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You are here: Home / Archives for Technology / Computing / Hardware

BenQ SW240 PhotoVue Monitor Review

08/08/2018 By Hakan Can

BenQ SW240 monitor review

On the last day of May, BenQ introduced their latest PhotoVue photographer monitor to Press and attendees at Photoshop World. This new monitor, the SW240, adds to the PhotoVue family of monitors which we last saw at PhotoPlus Expo. The 24.1″ 1920 x 1200 sized 10-bit display is ideal for hobbyists or those looking at a career in photography. You see, the SW240 covers 95% DCI-P3, 99% of Adobe RGB, and 100% sRGB color space, which makes it the logical choice.  Want to know if this display hit its intended mark? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this BenQ SW240 monitor review.

Pros:
• Well-constructed monitor with thin bezel
• Great user experience with menu layout
• Plenty of port connections
• 16:10 Aspect Ratio (1920 x 1200 resolution)
• 10-bit Color Display
• 95% DCI-P3, 99% Adobe RGB, & 100% sRGB Color Space
• On-display Color Mode HotKey
• Factory calibration report

Cons:
• Lacks 4K Resolution capability
• Lacks HDR10 capability
• No USB-C port
• No DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort cable included

Read:   Headphones: Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless Review

Is PhotoVue for You? BenQ SW240 Monitor Review

BenQ SW240 monitor review
“Beautiful Birds” on the ASUS VN289
BenQ SW240 monitor review
“Beautiful Birds” on the BenQ SW240

Per the Press Release, “As the front runner of the professional monitor industry, BenQ has never slowed down but sought out further improvement for photographers, especially in the respect of the quality of color reproduction, viewing comfort and user convenience. The SW240 is no different; with its 99% Adobe RGB wide color gamut which offers an impressive range of vibrant colors, it’s the perfect piece of professional equipment, where the user can save money against other similar spec models, without a compromise on quality. With the help of BenQ’s Palette Master Element Calibration software, users can tune and maintain the color at its most optimal state and adjust the image processing chip in the monitor without changing the graphics card output data. It keeps the images consistent with its original copies, without being affected by graphic settings.”

SW240 Design, Features, et al

For a 24″ photography monitor, the BenQ SW240 sure seems to pack in a lot of features.

Even though it’s a thin-bezel unit, the SW240 appears no different than most monitors on the outside. But when you plug it in and turn it on for the first time, you’ll see just how different it actually is. It’s all about the colors. No, you’re not tripping on acid, because you didn’t take any acid. The color reproduction is just that good. It’s something very positive to be said about BenQ’s AQCOLOR Technology.

This 10-bit, non-HDR display with 99% Adobe RGB color space sure brings an image to life. If that color mode isn’t your fancy, there’s a hot key which can quickly switch the display to sRGB or Black & White.

Just take a look at each side-by-side comparison of the same “Colorful Birds theme” 8-bit images on the 28″ ASUS VN289 versus the 24″ BenQ SW240. Which ones do you prefer?

BenQ SW240 monitor review
“Beautiful Birds” on the ASUS VN289
BenQ SW240 monitor review
“Beautiful Birds” on the BenQ SW240

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I stated “8-bit” as my Nvidia GTX 970 graphics card isn’t capable of displaying a 10-bit image. (A 10-bit image can display 1.08 billion colors.) Can you imagine how much better the photo would be in 10-bit or even HDR for that matter? It’s a shame the SW240 can’t display HDR. Of all the features that I wish were in this monitor but aren’t, HDR is the one I would wish for the most. Regardless, I’d say it’s time to upgrade to a 10-series graphics card.

Now, the SW240 cannot display anything above 1920 x 1200 resolution. I know, this is a bummer, but hear me out. It has a 16:10 aspect ratio to properly display two A4-sized images simultaneously. This is huge for many photographers, and something I didn’t think of early on in this review. If this monitor had 2K or 4K capability, then the price would increase by a couple of hundred dollars or more from its current list price of $399.

Ask yourself the following question: Would you want to spend $600 or more on a 24″ monitor? I’m guessing No.

BenQ SW240 monitor review
“Beautiful Birds” on the ASUS VN289
BenQ SW240 monitor review
“Beautiful Birds” on the BenQ SW240

You may also be wondering why doesn’t the SW240 have HDMI v2.0 or DisplayPort v1.4 connections or HDCP 2.2 specs like its larger siblings, the SW271 and SW320. If the monitor doesn’t have a greater than 1920 x 1200 capability, then the monitor doesn’t need the higher version specifications.

All four PhotoVue monitors come with the Palette Master Element calibration software, but to get it to work, you’ll need one of the following supported calibrators: X-Rite i1 Display Pro, i1 Pro, i1 Pro 2, or the Datacolor Spyder 4 or 5. (A link to the first one is provided at the bottom of this page.) We won’t be delving into the operation of the Palette Master Element software or any calibration tool as we don’t physically have the latter. You can download the 17-page How-To Guide under the Support tab.

On the left and rear of the monitor is a healthy list of ports to connect a computer. See the images and bullet list below.

BenQ SW240 monitor review

BenQ SW240 Monitor Rear Ports Image

Rear Ports:
• AC Power
• DVI-D
• HDMI (v 1.4)
• DisplayPort (v 1.2)
• USB (Upstream)
• Headphone/Speaker

Side Ports:
• Two USB (Downstream)
• SD card slot

If you’re using a dual monitor arrangement, access to the left ports is a breeze. If your setup is like mine, that is the SW240 on the right, then connecting to the side ports requires a couple more steps.

The monitor also comes with a stand and base which can be oriented in both landscape and portrait arrangements. If you’re a fashion or runway photographer, the latter will come in most handy. See Pages 10-11 of the User manual. Add the optional SH240 shading hood to the monitor, and you can better focus on the imagery before you. See Pages 17-21 of the User Manual.

BenQ SW240 monitor review

BenQ SW240 Monitor Left Side Ports Image

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The SW240 Control Panel

The control panel on this monitor couldn’t be easier to navigate and customize, that is unless it accepted voice commands. I think I may have just given BenQ an idea for a future monitor. Much can be done within the on screen display menu so we’ll leave it to you folks to experiment with. Please see Pages 32-49 of the User Manual for more information.BenQ SW240 monitor review

Specifications (Partial List)

• Screen Size: 24.1 Inches
• Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1200
• Backlight: LED
• Brightness: 250
• Native Contrast: 1000:1
• Dynamic Contrast: 20 Million:1
• Viewing Angle: 178°/178°
• Response Time: 5 ms (GtG)
• Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Display Colors: 1.07 Billion
• Color Bit: 10
• Display Area: 20.41″ x 12.75″

• Color Mode: Adobe RGB, sRGB, Rec 709, DCI-P3, B&W, Darkroom, DICOM, Calibration 1-3, Custom 1-2
• Color Temp: 5000°K, 6500°K, 9300°K, User Mode
• Gamma: 1.6 – 2.6
• K Locker: Yes
• Languages: 18 (English, French, etc.)
• HDCP: 1.4
• 3D-LUT: 14 Bits
• Delta E: ≤ 2
• Voltage Rating: 100 – 240 Volts
• Power Consumption: 55 Watts (On)
• Operating Temp: 0°C – 40°C

BenQ SW240 monitor review
“Beautiful Birds” on the ASUS VN289
BenQ SW240 monitor review
“Beautiful Birds” on the BenQ SW240

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What’s In The Box?

• Monitor & Stand
• Factory Calibration Report
• Limited Warranty Paperwork
• Registration Card
• Quick Start Guide

• Power Cord
• USB Cable
• DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort Cable
• DVI-DL Cable
• CD w/Driver and Manuals

Final Thoughts

The BenQ SW240 PhotoVue monitor is a giant leap above the traditional desktop monitor.

This 24.1″ 10-bit color display with its color mode hotkey produces an image in 95% DCI-P3, 99% Adobe RGB, or 100% sRGB color space. That alone is impressive. And the menu is so simple to navigate and customize. Some of you may squawk about the $399 price, but I believe it to be fair.

With all of this said, this PhotoVue monitor from BenQ is a serious contender against high-end graphics monitors from other top brands. Minus the previously stated wished-for features like 4K and HDR, I enjoy using this monitor daily and can easily recommend it to all our readers who wish to learn more about photography.

Just between us, I can’t wait to part ways with the Asus and place another BenQ PhotoVue (or VideoVue) monitor next to it.

What do you think of this BenQ SW240 monitor review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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The BenQ SW240 photographer monitor comes with a three-year limited warranty on backlight, parts, and labor. If you’re looking for the latest SW240 manuals and guides, click the link here. Under the Software Tab, you’ll find the latest SW240 driver and Palette Master Element software. Don’t hesitate to head over to the BenQ News page to see their most recent announcements.

FTC Disclosure: BenQ provided Beantown LLC with one (1) SW240 PhotoVue monitor sample for review purposes. BenQ was not involved in the writing of this review although feedback to questions was provided. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador for the brand.

All photographs minus one are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2018. Side-by-side comparison photos were taken with the Samsung Galaxy S9 smartphone.

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Filed Under: For Your Eyes Only, Hardware Tagged With: BenQ, monitor, Photography, PhotoVue, SW240, SW271 08/11/2018

Enermax Ostrog ADV Case Review

08/07/2017 By Zach Can

Enermax Ostrog ADV case review

Over the past year, Enermax has given us at Beantown a taste of their higher tier products such as the Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU. Now it was time we checked out one of their cases. The Ostrog ADV mid tower case comes in three distinct colors: red, green, and blue. It has some defining features such as its wide array of light emitting diodes, a variety of lighting options, and its tool-less design. So, is the case worth your hard-earned money? Let’s find out and take a closer look in this Enermax Ostrog ADV case review.

[envira-gallery id=”8837″]
Read:   Enermax Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU Review

Enermax Ostrog ADV Case Review

Design

Looking at the front of the case there’s a large acrylic window to the left with the standard black metal panel to the right. At the top of the front panel, there are three small metal mesh grills. These grills can be removed by pressing on the tabs to install your Blu-ray or DVD drives (or other various utilities.) Below this area is a large grill which can just as easily be removed. Behind that houses two 120 mm, 6-mode Vegas LED fans. The outline of the front panel is that of one giant LED strip.

[envira-gallery id=”8843″]

Moving to the top of the case are a series of buttons, lights, inputs, and one switch. On the lower row you’ll notice the restart button, hard drive activity LED, power LED, power button and the 3-speed fan controller. Fan speeds are 900, 1200, and 1500 rpm. The upper row features two USB 3.0 slots, microphone and headphone inputs, two USB 2.0 slots, and the lighting setting button. After that is a large metal mesh grill which is easily removed by a pull tab and outlined with another LED light strip.

On the back side panel of the case is your standard hole for the motherboard and removable grills for a video card. It’s worth noting that the video card grills match the color you’ve selected for the case. It should also be pointed out that your VGA card should not exceed a length of 414 mm.

Looking to install more fans, you can do so. Just check the specs below for the details.

The overall dimensions of the Ostrog ADV case are 19.41″ x 8.46″ x 20.31″. As you can see from these values, this case is quite a bit larger than the typical mid-tower case. The weight of the unit is 15.8 lbs.

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Specifications

Enermax Ostrog ADV case review

Inside the Ostrog ADV

Depending on the color you chose, the backing on the inside will match. Looking in from the acrylic panel are six hard drive bays with three smaller drive bays on top. There are plenty of gaps throughout the case to thread wiring and even to bundle up wiring, with rubber grommets offering additional protection. There’s a third fan (an Enerflo model) in the top left corner. Installation of my hardware into the case was a breeze which took about an hour max. Everything was visible and right out into the open.

[envira-gallery id=”8855″]

There’s ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX support, sufficient room around the top of the case to install water cooling, and the hard drive cage is removable for those huge graphic cards. There’s even plenty of color coordination inside to go along with the LED lighting making the case Pop.

Enermax Ostrog ADV case review

There are two issues worth noting. The first point of concern is the amount of space between the right-side case cover and behind the main board tray, where all the hard drives are stored and connected in. The website states “a comfortable cable routing behind the mainboard tray.” It didn’t feel like that. I have four hard drives, and the amount of space that they provide you is minimal. I literally had to force the wires in to get the case cover on, which in turn makes it difficult to get the case on.

The second issue and one probably unique to us is the top piece of the case was cracked upon delivery. This crack could a problem with the design of the top piece, or it could be a packaging or shipping issue. We’ll never know for sure, but it’s something we passed along to Enermax.

A replacement part was issued, but when it arrived, it was missing a ton of wiring, a couple of the wire caps, and even the power button. Fortunately, we saved the original top piece, taking the missing materials from one and transferring to the other. We were a little disappointed that the new top piece didn’t incorporate the missing materials.

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Conclusion

All-in-all, the Ostrog ADV is a fairly well-designed case which we enjoy using to this day. It’s vibrant and color-filled with red LED lighting. We did notice a couple of things that were a cause for concern. Some paint chipped off when we removed the video card grills, and a there’s a shortage of space to plug in your hard drives. We feel this latter one may be a big issue for consumers.

The Enermax Ostrog ADV case lists for $120 and is available for purchase at Fry’s, Newegg, and Amazon (see link below.) If you need an upgrade and some additional room in a mid-tower computer case, plus sick bright LED lighting, this is it.

[envira-gallery id=”8836″]

What do you think of this Enermax Ostrog ADV case review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Don’t hesitate to head over to the Enermax homepage to see their current line-up of products. The Enermax Ostrog ADV case comes with a 1-year warranty. Should you need to reach Customer Support, click on this link.

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FTC Disclosure: Enermax provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Enermax Ostrog ADV Red chassis sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Enermax or Beantown LLC © 2017.

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Filed Under: Gaming Hardware, Hardware Tagged With: Enermax, mid-tower case, Ostrog ADV, Ostrog Advance 08/09/2017

Gaming: Gamdias HERMES 7 Color Keyboard Review

09/21/2016 By Zach Can

Gamdias Hermes 7 Color Keyboard Review

Review: Gamdias HERMES 7 Color Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Gamdias, Gamdias, Gamdias. Does the name sound familiar? If it does congratulations, either you’re familiar with the brand or you’ve read our recently published HERMES RGB Keyboard review. If you haven’t heard the name, then shame on you! While rather new to the marketplace, Gamdias is a good, up-and-coming gaming company who stand by their motto of “Gaming Art in Motion.” Believe it, their HERMES keyboards and ZEUS mice look crazy all lit up with these zany lighting effects. In this review, we dive into one of their ‘art-pieces,’ the HERMES 7 Color mechanical gaming keyboard. So without any further delay. Welcome to our Gamdias HERMES 7 Color Keyboard review.

Introducing the HERMES 7 Color Keyboard

Gamdias Hermes 7 Color Keyboard Review

Read:   Gamdias HERMES RGB Keyboard Review

Design Features

I’m going to start off on a bizarre note. It has to do with the seven colors of the HERMES 7 Color keyboard, so I’ll get right to it. Unless I’m color blind, and I’m fairly sure that I am not, there are only six colors on the HERMES 7 Color keyboard: green, blue, violet, pink, orange, and red. Look at the pictures here and on the Gamdias website. Can you spot all seven colors? I’ve looked everywhere, and the theory I have is that the Num-lock “panel” lights up a different shade of red than the red that lights up the bottom row. Like I said, it’s a weird note about the lighting, but an interesting observation as the packaging states “7 Color.”

Gamdias Hermes 7 Color Keyboard Review

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Moving on, the HERMES 7 Color keyboard has a pleasant aesthetic that I thoroughly enjoy; even more so than the HERMES RGB. The keys are raised, at which point you can see all the lights underneath them. The keys have metal plate stabilizers for added durability. I noticed some reviewers complained, but I believe metal plate stabilizers adds to the keyboard quite well. The HERMES 7 Color is not as compact as the HERMES RGB. The former’s exact dimensions are 18.03 x 8.66 x 1.73 inches. What it lacks in compactness, it makes up for in comfort. The former has a larger wrist plate.

The keys are a bit touchy; it doesn’t take much force at all (45cN) for it to register as a key press. Key presses are quite audible and might drive a few people mental if you’re in the same room with them. Aforementioned occurred with said reviewer using said keyboard while writing this review.

The HERMES 7-Color keyboard has its Windows key on the left side, not on the right side like that of the HERMES RGB keyboard. And now, the Fn key is on the right side of the keyboard, unlike the HERMES RGB, where it’s on the left. As someone who uses the left Windows key a lot, this design choice pleases me. If you like it on the right, like on the HERMES RGB, then great. What I’m saying is it comes down to personal preference.

Gamdias Hermes 7 Color Keyboard Review

Wondering about N-key rollover? There’s no need to. Here are the 21 keys: Q, W, E, R, U, I, O, P, \, 7, 8, 9, +, Enter, Backspace, F9, F10, F11, F12, Scroll, and Pause. (Yes, this took a bit of research.)

Read:   Gaming: Gamdias HEBE M1 RGB Headset Review

Performance

When it comes to features, this keyboard is very similar to the HERMES RGB. It has the media player shortcuts, a keyboard lock, etc. There’s the “Gaming” lock/button which locks out the Windows key. There are options for brightness control, the ability to change the light pattern speed, and capacity to swap WASD to the arrow keys. The scroll lock notification is still missing from the Num-Lock panel while the key to right click on the keyboard is there. Each key has a 50 million button life cycle.

Gamdias Hermes 7 Color Keyboard ReviewBoth (HERMES 7 Color and RGB) keyboards have very stiff legs to pull up. The HERMES 7 Color legs aren’t as troublesome as the HERMES RGB, but still, I needed a flat head screwdriver to pull them up due to the lack of available finger space. Like the HERMES RGB, the HERMES 7 Color keyboard has Gamdias certified Kailh blue mechanical switches/TTC switches, and the whole thing is connected in with one USB.

They differ in lighting options, size, an extra feature on the HERMES 7 Color, the absence of any macro keys for the keyboard and the fact that the keyboard is not Hera-supported. The HERMES 7 Color keyboard has nine preset lighting modes, while the HERMES RGB has thirteen modes. A couple of these modes are the same on each keyboard. The nine lightning modes are as follows: Normal, Wave, Breathing, Circular Marquees, Marquee, Colored Ribbon, Rotation, Responsive Fade Out, and Ripple. My two favorites are the Colored Ribbon and Ripple as they have the most interesting patterns to them.

The keyboard also has five customizable profiles where you can choose which keys to light up. The HERMES RGB is the same way, but the HERMES 7 Color does this without the HERA software. One big difference is that each key on the HERMES RGB can light up with a unique color, while on the HERMES 7 Color, the color goes by row. As an example, the row containing the “Esc” key and “Pause Break” is green and only green.

[envira-gallery id=”6158″]

The extra feature on this HERMES 7 Color keyboard is the Consecutive Attack Mode which is activated as quickly as changing the lighting mode. Once it’s enabled, you just press and hold down whatever key you used to attack, and you won’t have to spam it anymore. The keyboard doesn’t have any special macro keys. Since I never use macros, it’s not a problem for me.

You can take the absence of the HERA software as a good or bad thing. Personally, I like its absence because I felt the software was a bit sluggish and buggy, though it got the job done.

Read:   Gamdias ZEUS eSport Laser Gaming Mouse Review

Conclusion

I truly like this HERMES 7 Color mechanical gaming keyboard. I like the feel, the aesthetic, and all the color schemes. This keyboard is going to be my principal gaming keyboard until such time when something significantly better comes along.

I don’t have any huge complaints with this keyboard. If I had to pick one, it would be the design itself, not on the keys, just the outside of the keyboard, the outline if you will, is somewhat plain.

The list price of the HERMES 7 Color Keyboard is $99. Fortunately, you can get it for around $50 at Amazon (see link at the bottom of this post.) If you’re looking for a replacement or just tired of your old keyboard, we suggest you pick this one up. In the US, each gaming keyboard comes with a 1-year warranty from date of purchase.

If you’re looking for that entry-level or lower-priced mechanical gaming keyboard, we can definitively say the Hermes 7 Color is a great choice. We recommend you check out this product before making your next purchase.[soliloquy id=”6139″]

Do you agree or disagree with any part of this post? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to follow Gamdias on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook. And don’t hesitate to head over to the Gamdias website to see their latest gaming hardware.

FTC Disclosure: Gamdias provided Beantown LLC with one (1) HERMES 7 Color Keyboard sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and is not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC and Gamdias © 2016.

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Filed Under: Gaming Hardware, Hardware Tagged With: 7 Color, Gamdias, gaming keyboard, Hermes 12/09/2016

Gamdias HERMES RGB Keyboard Review

09/10/2016 By Zach Can

Gamdias Hermes RGB Keyboard Review

Gamdias, what’s that? My friends, Gamdias is a relatively new company into the gaming hardware and peripherals market. It’s only been four years since they arrived on the scene. On the Gamdias homepage, they showcase their lineup of gaming keyboards, mice, headphones, mouse pads and other accessories. How do we know if their gear is worth your hard-earned money? Well, that’s why you’re, here isn’t? Below, we answer these questions. So without any further delay. Welcome to our Gamdias HERMES RGB Keyboard review.

Review: Gamdias Hermes RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Gamdias Hermes RGB Keyboard Review

Read:   Gaming: Gamdias HERMES 7 Color Keyboard Review

Design Features

The HERMES RGB is mechanical gaming keyboard with a 50 million push button life cycle. It comes with 16.8 million colors and 13 different lighting effects to choose from. Of these 13, two in particular: “Wave” and “Rainbow Drops,” are very cool. You can change the brightness (4 levels) and speed of the effects to your liking. The brains of the keyboard lie in the ARM® Cortex®-M3 32-bit microprocessor. Unlike its sister keyboard, the HERMES 7 Color, this keyboard has a small, non-removable “wrist plate.” Again, in contrast to the HERMES 7 Color, this keyboard is more compact. Its exact dimensions are 17.3 x 6.7 x 1.46 inches. Personally speaking, while I don’t find the size of the keyboard uncomfortable, I think it would fare better with a slightly bigger “wrist plate.”

Flipping the keyboard over, you’ll notice three channels to direct the braided cable. While this is good design, the keyboard legs are not. Trying to raise the keyboard legs is not so easy as there’s hardly any space to insert a finger or thumb. The HERMES 7 Color is better in this regards. And unlike say the Logitech G710 series keyboard; the HERMES RGB has only one USB connector to plug into your desktop.

Gamdias Hermes RGB Keyboard Review

Read:   Gaming: Gamdias HERMES E1 Keyboard Combo Review

The HERMES RGB keyboard comes with your standard Num-Lock, Caps-Lock, and Scroll-Lock, but it has another lock which is appropriately titled “Gaming.” Enabling “Gaming” disables the Windows key preventing any accidental press of the Windows key fatal. One thing that’s a bit odd is in the top right corner where it shows locks are enabled, it only has three: Num-Lock, Caps-Lock, and Gaming. Scroll Lock isn’t shown at all. The key is there and still toggles, but you have to remember if you left it on or off because it isn’t displayed. Fortunately, I don’t know a single person that uses it.

Wondering about N-key rollover? There’s no need to. Here are the 21 keys: Q, W, E, R, U, I, O, P, \, 7, 8, 9, +, Enter, Backspace, F9, F10, F11, F12, Scroll, and Pause. (Yes, this took a bit of research.)

Gamdias Hermes RGB Keyboard Review

You can also completely lock the keyboard out, for when you want to vacuum it or pull a key out. A key puller is supplied as part of the package contents. It has the now standard media player controls such as “Previous”, “Next”, “Pause/Play”, “Mute”, “Audio Down”, and “Audio Up”. You can switch “WASD” to the arrow keys and vice versa. Another strange quirk is on the lower left of the keyboard where the Windows Button would be. It’s missing. There’s no actual Windows key, having been replaced with the Fn key. Now, it turns out there is a Windows key, but it’s shared with a “Game” key with the Windows logo beneath it.

On the HERMES 7-Color keyboard, the Fn key and the Windows key are still there. I don’t know about you, but I’m used to the left Windows key. On the right of the keyboard is the only remaining Windows key next to a “right-click” button. It performs the action of right-clicking on the mouse. The icon is a little strange looking, kind of like a pair of headphones eating a string. Seriously.

Read:   Gaming: Gamdias HEBE M1 RGB Headset Review

Performance

I had hoped to get through this Gamdias HERMES RGB keyboard review without mentioning anything bad, as the keyboard is quite good.

Speaking of that good, the keys press smoothly and evenly. And the sound they make when pressed it just right. They’re not loud, soft, or annoying. This keyboard utilizes ABS plastic key covers and Kailh blue switches. These switches require 45cN of pressure to actuate. These key covers are made of one plastic, while the lettering of another. You’re going to have to work very hard to get the lettering to come off.

[envira-gallery id="5871"]

Sadly, and this is my personal take, HERA is a bit of a pain.  This software has to be installed if you want to use all the keyboard features. These features include the following: macros, re-assigning keys, customizing the keyboard lights, setting up sounds and timer, editing the alarm sound for the timer, and setting macro timers. It’s a slow software, with some glitches. The problems with it are a bit larger than I would have liked.

I want to enforce the hardware is great, but the software is not up to par. The software saves every change into 1 of 6 profiles which are stored into the keyboard itself. The HERMES RGB keyboard comes with only two macro keys “G1” and “G2,” not as many as say the Logitech G710. You can trick the HERMES RGB keyboard and assign two macros into each of the six profiles for a total of 12 macros. You can assign the sounds to different keys to give yourself a makeshift soundboard. I found the timer function unnecessary for my needs.

Read:   Gamdias ZEUS eSport Laser Gaming Mouse Review

Conclusion

The good thing is you don’t have to use the HERA software to enjoy the Gamdias HERMES RGB keyboard. You can still change the lighting effects using the shortcuts Gamdias placed on the keyboard. But, like I said earlier, you wouldn’t be able to customize them.

My biggest complaint on the HERMES RGB keyboard is the missing left Windows key; it bugs me. And hopefully, you can overlook the delays and bugs in the HERA software. The keyboard itself is beautiful and sturdy. The LED lights are bright and vibrant.

The list price of the HERMES RGB Keyboard is $129.99. Fortunately, you can get it for $85-90 on any given day at Amazon (see link at the bottom of this post.) Don’t hesitate to head over to the Gamdias homepage to see their current line-up of products. The Hermes P1 RGB Mechanical keyboard comes with a 1-year + 2-months warranty.

If you’re looking for a mid-priced mechanical gaming keyboard, we can definitively say the HERMES RGB is a good one. We recommend you check out this product before making your next purchase.[soliloquy id=”5868″]

What do you think of this Gamdias Hermes RGB keyboard review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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FTC Disclosure: Gamdias provided Beantown LLC with one (1) HERMES RGB keyboard sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and is not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC and Gamdias © 2016.

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Filed Under: Gaming Hardware, Hardware Tagged With: Gamdias, Gaming, Hermes, Keyboard 08/24/2017

Enermax Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU Review

06/20/2016 By Zach Can

Enermax Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU review

Enermax Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU Review

Until recently, today’s high-end PC would consist of the following components: Two GTX970 cards, an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM, and a Maximus 8 motherboard. But what’s going to power all of those elements? That’s where the power supply unit (PSU) comes into play. Unfortunately so many first time PC builders buy a PSU last with whatever remains of their budget, and that’s a tremendous mistake. You just don’t want to buy a cheap PSU. By doing so, you take the risk of doing harm to your entire system. I’m talking about damaging the hard drives, graphics cards, RAM, CPU, and the motherboard. Building a high-end PC will empty your wallet. But you don’t have to buy the most expensive PSU on the market, to meet your high-end PC’s needs. Enermax has an economy version PSU. Don’t be fooled by word “Economy,” this power supply unit is a beast. Let’s take a closer look at this Enermax Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU review.

Enermax Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU review

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Design

We all remember what Peter Parker’s (aka Spiderman) grandad said: “with great power, comes great responsibility.” Running two GTX970 cards will require a reliable, hardy PSU to handle that kind of responsibility and Enermax’s Triathlor ECO 1000W 80 Plus Bronze PSU packs the punch of what many high-end systems would need. Now this Bronze certified PSU doesn’t have a Titanium or Platinum rating, it did come close to earning a Silver certification when Ecova Plug Load Solutions tested it. The Bronze has 84-88% efficiency at 230 volts. Enermax went with a +12V single-rail design which yields 83 amps of current. This volume of amperage can easily power three top graphics cards in your high-end PC with plenty to spare. Go ahead and build that 3-way CrossFire/SLI setup with the Enermax Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU.

Enermax Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU review

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All this power the PSU holds and the fans are barely audible. They’re silent if you’ve got an average pair of headphones on.

The Triathlor ECO PSU is semi-modular due to some cables already hard-wired: main ATX, one PCIe, and two CPU cables. The PSU comes with eight additional modular cables all fitting nicely in the supplied pouch. On my system, I added two cables.

It can get messy if you have a small case. I had to Tetris the cables in due to my GTX970 card taking up almost my entire case. If you have a big case, you won’t have this cabling problem.

Enermax Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU review

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System Components

  • Intel Core i7-2600 CPU
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX970 Card
  • ASrock P67 Extreme6 Motherboard

Conclusion

If your wallet has already suffered an emptying blow due to pricey graphic cards, then the Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU packs on the power, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Currently on Newegg, the PSU sells for $125, and on Amazon, it sells for $133. The only other semi-modular, 1000W, Bronze-certified PSU’s around $100 are from Rosewill.

Enermax Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU review

Have you purchased and currently use the Enermax Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU? Do you agree or disagree with our analysis? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to follow Enermax on Facebook and YouTube as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook. And don’t hesitate to head over to the Enermax website to see their latest equipment.

The Triathlor ECO PSU come with a 3-year product exchange/repair warranty when purchased from an authorized dealer.

FTC Disclosure: Enermax, Inc. provided Beantown LLC with one Triathlor ECO 1000W PSU sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC 2016.

Read:   Gamdias HERMES RGB Keyboard Review

Filed Under: Hardware Tagged With: Enermax, PSU, Triathlor 10/03/2016

Patriot Viper 4 DDR4 Series RAM – 64GB & 128GB Kits

06/01/2015 By Hakan Can

Patriot Memory Viper Series DDR4 RAM

Patriot Expands Viper 4 DDR4 Series to Include 128GB Kit

Patriot Memory Viper Series DDR4 RAM

Per Patriot Memory’s Press Release:

Fremont, CA, USA – June 2, 2015 – Patriot, a leading manufacturer of computer memory, USB/flash memory, SSDs, and mobile accessories, today extended their Viper 4 series of DDR4 memory to include new 64GB and 128GB quad kits designed for the latest Intel® X99 DDR4 platform and Haswell-E processor.

Patriot’s latest addition to their Viper 4 DDR4 line of extreme performance memory built for the most demanding environments will include a 64GB (4 x 16GB) and a 128GB (8 X 16GB) kits for the ultimate PC build. Testing in at 14-16-16-31 the Viper 4 64GB and 128GB will start at 2400MHz 1.2V with higher speeds to be announced at a later date. Designed for the PC enthusiast builder or content creator the latest capacity of Viper 4 DDR4 will take any build to the ultimate level of speed.

“The addition of the 64GB and 128GB DRAM to the Viper 4 line will help to propel our already well established catalog of gaming memory” said Les Henry, Patriot’s VP of Engineering. “Patriot is committed to further developing its gaming line of memory in order to meet the ever growing demand of today’s high-end PCs.”

To ensure rock solid performance, the Patriot Viper 4 is built with a new custom heat shield to ensure your system runs cool and stable. Compatible with XMP 2.0, the Viper 4 gives users the capability to easily overclock their system by using the predetermined memory profile while still having the option to manually edit the SPD in the PC BIOS. Backed by a lifetime warranty and Patriot’s superior customer service, the Viper 4 is hand tested for quality assurance and validated for system compatibility.

The Patriot Viper 4 DDR4 quad kits were originally launched in January 2015 in 16GB and 32GB capacities with speeds ranging from 2400MHz to 3000MHz starting at 1.2V – 1.35V. Both capacities are available for purchase worldwide online and at select retail outlets.

Availability

The Patriot Viper 4 64GB and 128GB memory kits will be available in Q3 of 2015.

The Patriot Viper 4 16GB and 32GB memory kits are currently available at select online retailers such as Newegg, Fry’s, and Amazon.

 

Filed Under: Gaming Hardware, Hardware Tagged With: DDR4, Patriot Memory, RAM, Viper 4 04/12/2017

Patriot Announces Ignite Series M2 SATA Solid State Drive

04/20/2015 By Hakan Can

Patriot Ignite Series M2 Solid-State Drive (SSD).

Ignite the performance of your Notebook or Ultra Compact PC with the new Patriot M2 Ignite SSD

Patriot Ignite Series M2 Solid State Drive (SSD).Per Patriot’s Press Release:

FREMONT, CA, USA – April 20, 2015 – Patriot, a leading manufacturer of computer memory, USB/flash, SSDs and mobile accessories, today announced the launch of its new M.2 Ignite solid-state drive (SSD). Its compact form factor is optimal for use in portable devices such as ultrabooks, notebooks and ultra-compact PC’s providing impeccable start up times, instant access to data and installed programs.

The Patriot Ignite M2’s Next-Generation-Form-Factor (NGFF) case free design and small structure of 22mm wide by 80mm long (2280) packs a punch, testing in with sequential read and write speeds of up to 560/320MB/s and 4KB random read and write speeds of up to 90/70K IOP’s. It provides the ultimate upgrade solution for those with mobile computing devices looking to increase storage capacities.

“We are happy to announce the Ignite M2 addition to our family of SSD products,” said Les Henry, VP of Engineering at Patriot. “With the Ignite M2, Patriot now offers a full range of SSDs, from 2.5“ SATA 3, to mSATA and now M.2. The Ignite M2 drives are the perfect storage solution for those looking to build/upgrade their small form factor PCs.”

Powered by the new Phison S10 controller the M2 Ignite connects via M.2 SATA 6Gb/s interface to deliver rock solid performance and supports Windows® 7, 8, 8.1, Vista, and Linux. The Ignite M2 is backed by Patriot’s award winning customer service and a three year warranty. To ensure the consistency and performance of the drive over its life time, it comes with advanced features such as end-to-end data protection (ETEP), advanced wear-leveling, advanced Garbage collection, smartECC and Smart Refresh. The Ignite M2 is compatible with most notebooks.

Specifications

• 240GB & 480GB capacities
• Phison S10 Controller
• M.2 2280 Form Factor
• SATA III 6Gb/s Interface
• MLC NAND
• Up to 560MB/s Sequential Read Speed
• Up to 320MB/s Sequential Write Speed

Availability

The Ignite M2 SSD will be available at the beginning of May at select online and in-store retailers such as Fry’s Electronics, Amazon and Newegg for a starting MSRP of $109.99 240GB and $209.99 480GB.

Filed Under: Hardware Tagged With: Patriot, SATA, SSD 04/12/2017

7 Great Reasons Why You Need To Use The Panamax Power 360 Line Of Protection

04/01/2015 By Hakan Can

The Panamax Power 360-Dock surge protector

The Panamax Power 360-6 surge protectorAs someone who has THX Home Theater Level 1 Certification, I know a little something about electronic protection. I know a fair amount about the top six brands. Out of these six brands, I’ve put three to use, two of which I’ve had mixed success with. This leaves one brand and by no coincidence, it just so happens to be Panamax. Whether you’re a custom A/V installer or an enthusiast, you’ve surely heard of Panamax. They have the highest of reputations and the awards to prove it. Last week they introduced the Power 360 series, an affordable line of three electronic equipment protection devices. (See the press release below.)

The Power360-Dock has the following 7 features: The Panamax Power 360-Dock surge protector

  • 6 Protected AC Outlets
  • 2 USB Charging Stations
  • Protect-or-Disconnect
  • SmartGuard
  • Circle of Protection
  • Charging Cradle
  • Lifetime Warranty

The Power360-6 has the following 7 features: The Panamax Power 360-6 surge protector

  • 6 Protected AC Outlets
  • 1 Dual-Port USB Module
  • Protect-or-Disconnect
  • SmartGuard
  • Circle of Protection
  • Signal Line Protection
  • Lifetime Warranty

The Power360-8 has the following 7 features: This is the Panamax Power 360-8 AC surge protector

  •  8 Protected AC Outlets
  • 2 Dual-Port USB Modules
  • Protect-or-Disconnect
  • SmartGuard
  • Circle of Protection
  • Signal Line Protection
  • Lifetime Warranty

All photos are the courtesy and the property of Panamax.

NEW PANAMAX POWER 360 SERIES PROTECTS AND POWERS HOUSEHOLD ELECTRONICS, AND DELIVERS EASY USB CHARGING

The Panamax Power 360 Line of ProductsPETALUMA, CALIFORNIA, March 27, 2015 — Consumers outfit homes with more electronic devices than ever before, including expensive TVs, cable boxes, home theater systems, WiFi routers, computers, tablets and smartphones. And while we may not always think of it, every time we plug a device into an outlet there is the danger of a spike, surge, brownout or other power anomaly that could shorten the life of the equipment, or worse yet, damage it immediately.

No one knows this better than Panamax, the country’s pre-eminent designer and manufacturer of electronic and electrical protection, filtration and control products. For 40 years Panamax has earned a reputation for creating unique solutions for the worldwide problem of power disturbances, has earned numerous industry awards for the quality of their products and is consistently rated #1 among custom installers.

Now the legendary Panamax protection is available to all in the new Power360 series. This affordably priced product line is designed to protect and charge all electronic devices.

Included in every product in the Power360 line, the Circle of Protection indicator provides consumers with three vital pieces of information in real-time, right on the front of the unit. The Protection indicator ensures that connected devices are protected from power surges.  The Voltage indicator confirms that the incoming voltage is in a safe range, and the Wiring indicator shows that the home’s wiring is performing safely.

In the event of a catastrophic power or spike, Power360’s Protect-or-Disconnect circuitry will disconnect all power to connected equipment before any damage can occur. Additionally, Power360’s SmartGuard technology monitors incoming voltage and will automatically disconnect power to connected equipment in prolonged unsafe voltage event (such as a brownout or lost neutral condition) and then automatically reset power when conditions are safe.

The Panamax Power 360-Dock surge protectorLeading the way in the new Power 360 Series is the P360-DOCK. This wall-mounted charging station delivers the Panamax “Circle of Protection” to connected devices while serving as a convenient USB charging station for smartphones and tablets. For just $39.95, the P360-DOCK turns a standard power outlet into a serious power station with six surge-protected 120V outlets plus a 2.1 amp charger with two USB ports. The ingenious design also features a cradle on top of the unit that allows consumers to rest a two smartphones or a tablet while charging, reducing clutter and eliminating anxiety about charging cables being too short.

The $59.95 P360-6 power strip is designed for general use and home office power management, providing six side-by-side surge protected outlets, an integrated 2.1 amp USB charger with two ports, plus a coaxial in/out connection that protects the signal for the cable or satellite box. What makes this power strip stand out is the USB charger is modular and can be extended to the tabletop with a micro USB cable, delivering ultimate flexibility that allows consumers to easily charge desktop devices without having to get on their hands and knees to plug them in. The P360-6 also features mounting holes so it can be fastened to a wall for convenience.

The Panamax Power 360-8 surge protectorFor larger workstations, or areas with a lot of devices, the $79.95 P360-8 combines eight surge-protected outlets with two detachable 2.1A USB chargers, each with two ports for a total of four USB charging connections, plus the coaxial in/out for signal protection. It is shorter and wider than the P360-6, and can similarly be mounted to a wall for convenience.

“With the introduction of the Panamax Power 360 Series we really are bringing ‘power to the people,’” John Benz, Core Brands Director of Power emphasized today. “Designed to look as good as they perform, and affordably priced, the Panamax Power 360 Series will change the way consumers view protection and USB charging in their homes. The era of poor performing, commodity power protection is over.”

For more information about the new Panamax Power360 Series, visit www.panamax.com/power360. The Panamax Power 360 Series is available at Crutchfield and BestBuy.com.

About Panamax

Panamax is the industry leader for power protection, filtration and control products Award-winning and recognized for its innovative Lifetime Warranty on almost every unit, Panamax creates solutions for installations of all sizes leveraging its many patented technologies. The brand is consistently ranked #1 in the custom install industry by the CE Pro 100. Many Panamax products leverage the BlueBOLT® remote power, energy and network management platform for real-time, cloud-based control and monitoring of the energy used by electronic devices.

About Core Brands

Headquartered in Petaluma, California, Core Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of iconic and award-winning audio, power management and control brands including SpeakerCraft®, ELAN®, Niles®, Panamax®, Proficient®, Sunfire®, Furman®, Xantech®, BlueBOLT® and Korus® to deliver a portfolio of connected home solutions to its channel partners and end users. For further information, visit www.corebrands.com.

About Nortek, Inc.

Core Brands is a Nortek company. Nortek Inc. is a global diversified company with leading brands and innovative, technology-driven products and solutions for lifestyle improvement at home and at work. For further information, please visit: www.nortekinc.com.

Filed Under: For the Home, Hardware Tagged With: Panamax, Power 360, Power360, surge protection 04/12/2017

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