Appendix F - Central Processing Unit Worksheet

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is one of the most important parts of a computer system. It has a huge impact on the overall performance of any computer. If you have the opportunity, it is better to select the CPU before selecting the motherboard. Existing motherboards limit your choice of CPUs, forcing you to fit the CPU to the motherboard. If the performance of the computer is crucial to the successful completion of a task, then choosing the CPU first is especially important; for example, if you are working on a computer that will be used for high-end graphics, the CPUs speed needs to be greater than that used in a computer for general business applications. Research is important in determining the best CPU for your money. This can be done by checking your choices of CPUs against industry benchmarks.

Activity One: CPU Product Search

Your employer has asked you to purchase and install faster CPUs into several of the companys aging computers; however, youve only been given $180.00 per computer to work with. Using the computer featured in the Computer Hardware Simulator (CHS) as the one to upgrade, using the CHS motherboard to work with, search the Internet for two different CPUs that are compatible with the computer and enter information for each CPU into the chart below. Then choose which CPU and accompanying fan, if necessary, you would purchase and explain your decision. Computer Hardware Simulator: https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/AXIA/cis280/Computer_Hardware_Simulator.html Use the CHS reference chart to record the current components found on the CHS computer. CHS Reference Chart CHS Computer Computer make and model Motherboard model number Current CPU Component Model or Specification Dell Optiplex 755 Minitower Intel 06M8149 GM819 Intel Celeron Processor 45C

CPU for Computer Hardware Simulator Computer CPU #1 AMD Phenomil X6 HDT9ZFBGRBOX DDR3 10661 AM3 3YRS ENERGY EFFICEINT 169.99 NEWEGG.COM CPU#2 Intel core 13 bx80623i32100

CPU brand, series, and model Speed Socket Warranty Other CPU price Web site

LGA 155 3YRS 124.99 NEWEGG.COM

Justify your choice of CPU: _____________CPU #1 BECAUSE IS ENERGY EFFEICIENT _________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Activity Two: Written Assignment

Write a technical paper describing the process, in sequence, of replacing a CPU. The paper should be 1 to 2 pages in length. The paper does not need to be in APA style. For example, you can design the paper to look like a technical document or technical note that would appear in a computer maintenance manual, like the one you will be developing for your Learning Team project.

Appendix G - Memory Worksheet

Powerful Central Processing Units (CPUs) demand large amounts of data, and they need that data fast. Otherwise, the CPU performance is hindered by the lack of data storage support; therefore, computers have been designed to supply that data through tiering memory and caches, which use the hard drive in combination with RAM to deliver the massive amounts of data to the CPU. The speed of the RAM is crucial to the performance of data delivery, so you want the most RAM at the fastest speed possible so the CPU is not waiting for information.

Activity One: Product Search

Without your knowledge, employees in your office have installed several new software programs on their computers. Everyone is now complaining that their computers are running slow. You have run some performance tests on the computers and have determined the problem is due to insufficient memory. As with other hardware components, it is important to know the computers memory requirements. For this activity, determine what types of memory are compatible with the office computers (they are exactly like the computer featured in the Computer Hardware Simulator (CHS). Then, search the Internet for two different types of memory and fill in information for each into the chart below. Make sure you install the maximum amount of memory possible and the fastest memory that the CHS motherboard supports. You want the best performance for these office computers, so memory price is not an issue. Computer Hardware Simulator:

https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/AXIA/cis280/Computer_Hardware_Simulator.html
Use the CHS reference chart to record the current components found on the CHS computer. CHS Reference Chart CHS Computer Computer model and number Motherboard model number Operating system Current memory Maximum memory supported Component Model or Specification Dell Optiplex 755 Minitower Intel 06M8149 GM819 MICROSOFT WINDOW XP 512 MB 1 GB REMOVABLE 8 GB

Memory for the Computer Hardware Simulator Computer

Manufacturer/Brand Series Model Type Speed GB per module Number of modules Other Price

Memory Choice #1 GSELL RIPJAWS X SERIES F3-12800OL9D 8GBBX DDR 1600 4 GB 2 54.99

Memory Choice #2 CORSAIR VENGEANCE CMZ16G3M401600C9B 240PIN DDR3 1600 4 GB 4 104.59

Web site

NEWEGG.COM

NEWEGG.COM

Justify your choice of memory: ____#2 BECAUSE IT HAS MORE MEMORY_________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Activity Two: Written Assignment

Write a technical paper describing the process, in sequence, of adding memory to the motherboard. The paper should be 1 to 2 pages in length. The paper does not need to be in APA style. You can design the paper to look like a technical document or technical note that would appear in a computer maintenance manual, like the one you will be developing for your Learning Team project.

Appendix H - Hard Drive Worksheet

Hard drives are complex storage devices in a computer. When installing a hard drive, there are numerous interface standards to consider. You also must think about factors such as the computers application, the type of motherboard, speed and noise, GB barriers, subsystems, future storage needs, and archival issues. Refer to Ch. 8 of the text for a deeper understanding of these issues. You can measure hard drive performance by looking at three different sources of information. The first is the data rate, which determines the number of bytes per second that the driver can deliver to the processor. The second is the seek time, which is the amount of time it takes when the processor requests information from the driver and the first byte of information is delivered to the processor. The third is the memory capacity of the hard drive.

Activity One: Product Search

For this assignment, you will be replacing the internal hard drive from the computer featured in the Computer Hardware Simulator (CHS). The current internal hard drives are old and are starting to fail. You need to replace the current hard drives with similar drives or drives with more storage capacity. Search the Internet for three different types of hard drives that are compatible with the CHS computer, and enter your information for each drive into the chart below. After comparing the three drives, make a recommendation on which one you would purchase and justify your decision. You only have a budget of $45.00 to work with, so choose carefully. Computer Hardware Simulator:

https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/AXIA/cis280/Computer_Hardware_Simulator.html

Use the CHS reference chart to record the current components found on the CHS computer. CHS Reference Chart CHS Computer Computer model and number Motherboard model number Operating system Current storage capacity Cache size Interface Transfer rate Seek time Dimension Other Component Model or Specification Dell Optiplex 755 Minitower Intel 06M8149 GM819 MICROSOFT WINDOW XP 4GB 8MB SATA 300 300 MB/S 8.9 10.9 4X5.787X1.025 INCHES

New Hard Drive Chart Hard drive #1 Manufacturer, model, and series Storage capacity Data transfer rate Rotational speed Hard drive #2 Hard Drive #3

SEAGATE BORRACURA WESTERN DIGITAL ST25ODM00 WD3200AAJS, COULER BLUE 250 GB 320 GB 7200 RPM 7200 RPM

MAXTAR 5A320J0

320 GB 5400 RJPM

Seek time Cache size Interface Dimension Other Price Web site

16 MB SATA 6.0 GB/S

8.9 8MB 3.0 GB/S

2MB IDE ULTRA ATAT 133/ATA7

39.99 NEWEGG.COM

42.99 NEWEGG.COM

34.99

Justify your choice of hard drive: ___#2 HAS MORE OF A STORAGE CAPACITY ______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Activity Two: Written Assignment

Write a technical paper describing the process, in sequence, of replacing a hard drive. The paper should be 1 to 2 pages in length. The paper does not need to be in APA style. You can design the paper to look like a technical document or technical note that would appear in a computer maintenance manual, like the one you will be developing for your Learning Team project.