Introduction

There comes a time in any computer enthusiasts lifetime when component testing on a desk or the top of a cardboard box is simply not good enough. The consumers system is susceptible to all kind of accidental damage, making precious equipment useless. In the past enthusiasts have made their own ‘bench desks’ in order to get around this problem. However these are rather cumbersome and by no means portable. In truth you can get away in a pinch with cardboard boxes for basic system testing, However,what about advanced trouble shooting, professional component reviews, overclocking using Dry ICE/LN2 or even leak testing a water cooling system? All these issues need to be addressed and yet still make the unit portable. Various companies have tried, such as the Antec Skeleton and the Wonderful Lian Li T1 Spider bench table. However none have the rigid, solid feel about them that combines flexibility, creativeness and required cooling options that the enthusiasts need. One such company that believes that they have the answer is Dimastech.

Company Background

DimasTech SNC is part of this reality by offering professional extreme cooling solutions and technologically advanced, superior efficient cooling solutions as compared to those commonly offered by the market. Phase Change Cooling represents a very powerful cooling solution, suitable for extreme overclocking conditions or special needs of testing.

DimasTech SNC offers solutions, support and advice on any matter relating to the cooling for the PC  The client can find the best solution suitable to the needs presented. The dynamism and expertise allow DimasTech SNC establish itself as a manufacturer of cooling systems for PCs, Test Station / BenchTable and as a consultant for every need of cooling.

(taken from http://www.dimastech.com/EN/about-us  last accessed on the 08/10/2010)

Power supplies, are an often over-looked feature and in this modern day there are power supplies for everything! Such as computers, mobile phones, laptops, netbooks, hand-held game consoles and PDA’s. However PDA’S are very much redundant, so this still leaves a multitude of gadgets that need either recharging or to provide power. Wouldn’t it be nice to see an all in one charger that can fit the bill and power all of theses devices? Well Coolermaster believes that they have the answer to the consumer’s woes. Let us see exactly what the aforementioned company has done to solve this issue.

Before we go any further in this article; Overclockers Tech wishes to introduce you to our new short Gadget Article Format. Essentialy these are in the same format as our regular reviews but much shorter, due to the nature of the product reviewed.

Company Background

Cooler Master was founded with the mission of providing the industry’s best thermal solutions. Since its establishment a decade ago, the company has remained faithful to this mission, emerging as a world leader in products and services for companies dealing with devices where heat issues must be resolved.

In pursuing this mission, Cooler Master is absolutely committed to delivering solutions that precisely meet customer requirements for features, performance, and quality. Moreover, we strive to be a reliable long-term partner for our customers that they can truly depend on. It aims to be the first and foremost name that comes to mind for companies around the world seeking thermal solutions, and seeks to build such a reputation through outstanding technology, sophisticated design, and superior service.

Introduction

Computer chassis are all the range these days, with many a shape and size available for purchase. These products come in many differing colours and concepts; some are more unusual than others. However one manufacturer has tipped the scales in their favour (in the unusual computer chassis concepts) is Lian Li. The T1 Pit-stop case is the product in question and has come in a rather unusual design. Billed as a ‘test-bench’ chassis for those whom use the mini ITX board standard, the product is certainly eye catching and almost ‘shock worthy’. However can it live up to the reputation garnered over many years by Lian Li. Will it be a case (pardon the pun) of style over substance? Let us read on and find out.

Company Background

“Lian Li Industrial Co., LTD was founded in 1983. They are the one of the largest and most reputable manufacturer of aluminium PC cases in Taiwan. With over twenty years of experience in the computer products field, their dedicated team of engineers, production specialists and administrative staff provide the finest quality accessories available on the market.

In 1993, Lian-Li Introduced their new lines of computer hardware, including brackets (for case and interfaces), Mobile rack (for H.D.D.), mounting kit (for FDD & HDD), aluminium PC cases, IPC, external cases, server cases and more. They also provide OEM and ODM services, you are assured of designs that will meet your exact specifications, and innovative ideas in manufacturing that will give your products an essential market edge.

Our outstanding quality has earned us ISO 9001 certification for all of our products. In addition, we back up our quality assurance with a two-year guarantee on most of our products.”



Thermaltake is rapidly becoming known as the leader of fresh and innovative ideas for the PC enthusiast market.  Today we will be looking at one of their newest offerings, the BlacX 5G hard drive docking station.

The Company Line

About Thermaltake

Founded in 1999, IPO in Taiwan Stock Exchange since December 2007. Thermaltake Inc. a multinational company pioneering in PC Thermal Solution, Award Winning State of Art PC Power Supplies and revolutionized PC chassis. The company revolutionizes the PC market by create, innovate and implement the most efficient solution in its technology. Thermaltake also participates in various environmental conservation programs to help save the mother Earth. Today, Thermaltake has expending its well known brand throughout the USA, Germany, Taiwan, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada, soon to be in every continent. “

Read on as we explore the capabilities of the BlacX 5g Docking Station!

Since the Intel X68 platform release is still a ways away,  motherboard manufacturers are constantly trying to breathe new life into the aging X58 platform.  Enter EVGA’s latest X58 offering, the X58-SLI3.  Based on the popular X58 SLI LE motherboard, it has been reborn to include both USB 3.0 and Sata 3 600 Mbs support.  The most eye catching feature is the price, this EVGA offering comes to market with a retail price of $199.99 (NewEgg).  We’ll take this latest offering from EVGA for a test drive and see how their first sub $200.00 USD X58 offering performs.

About EVGA

“Known for offering value and performance, as well as top notch customer service, EVGA is recognized through customer loyalty and the highest levels in customer satisfaction. In addition to the expanded product lines, consumers and channel partners will also benefit from increased sales and technical support programs:

• The EVGA Limited Lifetime Warranty – For all retail products ending in part number -AR.
• EVGA proprietary Advanced RMA (EAR) service – for allowing customers get a replacement card before sending the defective product back to EVGA.
• 24/7 Phone Technical Support – to assure users that courteous and friendly assistance will always be available at anytime of the day or night.
• Step-Up Program – for the ability to trade up existing EVGA products for newer technology.
• Community Message Boards -full of thousands of knowledgeable, friendly and satisfied EVGA customers.
• EVGA MODS RIGS – show off your rig, win cash prizes.
• EVGA Gaming – EVGA game servers open 24/7 featuring the latest games.

EVGA is the #1 NVIDIA authorized partner in channel sales throughout North America. Based on the philosophy of intelligent innovation, market knowledge, and the real time operation, EVGA continues to identify the need in the market place and providing the solution to that need. By offering product differentiation, 24/7 tech support, a 90 day Step-Up program, and other customer focused programs, EVGA is a clear leader in all categories: etail, retail, distribution, and system builders. With headquarters in Brea, CA, EVGA’s global coverage includes EVGA GmbH in Munich, EVGA LATAM in Miami, and EVGA Hong Kong. For further information online about EVGA, visit www.evga.com.”

Introduction

The IBM compatible PC has been around since the ‘8086’ specification and for many years afterwards the computer chassis that houses all those precious components had not changed. The same old beige box with the ‘Turbo’ button became rather tiresome. At this time system builders had to be a persistent lot, with the razor sharp edges inside of those cases as the interior of the chassis was made from sheet-metal or tin. However all this changed when Apple released the G-3 style computer. Resembling ‘boiled sweets’ these gave case manufacturers a deeper insight on how a case should be made.

These days no PC builder would tolerate being cut whilst building a case and now ‘tool-less’ designs are the norm. Gone forever are the razor sharp edges and the three different types of screw driver needed to assemble the case. Computer chassis now come in all shapes and sizes. Additionally computer cases have moved away from the standard beige look and now are powder coated in a myriad of differing colours.

One company that wants to improve on the existing designs and expand the horizon still further is Antec.

Company Background

Antec, Inc. is the global leader in high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself markets. Founded in 1986, Antec is recognized as a pioneer in the industry and has maintained its position as a worldwide market leader and international provider of quiet, efficient and innovative products. Antec has also achieved great success in the distribution channel, meeting the demands of quality-conscious system builders, VARs and integrators.

Antec’s offering of enclosures includes a wide range of cases, such as its advanced Performance One Series, economical New Solution Series and VERIS family of media components designed for the home theatre PC market. Antec’s products also include front line power supplies, such as its premium Signature Series, powerful TruePower Quattro Series and EarthWatts, one of the most environmentally friendly power supplies available. PC gamers are an increasingly significant consumer of performance components, and many Antec products are designed for the gaming demographic, like the premier gamer enclosure: the Nine Hundred. Antec also offers a line of computer accessories comprising many original products, including its patented LED fans and notebook cooling solutions.

Antec is headquartered in Fremont, California, with additional offices in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, as well as in Germany, China and Taiwan. The company’s products are sold in more than 40 countries throughout the world.

For more information, visit the Antec Website.

]]> http://www.overclockerstech.com/antec-dark-fleet/feed/ 0 http://www.overclockerstech.com/netbook-cooler-shootout/ http://www.overclockerstech.com/netbook-cooler-shootout/#comments Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:59:24 +0000 djpc http://www.overclockerstech.com/?p=4336

Introduction

In the age of the netbook, we have striven for smaller lighter notebooks, though in this quest some manufacturers have chosen to omit cooling systems inside their systems and are relying on the Atoms CPU low thermal load. One lovely example we have here is Dell’s Inspirion Mini 10v (1011). The cooling system employed in this netbook is a thermal pad on the chipset and CPU attached to the keyboard! This makes a very poor cooling solution, and can make typing uncomfortable when hot. Thus, the laptop if kept within specification cannot be used when the air temp is more than 30^oC. This could be a problem in hotter climates than Britain.

Company Background

Step in Coolermaster and Choiix. Coolermaster is most well-known for its popular HAF, Cosmos and Storm series of cases as well as other cooling products. From them today we have not one but two notebook coolers. One is passive and the other is active. Choiix is a less well known company but actually is a subsidiary of Coolermaster aimed at “offering a diversity of digital lifestyle products, with joyful, colourful, user-friendly and touching characteristics. Every simple yet quality design is for people who wish to create their own unique chic lifestyle.”

OCZ has long been associated with high performance computing products. From their Power Supply offerings to their SSD’s, OCZ offers a wide range of products for just about any budget.  Today we will be looking at one of OCZ’s many memory offerings, their mid priced DDR3 4gb Dual Channel Kit (OCZ3P2000C8LV4Gk).  Before we get started a little information on OCZ would be in order.

“Founded in 2002, San Jose, California-based OCZ Technology Group, Inc. has built on its expertise in high-speed memory to become a dominant player in the manufacturing and distribution of solid state drives (SSDs), a disruptive, game-changing technology that is replacing traditional rotating magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs). SSDs are faster, more reliable, run cooler, and use significantly less power than the HDDs used in the majority of computers today. In addition to SSD technology, OCZ also offers high performance components for computing devices and systems, including enterprise class power management products as well leading edge computer gaming solutions.”

About Thermaltake

“We are living in the “DIY* era. More and more people are assembling their own PC for fun and personal interests, but not only as a tool for work. Many consumers buy computer components to assemble or upgrade their own system, only to enjoy the pleasure in DIY. This kind of DIY living style has long been popular in many western countries, but it has only become the trend around the world in the recent years. With the fast growing of the PC DIY market, Thermaltake will continue to offer DIY enthusiast creative and innovative products, and become the number one choice for PC DIY enthusiast world wide.

Thermaltake became the number one choice for PC DIY enthusiast worldwide with its innovatively breakthrough product designs. The concept of “Quality”, “Performance”, and “Reliability” have been incorporated into the design of Thermaltake PC Chassis, Cooler and Power Supply to assure the components meet the highest standard. Thermaltake’s devotion in making products with leading edge technology, best performance, and a more comfortable user experience will continue, because we believe that a product inspired by good innovational concept can improve the living standard at any time.”