Parts of a Computer

• One of the goals for this class is to understand the parts of a computer.
• I will approach this while talking about buying a computer
  • This is a good article
  • This one is good too. Lookhere
• All numbers here will be useless in 4 years or less.
• What do you plan to do with a computer
  • Do you need something portable, or will a desktop do?
  • Do you do mostly one task, or do you perform many different tasks at one time?
    • Work on one thing, or browse the web, work on a paper, watch a movie and play a game?
  • Do you use a single big program or do you need many different programs?
  • Do you need specialized software?
  • Do you need any specialized hardware?
• There is no single number here, there are many and there are tradeoffs.
  • Salespeople tend to push numbers they don't always understand
  • Example processor
    • All processors have a clock speed,
      • Usually measured in gigahertz
      • But you can't compare clock speeds directly
    • Processors have multiple "cores"
      • Multiple cores won't help you watch a movie or play a game.
      • But they will help you do both at the same time.
• Memory is very important
  • Memory is slower than the processor.
  • Hard drives are MUCH slower than memory.
  • When a computer runs a program, or plays a song, or movie, or ...
    • It needs to load these things from media into memory.
    • When memory gets full, it uses the hard drive as spare memory.
    • This is sort of like the difference between something on your desk and something properly filed in a filing cabinet.
    • Run out of memory and your machine becomes slow.
  • In my opinion, memory is far more important than almost anything else.
    • The more the better.
    • Measured in GB, 4 is too small, 8 is better.
    • The faster the better.
• Hard drives are important too, but not so much.
  • Sufficient space for what you want to do.
  • But bigger is generally slower
  • Drives are measured in gigabytes.
  • And speed in RPM
• Depending on what you want to do, your graphics card is important.
  • High end graphics cards are expensive
  • But if you are playing games, or intensive graphics probably worth it.
  • Sometimes you need to upgrade power supplies for highest end graphics cards.
• Networks are currently stuck at gigabit
  • But you connection at home is MUCH slower than this.
  • As is your connection here too.
  • Mostly, you care about this for the local network.
• The industry is constantly changing
  • This means that items disappear all of the time.
  • Removable media is an example.
  • Flooppy Disks, CDs are gone,
• Two Computers
  • I went to Best Buy but

     Dell - Inspiron 3650 Desktop - Intel Core i3 - 8GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive - Silver,
    
    $449.99
    
    Windows 10 operating system
    
    Windows 10 brings back the Start Menu from Windows 7 and introduces new 
    features, like the Edge Web browser that lets you markup Web pages on your 
    screen. 
    
     6th Gen Intel Core i3-6100 processor
    Smart dual-core, four-way processing performance. Intel Turbo Boost 
    Technology delivers dynamic extra power when you need it, while increasing 
    energy efficiency when you don't.
    Note: 3.700 GHz
             2 cores
    	 3MB cache
    
    
    
    8GB system memory for advanced multitasking
    
    Substantial high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run your games and photo- and 
    video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs
    all at once.
    
    DVD/CD burner
    Reads and writes to a variety of media formats, including DVD+R/RW, 
    DVD-R/RW and CD-R/RW.
    
    1TB hard drive for ample file storage space
    Holds a significant collection of digital photos, music, HD videos and 
    DVD-quality movies. 7200 rpm spindle speed enables rapid read/write times 
    for handling large files and complex applications.
    
    Built-in media reader for simple photo transfer
    Supports SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC and MMC+ memory card formats.
    
    2 USB 3.0 ports maximize the latest high-speed devices
    Also includes 4 USB 2.0 ports to connect more accessories and peripherals. 
    The USB 3.0 ports are backward-compatible with USB 2.0 devices (at 2.0 speeds).
    
    Wireless and wired network connectivity
    Built-in high-speed wireless LAN connects to your network on the most 
    common Wi-Fi standards. Gigabit Ethernet LAN port plugs into wired networks.
    
    Bluetooth 4.0 interface syncs with compatible devices
    Wirelessly transfer photos, music and other media between the desktop and 
    your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone or MP3 player, or connect Bluetooth 
    wireless accessories.
    
    Multimedia software package included
    CyberLink Media Suite Essentials. Trial of Microsoft Office.
    Integrated 5.1-channel with Wave MaxxAudio Pro
    Provides an immersive audio experience for online media viewing and 
    fast-action gameplay (speakers sold separately).
    
    Additional ports
    HDMI output for a high-def monitor or HDTV. Microphone input. Headphone output.
    	

    And another

    CyberPowerPC - Gamer Supreme Liquid CooledDesktop - Intel Core i7 - 32GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 - 3TB HDD + 480GB SSD - White  
    
    $1,649.99
    
    Windows 10 operating system
    Windows 10 brings back the popular Start Menu from Windows 7 and introduces 
    new features, like the Edge Web browser that lets you markup Web pages on 
    your screen.
    
    6th Gen Intel Core I7-6700K processor
    Powerful quad-core processing performance. Intel Turbo Boost Technology 
    delivers dynamic extra power when you need it, while increasing energy 
    efficiency when you don't.
    
       NOTE:  4.0 GHz
              4 cores
    	  8GB cache
    
    
    32GB system memory for intense multitasking and gaming
    Reams of high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM to smoothly run your graphics-heavy PC 
    games and video-editing applications, as well as numerous programs and 
    browser tabs all at once.
    
    3TB hard drive and 480GB solid state drive (SSD) for a blend of storage space and speed
    The hard drive provides ample storage, while the SSD delivers faster 
    start-up times and data access.
    
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics
    Driven by 8GB dedicated video memory to quickly render high-quality 
    images for videos and games.
    
    4 USB 3.0 ports maximize the latest high-speed devices
    Also includes 4 USB 2.0 ports to connect more accessories and 
    peripherals. The USB 3.0 ports are backward-compatible with 
    USB 2.0 devices (at 2.0 speeds).
    
    Wired network connectivity
    Built-in Gigabit Ethernet LAN port plugs into wired networks.