Today we are taking a look at a powerful yet affordable 4-bay NAS from Asustor. Known as the AS5104T it features an Intel Celeron quad-core processor, plenty of memory, dual Gigabit LAN and much more. Designed for power users and business applications, the AS5104T can handle whatever you have in store...

Overall the AS5104T is the ultimate NAS, offering users serious performance at a currently unbeatable price. The AS5104T is ideal for business use as well as home multimedia applications, making it highly flexible. Asustor also offers a 3 year warranty, which is more generous than the 2 year warranty Synology offers DS415+ users.

Today Nvidia is unveiling their latest generation mid-range GPU based on the Maxwell architecture known as the GeForce GTX 960. Priced at just $200 the GTX 960 enters the market at a lower price than the GPU it is replacing, the GTX 760. Yet the GTX 960 is said to be faster and more efficient...

The Palit GTX 960 JetStream peaked at just 71 degrees when gaming, but even more impressive was the fact that the graphics card couldn’t be heard when under full load. Even once overclocked the GTX 960 JetStream was extremely quiet despite hitting a boost clock of 1402MHz resulting in up to 14% more performance.

On hand is the new QNAP TS-431 budget NAS offering home users 4-bay storage at an affordable price. Although this is a budget orientated NAS the TS-431 still has plenty to offer users in the way of features and performance...

The TS-431 proved to be solid in all areas with no real weaknesses other than perhaps the very limited 512MB of memory which cannot be upgraded. Still for those seeking a cost effective network attached solution for their home and don’t require all the bells and whistles, then we highly recommend the QNAP TS-431.

Today we are taking a look at Lian Li’s latest creation the PC-O5S, a perfect union of aluminium and tempered glass. The PC-O5S is a unique looking computer case with some very unique abilities. For one it can be mounted on the wall and adding to that effect is the ability to vertically mount the graphics card. It all makes for one very cool looking computer case so check it out...

The Lian Li PC-O5S is a beautiful computer case that isn’t overstated. The design is functional and Lian Li has managed to achieve what we believe was the goal of this case. As good as the PC-O5S looks standing or even sitting on a desk we feel hanging it on the wall is where it belongs.

Today we are taking a look at the most powerful 4-bay NAS we have ever seen. Built using the Intel Core i3-4330 processor and C226 platform controller hub, the Asustor AS7004T takes it to the competition. Designed for both multi-media and business applications the AS7004T can handle whatever you have in store...

Asustor has shown a strong commitment to keeping their software up to date by adding new features and squashing any bugs. The new ADM 2.3 software is excellent and we really appreciated the revamped design. The fact that existing customers using products based on the more affordable 2 and 3 series can also enjoy the new ADM 2.3 software speaks volumes. Overall we have been blown away by what can be achieved with the AS7004T and are therefore giving it our must have award.

Today we are taking a look at the brand new Synology DiskStation DS215j. This new 2-bay NAS is designed for home users on a budget, but don’t let that fool you, the DS215j packs a punch. Armed with a dual-core processor with Floating-Point Unit (FPU), the DS215j provides plenty of power for multi-tasking and multi-media applications...

Overall the Synology DS215j is as powerful as a sub $250 NAS device gets right now. With the added bonus of being able to use the feature rich DSM 5.1 software, the DS215j offers even more value. Consumers can also rest assured that Synology will continue to support the DS215j with updated DSM versions for the foreseeable future. Having arrived just in time for Christmas, we think Santa will likely be delivering more than a few DS215j’s.

Today we are checking out the new Asrock M8 barebone computer which has been updated from the previous model to support Intel’s Haswell processors by using the Z97 chipset. While the award winning chassis by BMW Group DesignworksUSA remains the same, Asrock has included a number of other noteworthy updates, such as the 600w SFX power supply...

For a year now I have been using the original Asrock M8 as my Steam PC with a Core i5-4670K and GeForce GTX 760 combo. As good as it has been, I am looking forward to replacing it with the new and improved M8 Z97-600W which will allow me to take advantage of higher-end graphics cards.

Today we are taking a look at a very small computer from ECS called LIVA. On hand is the new 64GB white edition model which sports an ultra-low powered Intel Bay Trail-M SoC for a completely silent solution. As impressive as LIVA’s compact and silent design is the focus here is on price and a very small price it is...

The ECS LIVA 64GB mini PC is designed to be above all cheap and at just $185 there is no questioning its affordability. Still what is the purpose of this cheap PC, who is it designed for? ECS say its fanless design and low power consumption make it an ideal HTPC and while it can handle 1080p content there are a number of other limitations. Connectivity for one is limited to just a single hard to reach USB 3.0 port and there is no remote functionality.

Today we are checking out the DiskStation DS1815+ from Synology. The DS1815+ is powered by an Intel Atom C2538 quad-core processor and features a 2GB memory buffer, with a potential storage capacity of 108TB with two DX513 expansion units...

Finally with around 20% more performance on offer when compared to its predecessor, the Synology DS1815+ isn’t just faster, it’s also more feature packed making it even better value. This makes the DS1815+ the ideal solution for business users seeking a NAS supporting 8-bays with the option of expanding to another 5 or even 10-bays!

Today we are checking out two new Gainward graphics cards from their elite Phantom series, based on Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 970 and GTX 980 GPUs. Armed with the third generation Phantom cooler, these new graphics cards are designed to be the coolest, quietest and most powerful options available to gamers...

Overall the Gainward GTX 970 Phantom is the card that has impressed us the most. Gainward has opted for a shorter PCB making the GTX 970 more compact than most despite the triple slot design. Those running mATX systems will find the GTX 970 Phantom the ideal graphics card for extracting the most performance out of their gaming rig.

Today from HIS we have their latest take on the Radeon R9 290X which they call the Hybrid IceQ. Using liquid HIS hopes to deliver the coolest, quietest and best performing R9 290X money can buy. With the recent arrival of the GeForce GTX 980 they certainly have their work cut out, so let’s see what they came up with...

The invention of the HIS R9 290X Hybrid IceQ was likely inspired by AMD’s reference design for the R9 295X2 which featured a similar closed-loop liquid cooling system. The results are just as impressive, as we have ended up with a high-end Radeon that overclocks well and stays relatively cool while generating almost no noise.

Today we are checking out Silverstone’s latest 90-degree stacked computer case, the Fortress FT05. This striking case has been constructed exclusively using aluminum for all the panels and comes in either a silver or black finish with the option of a case window. Performance has been the focus of this case in both terms of cooling performance and operating volume...

For the extra money you do get a more elegant computer case that almost does away with plastic entirely, a change many will welcome from the RV05 plastic monster. In terms of features the case is more compact but other than that, little has changed. So if you are looking for an ultra-high performance computer case that makes little noise, looks sleek and can be had for a reasonable price, than put the Silverstone Fortress FT05 at the top of your list.

Today we have a 2-bay home NAS server called the N2310 from Thecus and they say it is best-in-class for value. Built strictly as a budget focused NAS there aren’t any bells and whistles found on the N2310, instead it is a very basic device designed to provide the convenience of having a home NAS without the typically high price tag...

From a performance vs. price perspective the Thecus N2310 is a real winner. Its primary competitor is still the Synology DS214se which costs a little over 20% more at $160. The DS214se also comes loaded with an 800MHz SoC, the tried and true Marvell Armada 370. However the DS214se features half as much memory with just 256MB to play with, and USB 3.0 support is missing entirely.

Today we are checking out In Win’s latest creation the D-Frame Mini, a Mini-ITX gaming case with a twist. Like the original what we have here is a very fancy open air-chassis unlike no other. The design has been somewhat improved from the original and so too has the price. That said at $350 the D-Frame Mini is still mighty expensive, but is it worth it? Let’s find out...

In Win’s attention to detail is excellent all around, having included all black sleeved cables as well as some clamps for cable management. The enclosure’s cable management setup is first class, providing practical means of routing excess wires, while there is plenty of clearance for components such as the power supply, CPU cooler and high-end graphics cards.

Today we are checking out Synology’s latest 4-bay NAS server, the DS415+. Designed for small to medium businesses the DS415+ is said to deliver Xeon like performance in an affordable package. Synology has achieved this by implementing Intel’s ‘Rangeley’, a server grade SoC capable of supporting up to eight cores...

Performance wise the DS415+ is a beast, providing the strongest upload performance we have seen to-date from a sub $1500 NAS. In terms of performance the DS415+ showed no weaknesses and we aren’t just talking about throughput either. The power consumption was first rate, as the DS415+ consumed just 37 watts under full load when armed with four 3TB hard drives.

Today we are checking out the 6-bay model from the latest NAS series from QNAP. The TS-x53 Pro series is powered by an Intel Bay Trail-D quad-core processor and can be purchased in an 8GB configuration. Designed for mission-critical business applications the TS-x53 Pro series is available in 2, 4, 6 and 8-bay models...

QNAP has hit the ground running with their TS-x53 Pro series offering 2, 4, 6 and 8-bay models. The 6-bay TS-653 Pro that we looked at costs $1150 (8GB model) while a cheaper $1000 2GB model also exists. Given the specifications and more importantly the performance we have just seen, the 8GB model at $1150 is a great buy.

Today Nvidia is launching its latest GeForce 900 series with the introduction of the GTX 980 and GTX 970. These new Maxwell GPU’s promise dramatically improved efficiency over Kepler along with a number of other exciting new features. For testing we have the new Gigabyte G1 Gaming graphics cards which are equipped with the latest revision of their iconic WindForce X3 cooler...

So in terms of power consumption the GeForce GTX 980 is unbeatable right now but only slightly better than its predecessor. The question is, how many gamers want to pay a price premium to save up to 25% power when gaming compared to the Radeon R9 290X? We suspect not many. Still, the power savings have other advantages such as cooler running GPUs which can lead to better overclocking GPUs. The 600w WindForce cooler found on the G1 Gaming GTX 980 kept the card at 57 degrees under load, which allowed us to achieve a 17% core overclock netting around 10% more performance.

Today we are checking out a new and very affordable single bay NAS product from Synology known as the DiskStation DS115j. This NAS device is ideal for those that want the convenience of network attached storage without the typically high price tag that goes along with it. Providing the same functionality as the bigger more expensive models, the DS115j certainly has a lot to offer...

Perhaps the best thing about the DS115j is that it is backed by the latest DSM 5.0 software, providing it with many of the powerful features found on the much more expensive 4, 5 and 8-bay models. Overall the Synology DS115j is an impressive device that should help convince home users on the fence about investing in a NAS server take the plunge. Finally we have found a $100 NAS you actually want...

Today AMD is debuting its Tonga architecture with a mid-range GPU dubbed the Radeon R9 285 that is designed to deliver mainstream performance at a competitive price. The "Tonga" GPU is essentially a newer, cheaper to produce version of the tried and true "Tahiti" GPU, with features such as DirectX 12 support and next-gen CrossFire...

AMD’s new $249 graphics card doesn’t exactly redefine the landscape, rather it’s slightly faster than a graphics card that was slightly faster than the competition. With the Radeon R9 285 gamers stand to gain just 4% more performance on average when compared to the R9 280, even if you take away the big loss in Tomb Raider, which could possibly be driver related, the R9 285 is still just 6% faster.

Today we are checking out the Synology DS415play, a purpose built NAS designed for home multimedia applications. This is Synology’s second generation ‘play’ device and the first 4-bay model. The key feature of this NAS is dedicated hardware acceleration, specifically for video transcoding which is provided by the Intel Atom CE5335 SoC..

Other strengths of the DS415play include that sleek black chassis design with the glossy hot-swap bay cover that looks so much better than virtually every other NAS device on the market. Complementing the looks is the tool-less tray design, which means users don’t need any tools at all to setup and use the DS415play, making the entire process quick and easy.

Today we are checking out the latest SSD from OCZ and it is a budget offering. Unlike their performance focused Vector 150 and Vertex 460 the new ARC 100 series is designed to deliver the best bang for you buck by offering the companies lowest cost per gigabyte to date...

From a company that previously gave us Vector’s, Vertex’s and was occasionally high on Octane for Agility we now have the ARC 100, an SSD that sounds like something that would be used to fuse metals together. As a welder the OCZ ARC 100 is pretty useless, but as a budget focused SSD it has potential.

Today we are checking out one of the most powerful desktop ReadyNAS solutions from Netgear. Supporting up to 84TB of storage, three eSATA ports and up to 250 concurrent users, the ReadyNAS 516 is designed for business applications. Powering the 516 is an Intel Core i3 "Ivy Bridge" desktop processor which is supported by 4GB of memory...

Those seeking a high performance desktop NAS need look no further than the Netgear ReadyNAS 516. Priced at $1100 the RN516 isn’t just fast it’s also very cheap when compared to the competition. As we mentioned earlier, the QNAP’s 4-bay QNAP TS-470 Pro boasts the same processor but just half the memory and two less drive bays, yet commands a price tag over $1200.

Today we have a Synology NAS device for testing and it’s not a new 4-bay, 2-bay or even 1-bay device, in fact there are no bays. Instead what we have is the EDS14 which is an Embedded DataStation featuring no internal storage, rather it relies on SD cards and external USB devices...

The EDS14 at its current retail price is very much a niche product. It is a very good product, but it is a product that will only attract a small audience, though we are willing to bet Synology knew that going into it. Overall if the EDS14 sounds like something you have been looking for then we highly recommend it, you surely won’t be disappointed.

Today we are checking out five of the very best Radeon R9 280X graphics cards the market has to offer. Arguably the best value mid-range graphics card the R9 280X provides plenty of performance at the $300 price point. The question which AMD board partner offers the best package, Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, HIS or Sapphire?

Although all five Radon R9 280X graphics cards feature their own unique design, they are all very much the same in terms of gaming performance and cooling performance. Still there are subtle variations between the cards that do make one better than another in our opinion. When it comes to value the Asus R9 280X DirectCU II TOP, Gigabyte R9 280X WindForce 3X OC and MSI R9 280X Gaming 3GB (forget the silly 6GB model) cost $300. The HIS R9 280X iPower IceQ X² Turbo 3GB is a little less competitive at $330 and the Sapphire Vapor-X Tri-X OC R9 280X 3GB at $340.

Today we are checking out the 4-bay model from the latest NAS series from QNAP. The TS-x51 series is perhaps the most significant desktop NAS product released to date from QNAP, or anyone for that matter. This dual-core NAS offers on-the-fly & offline Full HD video transcoding that is significantly more powerful than anything we have seen before...

The TS-451 does a lot of new and exciting things and it seems to do them very well. However it hasn’t forgotten about the basics either. When it came to throughput performance the TS-451 delivered, providing some of the best results we have seen. The TS-451’s greatest rival in terms of performance is the DS414, and while the Synology NAS was slightly faster when downloading files, the TS-451 was able to best it in one of our upload tests.