Cases, Cooling & PSU - Page 5

The open-frame design for a PC chassis is often created and used for testing and benchmarking. It offers a quick way to replace parts, tinker with cooling, and troubleshoot. At Computex 20204, we got a closer look at the new Neptune Series PC from Colorful, and it quickly earned one of our Best of Computex 2024 awards, not only for its looks but also for the materials, solid construction, and DIY potential for those who want an open-chassis design without having to worry about dust.

It's a unique design that, although it is fully open and customizable thanks to Colorful planning to ship a barebones edition, everything is enclosed with an integrated full-cover waterblock. Regarding PC components, all you can see is the memory, radiator fans, motherboard I/O ports, and the custom waterblock/enclosure for the GPU (a high-end GeForce RTX GPU is installed in the one you see here).

It's a sleek and stylish futuristic design made from solid metals with a brushed silver finish. Colorful notes that within the Neptune, the CPU and other non-visible critical components are all liquid-cooled. It's not only an impressive design but one that will deliver when it comes to thermal performance.

be quiet! is no stranger to the PC case and cooling game, and now the company has unveiled its latest product at Computex 2024.

I was lucky enough to get a full tour of the Be quiet! booth at Computex 2024 where it was explained to me the engineering and thought process behind both the Light Loop and Light Base models. Firstly, the Light Base 900 is the first PC case from Be quiet! to use the the "fish tank", or "show case" aesthetic, enabling users to fully display all of their components through all of the cases windows. These types of fish tank cases have been extremely popular at Computex this year.

The Light Base 900 has a fully windowed front and side panel that enables an almost panoramic viewing angle. Notably, the Light Base 900 has something most other cases, or no other cases (to my knowledge) can do. Be quiet! has outfitted the Light Base 900/600 with the ability to switch between three layouts: left, right and horizontal. This can be achieved by removing the feet from the case, which doesn't require any tools, and then simply attaching them to the desired side.

The fishbowl PC case aesthetic is extremely popular, where multiple glass panels present a multi-angle look at your build's various components, cooling setup, and RGB action. At Computex 2024, one of the best we saw was the new Evolv X2 from Phanteks, which makes the GPU look like it's floating and part of a space station from the future.

The Evolv X2 from Phanteks is still in the design or testing stage, so it might undergo a few minor revisions before launch, but what we saw was immediately impressive. Thanks to the aluminum interior panels (available in black, silver, and gold), it shares a similar style and aesthetic with NVIDIA's Founders Edition graphics cards for the GeForce RTX 30 and 40 Series.

We asked the team at Phanteks why they chose a ROG Strix GPU to showcase the case (which, admittedly, looks excellent in the Evolv X2) and not a Founders Edition card. We weren't the first, so we can probably expect some cool shots of the Evolv X2 from Phanteks with an FE GPU at some point before launch.

It's hard to miss the Corsair 9000D; it's a monster of a case. Now, you might have a large PC chassis once or twice before, and if you're at Computex 2024, you probably have walked past dozens or hundreds on the show floor. As the successor to the 1000D, the new Corsair 9000D (which we saw up close) is something else - a beast that lives up to its size with build quality, features, and design touches to make it a true one-of-a-kind.

The Corsair 9000D Airflow supports two PCs: a full-sized gaming rig and a second mini-ITX rig that could be used as a streaming setup. It doesn't stop there, as there's room for almost a dozen SSDs, 21 (yes, twenty-one) 120mm fans, and enough room for two 480mm radiators or five 360mm radiators.

At Computex 2024, Corsair displayed a fully built 9000D with an awe-inspiring water-cooling setup with multiple tubes and piping neatly hidden alongside the cables. The case supports the latest BTF motherboard designs from ASUS and others, which feeds into the unique front I/O setup.

ASUS has just introduced its new ROG THOR 1600W Titanium III power supply, its new flagship PSU with all of the latest standards ready to handle graphics cards of today, and tomorrow. Check it out:

The new ROG THOR 1600W Titanium III has native 12VHPWR power connectors, with ASUS designing the new PSU for high-end systems, where inside it features GaN MOSFET technology. This provides increased power efficiency, and a more streamlined internal design for cooler operation.

ASUS reiterates its patented intelligent voltage stabilizer inside of the new ROG THOR 1600W Titanium III PSU, ensuring that power delivery to your graphics card is unmatched. You've got a monster 1600W of power at your fingertips, ready for any graphics card of the future -- I'm looking at you, GeForce RTX 5090 -- with 2 x 12V-2x6 power connectors at the ready.

AeroCool has plenty to announce at Computex 2024, with the introduction of its new high-end APNX line, upgraded AIO liquid coolers, new cases, new case fans, and new power supplies.

AeroCool has been in the industry for over 20 years, building out affordable, high-value products, with AeroCool products in over 50 countries. Not only that, but AeroCool is now a member of the Pro Gamers Group (PGG) alliance -- represented by Pro Gamersware (PGW) at Computex 2024.

Tony Lin, Global Brands Group GM explained: "Last year we launched APNX to signify AeroCool's commitment to expanding in the affordable premium space. We are encouraged by the success of the last year and are revamping all of our lines. With a larger team, and greater resources for testing and development, we hope to bring a lot more value to price segments that most buyers are comfortable with. From here on out, you're going to see a different AeroCool".

Computex 2024 - ID-COOLING has some fantastic new products being shown off this year at Computex 2024, starting with the prototype HUNTER DUET GOLDEN LINING (HUNTER GDL).

The new ID-COOLING prototype HUNTER GDL cooler features dual water flow circulations with not one, but two 360mm radiators. The new HUNTER DUET GDL aims to provide the best cooling performance for enthusiasts and overclockers, with the hassle-free all-in-one cooling solution.

HUNTER DUET GOLDEN LINING (HUNTER GDL) prototype:

Lian Li has unveiled its latest PC chassis, an M-ATX collaboration with Daniel Hansen from DAN Cases - the new A3-mATX. Available in black and white, it has mesh panels on the top and both sides for small form factor builds and a minimal and stylish look that befits its European collaboration.

Although compact, Lian Li notes that the A3-mATX supports 4.5-slot GPUs up to 415mm in length, so yes, you could put a GeForce RTX 4090 or RTX 4080 SUPER in this thing. The A3-mATX also supports AIO coolers with radiator sizes of up to 360mm, with the case also supporting up to 10 x 120mm fans.

The Lian Li A3-mATX case's full dimensions are 443 x 194 x 321.5mm, with room for additional storage and an ATX-sized PSU (with support for SFX and SFX-L) - compact but spacious enough for modern PC components. It's available now with an MSRP of $69.99 over at Newegg (Black version here, White version here).

Noctua and its earthy-toned products are well-known among PC builders and modders. Noctua has created premium, quiet, stylish fans, and cooling solutions for many years. Noctua gear is highly sought after, and this has led to collaborations with companies like ASUS to create Noctua Edition GeForce RTX graphics cards and Drop to create Noctua-themed keyboard accessories.

Noctua's new HOME product line is a little different. It's designed for everything besides a PC, with "home, office, and multi-purpose ventilation" via two fan sets and nine modular accessories. This means you can install the new pivoting NV-FM1 Noctua fan mount with Noctua fans as a desk fan to keep you cool in the summer months or even mount it in the ceiling or on a wall.

One of the accessories is the new NV-AA1-12 airflow amplifier, designed for focused ventilation. The NV-MPG1-12 is a multi-purpose gasket for Noctua 120x25mm fans that the company says is ideal for "placing a fan on top of A/V receivers, DVRs, video game consoles, stereo equipment, routers, home radiators, or other devices."

We all know that applying thermal paste to CPUs isn't the easiest thing to do, squirt a little on... move it around, make it kinda even... but now there's an idiot-proof method of applying the perfect layer thermal paste with X-Apply... check it out:

Igor's Lab worked with DigitalBlizzard, who "came up with the whole thing" explains Igor, and with a little help from an "industrial partner" and a few suggestions from Igor, X-Apply was born. The new X-Apply stencil allows the formation of the absolutely ideal pattern of thermal paste, with a perfectly even distribution across your CPU.

Most regular methods of thermal paste applications are about the same, but your final thermal paste application will most likely be uneven because it's just placed in small clumps or a few lines across your chip. This means that part of the IHS (integrated heat spreader) on your CPU doesn't have enough thermal paste, or none at all. X-Apply won't allow that, as it will fill those gaps with its specially designed stencil.

Putting together a small form factor (SFF) gaming PC, or productivity PC, can be a lot of fun, as you can fit some serious hardware inside sleek and stylish cases like the Fractal Design Terra.

As one of the premier brands for high-performance and stylish cooling, Noctua has introduced a new low-profile CPU cooler designed specifically for SFF builds: the Noctua NH-L12Sx77. It's an improved (and taller) version of its acclaimed NH-L12S cooler, offering improved thermal performance and more clearance for RAM modules and motherboard heatsinks.

Like the previous model, it includes a Noctua fan preinstalled underneath the fin stack. The fan blows upwards, which Noctua describes as "ideal in compact cases that typically have a perforated panel right above the cooler." With that in mind, Noctua says the NH-L12Sx77 is perfect for smaller chassis like the Fractal Design Terra, SilverStone Milo MILO 12, and Louqe RAW S1.

Thanks to innovative new designs, DIY PC building continues to improve, especially when putting together a gaming rig decked out with multiple fans, ARGB lighting, and modern components. MSI's new MPG EZ120 ARGB Fans fall into the recent cable-free school of system fans that let you daisy-chain and connect multiple fans without worrying about cable management.

This is awesome because a traditional ARGB fan requires connecting a system fan header to your motherboard or fan controller and a separate ARGB header. When you start adding multiple intake and exhaust fans, this can quickly become a cable management problem. MSI's new MPG EZ120 ARGB fans have a custom JAF 7-pin header that integrates ARGB and system fan headers.

It doesn't stop there. The MPG EZ120 ARGB fans are magnetic, so joining one, two, or three is a breeze - with unique Magnetic Connector Blocks delivering power and facilitating the signal between the fans.

We all know what we need from our thermal paste, right? For it to be easy to apply and spread, for it to facilitate good cooling, and for the paste to be affordable is a bonus, too. Oh, and for it to smell nice, of course.

Hang on a minute - what now? Well, apparently this is a concern over in Japan (somehow), because as Wccftech noticed, a company called Clock Work Tea Party (CWTP) is producing scented thermal paste.

A new product called 'Extremegris' is supposedly an osmanthus-flavored thermal paste (which is a hardy shrub that flowers in the spring, in case you were wondering - we certainly were).

ASUS has just unveiled its new ROG Mjolnir power station, with a new post on X that the company declared was "not an April Fool's joke," check it out:

The new ASUS ROG Mjolnir looks to be a portable power station that will provide flawless, uninterrupted gaming and working -- even outdoors. It sports four power outlets, which can power devices like gaming laptops, monitors, peripherals, lighting, and more.

The front of the ASUS ROG Mjolnir also has two USB Type-A and two USB Type-C ports, but we haven't seen any other sides of it, so we could expect (and hope) for some more connectivity. ASUS uses a design style borrowed from Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, on its new ROG Mjolnir (the name was a spoiler).

This might be one of the best-looking custom case designs we've seen in a while, mainly because Chinese custom case experts Xikii have built it specifically for the ASUS ProArt GeForce RTX 4070 Ti. The case showcases ASUS's minimal and stylish GPU and its cooling, and the case colors and overall aesthetic are in step with the GPU.

It's a compact 9.8L case built around a single GPU series, ASUS's ProArt range designed for creators. The effect is striking because the GPU and case are a single piece, including the amber lighting, which matches the ProArt GPU's gold or bronze touches.

This case stands out because the GPU isn't hidden here, which usually happens with SFF and compact builds. GPU dimensions limit the versatility of this type of design, but we'd love to see other modders take the idea of "showcasing the GPU" and apply it to case mods.

After turning a few heads at CES 2024, ENERMAX is ready to launch its latest high-performance premium power supply, the new ENERMAX PlatiGemini 1200W PSU. It's the world's first 80 PLUS Platinum-rated power supply that supports both Intel ATX 3.1 and ATX12VO standards.

Designed for system integrators and professionals, 12VO is a step forward for power requirements. A 10-pin energy-saving motherboard connection delivers 12 volts to system components, eliminating the need for voltage conversion while improving energy efficiency. Naturally, ENERMAX is looking forward with an eye to the present, so the ENERMAX PlatiGemini 1200W PSU still supports the traditional 24-pin connection found on most motherboards.

The PlatiGemini is compatible with PCIe 5.1 and Intel ATX 3.1 standards, so it also arrives with a 600W 12V-12x6 cable. The power supply can handle power surges up to 235% (aka Power Excursion) and features 100% industrial-grade Japanese capacitors. We'd love to see this PSU paired with the GeForce RTX 5090 when it launches later this year (fingers crossed).

Corsair has just unveiled an all-white version of its RMx SHIFT power supplies, which range from 750W to 1200W, with new side-mounted connectors. The company has a video going over it all below:

The family of RMx SHIFT power supplies feature a side-mounted DC connector panel which makes for neater cable management, but you'll want to make sure you've got the room in your case to handle power cables feeding into the PSU on those side-mounted connectors.

Corsair provides PC builders with access to all the micro-fit cables through the side-mounted connectors, which makes for quicker and easier installation, and maintenance -- like installing some more SSDs or additional fans -- without digging around in your system. The cable design from Corsair also reportedly reduces cable strain by minimizing bending and testing, which makes for longer-lasting cables and connectors.

ENERMAX's range of power supplies has been impressive for years, with its REVOLUTION series offering excellent features, build quality, and versatility. According to the company, its latest entry not only adheres to the most up-to-date ATX 3.1 standard but is also the world's smallest ATX 3.1 power supply, with a depth of only 122mm.

The new ENERMAX REVOLUTION D.F. 12 is all about maximizing space for airflow while delivering the power you need to jump into the latest PC games (or run complex AI tasks or content creation apps). As an ATX 3.1 power supply, it comes equipped with the newest 600W 600W 12V-2x6 cable compatible with modern GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics cards. This new cable design minimizes issues when a 12V cable is incorrectly seated.

As the world's smallest ATX 3.1 power supply, the ENERMAX REVOLUTION D.F. 12 is compact enough to fit in micro-ATX cases, making it perfect for building a tiny PC gaming powerhouse. Available in 750W and 850W capacities and in black or white, hit the jump to find out more.

Thermaltake has just announced its new MS-1 M.2 SSD cooler, which features a high-speed 8000RPM micro blower fan, heat pipe, and heatsink to keep your ultra-fast (and ultra-hot) Gen5 SSDs as cool as possible, keeping those huge 14GB/sec+ read speeds at their peak, all day long.

The company claims that it beats an original passive heatsink and third-party active-cooled competitors with better performance and a smoother gaming experience. During its testing, Thermaltake used a Crucial T700 PCIe Gen 5 SSD to keep the SSD at a maximum of 77C, compared to the original T700 heatsink at 84C, and a third-party active-cooled M.2 SSD heatsink at 81C. Impressive, 4C is a decent margin.

Remember: Thermaltake is using a high-speed 8000RPM blower fan to keep the MS-1 M.2 SSD cooler, so it would have to be noisy as hell, especially compared to Crucial's stock heatsink on the T700 PCIe Gen 5 SSD. The competing actively-cooled M.2 SSD cooler looks to be the ineo aluminum M.2 SSD heatsink with a 10000RPM fan (faster, and noisier than the MS-1), according to Tom's Hardware.

Seasonic has just upgraded its GPU cables for some of its power supply units with upgraded H++ connectors that are compliant with the new PCIe Gen5 and ATX3 standards.

The new 12V-2x6 power connectors now replace the current H+ (12VHPWR) power cables, with three versions of the cable specifically made by Seasonic for its power supplies. The new native 12V-2x6 power cable is compatible across multiple Seasonic ATX 3.0 power supplies, including the Prime TX, Prime PX, Vertex GX/PX, and Focus GX power supplies.

These cables won't work with ATX2-based power supplies, but the new native cables feature blue connectors on one side, which is nice to see. If you see blue, you know your cable isn't connected properly... nice and easy installation from Seasonic here.