Cleaning your graphics card and read only memory (RAM) sticks with an eraser.

Have you ever tried on dismantling your PC piece by piece to clean it thoroughly? It is not often advisable to do, but if you know what you are doing, then why not.

I am used to clean my computer every now and then, and doing it takes a bit of time for the reason that when i do it, i often dismantle it part by part.  I'm not a technician but through the years, i found myself confident in doing it.

The first time i did it, is when i experienced a blue screen when i turned it on.  I had no choice but to force

Actual photo of my RAM stick

shutdown and turn it on again, sadly it didn't work and that blue screen is still there.   I was determined to have it fixed but before doing so, i sort of, tried to see if i can do it myself and find out what's wrong with my PC.  I took my laptop and searched the net for solutions regarding blue screens.  I found the answer from support forums.  They suggested that i should check my RAM sticks and have them cleaned by using an ERASER. It works!!  It did a great job.  Just make sure that before touching any part inside, do make sure that you are wearing an anti-static wrist strap or just by touching the unpainted metal frame of your pc.

Since then, removing my RAM sticks and my graphics card and cleaning then with an eraser has been my way of maintaining my computer.

In addition, cleaning your desktop PC from accumulated debris that gathered from the inside of your computer might help in keeping you pc in tip-top shape, especially the fans that might have stopped from running due to fragments around them.  You may use compressed air to blow these debris away to regulate the air that cools your computer.

Helpful sites and software you can use for free.

Who says, you cant have the best websites who offer very helpful software to help novice and professional-tweak-ters for FREE.

Photo by Majorgeeks.com

I have been using some of the best free to download and trouble-free software available to assist me managing, cleaning and tweaking my personal computer.  These applications are so easy to use that even a beginner can start using them without qualms on damaging their computers.  Their definitely safe, easy and at no cost to utilize.

One of whom is +MajorGeeks , offering shareware, free downloads of the best drivers to improve your
overall computer performance for beginner and advance users.  Each and every software they offer are backed-up with user reviews.  It's totally worry free. Try them, tweaking is definitely fun.

Photo by Howtogeek.com

Another is +How-To Geek.  On this site, you will be thought on how to use Systernals tools which will aid you in keeping your PC in excellent shape. The lessons they recommend will unquestionably educate and give you a wide understanding on your computer works.  Who knows, even professionals geeks might find something new here.

Actual photo using CCleaner free version

Last but definitely not the least is +Piriform which offers 2 of the best computer optimization and cleaning solutions easier and securely, which are CCleaner and Defraggler.   the former cleans all areas of your computer safely while the latter will defragg your entire hard drive and individual files and supports NTFS and FAT32 systems.

I have been using their product for years to keep my own PC's in tip-top shape and this is my own little way to say THANKS to them.

A computer gamer's point of view.

Photo by 6aming.com

Others may say that computer games are only for kids.  That may depend on which games your kids are playing.

As we all know, there has been a lot of debates whether playing computer games really does more negative effects than that of good ones.  These results may take effect depending on every individuals habit of playing.  If the habit becomes more intense that it does more harm than good like; skipping meals, becomes irritable, spends money unwisely, lacking sleep and poor eyesight.  Then its about time to reflect and lessen the time spent on playing.

As long as it does not hinders a person normal way of life or in doing things that the person normally does before he/she became addicted to computer games.  Then playing can be good and enjoyable.  Even food intake and exercising can be harmful when taken more than it should be. This only tells us that everything should be taken in moderation.

As a proud gamer myself, on my own point of view.  Playing my favorite pc games not only heightens my ability to solve problems and logic, they also provide me the following positive effects:

• Positional Awareness
• Coordination
• Precision
• Building strategy
• Attentiveness
• Enhanced memory
• Teamwork and a lot more 

Here are a list of the games I've played that i still recall:

• Galaga 
• Super Mario Bros. 
• Contra 
• Duck Hunt
• Sudeki
• Dota
• Fear
• Fable series
• Farcry series
• Cabal Online
• Torchlight
• Need for Speed series
• Hitman series
• Devil May Cry series
• Battlefied series
• Call of Duty series
• Resident evil series
• Bioshock
• Darksiders
• Castlevania Lords of Shadow Mirrors of fate (Currently playing)
• Prototype
• Deus ex
• Kindoms of Amalur Reckoning (currently playing)

Which one is best for you, a desktop PC or a laptop?

Looking for a suitable computer should come first by choosing which one is best for you from these 2 categories first: a desktop PC or a laptop PC. Once you have chosen.  Automatically the specifications would be next.  It all depends on the user and where it  is going to be used.  Its either for general writing, computing and surfing the internet or on Media streaming and hardcore gaming (eg.: Kingdoms of Amalur, Diablo 3_Reaper of Souls, Skyrim, Farcry series and Castlevania: Lords of the Shadow 2).  Even if you have the right budget to buy one, you still need to go through this process to determine which one will suit you best.

I have been a computer lover since i first saw one.  My eyes were gleaming with joy and amazement when i first saw a friend working on and playing with it.  It was a desktop PC running on Windows 95 operating system, which was the latest during those years.  Since then, I've been very motivated to learn how to use one and have one for myself, which manifested when i became a high school freshman. 

Photo by pcadvisor.co.uk

If you are a gaming enthusiasts and is looking forward on buying a computer, i would suggest a desktop PC to suit your needs. A PC that is packed with hardware specifications like:

• Intel I series CPU's (for Intel lovers choosing the right CPU ) and AMD FX series or A series (AMD processors )
• Hign-end video/graphics cards (List of Videocard manufacturers from directron.com  )
• 8-16gb RAM sticks (Random Access Memory cards)
• Motherboards (list of the best motherboard makers from ranker.com ( ranker.com )
• 1-2tb Harddrive (the best harddrive makers ranker.com)
• Gaming mouse and keyboards
• Minimum 21" LCD or LED monitor
• Out of this world casing ( directron.com ) 
• and not to mention a good power supply that would support all of the things mentioned above ( ranker.com ).

The good thing about going for a desktop PC  than a laptop is that you can customize it entirely bit by bit if you want the ultimate performance at your fingertips and upgrade it anytime you like.  Cooling solutions should also be considered to cool your PC when it's heating up.  You can just buy fans and heatsinks or you may also consult Cooler master to provide you the coolest casing ever built ( coolermaster.com ).

Photo by pcworld.com

Though laptop PC are a bit customizable nowadays, they could not support the ongoing upgrades to support each and every applications (based on my needs).  A few PC makers like Hewlett Packard (HP) now offers PC's that you can customize/personalize online and have it ship right to your doorstep. Once bought and built according to your liking, there will be no more upgrading in the future that can be done apart from RAM and harddrive.  Every little things inside are embedded especially the graphics card.  Most would go for Laptops for mobility which is the only logical feature that surpasses the desktop PC.  Gaming laptops that could play the latest high-end games but definitely couldn't withstand the heat that will surely generate while playing or even on streaming your favorite videos, especially for tropical countries like mine (Philippines) without you out of your air-conditioned room.  Battery packs and frequent charging will also become an issue to support being mobile most of the time.

Everything is said but at the end of the day its you who will decide on which PC you should go for that would sustain your needs.  Choose wisely.


Sidenotes:  The links given above are my choice of websites and manufacturers whenever i buy and compare hardware's to look for.