Hardware

 

Processor or CPU

This is the PC's "brain." Generally, the faster the processor, the faster the computer can work. Processor speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz), and, generally, the greater the GHz, the faster the PC. It is also called the central processing unit (CPU). It interprets and executes instructions of computer programs or the operating system. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system. The combination of processor clock speed, architecture, cache, and front side bus decides the performance of a processor. L2 Cache helps store temporary data, thus increasing retrieval speed of frequently used data. A bigger L2 Cache usually will help speed some application operations. There are different Processor Manufacturers,Intel and AMD are the most common. Celeron by Intel is designed to enhance performance of business applications and provides for speedy searching of the Internet, but isn't ideal for multimedia-nor is it as good value as the Duron, the equivalent AMD chip. If you desire faster performance, consider at least a 2.8 GHz processor for these purposes. Pentium processors offer more power-enhancing features, allow for real-time video editing and streaming video and provide a realistic 3D and animation experience. Pentium processors generally offer a faster range of speeds and more power than the Celeron processors. If you prefer greater speed, consider at least a 3.0 GHz processor. AMD Athlon The first chip to reach a speed of one gigahertz, the Athlon was originally released to compete with the Pentium III. However, it can handle much higher speeds, and various new models, such as the Athlon Thunderbird with a better cache, have improved on the original, keeping it at the cutting edge. A good-value chip for high-end users. DURAN (AMD) This is a cheaper and only marginally less powerful version of the Athlon. It is a superbly good -value processor, excelling at everything other than the most demanding applications.

Ram (memory)

 

After processor speed, memory (ram) is one of the most important determinants of system performance. In fact, increasing the amount of memory in your PC is one of the most economical and easiest ways to increase its performance. As with processors, the higher the number, the faster the computer, generally speaking RAM also helps determine how many programs can effectively be open and running simultaneously(for example, writing a report, receiving e-mail, and listening to a CD at the same time). Average systems have 1GB of RAM, but increasingly, systems are now coming equipped with 2GB to 4GB. If you are planning on using your PC for digital video editing or downloading music, you should consider at least 2GB as a minimum amount of RAM. If your operating system is VISTA, i would recommend at least 2GB of ram just to run the system. Three types of RAM are available: SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, and RDRAM. SDRAM is the standard memory offering for PCs.
DDR SDRAM has an increased frequency bandwidth over SDRAM with up to double the memory output, leading to increased performance and speed. RDRAM features dual-channel processing for high-end multimedia tasks, and is able to load a new stream of data before the previous stream has completed, resulting in faster access speeds. A good website to purchase extra RAM to upgrade your PC or Laptop is Crucial Memory , the website has a system scanner to ensure the correct RAM is purchased.

Optical Drives

 

The optical devices on your system will be used for loading software, playing audio CD's, making home videos or backing up important data, so it is important you make the right selection of drives to give you the features you need now and for the future.

A CD-ROM provides a low cost way to play audio CDs and load software onto your computer.
A CD-RW will allow you to easily create your own custom music CDs and data CDs for data back-up or data transfer purposes. It will also allow you to store and share video files, large data files, digital photos, and other large files with other people that have access to a CD-ROM drive. This drive will also do anything your CD-ROM will do. It reads all your existing CD-ROMs, Audio CDs, and CDS that you create with your CD burner.
A DVD-ROM allows you to enjoy the crystal clear colour, picture and sound clarity of DVD video on your PC. It will also prepare you for future software and large data files that will be released on DVD-ROM. A DVD-ROM drive can also read CD-ROM discs, allowing you to play your favourite Audio CDs or install new software applications on CD-ROM media, effectively providing you with full optical read capability in a single drive.
A CD-RW/DVD This drive brings all the advantages of DVD-ROM, CD-RW, and CD-ROM to a single drive. You can read DVD-ROM and CD-ROM discs, and create your own custom data CDs on inexpensive discs that hold up to 700MB of data. Choosing a CD-RW/DVD can save valuable bay space for an additional optical drive.
A DVD+RW/CD Burner The DVD+/-RW Burner is a great all-in-one drive, allowing you to read or burn DVD+R, DVD- R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, CD-R and CD-RW discs, as well as read CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. It can burn DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+R or DVD-R discs, burn CDs, watch DVD movies, and read data from DVDs or CDs. Store lots of information. DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+R or DVD-R discs hold up to 4.7GB of data - that's about 7 times the capacity of a standard 650MB CD! Store up to 2 hours of MPEG2 digital video.