Computer Science

Architecture Assignment

TYPE: INVESTIGATION

OUTCOMES: Outcome 1: Technology process; Outcome 2: Knowledge and understanding of computer- systems

CONTENT: Components; Design, Development and management; systems

UNIT LEARNIN CONTEXT: IT consultant

TASK 1: SELECTING COMPUTERS

Rentrag has decided to replace all of computers currently being employed by all of the business and office staff. He has asked you to suggest a set of specification for computers for each the business and its office staff. In appendix 1 and 2he has provided a list of minimum software applications expected to be used by each business and the specification for three desktop comps and two laptops.
What do you need to do?
Address the following requirements in a word processed document:

1) Make a table with seven columns with the following headings and complete the table for each application:

SOFTWARE APPLICATION    OPERATING SYSTEM    MINIMUM CPU MHZ    MINIMUM RAM MINIMUM RESOLUTION    MINIMUM DISK SPACE    OTHER REQUIREMENTS

2) For each of the desktops and notebook, assess the suitability of that computer for each department. Marks will be assigned according to how well you align your choice of computers with the tasks needed of the machine.

3) Give 3 reasons why organisations such as Rentrag Holdings pvt ltd buy computers that exceed the minimum specifications for applications software?

4) It has been suggested that it would be simpler to update the CPUs in the current computers rather than purchasing new computer systems. What are the 3 probable implications of this action for other hardware components?

5) Describe eight main function of an operating system. Though windows are by far the most commonly installed Operating Systems on PCs, Linux is an alternative and comparatively cheaper. Discuss why it is not more commonly employed.

6) Give a definition and explanations of multi-core CPUs and elucidate why these might be more effectual than single core processors with a higher clock speed.

7) What is a front side bus (FSB) and why is its clock speed significant in terms of the fetch- execute cycle?

8) Define virtualisation and elucidate this term in relation to computer architecture. Name 6 benefits it may provide for computer systems

9) Create a correctly referenced list that details all resources used including any web sites that you have accessed to answer the problems.

REQUIREMENT: 1-8 AS A WORD PROCESSED DOCUMENT. DIAGRAMS MAY BE HAND DRAWN

APPENDIX 1: HARDWARE SPECIFICATION

DESKTOP COMPUTER 1

(APPROX $1000)

COMPONENTS    SPECIFICATION

CPU INTEL PENTIUM DUAL CORE E5200 2.5 GHZ PROCESSOR
RAM DOUBLE TO 1024 MB DDR2 RAM (expandable to 4gb)
HDD 320GB HDD
FSB 800MHZ
MONITOR 20’’ LCD MONITOR (7MS)
VIDEO ONBOARD SHARED GRAPHICS
CACHE 2MB L2 CCHE

DESKTOP COMPUTER 2 (APPROX $1700)

COMPONENTS SPECIFICATION

CPU INTEL CORE 2 QUAD Q6600 2.4 GHz PRCESSOR
RAM 2048 MB DDR2 RAM (EXPANDABLE TO 4 GB)
HDD 320 GB HDD 7200 RPM 16 MB CACHE
FSB 1600MHZ
MONITOR 22’’ WIDESVREEN LCD MONITOR
VIDEO ONBOARD SHARED GRAPHICS
CACHE     8MB L2 CACHE

DESKTOP COMPUTER 3 (APPROX COST $2500)

DESKTOP SPECIFICATION

CPU INTEL CORE tm 2QUAD Q9400 2.66 GHZ PROCESSOR 6MB CACHE
RAM 2048MB DDR 3 RAM (EXPNDABLE TO 8 GB)
HDD 1.0TB SERIAL ATA2 32MB CACHE
FSB 1600 MHz
MONITOR 22’’ WIDESCREEN LCD MONITOR
VIDEO 512MB GRAPHICS CARD
CACHE 8MB L2 CACHE

NOTE:

ALL DESKTOP SYSTEMS COME WITH:

-CORDLESS KEYBOARD AND OPTICAL RECHARGEABLE MOUSE
-CD/DVD REWRITABLE DRIVE
-10/100 AN CONNECTION
-12 USB 2 PORTS
-EITHER WINDOWS XP OR VISTA BUSINESS.
   
COMPONENTS SPECIFICATIONS

CPU INTEL CENTRINO 2 CORE 2 2.26 GHz
RAM 2048 DDR2 RAM (EXPANDABLE TO 4GB
HDD 320GB
FSB 1066MHz
MONITOR 14.1 INCH
VIDEO ONBOARD SHARED GRAPHICS
CACHE 2MB L2 CACHE

COMPONENTS    SPECIFICATIONS

CPU    INTEL CENTRINO 2 CORE2 2.4GHz
RAM    2048B DDR2 RAM (ECPANDABLE TO 4 GB)
HDD    640GB
FSB    1333MHz
MONITOR    15.4 INCH
VIDEO    ONBOARD SHARED GRAPHICS
CACHE    4MB L2 CACHE

APPENDIX 2:

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

RENTRAG HOLDINGS WILL HAVE WINDOWS VISTA BUSINESS AS THEIR OPERATINF SYSTEM

-ALL COMPUTERS WILL HAVE THE FULL OFFICE 2010 SUITE OF SOFTWARE INSTALLED
-THE ACCOUNTANTS WILL USE MYOB
-THE MULTIMEDIA/WEB DESIGNERS WILL USE THE ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE MASTER AND ADOBE DIRECTOR 11