Level 2 Diploma Unit 3 Computer Systems
You are an IT technician in a small company which creates web sites. The company has recently employed someone who is partially sighted and is also left handed. They will require a computer configured to their specific needs. You have been asked to choose the hardware and software they will need.
Task 1 (P4/M2) Choose the Operating System and application software required. The user will want to do normal office jobs as well as web design. Justify your choice and also list the hardware requirements for each piece of software. Write no more than 400 words.
a combination of: The performance of components CPU RAM Disk drives Communications The performance of the software Other factors, such as battery life for portable equipment
The lesson on computer components covered hardware performance: In summary More cores in a CPU give better performance, but at the expense of battery life A faster processor gives better performance, but at the expense of battery life A 64 bit processor and operating system can give better performance, but requires more RAM More RAM gives better performance (but there is no advantage to more than 4GB on a 32 bit processor) Faster RAM gives better performance
Software performance depends on: The system exceeding the specified hardware requirements If the operating system requires 1GB of RAM and the applications require 1GB of RAM, then fit 3GB to allow room for expansion.
Choose the best specification to meet the software requirements: E.g. if O.S. needs 1.8 GHz General office applications require 1.6 GHz Web-design needs 1.9 GHz Then you need to match the 1.9 GHz and to leave room for expansion/improvement go a little above it: say 2.1GHz.
You need to add up all the software requirements and then add a little for expansion: E.g. O.S. needs 1 GB General office applications require 516MB Web-design needs 516MB Then you need 1000 + 516 + 516 = 2GB plus room for expansion say 516MB 1 GB; Require 3GB RAM
You need to add up all the software requirements and then add what may be required for file storage: E.g. O.S. needs 10 GB General office applications require 2 GB Web-design needs 5GB Then you need 10+2+5 = 17 GB plus room for file storage, this will depend on the files being handled: Word docs tend to be small, multi-media files are large.
Monitor Graphics card Extras for the user/role?
Portable equipment uses batteries Can the battery last long enough for a normal day s work (8 hours) If not, can a spare battery be fitted Is the screen size big enough for the work to be done Does the graphics card have enough power for work: 3D for games Support for HD video 2D for office work
From the description of the user Determine what type of user they are Note any special requirements Choose the type of computer that best suits them Choose the operating system Choose the applications Determine the hardware requirements to support the software Choose the components which deliver the correct balance of: Performance Cost Portability
The user is a games player From the description of the user Determine what type of user they are Note any special requirements Choose the type of computer that best suits them Choose the operating system Choose the applications Determine the hardware requirements to support the software
The user is a games player From the description of the user Determine what type of user they are Note any special requirements speed Choose the type of computer that best suits them tower Choose the operating system Windows 7 Choose the applications World of Warcraft Determine the hardware requirements to support the software games player Windows 7, dual core, 2GB RAM, 7600GT video or better
Choose the components which deliver the correct balance of: Performance Cost Portability Tower case Crucial 4 GB (2 x 2 GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3-1333 WD Caviar Black 640 GB 640 GB, 7200 RPM, 32 MB Cache SATA 3Gb/s Intel Core i5-750 2.66 GHz, Four Cores, 8 MB L3 Cache 4 GB RAM MSI GeForce GTX 470 video
You are an IT technician in a small company which creates web sites. The company has recently employed someone who is partially sighted and is also left handed. They will require a computer configured to their specific needs. You have been asked to choose the hardware and software they will need. Task 1 (P4/M2) Choose the Operating System and application software required. The user will want to do normal office jobs as well as web design. Justify your choice and also list the hardware requirements for each piece of software. Write no more than 200 words.
Task 2 (P4/M2) You need to specify the hardware required for the PC to be used. Choose the following items and write a paragraph on each, justifying your choices (eg: I have chosen a large monitor so that the user can use large icons and fonts to help their eye sight, or, this specification exceeds the requirements of the application software). Processor type and speed Amount of memory Hard disk size Graphics adapter Monitor