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 “faster” 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? But do these bits of “expert knowledge,” often expounded by “real tech professionals,” truly correspond to the reality?
Our editorial workforce got down to present solutions and clarify the technical background of those myths, fables, and legends which were established for years.
This article was translated from German to English, and initially appeared on pcwelt.de.
Myth 1: Dedicated sound playing cards at all times sound higher than onboard audio chips!
Again and once more yow will discover folks saying {that a} devoted sound card ought to at all times sound higher than an onboard built-in sound chip on the motherboard. But is that this actually true?
Whether a devoted sound card sounds higher than an onboard audio chip is determined by many various elements. As a normal rule, sound playing cards do in truth supply greater 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.
However, trendy onboard sound chips usually already ship such excessive audio high quality that variations in sound are solely “audible” to skilled customers with the suitable hi-fi or studio tools. So when you’re not doing skilled audio work or have a high-end audio setup, it is probably not important to make use of a devoted sound card.
Additionally, it’s essential to notice {that a} devoted sound card is an additional element in your pc that requires area and energy. If you might have a laptop computer or a small case, this in fact generally is a drawback.
Ultimately, the choice between a devoted sound card and an onboard sound chip is determined by your particular wants and price range. If you select a devoted sound card, it’s advisable to learn rankings and opinions and ensure the cardboard is suitable together with your system.
Answer: So, do devoted sound playing cards essentially sound higher than onboard sound chips? Yes… and no. Dedicated sound playing cards often have higher specs on paper, however these can usually solely be distinguished when utilizing particular purposes and with the suitable tools and equipment.
Myth 2: More RAM makes your PC sooner!
Next to the primary processor, aka CPU, the RAM is among the most essential elements in a PC. But what’s the fact behind the assertion that extra RAM additionally mainly makes your PC sooner?
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 consistently transfer knowledge forwards and backwards between reminiscence and the exhausting drive to make room for brand spanking new purposes and knowledge. This course of, additionally referred to as swapping, can have an effect on the velocity of the pc as a result of the exhausting disk is slower in comparison with your principal system reminiscence.
However, if a PC already has a ample quantity of RAM, extra RAM doesn’t essentially make the PC sooner. That mentioned, the RAM’s reminiscence clock (ex. DDR4-2666 or DDR4-3200) can also be essential and shouldn’t be uncared for.
Currently it may be mentioned that the next quantities of RAM are ample:
- Office PC: 8 gigabytes of RAM
- Multimedia PC: 16 gigabytes of RAM
- Workstation PC: 32 to 64 gigabytes of RAM
- Gaming PC: 16 to 32 gigabytes of RAM
Answer: No, extra RAM doesn’t typically make a PC sooner. If a PC has sufficient RAM, including extra RAM won’t velocity it up any additional. You both have sufficient, otherwise you don’t.
Rather, the velocity and reminiscence clock, needs to be taken under consideration. In trendy pc methods, this shouldn’t be lower than 2,666 MT/s (DDR4-2666) or, even higher, 3,200 MT/s (DDR4-3200). Current gaming PCs have already made the swap to the brand new DDR5 customary with no less than 4,800 MT/s. For rather more information, take a look at our information on how to choose the right RAM for your PC.
Myth 3: An extended HDMI cable is unhealthy for image high quality!
Along with DisplayPorts, HDMI connections are a primary alternative for connecting your monitor to your PC. Be cautious although! Supposedly, lengthy HDMI cables have a detrimental impact on image high quality—however is that this assertion even true?
In really distinctive instances, the standard of an HDMI sign (and thus the image high quality) can certainly be impaired attributable to potential sign losses and interference if the cable is simply too lengthy, or if inferior supplies have been used.
As a normal rule, HDMI cables needs to be not than 15 meters, or roughly 50 toes, to reduce sign loss and interference. But the size as such has no detrimental affect on the image high quality that may be achieved through HDMI. As lengthy because the sign holds up, you’re good, no matter size.
Answer: As a rule, notably lengthy HDMI cables should not have a detrimental impact on image high quality so long as they’re high-quality cables which are designed for the corresponding decision and transmission speeds. Our sister web site TechHive has a a lot deeper dive into what you need to know about 4K HDMI cables.
Myth 4: A CPU with a better clock frequency is quicker!
Another {hardware} fable that has been established for a few years is the misunderstanding {that a} greater 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 due to this fact executes extra switching cycles per second than one with a decrease clock frequency. However, the clock frequency is just not the one function that influences the efficiency of a CPU.
There are many different elements that have an effect on the efficiency of a CPU, reminiscent of:
- Number of processor cores
- Size of the L1 cache
- Size of the L2 cache
- Size of the L3 cache
- Hyperthreading assist
- Architecture of the CPU and its pipelines
Therefore, 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 greatest suited to sure purposes.
Answer: 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. Check out our roundup of the best gaming CPUs for a extra holistic checklist of suggestions primarily based on real-world efficiency.
Myth 5: Overclocking damages your {hardware} and shortens the lifespan!
Overclocking your PC {hardware} can result in greater efficiency when you run elements such because the CPU, GPU or RAM at greater clock frequencies than meant by the producer (“overclocking”). But this additionally will increase warmth technology and the facility load on the elements, which might result in a better threat of failure and in some instances even injury.
That mentioned, if overclocking is finished fastidiously and responsibly by monitoring temperatures and staying inside the advisable limits of the {hardware}, there’s often no probability of speedy injury.
It’s additionally essential to notice that each system is exclusive and never all {hardware} elements could be overclocked equally. Therefore, it could take a while and experience to attain the perfect overclocking outcome for a specific system.
Answer: So does overclocking hurt your {hardware}? It can when you’re not cautious! But trendy {hardware} often has overclocking headroom inbuilt; since some particular person silicon chips run sooner than others, inventory frequencies are typically conservative. Manufacturers additionally publish vital temperature and energy limits for chips, which overclocking software program adheres to until you blow previous warning screens. Stick to secure overclocks and also you shouldn’t threat 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 elements being voided if overclocking is taken into account a violation of the guarantee circumstances. The editorial workforce at PC-Welt and PCWorld accepts no duty for any overclocking makes an attempt.
Myth 6: If the PC isn’t shut down correctly, you’ll injury it!
Does it actually injury the {hardware} when you don’t shut down a PC and easily flip off the facility provide?
It’s advisable to close down a PC if it isn’t going for use for a very long time. That’s primarily to avoid wasting vitality nonetheless. You may also put your PC completely into standby or sleep mode; right here, too, the {hardware} is just not confused and the consumption of recent methods in these modes is now within the vary of 0.x watts.
But what about if you don’t shut down your PC and as an alternative merely flip off the facility provide?
Answer: Yes and no!
Yes, it may well hurt your PC when you 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 may also injury the construction of the working system and its boot loader, which implies that the PC might not boot up correctly. The consequence: The working system might need to be reinstalled.
No, the {hardware} itself is just not broken by this. There isn’t any risk of {hardware} elements such because the CPU, GPU, RAM, or SSD turning into faulty. Nevertheless, a PC ought to at all times be shut down or no less than put into standby mode because of the causes talked about above. Simply disconnecting it from the facility ought to completely be prevented.