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Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound Review PDF Print E-mail
Written by Tom   
Friday, 11 September 2009 00:00

Often overlooked and taken for granted, thermal paste is a necessary component in PC assembly and while the retail packaging for CPUs typically come with a heatsink and fan with thermal paste applied at the factory it typically isn't the best for ensuring that the maximum amount of heat is transferred from the processor to the heatsink especially if the CPU is going to be overclocked. Thermal paste is designed to take up the gaps between the heatsink and the IHS of the processor, thus eliminating the air in the gaps. Metal to metal contact is best for maximum heat transfer. There are many thermal pastes available, so which one does one choose from? We hope to shed a little light to this confusing topic.

In the past we have talked about the significance of ensuring that components stay within operating conditions to ensure long life and continued functionality.  Let us rehash it a little bit, electronics, in normal operations, generate heat. This heat needs to be moved away from the component and expelled. If the heat is not moved away or is allowed to remain, electromigration can occur. Electromigration is physical damage/wear to the traces cause by electrons moving through them. The more heat that is allowed to build up, the faster the electrons move, causing more damage. While there are numerous heatsink/fan combinations available, often over looked is the thermal interface material that resides between the IHS of the CPU and the base of the heatsink. Metal to metal contact is best for optimum heat transfer, but due to manufacturing and machining processes that may not be possible in many cases. So we have to use a thermal interface material. The main purpose of the thermal interface material is to fill minor gaps that can allow air to get trapped between the IHS of the processor and base of the heatsink, air is a great insulator and allows heat to remain close to the component. 

Today we are taking a look at Noctua's NT-H1 Thermal Interface Material. Noctua has a reputation in the industry for producing very competitive CPU coolers and fans. As the NT-H1 is non-conductive it can be used on GPUs and chipsets as well as CPUs. Maintaining the maximum amount of heat transfer will ensure long life of the components being used.

 
Last Updated on Saturday, 12 September 2009 15:21
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Vizo Master Panel II Review PDF Print E-mail
Written by Tom   
Monday, 17 August 2009 05:51

Space is a precious commodity in a computer case. Manufactures are constantly trying to figure out where to put the I/O connections for the front panel. Some manufactures limit your connections by just placing two USB ports and mabe a couple of audio jacks up front. So that means if you have any more than two devices, you're going to have to go to the back of the case to connect any additional devices and if the PC is tucked neatly back in some corner of the desk; it makes it that much more difficult to get to.

Vizo has your solution: The Master Panel II. The Master Panel II's slogan is "No need to go to the back, Do it in the Front."  Truer words have never been spoken. The Master Panel II offers a high speed USB 2.0 Multi-card reader, a fan bus with the ability to control up to two fans, two USB 2.0 ports, i1394 port, an eSATA port, A/V connection and audio in/out, all tucked into the space of a 51/4" drive bay. There is plenty of options on the Master Panel II and should satisfy all but the most connection hungry user. While all the connections are nice, if performance suffers then what's the point of having the connections if they perform poorly. Is the Master Panel II up to the task or is it just another pretty face? Read on to find out.

 

 
Last Updated on Monday, 17 August 2009 11:18
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Hightech Hardware Is Hiring- We need your help!! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Tom   
Saturday, 25 July 2009 08:55

HighTech Hardware was started in January of '09 and since then we have grown by leaps and bounds. This growth has facilitated the need to hire reviewers.

We are looking for highly motivated infividuals who can adhere to deadlines. The applicants will be required to follow guidelines and procedures that are in place while conducting the reivews. Prior experience with hardware reviews and benchmarking preferred but not required.

There are a few items that the applicant will need to have to be considered for this position:


1.  You must have a at least a 4.0 MP digital camera.

2.  A tripod for the camera is required

3.  Time to dedicate to the review, some reviews can take up A LOT of time. We need people who are dedicated to getting them in on time.

4.  A newer system for benchmarks is a must. Any system less than a Core2Quad or AMD Phenom need not apply. Preferred systems are i7 or a Phenom II.

5.  At least a  22" LCD or comparable CRT monitor is required.

6.  Basic PC building skills are a must. Applicants must have the ability and knowledge to swap out components.

7.  Must be able to meed deadlines.

8.  The applicant must be able to convey th thoughts to the reader, basically have the ability to make the technical non-technical.

9.  Must have access to an advanced photoediting program such as Photoshop.

10. For now, the reviewer must reside in the United States.

 

If you are interested, please email a resume to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


If you are selected for as a candidate, you will be required to submit a sample review before the final selection process.

Good luck to you all and I hope to be working with some of you soon.
 
Last Updated on Monday, 31 August 2009 05:21
 
CoolerMaster Hyper N620 CPU Cooler Review PDF Print E-mail
Written by Tom   
Monday, 10 August 2009 05:43

With the plethora of good performing tower coolers that are out on the market, how does one set their self's apart from the rest of the pack? Every fan attached to a heatsink has a dead spot in the center where the fan blades attach to the hub. How do you eliminate or reduce the size of the dead spot? CoolerMaster has the answer with their latest cooler in the Hyper Series: the Hyper N620. CoolerMaster choose a unique design with the cooler that is designed to handle two fans configured in a push/pull configuration that takes the dead spot out of the cooling equation by offsetting the fans from one another. This configuration leads to a quite different shape of the finsink as compared to other tower style coolers.

CoolerMaster chose to use a more traditional design with the base of the Hyper N620, which unlike the Hyper TX3 and Hyper 212 +, eliminates the heat pipe direct touch technology and returns to the polished copper base attached to numerous heat pipes. This type of has proven to be a great performer and offers lesser chance that air will become trapped between the base and the IHS of the processor. A smooth flat base will provide the best heat transfer. So how does the CoolerMaster Hyper N620 perform? Read on to find out.

 
Last Updated on Monday, 10 August 2009 13:11
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Eagle Tech Computers Inc. ET-CSTESU2-BK External Hard Drive Enclosure Review PDF Print E-mail
Written by Tom   
Wednesday, 08 July 2009 23:42

Hard drive enclosures have come a long way from the early models. Early models were clunky lumps of metal or plastic that we not very easy on the eyes. My how things have changed. Enclosures today are, in a word. sexy. Manufactures have taken the fact that some computer users want an attractive piece of hardware sitting on their desk not just a plastic or metal box.

Eagle Tech Computers, Inc. is all about bringing style along with functionality to storage enclosures. Eagle Tech has quite a few hard drive enclosures in their inventory. They sent us out the ET-CSTESU2-BK to review. Eagle Tech Computers is a new sponsor for us and we are proud to have them on board.

With the ET-CSTESU2-BK, they have taken the aesthetics aspect even further by adding a dimly glowing blue LED to the base of the ET-CSTESU2-BK hard drive enclosure. The unit is build fairly solid with a mixture of ABS plastic and good old fashion steel. The ET-CSTESU2-BK offers both USB 2.0 and eSATA connectivity which has now become an industry standard for enclosures. Read on and we will dive into more detail.

 
Last Updated on Thursday, 09 July 2009 00:12
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