10 best gaming smooth 1080p the trUth aboUt mice reviewed gaming on the go standing desks Perfect pointers pg. 26 MSI gets its game on pg. 78 Time for a change? pg. 50

minimum bs • June 2016 • www.maximumpc.com special report graphics revolUtion Takes On the World! ✔ Vulkan vs DX12 ✔ SteamOS returns ✔ AMD and Nvidia working together

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table of contents where we put stuff

june 2016 QuIckSTarT 12 The newS Universal Windows Platform; AMD reveals $1,500 Radeon Pro Duo; Opera adds ad-blocking to engine.

40 18 The lIST The Forge The coolest VR games at GDC 2016. oF vulkan A new graphics API has been 20 TalkIng Tech hammered out, and it has We talk to Ian “8Pack” Parry big ambitions. from OverclockersUK. 8Pack’s rig had us turning a tasty shade of green with envy.

r&d 64 auTopSy We dissect a decommissioned WoW Server Blade to see what makes it tick.

66 how To Create 3D graphics with Python and Pi3D; blend images to create star trails; 26 50 56 control airflow inside your chassis. geTTIng To STandIng Make FlawleSS The poInT rooM only backupS Ten of the latest gaming Standing desks are heralded Protect your precious data leTTerS mice rounded up, as the healthy future for PC from any disaster with our pointed, clicked, use, but should you keep in-depth guide to safeguarding 22 docTor and rated. your chair on standby? your system. 94 coMMenTS In The lab 78 81 85 90 MSI ge62 FracTal aMd ToM clancy’S apache deFIne a10-7860k The dIvISIon pro-001 nano S

6 MAXIMUMPC JUN 2016 maximumpc.com

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a thing or two about a thing or two editorial

Tuan EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Tuan Nguyen Executive Editor: Alan Dexter Nguyen Online Managing Editor: Jimmy Thang Senior Editor: Jarred Walton Associate Editor: Alex Campbell Contributing Editor: Chris Angelini Contributing Writers: Jonni Bidwell, Ian Evenden, Dan Griliopolous, Dave James, Paul Lilly, Chris Lloyd, Kevin Parrish, Nick Peers, Zak Storey Copy Editors: Katharine Davies, Mary Ricci Editor Emeritus: Andrew Sanchez

ART Art Editor: Fraser McDermott Cover illustration: Simon Windsor, Gary Stuckey Photography: Future Photo Studio, Mark Madeo

BUSINESS Vice President, Sales: Stacy Gaines, [email protected] Vice President, Strategic Partnerships: Isaac Ugay, [email protected] East Coast Account Director: Brandie Rushing, [email protected] East Coast Account Director: Michael Plump, [email protected] West Coast Account Director The Merge : Austin Park, [email protected] West Coast Account Director: Brandon Wong, Normally, I use this page to talk about [email protected] resources. More ideas and creative West Coast Account Director: Tad Perez, [email protected] the exciting stuff that’s in the current projects are being cooked up. South-West Account Director: Jessica Reinert, [email protected] issue of the magazine, but I have an This merger doesn’t have an impact Director of Marketing: Robbie Montinola announcement to make: By the time Director, Client Services: Tracy Lam on the magazine you’re reading. Director, Retail Sales: Bill Shewey you read this, MaximumPC.com will be Maximum PC magazine will remain

PRODUCTION merged with PCGamer.com. independent. In fact, I can already see Production Manager: Mark Constance Maximum PC has been around for that more in-depth guides will come, Production Controller: Vivienne Calvert Project Manager: Clare Scott over 20 years now. Starting out as the due to the sheer size of the overall team Production Assistant: Emily Wood ground-breaking boot magazine, we’ve working on both the magazines and the FUTURE US, INC. been covering PC tech and culture with website. Dream Machine, of course, will One Lombard Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94111 Tel: (650) 872-1642, www.futureus.com an attitude ever since. With the launch live on. We’re already working on Dream

Global Chief Revenue Officer: Charlie Speight of the Maximum PC website several Machine 2016, and it should be bigger and Vice President, Marketing & Operations: Rhoda Bueno years ago, we were able to expand our more kick-ass than even Dream Machine Vice President, Product Development: Bart Jaworski Finance Director: Frederick Alfredo coverage of hardware significantly, and 2015. Conveniently, no one claimed it, so Senior HR Generalist: Mary Mauck our remit is now broader than ever. I was fortunate enough to move it under SUBSCRIBER CUSTOMER SERVICE From a purely numbers point of view, my desk for “work.” Maximum PC Customer Care, Future Publishing, PO Box 2024, Langhorne, PA 19047 the hottest topics we’ve covered have I do understand that not all Website: http://myfavoritemagazines.com Tel: 1-844-779-2822 (toll free) been graphics cards, CPUs, and other MaximumPC.com readers are interested Lines open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. gaming-related components. Graphics in games. We will still cover the same and Sat 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT Email: [email protected] hardware remains key to pushing the hardware and industry news. A large PC platform forward. When Nvidia portion of the topics do interest gamers, BACK ISSUES Website: www.maximumpc.com/shop introduced the world’s first graphics and many gamers are interested in non- Tel: 800-865-7240 chip with programmable shaders—the gaming hardware. So the site merger is REPRINTS Future US, Inc., 4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400, original GeForce—the world took notice. more of the good stuff. South San Francisco, CA 94080 When AMD (ATI at the time) responded Change is not to be feared. In fact, it’s Website: www.futureus.com Tel: 650-872-1642, Fax 650-872-2207 with its über-fast R300 GPU, it was clear a key part of the PC platform. Gaming

Next Issue on Sale May 31, 2016 that graphics for gaming was going to and enthusiast hardware are on the rise, spearhead PC evolution. and evolving faster than ever before. Fundamentally, games have always The advent of VR is nearly upon us, real

Future is an award-winning international media been the driving force behind new 3D audio is coming back, and there’s an group and leading digital business. We reach more hardware development on the PC. In ever-greater demand for high-quality than 57 million international consumers a month and create world-class content and advertising other words, enthusiasts and gamers components. There’s no better time to be solutions for passionate consumers online, on tablet & smartphone and in print. push the envelope forward together. And a PC owner. I hope you’ll join us. is a public Chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne as we’ve seen over the past two decades, company quoted Non-executive chairman Peter Allen on the London Chief financial officerPenny Ladkin-Brand building rigs and playing games go hand Stock Exchange Managing Director, Magazines Joe McEvoy (symbol: FUTR). in hand. www.futureplc.com Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244 I’m very excited about the marriage of the two sites. MaximumPC.com isn’t ©2016 Future US, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of perfect. PCGamer.com isn’t perfect. Tuan Nguyen is Maximum PC’s editor-in- Future US, Inc. (owner). All information provided is, as far as Future (owner) is aware, based on information correct at the time of press. Together, we’re still not perfect, but chief, also known as “the pointy end of the Readers are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly we’re better together than we are apart. stick.” He’s been writing, marketing, and with regard to products/services referred to in this magazine. We welcome reader submissions, but cannot promise that they will We will have a larger team and more raising hell in the tech industry for 19 years. be published or returned to you. By submitting materials to us you agree to give Future the royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive right to publish and reuse your submission in any form in any and all media and to use your name and other information in connection with the submission. ↘ submit your questions to: [email protected]

maximumpc.com JUN 2016 MAXIMUMPC 11 quickstart the beginning of the magazine, where the articles are small

Does PC Gaming Need UWP? Not everyone is on board with the Universal Windows Platform

Microsoft hasn’t had an easy closed as it’s a proprietary OS time getting industry bigwigs and platform, but it’s open in to see its vision or to share its that Microsoft says it won’t excitement over what the future restrict apps, development, might hold. When or distribution,” Brian Blau, came out, Valve’s Gabe Newell Research VP, Personal called it a “catastrophe for Technologies: Innovation at everyone in the PC space.” Part Gartner told Maximum PC. of his concern, as shared by Blau went on to compare several developers, was that the situation with UWP to Microsoft was creating a walled Valve’s platform: “Just garden whereby it would have look at the situation on PC. It’s full control over apps running open but we know that Valve/ on its platform. Steam controls the majority Fast-forward to today, and of distribution. Sure, the PC is there’s again concern about open, but you could say that Microsoft exerting too much Valve controls PC gaming, and power, only this time it’s Epic if a developer does not want to Games’s Tim Sweeney who’s Part of the reason for Gears of War’s mediocre user rating is the participate in its way of doing holding Microsoft’s feet to the result of limitations in UWP, which Epic Games can do nothing about. things, they may not have the fire. His beef isn’t so much with same level of success.” Windows 10, but Microsoft’s UWP initiative with harsh installed from the Windows So, is Microsoft trying Universal Windows Platform rhetoric. He called it “the most Store, where Microsoft takes to compete with Steam? (UWP) initiative. The abridged aggressive move Microsoft a 30 percent cut. As far “There’s no doubt Microsoft version is that Microsoft is has ever made,” and accused as Sweeney is concerned, wants to become a Steam promoting a single ecosystem Microsoft of “moving against the Microsoft is “locking down the competitor. It has a track for developers to create entire PC industry,” especially consumer PC ecosystem.” On record of stumbling out of the applications that can run on gamers. His denouncement top of that, UWP lacks support gate and then reiterating and different devices. These are was especially notable because for several popular features, eventually getting it right, or at called Universal Windows Apps Epic’s Gears of War: Ultimate including user mods and FPS least good enough to silence (UWAs), and they’ll run on any Edition is one of a small number overlays, such as Fraps. the critics,” Lewis Ward, IDC’s Windows 10–based gadget. of triple-A UWP games. Microsoft isn’t unaware of Research Director for Gaming, In a piece for The Guardian, UWP games and apps the criticism, but insists that told Maximum PC. “Right now, Sweeney flogged Microsoft’s can only be downloaded and UWP is an open platform, I think Microsoft should focus telling The Guardian that it’s on getting a “available to every developer.” platform that can compete The company also noted that a effectively with EA’s Origin. UWP lacks support for November update made it easy Let’s not worry about tackling for users to “side-load apps by Valve’s Steam service until the several popular features, default.” So is Sweeney wrong? Win 10 gaming infrastructure “Both Tim and Microsoft are can beat the likes of Origin and including user mods. right; UWP apps are somewhat GOG.” Sound advice. –PL

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oPeRA Injects AD-BlockInG Into enGIne bold Speed claimS

oPerA softwAre beLieves the key to making its browser run faster is by building ad- blocking software directly into the browser’s engine. That’s the case with Opera’s newest developer version, which the company claims is nearly twice as fast at loading web pages. “Once enabled, the ad-blocking feature speeds up webpage load times by as much as Win 10 can 90 percent, compared to browsing with the option disabled,” Opera Software says. “The integrated ad-blocking technology also gives, on average, a 40 percent faster browsing noW fight off experience compared to third-party ad-blocking extensions.” Opera attributes the speed gain compared to third-party solutions to filtering ads at the cyber attacks web-engine level, where the browser has full control over the loading process. As such, there’s no add-on or extension to download, though it is opt-in by way of a pop-up at the top- Stopping hacks in right of the browser. Also, users can turn the ad-blocking feature off for specific sites.–PL their tracks Microsoft’s terry Myerson announced AMD ReveAls that Windows 10 now includes Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection. He $1,500 DuAl-GPu says that this new service will help detect, RADeon PRo Duo investigate, and respond to advanced Twice the Fury attacks on company networks. For you, this means your personal data should be more AMD hAs AnswereD the call for a graphics secure when companies switch to Windows card with two GPUs based on its Fiji 10 and use this new service. architecture, but the new Radeon Duo Pro According to Myerson, Windows Defender isn’t really intended for home consumers. Instead, AMD is taking aim at content Advanced Threat Protection builds on creators focused on virtual reality games and applications. Windows 10’s existing security defenses and This dual-headed beast is basically two Radeon R9 Fury X GPUs sharing real adds a new “post-breach layer of protection.” estate with one another on the same card. Each of the GPUs independently rocks The service combines a “robust” cloud 4,096 stream processors, 256 texture units, and 64 ROPs. There’s also 4GB of service with Windows 10’s client technology, high-bandwidth memory on a 4,096-bit bus per GPU. It’s kind of a bummer that and will supposedly detect attacks that will a card of this magnitude isn’t sporting 8GB of memory per GPU, but that’s where break through other defenses. HBM technology is stuck at for the moment. In any event, this is still a monster The new Windows 10 service will provide card, one that AMD claims is capable of 16 TFLOPS of performance. –PL detailed information about what happened during an attack, including why, when, and by whom. Myerson says the service is powered by multiple ingredients: Windows behavioral tech tragedies and triumphs sensors, threat intelligence, cloud-based a monthly snapshot of what’s up and down in tech security analytics, and Microsoft’s own intelligent security graph. “This immense security graph provides big-data security analytics that look across triuMPhs trAgeDies aggregate behaviors to identify anomalies— informed by anonymous information from vALve turns to MoDDers huMAn corruPtion over one billion Windows devices, 2.5 trillion Think you can build a better Steam In under 24 hours, Twitter users indexed URLs on the web, 600 million Controller? Now’s your chance turned Microsoft’s teen girl AI chatbot to prove it—Valve has made the into a racist, hate-spewing troll. reputation look-ups online, and over one controller’s CAD geometry available. million suspicious files detonated every signing off day,” Myerson writes. breAKing the sPeeD LiMit Email inventor Raymond Tomlinson Because this service is baked into Seagate announced plans to launch sadly passed away at age 74. We Windows 10, customers won’t have to worry the fastest SSD ever seen. How fast? thank him for giving us the future about manual updates and deployments, Up to 10 gigabytes per second! of communication. Myerson says. There’s also no ongoing maintenance or the need for an on- A shArPeneD bLADe uPgrADe shenAnigAns premise server infrastructure. Windows Razer recently upgraded its 14-inch A mob of angry users raged against Defender Advanced Threat Detection Blade laptop for gamers with faster Microsoft online, claiming the also complements current Microsoft hardware while making it lighter and Redmond outfit had upgraded their services, such as Office 365 Advanced cheaper. That’s a winning trifecta. PCs to Win 10 without permission. Threat Protection. –KP

14 MAXIMUMPC jun 2016 maximumpc.com Dave James Tech Talk DirectX 12 and the Galling Multi-GPU Morass The promise and poTenTial of Explicit Multi-Adapter support from DirectX 12 has got a lot of us PC folk excited about the prospect of a multi-GPU nirvana. But while there is the potential for some sort of hippy graphics silicon love-in with Microsoft’s new API, it has the equal possibility of causing more frustration than it salves.

The existence of DirectX 12’s Explicit Multi-Adapter allowing them to use split frame its promise, as the elephant in the (EMA) feature shouldn’t be news if you’ve been rendering, with GPUs working room is the fact that it’s all down following Microsoft’s latest API as it stutters into life. together on each frame. This is to the developers to implement As we wait for genuine DirectX 12 games to arrive, potentially the most powerful way— the DirectX 12-specific features it’s tough to know exactly how powerful the new but probably the toughest to code for EMA. And encouraging cross- multi-GPU feature is going to be across the board, for— to run multi-GPUs under DX12. platform publishers and developers but we can still make pretty educated predictions. With unlinked EMA, developers to devote time and resources to EMA is Microsoft’s solution to the problems of don’t get such low-level access supporting an infinitesimal niche of driver-based multi-GPU systems and their reliance to the GPU resources, but every the PC gaming audience is going to on graphics vendors to get support right for as broad graphics component in the system be a thankless task. a selection of games as they can. Even now, there is made available, regardless of For PC-specific games such as are games without multi-GPU support built in. creed or color. This is potentially Ashes of the Singularity, it’s worth DirectX 12 treats multi-GPU systems in one of one of the most exciting options for Oxide’s time to make the effort—the three ways. The first is Implicit Multi-Adapter (IMA), DX12, because it offers a host of game would have gotten far less which works the same way as SLI and CrossFire do scenarios where PC folk can really coverage, for a start. But for the within DirectX 11. It uses the same alternate frame utilize the power of their machines, next Assassin’s Creed, don’t expect rendering (AFR) techniques, with each discrete GPU and because it offers the tantalizing to be able to have your Pascal and given alternate full frames to render on its own prospect of creating some your Polaris sitting side by side in before being queued up to be blasted into our eyes. monstrous AMD/Nvidia hybrid rig. perfect pixel-pushing harmony. The second and third ways come from that hoary Being able to upgrade your This is going to make the ol’ Explicit Multi-Adapter chestnut. In linked mode, graphics card to whatever delivers future even more maddening for as with IMA, you need identical GPUs, but in this the best bang for your buck, while the multi-GPU faithful. They’re case, it’s because developers have almost complete retaining your old card to offer a already struggling with day one control over whatever GPU resources are made leg-up to your new GPU, could mean compatibility, sometimes weak available, treating them as one big graphics card, great things for the upgrade market. support, and the feeling they’re There’s also the prospect of using sitting on more power than is being the integrated graphics in your CPU, used. With DX12, they’ll know there if DX12-compatible, to enhance is a way to access almost all their your discrete GPU’s power. It won’t expensive silicon’s potential, but the necessarily deliver a huge boost, developers are not going to use it. Unlinked EMA offers thebut could offload post-processing tantalizing prospect of creating duties from the discrete silicon to Dave James has been the integrated, for example. building and writing about some monstrous AMD/Nvidia That’s arguably the more likely PCs and their components hybrid rig. scenario for EMA delivering on for the last two decades.

maximumpc.com JUN 2016 MAXIMUMPC 15 Your essential guide to competitive gaming

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LAUNCH PARTNERS Alex Campbell OPEN Let’s Talk About Cryp-tog-ra-phy If you’re not a computer scIentIst, mathematician, or otherwise huge nerd, it can be tough to wrap your head around cryptography and why it’s important. If you’re just diving into the subject, it can take from an hour or two to the better part of a day just to get the basics of things like public-key encryption. And that’s a problem for American society.

Nearly everyone who uses the web uses encryption, governments—rely on it. Because though it usually remains invisible. Log on to he interned for a district attorney’s Facebook? You’re using crypto. Amazon? Crypto. office, we also talked about the need Twitter? Crypto. Google? Yep, you get the idea. All of for law enforcement to be able to these sites use public-key encryption and the X.509 investigate crimes. I also explained system of certificates to prove that the machines to both my parents how encryption serving up the web pages are who they say they works, and that unlocking one are. (Full disclosure: maximumpc.com does not use iPhone could potentially lead to the TLS/HTTP on its public-facing web page at time of compromise of millions of devices. writing.) This means that even if you’re not a crypto It was only then that my mom and geek, don’t use device encryption on your phone, or When you log into Facebook, you’re dad understood (regardless of don’t use PGP-encrypted email, you use crypto every using public-key cryptography. their agreement with) Tim Cook’s day. Some people realize how important this is, resistance to the FBI. while others (usually government agencies) would advocates have fought back, saying Conversations like these need to like to find a way around encryption technologies. that the government can’t be happen if we are to create laws that I spent a week at the RSA Conference in March, trusted, and such compromises are agile enough to serve us in the where this issue was addressed in nearly every introduce an unacceptable amount 21st century, in the age of software, keynote. The FBI versus Apple fight was the elephant of vulnerability to encryption encryption, and the Internet. Not in the room whenever a government employee or systems. Mostly, the two sides have everyone will walk away from crypto expert was speaking. Whatever you think of talked past one another, but this the table happy. Communication what the FBI is asking Apple to do, the fact remains year’s RSA saw them make the first and education about the needs of that it has brought encryption into the public eye. attempts to talk to one another. privacy and law enforcement are And that’s a good thing, even if the Apple case isn’t Talking about encryption, privacy, essential to informing lawmakers the ideal circumstance to discuss the technology. and security in a public space, at and the public as they decide what If privacy advocates and government agencies a level that most Americans can the balance should be. From agreed on one thing at RSA, it was that these understand, is crucial to the future what we’re seeing, the laws on the issues have to be talked about. For years, the of the technology and what we can books just aren’t good enough. government has sought to weaken encryption or get expect out of future privacy laws. As Microsoft’s president and companies to adopt a system of key escrow. Privacy Policymakers (read: legislative chief legal officer, Brad Smith, said representatives) are often lawyers during his keynote, “We do not need who don’t have backgrounds in our courts to define the laws that computer science. This technology govern 21st century technology with and its impacts have to be explained. laws that come from the era of the Talking about encryption, I spent about three hours talking adding machine.” privacy, and security in public, to my brother (who just got his J.D. last year), explaining how Alex Campbell is a Linux geek at a level that most Americans encryption works, and where it is who enjoys learning about can understand, is crucial. used, and how everyone—including computer security.

maximumpc.com jun 2016 MAXIMUMPC 17 quickstart

Coolest VR games at gDC 2016 8 4

TrialS on TaTooine Meet Han Solo and R2-D2 The Gallery: Call of The STarSeed on Tatooine and wield a lightsaber against Stormtroopers. The narrative VR experience you’ve been waiting for. 7 3

raw daTa Fend off waves of robots with a buddy in Vr SporTS ChallenGe Play football, hockey, co-op using swords, bows, and guns. basketball, and baseball with Oculus Touch controllers. 6 2

The Climb Scale virtual mountains in Crytek’s eaGle fliGhT A kooky first-person game from breathtaking climbing game. Ubisoft, where you control an eagle in abandoned Paris. 5 1

i expeCT you To die An escape-the-room The lab Valve’s The Lab is a compilation of fun, puzzle VR game that kills you if you fail. polished VR mini games set in the universe.

18 MAXIMUMPC jun 2016 maximumpc.com quickstart

BY zak storey Pro Tips From a World- Class Overclocker Ian “8Pack” Parry from OverclockersUK talks to us about overclocking, water-cooling, and more There’s nothing like building your own perfect system, and at the highest peaks of this passion lie some very select hobbies: extreme overclocking and water-cooling. We spoke to world-renowned overclocker and liquid-cooler Ian Parry about what drove him to start overclocking, and why you should consider moving across to custom water-cooled loops.

my entire system, not just by looking to truly test their overclocking but by streamlining system’s processor? the OS etc. for performance. IP: XTU is recommended by MPC: What kind of things do Intel. I suggest you run that in you look out for when choosing stress test mode, alongside a processor for your builds and something that will also stress overclock attempts? the GPU and hence the PCI X lanes. Unigen’s Heaven 4.0 is IP: What I look for is great great for this. This ensures all overclocking potential of the the controllers on the CPU are CPU with its stock cooler maxed-out, and that the CPU and at low volts. I pick a will be stable in all applications. benchmark, usually something Another good test is Real Bench, multithreaded and quite tough, which again is doing encoding- but fairly short in duration, such type work on the processor, Ian “8Pack” Maximum PC: Hello Ian. as CineBench R15. I make an whilst doing Open CL work Parry—a man Can you give us the low-down? overclocking profile with low on the GPU. Again, this just who knows his What was it that interested you core volts and a high memory OC stresses all the areas on the overclocking about overclocking? to ensure a good IMC (integrated CPU. The best stress test for any onions. memory controller), and grade CPU is the end user just using Ian Parry: I first got into the CPUs into what speed the the PC as they would from day overclocking when I started processor can pass on R15 with to day. Other stress tests are, gaming. I downloaded some such low voltage. Some will of course, just synthetic load benchmarks and ran the test on be 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, and so on. The simulations. PC Mark 8 is also my rig, then when I compared 8Pack CPUs we use in the shop a pretty good way to fully test a the results to those that others are the top 10 percent of those system for all possible uses. were achieving with similar graded, and they go straight into systems, I wasn’t pleased. I the 8Pack systems. The best of MPC: For those interested in needed to understand why mine these I also test on Ln2 to see if diving into LN2 and extreme weren’t as good. I found that the they have world record potential. overclocking, where would you other guys were overclocking, so suggest starting? my competitive nature just made MPC: Which benchmarks me want to beat their scores. would you recommend, IP: You can’t dive into LN2 or I started looking into tuning particularly for those people sub-zero overclocking. It’s a

20 MAXIMUMPC JUN 2016 maximumpc.com Yep, we’re a little jealous of 8Pack’s home rig, to put it mildly. progression from being a very capable ambient overclocker, and something that shouldn’t ever be taken lightly. I suggest that aspiring LN2 clockers get a thorough grasp of all aspects of overclocking before using LN2, and then treating the LN2 with the respect it deserves, in terms of both safety and preparing the hardware for sub-zero conditions.

MPC: When Skylake first launched, there was a lot of buzz around a return to the “golden age of overclocking.” When do you think that actually was? it. At the same time, overclocks performance, low noise, and the MPC: We’ve started to see are consistently higher on a user can get used to mounting a separate loops for the CPU and IP: In terms of ambient liquid-cooled system, due to this water-cooling loop inside their GPU; is there any advantage to overclocking, the Sandy Bridge efficient removal of heat. case. EK has made the step from this, or is it purely for aesthetics? architecture was great, and a AIO to full custom water-cooling real leap forward. Many guys MPC: Aesthetics or power? We shorter with its Predator range. IP: There’s definitely an could overclock to 5GHz on get asked that a lot at Maximum These are made of custom loop advantage to it. The most air-cooling alone. Sadly for XOC PC. What do you reckon to that parts, pre-assembled, and important one being that the (extreme overclocking), these age-old argument? ready to go, like an AIO. components that are more chips had a fairly low cold bug, Huge data centers, housing sensitive to heat, such as the so a lot of binning on LN2 had IP: It’s about both, with power massive servers, and networks CPU and motherboard, can be to be done to find the best ones. slightly tipping the balance. for things like stock market placed on a separate cooling In terms of GPUs, the current There’s no point having a trading allow water-cooling loop from the less sensitive Nvidia architecture is a great great-looking PC if it can’t do solutions these days. This tells components or the GPU, so you overclocker. Almost all 980 everything the user wants. When the story that water-cooling is can tailor the specific cooling Tis can reach 1,400MHz-plus speccing a new PC, I’d first truly safe when implemented loop exactly to the components. on the core, and 1,900MHz on decide on the base spec, then, correctly within any PC. the memory, with little issue. assuming this is in place, hit all MPC: What plans do you have? This represents a 35 percent the customizations possible to MPC: Where do you stand on Where will you compete next? improvement on stock cooler. make a great-looking, custom, soft tubing versus hard? individualized system. IP: I’m not sure about MPC: It’s hard to argue that IP: Both can look great. Several competing. I have taken a step liquid-cooling isn’t the pinnacle MPC: What would you say to of the Infin8 builds we have at back from HWBot so I can of custom PCs. What’s the best those worried about liquid- OverclockersUK use soft tubing, develop more products. Some I part about having a water- cooling a PC for the first time? and this is not only clean but a can’t discuss because of NDAs cooled system in your opinion? different and interesting style of with the companies I’m working IP: Liquid-cooling is very safe build. It’s a great seller, too, and with, or they’re pending release. IP: What I enjoy most is how and easy these days, especially popular with reviewers. My own Maybe next time I compete could efficient liquid-cooling is at with the amount of guides out M-ATX PC at home uses soft be at Computex in Taiwan. It’s a removing heat. Thus, fans can be there, by both manufacturers tubing. I also think hard tubing, competition that myself and my run slower, and the overall noise and very experienced users. If if done well, is great, and all the counterpart, Roman “Der8auer” output from a liquid-cooled you’re a novice, there are plenty current 8Pack systems come Harthung, who works at machine is far lower because of of AIO coolers, offering great with it as standard. Caseking, won last year.

maximumpc.com jun 2016 MAXIMUMPC 21 quickstart

THIS MONTH THE DOCTOR TACKLES... > Picking a GPU > Preparing for VR > Fixing a Display

Pick the Right GPU where your browser is directed Hi Doc, I just built a new PC for to save downloads. gaming (I play Fallout 4, Witcher If you’re running Firefox, 3, XCOM 2, and Skyrim) and web hit Ctrl-J to open the browsing (YouTube, Kodi, and Downloads library. You’ll see so on). It’s based on an Asus a chronological list of files; the Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1, Intel’s icon to the right of each opens Core i7-6700K at 4GHz, 16GB the containing folder with your of Corsair DDR4 memory, a download highlighted. The Samsung 850 EVO 500GB boot same key combination works in drive, a Seagate 1TB SSHD for Chrome. With the Downloads loading games on, and an EVGA tab open, you’ll see a link to SuperNOVA 850 P2 PSU. Nvidia’s NVLink interface was designed for GPU-based “Open downloads folder” for The Intel HD Graphics 530 supercomputers, not gaming PCs. easy browsing. Microsoft’s engine in the Core i7 scores Edge responds to Ctrl-J, too. A 7.1 in the Windows Experience hardware than the integrated resolutions, then you’ll want a sidebar opens on the right side Index, which is 0.4 points higher HD Graphics 530. 4GB card, at least. A GeForce of the browser, from which you than the Radeon R9 290 2GB in The Windows System GTX 980 is out of your price can “Open folder.” Hopefully, my A10-based machine, even Assessment Tool runs several range, and the Radeon R9 between those three browser though it wouldn’t run Fallout DirectX 9 and 10 graphics tests, 390X hits the upper ceiling. options, you’re able to find your 4. The CPU scores 7.8 and the along with benchmarking A Radeon R9 390 is probably lost copies of the magazine. memory/boot drive both score Windows Media encode and most appropriate if the old 290 7.9. I’d like the video card I buy decode performance. Certain doesn’t do it for you. Performance Balance to get as close to 7.8 as possible. subtests likely favor Intel’s Doctor, I’m planning a So, I’m looking for a 4GB hardware, particularly since Find My Files lightweight gaming box card in the $200 to $400 range that powerful AMD Hawaii GPU Doc, this may seem like a using an XFX 7950 Double that can handle my current and is almost certainly hamstrung strange question, but I am Dissipation Black Edition, future games, including Hitman, by your A10 APU (regardless of trying to download a couple of and was wondering if an Intel Mass Effect Andromeda, The the A10’s operating frequency, previous issues and running Pentium G3258 Anniversary Elder Scrolls V, and Star Citizen. its performance is more into a problem. It seems like the Edition on a mini-ITX Z97-based I’m considering a Radeon R9 comparable to Intel’s Core download completes without motherboard would be a good 390 or a GeForce GTX 970/980. i3 family). incident. However, I can’t find match. I’m using the processor Which would you recommend Before you sink another where the file ends up, no as a stopgap; I plan to upgrade for my system? –Jon Poole $200 to $400 on a new graphics matter where I look. Do you once my budget isn’t so tight. card, try that R9 290 in your have any hints about what’s The platform will be connected THE DOCTOR RESPONDS: First new build. The Doc is willing to happening? –Dr. Ron to a 22-inch LG monitor at off, don’t worry too much bet it’ll feel a lot smoother in a 1680x1050. –Ken Mittelholtz about those WEI scores. Your fast Skylake-based machine… THE DOCTOR RESPONDS: Doc, Radeon R9 290 is hands-down right up to 1920x1080. If this may seem like a vague THE DOCTOR RESPONDS: The a better piece of graphics you plan to game at higher answer, but it depends on dual-core Pentium is a blast to ↘ submit your questions to: [email protected]

22 MAXIMUMPC JUN 2016 maximumpc.com overclock, but it’s not the best of years and greatly enjoy your gaming processor. With that magazine, even though I am said, a few different factors not into gaming. I am, however, compel the Doc to make an quite interested in VR/AR. This exception in this case. is more from the perspective of First, you plan to replace immersive travel experiences. it once your budget lightens I am ready to buy or build a up. Gamers with limited funds new PC now, and initially use are often best off buying integrated graphics. Eventually, low-cost Athlon X4 processors. I’d like to add a discrete GPU, Unfortunately, AMD’s portfolio as the strongest performer in doesn’t give you as much Oculus recommends AR/VR apps emerges over the upward mobility, particularly some fancy hardware for next year or two. Today’s on-die for Socket FM2+. Meanwhile, the best VR experience. solutions are quite sufficient the Z97 motherboard’s LGA You might want to aim for my daily needs (I easily 1150 interface will take even higher, though. get by now with an old Core 2 anything up to a Core i7-4790K Duo E6750/Radeon HD 3650 down the road. replacing a cracked (curved) and major number-crunching. I combination). If it were not for Second, you’re pairing it with LCD screen is not one of them. plan to keep the current rig for AR/VR, I would most likely be a Radeon HD 7950 graphics It appears that the Envy more mundane chores. Which pursuing a more compact PC. card. Four years ago, the 7950 34 employs a Samsung parts should I keep and which Guidance for an office-oriented was a high-end $450 beast. It’s SVA-based panel (specifically, should I eBay in preparation for machine, future-proofed against still a competent performer the LTM340YP01). These are a Pascal-based system using AR/VR requirements, would be today, landing just under the available from a handful of NVLink? –Chris Comstock appreciated. –John Roling Radeon R9 280 in most metrics. suppliers in Asia. But do you Intel’s Pentium might hold really want to roll the dice THE DOCTOR RESPONDS: As of THE DOCTOR RESPONDS: that Tahiti GPU back in certain on shipping, potential quality now, there’s very little known Enthusiasts are witnessing the situations, but the pair isn’t issues, or even the do-it- about the Pascal architecture or dawn of virtual reality, John. completely imbalanced. yourself install? See what HP how Nvidia plans to implement The hardware world marches Most importantly, you’ll be asks for the replacement job, its NVLink interface. But there’s on at its familiarly furious pace, gaming at 1680x1050, where and then decide if the swap no reason to believe you’ll need while VR/AR platforms continue neither the graphics card nor using OEM parts is worth it. a connection between two to take shape. It’s difficult to the CPU should be sweating. graphics processors capable of predict what a future-proofed The Next Ultimate Rig 20GB/s. Even the highest-end machine will look like during Fix a Cracked Display Hello Doctor, I’m always itching gaming workstations don’t the tumultuous birth of an Hey Doctor, I recently purchased for a reason to upgrade my saturate their 16-lane PCIe industry, aside from “as high- an HP Envy 34 All-in-One. PC, but I like to wait for major 3.0 links. Right now, NVLink end as possible.” When I got the system set up, advancements before taking the is intended to improve the Even though your interest I quickly figured out how slow leap. Currently, I have a six-core performance of GPU-powered is immersive travel—what a 5,400rpm hard drive really Intel processor. When the eight- supercomputers. So while it’s many might consider an is. It’s been a long time since core models launched last year, fair to be stoked about Pascal’s educational experience—don’t I purchased a built computer, I started stockpiling parts for advancements over Maxwell expect drastically relaxed so I didn’t have much choice in my upcoming build, including (3D memory, anyone?), don’t hardware requirements. components. To make a long an Intel Core i7-5960X CPU, sweat NVLink just yet. Browsing through the titles story short, replacing that disk Asus’s Rampage V Extreme If you’re giving the Doc carte showcased on http:\\share. necessitates going in through motherboard, 16GB of Corsair blanche to pick some killer oculus.com, virtual exploration the front of the machine. Dominator Platinum DDR4, two specs for your next system, of the Roman Colosseum, Swapping drives was easy, but 256GB Samsung 840 Pro SSDs, hold on to that motherboard, GE’s Subsea Experience, and in the process I cracked the two 1TB 840 EVO SSDs, and a the DDR4 memory, those 1TB up-close encounters with screen. I’ve been “working” with Seasonic Platinum 1,000W PSU. SSDs, and the PSU. Consider dinosaurs all call for GeForce HP for three months now to get The final component was auctioning off the processor. GTX 780 Ti or higher graphics it replaced at my cost. They’re an EVGA GeForce GTX Titan After all, Intel will likely launch cards, while more recent telling me that it might be X Hydro Copper. But I ended Broadwell-E in the same additions simply cite Oculus’s doable, though it’s basically just up putting that in my current timeframe as Nvidia’s Pascal. 2016 recommendations. So, a screen replacement. rig (an Intel Core i7-980X and Also think about replacing the whether you plan to game Do you know of anywhere Asus P6X58D Premium mobo), 840 Pros with a 512GB 950 or not, prepare for the VR else I can get this done? along with upgrading its system Pro. The PCIe-based drive will experience by buying a system Everything I find online is either memory to 12GB of Corsair give you sequential reads up to with at least a Core i5-4590, sales-related or an editorial Dominator DDR3. I don’t push 2.5GB/s over the Asus board’s 8GB of RAM, and a GeForce preview of the system. this system very hard outside of four-lane M.2 slot, minus the GTX 970 or Radeon R9 290. –Drew Hudson some video transcoding. risk of a striped array. As for the Doc, he plans to That said, I’m eagerly time his next build to include THE DOCTOR RESPONDS: There awaiting Nvidia’s Pascal-based Prepare for VR Broadwell-E, a next-gen GPU, are some services the Doc high-end card for my ultimate Doctor, I have subscribed (Zinio) plenty of DDR4, and PCIe-based refuses to pay for, Drew, but rig. I’ll use that for 4K gaming to Maximum PC for a number solid-state storage.

maximumpc.com JUN 2016 MAXIMUMPC 23

mouse roundup GettinG to the point

26 MAXIMUMPC Jun 2016 maximumpc.com to the point Ten of the latest gaming mice rounded up and rated By ian evenden

In thIs fIne country of ours, the right down to how fast you need to react. gaming mice now come with software to excess is absolute. Sure, you can Playing something like XCOM 2 doesn’t to control their functions. Being able play games with a lump of plastic that require the same sort of reactions as to map a grenade throw that’s just a has two buttons and a wheel, plus Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, and the click of a bumper button on a console some sort of movement sensor. Maybe dedicated Kharak player may well want controller to an extra button on a mouse even with a trackpad. Coupled with a to send her pointer zooming across can speed up your play and make you keyboard, you can beat anything from the screen at great speed, stopping more effective in combat. One function an RTS to an FPS to a point-’n’-click it with precision on a particular unit. that’s often fixed is the rocker switch on adventure. So why do better? Why do And for that precision you’re going to top of the mouse, which alters the DPI you need 12 programmable buttons, a want a high polling rate, which directly rate on the fly, and the “sniper button,” sensor with an ungodly resolution, and affects how often the mouse’s position if present, lowers the DPI rate so your a whisk attachment for omelets? It’s is relayed back to your PC. The higher, aim doesn’t wobble when you’re trying down to two things: control and options. the better. to draw a bead on an opponent’s skull. The first can be control of movement Control of interaction relates to the These, then, are the latest, and or control of interaction, and comes buttons’ programmability. Almost all possibly greatest, gaming mice. Enjoy.

maximumpc.com Jun 2016 MAXIMUMPC 27 mouse roundup

This horde of gaming mice An MMO mouse has contains mostly optical a button grid, like a sensors, but laser sensors keyboard’s number pad, are also popular. which can be programmed.

thIs year’s crop of gaming mice needs, would be a poor choice, however. example, which makes a difference if you has something in common: useless That moment when your mom, who hasn’t lif t it of f the table of ten. The natural position lighting. It’s a customization option bought a new mouse in 20 years, admires of your right thumb (if right-handed) tends that’s often mocked in these pages, the lighting is a fleeting one. Lighting to lift the left side of the mouse in this because it adds nothing to functionality. effects are now so prevalent that they situation, potentially causing it to scrape The pointlessness of having a mouse go unremarked by anyone who’s flicked on the pad or making it harder to replace it that lights up is compounded by the way through an online store recently. flat on the surface immediately. Increasing mice are used—your hand covers them Basically, lighting up your mouse the weight of this area can help prevent 100 percent of the time they’re in use. is BS—something we strive to have a this, leading to a smoother repositioning Valve showed us, with its hats and other minimum of here. It makes no difference to and a quicker return to the action. cosmetic items in , that how the mouse functions, or how it’s used. Something else can override all this and people were willing to part with cash for What’s not BS, and can have a real effect make a bigger difference to your success upgrades that don’t upgrade. Introduced in on the way your mouse moves and feels, is with a particular mouse, however: comfort 2009, there are over 1,200 such “upgrades” weighting—something we’re seeing less and familiarity. If the mouse digs into your for sale on the TF2 store, although premium of this year as the focus has altered to hand or scrapes your fingers, no amount of account holders can get them as random pointless cosmetic enhancements. weight management is going to turn it into item drops, too. Sixty-seven percent of TF2 Adding weight to a mouse adds inertia, a match-winner. The same goes for your players own a mask that makes them look the resistance of a physical object to any fingers’ ability to find buttons without you like an adorable baby seal, although only change in its state of motion. If more force looking, and without you even consciously seven percent of them equip it. In League of is needed to start your mouse moving, or thinking. This kind of speed is only Legends, cosmetic upgrades are the only to make it deviate from its present course, achieved with practice, and long familiarity things locked behind a paywall—anything any tiny adjustments, applied without with your mouse. Changing brands or even else can be purchased with XP points. thinking and with little energy behind them, models could lead to a change in your What does this tell us? Well, mainly that are evened out. Your movements should be kill-to-death ratio if you’re climbing the people like shiny things. Research from the smoother and more accurate as a result, leagues of competitive multiplayer, or a lot University of Houston can shine some light perhaps combining with the sniper button of frustration if you’re trying to get those on one reason why: it all comes back to for ultimate accuracy. last stealth achievements in Hitman. water. The attractiveness of a shiny surface So, if you’re playing a game that Handedness is also an issue. Many left- is hardwired into us because we once requires long, smooth, uninterrupted handers have adapted to using a mouse in depended on rivers and lakes for water. motions, consider adding more weight to their right hand, as devices designed for This manifests itself at an early age—an your mouse. If it needs lots of small, jerky southpaws are few and far between. Razer experiment showed that babies were more motions—especially if you need the pointer sells a left-handed version of its popular likely to put glossy plastic plates in their to stop quickly, as inertia also governs how DeathAdder gaming mouse, but any lefties mouths. From here, as we age, shininess easy it is to arrest movement—look into liking the look of Logitech’s loveliness will or brightness becomes associated with making your mouse as light as possible. be left in low spirits. The same goes for the the fulfillment of needs and living the good In some models, the weights are strange MMO mice, with a whole numeric life. It’s only a short distance from there to arranged in such a way as to balance the keypad bulging from their side as if they’ve making your PC flash bright green. mouse. A cartridge of individual lumps of received a large dose of radiation. They’re Buying a mouse with lighting, because metal can be customized to place all the built around the thumb of the right hand, you believe it will more strongly fulfill your weight on the left side of the mouse, for making their use by a leftie at first seem

28 MAXIMUMPC Jun 2016 maximumpc.com Logitech’s weight Many manufacturers like system enables to illuminate their logo, you to change the which seems silly as it’s balance of the under your palm. mouse, and how much resistance it puts up.

hopeful—as the buttons fall under your more dextrous fingers—then hopeless as the shape of the mouse body makes it an uncomfortable endeavor. Perhaps the best option is to go for an ambidextrous model, of which we have a couple on test here. Programmability of buttons can be of some help if you’re struggling with your mouse, but it’s never going to flip a right- handed mouse into a left-handed model. The most common mouse interactions outside of gaming are clicking a window’s close button and hitting the back button in a browser. Being able to program additional Lightness of being buttons to carry out these tasks can speed The United States’ rising of the National Academy of group was kept in a natural up your interactions with your PC, and a obesity rate has been Sciences, which examined cycle but with a dim glow particular favorite of ours is being able attributed to everything how night-time light can instead of true darkness to program the wheel, in models where it from high-calorie diets to affect weight, body fat, and at night. Each group was clicks left and right, as well as down, to sedentary lifestyles, but glucose intolerance in male fed comparable amounts scroll left and right, complementing the we would like to propose mice. The study discovered and was not stopped from vertical scroll of the rolling wheel. This another possible cause: that persistent exposure moving around. tames large documents, especially in mouse lighting systems. to even a little light, when After eight weeks, the photo-editing or publishing applications, A huge 68.8 percent of it should be dark, leads to mice who’d had more light and helps out with those annoying web US adults are considered increases in all three. at night had put on 50 pages that don’t perfectly resize to a to be overweight by the Light’s role as a percent more weight than snapped browser window. National Institute of Health, regulator of the body those kept in a natural While there’s more to a gaming mouse which rises to 74 percent clock is already well day/night cycle. They also than just gaming, the majority of these among young men. No state understood, and a genetic put on more fat, rather models are going to appeal to those who has less than 20 percent cause for obesity has than increased muscle, like to shoot, fly, or micromanage. Despite of its population above been identified—again—in and showed a decreased what controller manufacturers would the level at which they are mice. Ohio State wanted tolerance to glucose in like you to think, the mouse and keyboard considered obese. to test the effect, if any, their bloodstream, a combo has yet to be beaten as a PC game Alarmed at this, we of ambient lighting on symptom often associated control scheme, and absolutely any of put down our buckets of waistlines. The mice were with diabetes later in life. those scattered over the following pages fried chicken and turned split into three groups. One Now, if dim lighting would make a fine upgrade from the two- our keen scientific minds group was kept in natural can make a mouse fatter, button-and-a-wheel device that sits by to the 2010 publication of lighting conditions, one imagine what dim lighting so many PCs. Whatever you want from a a paper from Ohio State was exposed to 24-hour from a mouse does to mouse, there’s bound to be something out University, in Proceedings daylight, and the last you! (You’re fired—Ed.) there that appeals.

maximumpc.com Jun 2016 MAXIMUMPC 29 Call Us Toll-free: 800.669.1624 Go Online: SaGernotebook.com

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Dealer/VAR, Government and Corporate pricing are available. Please call for details. Sager one Year Limited Warranty Policy: 30-Day money-back Guarantee. If the equipment does not work as promised, or if you are not fully satisfied, we will issue a full refund upon the return of all original equipment. 1-Year Parts and Labor Limited Warranty. Lifetime toll-Free technical Support. Sager one Year Limited Warranty, two Year Limited Warranty and three Year Limited Warranty Policy applies to end Users in the United States of america only. extended Warranty available: check out this comprehensive package of service/support. Sager corporate offices 18005 cortney court, city of Industry, california 91748 tel: 626.964.8682, Fax: 626.964.2381 Hours: monday-Friday 7:30a.m. - 6p.m.(PSt) american express, VISa, mastercard & Discover credit cards accepted - no Surcharge. cashiers checks Welcomed. ©2016 by midern computer, Inc. all rights reserved. Ultrabook, celeron, celeron Inside, core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel atom, Intel atom Inside, Intel core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel vPro, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, vPro Inside, Xeon, Xeon Phi, and Xeon Inside are trademarks of Intel corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. all company and/or product names mentioned herein are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. opened software and shipping charges are non-refundable. 30-Day money back guarantee does not include freight or shipping and handling charge. *Free UPS Ground Shipping valid to contiguous US order only. NP9778-S Notebook NP9758 Notebook NP8658-S Notebook NP8678 Notebook $2,449 $1,999 $1,849 $1,699 After $150 Instant Savings FREE UPS GROUND SHIPPING* After $150 Instant Savings After $50 Instant Savings

® ® ® ® n 6th Generation Intel Core™ i7-6700K Processor n 6th Generation Intel Core™ i7-6700 n 6th Generation Intel Core™ i7-6700HQ n 6th Generation Intel Core™ i7-6700HQ (8MB Smart Cache, 4.0GHz) Processor (8MB Smart Cache, 3.40GHz) Processor (6MB Smart Cache, 2.60GHz) Processor (6MB Smart Cache, 2.60GHz) ® ® ® ® n Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition n Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition n Opt.Unlocked Intel Core™ i7-6820HK Processor n Opt.Unlocked Intel Core™ i7-6820HK Processor ® ® n 17.3" Full HD IPS Matte Display (1920x1080) n 15.6" Full HD IPS Matte Display (1920x1080) n Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition n Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition with NVIDIA® G-SYNC Technology with NVIDIA® G-SYNC Technology n 15.6" Full HD IPS Matte Display (1920x1080) n 17.3” Full HD IPS Matte Display (1920x1080) ® ® n 30 days No Dead Pixel Guaranteed Insurance n Opt. 15.6” 4K QFHD Matte Display with G-SYNC with NVIDIA G-SYNC Technology with NVIDIA G-SYNC Technology ® ® ® n 8GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForce™ GTX 980M GPU n 6GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForce™ GTX 970M GPU n Opt. 15.6” 4K QFHD Matte Displaywith G-SYNC n 8GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForce™ GTX 980M GPU ® ® ® n Opt. NVIDIA Quadro M3000M / M5000M GPU n Optional NVIDIA GeForce™ GTX 980M GPU n 30 days No Dead Pixel Guaranteed Insurance n 8GB DDR4-2133MHz Memory with model NP9775 ® n 16GB Dual Channel DDR4-2133MHz Memory n 8GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForce™ GTX 980M GPU n 1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive n 16GB Dual Channel DDR4-2133MHz Memory n 250GB Samsung 850 EVO M.2 SSD + n 16GB Dual Channel DDR4-2133MHz Memory n 2 Hard Drives + 2 M.2 SATA SSD Drives n 256GB Samsung 950 PRO M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD 1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive Capable with Raid 0, 1 Function n 250GB Samsung 850 EVO M.2 SSD + + 1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive n 2 Hard Drives + 2 M.2 SATA SSD Drives 1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive n Full sized Keyboard with white-LED backlight n 2 Hard Drives + 2 M.2 SATA SSD Drives or 2 M.2 PCIe SSD Drives capable ® n 2 Hard Drives + 2 M.2 SATA SSD Drives n Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 + Bluetooth or 2 M.2 PCIe SSD Drives capable n Hardware Raid 0,1 Function capable or 1M.2 PCIe SSD Drive capable n Built-in 2.0M FHD Camera & Fingerprint Reader n Hardware Raid 0,1 Function capable n Full sized Keyboard with color LED backlight n Hardware Raid 0,1 Function capable with n Built-in Onkyo speakers and a subwoofer n Full sized Keyboard with color LED backlight SATA Interface n Killer™ DoubleShot™ Pro (Killer E2400 LAN + Killer ® n Sound Blaster X-Fi™ MB5 Sound System n Killer™ DoubleShot™ Pro (Killer E2400 LAN + Killer Dual Band Wireless-AC 1535) with SmartTeaming n Full sized Keyboard with white-LED backlight n Dual Band Wireless-AC 1535) with SmartTeaming ® Slim design with only 1.18 inch thin n USB 3.1/Thunderbolt Gen3 Combo Port n Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 + Bluetooth n USB 3.1 / Thunderbolt Gen3 Combo Port n Built-in 2.0M FHD Camera & Fingerprint Reader n Built-in 2.0M FHD Camera & Fingerprint Reader n Built-in 2.0M FHD Camera & Fingerprint Reader n Built-in Onkyo Hi-Fi speakers n Built-in Onkyo speakers n Built-in Onkyo Hi-Fi speakers and a sub-woofer ® ® n Sound Blaster X-Fi™ MB5 Sound System n Sound Blaster X-Fi™ MB5 Sound System ® n Sound Blaster X-Fi™ MB5 Sound System n Slim design with only 1.13 inch thin

NP8677-S Notebook NP8657-S Notebook NP8640 Notebook NP7258 Notebook $1,449 $1,399 $1,349 $999 After $150 Instant Savings After $150 Instant Savings FREE UPS GROUND SHIPPING* After $50 Instant Savings

® ® ® ® n 6th Generation Intel Core™ i7-6700HQ n 6th Generation Intel Core™ i7-6700HQ n 6th Generation Intel Core™ i7-6700HQ n 6th Generation Intel Core™ i7-6700HQ Processor (6MB Smart Cache, 2.60GHz) Processor (6MB Smart Cache, 2.60GHz) Processor (6MB Smart Cache, 2.60GHz) Processor (6MB Smart Cache, 2.60GHz) ® ® ® ® n Opt.Unlocked Intel Core™ i7-6820HK Processor n Opt.Unlocked Intel Core™ i7-6820HK Processor n Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition n Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition ® ® n Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition n Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition n 14" Full HD IPS Matte Display (1920x1080) n 15.6" Full HD Matte Display (1920x1080) ® n 17.3” Full HD Matte Display (1920x1080) n 15.6" Full HD Matte Display (1920x1080) n 3GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForce™ GTX 970M GPU n Also available in 17.3” Full HD Matte Display (NVIDIA® G-SYNC Technology optional) (NVIDIA® G-SYNC Technology optional) with Optimus™ Technology with model NP7278 ® ® n 30 days No Dead Pixel Guaranteed Insurance n 3GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForce™ GTX 970M GPU n 8GB DDR4-2133MHz Memory n 2GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForce™ GTX 965M GPU ® with Optimus™ Technology n 3GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForce™ GTX 970M GPU n 16GB Dual Channel DDR4-2133MHz Memory n 1TB 5400RPM Hard Drive n 8GB DDR3-1600MHz Memory n 16GB Dual Channel DDR4-2133MHz Memory n 250GB Samsung 850 EVO M.2 SSD + n 1 Hard Drive + 1 M.2 SSD Drive or M.2 PCIe 1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive SSD Drive capable n 1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive n 250GB Samsung 850 EVO M.2 SSD + 1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive n 2 Hard Drives + 2 M.2 SATA SSD Drives n A4 sized Keyboard with white-LED backlight n 8X DVD±R/RW/4X +DL Super Multi Drive Capable with Raid 0,1 Function ® n 2 Hard Drives + 2 M.2 SATA SSD Drives n Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 + Bluetooth n 1 Hard Drive + 1 M.2 SATA SSD Drive Capable with Raid 0, 1 Function n Full sized Keyboard with white-LED backlight or M.2 PCIe SSD Drive capable n Built-in 2.0M FHD Camera ® n Full sized Keyboard with white-LED backlight n Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 + Bluetooth ® n Full sized Keyboard with white-LED backlight n Sound Blaster X-Fi™ MB5 Sound System ® ® n Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 + Bluetooth n Built-in 2.0M FHD Camera & Fingerprint Reader n Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 + Bluetooth n Slim design with only 0.99 inch thin n Built-in 2.0M FHD Camera & Fingerprint Reader n Built-in Onkyo speakers n Built-in 2.0M FHD Camera & Fingerprint Reader ® n Built-in Onkyo speakers and a sub-woofer n Sound Blaster X-Fi™ MB5 Sound System n Built-in Onkyo speakers ® n Sound Blaster X-Fi™ MB5 Sound System n Slim design with only 0.98 inch thin n Slim design with only 1.18 inch thin

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Cooler Master Xornet ii Redesigned but still a little weird

a speCialized mouse for the claw gripper, including DPI changers and wheel, and the the Xornet II may feel a little unusual to optical sensor’s maximum sensitivity is someone who’s not prepared to extend 3500 dpi—although that’s an improvement their fingers in just the right way. It’s been of 1,500 dpi over the previous version. redesigned from its previous incarnation, This lack of headline features is a shame, and now sports a new sensor, altered but contributes to keeping the price down. button shapes, a light-up scroll wheel, and There’s a limited audience out there for priced helps, but some will pick this over a more firmly attached cable. a mouse like this, and studding it with the devices that offer greater resolution, more Unfortunately, if you’re not fond of the kind of extras that would push up its cost buttons, or grippier finishes, just because claw, this might not be the mouse for you. A would limit it even more. it works for them. If you like to feel full ledge on the right is easy to mistake for the The grip is what will draw people to this contact between your palm and the back right button, and it’s simply uncomfortable mouse, and probably what will make them of the mouse, walk on by, but for anyone if you try to palm it, seeming to twist off stay. The fact that it’s very reasonably who likes to keep their fingers stiff while to the left under your hand. At 0.3 lb, it’s gaming, this is well worth a try. relatively light, and there is no way to alter SPECIFICATIONS that weight. verdict Cooler Master Xornet II The matte black finish is classy, with Sensor Optical the kind of microtextured grippy side Xavier Nicely updated claw- polling rate 1,000Hz panels that will endear it further to its 6 grip mouse; light and cheap. target audience. The onboard switches are Max Sensitivity 3,500 dpi HornetS Limited appeal; relatively Omrons, but the mouse suffers in terms of programmable buttons 7 low resolution. features beyond that. There are only two Weight 0.3 lb extra buttons, to make a total of seven, $35, http://gaming.coolermaster.com

Corsair sabre optiCal rGb A solid performer at a reasonable price

The firsT Corsair model in this test is a when all you’ve got to go on is the feedback of stripped-back, basic model that retails for your fingertips. Below the side buttons sits a reasonable price. Corsair is known for a recessed groove for your thumb, but these color schemes that mix jet-black plastic buttons aren’t of the angled type, which can with a garish highlight color, and the Sabre be pressed by rolling your thumb up—you is no exception. You can, of course, change have to move it to push them. A shame, as this highlight color, as it’s supplied by LEDs. the presence of the groove is crying out for The Sabre is very lightweight, moving such a movement-saving design. contains a small amount of storage to save easily across any surface, and changing Lighting is configurable across four profiles to, if you’re not using your usual PC. direction with minimum effort. It’s fairly zones, which can display the same or Such a basic model thankfully sells for low and wide, designed for claw grippers, different solid colors, as well as changing a reasonable price. The Sabre is a solid, but is more forgiving to the palmer than the patterns. As usual, it’s all programmed with if unremarkable, performer at one of the Xornet II. There are eight programmable the PC software package, and the mouse most contested price points—its selling buttons, including the wheel, with Omron point is probably its light weight, and we’re switches rated for 20 million clicks, and not sure that’s enough to make it stand out. SPECIFICATIONS a very nicely braided cable that stretches 5.9 feet toward your USB port of choice. Sensor Optical verdict Corsair Sabre Optical RGB The optical sensor resolution tops out polling rate 1,000Hz at 6,400 dpi, and there are no weights to Super Sabre Reasonably increase the heft. The smooth top surface Max Sensitivity 6,400 dpi 7 priced mouse; lightweight. makes moving between the narrow main programmable buttons 8 MiG-19 Basic; unremarkable. buttons and the wheel simple—there’s no Weight 0.2 lb doubt where one ends and the other begins $50, www.corsair.com

32 MAXIMUMPC Jun 2016 maximumpc.com Corsair sCiMitar rGb Just how many buttons do you need? a large mouse with a calculator strapped to support duties and left to dangle over the its side, Corsair’s Scimitar is a member of button array, doing a one-legged jig across that strangest of tribes—the MMO mouse. the world’s most complex game of Dance It’s easy to see where the design came Dance Revolution, and probably comes from—the demands of MMO games that down to the challenge of fitting 12 buttons, spells and attacks be assigned to numerical with their switches and support frame, keys for easy access—but the Scimitar vertically on the side of a mouse. Those of that comes with the Scimitar enables not suffers from the same problem we have a small-handed disposition may find it a bit only the programming of the buttons for with all MMO mice: using the damned thing. of a stretch. An included tool engages with a single keystrokes, but for macros made The buttons come in alternating lines hex nut on the base to shift the keys around up of multiple presses, too—and, yes, of rough and smooth textures, but it’s not a bit, so you can get them just right. you can mess with the lighting if you like. enough—we found it hard to tell where our The sensor is a reasonably impressive This is another specialized mouse, with a thumb was on the array without looking, 12,000 dpi optical model, and the software particular audience in mind. We just hope and reaching all the way back to 10, 11, and that audience has big hands. 12 meant a complete repositioning of the SPECIFICATIONS hand on the mouse body. You can still click verdict Corsair Scimitar RGB the primary buttons with your finger about Sensor Optical halfway down them, but go any further ottoMan Many, many polling rate 1,000Hz toward the rear, and they are unpressable. 7 buttons; large and solid. The wheel is a little loose, but turns with Max Sensitivity 12,000 dpi MorMan Limited appeal; button a positive notchiness, and the body of the programmable buttons 8 identification tricky. mouse is very big. This could be seen as an Weight 0.3 lb advantage—the right thumb is freed of any $80, www.corsair.com loGiteCh proteus speCtruM G502 The best mouse of 2015 gets a colorful update pardon us for being subjective, but this the body is so comfortable, you’ll become could be the best mouse we’ve ever used. familiar with it quickly. And we’ve used a few, from $5 barely Apart from the ability to display 16.8 functional lumps of plastic to Apple’s million colors, this new model is identical to appalling G3 hockey puck to the RAT. This the Proteus Core, with a 12,000 dpi optical model replaces the Proteus Core, which we sensor, 11 programmable buttons, and the liked a lot the last time we looked at mice. ability to save profiles to the mouse, rather there’s a downside, it’s that the lighting The new G502 is tall and solid, making its than relying on the PC software. doesn’t really feel like much of an upgrade— presence known in your palm, yet still being One of our favorite features is the clutch we’d have liked to see a newer sensor light enough to push around easily. Should button that disengages the wheel’s notches, module or some refinement of the switches it be too light, there are five 0.13 oz weights, allowing it to spin freely—and it goes on under the buttons. But when your product is shaped like some sort of horrible futuristic spinning for some time after you remove this good, we understand Logitech’s desire boomerang bullets, that fit in the base, your finger, a benefit of the metal rim. If to stick with a proven formula. enabling you to move the center of mass. With a body that looks like something SPECIFICATIONS verdict Logitech Proteus Adam Jensen would use, even down to the Spectrum G502 triangular motif etched into the rubber Sensor Optical 9 SpectruM Solid build side pads, it’s certainly a futuristic design polling rate 1,000Hz that stands out from the rest of the units and performance; highly in this test. Only the RAT series from Mad Max Sensitivity 6,400 dpi customizable. Catz looks more aggressively styled. The programmable buttons 8 c64 No massive refinement. upshot of this is that the Logitech feels Weight 0.2 lb slightly different to use from other mice, but $80, www.gaming.logitech.com

maximumpc.com Jun 2016 MAXIMUMPC 33 mouse roundup

MioniX Castor A black mouse that's classy and understated

WhaT aT firsT looks like it’s going to be an the mouse, which is nicely balanced and not ambidextrous mouse turns out to be nothing over-heavy straight out of the box. of the sort. This is a right-handed-only zone, The result of all this is that the Castor has with its ergonomics subtly tuned to support become a bit forgettable. The build quality only the ruling class in our unequal society. is excellent, the sensor unimpeachable, The Castor wants to position itself as a the software comprehensive, and the premium product, and almost manages ergonomics extremely comfortable, as long pack ends up looking ridiculous. Perhaps it. The sensor is a 10,000 dpi PMW-3310 as you’re right-handed, but very little about we’re just not used to this level of quality optical unit that boasts a complete lack of the Castor sticks in the mind. from something not festooned with flashing hardware acceleration. There are six fully It would be wrong to call such a mouse lights and strangely angled surfaces. programmable buttons, the shape supports boring, because so much of the fluff Perhaps—just perhaps—the addition of all types of grips—although is better taken manufacturers add to their latest models purely cosmetic flourishes to a product fully in the palm—and gamers baffled by in order to make them stand out from the has become linked in our minds with the the current trend toward bigger and bigger fulfillment of our needs after all. mice will be pleased to see that it’s one of SPECIFICATIONS the smaller models we’ve tested. verdict Mionix Castor Matte black mice always look good, and Sensor Optical the Castor is no exception. Its four-layer caStor No hardware polling rate 1,000Hz rubber coating means it’s not going to easily 7 acceleration; excellent slip out of your hand, and the lighting effects Max Sensitivity 10,000 dpi build quality. have the standard range of solid, blinking, programmable buttons 6 polluX Little bit forgettable. breathing, and pulsating settings. There are Weight 0.3 lb no additional weights to change the mass of $70, http://mionix.net

razer DiaMonDbaCk ChroMa The thin-bodied mouse returns to rattle us

one of The forgoTTen kings of the gaming the wheel, isn’t too horrifying, even though mouse world, the Diamondback has won it’s set by default to coruscate through an armful of awards, and claims to have its entire spectrum in a way that’ll at first had the first “optical gaming sensor”— fascinate you before boring you to death. It although what marks out a sensor as being would be even nicer without the ridiculous for gaming we’re not sure. It’s also always three-headed logo that also flashes, but at colored lights were common and marketing lit up, so perhaps it’s to blame for the rash of least that’s covered by your hand. It’s also philistines crammed our nimble pointing LEDs. The Diamondback brand dropped off available as a truly ridiculous Collector’s devices full of unnecessary gubbins. This the radar in 2007, eclipsed by larger, more Edition. Does anyone collect mice? Maybe new model has thoughtfully updated the modern designs, but has now returned. keep them in a glass case and show them original, with a 16,000 dpi sensor and The slim, tapering shape is unusual; your proudly to visitors? If you do, write in. access to Razer’s latest software. It’s not a right thumb tucks right into the side but The original Diamondback was released mouse everyone will be comfortable using, your fingers are left without enough to get in 2004, a more civilized time, before though—the epitome of “try before you a proper hold. It can sit forward in your grip, buy”—and it feels a little basic for the price. teased in your fingertips as if you’re making SPECIFICATIONS delicate adjustments to a dial or a lover. verdict Razer Diamondback Chroma It’s not uncomfortable, even if it’s a bit low Sensor Laser for our tastes, but after years of increasing DiaMonD Updated classic; polling rate 1,000Hz girth, it takes a little getting used to. The 7 high-resolution sensor. 2016 Diamondback feels less flat than the Max Sensitivity 16,000 dpi carbon Thinner than most mice; bit original, and this improves the comfort. programmable buttons 7 expensive for what you get. The lighting, which occupies a continuous Weight 0.2 lb thin strip around the body of the mouse and $90, www.razerzone.com

34 MAXIMUMPC Jun 2016 maximumpc.com razer MaMba te ChroMa A comfy device, with lots to recommend it

There are TWo versions of this mouse. across headset, keyboard, and mouse using The Luxury Edition doubles the price and the Razer software. adds optional wirelessness, customizable And the Mamba is lovely, a really nice click force through a couple of hex nuts on mouse to use all day. So nice that we’d its base, and comes with a recharging stand call the Luxury Edition unnecessary. It’s that lights up. Nnnnngh. There’s not a lot not overburdened with switches, with only else about it that deserves the “Luxury” two extra buttons either side, and no way label, however. of making it ambidextrous, but the wheel is a good thumb rest, allowing a decent grip, The Tournament Edition is the basic clicks left and right, and rolls satisfyingly no matter what hand position you prefer. model, and probably the more successful of under the middle finger, with big notches so The sensor is a 16,000 dpi laser unit, the two. It’s a large mouse that fits well in you know when it’s clicked into place. all nine buttons can be reconfigured, and the hand, with a humped back to increase It’s fairly heavy, and a bit back-heavy, but the seven-foot cable feels generous. The comfort. Like every other mouse in this test, the rubberized area below the side buttons Mamba is a great all-round package that it’s permanently wired to your PC. As with does everything it sets out to do. its stablemate, the Diamondback, there’s a SPECIFICATIONS lighting strip that, by default, slowly cycles verdict Razer Mamba TE Chroma through its colors. It doesn’t run all the way Sensor Laser around the body, as it does on its smaller black MaMba Comfortable; polling rate 1,000Hz cousin, sensibly breaking under the wrist. 8 grippy; precise. The large Razer logo also lights up—a Max Sensitivity 16,000 dpi MaMbo nuMber Five Could do with a few feature the Luxury Edition lacks—and if programmable buttons 9 more buttons. you’ve got a full house of Razer products on Weight 0.3 lb your desk, you can synchronize the lighting $90, www.razerzone.com razer naGa MMo Razer peppers the MMO mouse with buttons

WiTh a laser sensor and 19 programmable black plastic shell looks like quite a shiny buttons, the Naga Chroma is trying very one, but in the hand, the Naga proves to hard to get some attention, and it will be grippy and ever-so-slightly textured all probably succeed at this task by dint of big over. A finger rest on the right-hand side is numbers alone. a thoughtful touch, giving those underused As an MMO mouse, the Naga falls into digits somewhere to hang out while the also available, and comes with a magnetic the same traps as the Corsair Scimitar, thumb does all the work. charging stand. although it makes its buttons easier to This version of the Naga is the wired You have to love MMOs (or possibly locate by providing them with a concave top Chroma, which ups the colors it’s capable accounting) to buy a mouse like this, and surface, so there’s less chance of pressing of displaying to the expected 16.8 million the Synapse software makes configuring two at once. If you have to look at it, Razer (up from one—green—on the previous its button array very straightforward. Its has chosen to rotate the numbers printed on iteration), and also comes in a left-handed appeal may not be broad, but if you have the array through 90 degrees, presumably version. A wireless edition, the Epic Naga, is a need for all those buttons, you won’t be to make them easier to read, although disappointed in the Naga. we’re not sure about that, having tried it. SPECIFICATIONS The wheel is a tilting model that moves very verdict Razer Naga MMO positively, its rubber tire nicely studded with Sensor Optical a pattern of dots to prevent slippage. Scoville Good sensor; lots of polling rate 1,000Hz The ergonomic design makes it feel a 7 buttons; nice wheel. little smaller than the Scimitar, although it Max Sensitivity 8,200 dpi SMallville Niche audience; no really; can still has to integrate the button array into programmable buttons 19 be tricky to use. its structure, so any space savings Razer Weight 0.3 lb has achieved are going to be minimal. The $80, www.razerzone.com

maximumpc.com Jun 2016 MAXIMUMPC 35 mouse roundup

roCCat kiro Perfect for lefties on a budget

The kiro is a mouse you can use with either touch coating. The lighting is again subtle, hand. We already have a per fectly good word being limited to the logo on the back, and is for such a thing, but Roccat has decided to controllable from the setup app. The sensor invent its own: “superdextrous.” Super, of is a 2,000 dpi optical model, which can be course, comes from the Latin word “supra,” doubled in software. The results aren’t meaning “above” or “beyond”—so we quite great, however, and we don’t recommend expect to be able to operate this mouse with doing that unless you absolutely have to. positioned toward the back of the mouse, our feet. This is another budget mouse, and throwing off its balance somewhat. We can’t, of course—the webbing wins over the Rival, below, in terms of its The buttons are responsive, and custom between our toes gets in the way—but the “superdextrous” customizability. Left- assignment through the Swarm software Kiro is cleverly designed to be reconfigured handers will certainly appreciate this, and is simple. A good choice for anyone looking for right- and left-handers. You get four the additional weight of the Kiro will raise to spend less than $50, offering additional “sides” in the box, two with buttons and two it up in the opinion of others. The weight is features at the cost of some clunky design. without, enabling you to place additional switches (all Omrons) where you need them SPECIFICATIONS verdict Roccat Kiro the most. They’re attached by magnets, and snap into place. Claw grippers will be able Sensor Optical SabertootH Ambidextrous; to use all four extra buttons, while palmists 7 reasonable price; replaceable polling rate 1,000Hz will probably prefer to have one set, easily magnetic sides. reachable with the thumb or by curling back Max Sensitivity 2,000 dpi catFiSH Low maximum resolution; a finger, if you’re into hand yoga. programmable buttons 7 back-heavy. The body is heavy, with no way of Weight 0.2 lb removing any weight, and features a soft- $40, www.roccat.org

steelseries rival 100 Not a broad mouse, but it has broad appeal

someTimes The simple Things in life pricier models, but still works perfectly in are among the best. This is a good basic general use. There’s a hint of the Microsoft mouse, with only two additional buttons, mouse—a classic design that’s still used and a sensitivity switch on top. With a today—about the body, and it’s likely to smooth matte plain black finish, the Rival appeal to a broad range of users. 100 fits well in our palm—although claw Underneath, SteelSeries has splashed degraded, so we still don’t recommend grippers will get on well with it too—and the out on a home-grown optical sensor, rather doing this. programmable lighting is kept to just the than an off-the-shelf part, and it performs Overall, this is a great budget offering. It wheel and the logo on the rear. well. The maximum resolution is 2,000 dpi, may not have the extras that other devices There’s a lot to like about this budget but this can be boosted in software to 4,000 in this test have, but it also doesn’t suffer offering—remember, it’s only $40—but it dpi, as with the Kiro above. Just like using from their price tags. It’s hard to go wrong doesn’t feel like it’s built to a budget. There’s the digital zoom on your cellphone camera, with something this well made for this kind a good rubbery grip at the side, bobbled for though, noise creeps in and the quality is of price. extra pleasure, and it’s light, too, although there’s no option to increase the weight. SPECIFICATIONS verdict SteelSeries Rival 100 The shape is ambidextrous, but there are only buttons on the left-hand side, catering Sensor Optical rival Great budget mouse; to the right-handed population. The buttons 8 no hardware acceleration; polling rate 1,000Hz have new switches, and are lighter and broad appeal. easier to press than the original Rival. Max Sensitivity 4,000 dpi eneMy Slightly flimsy wheel; only two The wheel rotates much as you’d expect, programmable buttons 6 extra buttons; low max resolution. with nothing fancy such as clicking left Weight 0.3 lb and right. It feels a little less solid than on $40, https://steelseries.com

36 MAXIMUMPC Jun 2016 maximumpc.com mouse roundup

ANd The wiNNeR is... loGiteCh proteus speCtruM G502

This year’s generaTion of gaming mice it. Honorable mention in this category must our hands on that one, and seeing how other is extremely similar to the previous one. also go to the Corsair Sabre, which beats manufacturers run with the idea. Apart from a few cosmetic changes here the Rival in almost every way on paper— For now, and despite the high quality and there, there’s no great technological more buttons, more sensitive, lighter—yet of the cheaper mice, it’s a flagship that breakthrough that makes any of them a fails to be as comfortable to use once hand triumphs in our tests. The Proteus is the must-buy. Some of them are even identical meets plastic. undeniable winner, just as it was the last to their previous iterations. The Mamba’s stablemate, the time we looked at gaming mice. Logitech Far be it from us to advise not spending Diamondback, is a strange creature that has been doing this a long time; it made its your money (that’s not why you buy this would be easy to recommend as long as you name making mice, and its engineers know magazine, after all) but if you’ve purchased can try it out first. Its thin, tapering shape how to build a product that feels premium. a new mouse in the last year or so, the best can work extremely well, but it’s different The price is premium, too—twice as much advice is probably to hold off shelling out for from almost everything else on the market, as the Rival, and one of the most expensive another one. and some people are just going to hate it units on test here. As you progress up the If you are in the market for a new rodent, from the moment they touch it. Buy it from a price ladder, the law of diminishing returns however, the smart money would go on physical shop if you can, and open the box if takes full effect—a Mamba will set you back one from Logitech, Razer, or SteelSeries. the shopkeeper will let you. $10-$20 less than a Proteus, and is fully Those looking to splash out on something The budget mouse sector is particularly capable of fulfilling your needs. The number a little more luxurious will find the Proteus vibrant, as despite the lack of new headline of people who will take full advantage of Spectrum a satisfying device to use—it’s features on the flagship mice, models such the Proteus’s configurable weights, for large and quite heavy; a mouse you know as the Rival 100 and Sabre are the equal example, will be limited. you’re using, rather than one that fades into of almost anything produced in the last 10 the mat. years. There’s no creaky plastic, wobbly buttons, or loose wheels to be seen in this of MiCe anD Men selection, as parts and build quality trickle Logitech made Razer’s Mamba is another great design, a down from the more expensive units. its name making mouse you can use for anything and not feel SteelSeries has also given us a glimpse of like it’s digging into your hand or punishing the next great mouse innovation, with its mice, and its your wrist. Finally, for the budget- not-yet-available Rival 700—a customizable conscious, SteelSeries’ Rival 100 can be OLED display, which can display team logos engineers know picked up for less than $40, and is a lovely or useful information, such as cooldown how to build a thing you’ll enjoy using, perhaps even more timers, right down by your thumb where for the knowledge of how little you spent on you can’t see it. We look forward to getting premium product.

38 MAXIMUMPC Jun 2016 maximumpc.com

the forge of vulkan The Forge oF VuLkAn A new graphics API has been hammered out, and it has big ambitions by Chris Lloyd

here’s a battle coming. An important one. It’s for the future of graphics cards. T It started when AMD threw the first metaphorical stone, in the form of Mantle, a couple of years ago. Mantle forced Microsoft’s hand when it came to DirectX 12, but it’s the absorption of the Mantle philosophy into Vulkan that could really bring about change. But what is Vulkan? Why is it so important? And can anything really take on Microsoft and win? This modern retelling of David and Goliath could be lining us up for a new king of graphics APIs, so it’s a battle that’s worth fighting, with glorious rewards for the victor. Let us explain.

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