Asus has listed the ROG Maximus XIII Apex on its website, implying that the successor to the ROG Maximus XII Apex may be closer than we think. The new iteration to the Apex series has been engineered to tame Intel’s 11th Generation Rocket Lake processors.
Built around the new Z590 chipset and existing LGA1200 socket, the ROG Maximus XIII Apex comes equipped with an 18-phase power delivery subsystem. Each power stage, which can manage up to 90 amps, is accompanied by a MicroFine Alloy choke that can do 45 amps. Asus revamped the power design on the ROG Maximus XIII Apex completely by getting rid of the phase doublers. The motherboard also employs 10K Japanese black metallic capacitors that can take a beating. The VRM area is properly cooled with thick, aluminum passive heatsinks. The ROG Maximus XIII Apex feeds Rocket Lake chips through a pair of 8-pin EPS power connectors.
The overclocking toolkit on the ROG Maximus XIII Apex includes a double-digit debug LED, voltage read points, and a plethora of buttons and switches to aid in overclocking. There are also three condensation sensors that are placed strategically across the motherboard to notify you when condensation occurs around the processor, memory or PCIe slot. In total, the ROG Maximus XIII Apex has five temperature sensors, five 4-pin fan headers, two full-speed fan headers, and an assortment of headers for watercooling setups.
Like previous Apex motherboards, the ROG Maximus XIII Apex only provides two DDR4 memory slots. While memory capacity is limited to 64GB, the motherboard supports memory frequencies above DDR4-5000 with ease. The ROG Maximus XIII Apex sports Asus’ OptiMem III technology, featuring an optimized memory tracing layout to improve memory overclocking.
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ROG Maximus XIII Apex (Image credit: Asus)
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ROG Maximus XIII Apex (Image credit: Asus)
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ROG Maximus XIII Apex (Image credit: Asus)
The ROG Maximus XIII Apex offers numerous options for storage. It provides eight SATA III ports and up to four M.2 slots. The M.2 slots on the motherboard are PCIe 4.0 ready and come armed with an aluminium heatsink and embedded backplates to provide passive cooling. The other two M.2 slots reside on Asus’ ROG DIMM.2 module that connects to the motherboard through a DDR4-type interface beside the memory slots. The DIMM.2 module accommodates M.2 drives with lengths up to 110mm.
The expansion slots on the ROG Maximus XIII Apex consist of two PCIe x16 slots and one PCIe x8 slot. Wired and wireless networking come in the shape of a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity with support for up to 6GHz bands. The audio system on the ROG Maximus XIII Apex uses Realtek’s ALC4080 audio codec complemented with a Savitech SV3H712 amplifier and high-end Nichicon audio capacitors.
In regards to USB ports, the ROG Maximus XIII Apex has four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, five USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port at the rear panel. There’s an additional USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 header on the motherboard. The ROG Maximus XIII Apex doesn’t supply any display outputs so it’s mandatory to pair it with a discrete graphics card.
ROG motherboards have a very rich software suite. On this iteration, Asus has directly implemented MemTest86 into the ROG Maximus XIII Apex’s firmware so overclockers can test memory stability without any hassles. Additionally, a one-year AIDA64 Extreme subscription is also included.
The pricing for the ROG Maximus XIII Apex is currently unknown. The previous Z490 version retailed for $356.99, so we can expect the Z590 followup to be price around that range if not a little bit higher.
When times get tough, modders get modding, and 2020 was no different. Today, the winners of Cooler Master’s Case Mod World Series 2020 modding contest receive their crowns, rewarding some of the most remarkable mods created in a challenging year.
The 2020 contest saw 90 entries from enthusiasts across 23 countries. Mods were equally judged on craftsmanship, aesthetics, functionality and innovation, with judges including Cooler Master, professional modders, sponsors, including MSI and the game Control and media judges, including Tom’s Hardware.
Overall, 12 mods won awards, with the most coveted “Best Of” awards going to 6 builds (Best Tower Mod, Best Scratch Build, Best Innovation and Design, Best Craftsman and Best Art Direction).
You can see the full list of Case Mod World Series 2020 winners here. Below is an inside look at some of the fiercest award winners.
Best Tower of the Year: A.R.E.S. by Explore Modding
Case: Cooler Master Cosmos C700M
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Graphics Card: Inno3D iChill Frostbite RTX 2070 Super
We may still be waiting for the hover cars that so many movies and novels have promised, but with Explore Modding’sA.R.E.S. build, the appearance of a floating tower is already here. The modder describes his build as a “story, told in art form.” He drew inspiration for the colors, curves and starry window (made of optic fibers and epoxy resin) from the character Robot from Netflix’s Lost in Space reboot.
Ultimately, A.R.E.S. tells its own story though. And with its base designed to make the tower look like it’s awesomely afloat, that story is told from a world seemingly far off in the future.
Not surprisingly, designing and assembling the base was the hardest part of the mod, Explore Modding told us. It required many parts that were hard to fit together, “due to tight tolerances.”
(Image credit: Explore Modding)
“Even designing it was difficult because I really wanted something that made it look like the case was separated from it and floating above the surface, but that required a lot of trial and error in order to make it stable enough,” Explore Modding told Tom’s Hardware. “In the end, the three acrylic blocks are very sturdy and they’re very transparent, so they even tend to disappear under some light scenarios, creating that awesome effect of floating.”
A.R.E.S.’ hardware panel rotates 180 degrees on the fly, so you can easily swap the build’s look — components on the left or on the right. Cable management located in the back and front allowed for a clean look inside, where the suspended centerpiece boasting all the components steals the show.
(Image credit: Explore Modding)
“I often change the layout on my setups, and I always had the struggle of sacrificing the amazing view of the internal hardware when I had to move the PC to the other side of the desk,” Explore Modding said. “I actually ended up tearing apart my build to make an inverted mod a couple times for this reason. … So this PC can be put wherever you want and still show the same side every time.”
Maintenance is also a bit easier. Just undo a couple screws and turn the panel to access your components. The rotating panel also means you don’t have to tilt the entire case to bleed air from the loop.
Best Scratch of the Year: Ikigai by Nick Falzone Design
(Image credit: Nick Falzone Design)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Graphics Card: MSI Radeon 5700 Gaming X
Motherboard: MSI B550I Gaming Edge WiFi
RAM: G. Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-3600 (32GB)
SSD: WD Black SN750
Cooling: Alphacool Laing DDC, Alphacool GPU waterblock and radiator, Optimus CPU block, EKWB fittings, Cooler Master SF360R fans
Power Supply: Cooler Master V650 SFX
Nick Falzone Design’s mod Ikiagi is named after the Japanese word for, as he put it, “one’s personal passions, beliefs, values and vocation.” The Japanese concept about finding your life’s purpose has also recently picked up Western attention and led the modder to create a sensible design with both modern and traditional Japanese woodworking techniques.
Nick Falzone Design, an American modder, has been working with wood since childhood and grew to enjoy the Japanese aesthetic, including the “overall timeless and modern design.” In fact, the modder’s first PC case had mini shoji doors.
“At the time, YouTube was not around, so I read books about Japanese architecture and Japanese joinery. … I’d always wanted to make the hemp leaf pattern that I did in Ikigai,” the modder told Tom’s Hardware
(Image credit: Nick Falzone Design)
Ikigai incorporates “traditionally made Japanese Kumiko designs” from unfinished Sitka Spruce contrasting with a Wenge wood outer shell complete with hand-sawn dovetails. The inside is mostly acrylic and aluminum with Wenge added for accent pieces.
To keep Ikigai cool, Nick Falzone Design crafted a distribution plate that also serves as the build’s pump top and reservoir, while keeping most of the cables out of view.
The biggest challenge, however, came in maintaining Nick Falzone Design’s vision of a Mini-ITX build. Keeping up with the small form factor trend is great, but carefully constructing the watercooling and wiring in a build that’s under 20 liters is no small task.
(Image credit: Nick Falzone Design)
“I made three full-scale models of the main case and many more models of the interior to maximize each component and make everything work efficiently,” Nick Falzon Design said.
Best Craftsmanship: Cyberpunk 2077 – Deconstruction by AK Mod
CPU: Intel Core I9-10900K
Graphics Card: Aorus GeForce RTX 3080 Master
Motherboard: Aorus Z490 Xtreme
RAM: Aorus RGB Memory DDR4-3200 (4x 8GB)
SSD: Gigabyte NVMe SSD M.2 2280 (1TB)
Cooling: Bitspower fittings, Premium Summit M Mystic Black Metal Edition CPU block, D5 Vario motor, Leviathan XF 120 4xG1/4″ radiator, Water Tank Z-Multi 50 V2 and Bitspower Touchaqua in-line filter, digital thermal sensor, digital RGB multi-function controller, PWM fan multi-function hub, Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M, AlphaCool Eiszapfen laser fitting with 4-pin molex
Power Supply: Aorus P850W 80+ Gold Modular
With Cyberpunk 2077 making splashes of all types in 2020, it wasn’t surprising to see a Cyberpunk-inspired mod. More surprising are the undeniable intricacies, craftsmanship and expertise boasted in this showstopping mod that looked unlike any other entry, (and yes, we looked at all 90).
The mod embodies Mantis Blades being repaired. AK Mod did a whole lot of 3D printing, as well as CNC milling and research into unique parts, like military aviation connectors, a vacuum fluorescent (VFD) display and a light bar — to bring the concept to life.
(Image credit: AK Mod)
Of course, 3D printing Mantis Blades calls for some patience. AK Mod separated the blades’ parts into over 90 fdm and dlp files but had to redesign due to construction failure.
“In the original design, inner metal structure frame and outer arm were separated. The outcome of the first design was too thin. The finger parts are difficult to assemble, and the weight bearing for the wrist part was not as expected, so we had to improve the design and print the outcome all over again,” AK Mod told Tom’s Hardware.
(Image credit: AK Mod)
Other techniques used to make Cyberpunk 2077 – Deconstruction include welding, digital processing lathing, UV printing and laser engraving and cutting. Hand-made parts were also sanded, soil filled, spray painted and given an aged treatment.
(Image credit: AK Mod)
AK Mod also included an actionable ring scanning instrument to “simulate the Mantis Blades being scanned as a weapon,” AK Mod said. Red LEDs add authenticity as the blades move horizontally.
Best Innovation and Design: Spirit of Motion by Maximum Bubble Mods
(Image credit: Maximum Bubble Mods)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Graphics Card: Nvidia RTX 2080 Founder’s Edition
Motherboard: MSI B450M Pro-M2
RAM: G.Skill TridentZ – 3,600 MHz (16GB)
SSD: Samsung 970 EVO (500GB)
Cooling: Corsair Hydro H115i Pro, Cooler Master MasterFan Pro Air Pressure RGB
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G5
While some of this year’s winning mods look straight from the future, Spirit of Motion opts for a retro vibe. Building the mod for his father, Maximum Bubble Mods’ Spirit in Motion goes for a classic car theme, incorporating an “Art Deco era front car grille,” as the modder describes it, topped off with delicious Candy Apple Red paint.
That custom grille not only looks good but opens up to reveal the PC’s components. Hand-building the aluminum grille took “tens of hours, hard work and many processes,” Maximum Bubble Mods told us.
(Image credit: Maximum Bubble Mods)
Further earning the Innovation & Design title, Maximum Bubble Mods inverted and mirrored the motherboard and vertically mounted the graphics card to keep all the I/O as low as possible.
“It was all done to keep the PC from getting excessively large and to keep the I/O below the frame that my hinge would mount to,” Maximum Bubble Mods explained.
Perhaps the best part is that Spirit In Motion is now the modder’s father’s best gaming PC (you can even watch him receive the mod on this YouTube video).
“The last time we talked, he was on a Civilization kick and sounding like he was loving the PC, so I’m happy,” Maximum Bubble Mods said.
The Cooler Master ML360 Sub-Zero appeals to enthusiast system builders burdened with deep pockets, seeking sub-ambient temps and ease of installation. It does well, but also comes with some distinct caveats.
For
Easy install
Single digit (or lower) idle temps can be possible
New high-flow pump
Against
Expensive
Supports only LGA1200
Under sustained loads, doesn’t cool overclocked CPUs as well as normal AIOs
High power draw during use
Features and Specifications
The terms Peltier and thermoelectric (TEC) cooling have brightened the eyes of many would-be overclockers over the years, with the promise of sub-ambient cooling under the highest of loads. But with these solutions often came the demand for required liquid cooling systems and a dedicated power supply to in order to operate, keeping them off the list of best CPU coolers for most people. The thermoelectric cooling of yesteryear was certainly interesting and saw scattered use in the most committed of overclocking and cooling forums on the web.
Enter the Cooler Master ML360 Sub-Zero, a 360mm AIO with a built-in thermoelectric cooling plate powered by an 8-pin auxiliary adapter from a standard PSU. If your power supply has the rating and available power cables, it can support this cooler in your build. Well, your system also has to be an Intel 10th Generation Intel CPU seated in a socket LGA1200 motherboard, since the Sub-Zero is limited to a specific list of hardware. Support for Rocket Lake-S will of course come once those CPUs arrive.
Ironically, while the cooler is advertised as being a Cooler Master and Intel partnership, which encourages the use of Intel’s powerful desktop overclocking software suite, Cooler Master recommends against overclocking powerful i7’s and i9’s with this cooler and suggests sticking with single core overclocking or factory boost speeds. It performs well in some respects, but this isn’t the uber-overclocking device that enthusiasts have dreamed of with peltier coolers of the past.
Specifications
The Cooler Master ML360 Sub-Zero looks the part of an ultra-high end cooling solution, with its sleek blacked-out design and a touch of opulence from the chromed Cooler Master silhouette logo across its brushed pump face. A single LED indicator light illuminates the lower corner of the pump housing, offering the working status of the cooler’s Peltier cooling system. HAL-9000 would be proud.
Thickness
1.10″ / 27.9mm (2.25″ / 57.15mm w/fans)
Width
4.75″ / 120mm
Depth
15.5″ / 394mm
Pump Height
3.75″ / 95.3mm
Speed Controller
BIOS/Software
Cooling Fans
(3) 120 x 25mm
Connectors
(4) 4-Pin PWM,
(1) 3-Pin tach,
(1) SATA
Weight
82.5 oz / 2340g
Intel Sockets
LGA1200 (only)
AMD Sockets
N/A
Warranty
5 years
Web Price
$350
Features
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Box contents for the ML360 Sub-Zero include just enough mounting hardware for Intel’s LGA1200 platform CPUs, allowing for the Peltier unit atop the CPU socket to have the tension screws integrated into the housing. A motherboard backplate, threaded standoffs and SATA power cable are included to keep things mounted and powered up, while a micro USB to 9-pin header provides the link to your best motherboard. For now at least, software support with Intel’s Cryo Cooling Technology is limited to the following silicon: i5-10600K, i5-10600KF, i7-10700K, i7-10700KF, i9-10850K, i9-10900K and i9-10900KF.
Cooler Master covers the ML360 Sub-Zero for a warranty period of 5 years.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The ML360 Sub-Zero makes use of an integrated Peltier or thermoelectric cooler (TEC), a specialized semiconductor which makes use of DC current to create a temperature differential between specific electrical junctions, using high volumes of current. In short, one side of a Peltier gets very cold while the other gets quite hot. The ML360 Sub-Zero relies on the cold side to maintain cooling against the integrated heat spreader (IHS) of the CPU, while the hot side is cooled by the rest of the AIO cooler itself.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
As an example, the cooler can easily get idle CPU temps down to actual freezing temperatures, far below ambient room readings. Normal air or liquid cooling can never allow a processor to reach sub-ambient temperatures due to the physics involved, but phase change and thermoelectric cooling makes this possible.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Requiring the use of an 8-pin auxiliary power, often used to power graphics cards, the ML360 Sub-Zero uses DC power from your power supply to power the thermoelectric Peltier cooling unit. This also requires a beefy power supply, as the cooler alone is rated to draw up to 200w by itself. So make sure to account for overall system load usage and count on investing in a high-quality, high-wattage power supply.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The base of the ML360 Sub-Zero ships with a pre-applied patch of thermal compound over a base shaped like a copper pyramid with a leveled, plateau face. Power cables from the Peltier DC controller extend down the side of the cooler, where they meet the TEC at the base.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The perimeter of the cooler features an integrated rubber boot, which is designed to create a barrier or curtain around the CPU socket once the cooler is installed. This is meant to prevent comparatively warm ambient air from circulating near the base of the copper cold plate, allowing condensation to collect near the motherboard socket. This has long been the danger of Peltier coolers, as temperature differentials causing water to form on exposed electrics is obviously very bad. The angled copper base is the area where the greatest threat of condensation or frost collection might occur and possibly drip onto motherboard circuitry below. Hence the rubber barrier around this area.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Cooler Master utilize a new pump design, which is situated in-line between the Peltier unit and radiator. The pump itself is quite significant in both size and mass, giving every indication that it is far more powerful than what is used in standard, everyday AIOs. In fact, when accounting for noise levels, strength of vibrations and tubing pulses, it appears to encroach into custom watercooling pump territory, although this claim would require several standalone tests to confirm.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
A trio of 120mm PWM fans and an aluminum radiator make up the heat exchanger portion of the ML360 Sub-Zero. The cooling fans are devoid of any aRGB/RGB lighting effects, sticking instead with a stealth theme for discreet sub-ambient operation.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The flattened of the cooler is expertly milled to rest atop your favorite Intel LGA1200 socket CPU.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
This milled base provides for a quality mount for the ML360 Sub-Zero, making for an even distribution of thermal compound when tension is applied during the cooler installation.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
With the ML360 Sub-Zero up and running and with Intel’s Cryo Cooling Technology software installed, operation of the thermoelectric cooler is relatively simple. Select the service icon in the taskbar and choose whether to run in Cryo or Unregulated mode.
Cryo mode is the standard cooling mode when the system is under standard loads, beyond idle desktop or light web browsing. The Peltier unit will cycle into this mode and briefly off as needed based on environmental variables to maintain system safety and prevent condensed water from collecting.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Unregulated mode allows the cooler to operate to full effect, which does prompt a warning box that condensation could collect around the cooler and the motherboard, causing permanent damage. In short, clicking the box to acknowledge this warning is the electronic form of signing a waiver and understanding the consequences. Unregulated mode is typically reserved for brief sessions of cooling where an all-out assault on thermals is required.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
As 360mm coolers go, the Cooler Master ML360 Sub-Zero radiator fits a normal mount location as any other AIO we’ve tested. The standalone pump uses a pair of machine screws to mount within a set of standard chassis eyelets. While USB link cables are rather common for many AIOs, having an additional power cable running to your cooler adds a bit of extra clutter to an otherwise uneventful installation.
With well over a decade of experience and the products to back up its reputation, Bitspower is one of the most famous brands in the market of PC DIY watercooling. The company gained fame for their wide range of high-quality fittings in different options for function and form alike and built upon it with mod kits for pumps. More often than not, these kits and pumps came in at a hefty price premium relative to the market, but that did not stop them from selling out in most colors whenever batches did come out. We take a detailed look at one such offering today, and thanks to Bitspower for providing a review sample for TechPowerUp!
Readers of this website may have noticed that some of my reviews from last year took place in temporary accommodations as a result of unexpected COVID travel restrictions. What I did not expect, however, was that by the time I got back to my usual setup, this pump would pretty much be EOL. You can still find it in most shops, and it is still up for “pre-order” on the Bitspower shop where you really want to compare this version to newer ones, but I did decide to complete the review. It was sent for review, after all, but more importantly allows me to directly compare it to newer Bitspower offerings if and when I get to those. I had also previously tested the older generation of these, so this will be a good way to compare how Bitspower’s pump top and body designs have changed over the years. Do expect this review to include detailed testing, but let’s begin with a look at the specifications in the table below.
When the RTX 3080 Founders Edition landed, we were immediately curious what the waterblocks for that card were going to look like, given that the PCB has a huge bite taken out of it. Back in September, EKWB confirmed that the reference card wasn’t identical to the Founders Edition PCB, and later in November it came out with Special Edition waterblocks for the Founders Edition cards. But EKWB isn’t the only watercooling player on the market, and Bitspower also wants a piece of the pie — which resulted in the birth of the Premium Mobius Waterblock for Founders Edition RTX 3080 cards, as listed on Bitspower’s website.
The waterblock is styled surprisingly strongly to match the styling of Nvidia’s Founders Edition cards, albeit without the fans or fin arrays. Instead, you get a see-through window into the block. Of course, because the block’s inlet and outlets are at the far end rather than on the side, it also looks like a giant USB stick.
(Image credit: Bitspower)
On the PCIe side of the waterblock you’ll spot a D-RGB connector, and on the outer side a big hole where Nvidia’s 12-pin power connector feeds into the card.
The block itself is made from nickel-plated copper, with the shroud around it appears to be made from aluminum, though we’re not quite sure at this time.
Pricing is set at 9,150 NTD, which translates to a pricey $326 USD — and that’s not including sales tax or shipping.
EKWB might be known for its high-end custom watercooling loop parts, but not long ago, the company figured that the AIO market might be suited to them too. It started with the EK-AIO D-RGB, then followed the EK-AIO Elite. Now, the company is following suit with the EK-AIO Basic, bringing Slovenian watercooling to systems designed on smaller budgets.
At launch, these AIOs are only coming in 240mm and 360mm variants, either with two or three all-black 120mm fans. These fans spin at speeds between 550 and 2200 RPM, which is a decent range with a lavish top end you’ll likely rarely need to address. Noise per fan is rated at 33.5 dBA at full speed when they’ll produce 2.89mm of static pressure and 77CFM of flow if unimpeded.
(Image credit: EKWB)
Being budget-oriented AIOs, the radiators are made of aluminum and only the cold plate is made of copper for better thermal performance. This is mixed metal, but it’s a recipe used in almost all other AIOs on the market, and with the right corrosion inhibitor in the fluid, proven not to be an issue in closed loops.
The pump, meanwhile, is rated to spin at 850 to 2600 RPM, so you can lower its speed when the CPU isn’t under load.
(Image credit: EKWB)
No RGB is present on this unit, but despite being the most budget-oriented option with pricing to match, the pump cover looks as classy as the more premium units and will look good in many systems. At least to me, this looks like a clean, minimalist AIO that doesn’t shout ‘budget’ with its looks, and that’s a good thing!
Pricing is set at $90 for the EK-AIO Basic 240 and $120 for the 360mm variant, and both are available for order directly from EKWB immediately.
The MSI Godlike performs above average in our testing and easily handled overclocking the Ryzen 9 5950X. With five M.2 sockets, two premium audio codecs, a watercooling ecosystem and an extreme overclocking capable power delivery, there is no doubt the features (and $699 price) are flagship class.
For
19-Phase 70A Power Delivery
Killer Network-based Wi-Fi and 2.5 GbE
10 GbE AIC included
Premium audio w/6.3mm jack
Five M.2 slots
Against
No video outputs
Only six rear USB ports
Expensive
Features and Specifications
The MSI X570 Godlike motherboard isn’t new — in fact, we’ve used it as our test platform in some AMD CPU reviews. But we’ve never had the chance to review it, and given that the Ryzen 9 5950X is our new test CPU, we’ve decided to put this flagship board through its paces with AMD’s latest flagship silicon.
The bold Godlike name infers this is one of the best out there, and to be frank it isn’t very far off, if price isn’t much of an issue. The $699.99 Godlike includes robust power delivery, a premium audio solution, five M.2 sockets and a cool-looking monochrome OLED screen, all of which are fitting for a flagship-class part.
At the time of publishing, MSI’s X570 lineup consists of nine boards, starting with the X570-A Pro ($159.99) and including multiple parts from the MAG line (Tomahawk WiFi), the MPG line (Gaming Plus, Gaming Edge WiFi, and Gaming Pro Carbon WiFi), and the premium MEG lineup (Unify, Ace, and Godlike). From E-ATX flagships like the Godlike to entry-level boards, there is something for everyone in MSI’s X570 range.
Focusing on performance, the Godlike did well in our benchmarking suite, running most tests on the faster side of average. Even in the PCMark 10 MS Office/Application testing, where we often see anomalies, we saw consistent results across the full gamut of testing. The board allowed the 5950X to reach its full 5 GHz boost, so we’re getting all we paid for at default settings. As expected, overclocking on this motherboard went without a hiccup, easily handling our 16-core/32-thread CPU. VRM temperatures at load were some of the lowest we’ve seen as well.
Performance isn’t everything, however. The features list is long and the Godlike includes a 10 GbE add-in-card (AIC) in addition to the existing 1 and 2.5 GbE ports, dual Realtek ALC1220 codecs and two additional PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 sockets via add-in-card. Features and specifications aren’t everything either, though. The appearance of the X570 Godlike is also solid. The Infinity RGB display around the VRMs, coupled with the customizable OLED screen and the overall clean look set this board apart from other less expensive models. Read on for additional details about the X570 Godlike, because there’s a lot here to cover.
Specifications – MSI X570 Godlike
Socket
AM4
Chipset
X570
Form Factor
E-ATX
Voltage Regulator
19 Phase (14+4+1, 70A MOSFETs)
Video Ports
✗
USB Ports
(2) USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type-A and Type-C (10 Gbps)
(2) USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type-A (10 Gbps)
(2) USB 3.2 Gen 1, Type-A (5 Gbps)
Network Jacks
(1) 2.5 GbE
(1) 1 GbE
(1) 10 GbE (via Add-in-card)
Audio Jacks
(5) Analog + SPDIF + 6.3mm outputs
Legacy Ports/Jacks
✗
Other Ports/Jack
✗
PCIe x16
(3) v4.0 (x16), (x16/x0/x0 or x8/x0/x8, or x8/x4/x4)
(1) v4.0 (x4)
PCIe x8
✗
PCIe x4
✗
PCIe x1
✗
CrossFire/SLI
AMD Quad CrossfireX and CrossFireX (2/3-Way), 2-Way Nvidia SLI
DIMM slots
(4) DDR4 5000+(OC), 128GB Capacity
M.2 slots
(1) PCIe 4.0 x4 / PCIe + SATA (up to 110mm)
(1) PCIe 4.0 x4 / PCIe + SATA (up to 80mm)
(1) PCIe 4.0 x4 / PCIe only (up to 110mm)
(2) PCIe 4.0 x4 / PCIe only (up to 110mm, via Add-in-card)
U.2 Ports
✗
SATA Ports
(6) SATA3 6 Gbps (RAID 0, 1 and 10)
USB Headers
(1) USB v3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C)
(2) USB v3.2 Gen 1
(2) USB v2.0
Fan/Pump Headers
(9) 4-Pin
RGB Headers
(2) aRGB (3-pin)
(1) RGB (4-pin)
(1) Corsair LED (3-pin)
Legacy Interfaces
✗
Other Interfaces
FP-Audio, TPM
Diagnostics Panel
Yes (2 character LED), Dynamic Dashboard
Internal Button/Switch
Power and Reset, OC Knob, BCLK+/-
SATA Controllers
ASMedia ASM1061
Ethernet Controller(s)
(1) Killer E3000 (2.5 GbE)
(1) Killer E2600 (GbE)
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
Killer AX1650x (802.11ax, 2×2, MU-MIMO, BT 5.1)
USB Controllers
ASMedia ASM1042
HD Audio Codec
(2) Realtek ALC1220
DDL/DTS Connect
✗ / ✗
Warranty
3 Years
Inside the box along with the motherboard is a whole lot of accessories. Outside of the usual selection of SATA cables, driver disks, and guides, the Godlike includes multiple add-in-cards (10 GbE, M.2 Expander), thermistors, and more. This accessory stack is the biggest we’ve seen in a while. Below is a complete list of the included extras.
(6) SATA cables
1 to 2 RGB LED extension Y cable (80cm)
Corsair RGB LED extension cable (50cm)
Rainbow RGB LED extension cable (10cm)
(2) Thermistor cables
Wi-Fi Antenna
M.2 Expander-Z Gen4 AIC
10G Super LAN AIC
6.3mm audio adapter
Case badge
SATA Cable labels
Driver DVD
Manual, Quick Guide, Quick Installation Guide
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(Image credit: MSI)
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(Image credit: MSI)
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(Image credit: MSI)
When you first take the Godlike out of the box, you’re greeted by an attractive board that will fit in with most build themes. The PCB is matte-black, as are all heatsinks and shrouds. The large brushed-aluminum finish VRM heatsinks connect via heatpipe to each other and the chipset heatsink, sharing the thermal load between them. The DRAM and PCIe slots are all reinforced using MSI’s PCIe Steel Armor, protecting against bending/shearing and EMI.
On the RGB front, the Mystic Light Infinity II feature above the VRM area steals the show. Through the magic of light and mirrors, the RGB lighting looks like it goes down to infinity, offering a truly unique look. The chipset heatsink also sports RGB lighting, with the familiar MSI Dragon illuminated just above the chipset fan. Additionally, the customizable OLED panel located to the DRAM slots’ right brings another unique aesthetic to a motherboard. MSI’s Mystic Light software controls all of the LEDs and the OLED screen. In short, the X570 Godlike looks the part of a high-end motherboard and includes some cool features to set it apart from other high-end alternatives.
(Image credit: MSI)
Starting with the board’s top half, we get a closer look at the Infinity RGB display above the heatsink on the left-hand side. The mirror reflection system does a great job of showing off the RGBs differently from most motherboards. Above this and the large VRM heatsink are two 8-pin EPS connectors (one required) that send power to the CPU. The socket area is clear of most hazards and begs to have a pot on top for some sub-ambient fun.
To the right of the socket are four reinforced DRAM slots. Capacity is listed up to 128GB, while the supported speeds are close to the fastest we’ve seen listed, at DDR4 5000+(OC). As always, your mileage may vary on reaching sky-high speeds such as that. AMD’s sweet spot, even with the 5000 series processors, still sits at DDR4 3600/3733 with the Infinity Fabric tied to it (1:1). Reserved for benchmarking, these speeds benefit those shooting for world records more than it does for real-world performance gains.
Above the DRAM slots are the first three (of nine) 4-pin fan headers. Each fan header supports both PWM and DC controlled devices. The board will automatically detect what is connected and adjust the mode accordingly. MSI doesn’t list how much power these will output in the manual, but we reached out to the company and have answers. All 4-pin headers are 1A/12W, except for the pump header at 3A/36W. If only by the sheer count of fan headers, there should be plenty of power available to connect your pump and fans to the motherboard. Each header even has a LED next to it that tells you what mode the board is using. You’ll see red for PWM fans and white in DC mode. I don’t recall seeing this before, but this nifty little add-on can be helpful for troubleshooting and gives users information on how the fans connect at a glance, without going into the BIOS.
To the right of the socket is MSI’s OLED-based Dynamic Dashboard. Used for a slew of things, the Dynamic Dashboard displays CPU temperature/speed, BIOS flash status and error messages. The monochrome dashboard is customizable, even allowing you to upload a .GIF animation file to display. If there is an error during POST, the dashboard displays the part causing the issue listing the location and error on the screen. Couple that with the two-character debug LED and the four ‘dummy’ LEDs onboard and you should know what’s going on with this motherboard at all times. While it’s arguably overkill for the average user, for those benchmarking and pushing overclocking limits, this can be very helpful to troubleshoot issues efficiently.
In between these headers on the top of the board is the first (of four + Corsair RGB) RGB headers. In this case, it’s a 4-pin RGB. You’ll find the other three headers on the bottom edge of the board. The Mystic Light RGB application controls the RGB lighting. We’ve had no issues with this software providing proper control in our testing.
To the right of the DRAM slots and Dynamic Dashboard are a few more headers and connectors. From the top-down is the first of two temperature sensors, SYS_FAN2 header, the Corsair header, 24-pin ATX power connector, SYS_FAN3 header and a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C front panel connector.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The MSI X570 Godlike runs a total of 14 phases for Vcore and a 4-phase configuration on the SoC. Managing power is a premium International Rectifier IR35201 (x+y=8) buck controller that sends power to seven IR3599 doublers, then on to 14 70A Infineon TDA21472 MOSFETs. The 980A available for the CPU/Vcore only is one of the highest we’ve come across so far. We had no issues whatsoever overclocking our flagship Ryzen 9 5950X CPU. The VRMs remained cool throughout all of our testing. If sub-ambient cooling and benchmarking are your thing, the VRMs will serve you well. Of course, ambient overclocking won’t be an issue either.
(Image credit: MSI)
Moving to the bottom half of the board, we’ll start on the left side with the audio section. Hidden underneath the shroud are two (yes, two) Realtek ALC1220 codecs. The first is for the rear panel audio connectors, with the second dedicated for front-panel audio. An ESS E9018 Sabre DAC drives the 6.3mm stereo headphone output on the back panel. If you don’t have a 6.3mm headset, a 3.5mm-to-6.3 adapter is included if you’d like to use this port. Rounding out the audio section are 12 yellow Nippon audio caps and four WIMA audio caps (red). Overall, the audio solution is well above average, using premium codecs and a quality integrated DAC. The 6.3mm jack on the back is truly something unique on a motherboard.
In the middle of the board are four reinforced PCIe slots. Intended for GPUs, the top three slots support PCIe 4.0 x16 and break down to x16/x0/x0 or x8/x0/x8, or x8/x4/x4 when all three slots are populated. The fourth/bottom slot is sourced from the chipset and provides PCIe 4.0 x4 lanes. If you plan on using the M.2 Xpander and 10 GbE AICs, that leaves you with two full-size PCIe slots for video cards.
Between the PCIe slots are three M.2 sockets, each with their own heatsinks. The top two (M2_1 and M2_2) support both PCIe 4.0 x4 and SATA-based modules. M2_1 supports up to 110mm modules while M2_2 supports up to 80mm devices. The bottom slot, M2_3, supports PCIe only and drives up to 110mm long. If these three aren’t enough, the M.2 expander card adds two more M.2 sockets. To get the full bandwidth from the AIC, install it in a slot that offers PCIe 4.0 x8 bandwidth (third slot down with nothing installed in the second slot). If you need a whole lot of wicked fast NVMe based storage, this motherboard supports it!
To the right of the M.2 and PCIe area are the chipset heatsink and fan. The large fan was inaudible during our testing, though we weren’t using any chipset-connected PCIe 4.0 devices so the stress level is lower. On the right edge are two USB 3.2 Gen 1 front-panel ports along with six SATA ports. SATA ports 1-4 are fed from the chipset, while ports 5/6 source their lanes from the ASMedia ASM1061 chip. The AMD chipset connected ports support RAID0, 1 and 10 modes, which is typical.
Across the bottom are several buttons and headers ranging from front panel audio to power and reset buttons. A lot is going on down there, especially for hardcore overclockers, where you’ll find BCLK buttons and other extreme overclocking functions. Also worth noting in this section are the temperature sensors and water flow headers. With these on board, you’re able to monitor and then control attached devices through the MSI software and the BIOS. Here’s the full list, from left to right:
Front panel audio
TPM header
3-pin RGB header
LN2 mode header
Fan header
Temperature sensor header
Fan header
BIOS switch
Fan header
BCLK “-” button
USB 2.0 header
BCLK “+” button
Reset and Power buttons
OC knob
USB 2.0 header
Front panel header
Water flow header
Clear CMOS header
Slow mode jumper
(Image credit: MSI)
MSI’s rear IO includes an integrated plate with a black and red theme. On the left are two buttons, one that clears the CMOS and the other used for the board’s BIOS flashback capabilities. Moving right, we spy the two WiFi antenna mounts, two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports and above that, a legacy PS/2 mouse/keyboard port. Next are the two Killer-based Ethernet ports that reside above the four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (one Type-C). To the right of that is one of the most unique features on this motherboard, a 6.3mm audio jack that uses the integrated DAC. Finally, the rest of the audio stack consists of a 5-plug analog and SPDIF stack.
The Radeon RX 6800 XT STRIX OC LC is the ASUS flagship Radeon RX 6800 XT “Big Navi” design. LC stands for Liquid Cooled, which already tells you everything this card is about. While other vendors are using air-cooling for their top dog designs, ASUS opted for an AIO watercooling solution this time around. The card comes with a 240 mm radiator attached to the card; it’s pre-filled, maintenance free, and ready to go.
The ASUS Radeon RX 6800 XT STRIX OC Liquid Cooled is based on the 7 nm “Navi 21” RDNA2 silicon, which has an 80% increase in compute units over the previous-generation RX 5700 XT. Each of those compute units has one Ray Accelerator unit, which, as the name suggests, handles certain raytracing workloads. The memory amount is doubled to 16 GB, and AMD is using 16 Gbps GDDR6 memory. At 256 bit, the memory bus width has stayed the same. To make up for that, AMD devised an ingenious solution it calls Infinity Cache, which is a 128 MB on-die level 3 cache that runs at an astounding 2 TB/s, accelerating most workloads that aren’t too data-intensive. Our RX 6800 XT reference-design review goes into more details on the RDNA2 architecture.
ASUS is using a triple-slot casing for the card, which houses the waterblock, a pump, and a slow-running fan that provides cooling for the minor components on the card. The VRM design has been upgraded to a 17-phase configuration, and you get a dual BIOS, too. As expected, idle fan stop is present as well. Out of the box, the ASUS RX 6800 XT STRIX OC LC ticks at a rated boost clock of 2360 MHz, which is quite an increase over the 2250 MHz reference.
ASUS hasn’t given us pricing yet for the RX 6800 XT STRIX OC Liquid Cooled, but it is currently listed at Caseking in Germany for €987, which includes the 16% German VAT. A few hours ago, the price was €1086, guess these are changing quite a lot. €987 including VAT is €850 without VAT, which converts to roughly US$1000 and is what I used for the charts in this review.
Update Nov 26: ASUS has provided us with pricing, it’s $899, which matches the Newegg price listing that went up after our review, too. I’ve updated the pricing throughout this review and remade the relevant charts.
Mounting your GPU vertically is the latest trend in PC building, but the implementations are often a little lacklustre — either too close to the glass panel, too saggy, or not compatible with many cases. EKWB’s latest vertical mount aims to fix these issues.
The bracket is called the ‘EK-Loop Vertical GPU Holder – Shifted’ and the GPU is shifted further inwards to the system for better cooling performance of air-cooled graphics cards. However, ‘shifted’, in this instance, means that the GPU is shifted inwards slightly towards the front of the case, making the bracket compatible with closed-back expansion slot cases.
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(Image credit: EKWB)
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(Image credit: EKWB)
But of course, EKWB is a watercooling company, so their primary interest is in that department. As such, the bracket bolts into the top of the motherboard standoffs, giving it plenty of structural rigidity to avoid a sagging GPU — an important feature with vertical mounts for EKWB, as unstable GPUs can lead to issues with the tubing and fittings during transport.
EKWB says this bracket makes systems safe to transport with all the tubing and fitting bits installed, and while we will take their word on that, if you can drain systems with custom loops for long journeys, we always recommend you do and refill it at the destination.
(Image credit: EKWB)
However, in all the things this vertical mount bracket does right, there’s one thing it doesn’t do: PCIe 4.0 — this bracket is only rated up to the PCIe 3.0 standard.
The bracket comes with all the mounting screws you need and an angled DisplayPort 1.4 cable.
Pricing is set at $75 with immediate availability. This makes it about $20 to $30 more expensive than many other brackets on the market, but given its strengths, we’d say it’s not a crazy premium for a proper vertical GPU mount implementation.
The EK AIO Elite 360 D-RGB offers some of the best cooling performance in a closed-loop cooler, while making use of push+pull radiator fan configuration. It does so at the expense of higher decibel levels, so make sure to read up on how to make use of your motherboards’ BIOS settings for fan curves.
For
Sophisticated pump design
Six fans operate in push+pull
Includes aRGB/PWM fan hub
Against
Noisy when fans operate at full speed
Mounting has to account for added thickness
Features and Specifications
EKWB, the Slovenian company which specializes in custom watercooling components and kits, has expanded into the closed-loop AIO market, with the six-fan, push+pull EK AIO Elite 360 D-RGB being the latest addition to its AIO line. And while it requires a bit more planning for logistics and case mounting, the cooler’s style and performance notably follow EKWB’s primary DNA.
Specifications
Thickness
1.13″ / 28.7mm (3.25″ / 82.6mm w/fans)
Width
4.75″ / 120mm
Depth
15.6″ / 394mm
Pump Height
2.5″ / 63.5mm
Speed Controller
BIOS
Cooling Fans
(6) 120 x 25mm
Connectors
(7) 4-Pin PWM
(7) 3-Pin aRGB
(1) SATA
Weight
83.0 oz / 2355g
Intel Sockets
115x, 1200, 2011x, 2066c
AMD Sockets
AM4
Warranty
5 years
Web Price
$200
Features
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Following up on EKWB’s original EK AIO lineup, the AIO Elite 360 D-RGB ships with six cooling fans for push+pull operation. Most AIOs make use of a push configuration, meaning the fans force air through the radiator to dissipate out the back. The second set of fans included with the AIO Elite 360 ‘pulls’ the warmed air through the radiator, assisting in the exhaust dissipation much as you’ve probably seen on several big air coolers over the years.
Mounting hardware includes support for most Intel sockets and the addition of AMD’s AM4. The inclusion of an aRGB + PWM fan hub provides centralized lighting and fan RPM control and utilizes a set of PWM and aRGB accessory cabling.
A small syringe of EK-TIM Ecotherm compound tags along to round out the usual installation components.
EKWB covers the AIO Elite 360 D-RGB with a five-year warranty.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The pump of the EKWB AIO Elite 360 D-RGB looks similar to previous versions of EK AIO models, although it brings a much more sophisticated approach by combining angled, mirrored finishes and dark, opaque acrylics. The reflective EK logo provides the only aRGB lighting accent on the pump housing, taking a ‘less-is-more’ approach on lighting accents. A pair of 90-degree swivel fittings allows rotation and movement during pump installation and radiator mounting.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The base plate of the EK AIO Elite 360 is a solid sheet of satin milled copper, which ships with a patch of pre-applied thermal compound already in place. The additional syringe of EK-TIM Ecotherm compound is a nice addition for system builders who need to re-mount the EK AIO Elite after the first original installation or for any hardware upgrades in the coming years during (or after) the 5-year warranty period. EKWB claims an updated and more efficient pump unit is used for the new Elite 360.
Cabling to support the operation of the pump unit includes an aRGB lighting header for the EK logo backlighting and a 4-pin PWM for pump impeller control.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The base of the EK AIO Elite 360 is milled extremely flat; we are not able to see light peeking between our steel rule and the copper contact plate. A flat surface combined with an alternating ‘X-pattern’ seating of the mounting hardware should provide for a uniform thermal compound mounting patch when we remove the pump from the CPU’s integrated heat spreader (IHS).
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Removing the cooler after installation can provide an indication of the success (or failure) of thermal compound spread between the cooler and the top of the CPU and integrated heat spreader (IHS). The EK AIO Elite 360 seated very well atop our i9-10850k.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The EKWB AIO Elite 360 D-RGB arrives with six 120mm Vardar S fans, which are both aRGB and 4-pin PWM managed.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Using three fans to push air into the radiator, while also making use of the three additional fans to extract and exhaust the warm air makes for a push+pull setup, which allows for optimal thermal performance. Of course, the cooler can operate with only three fans like a typical AIO, but then we ask, why would you spend extra for three more fans?
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The AIO Elite 360 utilizes a relatively standard aluminum radiator, which has threaded machine screw mounts on both sides for the 120mm Vardar S fans to anchor to.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
PWM and aRGB lighting control of the EK AIO Elite 360 D-RGB are managed via the provided fan hub to simultaneously control lighting and fan speed for the connected components, which can include the pump. The hub makes use of a PWM and aRGB header for motherboard and lighting control, or via other modules set up as part of your PC’s lighting and fan control ecosystem. When powered, the EK center logo shines with the same aRGB lighting accents seen on the pump housing.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Installation of the EK AIO Elite 360 is very similar to most other 360mm liquid coolers, with the exception of the extra fan depth required from the push+pull setup. This means that additional clearance is necessary inside cases, so plan to account for that extra inch or 25mm of fan thickness.
Mustafa Mahmoud 11 hours ago Featured Tech News, Online, PC, Software & Gaming
Each week, the Epic Games Store offers its users a number of free titles. This week, those with an Epic Games account can get their hands on the popular online space-sim ‘Elite Dangerous’, as well as the indie, story-focused visual novel / puzzler hybrid ‘The World Next Door’. Both games are available to purchase for free from now until the 26th of November.
Elite Dangerous is a popular multiplayer space simulator which allows players to explore “a realistic 1:1 scale open-world representation of the Milky Way galaxy”. With an open-ended objective, players can get lost in the universe, finding their own way to navigate and experience the game.
Elite Dangerous has cultivated a dedicated player base who use the “massively multiplayer space epic” to develop roles within the galaxy. Thanks to the game’s “connected galaxy, evolving narrative and the entire Milky Way recreated at its full galactic proportions,” you truly can play however you want.
The World Next Door is best described as “A mix of lightning-fast puzzle battles, powerful storytelling, and immersive visual novel elements”. Inspired by anime, The World Next Door sees you play as “Jun, a rebellious teen who finds herself far from home in the magical and mysterious world of Emrys. As she encounters a colorful cast of otherworldly creatures, Jun must learn to rely on her new friends to return home before time runs out..”
As mentioned, the game acts as a hybrid between a visual novel and a puzzle battler, making for a unique gaming experience. The World Next Door unfortunately received mixed reviews due to feeling somewhat “generic” and incomplete. Still the game is a short one, and may resonate with you.
Both Elite Dangerous and The World Next Door are available to purchase and download for free from now until the 26th of November, at which point they will be replaced by MudRunner.
KitGuru says: What do you think of this week’s offerings? Do you enjoy space sims? What role do you take on when playing? Let us know down below.
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EKWB unveils new watercooling gear for Radeon GPUs and Ryzen CPUs
EKWB has collaborated with AMD for a new line-up of Ryzen and Radeon specific watercooling …
EKWB has collaborated with AMD for a new line-up of Ryzen and Radeon specific watercooling components. This includes a Ryzen-themed CPU waterblock, an AIO unit, AMD-themed Vardar fans, and new EK-Quantum Vector blocks for the Radeon RX 6000 series.
The star of the show here is the EK-Quantum Vector RX 6800/6900 D-RGB – Special Edition. This GPU block comes with a screw-less black acetal top with side slopes similar to the reference card shroud and the Radeon logo illuminated by D-RGB LEDs. The waterblock was designed to efficiently cool the GPU core, VRAM, and VRM MOSFETs, as well as the inductors to prevent coil whine. There’s also grey anodised backplate that helps to cool the graphics card passively.
The Ryzen CPU waterblock is the EK-Quantum Velocity D-RGB – Special Edition, which has been optimised for the processors’ chiplet layout. The wider jet plate increases the precision of the coolant flow to the CPU die without sacrificing the waterblock performance. The 6mm thick aluminium mounting plate, the D-RGB LEDs around the water block, the black standoff screws, and the titanium coloured thumb nuts combine perfectly to give the water block a sleek look worthy of showcasing.
In the table below, you can find the exact product names and MSRP price tags for all of EKWB’s new AMD components:
EK-Quantum Vector RX 6800/6900 D-RGB – Special Edition
219.90€
EK-Quantum Velocity D-RGB – Special Edition
129.90€
EK-Quantum Reaction AIO RX 6800/6900 D-RGB P240 – Special Edition
389.90€
EK-Quantum Power Kit RX 6800/6900 D-RGB P360 – Special Edition
829.90€
If you intend to create a full custom loop with a Ryzen 5000 processor and a Radeon RX 6000 GPU, you can consider the EK-Quantum Power Kit RX 6800/6900 D-RGB P360 – Special Edition. This kit features the Velocity CPU and Vector GPU blocks, AMD-themed Vardar fans, a 360mm CoolStream PE radiator, angled adapter and Torque fittings, a custom-made FLT 120 D5 combo unit with the AMD logo. You also get matte black tubing and a bottle of clear and red coolant.
If a full custom loop isn’t to your liking, then there is also the EK-Quantum Reaction AIO cooler for Radeon RX 6000 series graphics cards. This AIO comes with 2x AMD-themed Vardar fans, custom-assembled fittings, and a 240mm radiator with AMD’s logo on the side. The whole AIO is made using “custom loop liquid cooling grade products”, including the SPC-style pump located in the radiator.
Finally, EK has also launched the EK-Quantum Vector waterblocks for the Radeon RX 6000 series cards. These blocks will be available in Copper + Plexi/Acetal and Nickel Plexi/Acetal with black and nickel-plated backplates.
All these products are now available for pre-order from the EK web store.
KitGuru says: Are you planning on acquiring a new Radeon GPU and a new Ryzen CPU? Will you be looking to watercool them?
Fractal Design’s Meshify 2 offers all the space and breathing room you need for modern high-end workstation builds.
For
Interior brilliance
Excellent cooling performance
Understated looks
Easy panel and dust filter removal
Against
Overkill for builds that don’t use watercooling or lots of storage.
Slightly buzzy fan motors
Features and Specifications
With the high-TDP and thermal demands of many recent and upcoming best graphics cards and best CPUs, Fractal Design has done well with the release timing of its new Meshify 2 chassis – this one is ready for the high-heat generating components of 2020 and 2021.
Indeed, the next year or so seems to be prime time for mesh-fronted cases, as these allow tons of airflow into the system, resulting in great thermals. Gone are the days where we could pack a system full of whatever parts we could get our hands on and rely on the case to dampen the noise from the internal components. Instead we now spend a little more time shopping for components that are quiet to begin with, despite their high thermal outputs.
The Meshify 2 is aimed at that kind of shopper. It’s a big boy of an enclosure that’s built to be extremely practical and versatile, offering all the room for expansion that you may need for years to come. There’s no garish RGB or wild design elements here– it’s all simple, clean, and functional above all else.
This is a chassis for grownups who just want something that gets the job done well without drawing too much attention to itself, but still offers all the necessary amenities. And for that, it certainly deserves a spot on our Best PC Cases list. At $139.99 for the variant with tempered glass, or $129 with all steel side panels, this isn’t a budget chassis. But for the performance, features, and sheer componet space you get (the max GPU length is 18.4 inches and brackets for six drives), the Meshify 2 is easy to recommend.
Specifications
Type
Mid-Tower ATX
Motherboard Support
Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX (285 mm)
Dimensions (HxWxD)
18.7 x 9.45 x 21.34 inches (474 x 240 x 542mm)
Max GPU Length
18.4 inches (467 mm)
CPU Cooler Height
7.3 inches (185 mm)
Max PSU Length
13.9 inches (353 mm)
External Bays
✗
Internal Bays
11x 3.5-inch (6 brackets included)
4x 2.5-inch (2 brackets included)
Expansion Slots
7x + 2x Vertical
Front I/O
2x USB 3.0, USB-C, 3.5 mm headphone, 3.5mm mic
Other
Tempered Glass Panel, Fan Controller
Front Fans
2x 140 mm (Up to 3x 140mm, 3x 120mm)
Rear Fans
1x 140mm (Up to 1x 140mm)
Top Fans
None (Up to 4x 140mm)
Bottom Fans
Up to 2x 140 mm
Side Fans
✗
RGB
No
Damping
No
Features
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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)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Touring around the outside of the chassis, it’s clear that the Meshify 2 is a Fractal Design chassis. It takes it easy on the styling, offering a somewhat minimalist approach, with the most eccentric detail being the creases in the mesh.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The front IO resides at the top of the chassis and comprises individual headphone and mic jacks, a USB Type-C port, power and reset switches and the mandatory dual USB 3.0 ports.
Removing the panels from the Meshify 2 is easier than on most cases. On the rear you simply pull the tab outwards, which pulls the pegs at the top of the left and right side panels out from their clamps. The panels then swivel out, and can be lifted off the chassis. To put them back on, you simply place the bottom of the panel into place and push the top to close it – that’s it.
The front mesh filter comes off just as easily— pull it open using the Fractal logo as a handle. The top cover also pulls right off, revealing the dust filter underneath. We particularly appreciate how easy it is to remove the panels, as this makes it a breeze to strip the case down to its bare skeleton for easy access to all the spots you may need to get to during assembly.
Internal Layout
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The ease of removing the panels is only a glimpse of Fractal Design’s great PC case design skills. Opened up, the Meshify 2 has a whole host of features internally that set it apart in the market, so let’s go through a few of them.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Starting off, the main motherboard area is good for up to an ATX-size motherboard. You can opt to install wider E-ATX boards up to 285mm in width, but these will cover the cable grommets and thus you’ll have to find a different method to route cables (switch to the storage layout).
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Flip over to the other side, and you’ll find the cable management area. At the top you’ll spot a fan controller, which has six 3-pin voltage-control headers along with three 4-pin PWM headers. But, note that the 3-pin headers here only offer constant voltage, so you’ll want to plug the included fans into your motherboard if you want to control their speeds – this module is more of a 3-port PWM splitter.
Back here there is room for two SSDs on the back of the motherboard tray, and a plastic trim piece covers up the PSU area. Remove this piece, and you’ll spot room for two 3.5-inch hard drives and the longest of power supplies. But what about that support for up to 11 3.5-inch drives that Fractal Design is talking about?
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Spot that huge plastic slab that’s in front of the motherboard? If you’re building a system that doesn’t use more than four 3.5-inch drives, you can leave it where it is as you can mount a third 3.5-inch drive on the floor of the PSU area too, as well as on the back of this partition.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Leaving it there will offer room to mount a tube reservoir, for which mounting points are supplied on a removable cover piece to the PSU area. A separate part of this cover piece can be removed to make way for longer radiators.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
But, by removing just five screws, you can remove the side partition and bump it over to the left side of the chassis to switch to the storage layout. Three of these screws are accessible from the front, one from up top and one on the bottom, inside. This last one is the trickiest to get to when you move the partition over to this side, but Fractal Design cut a hole in the front panel that you can guide your screwdriver through to reach it, and the entire panel fits seamlessly into place.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Then, flip over to the other side, and you can install up to eight additional hard drives, though only four trays are included in the accessory box.
However, despite offering room for up to eight more hard drives for a total of up to 11 3.5-inch drives, at the front there is still room to house fans and a radiator, provided the radiator isn’t too thick.
Up to the partition, graphics cards can be 315 mm long, which is plenty for most cards. Assuming you don’t have a radiator, hard drives, or reservoir blocking access, GPUs can be up to 467mm long before bumping into the intake fans. Just note that in the storage layout (with the partition moved), GPUs can only be up to 150mm wide if you intend on pushing it into that space.
That Accessory Box Though
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Meshify 2 comes with possibly the largest accessory box ever for a PC case. It’s unnecessarily enormous, becausemost of it is empty. Inside you’ll find the four additional HDD trays, a smaller accessory box with all the screws and bits, and a very detailed manual that covers all the case’s features and how to use them. At the time of writing this manual isn’t available online, but if you intend on building a system in this chassis that pushes it to its limits, the manual can be very helpful in planning your build to find the case’s possibilities and limitations.
The screws and bits include a ton of rubber grommets to mount the HDDs with, to ensure there is some vibration damping, and Fractal Design even goes so far to include one extra motherboard standoff to replace the central anchoring standoff, in case you want to replace it for one that you can turn a screw into. You’ll also find a screw to secure the tempered-glass side panel for when you need to transport the case without its box. And plenty of zip ties are also included.
Cooling
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Being a mesh-fronted chassis, the Meshify 2 is all about airflow and cooling. Fractal Design includes three 140mm fans from the factory, which will be plenty for the vast majority of builds, with one at the rear exhaust and two as front intake.
You can opt to install another 140mm spinner in the front, three at the top, and two at the bottom intake (with the necessary sacrifices that may take, such as removing the hard drive cage). Alternatively, the same number of 120mm fans fit.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
However, radiators need a little more clearance, so you can fit up to a 120mm radiator at the rear exhaust, 420mm radiator at the top (limited to 360 in the storage layout), a 360mm radiator at the front, and a 140mm radiator at the bottom. Again, note that if you want to maximize radiator space, you’ll have to sacrifice either the biggest size at the top or the biggest size at the front intake to ensure the radiators clear each other.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Dust filters are provided at the top, front and bottom intake, though you may choose to remove the top filter if you’re exhausting here to improve radiator performance without a dust-buildup penalty.
For custom loops, a fill port mount location is provided in the top fan bracket with a 25.4mm (1-inch) diameter.
EKWB has joined forces with Intel to produce the new EK-QuantumX Delta TEC, a thermoelectric waterblock that’s tailored towards the chipmaker’s 10th Generation Comet Lake-S processors.
The EK-QuantumX Delta TEC leverages EKWB’s own EK Quantum cooling engine and Intel’s Cryo Cooling Technology. It would appear that the latter is a complete sub-ambient cooling package that includes hardware, software and firmware. For now, that’s all we know, but we’re reached out to Intel for more information on its Cryo Cooling Technology.
The EK-QuantumX Delta TEC is essentially comprised of two pieces. You have the waterblock itself and then there’s the TEC controller. The waterblock features an all-metal design and standard G1/4 threads. The CNC-machined electrolytic copper cold plates exhibits a large surface with 51 cooling fins to transfer the heat away from the processor.
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EK-QuantumX Delta TEC (Image credit: EKWB)
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EK-QuantumX Delta TEC (Image credit: EKWB)
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EK-QuantumX Delta TEC (Image credit: EKWB)
Condensation is one of the challenges of sub-ambient cooling. To prevent this phenomenon from happening, EKWB incorporated a compact insulation shroud that separates the cool surfaces from the other environmental factors inside the system. Intel’s Cryo Cooling Technology constantly monitors and adapts to the temperatures to reduce the possibility of condensation from happening.
The EK-QuantumX Delta TEC draws power from a conventional 8-pin PCIe power connector. Thermoelectric cooling is notorious for its power inefficiency though. While the EK-QuantumX Delta TEC can cool up to 300W of heat, it does consume up to 200W to do its job.
Understandably, the EK-QuantumX Delta TEC is product of a collaboration with Intel so it’s only compatible with the LGA1200 socket. Its cooling capacity is more than enough for Comet Lake-S. The Core i9-10900K, which is the most power hungry Comet Lake-S chip, has a PL2 (Power Level 2) rating of 250W. Therefore, the EK-QuantumX Delta TEC is likely gearing up for Intel’s forthcoming Rocket Lake processors.
EKWB has already put the EK-QuantumX Delta TEC up for preorder at its online store for $359.99. The watercooling specialist expects to start shipping out orders in early December.
Home/Component/Cooling/EKWB teases watercooling products for Radeon RX 6000 and Ryzen 5000
João Silva 4 hours ago Cooling, Featured Tech News
During the recent Radeon RX 6000 announcement, AMD’s chief architect of gaming solutions, Frank Azor, mentioned that the company is working alongside its partners to develop new cooling solutions for the upcoming AMD products. One of those partners, EKWB, has now teased two waterblocks for both Ryzen and Radeon components.
As announced in EKWB’s tweet, the company is planning to release GPU and CPU waterblocks for the Radeon RX 6000 and Ryzen 5000, respectively. The GPU waterblock comes with a big Radeon logo that appears to feature red lighting, and a smaller AMD logo in the bottom right corner. The CPU block also looks set to feature red LEDs and will also come with the Ryzen logo on display.
EK is rolling out the red carpet for @AMD Radeon RX 6000 Series Graphics cards. Hang tight people and follow AMD and EK on social media channels. More is to come!#ek #AMD #Innovation #technology #passion pic.twitter.com/dDp9RgS8QE
— EK Water Blocks (@EKWaterBlocks) October 29, 2020
During AMD’s announcement of the Radeon RX 6000, Frank Azor presented a slide showcasing other EKWB products. Besides the CPU and GPU waterblocks, this slide included two EKWB Vardar fans with red blades and AMD’s logo in the centre, a distribution plate with AMD’s logo, some fittings, and a dual-fan radiator.
There are no pricing or availability details about EKWB’s cooling solutions for the Ryzen 5000 processors and Radeon RX 6000 graphics cards just yet, but we expect them to launch fairly soon after AMD’s CPU and GPUs hit the market. AMD’s Ryzen 5000 series is slated for release on November 5th, while the Radeon RX 6000 series will be available starting November 18th.
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KitGuru says: Are you thinking about buying a Radeon RX 6000 graphics card and/or a Ryzen 5000 CPU? Would you buy an EKWB block for either product?
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