Overkill… But with RGB! (A review on the ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 2080)

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When deciding to buy a graphics card one of the most important questions to ask yourself is, “what am I using it for”. If your answer is as simple as chrome browsing and productivity work then most integrated graphics chips will do you just fine. If you find integrated graphics just is not cutting it for you then even a low end card should work just fine. But for the other people out their in the world with an unlimited money source and love for gaming, the great people at ASUS make cards just for you and others alike. Which also happens to come with RGB… Because who doesn’t like colorful lights?

The ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 2080 is everything you need in a GPU and more. Alot more. If you are in need of a “no compromise” video card then you have came to the right place. With the newer generation of Nvidia cards that include top of the line ray tracing technology (which I will not get into today but if you would like to read up on it then click the following link https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/266600-nvidias-rtx-promises-real-time-ray-tracing) the 2080 will most likely suit all of your needs and more without any hesitation or need to overclock.

Not only does it support the latest API’s such as OpenGL 4.5 and DirectX 12 it also has the newest form of video memory in GDDR6. And if you really wanted to, it does support NVlink (SLI) so that you can hook two of these up at the same time. Your mileage may vary on the software support though. Moving forward it does have a whopping 8GB of GDDR6. The 256-bit memory bus is big enough to push all of it through plus some. But memory and API support is just one part of the equation. And on the other side of the equation, it surely does not disappoint. Here is a list of the other important specifications:

  • Core clock: 1515 MHz
  • OC Mode: 1890 MHz 
  • Gaming Mode: 1860 MHz
  • Cuda Cores: 2944
  • Memory Clock: 14000 MHz
  • Ports include: 2x HDMI 2.0B / 2x Display Port 1.4 / 1x USB Type-C 
  • 3x fans (pictured above)
  • 2x 8 pin power connectors
  • Supports SLI
  • Supports up to 8K in resolution
  • Takes up 2.7 slots

Overall if you really need the whole entirety of raw power this gives out then go for it. Did I mention this runs over $800 (Around $870)? Yeah, so really this is a perfect card for future proofing especially due to the fact that game support and other program support for ray tracing technology is not mainstream yet. Lackluster support for the new technology is due to the fact of it being new to consumers. Ray tracing itself has been around for awhile now and is the technology used in most Pixar films. But surely as it comes around in most triple-A titles you can ensure you will be future proofed for years to come and can play any triple-A title today at 4k, 90 MHz or even better. In conclusion, as long as you have the money and monitor/PC to go along with it then I definitely recommend this GPU.

Also… RGB! (With aura compatibility).

If my word is not enough you can also check out more reviews via the Newegg page (which includes the price): 
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814126249&Description=RTX%202080&cm_re=RTX_2080-_-14-126-249-_-Product

Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.

Works Cited:

“Asus ROG STRIX.” RTX 2080, www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814126249&Description=RTX%2B2080&cm_re=RTX_2080-_-14-126-249-_-Product.

Smith, Ryan. “NVIDIA Announces the GeForce RTX 20 Series: RTX 2080 Ti & 2080 on Sept. 20th, RTX 2070 in October.” RSS, AnandTech, 20 Aug. 2018, www.anandtech.com/show/13249/nvidia-announces-geforce-rtx-20-series-rtx-2080-ti-2080-2070.

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Review of the Patriot Memory Viper 4 Series 32Gb 3200 MHz kit

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Our Experience

          We purchased this memory for our build that we’ve been working on and reviewing. It fits right in with the Meg X399 motherboard and the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X processor. So, first off, you’ll want to make sure it’s compatible with your motherboard. If you need DDR4 288 pin memory and can support speeds of 3200 MHz, then that’ll be perfect. Or, if your motherboard supports DD44 288 pin at 2133 MHz, then this memory will still work, it’ll just be slower. Beyond that, it is non-parity and non-ECC (error correcting code), as this is not meant for server builds. We’ve got dual channel support, meaning that having two sticks as we do will make it even faster, provided your board has support. The CAS (column access strobe) latency is at a pretty respectable 16; overall leaving this with some pretty good speed stats. How does it perform in the real world you ask?

          Its performance is pretty great. Now, yes, it isn’t the fastest memory in the world, but it was the fastest that we could get for our board; having a 32GB requirement at least. That being said, it is still plenty fast. 3200 MHz, with dual memory and a 16 CAS runs quite well. For our purpose of playing games, it was perfect. I must say that the combination of this processor (Ryzen Threadripper 2950X) and this memory can pretty much knock out any game at full settings. Of course, normal computer processing runs flawlessly.

          Our only issue with this memory is future proofing for games. While 3200 MHz is fine for now, that’ll start to be less so for gaming in a few years. That’s not to say it won’t play them. It absolutely will; all I’m saying is that you might find yourself selecting medium settings on games within the next three to four years.

List of Stats

  • Compatibility; speed: DDR4, 288 pin; 2133 MHz (base), 3200 MHz (OC)
  • Features: Non-parity, non-ECC (error-correcting code), dual channel
  • CAS Latency; timing: C16; 16-18-18-36
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime
  • Price: $234.99

What Others had to say

  • “Top pick? Why’s that? The Viper memory performance is good, really good. It’s close to its rivals in benchmarks. Usually, you’ll be more than happy, by just setting the XMP profile (and most of the users will leave it like that). However, if you have some time, and patience (searching for instability) you can get something extra from this kit. Thanks to the usage of Samsung chips ~3500 MHz is possible, that’s a 300 MHz increase from standard frequency, which can be helpful for example in some games.” -The Guru of 3D
  • “Overall, this is very nice RAM that I would recommend to anyone looking to spice the look of their system up while still having nice, fast RAM at a value.” -WePC
  • “At first, I was a little skeptical buying patriot ram. I was building three high end video editing systems for a client. This ram goes to 3200 Mhz easily. I ran stability tests for 48 hours each system. This ram held up really well. It was rock solid, no crashes, nothing. All of the ram had really nice metal packaging that I have not seen in a long time. For those of you wondering, I used the Asus X470 Prime Pro for the motherboard and a Ryzen 7 2700x for the CPU. I think they could sell this RAM for way more. If you buy this under $ 350, it is a steal.” -Brad S; an Amazon customer

Final Thoughts

          We recommend this memory without a doubt. If this is compatible with your motherboard, then you should definitely get it. It’s fast, reliable, and should keep up with things for at least three years or so. No complaints beyond that.

References

Note: This review is part of a classroom project.
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Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB 2400 Desktop Memory Review

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The 4 Colors the LPX Series comes in.

This isn’t your standerd boring memory. With Corsair Vengeance LPX series, you can pick from multiple colors to suit your needs for your desktop. These sticks never disappoint me and with support for XMP 2.0, I can have worry-free auto overclocking. This is steered towards people who want a good looking stick without the issue of CPU heatsink clearance. 

  • 16GB Kit (2×8 GB)
  • DDR4 2400 Speed
  • CAS Latancy of 16
  • Timing of 16-16-16-39
  • Non ECC
  • Aluminum Heatspreader
  • Calculated access time of 6.66 nanoseconds
  • Calculated Bandwith of 76.8 GB/s
  • Height of 1.03″

This series is one of the best of its kind and these reviews about this exact kit would support my claim. Check out Toms Hardware’s review on the LPX Series.

Pros: – Works in ASRock X470 Master SLI/AC w/ Ryzen 5 2600
– Works as advertised at 2400Mhz w/ 16GB (2 of 4 slots) @1.2v (w/ XMP profile)
– Was stable at 3200Mhz overclock w/ 16GB (2 of 4 slots) @1.35v (16-18-18-36-54-1T)
– Was stable at 2933Mhz overclock w/ 32GB (4 of 4 slots) @1.35v (20-20-20-48-68-1T)
– This model is not necessarily for AMD systems but according to Corsair website it should work and it does.
Cons: None that I can find.

~Raymond A.

Pros: -Low profile, allows more room for other components.
-Overclockeable, works flawlessly with XMP.
-Overclocked from 2400mhz to 2800mhz.
-Only had to bump up voltage from 1.2V to 1.23V (stable 24/7).
-Corsair as always didn’t disappoint with their RAM.
-Fairly priced (purshased my kit for $90 at the time).
Cons: No complaints.

Ronald V.

Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.

Newegg, Toms Hardware 

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Stunning in all the right ways (A review on the G.Skill Trident Z RGB)

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G.Skill Trident Z RGB

Nothing makes a PC build look finished like a sleek kit of DDR4 RAM. Well, G.Skill has you covered with their Trident Z RGB.  They are praised for their overclocking capabilities while still staying stable. Complete with aluminum heat spreaders and RGB lighting. 

Specifications

  • Capacity: 32GB (2x16GB)
  • Speed: DDR4 3200
  • Type: 288 Pin DDR4 SDRAM
  • CAS Latency: 16
  • Non-ECC
  • Unbuffered
  • Dual Channel Kit
  • Access time: 5 ns
  • Voltage: 1.35V

Our Testing

We decided that we needed to see this for our own eyes and got us the 32 GB kit of two 16 GB sticks. Out of the box, it feels sleek and gives off the finished look with its RGB on top. We decided to hook it up to a Gigabyte Aorus X470 Gaming 7 motherboard to get the most out of its overclocking capabilities. It is good to mention now that G.Skill has a limited lifetime warranty on all of their RAM until they stop manufacturing the RAM in question. It ran smoothly with little to no problems even with overclocking it.

Don’t just take our word for it. On newegg, the product has an average of 4 eggs overall with the lowest rating for it being 3 eggs. 


Pros: – The Asus AiSuite3 software automatically detected the timing profile and configured it to run at 3200 Mhz as advertised. Or just go to the BIOS and turn on XMP. I’ve had my system running stable at this clock speed for over 2 weeks. 
– Beautiful RGB as everyone expects.
– It’s cheaper than buying the 8 GB module (4 x 8), leaving room to upgrade to 64 GB.
Cons: – Nothing to complain.
Other Thoughts: Recommend to anyone who just want to turn on XMP in the BIOS and be done with it at 3200 Mhz.

Quentin H.

Note: This review is part of a classroom project.

References

Newegg

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Kingston ValueRAM 8GB

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The Kingston ValueRAM 8GB would be an excellent addition to your home motherboard. Kingston is a technology corporation that deals with memory products and is based out of Fountain Valley, California. It was founded by John TU and David Sun (Wikipedia). It is a highly respected corporation, especially when it comes to memory products. 

 

Image result for kingston technology corporation

Specifications 

  • Non-Parity
  • Non-ECC
  • Channels: Single
  • CAS Latency: 17
  • Type: 288-pin 2400
  • Access Time: 7 Ns

ValueRAM’s KVR24N17S8/8 is a 1G x 64-bit(8GB) DDR4-2400 CL17 SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), 1Rx8,memory module, based on eight 1G x 8-bit FBGA components. TheSPD is programmed to JEDEC standard latency DDR4-2400 timing of17-17-17 at 1.2V. Each 288-pin DIMM uses gold contact fingers. Theelectrical and mechanical specifications are as follows

This Kingston ValueRAM 8GB is very fast for a home motherboard. Its CAS Latency is 17, which will help your computer move extremely fast. It is also fairly cheap, considering how good of memory it is. You can buy this memory for $70.28 on Newegg. It would be a great choice of RAM if you are wanting a fast computer that will not have to stores a ton of stuff on it. This RAM is only one stick of 8GB. It does not have an abundance of storage, so it would be perfect for a home motherboard. If you are looking to upgrade your home PC memory, then the Kingston ValueRAM 8GB is the memory for you. 

 Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.

References

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1K68157962
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_Technology
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Kingston ValueRAM

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Kingston Technologies is a huge company in the production of SSDs, USB Sticks and RAM. This review focuses on the RAM part of Kingston, specifically their “Value RAM”. This line of RAM is, as shown in the name, a great value for Business and Home use. This specific stick of RAM is best for home use.

(1 x 8 GB Stick)

This RAM is great for both home and business use. When I installed this and tested it, it worked perfectly for web browsing and using Microsoft Office. Using this stick for gaming wouldn’t be horrible either, but not the absolute best due to the stick not having any heat spreaders and the slower speed when compared to other RAM you can buy. Not to mention this doesn’t look the greatest either, but if it’s inside a home PC it won’t be very noticeable.

I have talked a little about my experience with using the RAM now onto the specifications.

Generation:DDR4

Speed:2133

CAS Latency:15

Size: 8 GB

Access Time: 7 NS

ECC: Non-ECC

Image result for kingston valueram in a pc

In my eyes, this RAM would be great for multipurpose use. There are also other people who have had similar experiances.

Declan K

Pros: Cheap, quality ram with no unnecessary frills that a regular user like I wouldn’t notice or need such as the few degrees cooler ram with a heatsink runs or extra mhz that doesn’t make a difference for the average user

Cons: Aesthetics would be my only negative however I knew what I was buying and it isn’t visible in my case anyway, not that I believe aethetics are very important as after the first few days of having my computer i barely look at it anyway

Other Thoughts: Greatly recommend I personally bought 2 sticks for dual channel 16gb great performance came sufficiently packaged and a lifetime warranty would highly recommend

This RAM would be great for home and possible business use. I would highly recommend this to anyone who want to build a PC for a low price.

Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.

WORK CITED

K, Declan. “All Reviews.” Newegg, 1 Dec. 2016, www.newegg.com/profile/reviews/eFdxN2h6dFhVSURSa3p6bmFNWE11YjUzWjRpMTdDZHU=.

“Kingston ValueRAM.” Newegg, 18004memory, www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAB0Z7HS1636&Description=Kingston%2BRAM&cm_re=Kingston_RAM-_-20-242-187-_-Product&recaptcha=pass.

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G.SKILL Ripjaws V DDR4 32GB (8GBx4)

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So I am writing about G.SKILL’s Ripjaws v Gaming ram. I wanted some thing cheap and effective for my computer, so this is the choice I made. This ram has a speed of  2133 MHz. It also has dual-channel architecture and a clock latency of 15, that is pretty good when you have 4 sticks of ram. Finally I have 4 sticks of 8 GB  (32 GB) which is plenty for a gaming computer.

So to test my new set up I started by playing A popular MMO I enjoy playing. I started easy but started to push it a little bit, I started playing the game and running videos (music) in the background. Even playing a few videos in the background while playing the game, the computer could still handle it. It was after I started running more the three videos and a couple more applications it tarted to have a hard time. That is when I decided that too much music is too much, and called it quits. 

 I think that this ram is excellent, four sticks for $180.00 is a pretty good deal for any build it yourself gamer. So if you want good performance ram this is a good way to get what you want for a good price. G.SKILL has been a leading manufacture of good efficient ram. So for those who want a deal on ram G.SKILL is the way to go. So go enjoy learning and building a computer and, I hope you learn something from what you’ve read.  

This is part of a school Project.

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When Elegance Meets Performance. (A review on the Corsair Dominator Platinum)

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If you have a top of the line PC nothing can put the cherry on top like some good sticks of RAM. Even though it is not thought of as the biggest price point in any build you definitely do not want to sell yourself short in the RAM department. Corsair has been on top of its game lately by making some of the highest quality of RAM on the market for your special rig.

The 32 GB total in 4 Sticks. 

Right out of the gate you can probably assume that this is not something you want to put in Suzy’s computer at the office. This is formally built for the best of the best rigs and should be treated as the such. With a hefty proce tag of over $500 you get what you pay for out of each stick of RAM. This is proven by the specs

Check them listed out here below:

Generation: 4th 
Speed: 3333 Mhz (PC4 26600)
Memory Size: 32 GB (4 x 8)
Cas Latency: 16
Channel Support: Quad
Voltage: 1.35V
Access Time: 4.8 NS 
ECC: Non-ECC

To check out more specifications here is a link to corsairs website https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Memory/DOMINATOR%C2%AE-PLATINUM-32GB-%284-x-8GB%29-DDR4-DRAM-3333MHz-C16-Memory-Kit/p/CMD32GX4M4B3333C16

Oh and not to mention…. It comes with its own RGB fan mount to keep your RAM looking stylish and fast

What the Ram + Heat-sink looks like on a motherboard

My word and specs not enough?

Check out some reviews (Via Newegg)


“Dominator is the only memory I EVER choose for my computers. The best out there.”
~Steven P.

“Building my own gaming/utility PC. I wanted the best and this was selected as one of the best options according to several reviews.”
~Andrew M.

If you would like to read up on more reviews from Newegg check out the following link: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820236168

In conclusion this is RAM I would endorse. It is fit for most use cases and if you have the kind of money to blow on this kind of RAM most of the times it will serve you and your rig wonders.

Note: This was apart of a classroom project

Works Cited:

“Dominator Platnium.” Corsair 32 GB, Insider | Newegg Newegg Insider, www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAG7R7DW9500&Description=corsair%2Bdominator%2Bplatinum&cm_re=corsair_dominator_platinum-_-20-233-973-_-Product.

“RETAILERS.” Corsair, www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Memory/DOMINATOR%C2%AE-PLATINUM-32GB-%284-x-8GB%29-DDR4-DRAM-3333MHz-C16-Memory-Kit/p/CMD32GX4M4B3333C16.

Soderstrom, Thomas. “Corsair Dominator Platinum Special Edition 4x8GB DDR4-3333 Review: Speed & Polish.” Tom’s Hardware, Tom’s Hardware, 15 June 2018, www.tomshardware.com/reviews/corsair-dominator-platinum-ddr4-3466-memory,5583.html.



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Review of the 2nd Generation Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

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The Stats

  • Power usage: 180 Watts
  • Socket: sTR4
  • Tech: 12 nm
  • 16 cores, 32 threads
  • Speed: 3.5 Ghz, overclockable to 4.4 Ghz
  • Cache: 8MB of L2, 32MB of L3
  • Passmark score: 25,681
  • Price: $879.99

My Experience

(The Meg)

I purchased the Threadripper 2950x to put it into my Meg X399 motherboard that I previously reviewed on this website. I wanted the best processor that would fit the board, and this one certainly hasn’t disappointed.

Let me tell you, this build blows my old PC out of the park. With 16 cores and 32 threads, I can multitask like crazy. And with 40 megs of cache, the speed of any minor task is super speedy. Lastly, being that I can overclock all 16 cores to 4.4 GHz, this thing dominates any game I throw at it. Not just gaming, but video editing, processing 4K video, having tons of tabs open at once, etcetera. It’s a powerhouse.

What others have to say

  • “Skip the pricey Intel Skylake-X CPUs and even AMD’s new WX-series. Price-to-performance, you won’t find a better value out of a high-end desktop processor than the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X.” -TechRadar
  • “Ryzen Threadripper 2950X builds on all of the goodness offered by AMD’s first-gen Ryzen Threadripper processors, addressing some of our concerns in the process. If you’re looking to upgrade from an older CPU to an all-around crowd pleaser, Threadripper 2950X does not disappoint.” -Tom’s Hardware
  • “Whatever your choice is, you’ll love your Threadripper PC, whether that is 12, 16, 24 or 32 cores. But for the demographic of this website, the 2590X somehow makes sense, as it could be the best match in application compatibility and gaming.” -The Guru of 3D

Final Thoughts

The AMD Threadripper 2950X is a great processor. It can handle all sorts of heavy task, play games well, and multitask like a pro. If you’re in the market and have a $1000 price range, then you’d be crazy not to buy this processor. At just under $900, it’s a steal for the price. I absolutely recommend it.

References:

Please note that this review is part of a classroom project. 

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AMD Ryzen 7 2700X CPU Review

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Imagine that somebody buys a new Intel CPU. He dished out over 300 dollars for it. The enthusiast inside him says that they want to overclock it,

… but he didn’t notice that the processor is locked.

Meet AMD, the underdog of the two CPU tech giants.  Their Ryzen series comes with not only a CPU cooler, but every CPU in the Ryzen series is able to overclock.

AMD Ryzen 7 2700X

Meet the fastest CPU for this motherboard. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700X sports:

  • 8 Cores/ 16 Threads
  • Stock Frequency of 3.7 GHz
  • Max Frequency of 4.3 GHz
  • 768 KB of L1 Cache
  • 4 MB of L2 Cache
  • 16 MB of L3 Cache
  • TDP: 105 W
  • Comes with the Wraith Prism Cooler

After unboxing it, we put the CPU and its included cooler into a Gigabyte B450M DS3H after making sure all other components are installed and properly working. Booting it was a breeze with little to no problems. No bluescreening, no failed POSTS.


Reviews/Passmark

Passmark charted the 2700X with a score of 16974, putting it ahead of even the high-end 8th gen processors. 

Look at the 8086K falling behind by 300 score even though it is almost double the price.

Being only $309.99 on Newegg, the CPU gains mostly positive reviews. People call this a great CPU that rivals Intel in how much performance you are getting for the price. 


Pros: -Comes with a top-notch cooler. I’ve been doing this stuff for years and have never seen a stock cooler I’d even CONSIDER leaving on. Performs EXTREMELY well. If I didn’t already have a big AIO I’d just bolt this puppy on and call it a day.
-Most of the issues people had with 1st gen Ryzen are solved here : Is able to use much faster ram without complaint and gets a pretty nice boost in single/multicore max speed.
-Silicon lottery isn’t much of an issue here. Your CPU WILL boost to 4.3 for single core loads, and will hit 3.9-4.1 on all-core depending on your cooling. In other words, works EXACTLY as advertised.
-With some tuning and fiddling, comes within spitting distance of it’s main competition in single core loads and DEMOLISHES it in multi-core.

Justin D, 2018

While the CPU might be potent with its raw performance, some people noted:


Pros: So fast it cought me off guard at 1st. Everything runs super smooth and fast. Replaced my 6700k.
Paired with MSI Carbon Pro and G Skill 3200mhz memory.
Everything Worked like a charm. Didn’t even had to re-install windows it just worked. I will reset windows just in case.
Stock cooler is good. I was playing cs go with an open case and my temps were 49-51 Celsius which is insanely cool.
Cons: Fan a bit loud, but it’s not a big deal

Tolik O.

Resources:

cpubenchmark.net

Newegg.com 

Note: This review is part of a school project.

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