Compact motherboards have become frequenters in the computer hardware market since the tendencies of the past years diligently dwindle to the diminution of devices in dimensions. Thus, mini-ITX boards are currently implemented in the layout of desk-size gadgets and walk with vigorous strides to the market penetration. Developers from Asus company have put their ambitions into practice and introduced a new mini-ITX motherboard F1A75-I Deluxe. This mini-board can boast a number of options which are absent even in some full-length motherboards and offers excellent performance facilities.



General Peculiarities


Asus F1A75-I Deluxe is distinguished by the suitability of framework. Irrespective of its compact dimensions, the localization of all components on the board is rather suitable. The user won’t find any difficulties with reaching the necessary sockets in order to enable the drives, as far as they are located on the board edge. The same convenience is observed with the …

The top board platform Intel LGA2011 is not yet very demanded among customers, mainly due to the high prices of components — motherboard with chipset X79 and processors Intel Sandy Bridge-E. However, it should be remembered that the models LGA1366 also initially were desirable for only enthusiasts with a tight purse, and only in 2010, with cheaper motherboards and the release of new, more powerful processors, Core i7, (Bloomfield / Westmere) sales statistics of LGA1366 components rose considerably.



It is possible that consumer interest in the LGA2011 platform will also grow this and especially next year. Part of this will contribute to six-core Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition which is expected to be released. Core i7-3970X EE has a clock speed of 3.4 or 3.5 GHz stock, which is in turbo mode increases up to 4.0 GHz. Other features of the model coincide with those of the 3960X:

— Process technology: 32 nm Sandy Bridge-E architecture;

— The number of cores / streams: …

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 …