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!
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…
The Nebula FWA510 is the latest 5G router from Zyxel that was launched a few months ago. It replaces the popular NR5101 and has improved WiFi, and now has two 2.5GbE ports, allowing you to make the most of a 5G connection that exceeds gigabit speeds. Zyxel Nebula FWA510 Feature Zyxel Nebula FWA510 vs NR5101…
Following on from my review of the EnGenius FitXpress and FitController management systems that are used to manage the new EnGenius Fit products. This review covers the Fit6 4×4 EWS377-FIT access point and EWS2910P-FIT POE switch that I was sent to test the new system. EnGenius FIT Products and Prices EnGenius Fit was only announced…
In November 2022, EnGenius announced EnGenius Fit, which is a new affordable range of hardware that uses new, subscription-free EnGenius Fit cloud-based management options built to streamline deployment while providing enterprise-grade security and reliability. EnGenius sent me three products to review including: As there is quite a lot to cover with EnGenius Fit, I have…
Linksys has announced the launch of its first WiFi 7 mesh system for the home – the Linksys Velop Pro 7. This new system promises lightning-fast speeds and a hassle-free setup process that takes just 10 minutes. The Velop Pro 7 is purpose-built for WiFi 7, the latest and most efficient WiFi standard to date….
End of content
End of content