Cases, Cooling & PSU News - Page 3
Cooler Master used CES 2024 to showcase a whole bunch of its upcoming computer cases
On our trip to CES 2024, we decided to check out what Cooler Master had on display, and boy, oh boy, they had A LOT. Starting with the case above, the Qube 500, but this one has woodgrain accents. The Qube 500 is flat-packed and comes in various colors.
Next is another case we are working on, the NCORE 100 MAX, an mITX case boasting the ability to accommodate a four-slot GPU. The NCORE 100 MAX comes with a GX II 850w PSU and a 120mm AIO. Two colors are available and are available now for $395 currently on Amazon.
Next up, we have a familiar case but with a nice fresh white paint job, the HAF 700 White. The HAF 700 series is focused on high airflow while being able to accommodate a massive amount of hardware. We reviewed the black version, The Berserker, a while ago. You can check that review out here.
XPG unveils impressive lineup of keyboards, PSUs, cases, and custom builds at CES 2024
XPG, which is an ADATA brand, had a few things to show us while we attended CES 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kicking things off, in the image above, is XPG wireless peripherals, which were running off of a single USB wireless dongle. When explained how this was possible, we were told it was a 20K MHz connection running in split mode, meaning the headset could be using 8K, while the keyboard could be using 7K and the mouse 5K, which is all done all behind the scenes via the XPG Prime software.
Next up, we have mechanical keyboards, which, for us, looked absolutely beautiful. The Sorcerer Mini is made with a gasket mount design with triple-layered foam. Foam dampening provides the satisfying "Thoc" we all are looking for. It is a TKL design with XPG tailor-made red switches. It has per-key RGB lighting offering customization via the XPG Prime software and has two additional accent keycaps for extra drip.
Now that we have covered the little brother, the Sorcerer steps up to a full-sized 97-key design with all the same features of the Mini but with three additional accent keycaps for extra drip.
GAMDIAS offers new Boreas air coolers, Aura AIOs, and some of the most unique fans we've seen
Starting our portion of the tour, we ran into these new Aeolus P2 RGB fans, which link together and receive power from a single connection point. GAMDIAS will sell these fans in sets of three in two packages. The package on the left has just three fans, while the one to the right comes with a hub rather than using an inline controller for lighting and will also offer software for control.
While boasting speeds at 2400 RPM, delivering 74 CFM and 3.1 mmH20, there is a more important feature to these fans. Where many companies use switches to reverse flow or leave you needing to purchase another set of fans entirely, GAMDIAS is shipping the Aeolus fans with extra fan blades for each fan. That leaves customers the ability to run them as intake or exhaust simply by swapping the blades to fit the need. What makes the deal even sweeter is that the projected MSRP is only $89.99, but the date of release is yet to be determined.
On the other side of the suite, GAMDIAS showed packaging for all their updated CPU coolers, where we see the Aura GL 240 WH and Aura GL120 V2 in black on the left. The pair of air coolers are the new Boreas M2 in white and black models.
Enermax's new generation of ATX 3.0 PSUs and computer cases revealed at CES 2024
While at CES 2024, we were invited to take a look at what Enermax had in their suite at the Venetian. Obviously, new PSUs and cases are Enermax's bread and butter, so here we are. They first showed us their new line of PSUs, which includes a PSU that is ATX12VO and ATX 3.1 certified. Having this ability to be this versatile in the PSU game is interesting. The only thing would be if and when the industry really takes to the ATX12VO standard that Intel is pushing. The specific PSU that Enermax showed is dubbed the PlentiGemini, which is 80 Plus Platinum rated using 100% Japanese capacitors.
Next up is the new Revolution D.F. 12 line of ATX 3.0 PSUs. Having a black/gray model and a white model with white cabling looks to shorten the footprint of the ATX PSU and slims down to 122mm depth while still maintaining a 135mm fan. 100% Japanese capacitors are standard and are rated at 80 Plus Gold; these PSUs are a good value when it comes to system builders looking to save a few bucks.
The next step up for the Revolution D.F. line is the X Pro Splave line. These PSUs are done in collaboration with Splave, who is a very avid overclocker rated 1# in the world. These PSUs feature individually sleeved cables, meet the ATX 3.1 standard, and again have 100% Japanese capacitors.
Cooler Master showed a gaming chair with Shiatsu massage that felt amazing and more at CES 2024
Entering the suite of Cooler Master at CES 2024 had us waiting in reception for a moment, while just inside, we saw one of the biggest yet amazing custom mods for a system with this amazing shark mod. While out of reach of many and too big for most home offices, it was something to behold as we appreciated all the work that goes into something of this caliber.
As we were assigned a representative for their cooling products, the focus this year was to utilize a hexagonal head unit shape that harkens back to the design of the Cooler Master logo, albeit not stretched wide as the logo is. Here we have their new ATMOS-designed head units, with a slightly tinted cover over the sleek finned inner portion resting upon an ARGB color plate.
As many are doing this year, one of the cooler parts of the ATMOS AIO is that the fin arrangement in the previous image is removable. Doing this will allow customers to 3D print whatever they can come up with, place it in the center of the head unit, and then replace the tinted cover to keep it safe and sound while giving users a custom visual appeal.
EK has a new idea in cooling that we have yet to see with its new direct die AIOs at CES 2024
In its partially disassembled state, we get our first look at the new CR360 Direct Die D-RGB from EK. What makes these coolers special is that EK worked with der8auer for the frame to allow users who wish to delid their CPUs to mount them securely into place, and as you can see, the cold plate on these models is not flat.
There is a bevel in the der8auer bracket where the bevel around the contact area of the head unit will set into. Looking closely at the packaging, you will also see that with the fact that you are delidding the processor, the coolers need to be socket specific, in this instance LGA1700.
Here we have the completed unit, with one of the two optional head unit covers sporting the exposed metal skull and EK logo over the more vanilla-looking cover with its circular machined metal cover seen near the bottom of the previous image.
MSI shows us its new MAG CORELIQUID E360 at CES 2024, and it has us excited
As we continue our quest to bring you the latest and greatest from CES 2024, MSI had much to show off at CES 2024, and Ryan will be covering most of those products very soon; there was one standout amongst it all that grabbed our attention. While MSI does not seem to be making the move to white just yet, we have seen from many manufacturers they are all trying to keep up with the AIO market and deliver something new for the masses to drool over, and MSI did not disappoint, and what we have below is the latest and greatest from them.
While Ryan and I were moving around the room, we did see some amazing gear, but the one and only cooling product on display was this simpler designed yet visually appealing MSI MAG Coreliquid E360 that we cannot wait to get our hands on for testing and review. Moving away from previous designs, this model comes with an enlarged copper mating surface to help achieve ultimate heat exchange with the latest generation CPUs. The pump inside is designed to split the warmed and cooled water to better reduce temperatures in the heat source. It also boasts maximized micro-channels to dissipate heat more efficiently.
The head unit offers a 270° rotatable cover, with a durable three-phase pump motor to reduce vibrations and noise while also offering better longevity. As shown, the MAG Coreliquid E360 is intended for LGA1700 and AM5 CPUs only. Also, as is the trend, the E360 comes with ARB fans to accompany the illuminated head unit.
XPG showed us a range of its upcoming and impressive DDR5 RAM, coolers, and fans at CES 2024
Immediately inside the room with XPG, we ran into a set of Lancer RGB 8000 DDR5. Similar to what we have already seen, this series will now support up to 8000 MHz via an XMP 3.0 profile for the latest Intel and AMD systems. As you can see, there is RGB lighting and the Lancer triangular branding, which will come in capacities of 16 and 24GB per module.
Moving to our right, we then hit this kit of Caster RGB 7200. As the name suggests, speeds will top out at 7200 MHz with Intel XMP 3.0 support, but it will work for both camps. It also has RGB and the same triangular branding, but this time, they mentioned improved stability and reliability with a PMIC and on-die ECC, which all DDR5 has. At this time, the Caster RGB is slated to come with only 16GB modules.
We then ran into the Lancer RGB ROG Certified 7200 sticks. While these will have an XMP 3.0 profile boasting 7200 MHz in speed, they will have a second set to 7600 MHz. Along with the same features as the previous kits, these are ROG certified to ensure compatibility with ASUS ROG motherboards but will ship with 16GB as the only choice in stick density.
Enermax shows us its LIQTECH XTR, LIQMAXFLO, AQUAFLO LCD, and VRM cooling at CES 2024
The first of the AIOs we ran across at the Enermax suite was this LIQTECH XTR, where the XTR stands for Xeon and ThreadRipper. Along with a larger head unit for better contact with the much larger IHS of the workstation CPUs, you can get them in 240mm, 280mm, 360mm, and even 420mm versions. You can access real-time CPU and GPU stats on a head unit designed to fit sTR5 and LGA4677 sockets. Cooling capacity covered 500W with the EF1 pump design, a Central Cooling Inlet (C.C.I.), and patented Shunt-Channel Technology (S.C.T.)
We next ran into the LIQMAXFLO cooler, which comes in 240mm, 360mm, and 420mm options boasting a 60mm ARGB VRM fan. These models can cool up to 420W of TDP with an Advanced Dual-Chamber Xtreme Pump with an enlarged inlet and increased pump pressure, which is said to boost flow up to 20%. On top of that, these models use a 38mm thick radiator with C.C.I. and S.C.T. included but still have one trick up their sleeve. The cover on the head unit is removable and allows users to 3D print whatever works best for them stylistically if you have access to more magnets to attach your custom covers.
In the previous image, you can see five covers that Enermax has on display, but from a contest they ran, what you see now is the overall winner. Made of two parts, there is a black body to this design, which is topped with opaque plastic, which allows the ARGB lighting from within the head unit to make the top glow while also adding some style with the ten-fin layout of the central portion, allowing airflow into the VRM cooling fan.
Our visit with ASUS at CES 2024 showed ROG STRIX AIOs and a stunning BTF TUF build
As we entered the room for the ASUS portion of CES 2024, we were greeted with an assortment of laptops, monitors, and GPUs, which Ryan will be covering soon, but just beyond that was a huge wall of RGB illumination with the ROG logo and REPUBLIC OF GAMERS spelled out for all of us to enjoy.
Around the corner, we ran into this ROG STRIX LC III 360 ARGB CPU cooler that sports a new block design with a 360° rotatable logo and over ten custom Aura lighting effects on this 7th gen V2 Astetek model. It also sports premium ROG ARGB fans with high airflow, optimized acoustics, and a silent mode.
On this ROG STRIX Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II motherboard, we also found the ROG STRIX LC III 360 ARGB LCD White Edition AIO. This one has a 2.1" IPS LCD that is also 360° rotatable, so one can display system stats, custom art, time of day, system monitoring, or personalized images. This is also a 7th gen V2 design with premium ROG ARGB fans.