The Hardware Asylum Podcast: Recent Episodes
Hardware Asylum
Just two guys talking tech, Dennis and Darren are experienced hardware reviewers, gamers and overclockers bringing you some of the latest tech dirt in the hardware world.
There has been a major change in the world of media with companies and consumers actually preferring to have everything cloud ready. For companies it gives them an additional revenue stream and more control while consumers find it more convenient. What isn’t being talked about is the complete loss of ownership and silent guidance to obsolete certain new technologies.
When it comes to trade shows for the computer hardware enthusiast there are two major ones. First is the Consumer Electronics Show followed by Computex in Taiwan. While CES is not a showcase for computer hardware the Computex show puts computer hardware front and center, so much that now it has started to become a spectacle.
For the past few weeks Dennis has been testing the Looki L1 wearable AI device. This proactive wearable AI was making headlines during CES and has quickly become a talking point in AI circles. The real question isn’t what it can do now but rather what it could do with good software and a strong agent behind the glass.
Streaming games on Twitch has become really simple with the variety of tools available, capture cards and streaming software. In this episode the duo talk about the involved process of streaming retro games using period correct retro hardware
We get gaming PC questions quite often and decided to revisit the process of building a budget gaming pc for the most popular games of 2025. As of this Podcast we are still in the middle of a memory shortage which can alter prices considerably.
It is not uncommon for board games to become a video game, one famous example is Dungeons and Dragons where the tabletop experience and adventure were ported to the PC to extend the universe. As it would turn out, quite a few games have been ported to the Board Game genre including titles such as Doom, Pac Man and Slay the Spire.
Recently there have been changes to the import rules for routers due to prolific security issues that shouldn’t have been there to begin with. Of course, this issue is not new but there is finally a governmental regulation in place to minimize the risk.
Over the past several years we have watched as the motherboard audio solution slowly started to become less advanced in favor of a two-port analog USB solution that nobody uses. Creative stepped up with the Audigy Fx Pro sound card as a solution but, does anyone want it?
One of the constants in the enthusiast PC world is that builds change and in this episode the duo discuss the recent cooling upgrades made to the Podcast and Stream Machine used in the Hardware Asylum Labs followed by an introduction to a new keyboard project for the cyberdeck build.
While the Retro PC projects have slowed, we still get excited for when old hardware happens to show up. In this episode we do another blind unboxing of a Retro PC care package with some interesting hardware from motherboards to coolers.
One of the biggest challenges related to AI is finding something to use it for. The most popular option are chatbots but many find success with machine learning or system automation. In this episode the duo talk about building a local LLM voice assistant with a Raspberry Pi Zero and some open source software.
The enthusiast PC world is full of early innovation that shaped later products and even trends in the industry. In this episode we talk with Dewayne from Modders-Inc about computer cases along with the impact casemodding had on the pc industry and how those roads lead to QuakeCon.
In this episode the we talk about a very interesting question that was sent in related to the current PC component prices and if it makes sense to sell unused build parts for a profit or keep them and actually finish a new build.
As gaming enthusiasts, we have all bought games that never lived up to the hype. Sure, the reviews were good but once it was installed it turned out to be a huge dud. In this episode the duo explores the top 10 biggest disasters in gaming history and number one will surprise you.
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the largest tech focused trade show in the US and happens right after New Years. While PC hardware is rather scarce at recent events there is still plenty of cutting-edge tech to see from autos to AI and robots.
In this episode we get and overview of some of the latest games that Darren has been playing, the challenges associated with them and how best to play them this holiday season. Titles include Battlefield 6 and Borderlands 4 either on the PC or Console.
It has been fifteen years since the first Ninjalane Podcast went live and while we have grown as content creators so has our equipment choices. In this episode we talk about recent upgrades while reflecting on how things have changed over the years.
Kickstarter is an interesting platform that allows designers and developers to obtain the funding they need to build the things they find of value. Some of them are total scams while others can give us amazing things like Zombie Survival games, 3d printed products and how high-quality modular audio hubs
In this Podcast Extra we bring on a special guest and former Hackfort director and local event organizer, Mike Taylor. Mike has been a friend of the website for many years and helped Hardware Asylum get featured during several Boise Hackfort events due in part to the passion that Dennis has for overclocking. Sit back as the two discuss tech events and then take a deep dive into the challenges of building a PC.
Motherboard form factors have been driving the PC market since the beginning with the IBM PC and everything after that has been based on this original design. So, what happens when a new form factor is released? Does everything reset or are there some standards that everyone still follows.
As gamers and hardware enthusiasts we often create attachments to certain gear in our arsenal. In this episode the duo discusses the pain and problems associated with replacing beloved gaming components when they are no longer available.
Hydroponic gardening has been around for quite some time and is really effective when done correctly. You can speed up the growing cycle and supercharge your plants to produce more when compared to traditional methods. As with overclocking a computer it just takes a little more effort to get the best results.
There is a trend in the retro pc community to highlight popular platforms and technologies. For instance things like DOScember would celebrate all things DOS while SEPTandy would focus on Tandy computers. These trends typically start as a marketing campaign to promote content and videos, the good ones stick around while others may get lost to time. Dennis is looking to take advantage starting with this entry into the Retro PC vault.
In addition to computer hardware the hosts of the Hardware Asylum Podcast are also rather passionate gamers and with the exciting launch of Battlefield 6 the duo couldn’t help but talk about some of the new features and graphical updates. Later in the show Dennis dives into a new feature on the website targeted at giving something back to our loyal readers and
People are always looking for ways to save money and while the practice of buying used computer parts to save money has largely fallen out of favor it can sometimes be the deciding factor between building mid-range system over a high-end one. In this episode the duo discuss the option of buying used computer parts and what to consider before spending a single cent.
There is nothing worse than sitting down at your desk only to find that your PC has stopped working. What you do next will not only define you as a true computer hardware enthusiast but can help get you answers quickly if you have to “phone a friend”. In this episode Dennis talks about the troubleshooting process he went through to figure out what went wrong with his latest PC build.
There are few motherboards that hold the mantle of trendsetter as most simply improve on what was done before or what could be easily copied from competitors or stolen though industrial espionage. However, there is one motherboard to rise above them all, the MSI X99 Godlike. This board set the trend for onboard RGB lights and yet the series lives on with the latest Z890 Godlike
In this episode we continue our coverage of Computex 2025 and discuss more vendors and their contributions to AI and furthering the modern PC usage and development. There were a few vendors experimenting with bringing back some nostalgia by reviving old product lines or creating something truly retro.
In this episode the duo takes a whiskey fueled look back to Computex 2010 which was the same year Kavalan distilled the spirit consumed during this recording. There is also some talk about current computer hardware but, who wants to listen to that?
In this episode the duo talks about using open-source AI models on the new Ninjalane server and discuss some of the ways you can easily customize them for different uses from building out tailored documents to planning your D&D campaign. While hosting your own private AI sounds complicated the overall process is actually rather straightforward, provided you have the correct hardware to run them.
For media people attending tradeshows is often a necessary part of the business. It not only allows you to see some of the latest tech but also talk with industry professionals about new things due to be released. It also has a side benefit that, sometimes, you can buy expensive hardware at bargain prices if, you are comfortable with a little cloak and dagger.
It is no surprise to know that games have gotten bigger over the years. What might have fit on a single disk now can take days to download and will likely get updated in less than a week. Technology has paved the way to do more with our digital entertainment and some experts are saying that we have already gone past the tipping point between what gamers what and gamers get.
It would seem that 2025 is the year of the upgrade, first new Podcast machine for recording the show and other lab related activities. Some personal builds and now a replacement server to host Hardwareasylum.com and Ninjalane.com. The question is, how is a datacenter hosted server different from a desktop PC?
During CES 2025 we were introduced to the Endorfy line of products and two of them have made it into the Hardware Asylum Labs. These products are now being sold through ModMyMods and are looking to having exceptional value for the money. This virtual unboxing is then followed up with the Corne V3 GLP mechanical keyboard project and quick discussion on what it takes to build your own keyboard.
One of the challenges of being a hardware reviewer and overclocker is having a stable system that you can use on a daily basis. Some enthusiasts take the budget route with a nice laptop while others pour the same passion and dedication into their personal builds that they do on the bench. The same holds true in the Hardware Asylum Labs but, there are times when more important things force personal builds to the side.
In this episode the duo discusses some of the new builds that will be taking place over the next couple months including a major upgrade to the computer that records the Hardware Asylum Podcast and handles all of the Twitch and YouTube live streams.
CES 2025 is one of the most popular tradeshows for tech enthusiasts and does a great job at setting the stage for future technology and many of the things we will see in the immediate future. The highlight of CES 2025 was the launch of the RTX 50 Series Blackwell GPUs along with some major shifts in the hardware world.
With 2024 quickly coming to an end we decided to reflect on some of the hardware highlights of 2024 to recall some of our favorite products and projects from fancy motherboards to the popular dual subwoofer build. We also end the year with one last system build that may not completely break the bank.
Dennis has this an unhealthy obsession with retro pc hardware from repairing old motherboards to assembling unicorn builds that max out the platform in ways that could not have been imagined when they were relevant. Well, it would seem that others have noticed and started sending in some mysteries of their own.
It has been a while since we featured an AMD motherboard on Hardware Asylum or the Podcast and in celebration of this achievement the duo offer an in-depth look at the new flagship motherboard from ASUS including Nitropath and how a SS Phase doesn’t faze the Ryzen 9 9950x.
For this Podcast Extra, the duo will be diving into what might have been one of the most anticipated movies of 2015 that was quickly rushed out in 2024 to become one of the many box office flops of the season. From a poor script to completely irrelevant casting choices it makes you wonder if anyone will ever make a good movie based on a video game.
We talked quite a bit about how messed up the RTX 4070 launch was from the initial release to a highly public recall to the final version, which was pretty good. Well, seems NVIDIA is at it again with a silent nerf of memory performance. However, all is not lost given the current RTX 50 Series rumors proving that the Blackwell generation could be really good.
By now most of you have heard of ChatGPT and its significance in bringing AI principles into the mainstream. There are quite a few different types of AI from generative ai to create assets and language models which can create chatbots and digital assistants. Most of these systems will run in the cloud as a service but, you could run your own AI with some rather simple tools.
In this episode the duo dive back into the topic of sound quality and if sound bars are really all that good or just cleaver marking combined with the placebo effect. There is some truth to each side and after some in-depth real-world testing they are here with a verdict.
Based on what Dennis saw during Computex 2024 there is a very good chance that the era of the DIY personal computer is finally coming to an end. Of course, there will always be ways to build a computer however, we noticed that then hardware makers gave up on competitive overclocking it killed an entire niche from the enthusiast PC sector and now it is happing on the gaming side. In this episode the duo discusses the writing on the wall and paint some pictures on what the future could be.
This is part 3 of our Computex 2024 coverage. A common theme for Computex 2024 was AI and sadly the absence of Gaming and/or Overclocking hardware. Despite this there were a few interesting and overkill motherboards followed by purely custom power supplies and retro matrix displays on coolers.
This is part 2 of our Computex 2024 coverage. As mentioned in the previous episode, there wasn’t much in the way of gaming hardware on the show floor but there was plenty of AI accessories and hardware available along with example of the new CAMM2 memory modules designed for ultra-portable computers.
It has been a while since Hardware Asylum was at Computex and the 2024 edition of this global technology show did not disappoint. NVIDIA had their keynote the day before Computex opened followed by an AMD keynote to kick the show off. After that Dennis visited with Gigabyte, Corsair, beQuiet during the first hours of the event.
Have you ever wondered how your build stacks up against EVERYONE else playing Steam games? Well, the Steam Hardware Survey can give you that data and the results are shocking, to say the least. In this episode we use the April 2024 Steam Hardware Survey to build the ultimate gaming PC according to gamers from around the world.
In this episode we explore some of the things that makes NVIDIA a company to watch from their dedication to gaming using NVIDIA GTX and RTX graphics cards to game related technologies such as Ray Tracing and DLSS. Their GPUs are fueling the AI revolution with datacenter construction and hardware designed specifically for AI processing. All of this collectively impacts their publicly traded stock which is embedded into thousands of mutual funds and the S&P 500 market index.
It is not uncommon for people to establish a home office either for their day job, their night job or even a side hustle. While you only need a computer there are certain accessories that make the entire process more enjoyable and vastly more productive. In this episode we explore a number of essential components including the Yeyian Gaming Flexcam.
Dennis recently had an old review motherboard come back to the Hardware Asylum Labs and was a completely unexpected sight. The board in question is the Soltek SL-75DRV4 and was a board he first reviewed back in 2001 on Ninjalane (the Parent site). The board had leaking capacitors and was a common failure that claimed the lives of so many motherboards before their time. Later in the show the duo talk about lost Memories, not from getting old but rather losing your data due to storing SSDs for too long.
With the pending launch of Fallout on Amazon and Borderlands in the theater we decided to revisit some great video game movies including a dream casting discussion we had over 10 years ago centered on the Borderlands movie and how badly a movie could be perceived when it starts to stray to far from the source material. However, the new Fallout series on Amazon might just be the crown jewel to save the summer.
Recently Jensen Huang the CEO of NVIDIA attended the World Governments Summit and talked about the current state of AI and made some amazing claims from Sovern AI to regulations to howe everyone in a company could be a coder. This raised some eyebrows, including those belonging to John Carmack who mentioned that learning how to code is not about programs but the process of learning how to solve problems. In this episode we talk about different implementations of AI and the hardware used to run it.
We have mentioned that one of quickest and most secure ways to back up your personal data is using a NAS device. Many commercial NAS systems are self-contained and have limited power. The CS382 is a dedicated NAS chassis allowing you to build the server you need without the common limitations. Later in this episode we talk about the new game modes in Fortnite and how to get rich quick using in game vbucks.
The RTX 40 Series Super video cards launched in January and encompass some of the final versions of the NVIDIA RTX 40 Series and Ada Lovelace architecture. We have the Gigabyte RTX 4070 Super in the lab and discuss some of the features and the take a deep dive into the interesting and completely messed up launch history of the 40 Series.
In this episode we do a debrief of the popular Consumer Electronics Show talking about each vendor we visited. While we focus on the computer hardware aspects of CES and checking out the latest motherboards, and related computer accessories there are some other amazing things to see including some AR Sunglasses, Mega Servers and an awesome all wheel drive robot lawn mower.
They say the only constant is change and that if things are not changing then you are not growing as a person or society. This has a direct impact on the technology that we use on a regular basis and while some trends may have never been welcome to begin with, there are some that may have left before their time. In this Podcast Extra the duo discusses an article on PC Gamer “30 things PC Gamer has outlived over the past 30 years” and later adds a few items they had missed.
Streaming on Twitch or YouTube is extremely easy on modern computers but can be quite a challenge when the technology is a little older. In this episode we talk about the steps needed to stream games from a Retro PC and how easy it has become to build a modern gaming build complete with EK watercooling gear.
We have all built computers before but, there are some people out there looking to take things to the next level and blur the lines between what makes sense and what will get views. This is very much a social medial world and it extends well beyond reasonable PC building. But, is there a limit?
There have been some major changes in the PC hardware world and the makers of those components have been slow to adapt. However, the fault is not with the maker of the hardware but rather the consumers, the hardware enthusiasts, the once vocal minority has been enabling the hardware maker with their silence. It might be time to put a stop to it.
No Man’s Sky was released in in the middle part of 2016 to largely negative reviews due to the game being overhyped and rushed to release. That is a typical issue with Kickstarter and other crowdfunded projects. However, since the release the developers have been consistently releasing new content while offering new and different ways to play. In this Podcast Extra Darren gives us his review into the current game and his favorite play style.
Last month we talk about the Z790 refresh from Gigabyte Aorus called the Fast Track to Gen X. In this episode we are doing a virtual unboxing of the new Elite 7 X to check out the new features and check out new DDR5 memory from BIWIN called the Predator Hermes with speeds available up to 8000Mhz.
In this episode Dennis talks about his recent trip to Seattle to attend Seafair 2023. The trip was to experience live hydroplane racing and catch an exciting airshow featuring planes manufactured by Boeing and the Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team. Of course, before heading back he made a quick stop at RE-PC for some retro pc part hunting.
Hardware Asylum as invited to attend a special media event hosted by Gigabyte / Aorus to showcase their Z790 X Motherboard refresh. They called this event “Fast Track to Gen X – Speed Simplified” and marked a series of major technology enhancements they were implementing to not only make their motherboards faster but also unique in the enthusiast motherboard space. In this episode the duo discusses the highlights of the event and what makes these boards great.
We get a good number of questions related to PC building and computer hardware and, in this episode, we dig through the mailbag to find some of your most obscure computer questions and have a great time answering them.
In this episode the duo discusses a recent article about the Newegg Shopping App built using the ChatGPT IV API interface. This allows users to ask the bot questions about computer hardware, components and even how to install everything. However, the responses are limited begging the question, can, or should, we trust the results
Diablo is a pretty amazing game and the developers did an excellent job at optimizing it to run on a wide variety of platforms and PC Hardware configurations. They also built in ways to run it with NVIDIA DLSS which can not only increase performance by 25% but also while running at the highest image quality settings.
In this episode we revisit three of our currently in progress projects including the Dual Subwoofer project, the Supra PiModem and some new Retro PC gaming builds.
The Battlefield games are a common topic on the Podcast and while Season 5: New Dawn of Battlefield 2042 is reported to fix everything wrong with the current game we thought it might be interesting to dive into how things got so bad to begin with starting 21 years ago.
In this episode the duo revisits a CES topic focused on some upgrades to the NVIDIA GeForce Now Cloud Gaming service and the option to play gaming titles on RTX 4090 class hardware. The service has been around for years and is currently the only cloud gaming service that allows you to play games enhanced by the NVIDIA GeForce gaming technologies without needing to own a single NVIDIA product.
In this episode the duo talk about the new RTX 4070 that has been tested in the Hardware Asylum Labs and analyze the performance against some of the popular cards of the previous generation to determine if it might be a good buy for your next upgrade or, if there might be something better for you to spend a fist full of dollars on.
In this episode the duo discusses a bequiet Social Media post asking fans to post their advice for someone building their first PC. Given this is social media the post was littered with cheeky responses and a few valid comments. A few were captured for discussion followed by a step by step on how easy it is to assemble a modern personal computer.
When you are doing any sort of modding project it is important to have the right tools for the job. Skipping this step is not only dangerous but, can also lead to lackluster results and often take longer than it would otherwise. When Dennis started his Retro PC (re)Adventure he discovered how versatile 3D Printing can be when it came to rebuilding old machines and upcycling old hardware. In this episode the duo discuss the latest Retro PC project in the Hardware Asylum Labs and how 3D Printing made it all possible.
With the recent launch of the new AMD Ryzen 7950X3D processor there was a new round of DDR5 memory released to support the new platform. The duo explore why you need DDR5 and what aspects of the memory are important to pick for your next build.
in this episode the duo are looking at the Thermaltake P3 TG Pro chassis and talking about some of the challenges associated with high-end computer cases and this new trend where they are being shipped unassembled. Ideally this is to help reduce overall costs while putting more responsibility on the consumer to build things right. Later, Dennis introduces a new Retro PC Project where he is upcycling a Supra dial up modem to be a modern communication appliance for Retro and Modern computers.
Our digital world has been changing at an alarming rate and we can see this from the advancements in movies where entire scenes are computer generated along with hologram pop stars with Instagram accounts and tv shows using real time motion capture. However, CGI is rather harmless when you start considering the power of “good” AI which can create deepfakes so good they fool professionals and chat bots which can write college essay papers and even complete difficult coding projects. In this episode the duo explores what is currently out there and even touch on some historical examples.
In this double length episode we do a travel log for our most recent CES adventure which is special since it is the first time back to the show in two years. The topics include a basic CES schedule breakdown including some highlights with Gigabyte and a zero-emissions cargo ship.
Normal computer product cycles tend to slow down during the Holiday Season to give consumers a chance to buy the components and gadgets they want while giving retail channels time to stock up for the holiday shopping rush. In this episode the duo talk about the items on a few popular lists and throw in their picks for this shopping season.
In this episode we get an update on the various box configurations and designs that Dennis has experimented with in his question to build an extended range sound system for Retro and Modern PCs. The duo talk through the various designs and determine if they were successful or needed some extra work.
In this episode the duo talks about the current issues with the RTX 4000 series launch from melting power plugs to the “just kidding” removal of the 12GB edition of the RTX 4080. On the surface neither of these things are a huge deal however, for gamers and hardware enthusiasts when we see troubles at launch that usually indicates rocky times are coming, and exactly what needs to be avoided.
In this episode Dennis talks about an impromptu trip for some Retro PC Hardware that ended up being a nighttime cannonball run for an extremely successful grab of old PC games, some Commodore 64 parts and a number of desirable motherboards and video cards. The interesting thing Is that while trips like this are somewhat rare, they can oftentimes turn into a fun little adventure.
In this episode we talk about the NVIDIA RTX 40 Series graphics cards and dive into the specs to see if this will be the generation to buy and how to know if you should skip this generation. Unlike in previous generations there should be no shortage of RTX 40 Series cards making the decision to buy rather straight forward.
When building a PC you have many choices to make, do you go small and keep things functional or do you go big and start flexing for your friends and family. In this episode we talk about big computer cases and why you would want to build in one like the Cooler Master HAF 700.
In this episode we take a first look at the long awaited Z690 Dark Kingpin Edition from EVGA. This is a motherboard targeted at overclocking but does not skimp on the essentials needed to be a proper gaming or working station build. We later transition to some progress we made on the Retro PC Subwoofer project to bring boom to your beige box.
We talk about building your own PC and what parts you need to buy and how much you should spend but, then often take the stance that you should stop your building with the tower and then flood your build with purchased accessories. While this makes good sense from economical standpoint you are missing out on the point of building a PC. In this episode we touch of the subject of sound quality and why you are leaving so much on the table by going retail with your sound solution.
We all know that the current PC world is a price driven market and we have often spent hours comparing specs, reading reviews, checking forum posts and watching shitty YouTube videos all to determine “what is the best bang for the buck”. Hardware makers have caught on to this and have gone to great lengths to create products that conform to a level of Minimum Viable Product then promote these cut down versions to influencers across the globe.
Many hardware enthusiasts question their system builds wondering if they have the best cooling or if they can get a little more performance from their processor of graphics card. These questions often lead to armchair wars about the best hardware and if the overall cost is worth the effort. In this episode we explore the world of high-end computers from popular boutique builders and then trash on the latest extreme gaming build from PCGamer and Maximum PC
Before the wide spread use of the Internet there were limited ways for computers to communicate and in this episode we will be taking a look at the parallels between the modern web comprised of Social Media, Various websites and Service providers and how all of that interaction finds its roots into a little known software package called a BBS.
We knew this day would come, the day when we could finally start buying video cards at or below suggested retail prices. In this episode we talk about the reasons behind this and take a look at some of the video cards that are currently available from basic RTX 3070 Ti’s to The Water Devil, EVGA Kingpin editions and the ROG x Evangelion Unit 01 RTX 3080 and Motherboard.
In this episode we talk about a rather niche part to the enthusiast keyboard market, the ergonomic keyboard. Strangely enough, there is a well-established standard for conventional keyboards but, when it comes to ergonomic designs it might as well be the wild west. So far, there is no perfect design but plenty of independent companies have tried.
In this episode the duo discusses some new keyboard form factors that may very well change the very fabric of reality when it comes to the human interface to your PC. For years we have suffered through using full sized keyboards with more keys than we know what to do with. But that is all about to change with the new and popular 80% and 65% mechanical gaming keyboards.
In this episode the Duo talk about the recent RTX 3090 Ti launch and discuss if the card is really worth your money. The elevated cost combined with a marginal performance increase and lack of aftermarket components makes it rather unattractive solution, even to us. This is followed up with a discussion about the Hardware Asylum YouTube channel and the Retro PC projects it has been featuring.
In this special episode Dennis is doing a live podcast recording at Hackfort 2022 and having a candid discussion with Rob Wakeley. Rob had just completed a presentation on the use of computers in early business from using an Apple II for spreadsheets to using an IBM PC to thwart check fraud.
In this episode the duo discusses the history of multiplayer gaming and how technology and ultimately changed some of the best parts of multiplayer gaming. What once was driven by massive death matches has transformed into 5 player squads.
During the lockdown many of us started working from home which allowed us to continue on with our lives but also increased our risk to security threats. The risk has always been there however one of the golden rules in security is to not make yourself a target. Keep a low profile and be smart about what you do. Of course, the same can be said for Dying Light 2, which has been shaping up to be a very Meh game.
We picked up a 3D Printer over the holiday season and while it has been a blast to use and an integral part for some of the Retro PC YouTube projects it was not without its problems. In this episode we talk about getting into 3D Printing along with some of the things you should know and what you should pay attention to when printing your projects.
In this episode we talk about some of the Retro PC projects we have posted to the Hardware Asylum YouTube Channel including motherboard repair, retrobright and RestoMods using vintage hardware.
In this episode the duo talks about how with the chip shortage and out of control inflation has changed the PC gaming landscape and completely removed the lowest end segment of the PC market, the entry level gaming PC. Combine that with users building systems incorrectly with overrated components and you have a recipe for disaster.
With the ups and downs for 2021 we wanted to shed some light on one aspect of the year that did not disappoint, games. There were plenty of great games to play, some required the latest and greatest hardware while others remained great on older platforms.
One of the most important discoveries in the human race is the ability to save messages and this can take on many forms from notes, photos and even hieroglyphics. We save them so to tell a story and over the years the manner in which we save and store these stories has changed. As you would have guessed there are some good ones and some really bad ones.
In this episode we discuss some of the latest triple A games that are hot this holiday season and dive into some of the issues surrounding their release. While most of these games have gotten amazing Metacritic scores from professional sources the reverse is happening when it comes to actual gamers trying to play these games.
In this episode the duo talk about migrating computers and some of the gotchas you encounter from missing software to proper ways to back up your data. Bottom line is that you need to invest in a good NAS or external hard drive and make regular backups of your data. Later Dennis is surprised that one of his RetroPCs was infected with the Stoned virus and why it is such a great find.
In this episode the duo talks about the new processor platform from Intel, codenamed Alder Lake. The new processor is a radical departure from what Intel has released in the past and promises to be one of the best gaming processors you can buy while bringing DDR5 and PCI Express 5.0 to the market.
We once again have Sean in the Hardware Asylum Labs and in this episode, we dive into Windows 11 and discuss the TPM 2.0 requirement to install the new operating system. What is it? Why would Microsoft require it?? And what does it mean for the Hardware Enthusiast.
In this episode we are taking some time to talk about Hackfort 2021 with Sean Wakeley, the director of Hackfort. It had been two years since Hardware Asylum last presented and it was good to get back out despite the challenges with the global situation and the uncertainty surrounding how the general public will handle the restrictions and requirements to attend.
Computers come in a variety of different sizes, the guys are impressed with the big ones while the ladies claim it doesn't matter. In this episode Dennis shares his latest project plans which involve an extremely small motherboard packed into an even smaller chassis. Later Darren talks about his adventure receiving a two-piece M.2 drive in the mail
In this episode the Duo talk about 3D Printing with an introduction to a highly modified Creality CR 10s FDM 3D Printer along with some tips and tricks for the beginner. The discussion then shifts to how a 3D Printer can be used in the manufacture of custom PC Components and even modifying an existing 3D Printer.
Early this spring Dennis decided it was time to pick up a new lawn mower and after checking the reviews, reviewing the prices and meditating on the dilemma he settled on a product he had never considered before, a battery-operated lawn mower from #EGOPowerPlus. Given how far battery technology had advanced he figured how badly could an electric mower actually be?
In this episode we look at the benefits and drawbacks to using high speed DRAM in your gaming PC and if the extra performance is actually worth the extra cost. The duo then discusses reasons for and against using a Home Theater sound system on your desktop PC.
In this episode continue their discussion on picking a processor for a mid to hi-end gaming build and not surprising it wasn’t any of the options discussed during last months Podcast Extra. After that we take an in-depth look into the Phanteks P500A Eclipse. Dennis has reviewed both of the lower end versions of this case and for the most part the P500A is similar with a unique focus on opening up the airflow.
In this continuation episode the duo discusses the evolution of the graphics API that dictated the growth in the GPU market and defined how games were not only developed but consumed by enthusiasts. As a PC gamer we don’t talk about the dark days of the Xbox 360 and the void called “Games for Windows” but, it is a defining moment in game development that changed PC hardware forever.
In this episode we go shopping for a processor and compare specifications to determine the best option for our build. We later look at the issues of playing old games on modern hardware when the required interfaces and drivers are missing and cause the game to run slower and with less detail.
In this episode we talk about the evolution of the graphics adapter from the humble beginnings with CGA and ISA to the modern power house of 4k and PCI Express
With the advent of disposable computers the second-hand market for computer hardware has almost completely dried up though every once in awhile someone will pull a nice gem from an estate sale basement or if you are lucky you can find something at the local thrift shop. That is unless you are in the Seattle area and visit a store called Re-Pc. This is an electronics recycler who repurpose, repair and re-sell old electronics instead of sending everything off for scrap
In this episode we discuss the effects of the mysterious disappearance of the RTX 3000 Series and the reason behind why NVIDIA cards are so good at what they do. The global shortage and huge asymmetrical demand have sparked the company to finally segment their retail products in hopes of giving gamers a chance to enjoy the other thing RTX cards can do, Game.
In February of 2021 Frys Electronics closed their doors, they claim it was due to complications associated with “The Situation” which put additional stress on a business model that has been failing since the early 2000’s. In this episode we discuss some reasons behind why this has happened and what impact the new normal will have on retail shopping centers going forward.
Dennis caught the retro PC bug and might have gone a little overboard picking up an old 486 off ebay. In this episode the duo talk about the details of the machine and what it takes to run old hardware when certain vintage parts are no longer available.
For years Dennis has been anti AMD often dumbfounded by why anyone would want to build with Ryzen, Threadripper was a disappointment and the first-generation Zen Cores were awfully slow. But, like video game movies things are getting better and this latest crop of processors is looking pretty good.
Watercooling has many benefits and while the benefits that created watercooling still exist the scale of their impact on modern computers has diminished considerably. In this episode we explore the benefits and limitations of watercooling in the modern era.
Watercooling is plagued with controversy from picking the best components to some of the old school myths and issues including the topic of mixed metals and to prove that with proper care your components will last we cut open a 4-year-old Thermaltake radiator. We also help you improve your case cooling with a few modding tips.
In this special episode unbox a motherboard from the Hardware Asylum permanent collection and a hardware platform that had a very short life in the grand scheme of computer hardware. While the product may not have been on the market long what it brought to the table had a very lasting impact on the systems we are building today.
In this special episode we celebrate our 10-year anniversary and look back on some of the highlights of the show from the past 10 years. This includes some history and trivia about the show and some of the special guests that we have had on over the years.
In this episode we look at a very old processor cooling technology that has made a resurgence to help improve Comet Lake processor performance and discuss the issues surrounding the death of the High End Desktop Processor and why it isn’t that big of deal.
In this episode we discuss the lack of RTX 30 Series video cards that are overclocker friendly, while there are some RTX 3090 cards that work well on LN2 that is it and it makes us sad and then transition into overclocking using a SFX power supply and how good it actually is.
in this episode we will be talking about how overclocking has changed due to the limitations of heatbound processors and factory overclocked video cards. Most modern CPUs and GPUs are being released at their frequency and thermal limits and attempt to overclock them result is throttling and failure however, the memory controllers are strong giving overclockers another avenue to take when looking for more performance.
In this episode we talk about the Dark Edition motherboards from EVGA. These boards are designed for extreme overlocking using a variety of cooling methods from high-end watercooling to Dry Ice and even LN2. The boards also support extreme memory and video card configurations making them very unique in the enthusiast PC space.
The current “situation” have you down? Well, in this episode we talk about some upcoming game titles that are sure to get you excited, even if they don’t have an official release date
In this episode we talk about the driver issues that caused RTX cards to crash during certain games talking about the differences between a hardware issue over a software one. Later Dennis tells us about his impromptu LAN party and playing the new game Among US
in this episode we explore the actual power of the PC, and not so much the enthusiast PC but the every PC that is likely over 5 years old and built with midrange gear. These machines are all over the place and the driving force behind how games are built and the benchmark console makers follow when planning a new release.
in this episode we dissect and take a deep dive into what we believe the new RTX 3000 series video cards will bring based on the product announcement from NVIDIA. As of this podcast we have yet to see any real benchmarks any real reports on availability and any real listings on current pricing so the real world may vary.
In this episode we talk about overclocking and not just any overclocking but the extreme kind where you chill a CPU and then double up your GPU performance using the SLI technology. Sadly NVIDIA has made it clear they aren’t going to support SLI anymore due to the lackluster response in the consumer market. Yes, we blame everyone buying a new GPU for killing SLI.
We have been avoiding the topic of COVID-19 for various reasons and finally felt it was time to address the worldwide pandemic and how it has impacted many of the tradeshows and conventions we normally attend including CES 2021, Hackfort and PAX.
We have all bought used computer hardware. Sometimes the deal goes extremely well and everyone is happy and yet, other times you might get something you didn’t expect or have compatibility issues. In this episode we talk about some of the experiences we have had along with some things to look out for.
In this episode we turn the clock back 10 years to look at the state of Computer Hardware in 2009. Believe it or not computers have come a long way since then and they are used in a more diverse manner being split across desktop, portable and mobile. While the technology has gotten better the overall purpose remains the same.
In this episode we take a candid look at extreme watercooling and if going big can be a real benefit to your water loop or just a waste of time and money. We also discuss radiator design, size and thermal capacity while also addressing the issue of galvanic corrosion.
In this episode we take a deep dive into the new ASUS Republic of Gamers Maximus XII Formula and some of the cooling accessories you can get specific to this LGA 1200 motherboard. The EK Quantum Momentum isn’t the first product of its kind but does offer a unique dress up option for your XII Formula
In this special video podcast extra we talk about how to test sound cards when the normal testing methods have failed, namely why the Creative AE-9 is special. Later the topics shift to PC modding with the new SilverStone Cable Extensions, SilverStone 120mm Air Penetrator fan and finally Darren tells us about his latest 3D Printing project.
In this special video podcast we talk about the new Z490 motherboard offerings from ASUS that encompass an entire range from the high dollar Maximus XII down to mainstream Z490 Prime motherboards.
In a special video podcast extra the duo talk about the replacing a prized gaming mouse with a substandard product and then go on to speculate about which next gen gaming console will be better.
In a special video podcast the duo talk about the products going on in the Hardware Asylum Labs including some RTX 2060 KO Overclocking, external power modifications for video cards and coolant testing.
In this episode it is all about VR gaming, Darren picked up an Occulus Quest over the holidays and brings it to the lab for some pre-podcast gaming. It was really good fun and begs the question, is it time to go full VR?
In this episode we talk about the history of modern video cards from AGP graphics to the modern RTX including their rise to prominence in the enthusiast market to the fiery downfall triggered by cost, performance and the carelessness of a modern hardware enthusiast.
With a recent performance leak showing that the Intel Core i9 10900k 10-Core processor is faster than the 12-Core Ryzen 9 3900k we decided to discuss one of the biggest drawbacks of large multicore CPUs and how their power is only noticeable in certain situations
Discrete audio cards are often overlooked when building a PC and yet they are one of the best ways to get better performance and better audio quality, the Creative Labs AE-9 is one of the best. Speaking of best we cannot ignore the X299X Waterforce Xtreme from Aorus (Gigabyte)
This is part two of the Hardware Asylum CES 2020 coverage. Every January Dennis spends some time in the desert checking out the latest tech, make new contacts and keep up with old friends. Unlike the last episode this one isn’t completely filled with good stuff.
Every January Dennis spends some time in the desert checking out the latest tech at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, mostly to make new contacts, keep up with old friends and find out what new might be coming to the Hardware Asylum Labs. This episode is filled with the good stuff.
In this episode we dive into the latest memory overclocking world record set using the new Ryzen and Ballistix Elite DDR4 4000 and later spend some time looking at the real cost associated with building a Threadripper 3 system.
For the longest time Dennis was avoiding anything Threadripper. On paper the processor looked amazing, lots of threads and lots of power however, when it came down to it there was only a small number of instances where Threadripper shined. Despite this there is a HUGE Hype around the new 3900X Threadripper series and we investigate.
When new technology comes along there is always a land rush to be first to support it and how fast that adoption takes often determines if it is successful or just another failed experiment. NVidia has been pushing their RTX RayTracing technology hard and it is starting to show up in many modern AAA game titles including Call of Duty Modern Warfare (the 2019 edition)
Overclocking has been around for a long time starting with some of the oldest processors and crafty engineers who would tinker with jumper settings. Since then Overclocking has become more refined and divided up into distinctly different styles.
In this episode the duo discuss the possibility that there might be a hardware illuminati controlling the major motherboard makers driving them to create similar products and messages every year.
In this episode Dennis and Darren finally attend PAX West and are once again confronted with the trials and tribulations of the trade show life learning about how to get the most from PAX. Bottom line the show was great but could be better after using learning these secret tips.
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Hardware Asylum Podcast - In this episode we take an indepth look at the new RTX 2080 Super. This is the new high-end RTX replacing the 2080 and while faster than a Titan Xp, is still slower than the Ti. Btw. where is the Ti. oh ya its... Super.
In this episode the Core X31 mod is going under the knife due to a rather unique hardware failure that eventually cascaded into a new motherboard, second video card and whole new water loop. Everything was going well until our ebay GTX 1070 Seahawk started leaking.
We are still celebrating our 100th episode and in this Podcast Extra we are talking about Borderlands 3 and if it is worth pre-ordering the game and if so how much will you spend. Later we talk about casemodding and what is the distinction between a computer build and a computer mod. The results may surprise you.
In this episode we are celebrating our 100th episode and discussing some highlights from Computex 2019 including Silverstone, In Win, Gigabyte, MSI and Biostar. Yep Dennis actually visited with Biostar and they had something good to show.
In this episode we are celebrating our 100th episode and discussing some highlights from Computex 2019 including the 3rd generation AMD Ryzen launch and products from ASUS, EVGA, Phanteks, EK and Corsair.
In this episode we take a high level look at some hardware speculation including the recent Intel processor roadmap leak and what might be under the hood of the new PlayStation 5
In this episode we take a look at overclocking ROI between 8000 and 9000 series Coffee Lake CPUs and if getting the latest processor really is the best if you plan to overclock. Later the duo explore some of the fastest memory modules money can buy from HyperX.
In this episode the duo talk about the games they have been playing including Battlefield 5 Firestorm, the new BattleRoyale addon to the open world shooter FarCry 5 and then speculate about Borderlands 3 and how good, or bad, it might be.
This episode is filled with a trifecta of really good information starting with some HWBOT SLI records using the GTX 780 Ti followed by the attractive and easy to use RGB lighting system from Silverstone that does more than just RGB and finally some speculation talk about RayTracing on 10-series NVIDIA GPUs
In this episode we talk about the super busy month of March where our time was split between the Boise LAN 9.0 and Hackfort. These are local tech events in Boise Idaho that Hardware Asylum has participated in and put on a really cool LN2 overclocking demonstration.
In this episode the duo go into depth on what makes a great gaming PC that is not only budget friendly but offers excellent value and will last for a very long time. Of course gaming means different things to different people and it is important to know and recognize the differences.
In this episode Dennis talks about his recent watercooling “opps” which turns into an informative session on building your own water loop, picking parts and if custom watercooling is worth it from performance and cost.
In this episode we talk about something Dennis calls the CES Sideshow and how we may attend CES but may never really see it. Later we look at one of the exciting new high-end motherboards from Aorus called the Z390 Extreme Waterforce with a full coverage waterblock.
In this episode the duo are back from CES 2019 and will be giving a quick rundown on what they saw from Drone Sharks to ultra halo workstation class gaming motherboards
While other sites might be starting their year in reviews we have decided to look to the future and what CES 2019 might hold. Of course, there will likely be new motherboards, new AIOs and maybe even a few NVIDIA RTX video cards but that is easy to predict. For this episode we are reaching deep and looking at what could happen.
In this podcast we are once again talking 20-Series and RTX starting with the RTX 2080 AMP Extreme from ZOTAC followed by some NVIDIA (NVDA) gaming history and some looks into the future where there isn’t an excess of overpriced 10-Series and missed sales figures.
In this episode we look back at Boise LAN 8.0 staring with the LAN build, prizes and gaming and dive deeper into the incidental costs of owning a custom PC and why the cost of entry is never just the sticker
In this episode the duo talk about fearmongering in the techtainment or techutainment space with dying RTX 2080 ti graphics cards and follow up with some of the hottest games of the fall season.
In this episode the duo talk about the hype surrounding the RTX 2080 Ti and other Turing architecture series GPUs from Ray Tracing to cost and the hidden skynet cores watching everything you do, and making it pretty.
In this episode we talk about SSD and which one is right for you along with going over the major differences you need to know and follow up with the question that RGB LEDs are dead because there is something new out there.
In this episode we interview Pat Soulliere from Crucial and Ballistix about the current state of eSports and the future of competitive gaming and talk specifically about what you can do to ensure your PC is ready for competitive gaming and Fortnite.
In this episode we look back at the history of the Hardware Asylum Podcast starting with issues getting started to how we build the show through continuous improvement. The trick is to experiment with new things, try new hardware and recognize issues so solutions can be discovered.
In this episode we talk about the new Ryzen Threadripper 2 processor and why it is better than the previous edition and more attractive than the X-Series Skylake.
In this episode it is all about building a PC. Some say the PC is dead however we like to think the hobby is just taking off with builds getting cheaper and now games to help you simulate the process and experiment with different components.
In this episode we take a look at some Protium watercooling parts from Singularity Computers including a pump cover, pump top and reservoir which can be combined in a variety of different ways. Later the duo discusses the problems with multi core CPUs and the 5Ghz barrier.
In this episode the duo give their impressions of three games shown at E3 by watching their game trailers. The games include Fallout 76, Dying Light 2 and Battlefield V, all of these games feature new technology and some amazing graphics.
In this episode we highlights of Computex 2018 including some of the overall themes, RGB Takeover, X399 Gaming motherboards and maybe one of the best cases you will soon be able to buy.
In this episode we talk about the stabilization and availability of GPUs. Could it be from a decline in crypto or has the market finally shifted in response to something else. Find out in this episode.
In this episode Dennis is expanding on is LN2 overclocking adventures and talking about overclocking on EVGA hardware and some of the challenges associated with overclocking specialized hardware.
In this episode we talk about getting back into LN2 overclocking for a special show at the Boise LAN. Much like preparing for a LAN party there is a certain amount of pre-planning needed and serious time management to consider when overclocking for a crowd.
In this episode extra we take a look behind the curtain at the decision process of building a PC and how a guy with almost endless hardware options decides what to assemble for a weekend of gaming.
This episode is a travel recap of a recent trip Dennis took to The City of Industry to visit with some mfg partners. Trips like this are pretty uncommon but when it comes to being a guest on the EVGA Podcast it was an opportunity that could not be passed up.
In this episode have a candid discussion on the topic of headphones and what spending a little extra on your set for gaming could get you.
In this episode the duo goes over some of the new maps being released for Battlefield 1 and talks about a pretty solid indication that a new Battlefield game is in the works. Later they discuss the GTX 1070Ti Amp Extreme from Zotac along with other GPU news.
This is the fourth and final part of the Hardware Asylum CES 2018 coverage. In this episode we talk about “free day” which is basically the last day of the show and devoid of meetings. Some of the highlights include InWin, Sennheiser, Big TVs and some cars.
This is part three of our four part series dedicated to CES 2018. In this episode we talk about our day three meetings which were honestly some of the best of the entire show and include Thermaltake, HyperX, Creative and MSI
This is part two of a four part series dedicated to CES 2018. In this episode we talk about our day two meetings including some highlight with Gigabyte, Enermax, SilverStone, Zotac, RioToro and Alphacool.
This is part one of a four part series dedicated to CES 2018. In this episode we talk about some day zero and day one events including the Intel Keynote, Asus Media day, Phanteks, EVGA, AZIO and the FNATIC House of eSports
In this episode we look at the potential performance impacts of the Meltdown and Spectre exploits and talk about what Hardware Asylum has planned for 2018
In this episode Dennis talks about the unsavory practice of content piracy namely with the Hardware Asylum Podcast. The duo switch gears to discuss the world of external GPUs and follow up with Windows 7 and how the market share finally dipped below 50%.
In this episode we look at the benefits and history of delidding and why a tool like the Rockit 99 is beneficial and switch gears to address some cooling deficiencies in our latest View X31 watercooling project.
In this episode we look at some of the most highly anticipated games for the 2017 holiday season and it might surprise you that one has raked in over 27 million dollars.
In this episode we try to get excited about the awesome power of PCI Express 4.0 and then take a deeper look into why 7 Days to Die is so much fun.
In this episode we take a look at the Dream Machine build for 2017 and really take a look at the 18 grand pricetag required to build the ultimate gaming PC. Does any of it make any sense? Listen to find out.
In this episode we revisit an old computer mod in an attempt to rebuild it from a network rendering server to a budget gaming rig only discover that some of the new Coffee Lake stuff is making us question our intentions.
In this episode we look back on some of our past projects including the Core V51 fitted with a DIY watercooling loop with Thermaltake Premium gear and look forward to a new build using a Thermaltake View 31.
In this episode we take a look at the latest Intel High End Desktop (HEDT) platform based on the X299 chipset and LGA 2066 processors, what is good and what should have never been.
In this episode we take a candid look at some articles related to how Millennials are impacting our future and largely changing the way we look at everyday things from car ownership to wine bottle corks.
This episode is all about building a PC on a budget including what you should be looking for and how much you should expect to spend.
CryptoCurrency has been in the news these past couple months and in this episode we take a candid look at some of the craziness surrounding why digital money is popular and how a typical gaming rig, with RGB LEDs, can make you money.
In this episode it is all about cooling and we ask the question, "how much heatsink is enough" and make the distinction between aircooling and watercooling and some of the things you should consider.
This episode is all about performance and the realization that the enthusiast high-end desktop market is getting better, not worse. The duo talk about X-Series overclocking records and the performance the new X-series processors and X299 series chipset are bringing to the market.
In this episode we look at the two methods for handling RGB lights on memory modules look at some of the history behind lighted memory modules. Later we take an in-depth look at two RX 500 series gaming cards from Aorus and PowerColor.
In this episode Darren talks about his experiences playing ARK Survival Evolved. This is an early access title that somehow costs $30 despite the mixed reviews.
In this episode we bring back the subject of forced obsolesce and how Intel Optane is a form of that despite being completely worthless. We also discuss the new AMD Ryzen core king when Darren asks the question, "should I upgrade?" The answer may surprise you.
This episode is all about emerging trends and how boredom can lead to innovation and having too much design freedom can lead to disasters. The modern computer case is the worst offender with award winning designs and a whole list of failures.
In this episode the duo discuss the power of the GTX 1080 Ti and as the question on of it is time to upgrade and test the overall price and performance against two popular upgrade theories. These help us determine when is a good time to buy new vs adding a second card to your system.
In this episode we discuss the importance of audio in our everyday lives from the stereo in your car to the type of headphones you use while gaming. It is all important and can sometimes dictate the types of music you listen to and games you play.
In this episode we look at how motherboards impact Kaby Lake overclocking from the standpoint of voltage control and later reminisce about obscure hardware we have owned and lost. The podcast wraps up with a quick look at new EVGX ICX cooling solution on a GTX 1070 SC2.
In this episode Darren gives us a rundown of a new game called "Seven Days to Die" which is an open world zombie shooter with crafting elements common to a game of Minecraft.
In this episode Dennis talks about delidding a Core i7 7700K using the RockitCool Rockit 88 delidding tool and later discusses an article from PCGamer about the current state of gaming hardware and if things have gotten out of control.
In this episode we discuss the new Intel Z270 chipset and Kaby Lake processors while diving into motherboard designs and the overclocking potential of the new Intel 14nm+ processor architecture.
A special look at CES 2017 with help from Rob Williams and Greg King of Techgage where we discus motherboards, VR, AMD and more.
In this episode we look over the 30 games we can’t wait to play according to The Verge. It is not an all inclusive list and as we found out was defined mostly by hype.
In this episode we take a look at the winners of the Gigabyte modding competition and the future of casemodding followed by the problem of fan testing.
In this Podcast Extra Darren gives us a rundown of the final Battlefield 1 including player classes and gametypes.
In this Podcast Extra Dennis gives us a look at what it takes to overclock using Dry Ice and some of the stresses associated with overclocking in front of a live audience.
In this episode the duo discuss the purpose of the GTX 1050 followed by an in-depth look at a new case from HBT+ called the Gravity 6
In this episode the discussions are all technical starting with the motherboard impact of PCI Express 4.0 followed by the galvanic corrosion risks of watercooling and wrap things up with the Hardware Asylum Podcast on YouTube.
In this episode we explore changing the face of overclocking competitions and discuss one notable effort to make that a reality.
In this episode we debrief the entire process related to installing a hardline PETG watercooling loop including the pros and cons of day to day use. Later we cover the Gigabyte 30th anniversary casemodding competition called Mod 2 Win with the grand prize being a trip to CES 2017.
In this episode Dennis talks about his two day trip to LA to visit with Cooler Master and his other hardware partners.
In this episode we talk about all things Pascal and touch on a few aspects that directly impact hardware enthusiasts, overclockers and hardware makers.
In this episode we discuss the benefits of having the most intelligent speaker on the planet and do an unboxing of the Gigabyte X99 Designare EX, our first impressions may surprise you.
In this episode the duo take a trip down memory lane as they revisit the PCMag 10 Most Influential Video Games of All Time.
In this episode we talk about some upcoming game titles including Doom, Borderlands 3 and Battlefield 1 and follow up with some exciting news on the X99 motherboard refresh
In this episode we discuss the NVIDIA launch of the GTX 1080 and GTX 1070 graphics cards followed by an overview of a new modding project in the lab using the Phanteks EVOLV Tempered Glass Edition.
In this episode we discuss the price hike for the Fallout 4 Season Pass and if it is really worth the money and Dennis tells you about bending hardline tubing.
In this episode we talk about the PLEX Smart Media Server and how it can be used to make your media consumption better and shareable with friends.
In this episode we talk about the impact that enthusiast activities have and how market shifts can really hinder the growth of extremely popular subcultures.
In this episode it is all about gaming from the awesome BlasterX virtual surround headset to overkill LAN Gaming Rigs and the Dying Light: The Following expansion.
In this episode Dennis talks about the ins and outs of watercooling your pc followed by an overview of the new Gigabyte Z170X SOC Force motherboard.
In this episode Darren gives his impressions from playing Fallout 4 and Dennis treats us with some Sapphire Nitro R9 Fury speculation.
In this episode Dennis gives us a debrief of the items he saw at the Consumer Electronics Show 2016
In this episode the topic is the M.2 SSD from speed to compatibility with a touch of overclocking. We also do a quick look back on 2015 with some podcast highlights
In this episode of the Hardware Asylum Podcast Extra we talk about custom painting a TT Core V51 and Darren gives us his impressions of Star Wars Battlefront.
In this episode Dennis and Darren talk about their experiences with Minecraft from playing to modifications.
In this episode we give you an overview of the Gigabyte Target OC Competition, look at some system builds for Fallout 4 and get a glimpse at how one clan handles their server admin duties.
In this episode Dennis talks about golf and how technical a simple game can be and the duo go over what games they are looking forward to in the fall.
In this episode we talk about some of the important features of Skylake and take a high level look at the EVGA GTX 980Ti FTW Classified Killer.
In this podcast extra Dennis and Darren pick apart the Maximum PC Dream Machine and look at why sometimes extreme for the sake of extreme isn’t smart. They also go over a list of actors Forbes picked to star in the new Borderlands movie, the results may surprise you.
In this episode Dennis and Darren talk about a wide variety of topics starting with the new forum at Hardware Asylum and then transition into how video cards are testing on the site followed by the benefits of 21:9 widescreen gaming.
In this episode the duo talk about Windows 10 upgrades followed by an S10 project update and a quest to build an X99 Gaming computer.
In this episode Dennis and Darren talk about two exciting pieces of hardware to come out of Computex and are now available, The GTX 980 Ti Classified and MSI X99 Godlike
In this episode Dennis explains the purpose of the new Asylum Builds section and Darren tries to live vicariously by learning more about what else you can do in Taiwan.
In this special bonus extra episode we get to hear some of the juicy bits that were cut from the main show.
In this episode Dennis gives us his debrief of the exciting things he saw at Computex 2015 and is finally able to say his show predictions came true.
In this episode the duo look at the Gigabyte X99 Champion Challenge competition on HWBot and highlight 10 great mods for GTA:5
In this episode Dennis details his recent LA Hardware Tour including a visit with CyberPowerPC and later gives a quick review of the MSI X99A Gaming 7 Motherboard.
In this episode Darren walks us thru some of the crazy stuff he found on the Internet including a Torrent site called Popcorn Time and a deal site called Massdrop
In this episode the duo talk about the new Zombie survival game, Dying Light, and discuss what makes the game so much fun to play, and keep playing.
In this episode we look at an exciting HAF Stacker build, Custom Watercooling and a new LN2 container called the Beast
In this episode Dennis talks about the Borderlands 2 1Life Challenge while Darren gives his review of the Zombie Survival Game Dying Light
This episode is all about time starting with the Gigabyte Big XTU Overclocking Challenge followed by an overview of the LG G Watch R Android smart watch.
In this podcast extra the duo talks about the games they have been playing and why they keep coming back to play more
In this episode we talk about Las Vegas fun, New podcasting gear, the HyperX Cloud 2 Headset and overclocking the EVGA GTX 980 Classified on LN2.
In this episode Dennis talks with a special guest about their experiences at CES 2015 and what was exciting at the show.
In this episode we announce a 2015 custom case give away and look at Black Friday console sales and the future of home theater gaming.
In this episode we look back on the evolution of the overclocking motherboard and discuss how live overclocking needs to change.
In this episode the duo give you their impression of Borderlands The Pre-Sequel and how it weighs against Borderlands 2. For those looking to add a pc to their home theater CyberpowerPC has a machine you may want to check out.
In this episode Dennis gives you a rundown of what happened at the MOA 2014 Grand Final in Taipei and even came back with some unicorn overclocking hardware.
In this episode Dennis gives you the basics for building a Haswell-E system and Darren talks about budget gaming build upgrades.
In this episode Darren talks about his Battlefield 4 CTE experiences and Dennis brings you up to speed on a side project he has been working on.
In this episode we bring you our Computex 2014 wrap up and talk about the MSI MOA Americas Qualifier.
In this episode Darren talks about a new wireless headphone purchase and Dennis rambles on over his new motorcycle.
In this episode we bring you our Computex 2014 coverage wrap up and talk about the MSI MOA Americas Qualifier.
In this episode Dennis pulled in two special guests To help talking about the overclocking scene during Computex, Massman from HWBOT and Trouffman from Overclocking TV.
In this episode Darren takes us thru the new BF4 Naval Strike DLC and Dennis rants on about Borderlands 2 the Pre-Sequel and why it will be awesome.
This is a technical episode including Overclocking at Computex and Overclocking the GTX 780 Ti Classified
In this episode Dennis admits that his hobbies extend beyond the computer world and reach into the culture of MiniTrucks, Motorcycles and Radio Control cars, more specifically Nitro R/C.
In this episode Dennis and Darren talk about Frankenstein computer builds the CyberPowerPC Zeus Mini and touch on an overclocking livestream from Montreal Canada.
Dennis and Darren got to participate in the Titanfall beta and played a little Elder Scrolls Online Beta with some mixed results.
In this episode the duo discuss sandbag scores in overclocking competitions and Darren talks up his new PS4 and why it is winning the console wars.
In this episode we talk with Pieter about his start into overclocking and you might be surprised that it wasn't to increase gaming performance.
In this episode Dennis and Darren talk about their recent Vegas trips in January 2014 and what makes Vegas so fun.
In this episode Dennis and Darren give a look back on CES 2014 and analyze the current PC building trends in the US.
In this episode Dennis and Darren congratulate the November Giveaway winner, have an in-depth discussion regarding some new EVGA products and conclude with reasons why 4K shouldn’t be on your shopping list.
In this episode Dennis and Darren talk about their recent game activity and how some of the old games are still the best.
In this episode Dennis talks about modding the Level 10 GT and the process required to spray automotive pearl.
In this episode we talk about the official launch of Ninjalane v4.0 aka Hardware Asylum and the results of the MSI MOA Grand Final 2013.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode Darren talks about building a budget system using AMD FM2 Trinity
Ninjalane Podcast: In this episode the duo talk about the current state of mobile devices and how they have really become more of a fondle device and less of a communication tool. Later they update us with the games they have been playing including some that aren’t so good.
Ninjalane Podcast: There comes a time in the growth of any podcast when you have to say goodbye to your existing gear and get something new.
Ninjalane Podcast: In this episode Darren brings up the topic of next gen consoles including what games will be available for the PS4 and XB1 and Dennis reminds us that Ninjalane does motherboard reviews.
In this episode Dennis talks about his recent home server hardware upgrade which sparks a network storage discussion.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode Darren wants to know the results of the MOA 2013 Semi Finals. Dennis talks about the amazing EVGA GTX 780 Classified and the Duo exchange views about the latest Slate/Tablet devices.
In this episode Dennis interviews one of Darren's paintball buddies about his computer skill and asks the important question, Do you overclock?
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we cover the MOA 2013 Semi Finals, the process of removing the heatspreader from a Core i7 4770K and the death of the point and shoot camera.
Ninjalane Podcast - This episode is all about great new games, First the last great DLC for Borderlands 2 and The Last of Us which has one of the highest metacritic ratings ever.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode Dennis talks about his trip to Computex 2013 and Darren also gives his impressions on the new 700 series from nVidia.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode Darren talks about his annual trek to SuperGame to play competitive paintball and win stuff.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode Dennis and Darren talk overclocking with MOA 2013, discuss the impact of Bitcoins and ramble on about some of the cool games coming out.
Ninjalane Podcast Extra - In this episode Dennis and Darren discuss their experience at a KMFDM concert including some of the tech used at a modern industrial show.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode Dennis and Darren discuss 3d printing and the impact the level cap increase in Borderlands 2
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode Dennis and Darren discuss the new GTX Titan from nVidia and later touch on Free 2 Play games and wrap things up with an interview with Cooler Master.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode Dennis and Darren discuss entertainment planning while on the road and why is the Surface bad.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode Dennis and Darren talk about Next Gen console hardware, The new HWBot benchmark wrapper for Aquamark3 and an exclusive interview with Jacob from EVGA.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we talk about farming in Borderlands 2 and how it impacts the modern PC game.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we take a look at the CES 2013 coverage and get a little more detail in what is planned for the future.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we talk about the new PowerColor Devil 13 video card and the allure of having high-end hardware.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we talk about planned obsolescence of modern hardware, touch on the LGA rumor and wax poetic with watercooling.
In this episode we talk about the Borderlands 2, our experiences and some of the things you should know about the game.
In this episode we talk about the current state of the enthusiast gaming keyboard market and our plans for the upcoming holiday shopping season
In this episode we continue our discussion of what makes a review site and where the money comes from. Darren does some overclocking with his 2600k and we give you the results of the 2012 MOA Grand Final.
In this episode we talk about the new GTX 660 Ti graphics card and some of the benefits of SLI in overclocking and gaming. We later go on to discuss what makes a review site and how Ninjalane is different.
In this episode we talk about games the family plays, Darren reviews the Roccat Kave Gaming Headset and we give a preview of the GSKill TridentX DDR 2400Mhz memory
Ninjalane Podcast – In this episode we talk about heatsink design and the importance of mass when it comes to cooler selection and speculate on Windows 8 and if a cheap OS and Surface tablets will drive sales.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we talk about the Ultimate Tower Defense Mini Game, Discuss processor selection for competitive overclocking and revisit the CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we talk about the new Diablo 3 demo and the importance of the game demo, What is kickstarter and some of the projects we are supporting, and finally prepping for MOA and what it takes to compete.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we give an update to the new Ninjalane server project and discuss the process of finding a new video card after the GTX 680 shakeup. Later we talk about how much monitor you really need and Dennis gives an update on the Ninjalane HWBot team.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we talk about the new Ninjalane server project and why servers are built the way they are and later touch on some of the games we have been playing lately. The podcast wraps up with our favorite travel gadgets.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we talk about basic casemodding tekniques and how to turn that plain box into something cool, we answer some of your questions and interview one of the top US overclockers
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we talk about playing Elder Scrolls V Skyrim and how getting 80 hours in might not be enough, we also discuss the new Gigabyte X79 UD3 and LGA2011 platform and wrap things up looking at the new Danger Den M6 CPU waterblock.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we talk about the HWBot Country Cup 2011 and how it relates to US overclockers and volley over some of the best games we have played this year and a few we can't wait to try.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we discuss a new overclocking project to voltmod a BFG 8800 GTX and talk about what it takes to be a hardware enthusiast and the cost of being competitive.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we take a look at the new EVGA Z68 FTW Motherboard along with Some of the games we have been playing and discuss the details surrounding the first ever Ninjalane Extreme Overclocking Party.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we discuss pc upgrade strategy some issues with streaming media and a casemodding project gone wrong.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we discuss overclocking motherboard design including the new Gigabyte X58-OC and Video card selection, hot clocked or not.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we discuss the much anticipated game Duke Nukem Forever and our experiences playing it, Favorite Asus products, and answer some questions from the listener mailbag.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we discuss the tablet computers namely Asus Transformer and Asus Slate, Super cooling with Single Stage Phase and Dennis checks in to talk about Computex.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we discuss the importance of aftermarket heatsinks, the real way to choose sandy bridge memory modules, and summer vacations in faraway lands.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we discuss the Multi GPU Index and why it is important for enthusiast level motherboard, some HWBot tips, tricks and team update, then wrap up with some of our favorite webcomics.
Ninjalane Podcast - In this episode we discuss some of the differences between the new Sandy Bridge processors, some fun stuff with the HWBot Team, and how to score with Bad Company 2
Ninjalane Podcast - November NPD In this podcast we talk about the latest NPD (from November 2010), The Ninjalane HWBot team, Futuremark 3dMark 11, and Deal Sites.