Average Time The Disk Drive Needs example essay topic

Feasibility Report on building a personal computer vs. Buying a personal computer Submitted to: Ann T. Ackerman, Professor Submitted by: Vinny Gillis, Student April 2000 Table of contents Abstract Introduction 1.0 Scope... 3 Sources... 3 Definitions... 3 Overview 2.0 Current situation...

4 Current options... 4 Major components... 4 Other components... 6 Input peripherals... 6 Tools... 7 Building 3.0 Installation procedure...

8 External accessories... 9 Pros... 10 Cons... 10 What to look for 4.0 Pros... 11 Cons... 11 Where to purchase 5.0 Parts...

11 Complete computers... 12 Conclusions Risks and uncertainties... 12 Recommendations... 12 Abstract This report is going to describe the pros and cons of building a personal computer (PC) and of purchasing a prefabricated one. This will help the reader to create a budget and gain more information about the computer industry. All parts, supplies, tools, and general insight will be given on the proper procedure of building a PC The report will also give generalized information on where and how to go about purchasing a PC Based on all of the information that was contributed in this report, it is recommended that the reader choose either example based upon His or Her skills in computer literacy.

Another thing that will have to be taken into consideration is the total cost of all parts, labor and tools vs. the total cost of purchasing a PC. 1.0 Introduction The purpose of this report is to cover all of the proprieties between building and buying a PC All major components will be considered and examples will be given where applicable. 1.1 Scope This report will show all of the necessary procedures that will be required to successfully complete the task. The outcome will provide the reader with the information to at least understand the concept of the project. 1.2 Sources Most of the information in this report was gained through means of electronic data. Some other sources were instructors, magazine articles, and catalogs that were used to provide current specifications for needed components.

1.3 Definitions All terms and components that are mentioned in this report are computer-related terms. They will be outlined in the glossary at the end of the report. Any terms that can be defined will be done in footnotes or captions. 2.0 Overview The Following sub-sections will provide all of the information that pertains to building a personal computer. 2.1 Current situation The person who is interested in staying current and having the ease and convenience of a computer must know what options there are before the initial purchase of any type of unit.

2.2 Current options There are many options to choose from when seeking out a new computer. The industry and technology moves so rapidly that it is hard to find a particular model that will stay current for any given length of time. One available option is for the user to actually assemble and burn in their own computer. The advantages of this are simple.

The user will be able to choose what parts will go into the computer, have the opportunity to learn how the computer works while assembling it, and they will have the satisfaction of knowing that the computer was built with their hands. Another option is to go out and purchase a computer that is already tested, burned in, and built to pre-determined specifications. The positive side of this is that the user can just take it home and plug it in. This would be the alternative for the person who doesn't have the skills or the tools to be capable of building a computer. The downside to this is when it comes time to upgrade it could be hindered by the type of components that were innately selected.

The manufacturer could have used cheap, cost efficient materials that may not be of the quality chosen had the user purchased each component separately. 2.3 Major components The components chosen to build the computer can adversely affect the ability to upgrade the computer in the future. The main thing to look for is a reputable company to procure components from. When getting the most vital parts (the motherboard, processor, memory, and hard drive), a great deal of planning is necessary. It is a good idea to find components that will suit your needs and still give you the ability to upgrade your PC. in the future. The main board or "motherboard" will provide your computer with the programming to compute all of the instructions that it has to follow.

The motherboard is where you connect all of your components so they can carry the information to the correct destination. When selecting this major component, great care must be taken in choosing the manufacturer. There are a lot of common names to choose from like Asus (R), Tyan (R), FIC (R), DFI (R), and of course the well recognized name of Intel (R). Many of these reputable corporations have long lists of products that constantly exceed benchmark standards. The next important component to choose from is the Processor, which is also known as the "CPU" (central processing unit). This will be one of the biggest factors effecting ability to upgrade the motherboard in the future.

The processor computes all of the signals that are generated through all of the components and the motherboard. There are different rates, or speeds that the processor operates at. These are known as "clock speeds". The clock speed that is chosen is entirely up to the user and what they will be using the PC for.

Any clock speed that is over 300 Mhz is an acceptable speed for today's average user. It is possible to go lower but anything under 66 Mhz will not be satisfactory for the high demand of Internet resources. Additionally, one should take into consideration that future applications and software almost always require higher clock speeds, more memory, etc. The third factor in the selection of the primary components is the hard drive. The hard drive comes in a variety of different speeds, sizes, and brands. Some of the leading manufacturers are companies like Quantum (R), Western Digital (R), and Seagate (R).

Almost all of these companies produce the same types of drives and are usually around the same price range. Generally there are two main factors to consider when choosing a disk drive. The first is the "Average Seek Time", which is the average time the disk drive needs to locate information on the disk (for example a file). These values are given in the manufacturer's specification in milliseconds (thousandths of seconds). Typical values for drives today run from 5 to 20 milliseconds.

Naturally the faster the average seek time the faster the drive, and the higher the cost. Usually the higher the RPM of the drive the faster the seek time. The second factor is Transfer Rate, typically measured in Megabits / second, and is the speed at which the drive can deliver information to the computer. Again, the higher the number the better, and usually the higher the cost.

One also has to take into consideration the "Bus" type used in a drive, and this depends on what "Disk Controller" your PC uses. You need to purchase a drive which is set up to run with the correct disk controller. Two popular controllers are IDE and SCSI. If you have an IDE controller your drive should be "IDE". If you have a SCSI controller your drive should be a SCSI drive. Another major element to contemplate is the size of the drive.

The drive size is usually measured in Gigabytes 3 unless you get a rare occasion of one in megabytes. The larger the drive size the more information, programs, images, sound files, etc... you will be able to store. Today's average user usually has a 4.3 Gig drive or higher. No system these days should have less than 800 Megabytes. The fourth and last of the crucial components is the memory. Memory is where your files are temporarily stored while the computer opens them.

The more memory you have the better. There are many different types and sizes. The most common two types of memory that are used today are called 72 pin simms or 128 pin dim ms. Your motherboard may support both of these types or it may just support one of these types.

The speed (also known as the size) of the memory will be an important factor when it comes time to purchase some. The standard in memory size is normally 16 Megabytes, which is the standard for almost all operating systems. Memory is a market where the prices, manufacturers, and style fluctuate. Normally you just need to get the type of memory that your motherboard calls for weather it be simms or dim ms. There is one more piece that is absolutely necessary to build any computer.

The final component is the case. There are currently many varieties to choose from, AT and ATX styles being most common. The style of the case will make a huge difference in motherboard selection. You can get these cases in many different styles like a desktop (lays down flat to put monitor on top), tower version, or server version. 2.4 Other components All of the parts that are listed below will not be in as much detail as above because they are not as important to the computer's ability to upgrade in the future.

The other basic components after getting those previously mentioned are quite important but not as crucial as to what particular brand, model, speed, or size that is purchased. First a video card will need to be purchased. The minimum speed that is recommended is 2 Mb. It is recommended that at least an 8 Mb card be used because of today's faster paced graphics software. The video card is what sends the signal from the computer to the monitor. Secondly a floppy disk drive should be installed.

This will allow the user to have the capability to use floppy disks to store files such as start-up files, or back up another file. The user will find that there are no special features about this drive and that its selection is very general. The third component is the choice of a sound card. The sound card is what allows you to run a set of external speakers to hear sounds played over your computer. Most choose a sound card that is sound blaster (R) compatible or better.

A sound card is not necessary but highly recommended for the use of today's modern applications. Another device that is not needed but recommended is a modem. Modems come in a variety of different sizes and speeds. The speed you need is up to your own personal preference. Most people opt for the 56 k modem because it is the fastest available modem. The modems main purpose in to connect the user to the Internet (or other server-based source) and provide them with the proper connection in which to send and receive data through a copper phone line.

2.5 Input Peripherals Below is a description of some of the most common components that are attached externally from the computer. Most of the options are not listed but the few that are have been labeled. The two most important peripherals that will be needed to be able to use the PC are the keyboard and the mouse. The keyboard is where you type and enter commands. The mouse is what you use to follow the icons and select options in the user interface. It does not matter which brand of these two items you get, just as long as they fit into the provided slots on the main board.

Another device that is not entirely needed but highly recommended is a CD-ROM drive. This drive allows the user to use a compact disk as a source of information other than the hard drive. This will allow you to play music CD's, install programs that are on CD's, and will also let you view any types of information that is stored on a compact disk. There are a few derivatives of this drive.

The first is a CD-RW drive. This drive is a special drive that allows the user to actually burn a CD with their own information, programs, or music. Blank media is available for these drives and it is a very cost-effective storage alternative to purchasing a new hard drive. Another variation of this drive is called a DVD drive. This drive allows the user to play digital movies on their PC Neither the DVD nor the CD-RW drives are necessary but just some common twists to the common computer.

When purchasing a CD-ROM drive the drive speed should be looked at and should not usually fall below 24 x. Another common element is a printer. This is not needed but is also recommended. A printer allows the user to print anything off the interface of the computer. There are many different types and models available. The user should choose whichever suits their needs.

The recommendation for this is at least a laser printer. The sound card that was mentioned earlier would be pointless without a pair of self-amplified speakers to accompany it. Therefore it is recommended that the user purchase at least a cheap pair of speakers to go with the setup. 2.6 Tools Many of the tools that are needed before attempting to build a computer are very basic. The main setup should consist of a pair of needle-nosed pliers, 1 Phillips screwdriver, 1 flat-blade screwdriver, a roll of electrical tape (just in case), 1 miniature flat-blade screwdriver, and last, a nice flat non-carpeted surface to work on. One of the tools that may need to be purchased at a computer specialty store is called an "anti-static" wristband.

This is used if you are known to attract static charges. Another handy tool will be a pocket flashlight (with or without fiber-optic attachment). This will assist in finding any dropped screws or motherboard adjustments that will need to be made. 3.0 Building Now that all of the main and sub-components have been mentioned, there are a few steps that need to be taken before starting the procedure. The steps below may not be applicable in all cases, but are to be used as a reference and a guide to assist you in the process. The first step in the process is to make sure that you are fairly confident and have the time to build your newly purchased parts.

Before any installation of any parts you have to make sure that all of the parts necessary are present. If not then you may find that when it comes time to start your computer you could be missing an important component. Also, do not place any parts onto a metal or carpeted surface. They must stay inside the anti-static bags until its time for assembly.

If they are taken out there is a risk that the part could sustain damage and be unusable. 3.1 Installation procedure After taking the above precautions you should feel it's time to get beyond learning and get building. The first thing to do is mount the motherboard to the case. This a delicate process because you don't want the board to touch the metal case and short itself out.

Being careful, line up the motherboard with the plastic insulators and mounting screw holes. Attach the board and leave it a little loose in case there is an adjustment to be made at another time. After this is complete, you can hook up your power supply. Depending on which type of case you chose (AT or ATX), the power supplies will be different and need to go on the correct way.

The AT supply uses a split (2 connector) 10-pin connector as the ATX uses a (single connector) 20-pin supply. There is a spot on the board where one of these connectors attaches. Once it is attached it should not have to be moved again. After the power supply is connected, you can move on to step three.

Install the processor and cooling fan. The processor can only be inserted one way. If there is a concern on where the processor goes it will have to be looked up in the motherboard manual as processor location varies between motherboards. Now that those connections have been made, there are a few steps left. The addition of memory will be necessary. This is a fairly easy step, just locate the memory slot (varies from board to board) and push down snugly until memory locks into place.

If you have more than one memory module repeat step as necessary. With the easy steps left behind, the harder steps will come into play. Location of your hard drive is very important. It needs to be in a spot where it is least susceptible to heat. Heat may cause your drive to prematurely malfunction. This is not good as you may have information loss down the road.

Securely mount your hard drive in a suitable spot and run the cable out of the back. Make sure that the number one pin one the cable (usually marked with a red stripe) is facing the side of the drive where the power supply plugs in. This will assure you a good connection so you don't mistakenly hook your drive up in reverse. Now plug the cable into the motherboard with the number one pin facing the number one slot on the motherboard. The next drive to install is the optional CD-ROM drive. Find a suitable location for this drive and properly mount it with the screws provided.

Run the cable the same as the hard drive into the second port on the motherboard. Check both connections and be sure that neither is on backwards of loose. The next step is installing your cards (video card, modem card, sound card, etc... ).

The first card that should be installed is the video card. This is important because as mentioned before, it translates the images onto your screen so you can see what the computer is doing. The card will insert into a PCI, ISA, or AGP slot depending on your computer and motherboard. The install is fairly straightforward, just insert the card in the correct slot and tighten it down with a screw. Then follow the same procedure with any other optional cards. 3.2 External accessories There are many things that need to be hooked up externally, like the monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc.

The cables for these accessories should be incorporated in their packaging. Most of the accessories that are connected to the outside of the computer are very easy to hook up and come with special cables that con only connect where they are supposed to. After connecting all of the peripherals according to their manuals, you must make sure everything is working properly. Before jumping ahead and tightening everything down, check all connections and make sure that they are connected into the right ports. This will save you time and aggravation in the future if the computer doesn't boot properly. After you " ve double checked all of the connections, plug in the computer and turn it on.

If all goes well, there should be a screen where it will tell you about all of your hardware. This is called the "BIOS". Once your into the BIOS You must follow your motherboards directions and set all of the right features. Once that is complete you are ready to install an operating system.

The operating system in chosen is up to user preference and what your new computer can support. Most choose Windows (R) because of its widely known name. There are other OS's out there like "Red Hat Linux (R) " and "Free BSD (R)". There are more than those systems but they are not as popular. So after you get your operating system installed, It should be up to that system to sort out all of your hardware and set everything up.

Make sure that all of your devices work, and if not check your connections and BIOS to make sure everything is configured correctly. After those easy steps everything should be ready to be used. The last recommendation is to be satisfied with the final product. So take the time and knowledge that you have earned and explore the new possibilities that are capable in the world of technology. Don't forget, now that you have your computer it is already out-dated, but don't feel bad, there's still room to upgrade in the future (providing you selected the correct parts).

3.3 Building Pros Although there are many things to consider when looking for a new computer, there are only a few certain things that are absolutely essential to making the right selections. Below is a list of some of the most common things to look out for when preparing to build a PC. First great care should be taken at the brand name and reputability of the manufacturer. It is not necessary to go out and purchase all of the best quality parts for your project. After looking around for a while, just ask people.

People like computer salesmen, others that are in the trade, or even consult a current PC magazine and take a look at the benchmarks. Once the parts are selected the next hardest thing is to get everything working together. The good thing about selecting your own parts is the fact that you have the ability to research the part and make sure you know what you " re getting. This is good when it comes to the ability to upgrade options in the future. Also when you assemble the PC you are learning how it works essentially by putting the parts in the correct slots and by visualizing the unit as a whole.

This will give you some ground to stand on if you ever change a part in the future. Once you are finished with the project, and everything works fine, you will have the satisfaction in knowing that you built your computer. This will give you a sense of pride and make you feel good that you could achieve the goal of buying the right parts, assembling the components, burning in the hardware, and installing the software. 3.4 Building Cons It is common if the average user does not understand some of the applications involved in making the right choices and learning the process of assembling and burning their own computer. Below are some of the downsides to building your own computer and just a few options to consider. Not everyone is going to be able to read this and be readily prepared to go out and build a PC.

That is why building your own PC is not the only option. There are plenty of other options, to name a few you could, have someone build it for you, have a manufacturer build it for you, or even just go out and purchase one yourself. Although these are good options to choose from it may not be feasible to do this. This will highly depend on the users skills and literacy in computers. One of the major downside of building your own PC is that it will not be covered under warranty if something happens to it. If a component is put in the wrong way, forced into place and broken, or breaks a few years down the road, the builder takes a hit and has to either get it fixed or open it up and troubleshoot the problem.

4.0 What to look for There are many steps in the building process that some users can not complete because of lack of experience. Another alternative is to let someone else do the work and you just pay a flat fee. This is very good if you do not have time to build a computer, or if you don't have the experience that you would need to build a PC. Time is an important concept in the process because you need to take the time to get everything right.

Another very important thing is needs. There are a few explanations below on the good things of buying a PC. One of the many good things about purchasing a computer is simplicity. It is very easy to just go out to the local computer store, tell them what you want and need, and they will provide you with the best model for your needs. This is good if you don't have enough time to research all of the parts that will be needed or even have enough time to assemble and burn the computer. Another good thing about buying a computer is that sometimes you can even have one custom tailored to your specifications.

This is good when you know what you want but can't build it. This will cost a little more than buying from a store, but you get the manufacturer to cover it with a warranty and you will have no worries. You can also specify how you want it built so they can leave you with the ability to upgrade components in the future. Allot of manufacturers now are giving out a program where they will give you a new model computer every two years. This is going to be extra money as well but you won't have to worry about having an ancient computer because the manufacturer will automatically upgrade it for you.

The choices are endless as well as the possibilities. Many manufacturers are giving away really good deals on their lines of computers. All things need to be considered before the purchase. Look for one that will not have to be upgraded for a while so there will not be any big problems after a few years. Also study the fine print of the warranty. Some warranties will not cover the computer under certain circumstances.

Also if a service plan or extended warranty is available consider it. Many times it is either on-site repair or you bring it in with these plans. This will save you from paying to have your computer sent out, and you will not have to wait as long to get it back. 5.0 Where to purchase There are many stores that sell computer supplies in today's modern society.

Many of which have excellent pricing. When comparing prices for anything always look at the model number. This is going to tell you if you are getting the same deal for the same product. Some vendors will sell a lesser model that is missing only one or two features (for example: on a PC it could be memory size is different, or Hard drive size is different, In building it could be that the model for a video card has more features, or different software.) Be sure to note the differences and go for the lowest price. When looking for a computer to purchase, make sure to get the one that is going to suit your needs.

The same for parts and software if you " re going to have a lot of software to use, then you might want to consider a powerful computer. If you " re not running a lot of software and use the PC for work processing and Internet, then just get what you need. All of the components should be purchased through the same company. There are a few reasons for this. The first is that if anything needs to be returned, you will not have to run to seven different stores to return everything. The second is if you are using a mail order company, You will save money on shipping cause you wont have to pay for three different shipping orders.

The third reason is that it is much easier to keep track of everything when you know that it came from the same place. Look for deals and specials wherever you " re shopping. Get quotes, and look for the best service plans and warranties. This will also save money and further aggravation down the road. Another thing that a lot of places is doing now is 400$ off any purchase when you sign up for 4 years of their Internet provider.

This is good if you want to save the money up front. Most of the time though you end up paying allot more in the long run. So be careful, shop around and find the best deals. 6.0 Conclusions In all there are many available options. The technology changes so rapidly that it is hard to stay current. It is no easy task to select a computer that will suit every need of the user, but that's why it is important to leave the ability to upgrade.

Once you get past all of the hardware, the rest is a breeze. There is software that can do just about anything from your taxes to talking to people overseas. There are endless possibilities, you just have to be patient and understanding. The reason you need to be understanding is because the computer does a job, if something needs to be fixed, it needs to be fixed. You cannot fix a computer with a hammer. So understand the basic principals and everything should work out.

6.1 Risks and uncertainties There are a few things to think about before getting into any situation involving computers. You must be sure that you have the ability to take on the project. Another very large factor that is an issue is money. You need to set a budget to work from so you do not end up overpaying for you PC. Besides money and experience the only other factor is time.

If you don't have the time to build then you might want to consider buying and upgrading later. Another thing to look at is the warranty. Make sure you are going to get full coverage on the computer. This way if you ever have a problem and it is still under warranty, you can just have it serviced under the plan and it will cost you nothing. If you don't get a plan, the manufacturer will make you send it out to them and they will only fix defective hardware or software.

If it is broken because of user error, then you will have to pay for the repairs. These are just a few things to look out for before you purchase the parts of the PC. 6.2 Recommendation After thoroughly reading this report and researching the topics, I have come to a point on recommendation. There are many computers out there. Many of which are very easy to use, and others that are very hard to use.

There is a fine line between components in today's market and it is a very tough choice. When put to the test, if your building a PC use the best components that can be afforded. This will help you in the long run with upgrades. When purchasing a computer, you need to look at all sides of the picture. Consider everything and all models. There may be a new model on its way to the shelves a week before you decide to buy the older model, it may be worthwhile to wait and get the newest model.