Every term that comes up during a desktop upgrade, repair, or buyback — explained clearly, with links to the relevant service pages.
Graphics Processing Unit. The primary component for gaming performance and the biggest factor in desktop buyback value.
Central Processing Unit. The main processor handling all general computing tasks. Intel Core and AMD Ryzen are the main desktop brands.
The two current desktop RAM generations. Physically incompatible — your motherboard supports one or the other, not both.
NVMe uses PCIe and reaches 3,500–7,000 MB/s. SATA tops at 550 MB/s. Both are huge upgrades over HDD.
The high-speed bus connecting GPUs and NVMe SSDs to the CPU. Gen 3, 4, and 5 each double bandwidth.
Power Supply Unit. Converts mains AC to DC for every component. Undersized PSUs cause crashes under load.
Connects all components. Determines CPU socket, RAM generation, PCIe slots, and M.2 support.
AM4, AM5 (AMD) and LGA 1700 (Intel). Must match exactly — wrong socket means the CPU won’t fit.
Total Bytes Written — SSD lifetime write endurance. Key health metric when buying or selling used SSDs.
Power-On Self-Test. The startup diagnostic a desktop runs before Windows loads. Failure means no boot.
ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX. Defines motherboard and case size — determines what upgrades physically fit.
Heat-conducting compound between CPU and cooler. Dries out after 3–5 years causing throttling.
A GPU used for cryptocurrency mining 24/7. Accelerates fan, VRAM, and power delivery wear — reduces buyback value.
Blue Screen of Death. A critical Windows error causing an immediate crash and restart. Common causes: failing RAM, corrupted storage, driver conflict, or overheating CPU. See Desktop PC Repair.
Voltage Regulator Module. Converts and delivers stable power to the CPU on the motherboard. Blown VRMs cause no-POST or dead boards. See Motherboard Repair.
GPU repair techniques for failed solder joints. Reflow remelts existing solder; reballing replaces all solder balls. Used for no-display and artifacting faults. From $120.
Battery-backed chip storing BIOS settings. Removing the CMOS battery for 30 seconds resets BIOS to defaults — useful first step for no-POST and boot issues.
Desktop PC Services at BreakFixNow
- Desktop PC Repair Singapore — motherboard, GPU, PSU, SSD, and cooling repairs. Used parts available for budget repairs.
- Desktop PC Upgrade Singapore — RAM, SSD, CPU, PSU, cooling (labour from $20)
- Sell Your Desktop PC Singapore — gaming rigs, home desktops and office workstations, instant cash
- Memory (RAM) Buyback Singapore — desktop & laptop RAM, instant quote, same-day cash
- Sell Your Graphics Card — GPU buyback, all brands, instant quote
- Graphics Card Repair Singapore — GPU diagnosis and repair
- Thermal Paste Application — CPU and GPU thermal paste replacement
- AI PC Build Singapore — custom workstation builds
Walk in to BreakFixNow at Queen St. Free assessment — we’ll identify the fault or bottleneck and give you an upfront quote before any work begins. Used parts available for budget repairs.