Author: Jim Stephenson

Aspiring PC builders often overlook an important component: GPU cables. These are power cables that connect your graphics card to the power supply.

But they’re more than just power cables. GPU cables can help with your power supply’s power management. How much power your GPU actually needs is going to be determined by your GPU cable.

Low-end and mid range graphics cards end up using a PCI Express x16 slot for their power souce, but you’ll find that graphics cards on the high-end spectrum will use either 6-pin or 8-pin PCI Express power connectors.

Confusing? Don’t worry, we’ll go over the different GPU power connectors and tell you how you can tell them apart.

What Are The Different Connectors?

PCI Express x16 Connector

Most modern motherboards come with a PCI Express x16 slot, or PCIe. This gives you a maximum of 75 watts of power. If your motherboard has multiple PCIe x16 slots, you’ll be able to connect more GPUs using two separate cables at the risk fo increasing power requirement.

Some good examples of GPUs that don’t need more than 75 watts of power are:

• GeForce GTX 1030
• GTX 1050 2GB Variant
• Radeon RX 550
• Radeon RX 460

6-Pin Connector

6-pin connectors provide your GPU with an added 75 watts of energy. If your graphics card uses a PCIe x16 slot, it will draw power from the power supply unit or PSU directly. This gets you up to 150 watts of energy for your graphics card.

High-end graphics cards often find 150 watts to be sufficient, but not for all of them. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 needs more than 320 watts and 750 watts of system power. For most mid range graphics cards, 150 watts is more than enough and will often feature a 6-pin power connector.

8-Pin Connector

Like the 6-pin connector, an 8-pin connector delivers an additional 150 watts of power to your graphics card. A graphics card that needs more than 150 watts of power will usually come with either one 8-pin connector or two 6-pin connectors.

However, there will always be some exceptions because of power hungry graphics cards. The GeForce RTX 3060 from Nvidia comes with both a 6-pin and 8-pin connector because it requires about 170 watts of power. There are also instances where one GPU will come with two 8-pin connectors, which give you a total of 375 watts of power.

Then you have the rarest instances where a GPU will come with three 8-pin connectors. These are considered top-of-the-line graphics cards for expert builders who want to overclock. A good example of a video card like this is the GeForce RTX 2080Ti Lightning Z.

12-Pin Connectors

Speaking of power hungry graphics cards, the release of the Nvidia RTX 3000 series introduced users to the 12-pin power connectors. This was a move that Nvidia found to be necessary as these graphics cards needed more power. Rather than relying on a combination of 6-pin and 8-pin connectors.

12-pin connectors are the same size as an 8-pin connector, but the former draws in more power. However, external power supply units or PSUs can’t really accommodate 12-pin connectors as of yet so Nvidia released an adapter that would connect two 6-pin connectors into its card’s 12-pin slot.

What Are Adapters or Converters for Connectors?

Sometimes, your graphics card’s connectors might not be compatible with your PSU’s slots, or vice versa. But thankfully, a company called Molex designed something to help deal with compatibility issues back in the 1950s. This is why converters or adapters for connectors are referred to as Molex Adapters or Molex Converters.

And we’re going to list down the different types of adapters.

6-Pin to 8-Pin PCI Power Adapter

Did you just buy a high-end GPU? It’s more likely to use an 8-pin connector. And if you have an old power supply, chances are it’s not going to be able to house a 6-pin connector.

4-Pin Molex to 6-Pin PCIe Adapter

This cable is used for computers that run a graphics card with a 6-pin power connector and a PSU without one. This means that your power supply unit is old and outdated, so it’s time for an upgrade. If you’re keen on using your old PSU, then this is the adapter you’ll need to use.

2x 8-Pin to 12-Pin PCIe Adapter

12-pin power connectors are relatively new, so it’s no surprise that the majority of new PSUs can’t accommodate them. If you bought a 3000-series GPU, Nvidia will include a dual 8-pin to 12-pin power adapter.

SATA to 8-Pin PCIe Power Adapter

This power adapter will convert SATA connectors to 8-pins, so you’re going to have two SATA connectors connected for one 8-pin connector.

SATA to 6-Pin PCIe Adapter Cable

Similar to the power adapter above, except it converts your SATA connector to a 6-pin connector instead. But this isn’t advisable as the SATA connector may not be able to handle that much power surging through it.

What If You Accidentally Used a CPU’s Connector to A GPU?

Even if you’re the clumsiest person alive, this wouldn’t be possible. GPU power connectors have different holes and shapes compared to a CPU, as seen below:

Source: linustechtips.com

You wouldn’t be able to insert the CPU’s connector to the GPU, or vice versa unless you force the cables in.

The Wrap Up

Most graphics cards would probably use 6-pins to 8-pins, unless you’re buying the new 3000-series from Nvidia. Easy installation is the name of the game for these GPU cables, and all you have to do is align the connector to the slot and you’re done.

Video editing has become one of the most popular activities that a lot of people have indulged in over the last few years. It’s not even surprising given that certain video editing software like Filmora have drag-and-drop features that make it easy for anyone to upload, edit, and render.

But video editing isn’t exactly that can be done on any PC either. You need some decent processing power, a solid graphics card, enough RAM, and a lot of storage. A budget video editing PC might work for aspiring video editors, but a budget PC can only go so far.

On the other hand, doing a video editing PC build might be on the expensive side since you’re handpicking specific parts and components. But if you have to spend money on building a video editing PC, there are only two components that you need to splurge your money on: a processor with high clock speed and a graphics card.

In this article, we’ll list down the best CPU for video editing to help get you started. These processors are great for editing videos in their own right, but which one actually meets your needs and fits your budget?

Which One’s Better for Video Editors: Intel or AMD?

Video editing software requires a lot of processing power if we’re talking about generating 4K videos of professional quality, or even just HD video. Even if you’re just splicing together gameplay footage in Adobe Premiere Pro, a great CPU with a decent core count could mean the difference between 720P and 4K HD video processing.

In the market today, we have two giants namely Intel and AMD. Both companies are known for producing exceptional CPUs for all purposes, from gaming to video editing to 3D rendering and modeling.

Honestly speaking, you really can’t go wrong with choosing either brand of CPUs for video editing. It’ll eventually boil down to personal preference and working experience with either brand.

Intel is known for its high-performance single-core processors, high clock speeds, and high IPCs. AMD is known for its multi-core processors and better price-to-performance ratio.

What’s The Best Video Editing CPU In The Market?

These are some of the best CPU in the market right now for video editing and more. They are not arranged in any particular order. We’re covering processors that are budget-friendly, processors that are on the expensive side of spectrum, and everything else in between.

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X

Why Buy It?

• Compatible with PCIe 5.0
• Currently the leading processor in the market for video editing and more
• Excellent single-core and multi-threaded performance

Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

• Expensive
• Needs to be paired with AM5 Motherboard and DDR5 RAM

Considered as the best CPU by video editors, the AMD Ryzen 7950X is equipped with 16 cores and 32 threads and their flagship Zen 4 Processor.

What do these specs entail? You’re getting excellent single-core and multi threaded performance for video rendering, 3D rendering, and more. Rendering 4K HD videos are easy with the AMD Ryzen 7950X.

The downside here is this is going to be one of the most expensive video editing builds as you need DDR5 RAM and an AM5 motherboard in order to use the AMD Ryzen 7950X. There’s no backward compatibility here either. If you’re buying the AMD Ryzen 7950X, you’re probably going to need a new motherboard and RAM too.

But if money is not an issue, this is the best CPU that you could incorporate in any video editing PC.

Intel Core i9-12900KS

Why Buy It?

• Most powerful current generation Intel processor
• Made for extreme overclocking

Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

• Expensive
• About to be replaced by Raptor Lake

The Intel Core i9-12900KS is a 12th generation i9 CPU that offers PCIe 5.0 support. The Alder Lake processor was also the first Hybrid Architecture model on the market and featured 16-cores and 24 threads.

With a base clock speed of 2.50GHz, it seemed a bit underwhelming compared to the AMD CPUs, but this beast was made for maximum overclocking up to 5.50GHz. But these specs don’t come cheap since you may want to upgrade other parts of your PC if you want to get the 5.50GHz high clock speed.

Do we think it’s the best CPU for video editing? It’s definitely up there. Is it a must-have for video editors? If they can’t get their hands on the top of the line AMD processors, they can’t go wrong with the Intel Core i9-12900KS.

AMD YD299XAZAFWOF Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

Why Buy It?

• High core count and thread count
• 80MB cache
• Decent clock speed

Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

• High TDP rating of 250 watts
• REALLY expensive

If money is not an issue for you and if you’re an AMD fan, the AMD Threadripper 2990WX CPU is the best option for you. PERIOD. HANDS DOWN.

The AMD Threadripper 2990WX CPU offers more cores than any other CPU on this list as it comes with 32 cores and 64 threads. You also get about 80MB Cache Capacity, so you can easily multitask and render HD videos.

The AMD Threadripper 2990WX CPU has a 3.0GHz base clock speed and overclockable to 4.2GHz, which is respectable enough for the price you’re paying.

Intel Core i7-12700K

Why Buy It?

• Overclockable to 5.0GHz
• Supports both DDR4 and DDR5
• Competitively priced

Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

• Soon to be outdated (if not already)

When we’re talking about CPUs that’s right fairly priced and powerful enough, we’ve got the Intel Core i7-12700K. The Intel Core i7-12700K is a high-end Alder Lake processor equipped with 12-cores and 20 threads for maximum performance.

The Intel Core i7-12700K is powerful enough for video editing, 3D modeling and rendering, and high-end gaming. Compared to the 12th generation i9, the Intel Core i7-12700K doesn’t break your bank as it’s equally compatible with DDR4 and DDR5 RAM modules.

Rendering videos at high volume is easy with the Intel Core i7-12700K because it’s overclockable to 5.0GHz. Even though the market price for the Intel Core i7-12700K is about $450, some stores are selling it for about $370 onwards. It’s cost-effective and competitive enough against the high-end processors on this list.

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X Unlocked

Why Buy It?-

• Made for all-around usage, from video editing to gaming
• Higher clock speed than most processors on this list

Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

• No iGPU (Integrated Graphics)

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is part of AMD’s consumer-grade CPU lineup. It’s currently one of the best CPUs for video editing out there because it’s an all-rounded CPU. It has 12 cores and 24 threads with 70MB of cache, so multitasking while rendering is not a problem for the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X also has a high clock speed of 3.7GHz compared to the other 12-core count CPUs on this list. The processor can be overclocked to 4.8GHz, even with just a 105-watt TDP.

Intel Core i9-10920X

Why Buy It?

• 3-year warranty
• HEDT CPU with multiple motherboard features
• High core count and thread count

Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

• High TDP requirement

If you just want to build a CPU meant for video editing only, meaning you’re planning to build a second PC for gaming and other tasks, then the Intel Core i9-10920X is the only choice on here.

The Intel Core i9-10920X is a powerful processor because of its thread count and core count, almost as powerful as the AMD Threadripper. The Intel Core i9-10920X has 12 cores with 24 threads and 19MB of Cache, so it might not be handy for multitasking.,

The Intel Core i9-10920X has a clock speed of 3.5GHz and overclockable to 4.8GHz, which is decent enough for a HEDT CPU. It uses an X299 chipset together with an LGA 2066 socket, which is expected. But because it runs on old architecture, the Intel Core i9-10920X requires at least 165 watts of TDP.

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X

Why Buy It?

• 36MB Cache, great for multitasking
• Low TDP Rating of 65 watwts
• Great clock speeds
• Price-to-performance ratio is excellent

Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

• No iGPU

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is another processor that gives you the best bang for your buck. It’s one of the best mid-range options in the market right now if we’re talking about performance. Even with a low price tag, you’re getting 8 cores with 16 threads along with a base clock speed of 3.6GHz and overclockable to 4.4GHz.

The best thing about this CPU is its TDP requirement, which is a measly 65 watts. And because it’s an AMD CPU, it uses AMD AM4 socket, so it’s compatible with the majority of motherboards in the market.

The Wrap Up

These processors might be the best CPU for video editing for what they have to offer, and what your requirements are. Most of the CPUs on here are multi-purpose, so if you’re going to play some video games, they’re more than capable of doing just that.

The bottom line here is to pick your processor based on your budget and need. You really shouldn’t invest in an expensive CPU if you’re just starting out, but if you have the money for it, then by all means go for it.

3D modeling or rendering is a very demanding process. Without a good CPU, you’re not going to be able to maximize your 3D modeling program. This is why you need the best rendering CPU that the market can give you.

In this article, we’ll give you the best CPUs for rendering computer graphics and more.

What Is Rendering?

Rendering is a process that generates a final image, either a 2D or 3D model, using a program. Think of the rendering process as adding final touches to an artwork.

On a program, you’re basically just putting things together, from the rough sketch to the textures to the lighting and effects and more. This is called the raw model or raw file. To make it viewable by others, you’d have to render it to get the final output.

For computers, rendering is carried out by either the GPU (graphics cards) or CPU (central processing unit). Some setups will have both CPU and GPU working together for the rendering process.

What Is CPU Rendering?

CPU rendering is made possible with a modern processor’s multiple CPU cores running at high frequency, allowing them to carry out tasks at a faster rate than normal. When you have more cores, the better the rendering performance.

Modern CPUs carry up to 64 cores that provide the best rendering performance. When combined with the RAM, users can render images or scenes carrying large amounts of data easily. Architects make use of CPU rendering engines to generate their designs as it allows them to showcase complex details and geometries.

What Is GPU Rendering?

Much like a CPU, a GPU or graphics card carries thousands of small cores running at low clock speed. The number of cores within a graphics card makes up for the low clock speed, allowing for a great rendering performance.

Unlike CPUs, GPUs are designed to run tasks simultaneously. This kind of gives them an edge over CPU rendering as the process involves numerous elements. To put it simply, GPU rendering is faster compared to CPU rendering, so you’re able to process or generate graphics in real-time. Video games are a good example of products from GPU rendering.

What Are The Notable Differences Between CPU and GPU Rendering?

Between CPU and GPU rendering, which exactly has an edge over the other? Let’s go over some of the nuances between outputs from both forms of rendering:

Design and Quality

Powerful CPUs like the Threadripper carry almost 64 cores, which is what you need for quality rendering. The higher your core count the better. An average CPU would carry about 4 to 8 cores, but even then, they have higher clock speeds compared to that of a graphics card.

For GPUs, the number of their cores make up for the lack of clock speed that CPUs have. For example, an RTX 3090 carries 10,496 cores, but the card has a lower frequency compared to a CPU. The number of cores can compensate for the low frequency.

Because CPUs have a higher frequency, they’re able to provide better quality from rendering images or modeling. GPUs can barely match the output quality of a CPU rendering.

Complicated Tasks

CPUs are built to process different tasks, even with different levels of complexity. They’re able to manage workloads of different consistency, whether it’s just a quick task or even if it’s too much for them.

GPUs are only limited to their hardware capability, and they’re designed with only a single purpose. The majority of their tasks are similar, to the point that they just run them repeatedly.

Speed

As mentioned earlier, GPUs are capable of running tasks in parallel, as opposed to CPUs running tasks sequentially. GPUs are capable of rendering at a faster turnaround thanks to their speed, and is mostly used for projects that need real-time rendering (such as video games).

Costs

Performance-class CPUs like the Threadripper 3990x carry a $5,000 price tag whereas GPUs are on the lower price spectrum. A brand new RTX 3090 can cost you anywhere between $1000 and $1,500.

You’re also able to upscale easily with GPUs because you’re not too worried about compatibility with existing hardware. On the other hand, upgrading your CPU might require you to invest in newer hardware like a motherboard and RAM.

Which Is Better?

It boils down to what you really need. If you’re after quality rendering and if you have a large budget, CPU rendering is your best option. This option is ideal for people working with architectural projects, engineering projects, and various design projects.

On the other hand, if you’re just getting started with rendering but want more consistency in terms of work output and complexity, then GPU rendering is the way to go. The lower costs for hardware components makes this option a bit more enticing than CPU rendering.

What Are The Best CPUs for Modeling and Rendering?

Each of the items here is considered the best CPU for modeling and rendering, but there will always be that one powerful CPU that’s up for everyone’s consideration.

This list is not arranged in any particular order. Whether you need something for graphic design, video editing, 3D modeling and rendering, and even gaming, any of the best CPU on this list will suffice.

Intel Core-i9 9900K

Specs

• CPU Speed – 5 GHz
• CPU Socket – LGA 1151
• Item Dimensions – ‎2.91 x 4.41 x 4.61 inches
• Item Weight – 0.018 ounces

Why Buy It?

• Fastest processor in the market (one of)
• Cooling capability is off the charts

Why Avoid It?

• Expensive

If you’ve already assembled a PC capable of modeling and rendering but want to upgrade your CPU, then consider this beast: the Intel Core-i9 9900K. After all, you shouldn’t be holding out on getting the best computer components money can buy, right?

The Intel Core-i9 9900K is one of the fastest desktop CPUs in the market right now, but it’s also one of the most expensive. You’re looking at a price tag of about $700 or more, so if you have the budget, go for this beast.

The Intel Core-i9 9900K makes use of Solder TIM, which helps improve therma transfer beatween the CPU body and the heat spreader. In simpler terms, the Intel Core-i9 9900K does a great job at keeping cool even when under immense workloads. This makes it one of the best CPUs for heavy duty modeling and rendering.

Now, the base frequency of the Intel Core-i9 9900K is 3.6GHz, which is less than the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X, but the overclock speed easily hits 5GHz thanks to the extra cores.

AMD Ryzen 7 2700X

Specs

• CPU Speed – 4.3 GHz
• CPU Socket – Socket AM4
• Item Dimensions – 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.3 inches
• Item Weight – 1.60 ounces

Why Buy It?

• Best value processor
• Big generational leap amongst the AMD processors

Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

• A lot of newer AMD processors are out there

AMD Ryzen’s line of processors are considered to be the best in the industry. Their individual processors are capable and powerful for what you need, and they’re affordable compared to other brands.

While it’s not the latest from AMD Ryzen, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X is considered a great processor for 3D modeling and rendering, on top of other things. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700X was launched in 2019, so it’s a bit outdated. But don’t let that fool you.

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700X comes with 8-cores and 16-threads, similar to the previous AMD prcoessors, but it’s way faster. You’re getting a base frequency of 3.7GHz and can be overclocked up to 4.3GHz.

Affordable but powerful, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X is a great CPU to kickstart your journey to building a workstation computer for 3D animation, rendering, and more.

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

Specs

• CPU Speed – 4.7 GHz
• CPU Socket – Socket AM4
• Item Dimensions – 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.24 inches
• Item Weight – 6.1 ounces

Why Buy It?

• Can be overclocked
• Excellent CPU for 3D Modeling and more

Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

• Needs a decent cooling system.
• Expensive

Another CPU from the AMD Ryzen 9 line of processors is the 3950X. This is a CPU that’s in a league of its own and has one of the best performances out there from any AMD CPU. The price tag is a bit on the higher end, but not nearly as expensive as some CPUs on this list.

The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X comes with a base frequency of 3.5 GHz (unlocked for overclocking at 4.7GHz), 16-cores, and 32-thread count, which is already a faster CPU compared to the ones on this list. The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X easily competes with the likes of the i7-6800K, with the former carrying a lower price tag than the latter.

The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is one of the best choices for computer builds used for 3d modeling and rendering.

But with better performance comes a terrible downside. The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X struggles with heat dissipation, so you’ll need a powerful cooling system to prevent overheating. This is mostly because it’s already unlocked for overclocking.

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

Specs

• CPU Speed – 4.6 GHz
• CPU Socket – Socket AM4
• Item Dimensions – 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.24 inches
• Item Weight – 1.6 ounces

Why Buy It?

• Higher core count
• New from AMD Ryzen 9 series
• Fast and efficient

Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

• Too powerful CPU for use outside of doing rendering work

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is a powerful CPU. If you’re not doing any 3d modeling and rendering projects, this might be considered an overkill to use. And that’s a good thing.

It’s one of the best processors that AMD has in the market right now for gaming, video editing, and more. It’s got a base clock speed of 4.6GHz, which is way more than some of the CPUs on this list.

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X uses an improved L2 TAGE branch predictor, which is a large micro-op cache and is bigger than what the other AMD Ryzen CPUs have. It also uses multiplication latency to help improve its bandwidth.

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is the professional animator, modeler, or graphic artist’s choice of CPU. It’s just too powerful that it’s shameful to use the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X for minimal tasks such as browsing the net.

Intel Core i7-6800K

Specs

• CPU Speed – 3.4 GHz
• CPU Socket – LGA 2011-3
• Item Dimensions – 4.48 x 4.01 x 3.19 inches
• Item Weight – 6.4 ounces

Why Buy It?

• A powerful but affordable option from Intel
• Great performance
• Best bang for the buck

Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

• Not really a decent upgrade option

Intel isn’t exactly known for its affordability, but they do try its hardest to get its CPUs out to its users. One of the better and more affordable options from their lineup is the Intel Core i7-6800K.

The price tag is on the low spectrum, as you’ll probably get it for less than $300 or so. The Intel Core i7-6800K is a formidable and powerful processor without forcing you to break your budget.

The Intel Core i7-6800K succeeds the i7-5280K, both of which come with 6 cores and Hyper-Threading. The Intel Core i7-6800K comes with 28 PCIe Gen3 Lanes, resulting in greater performance compared to its predecessor.

But the downside is that it’s not as powerful as its other competitors in the market. The Intel Core i7-6800K is a solid choice for those who’re just about to start building their workstations.

The Wrap Up

There are other options out there for CPUs best for 3D modeling and rendering, but these are just some of the best choices you could make. With multiple cores, guaranteed multi threaded performance, and some with Turbo Boost feature, any one of these CPUs can get you started with rendering.

But of course, it goes without saying that your other PC components should be as powerful as your CPU to prevent bottlenecking and limiting performances.

No matter where you are in the world, there remains one constant: computer parts are expensive. And by expensive, we don’t mean luxury pricing either. Computer hardware prices have gone up over the last few years, and the price increase is somewhat noticeable.

There are several reasons as to why computer parts are so expensive, and we’ll be talking about them in this article.

Why Are PC Parts So Expensive?

Computer parts aren’t unreasonably expensive. If anything, majority of next-generation PC components are only about a few bucks more expensive than their previous generations. And every time next-generation components break into the market, their previous generations become subsequently cheaper.

But one question remains: why are PC parts so expensive? We’ll take a look at some key factors and why they affect pricing for computer parts.

Covid-19 Pandemic

The world stopped when the Covid-19 Pandemic blew up in March 2020. What was thought to be a 2-week lockdown for the majority of countries turned into a year and a half of uncertainty, fear, and death.

And with schools, offices, and businesses being closed, people turned to technology to connect to one another. Mobile devices, laptops, and personal computers were in high demand. Our increased reliance on these devices have forced manufacturers to create more. Unfortunately, it was difficult to keep up with the demand.

Lockdowns have forced factories to work with minimal manpower, with some facilities being shutdown completely due to lack of manpower. Production of PC components was severely limited.

Shortage of supply does not mix well with higher demand, so it made sense for manufacturers to increase the pricing of their computer parts.

Production facilities were either shut down completely or ran with highly reduced staff, severely limiting production. Limited production plus higher demand equals more expensive parts. Purchasing computer parts turned into a challenge for a lot of people.

 The demand for laptops, mobile devices, and personal computers skyrocketed the longer the lockdown lasted. Students went to their classes online. Parents worked from home. People bought their stuff online.

What used to be a household that could survive with one computer turned into a household where everyone needed a computer. Multiply that with the millions of families affected worldwide, and you’ll see why manufacturers couldn’t keep up.

Cryptocurrency Mining

Computer parts became so expensive when people started to mine for cryptocurrency. The demand for mining was exacerbated with the Covid-19 global pandemic. Processors and graphics cards were in high demand. And with supply chain being affected by the pandemic, to say that these PC components jumped to high prices is an understatement.

Bitcoin, probably the most popular form of cryptocurrency, was valued at $6000 at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and rose to $60,000 by the end of November 2021. But to mine Bitcoin, you needed massive computing power. A high-quality graphics card like the RTX 3000 series, or even something from the RTX 2000 line, could handle the processing strain that came from mining.

Chip Shortage

The global pandemic started a chain of events when it to the manufacturing of PC hardware. One of these significant events was the chip shortage. Semiconductors, or microchips, are found in all electrical devices, so you can see just how badly the chip shortage affects a lot of all the technology we are reliant on.

Factories that produced semiconductors closed down when the pandemic began, and this slowed down the production of chips. These chips would go into a PC component, like a GPU, RAM, or processor.

And with the chip shortage, computer parts prices went up as a way for manufacturers to not lose a lot of money. After all, they still needed to keep their margins. When chips are expensive, the price increases for computer parts that needed these chips.

Scalping and Hoarding 

With PC parts in limited supply, miners and scalpers took this opportunity to hoard a lot of computer components, specifically graphics cards. This resulted in an overly-inflated market of high-end graphics cards, with MSRPs being ignored. Third-party retailers were almost always camped out by these people so regular Joe’s and Jane’s wouldn’t even stand a chance of getting parts for a reasonable price.

Graphics cards of certain models were insanely higher than MSRP, so combine this with supply chain issues, and you’d never see them hit close to MSRP back then.

Sadly, some people were willing to pay more money for this PC hardware because they were desperate to have them. A graphics card that was incredibly high demand would be sold at 400 times its MSRP without question.

Labor Shortage or Staff Shortage

The global lockdown didn’t just lock people into their houses. The lockdowns literally starved businesses of one important resource: manpower.

At the height of the pandemic, the entire system for manufacturing and producing computer parts and hardware was severely affected by a labor shortage. This resulted in severe price increases across the board. To prevent the factory from shutting down, workers were laid off to minimize labor costs. Loss of life also contributed to the labor shortage as people died from the Covid-19 pandemic during the first few months. People were afraid to show up to work for fear of being exposed to the virus and bringing it home, so it wasn’t surprising to know that some of them resigned from their work.

But as the world reopens its doors, employers are now incentivizing their employees to show up for work with wage increases and other benefits. Some companies are also trying to fill in the vacant slots left by employees who passed away from Covid-19.

Regardless of the reason and combined with the chip shortage, factories and manufacturers are dealing with price increases to help augment the salary increases promised to their employers.

Increased Freight

Chip shortage affects the entire supply chain for the most part, but another major contributing factor to the price increases for PC hardware is increased freight.

Computer parts that are sold in one country aren’t exactly manufactured in that country. For instance, parts sold in the USA may or may not have been manufactured in the USA. If parts are made in another country, they’ll be freighted to the USA. And shipping costs have gone up over the last few months due to the increased fuel prices.

The increase in freight costs does not only cover the PC parts that were manufactured but also freighting and shipping of raw materials to factories and manufacturing plants. It was understandable as to why computer parts had high parts.

With Computer Parts So Expensive, Will Prices Ever Go Down?

Unfortunately, prices won’t be returning to normal until 2023. This is based on the prediction that semiconductor shortage will be alleviated as things slowly go back to normal.

The cryptocurrency market is also going through the BEAR phase, meaning prices of certain cryptos such as Bitcoin and those that were heavily mined have gone down. As this trend continues, GPUs will return to close to a reasonable price.

Raw materials for PC hardware and many components will probably increase in production as well since the pandemic hit. Manufacturers and factories have already recruited many workers to continue making computer components.

A lot of computer parts such as processors and graphics cards are still in short supply, at least for some previous generation models. Nvidia and AMD, two of the biggest GPU manufacturers, have already made their new graphics cards to be unusable for mining crypto.

The Wrap Up

There you have it, just some of the major reasons as to why computer parts are so expensive right now. With low supply, chip shortages, labor shortages, and price hikes, certain computer parts increased their prices to unprecedented levels just to help keep the companies afloat.

Granted, buying computer parts might be a lot easier now than it was a couple of years ago, but we’re still reeling in from the increased demand and higher prices that were caused by the pandemic.

An often underlooked PC component is the case fan. Some people think that computer fans, or case fans, are nothing more than accessories that help add to your PC’s aesthetics, but in reality, their function is as important as the GPU or CPU.

In this article, we’ll discuss about the different types of case fans, how to read their specs, and why computer fans can help your PC in more ways than one.

Why Do You Need More Computer Fans?

When your computer is under heavy load, it generates a lot of heat. Certain components such as the GPU (graphics cards) and CPU (central processing unit or processor) will generate more heat than other components, which is why they come with GPU fans and CPU fans respectively.

Within your PC case, proper ventilation is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to cooling. You need fans to take in cooler air while expelling warm air at the same time. You won’t always have room temperatures within your PC, but what’s important is that the balance between hot air being expelled and cool air being pulled in is maintained.

Having only one case fan installed might not be enough to maintain this balance, especially when the GPU and CPU are working intensively. As a result, these parts may throttle their performance up until both are cooled down to a reasonable level.

This is why you need to have enough intake fans and exhaust fans to keep your PC as cool as possible even under tremendous loads.

How Do Case Fans Work?

GPU fans and CPU fans only have one purpose, and that’s to expel hot air. Heatsinks found within both the GPU and CPU will transfer heat away from the chips, and their respective fans will suck out the warm air from the heatsink.

Both GPU fans and CPU fans are incapable of keeping the entire system unit cool, which is why you rely heavily on case fans.

As the name implies, case fans are attached to the PC case and they are responsible for managing airflow inside your PC. Depending on your PC case, you’ll most likely have at least one intake fan and at least one exhaust fan that comes with the casing. Some cases will have more than one intake fan or one exhaust fan, so you don’t have to worry about adding more fans.

Laptops come with at least one fan, which is just the intake fan. Hot air generated by the CPU or GPU within a laptop goes out through heating vents. You can supplement this singular case fan installed with a laptop cooler.

All case fans installed within a system unit can also be controlled by a third-party fan controller. This allows you to get the most out of your fans with a single push of a button.

How Do You Read Case Fan Specifications?

Most computer fans, if not all, will share the same specifications as case fans. If you’re thinking about replacing your case’s default fans, you might want to pick up a couple of terminologies below:

Airflow and Static Pressure Optimization

Your fan’s performance is determined by two metrics, namely static pressure and airflow. The latter measures the amount of air moved by a fan at any given time and is expressed in CFM or cubic feet per minute.

Higher airflow means it can move great volumes of air, which positively affects cooling performance as a whole. High airflow fans are meant for exhausting or expelling hot air out of the PC case.

But higher airflow doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better for intake as well. Your PC’s radiator will sacrifice airflow speed to make room for higher static pressure to push air through the fan. This is made possible with the fans’ special blade designs and geometries. Static pressure is measured in Pascals (pa) or millimeters of water (mm H2O). Much like airflow, the higher the static pressure, the better it is at pushing air into the system. This is why static pressure fans are used for intake fans.

To sum it up, you want higher airflow rate for exhaust fans and higher static pressure for intake fans.

Fan Sizes

Fan size is expressed or measured in millimeters, which is the measure of the diameter of the fan blades or the length of the frame. The fan size will affect the amount of air pushed through the fan.

Generally, the amount of air being pushed by a fan is affected by two factors, namely how fast they spin and the blade’s surface area. Larger fans by default can generate more airflow due to greater surface area, but the additional weight that comes with the size might slow down its aerodynamics. This results in greater power consumption. To control power consumption, larger fans will spin slower than smaller fans but the amount of airflow they generate will more or less be the same.

A lot of PC case fans are built to draw in maximum power, regardless of their size, so the total wattage will always be constant.

Long story short, a 200mm fan that has a max RPM of 800 will have the same airflow as a 120mm fan operating at 2000 RPM. Larger fans are also quieter than their smaller counterparts.

Fan Thickness

Like fan sizing, fan thickness is measured in millimeters and is the second number represented along with the fan size. Fan thickness ranges from 10mm to 40mm.

But for some odd reason, thicker fans will have more airflow compared to a thinner fan of the same size. This is because thicker fans have blades with a steeper angle of attack than a thinner fan would have, allowing them to scoop up more air per spin.

A thicker fan also has greater depth that adds to the surface area, and the thick frame helps improve the fan’s inherent suction, resulting in higher static pressure than a thinner fan.

Voltage-Based Fan Speed Control and PWM

One reason why fans should be attached to motherboards is the microprocessor-based speed control. Compared to DC fans that come with only two wires (one for ground and one for power), PC case fans come with an extra or third wire for the tachometer signal, which relays the fan’s speed using the onboard Hall-effect sensor.

Three-pin case fans will allow the PC to detect the fan speed and control it, resulting in quiet but cooler performance. Fan speed is regulated by modulating voltage. You’d have higher voltage for higher speeds, and in contrast, lower voltage for lower fan speeds. The latter is not ideal as performance is negatively affected.

What Are The Different Case Fan Sizes?

A case fan will have two dimensions, the diameter and the width (thickness). A good example would be 120mm x 25mm thick. This means that the diameter of the case fan is 120mm and the width is 25mm.

Now, let’s talk about the different PC case fans’ sizing:

80mm or 3.1 Inches

80mm fans have been used for more than a decade and are used in CPU heatsinks and some graphics cards. Fans of this size usually have speeds of about 5000 to 7000 RPMs (revolutions per minute).

Because of their size, they need to work harder to draw in the same amount of air as their bigger counterparts. Because of the amount of work they do, these fans are the noisiest out of all the other fan sizes.

80mm fans are used for smaller PC cases like Mini ATX, Mini ITX, and even SSF and HTPC cases.

92mm or 3.6 Inches

Bigger than the 80mm fans, the 92mm fans are considered to be an improvement over their predecessors but with lesser RPMs. However, some users found out that despite their low RPMs, some brands of 92mm are noisier than 80mm fans.

92mm fans are commonly found in heatsinks for graphics cards, however, the same thing can’t be said for their use on cases. PC cases rarely use 92mm fans compared to 80mm fans, for which the latter is widely used.

120mm or 4.7 Inches

The 120mm fan is considered the standard fan size, replacing both the 80mm and 92mm fan models. Unlike its predecessors, 120mm fans are more useful and more flexible since they can be used on Mini ITX cases up to Full Towers.

Most of the high-end cooling fans are about 120mm or bigger, so you should always go for this size if your PC case allows it.

120mm fans are also known for their high airflow and quiet performance, but that depends on the brand or model. Some fan models of this size have low RPMs that result in low noise overall, but there are high RPM models for those who want maximum cooling power.

140mm or 5.5 Inches

Next to the 120mm is the 140mm computer case fan, which is the second most popular choice of sizing for a lot of PC builders but minus the 120mm”s flexiblity. 140mm fans are usually installed in mid-tower PC cases or bigger. Compared to the 120mm fans, 140mm fans have less static pressure but the airflow is relatively higher.

Both the 120mm fans and 140mm fans are similar in terms of airflow, but the latter is the main choice for mid-tower ATX cases, full towers and EATX or Extended ATX towers with liquid cooling radiators.

The downside to using 140mm fans is that they’re more expensive than 120mm fans, but there’s no discrepancy in performance between the two sizes.

180mm or 7 Inches

180mm fans are the rarest of them all because not a lot of brands manufacture them. One reason why most brands avoid this size is their compatibility. 180mm fans can only be used on full tower cases or bigger.

But with their size come higher airflow and lower RPM. Static pressure is lower, so you’ll find that most of the 180mm fans are used for exhaust fans.

200mm or 7.9 Inches

Last but not the least, we have the largest size of them all: the 200mm case fans, which are used for specialized computer cases.

200mm fans have higher airflows at low RPMs, usually averaging 800RPMs. They’re quieter than all of the other fans on here while also having the highest airflow. However, its static pressure is so low that people only use 200mm fans for keeping up positive or negative air flows. If a PC case can’t handle 2 120mm fans, one 200mm fan will be more than enough to keep hot air out.

Do You Really Need a Fan Control Software?

There’s no definite answer to this question. Unless you’re planning on overclocking your GPU and CPU, you might want to make use of a fan control program or software to keep your system cool.

You might also be lucky to come across case fans with built-in fan controllers that allow you to control fan spins or fan speed with a single remote. If your case has an RGB fan, then you might have this fan controller remote with you.

For gaming laptops, fan control is possible through programs such as ArmouryCrate or MSI Afterburner. You can set multiple profiles that include fan speed to help maximize performance for any game.

The Wrap Up

What kind of case fan do you actually need? Well, you’re more likely to use 120mm fans as they’re more commercially available and compatible with a lot of PC cases. You also have the freedom of accommodating more fans of smaller sizes, or fewer fans of bigger sizes. It’s really up to you.

Shopping for graphics cards is never an easy thing to do. There’s just so many options out there, but so little availability, and the pricing can make or break your decision.

Over the last few years, the availability and pricing of certain graphics cards have been an issue due to cryptomining. Miners hoarded certain brands and models of graphics cards to the point that MSRP has more than tripled. In conjunction with the Covid-19 Pandemic, people weren’t able to get their hands on the graphics cards that they want. But thankfully, prices and stocks of these previously hoarded graphics cards are going back to normal.

Another thing to note is that the hoarded graphics cards were all regular graphics cards and not Founders Edition graphics cards. The latter is what Nvidia has recently done over the last few years.

But why have miners avoided these Founders Edition graphics cards if they’re special? Or why wasn’t anyone paying attention to these particular lines of Nvidia graphics cards? Are Founders Edition cards better? Those are the questions that we’ll be answering in this article, and we’ll explain more about what makes these graphics cards as unique and as powerful as they are.

What is a Founders Edition Graphics Card?

Founders Edition graphics cards are graphics cards that are made by Nvidia directly and sold on their website and other retailers. Simply put, Nvidia puts the best chips and parts to make these Founders Edition, so expect it to be powerful minus the burden of being expensive.

What is an AIB Partner?

AIB stands for Add-In-Board Partner. These are the third-party companies that take chips made by Nvidia, AMD, and Intel to turn into full graphics cards. The AIB partners will be the one to add the cooling systems, housing, and other parts of the graphics cards on top of the chips provided by the manufacturers.

It’s a common misconception to think that AMD and Nvidia, and soon to be Intel, make their own graphics cards. Rather, they only make the chips based on their specs, cooling, architecture, and so on.

Just Bin It?

Nvidia and AMD both utter the term BIN for every graphics card they produce. And no, this isn’t what you think it is.

AMD and Nvidia aren’t throwing away their graphics cards when you hear the word BIN. Rather, this is their way of sorting out cards based on performance.

For chips that do well enough and pass their standards, they get into a Founders Edition graphics card. Otherwise, the chip goes to the AIB partners.

Are Founders Edition Graphics Cards Different from Reference Cards?

Both Founders Edition and Reference Cards are similar in history, but they’re actually different products. They both go through the Binning process to determine which chip goes into a Founders Edition or Reference Card, or to an AIB partner.

Reference Cards are standard-issue GPUs from AMD. They are standard in terms of specs and cooling, and the design is pretty simplistic. These cards are sort of a “reference” point for other graphics cards using similar chips.

Reference Cards are a PC builder’s best friend because these are cheaper to acquire than an AIB graphics card. Reference cards also deliver more computing power, but minus the cost associated with such power.

Nvidia used to do this up until 2016 when they decided they would just break into the market and compete with the AIB partners instead of offering cheaper graphics cards to the market. So Founders Edition graphics cards are competing with their AIB partners, but the specs are just as similar to AMD’s Reference Cards.

A Founders Edition card and Reference Car will both share the same clock speeds and graphics memory, but the former is designed to compete with other high-end graphics cards so expect the pricing to be higher than the latter.

How Do You Purchase a Founders Edition Card?

The first place to see availability for a Founders Edition card is the official Nvidia website. Their online shop is updated with stocks and pricing, especially with Founders Edition graphics cards.

Best Buy and other third-party retailers will also be carrying Founders Edition cards, but expect them to be more expensive than the cards found at Nvidia due to markup as well as fluctuation of stock availability.

Are Founders Edition Graphics Cards Rare?

If you think some regular graphics cards are rare, then Founders Editions are definitely rarer. You see, Nvidia doesn’t spend all year making these cards. They do a limited run for certain models because they don’t have a manufacturing capacity similar to that of AIB partners.

Founders Edition GPUs are also in demand because of their specs and price tag, as well as a unique design. Founders Editions of GeForce RTX graphics cards are also going to be difficult to locate too.

Founders Edition GPU vs Regular GPU (AIG) – Which Is Better?

Is there a difference between a Founders Edition GPU and a regular Nvidia graphics card?

For this section, we’ll be looking at performance, pricing, and of course, which one’s better for your systme.

Founders Edition Cards vs Regular GPU

Let’s do a head-to-head comparison of Founders Edition graphics cards and regular graphics cards. Which costs less, which has better performance, and most importantly, which is better for your PC?

When AMD or Nvidia create a new graphics chip or processor, they’ll define the minimum hardware specs or reference design, that other manufacturers will need to follow to create the GPUs that house the new chips.

Nvidia and AMD will also give out the specifications to their AIB partners who’ll build these cards, along with the freedom to improve upon the reference design. AIB partners will then create customized cards as long as they meet minimum requirements. Overclocked versions of GPUs are good examples of customized graphics cards from AIB partners.

Clock Speed

Nvidia is known for cherry-picking only the finest chips for their Founders Edition cards, so you’re definitely getting some advantage in terms of performance over the AIB cards. It’s not surprising to see Founders Edition cards with higher clock speeds than the reference cards.

But some custom AIB cards have higher clock speeds than Founders Editions, so that’s also a point to consider. You see, while Nvidia may hoard their best GPU chips, AIB partners will sort out their GPU allotment based on performance factors such as overclocking ability. You’ll often get a very capable GPU paired with over-the-top power delivery systems and high-quality components that allows you to squeeze more out of your chip

Which is better?

As much as we don’t want to admit it, AIB cards will have the upper hand here because they are more capable of pushing their parts further than Nvidia. That’s why most AIBs have higher boost clock speeds than Founders Edition.

Overclocking

As mentioned earlier, AIB cards are better suited for overclocking as they’ll have added features like extra copper in their circuitry to handle the increase of power input. Remember, Nvidia won’t have the same manufacturing capability as its AIB partners, so they’re pretty much stuck with whatever it is they are capable of producing.

Which is better?

Hands down, AIB cards are better in terms of overclocking not only because of performance but because these cards are far more capable of handling overclocking.

Pricing

Founders Editions have premium price tags over their AIB counterparts’ MSRP. With the issue of certain AIB partner cards being priced higher than Nvidia Founders Editions, comparing MSRP might be irrelevant for the time-being.

If you want cheaper but powerful cards, you might want to go for AMD’s reference design cards, like the RX Vega or Vega Pro series. You should be able to find AMD Vega cards from Asus, Sapphire, and Gigabyte. Mid-tier reference cards are the RX 580 and RX 590, which are available from different AIBs.

Which is better?

AIB will take this section, but only because Founders Editions are generally expensive by default.

Availability

Nvidia Founders Editions are easier to acquire through the official Nvidia website and third-party retailers.

When Nvidia launches a new chip or GPU architecture, they’ll be the first one to manufacture the graphics cards before they hit the market. AIB partners need to wait for the specifications to be sent in by Nvidia before they can manufacturer.

However, AIB partners can produce cards and bring it to market very quickly, and some of them will already have improved features that you won’t find on the Founders Editions. But even then, Founders Editions have already been in the market for quite a while.

Which is better?

Founders Edition graphics cards take the cake here because there are people out there who don’t like to wait for the add in board partners.

The Wrap Up

It’s difficult to tell whether or not Founders Editions are better than their AIB counterparts, given that the latter has already been improved on. The graphics card market isn’t exactly flooded with Founders Editions because they’re produced on a limited run.

Is it worth it to get Founders Edition cards? Yes, it is.

Will they be better than AIB partners? More or less.

Nvidia’s graphics cards are always going to be the best in the graphics card market. Whether you get a Founders Edition or AIB card, it’s a good decision to pick Nvidia.