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 vast majority of laptop reviews I do are all a bit samey, so it was nice to be sent something slightly different to review recently. The Panasonic CF-XZ6 is one of the niche laptops from Panasonic under their Toughbook range of laptops, and as the name would suggest these are designed to be durable…
Having previously reviewed the fantastic XPS 13 2-in-1 I have recently been checking out the Inspiron 13 7000 2 in 1. The Inspiron range aims to offer an affordable option to the sleek but expensive XPS models. If you are happy to lug around something slightly heavier and slightly larger the Inspiron range is a…
Netgear has established themselves as one of the market leaders in smart home security cameras with their Arlo range. I have previously reviewed the Netgear Arlo Q which is the indoor based camera from Netgear. The utterly wire-free battery-powered indoor/outdoor version is where they established themselves though. The original Arlo must have been one of…
AMD took the PC world by storm last year with the release of their Ryzen based chips. In particular, the R5 1600 and R7 1700 became the recommended CPUs for PC builders. AMD is now hoping for repeated success in the laptop market with the Ryzen 5 2500U and Ryzen 7 2700U. I am lucky…
I have reviewed some excellent Acer laptops recently from the paper thing 2-in-1 Spin 7 to the wallet-friendly Acer Chromebook R11. The Acer Swift 1 sites in the middle ground, being an affordable lightweight full Windows 10 notebook. The model I was sent is the SF13-31 model which comes with the following specifications There are…
The dLAN® 1200 triple+ is the latest powerline company from Devolo. Powerline adapters are a fantastic option for people wanted fast and stable connections between their router and connected device without the mess or difficulty installing ethernet cable. With Powerline, the adaptors use the electrical wiring without our home to establish a physical connection, similar…
Recently, BenQ has been expanding into the lighting market, focussing on products that improve the lighting in a computer environment. My first review was their beautiful WiT e-reading lamp, and they are now following this up with the ScreenBar e-Reading Lamp. This device is less about style and more about functionality, it is a small…
The Logitech G810 is the bigger brother of the superb G610 I reviewed back in 2016. Currently priced at £121 on Amazon it is around £20 more than the G610. For the extra £20 you get two substantial improvements, firstly there is the full RGB with each key being able to produce 16.8 million colours….
Windows Mixed Reality was first announced back in 2015 under the name Windows Holographic. It wasn’t until October 2016 during a hardware event, Microsoft announced that multiple OEMs would release virtual reality headsets for the Windows Holographic platform, based on Microsoft reference designs enabling room-scale virtual reality without external sensors or components. These initial products…
The Dell Latitude 5285 is a business class 2-in-1 designed for workers on the move. Priced from £1,069.00 (at the time of writing) it is a convertible in the same style as the Surface Pro, where it is essentially a tablet with an attachable keyboard. The specification I was sent is the higher specced model,…
I have covered a few gaming mice now, Logitech, in particular, has allowed me to review some fantastic mice. However today I have a mouse from a relatively unknown brand called Dream Machines. Dream Machines is a relatively new gaming hardware company based in Poland. They produce a range of bespoke gaming laptops similar to…
Setting up VPN for your IOS device is made very easy due to the apps available. Whether you want to gain region-restricted content or you want to trick your new IOS device into thinking you’re in a different country. This is all made easy by accessing VPN. What is a VPN Before we start, you’re probably…
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