Language is used to convey specific ideas but when you allow language too much fluidity you either reduce the impact of words or create confusing meanings. In the world of computing there are certain phrases and word redefinitions I have come to really dislike.
Hot-Swap: So, the original use of the term Hot-Swap was in reference to devices, mostly storage, that could be easily swapped out while the computer was fully active and then accessed. USB storage and eventually even some HDs had this ability. The term, however, became a mess with the introduction of custom keyboards.
The term is used to reference the ability to remove the switch of a keyboard and replace it. It does not matter if this can be done during actual use or just a function to be performed when the system is off, the term is used to reference replacing a switch.
Futureproofing: This phrase creates a special disdain in my soul when I hear it. The reason is that this is a false concept, there is no way to “proof” against the future. Every platform is replaced, even the EPIC AM4 platform has been replaced. There will always be new technology or features that supersede what came before. When saying this the correct phrasing for most people is building toward longevity.
The idea of building a system that will give as long as possible between upgrades. THIS is a solid approach to building a PC, though I think with modern tech, people take it further than they need to. To discuss this would require another article.
Silent PC: This one is more frustrating from a lack of understanding than from being redefined. When people think of a silent PC they are dealing with absolute noise readings, because that is what the “YouTubers” tell them they need to use. However, building a silent PC for typical home users, using this standard is COSTLY and not very efficient. Instead, they should be striving for the perceived silence of the build.
To do this is much easier. Every room has a noise floor; this is the ambient noise that is in the room at any one time. This noise floor will tell you the level of sound something has to be ABOVE to create a noticeable increase in noise. So, a Quiet Bedroom at Night according to most standards is about 30dba. This means if the PC is generating less than 30dba it is in fact silent in the bedroom.
If you want to build a “silent pc” for your home, build it to be near or below that noise floor. Much easier to achieve. Consider it this way, “If I cannot hear the PC in the room I am in, does it make a noise?”
Bottlenecking: The current boogie man in the PC world is massively misunderstood. People use online calculators and see articles on review sites and then use the word as if it is the law. While a CPU or GPU can limit the performance of the other, that limit is based on the type of software being used almost as much as the hardware.
Think about it, if you have a game that is pushing almost pure GPU then the CPU will have minimal impact on the performance of that GPU unless the GPU is massively overpowered for the resolution and game. (Think 4090 at 1080P) The truth is with a balanced build, bottlenecking via hardware is beyond rare.
Now this does not mean it does not exist, but rather it is not some major important factor that must be considered with every purchasing decision. As long as you’re buying a balanced system then you’re likely to never need to have any concern.
Is It Worth It: I see this question asked daily and multiple times. Is it worth upgrading this or that component. I hate this phrase because it is self-answering 99% of the time. If you're asking this question about upgrading, then you’re implying that your current system or device is meeting your needs and you’re basically happy with what you have. If this is the case then the answer to, “is it worth it” is almost always no. Upgrading when you have need has real worth, upgrading because you have an itch seldom carries any real value.
These are the phrases that leap out at me daily as I read Reddit and Discord, which are the phrases you see that get under your skin?
The articles content, opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed in SAPPHIRE NATION are the authors’ own and do not necessarily represent official policy or position of SAPPHIRE Technology.
