Choosing The Ram

RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory that is also known as volatile memory, because the data it holds is lost when the desktop PC or laptop/notebook computer using it is switched off. Briefly, RAM memory is used by the system to store data in the form of files for processing by a computer's central processing unit (CPU), also known as the processor. The processors used in most PCs are made by Intel and AMD. The processor runs the program and data files according to instructions given to it by the operating system, which, on PCs, is usually a version of Windows, or, to a much lesser extent, a version of Linux

Unless all of the memory slots on a computer's motherboard are already fitted with memory modules, the RAM memory in most desktop and laptops computers can be increased by installing more memory (upgrading the memory). Installing one or more additional memory modules in a desktop or a laptop computer is a simple process that is dealt with at the top of Page 2 of this article.

Some high-speed RAM memory modules come with passive heatsinks fitted to them. These heatsinks can also be purchased. Names for memory cooling devices are heatspreaders, heat spreaders, ramsinks, memory cooling kits, RAM heat sinks, etc. You can find vendors for them by entering these names in the Google search box at the top of this page (with its Web radio button enabled).
source : http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/RAM.htm

Read More......

Multimedia Computer

A multimedia computer is a computer, that is optimized for high multimedia performance, enabling rich multimedia experience.

Early home computers simply lacked the power and storage necessary for true multimedia. The games for these systems, along with the demo scene were able to achieve high sophistication and technical polish using only simple, blocky graphics and digitally-generated sound. The Amiga 1000 from Commodore has been called the first multimedia computer.[1] Its groundbreaking animation, graphics and sound technologies enabled multimedia content to flourish. Famous demos such as the Boing Ball[2] and Juggler[3] showed off the Amiga's abilities. Later the Atari ST series and Apple Macintosh II extended the concept; the Atari integrated a MIDI port and was the first computer under $1000USD to have 1 megabyte of RAM which is a realistic minimum for multimedia content and the Macintosh was the first computer able to display true photorealistic graphics as well as integrating a CD-ROM drive, whose high capacity was essential for delivering multimedia content in the pre-Internet era.

Multimedia capabilities weren't common on IBM PC compatibles until the advent of Windows 3.0 and the MPC standards in the early 1990s. The original PCs were devised as "serious" business machines and colorful graphics and powerful sound abilities weren't a priority. The few games available suffered from slow video hardware, PC speaker sound and limited color palette when compared to its contemporaries. But as PCs penetrated the home market in the late 1980s, a thriving industry arose to equip PCs to take advantage of the latest sound, graphics and animation technologies. Creative's SoundBlaster series of sound cards, as well as video cards from ATi, nVidia and Matrox soon became standard equipment for most PCs sold.

Most PCs today have good multimedia features. They have dual- or single-core CPUs clocked at 3.0 GHz or faster, at least 1GB of RAM, a 128 MB or higher video card and TV Tuner card. Popular graphics cards include Nvidia Gforce or ATI Radeon. The Intel Viiv platform, and Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition are some of today's products aimed at multimedia computing.

More recently, high-performance devices have become more compact, and multimedia computer capabilities are found in mobile devices such as the Apple iPhone and Nokia Nseries, featuring DVD-like video quality, megapixel class cameras, fully capable browser, music and video players, podcasting, blogging, as well as e-mail, instant messaging, presence and internet call (VoIP) functionality. Multiradios help to offer broadband wireless connectivity, including for instance WCDMA/HSDPA and WLAN/Wifi. Devices are also increasingly equipped with GPS receivers and maps applications, providing new capabilities for location-aware services. The Nseries devices are also expandable, allowing for the addition of multiple applications and multimedia content.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_computer

Read More......

10 things you should know about building a PC from scratch

With an ever-expanding array of barebones kit options, a growing number of PC parts suppliers, and seven new versions of Microsoft's next Windows client coming, many technology professionals may choose to build custom systems from scratch. Doing so offers several advantages, including the ability to tailor components to your needs while controlling costs. This list offers 10 recommendations to review when building a PC from the ground up.

#1: Select the mobo carefully

The motherboard is the most important component you select when building a PC from scratch. Not only does your motherboard choice determine the number and type of ports (parallel, serial, USB, memory card, etc.) a new system possesses, but it also dictates which processor powers the box, the memory (type and speed) that's used, the number and type of disks (IDE, SATA, etc.) supported, and the resulting PC case style (micro, Shuttle, mid-tower, 1U server, etc.), as the motherboard's form factor (ATX, mini-ITX, etc.) typically determines the case that must be used.

Pay particular attention to a motherboard's CPU socket type when reviewing your processor options. The CPU socket type typically dictates the CPU manufacturer (Intel versus AMD) as well as the processor family (Pentium 4, Athlon, Celeron, Sempron, etc.). If you become confused as to which socket is designed for which CPU, Wikipedia maintains a handy listing.

It's also a good idea to review the motherboard's chipset and video port specifications. Chipset type determines maximum RAM configuration (among other elements), while most every contemporary board supports older PCI technology. Newer boards, however, favor PCI-Express slots over AGP for improved video performance.

#2: Review CPU options

While your motherboard choice often determines the processor (AMD Athlon 64-bit and Intel Core Duo are but two examples), you still have a decision to make. That is, how fast should your processor be?

Remember that a CPU boasting additional processor cycles will provide improved performance during its service life, and the service life may well be extended proportionate to its increase in speed over base models. In other words, a Pentium 4 3.06 GHz chip is more likely to meet minimum system requirements longer than the same model CPU with a 2.26 GHz clock.

#3: Don't skimp on the PC case

Avoid the temptation to purchase the cheapest beige box. The case that houses the system does more than just hold the PC's components. Cases also determine the system's footprint, as well as the type and number of data ports easily accessed from the machine's front.

#4: Power up

Never underestimate the importance of a good power supply. Problematic power supplies can be a nightmare to diagnose. Ensure that you purchase a quality unit that generates sufficient power for your system's configuration.

#5: Check the RAM

You can never have enough RAM, but you can certainly purchase it improperly. For example, if you need 2 GB of RAM, don't plan on plugging four 512 MB sticks into most boards. Many motherboards now feature only a pair of RAM slots, so be sure to purchase the most concentrated RAM modules you can.

Also, purchase the correct memory. It's easy to confuse different types. Confirm that you've received the proper RAM and aren't the recipient of 333 MHz DDR memory when you paid for a 400 MHz DDR stick, as almost happened to me recently. (Fortunately, I caught the error and corrected a well-intentioned clerk prior to completing the purchase.)

#6: Choose the right disk format

Your motherboard selection will provide you with several disk options. In addition to the requisite CD/DVD drive, you'll likely have your choice of IDE, SATA, or even SCSI hard disks. If your system will process large amounts of data often, it's worth supplying the new system with a SATA or SCSI drive.

But if the system is to be used for nonintensive applications (likely the case for the majority of corporate systems), cheaper and potentially recyclable IDE hard disks are readily available and will adequately meet your needs. Don't just assume you need the latest and greatest hardware. Significant savings can be had by reusing an existing 5400 RPM 20 GB IDE disk as opposed to purchasing a new 7,200 RPM 300 GB SATA drive.

#7: Consider video requirements

There used to be little call for potent video cards in most corporate environments. Other than graphic artists, CAD designers, professional photographers, and video production houses, few people other than gamers really required video cards packing more than even 64 MB of video RAM.

But that's all changing. The use of rich media is growing exponentially across all professions. The trend is sure to stress a vast number of video cards currently in use, and Windows Vista (with its graphically intensive Glass interface) will push many organizations to using video cards with 256 MB or more RAM.

Video adapter type is another consideration when building a barebones system. PCI- and AGP-based adapters long met most organization's needs. But PCI-Express, with higher speeds resulting from serial interconnects versus the old-style bus, is overtaking AGP (which itself overtook PCI).

Be sure to keep your organization's requirements, and the system's intended use, in mind when specifying the new PC's video parameters. In many cases, a simple embedded video adapter will meet your needs. In others, a separate AGP or PCI-E slot and video adapter with 256 MB nonshared video RAM may be required to accommodate graphically intensive tasks.

#8: Secure everything

More than a few systems have been hastily built and pressed into service. It's easy to overlook fundamentals, especially when projects stack up, but always take the extra time to secure all the components inside a PC.

Ensure all power supply and data cables are directed away from cooling fans, including fans used to cool the CPU, video card, and the case itself. PCs have lots of moving parts, so prevent cables from shifting position by connecting them to the case's frame (or even other cables) using zip ties.

Also take time to secure all drives and disks in their bays. Don't rely upon a single screw to hold a hard disk or CD/DVD drive in place; use at least two screws (one to each side) and preferably four (two to a side).

#9: Buy a burner

If 40 is the new 30, a CD/DVD burner is the new floppy. Many PCs no longer even include a floppy disk. Assuming a little extra cost now (for a CD or DVD writing drive) will save you time and trouble in the future.

Sure, everyone believes they'll be able to e-mail or FTP larger files to the appropriate vendor, supplier, or customer, but I've lost count of the number of times I've needed to transfer large files but couldn't access FTP shares due to security or firewall issues and couldn't e-mail the files due to Exchange attachment restrictions.

Add a burner to your barebones PC and you'll also have a secondary method of creating backups, too. The benefits simply outweigh the costs.

#10: Cool is good; heat is bad

PC cases commonly don't include five-dollar case fans. Buy one and install it. Heat's a PC's worst enemy.

Purchase a quality CPU fan, too. Both cheap and expensive models (particularly any that add neon glow) should be avoided. Instead, go with tried-and-true manufacturers that don't make CPU cooling complicated. It's a simple problem with a simple solution.

Also, don't store the system's documentation inside the PC. I recently replaced a failed hard disk in a physician's computer that likely died an early death because the previous administrator placed a plastic bag containing the PC's documentation inside the case. It's a practice I see occasionally. Although it's a good idea in concept (keeping a system's documentation, license, and install CD with the unit), the material obstructs airflow. In this case, it blocked numerous exhaust ports and likely contributed to the hard drive's premature failure.

Source : http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-6062218.html

Read More......

Integrated Circuit Chips (IC)

Circuits are made up of different electronic components (capacitors, resistors, transistors, etc.) wired together in a manner that performs a specific electronic function. . These components are hooked together on fiberglass boards called circuit boards. You can see the small thin copper or metal lines (wires) on a circuit board that connect the different components together. These are called traces.

If you could find an old 7 or 10-transistor radio from the sixties, you could open it up and see the peanut sized transistors on the circuit board. They looked like little water towers with their 3 legs going down to the circuit board where they were soldered in place. Now, imagine that circuit board and all of its transistors, shrunk down to about the size of your little fingernail and put into a small plastic case for protection. In other words, the entire circuit would be integrated into that one small chip. Hence the name, Integrated Circuit (IC).

With today's technology, these circuits and transistors can be etched into small wafers of silicon and sandwiched into a small plastic package or chip. There are small metal pins coming out of the chip that are connected to the silicon wafer inside with microscopic wiring. The most amazing thing is, today's small integrated circuits now contain millions of transistors, not just 7 or 10. These IC chips are then placed on a circuit board connecting them to other components and IC chips.

One technology for producing ICs is called TTL (Transistor Transistor Logic). These chips are actually more tolerant of ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) and even faster than the newer technology. However, they're also larger, use more electricity or power, and their resistance causes them to run very hot. As computer technology advanced and the number of transistors in the chips increased, heat and power consumption became a huge problem.

TTL ICs are still used in computers today, but the newer CMOS chips (Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) have all but replaced them entirely. These chips have a semi-conductive metal oxide layer that allows for less resistance, reducing the power consumption and the generated heat. Unfortunately, the very technology that makes these CMOS chips more efficient also makes them very susceptible to electrostatic discharge.

Source : http://www.pccomputernotes.com/integrated_circuits/ics.htm

Read More......

The Bus

The CPU has to be able to send various data values, instructions, and information to all the devices and components inside your computer as well as the different peripherals and devices attached. If you look at the bottom of a motherboard you'll see a whole network of lines or electronic pathways that join the different components together. These electronic pathways are nothing more than tiny wires that carry information, data and different signals throughout the computer between the different components. This network of wires or electronic pathways is called the 'Bus'.

That's not that difficult to comprehend, but you've probably heard mention of the internal bus, the external bus, expansion bus, data bus, memory bus, PCI bus, ISA bus, address bus, control bus,… it really can get quite confusing.

A computer's bus can be divided into two different types, Internal and External.

The Internal Bus connects the different components inside the case: The CPU, system memory, and all other components on the motherboard. It's also referred to as the System Bus.

The External Bus connects the different external devices, peripherals, expansion slots, I/O ports and drive connections to the rest of the computer. In other words, the External Bus allows various devices to be added to the computer. It allows for the expansion of the computer's capabilities. It is generally slower than the system bus. Another name for the External Bus, is the Expansion Bus.

So now we know the bus is just a bunch of tiny wires (traces and electronic pathways). One bunch carries info around to the different components on the motherboard, and another bunch of wires connects these components to the various devices attached to the computer.

What kind of stuff travels on the bus? For one thing, data. Data has to be exchanged between devices. Some of the electronic pathways or wires of the Internal Bus or the External Bus are dedicated to moving data. These dedicated pathways are called the Data Bus.

Data is stored, manipulated and processed in system memory. System memory is like a vast sea of information full of fish (data). Your computer has to move information in and out of memory, and it has to keep track of which data is stored where. The computer knows where all the fishes are, but it has to transmit that information to the CPU and other devices. It has to keep a map of the different address locations in memory, and it has to be able to transmit and describe those memory locations to the other components so that they can access the data stored there. The info used to describe the memory locations travels along the address bus. The size, or width of the address bus directly corresponds to the number of address locations that can be accessed. This simply means that the more memory address locations that a processor can address, the more RAM it has the capability of using. It makes sense, right?

A 286 with a 16 bit address bus can access over 16 million locations, or 16 Mb of RAM. A 386 CPU with a 32 bit address bus can access up to 4 GB of RAM. Of course, at the present time, due to space and cost limitations associated with the average home computer, 4GB of RAM is not practical. But, the address bus could handle it if it wanted to! Another name for the address bus is the memory bus.

Source : http://www.pccomputernotes.com/system_bus/bus01.htm

Read More......

Photoshop and Memory

In any Mac, Photoshop uses the two main data storage hardware components- RAM and hard disk

drives- to access temporary and permanent data. The data stored in RAM is accessed very quickly because
there are no moving parts- and it can read and write data at the same time in no particular order. It is the fast-
est part of a computer’s memory system. In contrast, data on the hard drive is accessed more slowly; it is lim-
ited by moving parts which have to travel to different physical locations to find or store the data.

Fortunately, Photoshop tries to do as much work as possible using the installed RAM in the computer-
rather than the hard drive. It thrives on RAM and putting more in your machine can make a big positive differ-
ence with performance.

Both Photoshop and the Mac OSX operating system use space on the hard drive to access permanent
data- in the form of application and image files, and temporary data- in the form of the Photoshop scratch disk
file and sometimes Mac OSX’s “virtual memory” swapfiles. The speed of hard drives has a substantial impact
on Photoshop performance.

Read More......

Page Swapping

Image files can vary greatly in size. As they increase in size they require more hard drive space for

storage, and they occupy more RAM when opened. The installed RAM available to both Photoshop and the
Mac OSX operating system can be used up quickly when working with large image files. When all available
RAM is already in use but more is required- Photoshop must actively use the scratch disk as a substitute for
RAM.

Mac OSX always reserves a certain amount of RAM for itself- regardless of other running applications.
But when the amount of RAM Photoshop and Mac OSX are trying to use is more than the total amount of RAM
on the computer, Mac OSX also has to use the hard drive as a substitute for RAM, and it begins to actively
read and write data to it’s “virtual memory” swapfile in order to complete whatever operation is in progress.
This is known as “page-swapping”, and has a negative impact on performance. Under ideal conditions, page-
swapping is infrequent or does not occur. However- sometimes its occurrence is unavoidable- especially when
working with really large images. The best way to minimize the possibility of page-swapping is to install a lot of
RAM. The best way to minimize it’s negative effect when it does occur- use a fast hard drive for the Startup
disk.

In the illustration above, active page-swapping is represented by the second number (to the right of the
slash mark) next to Page ins/outs: In this case- 2474. When no page swapping has occurred between restarts
of the computer, this number is normally 0. Here, all the installed RAM is being used, and more was clearly re-
quired.

Read More......