Tiger Canyon Porcoolpine hands-on

Courtesy of Simply NUC

Our favorite builds of 2021

This open-air marvel is all about the Noctua NH-P1.

The Phanteks TC14PE is a beast, and can be used in passive mode.

We're partial to 35W CPUs. Low power and low budget is nice too.

The Nofan CR-95C is the OG of passive cooling. This build is a remarkable finale to this cooler's history.

AnandTech reviews the Nightjar NJ700

"The OEM behind the Nightjar NJ700 is SeaSonic, perhaps the most reputable top-tier PC PSU OEM. On top of that, the NJ700 is based on what is currently SeaSonic’s best platform. We found only top-tier components inside the Nightjar NJ700, ranging from critical parts down to insignificant filtering capacitors. The developer of this PSU spared no expense and that showed during our testing, when the Nightjar NJ700, a PSU that lacks any form of active cooling, was operating unaffected inside our hotbox and with virtually no change in its performance. SilverStone covers the Nightjar NJ700 with a five-year warranty, which is sufficient, yet strange when the OEM markets the same platform with a 12-year warranty."

Source: AnandTech

Streacom DB1 MAX coming soon

While the original DB1 features a single cooling panel and is designed for 45W processors, the DB1 MAX features two cooling panels and handles 65W CPUs. Do note that the DB1 MAX is only compatible with Thin mini-ITX motherboards. Ditching the internal pico-PSU is a good thing if you ask us (Thin mini-ITX boards feature a handy DC jack). This new case will be available in March 2022 for about 110 euros.

Source: Quiet PC

Made from scratch

Passive cooling can be expensive. Flagship heat sink cases like the Streacom DB4 or the HDPLEX H4 can reach $400 while premium products from MonsterLabo or Turemetal can fetch over $800. Powered by the Ryzen 5 5600G this 4.5kg aluminum creation is impressive, and very effective. With half of the chassis consisting of cooling fins, the 65W AMD CPU is kept under 77°C. Genius.

Source: Yixunwang

PrimeStation Pulsar available

Prime Computer's turbocharged mini workstation is now available in Switzerland and neighboring countries. Featuring the the 65W Ryzen 7 PRO 5750G and a 4.3kg aluminum heat sink case, the compact system (9.1 x 22.5 x 20.3 cm) is something unique on the market (AMD-powered systems are still pretty rare). Get the PrimeStation Pulsar from Brack.ch, Digitec.ch, Alltron.ch, Interdiscount.ch, Fust.ch, Galaxus.ch, and Microspot.ch.

OnLogic's IoT Connect Kit : Connect to the Cloud in One Hour

Industrial IoT solution provider, OnLogic (www.onlogic.com), unveiled the "Connect Kit by OnLogic" during a live event on November 11th. Designed as a bundled kit of hardware and software, the Connect Kit allows facilities to easily connect their equipment to the cloud in one hour. Consultation from Cirrus Link Solutions, experts in SCADA and Industrial IoT implementation, is included with the kit to provide guidance. OnLogic indicated that users of the connect kit will be able to begin data collection via Inductive Automation's Ignition Trial software and transfer to AWS cloud services without writing a single line of code.

The kit is available for purchase now by visiting onlogic.com/ckt110 or contacting an OnLogic solutions expert at 802-862-7478.

"Digital transformation, Industrial IoT, Industry 4.0, call it what you will; essentially it's about connecting the most valuable assets of your business to gain insights into your day to day operations. To meet evolving standards and production goals, facilities need to connect legacy devices, whether on-premise or in the cloud, to minimize operating costs, asset downtime, and increase efficiency," said Carolyn Swan, OnLogic Partnerships Lead. "However, the first step of digital transformation can seem complex and daunting. The Connect Kit is designed to cut through the complexity and offer a simple solution to leverage business intelligence for cost savings."

The Connect Kit by OnLogic includes:

• A custom-configured OnLogic Karbon 300 Rugged PC w/ Ignition Trial Edition software pre-installed
• An hour of expert consultation from Cirrus Link Solutions
• 2 x 6ft. Premium Shielded Ethernet Cables
• 1 x DisplayPort to HDMI Cable
• 1 x Computer Port and Dust Blocking Kit
• 1 x Terminal Block Kit
• 1 x DIN Mounting Clip
• 1 x Power Supply

The custom configuration of the AWS IoT Qualified Karbon 300 Rugged PC encompasses both the hardware specifications and the software image applied to the system.

The Connect Kit by OnLogic is expected to be utilized as a "one box" solution for systems integrators to prove the value of digital transformation to prospective customers. The Karbon 300 Rugged PC was chosen for the Kit due to its ability to operate reliably in the wide-range of conditions presented by industries ranging from manufacturing to energy production. The fanless and ventless system is compact to fit into a variety of spaces and enclosures. It offers a wide operating temperature range, variable power input capabilities, and has been tested against MIL-STD-810 standards for shock and vibration.

"I envision system integrators stocking up on our Connect Kit, ready to grab off the shelf and deploy with customers," said Anders Nielsen, OnLogic Business Development Executive. "The ability to show rapid and reliable value is a requirement of a modern business model. What better way to win an integration than to prove the real-world value of connecting the customer's facility in a rapid fashion? While others are still quoting, you can be connecting to the cloud."

For more information about the Connect Kit by OnLogic, visit https://www.onlogic.com/connect. 

Forbidden Rubik's Cube

We're loving this DIY project based on the ASRock 4X4 BOX-4500U. Shaped as a perfect cube the case is apparently capable of handling the 25W Ryzen processor passively. Unfortunately, CPU mounting and internal layout are - and will probably remain - a mystery.

Source: ebay-kleinanzeigen.de

Rare Tiger Lake motherboard

Would you ever buy a motherboard featuring a soldered CPU? This Maxsun microATX mobo features the 45W i7-11800H (8C / 16T up to 4.60 GHz) and thanks to its custom heat spreader, a regular CPU cooler can be used. Also onboard are three PCI-Express slots (x16, x4, and x1) two full-sized memory DDR4 DIMM slots, six USB ports, two HDMI, two DisplayPort, and 2.5G Ethernet. This unique motherboard is available in China for about $450.

Source: Expreview via VideoCardz, Tom’s Hardware and @momomo_us 

i7 Kingdel smart mini PC

This surprisingly cheap Kingdel PC features the capable i7-8565U (4C / 8T up to 4.60 GHz), 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage for $619. Cooling looks appropriate thanks to a decently-sized ‎9.2 x 5.9 x 2-inch heat sink case. Our only reservation is the included Windows 10 Pro license which could be of dubious origin, so be aware of that.