The world of PC hardware is full of myths. We’re not talking Loch Ness Monster level myths, but there are plenty of common misconceptions about PC hardware.
Thankfully, the experts are on hand to debunk the top PC myths, from the dangers of not turning your computer off to the deadly effects of overclocking.
Not Turning Your PC Off at Night is Bad
We all remember our parents telling us how dangerous it was to leave the PC turned on overnight. From using up far too much electricity to damaging the lifespan of the components, it was a common life lesson drilled into my head as a child.
However, this is a complete myth. If your PC is under minimal loads or even in sleep mode, your hardware has been fine-tuned to not require nearly as much power, meaning this isn’t going to damage the longevity of your components. What’s more, modern-day hardware has been optimised to run multiple power cycles at the same consistent level of performance, regardless of whether you turn your PC off every night.
Water Cooling Requires Too Much Maintenance
Those intricate water-cooling loops can look rather complicated at first glance. Whilst you might think these cooling systems need lots of maintenance to keep them looking fresh and performing great, you’d be mistaken.
One of the key benefits of an AiO is that these coolers combine all the benefits of water-cooling with minimal risk of leaking or maintenance. Plus, they are so much easier to install! AiOs stand for all in one coolers and feature a radiator, pump, water block, fans, and tubing to effectively draw and dissipate any excess heat.
If you want more reasons why you should opt for water-cooling, check out our blog post!
Gigabyte AORUS Waterforce ARGB 240mm AiO CPU Cooler
- 240mm AiO CPU cooler
- 2 x 120mm ARGB fans
- Customisable RGB lighting
- Compatible with Intel and AMD processors
Phanteks Glacier One RGB 360mm AiO CPU Cooler
- 360mm AiO CPU cooler
- 3 x 120mm DRGB fans
- Supports both Intel and AMD
- Adjustable RGB lighting
You Don’t Need Anti-Virus Software
Next up on our list of PC hardware myths to debunk is all about anti-virus software. You’ve most certainly heard people claiming that you don’t need it and that anti-virus software is rather useless when Windows features Windows Defender built in.
However, whilst Windows Defender is a great free option, nothing compares to the protection that high-quality anti-virus guarantees. Even if you aren’t doing anything that puts your PC at risk of a virus, malware can still find its way onto your PC to inflict damage to your hardware and potentially even your personal data.
If the worst has happened and your PC has become infected, we’ve got a helpful blog post detailing what your next steps should be.
You Have to Build Your Own PC to Achieve Good Performance for Your Money
A huge myth about PC hardware is that it’s near impossible to achieve the best price to performance point unless you build your own gaming PC. Well, consider this myth debunked!
Building a gaming PC is a daunting task, especially for beginners. If you don’t want to worry about how to select the right combination of hardware, which cooler is best for your TDP, or what size case you need – a pre-built PC is your top choice.
A pre-built system comes with an already configured hardware specification, often configured to suit specific games, budgets, resolutions, and even streaming. Pre-built PCs are rigorously tested to ensure all the components work in tandem perfectly, guaranteeing the best possible performance for your price point. Plus, they come plug in and play ready with no complicated software or drivers waiting for you to install!
Refract Gaming Jade Pre-Built PC
- Designed for mid-tier gaming and budding content creators
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- 1TB M.2 SSD
- Integrated RGB lighting
OcUK Gaming Calcite Pre-Built PC
- Pre-built gaming PC
- Intel i7 14700KF CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti Super
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- 1TB M.2 SSD
- Windows 11 Home
Overclocking = Dangerous
Overclocking is considered something that only enthusiasts are brave enough to do. Overclocking your components doesn’t have to be scary, stressful, or reserved for only veteran PC gamers. In fact, there is a whole load of dedicated software that has been designed to make overclocking even easier.
There are some factors that you need to consider before you overclock any component, especially if overclocking voids your warranty. However, if you do it correctly, you reap all the benefits of a boost to your performance, with no damage done to your components.
If you want to read more about overclocking and how it compares to factory performance, take a look at our blog post.
Your Top PC Hardware Myths?
Have we debunked your favourite PC hardware myth? Or did we just miss it? If we did forget it, share your top hardware myth in the comments.
*Prices correct at time of writing and PC specs are subject to change.
- 5 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
Read More >>