When building or upgrading a computer, the question of DDR4 or DDR5 comes up more and more. Here's how they differ in practice, why they can't be mixed and which is better value in your situation.
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Many computers and laptops run with a single memory stick and lose a noticeable share of their performance. Here's what dual-channel mode is, who it matters most for and how to install memory correctly.
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8, 16 or 32 GB? Software requirements grow every year, and what was normal five years ago now causes slowdowns. Here's how much memory you really need for different tasks and how to tell when you're running short.
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Replacing a hard drive with an SSD is the best upgrade for an old computer. But which SSD — SATA or NVMe? Here are the differences, compatibility issues and when NVMe's high speed is really needed.
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Many people worry that an SSD will "wear out fast". In practice most users have enough endurance for many years — but SSDs often fail suddenly. Here's how wear works and how to protect your data.
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SSDs have become cheap and fast, but hard drives haven't disappeared. Here's where an HDD is still good value and reliable, and where using one only slows your computer down.
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The graphics card is the most expensive part of a gaming PC, and getting it wrong hurts. Here's how to match a model to your monitor and tasks, and not forget compatibility with the rest of your hardware.
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Lines, coloured squares or "broken" textures in games have appeared on your screen? It could be a simple cable or driver problem — or a serious graphics card fault. Here's how to work out what's going on.
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Powerful graphics cards weigh more than a kilogram and gradually sag noticeably in the case. Here's how dangerous that is, what damage sag can cause and how to support a graphics card properly.
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The second-hand market is full of cheap graphics cards, and a large share of them worked on mining farms. Here's how risky such a purchase is, what to look at when checking one and how to reduce the risk.
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The "Intel or AMD" debate has raged for years, but the right answer depends not on the brand but on your tasks and budget. Here's what's really worth looking at when choosing a processor.
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Core i5, i7, Ryzen 5, Ultra, the letters H, U, K and X — processor names confuse even experienced users. Here's how to tell a processor's generation and tier, and why an "i7" isn't always better than an "i5".
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The cooler determines not just the processor's temperature but also how noisy the computer is and how it performs under load. Here are the main types of CPU cooler and how to choose the right one for your system.
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Liquid cooling looks impressive and handles hot processors well. But it has risks that adverts rarely mention. Here's what can go wrong and how to tell when an AIO needs replacing.
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The power supply is the foundation of a computer — and the part people most often skimp on. Here's how to work out the wattage you need, why the number on the label isn't the main thing, and what problems a weak or poor-quality unit causes.
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