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!
TerraMaster, a leading manufacturer of network attached storage (NAS) devices, has launched its most advanced 4-bay NAS to date – the F4-424 Pro. The new flagship model promises significant performance and feature upgrades over previous generations, aiming to be the ultimate all-around NAS solution for home users and businesses alike. Major Upgrades Across the Board…
Using a TV as a computer monitor is absolutely possible with the right connections and settings. Modern TVs offer excellent display quality and features that can rival dedicated monitors. I personally used a cheap 43” 4K Samsung TV for a couple of years before moving to my Samsung C49RG90 49-inch super ultrawide monitor. In the…
[Update for 2024] I originally wrote this post back in 2020 when affordable multi-gig switches were somewhat of a rarity. It was then updated in 2022 as the market had changed a lot, and I stated that Wi-Fi 6 was driving the need for multi-gigabit. As we approach 2024, we have reached the point where…
I have reviewed several speakerphones in the past few years, including the Poly Sync 20+ smart speakerphone and Audeze Filter personal conference speaker. These are handy devices to have, and I find they are best suited for people who use laptops for video calls, as they provide significantly better audio quality for both the microphone…
The Netgear Nighthawk RS700S was officially announced in the US back in March for pre-order with Q2 shipping, making it the first WiFi 7 router to ship. The UK launch was slower, which I assume was due to regulatory reasons. It is now finally available to buy from both Netgear and Amazon for a princely…
BitTorrent remains one of the most popular peer-to-peer file sharing protocols, allowing fast downloading of large files by retrieving pieces of content from multiple sources. While I personally use UnRaid running on a TerraMaster NAS with its community applications for easy Docker application management, many people still like to use a normal Linux distribution, and…
TerraMaster, a leading manufacturer of network attached storage (NAS) devices, has announced the launch of TerraSync – a new data backup and synchronisation solution designed for home and business users. TerraSync allows users to turn their TerraMaster NAS into a private cloud server to achieve seamless file synchronisation between multiple devices. It comes with a…
WiFi 7, also known as 802.11be, is the newest and fastest WiFi standard yet. It offers significantly faster speeds, lower latency, increased capacity, and better performance compared to previous standards like WiFi 6E. Major networking brands have started releasing WiFi 7 mesh systems that take advantage of these benefits to deliver blazing-fast whole-home coverage. In…
Last year ExpressVPN launched their own Aircove router, which as claimed to be the world’s first Wi-Fi 6 router with built-in VPN functionality. I don’t think that’s technically true, but it is one of the easier routers on the market to manage a VPN with and makes it incredibly easy to control which devices connect…
Following the MediaTek announcement of the Wi-Fi 7 Filogic 860 and Filogic 360 chipsets, I thought it would be good to cover some of the key technologies used by Wi-Fi 7, which will significantly improve the performance in comparison to Wi-Fi 6/6E. For me, Wi-Fi 7 has to potential to be a significantly bigger jump…
MediaTek has expanded its Wi-Fi 7 portfolio with the introduction of its new Filogic 860 and Filogic 360 chipsets. This launch marks a significant step forward in providing mainstream devices with cutting-edge wireless technology that promises peak performance and unrivalled reliability. Introducing Filogic 860 and Filogic 360 The company’s leap into second-generation Wi-Fi 7 technology…
In our increasingly connected world, the fairness of network distribution often becomes a critical consideration. Whether in an office environment or a bustling household with multiple devices, ensuring that each device gets a fair share of the network can be a challenge. Airtime Fairness is a technology that attempts to address this challenge, promoting an…