Date post: | 30-Jun-2015 |
Category: |
Technology |
Upload: | sjg-computer-associates |
View: | 220 times |
Download: | 0 times |
The Savvy Computer Purchase
Scot Gerardi
SJG Computer Associates
Phone: (908) 852-4266
Email: [email protected]
http://www.scotfixespcs.com
Agenda
IntroductionWhere are we?Preliminary questions to ask yourselfProcessorsMemory: RAMHard Drive Size, SpeedLaptop Battery LifeComponents: Types of CD-DVD Drives, MonitorsPC and Mac
Considerations
1. Level of experience? Beginner Intermediate Advanced
2. Years of experience with computers?
3. Current/Future needs? Add’l apps? Games Add’l peripherals? Video or photo work?
1. Level of experience?
2. Years of experience with computers?
3. Future needs?
Questions To Ask Yourself
What am I going to be using it for?Where will it be used?Who else will be using it?What are your / their future needs?How much can you spend on this venture?What’s the trade-off between upgrading existing
PC versus “Buy new”?Desktop or laptop?
Laptop Processor ComparisonIntel AMD
Supports DDR3 Supports DDR2
Smaller Architecture 45nm Just started 45nm
Consumes less power Consumes more power
Runs cooler Runs hotter
Summary On ProcessorsCaveats, Best Practices, and Buying Principles
Pay a little more to look for an Intel chipLaptop chips are almost 1/3 slower even at the
high endSome chips are significantly faster than less
speedier chips Bus speed is not always stated
If not stated check manufacturer specs via web site
Latest MemoryDDR2:DDR3:
AdvantagesHigher bandwidth performance up to 1600 MT/secSlightly improved latenciesHigher performance at low power; longer battery life
DisadvantagesNot backwards compatible with DDR2Need a new motherboard
Desktop Laptop
Front Side Bus (FSB)
• FSB is a key limiting factor on performance of the CPU• Faster FSB matched with a faster CPU results in a
smaller ratio which leads to better performance• Example: A Pentium processor that runs at 2.4 GHz may
have an FSB speed of only 400 MHz. The CPU to FSB ratio would be 6:1. A Power Mac G5, however with a 2.0 GHz processor, has a 1.0 GHz FSB. Therefore, it’s CPU to FSB is 2.1.
Source: http://www.techterms.com/definition/fsb
Windows Operating SystemVersion 32-bit 64-bit
7 Ultimate 4 GB 192 GB
7 Enterprise 4 GB 192 GB
7 Professional 4 GB 192 GB
7 Home Premium 4 GB 16 GB
7 Home Basic 4 GB 8 GB
Vista Ultimate 4 GB 128 GB
Vista Enterprise 4 GB 128 GB
Vista Business 4 GB 128 GB
Vista Home Premium 4 GB 16 GB
Vista Home Basic 4 GB 8 GB
XP 4 GB 128 GB
Lesson!: Match your RAM with your OS; opt for a 64 bit system
Source: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx
Summary on MemoryCaveats, Best Practices, and Buying Principles
Buy as much memory as you can affordChoose a computer with DDR2 or DDR3 given your
budgetThe smaller the CPU to FSB ratio the more efficient
the processor will workFaster front side bus leads to faster overall
performanceAvoid a fast processor with slow bus speed
Hard DrivesLaptop
160 to 500 gigabytes RPM: 4200, 5400, 7200 (Reads data faster) Look for SATA Interface (Serial version of IDE interface)
Latest standard & faster
Caveat: Bigger not always better Trade off speed to size
NEW! SSD – Solid State Faster but depends Up to 300 GB
Hard Drives cont’dDesktop
320 gigabytes – 1 terabyte RPM 7200: Standard for desktops . . . for now Look for SATA Interface
Caveat: Bigger not always betterTrade off speed to size
Battery Life
Choose lithium, for longer lasting lifeStandard: 2 – 5 hours and depends!Extended batteries available: Possible 5+ hoursKnow that “Standard” has 4 or 6, Extended has 9 or 12 cellsCost $50 - $ 300
CD-DVD Drives
Standard CD/DVD writerLook for a Double Layer Drive
Speeds are less relevant today
Blue Ray More expensiveSupports all standard CD and DVD formats
including Double Layer
Monitors
LCD’s for Desktops and Laptops LCD TV’s also available
Size varies:Netbooks range 9 – 12 in.Average laptop 13 -15 in.Desktop replacements, gaming 16 -18 in.
PC vs MAC
Laugh at the commercialsSame principles apply in choosingReputation, reliability, service, value reportedBoth run Windows based appsWindows 64 or 32-bit version is available together
You should choose 64-bitMACs more expensiveAll your old PC software will not run under MAC OS
unless you run WindowsPC’s get viruses, malware and spyware
Contact Info
Please contact me if I can be of service to you or answer any questions you may have
http://www.scotfixespcs.com