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!
I recently personally bought the excellent Synology DS218play which I found offered enough additional functionality over the cheaper TerraMaster F2-210 to justify the extra £40. However, at the time, I was not aware that Synology had just launched the DS220j could be a better option overall than the older DS218jplay and DS218j and making the…
Wi-Fi 6 is slowly becoming mainstream, most flagship phones this year will have it, including the Xiaomi Mi 10 series and Samsung Galaxy S20. There are also plenty of Wi-Fi 6 routers, and the new Xiaomi AIoT AX3600 is incredibly affordable. A few weeks ago, it was revealed a newer Wi-Fi 6E version will be…
[Update] The AIoT AX3600 has now officially been announced as part of the Mi 10 launch and it will cost 599 CNY which is just £66 which is an absolutely insanely cheap Wi-Fi 6 router. This will of course not be the price you pay in the UK, I doubt it will launch here, but…
After singing the praises of the TerraMaster F2-210 NAS for the level of value it offers over competing Synology devices, the DS218play dropped to its lowest price over on Amazon at just £183.99, and I couldn’t help but buy it so I can compare. Synology DS218play vs TerraMaster F2-210 Specification From a hardware point of…
For the past 6 years or so I have used a proper server for my NAS, first with the HP Microserver, then moving on to old PC hardware I no longer use. However, self build servers tend to be big, relatively expensive and use up quite a bit of electricity. I wanted to use old…
This year it looks set for Wi-Fi 6 to start becoming widely adopted in both client devices but also the number of routers able to provide this new ultra-fast Wi-Fi technology. Wi-Fi 6 promises to do a lot more than just increase speed, and a significant focus of it is for congestion and dense deployments….
This new bypassed me a couple of days ago, but EnGenius has recently announced two new multi-gig switches that they claim will be affordable. With EnGenius being a business focussed company, the definition of affordable may be different from what home and SOHO users class as affordable, so we will have to wait and see….
I reviewed the Acer Swift 5 back in 2018, so this review is much the same but with upgraded hardware and a new lower price point. The Acer Swift 5 remains one of the lightest laptops on the market with a listed weight of just 990g up a touch since my last review. The last…
Power banks have been a mainstay for mobile users for years, allowing us to go out for the day without worrying about our phones dying on us. They come in all shapes and sizes including ultra-portable 5000mAh options like the Anker Astro, 20,000 mAh options which are not pocket-friendly but can keep a couple of…
I have not used a NAS in years, instead opting with building my own servers, but they are big, ugly and use up lots of electricity. With a growing number of old hard-drives, I wanted something that was small, lower-powered and cheap enough for me to justify using my old smaller 4TB drives in it….
With the launch of Wi-Fi 6 and we have seen many big claims about its performance but in my previous, I have been impressed but not necessarily blown away about this next-gen Wi-Fi technology. A handful of routers are equipped to show off the full potential of Wi-Fi 6 and the TP-Link Archer AX11000 is…
I was very impressed with the Huawei Matebook X Pro when I reviewed it back in 2018. Huawei also has a more affordable range of laptops with their D series which are powered by AMD CPUs. Like many other laptop brands, this has received its yearly update moving it from an AMD Ryzen 5 2500U…
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