Category: Laptop / PC

Intel has announced the launch of its first complete NUC Gaming oriented system. Intel codenamed NUC6i7KYK, the NUC has a considerably larger size than its predecessors and is equipped with a processor Intel Core i7-6770HQ based architecture Skylake , although Intel has christened as a NUC Skull Canyon. Intel NUC Skull Canyon PC review. Also see Intel Broadwell powered NUC.

Let’s start talking about the design, it is what we have found most striking. As you can see in the pictures of this article, the NUC6i7KYK has a size that is approximately twice as common in NUC Intel systems. Thanks to this, not only can install various additional storage options, but the manufacturer has been able to install a far more potent than with the rest of NUCs, cooling system since the installed processor has a TDP of 45 watts, considerably higher than what Intel had been using so far in their mini PCs and therefore need better cooling.

Turning to the field of hardware, this new Intel NUC seems to have enough muscle to move without too much trouble any game at resolutions 720p, and even many titles in full HD resolution. Yes, since Intel has been involved in the development of XConnect technology , it seems clear that this equipment has been designed with this in mind since among other things incorporates a port Thunderbolt 3 ​​(40 Gbps) that would allow the use of external GPUs with devices like Razer Core.

As we noted above has an Intel Core i7-6770HQ processor, equipped with four physical cores and 8 processing threads (thanks to hyper threading technology) operating at a base of 2.6 Ghz and 3.5 Ghz turbo up to speed. This processor features 6MB of L3 cache, 128 MB of cache L4 and is accompanied by Intel Iris Pro 580 graphics with 576 cores running at 950 Mhz, 72 TMUs and 9 ROPs, more than enough for most games resolution sub- 1080p.

Intel will sell this new NUC in barebones version and full version with different hardware configurations. For example, the barebones version (diskless or RAM) will be priced at $ 650 (very cheap if we consider only the processor and costs $ 435 in OEM), and a full version with 16 GB of RAM DDR4-2133 mhz and 256 GB SSD with Windows 10 preinstalled cost $ 999.

With regard to the technical characteristics, the new MSI X99A Godlike Carbon Edition is the same as the first version that the manufacturer launched long except now incorporates a USB 3.1 controller that adds two Type-A and Type-C ports on the panel rear connector plate.

Removing this data, the plate is equal in terms of technical features, but you have completely changed the aesthetics because now all the PCB is black and has been added ELD RGB lighting configurable by the user.

Therefore we are facing the most advanced base MSI motherboard compatible with Intel socket LGA 2011-3 and based on the Intel X99 chipset, compatible with DDR4 RAM memory.

Manufacturer incorporates unique features such as Mystic Light (allowing control lighting from an application on the smartphone), network card Killer DoubleShot X3-Pro (which includes dual-band WiFi) connectivity Turbo M.2, five PCI-Express 3.0 10 SATA 6 Gbps (SATA 3) and even a SATA Express connector, so the MSI X99A Godlike Carbon Edition has everything you could possibly need in our high-end system.

In addition, this motherboard MSI gives (as you can see in the picture above) a USB stick 3.1 Type-C High speed, although they have not said what capacity has (presumably be as little 64GB). MSI has not said when will we see this new plate Carbon Edition in stores or at what price, but considering that it is the top end of the company can expect it to be quite expensive.

On the other hand, MSI will soon present other plates with this new styling Carbon Edition, but have not revealed approximate dates for this.

If you are looking for an external storage of large capacity, endurance and speed at a good price you’re in luck, because the manufacturer Netac has just launched its new Netac Z1 solid state device SSD with 512 GB capacity with interface USB 3.0 and protected by an aluminum housing at a price that you are not going to be able to believe.

Continue reading Netac Z1 is an external USB 3.0 SSD with 512 GB for 145 euros

The Zotac Magnus EN980 is a manufacturer of high-end solution. Carved at the fair, she manages to nest high performance components: Intel Core Skylake processor and graphics chipset Nvidia GeForce GTX980.

Not necessarily buying the century then, or so it was way be a fan of the concept of mini PC game. The Zotac Magnus EN980 could change that with the appearance of a GTX980 chip that should put the record straight performance point of view.

We do not know the price of the beast, we do not know its exact release date. It will be exhibited at Cebit 2016, when we will probably have more information on embedded Intel Skylake chips.

Zotac announces the presence of yet more than enough material to toy with a virtual reality helmet. An interesting idea because with a generator in a backpack and your Zotac over, you can put your VR goggles to run like crazy in your favorite games in immersive. No more talk of Steam Machines, the future c is the VR.

To be more down to earth, the announced specifications are correct as usual: It will be possible to connect four displays to the machine through a combination of HDMI and Display Port ports. The rest of the connector will be just as generous with the USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Type-C, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, 802.11ac WiFi and the usual myriad of connectors that the brand never fails to implant.

The cooling will be entrusted to an integrated water-cooling system house, heat pipes and sinks should leave the machine in the bar annoying decibels. And Zotac is quite good in the field, most of its mini machines are surprisingly pleasant to use a noise point of view.

If the price is not stratospheric, that Magnus EN980 is likely to be monitored.

Shuttle has developed and introduced its new Shuttle XPC Barebone box and SZ170R8 designed to accommodate high-performance equipment thanks to the exclusion of the installation of the optical drive by placing in the space left two bays over 3.5 inches and allowing the installation of moderate-sized graphics cards, all fed by a power supply of 500 W with 80+ certification.

So far the mini PCs have been designed following the format classic cube three units, usually two mechanical or SSD hard drives and an optical drive. Shuttle has decided to launch a new box model breaks these restrictions. The box design shuttle XPC SZ170R8 accommodates four 3.5-inch drives and eliminates the need for an extra bay for the optical drive.

This structural modification also allows the installation of larger given the increase in free space created within the aluminum housing graphics cards. This has also impacted on benefits in terms of easier installation, better cooling and greater compatibility with graphics cards.

With four possible hard drives inside the new Shuttle XPC SZ170R8, have a reliable cooling equipment is, of course, vital. Therefore, the cooling system based on heat pipes has been expanded to include a second fan mounted on the front of the box. This device sucks fresh air through a large opening in the front panel and toward the four hard disks, thus preventing heat accumulation. Another design feature R8 is increasing the number of holes significantly higher on both sides of the machine ventilation. This change is a response to the most demanding requirements of modern graphics cards. The dual-slot graphics cards with large heat sinks and powerful fans now get more fresh air and work more reliably and quietly.

The motherboard has been developed and pre-installed Shuttle and is equipped with an Intel Z170 chipset and supports the Intel Core processors 6th generation (with a maximum TDP of 95 W). It accommodates four DDR4 memory slots for a total of 64GB and has an M.2 slot to mount disks SSD PCIe type. Other features include 2x Display Port, HDMI, 4x SATA 3 RAID capacity, eSATA, 8x USB 3.0, audio 7.1 and Intel Gigabit Ethernet. The power supply consists of a 500 W model with 80 PLUS certification, which constantly provides the team with enough power to meet the needs of a fully equipped machine. The recommended buying the new Shuttle XPC SZ170R8 price is € 322 + VAT.

Although quite some time ago AMD does not update its platform (awaiting Zen), Gigabyte is one of the few manufacturers that continues to innovate and launch new products for this. We are today at the announcement of the third generation of G1.Gaming plates for socket AM3 + AMD, the 990X Gaming SLI. As the name suggests, this new Gigabyte board features NVIDIA SLI certification, as you know, is a proprietary technology from NVIDIA for which you must pay a fee.

Gigabyte has done so its 990X Gaming SLI is certified to work with multiple graphics cards configurations NVIDIA SLI configuration, but of course is also compatible with AMD CrossFireX technology.Gaming SLI Gigabyte 990FX supports all the latest processors that AMD has released AM3 + socket for, including the latest FX-8370. The support plate including the FX-9000 Series with 220-watt TDP processors, so we can be sure that if the processor is socket AM3 + will be compatible with this board.

With ATX format, Gaming SLI 990FX mounts a VRM controller 11 phases to ensure good system stability even do Overclock (remember that AMD does not limit this point, and indeed its Black Edition processors come with unlocked multiplier). You need to run an ATX 24-pin connector and one 8-pin EPS (4 + 4) of the power supply.Supports up to 32 GB of RAM DDR3 memory up to 2400 MHz dual-channel (has 4 memory sockets), and includes two PCI-Express 2.0 x16 sockets that run x8x8 when both are being used (a pity that Gigabyte has not integrated PCI -Express 3.0 on this board), and a PCI-Express 2.0 x1 and a PCI legacy.

What has integrated Gigabyte 990FX in SLI Gaming is a connector M.2 20 Gbps (with support for booting from NVMe SSD) and six SATA June 3 Gbps, so in storage paragraph shall be more than enough.Finally it should be noted that the plate has an extensive external connectivity, it incorporates two USB 3.1 Type-A (the usual) and two USB 3.0 on the rear, plus an internal header for two USB 3.0 ports on the front of the box where we install. It also has a network card Gigabit Intel I-218V, sound card 10-channel sound isolation circuit and electrolytic capacitors.In theory Gigabyte will this new board in stores this month at a price that has not been defined but is expected to be around 100 euros.