latest
Best thermal paste in 2024
Keeping your CPU cool is essential if you want a working PC. If you want some of the best thermal paste around, here are your options.
Thermal paste is critical in keeping processor temperatures low. It ensures the most effective transfer of heat between the chip itself and the metal block attached to the socket. Some of the best CPU coolers will come with thermal paste already applied, but it's not a bad idea to remove it and apply a better one. It's also good to have some thermal paste on hand if you ever need to reseat the CPU or remove the cooler. To that end, we've compiled a list of our favorite thermal pastes.
It's hard to build a console-killer gaming PC, but you can come pretty close for $600
Consoles are great at what they do but I tried to build a gaming PC that beats it for the same price. Here's how it went
PCs and consoles have always catered to different sets of gamers, by and large. While consoles from Sony and Microsoft target those who value convenience above all, gaming PCs have traditionally been the go-to choice of gamers who prefer superior performance and flexibility. Console manufacturers famously sell their hardware at a loss, making up the bulk of their money through games and other value-added services.
Random access memory (RAM for short) is an integral part of any gaming PC. The system memory is responsible for storing data for quick access by the CPU and other components. Think of it as a super-charged SSD. The faster the RAM (and more you have available) the better the performance you'll be able to enjoy with resource-intensive games and software. I'm going to run you through my best DDR5 RAM picks for gaming.
Getting the right central processing unit (CPU) and motherboard working together is vital to avoid hardware damage and system instability. AMD and Intel make it easy to decipher which processors are compatible with the respective motherboard sockets and chipsets. When putting together a new system or upgrading an existing PC, it's important to consider which parts will work and filter out those that will cause problems.
Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2024
If you want to build a small PC, you're going to need a Mini-ITX motherboard. Here are our picks for some of the best.
Planning to build a compact PC? There's a good chance the small form factor PC cases you're considering will support motherboards up to a maximum size. Mini-ITX are the smallest form factor motherboards and we've compiled a list of the best Mini-ITX motherboards for AMD and Intel processors. They're best suited to smaller cases as they're considerably more expensive and offer worse functionality than larger ATX motherboards due to restricted space on the PCB. Here are our favorite Mini-ITX motherboards.
Replacing an older motherboard with a newer, more powerful upgrade is easier than you think. Unlike building an entire system from scratch, everything is already in place for (almost) a straight swap. In this guide, we'll be running you through how to choose the right replacement, how to remove an old motherboard, and how to install a new one. After following these simple steps and carrying out the process, you'll find everyone approaching you for PC support.
How do I select the right PSU for my PC?
Choosing the right PSU for your PC will save you a lot of wasted time and money
Whether you're building a new PC or choosing the right parts to upgrade your machine, the power supply or PSU rarely gets the attention it deserves. It's the component responsible for delivering clean and sufficient power to all the other precious components. Picking an inferior PSU can have fatal consequences for your build in cases where it's unable to handle power surges or load peaks. With the kind of CPUs and GPUs we're seeing today, getting the power supply right is more important than ever.
What XDA staff want to see from the PC industry in the next year
If only we had some form of input with the big brands of the tech sector...
The PC industry is constantly evolving and at an ever faster pace. With the rise of artificial intelligence, the advancement of graphics cards and gaming, and the increased cost of just about everything relating to the personal computer, the XDA team has compiled a list of things we'd like to see from the industry in the next year. Whether or not we'll see any of our thoughts become reality is a different matter, but you'll get an idea as to how we're expecting (or dreaming) the PC market to evolve in the coming months.
Why it no longer makes sense to overclock your processor
Modern CPUs offer excellent performance from the factory
Overclocking is the method of configuring a component inside your PC, usually the processor, to run faster than what's set by the manufacturer. It's a good way to take a less capable CPU and achieve better results in games, running software, and general computing. But with higher clock speeds offered by AMD and Intel for the latest Core and Ryzen processors, is overclocking even worth it in 2024? The latest and best CPUs are designed to run at higher temperatures to process as many instructions per second, so is there any room for manual overclocking?
Best power supplies for RTX 4090 in 2024
The 450W TDP of the RTX 4090 needs a beefy PSU to run it, so what are your best options?
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 is the most powerful consumer graphics card on the planet. With all that power under the hood, it needs a similarly powerful power supply unit (PSU) for smooth operation, whatever task it’s set to. That means picking an ATX 3.0 compatible PSU with a dedicated 12VHPWR connector, so you don’t have to worry about adapter quality. This guide will review some of the best PSUs that will power the RTX 4090 and the CPU you decide to pair it with.
be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850W review: Smooth power delivery at a reasonable price
Affordable premium power delivery for your gaming PC
be quiet! launched numerous new power supplies for 2024, including the be quiet! Pure Power 12 M. This value-centric power supply is available in a variety of capacities, but in this review, we'll be looking at the 850W unit. Replacing the well-received be quiet! Pure Power 11, I was a fan of the predecessor, which offered reliable power delivery at a reasonable price. I'm expecting the Pure Power 12 M to offer a similar experience, though this year's refresh includes full support for the Intel ATX 3.0 standard.
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G vs 7800X3D: Which gaming CPU is best?
Should you go for more cache or a better integrated GPU?
AMD launched the Ryzen 7 7800X3D as one of its gaming processors with a beefy cache to help it perform better in more demanding games. The more cache a processor has, the less it has to rely on system memory, which is slower than local cache. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is a whole different beast. Built on a similar platform, this processor has a "normal" amount of cache but has an uprated integrated GPU that's capable of handling tasks usually sent to a discrete video card.
How to check what power supply (PSU) is inside your PC
Quickly see how much power your PC is capable of producing.
The power supply unit (PSU for short) is an important component of any PC. This device converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), which all other components require. This is an incredibly sensitive operation, which is why we always recommend spending slightly more on a reputable PSU with enough capacity to meet your needs. But how does one go about checking what power supply is currently installed inside their system? This is where our handy guide comes in, allowing you to quickly check in mere moments.
3 reasons to create an open-loop CPU cooler inside your PC
Create a custom loop and PC of your dreams
There ae two ways to liquid cool your PC. The first and more popular option is closed-loop all-in-one solutions, commonly known as an AIO liquid cooler. The second method of extracting heat from your CPU, GPU, and other parts through liquid is open-loop liquid cooling. The primary difference between the two is an AIO is a pre-assembled unit that typically isn't user-serviceable. An open loop is built from scratch and tailored to the system.
How to choose the perfect CPU cooler while building a new PC
Here are the things you should consider while choosing the perfect CPU cooler for your shiny new PC build
Selecting the ideal CPU cooler is necessary not only for maintaining your processor at a safe operating temperature but also for enhancing your system's overall performance, prolonging the lifespan of your PC components, and aligning with your personal preferences and computing needs. As such, it's important to choose the right kind of cooler for your machine, whether that's air cooling, all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooling, or custom water cooling setups, and we're here to help you make that decision.
Best Wi-Fi cards for your PC in 2024
Upgrade your online experience with top Wi-Fi cards for your PC, which increase your connectivity for seamless performance
Coming from someone who has dealt with many routers, mesh systems, and Wi-Fi cards in the past, setting up an optimal internet connection at home or at work can be a bit daunting. If you have a desktop PC and primarily rely on a Wi-Fi connection over Ethernet, you’ve likely faced frequent drops in performance and general connectivity issues. Wi-Fi routers have improved a lot, and while most motherboards have decent on-board Wi-Fi these days, these issues still manage to creep up at times. A quick fix to these problems is getting a dedicated PCIe Wi-Fi card for your PC.
10 mistakes you should not make when building a new PC for the first time
Look out for these common mistakes before you start working on your new PC
Building your PC over opting for prebuilts off the shelf is often recommended due to the better value for money, more tailored specifications, and, frankly, the sheer joy of the process. However, diving into your first build can be a minefield of potential mistakes. From choosing an incompatible mix of components to overlooking the need for thermal paste, the devil is in the details. This guide aims to guide you through common mistakes, ensuring your journey from parts selection to the final boot is as smooth as possible.
Building a PC is really just an exercise in wellness
Start a rewarding project and learn skills in the process
Building a PC is a project many take on for a variety of reasons. It's a good way to save money compared to the cost of a prebuilt system, especially with more powerful components. There's also a case for the entire process to be rather therapeutic for many, creating stunning builds with tight cable management, flashing RGB lights, and the means to lose oneself in virtual worlds. Then there's skill development, which includes building a system itself, troubleshooting potential issues, modding the case and other parts, and budgeting.
be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13 1300W review: The best enthusiast power supply
Power your high-end gaming rig with this impressive piece of kit
be quiet! makes some excellent PC hardware with a focus on quiet operation. Whether it's a power supply or CPU cooler, you can expect to enjoy a premium experience and create a killer PC. The be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13 is the latest flagship PSU from the company with full support for ATX 3.0 standard and the latest, most power-hungry graphics cards. There's the trusty 12VHPWR connector for delivering up to 600W of power, though you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference compared to the outgoing Dark Power Pro 12, at least in terms of design.
The mid-tower PC case segment of the market is the most popular, offering chassis with solid expansion support without being overly large. It's also where you'll find the largest selection of available cases, making it relatively difficult to separate great PC cases from the rest. We've rounded up some of the best mid-tower PC cases here for you to build a powerful system.