APU A-Series from AMD has already proved itself as a fair correlation of performance and consumer properties. This allows users to create budgetary home systems that can readily cope with all contemporary tasks, video games, simultaneously providing a considerable speed increase. MSI is one of the companies to develop a motherboard on the basis of this platform, ensuring in its FM2-A85XA-G65 rich functional and maximal performance. The developers have managed to design the board with a minimal amount of additional controllers, though expansion facilities are sure to satisfy the majority of potential customers.



Design and Layout


Motherboard MSI FM2-A85XA-G65 belongs to Military Class III line and is developed in ATX form-factor. Similar to other products of this line, this model is differentiated by a voluminous cooling system and a quite powerful VRM node. This board is destined for Socket FM2 logics and is ready to accommodate processors of A-Series and Athlon. It is based …

The requirements of customers towards contemporary power modules are quite tough. They should own good performance characteristics and high coefficient of efficiency level, as well as 80Plus marker. The latter speaks about quality and ability to satisfy the needs of any PC. However, all PSU are classified according to different criteria, so one can find appropriate product even without 80Plus standards. The compliance with those standards is realized on 115V and 230V conditions but there are a number of standards applied to 220V-240V. Power module Chieftec A80 650W doesn’t belong to the army of 80Plus products, though can boast outstanding performance and efficiency. It is primarily targeted at the segment of affordable PSU solutions.



Design and Framework


Chieftec A80 650W design is developed in a classical template common for the models with a solid frontal fan. The casing consists of a ventilation perforation, decorative grid with the brand logo, sockets for module …

EK Water Blocks is about to put on sale its VGA waterblock, designed specifically for Asus ROG Matrix HD 7970 graphics card. Codenamed EK-FC7970 Matrix, the product will become available in retail sale already on 8 March and will cost approximately €110. Such price is justified by the utmost heat management facilities that ensure 100% percent reliability.



EK-FC7970 Matrix belongs to the echelon of waterblocks with full coverage. Its base is made of nickel-plated copper, its rear backplate – of anodized aluminum, and its lid – of acetal. The model shows compatibility with all standard fittings of G1/4 dimensional type.


It should be mentioned that EK Water Blocks furnished its new creation with all necessary fastenings, a backplate, and a mounting plate; the latter takes only two slots, unlike a nominal Asus ROG Matrix HD 7970 plate which takes three slots. Such switch of plates will be useful on simultaneous installation of several expansion cards.


This …