Your daily dose of practical, easy to follow tech tips!
Question from Michelle: I bought a new MacBook in December 2020 and I’m curious about which type of processor it has in it.
I recently found out that Apple started putting different processors in their machines around that same time and that some programs won’t work with the new processors.
How can I find out whether my MacBook has the older processor or the new one? [Read more…]
Question from Sue: This morning someone told me about a website called Download MORE GHz that claims to speed up your computer by making the CPU run faster.
I Googled it and checked out the website, and they have a good sales pitch (even though the service is supposedly free).
The problem is I’ve learned to be skeptical about things like this on the Internet.
I was wondering if you recommend them or not. Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]
Question from Cory: I have a laptop with Windows 10 on it and it always runs hot. And it’s been that way since day one.
I’ve researched things I can do to make it run cooler but nothing I’ve tried has really helped.
The fan still runs constantly and the CPU temperature is running higher than it should according to the Core Temp app.
A guy I know who does IT work for our local hospital said I should try “Undervolting” the laptop to make it run cooler. He said it’s safe but I’m a little leery because I’ve heard that overclocking a computer can damage it.
I have several questions about this: [Read more…]
Question from Chris B.: I saw a brand new Intel Core i7-8700K CPU for sale on Ebay for only $260. That’s a lot less that what I’d have to pay elsewhere so I ordered one.
The sales page said the CPU was brand new in the box and it had never been opened, but I have my doubts about that.
When I received it the box had been opened and taped back shut and some of the pins on the CPU were bent. I can also see traces of thermal paste on the surface.
I believe they sold me a used CPU instead of a brand new one. I could always install the CPU in my rig and see if it works but I’m afraid they’ll try to say I damaged it myself while installing it.
How would be the best way to handle this? Even if it works I don’t like the idea of being sold a used item after being led to believe it’s brand new.
By the way, the seller has excellent feedback (over 6,000 feedbacks with 98.5% positive). I haven’t left feedback on this transaction yet.
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]
Question from Travis: I’ve been wanting to build a gaming PC for a while and I’ve finally saved enough money to build one as long as I can keep the cost of the CPU and motherboard to around $400 total.
I’ve found several combos in that price range but I’m most interested in this Intel Core i5 CPU and ASUS ROG motherboard.
Do you think these will make a good gaming computer if I install 16GB of RAM and a good video card?
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]