General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article

CES 2016: Check Out Origin PC's Mini ITX Gaming System, AIO, and More [Video]

Posted: 08 Jan 2016 03:51 PM PST

New lineup for 2016

Origin PC AIO CES

Before leaving Las Vegas and saying goodbye to this year's CES, we met up with Origin PC to see what it has on tap for 2016. One of the rigs it showed us is its new mini ITX Chronos system, which supposedly rocks the world's smallest chassis for the amount of power inside.

It supports up to an Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan X graphics card and houses a liquid cooled Intel X99 Skylake or Xeon platform, up to 32GB of RAM, and four solid state drives plus has room for a mechanical hard drive and an optical drive.

One cool thing about the chassis is that it has magnetic feet that pop off rather easily. Why would you do that? In this case, you can flip the case completely over, or lay it down horizontally. Pretty snazzy.

Origin PC also showed off its upgraded Millennium and Genesis systems with new internal case color options and customizable LEDs. Speaking of which, Origin PC has new software for controlling its lighting scheme, which you can access on your phone as well. Same goes for fan control and accessing system vitals.

We're often asked if it's possible to buy Origin PC's cases by themselves. The answer is yes, though not all the time. It's something the boutique builder has done before and is considering doing again.

Origin PC brought along its new all-in-one gaming system consisting of a 34-inch curved Samsung display. There's quite a bit of horsepower inside this sucker, including a Titan X graphics card.

Finally, we took a look at a prototype laptop from Origin PC. It has a 4K display, Skylake processor, and GTX 980M GPU stuffed inside a thin chassis. It's also incredibly quiet, particularly for how slim it is.

Take a closer look below:

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Eurocom Shows Off Sky DLX7 Notebook

Posted: 08 Jan 2016 01:33 PM PST

There can be only one

Eurocom has been a routine purveyor of high-end—nay, extreme—notebooks for several years, and last year they announced their new Sky X9 offering. Hot on the heels of that beast comes the new Eurocom Sky DLX7, which is sort of the slightly less monstrous version of an incredibly high-end notebook.

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The Sky DLX7 features desktop-class performance, with a socketed LGA1151 CPU (up to i7-6700K at present) that supports overclocking. Graphics is no less impressive, supporting Nvidia's new GTX 980 for notebooks, a fully-enabled GM204 GPU with 8GB GDDR5 clocked at 7GHz (3.5GHz technically, with double data rates). Both the CPU and the GPU are overclockable, though you'll likely end up at slightly lower clocks than on a desktop given power constraints.

We first saw the GTX 980 for notebooks in MSI's awesome GT72S, and we'd expect equally impressive performance here, with the Sky DLX7 taking a slight lead thanks to its higher clocked desktop CPU. Given most games ultimately end up GPU-bound, however, the major differences will come down to aesthetics, battery life, and price.

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Other features include four USB 3.0 ports (one powered), and there's also a USB 3.1 Type-C/Thunderbolt 3 port present. One of the major changes from the X9 is port locations, where the DLX7 has two full-size DisplayPort connections on the back along with a full-size HDMI port, while the Sky X9 had two mini-DP ports on the side with HDMI and USB 3.0 on the back.

And make no mistake: These are definitely not the same notebook. The key differentiator is that the Sky X9 supports dual GPUs, up to SLI GTX 980M, where the DLX7 is basically only configured with a single GTX 980. Thanks to supporting just a single GPU, the DLX7 is also slightly smaller than the X9. There's another difference as well, in that the DLX7 caps the power of the GTX 980 at 180W while the X9 can supply up to 200W to its GTX 980. Of course, since the X9 doesn't support SLI 980 cards (which would require something like a 500W power brick!), for single GPU performance you might prefer the DLX7 design.

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As far as beastly gaming notebooks are concerned, the DLX7 ranks right up there with the best of them. It sports a 17.3-inch display—and praise the technolords, there are now 4K IPS panels available! This is awesome, since unlike 15.6-inch and 14-inch notebooks, you might actually have sufficient GPU power to run games at the native 4K resolution. There's a drawback, unfortunately, and it's that 4K 17.3-inch displays currently jack the price up some $625 dollars, and the DLX7 is only available with a 4k display! The DLX7 also supports up to 64GB of DDR4 memory via four SODIMM slots, two M.2 drives (with SATA or PCIe connectivity, including NVMe for the latter), and two 2.5-inch drives (or one 2.5-inch drive along with an optical drive).

To be clear, both the Sky X9 and Sky DLX7 use a Clevo chassis—the P870DM and P775DM1, respectively—so we expect other vendors will offer similar notebooks. Both the Sky DLX7 and Sky X9 are available to configure and order right now. If we equalize all other components, with an i7-6700K, GTX 980, 4K LCD, 2x8GB DDR4, Windows 10, and a single Samsung 850 Pro 512GB SSD, the Sky X9 costs $4224 while the Sky DLX7 is priced slightly lower at $3963. (You can get the cost of either laptop down quite a bit if you make some changes, though you'll sacrifice performance in the process). Either way, both are definitely in the "dream" category of gaming notebooks.

CES 2016: Asus Maximus VIII Formula Brings the Bling to Skylake [Video]

Posted: 08 Jan 2016 11:45 AM PST

Tricked out motherboard

Asus Maximus VIII Formula CES

Just ahead of CES, Asus announced a new flagship motherboard for Skylake builds, the Maximus VIII Formula. We got a chance to see one in person before zipping out of Las Vegas, along with some of the company's other products.

If it's an LED light show you're after, the Maximus VIII Formula will certainly oblige. Asus decked this thing out with 28 LEDs on the board itself and added a header for off-the-shelf light strips that you would be able to control independently.

There's a lot of armor on the Maximus VIII Formula to prevent it from warping. Asus also includes high end amenities like 802.11ac Wi-Fi, SupremeFX audio, USB 3.1 Type-C connector, and so forth.

The Maximus VIII Formula is available now for $399.

Continuing with the light show, Asus showed off an upcoming keyboard, one with lots of flashing LEDs. It's an RGB light scheme with per-key illumination, all customizable for nifty effects, and Cherry RGB mechanical switches.

More than just peripherals and components, Asus had on display a pre-built gaming machine, the GT51. Pricing will start at $1,699 when it's released later this year.

One interesting feature about the desktop is an accompany NFC wristband. You can use the wristband to unveil a hidden partition on the hard drive, be it a super secret work document or, *ahem*, something of a more adult nature that you don't want others accessing on your PC (porn, folks, we're talking about porn).

Have a look:

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CES 2016: Digital Storm Details Its Revamped Aventum 3 PC [Video]

Posted: 08 Jan 2016 11:27 AM PST

Keeping your cool

Digital Storm Aventum 3 CES

Digital Storm has a new rig in its stable, the Aventum 3, and it's not just a minor revision of the previous model. When we met up with Digital Storm's Darren at CES, he told us that the Aventum 3 was built from the ground up to accommodate the company's HydroLux Pro cooling system and its hard acrylic tubing.

One of the goals was to get rid of all the flexible bends, which Digital Storm says is the root of many of its failures. By using more durable tubing, Digital Storm hopes to minimize any problems related to liquid cooling.

The Aventum 3 is a little smaller than its predecessor, though every bit as high end. If you can think of a configuration (and have the budget for it), Digital Storm will make it happen.

With the ability to host so much high end hardware, Digital Storm doesn't just rely on liquid, but also stuffs a total of 14 fans inside the Aventum 3. You can control them all through software, and also customize the RGB LED color scheme.

Have a look, along with a couple of other liquid systems Digital Storm had on display.

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CES 2016: Zotac's LED GPU Waterblock Shines Bright [Video]

Posted: 08 Jan 2016 11:09 AM PST

Let there be light

Zotac GPU Block CES

Waterblocks aren't overly interesting, not outside of their function, anyway. But with so many parts of a build getting blinged out by manufacturers, it was only a matter of time before a company gave the same treatment to a waterblock. That company is Zotac.

Inside Zotac's booth at CES, we had a chance to see its new LED GPU waterblock. Currently in prototype form, there's just one color option at the moment (blue), though if this becomes a shipping product, others might be added.

One of the things Zotac is trying to figure out is whether to sell it as an add-on part or bundled with a graphics card. Zotac asked us for our opinion, and we're extending the question to you, our readers. So, what do you think? And while you're sounding off, let us know what color option you prefer, in case Zotac decides to offer just a single color.

Zotac also had on display its first PCIe-based NVMe SSD. According to Zotac, it can read data at 2,500MB/s and write data at 1,200MB/s. It should be available by the end of this month, though Zotac is still trying to figure out pricing.

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CES 2016: DeepCool Liquid Cools a Power Supply [Video]

Posted: 08 Jan 2016 10:36 AM PST

Why not?

DeepCool PSU CES

For those of you who remember Home Improvement, you'll recall that Tim "The Toolman" Taylor never once asked why he should mod a lawn mower into a hot rod, instead living by a philosophy of 'Hey, why not?' And so it is with DeepCool, which brought a liquid cooled power supply to CES.

It's a prototype that DeepCool is experimenting with, not selling, at least not just yet. The prototype is an 80 Plus Gold 650W unit that doesn't have a cooling fan. It also lacks the foundation for a liquid cooling setup, like a reservoir or pump. What it does have are two connectors to integrate the PSU into your liquid cooling loop, and presumably water blocks inside for the toasty parts.

At this polnt, DeepCool is gauging interest to see if there's a viable market. Check it out below and feel free to share your thoughts on the concept:

DeepCool also brought along a new liquid cooled case, the Genome. It comes pre-configured with a 360mm radiator setup installed up top and a CPU water block that dangles inside.

Another neat feature of the case is the ability to install your graphics card sideways so that the heatsink/fan faces outward. It's made possible through a PCI-E ribbon cable that DeepCool will sell with the case.

DeepCool says the Genome will retail for about $250.

Check it out:

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CES 2016: HyperX Talks New Headsets and Its First NVMe SSD [Video]

Posted: 08 Jan 2016 10:17 AM PST

Up close with a Predator

HyperX brought its new Predator NVMe SSD to CES. It's HyperX's first NVMe drive and it's fast -- the drive was posting read and write speeds of 2,585MB/s and 1,354MB/s, respectively, at HyperX's booth.

HyperX isn't revealing too many details about the drive just yet, such as what NAND flash memory and controller it's using. However, the company did say it will release 240GB, 480GB, and 960GB capacities in the second quarter, with pricing information to be revealed closer to launch.

HyperX Predator

Moving on from storage, HyperX is expanding its presence in the audio headset market with some new models in store for 2016, both for console players and PC gamers.

One of the new headsets is called Cloud Revolver. It's not a rebadged headset, but one that HyperX designed on its own. It's a top-tier headset with a steel headband sitting above a suspended (and cushioned) headband that moves up and down.

HyperX said it redesigned the microphone with a flexible boom. It's also detachable in case you're out and about and just want to wear a headset for listening to music.

As for sound quality, HyperX says the Cloud Revolver utilizes angled 50mm drivers to direct sound into your ear. The result, according to HyperX, is fuller, more open sound, particularly for gaming where determining an enemy's location is key.

The Cloud Revolver will be available in the second quarter for $120 (MSRP).

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CES 2016: ECS Reveals Tiny Mini STX (Not ITX) Form Factor Mobo [Video]

Posted: 08 Jan 2016 09:49 AM PST

Smaller than mini ITX

ECS Motherboard CES

If you thought mini ITX builds were small, wait until you see ones built around the new mini STX form factor. To give you a glimpse of where things are headed, we coaxed ECS into letting us film and post information about an announced motherboard based on the new tiny form factor, the H110SU-02.

The board is an engineering sample, which basically means it's an early pre-release revision (in other words, some of the specs and even the layout might change between now and release). As currently constructed, it sports a pair of SO-DIMM DDR4 memory slots, two M.2 slots (one for Wi-Fi and bluetooth and one for an SSD), a SATA port, HDMI and DisplayPort output, audio combo jack, two USB 3.0 ports, and a USB 3.1 Type-C port.

In the video you can see that the H110SU-02 is noticeably smaller than a mini ITX motherboard (ECS had one on hand for comparison). If you've ever held an Intel NUC, it's not much bigger than that, though more versatile in terms of being able to service and upgrade all the components.

There's been a definite trend towards smaller size PCs. The appeal of the new mini STX form factor is the ability to build a NUC-sized system that's more powerful, affordable, and fully upgradeable, albeit one that relies on integrated graphics (there's not enough room for a PCI Express x16 slot).

Check it out:

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CES 2016: SteelSeries Shows Highly Customizable Rival 700 Mouse [Video]

Posted: 08 Jan 2016 09:24 AM PST

Swappable sensors, cables, and more

SteelSeries Rival 700 CES

SteelSeries brought a pet mouse to this year's Consumer Electronics Show. It's called the Rival 700, and unlike every other mouse out there, this one sports a customizable onboard OLED display to track things like headshots and other stats. It's just one of many unique features.

Customization is the name of the game here. Not only can you tell the Rival 700 what kind of alerts you want to see on the OLED display, you can swap, change, or mod just about every aspect of the rodent, including its sensor. Say what?

That's right, the Rival 700 has a swappable sensor. It sounds gimmicky, but if SteelSeries can offer upgraded sensors at a reasonable price, gamers who like the feel of the Rival 700 might be compelled to simply upgrade that one part rather than buy a brand new rodent down the line. We'll see.

You can also change the cable from a standard one to a double-length braided cable, add a customizable 3D printed nameplate, and change the back shell (SteelSeries is experimenting with different form factors and materials).

Take a look:

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Alienware Announces Discounted Oculus VR System Bundle

Posted: 08 Jan 2016 12:00 AM PST

Save $200 on the PC and jump to the front of the Rift pre-order line

During a CES dinner today, Alienware revealed that its VR-ready X51 PC will cost $1,200, but if you pre-order it bundled with the Oculus Rift, you'll get a $200 discount on the system (using a discount code) effectively bringing down the total of the system to $1,000. You'll also be able to hop to the front of the Oculus Rift pre-order line in terms of HMD ship date.

Alienware Vr

Alienware's VR X51 will include an i5 CPU, a 970 GPU, and 8GB RAM.

Alienware's VR X51 system's specs include an Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 and an Intel i5-6400 CPU with 8GB of DDR4 RAM. You can find our more about the system here.

Img 20160107 205705

Alienware General Manager Frank Azor sits with Oculus founder Palmer Luckey to discuss the company's commitment to VR.

It's worth mentioning that the current Alienware X51 does not take a standard GTX 970, however. This most likely means that Alienware will either be using a short GTX 970, such as the Asus GTX 970 DirectCU Mini, or will retool the chassis to fit larger cards.

While there isn't a specific release date set for Alienware's VR-ready X51 PC, the company tells us that it will most likely release slightly before the launch of the Oculus Rift. The Rift is scheduled to ship to pre-order customers beginning March 28th.
Posted by Shri Krishna

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