Cases, Cooling & PSU News - Page 4

We got a good look at Cooler Master's original Sneaker X PC mod at Computex and PAX Australia 2023 last year, and we're impressed by its unique style. Yes, it looks like a giant sneaker, but with custom-designed and printed components, high-end GeForce RTX graphics, and liquid cooling, it was hard not to be impressed with what Cooler Master pulled off. Even though the company has been making PC cases for decades, its all-in-one PCs sport unique designs.

At CES 2024, it's taking the "PC sneaker" concept to the next level with the new Sneaker X Bounce - a limited edition custom PC that modifies the design to include speakers and a graffiti look "reflecting vibrant street energy." Cooler Master collaborated with graffiti artist Bounce for the new design, and I'm not sure if this takes the concept too far.

It looks overly busy and not as clean as the original Sneaker X design. Still, it's got some very cool features - like removable wireless speakers.

XPG is the PC gaming and performance arm of ADATA Technology, one of the world leaders in memory and storage technology - and it is set to hit CES 2024 in a big way. XPG's Xtreme Gaming Exhibition will showcase several new exciting hardware and software solutions covering everything from PC cases to keyboards, cooling, and, as per the headline, DDR5 memory.

XPG's Project NeonMax 8000 DDR5 Memory not only supports speeds of up to 8,000MT/s for Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO platforms but also features a massive "luminous area." Sure, that might be fancy talk for RGB lighting, but it covers 60% of the module's surface area to deliver a stunning look. In the age of open cases with multiple glass panels, Project NeonMax 8000 DDR5 Memory is a definite showpiece.

Speaking of cases with multiple glass panels, XPG will showcase its new INVADER X PRO PC Chassis with curved tempered glass and enough room for "massive builds."

CoolerMaster is close to revealing quite an interesting power supply with the new X-Silent Edge Platinum 1100W power supply, which is passively cooled and features the newer 12VHPWR power connector. Check it out:

We don't typically see fanless power supply designs of this power, where the new CoolerMaster X-Silent Edge Platinum 1100W is worlds above the usual 500W to 700W PSU designs that are passively cooled. The company hasn't been clear about power efficiency and power ratings just yet, but we should get those details at CES 2024 next week.

CoolerMaster's upcoming X-Silent Edge Platinum 1100W power supply features a native 12VHPWR power connector for NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs, as well as the upcoming GeForce RTX 40 SUPER series graphics cards that will also be unveiled at CES 2024.

This passively-cooled gaming system is something a Redditor did himself, passively cooling an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card.

Redditor "Prestigious_Gate_615" posted some pictures of his custom system that's cooled by dual Noctua NH-P1 heatsinks and 3D-printed parts. The system itself features an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X processor, 64GB of G.SKILL Flare X5 DDR5-6000 CL30 memory, and a GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4060 WINDFORCE graphics card.

These parts were specifically chosen for their lower power consumption and, thus: less heat output. The less heat being pumped out of the CPU and GPU means that a custom, passively cooled gaming system can be had... and it looks awesome, too.

Seasonic has new 90-degree angled 12V-2x6 power connector cables on the way after the incredibly frustrating -- and sometimes catastrophic -- launch of the 12VHPWR power connector used on NVIDIA's current-gen GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs.

PCI-SIG and power supply manufacturers were quick to resolve the issues surrounding the sometimes problematic issues with 12VHPWR power connectors with the new ATX 3.1 / CEM 5.1 specifications, which started the journey of the new 12V-2x6 power connector. These new connectors and cables will be shipped and bundled with new PSUs and new GPUs from AIB partners in 2024.

Seasonic has just announced its new 12V-2x6 power connector cables, with a 90-degree angled design in an L-shape coming in 2024. These upgraded 12V-2x6 power cables will be supplied with the latest ATX 3.1 PSU series with users that own a Seasonic ATX 3.0 PSU (in the FOCUS, Vertex, or PRIME series) can get this cable shipped to them, all for free.

CableMod made an improved version of its 12VHPWR angled adapter -- version 1.1 -- that too is defective, and now the company has just recalled both of its v1.0 and v1.0 angled cables.

In a new tweet, post on its website, and Reddit, Cablemod explains that it will be discontinuing its 12VHPWR angled adapter and that they're being recalled. This affects both the 90-degree and 180-degree v1.0 and v1.1 adapters, with the company noting it will have an official notice with more details arriving in the coming days... just in time for the holidays.

To be clear: CableMod's angled cables are not defective; this only applies to the angled adapters. If you're using one, the company recommends that you stop using it immediately, power down your system, and unplug the adapters. We don't know what started the recall of CableMod's new v1.1 angled adapter, with the company explaining that the male connector might loosen, which could lead to overheating... and the potential melting of the cable... not good, at all.

Fans with RGB? Sure, nothing out of the ordinary. Fans that daisy chain and interlock for a seamless and tidy look? It's not unheard of, but it's a cool new trend we love to see. PC fans with 1.6" LCD displays with a 400x400 resolution at the center of the fan frame? Okay, now we're entering uncharted territory.

Yes, LIAN LI's new UNI FAN TL LCD not only sports LED lighting zones with gap-free edges, so the lighting is amplified when more than one fan is connected thanks to "large infinity mirrors on both frame sides," but you've also got a highly customizable LCD.

This works similarly to displays on AIO cooling pumps and motherboards, where it can alternate between showcasing your favorite GIFs and displaying system information like CPU temperatures or speeds. The display also supports MP4, JPG, and PNG files with customization handled via LIAN LI's L-Connect 3 app.

FSP is preparing a beast new 2500W power supply, with its new Cannon Pro 2500W PSU that features not one but four PCIe 12V-2x6 GPU cables for monster workstation systems.

The upcoming FSP Cannon Pro 2500W power supply is ready for crypto farms, multi-user gaming systems, workstation systems, and AI platforms with up to 2500W of power. We also have 80 Plus Platinum certification, full ATX 3.1 specs, and an upgraded PCIe Gen5 power connector.

Wait, a redesigned PCIe Gen5 connector? Yep, NVIDIA and multiple power supply makers started using the newest version of the 12VHPWR connector that NVIDIA is using on its GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs, with the new connector called 12V-2x6. FSP is one of the first PSU makers with the new connectors -- and FOUR of them -- which will be on this behemoth 2500W power supply.

If anyone is building a PC and asks our advice, we always point out that while it might seem tempting to get a cheap PSU, this isn't a good approach - and if we ever needed an incident to effectively illustrate why, well, here it is.

As Tom's Hardware spotted, a Redditor bought a cheap (claimed) 500W power supply - an Equites T500 (no, we've never heard of the brand either) - and then opened it up.

To their surprise, they found at one side of the power supply, a block was attached, filled with iron filings. It had no functional purpose, and wasn't connected to anything, the block was just sat to one side of the PSU, doing nothing.

ENERMAX is known for creating high-performance PC components and hardware, and over the years, we've reviewed and been impressed by several of the company's power supplies, coolers, and cases. Today, we've got word of two new arrivals into the latter category with the new ENERMAX MS31 mid-tower and MS21 mini-tower cases.

Available in both black and white, these new cases from ENERMAX are designed for maximum airflow and lower noise levels, which is why they feature full mesh front panels alongside 4 pre-installed 120mm ARGB PWM fans. From there, the cooling potential only increases with the larger MS31 mid-tower case able to accommodate up to 11 fans, including those on a massive 420mm AIO CPU cooler in the front.

Although the MS21 mini-tower case is smaller and created for those looking for a more compact PC build, it can still support up to 8 fans, including those on a 360mm AIO CPU cooler in the front.