Written by Vasilis Zafiridis

Friends of the mystery, it's the time that you've been expected. We are talking about the long awaited game for the enthusiasts of this kind: "Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter", the eighth title of the series.

It is a combination of action, research, exploration and mystery. 

As Sherlock Holmes you can circulate freely in several London neighborhoods, searching and gathering information and clues on the specific cases that you take.

The original in this game is that the renowned skills of logical analysis and concentration of the famous detective influenced by emotion, as he's fighting between the family and the thirst for revenge of the dark forces.

Sherlock Holmes: The Devils Daughter is expected on May 27th 2016 for PS4, Xbox One and PC according to Bigben Interactive.

How much we want to play it? Elementary, my dear Watson!

Written by Vasilis Zafiridis

Anyone can buy a ready notable computer from Dell or HP etc. But if you want something special, you have to build your own. This course will take much longer, but in the end you will be able to show it off. The process of creating a computer is much more fun than it sounds. So if you are the type who want to build a computer completely from scratch, then the current article is for you. Below I'm giving you some tips for creating such a computer - whatever your budget is!

So we have:

Step 1

Specify the type of processor (CPU) that you want to use.

If your budget is limited, then you should know that there's a general rule which says that the second best processor is often the best in cost and performance. This rule is not to be inviolable. Moreover there is always the exception to the rule. Intel is by far superior to AMD in almost all aspects, but AMD has extremely good value. Moreover, in most cases, from low to average values, AMD is a better choice because of the higher speed clock. The AMD series, FX (or Athlon X4series) is a good choice for those looking commitment to return with a separate graphics card. Also the APU series A processor includes integrated graphics card and it may come into AMD Crossfire technology with AMD graphics card. On the Intel side now, better options are the i3, i5 (most often used for games) and i7 processors. The processor i3 is a stable and efficient chip that does not generate much heat, while consuming little energy. The i5 comes in 2 versions: dual core with Intel Hyper Threading or quad core without Hyper Threading. Some models are overclocked and very popular for gaming. And finally, the i7 is the ultimate choice for gaming enthusiasts, but has a high price. Nevertheless an i7 when is combined with a modest graphics card, it levels the frames. So if you have money to spend make sure you are equipped with a monster graphics card to take full advantage of the power of this processor.

Step 2

Find a motherboard that supports your processor.

Please note the reception processor (eg. LGA 1150, LGA 1151, or AM3 +), the type of memory module (eg. 240-pin) and the frequency of RAM (eg 1066 MHz) for selecting a motherboard. Some motherboards come with features like HDMI, so you should look for a motherboard with these characteristics. Of course there are various types of motherboards, such as Mini ITX, Micro ATX, ATX. Avoid high frequency RAM. Ιt may appears at first sight, that any part of the computer works harder or faster, so it should be and better, this is not always the point. The benefits of high frequency of RAM is inconsistent and is known to have a high failure rate. You should note the number of pins of the memory module just  to connect to the motherboard. More pins do not equate to better performance. The same apply for the processor socket. There are different types  that do not show necessarily the performance. Manufacturers of motherboards with high scores are ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI and Foxconn.

Step 3

Put enough RAM to satisfy your needs.

Having more RAM, you will get smoother performance and faster load times. Select the memory you can afford from known manufacturers such as Corsair, Kingston, etc. There are many different memory manufacturers , but few chosen ones make a difference in quality. You must select the memory with the higher clock speed and the lowest in times. Your memory performance largely depends on them. You should buy enough memory to run your applications. Please be aware that if your games say that 2GB are enough, this actually means that it is enough to run the game on the lowest acceptable level. That is the lower limit. If you want the games to run smoothly in general, you need more memory than 2GB. On the other hand, having more RAM, does not always means better performance. It depends on the types of the programs you want to run and how many programs are running simultaneously. Also note that 32-bit processors can only support up to 3,5GB RAM memory. Unlike the 64-bit processors can support much longer, up to several terabytes ( in theory). The practical limit on how much RAM you can install is a function of how many DRAM slots are available on your motherboard (most have 2 or 4), and the maximum capacity of the DRAM units you have. The specifications of the chipset on the motherboard may also specify a limit, for example 32GB or 64GB. Because DRAM is expensive, the most important question is: «How much DRAM my programms actually use?". Very few programs consume more than 1 or 2GB of DRAM. A good strategy for determining the RAM usage is to start with a smaller amount such as 8GB memory and to upgrade when required. You can always use the Task Manager to see how much RAM is used by each program. Remember that additional RAM memory generates extra heat. If you are building a 64-bit operation system, check the prices of DRAM modules requires your motherboard to 4GB,  8GB and 16GB sizes. If the 8GB units are less expensive per GBB, then the purchase is a good start. For a gaming system, you should research the requirements concerning games, which will install, and see how much really DRAM use. Then buy the next larger size. For example, if a game says he wants 4GB of DRAMs, buy 8GB DRAM. A motherboard with two ports, gives you more than enough memory for today's applications, allowing some expansion room for future games with higher performance. There is a second connector  for a future expansion if It'll be needed. In a motherboard 4 ports has 3 slots empty for possible future expansion. Today 8GBB DDR3 RAM hasn't much price difference from the 4GB, so there is absolutely no reason to buy any DRAM less than 8GB.

Step 4

Choose a graphics card.

This is perhaps one of the most important steps, because there are so many different graphics cards on the market, therefore it's more difficult to decide. So the best way to find your card is to look for comments on graphics cards that are within your budget. Be aware that a higher number in the name of the card does not necessarily mean it is better. The first number is the series number of the card, while the second and sometimes the third show performance. If you really want to upload the game level and you have a motherboard that can support it, then  I recommend to buy 2 identical cards from the same manufacturer and set them running in SLI (Nvidia) or Crossfire (AMD) mode. For example you can buy two cards GTX 660s and put them in SLI mode. Also, do not forget that the processor determines the configuration of your graphics. AMD supports nVidia SLI and Crossfire Radeon X, while Nvidia (n Force) fully supports SLI and Crossfire limited.

Step 5

Select the hard disk storage.

Games, audio and video files require plenty of space to store them. Some believe that 250GB is enough, the 500GB is ideal, while enthusiasts and extreme gamers use a 10000 RPM as boot drive and a couple 7200 RPM TBs for games. Read reviews for hard drives and select the best you can afford. Faster hard drives will only affect the loading times of the game, and even then, not so much. So make sure that you have enough storage space. The SATA cards are currently the best choice, because small wires allow better air flow and faster data transfer than the older PATA cables. Look for SATA 3, SATA 6 ... higher prices equal speed. If you have a SSD, then you have a significant impact on gaming performance. They have very little more reading and recording time, allowing much faster boot times and performance. However, as these storage devices are expensive, it makes sense to have both- and a hard drive and an SSD. Store all your games and if you have enough space, your operating system on the SSD and anything else on your hard drive.

Step 6

Choose a good sound system.

For most computers, sound system (speakers / headphones) determines the quality, but if you want to upgrade your system, look for an internal soundcard. Digital audio (optical/coaxial) or analog (standard 3.5 mm connector for most computers), 24 bit (HD) or 16 bit (SD). The "AC97" sound card is usually the one that you will find on many computers, but some motherboards have begun to include HD audio cards eliminating the need for an external sound card. But you can find a good Creative X-Fi or something like that to a reasonable price. Also, do not expect cheap headphones to be a good judge of whether your card makes a difference in the sound output.

Step 7

Chose quality headsets and speakers.

We have already reported on the sound card. It's time then to refer to headphones and speakers for which, there are a number of options ( 5.1 or 2.1 configuration ). If you want to reach the top, there are Bose speakers. Creative has a number of good choices at various prices. Logitech also has high quality. If you don't want to spend more that 50 $, don't look at the products of these companies. There are cheaper solutions but their quality is lower. For gaming headphones, look to Creative, Logitech and Razer in this order (based on price, quality and performance ).

Step 8

Select a power supply.

Check the power of the power supply. The power supplies come with either 20-pin or 24-pin connectors. Be sure that it meets all recommended power requirements, such as the graphics card. It is important to remember that most power supplies, come with poor quality cases. Consider replacing it with a stronger and a much more effective. 350 Watts is the minimum limit for modern computers. High-end graphics cards require 500 Watts or more. There are different standards such as : 80+ Bronze, Silver 80+, 80+ Gold, Platinum 80+. The difference in the efficiency, strength and stability. For example, platinum is more effective than copper .

Step 9

Buy a case.

Never ignore the importance of the case. After all the above, it is time to house all the expensive accessories that will run on your computer. Here I would like to focus on cooling. Some cases use 80 mm fans, others use 120mm fans, and some have been built for both. Fans come in all sizes. Generally, larger fans make less noise and induce more air into the case. Most powerful system parts require more cooling. If possible, have equal air pressure in your case. Also a full tower case may be necessary if you have a large number of peripheral devices such as CD-ROM drives and hard drives. 

Step 10

Select an operating system .

After all this, you need an operating system . When you install it, check the web for updates. The Windows tend to be the best operating system for gaming. You may initially want to select the older versions of Windows (7 or 8 ), since some of the largest games have compatibility problems with the new system. However this is not an issue for games released during and after 2013. Linux operating systems are being developed and may have limited support in games. Most releases are free and light, and is a good choice if you have a low computer performance or games you want to play have a Linux version. Many Windows games can run perfectly using Wine ( some games may have reduced performance or errors when they run with Wine). 

Step 11

Consider getting an autonomus cooler.

You should decide on a cooling system. For most computers, the air cooling is sufficient, even if it means that you have 3 or 4 fans. Most computers do not require liquid cooling system, unless there is a high overclocking. Generally, with high-end computers, the liquid cooling system is the best choice.

Written by Vasilis Zafiridis

Do you want to get the best return on your favorite games without having to spend money on a new graphics card? Then overclocking your graphics card can help you, but there are always some serious risks that may occur. Whenever you overclocking, you run the risk of harming the card. But if you do it with caution, patience and persistence you will be able to manage it safely without any problems. In this article I will show you, how you can overclock your card carefully. So we have:

First Part

Preparation

1. Update the video card drivers.

Before you start overclocking, you must make sure, that you are running the latest drivers for your graphics card. You can download the latest drivers from the site of Nvidia or AMD, depending on the manufacturer of the card you have. Having the latest drivers will ensure that your card works as stable as possible. Newer programs often increase of the overclocking performance .

2. Download some useful tools.

To overclock, you will need some programs, which are available for free. These programs contain performance indicators, which allow you to adjust the timing of your card, voltage and temperature.

• Download a reporting program. There are several available, but one of the best, in my opinion (as always), is Heaven. It is available for free from Unigine. Another quite popular program is 3DMark.

• Download an overclocking program. While Nvidia and AMD have their own overclocking programs, however, MSI Afterburner is one of the most popular and widely used programs. Despite the strange name, it will work with almost every graphics card.

• Download a monitoring program. Because overclocking will affect the temperature and  the speed of the card , it is helpful to have an extra screen to make sure that all the settings you do won't create any problems. GPU-Z is a light program that will monitor the temperature, clock speed, memory speed, and any other aspect of the graphics card.

3. Get inform about your card.

By overclocking without having previously be informed, it can cost you a lot of time and may cause you problems later. You should find the clock settings from the experience of other users with exactly the same card with you and have done tests. You should also find out which is the highest safe voltage for your card. Do not apply immediately these numbers on your card, but gradually. Each card is different, so you don't know what will happen if you enter wrong numbers. Instead, use them as a guide during overclocking and see the results. Indulge in various forums and find other overclockers who have the same card as you. GPU Overclocking on a laptop is not recommended. Laptops have very different heat diffusion time and overclocking and can quickly lead to dangerous temperatures.

Second Part

Benchmarking your card

1. Open the program.

You need to install it after downloading. Most users won't change the default settings during installation. Once your program is installed, open it to start the benchmarking process.

2. Customize the report settings.

Before you start benchmarking, you will be able to customize the graphics settings. Adjust as you want, and make sure that the resolution is set to "Desktop". If the registration program is not performing well with the settings you selected, you can change it later.

3. Click the "Run" button.

The reference program will start playing on your screen. If the performance is poor, you can lower your settings, but this is not necessary. During the overclocking process, you can improve the performance without having to adjust settings.

4. Click the "Benchmark" button.

Once the scenes start to play, you will see a row of buttons at the top of the screen. Click the "Benchmark" button to start the reporting process. Heaven  will run through 26 different stages, and will take several minutes to complete. After the process is complete, you will be given a score based on the performance of the graphics card.

5. Record your score.

Mark each time the score you get. This will help you to easily compare the results, such as whether you can increase the speed of your card.

Third Part

Raising the Core Clock Speed

1. Open the MSI Afterburner.

You will see a list of configuration options on the left side of the program and a hardware screen to the right. You also run GPU-Z to an additional monitor to verify the changes.

2. Find the ''Core Clock (MHz)" setting.

This setting controls the core speed of the graphics card clock. If your card is set to "Shader Clock", make sure it is connected with the "Core Clock" setting. You'll see a link icon between the two,  if they are linked.

3. Increase the Core Clock speed of about 10MHz.

When you make changes to your clock speed for the first time, it is always advisable to do with small values, such as 10MHz. This allows you to see improvements, without any problems.

4. Click the "Apply" button.

The changes will take effect immediately. Observe GPU-Z to verify that the new speed appears.

5. Run the reporting program.

Once you have made your first adjustment, it's time to re-run the reference program and see your new rating. When the reference program isrunning, notice if the picture's quality or frame rate (fps) is significantly improved from the first time. If the program runs without any problems, you can continue overclocking. 

6. Repeat the above procedure.

Continue increasing your speed by 10MHz at a time, checking the reference program results every time. Sooner or later, you will see some volatility as black screens, graphical glitches, bad colors, spots and more.

7. Decide how to proceed.

After showing an instability, you can either restore your settings to the last speed that your card works well or you can try to increase the voltage. If you have seen significant improvements or you don't  want to risk harming your card because of the increase of the current flow, then stop the overclocking here. But if you want to continue ( as I did ), leave the speed as it is and go to the next step.

Fourth Part

Raising the voltage of the core

1. Click the "Settings" button on the MSI Afterburner.

The core voltage is locked by default to prevent your card damage. Check the box "Unlock voltage control" in the "General" tab, and then click OK.

2. Increase the voltage.

Increase the voltage to select "Core Voltage (mV)" by about 10mV. You may be forced to choose just 10mV, if the options are specified at certain intervals. Then click the "Apply" button.

3. Run the benchmarking program.

As soon as you increase the voltage, run the benchmarking program to see if the overclock is stable. Also remember that you left your settings with a speed that was unstable, so if is stable now, after increasing the voltage, you can increase even further the speed of your clock .

4. Repeat the Third Part. 

If your overclock is stable at this stage, then raise the clock speed by 10MHz at a time, running benchmark every time. Repeat this process until the next instability.

5. Watch the temperature.

As the voltage increases, the GPU temperature will begin to rise. Observe the temperature in GPU- Z. It is recommended that the temperature is below 90 ° C (194 ° F). Cooling the card can help you increase the potential of overclocking, but it may be expensive and a time consuming process.

6. Increase again the voltage.

Once all is good by now, increase the core voltage 10mV again, run Benchmarks, and then repeat the process. Remember to monitor your temperature, as this is one of the most limiting factors in how far you can reach overclock. 

7. Do not exceed the safe pressure limit.

Make sure you do not exceed the safe pressure limit for your card when making your settings.

8. Know when to stop.

Overclocking will eventually stop being effective. You may have reached the temperature limit, the maximum voltage or the speed of your clock may simply not be constant regardless of how you increase the voltage. If so, then you can proceed to the next step.

9. Repeat the process by selecting "Memory Clock" (MHz) ".

When you've reached the limit of your Core Clock, then you should do the same with the memory clock. Repeat this process by raising the memory clock at 10MHz intervals, increasing the voltage when hit instabilities (if you have not reached the safe voltage threshold or temperature yet). Always be sure to run benchmarks after each setting. Raising the memory clock may lead you to increase, but after that it will  decrease the yield. Pay attention to the results of the benchmarks.

10. Overclock in SLI cards.

The overclocking process for SLI cards is pretty much the same as a single card. Each card should be overclocked separately. Follow these steps to overclock on each card.

Fifth Part

Stability testing

1. Start stress test.

If you want to perform a stress test make sure you won't use your computer for the next few hours. It is a time consuming process, but is necessary to evaluate the performance.

2. Click the "Run" button.

Instead of starting the "Benchmark" process, in Heaven click "Run" and let it do its job.

3. Watch for errors. 

During the test observe whether there are any malfunctions. If this happens then overclocking is unstable and you should go back to the settings. If the stress test hasn't any problem for 4-5 hours, then it is about time for videogames. 

So these are from me for now!!! Until next time... enjoy your gaming!!

Written by Vasilis Zafiridis

With a little knowledge, it's easy and cheap to build a PC dedicated to gaming. You can actually construct piece by piece a top- end PC for games. However if you do so, it's not always obvious if you have correctly installed the different components. This can cost you a lot of extra money!

Without further questions, here are 10 prefabricated desktops I suggest to you to have for the best gaming experience.

1. Cyberpower Trinity 300

Characteristics:

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K / Graphics : Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 / RAM: 16GB DDR4 / Storage: 250GB SSD + 2TB hard disk / Special features: quirky design, liquid cooled processor.

Externally it looks like an artifact that has escaped from Halo, Destiny or Killzone. But regardless of this funky look, this is internally a real beast, with a six - core processor, a high-end GeForce GTX 980 graphics' card,  a valuable storage space and a welcoming 2TB HDD. And if 16GB of RAM memory are not enough for you, then you're greedy. If you pay a little more money, then they overclock it for you.

2. Alienware Area 51

Characteristics:

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K / Graphics: AMD Radeon R370 / RAM: 8GB DDR4 / Storage: 2TB SSD / Special features: 3.8GHz overclock, 850W power supply, 802.11ac wireless network.

Dell has spent a lot of dollars in marketing to advertise Alienware. Specifically, it is a beautifully designed PC. You have easy access to the entire system,  which will delight you. This model comes with a liquid-cooled processor and AMD graphics.

3. Acer Predator G3-605

Characteristics:

Processor: Intel Core i5-4460T / Graphics : AMD Radeon R9 255 / RAM: 8GB DDR3 / Storage: 1TB SSD / Special features: Built-in speakers,  card reader. 

Everything in Acer G3 is middle class and much cheaper than the newest Acer G6 (with the new Intel's processor named Skylake). Without many words, this PC can run almost any modern game. This model is certainly not as pretty as the newest model G6 - but it is a ''value for money'' purchase.

4. Desktop Lenovo X510 Erazer Gaming

Characteristics:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K / Graphics: AMD Radeon R9 290 / RAM: 16GB / Storage: SSHD 2TB / Special features: 625W power supply.

Lenovo has tried to build a reputation on the quality of its PCs, such as the acquisition of the IBM ThinkPad brand and more. This is a high quality PC with a fast processor and high-end AMD graphics. Of course it is more expensive than the other computers on the list, but It gives you gaming experience at high fps.

5. MSI Nightblade Mini PC Gaming Phoenix

Characteristics:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790k / Graphics: GeForce GTX in Nvidia 960 / RAM: 8GB / Storage: 2TB HDD / Special features:  Micro - ATX case, red light.

It has a pleasant enough black metal design. Inside the tiny case there is an older i7 processor, which must keep up with the slower GTX 960 graphics card. RAM memory and 2TB HDD is standard - but you might want to add an SDD for the operating system.

6. HP Envy Phoenix

Characteristics:

Processor: Intel Core i7-4790k / Graphics: AMD Radeon R9 380 / RAM: 16GB / Storage: 128GB SSD + 2TB HDD / Special features: Bang & Olufsen audio, 802.11ac wireless network .

HP Envy Phoenix offers a good combination of core components. The Radeon GPU that has, can match with the most same cost GeForce cards, and  the 16GB of RAM can run the games efficiently. The SSD is a little small but 2TB HDD offers more storage space.

7. Chillblast Fusion 

Characteristics:

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K / Graphics: GeForce GTX in Nvidia 980 / RAM: 16GB 3000MHz DDR4 / Storage: 512GB M.2 PCI-E + SSD 2TB SSHD / Special features: 4.6GHz overclock, Cooler Master Nepton, Cooler Master case, power supply 750W.

This PC focuses on the new Intel Skylake processor, which is connected to the motherboard Asus Z170 Motherboard Pro Gaming. Using water cooler Nepton, the Chillblast has overclocked the processor to 4.6GHz. Moreover, it comes with a 4GB GTX 980 graphics' card and a fast SSD with data transfer speed to 2GB / sec. All these are placed to Cooler Master case with a 750W power supply.

8. Scan 3XS Vengeance

Characteristics:

Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K / Graphics: GeForce GTX in Nvidia 980 / RAM: 8GB DDR3 / Storeroom: 256GB PCI-E + SSD 2TB HDD / Special features: 4.6GHz overclock, Dark Rock 3 CPU cooler, Corsair Obsidian 450D, power supply 750W.

The processor i7 is overclocked, raising the performance of the core in order to match the top-end Nvidia 980 graphics' card. The rest of the kit includes a delightful mix SSD and HDD and a remarkable RAM DDR3. 

9. Asus Republic of Gamers G20AJ

Characteristics:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K / Graphics: GeForce GTX in Nvidia 970 / RAM: 12GB DDR3 / Storage: 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD / Special features: wireless 802.11ac network, six - core CPU, customizable lighting effects.

If you 're looking for something for your living room, then the Republic of Gamers G20AJ is for you. Not so high-end, as some computers that are listed here, but certainly not one of the mid-range PCs.

Inside there is a six - core  CPU, a desent RAM, a mid-range 970 GPU, and a fast built-in wireless network. It also has a customizable lighting effects, fact that I like a lot.

10. Overclockers Uk Τitan Riptide

Characteristics:

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K / Graphics: GeForce GTX in Nvidia 970 / RAM: 16GB DDR4 / Storage: 120GB SSD + 2TB HDD / Special features: 4.6GHz overclock, six - core  CPU, white lighting LED, Phanteks Enthoo case, power supply 650W.

Another computer with a fascinating name that does not fully reflect reality. The six - core  CPU is not as strong as others, in terms of gaming experience. It would be better to have the GeForce GTX 980 instead of 970, given the proper speed of the processor and large RAM.

So these were my suggestions for the ultimate gaming experience. Enjoy your gaming!!

Written by Vasilis Zafiridis

Overclocking a CPU is, in general, a process for the speed increase in which it is running. It has always been an area for the nerds of the PC, but with the passing of time, manufacturers have now made the process much simpler. Overclocking can significantly improve the performance of your computer, but it may also be harmful if It hasn't done correctly.  But if you want to maximize your computer's performance, then overclocking the processor is the only way. Essentially, you increase the speed of the CPU and check the stability of your computer. You must ensure that the temperature doesn't rise too much every time you increase the speed. If so, then the performance becomes unstable. To learn how to make your overclocking the processor, follow these steps:

First Part

1. Understand the basics of overclocking.

Overclocking is a CPU speed and voltage increase process in which you improve its performance. It's a great way to get the best from a powerful processor or unlock a little more power from  an old or inexpensive PC. But be careful! Overclocking can damage hardware, if it's not done correctly or if you do not take some things into consideration such as the quality of the components you have on your PC. Do you also know that overclocking is greatly affected by small variations in the manufacturing process. Your expectations should therefore be in line with the material you have. If you want to increase performance in video games, you should consider to make overclocking your graphics card. You will mostly see better results. Laptops are not good candidates for overclocking, because the cooling capacity of the CPU is limited. You will have much better results on the performance, on a desktop computer, where you can control the temperature better.

2. Download the necessary tools.

You will need a few benchmarking programs and stress testing tools to test accurately the results of your overclocking. These programs are designed to control your CPU performance, and the ability to maintain this performance over time. Thus we have:

CPU-Z - It's a simple monitoring program that will allow you to see the speed and voltage in Windows. This does not perform actions, but help ensure proper operation.

Prime95 - It is a free benchmarking program widely used to control stress. It is designed to operate for long periods.

LinX - Another stress testing program. It is lighter than Prime95, and is good for testing between each change you make.

3. Check your motherboard and processor.

Different motherboards and CPUs have different capabilities when it comes to overclocking. There are also minor differences in the case of overclocking AMD compared with Intel , but the overall process is the same. The most important thing you should know is whether or not your multiplier is unlocked. If the multiplier is locked, then you won't  have so much autonomy in the settings. Many are designed for overclocking, and thus you can get full access to overclocking settings. Also some motherboards are designed for overclocking, more than others. For example, the "K" series of Intel i7s is specifically designed to be overclocked (e.g. Intel i7-2700K). You can find your CPU model by pressing Win + Pause.

4. Perform a basic stress test.

Before you start overclocking, you must perform a stress test . This will give you a basis to consider some things as you start overclocking, and will also show you if there are any problems with the settings you selected. Essentially it helps to prevent unpleasant situations.  Be sure to check the levels of temperature during the test. If the temperature is above 70 ° C (158 ° F), your system may not be able to get much from overclocking. You may need to install a new cooling system. It is therefore an issue that must be addressed before you start overclocking. Check your memory to see if there are any mistakes. 

Second Part 

Increase of  Base Clock 

1. Open BIOS.

You can access BIOS by pressing the Del key while the computer is starting up. Other possible configuration keys are F10, F2, and F12. Each BIOS is different, so the menu may vary from system to system. Do not be afraid to search for the system menu to find what you need .

2. Open ''Frequency/Voltage Control''.

This menu may have a different name, such as "Overclocking". This is the menu that you spend most of your time, as it'll  allow you to adjust the speed of the CPU, and the voltage received.

3. Reduce memory bus speed.

To prevent memory errors, you should reduce speed before you continue. This can be referred to as "Memory Multiplier", "DDR Memory Frequency" or "Memory Ratio". Lower it to the lowest possible setting. If you can not find options,  try pressing Ctrl + Alt + F1 keys in BIOS main menu.

4. Increase Base Clock 10%.

Base Clock is the basic speed of your processor. It is usually the slowest speed multiplied to reach the overall speed of the core. Most processors can handle a fast jump 10% during the initiation. For example, if the Base Clock is clocked at 100 MHz , and the multiplier is 16, then the overall speed Clock is 1,6 GHz. With the increase of 10% would change the Base Clock to 110 MHz, and the speed of the 1,76 GHz.

5. Run a stress test.

When you run this, restart the computer and start your operating system. Start your Linx and run sometimes. If there are no problems, you are ready to proceed. If your system is unstable,  you may not be able to accept the overclock, and you need to restore your settings .

6. Increase Base Clock until your system becomes stable. 

Rather than increase the speed by 10% each time, it would be preferable to increase the speed by 5-10 MHz at a time. This will allow you to find a " sweet" spot very easily. Perform benchmark every time you make a change to be reached in an unstable state. The instability probably is caused if the processor isn't receiving enough voltage. Be sure to record each of your settings in case you want to return to them later. 

Third Part

Increasing the multiplier

1. Lower the Clock Base.

Before you start increasing your multiplier, you should decrease the Clock Base. This will help multiplier's increase become more accurate. Using a lower speed in the Clock Base, and a higher in the multiplier you will have a more stable system, but a higher speed in the Clock Base and a lower in  the multiplier will lead to greater efficiency. Your aim is to find the perfect balance.

2. Increase the multiplier.

When you lower  a little the Clock Base, start increasing the multiplier of 0.5. The multiplier can be referred to as "CPU Ratio" or something similar. Can be set to "Auto" instead of a number when you first meet .

3. Run a stress test.

Restart your computer and run the benchmark program. If your computer does not address any errors after a few runs through the program, you 'll be able to raise again the multiplier. Repeat this procedure every time you make a raise.

4. Check your temperatures.

Make sure you pay close attention to the levels of the temperature during this process. You can reach a maximum temperature before your system becomes unstable. If so, then you 've reached the limit your overclocking. At this point, you should find a better balance between the rise of the Clock Base and  the increase the multiplier. Although every CPU has a differend safe temperature range, the general rule is to not allow your CPU to reach the 85 ° C (185 ° F).

5. Repeat until your computer starts lagging.

You now have these settings that barely the performance of your computer does not become unstable. As long as the temperatures are still within safe limits, you can start setting up the voltage levels to allow for further increases.

Fourth Part

Increase power

1. Increase the  voltage of the CPU cores.

This can be referred to as « Vcore Voltage ". The voltage increase beyond safe limits can quickly damage your equipment, thus making it the most demanding and dangerous part of the overclocking process. Each CPU and each motherboard can handle different increase of  the voltage, so you need to give extra attention to the temperature. When you increase the voltage of your kernel to increase by 0.025 each. Greater surge can cause damage. 

2. Run a stress test.

After the first rise, run a stress test. If your system is stable, verify that temperatures are still at an acceptable level. If the system is still unstable, try reducing either the multiplier or the speed of the Base Clock.

3. Return to Clock Base sector or the multiplier sector.

Once you manage to make your system stable by increasing the voltage, you can then increase or the Clock Base, or multiplier. Increase in small doses, run the Simulator test until the system becomes unstable again. Once the settings of the voltage increase the temperature, your goal should be to maximize the settings of the Clock Base and multiplier to get the best performance with the lowest possible voltage. This requires a lot of tests and errors as you try different combinations.

4. Repeat the cycle until the maximum voltage or maximum temperature.

Eventually you will reach a point where you can not make the slightest increase or the temperature will approache dangerous levels. This is the limit of the motherboard and the processor, it is possible that you will not be able to advance another. Generally, you should not increase the voltage more than 0.4 compare to the original level of 0.2 using the main cooling system. If you reach the maximum temperature, before reaching the maximum voltage, then you can add additional increases through upgrading your computer's cooling system. You can install a more powerful heatsink or choose a more expensive solution but much more efficient, using coolant.

Fifth Part

Final stress simulator

1. Return now to the last safe settings.

Lower the Clock Base or the multiplier to the latest settings. This is the new speed of your processor, and if you're lucky , will be considerably higher than it was before. If everything is fine, then you're ready to start your final test.

2.Increase memory speed.

Increase the speed of memory to baseline. Do this slowly, as the simulator tests carries out the procedure. You may not be able to increase the memory to baseline levels. Use the Memtest86 to perform memory test and create frequent backups.

3. Run a repeated stress test.

Open Prime95 and run for 12 hours. It may seems like a long time, but your goal is to ensure complete system stability over long periods of time. This will lead to better and more reliable performance. If your system becomes unstable during this test or have temperature increase to unacceptable levels, you must go back and readjust the speed of Clock Base, your multiplier, and voltage. When you open the Prime95, select "Just Stress Testing". Click Options → Torture Test and set it to "Small FFT". Temperatures are usually normal, since Prime95 pushes the computer more at the edges than any other program. You may even want to create copies of your overclock. The temperature should not exceed 60 ° C (140 ° F). 

4. Do some tests in real conditions. 

While your guarantee that your system's  stress testing programs are stable, you might want to try it in real conditions. If you're a gamer, you start playing the most demanding games you have. If you encode videos, try to encode a Bluray. Make sure that everything works as it should. 

Written by Vasilis Zafiridis

They finally officially announced the free games for the owners of Xbox Live Gold for February.

Specifically these are:

Xbox One

• Hand of Fate (available from the 1st   to  29th  of February)
  
• Styx: Master of Shadows (available from February 16th to March 15th)
  

Xbox 360

• Sacred Citadel (available from  the 1st  to the 15th of February)
  
• Gears of War 2 (available from the 16th  to  29th of February)
  

Written by Vasilis Zafiridis

January is fading and February is coming with six new free games for the Ps Plus owners.

These are:

PS4

• Nom Nom Galaxy
  
• Helldivers
  
• Nova 111
  

PS3

• Helldivers
  
• Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
  
• Grid Autosport
  
• Nova 111
  

PS Vita

• Helldivers
  
• Lemming Touch
  
• Nova 111
  

All the games are available from February 2nd. Until next time..enjoy your gaming.

Written by Vasilis Zafiridis

It is not a secret that Android is the number # 1 Smartphone operating system in the world. Being this successful is not by accident of course. Based on the theory of Open Source software, Android offers flexibility and unique features that are not offered by rivals yet. 

For example, Android enables file transfer via Bluetooth, storing files on removable media, installing applications, multitasking with split screen and many many more.

Besides all this, Android has many secret codes, that can really open up a new world in your Smartphone for you. 

These codes are typically a series of numbers and symbols you can insert them via the keypad on the phone that you usually use to enter numbers just before making a call.

Below I give you 30 secret codes. Be careful, because some can delete everything on your system. Before you type them, read the subsequent result before trying them.

So here we go:

If you have any questions, contact me. I'll be glad to assist you.

Written by Vasilis Zafiridis

There are many reasons why your Wi-Fi connection in your Android device is slow. Most are simple, but  it could also apply the possibility someone has " sneak " illegally to your wireless network and slow it down. 

In this article, I'll show you how to find out just who shares your Wi-Fi network and what you can do to block the intruders once and for all !

The first thing you have to do is make sure you are connected to the Wi-Fi network you want to watch. Then, download the mobile application called Fing-Network Tools ( can be found in Playstore  for free).

Once you have downloaded the application, open it and you will see the name of your network, from the home screen, with Refresh and Settings buttons. If you want to see all the devices connected to your Wi-Fi network, click Refresh. You will then see a list of devices and their type (mobile, tablet or computer ) which are connected to your network.

Select any device on your network to display a list of options for that device. This involves sending pings or Wake on LAN signals, and you can connect even if this device is not currently connected to your network (It must have been connected at least once ).

If any of the devices connected to your network is unknown or suspicious, you can block it forever. The application Fing-Network Tools shows you the MAC address of each device connected to your network (the number has this format and consists of numbers and letters : «XX: XX: XX: XX: XX: XX"). Mark that number. Then follow these steps:

1. On the computer that is connected to your router , enter the IP address of your ROUTER browser. 
2. Then enter the necessary information to connect to your router (listed at the bottom of the device).
3. After logging in , find security options and then click Mac Filtering.
4. Select Add device . 
5. Enter the device's MAC address that you want to block. Save your optionsand that was it. You should change your network password too to be even safier .

 If you have any questions, contact me. I will be glad to help you !

Written by Vasilis Zafiridis

For January, Sony has announced the following free games for the owners of PS Plus. All are available from January the 5th.

PS4

• Hardware: Rivals
  
• Grim Fandango Remastered
  

PS3

• Dragon Age: Origins
  
• Medal of Honor: Warfighter
  

PS Vita

• Nihilumbra
  
• Legends of War: Patton
  

Make your choice and... Enjoy your gaming.