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A Guide to Computer Hardware

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Today, computers are found in over 80% of American households. Nearly every mall and major electronics store makes computer shopping as accessible as buying a new toaster. However, a computer is significantly more complicated than your average toaster! I speak with a dozen people each day who are trying to make sense of Gigahertz, Wattages, Decibels, and everything in between.

Welcome to Computer Hardware 101, a basic overview of what-is-what in computers. Hopefully this article will leave you with a basic understanding of the nuts and bolts of your typical computer hardware, and equip you to make informed decisions about what you need in your next computer.

RAID Explained

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The acronym ‘RAID’ stands for Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks. There are several variations designed to meet different needs. Some are for making larger, faster storage solutions. Others trade off size for increased reliability. Yet others try and accomplish both. This article gives a rundown of the basic types of RAID available today.

Dual Processor vs Dual Core

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It has always been a frequent question — “Will I benefit from multiple processors?” With the growing popularity of dual core processors, the topic is more important than ever! Will multiple processors or a dual core processor be beneficial to you, and what are the differences between them? These are the questions this article will attempt to lay to rest.

Thermal Paste Comparison

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When it comes to building high end computers, there is no room for cutting corners, and even a component like thermal paste can make a significant difference. When we set out to investigate all the different thermal pastes out there, we were surprised to not find a comprehensive comparison of modern products…so we decided to run our own tests! In this article, we will compare the performance of the top rated thermal pastes, so that you can make informed decisions about what will go into your next computer system!

The Sound of Silence: Building a Quiet PC

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It’s easy enough to make a fast computer…what’s not easy is making a PC like that quiet! It can be especially difficult since the components tend to run hot. The key is finding the right balance between performance, optimal cooling, and quiet. This article will show how you can have a system that roars with power but not noise.

SCSI vs SATA, Which is Faster?

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When configuring a server or high end custom computer, we are often asked about the performance benefits of SCSI over ATA. Since SCSI is much more expensive, the common perception is that it must be significantly faster. The short answer we give to that issue is that with the release of 10,000 RPM SATA drives, SCSI simply does not hold the edge it used to, and we do not feel it is worth the sizable increase in cost. Of course, that statement is very general. Surely there are still applications that greatly benefit from SCSI, and it is the goal of this article to take a deeper look at the performance differences in SCSI vs SATA, and to tell you how those differences translate to performance in real world applications.

PC Power Supplies – Will It Give Me More FPS!?

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The lowly power supply – In today’s world, the power supply is often assumed to be a commodity item. Maybe the problem is that we, as PC enthusiasts, do not grasp the full import of a power supply. A power supply is like the heart of your PC – it pumps the juice to the various parts of the system. As computer desktop operating systems and general productivity software become more stable and reliable, the power supply can present the weakest link in a computer system. A faulty power supply can cause intermittent lockups and rebooting. In this article, we’ll look at how to pick a good power supply!

SLI Technology for PCI-Express

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nVidia says that it gives the consumer “heart-pounding PC performance.” It will deliver “unparalleled gaming experience.” So what is it? And where can I find it? And what do I need to run it? These are the questions you may be asking yourself, as I was, when I first read about nVidia’s new SLI technology for PCI-Express. Well, I am here to answer those questions for you. To tell you what exactly this newfangled technology does to deliver this “unparalleled gaming experience.”

Rebates: a Force for Absolute Evil

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Why are rebates becoming such a popular way to sell products, and what risks are there for the consumer? In this article, we’ll take a look at what rebates are really all about, and how you can protect yourself.