Atomic KitLog – How to Overclock Core i7 CPUs
Yes sir, very Atomic!
Not too long ago I wrote a tutorial for Australian tech magazine Atomic which delves into the process of overclocking Intel's latest high end CPU architecture - the Core i7. They've now released this article for free in their quarterly issue of Kitlog, which is an e-mag aimed at providing information regarding computer builds across different budgets/purposes. It's a great opportunity to see what Atomic is all about, and to check out some of my published works.
KitLog is a new publication which is currently at issue two. Their first issue also has one of my articles which is all about designing the perfect PC. So, if you're looking for something new to check out, head over to Atomic, indulge in their offerings, and mingle with the best tech minds on their online forum!
Specialised Equipment and Perception
Enthusiast kit has increased immensely over the past few years. Is it all marketing hype?
Everywhere you look, there's reference to some sort of enthusiast kit that's guaranteed to make you uber 1337 with a mere push of a button. Some claims are fair, and although they're often served with a side of hyperbole, they're a true indication of the quality of the product. An example would be the abundance of GPU flaunting advertisements for the latest ATI and nVidia cards. Yes, they're powerful. And yes, they are worth the investment if you require the performance they offer (assuming your PC is capable of harnessing it). What bothers me are the products which target the same market, but have no real value over a somewhat blander (and cheaper) alternative.
Ultimate PC Guide – 3rd Quarter 2009
The ultimate collection of PC builds have been accumulated, from $600 to $2500.
I've taken the liberty to compile a selection of PC builds for 3rd quarter this year. I plan to do the same each quarter. I hope the following will help those who seek to build a custom made performance PC without breaking the bank. All prices are in AUD.
PC Design Guide: Under $2500
Build a ridiculously powerful workhorse/gaming machine for under $2500AUD!
Building a new system can become tedious very quickly. Choosing suitable parts requires a fair amount of research, or there’s the option of buying a pre-built OEM machine. Building a PC yourself can save a fair bit of money whilst ensuring maximum performance per dollar. Below is a build for under $2500AUD which is suitable for a wide range of tasks. Games play silky smooth, video encodes quickly, and everything feels lightning fast. Prices are from StaticICE, where the first 10 results (minus outliers) are averaged for the final price. The build does not include external peripherals or an OS.
Software goes from bloatware to performance-aware
Large companies are realising the need for fast and efficient software. Have they seen the light?
It's inevitable that the progression of software will lead to software with higher overheads, commonly referred to as 'bloat'. This term is often seen as derogatory, and used to convey how 'performance hungry' a program is, i.e. memory, storage and clock cycle usage. Bloat is not always a bad thing though. As software evolves to cater for new technologies and markets, it grows. Adding functionality almost certainly increases the requirements for that piece of software. Many users look at the package as a whole and get disheartened by the sheer size, for example, Windows Vista. Is this viewpoint justified? Maybe so. Nonetheless, companies have noticed a trend towards slimmer and more efficient alternatives. For this reason, we're now seeing an active effort to reduce 'bloat' within the industry.
PC Design Guide: $2000
Build a computing powerhouse for only $2000AUD!
Building a new system can become tedious very quickly. Choosing suitable parts requires a fair amount of research, or there’s the option of buying a pre-built OEM machine. Building a PC yourself can save a fair bit of money whilst ensuring maximum performance per dollar. Below is a build for $2000AUD which is suitable for a wide range of tasks. Why not under $2000? Because the slight extra allows for a second GPU! Games play silky smooth, video encodes quickly, and everything feels lightning fast. Prices are from StaticICE, where the first 10 results (minus outliers) are averaged for the final price. The build does not include external peripherals or an OS.
PC Design Guide: Under $1500
A guide to purchasing the best machine for under $1500AUD
Building a new system can become tedious very quickly. Choosing suitable parts requires a fair amount of research, or there's the option of buying a pre-built OEM machine. Building a PC yourself can save a fair bit of money whilst ensuring maximum performance per dollar. Below is a build for under $1500AUD which is suitable for most home users, including gamers. Prices are from StaticICE, where the first 10 results (minus outliers) are averaged for the final price. The build does not include external peripherals or an OS.
PC Design Guide: Under $600
As per request, here's a build for under $600AUD!
Building a new system can become tedious very quickly. Choosing suitable parts requires a fair amount of research, or there’s the option of buying a pre-built OEM machine. Building a PC yourself can save a fair bit of money whilst ensuring maximum performance per dollar. Below is a build for under $600AUD which is suitable for most home users, and perhaps a bit of gaming. Prices are from StaticICE, where the first 10 results (minus outliers) are averaged for the final price. The build does not include external peripherals or an OS.
PC Design Guide: Under $1000
A guide to purchasing the best machine for under $1000AUD
Building a new system can become tedious very quickly. Choosing suitable parts requires a fair amount of research, or there's the option of buying a pre-built OEM machine. Building a PC yourself can save a fair bit of money whilst ensuring maximum performance per dollar. Below is a build for under $1000AUD which is suitable for most home users, including gamers. Prices are from StaticICE, where the first 10 results (minus outliers) are averaged for the final price. The build does not include external peripherals or an OS.
Efficiency Deficiency
Wattage, price and efficiency - why low quality PSUs are not going to cut it.
When designing a PC, components which affect performance are typically assigned higher priority. For instance, the CPU, GPU and RAM. Enthusiasts will also ensure that the motherboard is of high quality, has an array of expansion capabilities, good overclockability, and will perhaps spend extra on a decent CPU cooler. Next up are the HDDs and possibly a pretty case. What often gets left to the bottom of the priority list are optical drives and the humble power supply unit (PSU). Professional PC designers, however, will place the PSU amongst the high priority components. The PSU is the difference between a functional PC, a PC that constantly crashes, and a PC that turns to a crisp during a power surge. In fact, it's one of the most important choices during the design stage.