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    • 4 Best CPU-GPU Combos for Gaming & Workstations4 Best CPU-GPU Combos for Gaming & Workstations
      October 23, 2020Matching a processor and a graphics card may seem easy, but when you want to maximize your performance at a certain budget, there are ideal pairings to be made. For example, a demanding gamer won’t need a high number of cores, but someone working on video editing or 3D content creation might. We’ve compiled 4 pairings to match most peoples needs and budget, but note that new CPU lineups from AMD are coming (Ryzen 5000 series), along with new GPUs from Nvidia (RTX 3070, RTX 3060) and AMD (Radeon 6000 series). So if you’re not in a hurry, it can be smarter to wait for them, whether it’s for the generational performance boost or the consequential price drop of the current generation. Best – CPUs/ GPUs combinations our selections Entry-level Gaming: Ryzen 3 3100 + Radeon RX 5500 XT Want a desktop PC that doesn’t break the bank and still holds his ground in e-sports titles and other not too demanding games? Pairing a Ryzen 3 3100 ($99) – a 4 cores/8 threads CPU that rivals with Intel’s i3 lineup—with a RX 5500XT will give you great performance for 1080p gaming Why not Intel’s own i3-10100 or i3-9100f you ask? While they have similar performance and can often be found for less money, going with AMD Ryzen gives you access to a more future-proof platform: the AM4 socket will support Ryzen 5000 CPUs and an upgrade to those will be more beneficial than Intel’s offerings. I would have ideally recommended a Ryzen 3 3300X, more powerful for only $20-30 more, but it’s often out of stock and impossible to find at the moment. If you ever find one though, it is totally worth the price increase. The Radeon RX 5500XT ($199), while not as known as Nvidia GPUs, dominates the low-end like AMD usually do. It offers awesome performance for 1080p gaming, only matched at this price point by the usually more expensive GTX 1660. Be sure to get a 8GB VRAM model though, as games are becoming more and more demanding on memory. View on Amazon View CPU on Amazon Mid-range Gaming: Ryzen 5 3600 -RTX 2070 Super A pairing that can satisfy most gamers: the Ryzen 5 3600 is simply the best value CPU out there, offering great gaming performance and even 6 cores/12 threads to please streamers and content creators. For a while gamers wanting to maximize performance had to get CPUs over $400 to max their GPU, but now this $199 value-king won’t limit yourself even at 1440p 144Hz, so that’s more money to put towards a better GPU. Want more? It only has a TDP of 65W, and includes a Wraith Stealth aircooler, good enough to match most $30 coolers on the market. It’s not the most silent, but unlike Intel’s default cooler it’s actually good. User considering heavy content creation can opt for the Ryzen 7 3700X ($329). With 8 cores/16 threads, it won’t offer more gaming performance until games get optimized for more cores, but multi-thread workloads will run faster, and its TDP is still 65W. With a price around $400, the RTX 2070 Super still holds the crown of best mid-range GPUs. For 1080p 144Hz gaming, it’s simple, you don’t need more than that at the moment. If you’re tempted to play at 1440p 144Hz, you might want to upgrade to a RX 5700XT or a RTX 2080 , or wait for the upcoming series from Nvidia and AMD. But with a bit of compromise, a 2060 Super can get you running even at that resolution. View on Amazon View CPU on Amazon High-end Gaming: i5-10600k + RTX 3080 Users playing e-sports titles at more than 200Hz or heavy AAA titles might be the only ones limited by Ryzen’s current lineup, but Intel has them covered: the i5-10600k ($262) will offer them more single thread performance than a R5-3600, which is enough not to limit the beefiest graphics cards on the market and squeeze every frame out of them. Intel sadly don’t provide a CPU cooler with this one, so you have to get your own. Make sure it’s good enough to handle its 125W TDP or you could find yourself in throttle territory. If you’re targeting 4K gaming, even a Ryzen 5 3600 ($199) might actually do the trick. That resolution put less stress on the CPU, and every CPU on the market ends up having similar performance. However if you play on 1440p or 1080p, the gap increases on single-core performance, so Intel’s current lineup is best fitted until we see some Ryzen 5000 CPUs on the market. The RTX 3080 ($599), if you can get your hands on one, is THE best GPU on the market right now, and will easily handle every game you throw at it at 1440p or 4K with high refresh rates and even provide a decent RayTracing experience (finally) if you’re into that. It has given gamers a once-in-a-decade performance increase over previous generation and makes every previous high-end GPUs irrelevant. Its 10 GB VRAM are enough for every games on the market in 2020, and there’s a good chance it will be for a long time. It however has a 320W power draw, so make sure your PSU can handle that. View on Amazon View CPU on Amazon High-end Gaming Workstation: Intel i9-10900kf + RTX 3080 If you want a no compromise machine that allows you to both edit 4K videos and play at high refresh rates, look no further. The Intel i9-10900kf ($472) is a 10 core, 20 threads CPU, or should I say a workstation beast, that will not flinch on the most demanding workloads. While it’s overkill for gaming, it offers a significant gain in most content creation software like the Adobe CS suite or Solidworks. Intel’s 14nm process, while not as efficient as AMD’s 7nm, is refined to near excellency and provide an appreciated gaming performance boost over AMD’s Ryzen 3900X. It’s hard to cool down though, so make sure you have a proper aircooler or AIO cooler to match. I however highly recommend waiting for the Ryzen 9 5900X or 5950X, which should release on November 5, to maximize your performance especially if you deal with heavy multi-threaded workloads. But if you need a PC right now that’s extremely powerful in gaming AND content creation, the i9-10900kf is your best bet. As for the GPU, we again find the RTX 3080 ($599), which has no real competition at the moment. For gaming it has unmatched performance, and for work it outperforms both the Titan RTX and 2080Ti on every rendering benchmark there is. Only the RTX 3090 is more powerful, with roughly a 15 to 20% overhead on rendering (and 140% more VRAM with 24GB), but its price is significantly higher and gaming performance between the two is similar. View on Amazon View CPU on Amazon... Read more...
    • 6 Mesh Cases for Airflow-oriented PC builds in 20206 Mesh Cases for Airflow-oriented PC builds in 2020
      October 19, 2020If the most noise-sensitive buyers will prefer a quiet, sound-dampening case, most users will benefit from a trend that’s on a comeback since 2019: airflow-oriented cases. The idea is simple: replacing the solid front panel with a mesh grid that allows for direct, unobstructed airflow from front to back.Manufacturers have tried it before of course, but now that ODD bays are mostly a relic of the past, and components run hotter and hotter, the need for direct, high-performance airflow is bigger than ever.Mesh airflow cases allow you to get the highest performance from your system by quickly moving all the hot air out of your case. Having good airflow also reduces the need for water cooling: a big CPU cooler will be as efficient and silent as a much more expensive AIO cooler if it can move more air around. You might be concerned about silence, but here’s the trick: since there’s better airflow, your fans won’t spin as much to move the air around, so will make less noise, simple as that! Upgrading the CPU cooler to a silent, high-end one is however a good idea, as decent stock coolers you might want to keep (AMD Wraith Spire/Prism) aren’t built for silence and won’t have sound-dampening materials to help them Best Mesh cases for airflow orientated Best Airflow case on a budget At around $60, hard to believe the Phanteks P300A Mesh almost has it all: a large mesh front, plenty of interior space, and a tempered glass side panel. It keeps the design simple but includes good quality materials and smart cable management ideas. The side panel can swivel and has been reduced in height to not include the power supply shroud, a trend we appreciate as it lowers the overall cost of the case while still lookinggreat.The mesh front panel is Phanteks’ other great idea to reduce cost: it’s so fine it acts as its own filter and doesn’t require an additional filter behind it. It’s not the textile mesh that we’ve seen on their higher-end cases but is made of high-quality metal that is durable and easy to clean.Storage options include two 3.5″ HDD trays and one 2.5″ SSD bracket, a configuration that will match most people’s needs. There’s even a second slot for an optional SSD bracket if needed. Ports are pretty standard with 2x USB 3.0, mic & headphones jacks on top. The case doesn’t disappoint on fan mounting options, with 4x 120mm fan slots, 3 of them large enough for 140mm fans. It can also fit a front radiator of 240 or 280mm. Its only real downside? The lack of stock fans. With only one 120mm fan included, intake airflow is limited and the case only reveals its true cooling potential with the addition of two front fans at least. But maybe you have those already. If not and by doing the math you find the cost of the case and fans too high, you could also consider its the older brother, the award-winning P400A Digital, that comes with 3 preinstalled DRGB intake fans for $90. But if you plan on adding your own fans, there’s not really any match for this $60 case, really convincing at this price point View on Amazon Best Airflow Mid-Tower case Sometimes, to make a great airflow case, you just need a great case and a front panel swap. The Lian Li Lancool II Mesh is the airflow version of the original Lancool II, a case with awesome features but lacking in cooling. The Mesh version improves on that and delivers the best thermals yet on an ATX case, without compromising on features or material quality. Like on the P300A, the tempered glass side panels are shorter than the overall case height, a good decision to keep the price low without compromising on looks. The case makes great use of magnets for easy opening of the two side panels. Great functionality for hard drive lovers: the bottom PSU shrouds have a magnetic door on the side that can be easily opened to access the 3x HDD slots for easy swap, and as it’s also a mesh panel, it’ll allow for better cooling of the hard drives. The case also has 4x SSD brackets on the right side. The front I/O comes with 2x USB 3.0 ports, a dual audio jack for headphones and mic, and an empty hole to add an optional USB-C cable sold by Lian Li. We would’ve appreciated the inclusion of this USB-C cable, but not everybody needs USB-C. Cable management isn’t left out, as in addition to the standard cable ties and routing it includes two large cover plates behind the motherboard tray to conceal almost all your cables and enjoy the view from the right tempered glass panel. A feature we rarely see at this price point. It comes with 2x 140mm front fans and 1x 120mm back fan, connected to a fan hub with 6 PWM connectors. It can be managed with a 4-position speed slider placed at the top of the case (3 speeds + auto PWM mode). If you plan on changing the fan configuration, the case is very flexible and allows for up to 2x 140mm fans at the top, 3x 120mm at the front. It can fit a 240mm radiator at the top or front, and even a 360mm radiator at the front. The PSU shroud cover is also modular and can host two additional 120mm fans. Users already equipped with the original Lancool II can also opt to swap the front panel for the new Mesh panel, saving the cost of changing the entire case. At $90 in non-RGB and $100 with RGB (available in black or white), it competes with way more expensive cases without backing down and delivers the best stock cooling experience we’ve seen so far on an ATX case. View on Amazon Best Airflow mATX case With the Meshify line, Fractal Design was one of the first companies to provide high-quality airflow cases. If the regular Meshify C isn’t the best choice on ATX anymore now that other manufacturers came into play, its little mATX brother has less competition and doesn’t disappoint: The Fractal Design Meshify C Mini brings high-end quality to a form factor too often dismissed by manufacturers. While not as modular as our other picks, the case is streamlined without compromising on useful features, and at 33.4 liters it has a particularly small footprint. The mesh panel sports an original angular design while still being sober, and includes an easily removable dust filter behind it. The case is available with either a regular tempered glass panel or a tinted tempered glass (“Blackout Edition”) or a stealth approach to RGB illumination, or for people who just want to hide their interior a bit. The panel can’t swivel as it’s mounted on 4 screws, so opening the case is longer but the panel is more secured. It comes with 2x 120mm fans, but you might want to add a 3rd one to maximize airflow. It can fit 3×120mm or 2x140mm at the front, and up to 2x140mm fans at the top. If you want to go with liquid cooling, the case allows for a 280mm radiator in the front and/or 240mm up top.One thing to keep in mind: the case is shallower than usual, so the longest GPUs might not fit especially if you want multiple front fans. The maximum video card clearance is 315mm/12.402″. The Meshify C Mini sells around $110, so it’s not the cheapest option in mATX, but if you’re really looking for quality and performance at this form factor, this is your best bet. View on Amazon Best Full Tower case The Enthoo lineup regroups Phanteks’ flagship cases, the latest entry in this lineup is the Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2, a full tower case that features all the options a workstation would need, with an airflowan approach that’s still rare at this form factor. While the standard model comes with a tempered glass side panel like most cases, there’s also a more sober metal panel option, if you’re building a workstation for a professional environment for example. The front panel is mostly composed of a giant fabric mesh that filters a lot of dust, but unlike the P300A or P400A, it has an additional filter behind it. The case is twice as tall as your regular ATX motherboard but uses this space to host almost everything you can think of: SSI-EEB & E-ATX compatibility, extensive water cooling support, vertical GPU brackets, space for 8 PCI slots, and up to 4 HDD/11 SSD out of the box. You can even upgrade that to 12 HDD bays! To cool all that, you can install up to 15x 120mm fans or 8x 140mm, radiators pretty much everywhere with up to 480mm in the front. However the case doesn’t come with any fan included, as it can be expected on high-end full towers, so be sure to add your own. The Enthoo Pro 2 hidden feature? A spot for where to install a second motherboard in ITX format, powered by either a second PSU or Phanteks’ own Revolt X. Having a dual system is quite a niche feature but is nonetheless appreciated, it might suit professionals or streamers who want a high-end desktop PC and a second less powerful ITX station in the same space. Connectivity includes 4x USB 3.0, a mic/headphone dual jack, and a USB-C Gen 2 port, all under a small flap on the front panel. I/O and buttons can even be split between the two systems if you go for that. The case has a D-RGB controller and motherboard adapter, and a discrete RGB strip on top of the PSU shroud. The Enthoo Pro 2 comes at an MSRP of $140, which is surprisingly low for a Phanteks flagship case. If you need the extra space and features of a full tower, it’s worth every penny. View on Amazon Best ITX cases Airflow on an ITX case is different: the front panel is usually covered, and the air goes from side to side, with optional vents at the top and bottom. But there’s no ground rule when it comes to ITX cases, as there’s a lot of different designs and panel options out there. And a lot of different pricing too, that why we decided to offer both a budget ITX option and a high-end one. A case who caught our attention is the Cooler Master NR200, which includes vented panels on 4 sides (left, right, top & bottom) for maximum airflow. It has clearance for a 330mm GPU, 155mm CPU cooler, and even a 280mm radiator on the side. It can host up to 7x 120mm fans if you compromise on storage and get an SFX PSU, so airflow potential is really good, but make sure to choose good fans and a fan controller. With a volume of 18.25L, it’s not the most compact ITX case available and is made of steel instead of aluminum, but its price of only $79 makes it one of the only interesting ITX options at a low budget. View on Amazon You could also opt for the Sliger SM550, the same ITX case we chose for our quiet case list, but with vented panels options. Like the NR200 it can be configured with vented panels on 4 sides to maximize airflow. At 12.6L it can host a Mini-ITX or Mini DTX motherboard, and up to a 305mm long GPU. Storage options allow for 2×2.5″ SSD/HDD drives, with the possible addition of a 4 drive bracket. It can host two bottom 120mm fans, but most of the airflow will be provided by the CPU cooler that can be up to 55mm tall. For $219, you can buy this ITX marvel made of brushed-anodized aluminum. It’s available in three colors and will offer a lot of customization for demanding ITX builders View on Amazon... Read more...
    • Best Monitors for the Nvidia RTX Ampere 3090Best Monitors for the Nvidia RTX Ampere 3090
      October 7, 2020Only a few days remain until the behemoth of a GPU, the Nvidia RTX Ampere 3090, is released. The Nvidia RTX 30 Series graphics card mark a new era of gaming that was, up until their release, simply not possible in the consumer market. But the RTX 3090, with 10,496 CUDA Cores, FP32 processing power of 36 TFLOPS, and 24 GB of GDDR6X VRAM, is more than simply a gaming GPU. The RTX 3090 is poised to be able to the most intensive of workstation tasks that neither the Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti nor the RTX Titan could accomplish. When speaking of gaming applications, we know that the RTX 2080 Ti could achieve a resolution (at best) of 4K at 60 Hz; while the best framerate it could achieve would be 144 FPS at 1440p and below. Of course, this framerate would not always be achievable for many games, as proven with the RTX 2080 Ti falling short of the mark even for less graphical demanding games like Call of Duty: Warzone. On the other hand, the RTX 3090, with its 127% increase in CUDA Cores, 120% increase in computational power, upgraded GGDR6X VRAM, 2nd and 3rd generation Ray Tracing and Tensor Cores, is poised to be able to play games at a consistent framerate for resolutions of 1440p, and even 4K, according to benchmarks from GamersNexus. Of course, the 8K resolution that was advertised seems to have been simply a marketing ploy, since the GPU was unable to reach consistent framerates above 30 FPS at this resolution. However, for workstation its power can still be used for applications and video editing for 8K resolutions. But it is not just the GPU that influences workloads. The RTX 3090 needs to be situated in a system that can support it and not bottleneck its functionality. It will need a CPU of a similar level, like a 10th generation Intel i9, or at the very least an i7; and, similarly, a Ryzen R9 3000 series, or even perhaps a Threadripper or R9 4000 series CPU – set to be announced in the beginning of October. Additionally, the RAM storage should be at the very least 16 GB to 32 GB, split in two channels, and with a speed and latency of either 3200 MHz CL14 or 3600 MHz CL16 (the latter being best if overclocking is not to be used). But what is a killer PC, with its extremely powerful hardware components, without the monitor to display its power? The PC-monitor industry is constantly growing in synergy with the improvements in hardware capability, resulting in innovation that allows Nvidia to create a GPU, like the RTX 3090, that is capable of processing games (even at lesser framerates) for 8K resolutions. The PC monitor is the means by which you can view the power that your PC is capable of, and the RTX Ampere 3090 it has plenty of power to show, so it must be held to a high standard. That is why we’ve compiled a list of the four best monitors to pair with the RTX 3090, depending on resolution and framerate.  These monitors are chosen based on both performance, and price, as we’re aiming for the best overall value. Best Monitors for the Nvidia RTX Ampere 3090 Best 1080P 360Hz Monitor for the RTX 3090 For those who love competitive multiplayers, like, for example, professional esports players, the new set of 1080P 360 Hz monitors set to release within 2020 will provide a significant competitive edge. This is due to Nvidia’s new Reflex option that includes the newly integrated Latency Analyzer that (for now) is only available with a 360 Hz monitor. This integrated hardware will allow you to reduce, and view in real time, your end-to-end input latency… and this latency reduction is actually quite significant. For 144 Hz monitors, the end-to-end input lag will usually range between 45-50 milliseconds, whereas for these 360 Hz monitors, which will inherently be paired with Nvidia Reflex designed for the RTX 30 Series GPUs, will have an end-to-end input lag as low as 14-16 milliseconds! Of the four announced 360 Hz monitors, the one that appears to show the best price to value relationship is ASUS’s ROG Swift PG259QN. This 24.5-inch FHD monitor features a fast-IPS panel with a W-LED backlight display and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility. Due to the IPS panel, the monitor inherently has a wide 178-degree viewing angle. It also has an 8-bit depth, a 1,000 : 1 static contrast ratio, and the capability of displaying 99% of the sRGB color range (16.8 million colors). The brightness this screen can reach will peak at 400 nits, and the GtG response time sits at only 1 ms. The exterior of the ROG Swift has thin borders, making it optimal for multi-monitor setups. It also has an anti-glare coating on the bezel, and a great amount of flexibility in terms of ergonomics. The height can be adjusted by up to 120 millimeters, the screen can pivot by 90 degrees to the right, swiveled by 25 degrees to the right or left, tilted forward or backward by 5 and 20 degrees respectively, can be pivoted to a portrait orientation, and finally has a removable stand so the monitor can be mounted on a wall or directly on the desk (the package includes a desk clamp). The ASUS ROG Swift also comes with a host of ASUS’s exclusive software, like GamePlus, GameVisual, and ultra-low blue light technology. Connectivity-wise, it will have two USB 3.0 (type-A) ports, one HMDI 2.0 port, one DP 1.4 port, and an audio jack. The monitor will not include integrated speakers. The ROG Swift PG259QN is set to release toward the end of September and will have a price tag of $699 – which is actually a very reasonable price considering the price of the other 360 Hz monitors. View on Amazon Best 1440p 144Hz Monitor for the RTX 3090 One of the feats that the RTX Ampere 3090 will be able to accomplish better than any other GPU, is that it will be able to handle processing games at a 1440p resolution with a 144 Hz refresh rate consistently. This may not seem like such an impressive task now, but taking into account that even the RTX 2080 Ti has trouble processing games at this resolution and refresh rate – and the fact that games will inadvertently become more hardware demanding in the years to come – it is actually a purchase-worthy feat. Hence a 1440p 144 Hz monitor is a safe purchase to make, considering that you won’t have to downscale in-game quality settings or resolution in order to maintain the proper framerate. The best 1440p 144 Hz monitor for the task? The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ. This 27-inch monitor has an AHVA IPS panel with an 8-bit depth, an LCD display, and G-Sync and ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur) Sync compatibility. It has an MPRT response time of only 1ms, and the framerate frequency can be overclocked to up to 165 Hz.  Once again, the IPS panel allows for a wide viewing angle of 178 degrees in both vertical and horizontal viewing angles, and the monitor is able to show 99% of the sRGB color space, 71% of the Adobe RGB color space, 72% of the NTSC color space, and 77% of the DCI P3 color space. The brightness of the screen is normalized at 320 nits, but peaks at 350 nits. The VG27AQ also has HDR10 compatibility, an impressive static contrast ratio of 1,200 : 1, and an input lag of only 5.3 ms. The physical exterior of this ASUS monitor is quite simplistic; with its thin – almost borderless – frame having an anti-glare/matte coating and plenty of ergonomic features. It is VESA compatible, has a removable stand, can be adjusted in height by up to 130mm, can pivot from landscape to portrait and from left to right (90 degrees), can swivel to both left and right directions by up to 90 degrees, and can be tilted between 5 and 33 degrees. The ASUS TUF Gaming also comes with two integrated 2-Watt speakers, two HDMI 2.0 and 1 DisplayPort 1.2 ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and all the same software features included with the ASUS ROG Swift. This 1440p 165 Hz monitor can currently be found for $429, though its price also does vary depending on availability. If you catch it while its available, rest assured that this product definitely holds a place in the top echelon of gaming monitors. View on Amazon Best 4k 144Hz Monitor for the RTX 3090 If there is any GPU that can handle the extreme task of processing games at a 4K resolution and 144 Hz, it’s the RTX 3090. Sure, for some games dropping the graphical settings and overclocking will be necessary, but it is definitely worth the effort for a crystal-clear resolution with a framerate that will give you a competitive edge when playing multiplayer titles. If you don’t mind paying the extra cost for a monitor that can exceed expectations, we recommend Acer’s Predator X27. As its name suggests, the Predator has a 27-inch display with an AHVA IPS panel that has a 10-bit depth (8 bits + Frame Rate Control) and is Nvidia G-Sync and Nvidia ULMB (Ultra Low Motion Blur) compatible. Using a Direct LED (Full-Array Local Dimming) backlight with 384 individually-controllable LED zones, this monitor can display an astonishing amount of colors, covering the full sRGB spectrum, 99% of the Adobe RGB spectrum, 85% of the DCI P3 color space, and 75% of the Rec. 2020 color space. It has a brightness of 600 nits (that can peak at 1,000 nits) through its use of Quantum Dot technology. The Acer Predator also has HDR 10 and HDR 1,000 compatibility, with a minimal 4ms GtG response time. Of course, these amazing display specifications do come at a slight cost in regards to input lag, as the Predator X27 can take 13 milliseconds to respond to an input signal – though with the Nvidia Reflex feature that comes with the RTX 3090, this shouldn’t be much of an issue at all. In terms of ergonomics, this display is slightly limited, as it cannot pivot between landscape and portrait orientations and its left and right swivel range is only 20 degrees. However, it still can be adjusted in terms of height by up to 130mm, and can tilt forward by 5 degrees and backwards by 25 degrees. If you would like to mount this monitor, it is VESA compatible and the stand is removable. The ACER Predator X27 comes with two 7W speakers and four additional USB 3.0 ports (one of which is also upstream). In terms of other connectivity, is has an HDMI 2.0 slot, a DisplayPort 1.4 slot, and a standard 3.5mm audio out. The price is the only aspect where the ACER Predator X27 suffers, as it currently costs $1,799; though it can be found on sale for as low as $1,299. Still, given its more than impressive display, brightness, color space, and of course its 4K resolution and 144 Hz framerate, the price is very reasonable. View on Amazon Best 8K 60Hz Monitor for the RTX 3090 Last, but not least, we have the highest resolution available for PC monitors: The 8K 60 Hz Dell UltraSharp UP3218K. Once again, do note that the RTX Ampere 3090 will not be able to handle 8K resolution gaming – despite being advertised as having the ability to do so. However, for professional video editors or other workstation related applications that need incredibly color-accurate displays at high resolutions, this monitor is one of the only available solutions. The UltraSharp is a 31.5-inch monitor that makes use of an IPS panel with a 10-bit depth, capable of a 7680 x 4320 resolution at a 60 Hz refresh rate. This monitor is unfortunately not G-Sync compatible… but neither is any other 8K monitor. Where the Dell UltraSharp excels is its color display. It features over 1 billion colors at 30 bits, covering 100% of both the sRGB and Adobe RGB color spaces, and an impressive 98% of the DCI P3 color space. It has an high static contrast of 1,300 : 1, but a somewhat mediocre brightness of 400 nits. For a non-specialized gaming monitor, the UltraSharp has a great G2G response time of only 6ms, with 10ms of input lag. The viewing angles, both vertically and horizontally, have a maximum of 178 degrees. The exterior of the UltraSharp features a glossy coating with a thin, aluminum, almost borderless bezel. It has a removable stand, it is VESA compatible, it can be heigh-adjusted by up to 120mm, it can pivot to the left and to the right up to 90 degrees (landscape/portrait orientation compatible), it can swivel in any direction by 30 degrees, and it can tilt forward by 5 degrees and backwards by 21 degrees. The UltraSharp UP3218K also comes with four USB 3.0 ports (one of which is upstream), and two DisplayPort 1.4 slots. It has no integrated speakers, but it does have a 3.5mm audio jack. As is the trend with monitors featuring relatively new technology, this monitor does cost a pretty penny – but for $3.999 you can have it. View on Amazon... Read more...
    • Best Monitors for the Nvidia RTX 3080Best Monitors for the Nvidia RTX 3080
      October 6, 2020It was but only a few days ago that the Nvidia RTX Ampere 3080 was released, and by the time it takes one to read this sentence, it was already sold out. At least, with its release, we have been able to see more thorough benchmarks, like those carried out by GamersNexus, which prove the RTX 3080 to be the display the better price to performance Nvidia’s flagship model, the RTX 3090. In fact, with its 8,704 CUDA core count, its massive 30 TFLOP FP32 computing performance, and the upgrades to the VRAM and processing node, the RTX 3080 shows a 20% to 25% better gaming performance when compared to the previous generation, $500 more expensive, Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti. So, when it comes to gaming, the RTX 3080 is the most powerful GPU for its money, and if you are looking to upgrade your current PC (or build a new one from scratch), then it is the best, high-end, graphics card to aim for. It will be optimal for both 4K resolutions, at 60 FPS and 1440p resolutions at 144 Hz; but it is also not far from processing games at a steady 144 FPS at a 4K resolution, too. Of course, it will need to be paired with equally high-level accompanying hardware, so you will need a CPU in the range of an i7-10700K or an i9-9900K, when it comes to 10th generation Intel CPUs, or, if you don’t mind waiting, a Ryzen 4000 Series CPU that are set to be announced on October the 6th. Even current generation Ryzen 9 3000 series CPUs, like the Ryzen 9 3950X, can accomplish very similar framerates with the i9-10900K for gaming applications; with the difference in framerates between the two CPUs being reduced to zero at 4K resolutions. The memory of the build is also a very important aspect, and as such we would recommend 32 GB of 3200 MHz and CL14 latency, or 3600 MHz and CL16 latency (the latter being best without overclocking), in a dual channel setup in order to further enhance performance. Of course, a proper motherboard with a good VRM and a solid thermal solution are also important, as they play a huge role in regards to allowing stable overclocking and keeping the hardware at optimal temperatures for a boost in gaming performance. Even if you have all the best hardware available in the market, it will be all for naught if you do not have the means of properly displaying their power. Therefore, if you’re looking to buy an RTX Ampere 3080, then you should also plan to get a PC monitor that is capable of displaying its graphical processing power. Thankfully, such monitors do exist, and choosing between the right monitor for your rig is now simply dependent on your preferences. Whether you are a competitive gamer, that cares more about function than looks, or whether you love to be immersed in a photorealistic journey of a AAA single-player game, there are monitors that can match your playstyle perfectly. To help you choose the right one for you, we have compiled a list of the four best PC monitors to be paired with the RTX Ampere 3080; depending on intended use, resolution, framerate, and, of course, price. Best Monitors for the RTX 3080 Best 1080P 360Hz Monitor for the RTX 3080 You don’t need to be a professional esports player to seek even the slightest competitive edge when gaming against your friends, or other competitors. If online multiplayer are your forte, then now is the best time to invest in a monitor that can provide you an extreme framerate, and, more importantly, a minimal amount of input lag. For this task, four different PC monitor manufacturers have recently announced four different models of FHD 360 Hz monitors, set to release by the end of 2020. These monitors have all been created in partnership with Nvidia, as they include an Nvidia Latency Analyzer (as a hardware component) that is optimized to work with Nvidia’s new Reflex feature. This analyzer is used to actually calculate overall, end-to-end, input latency – and displays it for you in real-time. Up until now, this was only possible with the use of specialized external equipment. Using the power of the 360 Hz monitor, the RTX 3080, and Nvidia’s Reflex software, it is possible to reduce input lag by up to 44 milliseconds (when compared to a 60 Hz monitor and an older Nvidia GPU), which is a considerable amount. Of the four FHD 360 Hz monitors announced, the one that displays the best price to value ratio is the ASUS ROG Swift PG259QN. This 24.5-inch monitor features a fast-IPS panel with an 8-bit depth, and a viewing angle of 178 degrees (both vertically and horizontally). This screen can display 1.68 million colors (24 bits), covering 99% of the sRGB color space with a static contrast of 1,000 to 1, and a brightness of 400 nits using its W-LED backlight. Of course, where this monitor excels is the input lag, where it will feature a 1 millisecond response time in conjunction with Nvidia’s G-Sync and ULMB (Ultra Low Motion Blur) Sync. The monitor also features a custom heatsink to better dissipate the heat during prolonged gaming sessions. In regards to its design, the ASUS ROG Swift will have an almost borderless frame, with an RGB-lit ROG logo on the back, and an anti-glare coating on the bezel. In addition, the ROG Swift also offers a great deal of ergonomic versatility. Its screen can pivot into landscape or portrait mode, the height of its stand can be adjusted by up to 120 millimeters, it can be swiveled in both left and right by up to 25 degrees, and it can be tilted, either forwards by 5 degrees, or backwards by 20 degrees. If you prefer to mount the monitor, it is VESA compatible and the stand can be removed. A desk clamp is also included so you can clamp it to the edge of your desk. The ASUS ROG Swift will come with a variety of ASUS exclusive software: like AURA Sync (for the RGB lighting), a Low Blue Light feature, GamePlus, Game Visual, and flicker-free technology. Connectivity-wise, it will include two USB 3.0 Type-A slots (downstream), two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DP 1.4 slot, and one 3.5mm audio-out jack – while being high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) compatible. The ROG Swift is set to release by the end of September with a price tag of $699. Not cheap, but definitely a better price than most of its 360 Hz competition. View on Amazon Best 1440p 144Hz Monitor for the RTX 3080 When it comes to not compromising in either resolution, framerate, and game quality settings, the safest option appears to be the 1440p 144 Hz monitor. The RTX Ampere 3090 has shown that it can consistently maintain framerates above the 144 FPS threshold, to make the most of what these screens can offer. Now, this may not seem like much of a task for this brand-new RTX 30 Series GPU in 2020, but given the fact that even the RTX 2080 Ti struggles to maintain framerates of this level for a variety of different games, having a GPU that can reliably perform at this level for current (and most likely also for next-generation) titles is still an impressive feat. And the best monitor for you to witness this accomplishment is the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ. The TUF Gaming is a 27-inch monitor that makes use of an AHVA IPS panel that has an 8-bit depth, a wide viewing horizontal and vertical angle of 178 degrees, and a refresh rate that can be overclocked to 165 Hz. The monitor, of course, is Nvidia G-Sync compatible, and also makes use of ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur) Sync. The fact that the TUF Gaming has a G2G response time of 1 ms, and an extremely low input lag of only 5.3 ms, makes this monitor ideal for any type of gaming, even at a competitive level. For single-player enthusiasts, the panel is also capable of a large spectrum of colors, covering 99% of the sRGB color space, 71% of the Adobe RGB color space, 72% of the NTSC color space, and 77% of the DCI P3 color space; with a brightness level that peaks at 350 nits and HDR10 compatibility. The static contrast is also noteworthy, as the TUF Gaming VG27AQ features a 1,200 to 1 ratio.  When it comes to ergonomics, the monitor pretty much has it all. Other than being VESA compatible with a removable stand, its height can be adjusted by up to 130 mm, it can pivot between landscape and portrait orientations, it can swivel in both directions by up to 90 degrees, and it can be tilted forwards by 5 degrees, and backwards by 33 degrees. The TUF Gaming VG27AQ also comes equipped with two integrated speakers (2 watts), two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DP 1.2 slot, and a 3.5 mm audio-out jack. Included features are GameFast Input technology, GamePlus, GameVisual, Low Blue Light, a 5-way OSD joystick, and Shadow Boost. If you’re looking for a great 1440p 144 Hz monitor to pair with an RTX Ampere 3080, the ASUS TUF VG27AQ goes above and beyond expectations. Its current, MSRP, price tag is $429. View on Amazon Best 4K 60 HZ Monitor for the RTX 3080 Another safe option, in terms of resolution and framerate, is a 4K 60 Hz monitor. The current benchmarks of the RTX 3080 show us that it can handle the task with ease, for just about every well-optimized game that was tested. Especially, if you don’t care much for competitive games, but instead prefer triple-AAA titles at their best, then 4K 60Hz is definitely the way to go. For both its quality and its price, the BenQ EL2870U is one of the best available options. With a 28-inch screen, the EL2870U has a 10-bit depth (8 bits plus Frame Rate Control (FRC)), a TN panel, and a W-LED backlight that is capable of displaying over a billion colors (30 bits) with a brightness of 300 nits and a 1,000 to 1 static contrast ratio. To be more specific, this monitor covers 97% of the sRGB color space, 72% of the NTSC color space, and 70% of the DCI P3 color space. Another great aspect it has for gaming, is that it has an extremely low grey-to-grey response time of only 1 millisecond, and an input lag of only 5 milliseconds. The display latency is so low mainly due to the TN panel, but the downside of this panel is its viewing angle. It has a maximum horizontal viewing angle of 170 degrees, and a maximum vertical viewing angle of only 160 degrees. When it comes to ergonomics, the BenQ EL2870 is very limited, as it cannot pivot to any degree, and its height cannot be adjusted. It can be tilted, but only forwards by 5 degrees and backwards for 15 degrees. The monitor can be removed from its stand and mounted, as it is VESA compatible. Two, 2-watt, speakers are included, as well as two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one 3.5mm audio-out jack (HDCP 2.2 compatible). Some of its features include AMA (Advanced Motion Accelerator), Brightness Intelligence Plus, Flicker-free technology, and Low Blue Light. Perhaps the most enticing part of this monitor is its price, as it can currently be purchased for only $299 – down from its original $499 price tag. View on Amazon Best 4K 144Hz monitor for the RTX 3080 If you’re looking to go all out with your monitor purchase and get yourself the best gaming monitor money can buy at the 4K resolution range, then nothing beats Acer’s Predator X27. Now, you may be wondering, is the RTX Ampere 3080 capable of such high framerates at a 4K resolution? Well, the answer is both yes and no. It certainly can for many games, but for others, it will inevitably fall short. Still, even if it can’t reach 144 FPS for some titles, it will be able to reach upwards of 100 FPS, and if overclocking is utilized, or the game’s quality settings are lowered, that baseline framerate can be reached, so you can take full advantage of the performance of a 4K 144 Hz monitor. The reason why the Acer Predator X27 is the best monitor in its resolution range is because of its incredible color range and peak brightness level. The X27 has an AHVA IPS panel with a depth of 10 bits (8 bits combined with FRC), using a Direct LED backlight display which features 384 individually-controllable LED zones. Because of this Full-Array Local Dimming technology, the monitor has a large display area (84.82%), and backlight bleeding is all but non-existent. Using Quantum Dot technology, HDR10, and HDR1000, the Predator X27 is able to display over 1 billion colors; covering the full sRGB color space, 99% of the Adobe RGB color space, 85% of the DCI P3 color space, and 75% of the Rec. 2020 color spectrum.  It also has an impressively high brightness of 600 nits, that can max out at 1,000 nits. The display lag is not great, but not too bad, as it has a 4 millisecond Grey-to-Grey response time, and an input lag of around 13 milliseconds. Thankfully, with Nvidia Reflex included with the RTX Ampere 3080, the overall end-to-end input lag can drop to a level where it more than compensates for the slightly increased latency of the Predator X27. The only field where the Predator X27 is limited is its ergonomic flexibility. It cannot pivot to any degree, it can swivel by only up to 20 degrees, and it can by tilted by 5 and 25 degrees forward or backwards respectively. Its height can be adjusted by up to 130 mm. If you are looking to mount it, the monitor is VESA compatible and the stand is removable. Surprisingly enough the Acer Predator X27 comes with two, high quality, 7-watt speakers, which are usually absent from gaming monitors. It has four USB 3.0 ports (3x downstream, 1x upstream), one HDMI 2.0 slot, one DP 1.4 slot, and a 3.5mm audio-out jack. Included features are Nvidia’s G-Sync, ULMB, flicker-free technology, a blue light filter, and DDC/CI. Now, this monitor is by no means cheap, as it does currently sell for $1,799, but it can be found on sale for as low as $1,299. Either way, for its color range, resolution, framerate, and overall quality, it is very much worth its price. View on Amazon... Read more...
    • Best Monitors for the Nvidia RTX 3070Best Monitors for the Nvidia RTX 3070
      October 5, 2020The last of the recently announced Nvidia RTX Ampere 30 Series GPUs to be released is the RTX 3070; which will be coming out sometime in October. This ray tracing, mid-range, GPU is set to cost only $500, yet (if some of the early benchmarks are to be trusted) (jives should we put in a benchmark image ourself?) it appears to be able to perform similarly to the last generation flagship: the Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti. If this is the case, then the RTX Ampere 3070 will allow mid-end users to enjoy gaming at resolutions and framerates that were once reserved only for elite PC gaming enthusiasts – which is awesome, especially for entry-level PC builders. Of course, it is not just the GPU that allows a rig to perform to the level necessary for processing games at 4K resolutions, or 144 Hz framerates. Thankfully, the release of the RTX 3070 falls within the same month that AMD will also be announcing more information about their Ryzen 4000 CPUs (which will be AM4 compatible); meaning that a high-power PC build will be possible even for lesser-budget builds. Capable AM4 compatible motherboards, paired with a Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 CPU, an RTX 3070, and 16 to 32 GB of dual channel 3,200 MHz CL14, or 3,600 MHz CL16, RAM will make a PC capable of high-end gaming, video editing, and other production related tasks for only a fraction of the cost of what it used to be. Now, this is not to knock on Intel and their 10th generation CPUs, as their i7 and i9 variants have proven to be very powerful processors, especially for gaming. However, the LGA1200 chipset requires a new motherboard to be purchased, which costs far more than the available AM4 motherboards, while not being compatible with PCIe 4.0 and high RAM speeds in the mid-range. It is due to this, that AMD has a clear advantage within the given price range of this market. Building a new PC, or upgrading an existing one, with a GPU that can process graphics at such a high capacity, like the RTX 3070, requires an equally impressive monitor that can actually display its capabilities. The PC monitor industry seems to be well in sync with the release of PC hardware (and perhaps even somewhat ahead of it), as there are monitors that can keep up with recent technological advancements, and even allow room for improvement if one were to further upgrade their setup. That is why investing in the proper monitor is just as important as purchasing a new hardware component, like the GPU for example. Whether you love competing in online multiplayers, or enjoy immersing yourself in the story of single player triple-A title, choosing the right monitor that perfectly fit your needs is of paramount importance. Thus, in accordance with the capabilities of the RTX Ampere 3070, we have selected four monitors for different resolutions, framerates, and preferences, in order to help you choose the best monitor to complement your new gaming rig. Best Monitors for the RTX 3070 Best 1080P 144Hz Monitor for the RTX 3070 If you are satisfied with an FHD resolution, then the least framerate worth having is 144 Hz. Having a 1080p 60 Hz monitor will, ultimately, sell the power of the RTX Ampere 3070 short. Also, if you enjoy competitive gaming and want to ensure that you won’t have to sacrifice framerate for a higher resolution, then a 1080p 144 Hz monitor is a safe choice to make. ASUS is a top contender in the PC monitor market, as they have a reputation for releasing quality monitors at competitive prices – and this they have done with the ASUS VG279Q. This monitor has an AHVA IPS panel, with an 8-bit depth, that is capable of showing 1.68 million colors (24 bits) on its 27-inch display. It can cover 99% of the sRGB range, 75% of the Adobe RGB color space, and 72% of the NTSC color space; with a static contrast of 1,000 to one and a brightness of 400 nits. Due to the IPS panel, it has a 178-degree viewing angle (horizontal and vertical), and it has an extremely low input lag of only 4 milliseconds, with a 1 ms grey-to-grey and a 3 ms average response time. Its exterior frame features an anti-glare, matte, coating, and offers great versatility in terms of ergonomics. It can pivot and swivel (both to the left and the right) by 90 degrees, it can be adjusted in height by 130 mm, it can be tilted forward or backwards by 5 and 33 degrees, and it can be removed from its stand in order to be mounted with its VESA compatible mounting interface. Connectivity-wise, the VG279Q has one HDMI 1.4 port, one DP 1.2 slot, 1 DVI-D Dual Link port, one 3.5 mm audio-in, and one 3.5 mm audio-out. It also comes with two integrated 2W speakers. Plenty of features are also included, like a 5-way OSD joystick, ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur) Sync, GamePlus, Trace Free technology, Flicker-free technology, a blue light filter, and SPLENDID Video Intelligence technology. The 1080p, 144 Hz, 27-inch ASUS VG279Q has an MSRP of $299.99, which is quite costly for a 1080p monitor, but still a worthy purchase. View on Amazon Best 1080p 360 Hz Monitor for the RTX 3070 Now, I know you’re probably thinking… 360 Hz, really? Can the RTX 3070 handle such framerates? Well… not really. At least not for most games. But it doesn’t really have to. It only needs to be able to achieve high enough framerates for certain popular competitive multiplayer that are negatively impacted by input lag, as this is where these monitors excel. There have been four 360 Hz monitors announced, and they have all been made in partnership with Nvidia – in order to make full use of Nvidia’s new Reflex feature. Thus, all these monitors will include a specialized piece of hardware called the Latency Analyzer, which actually measures your end-to-end input lag in real-time and displays it for you on-screen in real-time. This is a feature that is possible for the very first time and will result in an overall drop of input latency by the likes of over 15 ms, depending on the title of the game. For example, for the popular multiplayer Fortnite, Nvidia’s reflex (together with the 360 Hz monitor) will allow for a total end-to-end input lag of only 19 ms; down from the 53 ms of a GTX 1660 Super and a 60 Hz monitor. For professional competitors, this is a significant boost that is not to be ignored. Of the four models set to become available by the end of 2020, the one releasing the soonest is the ASUS ROG Swift PG259QN. The ROG Swift will feature a 24.5-inch screen with an 8-bit in-depth, fast-IPS, panel that will be capable of displaying 1.68 million colors (99% sRGB coverage), with a static contrast of 1,000 to 1, a brightness of 400 nits, and a viewing angle of 178 degrees. With its 1 millisecond of grey-to-grey response time, as well as its G-Sync and ULMB (Ultra Low Motion Blur) compatibility, this monitor is specifically designed to give competitive users the edge in online multiplayer. In order to avoid overheating during long gaming sessions, the ROG Swift will feature a custom-built heatsink that will better dissipate heat and keep the monitor cool. In terms of looks, the ASUS ROG Swift has plenty of style, with a nearly borderless frame, an RGB-lit logo in the back (that can by synchronized with ASUS’s Aura Sync software), and an anti-glare coating on its bezel. The monitor can be adjusted in several ways to fit your viewing preference, as it can pivot by 90 degrees, swivel left or right by up to 25 degrees, tilt forwards or backwards by 5 and 20 degrees respectively, or adjust in height by up to 120 millimeters. The screen can also be removed and mounted, or clamped onto a desk (clamp is included), as it is VESA compatible. Gaming and other utility features that are included with the ROG Swift are ASUS GamePlus, ASUS GameVisual, flicker-free technology, and a low blue light filter. The monitor will also have two USB 3.0 Type-A (all downstream) slots, two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DP 1.4 slot, and one 3.5mm audio jack. The price for the ROG Swift PG259QN was announced to be $699; which is quite expensive, but still worth the cost for extreme competitors and professional gamers. View on Amazon Best 1440p 144 Hz Monitor for the RTX 3070 ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ A pleasant surprise with the early release of benchmarks for the RTX 3070 (though we must warn that they may not be very reliable), is that the GPU is primed to have the ability to process games at a 1440p resolution, and a 144 Hz refresh rate; as it did so for several of the titles tested. The average 1440p performance for the RTX 3070 – according to GPUCheck – was in the range of 136.5 FPS, on the highest quality settings. This, of course, through the use of an i9-10900K CPU, which is arguably the most powerful gaming consumer CPU currently in existence. Still, having the ability to play at this resolution and framerate with a $500 GPU, even if it means lowering game quality settings, is very impressive. This sweet spot in resolution and framerate is perfect for those that love both single-player gaming, and competitive multiplayer alike. The monitor we recommend for the task is ASUS’s TUF Gaming VG27AQ.  This 27-inch monitor features an IPS panel with an 8-bit depth and a framerate that can actually be overclocked to 165 Hz. It makes use of both Nvidia G-Sync and ELMB Sync. Due to its IPS panel, it has a wide, all-around, viewing angle of 178 degrees, while also having a low GtG response time of 1 millisecond. In fact, the TUF Gaming has an overall monitor input lag of only 5.3 ms, so it is perfect for competitive gamers. In terms of the amount colors it can display, the VG27AQ can show 99% of the sRGB color space, 71% of the Adobe RGB color space, 72% of the NTSC color space, and 77% of the DCI P3 color space. The monitor is also HDR10 compatible, has a brightness that can reach up to 350 nits, and has a, rather high, static contrast ratio of 1,200 to 1. The exterior is simple, yet functional. It has a stand that can adjust the screen in height by up to 130 mm, it can swivel to the right or to the left by 90 degrees, it can turn to either portrait or landscape position, and it can tilt forward or backwards by 5 and 33 degrees respectively. Its VESA compatibility and removable stand also allow it to be mounted, as well. Not that many gamers would use them, but the TUF Gaming VG27AQ does come with two integrated 2-watt speakers; which are always nice to have. It also includes two HDMI 2.0 and one DisplayPort 1.2 slots, together with a 3.5 mm audio out. Furthermore, it comes with ASUS’s GameFast Input technology, GamePlus, GameVisual, a 5-way OSD joystick, Shadow Boost, and a low blue light filter. Due to its popularity, the ASUS TUF VG27AQ can be tough to find at times, but it is definitely worth keeping an eye out for, as it can many times be found below its MSRP of $429. View on Amazon Best 4K 60Hz Monitor for the RTX 3070 BenQ EL2870U The RTX 3070 does begin to drop off, in terms of performance, when processing 4K resolutions (according to early benchmarks), but, for its price, it still does average 81.4 FPS. Still, with the possibility that games will become more and more demanding with the release of next generation titles, the RTX 3070 will most likely not be able to reach 60 FPS consistently at 4K. That being said, if you don’t mind overclocking your hardware, or lowering the game quality settings, then a 4K 60 Hz monitor is still a solid option – especially if you enjoy streaming videos/movies at this resolution. The BenQ EL2870U is a 28-inch monitor that provides a quality 4K display without breaking the bank. It has a 10-bit depth TN panel with Frame Rate Control (FRC) and is capable of displaying over one billion colors (30 bits) with extremely low response times. It has an input lag of only 5 milliseconds and an MPRT response rate of only one 1 millisecond. The low latencies are the upside of the TN panel, but the downside is that it does not have a large viewing angle (170 degrees horizontal, 160 degrees vertical). The EL2870U has a 1,000 to one static contrast ratio and is capable of displaying 97% of the sRGB color space, 72% of the NTSC color space, and 70% of the DCI P3 color space, at a brightness level of 300 nits. Because it is meant to be viewed from the front due to its TN panel, the EL2870 is very limited in terms of ergonomic flexibility. It is unable to pivot or swivel, and it cannot even be adjusted in terms of height. Fortunately, it can still be tilted forwards and backwards by 5 and 15 degrees respectively. It also has a removable stand, and mounted to a wall with its VESA compatibility. Together with its two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DP1.4 slot, 3.5 mm audio-out jack, and HDCP 2.2 compatibility, this BenQ monitor also has two integrated 2W speakers and plenty of features: including AMA (Advanced Motion Accelerator), Brightness Intelligence Plus, Flicker-free technology, and Low Blue Light. With its current low price point, any downside of the BenQ EL2870 can easily be overlooked. You can now find the EL2870 selling for only $299; down from its original $499 MSRP. View on Amazon... Read more...
    • Best Power Supplies for RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 builds in 2020Best Power Supplies for RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 builds in 2020
      October 2, 2020If you’re looking to build a brand-new PC, there is no better time to do so than now. The latest CPUs have been released by Intel, AMD’s Ryzen Zen3 announcements are just around the corner, DDR4 RAM has reached its peak (both in performance and in price) and, of course, we have the release of the latest Nvidia GeForce Ampere RTX 3000 Series GPUs. Of the three announced graphics cards, the RTX Ampere 3080 is the only one that has been released… and it was sold out within eight seconds. So, whether you are one of the lucky few that was able to get their hands on an RTX 3080, whether you are waiting for more RTX 3080s to restock, or whether you’re looking forward to September the 26th for the RTX Ampere 3090 to be released (and hopefully not sell out within seconds), then you are going to want to build a PC that can support the power of these beastly GPUs. What’s important to note, is that every component of a new build is important – so it is not just the GPU, the CPU, and the RAM that you should worry about. Every hardware component is like a link in a chain: If one is weak, the entire chain can break.  Let’s start off with the CPU. Anything in the range of a i7 or i9 10th generation CPU from Intel, or a R7 to R9 CPU from AMD should suffice for pairing with these upper tier RTX Ampere GPUs. The RAM we would recommend would be either a 3600 MHz C16 or 3200 MHz C14, dual channel, memory sticks – with at least 16 GB of storage, depending on the intended use. The case and cooling within also need to be adequate to support overclocking the CPU, GPU and RAM, and, generally speaking, it is hard to go wrong with Noctua case-fans and CPU coolers, as well as Fractal noise cancelling or tempered glass paneled cases. But one of the most neglected hardware components that is crucial to the overall smooth operation of a PC is the PSU. Having an insufficient power supply can make cause hardware components to not receive the necessary power they need, which translates to unwanted freezes, stuttering, and even shutdowns or startup inability. Additionally, if the efficiency of the PSU is not a good match for your build, that will translate to more money spent on electric bills, and more unnecessary heat emanating from the PSU that is transferred to your other hardware. Even the noise from a PSU at high loads can be infuriating, so the extra research necessary to make the right choice for a component that can last you several years to come is well worth the while. The key aspects to look for, and that we’ve taken into account for this list of PSUs, is having the power supplies be modular to some capacity, meaning you can remove cables that you don’t need instead of cramming them in the case, making sure that the fan included has premium bearings and PWM controls, so that it does not spin unnecessarily, that the wattage is appropriate for your build. Best PSUs for RTX 3080 & 3090 – Our Selections Best Budget PSU for RTX 3080 and 3090 Seasonic is one of the oldest and most consistent PSU manufacturers out there. They are in fact the first brand to manufacture an 80 PLUS Gold-rated PSU, which shows their commitment and innovation in the power supply industry. If you’re in the market for a PSU devoid of any fluff, that is still reliable and energy-efficient, then the Gold-rated Seasonic Focus GM-850 is the way to go. Firstly, this power supply is semi-modular, meaning that only the necessary cables are fully integrated, while the peripheral cables can be removed and connected when necessary. The former cables feature web sleeves, while the latter are simply flat black cables. If you are worried that the PSU won’t output enough wattage in the +12V rail, then you’ll be happy to know that the Focus GM-850 actually outputs 70 amps, or 840W; therefore there is no need to worry. Surprisingly enough, despite its price, the fan on this PSU actually has fluid dynamic bearings, which are the most silent and durable bearings – second only to magnetic levitation bearings that are non-existent in power supplies. This 120mm fan is also regulated by Seasonic’s Smart and Silent fan controls, which means that the fan will spin accordingly with the PSU’s load and temperature. This means silent operation is guaranteed for low loads, and that the fan itself will last longer. In fact, Seasonic backs the durability of the PSU with a seven-year warranty, while certifying the GM-850 with a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 100,000 hours of operation. So how much will the Focus GM-850 cost you? Well, this PSU has sold for as low as $129.99, but do keep an eye out for it, since it can sell out quite quickly. View on Amazon Best Gaming PSU for RTX 3080 and 3090 What makes the ASUS ROG the PSU for a new gaming rig is not just its stylish exterior, but also its multitude of certifications. This 850W power supply has an 80 PLUS Platinum certification (so a guaranteed efficiency of at least 89%-92%) as well as LAMBDA A+ and ETA A energy ratings. In fact, its +12V rail can output even slightly above the 850 wattage of this PSU; for a maximum of 71 amps, or 852 Watts. When it comes to looks, though, ASUS did not go with the conventional fan-lit RGB display. Instead, they opted for a more practical RGB-lit side-display (the PSU is usually situated sideways, so the RGB-lit fan is not always visible) as well as a stylish, and useful, OLED screen which displays how much power your hardware is currently drawing. Thus, with just a glance toward your PC case, you can see the load which the PSU is operating under, and adjust fan speeds accordingly. The fan included is 135mm in diameter, has a patented Wing-Blade fan design which is optimized for longevity, and double ball bearings. These bearings are better than sleeve or regular ball bearings, but not as good as hydraulic bearings. That being said, to keep thermals in check, the PSU has integrated heatsinks that ASUS claims can drop the internal temperatures by up to 20% – which is a significant amount. Given that the fan operates at very low RPM during low to medium loads, having the heatsinks draw heat away also translates to a more silent PSU. The internal components of the ROG Thor are of the highest quality, with all Japanese, 105 degrees C certified, capacitors. The cables themselves are all sleeved, and the ROG Thor 850 has a fully modular design. If the RGB and OLED display doesn’t entice you, the price certainly will, as you can currently find the ASUS ROG Thor 850 for only $219.99 – a great deal for a Platinum certified, 850W, PSU. View on Amazon Best Silent PSU for the RTX 3080 Many PC building enthusiasts, especially though that use their setup in a professional environment, would gladly trade RGB lighting displays for more peace and quiet. Having so many fans in a case – like those found in the CPU cooler, the GPU, the case fans, and of course, the PSU – means that noise emissions can quickly become irritating, especially at high loads. For a virtually inaudible PSU, we recommend be quiet!’s Straight Power 11. This power supply may lack a fancy exterior and RGB lighting displays, but it makes up for it with the quality of its fan and fan motor. The fan has be quiet’s Silent Wings 3 technology, which features custom designed fan blades, advanced fluid dynamic bearings, and a 6-pole fan motor. Even without PWM controls, this fan will only reach audio levels of 7.7 to, a maximum of, 22 dB – meaning it is pretty much inaudible from a foot away. Additionally, due to both the wire-free internal configuration and its 80 PLUS Platinum, ErP, and Energy Star 7.0 ratings, the Straight Power 11 can maintain low temperatures within at all times; so the fan won’t have to spin at maximum RPM to keep it cool. This PSU is quite different than the other listed units, as it features multiple +12V rails. Two of these rails can output 20 amps, while the other two can output 26 amps, for a total of 70.9 amps, or 849.6 watts, for its four +12V rails. The only difference between multiple and single +12V designs, is that with multiple rails the PSU can limit the current through each wire and therefore avoid high temperatures in any single one. In other words, having multiple rails is a design used purely as an additional safety measure. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this PSU is its current price, as the be quiet! Straight Power 11, with its Platinum rating and full modular design, currently costs only $174.90 – down from its $195.99 retail price. If you’re looking to make your setup as quite as possible, this is the PSU to go for. View on Amazon Best RGB PSU for RTX 3080 and 3090 If you’re excited for the release of the Nvidia RTX Ampere 3080/3090, then chances are you are a gaming enthusiast. And if you’re a gaming enthusiast, then chances are you like you some RGB lighting on your hardware components. If that’s the case, then Thermaltake has you covered with their Toughpower iRGB Plus PSU. This power supply has an RGB lit fan with 18 addressable LEDs, together with Thermaltake’s patented Riing Plus design, that is capable of displaying 16.8 million different colors, in multiple patterns and effects that you can choose from. This illuminated display can also be synced with Razer peripherals, via the Razer Chroma software. The Toughpower iRGB Plus has an 80 PLUS Gold rating (and can also be found with a Platinum rating) so it isn’t all style and no substance. The RGB-lit fan itself is 140mm in diameter, equipped with concentrated compression fan blades, is situated onto an anti-vibration mount, and comes equipped with hydro-dynamic bearings for less noise emission and additionally durability. Its 850W power output can be fully utilized by the single +12V rail, for a total of 70.83 amps. Additionally, the PSU has all Japanese, 105-degree Celsius certified capacitors, and is fully modular – so all cables can be removed or attached as needed. An aspect about the Toughpower iRGB Plus that has been either hit or miss with many users, is the included software. This software compiles statistics of the operation of the PSU and uploads them to a cloud, where a Smart Power Management program displays them either on one’s PC, or through a mobile application. Many reviewers report that this software actually uses significant CPU and RAM power, while the mobile application can be glitchy at times. A neat software feature that is included, is compatibility for Amazon’s Alexa, which you can use to change the color and effects of the RGB lighting; though it is difficult to imagine a scenario where this would be used regularly. The Thermaltake Toughpower iRGB Plus can usually be found with a price around the $190-$210 mark; and it includes an impressive MTBF of 120,000 hours and a 10-year warranty. View on Amazon... Read more...
    • 5 Best Power Supplies for the RTX 3070 in 20205 Best Power Supplies for the RTX 3070 in 2020
      September 25, 2020The release of the new mid-range king of GPUs – the RTX Ampere 3070 – is just around the corner. After the somewhat questionable release of the RTX Ampere 3080, which sold out in less than 10 seconds, one can only hope that the RTX Ampere 3090 and 3070s will have a bit more availability to meet the high demand. Particularly, the timing for the release of the RTX 3070 could not be better, as during the start of the same month AMD will announce their new Ryzen Zen3 4000 series CPUs. If we also take into account the fact that DDR4 RAM has reached its peak in both performance and cost-efficiency, there has never been a better time to build a new setup. Why choose a good PSU for the RTX 3070? So, what are the best components to pair with the new RTX Ampere 3070? Firstly, anything in the Intel 10th generation i5 to i7 range, or AMD Ryzen 5 and above, should more than suffice to avoid throttling the GPU; while we also suggest a Noctua NH-D15 CPU cooler to keep your CPU’s temperatures low. The other key component to ensure high framerates and performance is the memory. For any new build featuring the RTX Ampere 3070, we would recommend a set of dual-channel, 16GB and above, 3200 MHz of C14, or 3600 MHz of C16, RAM – the latter speeds are better for those that won’t make use of overclocking. For those that do look forward to overclocking their GPU and RAM, a good case and case-fans are crucial for keeping the temperatures manageable. It’s hard to go wrong with Fractal cases and Noctua case-fans, which are both great for accomplishing this task. Lest we forget, the heart of the PC build, the PSU. The power supply is what pumps the appropriate amount of electricity throughout all the internal hardware components, and is therefore crucial for avoiding unnecessary shutdowns and stuttering, all the way to actual electrical damage. Now, Nvidia has stated that they recommend a 650W PSU for the RTX Ampere 3070, but that should be the minimum recommended wattage. Going slightly higher (but not too high) keeps the PSU at low to medium loads, which is where the PSU performs at its peak efficiency (loads that are too high or too low will negatively impact the efficiency). Other aspects that need to be taken into account include the level of cable allowed by the PSU (whether or not it is modular), how much noise the fan makes, its cooling ability, the quality of the fan’s bearings, the capacitors, and, of course, its efficiency. 80 PLUS Efficiency Ratings In order to ensure that consumers receive the exact specifications advertised by the manufacturer – as well as to hold a high standard when it comes to energy efficiency for computers – 80 PLUS provides a certification for any PSU that performs at 80% efficiency and above. In order to achieve this rating, PSUs are tested in a room temperature setting, and if they achieve an efficiency above 80%, then they will attain a special 80 PLUS classification. These classifications begin with the Bronze rating, for efficiencies of 82%-85%, Silver for 85%-88%, Gold for 87%-90%, Platinum for 89%-92%, and Titanium for 90%-94% (all values pertain to 115V internal non-redundant). Now, of course, the higher the efficiency that the PSU is able to achieve the better, as higher percentages translate to a more environmentally friendly PC, lower electricity bills, and less heat being transferred to other hardware components (the energy lost during conversion is heated, which can negatively impact the hardware inside your case). The sweet spot between efficiency ratings and price is usually found within the Gold to Platinum range, though even a Bronze PSU can be okay if the PC is not meant to be used too often. Titanium rated PSUs can also justify their price if the PC is used for several hours a day – especially at high loads. Taking efficiency into account, as well as all the other aforementioned power supply aspects, we have compiled a list of the four best PSUs available to pair with the GeForce RTX Ampere 3070 – separated into the best budget PSU, the best RGB PSU, the best silent PSU, and the best SFX Platinum rated PSU, which is also the option to go for those looking to build a small form factor (SFF) PC. Best Budget PSU for RTX 3070 EVGA 750BQ If you intend to use your PC on a casual basis, then a Bronze rated PSU will suffice and save you some initial cost. The best power supply to fulfill this role is EVGA’s 750BQ, which provides great quality and value at a low price. In terms of how much power it can supply, this PSU has a single +12V rail that can output up to 62 amps, or 744 watts; which is more than enough for any +12V rail dependent hardware. The cables that transfer this electricity are separated into two categories: the essential cables, and the peripheral cables. Due to the semi-modular nature of the EVGA 750BQ, the essential cables are integrated, yet the peripheral cables are detachable – so you can attach and remove them depending on your needs. The integrated cables are sleeved, while the peripheral cables are flat black. To protect your hardware from any potential damage, this PSU has under-voltage protection, over current protection, overpower protection, and short circuit protection. Next, when it comes to cooling, the EVGA 750BQ has a large, 140mm, fan which has Teflon nano steel ball bearings that EVGA states offers better longevity and less noise emissions when compared to standard ball bearings. The noise levels of this PSU can reach relatively high levels, ranging from 35 to 40 dB when the fan is actually spinning. With EVGA’s Intelligent Auto Fan technology, this will not always be the case, as the fan will only spin when the PSU is under mid to high loads, meaning that when it is under low loads it will be inaudible.  The PSU itself is rated to last 100,000 hours on average (MTBF), and this is backed up with a five-year limited warranty. The price for the EVGA 750BQ will vary depending on its availability, as it’s currently selling for $117.25, but can be found for as low as $90-$95 when on sale. View on Amazon Best gold-rated power supply for the RTX 3070 Corsair RM750x Corsair has always been a giant in the PSU manufacturing industry, as they have set a standard in regards to performance and reliability with their wide range of power supplies that can be utilized for personal, to strictly professional, use. Their higher-end consumer-grade model is the RMx – which is not to be confused with the RM, as the RMx has higher quality components and will usually cost slightly more. The 80 PLUS Gold-rated RM750x has a single +12V rail that can output up to 62.5 amps, or 750 watts – and does so with an efficiency level up to %90. Integrated within it are industrial-grade, all Japanese capacitors from Nippon Chemi-Con and Nichicon; rated for temperatures up to 105 degrees Celsius. This PSU is fully modular, meaning that all cables can be removed and attached depending on your needs, so there will be no unnecessary cables that have to be crammed within the case. Of these cables, the essentials ones are sleeved, and the peripheral cables are simply flat black. Corsair has included their own-built 135mm fan for the RM750x, which makes use of rifle bearings that emit low noise and which have an increased level of durability in comparison to both sleeve bearings and regular ball bearings. Under low to medium loads the fan will not spin, so the PSU will remain silent, while under mid to high loads, Corsair makes the rather bold claim that, the fan will only reach noise levels of 20-22 decibels. If that is the case, it will be virtually inaudible at all times. The PSU and its fan are rated to last for 100,000 hours on average, and this is backed up by a, rather impressive, 10-year warranty. The Corsair RM750x is currently selling for only $134.99, which is an excellent price given its power output, 80 PLUS Gold level efficiency, and overall quality of internal components. View on Amazon Best RGB-enabled Power Supply for RTX 3070 Thermaltake Toughpower iRGB Plus  Buying the RTX 3070 means that you are probably, at least to some capacity, a gaming enthusiast, so why not add a bit of extra RGB flair to your setup? Thermaltake’s iRGB illuminated Toughpower Plus offers style, without sacrificing quality and efficiency, and does so at a respectable price. 18 addressable LEDs capable of displaying 16.8 million colors, with Thermaltake’s patented Riing Duo design, are situated onto the PSU’s fan and offer a host of interchangeable effects that can be synchronized to your liking via PC software, a mobile application, and even Amazon’s Alexa voice controls! In fact, if you are a fan of Razer peripherals, this PSU can even by synced with Razer’s Chroma. The Toughpower Plus has a single +12V rail that can supply up to 62.5 amps (or 750 watts) to your RTX 3070 and CPU, so you don’t have to worry about an insufficient power supply. All capacitors within are high quality, 105 degree Celsius certified, and are manufactured in Japan. The PSU is fully modular, with all cables being detachable, and the essential cables are individually sleeved while the peripheral cables are just flat black. The 140mm fan included, which is RGB lit, is situated onto an anti-vibration mounting system, and, surprisingly enough, comes with bearings of the highest quality you can find in PSUs: hydro-dynamic bearings. These bearings are the most silent (second only to magnetic levitation bearings, not usually found in PSUs) and allow for Thermaltake to rate this PSU with a MTBF of 120,000 hours; backing it up with a 10-year warranty. The downside of this PSU is its excessive amount of software, which many users have found to be dysfunctional, to the point of ultimately hurting their experience with the product. If this software is to be ignored, the Toughpower Plus has top-quality components, an 80 PLUS Gold rated efficiency, and can be found at the $175 range – an overall great price for both style and function. View on Amazon Best Silent Power Supply for RTX 3070 Be Quiet! Straight Power 11 If you would rather trade the RGB lighting displays for some peace and quiet, then it is hard to find a better choice than the company focused on creating products with, particularly low noise outputs: The Listen GmbH brand has created, perhaps, the quietest PSU available in the market: Their 80 PLUS Platinum-rated Straight Power 11. This power supply has a unique design with multiple +12V rails. These rails, four in number, are separated into two pairs: one pair outputting 20 amps each, the other pair outputting 24 amps each for a total of 84 amps and a maximum power output of 820 watts. The capacitors within are all 105 degree C certified and Japanese manufactured, whilew the other internal components are all designed to be wire free in order to keep thermals low. The Straight Power 11 is also fully modular, and all the cables are fully sleeved. The 135mm fan included is of equally high quality to its internal components, as it has be quiet!’s Silent Wings 3 technology – which is marketing’s way of stating that it has custom, static pressure optimized fan blades, fluid dynamic bearings, and a 6-pole fan motor. These three aspects translate to an overall operating noise level that ranges from 8.6, to only 20.8 decibels for loads ranging from 1-100%. That means that no matter what load the PSU is under, it will be virtually silent from less than a foot away. Given the quality components and the Platinum 80 PLUS rating, you would expect this PSU to cost upwards of $200. Surprisingly enough, it is currently selling for only $149.90; making it an excellent deal to pair with the RTX 3070, for an overall PC build that operates silently. View on Amazon Best SFX SFF PSU for RTX 3070 Since the RTX Ampere 3070 will have a 2, to 2.2, slot heatsink, while being under 250mm in length (depending on the aftermarket model) it should easily fit into several of the more popular, fully-sized GPU compatible, small form factor (SFF) cases. If you’re looking for a PC that is small in footprint, but great in power, then the RTX Ampere 3070, and the mITX motherboard within, will need an SFX PSU to power it. For that, Corsair has you covered with their SF750. Note that, due to the cramming of hardware in such a small case, thermals may quickly become a problem that can also negatively influence the efficiency of the PSU. This is why we have chosen the SF750 which has a Platinum 80 PLUS rating, to compensate for this discrepancy. This SF750 has a single +12V rail that can output 62.5 amps or 750 watts. Crucial for SFF cases, this model is fully modular and has flexible paracord sleeves for each individual cable. The capacitors within are all high-quality, Japanese manufactured capacitors. Also, if at some point you would rather transfer the SF750 onto a full-ATX rig, an SFX-to-ATX bracket is also included. The cooling fan used in the SF750 is 92mm in diameter, and will not operate at low to medium loads. Like the RM750x, this PSU also has rifle bearings – which are great, but not the best. They still do allow for an MTBF of 100,000 hours, which is backed by a respectable 7-year warranty. Due to its impressive specifications, despite its small size, the SF750 can be difficult to find. Its price usually ranges around the $185 mark; though the price will ultimately depend on its availability. View on Amazon... Read more...
    • 4 Best CPUs to Pair With The RTX 30804 Best CPUs to Pair With The RTX 3080
      September 23, 2020Nvidia has captivated the gaming and PC world with the announcement of the hotly anticipated new line of Ampere processors. Amongst this line, Nvidia announced a release date of September 17th for their flagship GPU the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080. Not only is the RTX 3080 reported to clock speeds nearly twice as fast as previous models like the RTX 2080 and perform considerably better than the top of the range old generation models like the RTX 2080 Super. But the RTX 3080 also has a slew of impressive performance benchmarks; like the new GPU which boasts 10GB of GDDR6X memory and a 1.71Ghz boost clock.  These impressive hardware feats are coupled by a number of new and improved technologies like that of the second generation ray-tracing cores – which will allow ray tracing enabled games to run much smoother than ever before. The advancements seemingly made in this new GPU offering not only surpass older models but allows the RTX 3080 to eclipse the likes of the RTX 2080 Ti for a reasonable $699.  Even if all these hardware and technological advancements don’t do it for you. Something has to be said for the sleek design of the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080. Elements like the seamless integration of the heat sink within the GPU, allow this model to really look the part in any serious gaming setup.  It’s hard not to see the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 as truly representing the next generation in graphics technology. Centrally, however, to utilize the full power of such a GPU, you will need appropriate accompanying components, that don’t throttle performance. To ensure that your system is RTX 3080 ready. Here are our custom recommendations, for the most seamless pairing to allow you to get the most out of Nvidia’s flagship GPU. Best CPUs for RTX 3080 Builds – Our Selections Best Enthusiast Gaming CPU for RTX 3080 – Intel i9-10900K If you want to pair up your top of the range RTX 3080 with a CPU worthy of being placed in the same high echelon of tech performance, then look no further than Intel’s recently released ‘Comet Lake’ i9-10900k. This CPU pushes the boundaries of processing performance forward. Boasting an eye-watering 5.3 boost clock and 16 cores, which allows the CPU to boast the single highest output of any current CPU on the market.  Coupled well with the RTX 3080 this CPU will provide the key components to jaw-dropping 4k 144Hz is possible at serious frame rates. If you feel like you need to juice even more power out of this processing monster, the CPU offers the option to overclock further, with better OC potential than its AMD counterpart. However, to facilitate this you’ll need a high-end cooling solution.  This being said the i9-10900k boasts Intel’s own ‘Thermal Velocity Boost’ interface, in order to raise boost clocks when temperatures permit. Even if you’re not a fan of overclocking your CPU Intel also provides a custom safe overclocking ‘Thermal Velocity Boost’ system which allows the CPU to hit even higher levels of performance. As the key components of any top-end gaming PC, the i9-10900K is the current top of the range option. If paired with the RTX 3080 and other central components like that of a 4k 240Hz monitor and a capable Z490 motherboard – this setup will handle any triple-A title with jaw-dropping frame rates and a smooth seamless picture.  As such the i9-10900K is our choice for the best option for an ultimate no holds barred, gaming PC with the RTX 3080. View on Amazon Best High-FPS Gaming CPU for RTX 3080 – i7-10700K If you are looking to pair up the RTX 3080 with a processor able to handle high frame rate gaming, then the 8-core i7-10700 is worth a look in. This processor has a 3.8GHz base clock and 5.1GHz boost clock, making this processor more than capable of handling high frame rates and smooth picture.   Importantly, pairing this impressive GPU and CPU to a reliable and a capable Z490 Motherboard with a decent feature-set and VRM. Will allow you to enjoy high-performance frame rates and smooth images. A high frame rate is essential to competitive high-level FPS gaming, as it enables you to see the run of play in real-time and often before your competitors. Paired with integrated technologies like that of Nvidias ‘lag reduction’ that has been reported to be integrated within the new line of GPUs  and Nvidia’s commitment to giving serious gamers the best experience possible.  If you are looking for competitive FPS gaming. The combination of the RTX 3080 paired with the i7-10700k provides a lethal setup for any high-stress FPS games that will draw your competitor’s envy. View on Amazon Best VR-Gaming CPU for RTX 3080 – Ryzen 7 3800X In the last few years, virtual reality gaming has progressed from a gimmicky side attraction and moved towards something that has gandered gamers’ attention worldwide. Namely, the release of games like that of Half-Life Alyx, a game that received stellar reviews from across the board. Releases of huge triple-A titles continue to support the idea that VR represents the future of gaming.  Further, the release and popularity of headsets like that of the Oculus Rift S, only further support the idea that VR gaming is the way in which gaming is heading.  Virtual Reality gaming, however, places a unique demand on any PC. Despite the  Nvidia RTX 3080 being a model that is a worthy match for HD VR gaming, you’ll need a worthy CPU that can match up to the high demands of VR gaming. That is why we recommend the Ryzen 7 3800X as the appropriate processor to meet your VR needs. Stats like that of an 8-core and additional 16 thread CPU, offers killer performance along with impressive boost clocks of up to 4.5GHz.   AMD has also managed to future proof their systems with the seamless integration of PCIe 4.0 slots on their motherboards. Meaning that you can utilize their forward-thinking in order to integrate NVMe SSDs to your setup, in order to allow fast transfer of data compared to the previous generation PCIe 3.0 devices.  On top of this, the Ryzen 3800 goes for a modest $320 dollars, making it a much more affordable option than the processors previously talked about in this list.  View on Amazon Best Content-creation CPU for RTX 3080 – Ryzen 9 3950X While the majority of talk about the new release of the Ampere line has generally focused on the ability of the GPUs to handle games. Something has to be said for just how useful this new line of GPUs could be for content creators. Just looking at the advancements that the RTX 3080 provides in sheer computation power and rendering, it is hard not to see the benefit for the world of content creation. Nevertheless, if you are looking to really render the power of such an impressive GPU, to really take your editing, rendering or 3D imaging to the next level. Then the Ryzen 3950x is our CPU recommendation for you. Supported by stats like he 3950x  eye watering stats like that of a 16 core 32 thread system, that will make high stress tasks like that of 3D rendering and high-quality video rendering much easier than before. Importantly, AMD’s seamless integration of PCIe 4.0 slots for integration of high end NVME SSDs will make transferring large files something that eclipses that of storage on older hard drive models.  Combined with the power of the RTX 3080 the Ryzen 3950 would go well in the arsenal of any content generator to perform a large amount of 3D animation or rendering and priced at a modest $400, it really is one of the best options on the market for content creators. View on Amazon... Read more...
    • RTX 3080 Aftermarket Card List (22+ Models Compared)RTX 3080 Aftermarket Card List (22+ Models Compared)
      September 13, 2020Great news for the world of PC gaming enthusiasts has recently been announced, as Nvidia has unveiled their GeForce RTX Ampere 30 Series GPUs. The best part of this announcement is that these graphics cards have proven to be much more powerful (in terms of specifications) that what was initially speculated via rumors and leaks. Out of the three announced Ampere models, the most value-for-price option appears to be the RTX Ampere 3080. With a CUDA Core count of 8,704, a boost clock speed of 1.71 GHz, 8 GB of newly updated GDDR6X VRAM, 2nd generation Ray Tracing cores, 3rd generation Tensor cores, and an impressive 30 TFLOPs of FP32 compute performance, the RTX 3080 is a powerhouse of graphical processing that simply dwarfs the specifications of current-generation, equivalently priced, GPUs. In fact, even comparing the RTX 3080 to the RTX 2080 Ti makes the RTX 2080 Ti seem outdated. The RTX 3080 has an improved 8 nm processing node, PCIe 4.0 compatibility, 123% more FP32 processing power, and 100% more CUDA cores than the RTX 2080 Ti; all while being $500 cheaper. If you, too, are excited for the release of the RTX 3080, then you won’t have to wait long, as it is set to release on September the 17th in North America and Europe. To help you choose the best aftermarket card in regards to cooling, boost clock speeds, software, and pricing, we’ve compiled a list of all recently announced RTX 3080 AIB graphics cards. Do note, that there are still some manufacturers that have yet to release the full list of specifications (like boost clock speed and price) for their GPU models. RTX 3080 Aftermarket Card List – All Announced Models (A-Z) ASUS GeForce RTX 3080 ROG STRIX Gaming OC The list may be in alphabetical order, but what better way to start than with the tech manufacturing giant ASUS, who is ready to release three different RTX Ampere 3080 models; one of which being the higher end: ROG STRIX Gaming OC. Living up to the OC in its name, this graphics card will feature an overclocking mode with an increased boost clock speed of 1,740 MHz (up from the 1,710 MHz of the reference card). Additionally, an RGB display will light up the side of the GPU, as well as underneath the fans, so it can be mounted any way you please. ASUS will include Armor Crate software for RGB customization – colors and effects – while the overclocking can be tuned via GPU Tweak II. Additional software that will be included: A 6-month subscription for WTFast, a gaming network optimization software, a free X-Split subscription, professional streaming software, and QuantumCloud, which uses your GPU’s processing power and in return provides you with an insignificant sum of money via PayPal. In terms of cooling, the ROG STRIX will feature three, upgraded, axial-tech fans with 13 blades on the center fan (which spins in an alternate direction, for less turbulence), and 11 blades on the two side fans. These will be PWM controlled, so they will not spin when the GPU’s temperature is below 55 degrees C. The heatsink is quite large, at 2.9 slots in height, and it is situated n a polished-surface heat spreader for maximum contact with the GPU’s die. The backplate is also ventilated for better airflow. Finally, five ports will be available: two HDMI 2.1, and three DisplayPort 1.4a. Only thing left to learn is the price, which ASUS should announce as the launch date approaches. View on Amazon ASUS GeForce RTX 3080 TUF Gaming / OC  The other two models ASUS will be unveiling, come September the 17th, are the RTX Ampere 3080 TUF Gaming and TUF Gaming OC. These two GPUs will be identical in most aspects, except for the fact that the TUF Gaming OC will have a boost clock speed of 1,740 MHz (similar to the ROG STRIX) while the other will have the baseline boost clock speed of 1,710 MHz. In terms of RGB lighting, there is a thin strip and a small ASUS TUF logo on the side of the GPU, which can be customized via Armor Crate. In fact, all included software will be identical to those of the previously mentioned ROG STRIX. The cooling is also almost identical to the ROG STRIX: three PWM controlled fans, a ventilated backplate, and a max-contact heat spreader. Only difference here will be the heatsink, which is slightly smaller (2.7 Slots), though a separate VRAM dedicated heatsink is also included with the TUF Gaming models. The connectivity will also be identical to the ROG STRIX. Currently the only thing we don’t know about these models is their price, but if we had to guess, the TUF Gaming should cost close to the reference card price of $699, and the TUF Gaming OC should cost only slightly above that. View on Amazon EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 ICX3 EVGA has a long list of Nvidia 30 Series models ready to release on September the 17th, four of which belong to the RTX Ampere 3080 GPU. These models will differ mainly in their method of cooling, which is definitely unique for some. The EVGA Hybrid, for example, utilizes a single fan attached to the graphics card and liquid AIO cooling provided by a 120mm radiator. The Hydro Copper will cool the GPU and VRAM with the use of a waterblock, for silent and efficient liquid cooling. The other two models, the FTW3 and XC3, will use more conventional, tri-fan cooling. The FTW3 differs mostly due to its ARGB displays, which it has plenty of. These displays are included on the front plate (an EVGA logo) on the side plate (the model of the GPU a smaller FTW3 logo), opposite to the I/O ports (EVGA logo), and on the backplate (EVGA logo). This ARGB lighting, and any overclocking capabilities (boost clock speed still unannounced) will be tuned via EVGA’s new Precision X1 Software. The XC3 will lack the ARGB of the FTW3, but it does have similar cooling: Three, premium, hydro-dynamic bearing fans that are independently controlled and asynchronous, a heatsink with through-hole fins, a GPU and VRAM encompassing copper block with semi-circular heatpipes, an air-through PCB, and a ventilated backplate which makes use of micro-thin copper heatpipes for better heat dissipation. Price for each model is yet to be determined.  View on Amazon Galax KFA2 GeForce RTX 3080 SG & EX Gaming Galax will also be offering two Nvidia RTX Ampere 3080 GPUs: The RTX 3080 SG and the recently announced KFA2 EX Gaming. The KFA2 SG will have a boost clock speed of 1,710 MHz, with a 1-Click overclock feature that boosts the frequency to 1,725 MHz. The KFA EX Gaming, on the other hand, has the highest boost clock speed of any announced aftermarket RTX Ampere 3080 model: 1,755 MHz, and a 1-Click overclock speed of 1,770 MHz. These speeds can be reached by using Galax’s Xtreme Tuner Plus software, which is also used to tweak the RGB lighting. Both these models make use of RGB displays on the outer ring of their three fans, as the fan-blades are translucent. There is also a “What is your game?” quote on the side that utilizes RGB, if you’d prefer to mount the GPU conventionally. The EX Gaming also has a bulkier exterior, and comes in three different colors: white, pink, and black. The tri-fan cooling system is also similar, with three 11-bladed “Wings” designed fan-blades for both variants – though the SG has three 92mm fans, whereas the EX Gaming has a 102mm middle fan. Where the SG has a slight edge is its use of an oddly unique clip on 80mm fan which can be attached to its ventilated backplate to assist in removing hot air from the heatsink. For connectivity, both models include four ports in total: three DP 1.4a and one HDMI 2.1. Prices are yet to be announced, but if rumors are true that the KFA2 SG will cost the baseline $699 price, then it is definitely a value option to consider.  View on Amazon GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3080 Master & Xtreme  GIGABYTE couldn’t be absent from the AIB market of the Nvidia 30 Series Ampere GPUs, and thus they will also be releasing four models, two of those being the RTX 3080 Master and Xtreme. GIGABYTE has not yet released much info regarding what makes each of the two unique, but if we were to guess it, would probably have to do with boost clock speeds. Both these models appear to have RGB accents on the side and on the backplate, including an OLED screen which will provide the GPU’s temperature, and perhaps even more system metrics. The AORUS Engine will be the software for tweaking both RGB and GPU or fan controls. When it comes to cooling, once again the info we have for both models is identical. Both will use a three-fan design, two fans being 115mm in diameter, while the third (side) fan will be 100mm. The fans will have double ball-bearings, PWM controls, and they will spin in alternate directions in order to avoid turbulence. These fans will also be mounted on, what GIGABYTE named as, Wind Claw mounts, which reinforce and channel the airflow toward the heatsink. The heatsink itself will have an angular and unequal fin design, to better channel the airflow, while the copper plate heat spreader will have composite heatpipes to more efficiently move the heat toward the enlarged heatsink. The backplate will also be ventilated for better airflow. Price and boost clock speeds are yet to be confirmed. View on Amazon Inno3D GeForce RTX 3080 iChill X3 / X4 Inno3D will join the RTX Ampere 3080 AIB market battle with three of their own models, two of which include the iChill X3 and iChill X4. These GPUs have nearly identical exteriors and RGB lighting, as well as cooling solutions. Firstly, both models have an extravagant RGB display on the side of the GPU, which is not only customizable through Inno3D’s TunelIT, but also with Aura Sync, Mystic Light, and RGB Fusion. The iChill X3 allows you to add additional flare with the use of an acrylic RGB tail fin that can be attached right above the RGB display. Two tail fins are included, and one is blank so you can customize it to your style. The iChill X4 trades these acrylic tail fins for a small, 45mm, rotary fan attached to the side of the GPU, intended for cooling the MOSFETs. Other than that, both GPUs will include a triple, 90mm, fan setup; using Inno3D’s Scythe blades, 8 heatpipes, and a 1,881mm lengthwise heatsink that incorporates ultra-thin cooling fins and a copper base for better MOSFET and VRAM heat transfer. The studded surface backplate will also be ventilated. Price and boost clock speeds have not yet been released, but we do know that the iChill X4 will be slightly more expensive than the X3. View on Amazon Inno3D GeForce RTX 3080 Twin X2 OC The third graphics card that Inno3D is working on is the Twin X2 OC. This barebones model lacks any and all RGB lighting, and makes use of only two fans – rather than the triple-fan design of the two iChill models. It will most likely have an increased boost clock speed, but the exact metric is still unknown. The fans included are of similar quality to the iChill models: 90mm, identical blade design, and PWM controls. The heatsink is somewhat smaller, being 1,517mm in length, and the heatpipes have been reduced to seven. TunnelIT will be available for GPU monitoring and tweaking of the clock speeds. Though the Inno3D Twin X2 OC’s price has not yet been released, it should be priced similarly to the reference card at $699. View on Amazon MSI GeForce RTX 3080 VENTUS 3X OC MSI could also not be absent from the RTX 3080 graphics card competition, hence why they are releasing two graphics card models, one being the VENTUS 3X OC. Because the VENTUS 3X is the least expensive option MSI will feature, this GPU is devoid of any RGB displays. It does come with their Dragon Center and Afterburner software, for GPU monitoring and overclocking, though MSI is yet to confirm what the boost clock speeds will be for this model. The thermal solution of the VENTUS 3X features a three-fan design that makes use of TORX Fan 3.0: combining traditional and dispersion blades in an alternating pattern. The cooling system also includes MSI’s Zero Froze, so the fans will not operate when the GPU is below a certain temperature, while thermal pads are placed on components known to get hot. MSI has also placed emphasis on preventing bending when the GPU is mounted, and have done so by adding reinforcement to the graphene backplate, as well as by providing an optional support bracket that you can screw to the bottom of the GPU to help it remain straight. Once again, an exact has not yet been confirmed by MSI for this model, though it shouldn’t cost much more than the reference card.  View on Amazon MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming X TRIO  MSI’s higher end option will be the Gaming X TRIO. It is very similar to the VENTUS 3X, though it does have two RGB displays – including RGB accents in the front plate, as well as an MSI logo and thick RGB lit strip running across two thirds of the side plate. To sync the RGB lighting with other MSI hardware, this model will include MSI’s Mystic Light software. When it comes to the cooling solution, the Gaming X TRIO will utilize MSI’s new generation TORX FAN 4.0 design, which binds fan-blades in pairs by connecting them in the outer ring, in order to provide better static pressure and better cool the heatsink. The heatsink itself will be optimized for silent operation, using Wave-Curved 2.0 fins which have angled edges that eliminate any acoustics that result from the air passing through. Boost clock speed and price are TBC. View on Amazon Palit GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming PRO & Gaming PRO OC The fine folks at Palit are also looking to make a statement with their Ampere 30 Series RTX GPUs, as they are ready to release a total of four models. Two of these will be the Gaming PRO and Gaming PRO OC, while the other two will be the GameRock and GameRock Pro – though nothing has been announced for the latter two other than a picture showing that they will utilize a 3-fan design and a flashy front-plate RGB display. The Gaming PRO and Gaming PRO OC are also nearly identical, with the latter have an increased boost clock speed of 1,740 MHz.  The two Gaming PRO models will have an ARGB display which will run across the middle of the three fans, mostly being visible from the front, and customizable via Palit’s ThunderMaster software. These three fans will have double ball bearings, TurboFan 3.0 (so they operate only when necessary), and an IP5X dust resistance rating. The heatpipes will be double-U shaped, and will be situated on a triple-A (aluminum alloy armor) die casted plate. Like most RTX 3080 models, the backplate will be ventilated, with a honeycomb bracket design. Price is yet to be confirmed, though the Gaming PRO should be priced around the $699 mark. View on Amazon PNY GeForce RTX 3080 XLR8 Gaming Epic-X RGB Hailing from the United States, the hardware manufacturer PNY is primed to release their XLR8 Gaming Epic-X RGB RTX Ampere 3080. This GPU will have the GeForce RTX logo lit with an RGB display on the side, as well as some slight RGB accents on the front plate. The OC clock speed appears to be the standard 1,710 MHz, so no extra boost there. In terms of cooling, the XLR8 Gaming Epic-X will make use of three fan design and a 2.7-slot heatsink. The overall length of the GPU will be 294mm, meaning it should fit in many full-sized GPU SFF cases. No other details have been confirmed by PNY yet, including the actual retail price. View on Amazon ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3080 Trinity  Finally, we have ZOTAC, with the triple fanned Ampere RTX 3080 Trinity. This graphics card will feature two ARGB displays: one on the side plate (accents and the ZOTAC Gaming logo) as well as on the backplate (ZOTAC logo), which can be synced via ZOTAC’s FireStorm software. For cooling, the Trinity will use three, eleven-bladed, fans with an IceStorm 2.0 design, so they will not work under low loads. Also utilized is ZOTAC’s Active Fan feature, where two of the three fans can be controlled independently of the third. Three groups of aluminum, fin stack array heatsinks are included, which will receive heat from the GPU via seven copper heatpipes that are arranged in a custom layout. The Trinity also has a metal, die-casted and ventilated, backplate to boot. Once again, price is unknown, though we do know that the boost clock speed will be the same as the reference card (1,710 MHz); therefore, chances are the price won’t be too far off from the baseline price-tag of $699. View on Amazon... Read more...

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