The Slovenian EK Water Blocks Company has produced the EK-FB MSI Z270 Gaming Monoblock RGB water unit, designed to serve with a range of Z270 chipset based MSI motherboards. Specifically, the list includes the MSI Z270 Tomahawk, MSI Z270 Tomahawk Arctic MSI Z270, Gaming Pro, MSI Z270 Gaming Pro Carbon, MSI Z270 SLI, MSI Z270 SLI Plus, as well as MSI Z270 Krait Gaming models.



The water block draws off heat from the LGA-1151 processor and from effective power subsystem voltage controllers. The device is supplied with a LED strip, optimized for a 4-pin connector on a system board or an external controller. This strip can be removed or replaced by a new one.


The nickel-plated water block base is made out of copper, and the transparent lid — out of acrylic plastic. The Low Hydrodynamic Resistance of the unit allows to utilize it with low-capacity pumps.


The approximate price of the specialty from EK Water Blocks is 120 EUR.

BitFenix has expanded its Phenom series of PC cases with a new small-sized model – the Phenom Mini-ITX. It features 250x330x374 mm dimensions and comes in two color variations: back and white. The chassis is made of steel with plastic inclusions and has got SofTouch coating. Irrespective of the envelope, the greenhorn offers quite appropriate internal spacing for the creation of a modern PC system.



BitFenix Phenom Mini-ITX comes with a single 5.25-inch drive bay and is able to accommodate up to six 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drives. It also has a removable FlexCage drive bay. Besides, the framework includes a dedicated adapter for 5.25-inch devices; if it is removed, the chassis is ready to house up to six 3.5-inch items and up to eleven 2.5-inch items.


Internal space is optimal for rather lengthy graphics cards, up to 330 mm, on condition of a removed FlexCage. The maximal height of CPU coolers should not exceed 175 mm. Special attention has been paid to the cooling system. …

Some year-two ago monitors with large 27-inch displays employed only TN+Film panel types. Their price, of course, was not affordable for the entry-level and average customer sectors. But today, 27-inch products are not rarity and, moreover, they are developed also on an advanced AMVA panel type at a more reasonable price. BenQ marveled its customers last summer by the release of an outstanding monitor, codenamed GW2750HM, based exactly on AMVA panel. Its alluring price also added to the product's popularity.



Reference Data


Monitor BenQ GW2750HM employs AMVA panel (M270HW02 V1), designed by AU Optronics, with W-LED lighting. The latter is called to reduce power consumption and add some neatness to the design. This panel's response time is estimated at 4 ms that is considered to be an optimal index for such type of products. The model features 27-inch display with 1920x1080 resolution, 178/178 viewing angles, 5000:1 static contrast, and 20 million to 1 dynamic contrast. The …