Wondering what CPU is the absolute best for rendering? Or what GPU is the best for Video Editing? We did too when we started building our own rigs!
Our hardware section is a treasure-trove of knowledge for those who need help with picking hardware.
We do the heavy lifting for you, testing hardware, finding performance benchmarks, and coming up with recommendations that help you decide on your next upgrade specific workloads.
Not only do we cover the best hardware, but we also offer value-oriented suggestions for those on a tight budget.
From high-end hardware that’s the very best to fantastic bang-for-buck options, we remain focused on giving you valuable insight and making your purchase decisions easier.
There's more nuance to checking all of your PCIe slots' bandwidth and generation than first meets the eye. Bandwidth sharing, bifurcation, CPU support and others play a crucial role.
The 3 most widespread micro-architectures, x86, x64 and ARM are found in a lot of different hardware today. CPUs in PCs, Laptops and Macs being the most noteworthy. How do they compare?
Many PCs have a built-in speaker that beeps to convey information about your PC's state. But what do the many beep codes mean, anyway, and is beeping always bad news?
Integrated Graphics, especially, iGPUs in mobile processors are becoming ever more powerful. But how do Intel UHD and Xe Graphics compare, two of the most popular iGPUs?
Is a BIOS update worth the hassle and potential risk it brings to the table? Here are 3 good reasons why you should consider updating your BIOS and how to do it.
RISC-V and ARM are hot new terms that are evermore being thrown around the tech industry. What are they and which comes out on top in a direct comparison? An introduction.
Although motherboards are a crucial component in any PC that can severely impact performance, the component itself draws suprisingly little power. You should still include it in your overall PC power consumption calculation, though.
HDDs had a great run. They're a classic among PC storage, a classic that certainly doesn't reside in the past exclusively, but is overtaken by SSDs in most workloads.
Knowing what type of motherboard resides inside your PC can tell you a lot about how old your PC is or what upgrades are available to you. Here's how to find your motherboard's model quick and easy.
CPU Fans for both AIOs and Air-Coolers can be mounted on different sides to push or pull air through the heatsink. Which is best depends on a few factors.
Acer is a new AIB partner in the GPU market, offering a wide selection of GPUs. Is Acer a good brand for buying GPUs from or should you stay clear for now? A closer look.
FLOPS, Teraflops, Gigaflops are all measurements of computing performance. But are they helpful for the average consumer running mainstream workloads or just for those with a supercomputer in their garage?
A Graphics Card's Power Consumption can be measured or advertised in different ways. TGP (Total Graphics Power) and TDP (Thermal Design Power) are two popular ways of doing so. Here's what they mean for you.
This Guide will help you figure out why the red CPU Light on your Motherboard is lit and how to fix the underlying issue before resorting to returning your CPU.
How does an expensive Intel Xeon CPU compare to a cheaper Core i9 CPU, especially for workstation workloads? Does a Xeon perform that much better to warrant the high price? Far from it!
How do Intel's many CPU tiers compare and which make the most sense for your kind of workloads? Intel Cores i3, i5, i7, i9, we're here to clear up any confusion!
Is there a meaningful difference between ATX and E-ATX motherboards that warrant picking one over the other? Let's break it down and take a closer look!
Your PC consists of many components that all have to be of comparable performance so they don't bottleneck each other. Here's how to figure out if you have any bottlenecks.
Both, HDDs and SSDs, have their place in storage, but SSDs have rightfully become extremely popular. A closer look at the difference between SSDs and HDDs and which you should choose.
Beware of the difference between Bits and Bytes, especially when measuring transfer speeds. Abbreviations (GB, Gb), too, are something to double-check.
Is there any performance difference between triple-cell and quad-cell (TLC, QLC) SSDs and which one should you opt for when buying a new SSD? A closer look.
Adjusting your GPU's fan speeds can both increase its performance by making it boost longer and at higher frequencies or generally lower the noise your Graphics Card if you're looking for silent operation. Here's how to adjust those fan curves step-by-step.
Gigabyte is best known for their GPUs and Motherboards but they have products available in other areas such as storage. Is Gigabyte a good brand to buy from today?
Does it make more sense to get more RAM or faster RAM for your PC? As so often, it'll depend on the kind of workloads you're running. A closer look & recommendations.
What are the differences between boxed, tray, and WOF CPUs? Do they perform the same or should you make sure to steer clear of certain variants? A closer look.
AMD has many boosting technologies for its CPUs, and PBO (Precision Boost Overdrive) is one of the most recent. What does PBO do, is it safe to enable? And most importantly: Will PBO increase your performance?
AMD Ryzen X3D CPUs introduce added 3D Vertical Cache compared to their X Counterparts. Does this mean X3D is the better CPU in any workload? No, far from it.
For a CPU to perform to its full potential it has to be supplied with ample amounts of power. This power comes from the PSU by using CPU Power Cables plugged into your Motherboard.
Power Limit Throttling is the CPU choosing to throttle its own power delivery to ensure system stability. If this sounds like something you'd like to prevent to increase performance, here's how.
AMD's Ryzen CPUs are segmented into 4 tiers of which each tier targets different buyers, workloads and budgets. Here's which Ryzen CPU tier is right for your needs.
A Laptop's entire purpose is mobility, and the longer you can use it without the need to charge the better. Here're our favorite tips on how to extend your battery life.
A "CPU Over Temperature" Error displayed during on your POST screen is something you should fix immediately. Here's our step-by-step guide on how to do just that.
Every PC uses a different amount of power. It depends on its internal components, cooling, PSU efficiency and more! Here's how all of this works and how much power typical PCs draw.
Adding more GPUs to your PC will double your GPU performance, right? Well it'll depend on a couple of factors how many GPUs you can add and if they'll be bottlenecked or not.
A modern motherboard's MOSFETs are a crucial building block of voltage & electric signal regulation and can considerably impact a CPU's performance. Here's everything you need to know on MOSFETs.
If your SSD is about to fail you're at risk of loosing your data. Here are our top 6 ways to tell if your SSD's health is plummeting and what to do in such a case.
With so many Graphics Cards of the same Tier available in different variants or from various brands, it can become difficult to compare or even choose one over the other. Here's what you should be assessing to make the right choice.
Maximizing your PC's performance by increasing your RAM speed to its intended frequency is a crucial step when building a new PC or adding new RAM. Here's how.
The introduction of all those PCIe generations begs the question of whether PCIe slots and lanes are backward compatible. Can you use a new GPU in an older PCIe slot? And if so, does this impact performance?
Finding accurate, trustworthy info on PC-Hardware online, boils down to visiting just a few authoritative Websites that are known to be reliable in all things reviews and critical analysis.
PC Hardware Youtube Channels are as informative and fun as they are addictive. Here're the top channels you should subscribe to, to stay up to date on all things PC Hardware.
What's the difference between UEFI and Legacy BIOS and why does your motherboard BIOS offer a UEFI and Legacy Boot Mode Option? Is this something you should use or steer clear of?
TDP stands for Thermal Design Power, in watts, and refers to the power consumption under the maximum theoretical load of your CPU. Here's how TDP influences performance and why you should care.
DisplayPort, besides HDMI, is the most popular display interface today. The newest version 2.0/2.1 brings substantial improvements over 1.4(a) to the table that should be considered when buying a new GPU.
You've finished building your new PC and are wondering which drivers you should install so it runs at its full potential? Here's what we recommend you install first.
Is shutting down your PC at night something you should avoid or are there benefits that you can profit from? Here's why you should, in fact, turn off your PC as often as you can.
Make sure your GPU performs reliably and to its full potential with the help of our step-by-step guide to checking if a GPU is working properly. Benchmarks and more!
Motherboards are mounted inside your PC Case through Standoffs and Standoff Screws. Are these screws package with the motherboard or will you need extra when building a PC?
ASRock Motherboards display so-called Dr. Debug LED Error Codes if your PC is encountering hardware or configuration issues while POSTing. Here's how to dissect these codes.
Having your RAM run in Dual-Channel mode can increase your PC's performance in many workloads. Here's how to check if you've set everything up correctly to make use of Dual-Channel mode.
Most Gigabyte Motherboard display so-called error-codes on a motherboard LED-display making it easier to fix any underlying issues. Here's everything you need to know about Gigabyte LED Error Codes.
Here's how to make sure your new SSD is performing as it should by running quick benchmarks and comparing the results. Our Top 4 favorite free tools to do just that.
CAD workloads require PRO GPUs, right? Well, not necessarily. In fact, most times you get higher performance at a lower price if you don't get a PRO GPU from AMD, Nvidia or Intel for CAD Workloads.
CPU Coolers have become ever more powerful and subsequently, bigger. It's more crucial than ever to check cooler compatibility with your Case, RAM, and Motherboard to make sure you don't run into issues.
AMD's new RDNA3 PRO GPU line-up, the W7900 and W7800, bring some very interesting new developments to the table. Is this heralding the downfall of Nvidia's Pro GPUs? A closer look.
AMD's high-core-count CPU Lineup is split into 3 main segments: Threadripper, Threadripper Pro and Epyc. Because their specifications seem much more similar than their pricing, let's dissect their true differences.
GPUs come in all sorts of variations. In our overview we give a rundown of all the different Graphics Card types so you can figure out which one suits your needs best.
Our tests show that high capacity DDR5 RAM Kits don't hit frequencies as advertised. Buyers in need of 64 or 128GB of DDR5 RAM beware until platform matures!
Updating an MSI Motherboard's BIOS may seem like a daunting process, but can actually be done quite easily by following our step-by-step guide right here.
ASUS sure is one of the best-known brands for all things PC-Parts, Laptops, Peripherals & more. But how do their products hold up against the competition. Is ASUS a good brand?
All-In-One Liquid Coolers (AiOs) are extremely popular and powerful and our guide will make sure you have the basics down to make an informed purchase.
AMD's GPUs are often listed as second-rate at best, even though their technology is as on par with Nvidia's as can be. Here's the real reason they fall short in the current GPU market.
Dozens, even hundreds of CPUs are released with every new generation across all market segments. What general types of categories do all of these CPUs fit into?
Intel Xeon CPUs: They certainly have a feel of superiority to them compared to your average mainstream Intel Core CPUs. But for most, Xeon CPUs are a bad choice. Here's why.
Buying used GPUs is tempting, especially with new GPUs' steep prices nowadays. But is buying used GPUs even safe, and what are the warning signs to look out for?
There are many ways to increase your PC's storage space, and some of them don't even require you to open up your PC or bring it to a shop. Here are our 10 favorite ways to increase those Gigabytes!
3-Pin and 4-Pin Fans, also known as PWM & DC Fans have a noticeable price difference. Is this extra pin worth the price difference, or are they essentially the same?
CPU fans that don't spin aren't necessarily cause for alarm. They usually ramp up and down depending on your CPU's temperature. If they don't spin at all, though, you'll find possible fixes in this guide.
While running multiple GPUs of the same brand in one PC is something quite common, mixing GPUs from different brands introduces stability issues and considerably narrows application support.
Mechanical Keyboards can be customized in all kinds of areas with sound, look & feel being the three most important. Here's which websites let you customize and order your very own keyboard creations.
A Motherboard's Chipset is one of the most important components of a PC. It dictates features such as overclockability, PCIe Lanes, USB capability or RAID support.
PowerColor's brand name doesn't instill the greatest confidence in its GPU's performance, but their products are in fact a great option for AMD buyers.
While XFX is a lesser known brand compared to the likes of ASUS or MSI, they offer AMD GPUs that we can highly recommend, especially if you're working with a limited budget.
A Laptop's CPU performance doesn't depend on its frequency (speed) alone. To find the truly best CPU for you, you have to consider many factors, starting with your workloads.
Mounting PC Case and CPU fans incorrectly can severely impact your PC's airflow and, subsequently, your component's performance. Here's how to figure out which way your fans will blow air.
ASRock makes AMD GPUs only, but these sure come with great performance, cooling and are easy on the eye while being on the lower-end of pricing compared many other GPU AIBs.
High CPU temperatures won't just reduce your PC's performance but may even cause long-term damage or failure of the CPU. Here's how to stop a CPU from overheating.
There are many reasons you might need to figure out your Computer's age. Is it time for an upgrade? Do you want to sell it? Is it slowing down? Here's how to find your PC's age.
We did a deep dive into Z690 & Z790 Motherboards and hand picked the best for Intel's newest and most popular CPUs that professionals need for efficient work.
CPUs are being outfitted with ever more Cores with each generation. But which CPU has the highest multi-core performance and does it even matter for typical workloads?
A Laptop's battery life will vary considerable from model to model, also depending on how you use it. Workloads, Screen-Brightness, Performance-Demand, Age, many factors influence your battery's life.
Custom GPU backplates come in many forms and colors, and are meant to fulfill one of three popular functions: RGB, Cooling and Stability (Sag-reduction). Here's where to buy them.
Mini PCIe has been largely replaced by the M.2 and NVMe standard, but still finds application in some smaller devices. Here's everything you need to know about Mini PCIe.
Bluetooth is a convenient method for devices to connect to your PC wirelessly. Not every modern PC is outfitted with Bluetooth, though. Here's how to check or add Bluetooth capability.
Microsoft believes ARM is here to stay and has released a new Development Kit for running Windows on ARM. Here's everything you need to know to get started.
The CPU is one of the hottest components in any Computer. The cooler it stays, the more performance you can expect to see for any of your workloads. Here's how to check and monitor your CPU's temperature.
Both ASUS and Gigabyte are mainstays of the Motherboard industry and their offerings compete on almost any level. Given the choice between the two brands, though, which should you pick?
Figuring out which Graphics Card you have in your PC and what driver version it's running on, is a straightforward process. Here's how to go about checking your GPU and Driver.
Although modern Motherboards come with several small PCIe x1 slots, these slots are mostly left untouched by most PC Builders. What is their purpose and can you make use of them?
The PCIe x16 specification can be found on many a product sheet, but it doesn't always mean the same thing. Is it Bandwidth or physical slot length? Here's how to figure this one out.
Samsung and Crucial are two of the most popular SSD manufacturers. Both have a multitude of different storage offerings, but which one is better? We've analyzed both for easy comparison.
Your PC's GPU is one of the hottest components you'll encounter in a Build. Checking and monitoring your Graphic Card's Temperature is something you'll want to do sooner rather than later to ensure it performs up to its full potential.
Nvidia's newly released powerhouse of a GPU, the RTX 4080 brings solid performance to content creation workloads at moderate power-draw. Our review goes in-depth.
High CPU usage can be a cause for concern, especially if you're not really running any kind of demanding workloads that would warrant it. Here's how and when to fix high CPU usage.
Motherboard prices keep going up and they seem to be more expensive than a CPU nowadays. Do expensive Motherboards increase performance and are they worth it at all?
Is everyone making too big of a fuss about the new Nvidia 4090 and 4080 RTX GPUs? Or are they absolutely worth their asking price for content creation workloads?
ErP can significantly reduce power consumption of your PC when it's turned off. That's right, even turned off your PC still consumes power. ErP tackles this once and for all.
Your Motherboard's AAFP Connector enables you to use your Case's front audio jacks which can be convenient. But what are the drawbacks compared to the rear audio ports?
Are OEM/Tray CPUs safe to buy or should you stay clear of them and resort to getting a boxed CPU? Here's everything you need to know about boxed and tray/OEM CPUs.
Resetting your BIOS can fix all kinds of issues you're encountering with your PC. MSI motherboards are no different in this regard. Here's how to do just that!
Your CPU's performance is determined by the number of instructions it can execute per clock cycle. But how does IPC work exactly and how can you compare CPUs through it?
With so many CPU Cooler Brands on the market today, which should you buy a Cooler from? After all, the CPU Cooler will be responsible for the performance of your CPU!
USB Ports, Colors, Types, Generations. There's nothing more confusing than USB Naming Schemes. We'll explain everything you need to know about USB Ports.
The EVGA Brand is known as one of the higher-end GPU Brands within the Nvidia AIB Board Partner leagues. But do their increased price points translate to better performance?
Graphics Cards, too, have a suggested Price Point set by manufacturers, called, MSRP. Our updated List shows AMD, Nvidia and Intel GPUs ranked by MSRP.
A well-functioning PC must consist of parts that are fully compatible and don't create any bottlenecks. But how do you make sure your PC-Parts all are compatible?
It's easy to assume Motherboards have integrated Graphics because of their display connector inside the I/O shield. This is not the case, though. iGPUs are integrated into the CPU.
C: and D: are drive letters assigned to partitions that don't have to be on two physical drives. They can also be assigned to USB, DVD, CD or SD Drives.
There are different ways to check your PC's power consumption that give you varying amounts of insight into which PC-Parts consume the most electricity.
Sometimes all you need is a Graphics Card upgrade to run the demanding game or app you're looking to use. Upgrading a Laptop's GPU, though, has its obstacles.
How do AMD and Nvidia GPUs stack up to each other? Is one company the clear winner in performance or does it depend on the product tier you're looking to buy?
Is an Intel Celeron Processor too slow for most workloads? Well, it certainly depends on the workloads you want to run, but in general, yes, Celeron is an extreme budget option.
Do Dual CPU Motherboards make sense for non-server, consumer workloads like 3D Rendering, Video Editing, Gaming? It depends on your need of high core-density.
High-Quality Motherboard VRMs are crucial to a properly functioning system. The CPU's Boost Clocks and Overclocks especially will benefit from good VRMs.
Are AMD GPUs compatible with Intel CPUs? After all, the two companies are competitors, right? A closer look at workloads and when you should stay clear of this combination.
PC Cases don't have to be expensive. But you should still make sure it has the specific features you need and that it's big enough to house all your components.
Buffered RAM (Memory) reduces electrical load on the memory controller, making it less likely to become a bottleneck in Systems with lots of RAM Modules.
CPUs require drivers just like any other PC Part or Device you have attached to your Computer. But here's why you don't have to worry about CPU Drivers yourself.
It's important to keep an eye on your GPU utilization to maintain your PC's health. Here's what your GPU utilization should be at in different workloads.
NVMe and SSDs can't be compared. They are two entirely different things. What you can compare, though, are NVMe PCIe SSDs and SATA SSDs. Everything you need to know.
Intel has introduced a bunch of Suffixes into their CPU Naming Scheme. What do K, F, and KF mean, and do they impact price, performance, or something else entirely?
There's nothing worse than buying a powerful GPU that, as you find out later, does not fit into your Case. Here's how to check if your GPU will fit. GPU Clearance explaned.
GPUs can use shared memory when their dedicated memory is full. But how does this work and what performance implications come with using shared memory?
Make sure you understand the process of picking a GPU for Video Editing before buying one. This Guide will teach you how to pick a GPU for Video Editing.
Graphics Card (GPUs) are power-hungry components that output a lot of heat, even when they are not under full load. What is a good GPU idle temperature?
What are all of the different kinds of PCIe slots, why are they different lengths and which cards can you typically get for each type? Our Guide on PCIe slots.
More CPU Cores aren't always better. For one, higher core-count CPUs are more expensive, and two, single-core performance starts to suffer above a certain threshold.
Power Supplies come in 3 major variants: Fully Modular, Semi Modul and Non-Modular. What do these fancy names mean and which of the three should you pick?
CHA_FAN is another one of those Motherboard Headers that adds confusion to the mix of various other Headers you come across. Here's what it's meant for.
Are Graphics Cards only needed for gaming or are they required for other workloads as well? Is an iGPU sufficient for the tasks you're running on your PC?
Motherboard standoffs keep your PC from shorting and increase the overall stability of your components. Make sure you keep the rules we discuss here in mind.
There aren't many expensive PC Cases that are actually worth buying. Here's our overview of the few true high-end Cases for enthusiasts that'll blow you away.
Dying GPUs often have telltale signs that' forewarn you to look into issues that need fixing. Here're our most common GPU issues that indicate it's failing.
Keeping your Motherboard's temperatures low is just as important as those of your CPU or GPU. Take these steps to check and reduce them as much as possible.
There are so many types of RAM available that it can be difficult to make heads or tails of all the acronyms. DDR, SDRAM, RDIMM, ECC. We explain it all.
Weather you're buying a new PC or upgrading your CPU, you have to make sure the Processor is compatible with your Motherboard. Here's how to figure it out.
Machine Learning demands has extremely high performance demands if used right. Our Guide explains what hardware components are most important to speed up your workload.
Your Motherboard heavily influences all of the components that are attached to it. Keep this guide in mind to unfold the full potential of your CPU, GPU, RAM and more.
Intel especially segments its CPUs into locked and unlocked. This comes with some extra features, like overclockability, the other may save you some money.
Zotac is a well-known GPU Brand that offers Graphic Cards at reduced prices. Does this mean those GPUs aren't any good? Or is Zotac a reliable Brand that you can buy from?
Video Encoding is CPU demanding and will eat into your editing time if not taken into consideration when buying a PC or upgrading one. A closer look at encoding performance.
Not all PCIe-Slots are equal. Even though a PCIe-Slot might have the right size to physically hold your GPU just fine, PCIe-Lanes have to be considered as well.
You can enable Virtualization in your BIOS by switching SVM Mode to on. An Intel BIOS will have a similar option but called differently. What do you need it for?
Motherboard Wifi is often hidden in technical specifications & difficult to discern on an existing PC. Here's how to find out if your Motherboard has WIFI.
Hot PC components are thermally throttled and you miss out on potential performance. Here's how to make your CPU and GPU perform to their full potential.
Liquid Cooling needs regular maintenance and refilling to keep cooling performance at its maximum potential. Here's how long your Liquid cooling will last.
A Wi-Fi Card is the best way to get a low-latency, high-bandwidth, and stable wireless connection to your PC. Which Wi-Fi Cards offer the highest performance?
Are there any major differences between a CPU and an APU? When does it make sense to get an APU with an integrated GPU or a CPU + GPU combo? A closer look.
Samsung's B-Die Memory Modules perform especially well in certain situations. They are especially popular amongst Ryzen Users. Our top B-Die RAM picks.
Many PCs, and Laptops especially, will have a very limited amount of USB Connectors. But there are some easy options to add to your existing USB Ports.
Is a Mid Tower PC Case best for your needs or should you go Full Tower? Let's take a look at the most important factors that sets these two Cases apart.
The GTX and RTX abbreviations are all over the place when looking for new GPUs. But are these just marketing speak or does it actually stand for something?
MSI's EZ Debug LEDs are geat for troubleshooting any PC-startup Issues. You'll be able to narrow down the troublesome component in no time. We show you how.
We take a close look at the many Z590 Motherboard options on the market. Which is the best for your particular Intel CPU - without spending an arm and a leg?
Here's how to enable RTX Ray Tracing and Voice on supported Nvidia GPUs to make use of the extremely powerful Hardware-Feature to improve your Application's Fidelity.