Ops 102: Read: Class 02 Build a Computer - FurrukhJaffar/Ops_102_Reading_Notes GitHub Wiki

This is a short assignment-related wiki that will outline the Reading: Class 02 task as assigned to the Ops 102 Self-Pacers.

Why Does This Topic Matter

This topic - as it relates to this module - is critical in two distinct ways:

  • Knowledge, Skills, and Ability to identify each component
  • Why, What, and Where to use the best possible configuration to strengthen end-to-end protection, within a specific budget.

Questions to consider:

1. Which is better in a CPU, more cores or higher speed? Under which circumstances is that true? How many CPU cores does a computer need?

The Core calculates what the speed executes.

Core = 1 CPU Unit Speed = 1,000,000,000 Cycle/s (in Ghz)

Both CPU Core as well as Clock Speed are important. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the numbers, the better. Yet, that isn't always true for every configuration.

Consider two separate settings: 1) a gaming computer and an 2) a regular desktop PC. The gaming PC will need much higher multi-thread processing power than a regular PC to handle the gaming demands. And, almost always, more cores means higher speeds.

A higher Clock Speed is sufficient for single-thread computations even with single, or lesser cores. However, multi-tasking, resource-intensive tasks (editing software, gaming, CAD, etc.) will need both higher cores and speeds to get the job done without slowing things down, or worse, overheat.

2. What details are you looking for when finding a motherboard which fits your processor?

Leave for Intel What Belongs to Intel

This is about socket compatibility - motherboard socket type must match CPU socket types. In other words, AMD CPUs need AMD-compatible motherboards.

Speed Demon or Sloth-Fest

Essentially, AMD CPUs (read: Ryzen) tend to be more over-clock friendly. Still, newer is better. For Intel CPUs and chipsets, a certain designation decides whether they can be over-clocked or not. Also, only specific motherboard types can be used with Intel CPUs.

Time-Machine or Future-Forward

Legacy support is great for software. When it comes to motherboards, it's important to be future-ready. Expansion slots for the foreseeable future computing needs means not having to keep buying motherboards for every little upgrade.

Price

All things done, it's fairly important to consider a healthy balance between wants and needs. Splurging on the next best thing whilst lagging in critical components isn't a healthy disposition.

3. What are the tradeoffs you’d evaluate while selecting a storage device?

For personal data storage needs:

  • Price
  • Performance
  • Portability
  • Reliability

For Clients:

  • Data Scalability
  • Data Security
  • Data Accessibility
  • Compliance
  • Cost

4. Think about others with a background similar to yours. How would you explain to them the key parts of a computer, in a way they’d best connect with?

I would use the human anatomy as a reference point, and start with an overview of the most important components of a computer system.