Custom PC UK

Custom PC is the UK’s best-selling magazine for PC hardware, overclocking, gaming and modding. Every month, Custom PC is packed with in-depth hardware reviews, step-by-step photo guides and informative features, all with a focus on tinkering with your computer’s insides. Along the way, you’ll also find hard-hitting tech opinion, game reviews and all manner of computer hobbyism goodness, from small Pi projects to extreme PC mods.

All PCs great and small

Custom PC

ISSUE 219

ISSUE 219 SUBSCRIBERS EDITION

WILL HYBRID CPUS WIN? • Richard Swinburne asks if Intel’s ‘big and little’ approach to CPU design will ultimately work, and if AMD is now falling behind

MAN ENOUGH TO PLAY GAMES? • Tracy King looks at the still-persistent myth that men who play video games aren’t ‘manly’

Letters • Please send us your feedback and correspondence to custompc@raspberrypi.com

Incoming

RADEON RX 5000 CARDS GET SAM

Rumour control • OUR ROUNDUP OF THE LATEST UNCONFIRMED TECH GOSSIP. TAKE THESE STORIES WITH THE APPROPRIATE PINCH OF SALT

CORSAIR LAUNCHES WIRELESS ESPORTS MOUSE

Reviews Z590 MINI-ITX MOTHERBOARD ASUS ROG STRIX Z590-I GAMING WIFI/£310 inc VAT

ATX Z590 MOTHERBOARD NZXT N7 Z590/£240 inc VAT

MINI-ITX CASE SSUPD MESHLICIOUS/£102 inc VAT (side window), £111 inc VAT (full mesh)

WIRELESS GAMING HEADSET ROCCAT SYN PRO AIR/£130 inc VAT

BUCKLING SPRING KEYBOARD UNICOMP NEW MODEL M/£129 inc VAT

GAMING LAPTOP ASUS ROG FLOW X13 GV301 / Laptop £1,499 inc VAT/Laptop and eGPU £2,699 inc VAT

AMD APU PC PC SPECIALIST LOTUS ELITE R/£699 inc VAT

AMD X570 GAMING PC WIRED2FIRE PREDATOR EXTREME/£2,300 inc VAT

Custom kit • Phil Hartup checks out the latest gadgets, gizmos and geek toys

SINJIMORU CABLE CLIP/£12.99 inc VAT

ZEROWATER 10 CUP JUG/£34.99 inc VAT

G-DRIVE MOBILE SSD/£315.95 inc VAT for 2TB

NURATRUE EARBUDS/£ 199.99 inc VAT

ALL PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW COME WITH A FREE DIGITAL SUB

LABS TEST Clear call • Make muddled messages a problem of the past with a dedicated USB streaming microphone. Edward Chester puts eight of the latest models to the test

BLUE YETI/£110 inc VAT

ELGATO WAVE 1/£100 inc VAT

ELGATO WAVE 3/£130 inc VAT

EPOS B20/£180 inc VAT

RAZER SEIREN MINI/£40 inc VAT

ROCCAT TORCH/£90 inc VAT

DON’T MISS THE BRAND NEW ISSUE!

SHURE MV7 PODCAST KIT WITH MINI TRIPOD/£220 inc VAT

TRUST GXT 241 VELICA/£50 inc VAT

LABS TEST A low profile • Antony Leather tests five CPU coolers that can squeeze into a tight space

BE QUIET! DARK ROCK TF 2/£70 inc VAT

CRYORIG C7/£30 inc VAT

JONSBO CR-701/£27 inc VAT

NOCTUA NH-L12S/£50 inc VAT

RAIJINTEK PALLAS 120 RGB/£33 inc VAT

How we test

Core component bundles • The fundamental specifications we recommend for various types of PC. Just add your preferred case and power supply, and double-check there’s room in your case for your chosen components, especially the GPU cooler and graphics card. We’ve largely stopped reviewing power supplies, as the 80 Plus certification scheme has now effectively eliminated unstable PSUs. Instead, we’ve recommended the wattage and minimum 80 Plus certification you should consider for each component bundle. You can then choose whether you want a PSU with modular or captive cables.

Mini PCs • Our favourite components for building a micro-ATX or mini-ITX PC. Always double-check how much room is available in your chosen case before buying your components. Some mini-ITX cases don’t...