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!
Yesterday Nvidia officially launched the GTX 1650 for both desktops and laptops, as well as announcing that the GTX 1660 Ti is coming to laptops too. The launch coincided with Intel’s new 9th Gen Core laptop CPU launch and apparently over 80 new laptop models featuring GTX 1660 Ti or GTX 1650 will begin rolling…
Not quite the Ryzen 3000 series launch details many of us are hoping for, but the APU chips using 12nm Zen+ have been pictured and it is due to launch quite soon, though no hard date. The new Ryzen 3000 processors will come with enhanced performance per watt and higher clocks compared to the Ryzen…
I have covered Mesh Wi-Fi systems a lot over the past year or so, and this is due to their explosion in popularity in recent years. The biggest problem most people have with WiFi is the range, and previous solutions such as running multiple routers, repeaters and powerline extenders were all a bit hit or…
The GeForce GTX 1650 has been rumoured for a while now, including its laptop equivalent parts, and we have known they are arriving soon. It is now believed that the desktop parts will be launched on the 23rd of April. Similar to the models sitting about it, this will feature Nvidia’s Tu117 silicon which has…
Each week brings fresh news about up and coming Wi-Fi 6 devices. We already have numerous routers and mesh systems announced, with some Netgear models already on the market, modules enabling Wi-Fi 6 on the client end have been scarce. This has now changed with the recent launch of the Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 which…
Back when I first started building PCs, it was always a case of buying the largest but most affordable monitor going. With budget builds costing hundreds, it can be difficult to bring yourself to pay another couple of hundred on a monitor. Similarly, if you have stretched your budget well over £1k you can easily…
If you use anything that records data to an SD card frequently such as cameras, drones and dashcams then getting the footage from it can be a chore. A lot of modern tech comes with a variety of connection methods including Bluetooth, NFC, USB, and WiFi but you can’t always guarantee that, and older models…
Recently StarTech.com released two new USB-C multiport adapters to maximise productivity for business professionals on the road or in the boardroom. While I am rarely in a boardroom, I have been using both of these devices for the past few weeks. With USB-C we now finally have viable options to use laptops as a proper…
During the Next@Acer event in NYC, Acer was annoyingly coy about the specification of their refreshed Acer Nitro 7 & Nitro 5 laptops. While these may not be as exciting as the Predator line-up, the AMD-based Nitro 5 is one of the most affordable gaming laptops on the market. The official press release states: Both…
Yesterday Acer held its Next@Acer where they appear to be increasingly focusing on delivering high-end extravagant products. During the announcement, possibly the most interesting product announced, for me, is the Predator CG437K P monitor. This is a massive 43-inch screen running at 4K with 144Hz variable refresh rate and DisplayHDR 1000. The variable refresh rate…
I am quite excited about the prospect of Wi-Fi 6 and all the routers that will support it this year. Similar to 5G, the benefits of it will take a while, you need compatible hardware for the client and router, but over the next year or so, Wi-Fi should improve considerably. Today Netgear are announcing…
Considering the previous generations product line-up it perhaps comes as no surprise that the Nvidia RTX 2070 Ti is looking extremely likely to launch. A new graphics card has been spotted on the UserBenchmark database which fits the bill for the RTX 2070 Ti perfectly sitting right between the RTX 2080 and RTX 2070 in…