Lian Li has recently introduced three new PC chassis compatible with the motherboards of mini-ITX standard. Codenamed PC-Q27, PC-Q28 and PC-Q30, these cases replenished the 'Q' series and are called to replace more out-dated predecessors. The first two models in the row replace the earlier launched PC-Q07 and PC-Q25, while PC-Q30 is only a prototype that substantially differs from from its companions.



All three models are distinguished by a quite new approach to the motherboard fixture. Hence, instead of traditional trays, Lian Li employs two rails that fix the board. What is more, the designer has implemented quite a different system of side panels mounting.


The first PC case, PC-Q27, features 200x321x240 mm dimensions and is estimated for the installation of a single 5.25-inch drive, two 3.5-inch bays that support the installation of drives of 2.5-inch form-factor. The integrated cooling system consists of a single frontal 120 mm fan.


The second model, PC-Q28, is …

Intel has just unveiled its new advanced working out: power-saving and high-efficient microarchitecture codenamed Silvermont. According to Intel, this architecture is primarily targeting devices with low power consumption and can embrace a vast production segment, starting from smartphones and finishing with datacenters. Silvermont is ready to demonstrate a threefold increase of performance and fivefold decrease of power consumption (with preservation of erstwhile efficiency), if compared with the current generation of Intel Atom cores.



Intel Silvermont has been elaborated in compliance with the norms of 22 nm technological process with the implementation of 3-D Tri-Gate transistors. The employment of new progressive techniques promotes for enhancing the operation speed and reducing energy demand of products which use Silvermont as the basis. Multi-core architecture with the support of up to eight cores ensures higher bandwidth, lower latency and more efficient operation on …

Motherboards based on Intel Z77 chip have been lately given much attention, to the detriment of products featuring AMD solutions. In fact, motherboards with AMD chips are in abundance in the market, providing a competitive conditions for the manufacturers and plentiful offers for potential consumers. Asus developed a lot of boards with Intel Z77 chip, but it also boasts the products, like Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0, based on AMD 990FX chip for AM3+ socket. This model is an apt sample of performance, resources and design.



Integration


Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 is developed in ATX form-factor and features 305x244 mm dimensions. The motherboard accommodates five sockets for the connection of fans and large heatsinks which manage heat quite efficiently; heatsinks located on the northbridge and CPU power converter are joined by a heat pipe. There is one peculiar feature pertained to the implemented heatsinks: each of them is notable by an individual fixture type. The reverse side of the …