Assemble that Passes # 289
Unlike NVIDIA, AMD has not taken steps against mining in the case of the Radeon RX 6700 XT, which is discreet in that relationship between hash rate and price, but it seems that in parallel he worked on a series of cards designed for cryptocurrencies, in this case following a path similar to that taken by the competition. To reveal this possibility is an update of the Linux Kernel that mentions the Navi 12 chip, the one used for Apple devices but in a new version with HBM2 memories, in the context of a GPU without Display Core Next and Video Core Next which could therefore be no video outputs. A detail that makes us think of models designed exclusively for mining, freed from all the superfluous to leave more room for dissipation.
On the other hand we are talking about boards that should work incessantly at full capacity, often side by side in battery, and which consequently are put under great pressure. Let's be clear, we have already heard of AMD mining cards, and we have not yet seen them arrive, but this time the clues are certainly less random. However, there is no talk of solutions able to overcome the global shortage of chips, even if in the future, having a clear division between gaming products and mining products should reduce, or eliminate in the event that all gaming products are slowed down. from the point of view of the hash rate, the pressure of the fluctuations of the cryptocurrency market on the prices of gaming cards.
The new Radeon RX 6700 XT, designed for the high framerate 1440p Of course, the fact that the limit placed on the GeForce RTX 3060 by NVIDIA both of a software nature has sparked concerns about the possibility that the block can be easily circumvented. Something fueled by a report from Wccftech concerning Chinese digital miners who would have passed the hash rate limiter of the new NVIDIA card, obtaining a hash rate of 45MH / s in relation to Ethereum. Fortunately, the news turned out to be bogus. According to an update published by Wccftech, the cryptocurrency being measured would be the Octopus, not subject to the limitations implemented by NVIDIA on the RTX 3060. However, in the event that this coins or others not penalized by the NVIDIA software become profitable like digital cryptocurrencies, this could turn into a problem anyway.
Meanwhile, Intel faces problems of another nature, after having cashed in the ruling of a jury in Waco, Texas, which decided on a compensation of 2.18 billion dollars in favor of the VLSI company. According to the court, Intel allegedly infringed two patents of the company specializing in semiconductor design and ruled in favor of the latter. But the games aren't over yet. On the one hand, there's VLSI filing for six more alleged patent infringements, asking for a total of $ 7.1 billion, but on the other, there's a belligerent Intel who plans to appeal. On the other hand, there is talk of a good amount of money, although not enough to put the titan of processors in difficulty, and important patents concern the increase in frequencies and the operational tension of memories. However, there is a small army to ask for justice. VLSI has in fact purchased the technologies in question from NXP Semiconductors and this, in turn, acquired them by purchasing Freescale Semiconductor and SigmaTel. Even losing across the board, however, Intel would undoubtedly hold up the blow. Among other things, it is likely that at the moment the attention of the company is more focused on the war of the processors, where it is facing a decidedly fit AMD. The decisive clash will probably take place with the next generation, but neither company intends to leave the other the primacy in the performance in the gaming field, an important factor for the sale of desktop CPUs.
It is no coincidence that Intel has decided not to compete on the number of cores or on brute power, instead focusing on an increase in the game compared to the previous generation that for the Core i9-11900K, already in circulation despite the Intel embargoes have not yet expired, up to 11%. In any case, the 19% increase in terms of IPC allows the new generation 8-core CPU to surpass the old 10-core CPU in every field, highlighting an important generational leap, albeit hampered by the decision to still use a production process. at 14 nanometers, more familiar and probably less problematic for Intel than on the 10 nanometer front is focused on laptops. And it is an understandable choice. Laptops capable of delivering both playful and professional performance have seen a monstrous increase in demand, pushed upward as much by the pandemic as by the resulting escalation in desktop GPU prices. They are therefore the center of attention as well as pre-assembled and gaming peripherals.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z590, dedicated to the new 11th generation Intel processors In this regard, HP has accustomed us to quality components for its desktops and laptops and could soon push the bar further up without spend a fortune. In fact, he is about to buy HyperX and with it the whole department linked to the company's excellent memories. But while under Kingston's umbrella, HyperX expanded its business by adding premium headphones, mats, mice and keyboards to its catalog. Hence the $ 425 million that will soon pass from the pockets of HP, already strong with a turnover of 10.4 billion in quarterly revenues, to those of Kingston. At that point, it is thought already in the second quarter of 2021, the HyperX devices will be added to the HP ones, presumably retaining the branding that distinguishes them.
Budget configuration
The budget configuration is that oriented to savings but it is not certain that there is no room for an upgrade where interesting prospects arise. The proposals in this range include solutions designed for low-profile games and 1080p-oriented builds.The stable Core i5-10400F 135 euros is an irresistible temptation thanks to good performance in the game and thanks to a power notable brute for the low end. Sure, it lacks PCIe 4.0 and overclocking, but we certainly talk about priority in the case of low-end configurations.
Also this week the only salvation, however to be paid dearly, is the GeForce GTX 1050, the last one left to stop at high but not crazy prices that have seen the superior models, both from NVIDIA and AMD, approach and in some cases even exceed double the recommended price.
BUDGET Component Price PROCESSOR Intel Core i5-10400F 2.9-4.3GHz 135,00 € MOTHERBOARD ASROCK H410M-HDV 90,00 € VIDEO CARD PALIT GeForce GTX 1050 4 GB 210,00 € RAM HyperX Impact 2x8GB 2666MHz CL16 65,00 € POWER SUPPLY EVGA 450 BR 80+ Bronze 45,00 € HARD DISK Kingston A400 480GB SATA III 55,00 € CASE Kolink Nimbus RGB Mid Tower 60,00 € TOTAL 660,00 €
Gaming configuration
In the gaming range there are usually those components that allow you to face the game on PC without fear and to keep hard for some time. The frame rate showdown is just around the corner but, with a good base, it's always possible to sell the old GPU before it devalues too much so you can buy a new one just in time to take on the next hardware-smashing blockbuster.Back briefly available on the AMD website, the Ryzen 5 5600X has again disappeared. However, it continues on its path towards the return to the recommended price and for a few days it has reached the threshold of about 350 euros. Let's be clear, it's not a cheap processor, but it really lacks nothing between overclocking, efficiency, compatibility with previous motherboards, PCIe 4.0, and excellent in-game performance for the mid-range.
Arriving at the mid-range buy a GPU is a personal mission, a battle to find something and get it without spending a fortune between the risk of getting used exhausted and in any case overpaid and new generation models sold at prices that are high even in the best of cases. For this reason our advice is to wait unless you have unavoidable needs.
GAMING Component Price PROCESSOR AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 3.7-4.6GHz 355,00 € MOTHERBOARD Asrock B550 Phantom Gaming 4 / AC 115,00 € VIDEO CARD INNO3D GeForce RTX 3060 Twin X2 12 GB 640,00 € RAM Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 2x8GB 3200MHz CL16 105,00 € POWER SUPPLY FSP Hydro PRO 600W 80+ Bronze 65,00 € HARD DISK Samsung 860 Evo 500GB SATA III 75,00 € CASE EMPIRE GAMING Diamond ARGB Mid Tower 75.00 € TOTAL 1430.00 €
Extra configuration
The push configuration makes sense only for those who aim for high resolutions, aware that luxury often does not go hand in hand with rationality. On the other hand, let's face it, who doesn't like having a nice engine under the hood even if you have to respect the speed limit?Even the Ryzen 7 5800X, while still overpriced, gives us satisfaction, with a drop of almost € therefore making it available in large distribution at around € 450. The price is high, even without considering the need to buy a heatsink, but so is the satisfaction of combining great in-game performance with the latest titles with a newer, PCIe 4.0-equipped platform.
Con the price of the GeForce RTX 3080 and of the AMD cards now beyond the stars, the only option that remains, and which in any case must be pursued with great patience while still paying a premium to shake the legs, is the GeForce RTX 3070. But in the range high it is clear that the advice to wait for better times, unless you find the opportunity of your life or have urgent needs, is even more valid.
EXTRA Component Price PROCESSOR Ryzen R9 5800X 3.8-4.7GHz 450,00 € ARCTIC DISSIPATORE Liquid Freezer II 240 100,00 € MOTHERBOARD MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS 165,00 € VIDEO CARD ASUS GeForce RTX 3070 Dual 8 GB 950,00 € RAM Crucial Ballistix 2x16GB DDR4 3600MHz CL16 € 190.00 ANTEC POWER SUPPLY HCG-850 80+ Gold € 130.00 HARD DISK Sabrent Rocket 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 € 170.00 CASE Be Quiet Pure Base 500DX Mid Tower € 130.00 TOTAL € 2285.00
