Level51 just announced three new gaming laptops – the Terra 15 (RTX 2060), the Terra 15 (RTX 2070) and the Terra 15 Lite. Here is our primer on these three gaming laptops from Level51!
Level51 Terra 15 | Terra 15 Lite Gaming Laptops
These 15.6-inch ultra-portable gaming laptops pair a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA graphics options with a high refresh rate display.
144 Hz Display
All three models come with a 15.6-inch IPS display, with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It supports a high refresh rate of 144 Hz, with a 100% sRGB colour gamut.
Their website did not mention G-SYNC support, but we reckon their displays should support NVIDIA G-SYNC.
Intel + NVIDIA
All three models are powered by the Intel Core i7-9750H 6-core processor, paired with three NVIDIA graphics options :
Note that these are all high-performance parts, not the lower-powered Max-Q variants.
Cooling Performance
To keep those high-performance components cool while you game, these gaming laptops feature four heat pipes and two high-speed fans, with four exhaust outlets.
Premium Chassis
All three gaming laptops feature an aluminium chassis with orange accents, and they are surprisingly light – just 1.97 kg for the RTX 2060 and GTX 1660 Ti variant, and 2.1 kg for the RTX 2070 model.
They are also pretty thin – the RTX 2060 and GTX 1660 Ti models are just 21.4 mm thick, while the RTX 2070 model is slightly thicker at 24.4 mm.
Level51 Terra 15 | Terra 15 Lite Specifications
We created this table to let you compare the key specifications of all three models at a glance :
Specifications
Terra 15
(RTX 2070)
Terra 15
(RTX 2060)
Terra 15 Lite
Operating System
Windows 10 Home (Trial Edition)
Windows 10 Home (+RM 479)
Windows 10 Professional (+RM 606)
Display
15.6-inch Full HD IPS display
– 1920 x 1080 pixels, 100% sRGB
– 144 Hz refresh rate
Processor
Intel Core i7-9750H
Memory
16 GB DDR4-2666
Graphics
GeForce RTX 2070
GeForce RTX 2060
GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
Storage
1 TB NVMe SSD
512 GB NVMe SSD
Connectivity
Intel 9560 AC Wi-FI + BT
Dimensions
361 mm wide
246 mm deep 24.4 mm thick
361 mm wide
246 mm deep 21.4 mm thick
Ryzen 3 4300U
2.1 kg
1.97 kg
Level51 Terra 15 | Terra 15 Lite Price + Availability
All three models are available with immediate effect, with the following starting prices :
Terra 15 Lite : RM 4,615 / ~S$1,529 / ~US$1,133 / ~£868 / ~A$1,651
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The Acer ConceptD 7 | ConceptD 7 Pro is an innocuous-looking powerhouse, designed to power real-time 6K RED video editing and rendering, while looking compact and stylish!
Here’s a quick look at the ConceptD 7 | ConceptD 7 Pro creator laptop!
Acer ConceptD 7 | ConceptD 7 Pro for 6K RED Video Editing!
The Acer ConceptD 7 and ConceptD 7 Pro boast a 15.6-inch PANTONE-validated IPS display with a 4K UHD resolution. It naturally covers 100% of the Adobe RGB colour gamut, with colour accuracy of Delta E <2.
They are both powered by the new 9th Gen Intel Core i7 mobile processor, and differ only in their graphics processor.
The Pro model is available with either Quadro RTX 5000 or Quadro RTX 3000 graphics. The non-Pro model is available with either GeForce RTX 2080 or GeForce RTX 2060 graphics.
Even with all that computing power, they are both just 17.9 mm (0.7 inch) thick and weigh just 2.1 kg (4.63 lbs)!
Thanks to their Thunderbolt 3 and Mini DP ports, you can hook them up to three external displays. They also boast Killer DoubleShot Pro for strong and reliable WiFi connectivity.
Both Pro and non-Pro models are kept cool by a 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fan. It features very thin 0.1 mm fan blades with a serrated edge, winglets along the top and bottom, as well as a curved fin along the inner portion of each blade. Acer claims this increases airflow by up to 45%!
To keep things quiet though, the AeroBlade 3D fan has a noise reduction mechanism that keeps it down to less than 40 dB – as quiet as a library!
Acer ConceptD 7 | ConceptD 7 Pro Specifications
How do the Pro and non-Pro models differ? Only in aspect – the Pro model uses a Quadro RTX 5000 / RTX 3000, while the non-Pro model uses a GeForce RTX 2080 / RTX 2060.
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Acer unveiled the ConceptD 9 at IFA 2019 – their top-of-the-line creator laptop that adapts to a variety of usage modes using a special Ezel Aero Hinge.
The Acer ConceptD 9 and ConceptD 9 Pro are now available, and here is our primer on these exciting new creator laptops!
The 17.3-inch Acer ConceptD 9 | ConceptD 9 Pro Creator Laptops
The Acer ConceptD 9 and ConceptD 9 Pro boast a large 17.3-inch PANTONE-validated IPS display with a 4K UHD resolution. It naturally covers 100% of the Adobe RGB colour gamut, with colour accuracy of Delta E <1.
Thanks to the CNC-machined Ezel Aero Hinge, their display can be flipped, extended or reclined to suit your needs.
They also come with a Wacom EMR stylus that has 4,096 levels of pressure, and magnetically attaches to the chassis.
They are both powered by the 9th Gen Intel Core mobile processor, with up to 32 GB of DDR4-2666 memory, and two 512 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs in RAID 0.
The real difference between the two models? The Pro comes with NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 graphics, while the non-Pro model comes with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics.
All that computing power and fast storage ensure that creators will have no issue working natively with 8K video. pr complex 3D models.
They are both kept cool by a 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fan. It features very thin 0.1 mm fan blades with a serrated edge, winglets along the top and bottom, as well as a curved fin along the inner portion of each blade. Acer claims this increases airflow by up to 45%!
To keep things quiet though, the AeroBlade 3D fan has a noise reduction mechanism that keeps it down to less than 40 dB – as quiet as a library!
Acer ConceptD 9 | ConceptD 9 Pro Specifications
How do the Pro and non-Pro models differ? Only in aspect – the Pro model uses a Quadro RTX 5000, while the non-Pro model uses a GeForce RTX 2080.
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ILLEGEAR, Malaysia’s top custom gaming system brand, just launched the first concept showroom, with a showcase of their latest gaming laptops and desktops!
Join us for a tour of the ILLEGEAR Concept Showroom, and the full launch coverage, including a showcase of their latest gaming systems!
Who Is ILLEGEAR?
ILLEGEAR was established in 2011 by hardware junkies and hardcore gamers who wanted more than just cookie-cut systems. That’s why they are focused entirely on developing custom-configured gaming desktops and laptops.
They are currently the top custom gaming system brand in Malaysia, with a wide variety of gaming desktops and laptops – all offering a myriad of configuration options.
In this video, ILLEGEAR Managing Director Chin Jiun How explains how they have grown from their humble beginnings to the rationale behind opening the new ILLEGEAR Concept Showroom.
The ILLEGEAR Concept Showroom Tour
The ILLEGEAR Concept Showroom is located at the drop-off point at Oval Damansara, which makes it really convenient for gamers in the Klang Valley.
If you are taking public transportation, we recommend you take the MRT Sungai Buloh (Green) line, and exit at the TTDI Station. It is a 10 minute walk to Oval Damansara.
If you are parking, please note that a Touch’N’Go card is required to park inside Oval Damansara.
The Latest ILLEGEAR Gaming Laptops + Desktops
Sean Lau took the opportunity to share with us their latest ILLEGEAR gaming laptops and desktops.
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Earlier this month, Acer unveiled the Predator Helios 700 gaming laptop, with its unique HyperDrift keyboard.
In this preview, we will share with you its key features, and our hands-on video tour of the Acer Predator Helios 700!
Acer Predator Helios 700 : An Introduction
The 2019 Acer Predator Helios 700 is designed to offer the ultimate gaming experience, with a large 17.3-inch IPS display, and the latest Intel Core i9-9980HK processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics.
Its display has a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, with a 144 Hz refresh rate and support for NVIDIA G-SYNC.
It comes with 32 GB DDR4 memory (upgradable to 64 GB), and two 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSDs in RAID 0 configuration. But you can also add a separate HDD for additional storage.
The Predator Helios 700 boasts a unique HyperDrift keyboard that increases airflow by up to 18.9% through the top of the laptop.
The cooling system features two 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans that maximise airflow while minimising noise. Part of it can be seen through the Gorilla Glass panel in the centre.
Pulling out the HyperDrift keyboard also extends a wrist rest, and makes it easier for you to use the keyboard, which incidentally has anti-ghosting capability, and per-key RGB lighting.
The HyperDrift keyboard also improves ergonomics, with a desktop-like feel. In addition, it comes with per-key RGB lighting, anti-ghosting and MagForce WASD keys.
The MagForce keys use analog-like linear switches that trigger actuation on initial press, and increase up to 100% to give players more precise movements in game.
Its large Precision Touchpad is outlined with blue lighting, and features two discrete mouse buttons. Its 17.3-inch IPS display is not only large, it supports a 144 Hz refresh rate and NVIDIA G-SYNC.
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Acer Predator Helios 700 Specifications
Specifications
Acer Predator Helios 700
Model
PH717-71-92HO
Display
17.3-inch Full HD IPS display
– 1920 x 1080 pixels, 144 Hz, G-SYNC
Processor
Intel Core i9-9980HK (overclockable)
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Memory
32 GB DDR4 memory (dual channel)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 (8 GB GDDR6)
Storage
2 x 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD (RAID 0)
Audio
Waves MaxxAudio with Acer TrueHarmony Speakers
Connectivity
LAN : Killer E3000 2.5Gbps
Wi-Fi : Killer WiFi 6 AX1650 (802.11ac)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
I/O Ports
1 x HDMI
1 x DisplayPort
3 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type A
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C / Thunderbolt 3
Keyboard
HyperDrift Keyboard with MagForce keys
Battery
4-cell Lithium-Ion (4670 mAh)
Power Adaptor
330 W power adaptor
Dimensions
430 mm x 299 mm x 41.7 mm
Weight
4.90 kg
Acer Predator Helios 700 Price + Availability
The 2019 Acer Predator Helios 700 is available as of 4 October 2019, with a recommended retail price of RM 17,999 / ~US$4,299 / ~£3,489 / ~A$ 6,349.
Here are the prices for the Acer Predator Helios 700 in other countries (accurate as of 18 October 2019) :
US : $2,199.99 (i7-9750H, RTX 2070, 16GB + 512 GB)
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Acer just unveiled the 2019 Acer Predator Helios 700 gaming laptop! Here is everything you need to know about the new Predator Helios 700, including its price and key specifications!
The 2019 Acer Predator Helios 700
The 2019 Acer Predator Helios 700 is designed to offer the ultimate gaming experience, with a large 17.3-inch IPS display, and the latest Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics.
It comes with 32 GB DDR4 memory (upgradable to 64 GB), and two 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSDs in RAID 0 configuration. But you can also add a separate HDD for additional storage.
The Predator Helios 700 boasts a unique HyperDrift keyboard that increases airflow by up to 18.9% through the top of the laptop. The cooling system features two 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans that maximise airflow while minimising noise.
The HyperDrift keyboard also improves ergonomics, with a desktop-like feel. In addition, it comes with per-key RGB lighting, anti-ghosting and MagForce WASD keys.
The MagForce keys use analog-like linear switches that trigger actuation on initial press, and increase up to 100% to give players more precise movements in game.
Its large Precision Touchpad is outlined with blue lighting, and features two discrete mouse buttons. Its 17.3-inch IPS display is not only large, it supports a 144 Hz refresh rate and NVIDIA G-SYNC.
The 2019 Acer Predator Helios 700 Specifications
Specifications
Acer Predator Helios 700
Model
PH717-71-92HO
Display
17.3-inch Full HD IPS display
– 1920 x 1080 pixels, 144 Hz, G-SYNC
Processor
Intel Core i9-9980HK (overclockable)
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Memory
32 GB DDR4 memory (dual channel)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 (8 GB GDDR6)
Storage
2 x 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD (RAID 0)
Audio
Waves MaxxAudio with Acer TrueHarmony Speakers
Connectivity
LAN : Killer E3000 2.5Gbps
Wi-Fi : Killer WiFi 6 AX1650 (802.11ac)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
I/O Ports
1 x HDMI
1 x DisplayPort
3 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type A
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C / Thunderbolt 3
Keyboard
HyperDrift Keyboard with MagForce keys
Battery
4-cell Lithium-Ion (4670 mAh)
Power Adaptor
330 W power adaptor
Dimensions
430 mm x 299 mm x 41.7 mm
Weight
4.90 kg
The 2019 Acer Predator Helios 700 Price + Availability
The 2019 Acer Predator Helios 700 is available as of 4 October 2019, with a recommended retail price of RM 17,999 / ~US$4,299 / ~£3,489 / ~A$ 6,349.
Here are the prices for the Acer Predator Helios 700 in other countries (accurate as of 18 October 2019) :
US : $2,199.99 (i7-9750H, RTX 2070, 16GB + 512 GB)
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
In this guide, we will share with you exactly what those letters and numbers mean!
10 Generations, 10 Number Systems!
Every Intel Core processor generation varies in how they are numbered. We will go through each generation from the latest 10th Gen Core all the way to the first-generation Core processors.
Even though they are both part of the same 10th Gen Intel Core processor family, the Ice Lake and Comet Lake processors have different processor number systems.
10th Gen Intel Ice Lake Processors
Brand Modifier
This is what most people think of as the performance category.
i7 : enthusiast class, with many processing cores
i5 : mainstream processors
i3 : entry-level processors
Gen Indicator
This is now a 2-digit number 10 for the 10th Generation Intel Core processor.
SKU Numeric Digits
This is what we consumers use as a rough indicator of the processor’s overall performance.
Instead of three digits, it now uses just two digits, but the concept is the same – the higher the number, the better the processor’s performance in general.
For example, the Core i7-1068 is faster than Core i7-1065.
Level of Graphics
Replacing the Product Line Suffix, this gives us a rough indication of the processor graphics’ performance level.
G7 : Intel Iris Plus Graphics with 64 Execution Units
G4 : Intel Iris Plus Graphics with 48 Execution Units
G1 : Intel UHD Graphics with 32 Execution Units
Intel started using this graphics indicator in the 10th Gen Intel Core processor number system, because this will be a major model differentiator.
For example, they announced three Intel Core i5-1035 models, differentiated only by their processor graphics :
Intel Core i5-1035G7 : Intel Iris Pro Graphics (64 EUs)
Intel Core i5-1035G4 : Intel Iris Pro Graphics (48 EUs)
This is what most people think of as the performance category.
Core i7 : enthusiast class
Core i5 : mainstream processors
Core i3 : entry-level processors
Gen Indicator
This is now a 2-digit number 10 for the 10th Generation Intel Core processor.
SKU Numeric Digits
This is what we consumers use as a rough indicator of the processor’s overall performance.
Instead of two digits that Ice Lake uses, Comet Lake uses three digits, but the concept is the same – the higher the number, the better the processor’s performance in general.
For example, the Core i7-10710 is faster than Core i7-10510.
Product Line Suffix
This tells us more about the processor features, for a particular model :
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7th Gen Intel Core Processor Number System
Brand Modifier
This is what most people think of as the performance category.
i7 : enthusiast class, with the most processing cores
i5 : mainstream processors
i3 : entry-level processors
Gen Indicator
The first number – 7 – quickly tells us that this is a 7th Generation Intel Core processor.
SKU Numeric Digits
This is what we consumers use as a rough indicator of the processor’s overall performance.
The higher the number, the better the processor’s performance in general. For example :
Core i7-7700 is faster than Core i7-7600
Core i5-7Y57 is faster than Core i5-7Y54
Product Line Suffix
This tells us more about the processor features, for a particular model :
K : Unlocked processor multiplier
H : High performance graphics
Q : Quad-core processor
U : Ultra-low power
Y : Extremely low power
6th Gen Intel Core Processor Number System
Brand Modifier
This is what most people think of as the performance category.
i7 : enthusiast class, with the most processing cores
i5 : mainstream processors
i3 : entry-level processors
Gen Indicator
The first number – 6 – quickly tells us that this is a 6th Generation Intel Core processor.
SKU Numeric Digits
This is what we consumers use as a rough indicator of the processor’s overall performance.
The higher the number, the better the processor’s performance in general. For example :
Core i7-6700 is faster than Core i7-6600
Core i5-6600 is faster than Core i5-6500
Product Line Suffix
This tells us more about the processor features, for a particular model :
K : Unlocked processor multiplier (desktop only)
T : Power-optimised (desktop only)
H : High performance graphics (mobile only)
HK : High performance graphics, unlocked multiplier (mobile only)
HQ : High performance graphics, quad-core processor (mobile only)
U : Ultra-low power (mobile only)
5th Gen Intel Core Processor Number System
Brand Modifier
This is what most people think of as the performance category.
i7 : enthusiast class, with the most processing cores
i5 : mainstream processors
i3 : entry-level processors
M : ultra-low power mobile processors
Gen Indicator
The first number – 5 – quickly tells us that this is a 5th Generation Intel Core processor.
SKU Numeric Digits
This is what we consumers use as a rough indicator of the processor’s overall performance.
The higher the number, the better the processor’s performance in general. For example :
Core i7-5700 is faster than Core i7-5600
Core i5-5300 is faster than Core i5-5200
Product Line Suffix
This tells us more about the processor features, for a particular model :
C : Unlocked LGA1150 processor with high-performance graphics (desktop only)
R : BGA1364 processor with high-performance graphics (desktop only)
H : High performance graphics (mobile only)
HQ : High performance graphics, quad-core processor (mobile only)
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4th Gen Intel Core Processor Number System
Brand Modifier
This is what most people think of as the performance category.
i7 : enthusiast class, with the most processing cores
i5 : mainstream processors
i3 : entry-level processors
M : ultra-low power mobile processors
Gen Indicator
The first number – 4 – quickly tells us that this is a 4th Generation Intel Core processor.
SKU Numeric Digits
This is what we consumers use as a rough indicator of the processor’s overall performance.
The higher the number, the better the processor’s performance in general. For example :
Core i7-4900 is faster than Core i7-4800
Core i5-4400 is faster than Core i5-4300
Product Line Suffix
This tells us more about the processor features, for a particular model :
K : Unlocked processor multiplier (desktop only)
R : BGA1364 processor with high-performance graphics (desktop only)
S : Performance-optimised model (desktop only)
T : Power-optimised (desktop only)
M : Mobile processor
MQ : Quad-core mobile processor
MX : Extreme Edition mobile processor
U : Ultra-low power (mobile only)
Y : Extremely low power (mobile only)
3rd Gen Intel Core Processor Number System
Brand Modifier
This is what most people think of as the performance category.
i7 : enthusiast class, with the most processing cores
i5 : mainstream processors
i3 : entry-level processors
M : ultra-low power mobile processors
Gen Indicator
The first number – 3 – quickly tells us that this is a 3rd Generation Intel Core processor.
SKU Numeric Digits
This is what we consumers use as a rough indicator of the processor’s overall performance.
The higher the number, the better the processor’s performance in general. For example :
Core i7-3770 is faster than Core i7-3720
Core i5-3470 is faster than Core i5-3450
Letter Suffix
This primarily tells us whether it is an Extreme Edition processor or not :
X : Extreme Edition processor
Product Line Suffix
This tells us more about the processor features, for a particular model :
K : Unlocked processor multiplier (desktop only)
S : Performance-optimised model (desktop only)
T : Power-optimised (desktop only)
M : Mobile processor
QM : Quad-core mobile processor
U : Ultra-low power (mobile only)
Y : Extremely low power (mobile only)
2nd Gen Intel Core Processor Number System
Brand Modifier
This is what most people think of as the performance category.
i7 : enthusiast class, with the most processing cores
i5 : mainstream processors
i3 : entry-level processors
Gen Indicator
The first number – 2 – quickly tells us that this is a 2nd Generation Intel Core processor.
SKU Numeric Digits
This is what we consumers use as a rough indicator of the processor’s overall performance.
The higher the number, the better the processor’s performance in general. For example :
Core i7-2860 is faster than Core i7-2820
Core i5-2700 is faster than Core i5-2600
1st Gen Intel Core Processor Number System
Brand Modifier
This is what most people think of as the performance category.
i7 : enthusiast class, with the most processing cores
i5 : mainstream processors
i3 : entry-level processors
Gen Indicator
The lack of a Gen Indicator of 1 tells us that this is a 1st Generation Intel Core processor.
SKU Numeric Digits
This is what we consumers use as a rough indicator of the processor’s overall performance.
The higher the number, the better the processor’s performance in general. For example :
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Dell just revealed the Alienware Aurora R9 gaming desktop with the new Legend industrial design at Gamescom 2019. Here is everything we know so far about the Aurora R9!
The Alienware Aurora R9 Gaming Desktop
Earlier this year, Alienware introduced their new Legend design in the 2019 Area-51m gaming laptop.
Now, they are introducing the same design to their gaming desktop for the first time – in the Alienware Aurora R9!
Here are some of the Aurora R9’s key features :
the Legend industrial design reduces the form factor of this mid-tower desktop
the Legend design also allows for higher airflow, reducing temperatures by up to 8%
supports up to the 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K processor, with liquid cooling
supports up to two NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics cards in SLI
Alienware Aurora R9 Specifications
Specifications
Alienware Aurora R9
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home / Pro (64-bit)
Processor Options
9th Gen Intel Core i3-9100
9th Gen Intel Core i5-9400
9th Gen Intel Core i5-9600K
9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700
9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700K
9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900
9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K
Killer E2500 Gigabit Ethernet NIC
Qualcomm WiFi 5 DW1810 1×1 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2
Qualcomm WiFi 5 DW1820 2×2 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2
Killer WiFi 6 AX1650 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.0
Power Supply Options
Alienware 460 Watt Power Supply
Alienware 850 Watt Power Supply
Dimensions
Volume : 33.8 L
Max. Height : 481.6 mm
Max. Length : 431.9 mm
Max. Width : 222.8 mm
Max. Weight : 17.8 kg
Colour Options
Lunar Light
Dark Side of the Moon
Alienware Aurora R9 Price + Availability
Dell has yet to announce the starting price of the Alienware Aurora R9 gaming desktop, but it will be available by the end of September 2019.
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The 2019 Acer Predator Triton 900 is no ordinary gaming laptop. It boasts a unique convertible design thanks to its Ezel Aero Hinge.
Let’s take a closer look at the new Acer Predator Triton 900, and show you why we call it the Gaming Monster!
The 2019 Acer Predator Triton 900 Tech Briefing
Let’s start with the 2019 Acer Predator Triton 900 tech briefing by Jeffrey Lai, Senior Product Manager of Acer Malaysia.
The 2019 Acer Predator Triton 900
The 2019 Acer Predator Triton 900 is built around the unique Ezel Aero Hinge that flips, extends or reclines the 17.3-inch display, for four usage modes :
Display Mode for sharing the screen with friends
Ezel Mode for playing games on the touch screen
Notebook Mode for playing computer games
Stand Mode for using the Triton 900 like a tablet!
It is designed to be a gaming powerhouse, with an Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics, all kept cool by 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans.
It also comes with 16 GB or 32 GB of DDR4 memory, and two 512 GB NVMe SSDs in RAID 0, as well as a mechanical keyboard with per-key RGB lighting. Next to its keyboard is a large trackpad that doubles as a virtual number pad.
Its 17.3-inch display has an IPS panel with a 4K UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, and it supports NVIDIA G-SYNC. It also comes with a built-in Xbox wireless receiver that lets you play your PC games with an Xbox controller!
The 2019 Acer Predator Triton 900 Specifications
Specifications
2019 Acer Predator Triton 900
Display
17.3-inch IPS touchscreen display
- 3840 x 2160 pixels
LAN : Gigabit Ethernet
WiFi : 802.11ac
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
Audio
4 Speakers
Ports
1 x HDMI
1 x DisplayPort
1 x USB 2.0
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 / Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C
Keyboard
Backlit keyboard
Power
4-cell Lithium Polymer battery (4670 mAh)
330 watt power supply
Dimensions
438.0 mm wide
303.3 mm deep
23.8 mm thick
Weight
4.50 kg
The 2019 Acer Predator Triton 900 Price + Availability
The 2019 Acer Predator Triton 900 is available right now in Malaysia at the official price of RM 15,999 / ~$3,864 / ~£3,044 / ~€3,400 with the following specifications :
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Acer just unveiled the 2019 Acer Predator and Nitro gaming laptops!
Here are the full details on all six new Predator and Nitro models, as well as their special launch promotions!
The 2019 Acer Predator + Nitro Gaming Laptops Revealed!
Let’s start with the 2019 Acer Predator and Nitro launch briefing by Jeffrey Lai, Senior Product Manager of Acer Malaysia.
Acer Predator Triton 900
The Acer Predator Triton 900 is built around the unique Ezel Aero Hinge that flips, extends or reclines the 17.3-inch display, for four usage modes :
Display Mode for sharing the screen with friends
Ezel Mode for playing games on the touch screen
Notebook Mode for playing computer games
Stand Mode for using the Triton 900 like a tablet!
It is also a powerhouse, with the latest 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics, all kept cool by 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans.
The Triton 900 comes with 16 GB DDR4 memory, and two 512 GB NVMe SSDs in RAID 0. It also comes with a mechanical keyboard with per-key RGB lighting.
The 2019 Acer Predator Helios 300 has a refreshed design, and the latest 9th Gen Intel Core i7 with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060. It is not only thinner, its 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display also has thinner bezels.
The new Helios 300 model is also kept cool by 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans, which deliver 45% more airflow than regular fans while creating 35% less noise.
The newly-refreshed Acer Nitro 5 series is available with either a 15.6-inch or 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display, with a narrow bezel design.
They can both be equipped with the latest 9th Gen Intel Core i7 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, and come with two M.2 PCIe SSD slots, two DDR4 memory slots, and dual fans with Acer CoolBoost technology.
The new 2019 Acer Nitro 7 has a new sleek metal chassis that is just under 2 cm thick.
It can be equipped with the latest 9th Gen Intel Core i7 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, and come with two M.2 PCIe SSD slots, two DDR4 memory slots, and dual fans with Acer CoolBoost technology.
The 2019 Acer Predator + Nitro Price + Availability
All models mentioned here are available at the official Acer online stores, and all Acer authorised resellers with immediate effect. Here are their official prices :
To kick-off the launch of the 2019 Acer Predator and Nitro gaming laptops, Acer is offering these special launch offers at all Acer Concept and Brand Stores, as well as All IT Hypermarket, Harvey Norman, Senheng, SNS Network and Thundermatch Technology, from 26 until 30 June 2019.
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Acer just unveiled the 2019 Predator Helios 300 gaming laptop, powered by the latest 9th Gen Intel processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics.
Here’s a quick primer on the latest iteration of the Acer Predator Helios 300 gaming laptop!
The 2019 Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
The newly-refreshed 2019 Predator Helios 300 gaming laptop is powered by the latest 9th Gen Intel processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU with Max-Q Design.
It also comes with up to 32 GB of DDR4-2666 memory, and Killer DoubleShot Pro networking connectivity.
Gamers have a choice of either a 15.6-inch or 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display. Both options support a 144 Hz refresh rate, and a 3 ms overdrive response time.
It also has a new keyboard with distinctive Predator fonts and 4-zone RGB lighting. The WASD keys are highlighted, as well as the arrow keys are hotkeys. The spacebar has also been enlarged.
Like the Predator Helios 700, it has two hotkeys – Turbo to quickly engage overclocking, and PredatorSense to immediately access CPU + GPU temperatures, fan controls, RGB lighting and more.
4th Gen AeroBlade 3D Fans
The new Predator Helios 300 also comes with an improved cooling system with two 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans, five copper heat pipes, and the Acer CoolBoost Technology.
The new 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans have new 0.1 mm fan blades with a serrated edge, winglets along the top and bottom, as well as a curved fin along the inner portion of each blade. Acer claims this increases airflow by up to 45%!
The 2019 Predator Helios 300 Price + Availability
The 2019 Predator Helios 300 gaming laptop will be available in these regions at the following recommended retail prices :
North America in July 2019 : Starting at USD 1,199.99 / ~£ 916 / ~€ 1,060 /~RM 4,933
EMEA in June 2019 : Starting at EUR 1,499 / ~US$ 1,695 / ~£ 1,295 /~RM 6,976
China in May 2019 : Starting at RMB 11,999 / ~US$ 1,788 / ~£ 1,366 / ~€ 1,579 /~RM 7,359
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Acer just unveiled the 2019 Predator Helios 700 gaming laptop, with a unique HyperDrift keyboard!Here’s a quick primer on the latest iteration of the Acer Predator Helios 700 gaming laptop!
The 2019 Predator Helios 700 Adds HyperDrift Keyboard!
The newly-refreshed 2019 Predator Helios 700 gaming laptop has a slew of new CPUs and GPUs to choose from, including the new 9th Gen Intel Core i9 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 or RTX 2070.
It also comes with up to 64 GB of DDR4 memory, and Killer DoubleShot Pro wired and Killer Wi-Fi 6 wireless connectivity.
All that power is convey to the gamer through a large 17-inch Full HD IPS display with 144 Hz refresh rate, 3 ms response time and NVIDIA G-SYNC support.
HyperDrift Keyboard
The most unique thing about the 2019 Predator Helios 700 is the new HyperDrift keyboard. Designed as part of the new Helios 700’s thermal architecture, it slides forward to uncover two additional air intakes for maximum cooling performance.
Sliding the HyperDrift keyboard forward also improves ergonomics – the keyboard is now closer to the gamer. On top of that – its MagForce keys use linear switches that triggers on the initial press, and increase up to 100 percent for more precise control.
It also has two hotkeys – Turbo to quickly engage overclocking, and PredatorSense to immediately access CPU + GPU temperatures, fan controls, RGB lighting and more.
4th Gen AeroBlade 3D Fans
The new Predator Helios 700 also comes with an improved cooling system. It not only leverages the HyperDrift keyboard for more airflow, it also comes with two 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans, five copper heat pipes, and the Acer CoolBoost Technology.
The new 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans have new 0.1 mm fan blades with a serrated edge, winglets along the top and bottom, as well as a curved fin along the inner portion of each blade. Acer claims this increases airflow by up to 45%!
The 2019 Predator Helios 700 Price + Availability
The 2019 Predator Helios 700 gaming laptop will be available in these regions at the following recommended retail prices :
North America in July 2019 : Starting at USD 2,699.99 / ~£ 2,061 / ~€ 2,387 /~RM 11,105
EMEA in July 2019 : Starting at EUR 2,699 / ~US$ 3,052 / ~£ 2,331 /~RM 12,557
China in June 2019 : Starting at RMB 19,999 / ~US$ 2,981 / ~£ 2,277 / ~€ 2,271 /~RM 12,265
Recommended Reading
The 2019 Predator Helios 300 with RTX 2070 Revealed!
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The MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon is one of the first Intel Z390 motherboards to hit the market in support of the 9th Generation Intel Core i9-9900K processor.
Let’s unbox and take a close look at the MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon motherboard. We will investigate its key features and find out if this is the Intel Z390 motherboard to pair with your 9th Generation Intel Core processor!
MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon Price + Availability
Our review sample is of the “standard” MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon motherboard with an official price of US$ 199 / ~£159 / RM 834.
MSI also offers an AC variant that adds WiFi-AC connectivity, called the MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon AC. It has an official price of US$ 229 / ~£183 / RM 960..
Here are some direct purchase links of the MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (prices accurate as of 14 December 2018) :
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The MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon Up Close
The MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (US | UK | MY) is a full-sized ATX motherboard, built around the new Intel Z390 chipset.
This is one of MSI’s premium model for the mainstream enthusiast / gamers market. Hence, it boasts premium features like Mystic Light RGB lighting, PCI-E Steel Armor reinforcement, and Audio Boost 4 capabilities.
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MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon Specifications
Specifications
MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon
Form Factor
ATX
- 9.6-inch x 12-inch
- 24.3 cm x 30.4 cm
Chipset
Intel Z390
Socket
LGA 1151
Supported Processors
8th Gen / 9th Gen Intel Core or Pentium Gold or Celeron processors
Memory Slots
4 x DDR4 DIMM Slots
- Dual Channel
- Up to 64 GB
Memory Support
Official : DDR4-2133 / DDR4-2400 / DDR4-2666
OC : DDR4-2800 to DDR4-4400
PCI Express Slots
3 x PCIe 3.0 x16
3 x PCIe 3.0 X1
Multi-GPU Support
2-Way NVIDIA SLI
2-Way AMD CrossFire
M.2 Sockets
2 x PCIe 3.0 x 4
SATA Ports
6 x SATA 6 Gbps
RAID Support
RAID 0 / 1 / 5 / 10
LAN Support
Intel i219-V Gigabit LAN
Rear I/O Ports
1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type C
3 x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type A
2 x USB 2.0
1 x DisplayPort 1.2
1 x HDMI 1.4
1 x PS/2 combo port
1 x Gigabit LAN port
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
5 x Audio ports
I/O Port Headers
1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type C
4 x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type A
4 x USB 2.0
1 x Serial Port
1 x TPM header
Audio Processor
Realtek ALC1220P
- Supports 7.1 channel HD Audio
I/O Controller
Nuvoton NCT6797D
Hardware Monitors
CPU / system temperature detection
CPU / system fan speed detection
CPU / system fan speed control
Fan Headers
1 x 4-pin CPU fan header
1 x 4-pin water pump header
5 x 4-pin system fan headers
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CPU Power & Overclockability
The MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (US | UK | MY) has what appears to be 11+2 phases, which increases overclockability, while reducing electromagnetic interference with minimal power loss.
It has a fully-digital PWM architecture with load-line calibration. Although high quality (and expensive) analog PWM exists, digital PWM allows for more accurate control of the power frequency and modulation.
The MOSFETs and inductors are kept cool by aluminium alloy heatsinks, which help to increase reliability and longevity of the VRM.
To keep extreme gamers and overclockers happy, there are a total of SEVEN fan headers peppered throughout the motherboard. One of these is a dedicated water pump header that supports up to 2 amps, giving you full control of the water pump speed.
If there are any enthusiast-grade features that we regret were not included in this motherboard, it would be the Power and Reset buttons.
DDR4 Memory Slots
The MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (US | UK | MY) has four DDR4 DIMM slots. The Intel Z390 chipset only supports DDR4 memory up to 2666 MHz, but the Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon allows for overclocked memory clock speeds of up to 3600 MHz, with all four slots populated.
If you can live with just two slots, you can further push their clock speeds up to 4400 MHz! This is made possible by its fully-isolated memory circuitry and improved layout, which reduces interference for a cleaner signal.
The four memory slots are also covered with Steel Armor. In this case, it is not meant to add strength to the slots, but to protect them against electromagnetic interference.
PCI Express Slots
The MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (US | UK | MY) motherboard has six PCI Express slots – three full-sized PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots, and three smaller PCI Express 3.0 x1 slots.
The first two PCI Express x16 slots are sheet metal reinforced – what MSI calls Steel Armor. They increase the rigidity of the PCI Express slots, allowing them to support heavy graphics cards. The third PCI Express x16 slot lacks this Steel Armor reinforcement.
The top-most PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot operates at full x16 speed with a single graphics card.
If you have two graphics cards, you will need to install them in the first and second PCIe x16 slots; and they will both run at x8 speed. The third PCIe x16 slot only runs at x4 speed.
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Dual PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 Sockets
The MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon motherboard has two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 sockets. They support M.2 solid state drives, with lengths of 42 mm, 60 mm, 80 mm or 110 mm. The third PCI Express x16 slot (which runs at x4 speed) can be used to add a third SSD. You can run them in RAID 0, 1, 5 or 10.
Only the second M.2 socket has a heatsink, and it’s a large one. If you intend to install only one M.2 SSD, then you should obviously install it in the lower M.2 socket, so the drive is cooled.
The upper M.2 socket is “naked”, although you can always install a DIMM cooler to help keep both the memory modules and the SSD installed in this socket cool.
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Limited SATA Ports
The MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (US | UK | MY) has six standard SATA 6Gb/s ports. There are no SATA Express ports. But what’s really problematic is the stacked side-facing design. They may prove to be troublesome to access in tight cases. If only MSI included a few vertical ports.
Do note that the first M.2 socket (M2_1) uses the SATA_2 port, if you opt to use it in the SATA mode. In addition, the second M.2 socket (M2_2) uses both the SATA_5 and SATA_6 ports in PCIe mode.
What this basically means is you have limited support for SATA drives with the Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon. It’s not the end of the world, but don’t expect to run two M.2 SSDs with six SATA drives. That’s not happening.
You can have six SATA drives only if you install one SSD in the first M.2 socket in PCIe mode. With two SSDs in PCIe mode, you can only have a maximum of four SATA drives.
Audio Boost 4 with Nahimic 3
The MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (US | UK | MY) features their Audio Boost 4 audio technology, which promises to deliver “studio-grade” audio capabilities.
Although MSI has been quite reticent about their Audio Boost 4 technology, our investigation revealed that it consists of :
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an EMI-shielded Realtek ALC1220P audio processor
an isolated audio circuit
Japanese-made Chemi-Con capacitors
dual op amplifiers
Nahimic 3 virtual 7.1 sound software
Their Nahimic 3 software is what creates a virtual 7.1 surround sound effect out of ordinary stereo sound. It will give you better directional audio cues when you game, and a more immersive listening experience when you watch movies, or listen to music.
Rear I/O Ports
The MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (US | UK | MY) has pre-installed shields for the rear I/O ports, for easier installation and better EMI protection.
To the left are two USB 2.0 Type A ports with a PS/2 combo port above, followed by the DisplayPort and HDMI ports. Marked in red are two USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports – one Type A and one Type C.
Next, you have the Intel I219V LAN port, with two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports (red). Finally, we have the five audio ports and the optical S/PDIF out port.
MSI Mystic Light
As its name suggests, the MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (US | UK | MY) is designed to appeal to gamers. Hence, it supports the MSI Mystic Light technology, which allows you to control and sync RGB LED lighting on the motherboard and other compatible devices.
Mystic Light gives you full control of the 16.8 million LED colours with 29 light effects. Thanks to the provided extension cables, it is compatible with standard RGB, RAINBOW as well as CORSAIR LED lights.
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Our Verdict & Award
MSI is an old hand at designing and manufacturing quality motherboards, and that experience shows in the MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (US | UK | MY). After all, this is a motherboard that is designed to appeal to both gamers and overclockers, and it takes some finesse to get the mix just right.
Hardware enthusiasts and overclockers will like its enhanced CPU overclocking features that include an 11+2 phase digital PWM architecture, and easy overclocking via the MSI Dragon Center software. With improved circuitry routing and EMI protection, it also offers improved DDR4 memory overclockability to 4.4 GHz.
Gamers who want an edge over their competitors without the “hassle” of overclocking will love the automatic overclocking features in the MSI Dragon Center – Game Boost, XMP and fan controls. Everything can be controlled with a click (or two) of a button!
Gamers who love to show off their cases will also love the Mystic Light capability built in. Not only does this motherboard support standard RGB lights, it also supports CORSAIR and RAINBOW RGB lights.
Even audiophiles are not left out. Its Audio Boost 4 technology promises to deliver studio-grade high-definition audio through isolated audio circuitry, with an EMI-shielded audio processor, and dual headphone amplifiers.
If that’s not enough, it comes with the Nahimic 3 virtual 7.1 sound software to create an expansive 3D soundscape for a more immersive and realistic gaming and entertainment experience.
Being designed for the mainstream market, there are some feature compromises, to be sure.
It has two M.2 sockets but only one is cooled by a heatsink. It also has limited SATA ports, and no SATA Express ports. There is a set of four EZ Debug LED lights, but there are no onboard Power or Reset buttons, which some enthusiasts favour.
But if you can live with those small compromises, this is a well-made Intel Z390 motherboard that offers a lot of great features at a really affordable price of just $200 in the US.
For these reasons, we think the MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (US | UK | MY) deserves our Reviewer’s Choice Award. Great job, MSI!
MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon Price + Availability
Our review sample is of the “standard” MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon motherboard with an official price of US$ 199 / ~£159 / RM 834.
MSI also offers an AC variant that adds WiFi-AC connectivity, called the MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon AC. It has an official price of US$ 229 / ~£183 / RM 960..
Here are some direct purchase links of the MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon (prices accurate as of 14 December 2018) :
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The GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master motherboard has just been announced. Take a look at the key features of the latest Intel X299 motherboard from GIGABYTE!
The GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master Motherboard!
The GIGABYTE X299 AORUS MASTER motherboard provides the flexibility for users to enhance their motherboard’s graphical performance through multi-graphical configurations.
It also features a unique PCIe express design which utilizes all 44 lanes from the CPU for the full bandwidth.
Its ultra-durable one piece stainless steel shielding PCIe Armor with Double Locking Bracket adds extra sturdiness to the PCIe slot to prevent heavy graphics cards from bending the PCIe slots with their weight and causing damage to the slots.
Lastly, RGB Fusion adds impressive aesthetic flair to the GIGABYTE 299 AORUS MASTER motherboard and supports the use of digital LED lighting strips for extra lighting effects, supporting both 5V or 12V addressable lighting strips and up to 300 lights.
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Taipei, Taiwan, October 22nd, 2018 – GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd, launched its newest flagship Z390 AORUS XTREME motherboard today.
With the highest power phase count of any Z390 motherboard on the market, the new AORUS flagship motherboard features a 16-Phase Digital IR VRM design and state-of-the-art thermal design for optimized power and thermal management to unleash the full overclocking potential of the new 8-core Intel Core i9-9900K processor.
The GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS XTREME Revealed!
The new 8-Core Intel Core i9-9900K processor is built on the 14 nm process technology and support the LGA 1151 socket. The 16-Phase Digital IR VRM design paired with solid pin power connectors not only provide a highly stable power supply but also reduces heat generated from overclocking or heavier workloads to prevent overheating from affecting performance.
Automatic Phase Balance Design
The automatic phase balance design not only regulates the loading of the 16-Phase power design but also reduces the operating frequency of the VRM controller chip, minimizing power consumption and heat generated from the PWM.
This design improves power efficiency, durability, and service life significantly. Furthermore, GIGABYTE’s 2x Copper PCB with a larger CPU power delivery plane not only offers more power supply stability, it also reduces excess heat generated from overclocking or heavy workloads to prevent power supply issues or overheating from slowing performance.
Fins-Array + Direct Touch Heatpipes
With 3 times more heat dissipation surface area compared to standard heatsinks, Fins-Array Technology bolsters heat dissipation on the Z390 AORUS XTREME. GIGABYTE upgraded its Direct Touch Heatpipe technology by implementing 4x heatpipes to improve heat transfer.
The first two front side PCB heatpipes directly contact the PowIRstage and inductors while the third and fourth heatpipes use an exclusive design which increases the contact between the heatsink and the backside PCB components.
Nanocarbon Baseplate
The addition of a NanoCarbon coated baseplate means that the heat from the PWM is more efficiently transferred to the heatsinks which lowers the temperatures around the power design. The VRM uses a LAIRD brand thermal pad thickened to 1.5mm to increase the contact between the VRM and its heatsinks, improving heat dissipation immensely and mitigating the effects of overheating on system performance.
Nanocarbon Baseplate design with heat dissipation gives the Z390 AORUS XTREME extra rigidity to prevent PCB bending while also protecting builders from the sharper components on the backside during installation.
Easy Setup + Troubleshooting
Aside from its visually appealing design and easy installation, the integrated I/O shield provides solid protection to the feature-rich rear panel’s USB 3.1 Gen2, network connectivity ports, audio jacks, and other expansion ports. Users can troubleshoot PC problems more easily with the board’s power, restart, reset BIOS (Clear CMOS), and other buttons.
The GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS XTREME employs a 90 degree design for the 24 solid pin power connectors which not only looks wicked cool when the power cables are configured but it also makes way for smoother air flow and a cooler system. Metal cladding on the pin connectors adds extra durability and reduces loosening caused by inserting and removing the power cables.
Easy Overclocking
Many features on the board are designed to help users bring out the best performance from the new Intel Core i9-9900K processor. With the CPU Upgrade in the BIOS, Smart Boost and Auto Tuning in the APP Center, users can overclock with ease.
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For those who want more overclock control, don’t miss out on the OC Touch panel of the Z390 AORUS XTREME. OC Touch incorporates easy-to-use buttons and toggles for the user to configure key processor multipliers and adjust BCLK frequencies by units of 1MHz or 0.1 MHz. Regardless of whether the user is at the BIOS screen, using DOS or Windows operating systems, these frequency changes can be adjusted and applied without rebooting the system.
Users can quickly optimize their PCs’ performance and find the highest frequency for their processors. Additionally, the exclusive OC button can load overclock configuration presets so that less experienced overclockers can overclock at certain ranges. The OC-Touch function also helps users figure out the best overclocking settings for their processors. The built-in voltage measurement module keeps the user informed on the voltage of each component, making overclocking more convenient for users.
Z390 AORUS Xtreme Expansion Options
Z390 AORUS XTREME has three PCIe slots so users can set up a 2-Way SLI and 3-Way CrossFire configuration.
The exclusive GIGABYTE Ultra-Durable stainless steel PCIe Armor with Double Locking Bracket reinforces PCIe slot strength so heavy graphics cards don’t bend the slots. The motherboard’s solid power pin connectors provides independent auxiliary power to the PCIe slots so users’ graphics cards can receive sufficient and more stable power supply.
Z390 AORUS XTREME motherboard’s Triple PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 with Thermal Guards and dual-mode SATA M.2 slots, users can build a RAID 0/1 or RAID 5 array and take advantage of the benefits of both enhanced storage performance and solid data integrity.
Z390 AORUS Xtreme Connectivity Options
GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS XTREME comes with built-in AQUANTIA 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Intel Gigabit Ethernet, and Intel CNVi 802.11ac 160MHz 2×2 WIFI. The all new 4dBi ultra high peak gain antenna not only supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WIFI frequencies but also has twice the signal strength compared to traditional antenna designs.
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The magnetic base and dual antenna design of Smart Antenna technology makes it so the device can be installed on magnetic surfaces and can search for WIFI signals at different angles. This fixes the positioning of the antenna and prevents the issue of users not being able to obtain strong WIFI signals, offering greater flexibility from the motherboard’s network connectivity.
Aside from exceptional performance and high-speed connectivity, GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS XTREME also has two sets of built-in USB Type-C Thunderbolt interface, which not only support native USB 3.1 Gen 2 specifications but also delivers 40 Gbps data transmission speed. Users can also daisy chain 6 devices + 1 display on a single connection, for high-speed data transfer and high-definition resolution all at once.
Professional-Grade Audio
The GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS XTREME uses an ALC1220-VB high-SNR audio codec with professional audio components such as ESS SABRE DAC and studio grade audio capacitors. The left and right side channel audio lines are processed separately and the new inclusion of a TI Burr-Brown high quality audio OP AMPs with its signal-enhanced design makes the audio clearer and more immersive.
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Intel officially announced the Intel Core i9-9900K on 8 October 2018, calling it the world’s best gaming processor. Let’s take a closer look at this flagship member of the 9th Generation Intel Core processor family!
Updated @ 2018-10-23 :Added an Intel Hyper-Threading section, updated the 9th Generation Intel Core processor price list, and corrected some mistakes.
Originally posted @ 2018-10-19
The Intel Coffee Lake Processors
The 9th Generation Intel Core processors are based on the same Coffee Lake microarchitecture as the 8th Generation Intel Core processors. When they were first announced last year, the 8th Gen Core processors commanded great interest, because they were the first desktop processors to boast a major boost in performance, thanks to the addition of additional cores.
The 9th Generation Intel Core processors may be based on the same microarchitecture, but Intel repeats the same winning formula – add cores for more performance! All thanks to the Ryzen Effect! So here is basically what the 9th Gen offers over the 8th Gen :
Note : The 8th Gen Core i9 was only available for the mobile platform. The desktop Core i9 was only introduced in the 9th Generation.
Intel Hyper-Threading
In the 9th Generation, Intel drops Hyper-Threading in their Core i7 processors for the first time ever. Hyper-Threading is now available only in the Core i9. The Core i7 is now more like the Core i5, with two additional cores.
What Intel has essentially done is split the Core i7 into a higher-end Core i9 line with Hyper-Threading, and a lower-end Core i7 line without Hyper-Threading.
There are just three models in the first salvo of 9th Generation Intel Core processors – the Intel Core i9-9900K (US | UK), the Intel Core i7-9700K (US | UK) and the Intel Core i5-9600K (US | UK). Here is a comparison of their specifications :
Specifications
Intel Core i9-9900K
Intel Core i7-9700K
Intel Core i5-9600K
Codename
Coffee Lake
Coffee Lake
Coffee Lake
Socket
FCLGA1151
FCLGA1151
FCLGA1151
Process Technology
14 nm tri-gate
14 nm tri-gate
14 nm tri-gate
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 8
6 / 6
Base Frequency
3.6 GHz
3.6 GHz
3.7 GHz
Boost Frequency
5.0 GHz
4.9 GHz
4.6 GHz
L2 Cache
256 KB x 8
256 KB x 8
256 KB x 6
L3 Cache
16 MB
12 MB
9 MB
Bus Speed
8 GT/s DMI3
8 GT/s DMI3
8 GT/s DMI3
Memory Support
DDR4-2666 (Dual Channel)
DDR4-2666 (Dual Channel)
DDR4-2666 (Dual Channel)
Max. Memory Bandwidth
41.6 GB/s
41.6 GB/s
41.6 GB/s
Processor Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 630
- 350 MHz to 1.2 GHz
Intel UHD Graphics 630
- 350 MHz to 1.2 GHz
Intel UHD Graphics 630
- 350 MHz to 1.15 GHz
TDP
95 W
95 W
95 W
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Unboxing The Intel Core i9-9900K
The Intel Core i9-9900K (US | UK) comes in a rather retail box, which is rather surprising since it doesn’t come with a bundled cooler. So what’s inside the box? Let’s find out!
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The Intel Core i9-9900K Up Close!
The Intel Core i9-9900K (US | UK) has eight cores that can handle up to 16 simultaneous threads. It has a 4 MB L2 cache and a large 16 MB L3 cache; and supports DDR4-2666 memory.
This new processor has a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz, with a Turbo Boost speed of up to 5.0 GHz.. It is an enthusiast-grade desktop processor, which means it is multiplier-unlocked for easier overclocking.
The Intel Core i9-9900K (US | UK) still uses the LGA 1151 socket, but is only compatible with the Intel 300-series chipsets. The new Intel Z390 chipset was released together with it, offering native USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, support for SDXC, and integrated 802.11ac connectivity.
Intel Core i9-9900K Performance
We did not have any time to test the Intel Core i9-9900K (US | UK) but Intel shared with us some performance numbers, running on the GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS PRO WiFi motherboard, and using the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti graphics card :
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