Cougar Intros Polar Line of High-Wattage PSUs
Thu, 09 Dec 2021
Cougar today introduced the Polar line of high-wattage PSUs. These are characterized by their matte-white casing with a brushed aluminium tone that makes up the fan intake. The lineup are available in two models—1050 W and 1200 W, both with the same set of fully modular cables. Connectors include a 24-pin ATX, two 8-pin EPS, eight 6+2 pin PCIe power, nine SATA power, and three 4-pin Molex.
Under the hood, the Cougar Polar features a single +12 V rail design with 80 Plus Platinum efficiency, a 100% Japanese capacitor design, DC-to-DC switching, active PFC, and most common electrical protections. A 135 mm hydro-dynamic bearing fan keeps the unit cool with 0 dBA (fanless) operation up to 40% load (that's 480 W for the 1200 W model, and 420 W for the 1050 W model. The company didn't reveal pricing.
Under the hood, the Cougar Polar features a single +12 V rail design with 80 Plus Platinum efficiency, a 100% Japanese capacitor design, DC-to-DC switching, active PFC, and most common electrical protections. A 135 mm hydro-dynamic bearing fan keeps the unit cool with 0 dBA (fanless) operation up to 40% load (that's 480 W for the 1200 W model, and 420 W for the 1050 W model. The company didn't reveal pricing.
(PR) Intel Launches Integrated Photonics Research Center
Thu, 09 Dec 2021
Intel Labs recently opened the Intel Research Center for Integrated Photonics for Data Center Interconnects. The center's mission is to accelerate optical input/output (I/O) technology innovation in performance scaling and integration with a specific focus on photonics technology and devices, CMOS circuits and link architecture, and package integration and fiber coupling.
"At Intel Labs, we're strong believers that no one organization can successfully turn all the requisite innovations into research reality. By collaborating with some of the top scientific minds from across the United States, Intel is opening the doors for the advancement of integrated photonics for the next generation of compute interconnect. We look forward to working closely with these researchers to explore how we can overcome impending performance barriers," said James Jaussi, senior principal engineer and director of the PHY Research Lab in Intel Labs.
"At Intel Labs, we're strong believers that no one organization can successfully turn all the requisite innovations into research reality. By collaborating with some of the top scientific minds from across the United States, Intel is opening the doors for the advancement of integrated photonics for the next generation of compute interconnect. We look forward to working closely with these researchers to explore how we can overcome impending performance barriers," said James Jaussi, senior principal engineer and director of the PHY Research Lab in Intel Labs.
(PR) Acer Reports November Consolidated Revenues of NT$28.85 Billion, Highest November in Eight Years
Thu, 09 Dec 2021
Acer Inc. announced today its consolidated revenues for November at NT$28.85 billion, marking the highest in eight years for the same period, up 3.0% month-over-month (MoM) and up 0.5% year-over-year (YoY). Consolidated revenues for year-to-November were NT$289.3 billion, up 16.3% YoY. In terms of US$, year-to-November revenues have reached US$10.3 billion, which is already 9.8% higher than the full-year revenues of 2020. Acer's strategy to build multiple business engines to weather through the future continues to show good momentum, and listed subsidiaries have all reported their November business results, showing growth of 39.8% YoY in total.
(PR) QNAP and ULINK Release DA Drive Analyzer, AI-powered Drive Failure Prediction Tool for NAS
Thu, 09 Dec 2021
QNAP, partnered with ULINK Technology, to launch the DA Drive Analyzer. By leveraging cloud-based AI, this drive failure prediction tool allows users to take proactive steps to protect against server downtime and data loss by replacing drives before they fail. The DA Drive Analyzer leverages statistics generated from ULINK's cloud AI portal. Driven by historical usage data of millions of drives provided by users just like yourself, the DA Drive Analyzer's drive health prediction applies machine learning to track historical behaviors and is able to find drive failure events that won't be flagged by traditional diagnostics tools that rely on S.M.A.R.T. thresholds. Its user interface is also much more friendly and intuitive, allowing you to make plans to replace drives based on clearly defined drive information.
"Artificial Intelligence is a new technology that has tackled many real-life problems. By applying this technology to disk failure prediction, ULINK can actively and continuously monitor drives, detect problems, predict failures, and notify end users with our unique cloud-based data processing system. We are fortunate to have worked with QNAP to create this service, and we believe that many will benefit from it," said Joseph Chen, CEO of ULINK Technology.
"Artificial Intelligence is a new technology that has tackled many real-life problems. By applying this technology to disk failure prediction, ULINK can actively and continuously monitor drives, detect problems, predict failures, and notify end users with our unique cloud-based data processing system. We are fortunate to have worked with QNAP to create this service, and we believe that many will benefit from it," said Joseph Chen, CEO of ULINK Technology.
Having initially unveiled their buzzed-about new concept to the community at Flight Sim Expo 2021 (FSE) in San Diego on September 25, Thrustmaster is now pulling back the curtain and providing more details regarding their new line of products officially licensed by both Boeing and Xbox. Following their first highly successful collaboration with the legendary American aerospace company, with the launch of the groundbreaking F/A-18C Hornet HOTAS Add-On Grip, Thrustmaster is now applying full throttle to this all-star partnership by releasing its TCA Boeing Edition range.
With the arrival of three new Boeing-licensed products for Xbox and PC, Thrustmaster — the world's leading manufacturer of flight sim accessories — is proud to now offer two different yet fully complementary licensed product lines dedicated to civil aviation. An exciting new flagship endeavor for Thrustmaster, the TCA Boeing Edition range features unique, exclusive, and proprietary technologies integrated with a specific goal in mind: allowing users to replicate the controls, flight kinematics and sensations experienced by real Boeing pilots at the controls of a Dreamliner — right from the comfort of their favorite desk or table. This previously inaccessible yet highly aspirational world of civil aviation is now within reach for the entire flight sim community.
With the arrival of three new Boeing-licensed products for Xbox and PC, Thrustmaster — the world's leading manufacturer of flight sim accessories — is proud to now offer two different yet fully complementary licensed product lines dedicated to civil aviation. An exciting new flagship endeavor for Thrustmaster, the TCA Boeing Edition range features unique, exclusive, and proprietary technologies integrated with a specific goal in mind: allowing users to replicate the controls, flight kinematics and sensations experienced by real Boeing pilots at the controls of a Dreamliner — right from the comfort of their favorite desk or table. This previously inaccessible yet highly aspirational world of civil aviation is now within reach for the entire flight sim community.
(PR) Synology Unveils Compact, Cost-Effective FlashStation FS2500 & Latest SATA SSDs
Thu, 09 Dec 2021
Synology announced today the launch of FlashStation FS2500, the newest addition to the company's lineup of all-flash servers, as well as an update to its portfolio of SATA SSDs with SAT5210 drives. The FS2500 is designed to tackle business IT applications requiring fast and low-latency storage, including virtual machines and post-production work. The compact, 1U chassis fits 12 2.5" SATA bays, providing ample capacity and simple installation. The unit delivers more than 170,000/82,000 4K random read/write performance,1 and features dual 10 GbE ports with room for 10/25 GbE expansion.
Released last year to meet increasingly stringent requirements in terms of reliability and sustained performance, Synology's lineup of SATA SSD drives has proven to be a dependable solution for powering IT operations in a variety of highly demanding scenarios. Synology drives are designed in conjunction with the entire stack of engineers responsible for each storage system to ensure complete hardware and software integration. It also produces new features and optimizations that would have been otherwise impossible.
Released last year to meet increasingly stringent requirements in terms of reliability and sustained performance, Synology's lineup of SATA SSD drives has proven to be a dependable solution for powering IT operations in a variety of highly demanding scenarios. Synology drives are designed in conjunction with the entire stack of engineers responsible for each storage system to ensure complete hardware and software integration. It also produces new features and optimizations that would have been otherwise impossible.
(PR) Toshiba Unveils New 18 TB MN09 Series NAS Hard Disk Drives
Thu, 09 Dec 2021
Toshiba announces the MN09, a massive capacity 18 TB addition to its NAS HDD line-up. High growth in data creation is driving demand for higher storage capacities, and work-from-home customers need fast access to data and the ability to archive and share data in private cloud environments. The 18 TB MN09 delivers greater storage capacity and power efficiency to meet the growing needs of storage customers.
MN09 is a 9-disk helium-sealed conventional magnetic recording (CMR) drive that leverages Toshiba's new innovative Flux Control Microwave-Assisted Magnetic Recording (FC-MAMR ) technology. FC-MAMR advances CMR capacity to 18 TB and delivers increased density per platter over previous designs. The MN09 is the 3rd generation to use Toshiba's pioneering 9-disk helium-sealed mechanical design.
MN09 is a 9-disk helium-sealed conventional magnetic recording (CMR) drive that leverages Toshiba's new innovative Flux Control Microwave-Assisted Magnetic Recording (FC-MAMR ) technology. FC-MAMR advances CMR capacity to 18 TB and delivers increased density per platter over previous designs. The MN09 is the 3rd generation to use Toshiba's pioneering 9-disk helium-sealed mechanical design.
NZXT, a leader in PC gaming hardware and services, today announced it has secured a strategic investment of approximately $100 million led by Francisco Partners, a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology businesses. This investment will allow NZXT to bring on more senior talent, expand its product offering to include new hardware categories, expand its direct-to-consumer offering in new global markets, invest more in the community, and focus on continuing to build the NZXT brand.
NZXT will remain focused on creating seamless experiences for PC gamers with products that include top quality PC cases, coolers, fans, and accessories including the newly released Capsule microphone. The Company will continue to offer PC gaming enthusiasts the opportunity to purchase customized ideal set-ups or pre-built systems, including the NZXT BLD Kit for the first-time builder.
NZXT will remain focused on creating seamless experiences for PC gamers with products that include top quality PC cases, coolers, fans, and accessories including the newly released Capsule microphone. The Company will continue to offer PC gaming enthusiasts the opportunity to purchase customized ideal set-ups or pre-built systems, including the NZXT BLD Kit for the first-time builder.
(PR) BIOSTAR Announces Smart Update Utility Tool for BIOS & Drivers
Thu, 09 Dec 2021
BIOSTAR today, introduces the SMART UPDATE utility tool for users to update their BIOS and essential motherboard drivers hassle-free. Initially supporting the 600 series and above motherboards, BIOSTAR's new SMART UPDATE tool makes updating BIOS and system drivers a breeze for even the less tech-savvy users. One-click update has never been a more appropriate description for any utility software, with a single click of the mouse, users can download and install official drivers, BIOS, and new driver updates from BIOSTAR's official website. The BIOSTAR Smart Utility tool along with complete installation instructions can be found at the link below.
Phanteks today announced three new additions to the Glacier One Series, Glacier 240/280/360MP Halos Black models. The Glacier One MP Halos Black models are capable of cooling powerful CPUs while operating silently. The radiator is optimized to offer a noise-performance ratio that is best-in-class with the new silent Phanteks MP fans that now have a higher maximum RPM (2000-2200 RPM).
The Glacier One MP Halos Black models features a tempered glass infinity mirror pump cap with smooth D-RGB lighting integration. The new editions of the Glacier One comes with additional HALOS D-RGB fan frames to light up the MP fans. The full cover pump cap has a low-profile design that can be mounted magnetically to the pump module to cover all mounting parts, which creates a clean and integrated appearance with the motherboard. Installation is a breeze thanks to the pre-filled all-in-one solution, excellent RAM clearance, flexible braided tubing and Phanteks Tube Clips that help route the tubing and fan cables for a clean PC interior.
The Glacier One MP Halos Black models features a tempered glass infinity mirror pump cap with smooth D-RGB lighting integration. The new editions of the Glacier One comes with additional HALOS D-RGB fan frames to light up the MP fans. The full cover pump cap has a low-profile design that can be mounted magnetically to the pump module to cover all mounting parts, which creates a clean and integrated appearance with the motherboard. Installation is a breeze thanks to the pre-filled all-in-one solution, excellent RAM clearance, flexible braided tubing and Phanteks Tube Clips that help route the tubing and fan cables for a clean PC interior.
Intel Z690 Motherboard Costs Explained
Wed, 08 Dec 2021
There has been a lot of discourse about the cost of Z690 motherboards, so we decided to ask around to find out what has changed compared to the previous generation of Intel motherboards. There are obviously several factors that have come together to create something like the perfect storm, as the simple answer is that all parts combined have resulted in more expensive motherboards, but there are a few key components that are major contributing factors.
A lot of speculation has been about the cost of the PCB itself and although it's correct that the PCB is a contributing factor, we're talking about a couple of dollars in extra cost, not only for the higher quality PCB materials themselves but also the fact that boards with DDR5 memory are more costly to produce, as more care needs to be taken with the overall design. However, the big surprise to us is that the single part that has driven up the cost the most is the physical LGA-17xx CPU socket and retention mechanism, which is apparently around four times as expensive as the LGA-12xx socket.
A lot of speculation has been about the cost of the PCB itself and although it's correct that the PCB is a contributing factor, we're talking about a couple of dollars in extra cost, not only for the higher quality PCB materials themselves but also the fact that boards with DDR5 memory are more costly to produce, as more care needs to be taken with the overall design. However, the big surprise to us is that the single part that has driven up the cost the most is the physical LGA-17xx CPU socket and retention mechanism, which is apparently around four times as expensive as the LGA-12xx socket.
