Even now, building your PC is still less expensive than purchasing a pre-built system from a company such as Dell or HP. You not only save money, but the finished machine is frequently more capable as well.

If you’re seeking to construct a new computer but have a limited budget, you’re probably looking for methods to save money. So, we’ll teach you how to save money when building a new PC.

Plan Everything Beforehand

Plan out everything you will need while building a new PC. Before purchasing even a single part, consider all aspects of your design. It is essential to ask yourself why you are purchasing a new rig. Will it be used for work, or do you want an all-rounder that can perform most tasks?

It is also important to ensure that you are not upgrading a lot more or a lot less than what you need in terms of PC specifications and that anything you purchase functions together.

Planning will save you a lot of time and, more importantly, money. That’s why it is the most critical aspect of building a new PC.

Reuse What You Already Have

If you already own a system, you may save a lot of money by either selling or reusing existing components in your new computer.

A new PC is normally built around a new CPU and motherboard, but there’s a good possibility you will be capable of using your old graphics card, disk, RAM, or case, particularly if you’re replacing a PC from the previous decade or so.

However, first, ensure that your old parts are suitable for your new ones. Outdated hard drives may use an interface that is no longer supported; you should also verify and check your PC motherboard health and run a test or two.

Pick Only the Parts You Need

One of the easiest ways to save hundreds of thousands of dollars on a PC is to construct it to just match your needs. It’s pointless to spend $5,000 on a gaming PC if you only perform web browsing games, read e-mail, and watch Movies.

It’s good to have a powerful computer, but if you are looking to save cash, you need to be very picky about the parts you use.

Furthermore, whenever it comes to PC hardware, don’t try to “purchase for the future,” commonly known as future-proofing. Yes, the term is very much in, and it is recommended for gaming, but it is also extremely expensive to buy all the latest PC components.

Buy Used Parts

If you don’t have spare PC components lying around, the next smartest way is to purchase secondhand components instead of paying the additional money for brand-new ones. You will be surprised how inexpensive yet effective these used parts can be, and it saves you a few bucks along the way as well.

However, you should use caution when choosing the parts you utilize, similar to when using components from an old PC. First, you should check the PC component’s compatibility, and then you should use it on your PC (if compatible). This approach, if it works correctly, can save a lot of money.

But when it relates to graphics cards, motherboards, and other critical PC components, you might be less likely to purchase secondhand parts, which is OK. This isn’t to say they won’t function if you want to save money in these places to stay within budget; it only indicates you should be extra cautious when purchasing these used components.

Know Where and How to Find the Best Deals

Finding the best discounts is more of an art; the process will be flawed. Nonetheless, knowing what you are doing might help you locate the finest discounts. There are precise paths you may take to find the best discounts and save the most money.

The easiest approach to get the best bargains on PC parts is to wait for one of the big sales periods. Cyber Monday, Black Friday in the month of November, Christmas, or any other major event shopping time in particular, and Amazon’s Prime Day all feature amazing prices on a variety of components that can be used to buy you new or secondhand components for your PC.

Additionally, check for low costs in PC stores in your neighborhood and get a low-cost, high-quality product to build your PC.

Keep it Simple

If you are on a tight budget, you can forego the cosmetic aspects. When compared to other solutions, a modest mid-tower case without RGB will save you $50-$100. Cutting RBG from other components will also save a lot of money. RGB coolers, GPUs, and motherboards are more expensive.

Don’t overspend on a huge full-tower case if you don’t need it. Going micro-ATX can help you save money while still allowing room for future improvements.

Consider Barebone PC Kits

This isn’t gonna be relevant to the majority of users, and also, it’s not common nowadays, but the other solution for saving money on a PC setup is to consider purchasing a barebone kit.

Barebone kits may refer to an unbuilt combination of components, but they might also refer to semi-assembled PCs that ship with some elements already fitted and will require you to install more parts based on your needs.

For instance, you may occasionally get a barebones PC with the casing, motherboard, fans, and possibly anything else already installed, and afterward, you can go in and buy whatever CPU, Storage, RAM, GPU, and so forth that you need.

Forget Huge SSDs

This is perhaps one of the more apparent money-saving ideas, as SSDs are more costly than standard hard drives, so if you’re seeking to save money on a PC build, just go with a regular HDD if you need a lot of storage capacity.

Buying a small to medium-sized SSD as your primary system/boot disc will speed up your operating system and save you money.

Just don’t include a 1TB – 2TB SSD in your configuration if you want to save money when building a new PC. If you really want huge space on your system and an SSD, try a 128 GB SSD combination with a 1 or 2 TB HDD. You can use SSD for your operating system and HDD to store games, movies, or any other files.

Conclusion

Saving money on a PC setup will need a significant amount of planning, effort, and patience. Nevertheless, the more time you give to looking for offers, the more money you may save on your new rig. If you decide to build your PC yourself, avoid common mistakes like not planning your budget.

Using the techniques outlined above will assist you in saving a lot of money on the PC which you are building. Just remember to buy wisely and not feel shy to buy used components at a huge discount.

There are a few methods to do a memory test and verify the health of RAM. Still, as is frequently the case, 3rd-party tools are likely to provide more information than Windows’ convenient but rather easy in-house techniques.

This article will teach you how to check the health of your RAM in several ways. But first, let us review some quick indicators of RAM problems.

RAM Problems Indications

Before you can do anything, you’ll like to be sure you’re howling up the correct tree, so these are a few clear symptoms that your RAM isn’t working properly like:

• PC beeps one or even more times when it boots up.
• PC processing slows down the longer you leave it on.
• Have trouble loading files.
• In System Info, the PC shows less RAM than what you have installed.

Now we can discuss the best methods to check RAM health on Windows.

Health Check by Windows Memory Diagnostic

The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool is the easiest but least comprehensive way to check your RAM.

• Click Start
• Type in the search bar “mdsched.exe.”
• When requested, restart the computer.
• A diagnostic tool will be launched.

Click F1, then select whether you want to run the Basic, Standard, or Extended tests. This might take some time. During this procedure, you will see a progress bar and a “Status” message informing you whether any errors were discovered.

However, you are not required to watch the process; you may leave your computer and return later to get the results.

Your computer will restart and back to the Desktop when it’s finished. The result will show after you log in. To begin,

• Launch the Event Viewer.
• Select “Event Viewer” from the menu that appears when you right-click the Start button. In Windows 7, enter Windows Key+R,
• then type “eventvwr.msc” into the Run dialogue and hit Enter.
• Go to Windows Logs > System.
• You’ll notice a long list of upcoming events. In the right pane, click “Find.”
  
• Enter “MemoryDiagnostic” into the search box and press “Find Next.”

At the bottom of the window, you’ll see the result as well as extra information about your RAM.

Boot and Run MemTest86

MemTest86 is a great testing tool that you may download and use if you’re seeking the finest one. It runs a broader range of tests and may uncover flaws that the bundled Windows test does not.

The most recent versions of this utility include a premium edition with additional functionality, albeit the free version should suffice. MemTest86 is Microsoft-signed; thus, it will run even on computers with Secure Boot activated.

You might also use the free and open-source MemTest86+ if you’re seeking another choice. We are, however, using MemTest86.

Both are self-contained, bootable gadgets. MemTest86 comes with a USB image that you may copy to a USB drive. To make a bootable USB drive, just execute the EXE file provided with the download as well as provide a spare USB drive.

Please be aware that copying the MemTest86 image to a USB device would delete its contents. Make a backup of any vital files on the disc first.

After you’ve made bootable discs, reboot your pc and instruct it to load from the USB device where you copied the memory test program.

The application will start up and begin analyzing your storage, running via test after test & notifying you if there is a problem. It will continue to conduct tests until you disable it, enabling you to check how memory operates over a longer duration.

Any mistakes will be shown on your screen. When you’re finished, just hit the “Esc” key to quit it and reboot your system.

If tests return errors, it’s very likely that the RAM—at least one of several sticks—is not healthy and is defective and must be replaced.

Physically Checking the RAM

Now, how would you deal with the faults that were discovered during the RAM checkup on your Windows system? Changing the RAM is the last resort, but it’s also worth double-checking that it’s correctly seated in your computer.

Remove the RAM sticks from the Computer one at a time, running the MemTest every session to check if the issues go away. That way, you’ll be able to determine which stick (or slot) was producing the issues.

If you notice that problems appear whenever you insert a particular stick, there is an issue with that stick. If there are issues every time a RAM stick is inserted into a specific slot, that slot may be the root of the issue, and you may need to repair the motherboard.

Conclusion: What If your RAM Is Bad?

If your RAM looks to be faulty, you would need to purchase a new RAM module & update your old one. Until then, you might attempt underclocking your RAM to temporarily make your system a bit more stable.

If the diagnostic methods reveal no faults or a clocking-related error, you should examine your RAM’s clock and speed parameters and overclock it to maximize its performance.

If that does not address your problem, the problem you are attempting to identify on your PC may be caused by a failure in another system part, and the RAM might not have been the source of the problem.

When users have difficulties with their PCs, they frequently blame a defective motherboard. But how do you know it’s a motherboard problem and not something else?

How to check the health of my motherboard? This will be the subject of our discussion. Make sure you go through this post to avoid misdiagnosing an issue.

Importance Of Motherboard

We can’t overlook the reality that the motherboard is the most crucial part of a PC since it connects numerous other components such as the central processing unit (CPU), RAM, and input and output devices.

By using the human brain as an example, you can see how vital the motherboard is because, just as the brain maintains balance, the motherboard does the same. That’s why it is essential to check motherboard health.

Ways To Check Health Of Motherboard

The major topic we’re talking about today is how to check motherboard health. Let’s move on to the symptoms of a faulty motherboard.

PCI-E Ports

This is a difficult one to narrow down. If your GPU ceases operating or you see unusual visual abnormalities on the screen (especially when gaming), it might be a defective PCI-E slot or even the GPU itself.

To begin, you should upgrade your GPU drivers & reinstall them if needed to ensure that the issue isn’t simply a software issue with the graphics card. If it fails, try inserting the GPU into a different slot to see whether the issue resurfaces.

If this doesn’t fix the issue, then it is clear that the slot from which you removed it is most likely defective. You might try upgrading your motherboard BIOS to see if that fixes the issue, but if that doesn’t work, you might have to check into a replacement.

RAM Slots

If your system beeps when you switch it on and slows down with time, you might have a RAM issue. However, it is possible that the issue is not with the RAM itself but with the RAM slots.

To test this, open your PC, remove a stick of RAM, and then turn it again on to check whether it functions properly. Continue doing so till your computer fails again. If this happens, try placing the RAM in some other RAM slot.

If the computer starts acting up once more, you realize that the problem is in the RAM stick. If the PC functions normally, you know it’s the RAM slot, and the motherboard is not working properly.

Power Supply Unit

The power supply unit (PSU) is equally critical as the motherboard. Despite this, many users pay little attention to it, even when their machine dies.

Fundamentally, a PSU gives electricity to your computer. If it fails to do so or is out of specification, it can cause lasting system damage. If the load is too large for the PSU, the system’s power supply will be inadequate, causing serious damage to other components.

As a result, you must utilize a high-quality power supply. Consult your motherboard documentation for instructions on how to check the PSU voltage using the BIOS menu. There are additional software utilities available from motherboard makers that can do this function.

If you have another PSU that is known to operate, try it in your system to check if the present PSU is just dead or malfunctioning. Several connected peripherals might cause the system to overload, so detach non-essential components like the optical drive or video card to verify if the computer works smoothly.

If it does work smoothly, then the problem is with the PSU. Alternatively, if it does not work, the motherboard can be at fault.

USB Ports

Examine the gadgets in various ports to determine if they function appropriately. If they do, you realize there’s a problem with the USB slot. You can check for keyboards and mice in multiple ports prior to being discarded.

But don’t start blaming your motherboard yet. Go to Device Manager on your PC, keep scrolling to “Universal Serial Bus controllers,” and see which ports have exclamation marks beside them.

If this is the case, right-click it and select Update Driver.

Although if there’s not an exclamation point (like in the image above), you should attempt the Upgrade Drivers option to be sure. Alternatively, you may right-click each one of the USB port drivers individually and select “Scan for Hardware Changes.”

Lastly, you might try removing each USB driver individually then rebooting your PC to compel it to reinstall them.

If any of these do not help, the issue is most likely with your motherboard’s hardware.

Video Ports (HDMI, VGI, DVI) Not Working

Suppose the multimedia outcomes are also not operating when connected to your motherboard. In that case, the very first thing to keep in mind is that if you’ve got a GPU within your PC, neither of that will work. That’s because, by default, your computer turns off its motherboard access points if there are GPU slots accessible. (This parameter may be changed in the BIOS).

If the problem persists, go to Device Manager, under Monitors, right-click “Nonexclusive PnP Monitor,” and carefully try every option, including “Output for equipment changes, too,” “Update driver software,” and simply “Uninstall gadget.”

Furthermore, when you do uninstall your display, restart the computer to enable it to reload, and then test it to see if it performs. If none of this functions, you’re looking at a damaged motherboard, and it’s a good opportunity to start looking for that assured data.

Blue/Black Screen

The Blue/Black Screen of Death (BSoD) indicates that there is indeed trouble with the mobo, which might be already dead. It’s a malfunction that indicates that your windows have been paused, but the system has a flaw.

In almost all of the cases, it signals an issue with the hardware or the driver, but it might also be the motherboard, so keep that in mind as well.

Burning Smell

If your system frequently gives a burning smell, this might signify a motherboard breakdown.

This smell is recognized when there is excessive overheating, which can be caused by any unsuitable part of the board.

Conclusion

Motherboards are complex, but all these measures will help to check motherboard health. Open your computer to determine whether the problem is with the board or other PC components.

When you do access your system, make certain that all wires, cards, and so on are correctly plugged in since a loose connection causes most issues.

Let’s take a look at this concept and see if it’s something you should think about for your next major purchase.

What is Future-Proofing?

Future-proofing is a design method utilized in numerous areas, including medicine, industrial design, and electronics. These design ideas are used to produce goods or strategies that will remain to be valued in the future.

When purchasing a laptop or desktop PC, you should consider the hardware specifications, the model’s construction, and the model’s repairability.

In reality, a future-proofed computer does not mean that it will never break. It just indicates that its abilities and efficiency will survive for a few more years. Since all computers will most likely face some form of hardware problem at some point in their lives, you should look for something simple to maintain.

How to Future-Proof Your PC?

Future-proofing your PC ensures that it is equipped with the most recent hardware and technology, which will (probably) allow it to live longer (and need fewer updates) than purchasing a new system every few years.

How to Future-proof PC-Build?

The processor is an integral choice for someone building a future-proof PC. There are usually two processors — AMD or Intel. AMD has become a fan-favorite when it comes to PC gamers in recent years, but that doesn’t mean it is automatically the best.

Make sure that you select a sufficient motherboard for your system and install enough memory (at least 16 GB) in your system.

When building a PC or purchasing a laptop, the essential components you need to consider are the motherboard, CPU, memory, and battery capacity (for a laptop). What you want to perform on the PC or laptop is also taken into consideration. When you decide what you want to use the device for, the type of construction you desire will become apparent.

What about a Future-proof Gaming PC?

Let’s face it: There’s no way to future-proof a gaming PC to perform exceptionally well for 5 years or more. Gaming specifications are rapidly changing, with new GPUs being released every few months.

Suppose you want a new PC to play a game that just came out. You look over the recommended specifications and buy a computer with that precise hardware. When the PC comes, it will be able to play the game flawlessly. Everything appears to be in order, right?
The issues occur when the computer’s hardware starts showing signs of wear after a year. New games wouldn’t run as well as they could because game hardware demands increased between the time you bought your PC and now. Still, there are steps you can take to ensure your PC lasts as long as possible. Here is how:

Things You Need to Future-Proof Your Gaming PC

The components of a PC, such as the CPU, motherboard, RAM, graphics card, are discussed here to assist you in future-proof your gaming PC.

CPU

The CPU is a computer’s brain and undoubtedly one of the most significant aspects to consider when selecting a gaming Computer. The CPU is where other components’ needs are understood and executed. Without the CPU, your PC would be unable to do the computations required to run applications and play games.

If you want to get the best computer for gaming, you must ensure that the CPU is a little more powerful than your current needs. With the rate at which the need for computing power is progressing, you will be thankful for the extra power in the years to come.

Motherboard

Let’s take a look at the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge as an example of a future-proof motherboard.

This is the device that has everything a mainline gamer wants, such as:

• Excellent overclocking abilities.
• Great RGB lighting, along with an inclusive chipset heatsink lighting zone (we know it’s only for show, but let’s face it, it looks great and will continue to look great for years to come)
• Excellent networking, with an integrated Realtek RTL8125B 2.5G LAN controller, Intel AX201 Wi-Fi6 chip, and BT 5.1 support.
• This motherboard also offers a strong soundtrack thanks to the ALC1220 HD audio codec and also storage space with six SATA ports and two M.2 SSDs.

The motherboard is just one example of a component that is fairly future-proof, which means it should have enough slots to accept additional hard discs, RAM sticks, and other components that you may want to install based on your interests.

RAM

All high-end gaming PCs will have DDR4 RAM, but not most of them will have a similar RAM amount (8GB on the low end and 32GB on the high end; how much you want will depend on the style and quantity of games and apps you expect to run). The good thing is that it is very easy to upgrade RAM in a PC, so this will not be something that makes your computer obsolete.

Graphics Card

Many people will agree that a computer game isn’t as entertaining if the visuals aren’t up to standard. Aside from the CPU, selecting a graphics card for your gaming computer is the most critical factor to consider if you want to have the finest gaming experience possible.

When it comes to graphics cards, memory is often less crucial than bandwidth unless you intend on employing numerous high-definition displays for your gaming setup. Furthermore, if you’re a casual player, having numerous graphics cards isn’t necessarily essential.

You should also ensure that you understand the minimum system needs for the games you want to play. However, most high-end gaming PCs would be ready to play most new and popular games by default.

Simply put, go for the best card that is in your budget, as it will last the longest. Unfortunately, replacing your card in a few years will be necessary no matter what you purchase.

When you want to upgrade components or overclock, you’ll need to know this information.

PCs are extremely adaptable machines. They are capable of quickly completing really strenuous activities. Whether we use them for the workplace, gaming, or other activities, they have become an integral part of our life.

You can check your computer’s power usage in at least three different methods, including hardware, software, and online tools. As a result, you won’t have to measure each component manually. Let’s discuss it here.

How to Check How Much Power Your PC Consumes Using Hardware

Using a wattmeter to check your PC’s power usage is undoubtedly the best way to do it. If you intend on checking your PC and laptop power use frequently, these dedicated power usage monitors are ideal. The projected error margin is around 0.5 percent, so you’ll obtain the most precise answer possible.

Furthermore, power consumption meters are simple to operate. Connect your computer or laptop to the meter and plug it into a wall socket. It only takes a few seconds to complete the test, and you’ll see the energy use in kilowatt-hours (KWh). Kuman and Poniie are two of the most popular units.

You could have problems evaluating the findings if you’ve never used similar tools previously. However, you can always compare your PC’s power consumption to industry averages to get a clear indication of how much or how little power your device consumes.

Gaming PCs can consume up to 900 watts, but non-heavy usage like internet browsing, report writing, etc., may consume as little as 150. The results, however, differ based on the software and hardware installed on the computer, as well as your geographic location.

Overall, unless you’re doing anything extreme like cryptocurrency mining, the normal operational costs for maintaining a PC aren’t likely to break the bank.

How to Check PC Power Consumption Using a Software

Software is the simplest way to determine how much power your computer consumes. Online tools can quickly analyze power use and are simple to use. However, there is one drawback.

When compared to hardware calculators, they are a less trustworthy solution. They only do the test for a brief period of time. Therefore, the results may not correctly reflect actual power use.

LocalCooling is a tool that you may use on your Windows PC. This freeware displays how much electricity your computer consumes, as well as detailed information about the hard drive, display, and other components. You may set it to turn off your display, spin down your hard drives, or even put your device to sleep.

It’s recommended to use this tool for a few days and throughout various activities to get the most out of it. It also features you how many trees and fuel gallons of energy you saved, which is helpful for environmental activists.

The biggest disadvantage is that you are unable to adjust the measuring units.

Here’s how to put LocalCooling to work for you:

• Step 1: Download the app and install it on your device.
• Step 2: Open the app on your device.



• Step 3: Select My Power Tab from the Settings menu.



• Step 4: On the My Power tab, you’ll get a gist of how much electricity each computer component, including Monitor and Hard drive, consumes. And the total sum of it.

How to Check PC Power Consumption Using an Online Tool

Using an online power draw calculator is one of the simplest ways to calculate your PC’s power use correctly. Outervision features a precise calculator that anyone can use. To use the calculator, you’ll need to know specifics about your computer’s components.
Outervision has two main versions.

• Expert
• Basic

The calculator’s basic version only requires you to enter the necessary information about the components.

To fill up the required fields, choose from a drop-down list of CPUs, graphics cards, and RAM. Next, provide some data about your consumption and press the compute button.

The basic version from Outervision will give you an accurate assessment of your PC’s power consumption. However, you’ll want to use the Expert version if you want a more complete and exact calculation.

The Expert version from Outervision allows you to enter additional information about your computer. This contains items like the number of storage discs, fans, PCI cards, power supply efficiency, and even liquid cooling devices, in addition to the basic calculator.

In addition, you’ll need to know the clock speeds of your CPU and graphics card to get the most accurate result. You may also take into account CPU and GPU overclocking. After you’ve supplied the necessary information, you may enter how much time you spend on your device each day and if it will be used for videogames or other tasks, just like the basic version.

Check Power Consumption PC

The PC’s power usage is split into two categories. The idle and full load positions, to be precise.

Now, what’s the difference between the two?

• Idle position: When the computer isn’t executing a lot of applications.
• Full load position: When the computer is fully loaded, it is running many intensive apps.

Of course, running under full load consumes more energy than running at idle. The detection will run automatically if you use a wattmeter.

However, if you utilize the approach through the website or application, you can choose whatever scenario you like. When gaming, for example, power usage might be noticed at full load.

Keep a Check on PC Power Consumption

The amount of electricity consumed by each PC unit is significantly variable. Wattage is influenced by a variety of factors, including software, hardware, and location. A physical device, such as a power consumption calculator that plugs into an outlet, is the most precise means of estimating power usage. Online tools like OuterVision are a little less precise, but they’re just as useful.

You’ll obtain a good approximation of your PC’s power usage regardless of the approach you use. Simply monitor the power consumption many times a day and throughout various activities.

We’ll show you how to determine which power supply you have in the following instructions. Methods will cover how to check your power supply with and without removing your side panel, as well as several essential recommendations that will help you make a more educated hardware buy.

What PSU Do You Need?

The power supply unit you purchase must be adequate for your system. Test it to make sure that it is.

Suppose you intend to update your computer components to something more powerful, you should get a power supply with a larger wattage and rated capacity.

Remember that your motherboard and other pricey components may be destroyed if you don’t utilize a top-quality power supply unit.

The best time to assess your power supply is shortly before an upgrade. New generations of hardware or even a same-gen update frequently require a significant amount of more power to function efficiently.

For example, switching from a 2060Ti to a 3060Ti will naturally demand roughly 50-100 extra watts of electricity.

This is often the case with any hardware change, so knowing what you’re working with in terms of watts is critical.

Check out the PSU calculator to see how much watts your new gear will take.

How To Check What PSU I have?

Here’s how to find out the power supply unit you have on your PC:

Power Supply Label

There is a printed layout or a label sticker on every power supply unit with the specs and the model number.

You will simply need to open the PC case and find out the written level on the PSU to verify this label on your PC power supply.

Suppose your power supply is hidden under a PSU cover. In that case, you’ll have to remove it to learn about its specifications and, more importantly, its model number.

To remove your PC’s power supply, you may need to loosen some screws. Before touching your computer, detach it from the power source and switch off the power supply.

Now that you’ve removed your power supply unit, closely examine its body to see whether it has any labels, such as the one seen below.

Image Source: Tech Spot

The certified ratings, model number, and characteristics of your power supply may be found here. This is the quickest and most accurate way to determine the wattage of your power supply.

Check the Manufacturer’s Website

This second method would work only if your computer was bought as a prebuilt.

In this case, the website where you purchased the PC should offer a complete components list that you may use to determine which PSU you have.

This method makes life a lot easier when determining the wattage of your power source. It’s also useful because the power supply on most prebuilt PCs isn’t labeled.

So, search for your computer’s model on the internet. It will verify the wattage of your power supply.

On the Box

You can examine the model and specifications of PSU on the pass apply box if you have it.

Inspecting the power supply’s box is the most straightforward approach to determine the wattage, model number, and other necessary details.

Hopefully, one of the three ways listed above has assisted you in determining what power supply you have.

Conclusion

Finally, the simplest approach to find out what PSU you have is to remove the panel from your chassis. However, we appreciate that not everyone has that privilege; therefore, other options must be considered.

Most people want to know how long does a PSU lasts. Always check your PSU if you want to upgrade, overclock, or make sure it has enough power. It has the potential to save you time, money, and a great deal of worry.

If your PC’s existing power supply is dying, don’t lose time and replace it as soon as feasible.

Perhaps you have recently discovered the joys of retro gaming and own a modern television. Or you have recently upgraded your 1990s television which was on its way to being a family heirloom, to a current, OLED flat-screen TV, and are going through a tinge of nostalgia.

In any case, you might be wondering how to link your favorite consoles from “back in the day” to it.

Everything nowadays is connected via HDMI ports. This digital, high-definition plug is plug-and-play in every sense of the word, supporting both video and audio.

Any gamer can enjoy a retro console. For many people, connecting their old N64 or PlayStation to play some old-school games is the ultimate nostalgia remedy. Unfortunately, advances in technology will make connecting old consoles a lot more complicated.

Some people are discouraged by these hurdles, but there are several simple solutions available. To play your old retro games, you don’t need an out-of-date television or any knowledge of electronics.

You will quickly get back to playing your old consoles by following a few straightforward measures, which we will discuss in this post.

What Are My Options for Playing My Retro Console?

If you have not been able to locate the correct ports on the back of your TV, there are a few options for you to play your games. You may even have an easy solution right in your own house!

Check the Ports on Your Television

You can start with an elementary check of the ports on your Television. Double-check the Television’s ports. It is possible that you will be able to bind your old console to your new TV without any problems.

This is most likely the case for systems that use RCA (composite), part, or coaxial cables to link to your TV.

Use an Old Monitor or a Projector

You may still have something in your house that you can use to play your retro consoles. By any change, if you have an old monitor or projector lying around in your attic, it is possible that you can use one of those to plug in your console.

Check the back fo your device to see if it is possible to connect your console to it.

Invest in an Adapter

Having an adapter is another standard method for getting your console to function. There is a port on the adapter compatible with your TV, and another one that is compatible with your console.

These adaptors are frequently less expensive and easier to come by than brand new cables. If you have many retro consoles, getting a multi-purpose adapter is a good idea. For example, you can link your SNES or N64 to a modern TV using AV to HDMI converters.

Some Troubleshooting Tips

If you run into any problems, follow these quick steps to get your console back in operation.

Switch to The Appropriate Source

Don’t forget to check that your TV is tuned to the source that it is receiving signals from. It is possible that your TV will not understand signals coming from the designated port on its own and may need to be told to accept signals from a specific port.

On most models, this is done by pressing the source button on the TV remote. According to the port used, the channel should be labelled. After switching channels, it can take a few seconds for the link to be established.

Check Your Console

Check to see if your console is still operational. The majority of devices have a light that indicates when they are turned on.

The console could be faulty if this indicator light does not illuminate when you plug it in and turn it on. There are a few options for rebooting your new/old console, but you will need to seek professional assistance.

Examine the Connection

Double-check that all cords are safely plugged in if you are on the correct channel. Check the TV or console for any loose cables. Unplugging and replugging them will also improve the connection.

Clean the console or ports with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab or pressurized air if they are dusty.

When using RCA cables, double-check that the audio and video outputs are connected correctly; the ports and jacks will be color-coded.

Change the Screen Resolution

Another major improvement that modern TVs received was a significant shift in resolution.

Retro consoles format their screens to match the regular TV of the time. To get the best results, you may need to adjust the resolution settings on your television. If the image is not clear or is stretched beyond the TV screen, try changing the aspect ratio. Most modern TVs are 16:9, while retro consoles are mostly 4:3.

Retro Games Can Be Played on Modern TVs

Yes, that is right. Retro consoles can be played on modern televisions, including the Best 75-80 Inch TVs. You will need to take some extra measures to get your systems on the screen, which isn’t a big deal if you’re looking for pure nostalgic pleasure.

There are a variety of ways to get your fix without having to hunt down an old television. Retro gaming’s popularity has made it easier than ever to play your favorite childhood games from the comfort of your own living room.

However, it also provides a lot of “junk” files, consisting of temporary files, broken registry files, and other types of files used by your operating system, in the past, and now, only clutter it, slowing it down and making it hard to work with.

For that reason, Windows requires that you “clean it up” from time to time in order to work properly, and today you are going to be introduced to the process of how to clean one type of its “junk” files – broken entries in Windows Registry.

How to Delete Broken Entries in Windows Registry

Deleting your broken entries in the Windows registry is just a single step in maintaining your PC in a good state and can be done in multiple ways, and below you can find three of them.

How to Delete Broken Entries in Windows Registry through Disk Cleanup

One of the easiest ways you can clean up your broken entries is with the help of Disk Cleanup. That process includes the following steps:

1. First, you need to open the Disk Cleanup, which can be done by typing “Disk Cleanup” in the Search Box

   

   and left-clicking it when it appears in the results.



2. After you open it, select the drive that has the Windows installation on it

   

   and press “OK”.



3. Under the “Files to delete:”, select the “Downloaded Program Files” and “Temporary Internet Files”

   

   and left-click the “Clean Up System Files”. Press “OK” and that is it. Your unnecessary files will be deleted.

How to Delete Broken Entries in Windows Registry with the help of the DISM command

Another way you can remove the unwanted broken registry files is with the DISM command:

1. To begin with, make sure you are logged in with the Administrator account and press the “Windows” key + R key on your keyboard.
2. Once you do that, the “Run” command window should appear, and you should type “cmd” and press “Enter”.



3. In the Command Prompt, type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth”, press “OK” and wait for Windows to finish its job.



4. Check if the broken files are removed and if they are, your job is done.

How to Delete Broken Entries in Windows Registry by Refreshing Windows

The third and the last way to delete your Broken Entries in Windows Registry that will be explained in this text includes refreshing your Windows:

1. First, go to the Search box and type “Settings”,

   

   and left-click them when they appear in the results.



2. Once they open, select the “Update & Security” section

   

   and choose the “Recovery” section, located on the left side of the screen.



3. Press “Get started” under the “Reset this PC”,

   

   select the “Keep My Files” option,

   

   follow the Windows on-screen instructions on how to reset the registry, wait for Windows to finish it, and that is pretty much it.

This may indicate that there is something wrong with your hardware; however, in most cases that is the signal that your PC requires some serious work, such as a factory reset, which will make your Windows 10 PC run as it used to, allowing you to enjoy working with it once again.

If that is the case, this is what you need to do.

How to Factory Reset Windows 10

Like the majority of things in Windows 10, its factory reset is a pretty straightforward process. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. To begin with, you need to go to “Start” and right-click it.



2. Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu

   

   and choose “Update & Security”.



3. Once you do that, enter “Recovery”, located in the left-side menu,

   

   and go to “Get started” positioned under the “Reset this PC” section.



4. When the “Reset this PC” window appears, you will have the opportunity to choose whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Think through what you would like of the two, and left-click what you prefer.



5. After that, select how would you like to reinstall Windows 10, either with the help of a cloud or with a local reinstall,

   

   and left-click “Next” in the newly opened window.



6. Now, you will have the final “Reset this PC” window opened. If you are sure of your decision, should press “Reset” and wait for Windows to finish the job, which may last for some time. After that, you will have your Windows 10 factory reset and ready for new work.

In other words, that knowledge might become handy in the time ahead. Therefore, it might be useful to stay tuned and read the following lines that will introduce you to how to do it yourself and save a lot of time and nerves.

How to Change DNS on Windows 10

There are multiple ways you can change your DNS settings on Windows 10 and here, you will be introduced to the three most common ones.

How to Change DNS on Windows 10 with the Help of Control Panel

The first way to change DNS settings on Windows 10 is through the Control Panel. This is maybe one of the longer approaches; nonetheless, it is very fluent, and it consists of the following:

1. To begin with, you need to open Control Panel by typing “Control Panel” in the Search box

   

   and left-clicking it when it appears in the results.



2. After that, enter Network and Internet

   

   and then Network and Sharing Center.



3. Select “Change adapter settings”, located on the left side of the screen,

   

   right-click on the Ethernet connection that you use,

   

   and choose Properties from the newly opened drop-down menu.



4. Once the Properties window opens, select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and choose its Properties.



5. When a new window opens, check the circle next to “Use the following DNS server addresses”, type your “Preferred DNS Server:” and “Alternate DNS Server:”, press OK and that is it.



6. If you are required to enter another alternate DNS server address as well, your work continues and you should go to Advanced Settings

   

   and select the “DNS” tab.



7. Here, left-click the Add button, located below “DNS server address, in order of use:”,

   

   type your alternate DNS server address in the newly opened window and press the Add button to confirm the entry.



8. After that, left-click OK

   

   and then once again.



9. Select “Close” and your job is finished.

How to Change DNS on Windows 10 using Settings

If you decide to change your DNS settings through the Settings, this is the way to do it:

1. First, type “Settings” in the Search box

   

   and left-click them when they appear in the results.



2. After that, select “Network & Internet”

   

   and then go to Ethernet or Wi-Fi, depending on the connection type that you are using.



3. Left-click your network name

   

   and press the Edit button, located under “IP assignment:”, positioned in the bottom part of the newly opened page.



4. Select “Manual” from the drop-down menu

   

   and move the toggle under “IPv4” to the right to turn it on.



5. Enter your Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS addresses, press Save and that is it.

How to Change DNS on Windows 10 using Command Prompt

The third and the last way to change DNS on Windows 10 for this article is with the help of Command Prompt, which includes the following steps:

1. As you may guess, the first step is to open the Command Prompt. This can be achieved by typing “Command Prompt” in the Search box,

   

   right-clicking it when it appears in the results, and selecting “Run as Administrator” from the drop-down menu.



2. When Command Prompt opens, type “netsh” and press Enter.



3. After that, type “interface show interface” and again press Enter.



4. Now, type “interface IP set DNS name=”Ethernet” source=”static” address=”192.168.1.1″” and as you may guess, press Enter. Have in mind that instead of Ethernet, you should type the name of your network adapter, and instead of 192.168.1.1, your primary DNS address.



5. If you also want to enter the alternative DNS address, you should type “interface IP add DNS name=”Ethernet” address=”192.168.1.2″ index=2” and press Enter one more time, and that is it. Also, don’t forget to change the Ethernet and 192.168.1.2, into the appropriate one, as explained earlier.

In other words, they are one of the cornerstones of computer functionality and, as that, have to be kept under a close eye, as well as updated regularly – especially graphics card drivers.

Thankfully, this process isn’t too complicated and can be done by anyone, and everything you need is to follow the guidelines.

How to Update Drivers

Updating drivers is an easy job that is consisted of the following processes and steps.

How to Update Windows 10 Drivers

If you want to update all the drivers available on your PC, this is what you need to do:

1. First, go to Start and type “Device Manager” in the Search box.



2. When it appears in the results, left-click it and after a few moments, the Device Manager window will open.



3. Left-click the device category (spread it) of the device that you want to update,

   

   find it among the listed devices and once you do, right-click it.



4. Select “Update driver”, in the newly opened window

   

   and after that, choose Windows 10 to do the search by itself, by selecting “Search automatically for drivers” and that is it.



5. Have in mind that if there is no driver update, a window with the message “The best drivers for your device are already installed” will appear, and with that, your job is done for that driver. However, you have to repeat the same process for each driver you want to update and only when you finish all of them, your job is truly done.

How to Update Nvidia Drivers

Updating drivers is an important part of PC maintenance, and, if you are a gamer, that in the first place involves graphics card drivers update, and here, you are going to be introduced to that process.

You can update your Nvidia-based card in two ways. First, with the direct download and the installation of the new driver on your Windows 10 machine, and second, you can use the GeForce Experience software:

1. First, open your GeForce Experience software by double-clicking on its Desktop icon or finding it among the other apps, left-clicking it, and logging in (if you don’t already have the account, you will have to make it).



2. Left-click the Drivers tab,

   

   select “Check for Updates” and wait for GeForce Experience software to list the available updates.



3. Once it does, select the one that you want and go to Download next to it.



4. After that, select “Express Installation”,

   

   click Next, and there you go.

How to Update AMD Drivers

In the case of AMD graphics cards, the whole driver update process should be done automatically. However, if for some reason it isn’t, or you want to do it manually, this is the process to follow:

1. To begin with, enter the AMD Radeon Settings on your PC, either by left-clicking on your Desktop and selecting it from the drop-down menu or by finding it among the Windows 10 apps and left-clicking it.



2. When the AMD Radeon Settings open, go to the Updates button and press it.



3. Select “Check for updates”, and if there are any available, they will be listed on the screen in front of you.



4. Choose the one that you want, left-click it and select the upgrade type that you want from the drop-down menu. Wait for the update to finish and that is all.

However, what if you need to bypass that for some reason, either because you or someone close to you forgot the password, and very important data or work is stored on the computer.

In that case, knowing how to bypass that type of restriction may be a lifesaver. Of course, you can always go to Microsoft’s website and reset the password; however, there are also other ways you can manage that, and you can read about them in the following lines.

How to Bypass Windows 10 Password

Knowing how to bypass Windows 10 password, without contacting Microsoft, is a handy thing and can be handled in numerous ways, and here are the most common ones:

How to Bypass Windows 10 Password with Command Prompt

One of the easiest ways you can bypass the Windows 10 password when you have no clue what it is, is with the help of Command Prompt and Windows 10 installation drive:

1. To manage this, you first need to insert the installation drive and boot it.
2. Once you do that, go to Repair your computer.



3. After that, select “Troubleshoot”,

   

   then “Advanced options”,

   

   and at the end “Command Prompt”.



4. Once the Command Prompt opens, you have to type “net user yoda *” and press “Enter”. Have in mind that “yoda” has to be replaced with the username of the account for which you want to bypass the password.



5. When asked to type in the new password, next to “Type a password for the user:”, just press Enter

   

   and then once again, when asked to “Retype the password to confirm”, and the job is finished. Your account will no longer have a password.

How to Bypass Windows 10 Password with Reset Disk

In a contrast to the previous process, this one requires certain pre-activities and that is the creation of the Reset Disk that you should have created earlier. If you have, this is the process to follow:

1. To begin with, you have to insert the Reset disk and restart your PC.
2. Once you do that, you will be navigated to the Login screen.
3. After you log in, you will have to go to Reset Password

   

   and then left-click on Next.



4. Now, you will have to select the drive that presents the Windows Password Reset Disk and go to Next, one more time.



5. In the newly opened window, type a new password, re-enter it and type in the password hint.



6. Reset the PC and once Windows 10 re-opens you will be able to enter your account with the new password.

How to Bypass Windows 10 Password with the Run Command

If you are familiar with your Windows 10 password and are just annoyed by constant typing of it during login, and would like it to simply remove it and make your life easier, this is what you need to do:

1. Press the Windows key + R key on your keyboard to start the Run command, and once you do, type “netplwiz”, in its blank field and press OK.



2. In the newly opened window, select the username for which you no longer want to use a password, uncheck the square next to “User must enter a user name and password to use this computer”

   

   and press OK.



3. Type in your current password, confirm it, press OK, and that is it.