Puget Systems Articles

Dedicated PhysX Comparisons

Ruben Romero — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:14:02

A few years back, Ageia Technologies launched a product designed to help handle the increasingly complex physics calculations which were becoming popular in modern games. They named this product "PhysX", and it was the worlds first dedicated physics card. Enthusiasts were excited, and many thought that this technology was set to be the next piece of essential hardware for enthusiast systems. We decided to independently test the Nvidia PhysX platform, and share our results.

Case Comparison: Antec P182 vs. P183

Matt Bach — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:05:10

There has been a lot of talk about whether or not the new Antec P183 is truly an improvement over the old Antec P182. The P182 has long been one of our favorite cases at Puget Systems, so there is some resistance to the P183 taking over the role as the flagship case in our lineup. The question is: is the P183 truly superior to the P182, or is the latest revision of the P180 series a step in the wrong direction?

Product Review: Cooler Master V8 Cooler

Matt Bach — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:46:00

At Puget Systems, we test hundreds of different computer components a year, and through this testing we constantly shape and improve our product line. In the past, we have kept the testing data internal to our company, but recently we have realized that we're missing out on a large opportunity to help the public (and our customers) by publishing our findings. Why keep something internal if the data is useful to others? That being said, the Cooler Master V8 is the first of hopefully many product reviews by Puget Systems. We were looking for a CPU cooler to add to our line to provide a quieter cooler option for Core i7 CPUs. Does the Cooler Master V8 fit the bill?

Gaming Computer Advice

William George — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:33:54

As a custom computer builder, we get a lot of people asking for help designing high-end computers. Many times they are for media editing, stock trading, or research - but one of the most common uses of such powerful systems is video games. Given how much interest there is in gaming computers, I wanted to provide a guide for how to select what components to use in a modern gaming computer. There are lots of review sites that talk about specific hardware recommendations, but those are outdated quickly - so this article will attempt to focus more on the ideas behind the various parts of a custom gaming computer and what you need to take into consideration when building or purchasing one.

Cooling Solutions for Intel Core i7

Dan Olson — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:08:55

The latest powerhouse CPU offering from Intel is here. The Intel Core i7 -- a quad-core processor available in three different speed configurations that is really taking the computing world by storm. Several new features have been added to this processor, such as on-chip DDR3 memory controller, smart cache, and HD boost. Of course, with all the extra features and power comes the issue of how to keep it cool. The Core i7 may be powerful, but it is also very hot running. From the stock heat sinks and fans, to liquid cooled solutions, the cooling possibilities are many. Unfortunately we can't test them all, so in this article we'll take a look at 4 popular cooling solutions and how they fared.

PC Sound and Speakers: A Subjective Look

Melissa Hermanson — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:08:55

When purchasing a new computer, audio is often a peripheral concern or overlooked entirely. Though most audio products are reviewed in great detail by the audiophile community (audiophiles: people who love and make a hobby of audio technology), those outside of it often can�t answer some basic questions � how much difference does a sound card make? Can an average listener tell the difference between an expensive sound card and a basic one? Which should you put your money into, sound cards or speakers? With these questions in mind, we set out to get answers.

The 64-bit Question

William George — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:00:00

One of the things we get asked about a lot here at Puget is 64-bit Windows, and more specifically these days 64-bit Vista. The 32-bit version is still generally considered the norm, but because picking an operating system is an important aspect of configuring a computer, and because of the general confusion about the differences between these versions, it was apparent that an article on the subject might be helpful to both our existing and prospective customers.

A Look at CoolIT CPU Cooling Performance

Matt Bach — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:28:45

Peltier cooling has been around for over a hundred years, but have only recently been available to the masses for use in computers. CoolIT is one of the few CPU cooler manufacturer to sell CPU cooling solutions featuring peltier technology. With all the theoretical benefits of using peltiers, we wanted to test CoolIT coolers against our two most popular CPU coolers. We ordered in three of CoolIT's closed-loop liquid coolers; Pure (does not feature peltiers), Eliminator (three peltiers), and Freezone (six peltiers) to determine if peltier cooling is useful in todays computers.

Top 10 things you should be doing to maintain your computer

Melissa Hermanson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:32:36

Everyone loves computers when they work. Everyone screams at them when they don�t. Here�s ten ways to keep your computer running smoothly into its old age. While I can�t promise that these tips will keep your computer from ever having problems, it will at least help prevent them, and make recovery easier when they do occur.

Why Vista Isn�t as Bad as You�ve Heard

William George — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:10:48

There has been a lot of talk on the Internet for the past year about how Vista isn�t all its cracked up to be. There are lists of why folks hate Vista, lists of things Microsoft supposedly stole from the Mac OS, and reports of people switching back to XP in disgust. Amidst all of this negativity, I wanted to share my experience with Vista and address some of the accusations folks have leveled at Microsoft�s newest operating system.

Improving Windows XP Performance

Melissa Hermanson (research by Aaron Hoyle) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:51:22

Windows XP has the potential to exhibit far greater performance on your machine than is delivered from a clean installation. This guide is intended to show you how to tweak your computer produce the fastest machine possible.

The Dummy's Guide to Power Supplies

Daniel Hermanson — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:12:30

Though it may not seem important, your computer's power supply is a primary building block of your system. Ensuring that each component of your computer obtains adequate amounts of power should be of utmost importance. This article is designed to give you a better understanding of how power supplies work and how many watts you need for different types of computer set-ups.

The KillerNIC - Is It Worth It?

Jon Grover — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:58:09

In the ongoing efforts to squeeze every possible performance improvement out of their computing rig, most folks focus almost exclusively on the two heavy hitters in their system when it comes to generating frames per second (FPS): CPU and video card. Is it possible that both consumers and hardware manufacturers have been overlooking an untapped area for improvement?

DirectX 10, What is all the Fuss?

Ed Borden and Jon Bach — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 19:15:47

DirectX is something the average gamer doesn't give much thought. Often they don't even see the word until one of their games complains it is out of date. Even then, the necessary version is usually included, so all they have to do is do a quick, painless install and they're on their way. DirectX 10 is a bigger deal. It is a more exciting update, and is more of a concern if you're buying a new system. That means it is time to do some reading! The purpose of this article is to give you an overview of what to expect from DirectX 10, and what you need to run it.

Why RAID is (usually) a Terrible Idea

Jon Bach — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 18:12:03

As president of Puget Custom Computers, I get a unique perspective on computer products and technology. Our company specializes in selling high performance custom computers, and that naturally brings up the question of RAID often. There is an overwhelming opinion out there that if you have the money and want a blazing fast and stable computer, that you should put your hard drives in RAID. We have known for years that this perception is just flat out wrong, but the problem is that the idea is so widely accepted that it is nearly impossible to convince our customers otherwise. In fact, if we try too hard to talk them out of it, we end up losing the sale! So, should we be selling configurations that we know are flawed, for the sake of making the sale? To be honest, if it comes down to it we will, but not without a fight! This article is just the latest effort in educating the public about RAID.

Windows Vista Upgrade: Just the Facts

Jon Bach — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 21:07:14

When it comes to upgrade options for Vista, there are plenty of ads out there (such as the one above), but what is sorely lacking is a place you can go to just get the facts. In my search, it seems there are plenty of websites that speculate about the upgrade options, and even more websites that are complaining about one Vista feature or another. However, what isn't being addressed is that people just need to know, in simple terms, what upgrade options there are. As a system builder, this is information we really need to know, so after weeks of squeezing information out of every contact possible, I would like to help by providing this information to everyone in as clear a format as possible.

Windows Media Center Edition 2005

William George — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:25:06

For most of us, our computers and our TVs exist in separate worlds � separated by walls between rooms as well as form, function, and ease of use. But what if your computer could do the same things your TV, maybe even your whole home entertainment system, does? What if you could have TV on your computer� or what if you could have computer on your TV? Well, the answer to those questions and more is here: Windows Media Center Edition 2005.

Case Review: Lian-Li PC-S80

Daniel Hermanson — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 16:54:08

In this review, we take a closer look at the Lian-Li PC-S80 and give you our impressions. It is an expensive case, but is it worth the cost?

A Guide to Computer Hardware

Richard A. Millard — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 19:00:00

Today, computers are found in over 80% of American households. Nearly every mall and major electronics store makes computer shopping as accessible as buying a new toaster. However, a computer is significantly more complicated than your average toaster! I speak with a dozen people each day who are trying to make sense of Gigahertz, Wattages, Decibels, and everything in between. Welcome to Computer Hardware 101, a basic overview of what-is-what in computers. Hopefully this article will leave you with a basic understanding of the nuts and bolts of your typical computer hardware, and equip you to make informed decisions about what you need in your next computer.

RAID Explained

William George — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 16:45:26

The acronym 'RAID' stands for Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks. There are several variations designed to meet different needs. Some are for making larger, faster storage solutions. Others trade off size for increased reliability. Yet others try and accomplish both. This article gives a rundown of the basic types of RAID available today.

Dual Processor vs Dual Core

William George — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 01:23:05

It has always been a frequent question -- "Will I benefit from multiple processors?" With the growing popularity of dual core processors, the topic is more important than ever! Will multiple processors or a dual core processor be beneficial to you, and what are the differences between them? These are the questions this article will attempt to lay to rest.

Thermal Paste Comparison

Jon Bach — Tue, 31 May 2005 19:18:04

When it comes to building high end computers, there is no room for cutting corners, and even a component like thermal paste can make a significant difference. When we set out to investigate all the different thermal pastes out there, we were surprised to not find a comprehensive comparison of modern products...so we decided to run our own tests! In this article, we will compare the performance of the top rated thermal pastes, so that you can make informed decisions about what will go into your next computer system!

The Sound of Silence: Building a Quiet PC

Daniel Hermanson — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 21:22:18

It's easy enough to make a fast computer...what's not easy is making a PC like that quiet! It can be especially difficult since the components tend to run hot. The key is finding the right balance between performance, optimal cooling, and quiet. This article will show how you can have a system that roars with power but not noise.

LCD Behemoths - Tremendous LCD Technology For The Home!

Daniel Brown — Tue, 08 Feb 2005 16:07:57

In this article, we will take a look at how LCD technology has advanced recently. We'll also compare some of the latest large LCD monitors designed for movie-watching, gaming, and high-resolution graphics.

SCSI vs SATA, Which is Faster?

Jon Bach — Wed, 02 Feb 2005 14:22:14

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!?

Dan Brown — Tue, 07 Dec 2004 00:46:53

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

Harry Plumer — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 00:07:59

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

Rick Wolfe — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 20:54:21

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!

Jon Bach — Fri, 21 May 2004 19:21:40

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

Jon Bach — Fri, 17 Oct 2003 23:07:48

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.