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Computer Specifications

This document provides criteria for evaluating the suitability of a computer system for specific purposes, including processing speed, memory, secondary storage, and types of software. It explains that processing speed, memory size and type, secondary storage capacity and speed, and whether the system includes common operating systems and applications should be considered for tasks like gaming, web browsing, graphics and video work, and publishing.

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37 views

Computer Specifications

This document provides criteria for evaluating the suitability of a computer system for specific purposes, including processing speed, memory, secondary storage, and types of software. It explains that processing speed, memory size and type, secondary storage capacity and speed, and whether the system includes common operating systems and applications should be considered for tasks like gaming, web browsing, graphics and video work, and publishing.

Uploaded by

Pretend Master
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Evaluate the suitability of a given computer system for a specific purpose

Basic knowledge of system specification needed for purposes such as: to run a video game, web
browsing, graphic design, video editing, and desktop publishing.

Criteria:

(a) Processing speed (CPU type and speed)


Processing speed is how quickly a microprocessor operates. The specification of a computer
will include the CPU speed measured in either megahertz (MHz – a million hertz) or
gigahertz (GHz – a billion hertz).
Microprocessor manufacturers produce a range of products in different price ranges and for
different purposes. For example, the Intel ninth-generation range includes processors with
different numbers of processing units (called processor cores) on a single chip with different
amount of very fast memory (called L3 cache memory).

(b) Memory (RAM)


Main memory, also known as primary storage, is the functional unit of a computer that
stores data and instructions being used by the CPU. In addition to main memory, modern
microprocessors have a small amount of extremely fast memory built into the processor.
This ‘L3 cache memory’ significantly improves the microprocessors performance as more
memory can be added by inserting extra memory modules onto the computer’s
motherboard using expansion slots.

(c) Secondary storage (capacity and speed)


The secondary storage being considered here is the internal storage of the computer system
that stores data even when the computer is turned off. It is common for new computers to
be delivered with a single, large capacity hard disk drive installed.
There are 2 main types of disk drives:
1. Solid state drive (SSD): very fast and robust but expensive per GB
2. Hard disk drive (HDD): slower and less robust but much cheaper per GB

A higher specification computer may include 2 internal disk drives. The first, a fast SSD, is
used to store the OS, system utilities and all application programs. The second, a HDD, will
be used to store all the user’s data.

(d) Types of software


All computers need an operating system to manage the user interface, processes, security,
memory, files and hardware resources. System utilities are needed to assist in maintaining
and improving the efficiency of a computer. Application programs are the software that
performs end user tasks.

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