Processors for PC

Top 10 Processors for Personal Computer

What makes a processor great? Some say it's how expensive it is, while others suggest it's the number of cores or its overclockability that determines the quality of a CPU. In reality, it's a matter of personal preference backed by some hard numbers.

You would likely be disappointed if you shelled out a small fortune just to build a machine that only ends up being used for typing up documents. Likewise, thinking you could save some money by skimping out on the CPU in your gaming rig would be an equally misguided decision.

The goal is to achieve the best performance possible on a set budget. If money were no object, we would all be funding labs-on-a-chip like IBM. There are plenty of options from the only two remaining x86 chipmakers, AMD and Intel, focused on everything from word processing to gaming.

Realistically, though, until AMD releases chips that will use the new Zen-based architecture and a 14nm manufacturing process, Intel has the upper hand both in performance and value for money.

Moreover, you'll need to take into consideration the rest of your PC's components. Pairing a top-end GTX 1080 graphics card with a cheap processor simply wouldn't make sense. Whether you're building a budget PC or a premium-priced server machine, you'll want to keep your parts consistent.

Overclocking, too, is worth your consideration. It's completely understandable if you're apathetic towards the idea of pushing your chip beyond its manufacturer-enforced clock speeds. However, if that's something you think you might be interested in down the line, it's never too early to start looking into overclock-friendly components.

With this list, we're focused purely on readily available desktop and server processors; laptop CPUs, obsolete sockets and non-x86 parts are not covered. Without further ado, here is the list of top 10 processors you can find right now for your desktop PC.

1. AMD A8-7670K

Price: $143.68 (amazon.com)

Processor Cores: 4 | Thermal Design Power: 95W | Graphics Controller: Radeon R7 Series | Clock Speed: 3.6GHz | Processor Socket: FM2+ | L2 Cache: 4MB

If you are an AMD enthusiast (or like rooting for the underdog), these are interesting times. AMD is about to launch a series of processors based on a new architecture (Zen) which will obliterate the current generation of CPUs. So prices are falling accordingly. The A8-7670K remains one of the rare bright spots in AMD's lineup despite being more than two years old.

It is built on a newer 28nm manufacturing process which kind-of explains why it has a 95W TDP - thermal design power, or a part's share of your power supply's available Watts - despite a relatively high base and turbo clock speed (3.6GHz and 3.9GHz). Its graphics performance is where it shines thanks to an onboard GPU that is slightly more powerful than the Radeon R7 240 GPU (six compute units, 384 shader cores, 757MHz GPU clock speed).

2. Intel Xeon E5-2670

Price: $ $185.09 (amazon.com)

Processor cores: 8 | Thermal Design Power: 115W | Graphics Controller: None | Clockspeed: 2.6GHz | Processor socket: FCLGA1011 | Cache: 20MB

One of the best kept secrets in the world of computer hardware is that, every now and then, data centres around the world, operated by some of the biggest tech companies in the world, dump hundreds, if not thousands of processors as they migrate to newer, faster and more power efficient models.

When that happens, they usually end up on eBay or on Amazon, where you can buy them for a fraction of their price (usually one tenth). The Sandy-Bridge E5-2670 v1 is one of them; it's second-hand price is one-tenth of its retail price. Grab a pair of them to construct a workstation rig that would put Intel's current finest CPU to shame with a total of 16 cores, 32 threads and 40MB cache.

3. Intel Core i3-6100

Price: $117.01 (amazon.com)

Processor Cores: 2 | Thermal Design Power: 65W | Graphics Controller: Intel HD Graphics 530 | Clock Speed: 3.7GHz | Processor Socket: LGA 1151 | L2 Cache: 2 x 256KB

If you want to do some heavy lifting but don't want to blow your savings on a piece of silicon, then check out this chip. The Intel Core i3-6100 is the cheapest Core processor based on the new Skylake architecture, and you don't have to fork out a fortune for it.

True, you'll want to pair it with a motherboard with a decent chipset (Z710) in order to run faster memory (2.66GHz), but that isn't necessary. It is not a K-model, and there are two SKUs, the 6100 (higher TDP and higher clock speed) and the 6100T (lower TDP, lower clock speeds) so make sure you choose the right one.

Using a 14nm node, it reaches 3.7GHz with a 65W TDP; its dual-core/4-thread configuration should make for a decent gaming rig, and the 4K-capable Intel HD 530 GPU is clocked at 350MHz. Oh and it should make a fairly good overclocker as well.

4. AMD Sempron 3850

Price: $41.35 (amazon.com)

Processor Cores: 4 | Thermal Design Power: 25W | Graphics Controller: AMD Radeon HD 8280 | Clock Speed: 1.3GHz | Processor Socket: AM1 | L2 Cache: 2MB

At the other end of the spectrum is the Sempron 3850, one of AMD's cheapest quad-core processors. It sports a Kabini core and is built on a 28nm process, which explains why its TDP only reaches 25W, almost one seventh of the FX-9590.

Obviously, the fact that it runs at only 1.3GHz also helps a lot. Add in the fact that it comes with an integrated AMD Radeon HD 8280 GPU (basic, but decent) and you get something that's better than most Baytrail-based systems at least. The best part though has to be the price; it is cheap especially, as it includes the heat sink and the fan; that means that you can envisage getting a motherboard bundle for less than Intel's cheapest CPU. A shame that it has only one memory channel though.

Note that the Athlon X2 340, a different beast altogether (a different socket and no GPU), is AMD's next cheapest processor, costing about 10 percent more.

5. Intel Pentium G4400

Price: $59.99 (amazon.com)

Processor Cores: 2 | Thermal Design Power: 65W | Graphics Controller: Intel HD Graphics 510 | Clock Speed: 3.3GHz | Processor Socket: FCLGA1151 | L2 Cache: 3MB

Its predecessor, the Pentium G3258, was one of the best options at the lower end of the market, and the G4400 is a shoe-in replacement offering Skylake architecture on a budget. The laws of supply and demand means that it is actually retailing for cheaper than the G3258 or the slower Celeron parts.

This chip sports 3MB of L2 cache, hits 3.3GHz on its dual-core, two-thread setup with a TDP of 54W. It doesn't have an unlocked multiplier like the G3258 though but its improved processor graphics (HD510) can support DirectX 12, 4K resolutions at 60Hz over DisplayPort which makes it great for a home theatre PC.

Note that there is a slower version (G4400TE, with a much lower TDP), which is great if you want an even quieter model to build your rig on.

6. Intel Core i7-6700K

Price: $338.85 (amazon.com)

Processor Cores: 4 | Thermal Design Power: 91W | Graphics Controller: Intel HD Graphics 530 | Clock Speed: 4.0GHz | Processor Socket: LGA 1151 | L2 Cache: 4 x 256KB

This is Skylake, Intel's sixth Core generation. The i7-6700K, which cost just under $345 (£290, about AU$463), is the company's most powerful Skylake model set to replace the Broadwell-based desktop processors in the short term.

Here we've got a pretty powerful processor boasting four cores, eight threads, 8MB cache, a base clock speed of 4GHz, a turbo-boost of 4.2GHz and an Intel HD Graphics 530 subsystem inside. Overclocking is what may get some of us excited, however, as it's the distinguishing feature of the "K" models such as itself.

Pair that with a decent 100-series chipset, an oversized HSF and a couple of overclocker-friendly DDR4 memory modules, and watch it fly. And, although you'll want to pay close attention to that 91W TDP, 5.0GHz isn't a lofty goal with the 6700K.

7. Intel Core i5-4690K

Price: $235.99 (amazon.com)

Processor Cores: 4 | Thermal Design Power: 88W | Graphics Controller: Intel HD Graphics 4600 | Clock Speed: 3.5GHz | Processor Socket: LGA 1150 | L2 Cache: 4 x 256KB

There is a good reason why the Intel Core i5-4690K is among the best-selling processors.

This Devil's Canyon part is one of the most, if not the most affordable K-series processor from Intel's Core and as such can overclock fairly easily with modest efforts. It has a base frequency of 3.5GHz with many users reporting being able to hit 25% increase in speed using a decent aftermarket HSF.

The 4690K doesn't come with hyper-threading, but for the price it wasn't expected. The processor, bilt on the 22nm fabrication process, packs 6MB of L2 cache, an 88W TDP and even an Intel HD Graphics 4600 on board GPU.

8. AMD FX-8320E

Price: $129.97 (amazon.com)

Processor Cores: 8 | Thermal Design Power: 95W | Graphics Controller: None | Clock Speed: 3.2GHz | Processor Socket: AM3+ | L2 Cache: 4 x 2MB

Meet the AMD FX-8320E; this is one of the cheapest eight-core processors on the market.

Built on a mature 32nm node, it's clear why the FX-8320E has such a high TDP (95W). Then again, maybe it's not an unusual spec given the 3.2GHz clock speed. Plus, when needed, it can even boost all the way to 4GHz.

But don't get your hopes too high, though. On most tasks, the FX-8320E will be outperformed even by a modest Haswell Core i3. Where it truly shines is when you throw multi-threaded jobs (encryption, encoding etc) at it, where it can beat even the more expensive Core i5 parts. What's more, many users have been able to overclock the chip easily using a non-stock heatsink fan, some all the way up to 4.8GHz.

9. Intel Core i7-5820K

Price: $407.00 (amazon.com)

Processor Cores: 6 | Thermal Design Power: 140W | Graphics Controller: None | Clock Speed: 3.3GHz | Processor Socket: LGA 2011-v3 | L2 Cache: 6 x 256KB

With AMD ceding a bit of the limelight the past few years, Intel has gone back to releasing products that require a new socket on a quasi-yearly basis - great for sales, not great for customers. The Core i7-5820K, a Broadwell component, is no exception. It uses yet another socket aimed at the high-performance and server market.

What makes this little processor worth listing here is that even though it has all six cores intact, it isn't priced outrageously. At $370 it's really not a bad deal. Add in 15MB of cache, 12 threads and 28 PCI Express lanes, and you get a compelling compute solution. Shame about the TDP, a whopping 140W for a part that's clocked at 3.3GHz.

10. AMD Athlon x4-860K

Price: $99.32 (amazon.com)

Processor Cores: 4 | Thermal Design Power: 95W | Graphics Controller: None | Clock Speed: 3.7GHz | Processor Socket: FM2+ | L2 Cache: 4MB

Like most other AMD CPUs in this list, this is an old CPU which managed to remain relevant by combining decent performance with a superbly low price. Since this is an Athlon model, it doesn't come with a GPU. It does however offer an unlocked clock multiplier which means that it is ideal if you want to overclock it.

It has all the necessary ingredients to be at the core of a great entry level computer. It is cheap, has four cores clocked at 3.6GHz (4GHz turbo) and, thanks to its 28nm manufacturing process, has a rather reasonable 95W TDP. Expect it to roughly match a Skylake-based Core i3-6100T CPUs albeit with a far higher TDP (three times) but almost half the price.

Expensive Smartphones

Top 10 Most Expensive Smartphones in 2016

If you take your phone out of your pocket right now (or you are reading this article on your phone), looking at it, you probably think your cell was too expensive when you got it. Even if you got a contract that lowers the price, the amount you pay each month might make you reconsider ever using a smartphone again.

When you see the most expensive phones in the world, you won’t feel too bad about the fact that your iPhone cost a few hundred dollars. There are ten phones that were produced that cost well over six figures, with some of them costing more than $1 million each. Unless you own several businesses, it would be almost impossible to spend $1 million on phone bills in a lifetime.

Do these phones do anything that your phone can’t do? The answer to that is no. These phones do exactly the same thing as yours, and some of them actually do even less. It’s not the inside of these phones that make them cost so much, but the outside. Pretty much the exact opposite of what makes a good car so expensive compared to a Junker.

So which 10 phones are the most expensive ever? We found out cell phones that cost more money than even a house or a car should. Here are the 10 most expensive smartphones in 2016:

1. Dior Reveries Haute Couture    (Price: $116,225)

Yet another stunning luxury smartphone that manages to mix splendid design with opulent decorations and features that far exceed those of any standard tech device. The Dior Reveries first impresses through the Dior trademark cannage design.

The phone itself is assembled by hand in France, assuring longevity, unbeatable functionality and character. This highly personal phone for Dior boasts a string of media elements that gives users a glance at the brand’s interesting history. Mother of pearl, white gold and an endless stream of diamonds take this already stunning phone over the top and its clear at who the brand is marketing its limited 99 phones.

Just like in the case of the iPhone 5 Black Diamond this amazing piece of tech has more than your average touchscreen. Its extra durable, scratch proof features also include a multi-touch function.

Like much of the media aspects of this phone the ringtones and touchstones are created specifically to reflect Dior’s amazing journey from its very beginnings to present day creations.

The chassis of the Reveries Haute Couture is covered in 18 carat white gold giving the phone an incredible smooth and pleasant texture as well as a solid, satisfying weight.

The most impressive cosmetic enhancement of the Dior Smartphone is the 1,539 flawless diamonds that have been added to produce a truly unique accessory that simply demands attention.

To add to the sea of perfectly placed diamonds the smartphone also includes 46 mother of pearl iridescent pieces.

2. Savelli Jardin-Secret White Ice (Price: $10,000-$120,000)

Luxury phones are becoming smarter than ever and are no more about just their external beauty. Savelli mobile handsets have been created, keeping in mind the necessity of latest in technology and the privilege of exclusivity. For connoisseurs of brilliant craftsmanship, ‘Savelli’ from Geneva has created the ‘Jardin Secret’ with eleven luxury models, each, with its distinctive identity. All of them run on Android OS, a popular operating system found in several smartphones.

The range is designed to suit the taste of women who won’t mind spending a little more for a smartphone that works beautifully in the hand, as a precious Jewel.

The Jardin Secret is made of precious metals, diamonds and exotic animal skin. What makes it different from smartphones available in the market, is the look and feel of the phone. Each handset is hand crafted to render aesthetics that no other smartphone can flaunt.

The magic of a customized luxury phone begins right when the phone is switched on; the user interface design and sounds have been created by top notch photographers and DJs to add to the exclusivity of the make. These sounds and ringtones can only be found in Jardin phones and are created by DJ Stephane Pompougnac

Celebrated photographer Patrick Demarchelier who has shot several cover pages for Vogue and has also been the personal photographer of Diana, Princess of Wales, has contributed in making the admirable icons on the beautifully contoured menu of the phone.

Jardin Secret is now available for sale at select stores and boutiques, including Harrods and Printemps. The jeweled smartphones will cost from $10,000-$120,000.

3. Vertu Signature Touch for Bentley (Price: $19,000.00)

Display: 5.20-inch| Processor: 1.5GHz octa-core | Front Camera: 2.1-megapixel | Resolution: 1080x1920 pixels| RAM: 4GB| OS: Android 5.1 | Storage: 64GB |Rear Camera: 21-megapixel | Battery Capacity: 3160mAh

Vertu is a Britain based manufacturer and retailer of luxury mobile phones. It was established by Finnish mobile-phone manufacturer Nokia as a wholly owned subsidiary in 1998. Nokia sold Vertu to private equity group EQT VI for an unspecified amount in October 2012, keeping a 10-percent share.

Vertu Signature Touch for Bentley smartphone was launched in January 2016. The phone comes with a 5.20-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels at a PPI of 428 pixels per inch.

The Vertu Signature Touch for Bentley is powered by 1.5GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor and it comes with 4GB of RAM. The phone packs 64GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 2000GB via a microSD card. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Vertu Signature Touch for Bentley packs a 21-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 2.1-megapixel front shooter for selfies.

The Vertu Signature Touch for Bentley runs Android 5.1 and is powered by a 3160mAh non removable battery. It measures 155.00 x 74.00 x 10.80 (height x width x thickness) and weighs 225.00 grams.

The Vertu Signature Touch for Bentley is a single SIM (GSM) smartphone that accepts a Regular-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, 3G and 4G (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India). Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, and Accelerometer and Ambient light sensor.

4. Sirin Solarin

(Price: $14,000)

Display: 5.5 inch| Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core | Front Camera: 8 megapixels | Resolution: 1440x2560 pixels | RAM: 4 GB| OS: Android 5.1| Storage: 128 GB |Rear Camera: 23.8 megapixel | Battery Capacity: 4040mAh

Sirin (full name Sirin Labs) is a new entrant to the mobile technology arena and it claims to have one simple goal, "to bring tomorrow to our customers, today". After two years of R&D, Sirin Labs launched its first smartphone in 2016 - the Solarin.

Sirin Solarin smartphone was launched in May 2016. The phone comes with a 5.50-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1440 pixels by 2560 pixels.

The Sirin Solarin is powered by octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor and it comes with 4GB of RAM. The phone packs 128GB of internal storage cannot be expanded. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Sirin Solarin packs a 23.8-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 8-megapixel front shooter for selfies.

The Sirin Solarin runs Android 5.1 and is powered by a 4040mAh non removable battery.

The Sirin Solarin is a single SIM (GSM) smartphone that accepts a Nano-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, 3G and 4G. Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Gyroscope and Barometer.

5. Goldvish Eclipse

(Price: $7,668)

Display: 5 inch| Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad-core 2.5Ghz processor | Front Camera: 5 megapixels | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels | RAM: 3 GB| OS: Android 6.0 | Storage: 64 GB |Rear Camera: 13 megapixel  

Goldvish Geneve is a Swiss luxury smartphone maker that combines high-end specifications with the exclusivity of precious materials and tangible delights. Their latest release is the Eclipse phone and it is as exquisite as it is rare. The phone resonates Swiss craftsmanship in a means experienced before only through classic timepieces. This same magical touch is reproduced in this handmade marvel that comprises of precious metals in the framework and surfaces of exotic leather.

The face of the phone sports a 5.5-inch touchscreen display. On the inside, it is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, packing 3 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. This beast of a phone wears the skin of elegance and promises a battery life of 250 hours (we’re guessing on standby). A state-of-the-art encryption will ensure that calls between two Goldvish phones are securely made.

It goes without saying that a piece as luxurious as the Goldvish Eclipse will only be available in limited numbers. You can pick the Eclipse in a number of styles ranging from an 18-karat gold frame to pave diamond surfaces with custom engravings.

The limited edition phones will retail at prices starting from $7,700. The company has promised that more variants and styles will be added later this year.

6. Vertu Aster Collection

(Price: $6,780)

Display: 4.7 inch| Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 Quad-core 2.3 GHz | Front Camera: 2.1megapixels | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels | RAM: 2 GB| OS: Android | Storage: 64 GB |Rear Camera: 13 megapixel  

An aster, for those who don’t know, is a pretty, daisy-like flower. It’s attractive and colorful, but not particularly rare, nor does it really stand out in the world of plants. In the UK, it’s a relatively common sight, and therefore not the name one would expect extravagant luxury smartphone brand Vertu to choose for its latest model.

Android 4.4.2 is installed on the Aster, and it’s almost standard, aside from a selection of Vertu’s own apps. Noticeable due to their classy black and white icons, the standouts are Concierge, Certainty, and Life. Concierge is Vertu’s personal assistant service, and it’s the full experience; you’ll speak to the same person whenever you call. It’s free for the first year, and a major benefit of ownership.

Certainty offers secure calls, messages, and a global Wi-Fi access pass. Vertu Life lists the events and exclusive offers which are available to owners. In a way, Life gives you a glimpse into what it’s really like have the means to own a Vertu. The phone kept offering me the chance to book a test flight in an Albatros training jet, or buy an exclusive Patek Phillipe watch, It’s all very cool, and one phone call to the Concierge secures whatever has taken your fancy.

There is some dead weight, such as the Recommended Apps and shortcut link to Vertu.com, and sadly they can’t be deleted, only hidden. There’s 64GB of internal storage memory, and just under 3GB is used when the phone arrives. Pre-installed wallpapers include those which match the leather on the phone, and a very attractive 3D wallpaper, which moves and flows as you scroll through the home pages. Vertu’s classic analog clock has also been given a 3D option, complete with a tiny 3D moon-phase indicator.

7. Tonino Lamborghini 88 Tauri    (Price: $6,000)

Display: 5 inch| Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.3 GHz| Front Camera: 8 megapixels | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels | RAM: 3 GB| OS: Android 4.4 | Storage: 32 GB |Rear Camera: 20 megapixel | Battery Capacity: 3400mAh

Tonino Lamborghini is a premium brand that creates luxury accessories. The company is named after its founder Tonino Lamborghini, the son of the famed auto designer Ferruccio Lamborghini. In 1981, he founded the ‘Tonino Lamborghini Style and Accessories’ company for the creation of luxury accessories and design projects with the ‘raging Bull’ brand. The company has also released Android smartphones.

Tonino Lamborghini 88 Tauri smartphone was launched in December 2014. The phone comes with a 5.00-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels.

The Tonino Lamborghini 88 Tauri is powered by 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor and it comes with 3GB of RAM. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Tonino Lamborghini 88 Tauri packs a 20-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 8-megapixel front shooter for selfies.

The Tonino Lamborghini 88 Tauri runs Android 4.4 and is powered by a 3400mAh non removable battery.

The Tonino Lamborghini 88 Tauri is a dual SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone that accepts Micro-SIM and Micro-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, 3G and 4G. Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor and Gyroscope.

8. Aston Martin Racing 808           (Price: $6,000)

Display: 4.7 inch| Processor:  Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.5GHz| |Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels | RAM: 2 GB| OS: Android 5.0| Storage: 32 GB |Rear Camera: 13 megapixel | Battery Capacity: 2000mAh

Want to be a British superspy but can't exactly afford an Aston Martin supercar? How about something less expensive, such as this licensed Aston Martin Racing 808 smartphone, with a starting price tag of $6,000. Sure, it's a good deal cheaper than a supercar, but it's still quite a hefty amount for a smartphone, and that's really only for the base model. If you're feeling up to splurging, an 18-karat gold and diamond version can be purchased for a whopping $30,000.

Jaw-dropping price aside, the phone's hardware is, sadly, a little less inspired by Aston Martin's supercars and their secret-agent-level performance. The phone features a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.5GHz, a middling 2GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. While the 4.7-inch display only has a 1,280x720-pixel resolution, it uses an expensive sapphire glass screen for protection.

Other specs include a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 2,000mAh battery and dual-SIM LTE support. The AMR 808 runs Android 5.0, which appears to be the stock version of Google's mobile software. Beyond a gimmicky wallpaper that says "Engine start" but obviously does nothing of the sort, there's no bundled software.

While the phone's specifications are lackluster at best, the AMR 808 does have a pretty nice finish, even on the prototype model, the entire rear is clad in leather, which is comfortable to hold. The phone's frame is made of metal, which should prove sturdy in the event you accidentally drop it. The top speaker of the phone is wrapped in a ceramic shell, which the manufacturer claims will help reduce radiation and is supposedly a lot more comfortable for listening.

9. Gresso Regal Gold

(Price: $6000)

Display: 5 inch| Processor: Quad core 1.5 GHz| Front Camera: 5 megapixels | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels | RAM: 2 GB| OS: Android | Storage: 32 GB |Rear Camera: 13 megapixel  

Well known luxury smartphone maker Gresso has added a new device to its Regal series. It's called Gresso Regal Gold, and, like most of this company's offerings, it's going to be a limited edition.

Only 999 units will be made, each one coming with an 18K yellow gold insert onto which that phone's individual number will be engraved. You can choose which number you want, by the way.

The Regal Gold is styled to look like a bar of gold, so that it never looks outdated. The case is made from golden PVD-coated titanium, a technique often used by Swiss luxury watchmakers because it increases resistance to scratches.

The case is actually produced from a grade 5 solid titanium plate, which is widely used in the aerospace industry. The machining and milling process takes 8 hours to create each 8.8mm thin Gresso Regal Gold.

Its back panel comes with directional polishing, which takes an additional 3 hours to manually perform. Each handset is made by a single craftsman.

Of course, the Regal Gold is also a smartphone. It runs Android, though it's unclear which exact version. It boasts a 5-inch 1080p touchscreen with Gorilla Glass, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie snapper, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage.

It's powered by an unnamed 1.5 GHz quad-core processor, has 3G support but no 4G, and should last for a maximum of 6 hours talk time and 300 hours standby time.

If you're interested in picking one up, Gresso will gladly help you out, so long as you agree to part with no less than $6,000 in return. Oh, and at this price you even get free worldwide shipping.

10. Mobiado Grand Touch EM Marble (Price: $3,100)

Display: 4-inch| Processor: Single core, 1000 MHz, ARM Cortex-A8| Front Camera: 0.3 megapixels | Resolution: 480 x 800 pixels | RAM: 0.5GB| OS: Android | Storage: 16 GB |Rear Camera: 5 megapixel | Battery Capacity: 1500mAh

It is only recently that luxury mobile phone makers have started making handsets with relatively newer hardware and software specifications and the Grand Touch was Mobiado first handset with Android OS. The phone is based on Samsung’s Nexus S smartphone and both the handsets share all the hardware and software elements; none of it have been altered. There is little doubt that the Nexus S is a solid product and there is nothing wrong with it.

The only problem is that it has become a little old now and though most of the current apps are compatible and work, it might become a problem sometime in the future.

Under the hood, it features a 1 GHz Cortex-A8 processor and runs on Android 4.1 Jellybean; but it won’t get any more updates and isn’t upgradable to Android 4.2 or higher. It features an ordinary 5MP camera on the rear and a VGA shooter on the front for video calling.

Another possible shortcoming of the handset is that it doesn’t have 4G but it isn’t a problem in India as of now. It might not have the latest hardware and software but as a luxury smartphone, it has enough features to get you through will all the basic necessities.

Gaming Controllers

Top 10 Gaming Controllers for PC

A game controller is a device used with games or entertainment systems to provide input to a video game, typically to control an object or character in the game. A controller is usually connected to a game console or computer by means of a wire or cord, although, since the mid-2000s, wireless controllers have become widespread. Input devices that have been classified as game controllers include keyboards, mouses, gamepads, joysticks, etc. Special purpose devices, such as steering wheels for driving games and light guns for shooting games, are also game controllers.

Game controllers have been designed and improved over the years to be as user friendly as possible. The Microsoft Xbox controller, with its shoulder triggers that mimic actual triggers such as those found on guns, has become popular for shooting games. Some controllers are designed to be deliberately best for one type of game, such as steering wheels for driving games, or dance pads for dancing games.

One of the first video game controllers was a simple dial and single button, used to control the game Tennis for Two. Controllers have since evolved to include directional pads, multiple buttons, analog sticks, joysticks, motion detection, touch screens and a plethora of other features. Let’s take a look on the list of top 10 Gaming Controllers for PC in 2016:

1. Xbox 360 Wireless Controller

Price: $31.40+ $18.50(wireless receiver for pc) [amazon.com]

The Xbox 360 Wireless Controller borrows many design elements from the Controller S. The left and right analog sticks and triggers, the control pad, and the face buttons are all in the same spots, constructed rather similarly. The start and Back buttons have been moved to the center, flanking the new guide button, which can turn on the system remotely and allows access to your gamer card at any time. Removed from the older controller are the black and white buttons, which were awkwardly placed below the face buttons. Taking their place are the left and right bumpers, which make their home on the top of the controller in front of the triggers. Atop the controller is a small white sync button that, for the first time, allows your controller to communicate with an Xbox 360 console. The slight changes have resulted in a nearly perfect design; not only is the controller great for Xbox 360 games, but you may just prefer the new layout for the backward-compatible Xbox1 titles, as the bumpers are better located than the black and white buttons.

A variety of inputs are unobtrusively located on the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. On the top is the input for the Xbox 360 Play and Charge Kit, which allows you to recharge the battery pack via a cabled USB connection to the console--though we found the Quick Charge Kit to be a far better solution. On the bottom is a headset input. You can plug in any headset with a 2.5mm minijack (standard for cell phone headsets), but the input is form-fitted to accept the Xbox 360 Headset, which has built-in volume and mute buttons. Compared to the wired controller, this model is slightly heavier and bulkier, due to the presence of the battery pack at the back of the controller.

As for performance, it's phenomenal, besting even Logitech and Nintendo's wireless wares. Response time is even with that of any wireless controller released before. The controller is as responsive as its wired counterpart, with the exception of the guide button, which takes a few seconds longer to sync wirelessly. The force feedback is strong but not quite as strong as the wired controller's. That said, where the 360 Wireless Controller separates itself from the rest of the pack is its ability to connect multiple controllers at once. While other controllers require multiple dongles and manually chosen frequencies, each of these wireless controllers will sync with the Xbox 360 console once the guide button is pressed. Once connected, the quadrant of the guide button corresponding to the player's number lights up.

2. SteelSeries Stratus XL

Price: $53.99 [amazon.com]

SteelSeries is a company largely known for its gaming mice and keyboards. Last year, it jumped into the mobile gaming market with the introduction of the Stratus and the full-sized Stratus XL for iOS some months later. More recently, the company released a new version of the Stratus XL controller for use with Android and Windows PC. Given that PC gamers have no shortage of controllers to choose from, SteelSeries was entering a tough market already dominated by the standard Xbox 360 controller.

The Stratus XL feels well-made, with a matte black surface. It runs on two AA batteries and is slightly heavier than a DualShock 4, but not so much so that it feels uncomfortable to hold. Despite the "XL" in the name, it's around the same size as the DualShock 4, so you won't need extra-large hands to use it.The concave analog sticks are stiffer than the DualShock 4, which makes precision aiming in first person shooters harder as a result. The analog sticks are slightly closer together, but there's no perceptible difference in how it feels beyond its stiffness.

The charge on the controller lasts a long time, even on standard disposable AA batteries. I was able to play Fallout 4 and Assassin's Creed Syndicate for a week (for many hours at a time) without having to swap out the batteries. The battery life lives up to the box specifications' claim of delivering an estimated 40 hours of playtime.

To conserve battery charge, the controller shuts off on its own when you're not in a game. You can also turn it off manually with a switch located at the back. Though not as effective as having a warning pop-up on screen, the orange LED indicator on the controller tells you how much power you have left.

3. Razer Wildcat

Price: $99.99 [amazon.com]

Razer offers its own elite Xbox One PC gamepad in the form of the Wildcat. It feels good in the hand and is very responsive, and you can customize it much like the Elite controller. However, it's strictly a wired gamepad, and for the same price tag you, can get the first-party Elite controller and have the option to cut the cord whenever you want. If the Wildcat cost half as much as the Elite, it would be a viable, premium wired gamepad to consider, but as it stands it simply doesn't justify its price.

The boldly styled Wildcat looks and feels like an overbuilt Xbox One controller. Its layout and the general build quality of its matte black plastic body are nearly identical to the Xbox One gamepad, with all of the standard controls feeling indistinguishable from the stock controller's buttons and sticks. The direction pad is a four-segment cluster closer to that of a DualShock 4, but otherwise everything else feels the same. A pair of sliding trigger lock switches sit under the top set of alternate triggers. They limit the pull distance of the standard triggers, just like the trigger locks on the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller.

Razer added some extras in addition to the standard controls. A built-in wired headset adapter sticks out of the bottom of the gamepad between the hand grips, and is laid out exactly like a standard Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter. This is a nice touch, and one the Elite controller lacks.

Two additional pairs of triggers sit on the underside of the Wildcat, similar in purpose to the removable paddles on the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller. They're smooth, glossy black plastic rather than metal, and feel more natural to reach with your fingers. One pair sits between the grips, comfortably resting under your middle fingers while your index fingers hold the standard triggers. The other, more bumper-like pair, sits between the standard triggers and can be accessed by stretching your index fingers slightly further around the gamepad.

You can remove the multifunction triggers on the underside of the Wildcat with the included screwdriver, if you wish. Once they're out, a pair of small covers flip down over the mounting holes and lock in place. If you want to put the triggers back, two small switches next to the covers release them. You can't remove the multifunction bumpers higher on the gamepad.

4. Logitech Gamepad F310

Price: $19.96 [amazon.com]

The Logitech F310 gamepad has a sturdy design and is compatible with nearly any PC game. It is missing vibration feedback, which may be a deal breaker for some, but its dual-analog joysticks and pressure-sensitive triggers make it a great choice for many games.

Because the Logitech 310 lacks vibration feedback, you will miss the tactile cues some games use. For example, if an enemy is shooting you with silent rounds, you might not notice it as quickly without the vibration warning. If you don't want to lose touch feedback, this controller isn't for you.

One feature we really enjoyed is the profiler software. Not all PC games come with the needed support to handle a gamepad. With the Logitech F310 you don't have to worry about that since the profiler software allows you to customize the various buttons and eliminate the need to coordinate a keyboard and mouse. We also found the multiple input modes useful.

It comes with both XInput and DirectInput modes. Older games tend to use DirectInput while newer games use XInput. The primary reason for this difference in input modes is the shift in gaming that took place when the Xbox 360 launched. The 360's controller uses XInput, and many game developers switched to the newer, easier controller setup. However, if you have older games, it's good to know that the F310 will work with those games as well.

5. Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller

Price: $134.00 [amazon.com]

The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller came as surprise when it was first announced. Both its price and its purpose seemed misaligned with the image Microsoft wanted to put out there after the Xbox One's slow start out of the gate.

It's expensive, extravagant and perhaps most useful for only a small niche of the Xbox community i.e. it's everything Microsoft was trying to avoid when it rebranded the Xbox One from a next-level gaming machine on par with PCs to the more affordable, all-in-one entertainment center we see today.

But despite what the lavish, pro-only price suggests, the controller has a universal appeal that anyone - from the tier-one Call of Duty players to the casual Peggle kings - can enjoy.

Why? The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller is easily the most comfortable controllers on the market, with rubberized grips, a cool-to-the-touch finish and stainless steel components that can be swapped out to suit your needs.

Add to that a slew of paddles located on the back of the controller that can be assigned the function of any face button and a set of reinforced hair triggers that can be programmed and physically set to different sensitivity levels and you have the makings of a great gamepad.

Best of all, it works on PCs running Windows 7 or higher - including, of course, Windows 10. Drivers for PC release on October 27 which, unsurprisingly, coincide nicely with the recent release of the Xbox One Controller Wireless Adapter.

6. NVIDIA SHIELD wireless controller

Price:  $59.99 [amazon.com]

If the Nvidia Shield already sounds like a familiar name, that's because it is. Nvidia has used the Shield moniker a couple times before, with its Shield Portable and Shield Tablet.But the Shield console is different from its predecessors, both in its form factor - obviously - but more importantly in its intentions.

This is the world's first-ever 4K Android TV set-top box, and the first widely offered streaming device that's capable of handling Ultra HD. That means, unlike the Roku 3, Chromecast or even Amazon Fire TV, you can actually connect this to a 4K TV in your home, throw on Netflix, HBO Now or YouTube, and be treated to stunning 3,840 x 2,160 resolution content.

Where the Shield Portable failed to capture the Nintendo 3DS's spot in our pockets and the Shield Tablet a spot in our bags, the Nvidia Shield is attempting in earnest to claim a space beneath our TVs.

 The Shield is exactly what you've been waiting for.But maybe you can't see yourself enjoying gaming on a micro-console with a limited library of PC-quality games, or you've decided that you're not ready for 4K yet (or more likely it's not ready for you). In either case, then you should probably save yourself some cash and buy one of the half-dozen other equally good, if not a hair more complete, set-top boxes.

7. Mad Catz L.Y.N.X. 9

Price: $99.99 [amazon.com]

Mad Catz has always done things a little differently. The Rat gaming mouse looked like nothing before it when first launched 5 years ago, but has proven its staying power with a new version, the Rat Pro X.

PC and console gaming is all well and good, but those markets aren’t growing; they’re flatlining. Mobile gaming on the other hand is going from strength to strength and it’s more than just casual gaming that’s fuelling the growth. Games such as BioShock and FIFA look and play great on phones and tablets – that is, if you have the right controller.

So it’s not quite such a surprise that Mad Catz has announced an incredible new mobile controller for those wanting the very best experience across mobile, tablet and even smart TVs. It’s called the Mad Catz L.Y.N.X. 9 and it’s part Swiss Army knife, part transformer, part Lego Technic and entirely bonkers. But bonkers in a good way.

The Mad Catz L.Y.N.X. 9 attempts to combat this by folding into a smart little package. We’ve seen this sort of thing before on the likes of the Phonejoy gamepad, which is a nifty little mobile controller, but the L.Y.N.X. 9 is on another level entirely.

It consists of three core components – a ‘left wing’, a ‘right wing’ and the controller’s ‘brain’ – which can be rearranged to work with a phone or joined to the included tablet stand. This can accommodate tablets with screen sizes of up to 7 inches.

Connect the L.Y.N.X. 9 to a Smart TV or desktop PC and you get a controller that runs rings around remote controls. Aside from the keyboard the Mad Catz L.Y.N.X. 9 includes a mouse control sensor near the top of the controller, with left and right mouse buttons. It takes a little getting used to, but works well, floating the cursor around just like the pointer stick on a Lenovo ThinkPad does. Still not enough inputs for you? Well you could always just keep the right thumbstick pressed to activate the microphone. Yes, that’s right, the L.Y.N.X. 9 comes with a mic built into it, too.

8. Thrustmaster GPX LightBack 

Price: $49.49 [amazon.com]

Thrustmaster also sent us their GPX Lightback Ferrari F1 Edition. The controls are in many ways comparable to those of the standard GPX. This gamepad does offer a number of extras. Grip is clearly improved by the additional rubber coating on the bottom, and the plastic on the top feels more luxurious. Numerous Ferrari decorations are also present.

Additionally, we find four leds for both triggers on top of the controller which act as speed indicators. Also, red lighting has been incorporated into the ball of the thumbsticks. This lighting is visible when the vibration in the gamepad is activated. You probably won't be seeing much of this while gaming, as you'll naturally be too busy focusing on other things.

You don't have to spend that much money to be able to purchase a rather sterling gamepad for use with the computer. Most of the gamepads we tested can additionally also be used in combination with the Xbox 360. If you find yourself unable to spend a lot of money on a gamepad, then both the Thrustmaster GPX and the Xbox 360 controller are good choices. The Thrustmaster has better vibration, whereas the Xbox 360 controller in general features slightly smoother controls. The Thrustmaster GPX Lightback Ferrari F1 Edition is a little more expensive, clearly has a better grip, and feels more luxurious.

If you already have a Playstation 4, then you won't have to search for a good gamepad for the computer. The Sony Dual Shock 4 Controller can also be used quite well for this purpose. The vibration function feels the most powerful, and the triggers and thumbsticks are very pleasant to use. All round this is the best gamepad, and as such, it'll take home a Hardware.Info Gold Award. The Hardware.Info Silver Award goes to the Thrustmaster GPX Lightback Ferrari F1 Edition and the Hardware.Info Bronze Award is for the Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller and the vanilla edition of the Thrustmaster GPX.

9. Steam Controller

Price: $49.89 [amazon.com]

The Steam Controller brimmed with potential when it first came out. The atypical touchpad setup and customisation options made the Xbox and PlayStation’s gaming pads look like archaic children’s toys last year.

The touchpads’ tweakable sensitivity also promised to offer mouse and keyboard precision on a gamepad – something console gamers moving to PC have longed for, for quite some time.

But what really set it apart was its loadout system. The Steam Controller lets you customise what each button and axis does on a game-by-game basis. You can then share any control scheme you make with the Steam community. This should have made it easy to find decent control schemes for most games, even if the developer didn’t bespoke create a Steam Controller setup.

Steam’s owner, Valve, has taken its time entering the hardware scene. It’s been two years since SteamOS was announced, and almost as long since we got a first glimpse of the Steam Controller. And we’ve yet to see any living-room boxes on shelves.

That’s set to change next month with a raft of Steam Machines hitting the market, but in the meantime Steam has released two peripherals: the Steam Controller and the Steam Link. The latter lets you play games on your TV via your gaming rig, but it’s the controller – with its haptic pads – I’ll be looking at in more detail here.

It’s an interesting product, no doubt. It attempts to bridge the gap between PC and console gaming, aiming to be the gamepad that's a jack-of-all-trades. But it risks being seen a master of none and a tepid living room replacement for the mouse and keyboard.

10. Microsoft Xbox 360 Wired Controller

Price: $26.99 [amazon.com]

The Xbox 360 Controller borrows many design elements from the Controller S. The left and right analog sticks and triggers, the control pad, and the face buttons are in the same spots, constructed rather similarly. The start and Back buttons have been moved to the center, flanking the new guide button, which allows access to your gamer card at any time. Removed from the older controller are the black and white buttons, which were awkwardly placed below the face buttons. Taking their place are the left and right bumpers, which make their home on the top of the controller in front of the triggers. The slight changes have resulted in a nearly perfect design; not only is the controller great for 360 games, but you may just prefer the new layout for the backward-compatible Xbox1 titles, as the bumpers are better located than the black and white buttons.

On the bottom of the controller is a headset input. You can plug in any headset with a 2.5mm jack (standard for cell phone headsets), but the input is form-fitted to accept the Xbox 360 Headset, which has built-in volume and mute buttons. Compared to the wireless controller, this model is slightly lighter and less bulky due to the absence of a battery pack at the back of the controller.

The performance of the Xbox 360 Controller on the console is phenomenal, with instantaneous response time. The controller syncs with the system much faster than the wireless controller, and the force feedback is a bit stronger. On the PC, the controller performs more than admirably. Once you download the software from Microsoft's official site, the controller will work with any controller-compatible game. As long as the game you're playing allows you to customize button usage (most do), the controller ranks among the best available for the PC. Games specifically designed to work with the controller can also make use of the headset input and the force feedback.

The Xbox 360 Controller is one of the best-designed and best-performing controllers on the market. If you're looking for faults, you might argue the controller lacks any startling new features--especially in comparison to the motion-based controllers for the upcoming Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3--which may hinder true game design innovations. And you might also say the controller's about $10 too expensive. Overpriced or not, however, it serves as a great third (or fourth) Xbox 360 controller and, when called upon, fills in nicely as a PC gaming controller.

SSD

Top 10 SSD’s in 2016

(For Personal Computer and Gaming Console)

     A solid-state drive (SSD, also known as a solid-state disk is a solid-state storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data persistently. SSD technology primarily uses electronic interfaces compatible with traditional block input/output (I/O) hard disk drives (HDDs), which permit simple replacements in common applications. Additionally, new I/O interfaces, like SATA Express and M.2 have been designed to address specific requirements of the SSD technology.

Once prohibitively expensive and solely reserved for high-end laptops, internal solid-state drives have become properly mainstream products, giving users an easy way to speed up their laptop, desktop, or gaming console. From ultra-fast options made for power users, all the way to budget-friendly offerings for casual users, these are the best SSDs available right now.

Because they don't have moving parts like conventional hard drives, solid-state drives are lighter, considerably more power-efficient, and most importantly, much faster. Upgrading your computer from a hard drive to an SSD all but guarantees to give it a bigger speed boost than a new microprocessor can deliver.

Lesser variants are mostly suitable for desktop PCs with more than one storage drive. In this case, the SSD is used to store the computer's OS and commonly used programs, while larger multimedia files and backups are kept on a conventional hard drive. Let’s take a look on top 10 SSDs in year 2016 listed below:

1. SanDisk Extreme Pro

Price: $219.97 onwards (amazon.com)

The SanDisk Extreme Pro is an update to last year's well-received Extreme II SSD, the Extreme Pro bears a few similarities, employing the same Marvell controller but with optimisations to the firmware for additional performance.

The NAND has been upgraded to SanDisk's own faster second-generation 19nm MLC flash, with space reserved for not just the usual over-provisioning, but also nCache Pro tiered storage, with part of the drive treated as SLC flash.

Coupled with excellent endurance and a 10-year warranty, which matches that of Samsung's similarly priced 850 Pro SSD, the Extreme Pro is a consumer SSD that's aiming for the very top of the performance leaderboard.

In the case of the Extreme Pro SSD, that third party is Marvell, and the controller in question is a modified 88SS9187, the exact same eight-channel controller used in last year's Extreme II SSD. The firmware has seen some alterations though, which join a few other tweaks and changes that improve performance and longevity.

Three capacities are available, with SanDisk following other firms in ditching its 120GB model, instead offering tiers at 240GB, 480GB and 960GB.

2. PNY CS1311

Price: $49.99 onwards (amazon.com)

The PNY CS1311 is a 7mm 2.5″ form factor SATA 6 Gb/s SSD and is available in four capacities: 120GB, 240GB, 480GB, and 960GB. Read speeds are rated for up to 550MB/s and writes for up to 520MB/s. In terms of IOPS these SSDs can deliver up to 9oK IOPS read/write. Quite impressive numbers for sure. Paired with a 3-year warranty, it is smack dab in the middle of the race against the competition.

The CS1311 also boasts a 2 million hours MTBF rating and its ECC corrects up to 120 bits per 2K sector. Full End-to-End Data path protection is supported as well as the ability to secure erase and on top of that, these SSD are validated to run in both RAID 1 and RAID 0.  In addition, the CS1311 now includes the Acronis data migration software, which allows for a seamless experience when transferring data from an existing drive to a new PNY solid-state drive.

Compared to the CS2211, the packaging is roughly the same. SSD form factor, capacity, model number and warranty is listed on the front as well as a feature stating that Arconis True Image is included. The back lists more specific details as well. Inside we can see that it also comes with a 2.5mm spacer for mobile systems with standard sized 2.5″ 9.5mm HDD bays.

The drive itself is encased in a black, metal shell. PNY designed the topside of the SSD to give it a sporty, carbon fiber aesthetic, which we quite like.

3. Samsung 850 Pro

Price: $117.00 onwards (amazon.com)

Samsung has locked and loaded the 850 Pro with a big innovation that it’s calling 3D V-NAND. It marks the biggest change that’s hit the SSD NAND market in years, and it goes beyond the usual changes we see, where transistors are made smaller in order to fit more into a drive.

Instead of just cramming more into a horizontal formation, 3D V-NAND lines the transistors up in vertical layers, too.

It’s a big change that makes lots of sense. It means that Samsung can install a huge number of transistors without reducing the size of the manufacturing process – so 3D V-NAND doesn’t encounter the electricity leaks, performance inefficiencies and higher costs associated with squeezing smaller transistors into a traditional horizontal structure.

The transistors layered up in the 850 Pro’s 3D V-NAND are based on a 40nm manufacturing process, which is much larger than the 20nm or below found in competing drives. Ordinarily, that would sound poor – but the layered system means Samsung has the luxury of using these transistors while still being able to include a huge number inside its latest drive.

Elsewhere, Samsung hasn’t had to work so hard. The triple-core MEX controller is the same chip that powered last year’s 840 Pro drive, although it’s been given a modest 100MHz speed boost. There’s a 512MB cache made from low-power DDR2 – the same amount and type as was included on the old drive.

Samsung’s drive impresses with an endurance rating of 150TB. That’s superb: other high-end drives, such as Intel’s 730 Series and the SanDisk Extreme Pro aren’t rated only for beyond 100TB.

4. Crucial MX200

Price: $86.09 onwards (amazon.com)

The MX200’s modest price means there’s not room for wholesale innovation, unlike Samsung’s pricier 850-series products and their 3D V-NAND. In fact, two of the major components used to build the MX200 are retained from its predecessor.

The Marvell 88SS9189 controller is retained from the MX100, and the new drive also uses 16nm Micron-made NAND. It proved innovative in the MX100, as it was the first time the memory had appeared in a commercial SSD, but there’s no denying that the sheen has now worn off.

That doesn’t sound like a recipe for improved performance, but Crucial gives the older hardware a boost with its version of SLC caching – an innovation that siphons off a portion of the drive and mimics faster SLC memory. The SLC section is used to provide a write-cache that takes advantage of the higher write speeds and longevity of SLC before the data is then moved to MLC memory for longer term storage.

Samsung and SanDisk have already introduced SLC caching in some of their SSDs, but those products used fixed caches. Crucial’s Dynamic Write Acceleration system uses a flexible cache that changes in size depending on how much of the drive is occupied.

The endurance has been given a leg-up, too. The 80TB rating assigned to the 250GB version we’ve tested is mid-table, but it’s 8TB better than the MX100 – and larger versions of the MX200 have even higher longevity ratings. Elsewhere, we’re pleased to see security-friendly features, with TCG Opal 2.0 and eDrive encryption both included.

5. Kingston UV400

Price: $46.99 onwards (amazon.com)

Kingston’s SSDNow UV400 is powered by a four-channel Marvell controller for incredible speeds and higher performance compared to a mechanical hard drive. It dramatically improves the responsiveness of your existing system and is 10 times faster than a 7200RPM hard drive.

Rugged and more reliable and durable than a hard drive, UV400 is built using Flash memory so it’s shock and vibration-resistant and less likely to fail than a mechanical hard drive. Its ruggedness makes it ideal for notebooks and other mobile computing devices.

For easy installation, UV400 is available in a bundle kit that includes everything needed to install the SSD in your existing system, including a USB enclosure to transfer data, a 2"–3.5" adapter to mount in a desktop environment, a SATA data cable and a coupon for an Acronis data migration software download2.

UV400 is available in multiple capacities, from 120GB to 960GB3, giving you plenty of space for all your files, applications, videos, photos and other important documents. It’s the ideal hard drive replacement and can also replace a smaller SSD in your system to give you all the room you need.

6. SanDisk SSD PLUS

Price: $44.99 onwards (amazon.com)

Coming in the now-familiar 7mm chassis, the new SanDisk Ultra Plus looks very different from the SanDisk Ultra or the SanDisk Extreme, with a premium finish. It's the first from SanDisk that comes with a piece of framing that can add another 2.5mm to its thickness in case you want to use in places where standard 9.5mm internal drives are used.

The new drive does not, however, come with a drive-bay converter that would help it fit in places where 3.5-inch desktop drives are used. This is not a big deal, since you can safely use an SSD inside a desktop computer without securing it to the chassis. Since it has no moving parts, staying loose inside a computer doesn't really affect an SSD's performance or durability.

On the inside, the new SanDisk Ultra Plus is also very different from its predecessors. It's the first drive from SanDisk that uses the new Marvell SS889175 controller, which is designed for both SSD and regular SATA standards. The controller supports SATA 3 (6Gbps), and the Ultra Plus is also backward-compatible with SATA 2 (3Gbps) and SATA (1.5Gbps). You'll want to use the drive with a computer that supports SATA 3, however, to get the most out of it.

As for flash memory, the Ultra Plus uses SanDisk's own 19nm eX2 ABL MLC NAND. While this is multiple-layer cell memory, which is popular in consumer-grade SSDs, the Ultra Plus' type of memory is capable of having a small portion work in single-layer cell mode, which is similar to the memory used in enterprise-grade SSDs. This mode is called nCache, and the drive's firmware determines how much of its total capacity is used for this. According to SanDisk, the SLC nCache portion is allotted dynamically and remains less than 1GB.

In short, the unique feature of the Ultra Plus is that it's a consumer-grade SSD that can potentially offer the experience of a much more expensive enterprise-grade SSD.

7. Transcend SSD370

Price: $54.99 onwards (amazon.com)

The Transcend SSD370S is a standard 2.5-inch internal drive. Like most drives of its type, it comes in a 7mm thickness, slightly thinner than the 9.5mm of a true standard laptop hard drive. The slimmer profile means it can work in more situations, from desktops to standard laptops, and even some ultrabooks. The SSD370S is compatible with virtually all consumer applications where a standard SATA hard drive is used. It features the latest SATA 3 6Gbps standard, but will work with previous revision of the SATA standard.

The new SSD370S is housed in an aluminum casing that's both light -- at just 1.86 ounces (58 grams) -- and sturdy. Note that Transcend also offers another version, model SSD370, which has plastic casing. The two versions are essentially the same, including the pricing.

The Transcend SSD includes a 3.5-inch bracket which will enable it to fit easily inside most desktop computers. You don't really need this bracket to make the drive work -- in most cases you can just leave the drive hanging loose since it doesn't have any moving parts -- but it's always good to have your drive mounted tightly inside the computer.

If you build your own rig, you can install the operating system in exactly the same way that you do you a regular hard dive. For those wanting to upgrade their computer's existing hard drive with an SSD, which is likely the majority of the use cases, there's a piece of software called Transcend SSD Scope included.

8. OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G

Price: $144.75 onwards (amazon.com)

The Mercury Extreme Pro 6G shares the same shape, dimensions, and port design as the OCZ Vertex 3, which is the same design as a standard 9.5mm, 2.5-inch internal hard drive. Unlike the Vertex 3, however, the Mercury Extreme Pro 6G doesn't come with a drive bay converter, meaning it will be a little tricky if you want to use it with a desktop computer. In our experience, however, as an SSD has no moving parts and is very light, you can probably get away with leaving it inside the computer's chassis without screwing it tightly to a drive bay.

According to OWC, the Mercury Extreme Pro 6G offers similar advanced SSD technologies to those found in the Vertex 3. Examples of these include a wear-leveling algorithm and SandForce RAISE. The former ensures that the entire drive's memory cells have the same level of wear, and the latter offers RAID 1-like redundancy for data integrity. Like the Vertex 3, the Extreme Pro 6G also supports RAID configurations.

Similar to the latest SSDs we've reviewed, the Mercury Extreme Pro 6G supports SATA 3 (6Gbps) and is backward-compatible with previous generations of the SATA standard. This means it'll work in any SATA applications. To take advantage of the drive's top speed, however, you'll want to use it with a SATA 3 controller, such as that of a computer powered by Intel's new Sandy Bridge chipset.

After trying the Mercury Extreme Pro 6G in a few different computers, running Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux, and it worked well with all of them, just like any regular SATA hard drive. As with the Vertex 3, the Mercury Extreme Pro 6G took a significantly long time to be formatted in our trials, about 7 minutes to be quick-formatted using Windows 7. Other drives, including the Seagate Barracuda XT, took just a few seconds to be quick-formatted.

9. PNY CS2211

Price: $89.99 onwards (amazon.com)

The PNY CS2211 is an affordable SSD aimed at those who want to replace their older generation SSDs or older hard drives without having to break the bank. The SSD uses a multi-level cell (MLC) architecture, which enables the SSD to compete with some of the very best SSDs in the market.

The CS2211 has a multi-level cell (MLC) architecture, meaning it handles two bits of data per cell, meaning read and write speeds are supposedly affected, due to the cells having to deal with twice the amount of data as usual. The technology sitsin-between triple level cell flash (TLC) and single-level cell (SLC): it's theoretically more reliable than MLC, but not as consistent in its performance as SLC. This, of course, is a generalisation about the technology types, so we'll look into the benchmark performance and see where it stands.

The CS2211 is connected through a SATA III 6 Gb/s interface and doesn't support any hardware encryption, unlike some of its competitors offer.

For those with laptops, the CS2211 consumes 3.3W when active and 0.2W when in an idle state. Both are quoted figures from PNY.

10. Kingston HyperX Savage

Price: $78.39 onwards (amazon.com)

Kingston Memory has been catering for the general user with its SSDNow SSD drives for several years, providing decent performance with entry-level pricing. But the company also know how to market to PC gamers and computer enthusiasts with its more racily named silicon memory components.

The HyperX Savage stands at the top of Kingston's range of performance SATA storage, although if you have a desktop PC you could also take advantage of the full-size PCIe card Predator drive, boasting up to 1400 MB/s read speeds. The Savage though takes the traditional SATA Revision 3.0 connection with its nominal 6 Gb/s speeds, in the usual slim 7-mm enclosure.

What is less usual, even unique in our testing experience, is the choice of controller in the Savage. This is an S10 controller from Taiwan flash-memory specialist Phison, now infamously known as the maker of USB controller ICs that can be compromised by the BadUSB exploit. The Phison controller here is based on a quad-core ARM processor with eight data channels, with 19 nm NAND flash supplied by Toshiba.

To maintain its SSDs Kingston makes its own Kingston SSD Toolbox software for Windows, although this only supports its older drives based on SandForce controllers. At time of testing there was no software available for this Phison-based SSD, nor any firmware updates released.

The HyperX Savage is available as just a bare drive, on as an installation kit with various accessories to help migrate from an existing drive. This includes a portable drive enclosure with USB 3.0 with support for UASP mode in Windows 8 and OS X, SATA cable and screws for desktop PCs, and a screwdriver with interchangeable Philips 00 and 1 cross-head tips.