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Key gaming components from motherboards to graphics cards help gamers increase their performance, but with so many different options which ones should retailers be stocking? Jade Burke takes her pick from the crop…
ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO MOTHERBOARD
Distributor: VIP Computers
Using Intel’s 6th generation core processors, users can play games with its dual-channel DDR4 3,733MHz memory. It also comes with RGB lighting and Intel Gigabit Ethernet, as well as five-way optimisation.
Specs: Intel Z170 chipset, Sonic Studio II audio, five-way optimisation, water- pump header.
SRP: £185.76
TRANSCEND 64GB SSD SATA III
Distributor: Entatech
Users can game and watch content lag-free thanks to this SSD’s DevSleep mode. It features fast transfer seeds including 560MB/s read and 460MB/s write and built-in Error Correction Code ensures data is transferred safely.
Specs: 64GB, supports DevSleep, low- power operation, aluminium casing.
SRP: £35
GIGABYTE Z170X GAMING 5 MOTHERBOARD
Distributor: Exertis IT
This motherboard supports 6th Gen Intel Core processors and features an Intel USB 3.1 controller. A USB Type-C reversible connector is also included along with Sound Blaster X-Fi for improved sound.
Specs: Dual-channel DDR4 memory, three-way graphics support, dual PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 connectors.
SRP: £149
RAIJINTEK TRITON WATER COOLING SOLUTION
Distributor: Caseking
Raijinteks first all-in-one water cooler combines optimal processor cooling capabilities with a waterblock made of nickel-plated copper to help keep components cool. The two 120mm fans are also manually adjustable.
Specs: Low-noise pump with graphite pump, reservoir with two integrated LEDs, 240mm radiator.
SRP: £69.95
BE QUIET! SILENT WINGS 2 CASE FAN
Distributor: Spire Technology
Using an airflow-optimised fan blade design, these fans achieve virtually silent operation. It adds variable speed capabilities and can connect to the PWM header on a mainboard or fan controller to achieve control.
Specs: 1,500 RPM rotation speed, four- pin PWM, 12cm case fan, direct hard mount option.
SRP: £17.14
ASUS STRIX 980 TI GRAPHICS CARD
Distributor: VIP Computers
DirectCU III with Triple Wing-Blade 0dB fan design is available with this card, which provides maximum airflow. In addition, it comes with GPU Tweak II with Xsplit Gamecaster, which provides users with performance tweaking.
Specs: 1,317MHz GPU boost clock, Auto-Extreme tech with 12+2 phase, Super Alloy II.
SRP: £639.99
EVGA GEFORCE GTX 970 GRAPHICS CARD
Distributor: Exertis IT
Double BIOS support comes with this graphics card, which also offers improved cooling when in use. In addition, a Memory MOSFET Cooling Plate (MMCP) and optimised Straight Heat Pipes (SHP) help to keep it cool.
Specs: 4,096MB GDDR5 memory, 1,190MHz GPU clock speed, Nvidia SLI ready, PCIe 3.0 x16.
SRP: £284.99
INTEL 6TH GENERATION CORE PROCESSORS
Distributors: Avnet, Hammer, Ingram Micro, Microtronica, Tech Data
Intel’s new 6th Generation Core i7-6700K and i5-6600K processors have been designed specifically for desktops and can play videos in Ultra HD 4K. Each processor supports DirectX 12 API and boasts Intel’s turbo boost technology.
Specs: Intel Quick Sync Video tech, PCIe 3.0 interface, 8MB cache memory, 4.0GHx base frequency.
SRP: From $243
FRACTAL KELVIN T12 WATER COOLING SYSTEM
Distributor: Entatech
A silent ceramic pump has been incorporated into this system, which is strong enough to support expansion if users choose to include GPU blocks and additional radiators, which have been made from pure copper, plus it also supports all modern CPU sockets.
Specs: Dedicated refilling port, 120mm fan diameter, 62.4 CFM airflow.
SRP: £75
BE QUIET! DARK ROCK TF HEATSINK AND FAN
Distributor: Spire Technology
A high cooling capacity of 220W TDP comes with this heatsink, which supports overclocked CPUs in compact PCs. Six high-performance 6mm heat pipes with aluminium caps carry heat to the optimal location on the cooling fins, while the top-flow layout enables cooling for surrounding components.
Specs: 1,400 RPM rotation speed, Intel and AMD processor capability, dark- nikel plated finish.
SRP: £61.42
ASROCK Z170 EXTREME 7+ MOTHERBOARD
Distributors: Target Components, Entatech, Spire Technology
ASRock has incorporated Intel’s 6th Generation Core processor into its Extreme motherboard, which supports dual-channel DDR4 memory and triple monitors. Nvidia Quad SLI or AMD three-way CrossFireX is also available with the board along with a range of ports including PCIe and USB 3.0.
Specs: USB 3.1 panel, three SATA Express ports, 7.1 CH HD Audio, 12 Power Phase design.
SRP: £332
THERMALTAKE CORE V51 COMPUTER CHASSIS
Distributor: Exertis IT
Designed as an enthusiast’s grade mid-tower chassis, this case provides space for high-end hardware and liquid cooling expansion. With support for E-ATX, ATX and Micro ATC motherboards and GPU cards, users can incorporate most motherboards into the chassis.
Specs: Customisable 5.25-inch and 3.5- inch drive bay, advanced ventilation, one front and two rear turbo fans.
SRP: £79.99
ZOTAC GEFORCE GTX 980 TI GRAPHICS CARD
Distributor: Entatech
Combined with Nvidia Maxwell architecture, the GTX 980 Ti delivers 4K gaming and a virtual reality experience to screens. It also has enhanced horsepower thanks to the 2,816 CUDA cores and 6GB of memory.
Specs: 1,000MHz, 384 bit memory width, PCIe 3.0 port, maximum resolution of 2560×1600 pixels.
SRP: £510
SEAGATE 1TB SSHD
Distributor: VIP Computers
Seagate’s SSHD delivers faster map load speeds and can boot devices running Windows 8 in less than 10 seconds. This SSHD performs up to five times faster than 7,200 RPM desktop hard drives, and improves overall system responsiveness by 30 per cent.
Specs: Available in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities, 8GB integrated NAND Flash memory included.
SRP: £64.99
SUPERFLOWER LEADEX 750W POWER SUPPLY
Distributor: Caseking
This power supply is compatible with Intel and AMD motherboards, and supports Nvidia SLI and AMD CrossFireX graphics cards. The supply offers users up to 92 per cent efficiency and offers capacities of 550W to 2000W.
Specs: Modular cable design, 14cm two-way thermal control, 750W maximum power.
SRP: £112.99
CORSAIR HYDRO SERIES H110I LIQUID COOLER
Distributor: Entatech
Designed for cases with 280mm radiator mounts, the PWM fans included help to provide heat dissipation for highly overclocked CPUs. It is Corsair Link compatible, meaning users can customise the cooling performance and change the RGB LED lighting.
Specs: SP140L PWM fans, 113 CFM airflow, 140mm fan diameter, compatible with Intel and AMD CPUs.
SRP: £135.99
ZALMAN Z11 NEO MID- TOWER CASE
Distributor: VIP Computers
A maximum of eight system fans can be installed into this case, along with a dual radiator water cooler. The inside of the case can be accessed via the one- touch sliding ODD door, plus a dust filter comes pre-installed.
Specs: Transparent acrylic side, USB 3.0 support, anti-vibration and noise absorption, seven expansion slots.
SRP: £69.99
ASROCK Z170 GAMING K6 MOTHERBOARD
Distributors: Target Components, Entatech, Spire Technology
Using Intel’s 6th Generation Core processors, this motherboard provides gamers with fast speeds as well as support for DDR4 memory. Two SATA Express ports are included along with support for triple monitors.
Specs: 12 Power Phase design, supports Full Spike Protection, eight USB 3.0 ports.
SRP: £231
BE QUIET! SLIENT BASE 800 GAMING CASE
Distributor: Spire Technology
Three pre-installed Pure Wings 2 fans come with the case, along with a unique construction that provides cooling and air-circulation. It also houses a range of ports including two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports.
Specs: Seven expansion slots, supports ATX and Micro ATX motherboards.
SRP: £107.05
PHANTEKS ENTHOO EVOLV ATX TOWER CASE
Distributor: Caseking
Designed out of aluminum, this case features Phanteks’ quick release side panels, a top radiator bracket and a new HDD mounting system. In addition, users can also choose from four LED colours to customise their case.
Specs: Black and grey colour options, SSD brackets, aluminium exterior, compact design.
SRP: £139.99
AMD A10-7870K APU
Distributors: Avnet, Ingram Micro, VIP Computers
Gamers can play games in 1080p using this APU, while AMD FreeSync helps to provide smooth gameplay for users. In addition, AMD Radeon Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture has been embedded within the APU.
Specs: 4.1GHz CPU clock speed, 95W TDP, 1080p gaming, AMD Eyefinity tech, 12 compute cores.
SRP: £105.45
FRACTAL DEFINE S COMPUTER CHASSIS
Distributor: Entatech
The Define S case comes with silent features, as well as expansive air and liquid cooling support. It also has a clear straight airflow path and water cooling support, to help ensure components are kept cool when in use.
Specs: Smart reservoir brackets, ModuVent fan slot, dust-free interior with dust filters.
SRP: £75
ASUS Z170 PRO GAMING MOTHERBOARD
Distributor: Spire Technology
Based on Intel’s new 6th Generation Z170 chipset, the Gaming motherboard supports dual-channel DDR4 3,400MHz memory, and features ASUS PRO clock technology. The board also boasts a USB 3.1 type a/c and M.2.
Specs: Intel Z170 chipset, Q-DIMM memory slots, ASUS T-Topology built-in, five-way optimisation.
SRP: £126.70
WD BLUE 4TB SSHD
Distributor: Exertis IT
This SSHD combines NAND flash SSD technology and HDD storage to help increase overall system performance compared to traditional hard drives. It is also available in 1TB capacity.
Specs: 8GB NAND flash, up to five times faster than traditional 5400rpm HDDs.
SRP: £109.99
CONTACT
Avnet ………………………01344 662 000
Caseking…………………..01782 444488
Entatech …………………. 0333 101 1000
Exertis IT…………………..01256 707070
Hammer……………………01256 841000
Ingram Micro……………0871 973 3000
Microtronica (Arrow) .. 020 7786 3400
Spire Technology……..01202 828 444
Target Components….01977 739 300
Tech Data ………………..01256 788 000
VIP Computers ………… 0871 622 7500
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