DRGB | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Thu, 30 Mar 2023 08:30:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png DRGB | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Bitspower launch new CPU water blocks for AMD Threadripper 3000 https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/bitspower-launch-new-cpu-water-blocks-for-amd-threadripper-3000/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/bitspower-launch-new-cpu-water-blocks-for-amd-threadripper-3000/#respond Thu, 26 Mar 2020 11:36:22 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=458705 The current crop of custom cooling CPU blocks for AMD’s Threadripper 3000 platform has been somewhat limited to just a few options up until now. However, that is set to change since Bitspower has just launched a new series of Summit ELX water blocks specifically designed for the high end desktop platform. According to the …

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The current crop of custom cooling CPU blocks for AMD’s Threadripper 3000 platform has been somewhat limited to just a few options up until now. However, that is set to change since Bitspower has just launched a new series of Summit ELX water blocks specifically designed for the high end desktop platform.

According to the guys over at TechPowerUp, the new Summit ELX CPU block series from Bitspower is tailored around the MCM layout of Threadripper 3000 processors, to allows coolant flow to cover all the CCDs around the CPU, as well as the central I/O controller die. Platform support includes the latest sTRX40 and is backwards compatible with the previous sTR4.

There are three variants of the new Bitspower Summit ELX CPU water block to choose from, all three are equipped with a nickel-plated copper thermal transfer plate at the base with either a transparent acrylic, metal or POM top layer. All three water blocks feature a narrow footprint so as not to interfere with RAM slots or other system components.

The acrylic version with reference DRGB includes addressable RGB lighting around the top cover. RGB lighting can be connected to standard 3-pin 5V motherboard RGB headers and configured or controlled via motherboard RGB software including Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync, ASRock Polychrome as well as offering support for Razer Chroma RGB. If a motherboard RGB header isn’t available, a Bitspower Touchaqua Digital RGB Multi Function Controller can be purchased separately.

All three Summit ELX CPU water blocks for AMD Threadripper platforms are available to purchase from Bistpower now. The Acrylic DRGB version is priced at NT$2,800.00, Metal top is NT$3,255 and the POM top version is NT$2,635 which converts roughly to between £73 – £89 currently.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Keeping the temperature of AMD Threadripper 3000 processors under control using current cooling solutions can be challenging. These new CPU blocks from Bitspower could be the answer, what do you guys think of them?

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Phanteks Pro-M Special Edition Review (featuring Gamers Nexus!) https://www.kitguru.net/components/leo-waldock/phanteks-pro-m-special-edition-review-featuring-gamers-nexus/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/leo-waldock/phanteks-pro-m-special-edition-review-featuring-gamers-nexus/#respond Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:40:09 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=435951 Somehow the Phanteks Enthoo Pro-M just refuses to die

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Describing the Phanteks Pro-M Special Edition is both quick and easy. Take the Pro-M Glass from 2016 (which was an update to the the original acrylic Pro-M from 2015), paint the interior white and add two Halos fan frames to the included 140mm fans at the front of the case to deliver a hefty dose of Digital RGB. Naturally the price increases slightly to account for the extra hardware but the SE premium is actually quite modest. As we say in our video, Phanteks Pro-M is the case that refuses to die.

Main features:

  • Premium design with tinted tempered glass side-panels & premium materials
  • Luxurious interior in striking white
  • Compatible with motherboards up to E-ATX form factor (max. 26,4 cm wide)
  • Three dust filters & two 140 mm fans pre-installed
  • Two Phanteks Halos RGB fan frames for impressive lighting
  • Side-mounted I/O panel with RGB controls. two USB 3.0 ports and HD Audio ports
  • Space for two 3.5″ and three 2.5″ storage devices (2x 2.5″ instead of 3.5″, expandable)
  • Graphics cards up to 42cm, CPU cooler up to 19.4 cm and power supplies up to 31.8 cm

Specification:

  • Motherboard support: E-ATX up to 264mm wide, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX.
  • Expansion slots: 7.
  • Included fans: 2x 140mm front intakes.
  • Fan mounts: 3x 120mm/2x 140mm front, 2x 120/140mm roof (3x 120mm with ODD cage removed), 1x 120mm/140mm rear.
  • Radiator mounts: 360mm/280mm front, 360mm/280mm roof, 120mm/140mm rear.
  • 5.25-inch optical drive bays: One.
  • Internal drive bays: 2x 3.5-inch/2.5-inch, 3×2.5-inch.
  • I/O Panel: 2x USB 2.0, Audio, RGB control.
  • Dimensions: 480mm H x 500mm D x 235mm W.

For this video we asked a number of fellow tech reviewers and YouTubers to give their input on RGB lighting as whole, so be sure to watch the video to hear their thoughts. We spoke to:

Testing

To put this case through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an Intel Core i9-9900K, RTX 2080 Founders Edition and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the Phanteks Pro-M SE‘s cooling capabilities. For stress testing we use AIDA64 to create the maximum amount of load our CPU and GPU are ever likely to see.

Test System:

  • Processor: Intel Core i9-9900K (8C/16T, 4.7GHz all cores)
  • Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus XI Formula
  • Memory: 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200MHz
  • Graphics card: Nvidia RTX 2080 Founders Edition 8GB
  • Power supply: Seasonic Snow Silent Platinum 650W
  • SSD: 1TB Intel 760P M.2 NVMe
  • OS: Windows 10
  • Custom Loop Cooling:
  • Pump/Reservoir: Phanteks Glacier R220C
  • CPU Block: Phanteks Glacier C360i
  • GPU Block: Phanteks Glacier G2080 Ti and back plate
  • Radiator: Alphacool NexXxos ST30 280mm
  • Fittings: Phanteks 16mm
  • Coolant: Corsair XL5

Cooling Performance

Cooling Performance Overview.

Our liquid cooled test PC worked really well in the Phanteks Pro-M SE. Admittedly our aged Core i9-9900K seems to be suffering but the RTX 2080 graphics were as cool as ice, which is what we like to see.

If you choose to use an air tower on your CPU you might want to move one of the 140mm fans to the rear of the case or to add an extra exhaust fan but in our test build the stock configuration worked perfectly well.

Closing Thoughts

Phanteks hasn’t made any significant changes to the Pro-M chassis since 2016 and we noted a few areas where the hardware is starting to look a bit stale. For example the case does not include a fan hub and of course you don’t get USB Type-C. If we are scratching around for areas of complaint we might add also mention that the user guide is fairly basic.

Part of the problem here is that the original Pro-M only cost £60 when it launched which was crazy cheap. Since then Phanteks has gained a solid reputation and UK prices in general have crept upwards while the Pound Sterling has gone down. These changes mean the Pro-M now costs £94.99 and the SE version costs £109.99 which is perfectly reasonable but clearly nothing like that £60 bargain.

Balanced against that Phanteks has constantly moved the goalposts for case design and has essentially helped to beat itself, in particular with the Eclipse range of products. You can buy the Eclipse P300 for £55, Eclipse P350X DRGB for £65 and the Phanteks Eclipse P400 Air for £65, or £85 with DRGB.

That doesn’t leave much room for the Pro-M unless you have a specific need for an optical drive bay or like some other feature of the Pro-M such as the voluminous interior. Pro-M was ahead of the game when it launched in 2015 and it still looks good when compared to a number of competitors in the mid-tower market. While it may be showing signs of its age, there is no doubt this case still works well. You can easily install your hardware and the chassis allows cooling air to flow.

When it comes to the Special Edition features we cannot argue with the white interior as it gives the Pro-M some extra pop and the Halos fan frames are tried and true. We have used Phanteks RGB hardware on a number of occasions and consider it to be among the best that money can buy.

You can buy the Phanteks Pro-M SE for £109.99 from Overclockers UK HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

Pros:

  • Decent air flow and cooling.
  • Two 140mm fans are included.
  • Traditionalist will appreciate the ODD bay,
  • Phanteks Halos give a superb DRGB lighting effect.
  • Decent range of options for liquid cooling.
  • Good support for multiple drive bays.

Cons:

  • The price makes Phanteks Eclipse very tempting.
  • The elderly I/O panel means no Type-C.
  • Crank up the fan speeds and the Pro-M gets noisy.

KitGuru says: Phanteks Pro-M continues to make a good showing four years after its launch.

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