Top 12 Maximum PC Stories of 2012

12. The Big Websites List 2012: 72 Sites You Don't Want To Miss
If there's one thing you guys love, it's website recommendations. Who doesn't? In this article, we shared a whopping 72 eclectic websites that ran the gamut from being funny to educational.

11. Never Be Productive Again: The 20 Best New Browser Games
Sure you have your beastly gaming rig, but sometimes AAA games can be too time-consuming, especially if you're trying to just kill time at work. In the article above, we showcased the 20 best new flash games of the year. And don't worry, we won't tell your boss you're a secret slacker.

10. Build a PC on Any Budget
Many people think building a PC has to be an expensive ordeal. And while it is true that you often get what you pay for, our Build a PC on Any Budget story exemplifies that just about anybody can afford a good PC. The article walks readers through three separate builds: $500, $1,300, and $2,000.

9. Build It: A Powerful All-Purpose Rig for $830
You guys certainly love getting the most bang for your buck as is exemplified by this popular Build-It story. In the article above, we explained how to build an all-purpose rig for under 850 bones. Who says building powerful PCs has to be expensive?

8. Operation Upgrade: How We Rebuilt Three Old PCs, Part By Part
We think rebuilding old PCs is a lost art so we decided to do an "Operation Upgrade" story where we would rebuild three old PCs to make them start-of-the-art again. Our popular step-by-step feature walks you through the Dos and Don'ts of the upgrading process.

7. How to Install Windows 8 from a USB Key
Considering optical drives are going the way of the Dodo, we thought we would offer you guys (and gals) a guide on how to install Windows 8 from a USB key. In addition to addressing some common troubleshooting tips, the article also offers some advice when it comes to doing a clean install vs. an upgrade.

6. The Big Guide: 20 Tips and Tricks to Get The Most Out of Windows 8
Let's face it, while Windows 8 does have a lot going for it, it is quite the UI mess. Our in-depth Windows 8 guide offers 20 different tips and tricks to get you accustomed to Microsoft's confusing new OS.

5. How to Build a Small Gaming PC
Small + Gaming + PC: these three words really resonated with you guys as is exemplified by our popular How to Build a Small Gaming PC story. Using the BitFenix Prodigy case, we explained how to fit a large amount of processing firepower in a small and portable chassis. It's not the size of the gun that matters, it's how you build it!

4. Geek Tested: 17 Thermal Pastes Face Off
Does what kind of thermal paste you use really matter? Yes. Yes it does. This is exemplified in our popular Thermal Paste Face-Off story where we pit 17 solutions against each other and explain which ones are the coolest.

3. Build It: How to Build a Kick-Ass Ivy Bridge Gaming PC, Step by Step
Intel's bad-ass Ivy Bridge CPUs came out in 2012, and what better way to show it off then by building a kick-ass Ivy Bridge gaming PC? Equipped with a Core i7-3770K, an Asus P8Z77-V Pro, and a GeForce GTX 680, this rig can smoke the majority of high-end games out there.

2. Dream Machine 2012: The Future Is Now
Speaking of smoking-hot machines, this year's Dream Machine is the smokiest. Equipped with a Intel 3.1GHz Xeon CPU, two GTX 690s, and 64GB of RAM, this Dream Machine can run anything you throw at it. Topping it off was a custom blue/white paint job that had readers drooling. And all this for the low, low price of $14,000!

1. Windows 8 Review
Love it or hate it, 2012 brought about the launch of Windows 8. Our review for the OS was by far our most talked about article of the year. Many people defended its speedy boot times and touch-friendly interface. Numerous others complained about the lack of a Start button and its unintuitive design. Regardless, Microsoft's latest, controversial OS is here to stay.