We've seen a few battery-powered PCs around here — after all, what are laptops but small computers running on Lithium-ion cells? When it comes to fueling actual desktop systems, though, the story is always one of compromise, however, this field of cutting-edge shenanigans has hit a new milestone thanks to creator Uwoslab. He just built an interconnected power bank out of 192 AA cells, enough to run a modern AM4 system without jeopardizing its performance.
The build is rather straightforward and actually started with 400 AA batteries as the creator had bought four separate packs containing 100 cells each. His plan was to wire up 8 cells in parallel, then connect those little banks in series until he had 50 of them. Simple math tells us eight multiplied by fifty is 400, but ultimately, he only ended up wiring 192 batteries together, split across 3 large wooden boxes.
The boxes were used as anchor points to connect the batteries together and provide structural rigidity. They were laser-cut to fit the cells perfectly and were made out of wood. The creator put clips and contact pads at either ends of the apparatus to serve as the negative and positive terminals, respectively, with four cells going into each slot. He then duct-taped the whole thing together to make it even more secure.
UwoslabUwoslab
Each box held 64 batteries and Uwoslab built three of them, so that's how we get to the 192-count mentioned earlier. This same creator has actually tried to power a PC off of 9V zinc-carbon batteries before, but that experiment failed for the most part since the PC wouldn't stay on for more than a few seconds. His prior experience informed him to switch to Alkaline batteries instead that carry a higher voltage — 1.5V, to be exact.
Since PCs work on 12V, wiring together eight 1.5V cells gets you exactly 12V needed for stable operation, hopefully. Uwoslab was also using "high-drain" Pookell AA Alkaline batteries that trade capacity for higher voltage ratings. If you were to combine 400 of these bad boys in a perfect hypothetical, you'd generate about 160 watts of power for ten straight hours.
Unfortunately, AA batteries are not the most efficient and they drop in voltage over time as they're drained, which makes powering something as (relatively) sensitive as a modern x86 computer a lot more difficult. But it can still be done. The biggest mistake people make at this stage (as if this is a common occurrence) traditional wall-plug power supply attached to a 12V-to-220V inverter. Instead, he ran his parallel battery grid directly into a 12V DC-to-ATX adapter board plugged straight into the motherboard.
(Image credit: Uwoslab)
We don't know much about the PC itself apart from the fact that it's an AM4 system without a dedicated GPU, so it's a G-series chip. There's no storage device either; we're booting straight from a flash drive. And what are we booting into? Hanna Montana Linux. Yes, you're reading that correctly. The popular Linux distro from 2009 based on Disney's teen popstar was recently revived and given a modern makeover.
IT WORKED! Unlike the 9V attempt, this one ran the desktop for 30 minutes without running dead off of 200 AAs. Given the capacity at the end of the test it will likely run a couple more hours before the power drop becomes too much. we benchmarked with Hannah Montana Linux pic.twitter.com/vKBEkundybJuly 17, 2026
Not only does the battery-powered PC easily boot into Hanna Montana Linux on first try, but it even passed the built-in Linux CPU stress test (stress-ng) with flying colors. The CPU was pegged at 98% usage and dropped down to a stable 11.95V during the testing, while the battery bank was reading out at 13V initially. The experiment was a raging success, perhaps better than any Alkaline-powered PC that came before it.
I've owned this electric screwdriver for some time now, and it's become an essential part of the arsenal of tools that I use to renovate my home, while also becoming my go-to driver when I've needed to pop open my PC. It's also been a popular choice among the Tom's Hardware editorial team, with several of my colleagues owning and recommending one.
You're getting pieces of kit in this deal. First, the driver, which combines Hoto's NEX O1 Pro electric screwdriver in a set with 25 different bits. You also get Hoto's AutoCare handheld vacuum cleaner and air duster, which has the ability to both suck and blow, which you can put to good use by cleaning your car interior, blasting out the dust from your PC fans, or by eradicating the crumbs from the crevices in your keyboard.
The Hoto NEX O1 Pro 3.6V driver comes with a 1,500 mAh battery which, in practice, should let you drive over 1,000 screws on a full charge, according to Hoto. From personal experience, that seems about right: I've used the same driver almost every weekend since the start of this year and I've only needed to charge it once. It uses USB-C charging and comes with a supplied cable, so I'm able to use my existing phone charger to keep it topped up. A full charge takes only 150 minutes to complete, too.
This combo deal features the Hoto NEX O1 Pro, a magnetic precision screwdriver powered by a 1,500 mAh battery that will drive over 1,000 screws on a single USB-C charge. It also includes the Hoto AutoCare 4-in-1 air duster and vacuum cleaner with five accessories.View Deal
You're getting 25 steel screw bits as part of the driver kit. These are rated at 60HRC on the Rockwell scale, with 24 standard bits, along with an additional extended PH2 bit. They come in a variety of shapes, with options available for Phillips, Torx, flat, hexagon, and Pozidriv screw heads. The driver has three different torque options to choose from and has a built-in sensor that will stop driving immediately as soon as you release control. An LED light, built into the top of the driver, also helps you see in dark spaces, which I've found particularly useful. The driver is also magnetic to help you avoid dropping screws.
Alongside the driver kit is the Hoto AutoCare. This is a 4-in-1 device with two alternate ends, giving you the option to either suck the air or blow it. You have five different attachments to use, too, all with different sizes and purposes. For instance, you might want to use the grooming brush on your car seat or sofa, or you might prefer to use the tiny pointed nozzle to get underneath your keyboard keys.
Like the NEX O1 Pro, the AutoCare is USB-C powered. It weighs 0.78lbs and has a 1,900 mAh battery, which Hoto reckons lasts for ten minutes of continuous use. While there are plenty of use cases, PC owners will find it easy to use to keep their setup clean and clear of dust and debris. It's also good for those once-or-twice-a-year jobs, such as vacuum packing clothes away, or for inflating air beds.
The ultimate starter toolkit for a PC builder or hobbyist is now on sale at Amazon. This Strebito 144-in-1 kit is just $39.99 right now, knocking 20% off the usual price for a set that includes both precision and electric screwdrivers, as well as 22 different maintenance tools and 120 magnetic driver bits.
If you're looking to build or repair any kind of electronics, this Strebito kit will gives you everything you need, and at a fair price. A set that comes with two drivers, plenty of bits, built-in LED lighting, and a whole array of cleaning, scraping, and adjusting tools to help you with any job you're working on is a good set to have at your disposal.
This 144-in-1 electric precision screwdriver set comes with 120 magnetic bits and 22 repair tools for various disassembly and maintenance tasks, along with a precision screwdriver and electric driver for your PC building and hobbyist repairs.View Deal
The two drivers you're getting here suit different types of repair jobs. The mini electric screwdriver comes with a 350 mAh battery, which should charge within an hour over USB-C.
With a 200 RPM and adjustable torque between 0.15 and 0.5 Newton-meters, the electric driver is a good option for any fiddly repairs, and includes a built-in LED light to help you in those dark PC cases. Meanwhile, the precision screwdriver that also comes with this kit unlocks up to 7 Newton-meters of torque for seriously tricky screws that need a lot more pressure.
You don't need to worry about missing bits, either. There are 120 different bits in this set, covering major head styles, including flathead, Phillips, Torx, and Pozidrive. The kit comes with a magnetizer/demagnetizer tool to make it even easier for your drivers to grab hold of the screws, but it can also weaken them for those sensitive PC builds. The 5.7 x 3.3-inch magnetic project mat will help you to keep everything organized while you're building. A number of brushes, scrapers, a suction cup, and more round up the 22 additional repair tools included in this kit, which will prove useful if you're taking apart a laptop or smartphone, for instance.
The $39.99 price for this Strebito 144-in-1 precision screwdriver set makes it an unmissable option for yourself or as a gift for a PC builder, DIYer, or hobbyist in the making. Strebito offers a lifetime guarantee for this kit, so if you run into any issues, you'll be covered, too.
If you're not already familiar with Hoto, then you should be; they make excellent tools, a few of which are amazing for PC hobbyists and 3D printing aficionados. Perfect for many tasks, the Hoto cordless rotary toolkit is now only $29.95 in this Amazon deal, saving over $20 (40%) off the list price of $49.99. The tool comes with a staggering 35 different accessories for dealing with everything from drilling to sanding, cutting, and even polishing. There's an attachment for every occasion.
The Hoto cordless rotary tool uses a high-speed motor that has five speed modes that operate between 5,000 and 25,000 RPM. This helps with being able to use the tool for varying tasks and also gives you fine detail when working on your creations. You can use the rotary tool for sanding, polishing, cutting, and carving, a lot of the prerequisites for finishing off a 3D printed model to a high finish. The rotary tool is battery-operated, using USB-C for charging. Simply connect the charging dock to power via USB-C and then place the tool in the dock when you need to top up the power.
Hobbyists and makers will want to get their hands on this Hoto 35-in-1 cordless rotary tool kit. The rotary tool itself is fitted with a high-speed motor, offering five speed modes ranging from 5,000 to 25,000 RPM. You can use this for sanding, polishing, cutting, carving, as well as to finish off a 3D-printed model. It's battery-operated, using USB-C for charging, and has a full array of attachments for various roles.View Deal
Twist the end of the Hoto rotary tool to switch between five speed settings. You can use the tool as a drill to make small holes, or use one of the sanding attachments to smooth out the joins in your 3D printed projects. A shadowless LED light at the top of the tool illuminates your work, so that you don't miss any blemishes. There's even a protective dust shield that attaches to the tool, to keep mess to a minimum and also protect you against small bits of material flying towards your face or eyes.
With widespread disappointment regarding the availability and pricing of Valve’s Steam Machine, influencers and creators have been mixing up ‘alternatives’ of various shapes and sizes. However, we think the Terk Box v1.1 looks like the closest alternative yet in design and spirit. The work, as spotted by Hackaday, appears to be a collaboration between Jacob Terkelsen, an ex-Tom's Hardware contributor currently working for AMD, and a 3D printing and SFF PCs enthusiast who goes by the handle of 3DCatt.
Here she is, Terk Box v1. 1I'm working with the designer about future improvements, but for a first major revision and she's now "complete"We added more ventilation in the back so the RTX 5060 is no longer choked.HMU if you want me to build you one. pic.twitter.com/PAt0WaBXGXJune 24, 2026
If you are a 3D printer owner, you can grab the source files for the Terk Box v1.1 direct from Printables.com. There you will find a parts list, which details the various screws, riser cables, and numerous other parts you will need. The .STL source files are all there, too, of course, under a Creative Commons license.
Specific component brands don’t seem to be suggested by the makers, which is probably due to the set of standards embraced by the various PC parts makers. However, we do note in the user comments some people may have had a hard time fitting their GPU. 3DCatt says the max length that will fit is “about 180mm long.” That isn’t all, though, as the recommended PCIe riser cable wasn’t long enough for some, depending on the GPU model. AMD’s Terkelsen chipped in that the build was suitable for his RTX 5060 LP graphics card, but he requested more room for a front 140mm case fan, among a few other tweaks.
The current revision of the Terk Box measures 167 x 168 x 225mm. That may be close enough to the official machine (152 x 162 x 156mm) to justify the extra effort of doing this instead of finding an off-the-peg compact Mini ITX case. Some of the compromises with the Terk Box v1.1 appear to be the fussiness with GPU choice we mentioned above, and the less-than-ideal positioning of the CPU socket in relation to the PSU. However, both 3DCatt and Terkelsen have hinted at refinements on the way to v1.2.
Since they have already strayed from the cubic confines of Valve’s actual Steam Machine, I feel they shouldn’t feel too shackled to the design they currently have. I’ll be watching further developments with interest.
In summary, this is a design much closer in stature and spirit to the original Valve effort, but it is definitely a work in progress. With the various component constraints, the DIY price for this won’t be the most compelling, either. Readers who are 3D printing and PC DIY aficionados, and we must have a few of those, might be able to contribute to the project with suggestions, tweaks, and remixes.
Leading Japanese capsule toy maker Tarlin International has announced an official collaboration with “the four major manufacturers” of the PC components industry. The teased result means that gachapon fans will be able to get their hands on tiny models of ASRock, Gigabyte, MSI, and Intel parts (plus fans, PSUs, and cases), accurate enough “that you can assemble and play with.” In 2026, PC building has become so expensive that perhaps Tarlin’s latest wares will fill an emotional vacuum in the market.
In the image above, you can see Tarlin has inked some kind of official licensing deal with ASRock, Gigabyte, MSI, and Intel. There’s already been four series of networking equipment gachapon launched by Tarlin, for some context.
As far as we can see from the social media posting, the new Tarlin gachapon series includes three branded miniature motherboards: the ASRock Z890 Steel Legend WiFi, the Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Plus, and the MSI MEG Z890 Ace. Premium stuff. Intel’s Core Ultra 7 270K Plus seems to be the only CPU choice. There are also case fans, a PSU, and a tower case for your minuscule components PC build.
Tarlin’s eccentric gachapon pedigree
Compared with gachapon rivals like Bandai and Takara Tomy, Tarlin has carved a niche, eccentric furrow in the industry. It has a reputation for turning everyday, mundane, or highly technical objects into accurate scale miniatures.
Examples of other incredibly niche Tarlin-produced capsules include its Temporary Toilet Series, a realistic Articulated Crayfish, and its series of Cisco rackmount network gear toys. In this context, it's “serious spec” PC component capsule toys, which are made to such exacting precision that they can be assembled to make tiny tower PCs, aren’t so unusual.
In 2024, we spotted a Japanese capsule toy machine filled with Intel CPUs. One gacha chancer acquired an Intel Core i7-8700 CPU after inserting 500 Yen (around $3.25) and twisting the customary knob.
PC building during the RAMpocalypse and NANDpocalypse is challenging, to be sure, but you can still put together a great and relatively affordable box that will last during Prime Day thanks to abundant deals on core components. Yes, memory and SSDs are pricey, but we can dull some of the pain with deep discounts elsewhere.
For a $1000 budget, we've put together a great 1080p gaming PC with a 10-core Core i5-12600KF CPU and an RTX 5060 Ti 8GB graphics card for the best 1080p bang-for-the-buck you can find (and an RX 9060 XT 16GB alternative for $100 more if 8GB is a bridge too far).
Yes, the Core i5-12600KF is getting up there in years, and its P-cores lack the extra L2 of 13th and 14th Gen CPUs, but it boasts higher clocks and a higher TDP than non-K 13th and 14th-gen parts for better multi-threaded performance. For this low price, we'll deal.
Crucially, this PC still features 32GB of RAM for no-worries gaming with the latest titles and 1TB of storage for adequate room for files and games. Cheaper prebuilts might include just 16GB of RAM and a claustrophobia-inducing 512GB SSD. This is a PC that will last, and that matters in today's tight market.
The RTX 5060 Ti 8GB is selling for less than the slower RTX 5060 8GB right now, so you may as well take the free performance boost if you were only going with an 8GB card to begin with. The 5060 Ti gives you access to leading DLSS 4.5 upscaling across a huge swath of games, as well as MFG in titles that don't overrun its VRAM.
On top of the 5060 Ti 8GB's much higher baseline performance than the Steam Machine's GPU, DLSS 4.5 is a secret weapon for this build, thanks to its far superior image quality versus FSR on top of its AI-powered performance boost.
A quality Cooler Master case and 80 Plus Gold power supply make this a 1080p gaming build you (or a lucky kid or family member) can depend on for a long time to come.
$1,000 Prime Day gaming PC
Intel's Core i5-12600KF gives us 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) for multi-threaded work and offers peak single-core clocks of up to 4.9 GHz. Crucially, it lets us use DDR4 memory, too. View Deal
I've personally paired the Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE cooler with an i5-12600KF, so I can attest that it keeps that CPU cool and quiet for under $20. View Deal
The Asus B760M-AYW is one of the few new LGA 1700 DDR4 boards you can get, and for this budget build, it offers everything we need and nothing we don't, including a Wi-Fi 6 radio. Get $10 off with promo code FTTF345. View Deal
32GB of RAM is one of our no-compromise positions for a PC that will last versus one that's just cheap. You can still get 32GB of DDR4 for relatively low prices, and this Silicon Power kit does the job. View Deal
NAND is in short supply right now, so prices are high, but this Silicon Power UD90 SSD still gives us Gen 4 speeds at a reasonable cost per gigabyte. Redeem Silicon Power's on-page promo code for this low price. View Deal
We would normally put a plain RTX 5060 in a $1000 build right now, but RTX 5060 Ti 8GB cards are 15% faster at 1080p and are selling for less than those slower cards. You need to apply the on-page promo code and redeem a mail-in rebate for the lowest price here. View Deal
If you want the added longevity of 16GB of memory, AMD's Radeon RX 9060 XT is the only attainable way to go. It offers similar performance to the 5060 Ti and that all-important 16GB of GDDR6 for about $100 more. View Deal
Cooler Master's MasterBox Q300L is a longtime microATX favorite for cheap builds thanks to its good airflow and fun styling. View Deal
ASRock's Pro Series 750W PSU is a great fit for this build, offering both eight-pin PCIe connectors and a 12V-2x6 cable for potential future upgrades. It's efficient, reliable, and cheap, and we can't ask for more. View Deal
All those parts should add up to about $1029.76. If you're seeing higher totals in your cart, make sure to apply every available promo code and redeem every mail-in rebate you see to get the lowest possible prices during these Prime Day sales. Happy building!
I've just been using a similar non-powered multi-bit tool set for a laptop screen replacement job today, and wished I had an electric version to save some time. Also, I had just one pry tool, so I am eyeing this comprehensive all-in-one selection with some envy.
Inside a 110° retractable flip-top workbench case, you get a whole host of tools and repair accessories. Central to the product is the electric screwdriver itself. This is a cordless unit with a 500mAh battery inside, which you recharge via USB-C. Its knurled aluminum frame includes a display to show stats like battery remaining and torque settings. TanSon reckons you can (un)screw 1,100 fastenings with a single charge. Other attractions of the compact driver include its quad-LED light array to make sure the work tip is visible. With its selection of 42 steel bits, this cordless 200 RPM marvel should help you cut precision tinkering work time way down.
Half price
This 71-in-1 cordless electric screwdriver toolkit should save you lots of time when tinkering with your gadgets. The driver recharges via USB-C and can tackle over a thousand (un)screwing tasks, as well as featuring an LCD screen and a useful quad-LED flashlight at the tip. In the kit, buyers get 42 steel bits to fit most electronic gadgets, as well as handy, if not essential, extras such as pry tools, tweezers, and more.View Deal
TanSon on AmazonTanSon on AmazonTanSon on Amazon
Augmenting the capable rechargeable driver and array of bits, there's a very handy selection of complementary tools in the carry case. The Amazon listing for the TanSon 71-in-1 cordless screwdriver toolkit confirms there are a magnifying glass, a suction cup, four plastic pry bars, a metal pry bar, a set of pointed tweezers, plus bent tweezers, a plastic scraper, a metal scraper, a shell opening pick, five spare picks, a magnetic pad, and an anti-static wrist strap in the pack, as well as the instruction manual.
The package arrives, and we are excitedly tearing into the boxes, putting the parts on the table, and we are ready to build! We reach into the toolkit and dig out the rusty old screwdriver we used to open a paint can back in 2014. We then spill standoffs and screws over the floor, ready for an unsuspecting foot at 2am!
But wait, it doesn't have to be like this! We've all done this, made the mistakes, and now we share my knowledge and that of the Tom's Hardware staff so you don't have to.
You need to start somewhere, and these kits have pretty much every tool that you could need to maintain a PC, all in a handy case. In my office/workshop, I have a general set of screwdrivers for general tasks, and a set of Hoto screwdrivers and bits for servicing my PC and any other parts I review.
HOTO's wireless screwdriver has three torque settings, charges over USB-C, and looks surprisingly good. This kit comes with a sturdy box and all the bits you will need to keep your PC running.View Deal
This HOTO SnapBloq 3.7V electric screwdriver includes 56 bits including Slotted, Phillips, Hexagon, Hexagon Security, Torx, Torx Security, Pentalobe, Standoff, Y-Shaped, Tri-Wing, Triangle, Square, U-Shaped, JIS, SIM Card Needle. It also has three torque settings, an integrated light, and charges via USB-C.View Deal
This 155-pirece kit has everything you need to get started with your first / next PC build. You get a precision screwdriver with 140 different bits (slot, Phillips, Pozidrive, Pentalobe, Torx, nut driver, Gamebit (for Nintendo consoles), Torx / Torx security, and many others. You also get spudgers and pry tools, and even a suction cup.View Deal
All the bits that you will ever need to keep your 3D printer, laptop, or PC running smoothly, and you get a great case to keep them all in.View Deal
All the bits that you need to take a PC apart, build IKEA furniture or fix that cabinet door that you promised to fix in 2018!
A great mix of precision 4mm bits for general electronics and small projects, and 1/4 inch bits for the larger jobs. You get drivers for both sizes and the same magnetic case as the Make, to prevent losing screws as you take things apart!View Deal
Whether you call them Hex or Allen wrenches, this part of our toolbox is often overlooked. Why? Because we get one in every set of flat-pack, DIY furniture that's why! You can get cheap sets of Hex wrenches, but they are ultimately made from a material softer than Play-Doh, or have the power to strip a head. You need a good set of Hex wrenches and this set from Wera is awesome.
German made precision, strength, and a ball head to enable access to awkward screws. Grab this set now, and thank yourself later!
Wera makes quality tools, and these long arm, ball-headed hex keys provide all the key metric sizes from 1.5 to 10mm.View Deal
Everyone should own these great electric screwdrivers!
At least five Tom's Hardware editors own a Hoto screwdriver. I am one of them. It should be difficult to extol an electric screwdriver. After all, it is really just a motor that spins and screws / unscrews. But Hoto's new Pixel Drive is easy to glorify!
The main screwdriver chassis is chunky and features a rubberized finish to prevent it from slipping from your hands. The twist power ring offers three levels of torque, and the simple push-button forward/reverse is a joy to use. Throw in a bonus LED light ring, and you are ready to build and maintain PCs and have plenty of power to put up those shelves in the living room. All of the details are displayed on the LED display, so you know how much power you are putting down, and how much the screwdriver has left!
Save 33% on the Fanttik S1 Pro electric screwdriver. You get 16 S2 steel bits, 3 torque settings (from 1.5 to 4.2N.m). You get the screwdriver, storage case, buts, USB-C charging cable, and a manual. View Deal
The latest Hoto electric screwdriver is now several months old and it now has a healthy 19% off the MSRP. yView Deal
A simple, go-to screwdriver set for the office, workshop, and your go-bag. With all the bits you will need to fix a multitude of problems. And now it's on sale for 25% off MSRP.View Deal
Screw Kits
Don't screw up your next PC build!
Let's be honest. We've all scrabbled around for a spare stand-off or screw to secure a motherboard to a chassis. We've cannibalized other components to ensure that our main rig has everything it needs to keep the motherboard in place and the GPU firmly attached to the case. But what if we just spent less than $10 for 400 screws?
That's right, for less than $10, we can have 400 screws, stand-offs, and insulation rings to secure every part of our PC.
In the kit, there are:
Hard drive screws
Motherboard screws
Chassis fan screws
SSD screws
Insulation gaskets
High-strength chassis screws (think GPUs)
M2 screws
Flat Phillips screws
M3 Stand-offs
Chassis hand twist screws
With ten different types of screws, stand-offs, and gaskets, this kit has everything you need to secure your precious components inside your PC. And now you can get them on sale.View Deal
I bought myself a similar pack years ago since I deal with motherboards and system components on the daily, and it has proven its worth on more than a few occasions.
For less than $10, just throw it into your basket without thinking!
Flashlights
Save money on this 'illuminating' flashlight deal
A good flashlight is one of the most rewarding tools that we can own. It lights up the dark, helps us see obstacles and what we are working on, and could be used to signal planes, should you be trapped on the island from Lost.
Get a great deal on this small flashlight that could. This flashlight outputs up to 100,000 and lasts 5-15 hours (display to show charge %) and charges with USB-C. It has five modes (high-middle-low-strobe-SOS) comes with a carrying case, charger cable, and more.View Deal
With USB Type-C charging, six brightness modes, and a magnetic base, the Wuben E7 is a useful flashlight for makers and tinkerers who want extra light for their work, without compromising on quality.View Deal
Air dusters and cleaners
Clean the filth from your PC!
Air blowers/dusters are a popular choice for quickly blowing out fans and filters to remove any collected dust and fluff. They can also blow out the crumbs that linger under your keyboard. Air blowers are a great alternative to single-use compressed air cans.
The Wolfbox MegaFlow 100 (MF100) may sound like a 1990s Euro Rock tribute act, but it has 150,000 RPM of power to blow dust out of your PC at 45 meters per second!
This convenient blower is battery-powered and supports USB Type-C charging. The MF100 fully charges in 2.5 hours and provides up to 100 minutes of runtime on the first setting. The MF100 is small and compact, weighing only 0.66lb, so it can be easily stored when not in use. The MF100 is also supported by a 24-month guarantee and 24/7 customer service.
This compact air duster can move air at up to 45 m/s with its 150,000 RPM turbofan. A rechargeable battery gives up to 100 minutes of use time and supports USB Type-C charging. The MF100 includes five nozzles and two brush tools to help clean your PC equipment.View Deal
Not everyone wants to buy an $80 air duster. There are plenty that cost less that still move a lot of air and come with several attachments that are plenty useful for cleaning out your PC.
For only under $27, get your hands on this rechargeable 110,000 RPM electric air duster. You get three adjustable speed settings, and about 20-40 minutes of continuous cleaning power (displayed on the LED screen) from the 7500 MAh battery. It comes with five nozzles and four soft brushes for any task.View Deal
I clean out my desktop PC once or twice a year and my blower did a great job, but there were times when the amassed collection of dead skin cells, dog and cat hair, and other fluff was too much for my much weaker air duster. So I bought some cans of compressed air, and not the dollar store stuff either! I don't use them often, but they are handy when you need a little more power in a precise point.
Designed for electronics, these two 10-oz bottles of compressed air will blow the dust, dead skin, and last week's sandwich from your keyboard and help prevent the inside of your PC case from becoming a biohazard. Designed for electronics, these four, 10oz bottle of compressed air will blow the dust, dead skin and last week's sandwich from your keyboard and help prevent the inside of your PC case becoming a biohazard.View Deal
Sometimes compressed air or turbo-force USB-powered jet fans aren't enough, and so you must get your hands dirty. Cleaning any electronic components should be done with care. Components aren't as static sensitive as their predecessors but we should take care not to trash our kit.
These nylon anti-static brushes come in a range of sizes and shapes to clean dust from components and inside drive bays, and to keep caked-on dust from your fan blades. It also includes a keycap puller and tweezers to deep clean the harrowing scene that lurks under your keyboard.
Every type of brush is here to deep clean your PC, keyboard and whatever else needs cleaning in your rig.
The final cleaning product that you need for building and maintaining PCs is Isopropyl Alcohol, IPA. Yes, 99% is overkill; heck, it's medical grade for first aid use, but if you really want to eke it out, get some distilled water and water down your mix to 70%. I don’t because it works well as it is.
My top tip, though, is not to spray it when the components are hot. There is very little risk of fire, but it will evaporate rather quickly. That said, in the electronics hobbyist world, rapidly evaporating IPA is used to identify super-hot chips, typically those that have shorted.
Buying in bulk and decanting into dollar store spray bottles is the smart way to get all the IPA that you need.View Deal
Thermal pastes
Thermal paste etiquette — pea-sized blob, an X, or a smooth layer like peanut butter?
Let's all agree that, however you apply thermal paste, that is the right way, ok? Thermal paste / TIM or thermal pads bridge the hot side of a component to a heatsink or heatpipe, which wicks away heat, keeping the component cool.
Thermal material is essential to keep your system cool, and I asked the team what they use. Our Editor-in-Chief, Paul Alcorn, said that MX-6 is his go-to thermal paste. So I looked around and found this handy kit that contains 4G of thermal paste and six handy wipes. The wipes are essentially isopropyl alcohol on a cloth, and they are used to prepare the surface for the new paste. They will wipe off the old paste, dust, dead skin (ewww) and leave the surface ready for pasting!
One of our highest rated thermal pastes is on sale, and it comes with a handy spudger for application. Thermal Grizzly's Kryonaut Extreme outperformed many pastes pastes in our extensive benchmark suite, but it's real claim to fame is how it holds up under extreme temperatures (think sub-ambient cooling). View Deal
This kit contains 4G of Arctic MX-6 thermal paste and six MX Cleaner wipes to remove old thermal paste from components.View Deal
If you spot something better, or want to tell me I am wrong, hit the comments!
Someone on Reddit has stumbled upon former AMD CEO Rory Read's PC that might've been given to him as a parting gift. Read was AMD's CEO between 2011 and 2014. He helped AMD navigate the failure of Bulldozer while securing massive console contracts with Sony and Microsoft, and also began work on the Zen architecture that would eventually revive AMD.
While direct lightning strikes are difficult to defend against, proper grounding and protection for coaxial and network lines can help reduce the risk of costly hardware damage.
Motherboards, who needs them? Not Breadboarding Labs, which recently drafted plans for a retro Intel 80386 (i386) PC build using solderless breadboards.
Enter your build to the Tom's Hardware Rig Rundown for a chance of winning a $100 / £75 gift card, and have your setup reviewed by our team of experts.
Grab this impressive Hoto NEX O1 Pro mini electric screwdriver set with 25 bits with its AutoCare 4-in-1 air duster and vacuum cleaner in a combo Amazon deal for under $100.
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