1. By: Melissa Robbins

2. CPU’s

3. When choosing your CPU, there are usually two major brands to choose from. IntelAMD

4. Functions 1) What is a CPU?  A CPU(central processing unit) is basically the brain of you computer. It is used to carry out the functions of a computer program. It is used to carry out the basic arithmetical, input/output, and logical operations of a computer system.

5. Measurements (Clock Speed)  The clock speed of a cpu is measured in gigahertz. It's important to realize that the clock speed of a CPU is not the only factor determining performance. The higher the clock speed, the more operations the CPU can execute per second. Basically a 2.4ghz cpu is better than a 1ghz cpu because it is faster

6. Purchasing considerations…  When buying a cpu, there are five main things to consider… 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 1 - CPU / Socket Type Compatibility. For example, Intel i7 Socket 1366. Choose a CPU cooler that is compatible with your socket type. 2 - Size. Compare the dimensions of the CPU cooler with the dimensions of your case to ensure it will fit. Heatsinks can be very tall, wide or both. 3 - Mounting Style. CPU Coolers usually have one of the following types of mounting styles. A bolt through style requires the motherboard to be removed to allow a back plate for the heatsink to attach. A clip style will usually use the stock retention module (a bracket around the CPU) or the retention module included with the CPU cooler. A push pin style which is very similar to stock Intel coolers where four push pins are used to attach the cooler to the motherboard. 4 - Airflow. Ideally you will want a tower style CPU cooler that will allow single or dual 120mm fans to be mounted. A CFM rating in the 65 to 110 range is very good. 5 - Noise Level. Choose a CPU cooler that uses a 120X25mm fan. They are generally quieter and move more air compared to 92mm or 80mm fans. A dBA rating under 25 is considered to be very quiet. Also don't forget case ventilation. If your case doesn't have a fan pulling cool air in the case and a fan pushing hot air out of the case, the CPU cooler will not be able to perform as expected.

7. When to use additional cores…  Having two cores in a single processor has always had tangible benefits thanks to the multitasking nature of modern operating systems. After all, you may be browsing the web or typing up a report while an anti-virus program runs in the background. The real question for many people may be if having more than two is really beneficial and if so, how many?  An example of tis would be if you were planning on using your computer for video editing, then having more cores would be better. But, if you are just using the computer for gaming, then a dual core processor would be better than an 8 core processor.

8. Overclocking… What is Overclocking? Overclocking is the process of making a computer or component operate faster than the clock frequency specified by the manufacturer by modifying system parameters. Operating voltages may also be changed, which can increase the speed at which operation remains stable.... Is Overclocking a good idea? Overclocking your processor speeds up your computer. That's a pretty good reason. But there are some equally good reasons not to overclock your cpu. For one, it might damage your hardware, although bringing up the speed a notch or two is probably safe.

9. Overclocking… (Part 2)  Will Overclocking my CPU void a warranty Overclocking automatically voids your warranty IF Intel/AMD knows you have been doing it. Overclocking cannot be check since setting is only recorded in the motherboard's BIOS.  What happens if my Overclocking goes wrong? Consequences? The biggest is burning out your CPU, especially if you have an inadequate heatsink setup, either air or water-cooled. So, you really need to know what you're doing when trying to overclock. Find out as much as you can about your CPU/Motherboard/RAM combination and don't be afraid to ask plenty of questions in overclocking forums. Start off slowly and work your way up. If you don't feel confident in overclocking, then don't do it. It's not worth it. You may find that your games play okay at the standard speed of the CPU.

10. Hyper-Threading  What is Hyper-Threading Hyper-Threading is a technology used by some Intel microprocessors that allows a single microprocessor to act like two separate processors to the operating system and the application programs that use it. It is a feature of Intel's IA-32 processor architecture.

11. Hyper-Threading (Part 2)  Is hyper-threading helpful? Why? Yes but not for all applications. After about 4 threads there doesn't seems to be a lot of value in having additional threads on a gaming system. While on something that like Adobe CS you will get some additional performance from having a processor with hyper-threading. The idea that if we removed hyper-threading from the design would somehow allow us to focus on getting better performance from the IPC on the core is a mistake. Heck about the Intel® Celeron, Intel Pentium® and Intel Core™ i5 of the 2nd and 3rd generation Intel Core family don't have hyper-threading and you don't hear about them grossly out performing the Intel Core i3 or the Intel Core i7 processors that do have hyper-threading. Heck if you want to see what hyper-threading does simply turn it off in the Bios. There are some software where you might see a little better performance and some where you will see worst but you aren't going to see a big increase in IPC.

12. If you were building a computer - which CPU would you select & why? The CPU I Would pick…  If I was going for a CPU that was not a s expensive, but still worked well, I would choose the Intel Core i5-2320 3.0GHz Quad-Core  Price:$189.99 Why Data Width64-bit SocketLGA1155 Speed3.0 GHz Cores4

13. Motherboards

14. Functions  What is a Motherboard? A Motherboard is a printed circuit board containing the principal components of a computer or other device, with connectors into which other circuit boards can be slotted

15. Form Factor When purchasing a motherboard you must consider form factor. What is Form Factor? (the types are ATX, BTX, MicroATX, MiniITX - what is the difference between these?) When purchasing a motherboard you must consider form factor. What is Form Factor? (the types are ATX, BTX, MicroATX, MiniITX - what is the difference between these?)  What is Form Factor? Form Factor is the physical size and shape of a piece of computer hardware.  what is the difference between the four types of Form Factor? ATX~the ATX motherboard is one of most commonly found and used motherboards even today. ATX is an Intel trademark and not an acronym that was first designed and released in July of 1995 by Intel and has been revised several times since then. The first revision was version 2.01 in February 1997, 2.03 in May 2000, 2.1 in June 2002, and 2.2 in February 2004. The ATX motherboard is 12" wide x 9.6" deep and has the COM port, LPT port, PS/2, and USB mounted directly on the motherboard. ATX motherboards didn't hit the market in force until mid-1996, when they rapidly began replacing Baby-AT boards in new systems. The ATX specification was updated to version 2.01 in February 1997, 2.03 in May 2000, 2.1 in June 2002, and 2.2 in February 2004.

16. Form Factor (Part 2)  BTX~ The BTX form factor specification gives developers options to balance thermal management, acoustics, system performance, and size in the system form factors and stylish designs that are desired in today's products. The BTX form factor is a clear break from previous ATX form factor layouts and was developed with emerging technologies such as Serial ATA, USB 2.0, and PCI Express*. Thermal improvements come primarily from taking advantage of in- line airflow. The BTX defined in-line airflow layout allows many of the main board components (i.e.: processor, chipset, and graphics controller) to utilize the same primary fan airflow, thereby reducing the need for, and noise from, additional system fans. In some cases this also allows fewer and/or less expensive heat sinks to be used when compared to ATX solutions. The system level acoustics are also improved by the reduced air turbulence within the in- line airflow system. The BTX layout supports better component placement for back panel I/O controllers – important as the signal speed of external devices continues to increase. In addition to smaller than microATX system sizes, BTX was designed to scale up to tower size systems using the same core layout by increasing the number of system slots included.

17. Form Factor (Part 3) MicroATX~The MicroATX form factor was developed as a natural evolution of the ATX form factor to address new market trends and PC technologies. While offering the same benefits of the ATX form factor specification, the MicroATX form factor improves upon the previous specification in several key areas. Current trends in the industry indicate that users require a lower-cost solution for their PC needs. Without sacrificing the benefits of ATX, this form factor addresses the cost requirement by reducing the size of the motherboard. The smaller motherboard is made possible by reducing the number of I/O slots supported on the board. The overall effect of these size changes reduces the costs associated with the entire system design. The expected effect of these reductions is to lower the total system cost to the end user.

18. Form Factor (Part 4) MiniITX~ Mini-ITX is a motherboard form factor created by VIA. Motherboards are available from VIA under the name "EPIA". Mini-ITX and Mini-ITX-sized motherboards are available from manufacturers such as Axiomtek, Commell, DFI, Eyetech, IBASE, Insight, Lex, Lippert, Samsung and Unicorn. Mini-ITX motherboards have a processor soldered to the board and a rich supporting chipset providing networking, graphics and sound. This means that by adding just some memory, a hard drive and a power supply, you have a full computer. You might want to add a case, but this is optional. Mini-ITX motherboards are very cheap. But they are powerful enough to play back full screen video through their monitor or TV output. Mini-ITX motherboards are very small. The specification requires that the boards are 170mm x 170mm (6.75" x 6.75")

19. Socket Type The motherboard's socket type and chipset must match the processor's requirements. If the two aren't in sync, the processor might not work at all and could even be physically damaged. So whether you're moving a CPU from one motherboard to another or buying one new, you'll have to pay attention to a few things. First, is the processor by AMD or Intel? A motherboard designed for one won't work with the other. Next, what specific socket type does your processor require? LGA775 (also known as Socket T) is the current standard for Intel processors, while AMD's latest CPUs are designed for Socket AM2. Both sockets offer the greatest current range of upgrading capability, and while there's no way of telling how long they'll be around, chances are you'll be set for a while.

20. RAM and its Functions  What is RAM? RAM (pronounced ramm) is an acronym for random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers.  Why does it matter how much RAM your motherboard holds? Since your motherboard manufacturer is the one who decides the maximum RAM amount that can be supported, the only sure way to know is to consult your motherboard manual If you're a laptop user, then your owner's manual will contain the answer to the maximum amount of RAM that can be supported. Just look for it under "technical specifications”

21. Different motherboard drive connections IDE~ Short for Integrated Drive Electronics or IBM Disc Electronics, IDE is more commonly known as ATA or Parallel ATA (PATA) and is a standard interface for IBM compatible hard drives. IDE is different from the Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) and Enhanced Small Device Interface (ESDI) because its controllers are on each drive, meaning the drive can connect directly to the motherboard or controller. IDE and its updated successor, Enhanced IDE (EIDE), are the most common drive interfaces found in IBM compatible computers today. Below, is a picture of the IDE connector on the back of a hard drive, a picture of what an IDE cable looks like, and the IDE channels it connects to on the motherboard.

22. Different motherboard drive connections (Part 2) SATA~ Serial ATA is a computer bus interface that connects host bus adapters to mass storage devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives.

23. Different motherboard drive connections (Part 3)  RAID~ RAID sounds like vaguely scary, like something you to do a French village if you're a Viking or what you do on a Saturday night if you're a lonely, sad person, but really it just stands for redundant array of independent disks. Which really just means a bundle of hard drives acting like one super harddrive. There are a few of different kinds of RAID configurations and they do different things—one kind gives you crazy fast performance, another makes your storage safer than a single hard drive acting alone via redundancy. The most likely place you're going to run into RAID—if you're not familiar with it already—is when you jump into the world of network attached storage, aka NAS, providing a huge bank of hard-drive goodness for storage, backup and media streaming across all of your home or office computers and devices.

24. Expansion Slots  What are expansion slots? a place in a computer where an expansion card can be inserted.  What would you put in expansion slots ? For example, if you wanted to install a new video card in the computer you'd purchase a video expansion card and install that card into the compatible expansion slot

25. Rear Panel Ports  What are rear panel ports? A computer's rear panel is a lot more than just where you plug in your monitor, printer, and network cable—it's your motherboard's interface to the world. In selecting a motherboard, you'll want to assess its rear panel carefully. Though you can always add features with an expansion card, that's never easier than having something work out of the box. There are five main things t look for… 1. Keyboard and mouse ports: Many keyboards and mice today connect to your computer via USB, but those ubiquitous round (often purple and green) connectors are still used frequently by larger vendors and by people who have a favorite keyboard or mouse from the days when PS/2 ports were all the rage. (We can relate to that all too well.) 2. USB/FireWire: These are the two most popular methods for connecting external devices today, and depending on how many you own, you'll want as many ports as you can get. Four USB ports and one FireWire jack on the rear panel are a common mix, and most motherboards allow you to connect more to onboard headers, creating more ports that can be accessed on your system's front panel or via special brackets that attach to expansion-slot openings.

26. Rear Panel Ports (Part 2) 3. Ethernet: Once upon a time, you had to buy expansion cards to get Ethernet capabilities for your computer, but almost all of today's motherboards have one Ethernet jack, and many have two. If you have a network cable, you'll be on the Internet in minutes. 4. Serial/parallel ports: They're going the way of the dodo today, but in the pre-USB days serial and parallel ports were crucial for connecting mice, printers, and other devices. If one of your favorite peripherals uses one, check for availability on your motherboard first. 5. eSATA ports: External SATA (eSATA) ports can be excellent ways to connect an external hard drive to your PC. These are still fairly rare, but they are becoming more common on higher-end motherboards, so look for one or two if you think you'll want to add space without opening up your case.

27. What I chose…  I chose the ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard because it was compatible with the cpu that I mentioned previously  Price: $78.98

28. RAM

30. RAM and its Functions What is RAM? RAM (pronounced ramm) is an acronym for random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers.

31. Purchasing Considerations  This question depends on the computer user you are, what programs you plan on running on the computer, and how many programs you have open at a given time. One of the best methods of determining how much RAM you should have is to look at the system requirements of the programs you're running on your computer and double whatever the memory requirements are for the program you use most. However, below is the general recommendation for memory we'd suggest your computer has for todays programs and operating systems.

32. Example when additional RAM is needed  It's been said that you can never have enough money, and the same holds true for RAM, especially if you do a lot of graphics-intensive work or gaming. Next to the CPU itself, RAM is the most important factor in computer performance. If you don't have enough, adding RAM can make more of a difference than getting a new CPU! If your system responds slowly or accesses the hard drive constantly, then you need to add more RAM. If you are running Windows XP, Microsoft recommends 128MB as the minimum RAM requirement. At 64MB, you may experience frequent application problems. For optimal performance with standard desktop applications, 256MB is recommended. If you are running Windows 95/98, you need a bare minimum of 32 MB, and your computer will work much better with 64 MB. Windows NT/2000 needs at least 64 MB, and it will take everything you can throw at it, so you'll probably want 128 MB or more.

33. What RAM did you choose for your computer (on PC part picker) & why?  I chose the Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3- 1866 because of the voltage and because it has a heat spreader.  Price: $156.68 Voltage1.5V Heat SpreaderYes

34. Video Card

35. Picture

36. Functions  What is a Video Card?  a printed circuit board controlling output to a display screen.

37. Purchasing Considerations  Today, there are three bus (slots) a video card is capable of connecting to. Although with most modern computers today it'll be either PCI-E or AGP. Before buying a new video card make sure you get a video card that will be compatible with the available slots in your computer.  PCI-E or PCI-Express was approved as a standard on July 2002 and is the latest computer bus found in computers. PCI Express is designed to replace PCI and AGP and is available in different formats: x1, x2, x4, x8, x12, x16, and x32. See the PCI Express definition for a full description and related links.  AGP or Advanced Graphics Port, is a new standard available on Pentium II and later motherboards. Introduced in 1997, AGP is a 32-bit Bus designed for high demanding video cards. AGP has a direct line to the computer memory, which allows 3-D elements to be stored in the system memory instead of the video memory and is available in three different standards (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0). See the AGP definition for a full description and related links.

38. Purchasing Considerations (Part 2)  PCI or Peripheral Component Interconnect, was first introduced in 1992. Although still in use today, most computers today use AGP or a PCI-E slot instead of PCI.  Power supply Today's video cards are one of the must power hungry devices in your computer. Make sure that your power supply meets the requirements of your video card. Many video cards will require a 500W or more power supply. If your computer doesn't meet the power requirements you'd need to upgrade the power supply before being able to install the new video card.  Memory Another important consideration when purchasing a video card is the amount of video memory the card has. Like system memory, the more memory located on the computer video card in most cases the greater capability of the video card. Today, we suggest at the minimum a video card with 256MB of video memory.

39. What Video Card did you choose for your computer on PC part picker) & why?  I chose the ATI FirePro V3900 1GB because I wanted at least 1GB of space and a good enough graphic quality  Price: $109.99

40. Power Supply

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42. Functions  The power supply of the computer is where the electrical current from your outlet is sent and then dispersed throughout the components in your computer.

43. Purchasing Considerations  Buying a power supply can be a daunting task as there are many different types to choose from, and they all have their own subtle differences. The power supply unit, or PSU, is the part of a computer that converts alternating current, such as that acquired from almost any wall socket, to low-voltage direct current that can be used by the computer's internal parts. While most power supplies are quite similar and look like a metal box, there are many important differences to be considered while buying a power supply. Different power supplies provide a different amount of power; it is important to be sure that one's power supply provides enough power. Other considerations include the size, shape, efficiency, and running temperature of the power supply.

44. What Power Supply did you choose for your computer (on PC part picker) & why?  I chose the Antec 650W ATX12V because it had high reviews and was suggested to me by my dad.  Price:$79.98

45. Storage (Hard Drive/SSD)

46. Picture (Hard Drive)

47. Picture (SSD)

48. Function (Hard Drive)  A hard disk drive (HDD) is a data storage device used for storing and retrieving digital information using rapidly rotating disks (platters) coated with magnetic material. An HDD retains its data even when powered off.

49. Function (SSD)  Stands for "Solid State Drive." An SSD is a type of mass storage device similar to a hard disk drive (HDD). It supports reading and writing data and maintains stored data in a permanent state even without power. Internal SSDs connect to a computer like a hard drive, using standard IDE or SATA connections.

50. Failing?  Do hard drives ever fail? Because the standard warranty is now only 12 months, do hard drives die sooner? If I slot a new hard drive in today, how long can I expect it to last? Surprisingly, despite hard drives underpinning almost every aspect of modern computing (until smartphones), no one has ever carried out a study on the longevity of hard drives — or at least, no one has ever published results from such a study. Until now. Backblaze, an unlimited online backup company that keeps 25,000 hard drives spinning at all time, has published its results on hard drive lifespan— and it makes for very interesting reading indeed.  What do you need to do to protect yourself against a hard drive failing?

51. Failing? (Part 2)  What do you need to do to protect yourself against a hard drive failing? ALWAYS!! One way to protect yourself from hard drive failure is to not constantly leave it running, and ALWAYS!! Backup your drive.

52. What hard drive and/or SSD did you choose for your computer (on PC part picker) & why?  Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM  Because it had 7200RPM and it had one terabyte of space for an affordable price.  Price:$61.99

53. What size/amt of storage did you choose & why?  I chose one terabyte of space because I wanted to be able to do a lot with my PC and have somehwere to put it all while i am working with my computer.

54. PC Case

55. Picture of the Case I Chose Corsair 750D Full Tower Case →

56. Functions  Why do you need a case? The computer case houses and supports the motherboard, peripheral cards, power supply, and disk drives that make up the computer. A computer inside a case is less subject to many of the stresses that could otherwise impair its functionality.

57. Purchasing Considerations Today, there are a wide variety of computer case colors and case sizes for the PC. When looking at the case, consider the color of the case and its size. Most cases come in either urban white or white Location and size Before purchasing a computer case you should think out where the computer is going to be placed. Is it going to be on your desk or your floor? Is it going to have enough space at its location with the monitor and other peripherals possibly next to it? If it's in a bedroom will it be quiet enough if left on while you sleep? Upgrade availability Does the case have enough bays for adding additional hard drives or other drives? Does the case have the availability for slots for additional expansion cards to be placed in? Is the computer easy to work in or will it have to be completely disassembled to get to certain parts of the computer?

58. Purchasing Considerations (Part 2) Motherboard If you are assembling your own computer, make sure that the motherboard form factor you plan to purchase is going to be able to fit into the computer case. The standard motherboard form factor today is ATX or MicroATX. Power supply If you are assembling your own computer, make sure that the computer case either comes with a power supply or that the power supply you plan on purchasing will fit into the computer case. Additionally, if you are building a gaming computer with an advanced video card make sure that the power supply is big enough to support the video card along with all other hardware in the computer. If you cannot find the video card recommended power supply requirement, we suggest using at least a 500W PSU. Service Many case manufacturers are creating their cases solely for computer manufactures and may not sell to end-users. If you are building a computer and able to order such a case, it is likely that service or support may be slim or not available as well as long distance. Take this into consideration when purchasing a computer case.

59. Which case did you choose for your computer (on PC part picker) & why?  I chose the Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower for my PC because it had the available room for all of the components of my computer.

60. Cooling Devices

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62. What are different types of cooling devices & what do they do  Heat Sink~ Fortunately, CPUs include a heat sink, which dissipates the heat from the processor, preventing it from overheating. The heat sink is made out of metal, such as a zinc or copper alloy, and is attached to the processor with a thermal material that draws the heat from away the processor towards the heat sink. Heat sinks can range in size from barely covering the processor to several times the size of the processor if the CPU requires it.  Cooling Fan~ A mechanical fan is a machine used to create flow within a fluid, typically a gas such as air. The fan consists of a rotating arrangement of vanes or blades which act on the air. The rotating assembly of blades and hub is known as an impeller, a rotor, or a runner.  Water Cooled System~ A liquid cooling system is a technique used to keep a computer processor's temperature low using water as the cooling medium. This cooling mechanism provides efficient cooling and helps to minimize the noise generated by higher processor speeds. However, this efficiency comes at a cost in that the liquid cooling system is costlier than a traditional air-cooling system and its more complex design requires proper maintenance. A liquid cooling system may also be known as a water cooling system

63. Purchasing Considerations  Overview Unless a CPU is an OEM component bought separately (not pre-installed in a ready-built system), the CPU will probably already have a stock cooler that is rated to work specifically with that model CPU. Aftermarket CPU Coolers can typically provide better cooling performance, which is why many computer builders replace their stock coolers. When choosing an aftermarket CPU Cooler, two basic features need to be considered.  CPU Compatibility Currently, there are two major CPU manufacturers: Intel and AMD. In addition to providing similar, but different technologies, their components also have different specifications. A CPU Cooler that is rated for an Intel CPU may not offer enough cooling for an AMD CPU. Also consider that both AMD and Intel require different attachment configurations for their Coolers due to differing motherboard configurations. Finally, both manufacturers offer several lines of CPUs that have different cooling needs. Therefore, an Intel Core i7 processor will need more performance cooling than an Intel Atom. Ensure that the CPU Cooler is compatible before purchasing by checking the packaging for compatible CPU models.

64. Purchasing Considerations (Part 2)  Dimensions  CPU Coolers come in all shapes and sizes. As such, it’s important to ensure that the CPU Cooler will fit inside the computer system it’s going to cool. This is especially important in small form factor cases. The CPU Cooler should not be so tall that it comes into contact with the side panel or any attached fans. On the other hand, it should provide enough clearance for other onboard components. For instance, the memory modules may have heatsinks that may extend into and interfere with wide, low profile CPU Coolers

65. What cooling devices did you choose for your computer (on PC part picker) & why? (Did you choose a fan? Water cooled system? Why?)  Arctic Cooling ACFZI30 74.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler because of the reasons stated below Supported Sockets LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA2011, LGA2011-3 Liquid CooledNo Bearing TypeFluid Dynamic Fan RPM400 - 1350 RPM

66. Optical Drives

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68. Functions  An optical drive is use for read and write data from a optical disk(CD/DVD).

69. Purchasing Considerations Before considering purchasing a CD-ROM, it is also good consider the other available options. CD-R - CD-R, or CD Recordable, drives allow you to do everything that a standard CD-ROM is capable of doing with the added ability of creating your own CDs. An excellent solution for anyone that is in need of a CD-ROM and backup solution. CD-RW - Like a CD-R drive, a CD-RW, or CD Read/Write, drive allows you to do everything that a standard CD-ROM is capable of, as well as read and write to a CD-RW disc thousands of times instead of once like a CD-R drive. While a little more expensive, this is another great solution for backups. DVD - DVD, or Digital Versatile (video) Disc, allows a computer to not only do everything that a standard CD-ROM drive is capable of doing, but at the same time is capable of reading DVD Discs and DVD movies. For users who plan on playing games or watching movies on their computers, this is an excellent addition.

70. Purchasing Considerations (Part 2) Interface The first and foremost important consideration when purchasing a CD-ROM is the interface that the CD-ROM utilizes, such as IDE, SCSI, USB, Parallel or PC-Card. IDE/EIDE The most commonly used interface with IBM computers, IDE/EIDE/ATAPI interface is found on all IBM compatible motherboards. This interface allows for a total of four devices to be connected. When considering purchasing an IDE/EIDE/ATAPI CD-ROM drive it is important to verify that you have the available connections for the device. SCSI The only method with Apple computers and commonly used interface with IBM computers, the SCSI interface allows for a total of seven devices to be connected to the computer and is a faster solution than the IDE/EIDE interface. If you are user of an IBM compatible computer, it is important that you ensure your computer has a SCSI interface already present in the computer. If not present, you need to install a SCSI card before being able to install a SCSI CD-ROM drive.

71. Purchasing Considerations (Part 3)  USB The USB interface allows a user to install a device and supports up to 127 devices.  Before you can install a USB CD-ROM drive, it is important for both IBM and Macintosh users to verify that a USB port is present on the computer. If not present, an interface card needs to be installed.  Parallel Solution available for PC computers, Parallel CD-ROM drives allow users that may not have the available resources or may have a portable computer to connect a CD-ROM drive.  PC-Card (PCMCIA) Excellent solution for users utilizing an older laptop that does not have a CD-ROM drive to connect a CD-ROM drive to their computer.  Transfer rates  Transfer rates can sometimes be a misleading when looking at purchasing a CD-ROM drive. The transfer rate of a CD-ROM drive is how fast a CD-ROM drive may be able to access the data from a CD. This speed is only going to be noticeable when installing a program or copying large amounts of data from a CD.

72. Purchasing Considerations (Part 4)  Price range  For a CD-ROM drive, not to be confused with a CD-R, CD-RW or DVD drive, the price can vary depending upon the speed and the interface the CD-ROM drive uses.  Standard IDE/SCSI CD-ROM Drive: $50.00 - $200.00 Parallel CD-ROM Drive: $150.00 - $300.00 PC Card and PCMCIA CD-ROM Drive: $100.00 - $300.00  Ready to buy  Once you have reviewed the appropriate information and believe that you are ready to make a purchase of a computer CD-ROM, ensure that the source that you plan on purchasing the CD-ROM from is a reputable source and you have reviewed our section on what to look out for when purchasing over the Internet.  Computer Hope is ready to setup and help you with issues you may encounter during the purchase and installation of your CD-ROM, regardless if you purchase through us or another vendor.  To help support Computer Hope, you can purchase directly through our well-known associate, Amazon. Click the below browse button to begin browsing through the CD-ROM section.

73. What optical drive did you choose for your computer (on PC part picker) & why?  I chose the LG UH12LS28 OEM Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer for my PC because it was able to read and write cds and dvds, and it is able to read Blu-ray.  Price: $59.98

74. Extra Info on my Optical Drive CD-ROM Speed48X CD-R Speed48X CD-RW Speed24X DVD-ROM Speed16X DVD+R Speed16X DVD+R Dual-Layer Speed8X DVD+RW Speed8X DVD-R Speed16X DVD-R Dual-Layer Speed8X DVD-RW Speed6X DVD-RAM Speed12X BD-ROM Speed12X

75. Card Readers

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77. Functions  1. an electronic device that reads and transfers data from various portable memory storage devices.

78. Purchasing Considerations  There are many different card readers available to buy, with suitability largely depending on the devices and memory cards it is intended to be used with. Important things to consider are the types of memory card it will be used with, how accessible it needs to be and the transfer rate.

79. Purchasing Considerations (Part 2) There are a number of different memory cards available to buy, with SD cards and Micro-SD cards two of the most popular options. Some card readers will be capable of reading a number of different card types, which is particularly useful for anybody with a number of devices which take more than one type of memory card. There are a number of different types of memory card available; some of the most popular are listed on the next 2 slides.

80. Purchasing Considerations (Part 3)  SD SD cards are probably the most well used, and they are commonly found in cameras and tablet computers, amongst other devices. Larger capacity SD cards, known as SDHC and SDXC cards are also available, so it is important to check that the memory card reader is capable of whatever type of SD card it is intended to be used with.  Micro SD Micro SD cards are commonly used in smaller gadgets, such as mobile phones. In appearance, they are just a smaller version of an SD card, and quite often come with a special converter when purchased, which will allow them to fit into a device which takes SD cards or an SD card reader. For users that already have a convertor such as this, any SD card reader should be able to read a Micro SD card when the convertor is used. If a convertor is not available, then the options are to buy a card reader with a slot specifically for Micro SD cards, a card reader that comes with a convertor for Micro SD cards, or buy the SD card reader and Micro SD convertor separately.

81. Purchasing Considerations (Part 4)  xD xD cards are not so common in recent years, however, due to their past popularity with digital cameras there are still many people using them.  CompactFlash (CF) CompactFlash cards were extremely popular with earlier model digital cameras, and while SD cards are generally now more popular, CompactFlash is still popular amongst certain camera and video camera manufacturers.  Memory Stick (MS) There are a number of different types of Memory Stick, including Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick XC. These are all commonly used in Sony products, such as cameras, video cameras and games consoles. As there are a number of different types available, it is important to ensure that the card reader will work with the specific type of Memory Stick that it is required to be used with.

82. What I chose and why.  I chose the NZXT Aperture M Card Reader because it was reasonably priced and compatible with the parts of my PC.  Price: $34.99

83. Chipset

84. Picture

85. Function  a collection of integrated circuits that form the set needed to make an electronic device such as a computer motherboard or portable telephone.