Welcome to the Computer Hardware section of our blog, the go-to resource for enthusiasts, professionals, and everyone in between who wants to get the most out of their computing experience. Whether you’re looking to upgrade a specific component or planning to build a PC from scratch, this category delves into the essential hardware elements that define the performance and functionality of your computer.
CPUs (Central Processing Units)
Relevant Brands: Intel, AMD
The CPU is the brain of your computer, where most calculations take place. From Intel’s Core series to AMD’s Ryzen line-up, we examine the specifications, performance benchmarks, and power efficiency to help you choose the right processor for your needs.
GPUs (Graphics Processing Units)
Relevant Brands: NVIDIA, AMD
Whether you’re gaming, rendering video, or running complex simulations, a powerful GPU is essential. NVIDIA’s GeForce series and AMD’s Radeon cards are the primary contenders, each with their unique features and capabilities.
Power Supplies
Relevant Brands: Corsair, EVGA, Seasonic
A robust and efficient power supply is the backbone of any stable system. We discuss the importance of wattage, efficiency ratings, and brand reliability, focusing on leading manufacturers like Corsair, EVGA, and Seasonic.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Relevant Brands: Kingston, Corsair, G.Skill
RAM is where your computer stores data for quick read and write access. We look into speed, capacity, and compatibility, highlighting top brands such as Kingston, Corsair, and G.Skill that offer a range of options to suit various needs.
PC Cases
Relevant Brands: NZXT, Cooler Master, Fractal Design
The PC case is not just an aesthetic choice; it impacts cooling, upgradeability, and system layout. Brands like NZXT and Cooler Master offer various designs and form factors, from minimalist to RGB-heavy, that cater to different tastes and requirements.
Motherboards
Relevant Brands: ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte
The motherboard is the central hub connecting all your components. We delve into form factors, chipsets, and expandability, focusing on reputable brands like ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte.
Storage: NVMe, SSD, Hard Drives
Relevant Brands: Samsung, Western Digital, Seagate, Crucial
Your storage solution influences not only how much data you can keep but also how fast you can access it. We cover the speed advantages of NVMe drives, the reliability of SSDs, and the capacity benefits of traditional hard drives, examining offerings from brands like Samsung, Western Digital, and Seagate.
As we venture deeper into this digital age, understanding the hardware that powers your computing experience has never been more critical. This category aims to provide you with the essential information, objective comparisons, and expert insights needed to make well-informed decisions on your computer hardware. So go ahead, explore, and build the machine of your dreams!
At CES 2023, Netgear announced the latest flagship mobile hotspot, which is based on the Qualcomm SDX65 chipset. This is almost the same device that has already been announced in the US and is listed on the Netgear US website. The main difference is that the UK model us carrier is unlocked, meaning it will…
At CES 2023, – MediaTek, one of the first adopters of Wi-Fi 7 technology, will be demonstrating a full ecosystem of production-ready devices featuring the next generation of wireless connectivity for the first time. During the annual tech summit, Mediatek announced the Filogic 880 & Filogic 380 WiFi 7 Chips and there were some prototype…
The new Netgear Orbi 860 mesh WiFi system was launched a couple of months ago, along with the superb Orbi 760 mesh system. These two mesh systems are incremental upgrades from the existing excellent Orbi 850 and Orbi 750. I love the Netgear Orbi 760 and think it is one of the all-around mesh systems…
Devolo is perhaps best known for its range of dLAN and Magic powerline Wi-Fi extenders and mesh systems. Thanks to the G.hn technology they use for powerline, they have the best performing powerline systems on the market. They also have a range of Wi-Fi repeaters. These have fallen out of fashion in recent years in…
AVM is starting the roll-out of FRITZ!OS 7.50 today, the major update with over 150 new features and useful improvements for all FRITZ! products. The free update makes it easier for users to set up fast VPN connections, they can make their Smart Home even more versatile, protect themselves better from unwanted callers and they…
Amazon eero is a range of mesh Wi-Fi systems I have not really covered a lot. They are a popular option which I suspect is partly due to Amazon’s ability to aggressively market products but also because they just work. The product range has expanded over the years, and you have options going from the…
The mi-inta Web Activity Monitor is a curious little device that is designed to monitor network activity. You basically just plug it into your Internet / WiFi modem or router, and it lets you see all connected devices (WiFi or otherwise) as well as the websites they’ve visited. Find out more about mi-inta Features /…
Mediatek previously announced the Filogic 880 and 380 back in May. These two new chipsets will bring WiFi 7 to routers and laptops. I previously wrote about the chipsets but a quick recap: MediaTek Filogic 880 Features MediaTek Filogic 380 Features The Filogic 380 is a stand-alone, single-chip 6nm WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 combo…
Mini PCs have grown in popularity in recent years. The Intel NUC may be the best-known option on the market, but it has spawned many alternative options. These small PCs are an excellent option as they have a wide variety of uses that a full-sized desktop is not suitable for. With exponentially increasing electricity costs,…
I have previously reviewed the TerraMaster F4-421 and F4-422 10GbE 4-Bay NAS enclosures and have been impressed with the well-specced but affordable nature of TerraMaster devices. While they were very good, they both used the ageing Intel Celeron J3455. They were also limited to DDR3 and lacked NVMe slots. The new TerraMaster F2-423 and its…
Netgear recent expanded its range of WiFi 6 Orbi routers with the Orbi 760 and 860 series. These are incremental upgrades from the Orbi 750 and 850 series that preceded them. While I never reviewed a normal Netgear Orbi 750 model, I did review the Netgear NBK752 with its built-in 5G modem. I have also…
I have reviewed multiple EnGenius switches and access points over the past few years. They have always been excellent, but the pricing has perhaps been a little high for smaller businesses and SOHO users such as myself. I have been impressed with the EnGenius cloud management system, and it compares favourably against Ubiquiti UniFi, Zyxel…