The sphere of cloud computing is gradually gaining in pace. In this light, this industry feels the need for the qualitative and advanced performance, as well as, enlarged capacities. Apacer is the one to understand the current tendencies by announcing the future release of SSD series specifically for cloud computing purposes. Its new SAFD 25A are promised to demonstrate both, high-end performance and capacity. The product's primary destination can be identified as an efficient tool to be employed in servers and cloud-based computing.



SAFD 25A is characterized by high performance IOPs (up to 50000 IOPs) and enlarged storage volume capacity up to 512 GB. Such specifications witness of the undeniable benefits given to customers in terms of data storage, editing and sharing. SAFD 25A can boast such outstanding features as anti-vibration and anti-shock which promote for the SSD durability. In addition, this series will be distinguished by low power consumption index that can't but …

Gigabyte adds another mini-PC to its small-sized solutions. This time the company introduces a low-budget Brix GB-Bace-3160 model targeting entry-level users (home/office use). It might be employed to fulfill such routine tasks as file editing, web surfing & multimedia boot. The model boasts a strict all-black design, featuring 114.4x107.6x56.1 mm case dimensions.



Gigabyte Brix GB-Bace-3160 accommodates a 4-core Intel Celeron J3160 CPU (14 nm) that operates at 1.6/2.24 GHz frequency; it is accompanied by an integrated Intel HD Graphics 400 graphics core (320-700 MHz frequency). The PCB houses only a single SO-DIMM slot for the installation of DRR3L-1600 memory.


Storage subsystem is introduced by a single SATA III (6 Gb/sec) port, intended for the incorporation of 2.5-inch SSD/HDD. Audio subsystem is supported by Realtek ALC255 controller. Furthermore, this mini-PC comes with a 4-watt power supply unit.


Network facilities are realized by means of gigabit LAN port …

Currently, the situation with the total dominance of NVIDIA in the segment of top-end graphics solutions has developed. AMD is unlikely to present its progressive Vega accelerators shortly. But a series of mid-level video cards based on GPU Polaris has already been developed. Their second generation is presented, so let’s start studying the new products.


Polaris 20 Based Video Cards

The updated line of video cards includes four models: Radeon RX 580, Radeon RX 570, Radeon RX 560 and Radeon RX 550. They are direct successors of similar models of the RX400 series; in particular, the Radeon RX 580/570 replaces the Radeon RX 480/470. So, let’s consider the changes in the new video cards in this review.


The Radeon RX 580 and Radeon RX 570 are based on the Polaris 20 graphics processor which has no major changes with respect to Polaris 10. This is the development of the AMD GCN architecture and its fourth implementation. The GPU counts 36 Compute Unit (CU) computational …