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!
Earlier in the year, I got to test the new HP Envy X2 laptop which was running Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 SoC and was the first attempt at getting an ARM-based processor working with Windows. My experience was a little mixed, I love the concept, the battery life is awesome and the always-on connectivity perfect for a blogger…
Premium routers tend to fall into one of two camps, ultra-high-performance single unit devices or mesh system routers. Living in a reasonably large house I love mesh systems as they provide reliable coverage across a large area, but they often sacrifice a peak speed performance, and due to the increasing number of components they can…
Following my post on DRAM prices expecting to drop 5% before the year out, and that they have dropped over 25% this year, I thought it was worth seeing what are the best deals currently. I am eager to update my PC and relegate my R5 1600 to being the server, I am also keen…
I am always on the lookout for some positive news on DDR4 pricing, in the past few years we have seen the prices escalate by over three-fold in many cases. Since December the price races have slowed down and even dropped in many cases, but not where near to the levels of 2016. There have been…
It was clear from IFA 2018 that Acer is continuing to push forward in establishing themselves as one of the leading PC gaming brands. This included some over the top products such as the Predator Thronos gaming chair which weighs over 200KG and can accommodate three curved 27-inch monitors side-by-side. While the Thronos was a…
I posted a few days ago about how Zodak had developed a double height double capacity memory DDR4 module. Now G.Skill has officially announced their Double Capacity DDR4 Trident Z RGB DC RAM which will be available on a limited number of ASUS motherboards. Consumer boards have been limited to using 16GB per DIMM since the launch…
I previously reported that the new high-end Navi based AMD cards may not arrive until as late as 2020, which is partly due to AMD focussing on custom GPUs for the likes of Sony and Microsoft. However, there is still some life left in the Polaris architecture, and the mid-range market is arguably bigger and easier…
In the past few weeks, I have reviewed a couple of premium Thermaltake cases including the Level 20 XT and the Level 20 GT RGB. While these cases are both lust-worthy, they are likely out of the budget range for many PC gamers. The View 22 was an excellent affordable option, and today I have…
The Alienware name is synonymous with gaming laptops and they have been one of the dominant brands for years. The laptops are great but they are a bit on the chubby side, and in the past couple of years we have seen a trend toward thin and semi-light gaming laptops. Razer, MSI, Gigabyte, ASUS and AORUS all have slim models…
Sometimes you may be complaining of aches, needles and pain even from the shortest games. Of course, you must be tired of all the endless strain on your body. Well, what you need us a heavy duty gaming chair. Most people have been diving into gaming with regular chairs, only to experience adverse effects. Well,…
October is a crazy month for product launches, and Microsoft has started the ball rolling with the announcement of the new Surface Pro 6 & Surface Laptop 2. We knew these laptops were coming, but we all were hoping the announcement would include the new Windows Surface Phone that is in the works, but we will sadly have…
I am a big fan of mesh Wi-Fi systems, while they do not offer the raw performance of an expensive gaming router they eliminate most of the issues consumers face with Wi-Fi, and that is dead spots around the home. With mesh Wi-Fi you can roam around the house and your device should seamlessly switch…