PC and Network Components Design - Essay Example

PC and Network Components Design al Affiliation SECTION PC DESIGN RECOMMENDED BUDGET In this section we summarize all the required components together that will be used to provide better performance for the gaming machine and the recommended network devices with the limited budget. Reference Price Type Component http://www.ebuyer.com/393554-intel-core-i3-3220-3-10ghz-skt1155-3mb-cache-boxed-bx80637i33220 £ 91.96 Intel Core i3 3220 3.30GHz Socket 1155 3MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor CPU http://www.ebuyer.com/393399-asus-p8h61-mx-r2-0-intel-lga1155-h61-b3-90-mibjg0-g0eay0dz-p8h61-mx-r2-0 £ 60.21 Asus P8H61-MX R2.0 Socket 1155 8 Channel HD Audio mATX Motherboard Motherboard http://www.ebuyer.com/262580-corsair-8gb-ddr3-1600mhz-vengeance-memory-cmz8gx3m2a1600c9b £ 66.99 Corsair 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Vengeance Memory Memory (RAM) http://www.ebuyer.com/343259-cit-imp-micro-black-interior-500w-12cm-black-psu-cscitblackimp £21.99 CIT Imp MicroATX Black Interior Case Computer Case Use current keyboard Keyboard http://www.ebuyer.com/272944-seagate-500gb-barracuda-internal-hard-drive-st500dm002 £ 38.99 Seagate 500GB Barracuda Internal Hard Drive Hard drive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooler-Master-Elite-Power-Supply/dp/B004XG6I1W/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1353782222&sr=8-14 £ 28.99 Cooler Master 500W 12V Elite Power 500 Power Supply Unit Power Supply £ 0 Use inbuilt Sound Card http://www.ebuyer.com/385842-asus-gt610-1gb-ddr3-svi-hdmi-pci-e-graphics-card-gt610-sl-1gd3-l £31.80 Asus GT 610 1GB DDR3 DVI HDMI PCI-E Graphics Card Graphics card £ 0 Windows 7 32 bit Windows 7 Use current mouse £ 0 Mouse Old Barry’s monitor 19inch TFT £ 0 Monitor (Buffalo Airstation 2012) 1. CPU For gaming you will need a capable CPU in the system to be able to run the game smoothly. The Intel Core i5 or the Intel Core i7 series of processors are ideal for gaming (Build Gaming Computers 2012). These processors are widely popular as they provide the best performance where money is a factor. However, choosing between an i5 model and an i7 will hugely depend on the extent of use of the processor, as core i7 models are relatively faster but a bit more expensive (Cooler Master 2012). We select Intel Core i3 3220 3.30GHz Socket 1155 3MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor (Intel Core i3 2012). 2. Motherboard The motherboard is one of the most important components in any computer. Having the best CPU, RAM, and graphics card in ideal, but without a quality motherboard at the core of your system is limiting. The motherboard represents the core of a PC and is responsible for relaying information between all the internal components i.e., it’s the hub of the computer, where all other components are connected to. Before buying a motherboard, someone must consider: a. CPU compatibility b. RAM compatibility c. Ports, slots and other additional features d. On board audio or dedicated sound card (SatSun. 2014) (Woligroski, 2012) 3. Memory RAM (Random Access Memory) is the memory in a computer used to store running programs, and the more RAM you have, the faster your games and other programs will run. The performance of a gaming computer gets impacted by the amount and type of RAM installed on it. The higher the RAM the quicker it gets in processing. However, to be safe, one should ensure that their motherboard supports greater RAM than it already has. 4. Hard drive The hard drive is the memory in which all the computer files, games (including game data) and programs are stored. It is recommended to have enough hard drive storage that can store the operating system, the game software and related documents. 5. Video Controller Video cards are tasked with producing 3D graphics that appear as appealing representations of the real world to the end user of the software. These effects and graphics are then incorporated in the PC games that have been developed in the modern computing age. A graphics card with higher specifications would result to a richer 3D experience in gaming. Thus, it is recommendable that one chooses the best video card affordable that there is in the market while shopping on pc gaming mentality. Also, the better cards lasts longer without having to be upgraded. ATI and NVIDIA are the popular and best performing companies (Vakkalanka, 2014). NVidia is used to generate the commonly known gaming lines of ‘GeForrce’ whereas ATI used to produce ‘Radeon’ series (Woligroski, 2012). Video cards contain a host of different features, options, connections and such. The main factors to consider when choosing gaming video cards are: Video Memory: The RAM allocated for video processing is the memory space that avideo card stores as it processes 3D images. The size of RAM allocated for video graphics is relative to the settings that one plays video games with. Such settings are such as resolution. High resolution may require more space in the video graphics RAM. DirectX 11 Support: The video card that one chooses should support a DirectX of version 11 or higher. The DirectX technology makes it possible for decorative features to be used by game developers. Most of the modern day video cards can support the DirectX technology (Vakkalanka, 2014). CrossFire & SLI: The SLI Technology for NVIDIAs and the ATIs CrossFire technology are capable of setting up two cards of the NVIDIA or the ATI technologies. Such features are developed with the intentions of creating the best experience for gamers whose cost is not a hindering factor. HDMI Connection: HDMI is the default connection on new HDTVs, Blu-ray players, Apple TV, many new computers and graphics cards, and a range of other video devices. Dual Monitor Support: For one to be able to split a video to be shown in two outputs, one should have two monitors that support graphic card technology. This helps designers and system developers to see several instances of their desktops in a single view. At most times, one of the outputs displays in DVI while the other in VGA. (Squidoo, 2012) (Case 2013). 6. Gaming Monitor The following features are the most important to consider: a. Response Rate - The response rate of an LCD monitor refers to how quickly each pixel on the screen can change color. The lower the response rate, the faster the screen updates. If you are playing fast-paced action game for example, where the images change quickly, if youre playing on a monitor with a slower response rate, you may experience what is known as "ghosting". b. Distinguishing between LCD and LED monitors- LED monitors are also referred to as LCD monitors. An exception is that they use LED lighting, which are lighter and have sharper display. c. Size of Monitor - Ultimately, the size you go for is totally up to you and how much youre willing to spend. To have the best gaming experience, high screens of about 24” or 25” are the best to use. d. Contrast Ratio - The contrast ratio of a monitor can be a helpful specification to generally compare picture quality between different monitors. In general, the higher the contrast ratio, the better the picture quality. (Computer Gaming World 1993) Viewing Angle - The viewing angle of an LCD monitor is the angle at which you can still view the screen clearly, and is usually listed in the monitors specifications list. (Woligroski, 2012) (Case 2013). 7. Computer Cases The computer case houses and protects all your expensive, high-performance components so its a good idea to get a case known for quality and reliability. The following factors must be considered while selecting the computer cases. (Pablo 2008) a. Size – Computers used for gaming have different memory sizes. You will need a case that is large enough to store all your components, with room for future upgrades. The ATX Mid-Tower is the most likely kind of size that would be found on most gaming computers. (Wilson 2009) b. Motherboard Compatibility - The case must be able to fit your motherboard. c. System cooling – A good gaming computer will have a good fan to enable sufficient airflow to cool the CPU and the fan ports. To avoid precious components from overheat and risk getting damaged, one should get a case that is known for good cooling especially for a high performance build. (Case 2013) d. Drive Bays – The size of bays and their amount is usually a crucial factor. (Levin 2008) 8. Power Supply Power supply provides variant voltages a gaming computer. These voltages vary either as 12, 5, and 3 voltages. 9. Sound Card With good sound cards, high quality sound surround is achieved while playing games. Most motherboards include decent built-in sound. When you want very good quality sound from your games, on-board sound is not enough and will need to buy a separate sound card, which fits into an empty PCI or PCI-Express port on your motherboard. SECTION 2 - NETWORKING EQUIPMENTS Reference Price Description Component http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-PRO-1000-Desktop-Adapter/dp/B00030DEQE/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1353800010&sr=1-3 £ 28.84 Intel PRO/1000 GT Desktop Adapter - Network adapter - PCI - EN, Fast EN, Gigabit EN - 10Base-T, 100Base-TX, 1000Base-T Network cards http://www.ebuyer.com/172006-cablestogo-assembled-yellow-cat5e-pvc-utp-patc-1-5m-83102 £ 2.50 CablesToGo, ASSEMBLED YELLOW CAT5E PVC UTP PATC, 1.5m Wired + RJ 45 (Santo 2013) (Che-hsu et al. 2010:122-128) (Wilson 2009) 1. Wired + RJ 45 All computers need to use a wires and RJ 45 in order to connect them all as a LAN; it will give high speed with no delay. 2. Router In order to link all the computers together with high bandwidth a router is highly recommended. This Router can be used as access point and provide very good connection. 3. Network card (NIC) A Network Interface Card is usually controlled by a distinct address. This type of address is referred to as the Media Access Control. (Santo 2013) SECTION 3- 3.0 References Build-gaming-computers. 2012. Advantage Windows Vista. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.build-gaming-computers.com/best-cpu.html. [Accessed 26 November 14]. Build-your’s-own-cheap-computer. 2012. What is a network card? [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.build-your-own-cheap-computer.com/network-card.html. [Accessed 26 November 14]. Case, L. 2013. “Tested: NVidia GeForce GTX 770 is the Video Card to Get,” Available from, http://www.tested.com/tech/pcs/ [Accessed 20 November 14]. Che-hsu, J. et al. 2010. “Daily Computer Usage,” American Journal of Industrial Medicine, pp. 122-128. Computer Gaming World. 1993 “You Can Outfly this Guy,” Ebuyer. 2012. Corsair 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Vengeance Memory. [ONLINE]. [Accessed 20 November 2014] Ebuyer. 2012. Hard Drive. [ONLINE]. [Accessed 20 November 2014]. Levin, A. 2008. “Video Games,: Centre for the Advanced Service Pablo, D. 2008. “GPU Battle: 4670 vs. 9600.” Gameplanet. Santo, J. 2013. “Advantages and Disadvantages of SSD vs. HDD. What is the Difference?” PCMag.com. SatSun. 2014. PC Gaming Surround Sound: Round Up Squidoo. 2012. Best PC Gaming Ram 2012 - DDR3 Memory Reviews. [ONLINE]. [Accessed 27 November 12]. Vakkalanka, S. 2014. “Quick Reference Guide for Intel® Core™ Processor Graphics,” Intel Developer Zone Wilson, J. 2009. Soundcard. [ONLINE]. [Accessed 20 November 2014]. Woligroski D. 2012. Gaming CPU Hierarchy Chart. [ONLINE]. [Accessed 27 November 12]. Read More