14 June 201815 June 2018CasesBy Meng Vang

NZXT H500i Mid-Tower Case Review

As a replacement for the successful S340 cases, NZXT has launched two new cases in their H-Series lineup; the H500 and H500i. These cases come in multiple colors and feature a tempered glass side panel, two pre-installed 120 mm Aer F120 fans, and a removable front radiator bracket for easy installation. The H500i does have a few more features, like a vertical GPU mount, the CAM-powered Smart Device, and two built-in RGB lighting strips. Our friends at NZXT were kind enough to send Benchmark Reviews the matte-white H500i for this review.

8 June 2018PeripheralsBy Joe Gulczinski

ASUS ROG Strix Flare Mechanical Keyboard Review

ASUS has always been a forefront in the PC industry focusing on fundamentals, innovation, and aesthetics. Their latest product featured from the special Republic of Gamers or ROG, is the Strix Flare Cherry MX mechanical keyboard. ROG is a recognized leader in gaming and overclocking performance, where the Strix term refers to advanced enhancements or features (compared to standard stock bins). In this case it is the customizing of profiles and a great plethora of RGB spectrum displays on the very keys themselves!

7 June 2018PeripheralsBy Tom Jaskulka

Logitech G513 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review

Enter the G513. Per-key RGB backlighting (including LIGHTSYNC, an intelligent RGB applet that can automatically update the keyboard based on the images on-screen), a waterproof leatherette + memory foam wrist rest, a pass-through USB port and sophisticated clean lines check all of the boxes to completely supplant my previous choices. Will these features be enough to make you consider the G513 for your next keyboard? Stay tuned, because Benchmark Reviews was given a chance to take a look at the G513 and something even newer: Logitech’s first Romer-G switch variation, the Romer-G Linear.

4 June 20184 June 2018CoolingBy Jason Maxfield

Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM Fan Review

In this article for Benchmark Reviews, I’ll be putting a pair of Noctua NF-A 12X25s against competing AIO fan coolers from SilverStone, Reeven, Corsair, and ID Cooling. How will the NF-A12x25 PWM 120mm cooling fan fair against the competition? Let’s find out!

31 May 2018AccessoriesBy David Ramsey

IOGEAR Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station Pro 85 Review

The solution is a USB C / Thunderbolt dock, and today Benchmark Reviews has IOGEAR’s latest Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station Pro 85 external dock to review. Connecting to your laptop with a single Thunderbolt 3 cable, the Docking Station Pro 85 supplies 8 additional ports, all of which can be used at the same time.

31 May 20189 December 2018AudioBy Meng Vang

Corsair HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset Review

Corsair’s HS series headsets are a combination of outstanding comfort, audio, and durability. As previously seen on the HS50 we reviewed in 2017, the Corsair HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset includes all of the essential features from the HS50 with the addition of wireless freedom and virtual 7.1 surround sound. The HS70 is also supported by the Corsair Utility Engine software where the user can adjust different settings to get the most out of this product. This headset comes in two colors: carbon (black), and white. Benchmark Reviews will be taking a look at the HS70 in white to see how it compares to the competition.

AOC AGON AG352UCG6 120Hz Curved Gaming Monitor Review

30 May 20186 June 2018MonitorsBy Olin Coles

AOC AGON AG352UCG6 Gaming Monitor Review

AOC impressed gamers with their AGON AG352UCG series, which delivered a 35″ WQHD panel with 1800R curvature that naturally conforms to how the eye sees the screen to reduce fatigue while creating a more immersive experience. Refreshing the AG352UCG series with AG352UCG6, AOC delivers their third-generation 35″ AGON curved gaming monitor. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, I test the updated AOC AGON AG352UCG6 gaming monitor with 35â€ curved VA panel and 120 Hz NVIDIA G-SYNC support at WQHD 3440×1440 native resolution.

Kingston HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold Edition Pro Gaming Headset Review Angle

16 May 201816 May 2018AudioBy Olin Coles

HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold Gaming Headset Review

In this review for Benchmark Reviews, we test the Gold Limited Edition 3.5mm analog multi-platform HyperX Cloud Alpha pro gaming headset by Kingston Technology for PC, PS4, Xbox One. Featuring a dual chamber design that separates bass tones from mid level and highs, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Gold headset promises more distinction and less distortion from gaming sounds. A detachable noise-cancelling microphone designed for Discord and TeamSpeak ensure easy integration without compatibility issues suffered from some headsets.

14 May 2018PeripheralsBy David Ramsey

IOGear HVER RGB Gaming Keyboard Review

Any enthusiast will know the name IOGEAR; this prolific peripherals company has been around for years and has a broad and popular catalog of products. Today Benchmark Reviews has the IOGEAR HVER RGB Aluminum Gaming Keyboard for review. This interesting input device includes popular features like partial aluminum construction, programmability with multiple profiles, and RGB lighting, but keeps costs down by eschewing mechanical key switches for rubber domes. How much of a sacrifice is this? We’ll see in this review.

11 May 2018PeripheralsBy Olin Coles

CHERRY MX BOARD 5.0 Mechanical Keyboard Review

Choosing the right peripheral components is critical to demanding PC users. The mouse and keyboard work like natural extensions of the body, and so their selection becomes a personal choice. Keyboards are used for both everyday workload as well as entertainment, so picking the right one is very important. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the Cherry MX Board 5.0 corded mechanical keyboard with German-made Gold Crosspoint contact technology precision Cherry MX Red linear switches, double-shot keys, and customizable white LED backlighting.

2 May 2018CasesBy David Shields

Fractal Design Meshify C Mini Dark TG Case Review

The Meshify Mini C is a smaller mATX version of the mid-tower version, shaving 4 cm off the top and losing a little depth while retaining a similar price point. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, we’ll take an in-depth look at this offering from Fractal Design. How is it different from other chassis designs they offer, such as the Define Mini C? What does it offer to Micro-ATX builders? Why buy this over the similarly priced mid-tower equivalent?

16 April 201816 April 2018PeripheralsBy Jason Maxfield

Roccat Horde AIMO RGB Gaming Keyboard Review

In this article for Benchmark Reviews, I will put the Roccat Horde AIMO keyboard through it’s paces, and see if the keyboard is up to snuff when it comes to gaming and general use. Roccat claims that the Horde AIMO has the perfect balance between membrane and mechanical keys, calling them ‘membranical’ keys.

16 April 201819 April 2018AudioBy Tom Jaskulka

Roccat Khan AIMO 7.1 Gaming Headset Review

Roccat has added a splash of intelligent RGB lighting to their new HiRes audio headset and given it a new name: the Khan Aimo. More than just a name change and some lighting, this update of the Khan Pro keeps the HiRes designation but swaps the 3.5mm cable for USB to add some new capabilities. This allows for a new 7.1 Surround Sound feature, powered by the built-in 24-bit @ 96 kHz DAC sound card – a first for HiRes audio headsets. Will enhanced surround sound in high resolution change your game? Benchmark Reviews has a chance to take a closer look at Roccat’s Khan Aimo headset, so listen in and let’s find out!

16 April 201816 April 2018CasesBy Meng Vang

Corsair Carbide 275R Mid-Tower Case Review

As the successor to the Corsair Carbide 270R, the Carbide 275R brings a few new improvements to the table. It comes in four variants: black or white enclosure with an acrylic side panel, and black or white enclosure with a tempered glass panel. The plastic front panel is very simple with its brushed aluminum look, and the side panel provides a great view of the interior components. Unlike its predecessor, the Carbide 275R has its power supply chamber extend all the way towards the front with a cutout to fit up to a 360 mm radiator at the front. Benchmark Reviews has in hand the Carbide 275R in white with the tempered glass side panel.

11 April 2018AudioBy Jason Vaught

HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal Review

Kingston has released another studio-grade HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset, the Cloud Revolver Gunmetal. On the surface, one would think the only difference is the color. However, during the review I’ve discovered some other slight differences that change the dynamics of this headset. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, I’m going to be putting the Cloud Revolver Gunmetal Headset through it’s paces, and compare it directly to it’s predecessor, the original HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset.

3 April 2018CoolingBy Jason Maxfield

ID-Cooling Dashflow 240 Liquid CPU Cooler Review

In this article for Benchmark Reviews, I’ll be comparing the performance of the Dashflow 240 against previous coolers I have tested. Dashflow 240 can sync with ASUS Aura, MSI Mystic Light, and is Gigabyte RGB Fusion Ready. For those with a motherboard without RGB sync capabilities, ID-Cooling includes a controller giving you full control over the RGB functionality of the Dashflow 240.

HP-EX920-M.2-SSD-1TB-Solid-State-Drive-Review-Top-Angle

1 April 201820 June 2018StorageBy Olin Coles

HP SSD EX920 M.2 Solid State Drive Review

In this article for Benchmark Reviews, we test the 1TB HP SSD EX920 M.2 (model 2YY47AA#ABC) against a host of other PCI-Express 3.1 NVME solid state drive competitors. HP suggests sustained sequential read speeds up to 3200 MB/s, and sustained sequential writes up to 1800 MB/s from their 1TB EX920 SSD, which utilizes 64-layer 3D NAND to deliver impressive storage density and reliability. Relative to solid state storage, one terabyte is an enormous amount of near-instant drive capacity. We’ll see if HP’s EX920 M.2 SSD is worth the money.

29 March 20185 September 2018PeripheralsBy Meng Vang

Thermaltake X1 RGB Cherry MX Silver Keyboard Review

As a Thermaltake Premium product, the X1 RGB combines outstanding build quality with the ability to synchronize lighting effects across a variety of Tt RGB Sync compatible hardware. Not only does it come with a desktop gaming software for customization, the X1 RGB has an iOS app with voice controlled AI for changing lighting effects and macro settings from a smartphone or tablet. With the iOS app, it also features a patented designed Virtual Game Controller (VGC), which turns the smartphone/tablet into a wireless gaming controller. The X1 RGB keyboard comes in two variants: the slightly less expensive model with Cherry MX Blue switches, and the pricier model with Cherry MX Speed RGB Silver mechanical key switches. In this article, Benchmark Reviews will take a look at the X1 RGB with MX Speed RGB Silver switches, model KB-TPX-SSBRUS-01.

23 March 201823 March 2018StorageBy David Ramsey

Hewlett-Packard SSD EX900 M.2 Review

If there’s a technology company that literally needs no introduction, it’s surely Hewlett-Packard. Literally founded in a garage in Palo Alto, CA in 1947, their first product, the HP200A Audio Oscillator, shook up the industry. Their business has expanded to cover the entire spectrum of professional and consumer computers and test equipment, and today Benchmark Reviews has in hand the new HP SSD EX900 M.2 solid state drive for testing.

8 March 2018AudioBy Meng Vang

Gamdias HEPHAESTUS P1 Gaming Headset Review

The Gamdias HEPHAESTUS P1 RGB surround sound gaming headset is a new addition to the brand’s line up. It features RGB illumination with virtual 7.1 surround sound and real vibration from bass impact. The HEPHAESTUS P1 also has cooling ventilation on both drivers to keep the drivers cool during long gaming sessions. Because it does not utilize a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack, the headset communicates through a USB 2.0 cable. This allows for software support with Gamdias HERA to fine tune RGB lighting and audio settings. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, we take a look at the HEPHAESTUS P1 and test its various features.

28 February 20181 March 2018CasesBy Meng Vang

NZXT H700i Mid-Tower ATX Case Review

NZXT has brought a few new features to the table with their H-series computer cases. At the time of this review, there are three variants: the H700i (standard mid-tower ATX), H400i (micro-ATX), and H200i (mini-ITX). Aside from having tempered glass panels, a solid steel frame, and a sleek minimalistic look, each case features a CAM Powered Smart Device. The Smart Device optimizes fan noise and temperature through Adaptive Noise Reduction, meaning it will measure the noise level in the case to find the best optimal temperature for the system. These H-series cases also come with a pre-installed RGB strip at the top and a number of case fans with customizable options via the CAM software. In this article, Benchmark Reviews inspects the NZXT H700i in matte black.

22 February 2018StorageBy David Ramsey

SilverStone MS09 m.2 SATA External SSD Enclosure

It could be the product you didn’t know you needed… at least, if you’re someone that has a spare m.2 SATA SSD laying around. SilverStone Technology has something you might be interested in: a way to turn that old m.2 SATA drive into a function USB drive! That fact that this product even exists surprised me, but there you go. Today Benchmark Reviews looks at the SilverStone MS09 m.2 SATA External SSD Enclosure.

22 February 201822 February 2018CasesBy David Ramsey

Corsair Carbide 500D ATX Case Review

The ATX form factor is still with us more than 20 years after Intel finalized its specification in 1995. But other evolutionary pressures are affecting the design of the classic mid-tower computer case, such as the elimination of optical media and its 5.25″ drives; the move from 3.5″ hard drives to 2.5″ and m.2 storage, and of course the replacement of clear plastic side panels with the now almost mandatory tempered glass for enthusiast cases. Like most modern cases, the Corsair Carbide 500D Premium Mid-Tower Case eliminates 5.25″ drives, resulting in a blank front panel, but unlike some other cases we’ve reviewed, it uses the space thus freed to good effect, and makes some innovative design decisions along the way. Benchmark Reviews will evaluate and build a system in this case to let you know how well this new thinking works.

16 February 201816 February 2018StorageBy David Ramsey

SilverStone TS12C Dual Drive Docking Station Review

A docking station provides a quick and easy way to connect bare drive mechanisms to a computer, and is an essential part of any enthusiasts’ tool kit. For backup or simply data transfer, the ability to easily connect to a bare drive mechanism is very useful. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests SSD performance with SilverStone’s new TS12C Dual Drive Docking Station, which brings dual drive support, offline drive cloning, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 SuperSpeed+ connectivity to the party.

14 February 20187 July 2018StorageBy Olin Coles

Samsung SSD 860 PRO Solid State Drive Review

Planar NAND allowed manufacturers to offer speedy solid state storage at fair price, while Samsung’s recently announced 860 EVO SSD improved upon this with their latest 3-bit MLC V-NAND flash technology. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the 512GB Samsung SSD 860 PRO, which utilizes 64-cell layer 2-bit MLC V-NAND for high endurance and improved sequential performance to produce up to 560 MB/s reads at 100,000 IOPS and 530 MB/s writes at 90,000 IOPS, and compare SATA 6 GB/s performance against the all the leading competition.