Piltch Point (Video)

Description

If you're just starting out online, one of the first things you'll need to do is choose a web host. This can be a daunting task, especially if you don't know what to look for. Avram discusses the different types of web hosting services and helps you decide which one is right for you. He also gives you some tips on how to choose a web host that meets your needs. So, whether you're looking for shared hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, or something else entirely, Avram's got tips on how to make the best decision possible!

Registering a Domain Name

The first step in setting up your web presence is to register a domain name. Your domain name is the address of your website on the Internet. It's what people will type into their browser to find your site. For example, Google's domain name is google.com. Domain names can be registered with any number of registrars, but we recommend that you use a registrar that also offers web hosting services. This way, you can register your domain name and set up your website all in one place.

There are two parts to a domain name: the top-level domain (TLD) and the second-level domain (SLD). The TLD is the part of the domain name that comes after the dot. For example, in the domain name google.com, the TLD is .com. The SLD is the part of the domain name that comes before the dot. In google.com, the SLD is google. You can choose any TLD you want when you register your domain name, but some are more popular than others. The most popular TLDs are .com, .org, and .net.

You can also register domains with country-specific TLDs such as .us, .UK, and .ca. These are known as ccTLDs (country code top-level domains). If you're targeting a specific country audience with your website, it can be helpful to use a ccTLD. However, ccTLDs are not required. You can register a .com domain name and use it for a website targeted at any country audience.

Different Types of HostingShared Hosting

Shared hosting is the most popular type of web hosting. This is because it's the most affordable option. With shared hosting, your website shares a server with other websites. This can be a great option if you're just starting out, as it's very budget-friendly. The downside of shared hosting is that your website may be affected by the traffic on other websites on the same server.

WordPress Hosting

WordPress hosting is a type of web hosting that's specifically designed for WordPress websites. WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that allows you to create a website without having to code it yourself. WordPress hosting usually comes with pre-installed WordPress, which makes it easy to get started. It also often includes features such as increased security and performance, as well as customer support specifically for WordPress websites.

VPS Hosting

VPS, or Virtual Private Server, hosting is a step up from shared hosting. With VPS hosting, your website is still sharing a server with other websites. However, you have your own virtual space on that server. This means that your website will not be affected by the traffic on other websites. VPS hosting is a great option if you're looking for more control over your website.

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting is the most expensive type of web hosting. With dedicated hosting, your website has its own server. This means that you have complete control over your website and it will not be affected by the traffic on other websites. Dedicated hosting is a great option if you have a high-traffic website or a website that requires special security.

Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting is a newer type of web hosting. With cloud hosting, your website is hosted on a network of servers. This means that your website can be quickly and easily scaled to meet your needs. Cloud hosting is a great option for businesses that are growing quickly or have high traffic levels.

How to Choose a Web Host

Now that you know the different types of web hosts, how do you choose one? Here are some tips from Avram:

Decide what type of web host you need based on the type of website you have. If you have a small personal website, shared hosting may be all you need. However, if you have a large website or one that gets a lot of traffic, you may need VPS or cloud hosting.

Consider your budget. web hosting can range in price from $50 per year to $500 per year or more. Choose a web host that fits your budget and meets your needs.

Read reviews of web hosts. There are many web hosting review websites where you can read about the experiences other people have had with different web hosts. This can be a great way to narrow down your choices and choose a web host that is right for you.

ParticipantsScott ErtzHost

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram PiltchHost

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

Live DiscussionPowered by PureVPN

Description

In the tech world, some products are so ubiquitous that they don't get updated very often. One of those product lines is the MX line of keyboards and mice from Logitech. Logitech's MX line of keyboards and mice are some of the best in their respective categories and are sure to please anyone who needs a quality keyboard or mouse. This line is popular among gamers, artists, and office workers alike. The newest entries have added some popular features making the products even better than their predecessors.

Logitech MX Master 3S

The Logitech MX Master 3 is a wireless mouse that has been Logitech's flagship mouse for a few years now, and the MX Master 3S is an iterative update for the mouse. The biggest change with the MX Master line is the inclusion of Logitech's new Flow software. This allows the mouse to be used on multiple computers at the same time. This is similar in features to Microsoft's free Mouse Without Borders, except it also runs on macOS.

The software also gives a lot of ability to customize behavior. You can create different profiles for different devices, but can also customize behavior based on application. Maybe you want the side scroll button to zoom in Photoshop, but to side scroll in Microsoft Excel. When combined with Flow, these profiles can switch automatically as you swap between computers.

The new mouse has also switched its proprietary and secondary connection from the old Logitech Unifying Receiver to Logi Bolt. Most users will use it with Bluetooth LE, so it's not that big of a deal, but for those who are using it with a desktop that doesn't have Bluetooth support, Logi Bolt is more secure than its predecessor.

Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

The Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard comes in two variants: a full-sized keyboard with 110 keys and a mini version with 84 keys. It has backlighting with three levels of brightness. It also has a USB pass-through port, which is becoming more common in keyboards these days.

The Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard uses Kailh Choc V2 switches, which come in three variants: Blue, Red, and Brown. The different switch styles give you different options for quiet or clicky behaviors. Unfortunately, these switches are low profile, meaning that swapping out the keycaps with standard ones didn't quite work. They were to tall for the body.

Another issue with the keyboard is that the feet do not raise it up enough to use a standard wrist rest. Not everyone is a fan of them, but for those who are, it's a major disappointment. Luckily the company does offer a low profile rest, but the selection is far smaller than for standard sized keyboards.

Shared Features

Both the mouse and keyboard are rechargeable via USB-C, both with long battery life. The mouse can run for 70 days and the keyboard can run for 15 days on a single charge. Unlike some rechargeable mice, this one can operate while charging, as can the keyboard. It can also be used as a wired keyboard.

Both devices also have Logitech's Easy-Switch Technology. This allows you to connect the devices to three different computers and switch between them with the push of a button. This allows the devices to work differently on different devices, including switching profiles.

ParticipantsScott ErtzHost

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram PiltchHost

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

Live DiscussionPowered by PureVPN

Description

Throughout the year, those of us in the tech space have the opportunity to see, touch, and test some of the most interesting new products. Much of the time, these products are exciting but iterative. For example, we might get really excited about gaming monitors or new laptops, these products already existed and are marginally better than their predecessors. However, sometimes a new product is so interesting that it stands out in a crowd of products.

This year, Tom's Hardware decided to put together a collection of products that weren't just interesting but were truly innovative. While the full list will be revealed as part of a live stream on April 25, 2022, at 3 PM Eastern, Avram gave us a little look into a few of the winners.

Valve Steam Deck

One of the products that are likely to be copied in the next year is the Valve Steam Deck. This handheld computer has entered a product category that has mostly been ignored except by smaller companies that have failed to make a mark. It is a full-powered computer put into a formfactor similar to the Nintendo Switch. This allows gamers to bring a full game, available only on PC, with them on the go. The system runs on the company's own SteamOS, which is a flavor of Linux, but can also run Windows.

The gaming world has taken to the device in a way that has surprised even us. Valve hit a vein of desire within the gaming community that previous devices simply haven't exposed. And, when you live in this space and get to be surprised by the response to a product, it's always a treat. The Steam Deck is already available, and has become top seller by revenue on Steam.

HyperX Cloud Alpha wireless headset

You might be asking yourself, "How could a headset possibly be innovative?" It's a fair question, and Avram explains. It's less about the headset itself and more about the fact that it boasts 300 hours of battery life. Yes, you read that right and there is no typo - 300 hours of battery life. That is literally game changing when it comes to a wireless headset.

Dell UltraSharp webcam

Dell isn't generally known for its webcams (we usually look to Logitech and Razer), but the UltraSharp Webcam is truly unique. It's focused on producing the absolute best picture it can, no matter the condition. In the Tom's Hardware review, the camera was able to adjust itself to produce a great picture even against a bright window directly behind the subject. If we have learned anything in the last 2 years, it's the importance of a good camera. Know if you're going to wade into this one, that there is no microphone, so possibly take a look at the HyperX headset, as well.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 3D CPU

Again, we can hear your question about the Ryzen 7 5800X 3D CPU. "How is a CPU 3D? It's not displaying anything, right?" That's correct. However, the name comes from the fact that they have changed the internal architecture to not rely on a flat design, but instead stacking components in such a way as to increase L3 cache. A similar technique has been used in server chips, but this is the first time it has been available in a consumer chip. It even has a 9% performance bump over its non-3D counterpart.

PLUGHITZ Live's picks

When put on the spot, Scott thought about some of the interesting products that he's seen in the past 12 months. LumiLor was one of the brands he came up with. This company makes electroluminescent devices that can enhance items, such as clothing, or can add safety and security to things like bike helmets. What separates these products from others is that they require almost no power, so they can run for long periods of time. He also thought about On2cook, a real-life version of the trivection oven from 30 Rock. This small device uses multiple types of heat in order to cook food quickly while not losing all of the nutritional value of the food.

ParticipantsScott ErtzHost

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram PiltchHost

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

Live DiscussionPowered by PureVPN

Description

For many of us, it's been a while since we've traveled or needed any tools for working not from home. However, things are getting back to normal in large parts of the country and the world, meaning that travel for fun and business is returning in full force. In fact, we recently saw Austin's airport get inundated with travelers. With that, it's time to start considering what might be needed to enhance your travel. This week, we're looking at different types of portable monitors and which you might want to consider and why.

Features to consider

There are a lot of features to take into consideration when choosing a portable monitor.

Connectivity

The most important feature is how you will connect it to your device. Some monitors connect using USB-A, the traditional "3rd time's the charm" plug. It uses DisplayLink drivers to create a virtual video card within the monitor to mount the device. These are easy to use but require system resources. Other monitors connect over USB-C, the newer "anything goes" connector. While the plug is universal, the feature is not - you need to know that your computer, tablet, or phone can support it. Lastly, you can connect some monitors using HDMI. This is the most universal but not necessarily the easiest.

Resolution and refresh

In this decade, don't torture yourself with a lower resolution. The price difference between a 1366x768 and 1920x1080 is negligible, so just don't do it. You'll regret it on a smaller screen. However, it is worth considering refresh rate. If you're planning on using the screen for work or web browsing, a standard refresh rate is fine. However, if you plan on using the monitor for portable gaming, video editing, production, or any other equivalent usage, you can get portable monitors up to 240 Hz.

Stand or mount

The way the monitor sits on your desk, table, or lap is another essential feature. A clumsy stand will only make using the monitor more challenging. You might also want to consider a screen that gives you the ability to raise it up to ensure the portable screen and your laptop screen are level, as looking up and down can be frustrating.

Best monitors

For a Full HD experience with an HDMI port, the ASUS MB169B+ is a great choice. It's 15.6" and powers over USB, so no need to find another outlet in the hotel room. The base is solid and part of its case. For a monitor aimed at gamers and media professionals, the ASUS ROG Strix XG16AHPE is a great deal. Same size with the added bonus of a 144 Hz refresh rate and G-Sync compatibility.

ASUS also offers some monitors with unique features. If you're looking to add touch to the equation, the company offers the ProArt Display 14 PA148CTV. This 14" display offers Full HD, 100% sRGB color, and adds in touch capability. However, if you're looking for a truly unique monitor, ASUS has ProArt PQ22UC. This portable monitor is 21.6", offers 4K video, 0.1ms response time, and more. However, this monitor runs $4000, while the others on the list are under $400.

ViewSonic also offers some fantastic portable monitors, which is not unexpected as they have made monitors for decades. The VX1755 is a 17" Full HD monitor with Free Sync and 144 Hz refresh rate. It runs over Mini HDMI and powers on USB-C. If you're not looking for the high refresh rate but want touch instead, the ViewSonic TD1655 is a great option. 15.6" Full HD screen with 10-point touch input.

From Lenovo, the ThinkVision M14 is a great choice. 14" Full HDS screen with a single connector over USB-C. This means you need the hardware to support it, but if you do, it's easy to use. It's also ultra thin with an incredibly solid base. The base contains the device's ports, making it look like a small laptop, but also adding stability to the screen.

ParticipantsScott ErtzHost

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram PiltchHost

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

Live DiscussionPowered by PureVPN

Description

As the conflict in Ukraine heats up, one of the possible problems that arise is whether or not Russian software can be trusted. In particular, can we trust the security product Kaspersky? The German government has recommended against its use and the US FCC has insisted that money received from government contracts cannot be used to purchase the software. But, what about regular customers? Should regular users skip the software? What about if you already have it installed?

The history of Kaspersky

The history of the company is a bit of a mixed bag. The company was founded in 1997 by Eugene Kaspersky and Natalya Kasperskikh. Kaspersky began his career as a virus researcher with the Russian military. He then worked for a number of private companies before starting his own. Kaspersky has been accused in the past of having ties to the Russian government, but the company has denied these allegations.

Kaspersky's products have generally been well-regarded by the security community. However, there have been some concerns raised about the software. In particular, there is a worry that Kaspersky could be used by the Russian government to spy on users. These fears were heightened when it was revealed that Kaspersky had assisted the Russian government in their investigation of the 2012 Boston Marathon bombings.

The current problem

Kaspersky and Putin have a history of both working for the Soviet government, likely both in the KGB. This creates an immediate connection between the two, even if Kaspersky himself says there is no connection. This means that there could be a situation in which the company willingly implements a backdoor for the government.

On the other hand, it's always possible that Putin could threaten the safety of Kaspersky, his family, or the family of employees within the company in order to distribute malware within the software. This would actually be a fairly pedestrian task in the grand scheme of hacks and threats to come out of the Putin regime, making it fairly likely.

Should you use Kaspersky?

Given the current situation, it's understandable if you're concerned about using Kaspersky products. However, there is no evidence that Kaspersky is doing anything nefarious at the moment. If you're worried about the possibility of Russian spying, then you may want to consider using a different security product. However, if you're not concerned about that, then Kaspersky may still be a good option.

If you already have Kaspersky installed, there's no need to uninstall it. Just be aware of the potential risks and keep an eye on the news for any developments that may affect your decision to continue using the software. Regardless of what you decide, Kaspersky will continue to be a controversial company. But, for now, their products are still some of the best in the business.

While there is no evidence that suggests the software is already compromised, Avram and Scott both recommend removing the software. Scott has always taken a careful approach to the company and recommended that users consider something else (such as Malwarebytes). Avram has previously not had too much concern about the company but is being cautious now.

Whatever you decide, keep informed and make the best decision for your own security needs. Kaspersky may or may not be a trustworthy company, but only you can decide what's best for you and your family.

ParticipantsScott ErtzHost

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram PiltchHost

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

Live DiscussionPowered by PureVPN

Description

Happy 10th birthday Raspberry Pi! The tiny computer has come a long way in just ten short years. It all started when Raspberry Pi Foundation founders Eben Upton and Rob Mullins set out to create an affordable, easy-to-use computer that students could use to learn coding. And they succeeded - Raspberry Pi has become one of the most popular computers in the world, with millions of units sold.

The Raspberry Pi Hardware

The first devices were not intended to be the massive platform they are today, Instead, the plan was simply to make a few thousand devices to encourage children to learn to code. Raspberry Pi devices were first sold in 2012, and the response was overwhelming. Not only did students love them, but makers and hobbyists snapped them up as well. It quickly became clear that there was a much larger market for the tiny computers than originally anticipated.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has always been focused on education, and they continue to work with schools and organizations around the world to promote coding and computer science education. In addition to their educational initiatives, they have also developed several tools and resources that have made it easier for makers of all levels to create amazing projects.

Over the years, Raspberry Pi has undergone several iterations, each one more powerful than the last. The original Model B was followed by the Model B+, the Raspberry Pi Zero, the Raspberry Pi A+ and A series, the Raspberry Pi Compute Module, and the Raspberry Pi Model B+. Beyond that, there have been a whole lot more.

The Raspberry Pi 4 is just one example of how much Raspberry Pi has changed over the years. The original Model B had just 256MB of RAM and a 700MHz single-core processor. The latest Raspberry Pi 4 has a quad-core processor clocked at up to 1.5 GHz, as well as 8 GB of RAM. It also features improved networking with dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) on board.

In addition to hardware changes, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has also made several changes to the operating system over the years. The original Raspberry Pi devices ran on a modified version of Debian Linux, but the Raspberry Pi Foundation later developed their own operating system, Raspbian. Raspbian is based on Debian and is optimized for the Raspberry Pi hardware. Since then, the platform has transferred to Raspberry Pi OS, another Linux-based operating system.

The Raspberry Pi community

As amazing as all of the changes to Raspberry Pi have been, perhaps the most impressive thing about the tiny computer is the community that has grown up around it. There are now millions of Raspberry Pi devices in use all over the world, and there are countless projects and applications for them.

From small projects like retro gaming consoles and media centers to large-scale deployments like industrial control systems and weather stations, Raspberry Pi is being used for everything. The possibilities are truly endless, and the Raspberry Pi community continues to come up with new and innovative ways to use the tiny computers.

As Raspberry Pi celebrates its tenth birthday, it's clear that the best is yet to come. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey, and we can't wait to see what the next ten years have in store for Raspberry Pi.

ParticipantsScott ErtzHost

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram PiltchHost

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

Live DiscussionPowered by PureVPN

Description

Over the past 2 years, certain products have been difficult to find. For a while, laptops and other electronics were in short supply. This came about because lockdowns stopped production but increased demand as more people were working from home. One of the hardest products to acquire was webcams, requiring people to search hard to find even off-brand webcams. But, video cards have been the one consistently hard to find.

In August 2020, Intel and Nvidia showed off new video card hardware. In November 2020, AMD released its new cards. All of this new video technology improved performance immensely, causing gamers and video editors around the world to want to get ahold of the cards. Because of the excitement, it drove a big business for scalpers.

Prices for video cards on eBay skyrocketed, with people selling GTX 1070s for 2 or 3 times the original price. GTX 1080 Tis were being sold for as high as $800. Many people thought that the video card market had become a monopoly. Card prices have slowly returned to their original values, but they are still much more expensive than they were before the release of the new hardware.

Video cards are back, baby!

Now that video cards are available again, there is no need to overpay on eBay. You can find cards available on regular retail sites, such as Amazon and Newegg. However, just because they're available doesn't make them inexpensive. In many cases, these cards are still far above their MSRP prices. But, they're available, making it possible to build a PC without waiting for months.

Part of the increased availability is because production has leveled out some. But, the real scenario appears to be that the value of cryptocurrencies has been falling in recent months. With the fall in value, the amount of time to recover the cost of a video card has gone up significantly, making it almost impossible to break even. So, crypto miners have less of a reason to invest in high-end video cards. Also, as more currencies move their mining process from proof of work to proof of stake, the need for the cards decreases.

One of the more interesting aspects could be that a lot of mining was happening in Russia. With the sanctions going into place, it's getting harder to purchase cards in the country. So, once again, a decrease in crypto mining is leading to the availability of cards.

Is now the time to buy?

Not necessarily. There is evidence that the current situation is the beginning of a trend, not the new scenario. With the European conflict looking like it will continue for a while, sales there might continue to stall. With the change in the mining process, the need for crypto miners to purchase the cards out from under gamers is going to decrease. This means that scalpers are going to have less reason to participate in the market. So, in the end, prices are likely to continue to decrease. The only possible issue comes from the neon gas shortage used to produce chips.

ParticipantsScott ErtzHost

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram PiltchHost

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

Live DiscussionPowered by PureVPN

Description

Cryptocurrency mining has been all the rage over the past few years. Bitcoin and Ethereum, in particular, have seen massive price increases, which has led to a renewed interest in cryptocurrency mining. Is it still profitable? What are the best mining GPUs? In this episode of the Piltch Point podcast, we take a look at cryptocurrency mining and answer these questions!

What is crypto mining?

Mining cryptocurrency is a process of verifying and recording transactions on the blockchain. In order to mine cryptocurrency, you need a powerful graphics card or ASIC chip. Bitcoin and Ethereum are currently the most popular cryptocurrencies to mine, but there are many others out there as well.

Cryptocurrency mining is an incredibly competitive field and requires a significant amount of time, energy, and money to be successful. If you're looking for cryptocurrency mining GPUs or cryptocurrency ASIC chipsets, there are plenty of options available on the market today.

What specs make a good mining rig?

When looking for cryptocurrency mining GPUs or ASIC chipsets, it's important to keep the following in mind:

• Hashrate: This is how many hashes per second your card can generate. Higher hashrates mean more cryptocurrency mined per unit of time.
• Power Consumption: This is probably the most important factor when determining cryptocurrency mining profitability. Some cards use more power than others, which will affect your profit margin significantly over time! If you're looking for cryptocurrency ASIC chipsets, be sure to check their efficiency ratings as well (some manufacturers may even include this information on their websites).

Does cryptocurrency mining still make sense in 2022?

The short answer is no - probably not anymore (unless you're willing to put up with some serious heat). In order to mine cryptocurrency effectively enough that it's actually worth your while, you need a graphics card with at least two gigabytes of video memory and any kind of CPU from Intel or AMD. Mining cryptocurrency is no joke! You also have to consider how much power these cards consume when running at high clockspeeds. That's why cryptocurrency miners are always on the lookout for new, more efficient hardware.

There are a few newer GPUs that offer some good mining performance, but they come at a significant cost premium. But, with chip shortages causing the availability of graphics cards to be reduced, the costs have gone up as availability has gone down. Mining rigs have made the problem even worse, and some manufacturers have gone so far as to prioritize mining because they buy in bulk. If you're not too worried about getting the absolute best performance, there are plenty of other options out there as well.

Even if you can get a card (or two or three) for a decent rig, it can take years to break even. Tom's Hardware has created estimates on how long a rig will take under optimal conditions to pay for a single video card at retail rates, and the results aren't great. For most cases, it will take nearly 18 months. In most cases, it's several years.

But, you have to remember that these cards are not designed to be running at 100%, 24/7. Even if you were running an intense videogame and switching out players every few hours, running the computer all day every day, the card would still not be under these intense conditions. As such, cards can wear out in a year or two when mining, meaning they're dead long before you break even on them. So, while it might appear that you're making money, you're in the hole even before you begin.

So, in essence, if you are thinking about getting into the mining game right now: Stop. Turn around. Go home. There's nothing for you here.

ParticipantsScott ErtzHost

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram PiltchHost

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

Live DiscussionPowered by PureVPN

Description

Getting ahold of computer components has been a challenge for the past few years. To increase your gaming experience, you can't get a video card unless you're prepared to buy from a scalper. But, you can get a quality gaming monitor right now and improve your game. And, some of the prices are really reasonable compared to what we have seen over the past few years. Here are some of the best gaming monitors you can get right now and how to pick the right one for you.

Do you need a gaming monitor?

The short answer is, only if you are playing games at over 60 frames per second (FPS). Casual gamers might not know what framerate is, or may not understand how it can affect your gameplay. When it comes to frame rate, it's all about how frequently your monitor refreshes the picture on the screen. But, it also can represent how often the game refreshes what you're doing. A higher frame rate can give you more fine-grained control over your environment and, most importantly, be the difference between getting the shot and missing.

What are some features to look for in a gaming monitor?

Today, to classify as a gaming monitor, it must have a refresh rate of at least 120 FPS, though the current standard is no lower than 144. That is far higher than the consumer average of 50, 60, or 75. But, the monitor won't be your only condition in getting the game to refresh faster. You also need a video card that supports a faster refresh rate. Without that, you won't get a lot of the benefits of an advanced monitor.

Ideally, you'll want a video card with adaptive sync technology. This would be either AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-SYNC, depending on the card brand. That technology syncs the refresh rate of your monitor with the refresh rate of the game. Since games fluctuate that rate depending on the state of the hardware, this allows the monitor to not try and do more than the game is currently capable of. It also prevents the game from working harder than the monitor is capable of, refreshing the game more frequently than the screen. Both of these situations can lead to dropped frames and poor game performance.

You'll also want to take into consideration the panel type. You'll traditionally find 3 labels for the panel: TN, IPS, and VA. TN panels are going to be the fastest refresh rate, but are also going to have very poor viewing angles and bad color reproduction. Going this way may save you some money, but you'll have to be sure to place yourself directly in front of the panel. And definitely don't tell your friends. IPS displays are a little slower in the refresh department but improve the overall viewing experience. The colors will get better, the viewing angle will be improved, but they're still not great. VA is really where you want to be - it may be the slowest in terms of refresh, but the actual picture quality is going to be far superior to the others.

What monitors should I consider?

The Top Pick right now is the Dell S3220DGF (or S3220DGM). It's a 32" monitor with a resolution of 2560x1440 (2K) and a refresh rate of 165 Hz. Depending on where you can find the monitor, you can sometimes find it for under $400. The Gigabyte G27F is also a good choice for more budget-minded buyers. This one is 1920x1080 (FHD) with a refresh rate of 144 Hz, but is also a bit smaller at only 27". It comes in under $300 most of the time.

If you're looking to go all out, though, the MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD is a great choice. It offers full 4K resolution, 144 Hz refresh, and comes in at 32". It even features Quantum Dot technology, like the higher-end televisions. The color reproduction is fantastic and it only has a 1ms response time. If you can find it, you'll be spending around $900.

ParticipantsScott ErtzHost

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram PiltchHost

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

Live DiscussionPowered by PureVPN

Description

One of Avram's favorite sayings is, "We're in the business of interesting, not good." This is an important distinction that makes his view of the tech journalism industry far more fun. Often times we discuss products that are unique and strange, but not necessarily things that are great. It's important to know that there are products out in the wild that are bad ideas, poorly made, security or privacy problems, and more. With a focus on the interesting, Avram helps to bring some of those products to light, pointing out some products that should definitely be skipped and some that you should consider.

Air-Clenz

This is certainly an interesting product idea. Think of it as an air purifier that is built into your computer monitor. The theory is that your monitor can pull double duty, as both a part of your computer and a part of your in-office health regiment. Built into the very large monitor box are fans and filters that suck in unclean air, clean it, and let it back out.

Obviously, in this era of heightened attention to airborne contaminants, this is a product idea that businesses might consider. However, there is a lot of question around the concept. First, we don't spend our whole day aimed at a computer screen, so much of your outbound air is going to be missed. Second, we've all trained ourselves to aim away from a computer monitor before coughing or sneezing as to prevent the screen from getting spotted and gross. Third, there is no scientific evidence that the concept actually accomplishes its goal.

It's important to note that the company that was pitching the product idea is not manufacturing it. They do not produce monitors, and they do not produce filters. Instead, they are looking to license the idea to monitor manufacturers.

Showcase PC

Another interesting product idea is the holographic PC case. We've seen holographic fans before, including from our CES 2017 interview with KONO. But, this is the first time we have seen the technology applied to PC cases. Essentially, the case is able to show images, animations, and videos floating in the middle of nowhere. Depending on the PC case configuration, you can even get an animation to come out of the case, using another LED fan on the outside.

This feature is the obvious extension of the RGB trend in PC cases. Instead of just having animated lighting, you can literally show real motion. And the floating images make it even cooler. The cases are expected to hit the market later this year, and we can't wait.

Best of CES 2022

Not everything is interesting - some are functional and fantastic. Intel announced a new set of Alder Lake processors - a total of 50 new models for desktop PC and laptops. The company is really focusing on trying to regain some of the lost ground over the past few years. Not to be outdone, AMD also announced new hardware - AMD Rembrandt, which is a new integrated graphics chip for Ryzen 6000 processors.

ParticipantsScott ErtzHost

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram PiltchHost

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

Live DiscussionPowered by PureVPN