| Cooler Master HAF Stacker Breaks New Ground as World's First Stackable Mod Tower Posted: 30 Aug 2013 12:33 PM PDT  A unique take on case design
Cooler Master just earned itself a bazillion creativity points for coming up with the HAF Stacker Series, otherwise known as the world's first stackable "mod tower," if you will. In its simplest form, the HAF Stacker Series is a collection of individual cases, but that description doesn't do justice to what Cooler Master's created here. Cooler Master's modular concept in case design gives system builders the opportunity to get creative with a single PC or multiple PC setups in a variety of ways. "Available in three distinct models, the HAF Stacker Series features a full tower HAF 935 configuration consisting of the HAF 915R and HAF 925, M-ITX HAF 915R, and M-ITX HAF 915F," Cooler Master explains. "Each base configuration offers unique features and benefits that allow them to be standalone cases that stand out on their own merit while being stackable with other models in the series for expanded functionality." To make the cases stackable, Cooler Master employs a patent pending rail system that it says was inspired by a military picatinny rail that allows users to attach and remove each piece in two "easy and secure" steps. 
Cooler Master's HAF Stacker Series will be available in the fourth quarter of this year. Price will vary by region, Cooler Master says. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Windows 9 and Windows 10 Rumors Already Making the Rounds Posted: 30 Aug 2013 09:10 AM PDT  Looking ahead to the next versions of Windows
We're still waiting for Windows 8.1 to roll out to the masses, which will introduce a host of new features to arguably Microsoft's most controversial version of Windows to date. Is it too early to start looking ahead to what comes next? Not according to a Russian message board where a user called WZOR claims to have the inside scoop. This isn't the first time WZOR has leaked information about Microsoft's plans. According to Winbeta.org, WZOR "has been behind countless Microsoft information leaks," so there's at least a minor amount of credibility here. That said, WZOR says not to expect too many changes in Windows 9. For the most part, it will be similar to Windows 8/8.1, though Microsoft will bring back the old Aero interface, just not as we know it. Beyond that, he didn't offer up any additional details. As for Windows 10, WZOR says it will be a cloud OS. That would be a drastic change, though not completely surprising since Microsoft's placed so much effort into the cloud already with its Office 365 suite and SkyDrive storage, among other services. By the time Windows 10 comes out, it might not be such a giant leap. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Corsair Uncages Raptor K30 Gaming Keyboard Posted: 30 Aug 2013 07:13 AM PDT  This Raptor won't bite your hand
Any experienced gamer can get by with an ordinary keyboard, but where's the fun in that? It's not as though there's a shortage of gaming planks in the wild, and in fact the category just grew by one more with the introduction of Corsair's Raptor K30 Gaming Keyboard. The K30 helps you set opponents up for the kill with half a dozen dedicated, programmable G-keys capable of storing up to 18 presets. You can cycle through three sets of macro presets by mashing the trio of "M" keys. When you're finished configuring the plank, you can store your settings in the keyboard's onboard memory. That means the settings go wherever the keyboard goes. 
Corsair also built in red backlighting with three illumination settings, game-optimized anti-ghosting circuitry, and easy access multimedia controls, including play, pause, skip tracks, and volume adjustment. The Raptor K30 Gaming Keyboard is available now for $60 MSRP. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| EVGA Tries Wooing Budget Builders with 600B Bronze Power Supply Posted: 30 Aug 2013 06:02 AM PDT  Budget PSU brings home the bronze
The power supply might be the single most under appreciated component in a system build (don't go generic, folks), but at the same time, that doesn't mean you should overspend on way more power than you need. If you're putting together a budget build, EVGA hopes you'll consider its new 600B, a 600W PSU with 80 Plus Bronze certification, meaning it's over 80 percent efficient at typical loads. EVGA's newest PSU is ready for Haswell with full support for C6/C7 idle mode. It's also ready to power not just entry-level builds, but modest setups as well by loading up a single +12V rail with 49A (588W). 
The 600B isn't modular and you won't find a ton of connectors to play with. It has a main 24-pin ATX connector, 12-pin EPS cable, a single 6+2 PCI-E cable, two SATA cables with three connectors each, a 4-pin cable with three connectors, and a floppy cable. EVGA's 600B is available now for $70 MSRP. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Newegg Daily Deals: Razer DeathStalker Ultimate Elite Gaming Keyboard, HP 23-inch LCD, and More! Posted: 30 Aug 2013 04:50 AM PDT |
