Hardware Guides - Page 5 of 8

Why Computers “Whine” and What It Means

One noise that people don’t expect from their computer is a soft whining sound. So what causes it? Let’s find out why computers whine and what you can do about it.

How to Transfer ROMs to RetroPie Via USB

You can easily set up the Raspberry Pi to become a retro gaming machine with RetroPie. Here’s how you can transfer ROMs to Retropie and start playing games.

How to Check Your Motherboard Health on Windows

There is no hard-and-fast way to check motherboard health, but here’s a list of things you can keep an eye on to see if your motherboard is working fine.

Integrated vs. Dedicated Graphics Card: Which to Use and Why

Today, many CPUs come with graphics processing ability. Take a look at integrated vs. dedicated graphics cards and learn which one to use when.

How to Find the Best WiFi Channel for 5Ghz Frequency

If you are looking for ways to make your 5Ghz WiFi connection faster, this explains how you can find the best WiFi channel for 5ghz WiFi frequency.

Signs and Symptoms of a Dying Power Supply

When hardware begins to go wrong in a computer, it can be hard to diagnose which part is malfunctioning. Use this guide to check for a dying power supply.

Beyond Cherry MX: Lesser-Known Mechanical Keyboard Switches

Other than Cherry MX, there are a whole world of niche key switches out there for you to explore. Here are some of the lesser-known mechanical keyboard switches.

How to Easily Find Out Your Motherboard’s Model in Windows

When you want to update your motherboard’s BIOS, you need to know the motherboard’s model. Here’s how to find out your motherboard’s model in Windows.

Intel’s Core i9 Extreme Processor Delivers Eighteen Cores of Pure Computing Power

Intel has released the Intel Core i9 that boasts a whopping 18 cores. Why would a PC need that many cores, and why did Intel come up with this processor?

EATX, ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX: What’s the Difference?

You might have seen terms like “ATC,” “MATX,” Mini ITX,” etc., when purchasing a motherboard. Learn about the various form factors, their differences and how it can affect your purchase decision.

Turn Your Raspberry Pi into a Hi-Fi System with RuneAudio

RuneAudio is a powerful open-source media center that can turn your Raspberry Pi into a DIY Hi-Fi system. Learn the simple setup process.

PCI vs. USB WiFi Adapters: Which Is Right for You?

When you are getting a WiFi adapter, you’ll be faced with either a PCI or a USB adapter. Learn the differences between them and which is more suitable for you.

How to Prepare the Perfect External Hard Disk for Storing Movies

With some simple optimization, you can better prepare your external hard disk for storing movies efficiently and effectively. Here is everything you need to know.

A Guide to Intake/Exhaust Fans and Airflow for Your Desktop Computer

Intake and exhaust fans are useful to keep your desktop computer cool. If your system is getting a little too warm, try adding an intake/exhaust fan to improve the airflow.

How to Extend Your WiFi Coverage

It is pretty common for a big area to have a “dead spot” where you can’t receive a WiFi signal. Learn how you can extend WiFi coverage and improve the signal.

How Important Are Surge Protectors for PCs?

Do you have a surge protector to protect your PC? It may not seem important, but it could be the difference between the life and death of your PC. Find out more!

How to Check the RAM Health on Windows 10

It is easy to blame the RAM whenever your PC is slow, but how do you really check if your RAM is faulty? Here’s how to check the RAM health in Windows 10.

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Used Laptop

Not everyone can afford a brand new laptop, and there are times when buying a used laptop is the only realistic option you have. Here are some tips for things you should check before spending your hard-earned cash on a used computer.

How to Upgrade Your PC’s BIOS (And Why You Might Want To)

A PC’s BIOS typically doesn’t need to be updated very frequently except when it’s having problems with the hardware. Here’s how you can upgrade your PC’s BIOS.

What Is HDMI and What Is It Useful For

You have probably seen and used an HDMI cable, but do you really know the differences between each version? Find out all about HDMI here.

How to Boot Up Raspberry Pi 3 from External Hard Disk

Raspberry Pi is built to boot up and run from the SD card. This tutorial shows you the steps to boot up and run Raspberry Pi from an external hard disk.

All You Need to Know About Display Standards: HDMI, DisplayPort, and More

A lot of confusion can sprout up where display standards are concerned, especially ones like HDMI and DisplayPort. Here we will explain what you need to know about each display standard.

What Beep Codes Are, and How to Interpret Them

Sometimes your PC will make a series of beeping noises while stuck in a strange boot limbo. This is known as a “beep code.” Find out what is it and how to interpret them.

How to Connect Your PC to a TV

Connecting a PC to a TV is easy, and there are a ton of good reasons to do so. Here are some of the advantages and ways to connect a PC to a TV.

How to Properly Diagnose Computer Noises

If you are hearing noises coming out of your computer, here’s a guide to help you diagnose computer noises, isolate the problem and repair it quickly and efficiently.

MTE Explains: The Difference Between a CPU and a GPU

CPUs and GPUs are quite similar, and both can process thousands of operations per second. So what’s the difference between a CPU and GPU? Let’s check it out!

Laptop Technology to Look Forward to in 2017

With huge innovations coming to the world of technology at large this year, here is the laptop technology you have to look forward to in 2017.

WiFi vs. Ethernet vs. 4G: Which Should You Use?

The most common way to get connected to the Internet is via Wifi, Ethernet and 3G/4G. Here we’ll explore each of the methods and their pros and cons.

What Is Hardware Acceleration and Why Does It Matter

You might have seen a “hardware acceleration” option when configuring your devices. Here is what you need to know about hardware acceleration.

Affordable Desktop Peripherals to Create a Comfortable Workstation

Having a comfortable workstation is paramount to your productivity. Here are a recommendations of the various desktop peripherals to make yourself more comfortable.

What You Need to Know When Buying a Router for Your Home

When buying a router there are a number of factors to take into consideration. Here is what you need to know to make an informed buying decision.

Things You Need to Know When Buying Ethernet Cables

Ethernet cables are a key part of everyone’s home-computing experience. Here we’ll show you the things you need to know when buying ethernet cables!

What Is a DAC and How Can It Improve Audio Quality?

Poor audio quality on your PC could be due to the digital-to-analog converter in your system. This article explains what a DAC is and how it affects the audio quality.

What Are Ram Drives and How Do They Work?

While SSD is fast, in some instances you can make use of RAM drives to make the system go even faster. Find out what RAM drives are and how they work.

The Comparison Guide for the Best Gamepad for PC Gaming

While the mouse and keyboard work well for PC gaming, a gamepad usually works better for couch gaming. Let’s find out the best gamepad for PC gaming that fits your needs.

What is a Heatsink? Does My Computer Need One?

Most people have not heard of heatsink and don’t know what it does. Here we will explain what Heatsink is and show you why it is important for every PC to have one.

Useful Tips You Can Use to Cool Down an Overheating Laptop

You probably have encountered an overheating laptop. If you find your laptop getting a little too hot, follow these steps to cool down your laptop.

MTE Explains: The Differences Between ARM and Intel

You have probably heard of the ARM processor and Intel x86 processors. Let’s find out the technical differences between ARM and Intel x86 processors.

How to Eliminate WiFi Deadspots with These Simple Steps

Have you encountered WiFi deadspots before? It’s an infuriating problem where a specific spot in a building can’t get a strong WiFi signal. If you’re having issues with WiFi strength, try these steps.

Intel core i3 vs i5 vs i7: Which One Should You Buy?

Intel’s processor naming is a big old box of chaos. If you are ever confused of the differences between i3, i5 and i7, this article will clear things up.

MTE Explains: What is Vapor Chamber Cooling?

A lot of high-end laptops or CPU/GPU coolers are using “vapor chamber” as a selling point. How is this better than the traditional cooling techniques? Let’s find out.

5 More Cool Things You Never Knew You Could Do with an Old USB Drive

We all know that USB drives are getting obsolete, but that doesn’t mean they are useless. Here are 5 cool things you can do with old usb drives.

First Time Getting a Laptop? Here is What You Need to Look Out For

When buying a laptop for the first time, some users will find the advertised system specs quite confusing. Here are the specs of a laptop you should look for when getting your first laptop.

Don’t Let Your Wireless Mouse or Keyboard Get Hacked

Many are unaware that hackers can now crack into wireless mice and keyboard adapters and use them for their own purposes. This article will explain what this attack does and how to protect against it

What Is a Solid State Drive? Should I Buy One?

You probably have heard of Solid State Drive but are not sure if you need one. Here we will explain SSD in more detail and help you decide if you should buy it.

Useful Tips You Need to Know to Extend the Life of Your USB Drive

With all the vital data you store on a USB drive, you might want to extend its life. Here are some tips on how to extend the life of your USB drive.

Choosing a Mechanical Keyboard – Which Mechanical Keyboard Switch Type Is Right for Me?

When choosing a mechanical keyboard, you will come across different types labeled by “colors.” These are the keyboard switches. Learn how to choose the right mechanical keyboard switch type.

AMD Polaris and Nvidia Pascal GPUs: What You Need to Know

The latest AMD Polaris and Nvidia Pascal graphics cards are here. As gamers and PC hardware enthusiasts rejoice, here’s what you need to know about them.