So, you think you want to build a decent PC? 

Well, you probably do, especially if you’re reading this article.

However, what might not be so clear is whether you should build a Ryzen-based rig or use one of the more recently-released Intel chips. With the new Zen 4 chips not due out until the second half of 2022, the latest offerings from AMD have now been on the market for well over a year. 

With that said, they still pack some punch. Today, we’re going to see how the i5-12600K, which is around a year younger than its counterpart, stacks up against the Ryzen 7 5800X. 

We’ll be comparing the specs, affordability, feature set, power consumption, and the benchmark results of both chips, before making a recommendation which will hopefully make it clear exactly where you should be putting your cash.

Specifications

1. Specification Comparison

The 12600K has ten cores and sixteen threads, while the 5800X has around 20% fewer cores (eight) and the same number of threads (sixteen). Working in AMD’s favour, though, is the fact that it does have a smaller processor manufacturing node, meaning that there is a shorter distance between transistors (7nm, as opposed to the 10nm distance on Intel’s new chips).

The 5800X also has a significantly larger L3 Cache, and lower TDP. This is all good news for the Ryzen line, but Intel – having the newer product on the market – have made the wise decision to include support for DDR5 and LPDDR5 in their Alder Lake range. And, while the 12600K definitely draws more power between these two, it also is capable of a higher boost clock speed.

Verdict: Despite all of the good intentions of AMD to make a much more energy-efficient chip here, the fact that Intel have the more powerful product (on paper, at least), and have included support for the next generation of memory, makes it hard to justify picking the 5800X (except, maybe, for gamers particularly concerned about their ecological footprint).

2. Price & Availability

The 12600K, as with most of Intel’s processors right now, is only available on Amazon via third-party sellers. When we last checked, the cheapest you’ll be able to find it for is $349, which is around 16% higher than its list price.

The 5800X paints a much more appealing picture for buyers, being readily available at a discount of just over 21% ($427.99). Also working in the favour of this Ryzen chip is the fact that it will be compatible with many older motherboards (those with AM4 sockets), while anyone picking up an Alder Lake CPU will also find themselves an extra couple of hundred dollars down due to the need for a new LGA 1700 board.

Verdict: The fact that buying a 12600K means having to deal with scalpers is off-putting. Having to buy a brand-new motherboard with it will only compound that. On the other hand, the 5800X could actually save you a significant amount of cash, especially if you already have an AM4 mobo. So, if money is a serious factor you need to consider, go with the 5800X.

3. Included Features

The 12600k belongs to the Alder Lake line, which brings with it some very interesting new features. Perhaps the most notable of these is the Golden Cove architecture, which has been designed from scratch and combines two different types of cores (“Performance Cores” and “Efficiency Cores”). In theory, this allows for better scaling in power-consumption according to how the PC is being used.

Additionally, DDR5 and LPDDR5 compatibility provide a significant head start for Intel’s offering. AMD have now announced that their AM5 chips will support the next generation of memory, but their release has now been put back to at least “2H 2022” (so expect them in the summer at the earliest).

And, as with the other chips in their ‘K’ range, the 12600K comes with an integrated GPU (the UHD 770). While it’s modest – much more modest than a good dedicated GPU, and significantly lower-powered than the iGPUs of the Ryzen’s ‘G’ series – it does provide a fall-back option that the 5800X does not. If you do choose to rely on the 770 while shopping for a more powerful graphics card, we’d advise you to temper your expectations; it’s absolutely fine for Rocket League and other eSports games, but it’s not going to provide impressive visual results by most measures.

The 5800X, being part of Ryzen’s newest generation of chips, has a much less eye-catching list of features this time around. However, one of the most talked about inclusions on this chip is the entirely new architecture design which takes the emphasis off of the Infinity Fabric. This is due to the Core Complex Dies (CCD) now being able to hold eight cores rather than four; consequently, AMD have significantly lowered the need for IF as each of the eight cores can access the 20MB L3 Cache without any inherent latency. Their higher-end chips still support IF (for example, on 12-core chipsets), but there’s no need for one in this case.

Verdict: Intel have really outdone themselves with their latest generation of chips. By taking a much more forward-thinking approach, their support for PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and LPDDR5 has given them the much stronger feature-set on paper. If your main concern is whether or not your CPU can support the latest technologies, it’s hard to recommend against the 12600K.

4. Power Efficiency

One of the most interesting shifts Intel have made is to redefine the power consumption of their Alder Lake processors. Rather than using the TDP definition, they’ve now moved to two separate terms; the first is PBP (which stands for “Processor Base Power”), and the other is MTP (“Maximum Turbo Power”). What they have kept fairly quiet is that these chips can scale up their power toward the MTP without the user really being aware of it.

The 5800X has a base TDP of 105W, which is a 16% decrease compared to the 12600K’s base clock. Even when overclocked, any AM4 chip won’t be able to pull more than 142W, which is still lower than the MTP of Intel’s chip (150W).

Verdict: Again, AMD have always done a good job of making their chips power efficient. With the latest Ryzen line, this has continued to be the case, and the 5800X is capable of providing staggering gaming performance while using significantly less juice than its competitor. Definitely worthy of consideration for any eco-minded gamers out there. 

5. Benchmark Comparison

To get the best possible understanding of how these two chips stack up against each other, we’ll be pulling the benchmarking results from several different sources. These should help us to not only understand which chip has better processing capabilities on paper, but also how that actually carries through into real-world usage.

The first source we’ll look at will be UserBenchmark, which attempts to compute and analyse “millions of benchmarks”. Their results tend to be good for getting a rough overview of what to actually expect from these chips. 

Based on their generated report, the 12600K appears to be the vastly superior product. It outshines the AMD in just about any area most gamers are likely to be concerned with; things like faster single, dual, quad, and octa-core speeds (whether at base clock or overclocked). The 5800X, on the other hand, has slightly better memory latency and looks to be more energy efficient.

Thankfully, we can also get some actual game-performance scores, thanks to Tom’s Hardware. Their comparison of the two CPUs (as well as the 5900X) allows us to see exactly how they each handle some of the most demanding titles on the market today.

The first of these is Horizon Zero Dawn, which was tested at 1080P with the Ultra graphics preset. In that test, the 5800X was the marginal victor with an average FPS of 178.7; ever so slightly beating the 12600K, whether it was paired with DDR4 (176.4 FPS) or DDR5 (176.5 FPS).

With the resolution bumped up to 1440P, something a little interesting happens. The 5800X still churns out a perfectly good 153.3 FPS on average, but the 12600K with DDR5 now out-performs it with an average of 154.4 FPS. However, pair the 12600K with DDR4 and you’ll see a fairly inconsequential drop to 152.3 FPS.

One of the most startling gaming tests was their comparison of both chips while running Microsoft’s Flight Simulator at 1080P and Ultra settings. In that matchup, the 12600K with DDR4 pulled a very impressive average of 143 FPS. Switch that memory to DDR5, though, and there is a somewhat severe reduction of just under 19 FPS. The 5800X sits more-or-less right between them, with 135.6 FPS on average.

Likewise, the Red Dead Redemption 2 comparison (at 1080P with the Ultra preset) had somewhat surprising results. The 5800X managed an average of 171.9 FPS, beating the 12600K with both DDR4 (162.1 FPS) and DDR5 (160.1 FPS) RAM.

With results like these, it’s a good idea to bring in a third set of benchmarking results. For that, we looked at CPU Monkey, which looks at the results of benchmarking utilities like Cinebench and Geekbench, allowing readers to easily compare them.

In almost every single Cinebench test, the victory went to the 12600K. Sometimes this was by a fairly narrow margin (like 1% with Cinebench R15), while it grew to as large as 15% in others (R23 Single-Core, R23 Multi-Core, and R20 Multi-Core). The one W for the 5800X was the Cinebench R15 Multi-Core test (where it was the better-performing chip by 1%). 

Even in the Geekbench Single and Multi-Core tests, the 12600K was the clear victor (by 12% and 7%, respectively).

Verdict: It was very surprising to look at these results. Based on Cinebench, Geekbench, and User Benchmark scores, you could hardly be blamed for expecting the 12600K to be the superior CPU. However, it looks like the 5800X has genuinely better real-world performance, despite being limited to DDR4 memory.

6. Verdict

Consumers looking to put together a workbench machine should look no further than the 12600K. The Cinebench and Geekbench scores alone were enough to settle our minds in this regard, and the fact that this chip can also support the latest and greatest technologies is just another reason to invest in it. It might be more expensive initially, but we have a feeling that its longevity is going to make it a worthwhile investment.

For gamers, both of these chips will do a great job. However, the clear winner is absolutely the 12600K. While some of its wins over the 5800X were a little marginal, we feel that future titles are going to make much better use of DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 technology. Again, the initial overheads of getting set up with the processor are going to be higher, but we have a feeling that it’s going to be well worth it if it means you can get an extra year or two out of your machine.

If you’re only looking for a general use machine, we’d recommend going with the 5800X. It’s still going to churn out impressive performance during heavy multimedia editing work and gaming, and the cost (especially when you factor in the more affordable motherboards) make it an absolute no-brainer.

The post Intel Core i5-12600K vs AMD Ryzen 7 5800X: Which is Best Value? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Microsoft’s announcements around Windows 11 have focused heavily on gaming. The quote “if you’re a gamer, Windows 11 was made for you” has been making rounds since the operating system was released on October 5^th. While Windows has always been the platform of choice for computer-based gaming, any major upgrades to a system can have adverse effects. And while Microsoft wants to appeal to gamers with their new generation, there are some early worrying signs.

Let’s check out some of the new features introduced in Windows 11, as well as some early benchmarks and comparisons, to see if it’s worth switching yet.

The Pitfalls of New Technology

Any new release comes with hiccups. These hiccups are often exclusive to early adopters and quickly get patched away. Windows 11 is still only about one month old, and some growing pains have yet to be solved. Some of the controversies from pre-launch – such as the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 requirement – seem to be sticking around, while other bugs and features get squashed and refined.

All this is to say that Windows 11 is sure to see more problems moving forward. While the software will inevitably improve, Windows 10 is stronger for now. Some of these bugs and performance issues are sure to affect games in unforeseen ways. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing – somebody must be the first to test their system with new software – it is important to consider. You’re likely looking at a less stable version of Windows for now.

Luckily, those of you interested in upgrading will face little risk. Windows 11 is a free upgrade for anybody currently on a genuine Windows 10 device. Notably, this doesn’t seem to be a limited-time offer. Unlike the upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10, Microsoft has not announced an end date on the offer. We recommend holding off until more patches for the operating system have released.

Security Measures Could Prove Harmful For Gaming

Windows 11 has faced some controversy for its security-based system requirements. Luckily, most gaming rigs will be new enough that the before-mentioned TPM 2.0 requirement is negligible. That’s not the true concern for some gamers; instead, it’s the inclusion of VBS.

VBS stands for Virtualization-Based Security. This is a setting that was only available on Windows 10 that helps with security. By creating an isolated, virtual subsystem in your machine, VBS limits the spread of malware and secures your files. Microsoft’s exact wording is as follows: “Virtualization-based security, or VBS, uses hardware virtualization features to create and isolate a secure region of memory from the normal operating system. Windows can use this “virtual secure mode” to host a number of security solutions, providing them with greatly increased protection from vulnerabilities in the operating system, and preventing the use of malicious exploits which attempt to defeat protections.”

Microsoft plans to enable VBS on all newly sold Windows 11 devices automatically. However, those of you upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 likely don’t have to worry. Your computer will not automatically apply VBS unless you’re running a Windows 10 Enterprise key. This is an issue for the future – if you buy a pre-built device or laptop running Windows 11, VBS will be on by default.

This is a fantastic feature for improving system security. Yet, its results on gaming performance are debatable. Some reports show that enabling this feature can impact frame rates by as much as 28%, while others have found only negligible changes. Like most things, results seem to rely on the specific game and computer.

The Promised Benefits of Windows 11 for Gaming

Now let’s move on to the upgrades that Windows 11 brings to gaming. Windows 11 touts a host of features for gaming. Faster load times, automatic HDR, and Xbox integration are the key features. Combined with Microsoft’s apparent focus on gaming, Windows 11 will likely be the best Windows for gaming yet. Just, not yet.

The two biggest features that will impact gaming are DirectStorage and Auto HDR. DirectStorage is the most important and comes from the newest line of Xbox’s. It improves load times for textures and games in general. The tech behind it is complicated, but it’s basically a new interface for games to fetch data as they need it. This is most applicable for loading screens and textures on large, detailed games.

Before, most games would need to search the hard drive for a texture, send it to the GPU, and then render. DirectStorage allows the game to fetch the textures and store them temporarily on the system’s RAM. From here, the texture moves to the GPU as necessary. This introduces an extra step but is much faster in the long run. Your computer needs to search through dramatically fewer files in the loading moment.

One important note about DirectStorage; the game must support the API. Older games won’t see any benefits from this, but newer ones optimized for the Xbox Series X should perform better than ever.

While DirectStorage is exciting, it’s not a feature exclusive to Windows 11. Microsoft has also enabled it on Windows 10, meaning that the biggest benefit is one that you don’t even have to upgrade for.

Auto HDR is a Windows 11 exclusive feature. As the name suggests, it automatically detects and applies HDR settings to games. This happens whether the game supports it or not. This is a cool feature for users with HDR-compatible monitors.

Finally, Windows 11 is deeply integrated with the Xbox app. Gamers still used to Xbox Live for Windows may groan at the prospect, but the modern Xbox app is actually pretty good. This should be a welcome integration for gamers who use both an Xbox and PC, or who use Game Pass.

Waiting It Out

There’s plenty of excitement around the future of gaming on Windows 11. A clear focus from Microsoft on gaming is a great sign. They’re also backing up their talk with the new features: reduced load times and auto-HDR are welcome changes. It seems like Windows 11 will be the best for gaming yet. The operating system just needs some time to come into its own.

Those of you willing to test the software yourself may find great results. At the least, most people making the switch aren’t noticing worse performance. For your system’s safety, however, we recommend waiting until Windows 11 is more stable.

If you are upgrading, try to avoid pre-built machines and upgrade from Windows 10 when you can. This will avoid potential issues with VBS and ensure that you’re not suffering lag because of a security feature. If you are upgrading, let us know why and how it performs!

Relevant Guides

Want to read more about how Windows 11 might impact your system? Or get the scoop on upgrading from Windows 10? We’ve got you covered:

• Which CPUs (Intel & AMD) are Compatible With Windows 11?
• How To Upgrade Windows 10 To Windows 11
• Windows 11 System Requirements: Can Your PC Run it?

The post Is Windows 11 Worth The Upgrade for Gaming? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Samsung’s been an innovator in the monitor sphere for years now, pushing the boundaries of both professional and gaming monitors. Offering monitors across the spectrum of budgets, their best work comes at the high-end. While offering some of the most expensive monitors we’ve ever seen, Samsung’s also pushed gaming monitors to new heights. This was true of the original Odyssey G9, and the new Odyssey Neo G9 continues the tradition. Both monitors feature an incredible 49”, 5K ultrawide screen with everything a gamer could need. 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, plenty of connection points, picture-by-picture – both offerings are simply top of the line. So, what are the differences between the two?

The first and most notable difference between these screens is their LED structure. The newer Odyssey Neo G9 is a Quantum Mini-LED monitor. As the newest monitor change on the block, mini-LED technology has received plenty of hype in the past, and it generally lives up to it. Featuring massively better contrast ratios, absolutely no backlight bleed, and better HDR, it offers one of the most significant changes to panels since QLED. Speaking of – the original Odyssey G9 utilizes this slightly older QLED technology for its massive panel. To make it clear, it’s not that this technology is bad. By all accounts and metrics, the G9 is still a cutting-edge monitor. The release of the Neo G9 could easily be thought of as Samsung simply flexing its technological muscles.

Neither of these monitors offers any compromise, and they are certainly not budget options. In fact, they are two of the most expensive monitors on the market, both retailing at $2500. The price of the Odyssey G9 has decreased slightly due to the release of the Neo G9, but it will still run consumers over $2,000. So what justifies the extravagant price tag? And, more importantly, does the release of the Samsun Odyssey Neo G9 make the Odyssey G9 defunct?

Specification Comparison

Monitor	Odyssey G9	Odyssey Neo G9
Design
Panel Type	QLED 1000R Curve	Mini-LED 1000R Curve
Response Time	1ms	1ms
Refresh Rate	240Hz	240Hz
Static Contrast	1900-04-13 04:01:00	1,000,000:1
Brightness	420 cd/m2	420 cd/m2
Resolution	5120 x 1440	5120 x 1440
Screen Size	49”	49”
Adaptive Syncing	NVIDIA G-Sync, FreeSync Premium Pro	NVIDIA G-Sync, FreeSync Premium Pro
Price	$2499	$2499

1. Samsung Odyssey G9

The original Odyssey G9 was Samsung’s first foray into combining their professional and gaming monitor’s technology into one, beautiful package. They succeeded, putting forward an incredible 49” screen packed with just about every feature someone could think of. The QLED panel gets bright, features a 5K resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, and 1ms response time. Putting together a rig that can take full advantage of this screen is already a monumental task, so the extra $2500 might not make much of a dent.

One of the only weak points on this monitor is the contrast ratio. With a static contrast ratio of 2500:1, it offers fine functionality, but plenty of room for improvement. Users largely report that this is noticeable during scenes or games with deep blacks or lots of shadows. While the peak brightness of 1,000 can help with some of the problems, it’s not the optimal solution, and certainly not usable long-term. The other detriment is backlight bleed. Backlight bleed is when an LED or QLED panel “leaks” light from the sides due to uneven lighting. While not present on every model of the Odyssey G9, it is a common complaint among buyers that feels cheap given the hefty price tag.

There’s no gamer out there who could complain about the speed of this monitor, however. It’s rare to find 4K panels featuring 1ms response times and 240Hz refresh rates; the Odyssey G9 offers both in 5K. The 5k resolution is equal to running two 1440p monitors side-by-side. The panel is also NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certified for buttery smooth frames regardless of your GPU manufacturer.

Everything Else

The 1000R curvature is significant, but not overbearing. This is likely due to the size of the monitor; on a smaller screen, the dramatic curve could easily be too much. Instead, it works to draw your eyes in and immerse you in the gameplay. Alternatively, the screen easily splits into the equivalent of three normal-sized panels. This makes it great for working or playing games while catching up on some Netflix at the same time (or all three!). Samsung’s also included picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture, allowing you to show two different sources at once.

Port selection is more than enough to make the screen serve as the hub of an entertainment center. 2x Display Ports, 1x HDMI, 1x USB Hub, and 2x USB Ports. It also includes a 100 x 100 mount option for taking it off the stand and clearing up some desk space.

Samsung includes what they call Infinity Lighting, an LED ring on the back of the monitor. You can change the color in the monitor’s settings or turn it off if RGB isn’t your style. Core Sync, a lighting module on the back of the monitor.

2. Samsung Odyssey Neo G9

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 seeks to improve on everything the original Odyssey G9 introduced. Almost everything remains the same, besides one key feature. As mentioned before, the biggest difference between the two monitors is the new mini-LED panel on the Neo. Among other things, it dramatically improves the contrast ratio and solves the problem of the backlight bleeding that was common in the original.

The static contrast ratio on the Neo G9 is 1,000,000:1. To note how much of an improvement that is over the original, its static contrast ratio is 2500:1. Deep blacks and proper color notes are basically guaranteed on this monitor. The sharp increase in contrast is thanks to the mini-LED technology, which changes the way that the LCD screen is lit. Because the LEDs are mini, more of them fit, giving the monitor more control over how bright it can get. This translates to brighter highs and darker lows while simultaneously fixing the backlighting problem.

Notably, better backlighting from mini-LEDs also improves HDR on the monitor. Samsung’s Quantum HDR2000 utilizes the new brightness to improve colors while retaining the 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. In a market with plenty of HDR options that disable the advanced gaming features, it is a fantastic upgrade that does upgrade the feel of using the display.

Most other parts of the Neo G9 resemble the original. The connection ports have been slightly upgraded to include a headphone jack, and the Infinity Lighting system can now sync with your monitor to match the action. A feature called Auto Source Switch+ automatically detects when new devices connect and switches input, letting you get right into the action quicker. It’s a nice upgrade for certain users, but certainly not the star of the show.

Perhaps what’s most impressive about the Neo G9 is that it retails for the same price as the original Odyssey G9. Mini-LED technology is relatively cheap to produce, so Samsung was able to keep the same price point while upgrading the small issues with the original. This is fantastic news for consumers now and in the future when mini-LED technology becomes more common.

Final Verdict – Samsung Odyssey Neo G9

The Odyssey Neo G9 offers a rare strict upgrade over the Odyssey G9. Taking a flagship monitor and improving the only complaints people had about it and releasing it for the same price is a notable move for a company of Samsung’s size, and it should be commended. It would likely have been easy for them to increase the price even further and claim the monitor as part of the future. Instead, they left it at the exact same MSRP, leaving only one question behind: what happens to the original Odyssey G9 now?

Truthfully, I expect the Odyssey G9 to fall out of production and stock quickly. Unless we see dramatic price drops, there seems to be simply no reason to choose it over the Neo. While some drops have already started, the monitors are still within a few hundred dollars of each other. That’s notable at lower price points, but users will end up paying at least $2,200 anyway – is far better contrast and no backlight bleed worth the difference? For most users, the answer is a resounding yes.

With that said, if the price of the Odyssey G9 drops below $2,000, there is certainly a conversation to be had there. It is still a blazing fast monitor that offers incredible specs, after all. The only reason it’s not at the top of most lists of the best monitor anymore is the release of the Neo G9. Keep an eye out for deals if you’re in the market for a massive workstation replacement.

Relevant Guides

Want to see how the Samsung Neo Odyssey G9 lines up against other great ultrawide monitors? We’ve got you covered with comparisons between other heavyweight contenders:

• LG 34GK950F vs Dell AW3418DW: Which Ultrawide Monitor is Best?
• Alienware AW3821DW vs LG 38GN950: Battle of the Ultrawide IPS Monitors
• Dell AW3821DW vs AW3420DW: What are the Key Differences?
• Acer Predator X35 vs Asus PG35VQ: Battle of the 35″ Ultrawides

The post Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 vs Odyssey G9: What are the Key Differences? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

The recently released Intel Core i9-11900K is a very fast processor. With a max turbo of over 5 GHz—it’s hard to say otherwise. While the question of whether the 11900K is an upgrade over the 10900K is debatable; one thing that everyone unanimously agrees on is that the 11900K gets very, very, hot.

Intel inexplicably reduced the total core count from its 10^th Gen i9 processors, going from 10 cores to 8. With heavy competition from AMD bearing down with the likes of the 5900X, consumers were somewhat confused as to what Intel’s game was. Turns out, it was pretty simple. Team Blue’s game plan was to push the 11900K as fast as technologically possible. This was in hopes that it will keep up with the competition. While they succeeded in some instances (gaming), AMD still managed to decimate the mere 8 cores of the 11900K. In fact, even the last-gen 10900K managing to keep up or surpass it in certain tasks. Add to this the fact that it runs hotter than the sun itself, and you’ve got a very confusing high-end CPU.

How Hot Does The 11900K Get?

With Intel pushing their 14nm technology to its absolute limits, the 11900K was bound to get hot. How hot, you ask? Well, when running a simple 10-minute stress test, the 11900K shoots up to its recommended maximum temperature of 98 degrees Celsius. You can however get this temperature down to around 88 degrees by sacrificing some performance; which is quite absurd for a high-end consumer CPU that sells for north of $500. Moreover, the 11900K easily overheats when using even a 240mm AIO. This already gives a sign of how extreme of a cooling solution you will need to tame this beast.

The 11900k also draws an average of nearly 200W at peak. This is definitely on the higher end. In comparison, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X with its 12 cores only reaches an average of 135W.

With all that said, what caliber of CPU cooler must you get in order to effectively cool the Core i9-11900K? The short answer is water cooling. This is generally the only way to go— with one exception, which you will see below).

Best Coolers for i9-11900K – Our Recommendations

Overall Best Cooler for 11900K: NZXT Kraken Z73

To effectively cool the fiery inferno that is the Intel Core i9-11900K, you’re going to need a pretty beefy cooling solution. Most people don’t want to go through the hassle of setting up custom loop water cooling. Luckily, NZXT has the next best thing.

NZXT’s Kraken Z73 is an AIO that’s well-equipped to handle almost any thermal load you throw at it.  With its 360mm radiator along with the triple 120mm fans, the Z73 is able to keep up with the rigorous heat output of the 11900K.

The Kraken lineup of liquid coolers has long since been a fan favourite. This is mainly due to their clean, minimalist design along with top tier cooling performance.

The Kraken Z73 also features a circular 2.36-inch LCD display over the pump. This can be customised according to your liking to display a variety of system stats such as CPU temperature, pump speed, and many more.

The Kraken’s build quality is also very good, with the water block primarily using high-quality plastics and copper. With its muted colours and sleek design, you would find no trouble making the Z73 blend in with the rest of your system.

While the NZXT Kraken Z73 offers stellar cooling performance, it is quite expensive at an MSRP of $280. With that said, if you’re dishing out over $500 for a high-end Intel CPU— the chances are that you probably won’t mind spending some more for an adequate cooler.

Best Air Cooler for 11900K: Noctua NH-D15

It probably doesn’t come as a surprise to many of you that the only air cooler capable of sufficiently cooling the Core i9-11900K is the revered NH-D15 by Noctua. This is a 6-heat pipe, dual-tower behemoth of an air cooler. Furthermore, it is universally known as one of, if not the best CPU air cooler that money can buy.

The NH-D15 comes with a pair of 140mm PWM fans along with Noctua’s special blend of thermal paste. Its large size allows the NH-D15 to keep up with the hefty water coolers and AIOs. In most heavy loaded tests, the 11900K managed to boost up without thermal throttling—which is a testament to the amazing Noctua engineering at work.

The NH-D15 also comes with Noctua’s state of the art fans that run extremely quiet. They’re durable and well-built so you won’t have to worry about any unnecessary rattling. The PWM supported fan headers allow you to freely control fan speed and set custom fan curves depending on your usage.

The award-winning air cooler is iconic for its beige colour and industrial-looking design. Although you can also get the sleeker Chromax Black version if you wish for a more muted look.

For $100, you really can’t go wrong with the Noctua NH-D15. Especially since it manages to keep up with AIOs and water-cooling solutions that are three times its MSRP.

Best Budget AIO for 11900K: Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L

If you really want to run an AIO solution to cool your Core i9-11900K without breaking the bank, Cooler Master has got you covered. The MasterLiquid ML240L does not come with all the bells and whistles that you might find on a Kraken. But nonetheless, it manages to do an exemplary job of cooling the 11900K.

What the ML240L lacks in flair, it makes up for with a large pump and a 240mm radiator.  Cooler Master has opted for a dual-chamber water pump design. This leaves more horizontal space on the motherboard so your components won’t be cramped.

However, the MasterLiquid ML240L does lack a pump head display like that of the NZXT Kraken, which some may find incredibly useful to get system information at a glance. The good news is that the ML240L packs a strong pump with extremely quiet fans that does a no-nonsense job of handling the strongest thermal loads thrown at it.

At $85, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L is an absolute steal for an AIO. Moreover, when you pair it with a high-end processor like the Core i9-11900K, you won’t have to worry about running into any thermal constraints. Plus, you can spend the money you saved elsewhere on your system!

Conclusion

There you have it, our top three choices for the best CPU coolers to pair with the Core i9-11900K. While the all-new Rocket Lake generation of processors by Intel was met with a lukewarm reception, supply constraints with Team Red mean more and more consumers are gravitating towards what’s readily available.

So, if you’re buying a ridiculously power-hungry CPU like the Core i9-11900K, going with any of the above coolers will be your best bet. The Kraken Z73 offers stellar water-cooling performance for a premium price. On the other hand, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle and unreliability of AIOs, the Noctua NH-D15 matches the top water-coolers in its ability for a much cheaper price. However, if you desperately wish to add an AIO to your system; but do not want to spend exorbitant amounts on one—the Cooler Master ML240L is a strong budget contender.

The post 3 Best CPU Coolers For the Intel Core i9-11900K appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Crucial’s recent announcement of its new P5 Plus is slated to come out in early August 2021. This lightning-fast SSD has its sights set on competing with top-performing SSDs like the Samsung 980 Pro. But does Crucial have what it takes to square up against the likes of Samsung with this SSD? Well, recent announcements and leaked benchmarks point towards that answer being yes. This guide will take a look at what the new P5 Plus is bringing to the table as well as see if it will be a better value deal over the Samsung 980 Pro.

 Read and Write Speeds – P5 Plus

The new P5 Plus ekes out ahead with slightly better read and write speeds on its lower-capacity models. It is slated to handle 6,600 MBps read and 5,000 MBps write. In comparison, the Samsung 980 Pro has more variance in terms of read and write speeds. Depending on the storage size, this SSD boasts read speeds ranging from 6,400 MBps to 7,000 MBps and write speeds between 2,700 MBps and 5,100 MBps. 

To make it clearer, the breakdown of speeds for the 980 Pro goes as follows:

• 250GB – 6,400 MBps read & 2,700 MBps write
• 500Gb – 6,900 Mbps read & 5,000 MBps write
• 1TB – 7,000 MBps read & 5,000 MBps write
• 2TB – 7,000 MBps read & 5,100 MBPs write

Meanwhile, the Crucial P5 Plus offers the same speeds listed above across every storage size. If that changes with the launch in a few short days, that information will be updated as it is released. Additionally, the Crucial P5 Plus has only been announced in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB models with no 250GB offering as of the time of writing this article. While the 980 Pro offers a wider range of speeds, the more consistent speeds of the P5 Plus make it an easier option for consumers.

Endurance (TBW) – Tie

The endurance of an SSD is determined by how much data it can read/write before it reaches a point of possible failure. This is abbreviated as “TBW” or “Terabytes Written.” The P5 Plus has the following ratings:

• 500GB – 300 TBW
• 1TB – 600 TBW
• 2TB – 1,200 TBW

In comparison, the 980 Pro ratings go like this:

• 250GB – 150 TBW
• 500GB – 300TBW
• 1TB – 600TB
• 2TB- 1,200 TBW

As you can see, the two SSDs offer identical metrics across the board. You can expect both of these mid-range SSDs to last for similar lengths of time before you start noticing failures. Additionally, both SSDs have similar 5-year manufacturer warranties that cover failure from regular usage.

Price – P5 Plus

With the Crucial P5 Plus not being officially released yet, the page for the 1TB model isn’t currently live and doesn’t show a prospective price. So far, the 500GB model is set at $107.99 while the 2TB sits at $367.99. These prices are competitive and set the P5 Plus as the more budget-friendly option between the two. The 980 Pro is $119 for a 500GB model and $409 for a 2TB model. As long as the price for the upcoming 1TB model of the P5 Plus stays similar to the other offerings, it is set to be a great value SSD.

Verdict – P5 Plus

It’s a tight competition between the P5 Plus and the 980 Pro. Either option will be great in your system as long as you can get a decent deal. But, overall, the P5 Plus offers a better price and more consistent speeds. For those reasons, I recommend picking one up if you’re in the market for a mid-range SSD for your system. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive PC upgrade, check out our handy system builder for tailored parts based on budget and use case here.

The post Crucial P5 Plus vs Samsung 980 Pro: Which Is Best? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

A power supply is the hidden heart of a computer. While it’s often a boring task for first-time builders – putting the money toward a killer graphics card or new CPU is always more fun – it’s one of the most important parts to get right. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging the rest of your system, ruining your aesthetics, or not even being able to get the build on.

One of the biggest decisions to make for this part comes in the field of modularity. Modular designs have all the wires separate from the power supply brick, allowing for customization and convenience. Non-modular designs all come pre-connected, meaning there are more wires to deal with, but setup may be easier. Semi-modular designs lie somewhere in between.

Everyone has a preference, and there’s no wrong answer. Let’s get into the specific differences between the three and the benefits they all hold.

Fully Modular Power Supplies

Fully modular power supplies have gained steadily in popularity since hitting the mainstream in the mid-to-late 2000s. Every single cable on the power supply is individually seated, meaning that you have total control over what connections exist in your computer. This comes with a host of benefits and few drawbacks; as such, fully modular power supplies are often considered the top of the line (though there are plenty of other factors to consider for power supplies, too).

To start, airflow tends to be much better while using a fully modular PSU. While the other options almost inevitably have some wires that get in the way of air, fully modular ones don’t. You know that pile of unused connections that you try to find a corner of your case to hide in? With a fully modular option, you just take them out and put them in a nice little bag.

They’re a great step up that really feels more professional. It also helps with the aesthetics of your build; every wire has a purpose, and you often have more control over what route they’ll take. Plus, if custom sleeving is your thing, a fully modular option will make that a lot easier.

Now for the common downsides. First, you must plug in every wire. Even though every computer in existence will use, for example, the main 24-pin connector, you need to put the manpower in to connect it. While it’s a small note, it can get somewhat frustrating if you have a lot of connections to work through. They also tend to be slightly larger than non-modular options, although they still follow the normal forms for power supplies. This is mostly something to note if you’re going for a space-constricted build.

Finally, the price; for all the extra convenience you get with these, you’ll end up paying more. High wattage and high-efficiency models can easily run for almost double their non-modular counterparts.

Semi-Modular Power Supplies

Semi-modular power supplies are a great middle-ground for most users. They work exactly as the name implies; some of the wires are fully removable, while others are rigidly connected like in a non-modular option. Normally, the consistently used cables like the 24-pin connector, 8-pin CPU connector, and one or two more are the non-removable options, but this varies between models.

These are meant to give users the basic benefits of fully modular options while being cheaper and offering a slightly easier setup. In exchange, you lose out on the custom cabling options and may need to deal with an extra wire or two.

 You still retain the option to take all those unused connections and store them outside of the build, improving airflow and reducing dust collection. For builders looking to strike a nice balance between usability and value, semi-modular options are hard to beat.

Non-Modular Power Supplies

Non-modular power supplies have every wire soldered to a single circuit board, making removing them impossible. These are cheaper to produce and extremely common; anyone using a pre-built PC from a major manufacturer like HP or Lenovo is almost certainly running one of these. Until just a decade or so ago, they were also the only option on the market.

The unfortunate downside of non-modular power supplies is that, inevitably, you’ll be left with extra wires. Rather than removing them from the case – like you can with semi-modular or fully modular options – you have to bundle them up somewhere inside. Hopefully, your case has a space to hide them away, but that may not be an option if the case is small or you have lots of extras.

This nest of wires easily collects dust, prevents customization, and often interrupts airflow. Plus, if your case doesn’t have a hide-away hole, it plain doesn’t look good. With the negatives out of the way, it’s important to note that most builds will still be fine with a non-modular option. Especially for people on a tight budget, you’ll find the best bang for your buck here. You may have to do a bit more upkeep on your PC to reduce temperatures – you can check out our guide on doing that here – but it’s hard to beat the price.

Comparing The Three Styles

Non-modular, semi-modular, and fully modular options are all still power supplies. There are plenty of similarities between the three, meaning that there aren’t that many categories where the differences are noticeable. If, for example, you’re most interested in energy efficiency, you can find highly rated models across any of them. Wattage, form factor, and extra features like self-testers all follow this trend as well.

So, what are the categories where you can notice the most differences between the three? Let’s take a look.

Price

As alluded to earlier, there can be drastic price differences between the three options for power supplies. Generally speaking, fully modular options are the most expensive, followed by semi-modular, then non-modular. This is largely due to manufacturing costs rising as more modular options are added.

Semi-modular options tend to offer the most value for their price. They perfectly balance a lot of the drawbacks and benefits of fully modular power supplies while meeting most builder’s needs for a cheaper cost.

It’s important to note that there’s not a notable difference in quality between the three options. A non-modular power supply is cheaper than a fully modular one because of circuit boards and connections, not because it’s made from lower-quality materials. Differences like that largely come down to the manufacturer. For a quick recap:

• Non-modular: Cheapest
• Semi-modular: Great Value
• Fully modular: Most Customization

Aesthetics

Aesthetically, fully modular power supplies take a clear win. The ability to take away extra wires instead of just hiding them is a game-changer for case space. However, semi-modular options can also do this. What really sets fully modular options apart here are cable sleeves.

While browsing the web, you’ve likely seen pictures of beautiful builds featuring custom-colored wires that match perfectly. This is only possible with a fully modular power supply, as it allows the wires to be removed and re-sleeved.

Especially if you’re trying to match everything in your build, or even if you just have a case with a window, consider upgrading to a modular option.

Temperature Control

This category technically pulls double duty, as it focuses heavily on airflow. Put simply, the better air can flow through a PC case, the cooler it will stay. You can read about more specifics in the thermal throttling part of this article, but that’s really all you need to know while choosing a power supply.

Non-modular power supplies have more physical objects getting in the way of airflow. The amalgamation of wires is particularly bad for airflow because it traps dust and hot air, too. While it won’t have the largest effect on your PC temperatures, it can be noticeable.

Instead, semi-modular and fully modular power supplies deal with this problem by just removing the wires. This allows for more empty space in the chassis, leading to better airflow and lower temperatures.

It’s important to note that the heat creation of each type of power supply does not change. That relies mostly on its efficiency, not how the wires are connected. If you’re going to use all or the majority of the available wires, go ahead and save your money with a non-modular option.

Summary

There are plenty of factors that go into choosing a power supply, and some are arguably more important than modularity. However, the differences between the three can have long-lasting effects on multiple parts of your system, so it’s a good idea to devote some time to it.

For most consumers, a semi-modular power supply is likely the best option. They retain a host of options, allow for just enough customization, and hit a sweet spot in price that’s hard for fully modular ones to meet. Of course, there are specific use cases for either side that can change that recommendation.

Consider your budget, the size of the computer, and what connections you need before finalizing any decision. Finally, be sure to take into account wattage and efficiency, too. They’ll have a much bigger impact on performance than wire connections.

Relevant Guides

Looking for more information on choosing a power supply? We’ve got you covered with a host of guides to find the best choice for you:

• 5 Best 750W Power Supplies for 2021
• The 5 Best Power Supplies (PSUs) for Gaming in 2020
• 5 Best Power Supplies for RTX 3060 Ti Builds

The post Full vs Semi vs Non-Modular Power Supplies: Which Is Best For You? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Livestreaming has seen consistent growth over the past few years, exploding in popularity particularly among young viewers. For those interested in putting up their own content, one of the key limiting factors is internet speed. To provide a high-quality experience to viewers and ensure that everything looks good, high upload speeds are a necessity.

The question “What should my internet speed be to stream games?” comes up most often. In truth, however, it is not the best metric to ask. What really matters for stream quality is bitrate, and that’s affected by upload speeds. Let’s explore why and what upload speeds are necessary for your preferred quality.

Understanding Download/Upload Speeds

To begin, it is important to note the differences between upload and download speeds. Your internet speed as advertised is for download speeds – numbers like 50 Mbps or 250 Mbps are download speeds. Downloads are important for watching videos, playing online games, and generally browsing the internet. The vast majority of what most people do online – that is, consuming content – involves download speeds.

By livestreaming games, you are switching to the other side and creating content. To do that, you need good upload speeds. These are much smaller than download speeds – between 3 Mbps and 10 Mbps is common. Uploading can be thought of as adding to the internet while downloading is viewing and taking in the internet.

Download speeds only matter for streaming games to make sure that your connection to your game is stable. In practice, it has absolutely no effect on the quality of your livestream and can effectively be ignored. If you are looking at upgrading your internet speeds or switching providers, do some research into upload speeds and choose the best for your budget.

What Upload Speed to Shoot For

Finding the right upload speed to aim for is tricky. In truth, there is no straightforward answer to this question, besides “more is always better”. You should aim to stream the games you want (those affect what speed you need too!) at a quality you think is acceptable. That’s basically the only rule.

You should test your upload speeds before streaming anyway, even if you think you know the number. Often, the rates that providers advertise are warped or under optimal conditions that are hard to achieve. You can use any number of speed tests online; even simply Googling “speed test” brings you to Google’s own version. Note the number and see what bitrate that will generally let you stream at.

Why Bitrate Is What Actually Matters

Bitrate is the metric that affects the quality of your stream. Although it is tied heavily to your upload speed, they are slightly different and need to be considered separately.

To properly stream games, you need to hit certain bitrates. The action happening on screen, quickness of the game, and encoder all affect what bitrate is necessary. As things get more intense, a higher bitrate is needed to keep things clear. Have you ever joined a stream that said it was in HD, but everything looked muddled and unclear? A low bitrate was likely to blame.

Bitrate is the amount of data you send out to whatever server you use while streaming. Servers are based on whatever platform you choose to stream on, like Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook Gaming. To put it simply, the higher the bitrate, the faster your upload speed needs to be. It is measured in kilobits per second, or kbps.

Streaming In High Quality

As you might expect, higher quality streams require high bitrates. Although there is variation here, Twitch and YouTube have provided general guidelines. They are roughly the same across all platforms:

Remember that these are general guidelines. If you use an ineffective encoder, stream rapid and intense games, or have other things running on your computer, these numbers can quickly rise. If you stream on a platform that supports higher-quality streams than 1080p 60fps, your upload speeds will need to increase dramatically.

Improving Your Upload Speed and Bitrate

There are a few different ways to improve your bitrate before coughing up more money to your internet provider. In fact, these are good steps to take anyway, even if your speeds are fast enough to stream in 1080p 60fps. Having a large buffer on top of what is necessary will help your streams stay consistently in consistently good quality.

• Use A Wired Connection – The chances of you hitting the necessary upload speeds on a wireless connection are almost impossible. Still, even if you are during tests, it is best to switch to an ethernet cable. It is more stable and always faster.
• Stop Other Internet Uses – While streaming, it is best if you are the only one using the internet. Remember that the upload speeds you need to hit are available internet; other people downloading or uploading on the network will slow you down.
• Adjust Your Encoder – Encoding settings are a different beast entirely, but some are far more efficient than others. The better they are at encoding, the less strain on bandwidth, the better your stream. Look up guides for your system; in a pinch, Twitch recommends using NVIDIA NVENC or x264.
• Update Your Drivers – There’s a chance your computer is running an outdated internet driver, or your graphics card driver is slowing down your whole system. Do a check and ensure everything is set for the best quality.

If you are still not getting bitrates high enough to stream at the quality you want, then it is time to upgrade. Talk to your ISP about upgrading your upload speed specifically for the best results. Before you start paying extra, however, make sure that you actually need it; every major streaming tool includes ways to test streams. Doing a few tests for bandwidth, bitrate, and dropped frames will let you know how far off the mark you are.

Summary

The internet speed you need to stream games online changes dramatically based on several factors; what you really care about is bitrate. Streaming in high-quality, 60fps will take a pretty hefty upload speed. Luckily, if you are just getting started, most internet plans have good enough upload top stream in 720p at 30fps at least.

You should also consider what types of games you play most consistently. The more effects happening on screen, the higher the bitrate must be to keep clarity. The same goes for extra effects on alerts or overlays. If your internet speeds are struggling, reduce those first.’

If you need to improve your internet, focus on improving your upload speeds first. This is what will affect your streaming and you can see dramatic improvements with only a small bump.

Relevant Guides

Looking to expand further into streaming with a great setup or extra tips? Not to worry; we’ve got you covered:

• Building the Ultimate Streaming Setup: A Step-by-Step Guide
• What Is Discord’s Streamer Mode and How Does it Protect Your Personal Information?
• $1100 Ryzen 5 3600XT + 5700 XT 1440p Gaming PC Build

The post What Internet Speed Do You Need to Stream Games? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

It’s a rough time to be a PC enthusiast in 2021. Last year brought on massive shortages in nearly every major component—with graphics cards getting the short end of the stick. With the global silicon shortage that seems like it won’t go away for a long while, GPUs are nowhere to be found. Their prices jacked up by ungodly amounts. Those who were planning on upgrading their old GPU have had their hopes shot down. Many users have found themselves put on waiting lists for months on end.

But still, many people want a functioning computer with graphical power in it to be able to get work done. Be it regular office users, workstation users, or even gamers. With graphics cards looking like they’ll be out of stock for the foreseeable future; it’s important to talk about alternatives.

What is an APU?

APUs, or Accelerated Processing Units—have famously been underpowered when it comes to their graphical prowess when compared to a full-fat graphics card. But with the latter nowhere to be found (at least at reasonable prices), can an APU suffice for those who require a working PC right this moment?

Exclusively made by AMD, the Ryzen APUs became known for their healthy combination of fast and sturdy CPU performance in conjunction with integrated graphics power that wasn’t total garbage. Year by year, Team Red has made incremental improvements to their APU lineup. With the inclusion of the Radeon RX Vega graphics, AMD manages to make their APUs stand apart from the competition. But the question still remains—can a Ryzen APU fill the void that a graphics card has left in your PC?

Can You Fully Work Off an APU?

In short, no. APUs in 2021 still do not offer anywhere near the level of graphical performance that a top-end or even mid-range GPU is able to give. But that does not mean that APUs should be written off as useless. Depending on your workload, an APU just might be enough to hold on until graphics cards are widely available again.

If you’re used to playing AAA titles with details cranked to the maximum, an APU probably won’t cut it. But it will still be better than having no graphics card at all to play games on. On the other end, if you’re playing eSports titles, an APU might actually be enough to get by till the world returns to normal.

If you’re in dire need of a functional computer to get any sort of work done, but are hesitant on buying your components because you won’t have a GPU; why not go for a Ryzen APU? At the end of the day, you will have respectable enough graphics performance to hold you off till you secure a proper graphics card. Once you do, your trusty old APU will happily live out the rest of its days as a CPU!

If you fall under any of the above types of users, then by this point you’re probably wondering which APU to go for.

Zen 3 Based APUs

It is important to note that, after Team Red’s Zen 3 line-up of Ryzen 5000 processors arrived last year, they followed up with the release of the Ryzen 5000 series of APUs. While initially only available via OEMs in prebuilt systems, AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su announced during Computex 2021 that the Ryzen 5000G series of APUs will finally be available to general consumers. What is unique about this rollout is that AMD seemed to imply that the Zen 3 line-up of APUs will be replacing the usual “non-X” variants of Ryzen 5000 processors that many were expecting to be released at a lower price.

The APUs that are available for retail markets include the Ryzen 7 5700G and the Ryzen 5 5600G.

While both the Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 5 have a TDP of 65W, the rest of the specs are not too dissimilar to the mainline Zen 3 processors. This bodes well for those who were eagerly waiting for “non-X” Zen 3 processors. The Ryzen 7 5700G and Ryzen 5 5600G are priced $359 and $259 respectively, and will go on sale on August 5^th.

Since you cannot get yourself a Zen 3 APU (yet), let’s look at the next best thing. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G was launched as a successor to the Ryzen 5 2400G. its 4 core 8 thread configuration along with a base clock of 3.7GHz and a boost of 4.2GHz makes this APU a very competent processor. On the graphics side of things, it boasts AMD’s Radeon RX Vega 11 Graphics with 11 graphical cores at a frequency of 1400MHz.

Gaming Benchmarks

In order to accurately gauge how well the Ryzen 5 3400G would perform, let’s compare how it fairs against an entry-level graphics card from Nvidia—the GT 1030. This card was chosen solely on the fact that many users would tend to buy a CPU and a GT 1030 until a better graphics card becomes available. All of the following games were tested at the lowest graphical settings.

The results show that the Ryzen 5 3400G comes off as a clear winner in raw gaming performance. Granted, these results were taken at the absolute lowest possible levels of graphics and resolution. But it’s commendable to see Team Red’s APU being able to outperform a low-end discrete graphics card. These results give all the more reason to be excited for the launch of the Zen 3 APUs—as they will surely bring superior processing and graphics power.

The Ryzen 5 3400G usually retails for around $289, with prices expected to come down closer to the launch of its successor—the Ryzen 5 5600G.

Conclusion

The bottom line is: no, an APU won’t be replacing a dedicated GPU anytime soon. But given that it’s easier to find gold than a graphics card at MSRP, an APU is a solid middle-ground for those of you who just want something to work with. An APU isn’t able to provide you with the hallmark PC gaming experience, but it is something that you can actually get your hands on right now—which is apparently a lot to ask for these days!

Related: Best Gaming PC Builds without Graphics Cards for 2021

The post Can an APU Replace Your Graphics Card In 2021? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

With so many different CPU coolers on the market, choosing the right one can feel like navigating a minefield. Choosing between an all-in-one liquid cooler and an air cooler is one of the first decisions to make, but it can be a time-consuming one. Knowing the main differences between each, as well as their benefits and drawbacks, should help you make an informed decision.

Ultimately, both types include builds that can efficiently cool your CPU — it comes down to choosing the correct cooler for your needs. Cooling and airflow are some of the most important and often overlooked parts of a PC build. Not only will keeping temperatures low improve your performance, but it will also help your CPU last longer and minimize harm. This is the reason why choosing a non-stock cooler is a good idea; default options can often struggle to meet the demands of gamers or power users.

Certain limits like overclocking or small cases also push the load on CPU coolers, making the choice an ever more important one. Let’s take a look at common considerations when purchasing a CPU cooler first to help make a decision. Then we’ll dive into the differences between types and where each shines.

What To Consider When Buying A CPU Cooler

As with any major computer purchase, different categories will be more important to different people. Common considerations like cost and ability are expected, but there are also some definitions that are more personal. Things like style and aesthetic, or clearance in a case, can (and should) have a profound impact on your CPU cooler choice. 

These considerations apply whether you decide on an air or liquid-cooled system, although each may shine in different ways. While the main focus of any CPU cooler is, as the name suggests, to cool the CPU, some manufacturers place more focus on bells and whistles than others. If you know you want a feature like RGB lighting or multiple fan connections, that will change the importance of these categories.

Cost

CPU coolers have a wide range of prices, spanning hundreds of dollars. In general, liquid cooling is more expensive than air cooling. This is especially true for custom liquid cooling, as buying all of the different connectors, tubes, and liquids can get out of hand quickly. While higher-cost components are often made from quality materials, they may not be the best value. Consider a budget and stick to it to help make a decision.

Needs

This is a wide category, but an important one. Considerations such as how you plan to use the computer, if you are overclocking, and the fit of the cooler all matter. AMD and Intel motherboards have different CPU cooler stands, for example. While most coolers come with mounts to fit either, it is possible yours may not, changing your decision. 

The most important need to consider tends to be overclocking. While some high-end and modern air cooling CPU setups can handle severe overclocking, this category is often better suited to liquid-cooled PCs. The solution simply handles high heat better.

Fit and Clearance

You’ve likely seen different CPU coolers, some featuring massive fans and heatsinks. While these often make them more efficient at cooling, it also means that they take up more space in the chassis. Especially if you are building a mini-ITX or micro-ATX rig, clearance is important to consider. Most cases include information on their cooler clearance so you can ensure that everything fits together before buying it.

Coolers can also butt up against other wires or, more commonly, high RAM sticks. If your RAM features large heatsinks or fins, measure them as well. Most air-cooled options take up less space than liquid coolers, but this is not always the case. Liquid coolers also come with a radiator — consider what size your case supports and where it can go without interfering with other airflow.

Aesthetics

The only category that doesn’t influence performance, but may be just as important as the others. As more and more cases feature tempered glass or other ways to look inside the case, style only grows in importance. While most aesthetics come down to personal opinion — the RGB debate is far from over — most people find that liquid-cooled systems look better. 

This is also where all those extras like color-changing lights, white or black plastic, and more come into play. The CPU cooler is likely to take up a significant amount of eye space in your build; you should make sure you like the look of it.

Air Cooling

Air-cooled CPUs are the classic option, found in most PCs to this day. They can vary greatly in size and depth, but always feature a fan and a heatsink. Together, these two parts work together to pull heat away from the CPU itself, and then push away the hot air into the case. At that point, the airflow in your case handles the rest. 

These coolers are often in the shape of a large block thanks to the heatsink. They are made from thermo-conductive metals and pull the heat off the chip. The more thermo-conductive material there is, the more heat it can handle at once. Especially if you are interested in overclocking with an air-cooled PC, you’ll want to spring for a large heatsink. Most are made from aluminum or copper. 

On top of the heatsink sits the fan, which pushes away the heat the heatsink has gathered. Some air coolers also place the fan on the side; be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended setup guide.

The Pros of Air Cooling

Air coolers are easy to set up, often cheaper, and a great option for the majority of PC users. If you do not plan on putting your PC under a heavy load through things like gaming, video rendering, or 3D modeling, your choice is clear. Choose a cheap air cooler and you’re all set to go.

However, this is not the only use for air coolers. They tend to be:

• Cost-effective
• Low maintenance
• Easy to setup
• Easy to find

All of the benefits combine to make a great value-based cooling option for a PC of almost any type. It especially shines for beginners or those worried about leaks from a liquid-cooled setup. Most of the time, installing an air-cooler is as simple as placing it correctly and plugging it into the correct fan port on the motherboard. 

Air coolers tend to be cheaper than liquid coolers, although high-end models do exist. If you are working with a low budget and do not plan on overclocking, almost any aftermarket air-cooled option will do.

The Cons of Air Cooling

Of course, nothing is without its drawbacks. Air-cooled systems struggle when extreme cooling is necessary, such as with overclocking or in tight systems. They are also much louder than their liquid-cooled cousins and often bulkier. With that said, they can outperform liquid cooling under some conditions.

For those that care about aesthetics and style, air coolers are simply not sleek. Due to the large heatsink requirements to actually do their job, the best ones will always bulk up. This is another con for those with limited space, as well.

In a way, you can boil down air cooling to a basic formula. It gets the job done for the vast majority of users but doesn’t really look good doing it.

Liquid Cooling

Liquid coolers are a more modern way of cooling down computers. Instead of a fan connected directly to the heatsink, tubes of liquid are connected instead. The liquid carries the heat from the heatsink out to the radiator and fan section using a closed-loop system. Because the water is always moving and the radiator takes away some of the heat, temperatures can stay lower — the “surface area” where heat can be is significantly expanded.

As you might guess, these systems are more complicated. Your computer case will need to support the size of the radiator, and you’ll have to plan for the layout of the system as you build. This is especially true if you build a custom water loop rather than using an all-in-one system. For most people, the all-in-one system is a better choice — they are far easier to set up, cheaper, and offer similar performance. Plus, the risk of getting water all over your expensive computer is reduced pretty low.

The Pros of Liquid Cooling

Liquid cooling comes with a nice selection of pros for those willing to put in the extra work. The systems are sleeker and often look better, so you can ensure your PC looks the part. It offers this without compromising on performance — in fact, liquid cooling has better performance than most air-cooled systems.

This makes liquid cooling almost a requirement for serious overclocking. It also sees nice benefits in form-factor builds, assuming the case is built to support a radiator. Benefits include:

• Aesthetics
• Additional clearance
• Better cooling
• Overclocking potential
• Customizability

If you get serious with liquid cooling, you can even expand it to include your GPU, RAM, and even SSDs. Custom pumps and loops quickly get complicated, but there are plenty of options for consumers of every level. Modern all-in-one systems are almost as easy to set up as a traditional air cooler.

The Cons of Liquid Cooling

While manufacturers work toward making liquid cooling better, there are certainly still some cons. It is a more intimidating option for new builders, as the downsides of screwing up are huge. Especially with a custom loop system, you can ruin your entire build if not careful. This is rare, however, and most people will choose an all-in-one option.

These are also not without drawbacks. Liquid cooling tends to be more expensive than air cooling and has some maintenance associated with it. It is important to check every so often and ensure that the pipes are in good condition and the pump works effectively. Otherwise, leaking could occur and ruin the closed loop system.

You may also need to plan more for a liquid option. Ensuring that it fits in your case, your radiator is supported, and other air can still flow are important considerations that some people may not want to deal with.

Verdict — What to Choose

There is no one answer to fill everyone’s cooling needs. Those interested in an easy setup should choose an air CPU cooler. Enthusiasts pushing the limits of their components will see great benefits from a liquid CPU cooler. However, most people lie somewhere in between — this is where the previously mentioned categories become essential.

Consider your budget, available clearance, needs, and aesthetic preferences. Your experience building PCs may also come into consideration, as liquid cooling can intimidate early builders. Remember that liquid cooling has greater cooling potential, but air cooling is often cheaper and easier to set up. Look at your preferences and needs before making a final decision.

Relevant Guides

Interested in checking out some specific coolers and comparing them? We’ve got you covered. Check out our guides below to the best air coolers out there, or find a liquid cooler that will fit in your case:

• 4 Best Airflow CPU Coolers for Maximum Cooling
• 6 Best 240mm AIO Liquid Coolers for 2021
• Best 280mm AIO Liquid Coolers

The post Liquid vs Air Cooling: Which is Best for You? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Asus has been a mainstay in the competitive gaming market for quite some time, especially when it comes to budget-friendly gaming monitors. Their vast lineup of options delivers feature-rich displays that can give gamers a smooth experience and even a competitive edge when it comes to esports titles.

In this comparison guide, I’ll be taking a look at two similar displays from Asus’s line of TUF gaming displays: the VG27AQ and the VG27BQ. Despite only having one letter different in their product name, there are a few key differences that set these two displays apart. Sitting at the higher-end price bracket of enthusiast-level gaming monitors, these monitors are feature-rich and cover most of the options that gamers look for.

Specifications

Monitor	Asus VG27AQ	Asus VG27BQ
Design
Panel	27” IPS	27” IPS
Response Time	1ms	0.4ms
Refresh Rate	165Hz	165Hz
Brightness	350 Nits	350 Nits
Resolution	2560x1440	2560x1440
Connectivity	2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2	2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2
MSRP	$409	$379.99
Availability	Amazon.com	Amazon.com

Appearance & Stand – Tie

Both monitors sport identical matte black designs with a red ring accent on the bottom of the stand as well as a thin bezel design all the way around the display. Additionally, both monitors feature an ergonomic stand that can pivot and tilt past 60-degrees and features a height adjustment slider. It’s very easy to adjust both monitors to the viewing height and angle that will suit your configuration. 

Each stand has a notch for running cables through to ensure a clean and clear desk space. Users can pop the adjustable stand off of either display to gain access to standard 100x100mm VESA mounting holes that are compatible with most arm mounts. With identical aesthetics and designs, we’ll need to take a deeper look at the internal features to see what sets these two monitors apart.

 Resolution, Panel Type, Refresh Rate, & Peak Brightness –  Asus VG27BQ

The Asus VG27AQ and Asus VG27BQ are both 2560×1440 27-inch LED-backlit IPS panels with anti-glare matte finishes. With both having a high peak brightness of 350 nits, gaming and working on either display will be convenient and easy even in the brightest rooms. 

Asus boasts a refresh rate overclockable to upwards of 165Hz out of the box. If you’re unsure about overclocking your monitor, it is quite easy and accessible to do. You can check out our guide on overclocking hardware right here. 

Response time is where the Asus VG27BQ ekes out ahead with a staggeringly fast response time of 0.4ms. The Asus VG27AQ is still lighting-fast with a response time of just 1ms, but Asus kicked things up a notch with the “B” edition of this monitor to deliver even lower latency. That difference may be slight; However, competitive gamers will be pleased to have that additional competitive edge in fast-paced competitive titles.

Colors & Premium Features – Tie

The identical features continue into the color accuracy and coverage of these displays with both hitting 100% of the SRGB space and covering a total of 16.7 million display colors. The pair of monitors both have 1000:1 contrast ratios as well as dark “Shadow Boost” technology that makes blacks more realistic and immersive. Additionally, both monitors boast flicker-free technology, multi-HDR modes/HDR10, low motion blur, as well as adaptive-sync. All of these features are packed together to give gamers the smoothest, highest quality gaming experience possible.

Connectivity – Tie

The Asus VG27AQ and Asus VG27BQ sport identical connectivity options with 2 HDMI 2.0 ports and a single DisplayPort 1.2. With these many premium features and a higher price point than other monitors of the same caliber, USB ports would have been a welcome addition. Unfortunately, users will have to go up in price or side-step to another brand to get a more robust I/O.

Price – Asus VG27BQ

With the slightly more robust feature set and faster response times, I expected the Asus VG27BQ to be the more premium option. Surprisingly, it comes in at $20-$30 less than its predecessor at an MSRP of right around $379.00. Meanwhile, the “A” variety of this monitor will run users $409.00. At a price point under $400, the Asus VG27BQ comes in as one of the best value 27-inch 1440p competitive gaming monitors on the market.

Verdict – Asus VG27BQ

Both monitors excel in terms of response time, viewing angles, color accuracy, and are packed with sought-after gaming features that users will enjoy. It’s a close call, which makes sense since these two displays are nearly identical in build quality and performance. But the Asus VG27BQ inches ahead as the better option out of the two due to its slightly faster response time and lower price point. Keep an eye out on sales, as these two monitors can often be seen swapping price points with one sometimes being lower than the other. Either one will be a solid addition or upgrade to your gaming station. For ideas as to what sort of PC you can pair with this monitor, take a peek at our extensive PC build guide with budget-focused tiers!

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