Computer Power

The Importance of Your Computer Power Supply



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Inside your computer is a component that is the lifeblood of your hardware system. It is responsible for your motherboard, your hard drives, your CD and DVD drives, and a half-dozen other possible components. For many people, the only part they see of this important component - the power supply - is the rear where they plug in the power cord from the wall.
The power supplies job seems simple: to convert alternating current (A/C) to direct current (D/C) which, like most electronic devices, is what your computer uses. Inside the computer case, various wires and plugs are attached coming out of the power supply. These are attached to the different components inside the computer. Some higher-end power supplies from OCZ, CoolMax, and Ultra allow you to only attach the wires and plugs you need. This can create less clutter inside the case and help to improve air flow which keeps your computer running cooler.
Sadly, many computer manufacturers include power supplies that are cheaply made and have very minimal power capabilities. A power supply is measured primarily in terms of watts. Finding out how many watts a power supply can generate is the first way to determine if your computer system is risking being underpowered.
Even today, some systems are still shipping with 150 watt power supplies. This is hardly acceptable. A basic system should have, at the least, 350 watts of power capability. Many systems have 500 watts or more of power available, and some high-end gaming systems are being fitted with 1000 watt power supplies.
The number of components that might be running at once determines how much power you need. Your motherboard consumes more power when you are running processor-intensive tasks such as games, 3-D modeling or graphics, and multimedia applications. You might have your hard drive and your DVD player going at the same time. But, of course, the most pressing need for a new power supply is after an upgrade. Adding a second hard-drive, more memory, or a newer motherboard are all excellent reasons to upgrade your power supply.
When buying a new power supply, take the time to determine your long-range plans for your computer system. Don't buy just enough power for the moment. Buy enough for future upgrades as well. You can't really go wrong with too much power. But don't buy a power supply that far exceeds your realistic expectations; you'll just be wasting electricity.
For a fancier look, some power supplies now have clear cases, colored lighting, or interesting metals. If you have a computer case that is clear, these units can add a little flair to an otherwise dull looking part of your machine. Look for these designs from power supply companies like Apevia, Ultra, Xion, and Diablo.
Although you can buy generic power supplies, many of them may not be reputable. It is not unheard of to have a power supply fail - and take a motherboard or hard drive with it. Buy a quality unit. Power supply companies now brand their products, offer warranties, and are creating units that run cooler and quieter than their predecessors. Bargain units are not always a bargain.

FUN FUN

Integrate Fun and Learning with PC Games

Children are always up for a good game. Well, who isn't? Pretend that you are back in school. For the rest of the class period you have two choices as to how you can spend your time. Option #1 is to struggle through endless arithmetic and English worksheets without any feedback except for a stamp that says "Great Job!" Option #2 is to work on the same arithmetic and English content, but on a computer. Yes, you can play a computer game to learn your numbers and verbs. Which option would you choose? Which option would children most likely choose? Option #2 of course!
Using computer software in education is not a new concept. Computer games have been used as a learning tool for the past two decades because they help students with basic skills, logic, problem solving, and various other academic skills. The Oregon Trail was a popular computer game in the 1980's. This game helped students to work on their planning and problem solving skills. If you have ever played that game you might have realized that it was difficult to complete the trail. Everyone in my wagon always died of Cholera.
Parents and educators that are unfamiliar with computer game technology may automatically dismiss the use of computer games for learning. They view computer games as nothing but "shoot 'em up" and mind numbing entertainment. As avid computer gamers we all know that they are way off base. Just think of all the problem solving, logic, and planning that goes into working on a team in a computer game, playing a puzzle, or figuring out a code.
There are computer games that are specifically based around educational learning standards. These games explicitly include counting, grammar, etc. They range from learning software that has a battery of tests to mimic standardized testing to fun, interactive learning games such as Caillou Magic Playhouse. This game allows a child to learn about numbers, patterns, spelling, phonics, and many other skills.
One advantage of using computer games in education is that the student is learning whether they realize it or not. Many children sigh when it is time to work on multiplication, but if you bring out a computer game - poof! They suddenly want to go through their multiplication tables. The computer game presents the same academic material, but makes it fun by integrating colorful animations and cool sounds. Plus, computer games allow for instant feedback and gratification. We have become a society that runs on instant gratification. A computer game can provide this feedback and it can also provide a means of competition. You will be stretched to find a student that wants to "beat" their worksheet, but a child who wants to beat a computer game? You will find them everywhere you look.
Computer games are advertised as forms of entertainment, which they most certainly are, but they are learning avenues as well. Gamers of all ages are learning every time they play a game. For example, there are games that work on your business skills. Games like Lemonade Tycoon and Mall Tycoon are prime examples. You are learning the skills to succeed in a business through simulation. Simulation is how many professionals acquire the skills for their occupation. Even though you are in a computerized environment, you can still come across many different business situations.
Computer software is here to stay. Email will one day override handwritten communication and perhaps games will take over traditional education. Granted games most likely will not take over traditional education, but they should become part of the educational experience. A child is learning while playing a computer game. Their memory and reaction time increases. They are sharpening various parts of their brain. The key is to play a mixture of games that range from pure entertainment to ones that are specifically designed for educational skill sets.
If your child or student is having trouble with math, English or any academic subject, set them up with a computer game. Their interest in learning will soar. Computer games can bring any student that is hesitant about school to learning whether they realize it or not. Computer games make learning fun.

PC Games

Reviews of the Latest PC Games


Finding some good information on the latest PC games can be quite a difficult task. I've tried to do a Google search with the key words 'latest PC games' or 'current PC games'. I got thousands of replies but most of them were not what I was looking for. I've been keen on playing PC games for a long time and I've always found it hard to come across any decent sites giving updated information about the latest PC games. Nowadays all the attention goes to gaming consoles and thus, finding news on computer games is getting harder and harder. Probably the most popular gaming platform are computers. So you can look for the latest PC games on websites devoted to them. It is not really difficult to find lists of new games and their prices but it is a couple of times harder to find any good sites which offer reviews about the newest PC games. If I have to recommend you some sites I'd suggest you had a look on my personal favourite ones - Gamespot, Gamespy, IGN, and Gamezone. You can always find recent reviews of the lastest PC games on them, as well as some information on the most popular and newest console videogames. Even though I sometimes fully disagree with the reviews published, I still believe they are useful, at least you can get some basic info about the game, for example what it's genre is. In my case, if it's not one of the types I like, I don't purchase it and save some money. If I have genuine interest in a particular game I usually read at least a couple of reviews on different sites about it. That way I get all the information I need before going to the store and buying it. One of the reasons why you should try to get as many reviews as possible about a PC game before purchasing it is because the price of the latest games varies about $50 per title. I cannot imagine anything worse than spending your hard-earned money on a new PC game which might turn out to be a beta program filled with bugs, a game with a poorly conceived plot. However, it is true that most of the latest PC games are no good, as the standard is getting lower and lower. Being completely honest, I have to admit that from time to time even nowadays a real treasure comes out of the blue. This gem gets much more appreciation and popularity now because the rest of the new PC games are not worth it. I try to regularly check for news on the latest PC games on varies sites with the only hope to find and buy one of these gems.