Biostar is ready to launch its newest motherboard that is notable for the support of Windows 8.1 OS platform and availability of Windows Hardware Quality Labs certificate. Entitled Biostar Hi-Fi Z87W, it features a standard ATX form-factor and is relied on Intel Z87 Express chipset. Thereby, the board is ready to accommodate LGA1150 Intel Core processors (Haswell architecture).



The motherboard houses four slots for the installation of DDR3 memory modules that run at the maximal 2600 MHz (up to 32 GB). Power subsystem is organized according to 8-phase scheme to provide enough power to the CPU and other key components. Expansion facilities are secured by means of two PCI slots, the same number of PCI-e 2.0 x1 slots, one PCI-e 2.0 x16, and one more PCI-e 3.0 x16 slot. Storage facilities are represented by six SATA III 6 Gb/sec ports, which can be combined into diverse RAID configurations.


Gigabit Ethernet port takes responsibility for network connectivity, while Power, Reset …

Several days ago Nvidia has introduced its most effective consumer graphics card, namely GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. It is GP102 GPU based and holds 3,584 CUDAs. This device resembles the Titan X sample. Its graphics engine is the same, however, the number of ROP units (96) is higher, the memory bus (384 bits) is wider, the memory volume (12 GB) is bigger, frequencies are higher, and the price is much lower!



As it turned out, GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is produced with a PC-board of its high-end counterpart, but there are differences in electronic components. Thus, the power subsystem has been refined due to the duplicated quantity of MOSFET transistors. Now it is possible to overclock the adapter to higher frequencies. GTX 1080 Ti has got nine extra solid capacitors. The absence of a DVI port provides more vents on the back panel.


In general, for public users this product almost copies the more expensive Titan X model and at the same time can be more productive in games.

Intel announces the next, 7th generation of Intel Core processors, aka Intel Kaby Lake. The Intel U and the Intel Y series models were the first to debut. Each series involves three models, based on 14 nm Intel Skylake microarchitecture. Optimized design promises 12% increase in performance, if compared with the 6th-gen solutions.



New Intel Core CPUs are known to support 10-bit HEVC & VP9 standards which ensure high-quality operation in 4K Ultra HD and 4K Ultra HD 360 environments. All greenhorns come with an integrated Intel Speed Shift technology which secures fast responsiveness on web surfing. Besides, all models are considered to be power efficient; they increase laptop’s/ultrabook’s battery life to 9.5 hours, when watching 4K video content.


Intel Core 7th generation processors support PCI Express 3.0 internal interface as well as NVMe & Thunderbolt 3 interfaces. More details about each CPU are provided below.


Intel Core i3-7100U features the following …