Gigabyte Technology has introduced its new mini-ITX mainboard for Intel Corp.’s “Skylake” processors with premium features. The new platform supports a number of advanced technologies, including Creative SoundBlaster audio enhancements, USB 3.1 type-C port, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and so on. The Gigabyte GA-Z170N-Gaming 5 mainboard based on the Intel Z170 core-logic with …
Read More »MSI initiates cash-back program for Intel Z170 mainboards and GeForce GTX graphics cards
MicroStar International has initiated a cash-back program on select products based on Intel Corp.’s Z170 core-logic sets and Nvidia Corp.’s graphics processing units. For a limited time, it will be possible to get the latest hardware at a discount. From 28th of August until 29th of September, MSI offers up …
Read More »Asus TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1: Extreme performance and durability
Asustek Computer has introduced its TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1 mainboard for Intel Corp.’s latest “Skylake” processors, which combines excellent expansion capabilities, advanced connectivity, sophisticated overclocking features with ultimate durability and five-year warranty. The platform is designed for those, who not only want high performance, but maximum reliability too. The …
Read More »Not all USB type-C ports are equal: Nine versions of USB-C incoming
The reversible USB type-C connector is something that the industry has been waiting for since the introduction of the original USB bus in 1997. This year PCs, computer components and mobile devices finally started to incorporate USB-C receptacles, but not all implementations necessarily support all features introduced by the latest …
Read More »Gigabyte Z170XP-SLI Motherboard Review
Gigabyte's Z170XP-SLI is aiming to tempt users looking for a motherboard that offers the Z170 platform's core features, but without requiring a significant cash outlay. In the Z170XP-SLI, Gigabyte offers one of the lowest cost boards to support SLI, while also retaining features such as USB 3.1, USB Type-C, and …
Read More »MSI readies Intel Z170 mini-ITX mainboard with premium features
MicroStar International is preparing to release one of the industry’s first premium mainboards for Intel Corp.’s “Skylake” microprocessors in mini-ITX form-factor. The new motherboard will support all features essential for modern high-performance personal computers and will even have overclocking capabilities. The MSI Z170I Gaming Pro AC platform is based on …
Read More »Intel demos 3D XPoint-based Optane SSD, set to launch it in 2016
Intel Corp. on Tuesday demonstrated Optane, the world’s first solid-state drive based on its 3D XPoint memory jointly developed by Intel and Micron. The company said once again that the new type of memory will enable considerably higher performance than existing NAND flash. Intel Optane SSDs featuring breakthrough performance will …
Read More »Asrock introduces USB 3.1 type-C front panel for desktop PCs
While there are many mainboards with USB 3.1 support available today, they feature type-C ports on their back panels and it is uncomfortable to use such connectors. Asrock this week introduced a special adapter that places one USB type-C and one USB type-A ports on the front panel of any …
Read More »ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K6+ Motherboard Review
Exploiting the Skylake CPUs for their allure to gamers, ASRock's Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K6+ is a motherboard that targets the enthusiast gaming audience by offering a wide range of the bells and whistles they may desire. Can pumped-up audio, a Killer NIC, strong multi-GPU support, and high-speed storage interfaces persuade …
Read More »Asustek’s Intel Z170 platforms will work with DDR3 1.5V/1.65V modules
Although Intel Corp.’s latest “Skylake” microprocessors officially support only DDR4 and DDR3L memory technologies, Asustek Computer claims that its Intel Z170-based motherboards with 240-pin DIMM slots will work with standard DDR3 memory modules with industry-standard voltages. DDR4 SDRAM memory has default voltage of 1.2V, but memory modules for overclockers with …
Read More »Rivet Networks unveils Killer E2400 network processor
Rivet Networks on Wednesday introduced its new-generation smart network processor with enhanced performance and improved functionality. The new Killer E2400 chip promises to improve network-related performance in video games, multimedia and bandwidth-demanding applications. Gigabyte Technology and MicroStar International will be the first companies to use the new chip. Rivet does …
Read More »MSI overclocks DDR4 memory to 4605MHz on latest platform
MicroStar International on Wednesday said that an overclocker had managed to set a new clock-speed record for DDR4 memory using the company’s flagship MSI Z170A XPower Gaming Titanium mainboard. The achievement underlines that both the new motherboard and Intel Corp.’s new “Skylake” microprocessors are excellent overclockers when it comes to …
Read More »MSI offers free liquid-cooler with the purchase of Intel Z170 mainboard
MicroStar International will provide a free closed-loop liquid cooler from Cooler Master to the first buyers of their MSI Z170A Gaming M7 mainboards. The offer is limited, hence early adopters will need to be extremely quick. The first buyers of MSI’s new Z170A Gaming M7 platform will get Cooler Master …
Read More »Asus Maximus VIII Hero (Z170) Motherboard Review
The launch of Intel's Skylake CPUs sees the introduction of a whole new platform based around the LGA 1151 socket. Making use of Intel's feature-healthy Z170 chipset, Asus is targeting gamers who value premium aesthetics and enhanced gaming-grade features with the Maximus VIII Hero. Will the Republic of Gamers (ROG) …
Read More »EVGA adds USB 3.1 type-C to micro-ATX Intel X99 platform
EVGA has upgraded its micro-ATX mainboard for Intel Corp.’s high-end desktop processors. The new platform features all the advanced capabilities that the EVGA X99 Micro had to offer a year ago, but adds more Serial ATA-6Gb/s ports as well as one USB 3.1 type-C connector. The new motherboard is one of …
Read More »Designers of controllers expect rapid adoption of USB 3.1 by PCs, phones
Although this year far not all mobile devices will get USB 3.1 type-C ports, next year a lot will change, according to Taiwan-based designers of controllers. Thanks to reversible form-factor, improved performance, higher durability and other benefits of USB 3.1 interface and type-C ports, many laptops and smartphones will adopt …
Read More »MSI unveils ultimate Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium mainboard
MicroStar International on Wednesday released the first details about its upcoming Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition mainboard for the upcoming Intel “Skylake” microprocessors. The new motherboard sports ultimate overclocking capabilities, unique silver coating and even all-new solid-state chokes that should improve durability and overclockability. One of the key features of the …
Read More »Asus to install LGA1151 O.C. socket on new Intel Z170 mainboards
In a bid to enhance overclocking potential of Intel Corp.’s upcoming Core i7-6700K and Core i5-6600K “Skylake-S” central processing units, Asustek Computer plans to install modified LGA1151 sockets on its Intel Z170-based mainboards. Intel’s default LGA1151 socket features exactly 1151 pins, but Asustek will use a different socket with higher …
Read More »Asus unveils ultimate micro-ATX Intel X99 mainboard for workstations
Asustek Computer has quietly unveiled what could be the world’s most advanced micro-ATX motherboard. The mainboard features Intel X99 core-logic and supports multi-GPU technologies, M.2 solid-state drives, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.1 and so on. The platform is designed for workstations. The Asus X99-M WS mainboard supports processors in LGA2011-3 form-factor, …
Read More »MSI unveils its Intel Z170 Gaming platforms for Intel ‘Skylake’ CPUs
MicroStar International on Tuesday gave a sneak peek on its new mainboards based on Intel Z170 core-logic set designed for gamers. The MSI Z170A Gaming family of mainboards provides ultimate performance and innovative features, but are aimed at different segments of the market. The upcoming MSI Z170A Gaming mainboards designed …
Read More »Asustek and Gigabyte remain world’s top mainboard makers as market shrinks
Asustek Computer and Gigabyte Technology remained the top mainboard makers in the first half of this year, according to a media report. Each company shipped about eight million motherboards globally, which was below their initial plans. In fact, the market of mainboards shrunk pretty significantly in 1H 2015. Gigabyte managed …
Read More »Asmedia and Intel cut prices of USB 3.1 chips, speed up adoption
Asmedia and Intel Corp. have started to reduce prices of their USB 3.1 controllers in a bid to gain market share. Intel Corp.’s “Alpine Ridge” chip offers Thunderbolt 3 in addition to USB 3.1, but Asmedia’s controller is significantly cheaper to make and can be sold a very low price. …
Read More »Asustek preps add-in-card with Thunderbolt 3/USB type-C ports
Asustek Computer is working on an add-in-card that will add Thunderbolt 3 support to its mainboards. The platform will be based on Intel Corp.’s “Alpine Ridge” controller and will significantly expand input/output capabilities of modern personal computers. The add-in-board from Asus featuring Intel “Alpine Ridge” chip will come with one …
Read More »MSI unveils Krait Z170: Intel’s ‘Skylake’ platform goes white
MicroStar International this week introduced its new premium mainboard based on the Intel Z170 core-logic. The platform represents the best that the new Intel 100-series “Skylake” platform offers, including input/output capabilities. To make it more appealing for PC modders, MSI equipped its product with white heat-spreaders. The MSI Z170 Krait …
Read More »MSI’s flagship X99A Godlike Gaming motherboard is now available
MSI has officially released its new flagship motherboard based on the X99 chipset. The X99A Godlike Gaming motherboard takes on the familiar red and black colour scheme we are used to seeing on MSI's gaming products while also packing in plenty of features for enthusiasts to make use of. Key …
Read More »Biostar preps Intel ‘Skylake’ mainboards with DDR3 and DDR4 memory slots
Even though the vast majority of enthusiast-class mainboards for Intel Corp.’s upcoming code-named “Skylake” processors will rely mostly on DDR4 memory, lower-end solutions may support DDR3L as well. Moreover, for maximum flexibility, Biostar is readying two LGA1151 motherboards with both DDR3L and DDR4 memory slots. Biostar plans to release two …
Read More »ECS: We will not quit branded motherboard market
Elitegroup Computer Systems has once again denied plans to stop making own-brand mainboards for the DIY [do-it-yourself] market. This is the second time this year when the company makes such denial. “We [ECS] feel regret to learn the untrue report from DigiTimes,” said Sunny Yang, the president of ECS, in …
Read More »ECS is mulling to quit own-brand mainboards business – report
Elitegroup Computer Systems has reportedly announced that it will not actively promote its own-brand mainboards aimed at the DIY [do-it-yourself] market going forward. The company will continue to produce motherboards for its clients, but will eventually quit the market of platforms for enthusiasts. ECS used to be one of the …
Read More »Gigabyte Worldwide VP Henry Kao exclusive interview
It's tempting for senior officials at every company to regurgitate the ‘About Us' section of their web site. Henry Kao is different. Prior to the cameras being switched on, Henry assured us that we could ask ‘Anything we want'. And so we did. Henry gave us his full, frank opinion …
Read More »MSI X99A XPOWER AC Motherboard Review
When it comes to performance processors for the consumer market, Intel's Haswell-E chips are the fastest around. With such great performance potential are enthusiasts who want to squeeze every last bit of juice out of their system in order to break world records. That's where MSI's X99A XPOWER AC motherboard …
Read More »