After almost a decade of total market dominance, Intel has spent the past few years on the defensive. AMD’s Ryzen processors continue to show improvement year over year, with the most recent Ryzen 5000 series taking the crown of best gaming processor: Intel’s last bastion of superiority.
Now, with a booming hardware market, Intel is preparing to make up some of that lost ground with the new 11th Gen Intel Core Processors. Intel is claiming these new 11th Gen CPUs offer double-digit IPC improvements despite remaining on a 14 nm process. The top-end 8-core Intel Core i9-11900K may not be able to compete with its Ryzen 9 5900X AMD rival in heavily multi-threaded scenarios, but the higher clock speeds and alleged IPC improvements could be enough to take back the gaming crown. Along with the new CPUs, there is a new chipset to match, the Intel Z590. Last year’s Z490 chipset motherboards are also compatible with the new 11th Gen Intel Core Processors, but Z590 introduces some key advantages.
First, Z590 offers native PCIe 4.0 support from the CPU, which means the PCIe and M.2 slots powered off the CPU will offer PCIe 4.0 connectivity when an 11th Gen CPU is installed. The PCIe and M.2 slots controlled by the Z590 chipset are still PCI 3.0. While many high-end Z490 motherboards advertised this capability, it was not a standard feature for the platform. In addition to PCIe 4.0 support, Z590 offers USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 from the chipset. The USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 standard offers speeds of up to 20 Gb/s. Finally, Z590 boasts native support for 3200 MHz DDR4 memory. With these upgrades, Intel’s Z series platform has feature parity with AMD’s B550. On paper, Intel is catching up to AMD, but only testing will tell if these new Z590 motherboards are up to the challenge.
The MSI Performance Gaming line, or “MPG” for short, from MSI is generally pitched as the middle ground between the no-holds-barred MEG line and more value-oriented MAG line. The MSI MPG Z590 Carbon EK X is an exception. Developed in partnership with and distributed by EKWB, the MSI MPG Z590 Carbon EK X features a monoblock for CPU and VRM cooling as well as all the tools you need to integrate it into your custom water-cooling build.
The MSI MPG Z590 Carbon EK X features a 16-phase Vcore VRM on a 6-layer PCB. There is also 2.5 Gb/s LAN and built-in WiFi 6E, as well as three M.2 slot heatsinks and even a physical RGB LED off switch. EK is including a leak test kit with the MSI MPG Z590 Carbon EK X, so you can build with confidence.
Let’s take a closer look at what the MSI MPG Z590 Carbon EK X has to offer.
1x Intel 1225V 2.5G LAN 1x Intel WiFi 6E AX210 module
Rear Ports:
4x USB 2.0 ports 1x DisplayPort 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 5 Gbps Type-A 1x 2.5G LAN 5x Audio Connectors 1x Flash BIOS Button 1x HDMI port 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-A 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps Type-C 2x SMA WiFi connectors 1x Optical S/PDIF Out
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I built a new gaming PC in September to play new games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Cyberpunk 2077, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. I figured that picking Intel’s Core i9-10900K and Nvidia’s RTX 3090 would make this machine last for years and offer top tier performance in demanding titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator. I was wrong. Microsoft Flight Simulator is a notorious beast of a game and is quickly becoming the new Crysis test for PCs.
It has struggled to run smoothly above 30fps with all settings maxed out at 1440p on my PC, and even AMD’s Intel-beating Ryzen 9 5950X only improved the situation slightly for some.
Intel’s latest 11th Gen processor arrives with a big promise of up to 19 percent IPC (instructions per cycle) improvements over the existing i9-10900K, and more specifically the lure of 14 percent more performance at 1080p in Microsoft Flight Simulator with high settings. This piqued my curiosity, so I’ve been testing the i9-11900K over the past few days to see what it can offer for Microsoft Flight Simulator specifically.
It’s less than a year after the i9-10900K release, and I’m already considering upgrading to Intel’s new i9-11900K because I’ve found it boosts Microsoft Flight Simulator by 20 percent.
Intel’s Core i9-11900K processor.
The Verge doesn’t typically review processors, so we don’t own dedicated hardware testing rigs or multiple CPUs and systems to offer all of the benchmarks and comparisons you’d typically find in CPU reviews. For those, we’re going to recommend you visit the excellent folks at Tom’s Hardware, KitGuru, or Eurogamer’s Digital Foundry.
Intel’s new Core i9-11900K ships with eight cores, 16 threads, and boosted clock speeds up to 5.3GHz. On paper, that sounds like it would be less powerful than the 10900K with its 10 cores, 20 threads, and boosted clock speeds up to 5.3GHz, but the reality is far more complicated thanks to how games and apps are designed. Most of Flight Simulator currently runs in a main thread that’s often limited by how well your CPU can run single-threaded applications and games.
So in recent years Intel has managed to stay on top with its single-threaded performance, despite AMD offering more cores. That was until AMD’s Ryzen 9 5950X managed to beat the final Intel performance advantage late last year. Intel’s new 11th Gen chips are trying to reclaim its traditional advantage.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a good example of where Intel typically has an advantage. It’s also an increasingly rare example of a game that’s very sensitive to your entire system components and not just how good your GPU is at rendering games.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a demanding title on PC.
Intel’s Core i9-11900K does its job well enough here to boost performance by around 20 percent depending on resolution. I’ve tested a variety of flights taking off from different airports and flying over some of the world’s most beautiful locations and the most demanding cities the game has to offer. Everything feels smoother with Intel’s latest chips, but the results aren’t dramatic enough to get me beyond 60fps without stepping some settings down. A flight over Seattle with all the settings maxed out shows a 24-percent performance improvement with the new 11th Gen Core i9 at 1080p and an 18-percent increase at 1440p.
On my i9-10900K PC, I saw average frame rates of 38fps at 1440p and 33fps at 1080p. The Core i9-11900K managed to bump these to 45fps average at 1440p and 41fps average at 1080p. Averages during a particular benchmark don’t always tell the whole story, though. Over the hours I’ve been playing Microsoft Flight Simulator, I’ve noticed the game dip and stutter less than before. It’s still not perfect, but it’s certainly smoother overall.
If I dial the game back to high settings, it immediately jumps to a 66fps average at 1440p — demonstrating just how much the ultra settings hit frame rates. I can personally barely notice the difference between high and ultra settings in Microsoft Flight Simulator,so the boost here is noticeable thanks to the smoother gameplay.
I also tested Shadow of the Tomb Raider and the Cinebench R23 and Geekbench 5 benchmarks. Shadow of the Tomb Raider saw a tiny bump of around 3 percent at both 1080p and 1440p, while the i9-11900K managed some impressive single core performance gains in both Cinebench and Geekbench.
Intel Core i9-11900K benchmarks
Benchmark
Intel Core i9-10900K
Intel Core i9-11900K
% change
Benchmark
Intel Core i9-10900K
Intel Core i9-11900K
% change
Microsoft Flight Simulator (1080p)
33fps
41fps
up 24.2%
Microsoft Flight Simulator (1440p)
38fps
45fps
up 18.4%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p)
176fps
181fps
up 2.8%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1440p)
154fps
159fps
up 3.2%
Cinebench R23 single-thread
1281
1623
up 26.6%
Cinebench R23 multi-thread
14,968
14,826
down 0.94%
Geekbench 5 single-thread
1336
1766
up 32.1%
Geekbench 5 multi-thread
10,709
11,148
up 4%
I should note I was also hoping to do most of my testing with my existing Z490 motherboard, but that didn’t go to plan. I swapped the chip in with the latest BIOS update for 11th Gen processors and found that the system rebooted a few minutes into games without even a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). I wasn’t able to troubleshoot it fully in time for review, but the Asus Maximus XIII Hero (Z590) board supplied by Intel worked just fine.
You should be able to easily use 11th Gen processors with Z490 motherboards, as most manufacturers have already issued BIOS updates to support Intel’s latest processors. Some will even support M.2 NVMe storage using PCIe 4.0 with these latest chips, while others like Asus only support PCIe 4.0 on the Primary PCIe x16 slot with 11th Gen processors.
Intel’s 11th Gen processors finally deliver PCIe 4.0 support, and that’s good news for storage. Manufacturers have started to fully support PCIe 4.0 drives in recent months, with Western Digital, Samsung, GigaByte, and MSI all launching high-speed drives. If you have a compatible PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive, the upgrade to 11th Gen processors will certainly be worth it. I’ve managed read speeds of 6729MB/s and write speeds of 5206MB/s using Western Digital’s new SN850 1TB drive. Corsair’s MP600 also manages 4987MB/s read and 4259MB/s write speeds. Using Intel’s older 10th Gen chip, the Corsair drive managed 3484MB/s reads and 3235MB/s writes, so an 11th Gen upgrade improved speeds by more than 40 percent. If you work with a lot of files every day, the upgrade to 11th Gen processors will be worth it for PCIe 4.0 alone.
Western Digital’s SN850 has super fast PCIe 4.0 speeds with Intel’s 11th Gen processors.
I don’t think the Core i9-11900K does enough for me personally to upgrade from a 10900K, but the PCIe 4.0 support would tempt me more if I needed the speeds there. At $550 (if you can find it at this retail price), the Core i9-11900K sits in between AMD’s offerings, being less expensive than the top 5950X and 5900X Ryzen 9 chips and $90 more than the 5800X.
There’s some solid single-thread performance here, and the 11900K and AMD’s 5900X and 5950X all trade blows depending on the games. Intel’s performance improvement will come at a cost of energy efficiency, though. Tom’s Hardware found that the 11900K “sets the new high power mark” in several of its power tests, drawing over 200 watts in the same test that AMD’s Ryzen 9 5900X drew 116 watts. If you even need a new CPU, it’s worth considering just how much Intel’s latest chips will influence your energy bills and the games you play.
Whether you decide to upgrade to Intel’s 11th Gen or one of AMD’s chips will probably depend on the games you play and stock availability. A lot of games do a bad job of utilizing multiple cores on CPUs, mostly because console gaming hardware hasn’t offered solid CPU performance and spreading multiple rendering and physics threads across different cores can complicate game design. Intel’s new chips do a better job of handling these single threads to improve performance, but it’s very game-dependent.
For Microsoft Flight Simulator, the general consensus is that the game desperately needs to be moved to DirectX 12 for improvements to multi-core CPU performance. But Intel’s IPC improvements have managed to help until the Direct X 12 update arrives with the Xbox Series X release this summer.
Where Intel might have an advantage over AMD here is availability of chips. It has been increasingly difficult to find AMD’s latest Ryzen processors in recent months, thanks to a global chip shortage. Intel partners have already been accidentally selling some 11th Gen desktop CPUs, which may indicate it will have a steadier supply in the coming weeks.
The winner between Intel and AMD will be the company that can get these chips into the hands of PC gamers eager to upgrade. Much like the GPU market right now, benchmarks don’t matter when the best chip is often the only one you can actually buy.
After almost a decade of total market dominance, Intel has spent the past few years on the defensive. AMD’s Ryzen processors continue to show improvement year over year, with the most recent Ryzen 5000 series taking the crown of best gaming processor: Intel’s last bastion of superiority.
Now, with a booming hardware market, Intel is preparing to retake some of that lost ground with the new 11th Gen Intel Core Processors. Intel is claiming these new 11th Gen CPUs offer double-digit IPC improvements despite remaining on a 14 nm process. The top-end 8-core Intel Core i9-11900K may not be able to compete against its AMD rival Ryzen 9 5900X in heavily multi-threaded scenarios, but the higher clock speeds and alleged IPC improvements could be enough to take back the gaming crown. Along with the new CPUs, there is a new chipset to match, the Intel Z590. Last year’s Z490 chipset motherboards are also compatible with the new 11th Gen Intel Core Processors, but Z590 introduces some key advantages.
First, Z590 offers native PCIe 4.0 support from the CPU, which means the PCIe and M.2 slots powered off the CPU will offer PCIe 4.0 connectivity when an 11th Gen CPU is installed. The PCIe and M.2 slots controlled by the Z590 chipset are still PCI 3.0. While many high-end Z490 motherboards advertised this capability, it was not a standard feature for the platform. In addition to PCIe 4.0 support, Z590 offers USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 from the chipset. The USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 standard offers speeds of up to 20 Gb/s. Finally, Z590 boasts native support for 3200 MHz DDR4 memory. With these upgrades, Intel’s Z series platform has feature parity with AMD’s B550. On paper, Intel is catching up to AMD, but only testing will tell if these new Z590 motherboards are up to the challenge.
The AORUS line from Gigabyte spans a broad range of products—laptops, peripherals, and core components. Across the enthusiast spectrum, the AORUS name denotes Gigabyte’s gaming-focused products. The AORUS motherboard range features a consistent naming scheme that includes the Pro, Elite, Ultra, Master, and Extreme motherboards.
The Gigabyte Z590I AORUS Ultra features a robust VRM utilizing 90 A power stages, along with Q-Flash for a redundant safety net for ambitious overclocking. Along with the standard Z590 updates, the Gigabyte Z590I AORUS Ultra has also added two additional Vcore power stages, which takes the total from 8 to 10. The Gigabyte Z590I AORUS Ultra also offers a full-coverage aluminium backplate for added rigidity and additional VRM cooling. Let’s see how the Gigabyte Z590I AORUS Ultra stacks up against its predecessor!
Specifications
Specifications
CPU Support:
Intel 10th Gen or later processors
Power Design:
CPU Power: 11-phase* Memory Power: 2-phase
Chipset:
Intel Z590
Integrated Graphics:
Dependent on installed CPU
Memory:
2x DIMM, supports dual-channel DDR4-4600 (OC) MHz
BIOS:
AMI UEFI BIOS
Expansion Slots:
1x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot
Storage:
4x SATA 6 Gb/s ports 2x M.2 ports (SATA3/PCIe x4)
Networking:
1x Intel 2.5 Gb/s LAN 1x Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200
Rear Ports:
1x DisplayPort 1x HDMI port 1x USB Type-C® port, with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 support 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (red) 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports 2x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1x Q-Flash Plus button 1x RJ-45 port 2x SMA antenna connectors 3x audio jacks
Audio:
1x Realtek ALC1220 Codec
Fan Headers:
4x 4-pin
Form Factor:
ITX Form Factor: 6.7 x 6.7 in.; 17.0 x 17.0 cm
Exclusive Features:
APP Center
@BIOS
EasyTune
Fast Boot
Game Boost
RGB Fusion
Smart Backup
System Information Viewer
USB TurboCharger
Support for Q-Flash Plus
Support for Q-Flash
Support for Xpress Install
Testing for this review was conducted using a 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900K. Stay tuned for an 11th Gen update when the new processors launch!
A user from the Chiphell forums has evaluated the impact of Resizable BAR on Nvidia’s flagship GeForce RTX 3090. While the results aren’t phenomenal, the extra performance comes free of charge, so we welcome it with open arms.
While Nvidia has pledged to bring Resizable BAR to its entire stack of Ampere graphics cards, only the more recent GeForce RTX 3060 comes with a vBIOS that’s primed for the feature. Other Ampere offerings will need an updated vBIOS to enjoy the same benefits. Nvidia and its partners are expected to release vBIOS updates for their corresponding graphics card tomorrow. However, Galax and Gainward have already started deploying the new updates, which has enabled the Chiphell forum user to test the Resizable BAR feature ahead of everyone else.
Resizable BAR is only supported on Nvidia’s Ampere offerings. On the platform side, however, support includes AMD and Intel platforms, more specifically the 400-and 500-series chipsets from both chipmakers. In terms of processors, AMD’s Zen 3 and Intel’s Comet Lake and Rocket Lake are on the compatibility list. Many motherboard manufacturers have released new firmware to support Resizable BAR on Ampere so there shouldn’t be any issues there.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 Resizable BAR Benchmarks
The Chiphell user’s testbed was based on a Ryzen 9 5950X processor that was paired with 32GB of memory and a GeForce RTX 3090 Founders Edition graphics card. He did his testing at the 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution.
Currently, only a few titles support Resizable BAR with Ampere. The short list includes Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Battlefield V, Borderlands 3, Forza Horizon 4, Gears 5, Metro Exodus, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Watch Dogs: Legion. The user tested all, but Battlefield V since it doesn’t come with a built-in benchmark tool.
Game
Resizable BAR Off
Resizable BAR On
Difference
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
69.00
72.00
4.3%
Borderlands 3
80.09
81.60
1.9%
Forza Horizon 4
175.00
181.00
3.4%
Gears 5
86.30
89.20
3.4%
Watch Dogs: Legion
62.00
65.00
4.8%
Red Dead Redemption 2
73.62
74.47
1.2%
Metro Exodus
66.29
66.29
0%
According to the results, Resizable BAR provides the GeForce RTX 3090 with performance boosts anywhere between 1.2% and 4.8%, depending on the game. If you want to put that into a single number, we’re looking an at average of 3.2%. Of course, there are some titles, such as Metro Exodus that won’t benefit from Resizable BAR whatsoever.
As minor as the improvement may be, it’s free so it doesn’t hurt to enable Resizable BAR even though it’s a placebo in some occasions. The Chiphell user performed his tests at 4K so the performance gains could be higher at lower resolutions at 1440p (2560 x 1440) or 1080p (1920 x 1080) since the graphics card will be less bottlenecked. We’ll be doing some testing of our own shortly so don’t forget to check back.
The official Rocket Lake launch isn’t even here yet, but professional overclockers are already pushing the Core i9 11900K past 7GHz. As Tweeted by APISAK, one overclocker called ‘ROG-Fisher’ so far has achieved this overclock on a ROG Maximus XIII Apex motherboard with a crazy-high voltage of 1.873v. That makes this score the highest frequency overclock on Rocket Lake–at least for right now.
(Image credit: Twitter)
Another overclocker in India has already begun work overclocking a 11900K. But for now, they have ‘only’ achieved 6.5Ghz, at a much lower vcore of 1.678v.
This is just the beginning for Rocket Lake. It will take time for overclockers to feel out these new chips to see where they can be pushed.
At least, for now, 7GHz seems to be the clock speed barrier to beat with liquid nitrogen cooling. Compare that to Intel’s Comet Lake-S chips, which could hit well in excess of 7GHz. In-fact, with one CPU-Z validation, one overclocker almost hit the 8GHz mark.
However, with Rocket Lake being the first-brand new architecture from Intel in over 5 years (and one of the only backported architectures), it makes us wonder if Rocket Lake will have any extra frequency headroom from the changes Intel has made to the architecture (compared to Comet Lake). Only time will tell.
For more details on Rocket Lake, check out our coverage here. The official Rocket Lake launch is tomorrow so stay tuned for our review. Perhaps we’ll see chips like the 11900K join the ranks as some of the best CPUs you can buy in 2021. And ‘can buy’ might be a key consideration. Given that Intel fabs its own CPUs, it seems unlikely the chip giant will suffer the same stock issues that have plagued AMD since the Ryzen 5000 launch last year.
Project A.R.E.S. (Astral Robot Enclosure Systems) tells a story:
Starship Copper Nebula, named so for its peculiar color, is tapped for space program A.R.E.S. The starship comes in contact with some sort of organic alien technology, which starts to merge with it, covering the external structure and contaminating the propellant.
This story continues through colors and lines, from the blue and copper shades and curved lines representing alien technology, to the aluminum and silver shades and straight lines embodying human technology. Three astronauts at the back, impersonated by the hex-shaped reservoirs, look into the void while trying to communicate with the alien being. Up front is a mirror, which reflects Copper Nebula’s destination
Eventually, the humans and aliens succeed in communicating and join each other in a common cause: survival.
When I built Project A.R.E.S. for the latest Cooler Master Case Mod World Series. My goal was to take the Cooler Master Cosmos C700M, (which we list in our Best PC Cases list) and re-think it from the ground up, following this sci-fi design language. My biggest inspiration — mainly for the mod’s color scheme and the starry face at the front of the case — came from Robot in Netflix’s Lost in Space show.
The finished product took about six months and ultimately won Best Tower of the Year in Cooler Master’s contest, is usually what matters most. But I take a lot of pride in how I actually accomplish this kind of work and in inspiring people to start pushing boundaries. By detailing the making of Project A.R.E.S., I hope to do just that. Let’s get started!
Case and Components
Here are the PC components I recruited for Project A.R.E.S.:
Case: Cooler Master Cosmos C700M
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Graphics Card: Inno3D iChill Frostbite RTX 2070 Super
As mentioned, the base of this project is the Cooler Master’s Cosmos C700M. You’re seeing two of those because I actually replaced the bottom panel of one with a second top panel (taken from the second case), for symmetry purposes.
The first step in making such an intricate mod is tearing the case apart, particularly the internals, which will be completely reworked. After that, I flipped the case 90 degrees in order to have the handle bars at both the front and back instead of at the top and bottom, where they were originally.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The C700M case has an amazing feature that helped a lot with these extreme modifications: threaded holes on all sides of the frame. This allows you to easily mount any kind of custom panel or bracket.
Next, I took some aluminum L-profiles and cut them to length to fit all around the case’s frame. This made it easier to add internal panels to close up all sides.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Custom Back Panel
Since the internals were still in the design phase at this point, I proceeded to cut the first custom panel for A.R.E.S., the back panel. I used 5mm acrylic, cut and engraved on my CNC router. The peculiar shape created a challenge, as I had a lot of curved corners and, simply, weird angles to replicate. To tackle this, I first cut an MDF (medium density fiberboard) prototype to trace down the measurements and ensure their accuracy.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
After that, I went to cut the real thing.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Due to the unique shape of the C700M, I had to bend the back panel’s top and bottom using a heat gun. For accuracy, I used the original panels from the C700M as a template.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
You might be wondering about the three circles in the panel. Those are there to show off the Bitspower Water Tank Hexagon reservoirs and to provide a sort of space helmet look. Ultimately, I used ornaments to complete the look.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Going back to the internals, I cut the two top and bottom grills out of 5mm acrylic to allow airflow to the pair of 360mm radiators and fans. I tried to keep Project A.R.E.S.’ insides as clean as possible to let enough air through. The final design is basically open-air though, and there are other entry points for air as well, so it wasn’t a big issue to begin with.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Rotating Hardware Panel
One of the most eye-popping features of Project A.R.E.S. is undoubtedly the rotating system for its main components. Below is an early 3D concept:
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The central design was so difficult to work out, and I went through tens of attempts before landing on one that actually worked. I eventually made the rotating hardware panel’s side wall and rotating bracket out of 5mm aluminum.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
To fix the central acrylic panel, I made four brackets out of 8mm aluminum and screwed them onto the two rotating discs.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Next, I added a small pocket to the side walls, so I could insert two small ball bearings.
This is how it looks without the central piece:
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Floating Effect
On to more aluminum milling. I started making the base and pedestal so that I could start having a clearer look on the final shape of the whole thing.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
First was the 8mm aluminum panel, which attached to the bottom of the case, thanks to two other strips that I cut, drilled and threaded.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
In order for the pedestal to give Project A.R.E.S. the illusion that it’s floating I called in three 40 x 40mm acrylic blocks. But to avoid having to drill holes in them and ruin the magic, I made six acrylic discs that I glued to the blocks and had them serve as mounting holes.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The main part of the pedestal is made out of 15mm acrylic. The trickiest part about constructing this piece was definitely creating the huge chamfered edges. I was able to create the look by using a tridimensional toolpath on the CNC router.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Since my machine isn’t very sturdy, it tends to chutter and leave undesirable finishes on the surface. So I took my orbital sander and got to work with some elbow grease to finish up that big chamfer.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
I left a frosted finish so that the edges could catch some light coming from the central LED strip.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Since I didn’t really trust the acrylic to hold all the weight, I added a 5mm aluminum plate under it and a small channel to route the cable from the RGB strip to the back of the pedestal.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
At this stage, here’s what Project A.R.E.S. looked like:
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Current page:
Project A.R.E.S. (Astral Robot Enclosure Systems)
NZXT’s first AMD motherboard is the N7 B550. Like the Intel versions that preceded it, the N7 B550 has a slick design with the option of either a black or white shroud that covers the bulk of the board itself. No doubt NZXT hopes the motherboard’s clean appearance will make it an appealing option for anyone with a windowed PC case like NZXT’s own H series cases.
Beyond its looks, the N7 B550 appears to offer very capable performance if a review from Tom’s Hardware is anything to go by. Designed in collaboration with established motherboard manufacturer ASRock, the motherboard uses the B550 chipset which works with both AMD Ryzen 3000- and 5000-series CPUs and offers PCIe 4.0 support. Integrated fan and RGB controllers mean the components can be managed through NZXT’s Cam software.
The N7 B550 offers a good array of USB ports.Image: NZXT
In terms of connectivity, there’s an impressive 10 USB ports available on the rear of the motherboard, including a USB Type-C port, and two M.2 slots for NVMe storage. Wireless connectivity includes support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. Check out the review from Tom’s Hardwarefor a full spec and performance rundown.
It’s a solid debut for a company that’s typically better known for its PC cases and CPU coolers, although its reputation was dented earlier this year when it had to recall one PC case over fire safety concerns. The N7 B550 is available now for $229.99.
The Bolt XR DDR4-3600 C18 is a memory kit that gels great any processor. If you can find it in your region, it’s worth your attention.
For
Decent performance
Overclocking upside
Low-profile, RGB-less design
Against
Currently unavailable at U.S. retailers
Not every piece of computer memory needs to have fancy heatsinks or flashy illumination. There are still those among us that appreciate the simpler things and prefer the insides of their systems to not look like a dance hall. If you belong to that crowd, Klevv’s Bolt XR series of memory fits the description nicely. Today we’ll put the company’s Bolt XR DDR4-3600 C18 memory kit, which comes with a density of 32GB spread across two 16GB memory modules, to the test to see how well it performs against other flashier kits.
The Bolt XR memory modules are as minimalistic as they come. Featuring a light, bronze color, the memory checks in with a simple, embossed design that’s devoid of RGB illumination. The aluminum heat spreader helps passively cool the memory module, and the low-profile body puts the Bolt XR on the compatibility list for compact systems. The memory measures 36.7mm tall, offering great harmony with modern motherboards and big CPU air coolers.
Klevv equipped the Bolt XR modules with an eight-layer PCB and a dual-rank design. Each memory module is 16GB and employs Hynix H5AN8G8NDJR-VKC (D-die) integrated circuits (ICs).
The default frequency and primary timings for the Bolt XR memory modules are DDR4-2666 and 19-19-19-43, respectively. If you opt for the easy setup, the Bolt XR comes with one XMP profile that jacks the frequency up to DDR4-3600 and automatically configures the timings and DRAM voltage to 18-22-22-42 and 1.35V, respectively. For more on timings and frequency considerations, see our PC Memory 101 feature, as well as our How to Shop for RAM story.
Comparison Hardware
Memory Kit
Part Number
Capacity
Data Rate
Primary Timings
Voltage
Warranty
G.Skill Trident Z Royal
F4-4000C17D-32GTRGB
2 x 16GB
DDR4-4000 (XMP)
17-18-18-38 (2T)
1.40 Volts
Lifetime
Crucial Ballistix Max RGB
BLM2K16G40C18U4BL
2 x 16GB
DDR4-4000 (XMP)
18-19-19-39 (2T)
1.35 Volts
Lifetime
G.Skill Trident Z Neo
F4-3600C16D-32GTZN
2 x 16GB
DDR4-3600 (XMP)
16-16-16-36 (2T)
1.35 Volts
Lifetime
Klevv Bolt XR
KD4AGU880-36A180C
2 x 16GB
DDR4-3600 (XMP)
18-22-22-42 (2T)
1.35 Volts
Lifetime
Patriot Viper Steel RGB
PVSR432G360C0K
2 x 16GB
DDR4-3600 (XMP)
20-26-26-46 (2T)
1.35 Volts
Lifetime
Our Intel test system consists of an Intel Core i9-10900K and Asus ROG Maximus XII Apex on the 0901 firmware. On the opposite side, the AMD testbed leverages an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and ASRock B550 Taichi with the 1.30 firmware. The MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Trio handles the graphical duties on both platforms.
Intel Performance
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Overall, the Bolt XR memory kit ranked third in our application RAM benchmarks and fourth in gaming. The memory really didn’t stand out with exceptional performance in any of our benchmarks, though it is a solid middle-of-the-stack kit.
AMD Performance
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However, Klevv’s offering put on a better show on the AMD platform. The memory kit catapulted its way to the second spot on both application and gaming performance charts. The Microsoft Office, Premiere 2020, and LuxMark workloads particularly favored the Bolt XR.
Overclocking the Bolt XR was as simple as it can get. Bumping the DRAM voltage to 1.45V enabled us to run the memory at DDR4-4133. We didn’t even have to relax the timings as the memory was happy with the XMP timings (18-22-22-42).
Lowest Stable Timings
Memory Kit
DDR4-3600 (1.45V)
DDR4-3800 (1.45V)
DDR4-4000 (1.45V)
DDR4-4133 (1.45)
DDR4-4200 (1.45)
G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 C16
13-14-14-35 (2T)
N/A
N/A
N/A
19-19-19-39 (2T)
Crucial Ballistix Max RGB DDR4-4000 C18
N/A
N/A
16-19-19-39 (2T)
N/A
20-20-20-40 (2T)
G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-4000 C17
N/A
N/A
15-16-16-36 (2T)
18-19-19-39 (2T)
N/A
Klevv Bolt XR DDR4-3600 C18
16-19-19-39 (2T)
N/A
N/A
18-22-22-42 (2T)
N/A
Patriot Viper Steel RGB DDR4-3600 C20
16-20-20-40 (2T)
17-26-26-46 (2T)
N/A
N/A
N/A
Hynix D-die ICs aren’t famous for tight timings, so we kept our expectations in line. Once again, we increased the DRAM voltage to 1.45V to make some headroom to optimize the memory’s timings. The end result was okay — we got the timings down to 16-19-19-39.
Bottom Line
The Klevv Bolt XR DDR4-3600 C18 is one of those memory kits that don’t stink or stand out either. As usual, aesthetics is a personal matter, but performance-wise, the memory kit is right in the alley with other similar DDR4-3600 memory kits. There is definitely room for improving its performance if you like tinkering with memory. Hynix ICs are usually generous when it comes to hitting high data rates.
For unknown reasons, Klevv has struggled to penetrate the U.S. memory market, so the Bolt XR will be hard to find. However, the Bolt XR DDR4-3600 C18 retails for around $157.26 overseas, giving us some insight into its price tag. In fact, the pricing is very competitive for a DDR4-3600 C18 32GB (2x16GB) memory kit. It’s too bad that Klevv’s products are only available in certain countries.
NZXT’s N7 B550 is a solid entrant into the AMD motherboard space. The heavily shrouded appearance looks good and the board is plenty capable with a ton of USB ports on the rear IO. Priced at $229.99, it’s a good basis for a B550 Ryzen rig.
For
Capable 12-Phase, 50A Power Delivery
Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5 GbE
10 USB ports
$229 price
Against
Lack of integrated RGBs may be a turnoff
No USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20 Gbps) ports
Features and Specifications
A few months back, we looked at NZXT’s N7 Z490 motherboard for Intel processors. We found the board was priced well ($229.99) and came with plenty of features, making it a formidable option in the sub-$250 range. Fast-forward to today and by popular request, NZXT (working with ASRock) released the N7 B550, its first board for AMD CPUs. This board basically looks the same as its Intel-based predecessor, with the familiar flat metal shrouds covering an overwhelming majority of the RGB-free board, an appearance that matches perfectly with the company’s H Series cases, like the H710i. As a first attempt, NZXT is taking square aim at our best B550 motherboard list.
On the features side, the new board includes PCIe 4.0 support, Wi-Fi 6E capability, six SATA ports, and by customer/media request, a lot more USB ports on the rear IO. The N7 B550 power delivery, while not the most robust we’ve seen, supports the flagship Ryzen 9 5950X during stock operations and while overclocked. The delay to market had some benefits, with WiFi in particular. The ability to use 6E sets this board apart from the rest.
Performance-wise, the N7 B550 did well overall in our test suite. We observed above-average results in the PCMark10 tests, with the other results mixing in with all other B550 and X570 based systems. According to Hwinfo, the board boosted our 5950X to 5 GHz (albeit briefly, per usual), so this chip’s full potential is realized during default operations. When overclocking, the board efficiently handled our CPU with the VRMs running warm, but well within specification throughout all testing. Read on as we delve more into the details and performance results of the NZXT N7 B550.
Intel AX210 Wi-Fi 6E (Tri-band, 802.11ax, 2×2, MU-MIMO, BT 5.2)
USB Controllers
✗
HD Audio Codec
Realtek ALC1220
DDL/DTS Connect
✗ / ✗
Warranty
3 Years
NZXT, like all other board partners, includes some accessories to get you started. Below is a complete list of the included accessories. It’s not a long list, but enough to get your build started.
● (4) SATA cables
● Wi-Fi Antenna
● (2) screws for M.2 sockets
● Manual/User Guide
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Starting with how the board looks, we find the same heavily shrouded design found on the N7 Z490 also made its way to the N7 B550. The general nature of the shrouds may be polarizing for some users. Any hotspots (VRM and chipset heatsinks) sport a circle pattern for additional surface area, but this look is primarily aesthetic. Like previous iterations, the N7 comes in all black or white shrouds. If you’re looking for a white build or even a stealthy black, the N7 B550 has you covered. If you’re all in on the NZXT ecosystem, the company’s H Series cases match these boards well.
If you’re into integrated RGB lighting, you’ll have to look elsewhere as the N7 B550 doesn’t include any on the board. RGB illumination has to come from 3rd party, or NZXT, lights. Even if you’re into RGB, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as RGB strips, coolers, and RAM often outshine motherboard lights, anyway. There is a 4-pin RGB header and 3-pin aRGB header along with two 4-pin NZXT RGB headers on the board, so there are plenty of connection points for lights. The NZXT CAM software handles RGB lighting control and is compatible with several ecosystems.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
With the board so heavily shrouded, there isn’t much to see outside of power and fan connectors. To that end, on the top above the left VRM bank, we find two EPS power connectors: a required 8-pin and optional 4-pin lead to power the CPU. Following the top edge to the right are the first two (of seven) 4-pin fan headers, with two more in the top right corner. All headers support up to 2A/24W output. This should be plenty for most fan and pump setups. In between the fan headers are two 4-pin NZXT RGB headers to control compatible NZXT products.
Just below that are the four DRAM slots, none of which use reinforcement. The board supports up to 128GB of RAM, with speeds listed to DDR4 4666+ (OC) for Vermeer-based CPUs (DDR4 4733+ (OC) for Renior based APUs). On the board’s far-right edge, visible through the metal shrouds is the 24-pin ATX to power the board and a front-panel USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C header.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The NZXT N7 uses a 12+2(+2) phase power delivery for this midrange-class motherboard. Power is sent to a Renesas RAA229004 (6+2) controller, on to Intersil ISL6617A phase doublers and finally, 50A Vishay SiC632A Dr. MOS MOSFETs. While this isn’t the most capable VRM we’ve seen, the configuration handled the mighty Ryzen 9 5950X flagship processor without issue at both stock and overclocked operation.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
On the bottom half of the board, the only things you can see are the PCIe slots and the bottom edge headers. This makes for a spotless look hiding the ‘ugly’ PCB all motherboards have underneath. The far left edge holds the audio bits. Here you’ll find a premium Realtek ALC1220 7.1 channel codec, along with a few audio caps. Most people should find the audio solution sufficient for their needs.
The middle of the board contains four PCIe slots (two full-length, two x1 size) and two M.2 sockets (hidden below shrouds). Starting with the PCIe slots, the reinforced top slot is PCIe 4.0, with the second full-length slot running at PCIe 3.0 x4. This combination supports AMD Quad Crossfire X and Crossfire X (2-card) configurations. The two x1 slots are both PCIe 3.0 x1 and fed from the chipset.
Above and below the full-length PCIe slots are the two M.2 sockets. The top socket (M2_1) is wired PCIe 4.0 x4 and supports drives up to 80mm long. The second slot is PCIe 3.0 x2 and supports SATA-based modules up to 80mm. When using a SATA module in the second (M2_2) socket, SATA ports 5/6 are disabled.
Moving to the right, we find more shrouds over the chipset heatsink. Along the right edge of the board are six SATA ports supporting RAID0, 1, 5 and 10 modes. Also located in this area are two front-panel USB 3.2 Gen1 headers. If this board has a lot of anything this time around, it’s available USB ports.
Across the bottom is a slew of buttons and headers, including USB ports and RGB headers. Here’s the complete list, from left to right:
● Front panel audio
● UART header
● 3-pin aRGB and 4-pin RGB headers
● (3) USB 2.0 headers
● (3) System fan headers
● Dr. Debug LED
● Reset/Power buttons
● Front panel header
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Focusing on the rear IO, one of the first things that jumps out aside from the matching black integrated IO plate, are the 10 USB ports. There’s a total of four USB 3.2 Gen2 ports (3x Type-A, 1x Type-C), four USB 3.2 Gen1 ports and two USB 2.0 ports. It’s only missing a 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port, but not many B550 motherboards have one (especially at this price point). For use with APU’s and integrated video, a single HDMI (v2.1) port covers video connectivity. You’ll also find BIOS Flashback and Clear CMOS buttons, Wi-Fi antenna connections and a 5-plug plus SPDIF audio stack.
ASRock Rack has quietly unveiled its new 1U shorth depth low-power server based on AMD’s Ryzen 5000 processor as well as X570 chipset. The 1U2-X570/2T can be used for light server workloads, or as a remote desktop.
Both AMD and Intel offer a broad range of Epyc and Xeon processors for a range of workloads. These CPUs support numerous server-grade features and are optimized for 24/7 operation, but overall, these are desktop processors that are sold at a premium since they feature some differences. Meanwhile, there are entry-level servers that are supposed to be inexpensive and do not require any advanced functionality, which is why some server makers offer machines based on desktop CPUs. The 1U2-X570/2T is a good example of such products.
The ASRock 1U2-X570/2T server uses the company’s X570D4I-2T mini-ITX motherboard and supports various AMD’s Ryzen and Ryzen Pro processors for desktops with up to 105W TDP, including the latest 5000-series CPUs with up to 16 cores. The motherboard has four slots for SO-DIMM modules supporting up to 128GB of DDR4-2400 (2R/2DR) or DDR4-2933 (1R) memory with or without ECC (ECC only supported by AMD Pro CPUs). Storage on the server comprises of one M.2-2280 slot for an SSD featuring a PCIe 4.0 x4 or SATA interface, two bays for 2.5-inch/7mm drives as well as two bays for 3.5-inch drives. The server comes with Intel’s X550-AT2 controller that drives two 10GbE ports as well as a 1GbE connector for remote management that is enabled by the ASPeed AST2500 BMC. The machine is fed by a 265W 80Plus Bronze PSU.
While the X570D4I-2T motherboard has a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for graphics cards, the 1U2-X570/2T machine cannot accommodate any add-in cards since this is a short depth machine. Furthermore, its 265W power supply is not really designed to handle decent graphics cards or special-purpose accelerators that typically consume well over 100W.
The ASRock Rack 1U2-X570/2T is not the first server from the company that is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 4000/5000 processor and X570 chipset as the company has three more machines in the lineup. All the 1U machines are designed to operate like remote entry-level workstations or perform light server workloads, they support up to 128GB of memory, can be equipped with up to seven 3.5-inch hard drives and at least two M.2 SSDs, can accommodate a FHHL PCIe 4.0 x16 add-in-board, and come with a relatively low-wattage PSUs (up to 450W).
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The ASRock 1U2-X570/2T is already listed at the company’s website, but there is no word about its price or availability timeframe.
Acer’s Predator Triton 300 SE is chasing after the hype that Asus built with last year’s excellent Zephyrus G14. It’s similar in a few key ways: it’s a sophisticated-looking gaming laptop bordering on ultrabook territory in terms of its sleek and relatively thin design. It has a 14-inch 1080p display with a fast refresh rate and respectable graphics capabilities to top it off. Even its price hits a similar spot at $1,399.
Asus’ latest G14 hasn’t made its way to us for review yet, so we don’t know exactly how it’ll compare to this one in all of the ways that matter. But in the meantime, Acer’s new model already has some clear advantages, like a built-in webcam and the Thunderbolt 4 port. It also achieves commendable gaming performance with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, but don’t let the similarities (or even the few perks) trick you. Calling the new Triton 300 SE a Predator is a little bit of a misnomer.
Last year’s G14 defied my colleague Monica Chin’s expectations for what a gaming laptop could achieve when it comes to battery life. Comparatively, Acer’s new laptop isn’t nearly as long-lasting, but it’s not terrible. The Triton 300 SE has a 60Wh four-cell battery that lasts around six hours on average with relatively light usage. More on this later, but safe to say it’s considerably less than the 10-hour battery life Acer claims. You can feel confident taking the Triton 300 SE out to a cafe to do some work for a few hours. But if you intend to be out all day, or use it to do any gaming, you’ll need to bring the charger.
Whether limited battery life bothers you or not, there are some other issues that I couldn’t help but notice. The interplay of all-plastic on the lid and an all-metal chassis looks fine, but the lid feels flimsy in a way that makes me concerned for its longevity. Applying just a few pounds of pressure to the Predator logo beneath the display makes it bow more than it should. On the unit that Acer sent us, the softer plastic built into the screen’s bezel that cushions the lid when it closes has tiny gaps where it’s not seamlessly adhered. And near the keyboard, the “Turbo” key that amps up the fans has a slight imperfection on it. Lastly, Acer stuffed far too much annoying bloatware into the Triton. About every hour, there’s a pop-up asking me to install or subscribe to something.
All of this makes for a laptop that doesn’t feel as high-end as its cost indicates it should.
There’s just one configuration of this model right now, containing a four-core Intel Core i7-11375H processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, 512GB of NVMe SSD storage, as well as the aforementioned RTX 3060 graphics card. The performance of that GPU depends a lot on how much power each manufacturer wants to allow it to draw. And in this case, it has a 75W maximum power draw and can be boosted up to 1,382MHz. After spending time with several RTX 3070-equipped gaming laptops with more headroom than that, I wasn’t expecting much here. However, I was pleased to see gaming performance in multiple titles getting around 60 frames per second without requiring compromises in the settings.
Horizon Zero Dawn, a system-intensive, open-world game, ran at an average of 60fps with ultra settings turned on. Testing Triton 300 SE’s RTX-enabled ray-tracing chops, Shadow of the Tomb Raider on ultra settings with the ray-tracing shadows set to medium got 61 frames per second. Turning the ray-tracing setting up to ultra knocked it down to 48fps. Running that game with ray tracing set to ultra and Nvidia’s deep learning super sampling (DLSS) technique turned on that lowers the render resolution, then uses AI to upscale textures, Acer’s laptop achieved 55 frames per second, splitting the difference. Red Dead Redemption 2, another demanding open-world game, ran at 53 frames per second on ultra settings.
It’s not surprising that, with its newer components, Acer’s laptop puts up more favorable numbers than the 2020 G14 that had an RTX 2060. Performance in some of Asus’ 2021 models could fare slightly better in terms of 1080p performance, even though it similarly uses the RTX 3060. That’s because its graphics chip has a slightly higher 80W power ceiling compared to 75W in the Triton 300 SE, not to mention that its AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor has eight cores compared to the four cores with this 11th Gen Intel processor.
The Triton 300 SE’s metal chassis effectively turns into a heatsink to dissipate heat under heavy use, and I noticed it getting warm during gameplay. Unlike most laptops, the heat extended all the way down to the wrist rest, but it wasn’t bothersome. I appreciate the thought that went into the cooling system, which takes air in through the back, then pushes it out the sides of the laptop. Some laptops do the inverse of this, and it can make actually using laptops on your lap a little too toasty, even for non-gaming-related tasks.
There’s a “Turbo” button located above the main batch of keys that overclocks the CPU and GPU, sending the fans loudly into overdrive. I didn’t need to use this mode to achieve the frame rates I cited earlier, and turning it on didn’t seem to make a huge difference during my testing. I also didn’t notice an appreciable difference using it with Adobe Premiere Pro to export a 5-minute, 33-second 4K video. It took 5 minutes and 40 seconds to run through the test. Considering the price and size of this machine, these results rank highly among other laptops we’ve tested recently.
Acer uses a 14-inch 1080p IPS 16:9 aspect ratio panel with a 144Hz refresh rate with up to 300 nits of brightness. During general use and gameplay, I have no complaints about the color accuracy or brightness, though there’s some noticeable ghosting, likely attributed to a higher response time that adds latency. As a result, the mouse pointer doesn’t glide across the screen as smoothly as I’ve seen on other high refresh rate screens, and it extends to gameplay looking a little blurry at times, trivializing the technical achievement of hitting 60 frames per second in games, as well as having a 144Hz refresh rate in the first place. Despite multiple requests for a comment on the response time, Acer didn’t provide the spec.
Additionally, this screen’s viewing angles are far more limited than I expect from an IPS panel. It’s easily viewable straight-on, but less so from other angles unless the brightness is amped up. Next to the less-than-stellar battery life, this is a big miss for Acer that might be less forgivable for gamers.
I was right at home with Acer’s keyboard, though, both in terms of the layout and feel of the keys here. This keyboard has three-zone backlit keys (you can customize each zone to be a different color in its Predator software), and though many features require holding the “Fn” key to use, the layout is intuitive and doesn’t feel overly cramped.
The glass trackpad supports all of the gestures I expect with Windows Precision drivers, but it isn’t as responsive to my touch as it should be. I think it’s more an issue with the screen’s response time than it is an issue with the trackpad. A fingerprint scanner you can use as an alternative to a PIN is embedded in the top-left corner of the trackpad, but I’ve found that it only works half the time. With that failure rate, I’d rather just have more trackpad real estate.
Acer included the essentials in terms of ports. There are two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports — one on each side, with the right-facing port being able to charge some devices. The star of the show is the Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, which can be used to transfer data or connect a display. Additionally, I’m happy to see an HDMI 2.1 port, offering up to 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. There’s also a headphone combo jack and a DC-in port for its relatively compact 180W power brick. I wish Acer allowed this laptop to be recharged via USB-C, but it’s all handled through the proprietary DC charging port.
Coming back to battery life, it’s not the biggest flaw that this laptop can only get between five and six hours of battery life per charge while using apps like Microsoft Edge, Spotify, and Slack. The issue here is that Acer claims it will last up to 10 hours, but it doesn’t outwardly mention that you’ll only get that kind of longevity if you’re doing something very simple, like watching HD video with no other apps running. That’s fine if you’re on an airplane for hours on end, but most people rely on a laptop for more than that, so it’s far from the best method for judging battery performance. Based on my testing, the best results you should expect with light usage is about six hours at most. It’s not bad for a gaming laptop, but it keeps the Triton 300 SE from hanging with the battery performance you can get from other ultrabooks or even the Zephyrus G14.
It was daring of Acer to jump into the ring against Asus’ Zephyrus G14, a gaming laptop that ticks a lot of boxes (aside from the missing webcam) for the price. This is a more elegant-looking machine than the G14, and compared directly, it’s hard to not appreciate its Thunderbolt 4 port and a webcam. It’s also a capable performer with games. But Asus proved that a gaming laptop can be more than just a powerful machine. It can also have good battery life for portable use and competent build quality without a bunch of bloatware. The competition is fierce, but the Triton 300 SE is more like prey than a bonafide Predator.
The first benchmark results for Qualcomm’s 3rd Generation Snapdragon 8cx system-on-chip (SoC) for always-connected PCs has been posted to the Geekbench 5 database. The numbers show the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 beating its predecessors and even competing with Intel’s latest 11th Gen Core i7 “Tiger Lake” mobile chip in multi-threaded workloads.
Qualcomm has been fairly consistent in updating its Snapdragon 8cx family of SoCs for notebooks annually. This year, the company is expected to launch its third-generation Snapdragon 8cx chip, which is rumored to significantly change its architecture. Instead of integrating four high-performance CPU cores and four low-power ones, the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is expected to pack eight high-performance cores working at different clock speeds, omitting low-power cores. This should improve performance, but it’s unclear whether the chip will match its predecessor’s 7W thermal envelope.
Qualcomm yet has to formally announce its Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3, but someone has already submitted test results of a Qualcomm Reference Design (QRD) platform running the new SoC to the Geekbench database, as spotted by NotebookCheck.
Just like other notebook development platforms, QRD platforms are meant for developers of hardware and software, so performance usually differs from that of retail products. Nonetheless, such platforms still tend to give a good hint of what to expect from new chips.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 Benchmarks
CPU
Single-Core
Multi-Core
Cores/Threads, uArch
Cache
Clocks
TDP
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3*
982
4,918
4C Kryo Gold+ + 4C Kryo Gold
? MB
2.69 GHz
?
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2
795
3,050
4C Kryo 495 Gold + 4C Kryo 495 Silver
? MB
3.15 GHz + 2.42 GHz
7W
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 1
725
2,884
4C Kryo 495 Gold + 4C Kryo 495 Silver
? MB
2.84 GHz + 1.80 GHz
7W
AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS
1,540
8,225
8C/16T, Zen 3
16MB
3.30 ~ 4.53 GHz
35W
AMD Ryzen 9 4900H
1,230
7,125
8C/16T, Zen 2
8MB
3.30 ~ 4.44 GHz
35~54W
Intel Core i7-1160G7
1,400
5,000
4C/8T, Willow Cove
12MB
2.10 ~ 4.40 GHz
15W
Intel Core i7-1185G7
1,550
5,600
4C/8T, Willow Cove
12MB
3.0 ~ 4.80 GHz
28W
Apple M1
1,710
7,660
4C Firestorm + 4C Icestorm
12MB + 4MB
3.20 GHz
20~24W
*Chip not confirmed by Qualcomm
The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 showed notably higher results in single-thread workloads when compared to previous generations. It was 35% faster than the 8cx Gen 1 and 24% faster than the 8cx Gen 2. We don’t yet know the frequency of the 8cx Gen 3’s cores for sure, but it appears that the 8cx Gen 3 packs something better than Qualcomm’s Kryo 495 Gold (a custom version of Arm’s Cortex-A76).
On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3’s performance paled in comparison to chips from AMD and Intel competing with the best CPUs for desktops. The latest Zen 3 and Willow Core microarchitectures can run at higher clocks and consume more power. Meanwhile, Apple’s M1 beat Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 (at least in its current form) in single-threaded workloads by 74%.
When it came to performance in multi-threaded workloads, the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 clearly benefits from eight high-performance cores (albeit running at different clocks) inside. The new SoC outperformed the 8cx Gen 2 by over 60% and is on par with Intel’s four-core, eight-thread Core i7-1160G7, a 15W SoC.
The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 tested couldn’t compete with the higher-wattage Apple M1 and AMD’s Ryzen SoCs, but systems based on Qualcomm’s 8cx platforms are not really meant to compete against higher-end machines in terms of performance.
Overall, the benchmark results show the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 demonstrating single-thread and multi-thread performance improvements in a synthetic benchmark. Of course, it remains to be seen how commercial devices based on the new SoC will stack up against rivals in real-world applications.
After almost a decade of total market dominance, Intel has spent the past few years on the defensive. AMD’s Ryzen processors continue to show improvement year over year, with the most recent Ryzen 5000 series taking the crown of best gaming processor: Intel’s last bastion of superiority.
Now, with a booming hardware market, Intel is preparing to make up some of that lost ground with the new 11th Gen Intel Core Processors. Intel is claiming these new 11th Gen CPUs offer double-digit IPC improvements despite remaining on a 14 nm process. The top-end 8-core Intel Core i9-11900K may not be able to compete with its Ryzen 9 5900X AMD rival in heavily multi-threaded scenarios, but the higher clock speeds and alleged IPC improvements could be enough to take back the gaming crown. Along with the new CPUs, there is a new chipset to match, the Intel Z590. Last year’s Z490 chipset motherboards are also compatible with the new 11th Gen Intel Core Processors, but Z590 introduces some key advantages.
First, Z590 offers native PCIe 4.0 support from the CPU, which means the PCIe and M.2 slots powered off the CPU will offer PCIe 4.0 connectivity when an 11th Gen CPU is installed. The PCIe and M.2 slots controlled by the Z590 chipset are still PCI 3.0. While many high-end Z490 motherboards advertised this capability, it was not a standard feature for the platform. In addition to PCIe 4.0 support, Z590 offers USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 from the chipset. The USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 standard offers speeds of up to 20 Gb/s. Finally, Z590 boasts native support for 3200 MHz DDR4 memory. With these upgrades, Intel’s Z series platform has feature parity with AMD’s B550. On paper, Intel is catching up to AMD, but only testing will tell if these new Z590 motherboards are up to the challenge.
The MSI Performance Gaming line, or “MPG” for short, from MSI is generally pitched as the middle ground between the no-holds-barred MEG line and more value-oriented MAG line. The MSI MPG Z590 Carbon EK X is an exception. Developed in partnership with and distributed by EKWB, the MSI MPG Z590 Carbon EK X features a monoblock for CPU and VRM cooling as well as all the tools you need to integrate it into your custom water-cooling build.
The MSI MPG Z590 Carbon EK X features a 16-phase Vcore VRM on a 6-layer PCB. There is also 2.5 Gb/s LAN and built-in WiFi 6E, as well as three M.2 slot heatsinks and even a physical RGB LED off switch. EK is including a leak test kit with the MSI MPG Z590 Carbon EK X, so you can build with confidence.
Let’s take a closer look at what the MSI MPG Z590 Carbon EK X has to offer.
1x Intel 1225V 2.5G LAN 1x Intel WiFi 6E AX210 module
Rear Ports:
4x USB 2.0 ports 1x DisplayPort 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 5 Gbps Type-A 1x 2.5G LAN 5x Audio Connectors 1x Flash BIOS Button 1x HDMI port 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-A 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps Type-C 2x SMA WiFi connectors 1x Optical S/PDIF Out
Audio:
1x Realtek ALC4080 Codec
Fan Headers:
8x 4-pin
Form Factor:
ATX Form Factor: 12.0 x 9.6 in.; 30.5 x 24.4 cm
Exclusive Features:
Custom EK monoblock
EK leak test kit
2.5 Gb/s LAN
Intel WiFi 6E
Mystic Light
Frozr heatsink design
M.2 Shield Frozr
PCIe Steel Armor
Pre-installed I/O shielding
Testing for this review was conducted using a 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900K. Stay tuned for an 11th Gen update when the new processors launch!
HP announced new AMD and Intel convertibles today, the first of which upgrades the company’s AMD convertibles to Ryzen 5000U chips and the latter of which comes with a new discrete graphics option and plenty of utility software. Granted, that discrete GPU isn’t gaming-tier. Also, if you want something a bit larger and just a touch more powerful, there’s also a new, Intel-based Envy 17 coming out with the same GPU options as HP’s new Intel convertibles, plus some of that new utility software (no word on an AMD Envy 17). These are HP’s mid-range attempts to make our list of the best ultrabooks.
HP Envy x360 15
HP Envy 17
CPU
Up to Intel Core i7-1165G7/Up to AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
Up to Intel Core i7-1165G7
GPU
Up to Nvidia MX450
Up to Nvidia MX450
Memory
Up to 16GB DDR4
Up to 32GB DDR4
Storage
Up to 1TB M.2 SSD
Up to 1TB M.2 SSD
Display
Up to 4K OLED
Up to 4K
Networking
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5
Release Date
March 22nd
March 22nd
Starting Price
$899 for Intel/$749 for AMD
$999
That discrete GPU option coming to these new Intel devices would be the Nvidia MX450, which is meant mostly for light productivity and explains why much of the ad material for these machines is aimed at photographers, artists and other creators who might need a little more oomph for editing, but don’t exactly need to buy an RTX 3000 series card.
(Image credit: HP)
Unfortunately, as we stated before, that GPU isn’t available on the black HP Envy x360 15. Instead, AMD HP convertibles will have to settle with an upgrade to either an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U CPU or an AMD Ryzen 7 5700U CPU with integrated Radeon graphics. That’s a generational upgrade over current AMD Envy x360 devices, which currently use Ryzen 4000U chips. It also has up to 16GB of DDR4-3200 MHz RAM and Up to 1TB of M.2 SSD storage. You can also add on a magnetic HP stylus to the device and choose display options ranging from a 1920 x 1080 IPS touchscreen to a 4K OLED display.
(Image credit: HP)
Intel’s also getting a new HP Envy x360 15 release with the silver edition of the same device, this time with a discrete graphics option. This upgrade stays on the same generation as current HP Intel convertibles with up to an 11th generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU, but brings that Nvidia MX450 GPU option to the table. RAM, storage and display options mirror the AMD model, as does the ability to add on an HP pen.
HP hasn’t made it clear yet whether it plans to release silver AMD models or black Intel options. We also don’t know if the company will add additional color options over time.
(Image credit: HP)
For Intel fans (sorry Team Red) who are looking for a more traditional laptop experience, there’s also the new HP Envy 17. This is a silver laptop with up to an Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU and a 17 inch inch touch-compatible display with options ranging from 1920 x 1080 IPS to 4K. RAM can be pushed up to 32GB and storage up to 1TB, and the Nvidia MX450 is also available as an add-on here. The HP pen isn’t available as a magnetic add-on here, but you will get Bang & Olufsen speakers and an optional fingerprint reader.
The HP Envy 17 and Intel version of the HP Envy x360 15 will also come with toggleable AI noise removal software that attempts to remove background noise like dogs barking or babies crying from your video calls. All devices mentioned here will also get post processing lighting software for adjusting how you appear in video calls, as well as “HP QuickDrop,” which allows for easily sharing files across your phone and your computer.
Unique to the Intel version of the HP Envy x360 15 is a toggleable thermal management option that attempts to leverage machine learning to automatically adjust performance, fan noise and temperature based on which apps you’re using and the airflow surrounding the device.
It’s hard to say which among AMD or Intel is more improved here. While Intel has more options, including discrete graphics, AMD is making a generational leap on the CPU.
Regardless of your pick, you can order certain configurations at
Best Buy
starting today, with the rest set to come to HP.com in April.
HP has announced two new budget workstations for content creators: an Envy x360 15 and an Envy 17. The 15-inch convertible, starting at $749.99, is available with both AMD Ryzen 7 and Intel 11th Gen processors. The 17-inch clamshell starts at $999.99, and is Intel-only.
The Envy x360 comes in either “natural silver” or “nightfall black,” and includes a magnetic active pen. Its bezels appear to have shrunk slightly since last year’s model — models have an 88.7 percent screen to body ratio, and weigh around four pounds. (Not that last year’s model had terrible bezels, but I’ll never say no to more screen real estate). You can configure it with a 4K OLED display as well as an Nvidia MX450 graphics chip.
The top Intel model will include a Core i7-1165G7, while AMD models go up to a Ryzen 7 5700U. I tested the former in last year’s Dell XPS 13, and it delivered a noticeable performance increase over its 10th Gen predecessor, particularly in integrated graphics.
Here’s the Envy 17, in “natural silver”.HP
The larger Envy 17 has an 86.3 percent screen-to-body ratio, and weighs just over 5.5 pounds (a bit less than last year’s model). It also comes with an MX450 and a 4K display (though there’s no OLED option). You can configure it with up to 1TB of PCIe SSD storage and 32GB of memory.
Here’s the Intel Envy x360 15 model in “natural silver”.HP
Both models have a 19 percent larger touchpad than their predecessors, as well as a physical camera shutter.
In the past, I’ve been very impressed by the Envy line. Last year’s Envy x360 13 was one of my favorite laptops of 2020, and my favorite under $1,000: It delivered a sturdy and attractive chassis, a great keyboard, strong performance, and all-day battery life. (Basically, I had very few complaints). They tend to be good options for budget and midrange shoppers who are still looking for excellent specs.
Last year’s Envy x360 15 offered great value for its price. At the $749.99 price point, this year’s base model (with a Ryzen 5 5500U) seems like it will be fairly competitive with Lenovo’s Yoga C740 (which starts at $794.99 for more storage but a weaker 10th-Gen Intel processor). The Envy 17 is also competing on price with Dell’s XPS 17, which is almost $1,000 more for comparable specs. I’ll have more information about how this device actually compares to those when I’ve gotten my hands on one myself.
All of the models are available for preorder now, and will ship in April. The Envy x360 15 starts at $749.99, and the Envy 17 starts at $999.99.
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