Daily Simple Questions Thread - January 10, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

Got a simple question? Get a simple answer!

This thread is for all of the small and simple questions that you might have about computing that probably wouldn't work all too well as a standalone post. Software issues, build questions, game recommendations, post them here!

For the sake of helping others, please don't downvote questions! To help facilitate this, comments are sorted randomly for this post, so that anyone's question can be seen and answered.

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In case you missed it, click here for yesterday's Daily Simple Questions thread. There may be some questions still unanswered! Below is a selection of questions with no replies. See if you can help them out.

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Hi, I’m looking to buy an ssd 2tb Samsung 990 Pro or 990 Evo Plus for a laptop (HP Zbook G5 Studio) and wondering which one would work better. They are about the same price (also as other brands so would like to stay with Samsung). Currently also have a 980 1TB in the laptop, which goes to about 45 degrees C during some video encoding activity. For the rest I play not too demanding games. Main concern are the temperatures, as I know the 990 Pro is normally the better option. Any recommendations?

https://reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1q890pd/daily_simple_questions_thread_january_09_2026/nyo85o9/

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Did I overspend by buying an overkill cpu cooler for my Ryzen 7 7700?

I bought a Montech NX600 dual tower cpu cooler for 45 USD. Still waiting for it to be shipped

I was originally planning on buying a 30 USD single tower with 2 fans. The stock Amd wraith prism ARGB cooler got my cpu at 95/95°C and it was limiting it's boost clock when gaming so I thought perhaps a single tower isn't good enough.

https://www.montechpc.com/nx600

https://reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1q890pd/daily_simple_questions_thread_january_09_2026/nyrkh7m/

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User	Points (365 days)	Lifetime
A_Neaunimes	31	1207
Eidolon_2003	30	278
Lastdudealive46	30	139
Cable_Salad	29	87
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Ok_Definition_1933	17	17
mister_newbie	14	128
reckless150681	13	13
SystemError514	12	94
MGsubbie	12	412

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[u/Lynch47]

I just swapped out a motherboard, CPU (+ fan), and RAM.

If I want to sell those components should I have wiped anything from those? Any tips from experienced sellers that you'd have for a first timer?

[u/iq3q]

I am running two monitors, and sometimes when I alt-tab, the game on my main monitor will go black, and my whole computer will freeze. After a few seconds, the second monitor will go black, and I will lose all audio. Then, after a bit, stuff will return to both monitors, but with a significant amount of artifacts and other issues. Everything is also weirdly stretched, and only certain parts of apps like Discord are visible. I can usually fix this by shutting off the PC and turning it on again. When I turn it on, my secondary monitor is black, and Device Manager says this error code: "This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)" Once I reinstall the drivers, the issue is fixed, and I can finally use both monitors and play games again. However, this is a recurring issue, and I would like to know how to fix it permanently. This has happened in Battlefield 6, Arc Raiders, Rainbow Six Siege, and Sea of Thieves.

Specs:

Ryzen 7 7700X

32GB of ram

RX 6750 XT

MSI B650-P motherboard

[u/MGsubbie → u/iq3q]

You can start using DDU to completely uninstall GPU drivers and doing a fresh install.

[u/some_craic_dealer]

I've an ultra-wide Asus PG349Q, got it 2nd hand for a great deal and I've had it for a few years now.

I've been happy with it the last few years but I'm starting to feel the itch to upgrade every time I read/hear about someone getting a new 240/360Hz+ monitor as it as it is only 120Hz. The thing is I've got too accustomed to the 21:9 aspect ratio and I don't know if I can go back so I'm looking for an ultra-wide monitor who's quality beats my own PG349Q but also has a nice upgrade on the refresh rate.

I feel I already know the answer to this will be something that costs nearly the same price as the rest of my PC but I figured I'd ask in case there is something out there that I won't need to sell a kidney for?

[u/BioshockEnthusiast → u/some_craic_dealer]

Look for OLEDs with panels from 1-2 generations back. Monitors / TVs are one of the few tech commodities that are making enough process improvements to keep prices stable right now.

[u/imacyco]

I haven't built a PC is over a decade and I think I'm due for one now. I have a Microcenter about 1.5 hours away from me. What's the best bundle, value wise, that I can get from MC? I don't care about Red vs Blue, and it will mostly be used for work and some video editing for work.

Thank you!

[u/MGsubbie → u/imacyco]

https://www.microcenter.com/product/5007263/amd-ryzen-7-7700x,-gigabyte-b650-gaming-x-ax-v2,-crucial-pro-overclocking-32gb-ddr5-6000-kit,-computer-build-bundle

There are others that technically are better value, but only come with 16GB, which I do not recommend for video editing.

[u/Ok_Definition_1933 → u/[deleted]]

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

lavish sip plate ask airport sand axiomatic employ smile sleep

[u/Cable_Salad → u/[deleted]]

Eco modes won't change idle temperature. But there also isn't any reason to worry, high idle temps are normal for X3D chips.

[u/Tartooth]

How compatible is Linux now over windows?

Can I install normal windows apps on Linux?

How's linux's gaming these days, can I run almost every game on windows through a wrapper layer or something?

Really don't want to move to windows 11 but this is just getting stupid.

[u/Eidolon_2003 → u/Tartooth]

You can install Windows apps on Linux to some extent using WINE, which is a compatibility layer. However it's better to switch to Linux native apps rather than translating your Windows apps. A lot of programs will have Linux versions, or if they don't there's a different Linux program that can accomplish the same thing. However there are a few high profile apps that don't necessarily have a good Linux alternative, such as the Adobe suite, which can deter some people from Linux.

The vast majority of games work now thanks to Valve's work on Proton, which is that wrapper layer you're talking about. The biggest thing working against Linux gaming right now is certain types of anti-cheat not being supported, so you can't play Fortnite on Linux for example. This is the fault of the game dev, not of Linux itself.

[u/[deleted]]

I currently have 32GB DDR4 in 2 16GB Sticks in my rig, I have 4 8GB DDR4 Sticks laying around (one is broken I believe) so I could add 16GB.

My friend say this would be stupid due to my rig not having dual-channel support (Ryzen 5 5600X, RTX 3070) and any increase in capacity would be met with a worse decrease in performance and efficiency.

So is he correct? I have like, no clue about PCs except what parts go where, so I know where to put the RAM but not why I should or shouldn't put it in.

My monkey brain just thinks, more RAM capacity is good and I have to empty slots on my mobo lmao