Computer Hardware

For advice on everything PC parts. Whether you need to purchase or diagnose your RAM, CPU, video card, we've got these and more covered.

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Picture of a WD Blue 1TB Hard Drive
This built-in Windows feature tells you how much life your hard drive has left

Your hard drive is silently monitoring its own health.

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A stack of old laptops
Your next laptop could be a bad buy if you ignore this RAM spec

Ignoring your laptop’s RAM type could cost performance and battery life.

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Baseus Metal Gleam Series II 6-in-1 USB Hub plugged with all devices
Your USB hub is probably lying to you about its speed — here's how to catch it
USB

The numbers printed on the box don’t always match real-world performance.

Windows Storage settings page showing the usage breakdown for a 931 GB Local Disk (D).
Why your 1TB hard drive shows up as 931GB — and where the other 69GB went

That “lost” chunk was never really available the way you thought it was.

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crystaldiskmark total host writes ssd.
Everyone disables this Windows setting to protect their SSD, but they're wrong

Your SSD will last for years, and Windows has your back.

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An Asus ROG Wi-Fi 8 router concept on display at CES 2026.
I changed one 2.4GHz Wi-Fi setting and my connection got much more stable

A simple change in my Wi-Fi setting fixed the issue, and the connection has been consistent ever since.

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A Samsung T9 Portable SSD transferring data with the LED status light orange.
Your SSD will fail one day, just probably not from too many writes

Your SSD's TBW rating isn't the death sentence most people think.

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HP laptop wth K-Slot
That hole on your laptop is actually a Kensington lock

Most laptops hide a security slot you probably never noticed.

A Wi-Fi router with a mini UPS sitting on a shelf
Your router and phone are probably fighting over DNS without you realizing it

How a DNS conflict might be slowing down your phone's internet.

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An Asus ROG Wi-Fi 8 router concept on display at CES 2026.
The Wi-Fi channel your router chose is probably the worst one

Just because your router can pick a channel, doesn't mean it should.

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USB-C Port on a laptop and phone.
That USB4 port isn’t what you think — and it might mean missing features
USB

Every USB4 cable isn't the same — data transfer speeds, multi-monitor support, display resolution, and power delivery support vary widely.

A WD Blue HDD
3 warning signs your HDD is about to fail (and what to do)

You can't prevent hard drive failure, but you can be prepared for it

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NZXT Kraken liquid cooler
I avoided liquid cooling for years and that was a huge mistake
CPU

Court your inner chill with a PC upgrade that will make your setup quieter and more efficient.

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Ryzen 7 5700X CPU
It’s actually okay to buy a used CPU, but you need to be careful

Picking up a second-hand processor could save you a lot of money, yet there are also pitfalls to avoid.

GL.iNet Opal travel router
I blamed my router for slow evening internet until I learned the real reason

The problem turned out to be something I never would have blamed at first.

Ports on a MacBook and a Dell laptop
You’re probably wasting the most useful port on your laptop
USB

Unlock your laptop’s USB-C/Thunderbolt port and transform how you work and connect devices.

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A housed Samsung 990 Pro NVMe SSD
Stop wasting money on "Pro" SSDs

They're great, but you don't need one.

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BIOS Setup on a Dell laptop
Your RAM is slower than you think — unless you enable this setting

Your RAM may be running slower than its capacity—here’s the simple BIOS setting that unlocks its full speed.

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Laptop-RAM-at-the-back-of-laptop
Soldered RAM isn't the dealbreaker it used to be

Soldered RAM is a huge benefit these days, despite the naysayers.

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CAMM2 memory module not inserted
The RAM sticks inside your laptop may not survive what comes next

CAMM2 could change how laptop memory works forever.

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