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SCSI vs SATA, Which is Faster?

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When configuring a server or high end custom computer, we are often asked about the performance benefits of SCSI over ATA. Since SCSI is much more expensive, the common perception is that it must be significantly faster. The short answer we give to that issue is that with the release of 10,000 RPM SATA drives, SCSI simply does not hold the edge it used to, and we do not feel it is worth the sizable increase in cost. Of course, that statement is very general. Surely there are still applications that greatly benefit from SCSI, and it is the goal of this article to take a deeper look at the performance differences in SCSI vs SATA, and to tell you how those differences translate to performance in real world applications.

PC Power Supplies – Will It Give Me More FPS!?

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The lowly power supply – In today’s world, the power supply is often assumed to be a commodity item. Maybe the problem is that we, as PC enthusiasts, do not grasp the full import of a power supply. A power supply is like the heart of your PC – it pumps the juice to the various parts of the system. As computer desktop operating systems and general productivity software become more stable and reliable, the power supply can present the weakest link in a computer system. A faulty power supply can cause intermittent lockups and rebooting. In this article, we’ll look at how to pick a good power supply!

SLI Technology for PCI-Express

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nVidia says that it gives the consumer “heart-pounding PC performance.” It will deliver “unparalleled gaming experience.” So what is it? And where can I find it? And what do I need to run it? These are the questions you may be asking yourself, as I was, when I first read about nVidia’s new SLI technology for PCI-Express. Well, I am here to answer those questions for you. To tell you what exactly this newfangled technology does to deliver this “unparalleled gaming experience.”

Rebates: a Force for Absolute Evil

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Why are rebates becoming such a popular way to sell products, and what risks are there for the consumer? In this article, we’ll take a look at what rebates are really all about, and how you can protect yourself.

The Pitfalls of Building Your Own Computer!

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One question I have been asked many times is the question “Why should I buy from a custom computer company as opposed to building a computer myself?” It’s a fair question. I’m sure this article can be viewed as nothing more than a glorified advertisement for computer companies, but is my true goal to objectively lay out the pros and cons of building your own computer system.

Building a Value Gaming PC

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Building a Value Gaming PC on a tight budget requires some difficult decisions. When budget is not a factor, building a great gaming PC is relatively easy – simply choose the fastest parts available. That’s what we did in our last article, titled Building the Ultimate Gaming PC. If you want the best gaming PC that money can buy, then we encourage you to check out that article. Unfortunately, most of us do not have the luxury of a high budget, so in this article, we will take a look at current technology, and explore what the best choices would be for building a great gaming PC for under $1500.

Building the Ultimate Gaming PC

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If money was not a factor, how would you design the ultimate gaming computer? We’ll take a look at what makes up a great gaming PC, and give you everything you need to put together the gaming system that will be the envy of your friends!

New Video Cards From nVidia and ATI

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When you’re building a custom computer system for gaming, you have to know your facts. One fact we have for certain is that the video card arena is very messy right now. With a whole new line of video cards from both nVidia and ATI, we now have to take a close look to see where their strengths and weaknesses lie. In this article, we will look at the GeForceFX 5200/5600/5800/5900 line, and the new Radeon 9200/9600/9800 line, and will see what other new technology is next!

Pentium4, AthlonXP, DDR, RDRAM — How to Choose?!

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We have a lot of processor and memory combinations to choose from today, and it is causing considerable confusion amongst our clients. With the disappointing performance gains of the newest Athlon XP processors and the recent price cuts in the high end Pentium4 line, the processor competition is as close as I’ve seen it in a long time. On top of that, questions of price vs. performance make memory selection a second difficult task. In this article, I will lay out the situation as clearly as I can, to help assist you in deciding what direction to take with your next computer!

New from Asus – P4S8X/P4PE/A7V8X

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It has been many weeks now that a whole new line of motherboards have been available, and an article of comparison has been long overdue! Puget Custom Computers has always been big supporters of Asus, and our most current additions include the P4S8X, A7V8X, and the newer P4PE motherboards. In this article, we will take a look at the huge array of features that each share, and will look at the strengths and benefits of each board. You may just be surprised by what I have to say!