUS Socket 7 Server Motherboard Mfr P/N P55T2P4DStoreRatingPriceMemory4Less.com$484.48Offers by PriceGrabber.com
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