| Cooler Master's Silencio 652S and 352 PC Cases Set Sail for North America Posted: 04 Nov 2014 01:54 PM PST  ¡Silencio, por favor!
Cooler Master dropped us a note today to let us know that two of its newer Silencio cases are headed to North America. Specifically, Cooler Master's Silencio 652S and 352 enclosures will be available soon, in case you're looking to build a quiet system. Both cases utilize sound dampening material on the panels and both are capable of mounting at least one 240mm radiator. The Silencio 652S is a mid-tower ATX chassis that measures 20 inches by 8.7 inches by 20 inches. It comes with two 120mm Silencio fans up front with a single one installed in the back. For liquid cooling duties, you can fit a 240mm radiator at the front and/or up top, and a 120mm radiator on the back. It also supports up to 10 solid state drives and nine hard disk drives, along with CPU coolers up to 168mm tall and graphics cards up to 16.6 inches long. For smaller builds, the Silencio 352 will accept micro-ATX and mini-ITX motherboards. It measures 17.8 inches by 7.8 inches by 14.9 inches, and in addition to having room for a 240mm at the front, it can also accommodate a 120mm radiator on the back. For air cooling chores, it comes with front and rear 120mm XtraFlo fans. It can hold up to four SSDs and three HDDs. Compared to its larger sibling, there's a little less room CPU coolers (up to 155mm tall) and graphics cards (up to 14 inches). No word yet on price. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Newegg Daily Deals: Samsung 840 Evo 250GB SSD, AMD FX-8350 Black Edition Vishera, and More! Posted: 04 Nov 2014 10:49 AM PST |
| AMD Rumored to Relaunch Radeon R9 290X with 8GB of GDDR5 Memory Posted: 04 Nov 2014 10:31 AM PST  Is 8GB the new 4GB?
While still a rumor until we catch wind of an official statement or product, there are multiple reports that AMD is planning to launch a version of its Radeon R9 290X graphics card with a massive 8GB of GDDR5 memory on-board. We've actually already seen this with Sapphire earlier this year, though it appears AMD wants to see more hardware partners offer an 8GB SKU, including MSI, hence the upcoming relaunch. Over at videocardz.com, there's a press photo of an MSI Radeon R9 290X Gaming graphics card advertised as having 8GB of memory (it appears on the side of the box). Granted, it could be a fancy Photoshop job, but with so much smoke -- plus Sapphire already having paved a path -- there's a good chance we'll see fire. Other companies that have been named in the rumor include Club3D and PowerColor. If true, the good thing about having several vendors jump on board is that there's likely to be some price competition for what would otherwise be a niche product. Why 8GB? It could be in response to separate rumors suggesting Nvidia is planning to launch 8GB versions of its Maxwell-based GeForce GTX 970 and 980 graphics cards. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Nvidia Entices Gamers to Upgrade with 'Pick Your Path' Free Game Offer Posted: 04 Nov 2014 10:06 AM PST  Pick your path, not your nose
Graphics card vendors often turn to free game bundles as way to lure players to their wares, and we're all for it -- if vendors want to throw free software at us for upgrading, then so be it! We bring this up because Nvidia has sweet-talked Ubisoft into letting gamers who purchase a qualifying GeForce GTX graphics card receive a free game as part of its "Pick Your Path" promotion. GPUs that quality for the offer include the GeForce GTX 780, 780 Ti, 970, and 980. Alternately, if you pick up a notebook rocking a GeForce GTX 970M or 980M inside, it also qualifies. You can then choose to receive a download code for The Crew, Far Cry 4, or Assassin's Creed Unity at no extra cost. "Each game is an excellent example of our GameWorks technology at work. By integrating technologies such as HBAO+ for realistic shadows and TXAA for cinema quality smoothness and enhanced 4K support, Ubisoft delivers games that push the industry forward," Nvidia said in a blog post. The purchase must be made from a participating retailer, e-tailer, or system builder. To find out more, or to redeem your code, visit Nvidia's Pick Your Path portal. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Logitech G302 Daedalus Prime MOBA Gaming Mouse Features Quick Click Action Posted: 04 Nov 2014 09:25 AM PST  It's all about the buttons
We don't envy PC gaming peripheral makers trying to come up with new ways of differentiating their products from a crowded field of gear, but lest any of them think about throwing in the white flag, Logitech proved there are still new angles to exploit. How so? Logitech's new G302 Daedalus Prime MOBA gaming mouse wields a metal spring tensioning system that's supposed to improve left and right click responsiveness. Yes, Logitech is pitching faster and more accurate click action, claiming the buttons are capable of registering up to five clicks per second to keep up with your rapid fire style of game play. "This can sometimes be the difference between winning or losing an important game," Logitech says. And carpal tunnel, but we won't go there. For what it's worth, Logitech says the G302 Daedalus Prime MOBA was designed for and tested by professional gamers, including players from Team SoloMid, Cloud9, CJ Entus Frost, CJ Entus Blaze, and Invictus Gaming. Getting to the meat of the mouse, this lightweight rodent sports half a dozen programmable buttons, four DPI settings ranging from 240 to 4000 that can be accessed on-the-fly, a compact shape, and low friction feet. The Logitech G302 Daedalus Prime MOBA will be available sometime this month for $50 MSRP. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Acer Switch 12 is a Five-in-One Convertible Driven by an Intel Core M Processor Posted: 04 Nov 2014 08:51 AM PST  One device, five modes
Acer today expanded its Switch line introduced earlier this year with the introduction of the Switch 12, a 12.5-inch Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) hybrid laptop with five distinct modes (notebook, tablet/pad, display, tent, and desktop). Powering the IPS display with Zero Air Gap direct bonding technology is an Intel Core M processor, though Acer isn't yet providing specific details on the choice of CPU. The Switch 12 sports a unique kickstand design with a magnetic and latch-free detachable keyboard. This is what allows the Switch 12 to transition into five different use case scenarios, so you can use it as a traditional laptop, tablet with or without a keyboard, desktop PC, regular display, or in a tent configuration. Obviously Acer is taking some liberties here with pitching the device as a five-in-one hybrid, though we won't deny it's certainly a shape shifter. 
Details on specs and configuration options are rather light at the moment, though not totally non-existent. Acer says the Switch 12 will come with 60GB or 128GB SSD options. It will also feature micro USB 3.0 ports and micro HDMI ports, have a battery life of up to 8 hours, and presumably run Windows 8.1. The Switch 12 will be available in the U.S. and Canada in early 2015. Pricing has not yet been determined. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| HP Sends a Thin and Light 'Omen' Laptop into the Gaming Community Posted: 04 Nov 2014 07:39 AM PST  Gaming DNA comes to the forefront
HP isn't doing much with its Voodoo brand these days, but at the same time, it hasn't completely forgotten about gamers. Witness the new HP Omen, a svelte gaming laptop designed to handle triple-A titles without all the bulk of a desktop replacement. It has a 15.6-inch IPS display with a Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) resolution that's powered by an Intel Core i7 4710HQ processor, 8GB of DDR3L-1600 RAM, and Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M graphics. "Gamers told us they want uncompromised performance in a device that looks good and is designed for portability," said Mike Nash, vice president, Product Management, Consumer Personal Systems, HP. "The HP OMEN delivers the performance that today's triple-A titles demand and the features to enable customized game play, all in a package that looks great and can be easily carried." Other hardware and features include a 128GB solid state drive, four USB 3.0 ports (all supporting USB Boost), a mini DisplayPort, HDMI output, headphone/microphone combo jack, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, media card reader, 1080p webcam with dual digital microphones, dual speakers with BeatsAudio, and Windows 8.1. 
The thin (19.9mm) and light (4.68 pounds) chassis is CNC milled from solid aluminum and anodized with a black finish. HP also added a custom chrome hinge designed to elevate the display out of the way of hot exhaust air. Cooling chores are further aided by dual fans that pull cool air through the bottom of the system. HP's Omen laptop is available now starting at $1,500. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
