1. Computer Selection - Hardware Components
Considerations for selection

2. Topics to cover
User requirements
Budget
Warranty and Support

3. Introduction Computers are available in many different form factors.
They may contain the same component types, e.g. A Hard disk, RAM, CPU, MB, etc.
But there are noticeable differences between the component specifications.
These differences will affect performance for different tasks, typically this will also affect the overall cost of the system.

4. Example – Research & compare the specifications of the following Computers
HP Z620 Desktop
Toshiba Satellite Pro C50-A-136 Laptop
Acer Aspire XC-105 Desktop
HP 255 Laptop
Component
PC 1
PC2
CPU
RAM
HDD
Video Card
Monitor
Optical Drive OS
Price

5. Budget
The budget can be the most important factor when selecting components.
There may have to be a compromise between desired and required specification, this should be based on the users needs.
Component prices trend line.
What PC components are the most expensive?

6. The price is right…. Based on current Ebuyer.com prices
2 GB RAM DDR2 standard RAM
800 MHz
4 GB DDR 3 (2 X 2 GB Kingston)
16 GB DDR MHz
OCZ 4 X 4 GB

7. The price is right…. 2 GB RAM DDR2 standard RAM 800 MHz £17 (£24)
4 GB DDR 3 Kingston
£14 (£32)
16 GB DDR MHz
OCZ 4 X 4 GB £43 £90
Total = £146

8. The price is right…. Based on Ebuyer.com Phenom X6 black edition
3.3 GHz
Intel I7 , GHz
Quad Core
AMD Athlon X2 2.5 GHz

9. The price is right…. Based on Ebuyer.com Phenom X6 black edition
3.3 GHz £138 (£156)
Intel I7 , GHz
Quad Core £235 (£232)
AMD Athlon X2 2.5 GHz
£29 (£35)
Total £402 Total £423

10. The price is right…. Based on Ebuyer.com
Western Digital 1 TB Hard Disk
Seagate 250 GB Hard disk
OCZ 120 GB Solid state disk

11. The price is right…. Based on Ebuyer.com
Western Digital 1 TB Hard Disk £53 £39
Seagate 250 GB Hard disk £45 £30
OCZ 120 GB Solid state disk
£69 £134
Total £167 Total £203
Overall £772

12. Price ranges
Monitors-(key characteristics include response rate, resolution support, ports, size)
Motherboards- (integrated components, support for given processors, SLI/Crossfire support, upgradability)
Cases and PSU-(Wattage, modules, noise levels)

13. Selecting outputs Connecting a Media Centre to an output device
Connect to Sounds System
Use with Web camera
Digital Movie/Photo editing

14. Remember to include the essentials...
Ensure that your selected PC for Assignment 2 includes the following..
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Heatsink and fan (included with retail boxed CPU)
Correct cables

15. Software Requirements
The appropriate hardware can be determined by the software to be used.
What software will be used for the following user types?
Advertising Creative
CAD engineer
Sales Rep
Media Developer
Gamer