Purchasing A PCPurchasing A PCWhere, What, Why and HowWhere, What, Why and How

Where can you learn More?

Where can you learn More?

Hardware Support Course #10-150-133 Involves maintaining, upgrading and

repairing Intel-based computers and exploring functions and interrelations between components. It also examines component care, system improvement, troubleshooting and failure identification.

Computer Defense Course #10-150-143 Examines various ways that malicious

software can infect or attack computers. Also explores how to identify and implement methods to avoid these attacks.

Hardware Support Course #10-150-133 Involves maintaining, upgrading and

repairing Intel-based computers and exploring functions and interrelations between components. It also examines component care, system improvement, troubleshooting and failure identification.

Computer Defense Course #10-150-143 Examines various ways that malicious

software can infect or attack computers. Also explores how to identify and implement methods to avoid these attacks.

DecisionsDecisions

$$$ Money $$$Features NeededPerformanceSoftwareSupportVendor

$$$ Money $$$Features NeededPerformanceSoftwareSupportVendor

FeaturesFeatures

Desktop or Laptop Form Factor

Mini-Tower Desktop Small Ultra-Small

Operating System Windows XP (Home/Media Center/Pro) Vista (versions) Linux

Desktop or Laptop Form Factor

Mini-Tower Desktop Small Ultra-Small

Operating System Windows XP (Home/Media Center/Pro) Vista (versions) Linux

HardwareHardware

Central Processing Unit (CPU)MemoryHard Drive StorageOptical StorageVideo CardRemovable StorageFlat Panel MonitorPrinter

Central Processing Unit (CPU)MemoryHard Drive StorageOptical StorageVideo CardRemovable StorageFlat Panel MonitorPrinter

CPU’sCPU’s

More $$$ buys you better performance Do you need the fastest CPU available?

Graphics Video Editing Games

Mid-level performance will give best price/performance and long term use (3-5 years)

Low cost machines – good for low impact applications (Office Suite apps)

More $$$ buys you better performance Do you need the fastest CPU available?

Graphics Video Editing Games

Mid-level performance will give best price/performance and long term use (3-5 years)

Low cost machines – good for low impact applications (Office Suite apps)

Price versus PerformancePrice versus Performance

Core 2 Duo Performance Comparison

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Core 2Extreme

X6800 (2 x2.93GHz)

Core 2 DuoE6700 (2 x

2.6GHz)

Core 2 DuoE6600 (2 x

2.4GHz)

Core 2 DuoE6400 (2 x2.13GHz)

Core 2 DuoE6300 (2 x1.86GHz)

Price

Performance (Lower = Better)

Source: http://www.trustedreviews.com/cpu-memory/review/2006/07/14/Intel-Core-2-Duo-Conroe-E6400-E6600-E6700-X6800/p8

Deciphering the Spec’sDeciphering the Spec’s

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E6700 (2.66GHz, 4M, 1066MHz FSB)

MeansCPU Model = E6700 It runs at 2,660,000,000

cycles/second It has 4 Megabytes of internal cache It communicates with memory at

1066MHz

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E6700 (2.66GHz, 4M, 1066MHz FSB)

MeansCPU Model = E6700 It runs at 2,660,000,000

cycles/second It has 4 Megabytes of internal cache It communicates with memory at

1066MHz

Operating SystemOperating System

Windows XP Home / Media Center Professional

Windows Vista Home

Basic Premium

Business Ultimate

Linux

Windows XP Home / Media Center Professional

Windows Vista Home

Basic Premium

Business Ultimate

Linux

MemoryMemory

General Rule - More is better!Windows XP

512MB – Minimum1GB – Best General Purpose2-4GB – Graphics / Video Editing

Windows VistaCan run 512M – Not recommended!1GB – Best General Purpose2-4GB – Graphics / Video Editing

General Rule - More is better!Windows XP

512MB – Minimum1GB – Best General Purpose2-4GB – Graphics / Video Editing

Windows VistaCan run 512M – Not recommended!1GB – Best General Purpose2-4GB – Graphics / Video Editing

Memory Spec’s Explained

Memory Spec’s Explained

2GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM,800MHz, (2 DIMM)Means 2 Gigabytes of temporary storage DDR2 – Double Data Rate Non-ECC = It is not Error checking and

correcting – ECC RAM memory is used for servers and costs more.

SDRAM - Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory

800Mhz – The speed data is transferred to the CPU (Faster = Better)

2 DIMM – The memory comes as two 1 GB sticks of memory

2GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM,800MHz, (2 DIMM)Means 2 Gigabytes of temporary storage DDR2 – Double Data Rate Non-ECC = It is not Error checking and

correcting – ECC RAM memory is used for servers and costs more.

SDRAM - Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory

800Mhz – The speed data is transferred to the CPU (Faster = Better)

2 DIMM – The memory comes as two 1 GB sticks of memory

Hard DriveHard Drive

Current average size is 200GB drive

If you are storing many photos or video, buy more storage (500GB or more)

You may want to add another drive for on-line backup.

Organizing your files is key to finding your files.

Current average size is 200GB drive

If you are storing many photos or video, buy more storage (500GB or more)

You may want to add another drive for on-line backup.

Organizing your files is key to finding your files.

Optical StorageOptical Storage

At a minimum get a 16X (Transfer Speed) DVD drive.

Get a DVD+/-RW if you plan on backing up files to DVD. + = DVD+R media - = DVD-R media RW means Read and Write

Make sure you get software for moving files to DVD (Roxio or Nero Burning ROM)

At a minimum get a 16X (Transfer Speed) DVD drive.

Get a DVD+/-RW if you plan on backing up files to DVD. + = DVD+R media - = DVD-R media RW means Read and Write

Make sure you get software for moving files to DVD (Roxio or Nero Burning ROM)

Video CardVideo Card

For business applications, the onboard video may work fine.

If using MS Vista and you want the full User Interface experience – get a video card with at least 256MB RAM.

DVI – needed for best viewing using a flat panel display

Dual monitor support if you plan on using more than one monitor,

For business applications, the onboard video may work fine.

If using MS Vista and you want the full User Interface experience – get a video card with at least 256MB RAM.

DVI – needed for best viewing using a flat panel display

Dual monitor support if you plan on using more than one monitor,

Flat Panel MonitorFlat Panel Monitor

Smaller desktop footprint More energy efficient Big decision is size

(diagonal measurement) 17” Good general purpose 19”- 20” Good for long term viewing

Aspect Ratio Normal Aspect Ratio (4:3) Widescreen Aspect Ratio (16:9) Rotation

Smaller desktop footprint More energy efficient Big decision is size

(diagonal measurement) 17” Good general purpose 19”- 20” Good for long term viewing

Aspect Ratio Normal Aspect Ratio (4:3) Widescreen Aspect Ratio (16:9) Rotation

Removable StorageRemovable Storage

Memory stick for transporting files1-2 Gigabytes$20-$40

Memory stick for transporting files1-2 Gigabytes$20-$40

PrinterPrinter

Low Volume – ColorInk jet printers - $0.03-$0.05 per

page+ Cheap to purchase+ Good Quality- Ink Cartridges Expensive- Ink is not waterfast – will run if it gets

wet.- Cannot handle high volumes

Low Volume – ColorInk jet printers - $0.03-$0.05 per

page+ Cheap to purchase+ Good Quality- Ink Cartridges Expensive- Ink is not waterfast – will run if it gets

wet.- Cannot handle high volumes

PrintersPrinters

High VolumeLaser Printer - $0.01 per page$100 - + Good Quality+/- Toner Cartridges Expensive – but

last much longer that Ink- Toner is waterfast – won’t run if it

gets wet.- Can handle high volumes – depnding

on model purchased

High VolumeLaser Printer - $0.01 per page$100 - + Good Quality+/- Toner Cartridges Expensive – but

last much longer that Ink- Toner is waterfast – won’t run if it

gets wet.- Can handle high volumes – depnding

on model purchased

PrintersPrinters

All-in-One Printers Incorporate Printer/FAX/Scanner in

one unitUsually Ink Jet basedUpside – You get all the functions

in one unit.Downside if one function breaks –

you may lose all!

All-in-One Printers Incorporate Printer/FAX/Scanner in

one unitUsually Ink Jet basedUpside – You get all the functions

in one unit.Downside if one function breaks –

you may lose all!

SoftwareSoftware

Anti-VirusAnti-Malware Office Suite

Anti-VirusAnti-Malware Office Suite

Anti-VirusAnti-Virus

Needed to prevent infection of your PC by viruses that you may receive via e-mail attachments or other sources.

Common SourcesSymantec Anti-VirusMcAfee Anti-VirusAVG (www.grisoft.com)Trend Micro

Keep these updated!

Needed to prevent infection of your PC by viruses that you may receive via e-mail attachments or other sources.

Common SourcesSymantec Anti-VirusMcAfee Anti-VirusAVG (www.grisoft.com)Trend Micro

Keep these updated!

MalwareMalware

Generally software that gets installed on your PC without your knowledge.

May piggyback with legitimate software.

To detect and correct use... Spy Sweeper Pest Patrol Windows Defender (free) AdAware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com) SpyBot (http://www.safer-networking.org)

Generally software that gets installed on your PC without your knowledge.

May piggyback with legitimate software.

To detect and correct use... Spy Sweeper Pest Patrol Windows Defender (free) AdAware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com) SpyBot (http://www.safer-networking.org)

Office SuitesOffice Suites

Includes all of the programs need for general office workWord ProcessingSpreadsheetPresentation SoftwareE-Mail ClientDatabase (optional)

Includes all of the programs need for general office workWord ProcessingSpreadsheetPresentation SoftwareE-Mail ClientDatabase (optional)

Office SuitesOffice Suites

Microsoft OfficeMicrosoft Office Professional

Adds Access (database)Open Office (free!) (

http://www.openoffice.org)somewhat interoperable with the

Microsoft Suite.

Microsoft OfficeMicrosoft Office Professional

Adds Access (database)Open Office (free!) (

http://www.openoffice.org)somewhat interoperable with the

Microsoft Suite.

SupportSupport

Generally, long term support contracts not needed.

If something is going to fail – it will in the first few weeks of operation.

Network with friends for a local support company for times when you need someone to look at the machine.

Generally, long term support contracts not needed.

If something is going to fail – it will in the first few weeks of operation.

Network with friends for a local support company for times when you need someone to look at the machine.

PC Magazine SurveyPC Magazine Survey

Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2006502,00.asp

PC Magazine SurveyPC Magazine Survey

Misc. ItemsMisc. Items

Surge ProtectorShould handle at least 1800 joulesHave enough outlets for all of your

equipmentUPS

Allows you computer to shutdown gracefully in case of power loss.

May incorporate surge protection.

Surge ProtectorShould handle at least 1800 joulesHave enough outlets for all of your

equipmentUPS

Allows you computer to shutdown gracefully in case of power loss.

May incorporate surge protection.

Where can you learn More?

Where can you learn More?

Hardware Support Course #10-150-133

Computer Defense Course #10-150-143

Doug Watermanwaterman@fvtc.edu920-831-4366

Hardware Support Course #10-150-133

Computer Defense Course #10-150-143

Doug Watermanwaterman@fvtc.edu920-831-4366