| Top 10 things you should be doing to maintain your computer
Updated on 4/29/08 by |
 | Everyone loves computers when they work. Everyone screams at them when they don’t. Here’s ten ways to keep your computer running smoothly into its old age. While I can’t promise that these tips will keep your computer from ever having problems, it will at least help prevent them, and make recovery easier when they do occur.
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| Why Vista Isn’t as Bad as You’ve Heard
Updated on 3/10/08 by |
| There has been a lot of talk on the Internet for the past year about how Vista isn’t all its cracked up to be. There are lists of why folks hate Vista, lists of things Microsoft supposedly stole from the Mac OS, and reports of people switching back to XP in disgust. Amidst all of this negativity, I wanted to share my experience with Vista and address some of the accusations folks have leveled at Microsoft’s newest operating system.
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| Improving Windows XP Performance
Updated on 11/20/07 by |
| Windows XP has the potential to exhibit far greater performance on your machine than is delivered from a clean installation. This guide is intended to show you how to tweak your computer produce the fastest machine possible.
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| The Dummy's Guide to Power Supplies
Updated on 8/27/07 by |
| Though it may not seem important, your computer's power supply is a primary building block of your system. Ensuring that each component of your computer obtains adequate amounts of power should be of utmost importance. This article is designed to give you a better understanding of how power supplies work and how many watts you need for different types of computer set-ups.
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| The KillerNIC - Is It Worth It?
Updated on 4/23/07 by |
| In the ongoing efforts to squeeze every possible performance improvement out of their computing rig, most folks focus almost exclusively on the two heavy hitters in their system when it comes to generating frames per second (FPS): CPU and video card. Is it possible that both consumers and hardware manufacturers have been overlooking an untapped area for improvement?
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| DirectX 10, What is all the Fuss?
Updated on 2/28/07 by |
| DirectX is something the average gamer doesn't give much thought. Often they don't even see the word until one of their games complains it is out of date. Even then, the necessary version is usually included, so all they have to do is do a quick, painless install and they're on their way. DirectX 10 is a bigger deal. It is a more exciting update, and is more of a concern if you're buying a new system. That means it is time to do some reading! The purpose of this article is to give you an overview of what to expect from DirectX 10, and what you need to run it.
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| Why RAID is (usually) a Terrible Idea
Updated on 2/5/07 by |
| As president of Puget Custom Computers, I get a unique perspective on computer products and technology. Our company specializes in selling high performance custom computers, and that naturally brings up the question of RAID often. There is an overwhelming opinion out there that if you have the money and want a blazing fast and stable computer, that you should put your hard drives in RAID. We have known for years that this perception is just flat out wrong, but the problem is that the idea is so widely accepted that it is nearly impossible to convince our customers otherwise. In fact, if we try too hard to talk them out of it, we end up losing the sale! So, should we be selling configurations that we know are flawed, for the sake of making the sale? To be honest, if it comes down to it we will, but not without a fight! This article is just the latest effort in educating the public about RAID.
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| Windows Vista Upgrade: Just the Facts
Updated on 11/7/06 by |
| When it comes to upgrade options for Vista, there are plenty of ads out there (such as the one above), but what is sorely lacking is a place you can go to just get the facts. In my search, it seems there are plenty of websites that speculate about the upgrade options, and even more websites that are complaining about one Vista feature or another. However, what isn't being addressed is that people just need to know, in simple terms, what upgrade options there are. As a system builder, this is information we really need to know, so after weeks of squeezing information out of every contact possible, I would like to help by providing this information to everyone in as clear a format as possible.
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| Windows Media Center Edition 2005
Updated on 9/29/06 by |
| For most of us, our computers and our TVs exist in separate worlds – separated by walls between rooms as well as form, function, and ease of use. But what if your computer could do the same things your TV, maybe even your whole home entertainment system, does? What if you could have TV on your computer… or what if you could have computer on your TV? Well, the answer to those questions and more is here: Windows Media Center Edition 2005.
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| Case Review: Lian-Li PC-S80
Updated on 9/24/06 by |
| In this review, we take a closer look at the Lian-Li PC-S80 and give you our impressions. It is an expensive case, but is it worth the cost?
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| A Guide to Computer Hardware
Updated on 7/31/06 by |
| 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.
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| RAID Explained
Updated on 4/15/06 by |
| 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.
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| Dual Processor vs Dual Core
Updated on 3/25/06 by |
| 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.
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| Thermal Paste Comparison
Updated on 5/31/05 by |
| 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!
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| The Sound of Silence: Building a Quiet PC
Updated on 2/16/05 by |
| 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.
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| LCD Behemoths - Tremendous LCD Technology For The Home!
Updated on 2/8/05 by |
| In this article, we will take a look at how LCD technology has advanced recently. We'll also compare some of the latest large LCD monitors designed for movie-watching, gaming, and high-resolution graphics.
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| SCSI vs SATA, Which is Faster?
Updated on 2/2/05 by |
| 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.
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| PC Power Supplies - Will It Give Me More FPS!?
Updated on 12/6/04 by |
| 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!
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| SLI Technology for PCI-Express
Updated on 11/14/04 by |
| 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."
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| Rebates: a Force for Absolute Evil
Updated on 7/10/04 by |
| 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.
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| The Pitfalls of Building Your Own Computer!
Updated on 5/21/04 by |
| One question I have been asked many times is the question "Why should I buy from a custom computer company as opposed to building a computer myself?" It's a fair question. I'm sure this article can be viewed as nothing more than a glorified advertisement for computer companies, but is my true goal to objectively lay out the pros and cons of building your own computer system.
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| Building a Value Gaming PC
Updated on 10/17/03 by |
| Building a Value Gaming PC on a tight budget requires some difficult decisions. When budget is not a factor, building a great gaming PC is relatively easy - simply choose the fastest parts available. That's what we did in our last article, titled Building the Ultimate Gaming PC. If you want the best gaming PC that money can buy, then we encourage you to check out that article. Unfortunately, most of us do not have the luxury of a high budget, so in this article, we will take a look at current technology, and explore what the best choices would be for building a great gaming PC for under $1500.
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| Building the Ultimate Gaming PC
Updated on 7/7/03 by |
| If money was not a factor, how would you design the ultimate gaming PC? We'll take a look at what makes up a great gaming PC, and give you everything you need to put together the gaming system that will be the envy of your friends!
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| New Video Cards From nVidia and ATI
Updated on 5/14/03 by |
| When you're building a custom computer system for gaming, you have to know your facts. One fact we have for certain is that the video card arena is very messy right now. With a whole new line of video cards from both nVidia and ATI, we now have to take a close look to see where their strengths and weaknesses lie. In this article, we will look at the GeForceFX 5200/5600/5800/5900 line, and the new Radeon 9200/9600/9800 line, and will see what other new technology is next!
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| Pentium4, AthlonXP, DDR, RDRAM -- How to Choose?!
Updated on 11/9/02 by |
| We have a lot of processor and memory combinations to choose from today, and it is causing considerable confusion amongst our clients. With the disappointing performance gains of the newest Athlon XP processors and the recent price cuts in the high end Pentium4 line, the processor competition is as close as I've seen it in a long time. On top of that, questions of price vs. performance make memory selection a second difficult task. In this article, I will lay out the situation as clearly as I can, to help assist you in deciding what direction to take with your next computer!
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| New from Asus - P4S8X/P4PE/A7V8X
Updated on 11/1/02 by |
| It has been many weeks now that a whole new line of motherboards have been available, and an article of comparison has been long overdue! Puget Custom Computers has always been big supporters of Asus, and our most current additions include the P4S8X, A7V8X, and the newer P4PE motherboards. In this article, we will take a look at the huge array of features that each share, and will look at the strengths and benefits of each board. You may just be surprised by what I have to say!
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| New Technology - ATA133 and DDR333 - Performance or Hype?
Updated on 11/1/02 by |
| It is always going to be expensive to be on the cutting edge when you purchase new hardware. Is this extra cost worth the performance gain? When new technology is released, it is important to take an objective look at how the new technology compares to its predecessors. In this article, we take a look at the new features of the KT333 motherboards -- ATA133 and DDR333, and separate the true performance from the hype.
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| AMS gBox P4 DDR Review
Updated on 7/6/02 by |
| With the popularity of the Shuttle SV24 system, we have been on the lookout for a high end solution to satisfy the demands for a portable gaming machine. While the gBox can be much more than a gaming machine, its use of the Pentium4 processor and DDR memory, in conjunction with an AGP port, make it very well positioned to do very well in that sector. In this review, we'll take a look at the gBox and what it can offer!
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| Shuttle FSYS-SV24 Review
Updated on 5/5/02 by |
| In a world where personal computers are getting smaller and smaller, we're seeing some great new implementations. Just how tightly can we pack everything into a tiny little box? In this review, we'll take a look at the Shuttle FSYS-SV24, and ask ourselves: could it possibly be any smaller!?
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| nVidia GeForce4 - How Does it Compare?
Updated on 3/10/02 by |
| With the recent release of the GeForce4 video card line, we can't help but feel overwhelmed. We are being introduced to yet another set of video cards, and must determine their value and strengths. What is the GeForce4, and how does it compare to the other leading technologies out there?
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| ATI Radeon 8500 vs. nVidia GeForce3 Ti500
Updated on 1/19/02 by |
| As part of the never-ending battle between ATI and NVIDIA, we take a look at the newest and fastest each has to offer. While the GeForce3 Ti500 claims to be the fastest video card there is, the Radeon 8500 claims to be the most advanced. Surprisingly, those descriptions are fairly accurate. So, which video card is right for you?
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| The Future of Computing
Updated on 1/3/02 by |
| This is an exciting time in which to live. With scientific breakthroughs being made every day, it is awe inspiring to speculate the future of computing technology. What will today's scientific discoveries mean to tomorrow's computers? In this article, we will take a light look at quantum computing -- how a structure as simple as four atoms can revolutionize computing!
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| System RAM Comparison
Updated on 1/1/02 by |
| What are differences between SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, and RDRAM? What are the typical uses of each, and what is the best configuration at this time? We will take a look at the two most popular configurations, and what the future may look like for this topic.
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| Pentium4 vs. AMD AthlonXP
Updated on 12/10/01 by |
| What are the differences? Intel continues to hold onto a very large share of the market with their new line of Pentium4 processors. In this article, we'll take a look at why Intel chips are so dominant among computer system providers, and why Puget Custom Computers instead pushes the AMD AthlonXP series.
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