http://www.tomshardware.co.uk en 10 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:44:00 +0100 http://m.bestofmedia.com/i/bestofmicro/design/groupe/logo_toms_uk.jpg http://www.tomshardware.co.uk http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/quad-channel-ddr3-memory-review,review-32347.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/quad-channel-ddr3-memory-review,review-32347.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:10:00 CET You just bought the fastest (and most expensive) desktop platform on the planet. Which company's memory will you use to populate Intel's quad-channel controller? We tested four purportedly high-end kits in order to find out which set is the best.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/core-i5-fx-6100-overclock-benchmark,review-32345.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/core-i5-fx-6100-overclock-benchmark,review-32345.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:10:00 CET A 20% budget boost for this quarter’s machines gave every builder room to fix former foibles, yet only the cheapest system showed big performance gains. What effect will those big and small changes have on price-per-performance proficiency?]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/core-i5-overclock-performance-gaming,review-32343.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/core-i5-overclock-performance-gaming,review-32343.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:10:01 CET You've already seen our first two System Builder Marathon configurations, both of which are more expensive than last quarter's. Our entry-level build costs a bit more too, but we think it's a much more capable collection of parts.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/fx-overclock-crossfire-ssd,review-32342.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/fx-overclock-crossfire-ssd,review-32342.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:10:00 CET We mix things up with a $1200 budget, a brutally powerful Radeon HD 6950 CrossFire combo, and AMD's new FX processor in the final mid-range System Builder Marathon PC of 2011. The results are predictable in some ways, but surprising in others.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/overclock-core-i7-sli-liquid-cooling,review-32341.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/overclock-core-i7-sli-liquid-cooling,review-32341.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:10:00 CET Lessons learned over the past two quarters have helped us build one of our fastest PCs yet. But is it really worth the extra $400 over the previous high-end System Builder Marathon PC? The benchmarks will answer that question.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/power-supply-specifications-atx-reference,review-32338.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/power-supply-specifications-atx-reference,review-32338.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:10:01 CET Today's article contains everything you've ever wanted to know about PC power supply specifications. Form factor dimensions, cable end pinouts, voltage/amp/watt specifications, and even compatibility issues are covered in this comprehensive reference!]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/microatx-gaming-overclocked,review-32290.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/microatx-gaming-overclocked,review-32290.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 06:10:01 CEST You don't need a massive case to cram in tons of computing muscle. With a little help from a few manufacturers, our excessively-overclocked GeForce GTX 580 SLI build is small enough to sit atop most desks (and smoke our $2000 SBM machine).]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-value-overclock,review-32282.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-value-overclock,review-32282.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 06:10:00 CEST Big changes to a few components radically alter the performance profile of every machine in this quarter's competition. We’ve already seen how these changes affect the value of each machine, but how will they compare to each other?]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/phenom-ii-overclock-graphics-card,review-32280.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/phenom-ii-overclock-graphics-card,review-32280.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 06:10:01 CEST A few months ago, we built our $500 gaming PC using Intel's Sandy Bridge-based Core i3 processor, and it was a real screamer. This time around we're switching back to an overclockable Phenom II X4 and hoping threaded performance helps our case.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/overclock-cpu-ssd,review-32279.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/overclock-cpu-ssd,review-32279.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:10:00 CEST This quarter's $1000 enthusiast-oriented PC gets a new lease on life with a 30 GB solid-state drive and a couple of GeForce GTX 460s. Does that make a difference over the last build and its conventional hard disk and Radeon HD 6850 CrossFire setup?]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/overclock-cpu-sli-ssd,review-32278.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/overclock-cpu-sli-ssd,review-32278.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 06:10:01 CEST Falling memory prices make it easier to spend our $2000 budget on the fastest available components. How much faster is a pair of GeForce GTX 580s than two Radeon HD 6970 cards? Noticeably. But is the value any more compelling? You're about to find out.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/toms-hardware-supercombo,review-32218.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/toms-hardware-supercombo,review-32218.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 06:10:00 CEST You spoke up in the first story from this quarter's System Builder Marathon, and we listened. Today we compare that first $2000 build to an alternative system based upon a flood of your recommendations. Call it the people's choice, if you will.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/system-builder-value,review-32217.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/system-builder-value,review-32217.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 06:10:00 CEST With so little happening in the hardware world since the beginning of this year, our second-quarter System Builder Marathon sees only minor hardware changes. But each builder unquestionably comes closer to dialing in ideal setups at each price point.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/diy-gaming-pc,review-32216.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/diy-gaming-pc,review-32216.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 06:10:00 CEST This quarter's $500 PC is sure to be a little controversial. We've built plenty of AMD-powered budget boxes in the past, but now we're testing the mettle of Intel's (multiplier-locked) Core i3-2100 in a gaming system priced right around $500.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc,review-32215.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc,review-32215.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 06:10:00 CEST This quarter, we're keeping the Core i5-2500K processor from our previous build, but we're adding a pair of Radeon HD 6850s in CrossFire. How will those two boards stand up against the modified Radeon HD 6950 we used last time? The answer is within!]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/system-builder-gaming-pc,review-32214.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/system-builder-gaming-pc,review-32214.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:10:00 CEST The launch of Intel's Z68 Express platform affects our build in a way we aren't benchmarking. But can we still put together a better configuration than last quarter's stunner? Will we achieve even better high-end value? The answer is a resounding yes.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/ssd-performance-tweak,review-32203.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/ssd-performance-tweak,review-32203.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:40:00 CEST With the market for solid-state drives continually expanding, we wanted to explore some of the most popular tweaks enthusiasts use to purportedly improve performance and free up capacity. We break out the benchmarks and put them to the test.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/p67-gaming-3-way-sli-three-card-crossfire,review-32165.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/p67-gaming-3-way-sli-three-card-crossfire,review-32165.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 06:10:00 CEST Intel’s flagship X58 chipset supports three-way SLI and triple-channel RAM, while its fastest gaming processor is stuck with a far less-capable P67 platform. With multiple GPU installations hanging in the balance, which solution should you choose?]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/pci-express-scaling-p67-chipset-gaming-performance,review-32164.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/pci-express-scaling-p67-chipset-gaming-performance,review-32164.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 06:10:00 CEST Intel’s Sandy Bridge-based processors dramatically advance gaming value by increasing performance at lower prices than LGA 1366-based configurations. But is the platform it sits on worthy of that CPU? We test three slot configurations to find out.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-computer-high-end-gaming-pc,review-32154.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-computer-high-end-gaming-pc,review-32154.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:10:00 CEST We used our second chance opportunity to hand-pick a $2000 PC with even more graphics power, at a lower cost. Getting more powerful GPUs means compromising elsewhere to maintain the same budget, though. Will that decision affect this config's value?]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-cpu-overclock-best-compouter-component,review-32153.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-cpu-overclock-best-compouter-component,review-32153.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 06:10:00 CEST Day 4 of our System Builder Marathon compares performance achieved to money spent. With outright speed the top priority, can either of our high-end systems beat the low-cost build when it comes to value? Or will the middle machine strike the best balance?]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/budget-gaming-pc-phenom-ii-radeon-hd-6850,review-32150.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/budget-gaming-pc-phenom-ii-radeon-hd-6850,review-32150.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:10:00 CET The last two System Builder Marathon configurations centered on Intel's Sandy Bridge architecture. But AMD still seems to rule the budget-oriented segment. This quarter, Paul buys an upgraded CPU and a Radeon-based graphics card for more performance.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/radeon-hd-6950-unlock-build-a-pc-overclock,review-32148.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/radeon-hd-6950-unlock-build-a-pc-overclock,review-32148.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:10:00 CET We give Sandy Bridge yet another shot in our second System Builder Marathon configuration of the month, leaning on Intel's Core i5-2500K. How well does it fare against the Lynnfield-based Core i5-700-series processor it’s replacing?]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/aftermarket-vga-cooling-shaman,review-32086.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/aftermarket-vga-cooling-shaman,review-32086.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Tue, 28 Dec 2010 06:10:00 CET Thermalright's Shaman is the largest VGA cooler we've ever seen. Having recently reviewed three competing aftermarket graphics cooling solutions, we're eager to find out if size really matters when it comes to overclocking the ultra-hot GeForce GTX 480.]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/newegg-combo-toms-hardware-do-it-yourself,review-32085.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/newegg-combo-toms-hardware-do-it-yourself,review-32085.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 07:10:00 CET The first $2000 build in this quarter's SBM series provided astonishing performance overall, but a few disappointments forced us to consider alternative parts. Today, we see how much improvement we can make when we hand-pick the configuration, TH-style]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-overclock-ssd,review-32077.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-overclock-ssd,review-32077.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:10:00 CET New benchmarks, new test methods, and new hardware mark exciting updates to this month’s System Builder Marathon. Today, we cover the most exciting part of all: the value competition. Remember, we're giving all three systems away, so enter to win them!]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-overclock-athlon-ii-x3,review-32075.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-overclock-athlon-ii-x3,review-32075.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:10:00 CET We've already seen results from Thomas' $2000 PC and Don's $1000 build. Now it's time for Paul's $500 machine to take the stage, showing what an Athlon II X3 can do when it's matched up to a GeForce GTX 460. Can it deliver better value than the others?]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-core-i3-overclock-system-builder,review-32072.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-core-i3-overclock-system-builder,review-32072.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 07:10:00 CET Although we were afraid of the results, this time around we decided to try something new, forgoing the Core i5 in favor of a dual-core Core i3 CPU in our build. Can the higher clock rate compensate for the loss of two physical cores in our $1000 system?]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-overclock-ssd,review-32071.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/build-a-pc-overclock-ssd,review-32071.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 07:10:00 CET With all of your feedback from last quarter's System Builder Marathon under our belts, this time around, we attempt to fit a no-sacrifice, luxury and performance build into our moderately-high $2000 budget. Will this new build succeed on all fronts?]]> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/ram-memory-upgrade,review-32053.html#xtor=RSS-1424 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/ram-memory-upgrade,review-32053.html#xtor=RSS-1424 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 06:10:01 CET The price of memory upgrades is at an all-time low. And more memory is always better, right? We decided to analyze whether or not now could be the time for a fat memory upgrade. As it turns out, there are arguments for and against backing up the truck.]]>