How to tell a real PC deal from a fake discount
Reference prices are the weak point. How to read condition fields, spot specification swaps, and judge a discount from price history.
Guides
4 articlesPlain-English explainers for the parts we track — what the numbers on a spec sheet actually mean, and which differences change how a machine performs.
CPU socket compatibility: AM4, AM5, LGA1700 and LGA1851
Which processors fit which boards, why LGA1700 comes in DDR4 and DDR5 flavours, and the BIOS trap that stops a new CPU booting.
GPU model numbers explained: reading RTX, RX and Arc
Generation, tier and suffix — how to read a graphics card name, and why VRAM and physical fit matter more than the number.
DDR4 vs DDR5: what actually changes
Different notches, two subchannels per stick, on-die ECC that is not real ECC — and why DDR5 CL40 is worse than DDR4 CL16 while CL30 is identical.