Cooling your system and keeping it quiet

When people newer to building or maintaining their own computers think about upgrades, things like new monitors and faster processors come to mind. It's the simple things though, like keeping your computer cool, that make a huge difference and should not be overlooked. Systems that are constantly overheating become unstable, and the lifespan of your aging computer may be cut short and cost you more money in the long run since you're replacing parts more frequently. So how do you keep your computer cool even during those intense PvP battles?

Graphics Upgrades for Every Budget

By Dave Spohn

It's always a challenge to keep up with the rapid pace of progress in graphics technology these days. Nvidia's GeForce GTX 280 has easily held the top spot for overall single-GPU performance since its release, but ATI got back in the race with their aggressively priced Radeon HD 4000 series. An assortment of dual-GPU cards have recently hit the market, such as the Radeon 4870 X2, to which Nvidia ultimately responded with the new GeForce GTX 295. As a result, there is a staggering amount of graphics processing power available for those who want it, but there is also an abundance of great cards for gamers that are keeping a close eye on their budget.

Buying a Mouse for Gaming

By Dave Spohn

The most personal peripheral on your PC is likely your often-overlooked mouse. Gamers in particular tend to have an intimate relationship with this device, which remains the preferred controller of the PC crowd despite a wealth of alternatives from gamepads to joysticks. A mouse for gaming has to be comfortable as well as functional, and something as subtle as a left button that's a little too sensitive or a wheel that's a little too stiff can drive some gamers to distraction. Mice are loaded with features these days, so let's look at some of the things the latest generation of these devices has to offer.