Has it been tough finding a Graphics card? Intel’s 10th Gen Processors (Comet Lake) have integrated graphics that can power a computer without a discrete graphics card.  

Is White the new Black? Shopping Guide for White PC Parts

White PC hardware and parts...that's the new beauty. An all-white build is an absolute unicorn right now with all of the PC part shortages. We curated a collection of products that will help your build shine bright. We've featured some of our favorites below, but check out the whole collection by clicking the button below.

check out the collection

Cases

Cases are probably the easiest part to get. Cases come in black or white and they're almost always available. It's all about your aesthetic here, so find one you like and get building! Four of our personal favorites are below.

The Perfect Gift: the Story of Shopping

The holiday season is quickly approaching and many of us are scrambling to find the perfect gift for friends and family. Finding the right gift for everyone on your list can be challenging as you look for something practical and budget friendly. The secret behind picking out the perfect gift is to make sure that the recipient not only wants the gift, but can use it as well. As friends and family get older, they want something that's a little more than just a collectible. It should be useful, fun, or spark imagination and activity.

Here are our favorite tips to keep in mind as you look for gifts.

Reflect on what people have said throughout the year.

If you're someone who likes to plan ahead, this is THE tip. You can surprise someone with an item that's a complete surprise and something they absolutely love.

Focus on Hobbies

You can’t go wrong with gifting a person something they can use as part of their hobby. Maybe it's time for someone to develop a new hobby (preferably an indoor hobby). 3D printing, PC gaming, DIY repair, and Raspberry Pi projects are some of the tech-themed hobbies we've picked up...or tried to.

Experience More

An experience can be one of the best gifts! Make sure you do your research and ask a significant other (or BFF) if this is right for them. This could be another opportunity to use a service that lets the giftee choose their own experience.

The "Last Resort"

If all else fails, buy gift cards! Gift cards are great and some people actually request these as gifts. A gift card could be an unexpected amazing gift if it's to a new place your giftee has been trying to visit but hasn't had time, it's out of the way, etc. Your gift card could spark their newest adventure.

If your giftee is a PC gamer or electronics fan, maybe we can help! We've created a Gift Guide of our favorite items, we have Daily Deals from now until December 24, and (if you're looking to splurge) you can even purchase a fully custom gaming PC, blinged out with RGB.

Featured image by Kira auf der Heide o

Choosing the right HDMI cable for you

Are you getting confused between different versions of HDMI? There are so many versions of HDMI that all have slightly better specs. Here's our summary of the different versions, categories, and how we recommend HDMI cables.

HDMI Version Specifications

This was created and updated in 2020. If there's anything missing or inaccurate on here, let us know through the Contact Us form.

We all know that 3D printing is a new technology, was touted as the "new wave of the future", but it's not a common household object...yet. 3D printing has had an increase since COVID-19 spread throughout the world.

In many countries, masks, visors, and other protective equipment have been on shortage for frontline workers. 3D printing has allowed those with printers to product multiple patterns and products. The same printer can produce different products using different files and materials, and simple parts can be made onsite quickly without the delay shipping time. Check out the visor top that one of our Santa Clara customers created using an Ender 3 Pro printer.

3D printing is also being used to provide training and visual aids for healthcare workers in Singapore. The ability to replicate human anatomy in accurate models allows

Intel NUC 9 Extreme [mini GPUs inside]

A mini PC is truly a work of art. You need to balance the size of the case, components, performance, and air flow in order to create a perfect computer. We've got some of these NUC 9 Extreme mini PCs available now, but here are some details about it.

Cable Guide: Which Cable do I need?

Here's a handy visual guide for if you're having trouble figuring out which cable goes to which port. We'll be updating this as we go to add more ports and cables, but these are some of the most common ones.

Cable Type	Front View	Top View	Port
USB-A (also known as USB2.0, USB 3.0) Shop Products
micro-USB Shop Products
USB Type-C Same shape as Thunderbolt 3 Shop Products

Choosing an Ethernet Cable

Shop All Ethernet Cables

Why do you need an ethernet cable?

Wired internet is typically faster and more consistent than wireless internet. Data sent over an Ethernet connection can only be accessed by devices that are physically attached to that network, and thus there is no chance of data loss or hacking. These devices need to use a firewall for their security.

Things to consider:

1. What is the speed of your internet connection?
2. What is the speed you need for your network?
3. What is the maximum speed your router can use?

Definitions:

• • Unshielded is more flexible, lower-quality signal, and higher vulnerability t

Will working from home be the new norm? 

Companies from all over the world are starting to offer remote or work from home options to keep their employees safe during this corona virus pandemic.  

Modern tech has enabled companies to create more flexible working opportunities for their employees. Studies have shown that those who work remotely at least once a month are 24% more likely to be productive and 86% of people feel that working remotely reduces stress (not to mention reduce pollution from commuters). 

Not Everyone Can Work From Home 
Some people are now working remotely which has become a necessity to get the job done. In an article written by Michael Solomon and Rishon Blumberg, co-founders and managing partners of 10x Management, say the “future of work has arrived.” Patricia Strach, interim executive director at the Rockefeller Institute recently said that “this force

PC Gaming vs Console 

Looking for the ultimate gaming experience? PC gaming has continued to evolve with its ever-growing community. Here are some things you should consider when choosing a PC over a console: 

1. Price: Upfront a PC may seem more costly than a console, when in fact, you’ll be saving more in the long run.
2. Games: Gaming platforms such as Steam, make it easier for you to buy vast amount of games instantly. In addition, console gamers tend to spend additional money for online subscriptions just to play with friends, which could add up.
3. Gameplay: By upgrading your PC parts, you're more likely to play at higher, smoother frame rates, than on a console. PC gaming allows for better graphics and smoother gameplay.  

More games are enabling cross play, which means a PC player can play with a console player across platforms. Typically, you would have purchased a console based on its exclusives. Parts inside game consoles largely remain unchanged over the course of their existence. Meanwhile, the perks of building your very own gaming PC is the ability to customize and upgrade individual parts for your needs. With a PC, you can easily replace any parts with brand new ones.