Tablet PC’s and Gaming Motherboards

We’ve answered a lot of questions so far in our “Ask Us” section such as: Upgrading your RAM, Tips on Buying a Desktop Computer, Best cellphone under $500 and Buying a Computer for Vista. Before I get into two more questions that have been asked if you have any hardware related questions feel free to wander over to the “Ask Us” section of our website and ask any hardware related problem (or any problem with technology really).

Today I’m going to be answering two questions from our viewers.

Ryan B asked us:

Hello,
I am looking to purchase a Tablet PC. What am I looking for in a laptop, especially in Tablet PCs?

~Bzar

Thats a really good question, especially since we haven’t reviewed many Table PCs here. Buying a Tablet really depends on what you’re going to be using it for.

If you want a Tablet PC for writing down notes and carrying around with you like a very expensive notepad than you’ll probably want a fairly compact and light Tablet. You won’t need a very large processor or a lot of RAM (probably 1.2GHz and 1GB of RAM should do fine). HP and Toshiba make a number of lightweight Tablets that’ll suit your needs.

If you’re going to be using this Tablet PC as a design tool you’re going to want a fairly large screen and a fast processor with a lot of RAM. A 15inch to 17inch screen will be better to write on and 2GB of RAM should be good. If you’re going to use it for this however, I would suggest buying a regular laptop and paying a couple hundred dollars for a Wacom Tablet, it woulde be much cheaper.

Thanks for the question. If this hasn’t cleared it up feel free to contact us for further inquiries.

Vignesh asked us:

Hi,
I’m building a high end gaming PC. I have sorted out all the components which I should buy except the Mobo. The problem is, I need it to be future proof it for at least two years, so can anyone suggest a good Mobo that supports DDR3 ram, PCIe2.0, 45nm processors, is good for overclocking and gaming. Cost is not an issue.

Can anyone tell me where I can get a anti-static wrist strap and arctic silver arcticclean 1&2 thermal surface cleaner and purifier to remove the pre-applied thermal compound on my cpu cooler as I am going to use arctic cooling MX-2 thermal compound.

Or is there any other way to clean the surface thats safe?

First of all, I get all of my computer supplies (anti-static wrist straps, thermal paste, etc…) at Tiger Direct. I have no affiliation there and I’m not trying to advertise it, but I’ve found they offer fairly low prices and carry everything I need.

When I clean the thermal paste off of my CPU and heatsink I take a couple of Q-tips with acetone and gently clean it off, works like a dream. Now to the motherboard issue.

Right now my favourite motherboard has to be the Asus Striker II Formula Motherboard. It’s ready for the next-generation 45nm CPU’s, it has PCIe 2.0 and is an excellent board for overclocking and generally doing whatever you want to it. It doesn’t support DDR3 RAM but is the best for customizability.

The other board I’m liking as well is the EVGA nForce 790i. This board does support DDR3 RAM, PCIe 2.0 and 45nm CPU’s. It’s pretty good with overclocking but not as good as the Asus Striker II. Overall both are excellent boards and would future proof your gaming rig for at least two years.

Thanks for asking this excellent questions. If you have anything further ones feel free to ask.

If any of you have any hardware related questions feel free to head on over to the “Ask Us” section of our website and ask any hardware related problem (or any problem with technology really).