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Case Modding For Beginners | What Is Actually Possible?

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PC components around which fish swim, microwaves in which a real monster PC has found its home and of course many colorful LEDs that illuminate the whole thing in an exciting way. Have you ever seen these crazy pictures? All of them are – albeit particularly unusual – examples of case modding. How this actually works and what is possible if you want to put your gaming PC in the limelight at home , we’ll tell you now!

Case Modding For Beginners

What is case modding anyway?

Anyone who gamble has probably heard of PC modding or computer modding. Both terms basically refer to the same phenomenon. Roughly broken down, modding is derived from the English “modification”, meaning change. And that’s exactly what it’s about: changing the look and technical components of a computer.

On the other hand, case modding specifically deals with the design of the housing – the case. For this purpose, the various components are set in scene using LEDs, for example, and the outer and inner walls as well as the various components are painted and given logos.

So that you can really marvel at this spectacle while gambling, the right housing must of course also be found. Plexiglass is often used to make the inside of the PC visible. Sometimes even the most diverse (everyday) objects are modified into a PC case with a little tinkering – such as the microwave mentioned above. This process in turn is referred to as Case Construction (also: CaseCon for short).

How To Find The Best Gaming Mouse | The Most Important Tips

The heart of PC modding: the housing

Do you want to know which doors are open to you when it comes to case modding? Then we would like to give you a hand. But before we start designing the interior , we have to lay the foundations. This forms the housing itself, because this will later house all LEDs, cables and components. When choosing – or designing – you have a number of options. We’ll reveal which ones!

Always a great view

For many, the glass window on the side is essential so that the case modding is really worthwhile. However, since this often has to withstand the higher temperatures that arise with the high performance of the components, it should ideally be made of Plexiglas . Because real glass is unfortunately often not suitable for this environment.

The synthetic glass, on the other hand, has exactly the right properties for the gaming PC: It is particularly stable and can withstand extremely cold as well as extremely warm temperatures that can arise in the case. In addition, it is very easy , which is particularly noticeable when you visit a LAN party. Speaking of transport: The acrylic glass is also extremely break-proof. But the glass replacement still has one disadvantage. It is quite sensitive to scratches. So, especially when cleaning and transporting, make sure that you do not leave any permanent traces.

Of course, what is particularly interesting for you with case modding is that it is wonderfully easy to individualize. The manufacture can different colors , and even gradients are produced. It can be made transparent or milky – depending on what you have in mind! By the way: custom-made parts are often available for comparatively little money.

From anthracite to cyan: color design

It is not just the window that defines the future appearance of your housing, the color is also essential. Since most cases still come in black, white or maybe even gray, it can make sense to lend a hand here. This is particularly easy with the help of special foils or stickers . You can often purchase these and are adapted to the standard sizes of the various mini, midi and maxi towers.

Of course, you can also design your own stickers – for example with the logo of your new esports team . Or what is your favorite game? You will often find different stickers for case modding with their logo, your favorite characters and Co. If you don’t find the right one, you can order it from the printer of your choice.

However, the results become more spectacular and individual when you start painting yourself . To do this, you must first thoroughly clean the surfaces to be colored and lightly roughen them with sandpaper. Then you walk evenly around the housing with a spray bottle and from a distance of about half a meter. Et voila: Your individual case has been created. Incidentally, it is best to prepare patterns, logos, etc. beforehand with a stencil – this makes designing much easier for you and prevents mistakes.

Unusual and individual: modding components

In addition to the housing, the existing components can of course also be designed individually . While this is very difficult with the mainboard and should really be left to the professionals, with a little basic knowledge you can trust the graphics card and the cooling.

While the GPU usually has fans mounted on the underside, the surface usually consists of a smooth plate. No connections should lead to these, then you can simply repaint them . You proceed similarly to the rest of the case, but make sure that you mask off the sensitive partitions. Don’t you dare Then look around carefully before buying. Because most graphics cards are available in different versions from different manufacturers. One of them will surely fit your setup.

The same applies to water cooling. Because while it still has technical advantages over conventional fans – as we have also highlighted in this article – it is an important component, especially in case modding. Because often the liquid can be easily colored and is sometimes even pepped up with fluorescent substances. This creates a real, individual eye-catcher!

For the right ambience: gaming lighting

We have just mentioned the fluorescent liquids in water cooling. But that doesn’t have to be the only glowing component. Because the housing with the right LEDs becomes a real spectacle . This part of case modding is roughly summarized as light modding. Even if you have bought a finished case, you can give it an individual look very quickly.

This is particularly easy with special LED strips or chains. These are often simply glued into the housing and provide indirect light . The power is either supplied directly via the mainboard (if it has such a connection) or operated via a battery. You only have to decide beforehand whether you value an RGB color change or whether you want to commit yourself to a color.

For more highlights you can also use fluorescent tubes and give your housing a three-dimensional flair. Another variant are LED fans. These are available for the CPU as well as for the graphics card and as a case fan. Ideally, they can all be programmed separately and give your case exactly the look you want.

Well hidden: hard drive and cable management

Unfortunately, even the most beautifully illuminated housing only works if the cable management is right. After all, who wants to stage a tangled cable? That’s why we want to give you a few tips on how to make your case look tidier:

  • Double back wall : Insert a second back wall through which you can thread cables. You can hide it behind her and move it from A to B.
  • Cover for the power supply unit : The cables all lead into the power supply unit, so this should also be hidden so that they are not visible again at this point.
  • Modular power supply : A modular power supply is recommended so that the cables can be reduced to a minimum.
  • Cable sleeving : You can buy sleeves for your cables, usually made of polyester. You simply pull this over one or more cables. That looks nicer than pure cable ties and gives you additional options for color design.

What you need: case modding tools

Do you want to tackle your project now? Whether you want to make a letterbox for your new case or just want to attach some LEDs – depending on the difficulty, you will need different case modding tools. We have put together a rough list for you here:

  • General: folding rule or ruler, cardboard & paper for masking
  • For gluing : squeegee, cutter knife
  • For painting : protective goggles, sandpaper, if necessary painter’s tape & stencils, spray can (alternatively: brush, sponge and / or painter’s roller and paint)
  • To work on metal : metal scissors, hacksaw, file
  • For the LED strips : scissors

You can achieve even more individuality if, for example, you have access to a 3D printer and print entire walls yourself. A CNC milling machine is also perfect for processing the metal and plexiglass. So if you want to design your own steampunk, military grade or cyberpunk case, you should address the relevant trades.

How To Find The Best Gaming Mouse | The Most Important Tips

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Whether CS: GO, PUBG, Fortnite or LoL : You inevitably need a mouse for all of these games. It should not only be comfortable to hold , it should also react quickly and, ideally, have a few additional buttons. But which is actually the best gaming mouse? We’ll tell you here what it should be able to do and what you have to pay attention to!

How To Find The Best Gaming Mouse

The best gaming mouse: that’s what sets it apart

Before we go into more detail, we would like to briefly summarize what actually characterizes a good gaming mouse . In some points it differs significantly from the conventional office mouse.

However, in terms of their basic functions, they are initially the same: As a rule, they have two horizontally arranged buttons with which you can operate various PC applications. There is usually a mouse wheel between these. They come either wired or wireless. But that’s about the similarities. We have briefly listed the differences:

  • Ergonomics . The gaming mouse is usually much more ergonomic and is therefore still comfortable to hold even after long use.
  • Operation . The best gaming mouse for many games has a few additional buttons that can be assigned macros.
  • Reaction . When gaming, it is important that the mouse reacts precisely and, if possible, without delay – this requires good sensors and a high polling rate.
  • Software . In the best cases, the mouse is easy and individually programmable, which means that it can be adapted to different games and also types of gamers.
  • Lighting . Gaming mice are often heavily lit – after all, we spend a lot of time with them. However, this is of course not necessary.

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Gaming mouse: what to look for?

We have just listed the rough factors that you should consider when buying a gaming mouse – these are exactly those that distinguish it from a conventional office version . But before we dive deeper into the subject, one thing first: There is no such thing as one, the best gaming mouse for everyone.

The choice always depends on your individual needs and preferences . The genres you play will also play a role in the decision. A shooter player often has different requirements than someone who likes to play MMO RPGs. There are even differences between the individual games. We can only give you a little guide to help you make a decision.

Comfortable for several hours: ergonomics

The most important point is of course your health . Anyone looking for a gaming mouse will likely have a good time of the day in front of the PC. In addition, you usually have the mouse in your hand for significantly longer periods of time when gaming than in normal office use – here a large part of the input is also made via the keyboard.

So it is all the more important that the gaming mouse is gentle on your wrist . Unfortunately, a conventional variant very often ensures that the area is severely kinked. This posture can cause a pain syndrome, which can run through the hand up to the shoulder. It is accordingly important to prevent this.

While there are now some office mice that pay particular attention to ergonomic factors (especially those that arrange the keys vertically), these are usually completely unsuitable for gaming. The best thing to do here is to use a mouse that feels good in your hand. There are special models for small and large hands as well as for left and right-handers that are precisely tailored to their needs.

A matter of milliseconds

Response time is often crucial, especially when gaming . If you see your opponent and can press the trigger a few milliseconds earlier, it must of course react accordingly quickly so that you ultimately emerge as the winner. There are several factors that determine this mouse-to-game transfer speed.

Gaming mouse with or without a cable?

It can make a huge difference to professional gamers whether a mouse is wireless or wired. Because it is unfortunately still the case that the wireless models are a few milliseconds slower than their wired siblings. For the casual gamer, however, that seldom makes the decisive difference.

A wireless gaming mouse, on the other hand, brings a high level of comfort for most gamers . On the one hand, you don’t have to constantly retighten the cable, on the other hand, you can really use it anywhere. For example, do you want to watch a movie on your PC from the sofa? Just take the mouse with you!

However, it also has one major disadvantage: it has to be charged . If the battery runs out in the middle of a game and the mouse stops responding, it’s just incredibly annoying. There may also be more problems between the drivers – a wireless mouse must always be installed, while most other models are plug-and-play. The fact is that many gamers prefer a wired mouse, but this is by no means necessary!

Between laser and infrared: sensors

The sensor is the heart of every mouse . He feels exactly where it is on the ground and how you move it. In the meantime, two types of sensors have established themselves which are equally suitable for gaming: laser and infrared sensors (also called optical sensors).

A few years ago the use of both variants was highly controversial, but experts have since determined that there is no significant difference in transmission. However, a laser mouse can be used on all surfaces without any problems. The optical variant works best on a mouse pad. In addition, the laser is usually more energy efficient and often more precise, but such statements cannot be 100% generalized.

DPI and CPI: a matter of taste

Manufacturers often advertise with particularly high DPI (dots per inch) or CPI (counts per inch) values . These basically state how fast the mouse pointer can move across the screen. A mouse with a DPI of 1000 will move 2.54 cm over the image per second.

However, the best gaming mouse is not the one with the highest DPI value. On the contrary, a high DPI is in most games ineffective . You will never need more than 2000 dots per inch when playing. Much more important when gambling – especially if you want to play different games – is that you can change the value quickly and easily. This is usually possible using buttons behind the mouse wheel or on the side.

From hand into play: polling rate

The polling rate is often more decisive for gamers than the DPI. In broad terms, this value indicates how quickly the mouse transmits input to the driver and thus also to the game. A higher polling rate means that the driver asks more often where your mouse is and what you are doing with it. Conversely, this means that mice with higher values ​​in this range react faster .

The best gaming mouse for most gamers has a polling rate between 500 and 1000 Hz. A lower value can cause stuttering and limit the response time. However, if you decide on a high polling rate, make sure to check whether the drivers also support it – you can usually find good reviews online.

Interact, activate defense, crouch: additional keys

The best gaming mouse comes with a few additional buttons. You often need these for additional actions in the game . As a rule, these keys can be assigned so-called macros. You can either set this directly in the mouse software or program it in the game.

This is particularly useful if, for example, you want to quickly peak around the corner, want to throw a grenade or want to use a special skill in MMO RPG. However, too many buttons can quickly become confusing . For casual gamers, we recommend 2 to 4 additional ones.

By the way: In many cases, the mouse wheel can also be used as an additional button. In some cases, you can even assign three actions to it: By pressing on it and pressing left and right, various skills are triggered.

More (more or less) useful features

A gaming mouse can have a few other features. These are sometimes more, sometimes less useful when gaming. We have summarized them here for you. The decision as to whether you need this is entirely up to you and depends primarily on the games you want to play.

  • Mouse correction : If an almost straight line is drawn, it is automatically smoothed. What is useful in graphics work falsifies the mouse line when gaming and often acts as a hindrance.
  • Lighting : Some mice light up in one color or can be set individually. Can be helpful if you define different settings for different modes and combine them with a color.
  • Vibration . Can display warning messages using sensors. Useful if you play very focused and want to hide the life bar, for example.
  • 10+ programmable buttons . Smart for MMO RPGs with a large skill bar, but less so in other games.
  • Additional weights . Can be useful to adjust the weight individually and especially to different users.
  • Mouse acceleration . DPI is adjusted based on the speed at which the mouse is moved. It takes a lot of getting used to, but often useful for precise reactions, especially in shooters.

Between DDR3 & DDR4, 4GB & 64 GB | The Right RAM Memory

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If your game is jerky and the graphics program does not allow new layers, it is probably time for a larger RAM memory. We at Gaming Guru will be happy to explain to you what RAM or main memory actually is, what you have to pay attention to and how you can optimally use your money for the right memory size. Read more here!

Between DDR3 & DDR4, 4GB & 64 GB

RAM memory – what is that anyway?

The working memory, also called RAM, is required in every functioning computer. The abbreviation stands for “ Random Access Memory ”, which, loosely translated, means “memory with random access”. Its main function is the direct access and the intermediate storage of data that are currently required for the execution of processes and programs. These read and save processes run much faster than with hard disks.

However, a RAM memory can only store this data temporarily – as long as it is supplied with power – which is the biggest difference to the hard disk . While an HDD or SSD hard drive keeps your storage data long-term, even when it is not actively needed. The RAM only provides relevant data for a short time and deletes it after the PC has been shut down.

The memory itself is integrated in the so-called RAM bar , an elongated piece of hardware. This is then located directly on the mainboard and is linked to the other components via it. While a single RAM bar is often sufficient for the conventional office PC, they usually come as a pair or even a quartet for the gaming PC. We’ll tell you why this is so important in a moment.

Upgrade Your Laptop And Extend Its Lifespan

Function of the main memory

You can imagine how RAM works like this: While hard drives work like a long-term memory, the main memory can be compared with the short-term memory . Everything that is not needed at the moment can be forgotten. The larger the short-term memory, i.e. the RAM memory, the more can be stored on it.

Especially with current graphics-heavy games that come up with huge maps and countless interactive elements, an extremely large number of processes take place in the background. So that these do not lead to unsightly jerks or lags , it is important to process them as quickly as possible. This is exactly what the RAM is for. Theoretically, storing the required data would also work on a hard drive, but much too slowly. Therefore, a sufficiently large RAM memory is important in every gaming PC.

Whenever the PC is disconnected from the power, for example when it is switched off normally, but also in the event of a power failure, the data is deleted from the RAM . By the way, for the same reason, a restart can often be the first aid if the computer has slowed down during the day or an inexplicable error occurs somewhere. It is not for nothing that IT support usually asks first whether the computer has already been restarted.

DDR3 or DDR4 – is it worth upgrading to the new generation?

The “DDR” and the corresponding number in front of the RAM describe the respective variant or generation of the main memory. Accordingly, a DDR4 RAM memory is simply the more recent further development of the DDR3. Before that there was DDR2 and DDR (quasi DDR1). The principle is the same as when software is given a newer version number.

The current standard since 2014 is DDR4 RAM. Not infrequently, however, PCs with DDR3 are still in use. You may now be wondering whether you should replace your DDR3-compatible motherboard with a newer model. This decision may result in other components that need to be replaced. But purely for the RAM memory it might be worthwhile if you can be patient. Because the DDR5 has already been announced . As soon as this appears, we will tell you about it in a detailed article.

But let’s stay with the current candidates for now: The DDR4 bars have a larger memory volume and a higher clock rate than the DDR3. However, the timings (request speed from memory to processor), which are particularly relevant for gaming, are sometimes still better with some DDR3s. Roughly speaking, this has to do with the slightly different construction of the bolt. A closer comparison of the specific timing rates is worthwhile here. If you have enough free slots, it may be more worthwhile to add some memory to the “old” DDR3.

How much GB of RAM does a PC need?

There is no general answer to this question. However, we want to give you a few guidelines that you can use as a guide. Simple office computers can do their work with just 4 GB of RAM. However, more effective and actually the standard in most desktop PCs today are at least 8 GB. A gamer can only smile wearily at this. Because many games are now so graphics-heavy and full of details that a gaming PC needs more oomph. In principle, more RAM is always better here.

The best thing to do is to ask yourself the following questions first: Do you have music playing on your PC in addition to a video game? Several applications, for example Browser and TS or Discord, opened on a second monitor? Then you should definitely think in two digits! If BF5 doesn’t give you anything and you can live with closing all windows when you play more than Majong, then a RAM of 8GB will be enough for you.

For an unrestricted gaming experience, we recommend that you do not plan under 16 GB for a gaming computer . With 32 GB you are on the safe side in order to be able to enjoy the latest games smoothly in the years to come. By the way: video editing, 3D modeling and graphics programs also benefit from more RAM.

RAM too full – does it have to be?

Please don’t panic if your performance analysis reveals that your RAM is constantly “full”. It really has to be! At least it is normal and wanted that you have built in as much RAM as you need to work and play. A utilization of 50% or 75% alone is therefore not a reason for a new purchase. A utilization of very few percent is even inexpedient and a waste of money.

Note that just starting the PC and running its operating system will use part of the RAM memory. Every additional application and, of course, every started game are then still on top. So, if already idle is used more than half of the working memory, you notice any lag while playing or have even close programs, then you should think about more RAM. By the way, you can easily check the load on Windows using the task manager.

Why two RAM bars are better than one

You have probably already noticed that memory bars are usually sold in packs of two or even packs of four. The reason? All compatible bars plugged into the mainboard are added together. With two 8 GB bars, your PC has access to 16 GB of RAM memory. With four 8 GB bars to a total of 32 GB and so on.

The so-called dual-channel mode is also an important aspect . Your processor usually jumps into this automatically as soon as two identical RAM bars are in the slots. This doubles the data transfer rate and boosts the overall performance of your computer. With just one bar, almost half of your performance would simply fizzle out into nothing.

This only ever works for two bars with identical storage capacity and DRAM technology (DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, etc.). However, it does not have to be from the same manufacturer. A “quad-channel mode” can also be found on high-end motherboards. But you can also use a second, parallel running dual-channel mode with a second pair of modules. These two RAM bars have to be identical to each other, but not to the other bar pair.

Upgrade or replace RAM memory

When you finally have enough budget to pimp your PC, but don’t want to throw everything in the bin, you can upgrade the existing RAM memory. The first thing you should do is find out which memory modules are compatible with your motherboard . Unfortunately, it is of no use to you to spend your savings on a 64 GB DDR4 RAM and then discover that it does not even fit on your DDR3-designed motherboard. For this purpose, manufacturers provide compatibility lists as a guide. The number of free slots and whether other components restrict their height is also important.

You can also note the so-called clock rate , which indicates the speed at which data is transmitted between the components. Actually, you can combine two different clock rates. However, you are wasting performance because the faster RAM would match the slower one. So ideally you should always combine two identical RAMs in order to get the most out of them. By the way: In order to actually be able to use the multi-channel mode, you have to use certain slots on the mainboard. Which these are depends on the model and you can find out from the operating instructions.

However, a good graphics card is even more important for smooth and detailed gaming than the clock speed of the RAM memory. We explain exactly why in our blog post about gaming graphics cards . It is also relevant how much maximum storage capacity your mainboard allows at all. You can usually find out this information from the manufacturer.

Conclusion: You have to pay attention to this when buying RAM

So you see: Before you decide on a new RAM memory, there are a few things to consider . Take a look at which components are compatible with your motherboard and CPU, how many slots there are and which programs you want to use and how. Together with your budget, you can limit the selection of suitable RAM memory bars for you. Because even if more storage capacity is generally better at first, it doesn’t have to be the most expensive and newest bar. We hope you enjoy testing your RAM!

Upgrade Your Laptop And Extend Its Lifespan

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Whether for gaming or office use: the notebook is a popular utensil in every situation in life. Not only does it now have a lot of performance and can definitely compete with the desktop PC, it is also mobile and versatile. The only shortcoming for many: the service life. This seems limited, but does it always have to be? Find out here how you can upgrade your laptop and thus extend its life !

Upgrade Your Laptop And Extend Its Lifespan

Why you should upgrade your laptop

As a rule, it is said that a good laptop should last at least 2 years in constant use without showing a defect. Exceptions are, of course, personal mishaps such as spilling liquids on the device. However, there are now many models on the market that you will have fun with for 3 to 5 years! In order to reach or even exceed this time, it can often be useful to upgrade the laptop. There are also some factors that have a positive effect on the service life.

Basically, the rule here is that a more expensive laptop will last longer. Here you can assume that higher quality components have been installed, which in themselves have a higher life expectancy. In addition, it can be very helpful if the individual parts are not firmly soldered, but can easily be replaced in the event of a defect. Above all, the gaming laptop manufacturer Alienware became known for this principle. However, it is now being implemented by many others.

It is also good if you can remove the battery from your new laptop. This also means that you can completely spare it in network operation by expanding it. But that doesn’t mean that a completely permanently installed model doesn’t also have its advantages. Because here the risk of breaking something while doing handicrafts is very low. In addition, this often significantly minimizes the risk of damage from the ingress of liquids and dust.

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Our 8 tips: How to extend the life of your laptop

Now that we have generally shown what you can look out for when buying a laptop, we would also like to give you some tips on how you can easily improve the service life of your device. First of all, we want to make suggestions that really anyone can implement. Then we will also go into the topic of tuning laptops.

  1. Battery : Do not charge the battery all the time. If it is permanently installed, use the device between charges in battery mode (best to reconnect at 10 to 20% residual charge and fully charge). If it can be removed, only charge it when you need it and otherwise use the laptop in mains operation. Then store the battery in a cool place (around 16 to 20 ° C).
  2. Hardware : Especially with gaming laptops, the hardware may simply no longer match current games. Make sure to choose new components as possible in order to have fun with them for a long time. Alternatively, models in which the parts can be exchanged also make sense here.
  3. External components : If you connect external hardware to your notebook, this protects the built-in components.
  4. Predetermined breaking points: Some manufacturers are known to use these. Find out in advance and take a look at long-term tests.
  5. Transport : A laptop should always be transported carefully. Be careful not to squeeze it, as this will quickly damage the screen. In addition, a laptop bag is a must to keep away from a small fall or downpour.
  6. Cleaning : If possible, you should regularly remove dust from the fans and other components. Otherwise, this ensures that the notebook heats up excessively
  7. Saving electricity : Do you just need your laptop for office use at the moment? Then turn on the energy saving mode. In addition, you can often do without the keyboard lighting and turn the screen brightness down a little. In this way, you not only save the battery, but also the built-in lighting components.
  8. Temperature : Don’t let the laptop overheat. Due to the small amount of space in the housing, the components get very hot and are subject to greater wear.

Upgrading the laptop: this is how it works

Just because the notebook slows down over time or maybe even starts to jerk, it doesn’t mean that you have to get a new model. Instead, you can upgrade your laptop with a few simple steps and components and give it a new freshness.

Step 1: the basic cleaning

Before you get any new components, a thorough cleaning is the right step. Because it is not uncommon for a laptop to become slow because it is simply dusty. If a lot of dirt collects in the fan , it can no longer provide an effective air supply. On the hard drive, mainboard, etc., on the other hand, it looks like a thick winter coat: the components heat up much faster than before.

Simply unscrew the notebook to clean it. Ideally, you can vacuum the whole thing with a gentle vacuum cleaner with a brush brush head. The fan should not turn while doing this, otherwise it could be damaged. Above all, the cooling fins should be cleaned in this way.

By the way: the basic cleaning does not only have to concern the hardware . Rather, it is also important that you remove your junk data. Old documents, images and installation files that we no longer need quickly accumulate on our computer. Sort out here every now and then. It can also be very useful to set up the operating system again.

External hardware to relieve the notebook

In order to minimize wear of your components , you can also use external hardware. This then takes the load off the built-in parts and instead performs the tasks outside of the limited space of the notebook. You should decide for yourself what you really need – that is, which functions you really need. We have compiled a list of optional parts you can use to upgrade your laptop:

  • Keyboard & mouse . Probably the most famous components. In addition to reduced wear and tear, they often also have extended functions (such as the NUM block).
  • Monitor . Often gives you a larger or extended screen, which can also be very useful when gaming.
  • Hard drive . The hard drive installed in the notebook in particular quickly becomes slow. An external model keeps data ready when you need it and ensures a clean laptop (by the way: use an SSD if possible, especially if you want to start games from the hard drive).
  • Graphics card . External graphics cards bring the flagships of major brand manufacturers to your gaming notebook. Simply connected via USB, they supply it with full power – so you can also play AAA titles.
  • Fan . There are also external fans. These usually act at the same time as a kind of laptop stand and transport the hot, escaping air away.

So that you can upgrade your laptop and add the appropriate external components, it is also important that it has the appropriate connections. In the best case, this includes at least one USB 3.0 port .

What else you can do: Internal measures

In addition to the external components, there are also some measures that you can carry out internally in the device . So you can tune your laptop and get a little more performance out of it. On the one hand, this includes a new main memory. The RAM is often very tight, which means that jerking is quickly noticeable, especially with more demanding programs. Changing the main memory is particularly easy and can actually be problem-free with any notebook.

In addition, this is thermal throttling often a big problem. This phenomenon refers to the process in which the performance of a computer is reduced because the components overheat. In order to protect them and prevent damage, the performance is reduced. Unfortunately, this often occurs especially in the limited space of the laptop, because there is simply not enough cool air supply here.

However, you should upgrade your laptop so that the existing air can develop its effect accordingly . For this it can be very useful to renew the thermal paste between the CPU and the mainboard. Particularly ingenious: A paste made of liquid metal, because it conducts heat faster and achieves significantly better results.

Upgrade your laptop – no rocket science!

You have seen – even a somewhat aging laptop can experience a second spring again. With our tips and tricks, you can tease a few sparks of life out of most models . And the nice thing about it: Most of our ideas can really be implemented yourself with a little technical know-how.

Gaming Screen | A Guide From Resolution To Accessories

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Are you looking for a new gaming screen that is precisely tailored to your hobby? But you are not quite sure which qualities it should bring with it? Which stats are really crucial? Then we want to give you a helping hand and help you find the right monitor. Find out more here!

Gaming Screen

Gaming monitor: what to watch out for

If you want to buy a new gaming screen, you are often literally showered with facts. The manufacturers advertise with high-resolution, large displays, with fast response times and curved monitors. What you really need from it is usually determined by your style of play . Do you love the responsive online shooters and battle royale games? Or do you prefer to wander through lovingly and detailed landscapes in (MMO) RPGs?

But not only your game selection is decisive, but also your rest of the setup . Because if your graphics card does not yet support 4K, a corresponding screen will not help you. But before we dive deeper into the matter, we want to give you a rough overview. So these factors are important for your selection:

  • Size : Most gaming screens measure at least 24 inches diagonally. With MMO RPGs, but also with some shooters, a larger monitor can be an advantage.
  • Resolution : The conventional gaming monitor has at least a full HD resolution, especially for graphics nerds. Many story-based games such as The Witcher 3 or Black Desert Online, on the other hand, seem almost lifelike on 4K.
  • Format : By default, screens are now made in 16: 9 format. The ultra-wide picture (21: 9) is also gaining ground more and more. This is especially true for curved versions.
  • Response time : Anyone who wants to play fast games (such as shooters or MOBAs) depends on the fastest possible response time in order to react as quickly as possible to new events.
  • Frame rate : Higher frame rates promise a smoother picture, which in turn influences the response time, but also the overall gaming experience. A gaming screen should have at least 60 Hz.

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The outer values: size, format and resolution

Let’s start with the easy-to-see features of the gaming monitor first. For most gamers, the first thing that matters is how big the new screen is and how well it displays a picture. While there are quite a few 4K models, these are only worthwhile from a size of at least 27 inches , because otherwise the difference in the pixel density is barely noticeable.

A 24-inch FullHD screen is cheaper and absolutely sufficient for most games to play them with the best graphic quality . At 27 “, however, WQHD is appropriate. By the way: bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. While the individual objects are displayed larger on a 35 “screen, you have a much better overview with a 24” model. This is often an advantage, especially with shooters.

Speaking of 35 inches: this size is now the standard for curved gaming monitors . These also bring a new format: 21: 9 in contrast to the familiar 16: 9. If you mainly play role-playing games, but also racing or strategy games, these variants are definitely recommended. Because with them you can enjoy the full gaming experience and have even more the feeling of immersion through the slight all-round view and feel like you are in the play area.

The inner values: response time & frame rate

We have already mentioned it a few times: For fast games you need the appropriate reaction speed, otherwise frustration quickly arises. So while 60 Hz is still sufficient for a single-player RPG, it looks quite different with shooters and battle royale games. Here you should set at least a transfer rate of 144 Hz. Of course, 240 Hz are also possible.

However, it should be said that 144 Hz variants are still affordable for a FullHD resolution, but are much more expensive with WQHD. In the 4K range, you are already in the highest price segment. As a small consolation, it should be mentioned at this point that there are currently hardly any graphics cards on the market that can manage 144 Hz in 4K for AAA titles.

The response time, however, depends on the type of display . TN panels (twisted nematic) have the fastest times (around 1 ms). However, their color and contrast display is clearly limited and is only played out well if you look directly at the screen. The IPS panel, on the other hand, has better options here, but has to deal with response times of between 5 and 9 ms. This is often too slow for shooters. VA panels promise something in between, but in reality only rarely achieve 1 ms response time.

G-Sync or Freesync for the gaming screen?

Nowadays you see more and more monitors that are advertised with Free- or G-Sync. But what does that actually mean? These technologies are intended to ensure that the images are displayed more smoothly. In addition, they should minimize the effect of tearing (i.e. the image tearing due to fluctuating FPS). They do this by adapting the frame rate of the gaming screen to the graphics card depending on the situation.

The difference between the two variants is that G-Sync is offered by Nvidia and has to be built into the monitor as a hardware component. Freesync, on the other hand, is software from AMD that is freely available to manufacturers. Your choice may also depend on the manufacturer of your graphics card. 

In general, the decision again depends on your own gaming behavior . These technologies are particularly worthwhile for shooters, as the image display is a little smoother, which in turn can influence the reaction time. If you play more occasionally, you will hardly notice the difference between switched on and off Adaptive-Sync. Our recommendation: Don’t necessarily base your decision on this factor alone.

Connections on the gaming screen

A screen usually has a large selection of connections . To know which ones you really need, you should take a close look at your setup. The most important thing here is of course the video input. Most graphics cards have at least one HDMI and one DVI input. If, on the other hand, you want to connect your gaming monitor to the laptop, it often looks different. Here you usually only have one output, on which you should make the choice of your screen dependent.

It is also important that the connection is also suitable for the corresponding power that you want to transfer. For example, if you value a 144 Hz refresh rate, this will be difficult to implement with an HDMI cable. Because even the 2.0 version manages a maximum of 120 Hz. For 144 Hz, on the other hand, we recommend a DVI-D or a DisplayPort cable.

What else does the monitor have to be able to do?

In addition to the functions already mentioned, there are many more on the market that are repeatedly advertised. We have listed the most important ones here. While they all certainly make sense for certain types of players , you definitely don’t need them all:

  • Black eQualizer: Lighten dark areas in games. Useful for everything in the competitive area in shooters, as you can quickly identify campers even in dark areas. With RPGs, however, it is usually relatively useless and, on the contrary, makes the black look dirty.
  • Flicker-free: Reduces the flickering of the screen. However, this can only be perceived with the naked eye for very sensitive people.
  • Low Blue Light Mode: Filters the eye-tiring blue light out of the monitor and should therefore be gentler.
  • LED lighting on the monitor: For many it is part of the gaming screen, but it is only an optical gimmick and does not have any advantages.
  • Ergonomics: Good monitors can be tilted, rotated and adjusted in height. This means that they can be easily adapted to personal needs and are particularly ergonomic.

Conclusion: individually find the best gaming screen

You have probably already noticed, but it can be very difficult to find your way around in the technical jargon of the manufacturers. In addition, factors are repeatedly advertised that do not necessarily make sense for every player. Above all, it is important that you adapt your new gaming screen to your setup , but also to your own gaming behavior.

Specifically, this means: In shooters, Battle Royal and other fast-paced games, a fast response time and, in connection with this, a high frame rate is important. However, you can do without large formats and high resolutions here. If, on the other hand, you want to play scenic, imaginatively designed games, the opposite is the case. Even a curved screen can be great here to delve deeper into the world.