6 big PC hardware myths, exposed

A devoted sound card at all times “sounds” higher than an built-in sound chip on the motherboard! A PC with additional RAM is at all times “quicker” than a PC with much less RAM! An extended HDMI cable is unhealthy for image high quality!

Who hasn’t heard these “wisdoms” about PC {hardware} and peripherals? However do these bits of “knowledgeable information,” normally expounded by “actual tech professionals,” really correspond to the reality?

Our editorial group got down to present solutions and clarify the technical background of those myths, fables, and legends which have been established for years.

This text was translated from German to English, and initially appeared on pcwelt.de.

Delusion 1: Devoted sound playing cards at all times sound higher than onboard audio chips!

Many times you will discover individuals saying {that a} devoted sound card ought to at all times sound higher than an onboard built-in sound chip on the motherboard. However is that this actually true?

Whether or not a devoted sound card sounds higher than an onboard audio chip will depend on many alternative elements. As a common rule, sound playing cards do the truth is supply larger sampling charges and higher decision than onboard chips. The processing of audio indicators will also be higher with devoted sound playing cards attributable to a higher-quality audio processor.

Nevertheless, trendy onboard sound chips typically already ship such excessive audio high quality that variations in sound are solely “audible” to skilled customers with the suitable hi-fi or studio gear. So if you happen to’re not doing skilled audio work or have a high-end audio setup, it will not be important to make use of a devoted sound card.

Moreover, it’s essential to notice {that a} devoted sound card is an additional element in your laptop that requires area and energy. When you’ve got a laptop computer or a small case, this after all is usually a downside.

In the end, the choice between a devoted sound card and an onboard sound chip will depend on your particular wants and finances. In the event you select a devoted sound card, it’s advisable to learn rankings and evaluations and ensure the cardboard is appropriate together with your system.

Reply: So, do devoted sound playing cards essentially sound higher than onboard sound chips? Sure… and no. Devoted sound playing cards normally have higher specs on paper, however these can sometimes solely be distinguished when utilizing particular purposes and with the suitable gear and equipment.

Delusion 2: Extra RAM makes your PC quicker!

Subsequent to the principle processor, aka CPU, the RAM is among the most essential parts in a PC. However what’s the fact behind the assertion that extra RAM additionally mainly makes your PC quicker?

PC efficiency can profit from a rise in RAM, however different elements are additionally essential and may have an effect on velocity.

Trident

With inadequate reminiscence, the working system should always transfer knowledge forwards and backwards between reminiscence and the laborious drive to make room for brand new purposes and knowledge. This course of, additionally known as swapping, can have an effect on the velocity of the pc as a result of the laborious disk is slower in comparison with your predominant system reminiscence.

Nevertheless, if a PC already has a adequate quantity of RAM, extra RAM doesn’t essentially make the PC quicker. That stated, the RAM’s reminiscence clock (ex. DDR4-2666 or DDR4-3200) can be essential and shouldn’t be uncared for.

At present it may be stated that the next quantities of RAM are adequate:

Workplace PC: 8 gigabytes of RAMMultimedia PC: 16 gigabytes of RAMWorkstation PC: 32 to 64 gigabytes of RAMGaming PC: 16 to 32 gigabytes of RAM

Reply: No, extra RAM doesn’t usually make a PC quicker. If a PC has sufficient RAM, including extra RAM is not going to velocity it up any additional. You both have sufficient, otherwise you don’t.

Reasonably, the velocity and reminiscence clock, ought to be taken into consideration. In trendy laptop methods, this shouldn’t be lower than 2,666 MT/s (DDR4-2666) or, even higher, 3,200 MT/s (DDR4-3200). Present gaming PCs have already made the change to the brand new DDR5 customary with at the very least 4,800 MT/s. For rather more information, try our information on how to decide on the suitable RAM on your PC.

Delusion 3: An extended HDMI cable is unhealthy for image high quality!

Together with DisplayPorts, HDMI connections are a chief selection for connecting your monitor to your PC. Watch out although! Supposedly, lengthy HDMI cables have a destructive impact on image high quality—however is that this assertion even true?

In actually distinctive instances, the standard of an HDMI sign (and thus the image high quality) can certainly be impaired attributable to doable sign losses and interference if the cable is simply too lengthy, or if inferior supplies have been used.

As a common rule, HDMI cables ought to be now not than 15 meters, or roughly 50 toes, to attenuate sign loss and interference. However the size as such has no destructive affect on the image high quality that may be achieved through HDMI. So long as the sign holds up, you’re good, no matter size.

Reply: As a rule, notably lengthy HDMI cables wouldn’t have a destructive impact on image high quality so long as they’re high-quality cables which might be designed for the corresponding decision and transmission speeds. Our sister web site TechHive has a a lot deeper dive into what you want to find out about 4K HDMI cables.

Delusion 4: A CPU with a better clock frequency is quicker!

One other {hardware} fable that has been established for a few years is the misunderstanding {that a} larger clock frequency equates to extra computing energy.

The clock frequency of a CPU signifies what number of switching or clock cycles the processor executes or processes per second. A CPU with a better clock frequency subsequently executes extra switching cycles per second than one with a decrease clock frequency. Nevertheless, the clock frequency isn’t the one function that influences the efficiency of a CPU.

There are various different elements that have an effect on the efficiency of a CPU, equivalent to:

Variety of processor coresSize of the L1 cacheSize of the L2 cacheSize of the L3 cacheHyperthreading supportArchitecture of the CPU and its pipelines

Due to this fact, it’s essential for customers to not focus solely on the clock frequency of a CPU, but additionally to contemplate different options to determine which processor is finest fitted to sure purposes.

Reply: No, the clock frequency alone doesn’t give any details about the efficiency of a CPU and solely serves as a tough information. It will also be helpful to distinguish between a number of processors inside a product household. Take a look at our roundup of one of the best gaming CPUs for a extra holistic record of suggestions based mostly on real-world efficiency.

Delusion 5: Overclocking damages your {hardware} and shortens the lifespan!

Overclocking your PC {hardware} can result in larger efficiency if you happen to run parts such because the CPU, GPU or RAM at larger clock frequencies than meant by the producer (“overclocking”). However this additionally will increase warmth era and the facility load on the parts, which might result in a better danger of failure and in some instances even harm.

That stated, if overclocking is finished fastidiously and responsibly by monitoring temperatures and staying throughout the really useful limits of the {hardware}, there may be normally no probability of instant harm.

It’s additionally essential to notice that each system is exclusive and never all {hardware} parts might be overclocked equally. Due to this fact, it could take a while and experience to realize one of the best overclocking consequence for a specific system.

Reply: So does overclocking hurt your {hardware}? It will possibly if you happen to’re not cautious! However trendy {hardware} normally has overclocking headroom inbuilt; since some particular person silicon chips run quicker than others, inventory frequencies are usually conservative. Producers additionally publish vital temperature and energy limits for chips, which overclocking software program adheres to except you blow previous warning screens. Keep on with secure overclocks and also you shouldn’t danger damaging your PC. Nvidia, AMD, and Intel all supply overclocking instruments for a motive. If chips blew up left and proper, they wouldn’t.

NOTE: Overclocking can result in the guarantee of the parts being voided if overclocking is taken into account a violation of the guarantee situations. The editorial group at PC-Welt and PCWorld accepts no accountability for any overclocking makes an attempt.

Delusion 6: If the PC isn’t shut down correctly, you’ll harm it!

Does it actually harm the {hardware} if you happen to don’t shut down a PC and easily flip off the facility provide?

It’s advisable to close down a PC if it’s not going for use for a very long time. That’s primarily to avoid wasting power nonetheless. You may also put your PC completely into standby or sleep mode; right here, too, the {hardware} isn’t pressured and the consumption of recent methods in these modes is now within the vary of 0.x watts.

However what about whenever you don’t shut down your PC and as a substitute merely flip off the facility provide?

Reply: Sure and no!

Sure, it might hurt your PC if you happen to take it off energy with out shutting it down first. If the PC is all of the sudden disconnected from energy, all working processes and purposes are abruptly terminated, which might result in knowledge loss. It will possibly additionally harm the construction of the working system and its boot loader, which implies that the PC might now not boot up correctly. The consequence: The working system might should be reinstalled.

No, the {hardware} itself isn’t broken by this. There isn’t any menace of {hardware} parts such because the CPU, GPU, RAM, or SSD turning into faulty. However, a PC ought to at all times be shut down or at the very least put into standby mode as a result of causes talked about above. Merely disconnecting it from the facility ought to completely be prevented.