Protect Windows 10

When you’re a PC, everything is out to get you. You need to learn how to shut the door on malicious software, and clean it out if it does take hold.

We already know that you don’t browse movie streaming sites, frequent dating services populated by young ladies from the former Soviet Union who occasionally use stock photos as profile pictures, or merrily execute every .exe attachment you discover in your email spam folder—but even though you’re a paragon of online virtue, there are still things you can do to protect your PC.

As a responsible Windows 10 user, you’re probably already doing them. You chose “Express Settings” at install or flicked the button marked “Help protect your PC,” and allowed Windows to download and install updates.

Turtle Beach Ear Force Stealth 450

Stunning audio—but it comes at a cost

Audio is one of the most important ingredients for a stunning gaming experience. It’s also very easy to ruin. As PC enthusiasts, we are well aware of this. We know that it depends on the quality of the drivers, the sophistication of the components, and the condition of the equalizers running at the heart of your high-frequency, vibrating canisters. So when a company such as Turtle Beach comes up to us, ready to share its latest headset, it would be remiss of us not to say we were concerned. After all, what could a company that specializes in consoles be able to offer? Regardless, we pushed our preconceived prejudices aside, and decided to give it a chance. And, boy, was that a good decision!

Be Quiet! Silent Base 800

Fantastic noise canceling, but could do with more modularity

Ever Since 2008, Be Quiet!'s ethos has been about one thing: silence-optimized computing. Originally a power supply manufacturer, the German company rapidly expanded into cooling solutions, bringing with it the level of precision for which our Germanic cousins are so famed. It also provided one particular product that rival outfit Noctua failed to deliver on until just very recently: black high-performance fans. Which means it wasn’t a huge surprise when Be Quiet! announced its first iteration of a sound-dampened PC chassis, the Silent Base 800.

Corsair Hydro H5 SF

Small form factor water-cooling is now a reality

Let’s cut to the point. Piecing together a small form factor build is always going to be a nightmare. If you’ve had any experience working in those tiny, cramped spaces, you’ll know that getting every inch of extra leverage is vital. Couple that with an incredibly limited number of potential cooling options, and you’re well on the way to shredded fingers, busted egos, and general frustration when trying to beef up and perfect your small slice of ITX heaven.

Asus G752VT-DH72

The Force is strong with this one

You can almost p icture t he s cene: the Dark Lords of Technology showing off their wares, urging Asus to join the forces of Maxwell and Skylake to rule the mobile gaming universe. Unlike in the movies, though, Asus takes the bait and delivers its updated G752VT notebook. Unfortunately, while impressive on many levels, you still have to watch out for that exhaust port weakness (which Asus oddly tries to cover with a couple of rubber grommets).