Maximum PC - UK (2020-05)

maximumpc.com MAY 2020 MAXIMUM PC 43

R&D

examining technology and putting it to use

TIP OF THE MONTH

MAKE – USE – CREATE

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES TO IMPROVING YOUR PC

CHRISTIAN GUYTON

STAFF WRITER

ALL SYSTEMS

ARE GO

Exploring beyond the thoroughly

charted waters of Windows 10 can

be daunting, but if you’re building

a system on a budget, it can

also be a lifesaver. Rather than

diving into the muddier waters

of unactivated Windows rips and

drive transplants, free operating

systems such as Ermine and

Elementary OS (see page 56) are a

relatively underpopulated desert

island surrounded by a crystal-

clear ocean. Just watch out for

sharks (read: bugs).

Linux-based OSes, such as

Ubuntu’s suite, are cheap or free,

thanks to open-source licensing,

and have benefits over Windows

or MacOS. Yes, Win 10 comes

with a guarantee of stability and

handy tools, but an open-source

OS allows for more customization

and cuts a lot of the flab.

In fact, if I wasn’t a dedicated

gamer, I’d consider making the

switch to an Ubuntu-based OS on

my home rig. Getting platforms

like Steam running on Linux isn’t

too difficult, but the last time I

tried to play The Division 2 on

an Ubuntu build, I got a cluster

headache. The fact is that Win 10

is the best OS for gaming; maybe

one day someone will come

along with an awesome gaming-

oriented Linux OS that blows

everyone away, but right now, I’ll

settle for paying Microsoft for my

Windows license.

CHECK OUT YOUR SYSTEM WITH WINSAT

Windows has had a neat little system-testing tool built in ever

since Vista, and it’s called WinSat. Run the Command Prompt

as an administrator, then punch in “winsat formal” to run a

standard system test. Different commands enable you to

check live stats, such as memory performance using “winsat

mem”; type “winsat -help” for a detailed breakdown of the

options available, such as specific CPU tests.

↘ submit your How To project idea to: [email protected]

52

Enable G-Sync

on a FreeSync

monitor

46

Set up a dual-

boot Elementary

distribution

56

How to build

your own $3,333

Pink Pariah

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