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AMD and Nvidia have been battling it for GPU dominance and the competition has only become ever fiercer as buzzwords such as AI get thrown into the mix. Which company is best for building a PC from scratch or upgrading an older system? Most of the best graphics cards are made by AMD and Nvidia with the latter producing the world’s faster GPU, the mighty Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090.
3 things Intel needs to redeem itself in the GPU market with the upcoming Battlemage launch
Intel's redemption 'Arc' has Battlemage written all over it.
Intel's first-generation Alchemist family of Arc GPUs that landed on our test bench couldn't really leave a lasting impression on us. The Alchemist chip looked great on paper, but it turned out to be just average, at best. The driver issues truly took the GPU down, and it couldn't stand a chance as a match for Nvidia's GeForce RTX and AMD's Radeon models at that time.
Windows 11 update tracker: Download and install the latest update
We're tracking all the Windows 11 updates below
Keeping Windows up to date will ensure that you’ve got the latest and greatest version of the OS, but keeping track of all the updates can be difficult. With Windows 11, Microsoft delivers monthly cumulative updates with security and stability improvements, and we get feature updates like version 24H2 once a year. Some new features are also released with Moment updates, like the more recent Moment 5.
How to connect a Wi-Fi extender to your router
If your Wi-Fi router’s signal doesn’t reach your computer, you can either move them closer to one another or set up a Wi-Fi extender.
Wi-Fi routers let you connect to the internet without physically plugging a computer into a modem, and they also create a network that supports numerous smart home devices. So long as your router has enough bandwidth to support everything, you’re usually ok, emphasis on “usually.” While Wi-Fi is far more convenient than a wired connection, the signals generated aren’t always dependable. To compensate, you might need a Wi-Fi extender.
Windows 11 deep dive: Checking out the new Snipping Tool
Want to be ready for Windows 11? Here's everything you need to know about taking and editing screenshots in the Windows 11 Snipping Tool.
Windows 11 comes with a lot of changes, both in the OS itself and also with its many built-in apps. Specifically, it brings a major upgrade to the Snipping Tool, which has now been revamped with a modernized look and has a ton of new features that have been added over time.
How to install Windows 11 on almost any unsupported PC
Want Windows 11 but have an unsupported computer? Here's how to install Windows 11 even if your PC doesn't meet the minimum requirements.
Windows 11 is the latest version of the most popular operating system in the world, and as long as you have a supported PC, it's very easy to install. But that's the problem: Windows 11 has significantly higher system requirements compared to previous versions of Windows, so there are a lot of unsupported PCs you can't install it on.
3dfx Voodoo card makes a return in 2024 thanks to some ambitious builders
It's not going to produce stellar performance numbers, but this labor of love is one to behold
Graphic cards have evolved quite a bit over the past ten years, but those that have been around for some time will remember the true glory days, when you had multiple brands of cards with strange-looking boxes that had pretty good performance and were actually affordable. And while times have changed quite a bit, it looks like some are still happily stuck in the past, working on passion projects that involve old school GPUs.
How to check CPU temperature in Windows 11
CPU temperature is a crucial indicator of your PC health and CPU performance
Checking your CPU temperature can be an occasional or frequent activity, depending on what you put your precious processor through. Those who use their PC for everyday work and casual gaming don't have to worry about it as much as others who are into things like gaming, video editing, or anything that demands the CPU's attention. It's also particularly crucial when you're overclocking the CPU, as the last thing you want to do is put up with an overheating or an unstable processor. Modern processors tend to run quite hot, especially if you're running one of the top desktop CPUs or using the best laptops on the market.
Best mouse in 2024
A good mouse is your gateway to a positive experience with your computer, and we've collected the best ones here for a wide range of uses.
Finding the best mouse possible isn't always an easy process; a quick search will usually produce thousands of results, and sifting through all the different models might leave you with more questions than answers. You might want a wireless connection instead of dealing with a connected cable, you might want something small enough to be able to tuck into a laptop bag, or you might want something with the right performance to keep up with PC gaming.
Ditch your ISP's trash router with 30% off our favorite TP-Link model
Now's the perfect time to upgrade and save big on one of the best routers on the market
For most, it's easy to stick with whatever router the service provider gives you because it works, and it's convenient. While these types of interactions are usually seamless, a recent move to Spectrum was met with headaches and faulty hardware right out of the gate, which meant it was easier just to buy a router to get things working as soon as possible.
Matte vs glossy displays: How to decide and why it matters
Displays usually feature either matte or glossy surface, and there are advantages to both. Here's how to choose between them.
Picking out the right display for your desk setup or on one of the best laptops can be quite tricky. There are a lot of factors to consider, like display type, resolution, refresh rate, and more, with all of them playing a role in your viewing experience. However, an underrated thing that differentiates great monitors and screens from one another is the kind of surface that covers their displays. You'll find two main types of surfaces: glossy and matte. More often than not, a model of monitor or laptop will come in only one surface type, either glossy or matte. In some cases, you'll be able to choose between the two — and sometimes one will cost more than the other. But what's the difference between the surfaces, and how much does surface type matter when picking your next monitor or laptop? Let's take a look.
4 reasons to buy a used laptop instead of a budget alternative
If you're on a budget, it might be easy to go for a low-end laptop or Chromebook. But don't rule out used or refurbished machines.
Budget and midrange devices are becoming more capable than ever, and our favorite cheap laptops are no exception. It's possible to get a brand-new, capable daily driver for around $500 or $600 in 2024. However, if that's above what you can spend, the buying situation gets complicated. For people that can spend just a few hundred on a laptop, you basically have three options. First, you can buy a low-end Windows laptop that is barely serviceable, usually featuring massive compromises like slow processors, eMMC storage, or older and low available memory. There's also the Chromebook route, but the best ones are still quite expensive and ChromeOS might be limiting for some. These factors are why I'd recommend exploring the third and final option, which is purchasing a used laptop.
Best Wi-Fi 7 routers in 2024
Ready for faster Wi-Fi? Get the right Wi-Fi 7 speeds without going overboard.
Wi-Fi 7 routers are finally here. The speeds are incredible, but the prices can get steep. Wi-Fi 7 increases capacity over Wi-Fi 6 by making better use of the 6GHz spectrum available in many countries. The fastest Wi-Fi 7 routers have one or more 320MHz wide bands at 6GHz, which is double what was possible on Wi-Fi 6. While multi-gig internet speeds aren't yet available to most people, fast Ethernet makes these routers a good choice for someone who shares large files between devices at home.
Heineken enters the smartphone world with a phone that's boring for all the right reasons
At least it has Snake.
Smartphones have slowly but surely taken over our attention spans. Once upon a time, they were only good for sending SMS messages and playing Snake; now, they're essentially miniature computers that you may take a call on from time to time. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on who you ask; people who were around before the smartphone revolution may lament how dates at restaurants and patrons at the cinema spend more time on their phones than living in the situation. However, give a younger person a Nokia 3210 and they'll find it totally useless for modern-day use. For those who miss easier times, Heineken and Bodega have teamed up to make the Boring Phone that brings the smartphone all the way to the 90s when things weren't so smart.
How to setup Playnite on the Asus ROG Ally
If you want a unified front-end for all of your games on the Asus ROG Ally, then Playnite is one of the best to use.
While all PC games are typically found on Steam, you likely have a distributed library of games on other platforms, too. That's where Playnite comes in, as it can consolidate all of your game platforms into one front-end. You log in to the various stores you use and download and install your games, but after that, you can just launch them all from Playnite.
LG Gram +View review: An excellent portable monitor with some limitations
The LG Gram +View is arguably the best portable monitor out there, but it lacks some features I really wish were here.
LG's Gram laptops have some of the best displays in the business, so it only makes sense for the company to throw its hat in the ring of portable monitors, too. The LG Gram +View first made its debut in 2022, and it's designed to be the perfect pairing for the 16-inch Gram laptops, but it's also just an excellent portable monitor.
Logitech wants to launch ChatGPT on your PC and Mac with the click of a button
For Logitech keyboard and mouse owners, access to ChatGPT has become simpler than ever!
To become eligible to get the "AI PC" tag, Windows laptop manufacturers will need to introduce the Copilot key on the keyboards. While that's something that we'll see happening in the coming days, the latest feature in the Logi Options+ app makes it easier for anyone with a Logitech keyboard or mouse to start chatting with ChatGPT by clicking a button.
Here's why you should install a VPN on your router
Configure your router to run a VPN to easily protect and manage all the connected devices.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an essential tool to have at your disposal, as it helps you navigate the internet safely by protecting your security and privacy online. Thankfully, there's no shortage of VPN providers in 2024, and you'll easily find a reliable option based on your needs and usage.
Don't worry about the mysterious Copilot app that suddenly showed up on your Windows PC, says Microsoft
Microsoft has explained that the strange Copilot app recently installed on some Windows PCs is harmless.
Microsoft has been pushing its Copilot service across many of its platforms, including Windows, Microsoft 365, Edge, Azure, and more. However, in its effort to get as many people to use Copilot as possible, it may have been a bit overzealous recently. A Microsoft Edge update last month caused a mysterious Copilot app to show up in the list of installed apps for many Windows customers, with Microsoft now acknowledging that this was unintentional.
You can turn your photos into fun designs with the latest Windows Photos update
But it's not available to everyone yet.
Microsoft has announced a major new feature for the Windows Photos app to help users start creating compelling visuals with a mouse click. The software giant hasn't done anything outside of the box, though. It simply integrated the Microsoft Designer tool into the Photos app.