PC Repair Final Project Part 3

Assignment:

 

Your assignment is to research various computer part manufacturers’ websites and pick the best computer parts you can find to build your own computer.  The best should be judged on the following criteria:  hardware, price, customer support, features, speed, and software.  You will also need to choose an operating system and give the reasons why you chose that operating system.  You will search for parts as if you were assembling the computer yourself and you document the process on your document.  Give 2 sentences describing why you chose that particular part.  Use the specifications for each part. You must show documentation for each part that proves it is compatible with your other parts.  There is no price limit, this is your dream computer.  
 

Calculating actual price:

If a part has a rebate then you may calculate the rebate into the total cost of the computer.  For instance, if your motherboard has a $100 rebate, then deduct $100 from the total price of the computer.  If a part comes with another part, for instance a motherboard with an onboard sound card, then you don’t have to buy an extra sound card.

 

 
Steps to Completing the Assignment:
 
1. Setup a folder to save your final to
    Download this document for your notes. Save the Document into your Z drive as Final Part 3.
 
2. Write a paragraph about what kind of computer you are looking for
Give one paragraph at the beginning of your document that describes the purpose of the computer that you built and describe how your computer parts satisfy the requirements.  For example, is your computer a gaming computer?  Then what do you need for a gaming computer to make it perform at its best capabilities?
3. Find a processor
 

Processor (CPU) – choose this first.  You can use the www.intel.com website to check for compatibility if the processor is an Intel processor.

Getting Started:

The best method for getting started is to first find your processor.  Look for a great processor then find out where the socket is located.  The motherboard that is compatible with your processor will have the same socket location for the processor.  Also, if it is an Intel processor, you can go to www.intel.com to search for compatible motherboards.  Then type the name of the motherboard into www.google.com and you will find a vendor that sells the motherboard.

    Processor Manufacturers:
        Intel
        AMD
        Cyrix
        VIA
        Motorola
        Texas Instrument
        Transmeta
        SiS
4. Find a motherboard compatible with your processor:
 

Motherboard – choose the processor first then check to see if the processor socket location is compatible with the motherboard.  Use the website above to look for motherboards.

 

http://www.motherboard.cz/cpusupport/ - website to check CPU/Motherboard compatibility; gives list of motherboard manufacturers

 

http://processormatch.intel.com/CompDB/ - wizard that helps you find compatible motherboards for your processor if you select an intel processor.
 
http://support.amd.com/us/System-Building-and-Compatibility/Pages/SystemBuildingandCompatibilityInformation.aspx website that checks motherboard and memory compatibility for AMD processors.
 
5. Find compatible memory for your motherboard:
 

Memory/RAM – the number of pins on the RAM should match the number of pins in the slots on the motherboard.  Sometimes the specs for the motherboard will mention what type of memory to use.

www.kingston.com – check memory compatibility using this website

www.crucial.com – website that sells RAM

 

6. Find a hard drive

 

Hard Drive – with hard drives there is no concern for compatibility.  All hard drives are interchangeable with any motherboard.

 

7. Find the cables that go with your hard drive

 

8. Find a CD/DVD/Blue-Ray/RW drive

 

CD-Drive – CD-ROMs can come with different speeds, they can record (Read/Write) and they can act as DVD players

 

9. Find a Video Card

Video Card – video cards can range in price to inexpensive to very expensive.  Very expensive video cards are for video editing and movie making.  Choose your video card based on the function of your computer.

List of Computer Manufacturers:
14. Find a keyboard

 

Keyboard – can be wired or wireless, ergonomic or standard, uses PS/2 port or USB.

 

15. Find speakers

 

16. Find a fan for your system

 

17. Find a power supply

 

Power Supply – the power supply should have enough wattage output to supply electricity to all of your parts.  You can calculate the wattage by looking at the specifications for the parts and checking how many watts of electricity they need, then add the number up.

 

https://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator- website that will calculate the wattage for each of your parts and give you a total number for wattage requirements

 

Directions: Calculate the watts required for your system using the website above and take a screen shot of the website. 

 

18. Find a computer case

 

Case/Shell – cases can be found at www.newegg.com and http://www.atxcases.com/ ; make sure you think about ventilation when purchasing a case.

 

http://www.atxcases.com/ - computer cases and accessories
 
http://www.xoxide.com/allcases.html - staff picks for custom computer cases
 
http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=CAS - computer cases

 

19. Find an Operating System

 

Operating System – you need to choose an operating system for your computer so make sure that there is enough money left over in your budget.  Think about the purpose of the computer before choosing an operating system.  If you want the computer to be a gaming computer, then you need a gaming operating system.

 

List of Operating Systems:

 

Windows 10– www.microsoft.com

 

Linux – www.redhat.com – there are other Linux OS’s

 

Mac OS – www.apple.com

 

Sun OS - http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/ called Solaris

 

http://www.linux.org/ - linux resource page with free versions of linux from various OS companies

 

Ubuntu – www.ubuntu.com

19. Find 3 comparable computers

 

You will then select 3 comparable computers and in two paragraphs discuss why you chose your particular computer versus the competitors’ computers.

 

 

List of resources:

 

www.cnet.com - CNET

 

www.bbb.org - Better Business Bureau

 

www.consumerreports.org - Consumer Reports

 

www.wikopedia.org  - Technology encyclopedia

 

www.pcmall.com - computer parts store

 

www.tigersdirect.com – computer parts store

 

www.newegg.com – computer parts store

 

www.zipzoomfly.com – computer parts store

 

www.geeks.com – computer parts store

  

www.tomshardware.com – gives you reviews on different computer parts, they test the parts and do benchmarks on different parts