Hardware

Ever wondered why copying a file to an external hard drive feels slow while your SSD-based machine flies? The answer comes down to data transfer speeds – and understanding the numbers across storage and networking technology helps you make better hardware decisions. Bits vs. Bytes Before looking at the numbers, there’s one conversion to keep in mind: 1 byte = 8 bits Network speeds are almost always quoted in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps) Storage speeds are typically quoted in megabytes per second (MB/s) or gigabytes per second (GB/s) So a 1 Gbps network connection has a maximum throughput of 125 MB/s (1,000 / 8 = 125). This distinction matters when comparing specs across different product categories. ...

Note: This build is from 2016. The i5-6500, GTX 970, and every price below are long obsolete. Same as the 2014 version of this guide, the budgeting logic still holds, just not this parts list. The goal of this guide is to build the best gaming PC possible for a $1,000 budget. Not only will this system handle modern games, it’ll also hold its own for streaming, video editing, and graphics work. ...

Note: This build is from 2014. The i5-4670, GTX 760, and every price below are long obsolete. The budget-allocation logic (spend on the GPU, don’t overpay for the motherboard) still applies to building a PC today, but don’t go looking for these exact parts. The goal of this guide is to build the best gaming PC possible for a $1,000 budget. Not only will this system handle modern games at this price point, it’ll also hold its own for everyday tasks. ...

Note: This build is from 2011. The parts, prices, and retailer links below are long gone, and the goal itself (a cheap box for 1080p streaming) is basically solved by any current mini PC. The general shopping logic (spend on CPU/GPU, keep it small and quiet) still holds if you’re building something similar today, just not this exact parts list. So you want an HTPC (Home Theater PC / Media Center) but you’re not Mr. Money Bags? That’s fine — you can still build a great one. ...