Components
Here’s Everything You Need to Know About the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
The successor to the Snapdragon 653 is finally here and it’s called the Snapdragon 660. Qualcomm made the switch to the 14nm manufacturing node with the Snapdragon 820, which started rolling out at the beginning of 2016. The company also made the 14nm node accessible to the mid-range segment with the Snapdragon 625, the successor to the Snapdragon 617. The 14 FinFET node allowed for vastly increased efficiency, with the SD625 consuming 35% less energy when compared to the 28nm SD617.
As a result, the Snapdragon 625 turned out to be extremely popular, powering everything from the $150 Redmi Note 4 to the $500 BlackBerry KEYone. Looking ahead to the latter half of 2017, Qualcomm has rolled out key updates to the Snapdragon 600 series with two new chipsets — the Snapdragon 630 and the Snapdragon 660.
The Snapdragon 630 is the direct successor to the Snapdragon 625, offering 30% faster cores, support for Bluetooth 5, a faster LTE modem, USB 3.1 with USB-C, a new ISP, and Quick Charge 4.0. The Snapdragon 660 is the more interesting of the two, as it is the successor to the Snapdragon 653. The Snapdragon 660 is designed to bring flagship-class performance to the mid-range segment, with Qualcomm rolling out a slew of updates.
The chipset features custom Kryo cores — a first for this segment, a new Adreno 512 GPU, Snapdragon X12 LTE modem with download speeds of 600Mbps and 3x carrier aggregation, Wi-Fi ac with 2×2 MU-MIMO, a Spectra 160 image signal processor, Bluetooth 5, Quick Charge 4.0, and USB 3.1. Qualcomm is touting a 20% increase in performance when compared to the SD653 from the new Kryo 260 cores, and a 30% uptick for the GPU.
There’s no information on the underlying ARM core the Kryo 260 is based on, but it’s likely Qualcomm is using a semi-custom design, much like what it did with the Kryo 280 on the Snapdragon 835. The core configuration is split into two sectors — performance and efficiency, with the former featuring four 2.2GHz cores and the latter four 1.8GHz cores.
The Spectra 160 is particularly interesting, as it enables a lot of camera experiences that have thus far been limited to flagship chipsets. The ISP supports hybrid autofocus, dual rear camera setups (up to 16MP for each imaging sensor), dual photodiode autofocus, smooth optical zoom, and EIS for video.
Components
CORSAIR Intros MP700 ELITE Series PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSDs
CORSAIR has announced the immediate release of the MP700 ELITE series of PCIe 5.0 SSDs. These new drives bring the next generation of storage technologies to mainstream markets, offering incredible performance and reliability at a more affordable price point.
The MP700 ELITE boasts incredible sequential read speeds of up to 10,000MB/sec and sequential write speeds of up to 8,500MB/sec, powered by the cutting-edge PCIe 5.0 x4 controller. This leap in performance ensures users can experience faster boot times, quicker game loads, and seamless file transfers, taking their overall computing experience to new heights.
Featuring High-Density 3D TLC NAND, the MP700 ELITE series provides the perfect blend of performance and endurance, keeping your system running smoothly for years. With support for Microsoft DirectStorage, these drives can communicate directly with your graphics card, significantly reducing load times for compatible games and enhancing gameplay.
Utilizing the compact M.2 2280 form factor, the MP700 ELITE is available both with a heatsink for desktop motherboards, and also without a heatsink for use with integrated motherboard cooling and in compatible laptops. Moreover, backward compatibility with PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0 platforms ensures that a wide range of users can benefit from this advanced technology. A PCIe 5.0 platform, such as Intel’s 800-series or AMD’s 800-series is required for the highest throughput.
With a comprehensive five-year warranty and the CORSAIR SSD Toolbox software for advanced drive management, the MP700 ELITE series stands as a testament to CORSAIR’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. The CORSAIR MP700 ELITE series is available in 1TB and 2TB capacities.
Components
Cooler Master Releases the MasterLiquid 360 Ion White
Cooler Master, a leading provider of PC components, gaming peripherals, and tech lifestyle solutions, has today announced the release of the MasterLiquid 360 Ion White, an all-new colourway for their premium liquid cooler. This flagship AIO cooler features the company’s first LCD display and showcases the most advanced cooling technology to date.
Key features and benefits of the MasterLiquid 360 Ion White include:
- Gen X Dual Chamber Design: Dual chambers work together for the most efficient cooling.
- 2.1-inch IPS LCD Screen: The pump features a 2.1-inch LCD screen, fully customizable via the MasterCTRL software.
- Mobius 120P ARGB Fans: Equipped with three white Mobius 120P ARGB fans for unmatched cooling performance.
- Personalization and Compatibility: Built-in features such as controllable ARGB lighting and automatic PWM adjustment are compatible with all major motherboards and allow for in-depth personalization.
- Easier Installation: Preinstalled Mobius 120P ARGB fans and a simplified bracket design make installation simpler and faster.
The MasterLiquid 360 Ion White is the liquid cooler to watch for in the next generation of PC building. With the ideal combination of flagship performance and customization possibilities, as well as an all-white aesthetic for an entirely different look, the Ion is a cooling powerhouse you just can’t look away from.
Components
CORSAIR Launches the NAUTILUS RS and NAUTILUS RS ARGB Series of Liquid CPU Coolers
CORSAIR has launched the CORSAIR NAUTILUS RS and NAUTILUS RS ARGB family of liquid CPU Coolers. These innovative coolers deliver high-performance CPU cooling with easy installation and outstanding compatibility with modern CPU sockets. The NAUTILUS RS family is available in black in both 240mm and 360mm sizes, while the NAUTILUS RS ARGB is available in both black and white in the same sizes, with added ARGB lighting to enhance your build.
The NAUTILUS RS series features an efficient, low-noise pump and a slightly convex cold plate pre-applied with thermal paste in an optimized pattern, improving contact with the processor’s integrated heat spreader for superior thermal transfer. Available in 240mm or 360mm radiator sizes and equipped with RS120 fans, NAUTILUS RS coolers effectively maintain optimal temperatures for high-end CPUs.
NAUTILUS RS coolers are equipped with black CORSAIR RS120 fans that provide strong airflow with PWM-controlled speeds up to 2,100 RPM. The NAUTILUS RS ARGB versions feature ARGB connections, with eight RGB LEDs per fan. To make installation easier, these fans can be daisy-chained together to simplify wiring. Effortlessly connect each fan to the next, then use a single 4-pin PWM header on your motherboard for speed control and a single 4-pin ARGB header to control the lighting.
The RS120 fans are optimized for radiator use and are enhanced by CORSAIR AirGuide technology and magnetic dome bearings for directed airflow cooling performance and remarkably low noise levels.
RGB lighting isn’t everyone’s vibe. Sometimes you just want something that’s the strong, silent type, which is why the NAUTILUS RS’s black-on-black aesthetic may be the right match for a stealth build. Even the mounting hardware eschews bright chrome or nickel-plated metal for a dark and stealthy finish. Not into lights? No problem.
The NAUTILUS RS ARGB models feature eight RGB LEDs on the pump and on each fan, so you can create a captivating light show, easily controlled via motherboard ARGB software. Just plug in and start customizing with your motherboard’s ARGB software suite.
The NAUTILUS RS series of coolers includes mounting hardware for both Intel socket LGA 1700 and LGA 1851, as well as AMD AM4 and AM5-based systems, and comes with all the mounting hardware you need to attach the radiators to any case that supports a 240mm or 360mm radiator.
For optimal cooling performance, each NAUTILUS RS cooler also features pre-applied XTM60 thermal interface material (TIM). XTM60 ensures efficient thermal transfer between your CPU and the copper cold plate.