Some manufactures begun rotating their cases so they have a up/down rather than front/back airflow, claiming that this vertical airflow is superior since it is working in cooperation with the forces of convection. Does vertical airflow really improve cooling?
Product Review: BitFenix Shinobi Black w/ Window
The BitFenix Shinobi is a case designed with budget consumers in mind. Looking at this case though, it is clear that a cheap price does not necessarily mean cheap construction. All too often, budget cases feel flimsy and the design not fully thought through. Luckily, the Shinobi has neither of those problems.
Product Review: Asus ASMB5-iKVM
The Asus ASMB5-iKVM is a BIOS-level remote management solution, allowing it to work at any point; whether the system is in the OS, the BIOS, or even halted due to a bluescreen. Most current remote management solutions are software-based, so they only work when an OS is running, which makes the Asus ASMB5-iKVM an attractive solution for network administrators and many home users alike.
How it works: O.C. Profiles
O.C. profiles allow users to save their BIOS settings to a memory chip on the motherboard so that if the BIOS gets reset due to a power loss or the CMOS battery dies, you can quickly restore the BIOS to the proper settings. This article show the basics of using O.C. profiles.
How it works: Windows 7 Libraries
The addition of libraries in
Windows 7 allows users to store data anywhere they want on their PC, while
still being able to access it all from one central location. But how does one go
about configuring their libraries to fit their needs?
SATA Controller Performance Explored
As SATA III (6Gbps) becomes the standard used on hard drives, is a 6Gbps controller on the motherboard required to get full performance? Is the answer the same for solid-state drives? And how do Intel 6Gbps ports compare against add-on chips like those from Marvell? Read on for the answers!
Technology Primer – Sandy Bridge
Intel has announced a new line of processors, which follow in the footsteps of the socket 1156 chips which have been popular in mainstream systems for the last year. While the role of the CPU is not changing, there are several differences from Intel’s previous generations. This article will explore the technology involved, in terms everyone can understand.
Technology Primer – Power Supply Wattage and Efficiency
Power supplies are a critical piece of hardware in modern computers, but there are some aspects of them which aren’t well known or understood. This article will explain some of the less known aspects of power supplies, such as what wattage and efficiency ratings really mean, and what other factors you should consider when selecting a power supply for your next computer.
Technology Primer – ATI Radeon HD 6000-series
ATI has just launched their next-generation graphics card line, starting the process that will see the venerable Radeon HD 5000 cards replaced by 6000 models over the coming months. The first such cards, released today, are the 6850 and 6870 – known also by their codename ‘Barts’. In this article, we’ll take a look at what makes them different, and how their performance compares with the competitive offerings from NVIDIA.
Technology Primer – USB 3.0
For over a decade, USB has been the most common standard on computers for connecting peripherals. It has grown from a port found in small numbers on brand-new systems in the late 1990s to the near-universal standard for everything from input devices to data storage, and is even in widespread use for charging mobile phones. Our modern desktops feature between six and twelve USB ports, a testament to their widespread usage. This article is an introduction to the latest version of USB, with information on performance, availability and backward-compatibility.