Editorial Policy

BonTechLabs is an independent publication edited by Gavin Bonshor. Our promise: rigorous, transparent reporting and testing that puts readers first. This page documents how we source, test, disclose, correct, and monetize—so you can judge our work on its merits.

Mission & Scope

We cover CPUs, GPUs, SSDs, memory, motherboards, handheld PCs, display/I-O stacks (USB4 v2, Thunderbolt 5, DP 2.1), and the semiconductor supply chain that shapes them. We publish both fast, well-sourced news and deep, lab-driven analysis. For background on our approach and history, see About BonTechLabs.

Standards: Accuracy, Independence, Clarity

  • Accuracy: We prioritize primary documentation and first-hand testing. Claims without public evidence are labeled clearly as rumor, vendor guidance, or our analysis.
  • Independence: Editorial decisions are made by the newsroom. Commercial relationships (ads, affiliates, review samples) do not dictate coverage, testing, or conclusions.
  • Clarity: We explain jargon, surface assumptions, and call out limitations. If a number doesn’t change a buying decision, we say so.

Sourcing & Attribution

  • Primary sources first: Vendor docs, press materials, driver notes, release health dashboards, investor decks, and academic papers are preferred.
  • Secondary sources: When aggregating, we link the originating report where possible and add our context.
  • Anonymous sources: Used sparingly. We require verifiable proximity to the matter and attempt corroboration before publishing.
  • Citations in practice: Our news posts include a “Sources” section with clickable links. Example: NVIDIA–OpenAI supply impact and TSMC N2 early adopters.

Use of AI Tools

We sometimes use assistive tools for transcription, image illustration (text-free, original artwork), and structural edits. All news and reviews are planned, reported, fact-checked, and approved by humans. We do not publish AI-written stories without human editing and verification. See our long-form examples: NVMe SSD Mega Guide.

Testing & Methodology

We aim for decision-grade results, focusing on sustained behavior, frametime consistency, thermals, power, and acoustics—not just peak numbers. We publish key rig details (BIOS/AGESA, drivers, OS build), and we version our test suites when they change.

  • CPUs: Emphasis on 1%/0.1% lows, memory sensitivity (frequency/timings/topology), and background task tolerance. See our CPU value snapshot: 9800X3D pricing brief.
  • GPUs: Image-quality parity across vendor features; repeatable runs; thermal & noise characterization. Market context: RTX 5090 at MSRP.
  • SSDs: DRAM vs HMB, SLC cache exhaustion, mixed R/W at realistic queue depths, thermal soak, and steady-state. Deep dive: SSD Mega Guide.
  • Memory & I/O: Practical DDR5 tuning (not record chasing) and verified USB4/DP behavior. Related analysis: DDR5 13,020 MT/s—what it means and USB4 v2 vs TB5 vs DP2.1.

Corrections, Updates & Timestamps

When we correct a factual error, we add a timestamped note at the foot of the article. Silent updates are reserved for typos/grammar or minor clarifications that do not change meaning. If you spot an issue, email gavbonshor@bontechlabs.com with the URL, the proposed correction, and a supporting source.

Review Samples, Loans & Conflicts

  • Loans: Loaner units are returned unless otherwise agreed in writing.
  • Samples: If a sample is retained for long-term comparisons, the article discloses it. Access never buys coverage.
  • Embargoes: We honor embargoes we accept. We do not accept conditions that compromise editorial independence.

Advertising, Sponsorship & Affiliates

  • Ads/Sponsorship: Sponsored work is labeled “Sponsored” at the top and does not mix with editorial layouts.
  • Affiliate links: We may earn a commission from purchases via affiliate links. Where used, we disclose in-article. Affiliate participation does not influence product selection or verdicts.

Community & Comments

We welcome robust debate. We moderate for civility, spam, harassment, hate speech, and doxxing. Repeat violators may be blocked. Technical disagreement is encouraged; ad hominem is not.

Diversity, Accessibility & Inclusion

We aim for inclusive language and accessible layouts (clear sectioning, alt text on non-decorative images, and readable contrast). If you encounter accessibility issues, contact us and we’ll fix them.

Security & Responsible Disclosure

If you believe you have found a security, privacy, or embargo-related issue in our site or coverage, email gavbonshor@bontechlabs.com with “Security” in the subject. We appreciate coordinated disclosure.