Tech News
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Lexar Launches New Line of PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 SSDs Designed to Enhance Gameplay and Professional Applications
Published: Sunday, April 27, 2025 | By: GuestBuilt to accelerate performance and reduce lag and load times for gamers and creative professionals
San Jose, CA, USA, April 24, 2025—Lexar, a leading global brand of flash memory solutions, is excited to announce the NQ780 M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD and the Professional NM1090 PRO PCIe 5.0 SSD, designed to provide the peak performance needed to keep every game running smoothly.
The Professional NM1090 PRO PCIe 5.0 SSD delivers speeds up to 14,000MB/s read and 13,000MB/s write1 to provide superior performance for professional-grade systems. Its 6nm controller optimizes heat control for more efficient performance and customers can pair it with an AMD Ryzen or Intel i9 processor for a next-level game experience. The drive features DRAM Cache and SLC dynamic cache to greatly enhance data transfer speeds to reduce wait times and improve system responsiveness.
The NQ780 M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD is designed with premium technologies to deliver read/write speeds up to 7000/6000MB/s and to prevent system lags for both games and work applications. A single-sided design and Intelligent Power Control make it perfect for laptops. Plus, the drive comes with the Lexar DiskMaster SSD management tool so users can perform firmware updates and monitor drive health.
“If you’re a casual gamer looking for an upgrade, or a creative professional who needs serious speeds to power through projects, Lexar SSDs are able to deliver the performance to improve any system,” said Joey Lopez, Director of Marketing. “We’re excited to see our range of PCIe storage solutions optimize the systems of students, gamers, professionals, and everyone in between.”
The NQ780 M.2 2290 PCIe Gen 4.4 NVMe SSD is available in 1TB for an MSRP of $79.99, 2TB for an MSRP of $149.99, and 4TB for an MSRP of $289.99.
The Professional NM1090 PRO PCIe 5.0 is available in 1TB for $179.99, 2TB for an MSRP of $269.99, and 4TB coming this summer.Key Features of Professional NM1090 PRO PCIe 5.0 SSD- Provides speeds up to 14,000MB/s read, 13,000MB/s write
- A powerful 6nm controller optimizes heat control for efficient performance
- DRAM-based with SLC dynamic cache to improve performance and reduce latency
Key Features of NQ780 PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD- High performance meets exceptional value
- Delivers read/write speeds up to 7000/6000MB/s
- HMB and SLC cache technologies improve performance and user experience and reduce latency
Availability
Lexar NQ780 M.2 PCIe Gen 4.4: Amazon
Lexar Professional NM1090 PRO PCIe 5.0 SSD: Amazon
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Colorful iGame B860M Ultra V20 Review @ TechPowerUp
Published: Saturday, April 26, 2025 | By: GuestTechPowerUp reviewed the Colorful iGame B860M Ultra V20, a microATX motherboard built on Intel's B860 chipset, aiming to deliver strong value and modern connectivity at a sub-$200 price point. Priced at just $165, it’s tailored for Intel's new Core Ultra Series 2 (Arrow Lake) processors and comes with a feature-rich layout, including support for DDR5-9200 (OC), PCIe Gen 5 graphics, and a Gen 5 M.2 slot. The board’s silver-white aesthetic and sizable heatsinks offer both form and function, making it a good fit for small form factor builds without sacrificing style or thermal performance. TechPowerUp highlighted its appeal in cases like the Lian Li A3-mATX and ASUS Prime AP201, where microATX boards can deliver great bang for the buck.
"It's great to see a reasonably solid motherboard from a motherboard manufacturer outside the usual crowd of four, and the good news is that the Colorful iGame B860M Ultra V20 didn't fail completely in any area. As you'd expect for a lesser known brand and very reasonably priced motherboard, there have certainly been cuts, and a few parts that are in need of improvement before we'd consider going as far as an award."
Functionally, the B860M Ultra V20 doesn’t support CPU overclocking due to chipset limitations, but it compensates with robust connectivity and smart layout decisions. It includes Wi-Fi 7, 2.5G Ethernet, USB4 (40 Gbps), multiple high-speed USB ports, and Realtek ALC1220 audio—features not often found together in this price segment. The board also impressed in tests with its stable performance and effective power delivery via a 12-phase VRM. While it lacks premium extras like debug LEDs or onboard buttons, the overall value proposition is clear. For users building a next-gen Intel system on a budget, TechPowerUp sees the iGame B860M Ultra V20 as a well-rounded, feature-dense option that delivers far more than its modest price suggests.
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Scythe Shuriken 3 CPU Cooler Review @ ThinkComputers.org
Published: Saturday, April 26, 2025 | By: GuestThinkComputers wrapped up their review of the Scythe Shuriken 3 CPU cooler by emphasizing its niche appeal—this is a cooler designed specifically for ultra-compact systems. With a height of just 39mm, it’s ideal for builds under 13 liters in volume, such as the Fractal Design Terra, where vertical clearance is extremely limited. The low-profile design ensures it won’t interfere with other components like RAM, M.2 slots, or VRM heatsinks. Though small, it manages to handle a Ryzen 5 9600X without exceeding thermal limits, and Scythe includes optional mounting screws for users who want to upgrade the stock 16mm fan to a more standard 25mm one.
"Finding a good air cooler for a small form factor or low-profile build can be hard. Many coolers that are made for small form factor systems still have a lot of clearance issues and some can be extremely hard to install. Scythe wants to solve that with their Shuriken 3. The Shuriken 3 is only 39mm tall (including the fan) making it one of the smallest CPU coolers that we've ever reviewed! The big question is will it actually provide enough cooling power? Read on as we find out!"
That said, the review cautions against pairing the Shuriken 3 with anything above a mid-range (5-class) CPU, as its thermal performance isn’t suited for high-end workloads. While installation is straightforward—even with the motherboard already mounted—the thermal paste comes in a less convenient packet instead of a syringe. Priced at $39.99, it’s a solid option for small form factor builders on a budget, offering one of the most compact cooling solutions available. ThinkComputers ultimately awarded the Shuriken 3 a 7 out of 10, noting that while performance is modest, its size and compatibility make it a valuable choice for tight spaces.
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Corsair VOID Wireless v2 Wireless Gaming Headset Review @ APH Networks
Published: Friday, April 25, 2025 | By: GuestAPH Networks reviewed the Corsair VOID Wireless v2, highlighting its appeal for gamers seeking a lightweight, breathable, and highly versatile headset. The VOID Wireless v2 supports both RF wireless and Bluetooth connections, making it compatible with PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. Equipped with 50mm neodymium drivers, it offers Dolby Atmos spatial audio, a 70-hour battery life, and a comfortable design with breathable cushioning—ideal for long gaming sessions, especially in warmer environments. The review appreciates Corsair's updated packaging and notes the headset's strong first impression with its clean design and broad device compatibility.
The Corsair VOID Wireless v2 is a lightweight and comfortable wireless RGB LED gaming headset, but its sound tuning can be improved to make it perform better in-game.
When it came to performance, the headset delivered solid audio quality with clear mids and strong bass, while the omnidirectional microphone provided acceptable voice clarity for in-game chat and calls. The physical controls, such as the volume wheel and USB-C charging port, were easy to use, though the headset lacked some premium features like active noise cancellation. Nonetheless, its lightweight frame (303g), long battery life, and multi-platform support make it a great all-rounder. APH Networks concludes that the VOID Wireless v2 is a well-priced and comfortable option for users who prioritize extended wireless freedom, cross-platform flexibility, and immersive spatial sound.
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The Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti EAGLE OC ICE 16GB Graphics Card @ Funky Kit
Published: Thursday, April 24, 2025 | By: GuestFunky Kit reviewed the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti EAGLE OC ICE, a sleek, all-white graphics card powered by NVIDIA’s latest Blackwell GB206 GPU. With 16GB of ultra-fast GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit interface, and clock speeds reaching 2.61GHz, the card is designed for high-performance 1080p gaming. It includes 4th Gen RT cores and 5th Gen Tensor cores, fully supporting DLSS 4 for AI-enhanced visuals. The reviewer highlighted the stylish dual-fan cooler, solid build quality, and accessible pricing, noting it as a great fit for gamers who value both performance and a modern aesthetic.
" ... The Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 EAGLE OC ICE 16G graphics card is a great choice for mainstream users who wants an affordable GPU, for 1080p gaming at high refresh rates with a compatible monitor. It comes with an aesthetically pleasing all-white design, and offers decent performance that easily beats the previous-gen RTX 4060 Ti by quite a wide margin. "
In real-world testing, the 5060 Ti EAGLE OC ICE performed well across AAA titles and synthetic benchmarks, holding its own in demanding scenarios. The cooling system kept noise and thermals under control, while power draw remained modest thanks to the 8-pin PCIe connector. Funky Kit noted that the card’s 16GB VRAM provides future-proofing for memory-heavy games and content creation. While not a powerhouse for 4K or maxed-out ray tracing, the card strikes a strong balance for 1080p and light 1440p use. Overall, it’s a well-rounded option for budget-conscious gamers wanting the latest generation features in a refined, icy-white design.
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be quiet! Pure Power 12 1000W Power Supply Review @ APH Networks
Published: Thursday, April 24, 2025 | By: GuestAPH Networks recently reviewed the be quiet! Pure Power 12 1000W power supply, a budget-friendly unit that delivers solid performance for its price point. This ATX 3.1-compliant PSU offers 1000W of continuous power with an 80 PLUS Gold efficiency rating, ensuring reliable energy delivery for most gaming and productivity setups. The unit features a quiet 120mm rifle-bearing fan and a fully modular design, facilitating clean cable management. Internally, it utilizes a single 820µF 400V capacitor rated at 85°C and employs a dual +12V rail configuration, which may not be ideal for high-end overclocking but suffices for standard use. The PSU includes a 600W 12VHPWR connector, making it compatible with modern GPUs. While the internal components are of decent quality, they are not top-tier, reflecting the unit's budget-oriented nature. ?
"The be quiet! Pure Power 12 1000W power supply is a reasonable offering for a unit of this power output and efficiency class."
In testing, the Pure Power 12 1000W demonstrated good voltage regulation, with all outputs remaining within 4% of their nominal values under minimal load. The power supply operates quietly, with noise levels rated at 1.5 out of 10 under moderate loads, thanks to its conservative fan curve. However, it lacks a zero RPM fan mode, which might be a consideration for users seeking absolute silence. The unit's active power factor correction ensures a power factor approaching 0.99 under nominal load, contributing to its efficiency. While the PSU does not feature Japanese capacitors and has an older multiple 12V rail design, it offers a 10-year warranty, doubling the coverage of previous models. Priced at approximately $165, the be quiet! Pure Power 12 1000W provides a reasonable balance between cost and performance for users with mid-range power requirements.
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ASUS GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Prime OC 16 GB @ TechPowerUp
Published: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | By: GuestTechPowerUp reviewed the ASUS GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Prime 16 GB graphics card, an upper mid-range GPU built on NVIDIA’s latest Ada Lovelace architecture. Designed with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory and a 128-bit memory bus, the card aims to offer future-proofing for gamers focused on 1080p and some 1440p performance. The review praises its clean, understated design that deviates from ASUS’s typical gamer aesthetics, making it a more neutral choice for mainstream PC builds. Power efficiency is another standout aspect, with the card drawing only around 160 watts under full load, keeping temperatures and fan noise minimal.
The ASUS GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB Prime OC sits one level below the TUF, which makes it more affordable. Surprisingly, it comes with the best cooler of all RTX 5060 Ti cards tested, and it's also the quietest model when its "quiet" BIOS is activated.
In terms of real-world performance, the RTX 5060 Ti Prime performs well in 1080p gaming, delivering strong frame rates across a wide range of modern titles. While its ray tracing capabilities have improved over previous generations, it still lags behind higher-tier Ada cards in raw performance. TechPowerUp also points out that while the extra VRAM is appreciated, the card’s limited memory bandwidth can become a bottleneck in certain workloads. Overall, the RTX 5060 Ti Prime 16 GB is seen as a well-balanced option for gamers who prioritize efficiency, quiet operation, and sufficient power for today’s AAA titles without jumping into enthusiast pricing territory.
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Colorful RTX 5060 Ti NB EX Review @ Vortez
Published: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | By: GuestVortez's review of the Colorful RTX 5060 Ti NB EX introduces NVIDIA's latest Blackwell-based GPU, featuring 8GB of GDDR7 memory and delivering up to 19 teraflops of processing power. The card boasts a sleek design with a slim two-slot cooler and dual 90mm fans, ensuring efficient cooling in a compact form factor. The inclusion of RGB lighting adds a touch of flair, appealing to gamers who value both performance and aesthetics.
The RTX 5060 Ti takes things a step further, boasting 4,608 CUDA cores and offering configurations with either 8GB or 16GB of GDDR7 memory. NVIDIA claims the enhanced Blackwell cores in the Ti model provide an additional 6 teraflops of raw power over the base 5060, which should translate to a meaningful performance boost in real-world gaming.?
In performance tests, the RTX 5060 Ti NB EX demonstrates significant improvements over its predecessors, offering enhanced ray tracing capabilities and DLSS support. The card maintains stable temperatures under load, thanks to its effective cooling solution. Vortez concludes that the Colorful RTX 5060 Ti NB EX is a compelling choice for gamers seeking next-generation performance in a compact and stylish package.
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LIAN LI Refreshes LANCOOL 207 with 6-inch LCD Display
Published: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | By: GuestLIAN LI Industrial Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of chassis and PC accessories, unveils the LANCOOL 207 Digital, a clever approach to rethinking the layout of an ATX case. It is now equipped with a 6-inch customizable LCD display to personalize and monitor CPU and GPU temperatures, etc. The chassis maintains an optimized front-mounted PSU design, pre-installed high-performance fans, and extensive cooling support, the LANCOOL 207 Digital offers a sleek and functional solution for PC builders at an affordable price of $109.99.
Personalized 6-inch LCD Display
The LANCOOL 207 Digital features a 6-inch LCD display seamlessly integrated into the front panel's base, providing both functionality and personalization. The screen boasts a 720x1600 resolution, a 60 Hz refresh rate, and a brightness of 500 nits, ensuring crisp and vivid visuals. Controlled through L-Connect 3 software, users can monitor their system’s CPU, GPU, and fan performance metrics at a quick glance. They also can select from dynamic backgrounds and pre-made displays that are fully customizable with personal videos or background images to match their setup's aesthetic. In addition to customization, the display also serves as a secondary screen via a USB connection, offering added versatility for multitasking or system monitoring. In Offline mode, the LCD remains functional even when the system is powered off, displaying the time and date for continuous utility.Unique Motherboard and PSU Layout
Retaining its predecessor's innovative internal layout, the LANCOOL 207 Digital features a recessed motherboard design and a front-mounted PSU, optimizing space utilization and airflow within the chassis. This configuration maximizes clearance for high-end GPUs and keeps the case size to a minimum while providing easy access to the PSU ports, streamlining the building experience for both novice and experienced PC enthusiasts.Enhanced Airflow Design
Same as the LANCOOL 207, the LANCOOL 207 Digital is designed with great cooling right out of the box, featuring two pre-installed 140mm high-airflow PWM fans at the front and two 120mm PWM fans at the bottom to ensure immediate heat dissipation to the GPU. Furthermore, the case supports up to a 360mm radiator at the top, providing ample options for liquid cooling enthusiasts to maximize their thermal performance.Availability
The LANCOOL 207 Digital is available on April 18th, 2025, in black only, with an MSRP of $109.99. -
be quiet! Silent Loop 3 Liquid CPU Cooler Review @ ThinkComputers
Published: Monday, April 21, 2025 | By: GuestThe review article on ThinkComputers.org evaluates the Be Quiet! Silent Loop 3 liquid CPU cooler, highlighting its design, performance, and features. The cooler is praised for its quiet operation, efficient cooling capabilities, and high-quality construction. The reviewer notes the inclusion of a decoupled pump and a refill port, which contribute to its silent performance and ease of maintenance. Additionally, the cooler's aesthetic appeal, with its sleek design and subtle lighting, is commended.
"It has been a while since our last AIO review here at ThinkComputers, but we are back, and with a whole new test bench! We will get into the new test bench details a bit later, because the focus of this latest review is the be quiet! Silent Loop 3. Available in 240mm, 360mm, and 420mm versions, the Silent Loop 3 lineup of coolers packs together many of be quiet!'s latest advancements into a single platform. From the use of Silent Wings 4 PWM fans, to RGB pump lighting, and the ability to refill the loop's coolant with the included extra liquid, the Silent Loop 3 has a lot going for it. Our review sample is of the 360mm flavor, so without any more delay let's jump right into it."
In terms of performance, the Silent Loop 3 demonstrates impressive thermal management, maintaining low CPU temperatures even under heavy loads. The installation process is described as straightforward, with clear instructions and necessary mounting hardware provided. The review concludes that the Be Quiet! Silent Loop 3 is a reliable and efficient liquid CPU cooler, suitable for users seeking quiet operation without compromising on cooling performance.
