What present do you get this vacation season for the pc builder in your life?
Nicely, to start with, in all probability not pc components! Except they’ve requested for a selected element, there’s likelihood you’d be giving them one thing redundant or undesirable.
However don’t fear! There are nonetheless loads of issues that the typical PC builder may obtain which are nearly by no means redundant (like extra space for storing) or which a builder is unlikely to have purchased for themselves (like an uninterruptible energy provide). Good present concepts for PC constructing fans are what this checklist is all about.
The next 10 items concepts cowl a spectrum of costs, and are certain to seek out use on or close to the desk of any buddy or member of the family who’s into constructing computer systems. In fact, options you get instantly from the meant recipient ought to at all times be prioritized; however should you haven’t obtained any steering from them, these concepts will certainly turn out to be useful. Let’s start!
Tier 1 Items ($1-50)
The primary tier of items is the bottom in value and has probably the most examples. These items will discover use by each novice and skilled builders alike.
#1 – Headphone Stand ($9)
An easy present that’s sufficient of an pointless nicety that the majority pc builders received’t have already got one. But it’s helpful sufficient for use on a regular basis, whereas being low-cost sufficient to decide on as a price range present or to throw in as a stocking stuffer. By merely providing a spot to soundly retailer headphones, this present clears up desktop area and offers a cleaner look general.
*Headphones, after all, not included! Except you additionally purchase present #9…
#2 – Multiport Energy Strip Surge Protector ($22)
Regardless of their stable steel development and aggressive, angular designs, computer systems are tender and temperamental on the within, notably relating to electrical energy. It’s essential to make sure that any surprising modifications within the energy supplying a PC are managed by an exterior gadget so no costly elements are broken or destroyed. A surge protector like this one from dependable energy accent model Anker will stop surprising pulses of electrical energy from damaging pc elements whereas additionally increasing the variety of energy ports close to the PC, all for under $22! Assist the pc builder in your life change the little ratty energy strip they’ve been utilizing since 2014; it’s time for it to go.
#3 – All-in-one Univeral Wi-fi Charging Pad ($30)
One other present concept from Anker is their all-in-one wi-fi charging pad. Having a wi-fi charger by myself desk has been extremely handy and retains my telephone charged up whereas working from dwelling for evenings, the place I don’t have entry to a different charger. Many high-wattage charging pads require particular energy adapters to maximise their charging potential, however they typically aren’t included with the pad itself. This common charging pad features a full adapter in-built for no-fuss common charging straight out of the field. Whether or not they have an Android or an iPhone, they’ll admire having such a handy location to cost their telephone!
#4 – Important Electronics Toolkit ($30)
Engaged on computer systems doesn’t inherently require way more than a screwdriver and a few resolve, however having this iFixit important electronics toolkit would have made my days repairing laptops, computer systems, and smartphones considerably simpler. Together with each important instruments like varied magnetic screwdriver bits and plastic separators, this package additionally contains quite a lot of helpful specialty bits for distinctive components and electronics, in addition to a pair cleansing instruments which are certain to seek out use in any pc builder’s device field. As I indicated a second in the past, these instruments can be used to restore laptops and smartphones—supplied all acceptable security and guarantee measures are adopted, after all!
Tier 2 Items ($51-100)
This second tier steps up the value vary and has two examples. They continue to be normal sufficient to seek out use regardless of the expertise degree of the recipient, whereas among the subsequent part is a little more area of interest.
#5 – Bluetooth Desk Audio system ($50)
For a lot of pc builders, their audio expertise ends with a headphone cable. Audio system alternatively present a extra relaxed listening expertise with out the headgear, even at volumes low sufficient to keep away from disturbing house- or room-mates. This speaker pair from Edifier options 2.75 inch drivers and a compact design that doesn’t dominate worthwhile desk area. They’ll even be positioned anyplace due to their Bluetooth connectivity, whether or not that’s a desktop, a bookshelf, or a TV stand. Or they are often related to a laptop computer as a substitute, and used as a cell pair of audio system for events, elegant dinner occasions, and varied different soirées.
#6 – 2TB Exterior Arduous Drive ($70)
Exterior exhausting drives can retailer massive quantities of information and might be transported anyplace, making them nice items for computer-savvy vacationers that like to look at media on the go. They’ll load the drive with exhibits and flicks and produce it with them for direct playback on a laptop computer or pill, preserve it at dwelling and stream instantly from it over one other service like Plex, or just use it as a backup for his or her essential information. This Western Digital My Passport drive is a dependable choice with loads of storage for many functions, however it will even be attainable to scale this present up or down based on your present price range and the way a lot storage you suppose your present recipient may use! A lower-capacity 1TB model might be had for $50, or you may spring for as much as a 5TB model for $120 should you occur to know an actual information hoarder. For reference, to make extra sense of what 1TB can maintain, it’s able to storing ~158 copies of a 1080p model of the film Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior. That’s a horrible film—however what they do with the drive is as much as them, so we received’t choose. If the meant present recipient actually loves amassing media or actually prizes backing up their work, it might be finest to spring for 2TB or better.
Tier 3 Items ($101-150)
This third tier of items has three examples at the next value vary than tier 2: a DAC/Amp to spice up audio experiences, a extra premium storage answer, and a pleasant pair of headphones at a terrific value!
#7 – Digital-to-Analog Converter / Amplifier for Headphones ($110)
A Digital-to-Analog Converter, shortened to DAC, is a tool that interprets a pc’s audio output from digital to analogue, which will increase the constancy of the sign. This present is a superb concept for these with a specific curiosity in music and even motion pictures and video games, as it may enhance the standard of pc audio dramatically whereas the included amplifier permits extra {powerful} higher-impedance headphones for use. Even “commonplace” headphones will see a profit from this compact DAC that requires nothing outdoors of the field earlier than use. In the event you’re okay with the present being lower than a shock, then it might be price checking if the recipient has a DAC already earlier than shopping for… although that rule applies to just about any present on this value vary and above!
#8 – 2TB M.2 Stable State Drive ($130)
Most pc motherboards now have at the least one M.2 SSD slot on them, and the Samsung 980 PRO EVO is a superb drive that matches completely into that very area. Stable State Drives nonetheless command increased costs than conventional exhausting drives for a given capability, however their considerably sooner switch speeds and barely higher longevity for many customers be certain that any information loaded on the drive might be accessed rapidly and reliably. This high-capacity SSD can retailer dozens of enormous video games whereas additionally chopping down on loading occasions, or a whole library of flicks and TV exhibits. Regardless of the meant use, this drive could be a welcome present for any degree of pc fanatic with a port of their machine that may accommodate it. Seeking to spend rather less however nonetheless wish to get them a high-speed inner drive like this one? Choose the 1TB choice to convey it right down to $80!
#9 – Over-the-ear Open-back Audiophile Headphones ($150)
Alright, name me somewhat biased on this one since these are the headphones I at present use myself, however that simply means I’m talking from expertise once I advocate these to anybody who could get pleasure from a pleasant set of wired, open-back headphones for his or her desktop at dwelling. For the present value of $150, this luxury set is a steal and has far surpassed the audio high quality of each different pair of headphones I’ve tried on this value vary (even with out a DAC). They’re light-weight, snug, and have a terrific sound profile for an enormous vary of makes use of, from gaming to watching media to listening to music.
Tier 4 Reward ($151+)
That is the ultimate, costliest tier of the checklist. It contains however a single present, for many who can afford to supply additional stability to a desktop pc this vacation season:
#10 – 600-Watt Uninterruptible Energy Provide ($165)
An Uninterruptible Energy Provide, shortened to UPS, is an influence storage system which continues powering a PC for a restricted time within the occasion of an influence outage. The concept is that the ability equipped by a UPS is sufficient to safely shut the pc down within the occasion of an outage, stopping each information loss and element harm within the course of. This explicit energy provide from CyberPower options 12 retailers, half of them linked to the battery system, and all of them surge-protected always. This $165 mannequin is able to placing out 600 Watts of energy, which is sufficient for many computer systems, however a number of ultra-powerful builds could require the 880-Watt model for $200.
And that concludes our checklist! As at all times, these concepts are simply options and might be tailor-made to go well with the wants of the recipient, corresponding to tweaking the max output of the UPS or the capability of the SSD, or as concepts for comparable items. Have one other concept for a present that a pc builder would in all probability get pleasure from? Tell us what it’s within the feedback!
Thanks for studying!
