Session 2 - Selecting Hardware Components

Graphics Cards

The right Graphics card is an important decision if you need high-end graphics for gaming, Multimedia, 3D, Video and Digital Imaging. Many computers have graphics available straight from the Motherboard, but if you need more graphic processing grunt, you can add a graphics adapter.

AMD (ATI) Radeon and NVIDEA are the two main Graphics processors available. The number of GPUs, the speed, and the amount of memory on the graphics adapter are all things that need to be considered and compared with the specifications of the software you need to run.

Most graphics cards offer a selection of connector types that you can use to connect your monitor to your graphics card.

Image from http://pixgood.com/video-card-ports.html

Types of graphics cards and purchasing information

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/4-types-of-graphics-cards

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-graphics-adapter.htm

http://www.computershopper.com/feature/help-me-decide-which-type-of-graphics-card-do-i-need

http://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Video-Card-For-Your-PC


Comparisons


http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/

Optical Drives

Optical drives are any storage device that uses light or lasers to store or retrieve information. Most current optical drives are multi read/write, which means that they can write to DVDs and CDs and also BluRay if required: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, BD-R, and BD-RE. These codes refer to the types of disks that the drive will read and/or write to.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_odd.htm

As computers get smaller, particularly laptops and all-in-ones, optical drives are becoming obsolete. Many computers are sold without a built in Optical Drive and reliance is on USB or solid state memory.  As optical drives decline, the installation and purchase of software will only be available by downloading from the Internet.

External or USB optical drive

Internal Optical drive - this would be installed in your computer

The big decision - Internal or external or NO optical drive. If you decide on an optical drive, do you need Bluray?

Monitor

Choice of monitor is about physical size and resolution. High definition monitors are very common and all new monitors will be LCD or LED, rather than the old and clunky CRT monitors. Match your monitor with the appropriate graphics card. There are also different methods of connecting a monitor to your computer (see images with graphics adapters)


Read the following articles on monitors.

http://au.pcmag.com/monitors/10460/feature/how-to-buy-an-lcd-monitor

http://www.techradar.com/au/news/computing-components/peripherals/best-monitor-9-reviewed-and-rated-1058662

Ports

Computers all come with a number of slots that allow you to connect devices to your computer without having to install something inside the case. These include USB, FIREWIRE, SATA, and HDMI. Printers, storage devices and cameras will usually connect to your computer via USB, but there are also some devices that will use Firewire or SATA. Make sure that you have enough ports to connect all of the peripherals that you need, especially USB ports as even your mouse and keyboard may need to be plugged into USB.

Network cards and wireless

Most computers will have an Ethernet Integrated 10/100/1000 BaseT and/or Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g/n as part of the standard specification. If either of these are not standard, they can easily be added using an appropriate adapter card.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-network-interface-card.htm

Sound and speakers

No computer is complete without appropriate sound card. If you want to play music such as iTunes or games with high quality audio, or even watch TV or movies, you will need a sound card and speaker system. Generally, only basic sound is included as part of minimum specifications, so it is up to the end user to decide what level of quality and how many speakers.

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/souncard.htm

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_sound.htm


http://www.ehow.com/facts_4895735_different-types-computer-speakers.html

http://au.pcmag.com/computer-speaker-reviews/

http://www.ebay.com/gds/The-Complete-Guide-to-Buying-Computer-Speakers-/10000000177330053/g.html

Printers

There are two main technologies for printers – inkjet (bubblejet) and laser. Traditionally, inkjet printers have been cheap and reliable and able to produce photo quality colour output, although colour laser printers are now very affordable. It comes down to things like printer size, output options (paper size, CD Printing), quality, cost of consumables and features that will determine what type of printer you should get. Multifunction devices come under this banner as well (copy, print, fax, scan)

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/inkjet-printer.htm

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/laser-printer.htm

Other Devices

Other devices you may wish to include as part of a computer system include:

•     Webcam
•     Microphone or headset
•     Second monitor
•     Game Controller
•     Media/Card Reader
•     Datashow/projector display

Class Activity 1

For the equipment that you selected in last week's activity, list the details of the following:

• Type of Graphics Card or graphics processor
• Type of Optical drive (CD/DVD/BD)
• Available Ports
• Network cards
• Sound Card and/or speakers
• Any additional devices

Upload this to Moodle for assessment