A great cooler and a powerful graphics card won't help if the hot air has nowhere to go. Here's how cooling works inside a case and which mistakes turn a desktop into an oven.
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A bulging capacitor is one of the most visible — and most insidious — faults. The computer still works, but less and less reliably. Here's why it happens, how it shows up and what to do before it's too late.
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A BIOS update can fix instability, add support for a new processor and close security holes — or turn your computer into a brick. Here's when it's worth it and how to keep the risks down.
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A static discharge of several thousand volts is harmless to people but can be fatal to microchips. Here's why the danger is underestimated and what separates a professional repair from a DIY job on the living-room carpet.
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Computers in Tbilisi live in special conditions: hot summers, lots of dust, dry winters and unreliable electricity. Here's what faults that causes and how to protect your equipment.
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A UPS is about more than "a few minutes to save your files". A good one protects equipment from surges and voltage dips, safeguards your data and extends the life of your power supply. Here's how to work out which UPS you need.
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Many people assume a power strip with a switch is protection. In fact an ordinary extension lead doesn't protect against surges at all. Here's how a real surge protector works and how to plug in your equipment properly.
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All-in-ones win people over with their design and lack of cables, but that compactness comes at a price. Here's when an all-in-one is an excellent choice and when a classic tower with a separate monitor is better.
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Mini PCs have become powerful enough for most everyday tasks while taking up a fraction of the space of a tower. Here's who they suit and who would be better off with a regular computer.
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A cheap office computer often ends up costing more through downtime, slow performance and breakdowns. Here's which components determine how reliable a workstation is — and what "saving money" really costs.
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A computer for a school pupil isn't just hardware — it's the right set-up: safe internet, sensible limits, malware protection and a comfortable workspace. Here's how to approach choosing and preparing one.
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For older people a computer means staying in touch with children and grandchildren, reading the news and using online services. But the device has to be properly prepared. Here's how to make a computer easy to understand and protect your parents from scammers.
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A good stream takes more than a powerful graphics card. A stable connection, good audio, correct encoder settings and a quiet PC matter just as much. Here's what makes for comfortable streaming.
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A designer's or editor's workstation is different from a gaming PC. Memory capacity, drive speed, hardware video decoding and accurate colour matter most. Here's how to build a balanced system.
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Architectural software makes special demands: modelling depends on one fast core, while visualisation needs a powerful GPU and a multi-core CPU. Here's how to build a balanced system for a design practice.
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On Tbilisi's second-hand market you can find a powerful computer for half price. You can also easily end up with a worn-out graphics card, a dying drive or a stolen device. Here's what to look out for and why it's worth bringing a specialist along.
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A computer can use as little as a desk lamp — or as much as a kettle. Here's what determines its electricity use, how to calculate it and where you can genuinely save.
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Some people shut down every evening; others haven't switched off in months. Who's right? Here's what actually affects how long your equipment lasts, and when running it around the clock makes sense.
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A computer might last three years or ten — it all depends on component quality, operating conditions and maintenance. Here's which parts wear out first and how to postpone buying a new machine.
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Moving house is stressful for computers too. Vibration, knocks and temperature changes in the van cause faults that only show up at the new place. Here's what breaks most often and how to avoid it.
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Pets are frequent culprits behind computer breakdowns. Fur clogs cooling faster than any dust, and a chewed cable is dangerous for both the device and the animal. Here's what we've learned and how to protect them.
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Tobacco smoke is one of the most insidious enemies of computers. Tar settles inside the case, glues dust into a hard crust and accelerates overheating and corrosion. Here's what happens to equipment in smoky rooms.
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Renovation is a serious test for technology. Construction dust gets everywhere, clogs cooling, wears out fans like sandpaper and can cause corrosion. Here's how to keep your computers safe during and after building work.
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Printers are among the most temperamental devices in any home or office. Usually the problem is software and takes half an hour to fix, but mechanical faults happen too. Here's how to work out what's wrong.
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