Recently I switched to Noctua NF-A14 Chromax fans for my setup after getting to test these out (review here). As much as I like these fans, I know in the back of my head a new version of these fans is coming up. The 120mm fans already got a successor in the form of the NF-A12X25, so let’s take a look at these in the meantime!
The packaging is consistent with the rest of the products in the Chromax line-up I have seen so far. The fan sits neatly in a plastic shell inside the box with one of each included colored anti-vibration pads. In contrast to the NF-A14 thought, additional grey anti-vibration pads come pre-installed. Underneath is a little box which contains 4 screws and the rest of the colored anti vibration pads. The fan cable is detachable, this can come in handy if using a fan splitter for example like the NA-SYC1. Another included accessory is an anti vibration gasket made of silicon. Using this ensures a tighter seal when placing the fans on a radiator.
A closer look at the fan
Metal-reinforced motor hub
The first thing that catches the eye is the big motor hub in the center of the fan. It’s not just for show though. The hubs centerpiece is made from steel with a brass reinforced axle mount. This prevents the fans from wobbling around, something I already noticed being almost absent in the NF-A14 when comparing this to the P14 from Arctic which wobbled around a lot in my setup.
The NF-A12X25 center and blades up close
The NF-A12X25 is on Sterrox
Looking closely at the fan blades you can see they aren’t made of the usual solid black PBT or other plastic kind of material. Noctua used its own customized fiber-glass reinforced Liquid Crystal Polymer or LCP. The Austrian based company calls this tech Sterrox. You can check out the link to read about all the technical ins and outs. Using the Sterrox technology allowed Noctua to make a gap of just 0,5mm between the blades and the frame.
Pictured above is the included anti-vibration gasket
Perfect for liquid cooling
anti-vibration gasket
Mounting is as easy as every other fan. The included anti-vibration gasket ensures the fans sit tight on the radiator and prevent air leakage. I have tried these kinds of afterparty rubber frames before but always ended up trashing them because they wouldn’t fit nicely. These actually do; Noctua already has the cutouts for their anti vibration pads, and the anti-vibration gasket makes good use of these.
Replacing my stock AIO fans with the NF-A12X25
I mounted the fans on the radiator of my Deepcool Castle 360EX RGB cooler. The Castle is a very capable liquid cooler with a beautiful infinity mirror design on the pump and some good looking rgb fans. The included fans do their job at cooling very well, but they make quite noise doing so and the build quality is not that amazing. The Noctua fans on the other hand feel very sturdy and hefty. The switch was done fast and simple and I used the Deepcool fan-splitter that came with the AIO to hook them up in sync with each other.
Performance
cooling
My 5900X is being used with PBO enabled and resides in a Phanteks P600S case. I currently use 3 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax fans as intake and one as outtake at the rear. My radiator is mounted on the top of my case. For thermal paste I used Noctua’s NT-H2.
Cooling is excellent as expected; going full out the results are absolutely great with the cpu hitting 67,3 °C max. This is with an ambient temperature of 22,5 °C.
Going to 65% fan speed the max temperature reached 68°C, which is still very good.
Running the NF-A12X25 At full speed the max CPU temp was 67,3°C
When adjusting the fans to a noise normalized setting at 35 dB it is clear the Noctua beats the stock fans Deepcool provides with the AIO. With a higher total package power the Noctua cooler performs better while giving no humming sounds (like the Deepcool fans do).
Noctua on the left, Deepcool on the right
Sound produced by the NF-A12X25
Let’s continue with the noise a bit here. Like I said before Deepcool included some capable fans, but they do make a lot of sound when spinning these boys up. The NF-A12X25 are something else for sure! The cooling itself was, as expected very good, but the real threat here is the silence at which these fans can do their job! I can easily run these fans at 75% which translates to +/- 1525 rpm while still barely hearing them spin at my desk. Opening up the case I could hear them do their job but this was still very respectable hearing these babies go at high speed! Running the fans to their absolute max the sound I measured on my desk was just 28dB on average and 25,6 at my ear height that is just amazing. I never would consider running fans at max speed before, but this is next level stuff.
Conclusion
Noctua prices are usually higher than that of its competitors. Other companies have stepped up their game in recent years and Noctua isn’t the only one making great fans anymore. The NF-A14 fans and their smaller version have gotten tough competition from brands like Arctic which offer insane value for money with their NP12 fans. The NF-A12X25 however shakes up the market once again. The cooling is outstanding, but even more is the sound, or rather the lack of it these fans put out while cooling at high speeds. Normally I avoid 120mm fans and 360 rads like the plague because of the sound, not an issue anymore with these.
The construction and build quality are also really top notch, so you really get what you pay for with these fans.
Are these worth the asking price of around €32,-? In my opinion they are, considering these come with a solid 6 years warranty and can provide years of outstanding cooling while keeping things quiet. The included silicon gasket is a nice bonus. If you are going for a high-end build components these fans can be a great investment. Personally I can’t wait for the 140mm fans to come out the gates of Noctua so I can replace my NF-A14 fans!
I have gone all black, but the included anti vibration pads can spice thing up if you like.Full speed and not a wobble to be seen impressive!Ledstrips can work great if you persist on wanting RGB
As for RGB, well still a big no here! But there are other ways around that. I bought a Deepcool RGB 200 PRO kit which I could connect to the hub included with my Castle 360. But there are many other options out there ofcourse. I chose this set because it can work in sync with the AIO without needing any software.
According to Bloomberg Apple has hired veteran car development manager Luigi Taraborrell. Mr. Taraborrelli worked on models like Huracan and Urus for Lamborghini.
Apple will want to make a solid impression with the launch of the much anticipated Apple car. The experience of Taraborrelli will prove very useful here. The 20 year veteran was head of the Chassis and Vehicle Dynamics R&D division until recently.
In recent years Apple acquired hundreds of former employees of big car brands like Tesla and Mercedes Benz. This includes top level engineers and designers.
The Apple car is one of the company’s long awaited products and rumors keep popping up.
As expected both Apple and Lamborghini didn’t want to comment on the matter.
The Alice layout has become quite popular due to its ergonomic shape. Akko launched the white acrylic version last year and recently followed up with a spray painted white version. Still there were people wanting a black version. Akko has Finally answered the call with the Alice Plus Black! Fortunately for me I got the chance to test one out myself, so allow me to share my thoughts on this keyboard with you. Its full name is: the Akko Acr Pro Alice Plus Black, but I’ll just refer to it as the Akko Plus Black in this review for the sake of simplicity.
The Alice style layout explained
The Alice layout is one that aims to give users less muscle strain by forcing the wrists outwards like normal keyboards do. It is made with a space between the left and right sides both bending a bit inwards. Both sides have a smaller space-bar instead of just one big version. There are some different variations depending on which manufacturer makes these kinds of boards. Sometimes there are no dedicated arrow keys for example. Akko has chosen to include these, which in my opinion make for a more versatile keyboard. Basically this is a 65% keyboard with a more ergonomic shape.
Unboxing the Akko Alice Plus Black
Specifications
Structure: Gasket Mount Number of Keys: 68 Case Material: Acrylic+CNC Keycaps: ASA PBT Keycap Set Pink on Black Switch: Akko CS Crystal Switch Plate: Polycarbonate plate Gasket: Silicone Socks with Regular Silicone Gaskets PCB Thickness: 1.2mm Plate Foam: Poron Switch Pad: Silicone Case Foam: EVA (not pre-installed, for users who prefer more muted sound profile) Stabilizers: Akko Plate Mount Lubed Stabilizer (supports screw-in stabilizer as well) Hot-Swappable: Yes
The size of the Akko Alice Pro Black comes closer to that of a TKL model
Included accessories
The Akko Alice Black comes as a comprehensive package. Included in the box are:
USB C to A cable, Coiled
Additional keycaps from the pink on black keycap set
Keycap puller
Switch puller
Extra daughterboard
Spare silicon gaskets
Adjustable Acrylic keyboard feet
Hex Screwdriver
The Akko Alice Plus Black Comes with a lot of accessoires
First impressions of the Alice Plus Black
The first thing that surprised me when taking out the keyboard itself was its weight. It feels a lot more solid and hefty then pictures would suggest. It made a good solid impression lifting it up and holding it in my hands. The gasket mount seems to work pretty well here too.
The finish is nice with a solid spray painted black up front and a transparent black backside which extends to the sides of the keyboard. There are 12 gold plated screws on the back which can be removed with the included hex-screwdriver. On the back is a picture with Akko’s mascot and the model name is engraved at the bottom. At first I was surprised to see a B keycap on both the left and right side of the board, but after doing some research this appears to be common with Alice style keyboards.
The mascot on the back is a nice touchNotice the double B capsThe Akko Alice Plus Black can look good at the office as well
Akko CS Crystal Switches
The keyboard comes with Akko’s CS Crystal switches. The Crystal switches are one of the newer switches in Akko’s portfolio. They came as the name suggests in an all clear housing made of poly-carbonate. The CS Crystal switch is a relatively light linear switch. The clear housing helps to distribute RGB lights full and bright. A lot of switch housings have a bit of color on them which impacts the RGB, not with the crystal switches though.
The CS Crystal switches are a light switch with an actuation force of 43gf and just 1.6mm of pre-travel. They feel very comfortable to type on, are smooth as butter and are on the clacky side sound-wise. I didn’t feel the need to lube these switches and experienced zero spring-ping or crunchy sounds. I liked these a lot more than the CS Silver switches and could see myself using these on a daily basis.
The Akko CS Crystal switches
Keycaps supplied with the Alice Plus Black
The keyboard comes with double shot pbt keycaps in the ASA profile. The theme of the included keycaps is pink on black. The keyboard doesn’t just ship with the keycaps placed on it though. A full set is included so you can re-use these keycaps on almost any board you like, even ISO builds! In my case this seems like a real possibility, as both my wife and daughter immediately fell in love with the included pink novelties all pink caps like that came with it.
No more tape-mod on the stabs needed?
A cool new feature Akko included with the board are their updated stabilizers. The come with pom housings and stems which should eliminate the need for doing band-aid mods to reduce rattling. I can confirm that I didn’t experience any rattling myself. Great job Akko!
The stabilizers come with POM housing and POM+TPU stems to reduce ping and rattling.
Using the Alice Plus Black
I have used the Alice plus black for about a week before writing this review. I can honestly say I am positively surprised about this board. At first I had to get used to the shape of the keyboard. Having used a 96% board for a while now I can really get the appeal people have towards this shape and layout. The keyboard sits a bit higher than my 3098B (review here) does, so I might look for a wrist rest later on. I could use the included keyboard feet but personally I don’t like the idea of having to put these on with adhesive stickers. Meanwhile the rubber domes on the back of the board do a good job of making sure it doesn’t move away. The board also comes with extra smaller gaskets if you want more bounce.
The back of the Akko Alice Plus Black has rubber feet that makes it stay securely in place
Typing experience with the Alice Plus Black
Typing on the Alice Plus Black is a delightful experience. At first I had to retrain my muscle memory a little bit of course, but this took about a day for me. The CS Crystal switches feel VERY smooth and really combine well with the ergonomic shape of the keyboard. I can see myself using these switches more in the future! The gaskets make for a pleasant cushioned feeling and help make it more quiet as well. You can adjust the feeling, as the board also comes with extra smaller gaskets for if you want more bounce.
I later Included the optional case foam to reduce sounds even more and this really made for a totally smooth and silent board. It is nice to see the EVA foam has cut-outs in all the right places so it fits perfectly. Using this board has convinced me I can actually live with smaller sized models. Something I was always a bit hesitant to do. Typing on this board feels smooth like butter and really helps with feeling less pressure on my wrists.
RGB
As is common nowadays this board comes with optional RGB lightning as well. Thanks to the Crystal switches RGB is full and bright. The keycaps that come with the board do not shine through, but the illumination surrounding them is still pretty good thanks to the CS Crystals. The board comes with a wide variety of RGB and solid color options. From breathing to tracing your keystrokes but also screen mirroring and music mode. Screen mirroring sets the color of the board to the primary one being displayed on your monitor.
Not only is it possible to choose from a variety of colors and patterns to illuminate the switches here though. There is also a second pair of LEDS that can individually be controlled to light up the back and bottom row of the board.
These settings can all be done on the board itself, but it is even easier doing this with Akko’s software suite.
The CS Crystal switches keep colors natural and vivid
Akko Cloud software
The Akko cloud software helps you set up your keyboard the way you want it. Whether it is setting up macros or rebinding your keys. If for example you rather have Home and End instead of Del and Ins you can adjust this here. This is where all those extra keycaps come in handy! You can also make layers on your keys in the Akko Cloud software. There are people hoping Akko will make their boards compatible with VIA/QMK in the future, the Akko Cloud software isn’t the worst alternative though. It is easy to navigate and use. You can find the software at Akko’s website.
Conclusion
The Akko Alice is a keyboard that really surprised me. I was intrigued by the shape when I first saw these kinds of boards, but always thought it wouldn’t be my cup of tea. Well I teach my kids to try before you say no to food, the same goes for me with keyboards I guess! I absolutely love the typing experience the Alice keyboard gives me. The shape feels a bit alien at first but I adapted quickly and really found it to be comfortable.
Not only does the shape of the board contribute to the typing comfort though. The gasket design adds to this as well. But the biggest surprise to me was the fact I really like the Crystal switches that come with the board. These are very smooth and light, but not too light. They feel so incredibly good straight out of the gate that I didn’t feel the need to lube these. The same goes for the upgrades stabilizers that come with the board. These do not need a band-aid mod at all!
Is everything great? No, personally I wished there were some retractable feet on the board itself or made these a screw-in option or something. I don’t like to add things to my keyboard with adhesive stickers. I might look at a wrist rest in the future. Another thing I would personally love is a wireless option, but this is more a desire from a clean-desk standpoint. Minor things that don’t make this keyboard any less desirable. If you are looking for an ergonomically shaped keyboard which comes in a very complete package at a very competitive price, look no further!
The Alice Plus Black with discount
Want to get the Alice Plus Black with a nice 10% off? Use HELLOAKKO as your coupon code at akkogear.eu. You can use this for your first order. Why not get some nice keycaps while you are at it? The black and cyan looks great on this board!
Disclaimer
This product was sent to me by Akkogear.de for review. I did not get paid to write this review and my opinions are my own. This review is also posted in dutch at Tweakers.met you can check it out here
Some links here are affiliate links, when using these links to order a product you support my website by getting more products in for reviewing.
Not having used an air cooler for a few years now, I always remained curious about the performance of the Noctua air coolers. I used to have the famous Cooler master Evo 212 which did pretty good on my 4790K. After recently taking a look at their Chromax fans, I got a chance to review a Noctua cooler. Not just any cooler, but the NH-D15 Chromax Black Swap. This is the beefiest cooler Noctua has in its line-up at the moment. Not only did they send me this big boy, they also included their NT-H2 thermal paste and two boxes of Heatsink covers, which helps you match the cooler in style with the rest of your build.
The NH-D15 Chromax, NT-h2 Cooling paste and the heatsink covers
Measurements & Clearance of Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black Swap
Unboxing the Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black
Opening up the large black box reveals a nicely organised set of separate packages. There is of course a large box which houses the cooler itself. One of the two included fans comes pre-mounted whereas another is packaged separately. Lastly there is a box containing all of the included accessories. Noctua delivers a very complete package here for both Intel and AMD systems. Not only do you get all the relevant parts to mount the cooler to modern AMD and Intel sockets, you als get extra’s like a case badge, low noise adapters, and a syringe of the high quality NT-H1 thermal paste.
Click on the Images to view them in full-size
Taking a closer look
The NH-D15 Chromax makes a solid impression. Everything feels sturdy, no flimsy feeling fins and everything is made in a solid black color. They didn’t forget the heatpipes either which I can appreciate. It’s this attention to detail that makes Noctua set itself apart from other brands. The one thing not being painted black is the nickel plated copper baseplate. The baseplate looks very smooth and almost like a matte mirror. Nice!
I see a cooler and I want to paint it black…
Its one big piece of black solid beauty, except for the smooth baseplate that is!
Installing the Noctua NH-D15 Chromax on a X570 board
The right tools
Noctua included all the tools I needed for my AMD system. If you happen to buy a new cpu in the future Noctua will almost certainly be able to provide you with any needed mounting system. Just contact them and they will be happy to send out the right bracket for you. This is a great service and gives the consumer the reasurrence they make a good investment with this cooler.
Cooling Paste
Noctua included a syringe of their well knows NT-H1 thermal paste. I did however used the newer NT-H2 paste which Noctua included in the package they send to me. This is an improved version which should keep temperatures even better in check while using it on high end processors. I wiped off almost all of the thermal paste on my cpu. Using the NA-SCW1 alcohol wipes Noctua provides with their thermal paste I was able to get every last bit of residue off my cpu. The Cooling paste itself was easy to apply.
Difficulty of installation
Installing the cooler was quite easy. The hardest part was keeping the backplate from the AMD motherboard in place. In the past I had horrible experiences with installing air coolers. I couldn’t reach the screws, the fan mounting system was terrible or I cut myself on sharp fins. Installing this cooler went pretty fast. It only needed two screws to mount down on the baseplate. There was a large screwdriver included in the package which came in handy here. The fans could be easily clipped in place and I used the included Y-splitter to mount the two fans to my CPU-header.
Installing the NF-A14 Chromax wasn’t that hard
Heatsink Cover
The heatsink cover was pretty easy to add to the cooler. You just choose the colored strip you want put and put at the back of the unit that clips on the cooler. Then it’s just a matter of putting the metal cover on top. Everything sits secure and well thanks to the build in magnets.
The heat sink covers take the build to a whole new visual level
Performance
In all honesty I didn’t think an air cooler could come anything near my Arctic Liquid Freezer II , which is considered as one of the best AIO’s at the moment. Well I was very pleasantly surprised. I didn’t get the same temperatures, But I got much closer than I expected. I set all the fans in my system at which gave me very good results without being too noisy. With these settings I wasn’t bothered by the sound of my system standing under my desk.
Temperatures and results
When running Cinebench R23 the maximum temperature of my CPU got to 72°C. When doing a Timespy run the results weren’t too far off from my run with the 280mm mounted on top. After removing one of the top exhaust fans, I got even better results. The difference was only 4°C compared to the AIO. Do note that an AIO comes with the potential risk of leakage!
Open in a new tab to enlarge
Final Looks
Well looks are personal and beauty isn’t everything they say. But Personally I think this is one of the most aesthetically pleasing builds I have made so far! But don’t take my word for it, take a look for yourself at the picture below. I have added the Noctua NF-A14 Chromax Black Swap fans from my other review to make the build complete.
I did eventually remove one of the top fans and moved it to the back to get even better results
Conclusion of the Noctua NH-D15 Chromax
The Noctua Chromax NH-D15 is a true beast. Not only does it look like one, it also cools like one. Keeping the temperature of my 5900x in tests like Timespy just 4°C lower than one of the best selling 280mm AIO coolers is very respectable. The cooler, despite being big is quite easy to assemble thanks to the well made manual and choices made in the design.
The cooler comes with well packed and with everything you need to install it on your favorite processor. The included NT-H1 cooling paste is one of the best on the market. If you want even better results you can buy the new NT-H2 paste.
The price is higher then some of its competitors but buying this cooler is an investment which will be sure to cool not only your current CPU but also the ones in your future builds. This is thanks to Noctua’s commitment to its customers, providing mounting plates for future sockets when needed.
I can highly recommend this cooler and to anyone looking for a high quality, maintenance free cooling solution.
This review of the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless was originally posted in Dutch on Tweakers.net, the biggest techsite of the Benelux. This is a translation which for the most part has been kept the same.
Tweakers Test Panel
I was one of the lucky ones to be able to review a product as a member of the Tweakers Testpanel. They gave me the chance to test one of the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headsets. This was great news as I recently started using a wireless mouse and keyboard. I was already experiencing a lot less clutter on my desk because of this. I received a phone call from the courier company that delivered the headset on behalf of Tweakers.net After making an appointment, the headset got delivered the following day.
The Steelseries Arctis Pro in its retail box
Specs of the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Supported devices
PC (with Sonar, windows 10 and higher)
Mac (USB)
Switch (USB)
PS4/PS5 (USB)
Mobile (Bluetooth)
Software requirements
GG + Engine: Windows 8.1 and above, Mac OS 10.13 and above
GG + Sonar Audio Software Suite: Windows 10 and above (required for ChatMix)
Speaker Drivers
Neodymium Drivers: 40 mm
Headphone Frequency Response (Wired): 10–40,000 Hz
Headphone Frequency Response (Wireless): 10–22,000 Hz
Headphone Sensitivity: 93 dBSPL
Headphone Impedance: 38 Ohm
Headphone Total Harmonic Distortion: < 1%
High-Res Audio Capable: Yes (Headphone Speakers)
Active Noise Cancellation: 4-mic hybrid design with Transparency Mode
Microphone
Microphone Type: ClearCast Gen 2 – Fully Retractable Boom
2x USB-C System Connections, 1x Line-in, 1x Line-out
2x Lithium Ion Batteries
2x USB-C to USB-A Cable (5 ft / 1.5m)
3.5mm to 3.5mm Audio Cable – 5 pole to 4 pole (4 ft / 1.2m)
2x Removable Magnetic Ear Plates
Microphone Pop Filter
Unpacking the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Exterior
The Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro comes in a big box. The headphones are shown on the front of the box together with the supplied DAC. As you can see, this version is suitable for both the PC and the Playstation 4 and 5. There is also a version that works with recent Xbox consoles. On the sides, seen from the front, on the left some quotes from reviewers and on the right the technical specifications. A number of USPs of the Arctic Wireless Pro are highlighted on the back.
In the box
When opening the box, you immediately see the bag that contains the headphones. Below that is a manual with in this case a card with the text First Edition. Between the headphones is the supplied DAC. More on this later.
On the lower part of the box you will find a red box containing the following accessories:
2 x USB-A to USB-C cables
1x Audio jack 3.5 to 3.5 mm
1x pop filter for microphone
1x Extra battery
Well. hello there!
First Impressions of the Arctis Nova Wireless Pro
The headset gave me a good first impression. The headset is mostly black with a so-called space silver look on the headband and ear cups. It’s not a head turning look. Most buttons can be found on the left earcup. Here you will find the on/off button, the microphone switch and the volume wheel. The retractable microphone and 3.5mm connection can also be found here. A button has been placed on the right earcup controlling the bluetooth function.
Build quality
As mentioned, the headset looks quite understated but feels solid. The headset is mainly made of plastic. Plastic has one big advantage over metal; it is light and therefore less likely to have a tiring effect while wearing. It also transmits less cold and heat to the user as metal does. A metal strip is mounted on top of the headband. The headset is easy to adjust in height, although there is no noticeable click while doing so. All in all the headset comes across as sturdy and doesn’t creak anywhere.
Earcups
There is a magnetic cover on both ear cups. These immediately reminded me of an earlier model of Steelseries which I have used in the past. Although this was a headphone where the covers were purely cosmetic, they now both hide a different function. Under the left cover you will find a USB-C connection and under the right the removable battery.
The ear cups themselves are made of artificial leather. This feels very comfortable and seem to have memory foam in inside of them. Removing the earcups also reveals one of the microphones that assist in the noise cancellation. I have read a number of stories where people indicated that they felt these and where bothered by it. For me personally, this has not been the case during testing. The ear cups are easy to rotate. This way you can fold the headset flat and transport it more conveniently.
Replacing the earcups of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
There’s something else about the ear cups that I’m personally a little concerned about. These are provided with a plastic cover with which you have to click them into place. I had a similar system with a Philips Fidelio Bluetooth headset. These earpads, also made of Pleather, needed to be replaced after a few years. Due to the very specific way of clicking into place, replacing it was no longer reasonably possible. I hope that Steelseries itself or a third party will release replacements for this headset in the future.
The plastic cover around the earpads are a potential problem
Removable Comfort Headband
The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless has a so-called comfort band; a flexible soft band that stretches with you. This band rests on the head and adapts to its shape. This provides an extremely comfortable feeling. There is a plastic belt which has various triangular structures in which there seems to be a soft foam. The strap can be adjusted in height if desired and is interchangeable.
Operating the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
In general, I like the buttons on the headset. I do find switching it on and off confusing and I would have preferred a slider for this function, such as with my Bose 45 headset. I sometimes think to turn the set on or off, which does not seem to go well in practice.
Wireless Base Station
The Steelseries Arctic Nova Pro Wireless comes with a wireless base station. This makes it possible to connect the headset to the PC with a 2.4GHz connection. The main advantage compared to a bluetooth connection is that there is less latency. Of course during competitive games you don’t want to hear the footsteps behind you a second too late!
The base station is relatively small in size, about as wide and less deep as my DAC/AMP from Topping. There are two USB-C connections on the back for, for example, the PC or console connection. A 3.5mm line-in and line-out can also be found here. The unit itself is made of plastic and has an OLED screen. The display shows all information in white; there are no options for other colors. A large rotary knob has also been placed on the front. Finally, there is a recess on the side where one of the batteries can be placed to charge it.
On the base station itself you can read things like the volume, the bitrate that is used and the balance between the right and left channels. The volume knob can also be used to navigate the menu. You can confirm by pressing this button, while navigating back is done by means of a capacitive circle on the screen.
FrontBack
Software for the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
To use the base station properly, it is necessary to download the steelseries GG software. When using the software, there was an immediate request to provide the headset with new firmware.
Engine
The headset can be fully configured to taste in the Engine software. For example, there are an equalizer, audio presets for music, games and speech, but you can also configure when the headset should go into standby.
Many adjustments are possibleIt is very easy to use
Under the heading Apps, there are various settings that can be applied to the screen of the wireless receiver. For example, it is possible to show stats from your PC, discord messages can be displayed or song info from Tidal. Finally, it is possible to link specific settings to individual games; for example, opting for more bass in Hitman 3 and focusing more on vocals in a game like Hades.
Cpu info being showed on the Oled screen
Sonar
Sonar is a must-have in my opinion if you want to get the most out of the Arctis Nova Pro wireless. Here you can really go wild to personalize the headset. There is a more extensive 10-band equalizer, more presets, smart volume, but also spatial audio. With spatial audio you can fine-tune where and how your sound should be positioned. This way you can adjust the distance of the sound, but you can also move a slider either towards performance or immersion.
You can adjust the sound to your liking
Sonar has another card up his sleeve. There is Clearcast ; AI driven Noise cancellation which is still in early access. Noise gate cuts sound when it falls below a certain level, while Smart voice keeps sounds at a preferred level. After all, Noise Reduction is there to filter out things like keystrokes and case fans during recordings.
Despite being in early access, Clearcast does its jobs very well.
Sound quality of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
I have used the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless to play games, listen to music, make phone calls and watch movies. My experiences have been largely positive.
Listening
Games
I started using the headset while gaming. I really enjoyed sound in games like Hitman 3 where the sound was very detailed. Dialogues in the game were easy to understand and sound from, for example, throwing away a crowbar came in more impactful. Sea of Thieves was a great experience with the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The music, but also the sound of confrontations on the high seas with another crew, fantastic! Spatial audio really adds something to games, enemies can be heard coming from all sides and directions.
I played this song on the clear vocal settings, full immersion and the very close range. In the beginning you can hear Rutger Hauer doing his iconic monologue. I had the feeling that I myself was kneeling in my trench coat with him. Awesome!
The intro with trumpet (CD version) but also the saxophone can be heard well next to the vocals in the song with the Punchy setting. Occasionally the music sounded a bit too shrill for me, but adjusting the equalizer and the various presets is easy enough to set things straight.
This song, of course, was set to the Deep Bass preset. The bass got a nice boost without completely ruining the vocals. bass-heads can also have fun with this headset!
Recording
Gaming
While playing games, I didn’t get any negative feedback. When I asked how well I could be heard, I was told that I was well understood. People sometimes thought my voice sounded a bit too soft though. Perhaps this is a software setting that I have overlooked. Or it is something a firmware update is able to fix.
Calling
During a telephone conversation, I was clearly understood by the other person. I did get the comment that it was very good to hear that I happened to be taking a plate out of the dishwasher. Apart from that, the person I called was surprised when I told them I was calling with a headset. I could also understand the other person very well.
Sample recording
This is a recording made with the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset. Clearcast AI is not enabled.
This recording is made with clearcast enabled and set to the default settings.
Bluetooth
The bluetooth connection works great with my phone, Chromebook, and Windows laptop. The range and stability are excellent. However, I did experience an annoying drawback. While playing movies on my Chromebook, I noticed a lag. I couldn’t get this resolved myself and ended up using the headset wired. I think using the latest bluetooth 5.2 would have been a better option here.
ANC
Unfortunately, I think the ANC is less successful. I may have been spoiled with a Bose QC-45 headset though. The Steelseries headset does not reach this level. I can barely tell the difference between on and off. I can still hear sounds coming through in the background that I can’t hear while using the Bose.
Pricing
The Steelseries Arctis Pro has a suggested retail price of €379 in Europe and $349,- in the US. Although this is not a small amount, you do get a lot for your money. Not only do you get excellent sound, but you also get a great microphone and a wireless DAC for a stable 2.4 GHz connection. Finally, there is the software which really has added value in this case. For this amount you actually get two headphones, because it can also be used on the go thanks to bluetooth and a 3.5mm connection. The design is quite understated and the microphone is neatly tucked away, so you don’t have to worry about people staring at you.
Verdict
For the most part the Steelseries Arctis Wireless Pro headset is an excellent product. The headset is lightweight and feels solid despite the use of mostly plastic materials. Using interchangeable batteries that can be charged in the DAC are excellent choices. I would have liked to have seen a separate charger for a weekend trip, for example though.
The headband and ear cushions are made of fine material and provide great comfort. It’s nice to see that Steelseries makes it easy to replace the headband and covers and let you personalize them with other colors. I hope they will also sell individual earpads as they require a special click adapter. For me personally this is a disadvantage given previous experiences with other brands. Hopefully Steelseries handles this well.
The software is also fantastic and of added value. The connection of bluetooth could be better, perhaps this can be adjusted through a software update. The ANC is nice to have but not that great. All in all, I am very satisfied with the Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless and can heartily recommend it if you are looking for a premium wireless headset.
As we are halfway down 2022 we are nearing the new generation of GPU’s coming up. This time Intel will join the fight as well! The launch of the current generation of cards has been a strange one to say the least. Everyone was very excited, this generation promised massive gains from team red and green compared to the previous generation. AMD showing they were back in the ring and showing Intel it was serious on the CPU front forced NVIDIA to step up. Not only did both companies promise serious gains in graphical power, they also priced their initial products pretty competitively. We then experienced a time of scarcity and a very skewed relationship between supply and demand. We all know the reason why. Well I decided it was time to take a look back at the Radeon RX 6800xt.
Lucky bastard
I was one of the lucky few to get my hands on a 6800xt for MSRP at launch. Purely by accident, I was lucky enough to check the AMD website on launch-day to see if they even offer cards on their own website, just like NVIDIA does. Somewhat surprised I saw the card in stock and before I knew it I had ordered it. After an exciting period with regard to the delivery time, a shipping confirmation suddenly arrived after a week. The next day I was able to receive the card.
First impressions
My first reaction was; Wow! that’s a heavy box! When I opened the box, I immediately got the impression that AMD was proud of this product. Nicely finished box with a welcome message: “welcome to the red team”
The showpiece itself is located under the sturdy lid with an image of the card. They also included a small booklet with a keycap with an “R” in Radeon style underneath!
Installation of the RX 6800xt
The card takes up 2.5 slots and fits nicely in my Phanteks P600s with front mounted radiator. I use the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280, which is great to keep any current chip nice and cool!
2x 8 pins, check, lets go! I did, however, first remove all previous drivers in safe mode via DDU and already downloaded the Radeon software. It took a while to get a screen at first, probably because Windows was trying to install some drivers in the background. After a few minutes I did get an image and I ran a short test of Timespy on standard settings.
RGB FTW!
After the most recent Adrenaline update and installation of the RGB tool, it is now possible to provide the logo with a different color as well as effects such as breathing but also morse code. In case you are the stealthy type it is also possible to turn off all the colors on the card.
Undervolting the Radeon RX 6800xt
I applied an undervolt of -100 which gave me these results.
This is with a -100 undervolt 2150 memory and power target at +15%
For a reference model I think the temperature is fine, as well as the sound. I can barely hear the card in my case. While running Timespy I opened the window of my case and I could hear a very light coil-whine very close to the GPU, nothing close to a screeching Banshee. Especially with the window closed again, it’s just enjoying my red light district again.
Games and Ray-tracing
I haven’t had any problems playing my games at the highest settings at 1440P. Ray-tracing was something different though. If ray-tracing is the thing you are after you are better off going with NVIDIA. For me personally this was a non-issue as I don’t care much for the technology. I never used it on my 2080ti. In pure rasterization this card is absolutely amazing.
Final thoughts
Am I satisfied? I am! I paid €668,- including shipping and for that money I have nothing to complain about! For the backward scalp prices being asked for 1000 or more, I wouldn’t have pulled my wallet. This also applies to the NVIDIA cards which have been overpriced as well.
As of this moment we are finally coming to cards being sold at around msrp prices. We are getting close to the launch of the new generation of cards and let us all hope this time cards will be more affordable and accessible for everyone. In the meantime if you decide to pick up a 6800xt for a discounted price or maybe on the cheap second hand, you won’t be disappointed. The 6800xt is a very capable GPU from team red!
Until now I have always had a wired mouse. I did not immediately see the need for a wireless variant because this would only give me the hassle of charging or changing batteries in time. I also had the delay that was noticeable in the past in the back of my mind. After reading all the positive stories from people around me and online, I decided to take the plunge to wireless. Read here whether the Logitech G Pro X Superlight has convinced me.
Making choices
In my quest finding a new mouse, there were a number of things that I had put on my list of requirements. I wanted a light mouse, no batteries, a good battery life, good switches, a good quality sensor and no permanent RGB. I also wanted to have a reputable brand so that I can easily purchase accessories later on, such as glides or switches, if necessary. After a long search I ended up with an old friend of mine: Logitech.
Deciding on the Logitech G Pro X Superlight
Almost everyone has worked with a keyboard, mouse or one of the many other computer accessories from Logitech. The company has been making high-quality equipment for years and is constantly innovating. Mechanical keyboards, trackball mice, pc speakers, headphones but also webcams. Logitech has it all. I have used many Logitech products over the years. Examples include the C920 webcam, a wireless desktop set for my smart TV, and the G502 wired mouse.
The Logitech G Pro X Superlight kept coming up on various forums and in various reviews. The mouse seemed to meet almost all my requirements so decided to order it. It is an improved version of the normal G Pro X mouse. The mouse has now been made even lighter, has run out of RGB fuel and has surrendered two side buttons on the right.
Unpacking the mouse
The box of the G Pro X Superlight
The G-Pro X Superlight comes in a compact black box with a picture of the mouse on the front. The make and model number are printed in a blue color typical of Logitech “G” products. On the sides you will find the specifications on one side and some sponsor logos of well-known pro gamers on the other. On the back some highlights of the mouse in a sensitive black light with the text “Keep playing in the well-known blue and white in the middle. Tight!
Nice and Clean
Inside the box
With the mouse, sits in a plastic recess. At the top of the lid, you will find a soft piece of foam to protect the mouse against damage during transport.
The mouse is simple and elegant
Furthermore, the USB dongle for a 2.4 GHz connection and a flat box with accessories are included. These accessories include a USB A to micro-usb (yes, no USB-C) to charge the mouse, and to click the dongle on. You will also find an optional cover with ptfe for the bottom of the mouse and optional black grip covers. You can buy a USB C to USB A adaptor from Logitech on their website if you need one.
The Cover is removable and can be used to store the USB dongle
Specs
Specs taken from Logitech’s website
The G Pro X Superlight up close
weight
Until now I had used the Sharkoon Light² 200 and I liked it, especially considering it falls in the budget segment. This mouse convinced me of the advantages of a light mouse. This gave me less pain in my wrist with prolonged use. Unfortunately I am sensitive to Carpal Tunnel. I was using a Logitech G502 Hero before switching to the Sharkoon. While this was a great mouse in form and function, it was too heavy for my wrists.
Shape and looks of the Logitech G Pro X Superlight
The Sharkoon mouse I used before has an ergonomic shape which ensured that I immediately found it comfortable. I didn’t think the hole pattern that made the mouse had a lower weight was ideal though. I kept in mind that things like dust or other microparticles could easily get into the mouse because of this. I would have preferred the same low weight but without the perforations in the housing. The G Pro X Superlight delivers on this. It is lightweight, sturdy and doesn’t need holes to accomplish the low weight.
Left sideTopRight
Batteries not included
Ok, so I wanted to go wireless. But with wireless mice, you have these with both removable batteries and rechargeable mice. Both have advantages and disadvantages. For example, a rechargeable mouse can degrade over time and it is not immediately full. Batteries are easily exchangeable, so you can continue wirelessly right away. The major disadvantage of this is that extra weight is added and there is a (minimal, but still present) risk of leakage.
Sensor and switches
The sensor and switches are very important in the daily use of a mouse. A good sensor ensures a smooth and accurate transfer to your screen. This is not only great for daily tasks, but especially for things like gaming where sometimes every second can mean the difference between game over and the next stage. There’s nothing more annoying than switches that don’t feel right, falter or feel inconsistent. This is also a distinguishing factor between a good and bad mouse experience.
Lack of RGB
Rainbows; nice things to see in the wild. I don’t care much for them on my desk though. So I wanted a mouse without it, or at the very least being able to switch it off entirely. If you do like rainbows on your desk, that’s just fine! You won’t get any in this mouse though! Fortunately Logitech offers lots of choice for both gamers and office people.
Using the G Pro X Superlight
The G Pro X Superlight was at first a little odd to me. It felt almost like a toy, so light that it was. It is very solidly built though, nothings squeaks when holding this mouse. I also had to adjust a bit coming from an ergonomic shaped mouse switching to a more symmetrical one. I got used to it after a day and I really started to like the design. It’s so simple yet elegant. No funny stuff. It reacts perfectly to my every movement, the clicks are nice and smooth and the scroll wheel is fantastic. There were two things I did miss though. The infinite scroll wheel from my G502 Hero and a dpi switch button. But adding these two things will add weight of course. But in reality I soon realized I could live with this just fine.
I played a bit of ANNO1800, some Doom and Hitman 3 with the mouse. All worked perfectly fine and I had a great and smooth experience. I like to play games like Anno 1800 on a higher DPI setting and here is where I missed my DPI switch.
Fortunately Logitech has a software solution for this.
Software
I installed the Logitech G-hub software and adjusted my DPI to 900. Everyone has their own preference for things like DPI and polling rate. You can set a setting as permanently active to the mouse if you want. But the software also lets you store up to 5 profiles and you can let the settings switch automatically depending on what’s on your screen. You can for example set the DPI to 1200 while on your desktop and let the mouse switch to 800 when you start up CS-GO.
The software is easy and straightforward
Final thoughts
Overall I really like the G Pro X Superlight. It feels incredibly light but still very solid. The mouse is super smooth while gliding on my desk mat and the battery lasts about 2 weeks for me. Charging is fast, but I wished It had a more universal and modern USB C connection. I missed the DPI button and Infinite scroll wheel at first but found out I can live with mostly one setting. When needed Logitech’s G-hub software can let you switch your DPI settings automatically which works really well. The mouse isn’t cheap though and there are cheaper mice out there. But if you want the best lightweight mouse at the moment, look no further!
You can buy the mouse directly from Logitech or check it out at Amazon!
The Akko CS Silver switches came with my Akko 3098B keyboard. You can find the review of the board here.
I have used Cherry Brown and Gateron brown switches myself in the past, with the latter typing just a bit better. Then moved on to Gateron Yellows. When choosing the keyboard, as mentioned earlier in the review of the keyboard, I opted for the CS silver switches. I had the choice of CS Silver, the Pink and two other switches. The main reason for me to choose the CS silver was the fact that I wanted to try a so-called “fast” switch.
About the Akko CS Silver Switches
The CS silver switches belong to the Custom Switches from Akko. The Custom switches are manufactured as a result of feedback and market research by Akko. Often a switch is taken from the existing line-up and then improved upon. The CS Silver switches have a very short pre-travel of only 1mm and is made of high quality materials.
The stem is made of POM, also called Polyacetal. This material is very sturdy and dimensionally stable and is widely used in mechanical engineering. The top is made of poly-carbonate and the bottom of nylon.
breakdown
Specs
Using the Akko CS Silver switches
The Silver switches are pleasant to use. In my opinion, they don’t need a lube to remove ping or scratch. But it never hurts. Personally, I noticed that the switches are very sensitive. For me personally, this is not great. I make a lot of typos because of this.
For playing games where speed is a factor, these will be very pleasant. There is no wobble in the switches, this is partly thanks to the dust cover where there is a wall surrounding the stem.
Akko’s switches have a so-called 3-pin system and can therefore be used for almost all hot-swap boards. The CS switches also have a higher stem, so that keycaps with the Cherry profile should not cause any problems.
RGB
The top of the switch is transparent. This allows it to easily let light through. Because the bottom is made of Nylon, it does not allow light to pass through. The difference with the Jelly series is therefore a slightly lower yield of RGB light, although this is still more than enough for most people. If you do like RGB you should check out this ACR set!
The CS Silvers next to the Jelly Black and Jelly PurpleYou can see the Jelly switch letting more light shine through
Final thoughts
The CS silver switches are perfect for the gamers who want to transfer their actions from fingers to game as quickly as possible. The switch activates itself at the lightest touch. There is hardly a pre-travel. As mentioned earlier, lubing is not a must with this switch. Due to the material used and the quality of production, it is already very smooth. This is my personal opinion, of course.
For people who mainly type, another switch from the Akko range will probably be better suited. Linear alternatives are, for example, the V3 Cream Yellow or the hand-lubed CS Piano. For lovers of Tactile, these are for example the Gateron Orange or Akko POM Brown.
