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!
In the world of consumer PCs, CHERRY are best known for the CHERRY MX mechanical switches for keyboards. They are regarded as the gold standard for mechanical keyboards and are used across a wide range of brands. However, CHERRY produce a wide range of products and includes a range of peripherals under their own brand…
Last year, AMD launched the Ryzen 7 5800X3D with a massive increased L3 cache, tripling the 32MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X with 96MB of L3 cache. This launch was largely geared towards gamers as the increased L3 cache is useful for the complex, heavy-dataset nature of video games. Following the success of that chip,…
Mesh WiFi systems are the best overall WiFi solutions for most homes that are moderately sized. They will help eliminate poor WiFi throughout the home, and they are relatively easy to set up thanks to the wireless connection between each mesh node (vs wired connections). How does mesh WiFi work? Mesh WiFi systems work by…
I have been working my way through the excellent range of Kingston Ironkey products. I started off with the impressive flagship IronKey Vault Privacy 80 with its touchscreen display and large SSD, then the affordable Ironkey Locker+ 50 and, more recently, the FIPS 140-3 Level 3 IronKey Keypad 200 The Kingston Ironkey Vault Privacy 50…
The Kingston FURY Renegade NVMe was announced at around the same time as the KC3000. They are both very similar drives with barely any difference in specification, but the FURY is targeted towards gamers, while the KC3000 is ambiguously targeting desktops and laptops. Both drives meet the specifications required for the PS5. However, with the…
Walls are the bane of WiFis’ existence. When you see the coverage claims from companies, it is always for open spaces, as if we all live frolicking outdoors. In the UK, many of us live in older homes, and that means thick brick-built internal walls which are not kind to our WiFi. Or, for businesses,…
Considering the weather outside, January may not be the best time to write this post. However, if you are lucky enough to have a nice garden, there is a good chance you will want to be able to enjoy your time outside while still being able to connect your you’re the Wi-Fi of your home….
This is a quick review of the Sabrent tool free USB 3.2 M.2 enclosure for either NVME or SATA drives. I am currently in the process of reviewing the Kingston FURY Renegade NVMe and have removed the Goodram 1TB IRDM M.2 NVMe, which I used for general storage. The Goodram IRDM is a decent PCIe…
Wi-Fi 7 is still in development, and the final version is expected to be confirmed in early 2024. However, just like Wi-Fi 6, companies are already announcing products that should launch in 2023. Both MediaTek and Qualcomm have confirmed Wi-Fi chipsets. The new flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and MediaTek Dimensity 9200 will support…
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…
End of content
End of content