Well it’s been a little while since we posted some news because we’ve been busy with projects, reviews and vacations, so let’s get caught up on what’s been happening in the world of tech!
AquaComputer released some pics of their Titan X waterblock – As usual it comes in copper, nickel and nickel/plexi and there are optional backplates including the awesome active one:
If you saw our 980 block review on the AquaComputer you’ll know that the backplate caused some compatibility problems. We have been told that these will be resolved on this version!
Koolance also launched a Titan block:
For the first time (and we like to take credit for pushing for this) they will also be offering a backplate:
Hopefully those ribs won’t cause any compatability issues.
EK of course have been busy also releasing a Titan block:
This features the same core design as the 980 block which won the gold in our 980 roundup. As usual there are a ton of different versions. EK also launched a block for the 980 Classified K|ngp|n edition.
Don’t hold out for a Hydrocopper because there will not be one for this card sadly. Despite EK’s alliance with EVGA to make the hydrocopper blocks it seems the relationship is poorly communicated as EK’s blocks for this same K|ngp|n edition and the 970 SSC became incompatible after EVGA changed the design. Users may need to modify their board which EVGA have verified will not invalidate their warranty. EK have since changed the designs to be compatible.
Now if EK are launching more waterblocks then of course we expect Bitspower to do the same. PPCs have their Titan X block listed, but the pics are the same as the K|ngp|n edition block:
After their success with the Heatkiller IV Pro, Watercool will be launching 980 and Titan X blocks using the same cooling engine design. We expect this to do very well! We don’t have pics yet but hopefully they’ll continue with the plexi versions like this 290x block:
Watercool also have launched a nice top for D5 style pumps:
While XSPC have not shown their Titan X block yet, they haven’t been idle. Instead they have launched new hardline fittings, PETG (yay) tube and some bending tools:
Deepcool also finally launched their TriStellar case that CyberPowerPC heaviliy featured at CES this year:
While it’s pretty cool looking it’s not very space efficient. Each “blade” stores in turn a mITX board, a GPU + HDDs and a PSU. The CPU cooling has space for a small AIO unit but we can’t imagine temps will be great:
NZXT on the other hand launched the H450 Noctis – this reuses the H440 chassis but wraps it in new plastic. The new plastic means that fans will be able to breath easier and also be fitted on the outside of the internal metal chassis. This means additional radiator clearance which is good news for water coolers as the H440 could only fit slim radiators:
As usual with NZXT products it would look right at home on the Death Star.
There’s not too much hardware news while we wait for the 390x/980TI/broadwell, but Asrock has been introducing some cool mITX boards. I’ve been whining for a few years now wanting an overclockable X79 or X99 board for workstation use. Well Asrock delivered, partly, twice. With these power hungry quad channel boards it’s very hard to fit everything in the mITX form factor. Either you lose VRMs, DIMM slots, full size DIMMs or you grow the board. I’ve been wanting to grow the board and not compromise – imagine mATX with the bottom three slots cut off. However Asrock kept the form factor the same and gave two options:
The first is an overclockable mITX board that ditches two channels of memory and requires a narrow style cooler for the CPU. I wouldn’t be expecting great overclocks from this badboy, but if you want a small lightly overclocked 8 core CPU this might just be the way to go. The second option is firmly targeted at the server market:
It’s a server grade board (hence the very different output ports) and seems to be design to work with a 1U chassis. In order to keep the quad channel memory SO-DIMMs are used. We can expect there to be no real overclocking supported here. However with the right CPU, perhaps a tasty 18 core chip, it could still be a tiny powerhouse.
Lastly we had previously announced GSkill had launched the first 8x16GB DDR4 kit, well Kingston have upped the ante by launching the “fastest” 8x16GB DDR4 kit) – clocking at 3000MTs CL16 this beast will certainly challenge your CPU’s memory controller. Expect the price to be high when these finally arrive:
Corsair also jumped on the 128GB kit bandwagon by announcing 2400 and 2666MTs kits. Unlike everyone else they even listed a price. Yes they are not cheap. $2000 will get you Dominator Platinums of the lower speed.
