Homework 2
Purpose:
Meet the hardware
The easy way to get accustomed with the hardware structure of a
computer is to design and build one yourself.
The task is to put together a list of parts that will fit together.
Our virtual store is www.newegg.com.
The first step is to select a motherboard. This is done based on its
size, number and type of extension and memory slots, supported CPU
family, built-in components (video, sound, network, etc).
1. Browse the available motherboards and look at the specs. Find one
that will take an Intel Pentium I5 CPU, has an ATX form factor
(compare different form factors and see if there is any connection
to the number of extension slots), and has built-in network and
sound interfaces. Try to find more detailed specifications on the
manufacturer's website.
2. Browse some CPUs that will work with the motherboard. Pay
attention to the socket type, amount of cache, and clock. Pick one
of them.
3. Search for memory modules that will fit your motherboard. Check
specifications as the number of pins, parity, if the module is
buffered, speed, voltage.
4. Find a video card based on an NVIDIA GeForce GPU that will work
with the motherboard. Be careful about the slot type and the monitor
connectors.
5. Decide on a SATA harddrive that can be used with your system.
What criteria would you have in mind to select a good harddrive?
6. Get a case that will be able to host your system. Check if it
takes the size of motherboard you have, if it has a power supply (if
not pick a separate power supply), what's the total power and the
type of connectors on the power supply (does it fit the
motherboard?).
7. Pick a monitor that will work with the video card. What's the
difference between DVI and a SVGA, HDMI and Display Port? What
possible connectors can HDMI use? What can you find out about
Thunderbolt over USB-C (common in laptops)?
8. Decide on the rest of the components: mouse, keyboard.
Pay attention at the type of connectors they have and check if your
system matches them.