Category Archives: Gaming PCs
How to Buy a Computer: The Basics
How to Buy a Computer: The Basics
RAM (Random Access Memory):
Memory is one of the key components of a computer which is measured in megabytes. Note that 1000 MB is equal to 1 gigabyte (GB). So the more megabytes you have the better your computer works. Most computers today come with a minimum of 512 MB (about half a gigabyte) of RAM. You should try for 1 GB and more because your computer will run that much faster. Not that Windows Vista and Mac OS X Leopard operating systems require 1 GB for good performance and 2 GB to run at top speed.
Recommendation: I suggest buying at least 1 GB (1,000 MB). Remember that Windows Vista and Mac Leopard are memory hungry so I advise buying as much RAM as you can afford. Memory is the crutch of making a computer run like it should.
Insider’s tip: Buy the minimum amount of memory and then purchase extra memory components called “sticks” from a site such as www.datamemorysystems.com/. This can save you up to a couple hundred dollars.
Buyer Beware: It is not uncommon for low end computers (0 to 0) to come with low amounts of RAM. Make sure to check on the ability of your computer as it should be able to handle 4 GB.
Central Processing Unit (the brains):
The CPU handles all the calculations of the computer. For the average user, CPU speed is not as important of a gauge as it used to be. The common computer user will not need to worry about cpu speed as much as a gamer or multimedia user.
CPUs are made by either Intel or AMD and both companies have great product options. Intel controls most of the market share and costs more than AMD.
Recommendation: CPUs come in two forms: 32 bit and 64 bit. I suggest the 32-bit processors because the 64-bit processors have a lot of problems working with software programs.
Dual Core processors are all the rage right now. What’s Dual core? This means that your computer has two CPUs which give the user twice the computing power. Dual core is a must for high end computer users.
Hard Drive: the storage unit
All of your personal data such as your documents, digital photos, music, and software programs are stored on the hard drive which are available in many sizes and speeds. Hard drive Storage is measured in gigabytes and computers usually come with at least 80 GB of storage.
Insider’s tip: Computers can be configured with two hard drives.
Option 1: Two drives giving which can double your storage.
Option 2: One hard drive keeps an exact copy of the other drive. So if you have a hard drive fail it is not a big deal because you can run off the other drive
Recommendation: You are best getting a 120 GB drive with a speed of 5400 rpm.
Video Chipsets: graphics eye candy1
Windows Vista and Mac OS X Leopard are the new operating systems that require a lot of fancy 3-D animation that requires better graphics hardware.
You have two choices when choosing video chipsets:
1.An integrated or built in Video card right into the motherboard of the computer. If you are an average computer user than this option should work just fine.
2.ATI and NVIDIA offer video cards that produce much better graphics and can handle Windows Vista and Mac Leopard with ease. Cards by these two companies are your only option if you on gaming.
Recommendation: Check out these websites www.nvidia.com and ati.amd.com. A good rule of thumb is that the higher the model number-the better the video card.
Recommendation: Look for an Intel GMA3100 (model #) or better with the higher numbers being more advanced.
Now that you have mastered the basics of how to buy a computer, it’s time for you to make some decisions. Don’t worry, we are here to help!
Xbox Catching Up in 2006
Xbox Catching Up in 2006
Although there was a delay in delivering the number of Xbox 360s that consumers demanded for the 2005 holiday season, Microsoft is expected to manufacture over 2 million of the gaming consoles in the first quarter of 2006. It’s estimated that about 1 million Xbox 360s made it to stores in time for the holidays, so there’s a pent-up demand for the console. In addition, reported bugs and cooling problems will likely be worked out in the near future.
The Xbox isn’t the only consumer electronic hitting the news these days. At the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, a number of manufacturers of cell phones will be honored with innovation awards. For example, Firefly Mobile will be honored for their “Mobile Phone for Mobile Kids,” which is specifically designed for tweens. In addition, Auvi Technologies will be presented an award for their innovative PHIP100 VoIP-enabled cordless speakerphone with a built-in webcam.
CES will also honor a number of innovative computer manufacturers, including Hewlett Packard. HP has two products, the Media Center Photosmart PC and the Pavillion desktop PC, which combine computing with cutting edge digital entertainment features. Logitech will be accorded the 2006 Best of Innovations award for its customizable computer mouse, which allows the user to change the mouse’s weight and balance.
Consumer electronics continue to be integrated into car design and sold as after market features. Audivox, for example, offers dual DVD players that offer backseat passengers a choice in which DVD they each watch, while Panasonic has an in-dash DVD monitor and receiver. Manufacturers are also producing after market products to integrate MP3 players and iPods into a vehicle’s sound system. As a result, drivers and passengers no longer have to rely on a CD to bring their favorite tunes on the road.
Although many developers of video games seem to be waiting until the next generation of gaming consoles saturate the market, a few recent titles are noteworthy. Psychonauts is a hit, and for the role-playing crowd, Jade Empire is the video game du jour for the Xbox. In portable gaming, the Sony PSP comes out on top with Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, while the Nintendo DS offers Mario Kart.
On the whole, consumer electronics continue to improve in reliability and performance, while becoming increasingly affordable. In all respects, 2006 looks like it will be a stellar year for everything from video gaming systems to cell phones.
Creating a Wireless Desktop
Creating a Wireless Desktop
We live in an age of technology and as such we are always looking for ways to make life easier or ways to make things look better. In the home or office (or even the home office) making things look better involves getting rid of clutter. This is where the wireless desktop comes into play. No wires means less clutter and because when using Bluetooth wireless devices line of sight is not needed, you can use your desk space to its optimum with no worries.
There is more to the wireless desktop than you might think as well. You will all be aware that you can get a wireless keyboard and mouse. But wireless technology and Bluetooth in particular stretches much further than that. Your mobile phone if a recent one will probably have Bluetooth technology built into it. This means that you can easily connect it to your PC. Companies such as Logitech offer software that really gets your mobile phone and your PC working together. Synchronization is just one aspect of this, but how about being able to type an SMS text message on your keyboard and send it without having to touch your phone. This is all possible with the power of Bluetooth. Communication with your mobile phone is not the only method of contact with Bluetooth. You can also get Bluetooth headsets that work with Microsoft Messenger so you can add an easy chat functionality to your desktop. As new products come on the market Bluetooth becomes more and more popular. Peripheral devices such as Printers and Scanners can now be found.
The Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
This is the first device that you will probably buy for your wireless desktop. This is the basic starting point and probably the most effective. The keyboard and mouse wires cannot be hidden away from sight as they have to be straight in front of you. plus limiting the mouse wire can mean limiting the mouse movement as well. So A wireless keyboard and mouse will give you a better looking desktop as well as freedom to move your keyboard where you want it. You can have it on your lap or anywhere else in range. Having a wireless mouse will also help in gaming. Most wireless mice are just as responsive as corded ones and your wire wont snag at that vital moment when online gaming.
Wireless Printers
While printers are not being produced as wireless as yet. The idea is very much being worked on. Currently what you can by for your USB connected printers is a two small connecters that plug into your printer and USB port which connect together like a wireless network. Its almost a wireless USB connection if you like. I doubt that is how it will be described though. The advantages of the wireless printer as well as the lack of wires behind your PC is the range can be increased as well as you being able to place your printer in a place where a USB cable would be unsuitable to travel. A second advantage would be that connecting your printer to a wireless network for sharing will be much easier.
Wireless Networking
I think the biggest advantage of wireless technology has to be Wireless Networking. While Bluetooth technology is does not have the range in which to be affective at networking computers together. RF technology is still used however and is very easy to setup. For a simple network (peer to peer) on two computers all you need is two wireless networking cards setup to the same channel. More complex networks can also be setup using a server and workstations. Anything you can do with a wired network you can do with wireless technology.
While we keep saying that the main advantage of wireless technology is that you don’t have wires lying around everywhere, this is more true than ever when we are talking about wireless networking. When your computers are likely to be located in different room, the last thing you want is for wires to be laid around your home or office being an eyesore. Plus should you wish to move your computer at anytime, you don’t have to re-route the wires connecting your network together.
Security on Wireless networks is set by adding a name for your network which all computers on that network must be assigned to connect to, plus then you can add a password to keep unwanted intruders out from your files. Software firewalls are also recommended on wireless connections (as well as wired) just for added security against unwanted virus’ or Adware/Spyware.
Wireless Headphones / Microphone
Wireless headphones are readily available from many manufacturers. These are really one of the most practical uses of wireless technology behind the networking. Wireless headphones allow you to freely listen to your music, game or whatever noise your PC is making anywhere in your room without the restriction of wires. Even if your wires are long enough they will still be a little dangerous stretched across the room. And we all know you like to dance around your room listening to your favourite tracks. A set of wireless headphones could save you a few quid on broken items that your headphone wires have snagged on and brought crashing down to the floor :).
Wireless Speakers
Wireless speakers are poking out of the woodwork and those of you that have a 5.1 or above sound system will just how many wires are involved in that setup. Not only do you have connection to the computer but each speaker is connected to the sub / power box and and you also have the volume control to deal with. At time of writing this the US seem to have a decent supply of wireless speakers where as only a few can be found in the UK. I am very sure that wireless speakers will become a lot more popular in the UK over the next couple of months. Wireless speakers will remove loads of wires from the back of your computer. Using a 5.1 wireless system will allow you to place your speakers in the perfect position without any restrictions or ugly wires running along your walls or floor.
New To Gaming, All You Need To Know About Flash Gaming Sites
New To Gaming, All You Need To Know About Flash Gaming Sites
Whew! According to Computer Gaming World, there are 80 gazillion free Flash games sites in the cyber world.
Popular sites are:
• www.games.yahoo.com — this has card games, word games, arcade games, as well as puzzles. The number of violent games is limited so the site appeals to the “old-young” –those who are young at heart.
• www.shockwave.com — a popular site with original games as well as PopCap ones. One can do a jigsaw here everyday.
• www.addictinggames.com – has free games that are updated every week—Friday. The site has action, arcade, puzzle, as well as sports games.
• www.arcadetown.com — has Flash games, java games, downloads and more.
Since Flash offers many advantages to developers as well as players, many games are designed using Macromedia Flash. It is by far the best game platform and has incredible features.
In an industry that’s evincing exponential growth, Flash has become the universal and popular choice for multimedia intensive web sites. Flash, singly crosses most barriers—
• It supports complicated and wonderful graphics.
• Allows download of files via the Internet.
• And is compatible with playback devices.
In the world of Flash enabled games the hosting system is the web server itself. Flash enables web sites to host animated as well as interactive movies and games. There is no paraphernalia required. All that is needed is to download the game itself. The costs are minimal and not recurring.
To play on the web all that is required is: a web browser, a Flash player, and the Internet. Flash is the universal plug in needed to play games. It is installed on every PC with Windows XP and Mac.
Playing online can be fun and most games can now be played by many players from all round the world. Just keep in mind:
• That there are players who cheat at games. Look for PunkBuster software on the server, this detects cheats who try and gain unfair advantages.
• Play with others who have credibility and are accountable for their actions. Many online sites need verified log ins, they are actively managed gaming environments. This is a better choice for safe gaming.
• Create a select group of friends and use the broadband server to host a private gaming server.
• Do your research thoroughly. Seek safe and high quality gaming sites.
Gaming is in its golden phase and is set to reach new heights. Innovation, new business models, and unprecedented growth is expected to open new avenues in gaming.
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Get Paid To Play Online Computer Games By Using Cashback Websites
Get Paid To Play Online Computer Games By Using Cashback Websites
Out of all the ways of making money online, being paid to play computer games is probably the most exciting concept; how can you get paid to do something which is so entertaining and enjoyable?!
There are hundreds of online gaming websites that allow you to compete against other online players, with the winner receiving a cash prize. It costs a small amount of money every time you play a game, and usually if you win you will receive the other opponents’ entry money as well as your own as a prize fund. Therefore it pays to be good at playing online games!
The best way to go about making money online playing online games is to find a games site that is free to join, and then try and choose a game that you would like to play. Make sure you are able to play for free in practise mode; otherwise you will just end up throwing your money away. Read the game instructions and rules in case you miss out on any bonuses or secrets available, and then spend a few hours practising this game.
When you feel that you can play the game to a high standard, start to challenge other online opponents. If you can, have a look at their top scores for the game you are about to play – just to see how your score compares against theirs. Usually it will cost around 35pence to play a game, with the winner receiving around 65pence (as the online game site will have to take their own cut of the money). If you are doing well and winning lots, try and go up a prize level; some games might cost pound1.50 to enter but will have a prize of pound3 or so. There are some great tournaments on the website too, with entry for pound1 and a prize fund of pound70. If you aren’t managing to beat any opponents then I suggest you stop playing for cash, and go back to practise mode.
So far from reading this article on making money online playing computer games you might feel a little short-changed. Obviously anyone can make money online if they are talented enough – they could make thousands of pounds from online betting sites if they are able to successfully predict sporting events, or they could easily make a living playing online poker if they are good enough. This is the same with online gaming; however there is another factor to take in to consideration when deciding whether this is a viable way to make money online: the use of cashback websites.
Cashback websites pay you to make an online transaction directly from their website. A cashback website will consist of thousands of website links, and they are able to track any purchases that you make at any of these websites, and will give you a percentage of cash back as an incentive for you to use their shopping links. You don’t only get cash back on shopping made online though. You can earn cashback every time you join an online bookmaker, online poker site or significantly, even an online gaming website. No longer are you making any kind of gamble by playing online games from your own cash; the cashback website will guarantee you around pound10 for joining an online games site.
Now you can join an online gaming site using a cashback website, make a cash deposit at the game site and then play pound10 worth of online games, safe in the knowledge that you will not have lost a penny thanks to the cashback website tracking your activities. You could play pound10 worth of online games and lose every single one, but you will still have made pound10 at the cashback website.
So if you are able to practise for free at the online games site until you can play to a reasonable standard, not only will you not make a loss by joining from a cashback website, but you will hopefully start to win other people’s money on the gaming website. This is how you can start to make money online and get paid to play online computer games, using cashback websites.