Choosing a PC Before you choose a PC you need to think about what it is going to be used for

Choosing a PC You then need to understand what the different parts of a PC do so that you can make a good choice

Parts of a PC There are two separate things you must consider when building a PC Hardware Hardware Software Software Hardware is the parts your PC is built from e.g. CD-ROM drive, Monitor, etc. Software is the programs you have installed on your PC e.g. Word, Excel, etc.

Parts of a PC Click on the links below to find out more HardwareSoftware

Hardware We can split hardware into four different sections. Click on a section to explore: Input Devices Output Devices Storage Devices Processing Devices

Hardware - Processing This is the case that houses all of the parts of a PC. A case usually comes with a power supply (which connects to a plug) and a fan to keep the computer cool inside Case All PCs have a case

Hardware - Processing This is the motherboard. Everything in the PC connects to the motherboard – this is how all the different parts link together. A lot of the motherboard is connected up inside the PC but things link your mouse and keyboard are also connected in to the motherboard Motherboard All PCs have a motherboard

Hardware - Processing This is the CPU which is like the brains of the computer. The better your CPU is, the better computer you are going to have. You get different makes of CPU Intel Pentium AMD Athlon Intel Celeron + more CPU (Central Processing Unit) All PCs have a CPU Processors are measured in MHz or GHz. Generally, the higher MHz or GHz your CPU has, the better it will be.

Hardware - Processing RAM helps you computer to carry out tasks as it is a place where it can temporarily store information as it works things out. The more RAM your PC has the more efficient and quickly it will operate. Most PCs now have 256Mb or more of RAM RAM (Random Access Memory) All PCs have RAM

Hardware - Processing Often a graphics card will be built into the CPU (central processing unit) so you often don’t need to get a separate one. If you want to play a lot of games or do high quality graphics work though you will need a good graphics card A look on will help find a good graphics cardwww.dabs.com Graphics card Only some PCs have a separate graphics card

Hardware - Processing Often a sound card will be built into the CPU (central processing unit) so you often don’t need to get a separate one. If you want high quality sound you may need a good sound card but even standard built in sound cards now give good quality surround sound A look on will help find a good sound cardwww.dabs.com Sound card Only some PCs have a separate sound card

Hardware - Processing You need a modem if you want to connect to the Internet. Most PCs now come with a standard 56Kb modem which will connect to a phone line to let you on the Internet. Modem Most PCs have a modem but not all

Hardware - Storage A hard disk drive is where you store all of your files. The bigger your hard drive is, the more files you can store. Most hard drives now are at least 10Gb which is big enough for most people. If you are storing a lot of big file, such as videos or you are playing lots of games you would want a bigger hard drive e.g. 40Gb or even 80Gb Hard Drive All PCs have a hard drive

Hardware - Storage CD ROM drives allow you to put CDs into your PC. DVD ROM drives allow you to use CDs and DVDs. You can now get CD and DVD writers which allow you to make your own CDs and DVDs. This is useful if you want to transfer a lot of files or backup files on your PC CD ROMs, CD Writers, DVD ROMS and DVD writers Most PCs have at least a CD ROM, many now have DVD ROMs and writers The faster your CD or DVD drive the faster it will do thing. E.g. 52x is better than 48x

Hardware - Storage Floppy disk drives simply let you use floppy disks in your computer so you can save and open files from a floppy disk. PCs usually come with a floppy disk drive but now they are being replaced by things like USB pen drives and CD writers so are becoming less common. The disadvantage of floppy disk drives is that they are not very big so cannot store many files Floppy Disk Drives Most PCs have a floppy disk drive though they are becoming less common

Hardware - Storage USB pen drives are becoming ever more popular as they are not expensive and can store lots of files on them. They are easy to use between different PCs to transfer files. The bigger the pen drive, the more files it will hold. E.g. a 64Mb will hold more than a 32Mb USB Pen Drives PCs generally do not come with a USB pen drive

Hardware - Input Usually come with a PC Keyboard & mouse

Hardware - Input Allows you to add photos and videos to your PC. Generally, the more expensive camera you buy the better quality it will be. A teacher in a school may buy a fairly cheap camera for photos of their class where a professional photographer would buy an expensive camera to get high quality images. Digital camera & video camera

Hardware - Input A scanner allows you to scan documents into a PC. Generally, cheap scanners are good enough for what most people want unless you are a professional graphics designer and need high quality scans. Scanner

Hardware - Input Webcams allow you to see and hear what another person is doing over an Internet connection. Most people are happy with a fairly cheap webcam, however, more expensive ones will provide a higher quality picture Webcams

Hardware - Input Allows you to record sound on your computer. A standard cheap microphone is as good as anything unless you are writing and recording music on your PC. Microphones

Hardware - Output Monitors can come in different sizes. Most monitors that come with PCs are 15” (15 inches) but many people prefer to have a monitor which is 17” if they have to use the PC a lot. Also, a lot of people are buying flat screens now but these are more expensive Monitor

Hardware - Output There are lots of different speakers to choose from. Cheap speakers are usually fine for what most people want. If you play games, watch DVDs or use your PC for music then you may want higher quality speakers with a subwoofer. These are of course more expensive. Speakers

Hardware - Output There are different types of printer. You need to think about whether or not you want colour or black and white and how much printing you will be doing. For someone printing a lot of black and white sheets a black and white laser printer is the fastest. For someone wanting colour and quality a colour inkjet is better Some people may want both! Printer

Software There are lots of different types of software for PCs. You need to think about what kind of software you will need. You will definitely need an operating system (e.g. Windows XP) You will most likely need some applications software to word process documents and use spreadsheets etc.

Software Some examples of operating systems Windows 98 – cheaper, reliable, doesn’t support all new hardware and programs Windows XP - more expensive, supports all current hardware and programs

Software Some examples of applications software Works 2000 – cheaper, has word processor, spreadsheet and database. These are good enough to do a job but not as good as Office Office XP - more expensive, has word processor, spreadsheet and database, all are very powerful Note - there are many other too and newer versions. It would be impossible to list them all

Software Some examples of different types of software that you will all ready be familiar with. Just think about whether or not you will need any of these: Paint shop pro Paint shop pro Inspirations Inspirations MS Publisher MS Publisher FrontPage (for designing websites) FrontPage (for designing websites)