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 dangerous for image high quality!

Who hasn’t heard these “wisdoms” about PC {hardware} and peripherals? But do these bits of “expert knowledge,” normally expounded by “real tech professionals,” really correspond to the reality?

Our editorial staff got down to present solutions and clarify the technical background of those myths, fables, and legends which have been 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 you’ll find individuals 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 will depend on many various elements. As a normal rule, sound playing cards do in truth supply larger sampling charges and higher decision than onboard chips. The processing of audio indicators may also be higher with devoted sound playing cards on account of a higher-quality audio processor.

However, fashionable onboard sound chips typically 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 in the event you’re not doing skilled audio work or have a high-end audio setup, it might not be important to make use of a devoted sound card.

Additionally, it’s vital to notice {that a} devoted sound card is an additional element in your laptop that requires house and energy. If you’ve got a laptop computer or a small case, this after all is usually a downside.

Ultimately, the choice between a devoted sound card and an onboard sound chip will depend on your particular wants and funds. If you select a devoted sound card, it’s advisable to learn rankings and critiques and ensure the cardboard is appropriate 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 normally have higher specs on paper, however these can sometimes solely be distinguished when utilizing particular functions and with the suitable tools and equipment.

Myth 2: More RAM makes your PC quicker!

Next to the primary processor, aka CPU, the RAM is among the most vital parts in a PC. But what’s the reality behind the assertion that extra RAM additionally mainly makes your PC quicker?

PC efficiency can profit from a rise in RAM, however different elements are additionally vital and may have an effect on pace.

Trident

With inadequate reminiscence, the working system should continuously transfer knowledge forwards and backwards between reminiscence and the laborious drive to make room for brand new functions and knowledge. This course of, additionally referred to as swapping, can have an effect on the pace of the pc as a result of the laborious disk is slower in comparison with your essential system reminiscence.

However, if a PC already has a ample quantity of RAM, extra RAM doesn’t essentially make the PC quicker. That stated, the RAM’s reminiscence clock (ex. DDR4-2666 or DDR4-3200) can be vital and shouldn’t be uncared for.

Currently it may be stated 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 usually make a PC quicker. If a PC has sufficient RAM, including extra RAM won’t pace it up any additional. You both have sufficient, otherwise you don’t.

Rather, the pace and reminiscence clock, ought to be taken under consideration. In fashionable laptop 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 change to the brand new DDR5 commonplace with a minimum of 4,800 MT/s. For far more data, try our information on how to choose the right RAM for your PC.

Myth 3: An extended HDMI cable is dangerous for image high quality!

Along with DisplayPorts, HDMI connections are a primary selection 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 on account of 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 ought to be not than 15 meters, or roughly 50 ft, to reduce sign loss and interference. But the size as such has no detrimental affect on the image high quality that may be achieved by way of HDMI. As lengthy because the sign holds up, you’re good, no matter size.

Answer: As a rule, significantly lengthy HDMI cables wouldn’t have a detrimental impact on image high quality so long as they’re high-quality cables which might be 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 the next clock frequency is quicker!

Another {hardware} delusion that has been established for a few years is the misunderstanding {that a} larger 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 the next clock frequency subsequently executes extra switching cycles per second than one with a decrease clock frequency. However, the clock frequency isn’t 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, akin to:

• Number of processor cores
• Size of the L1 cache
• Size of the L2 cache
• Size of the L3 cache
• Hyperthreading help
• Architecture of the CPU and its pipelines

Therefore, it’s vital for customers to not focus solely on the clock frequency of a CPU, but in addition to think about different options to resolve which processor is finest suited to sure functions.

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 may 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 based mostly on real-world efficiency.

Myth 5: Overclocking damages your {hardware} and shortens the lifespan!

Overclocking your PC {hardware} can result in larger efficiency in the event you run parts such because the CPU, GPU or RAM at larger clock frequencies than supposed by the producer (“overclocking”). But this additionally will increase warmth technology and the facility load on the parts, which may result in the next threat of failure and in some instances even harm.

That stated, if overclocking is completed rigorously and responsibly by monitoring temperatures and staying throughout the really helpful limits of the {hardware}, there’s normally no probability of speedy harm.

It’s additionally vital to notice that each system is exclusive and never all {hardware} parts could be overclocked equally. Therefore, it might take a while and experience to attain the very best overclocking outcome for a selected system.

Answer: So does overclocking hurt your {hardware}? It can in the event you’re not cautious! But fashionable {hardware} normally has overclocking headroom in-built; since some particular person silicon chips run quicker than others, inventory frequencies are usually conservative. Manufacturers additionally publish vital temperature and energy limits for chips, which overclocking software program adheres to except you blow previous warning screens. Stick to protected overclocks and also you shouldn’t threat damaging your PC. Nvidia, AMD, and Intel all supply overclocking instruments for a purpose. If chips blew up left and proper, they wouldn’t.

NOTE: Overclocking can result in the guarantee of the parts being voided if overclocking is taken into account a violation of the guarantee situations. The editorial staff at PC-Welt and PCWorld accepts no accountability for any overclocking makes an attempt.

Myth 6: If the PC isn’t shut down correctly, you’ll harm it!

Does it actually harm the {hardware} in the event you don’t shut down a PC and easily flip off the facility provide?

It’s advisable to close down a PC if it’s not going for use for a very long time. That’s primarily to save lots of vitality nevertheless. You may also put your PC completely into standby or sleep mode; right here, too, the {hardware} isn’t harassed and the consumption of recent methods in these modes is now within the vary of 0.x watts.

But what about whenever you don’t shut down your PC and as a substitute merely flip off the facility provide?

Answer: Yes and no!

Yes, it could possibly hurt your PC in the event you take it off energy with out shutting it down first. If the PC is instantly disconnected from energy, all working processes and functions are abruptly terminated, which may result in knowledge loss. It may also harm the construction of the working system and its boot loader, which signifies that the PC might not boot up correctly. The consequence: The working system might should be reinstalled.

No, the {hardware} itself isn’t broken by this. There isn’t any risk of {hardware} parts such because the CPU, GPU, RAM, or SSD turning into faulty. Nevertheless, a PC ought to at all times be shut down or a minimum of put into standby mode as a result of causes talked about above. Simply disconnecting it from the facility ought to completely be averted.