Computer Hardware - Guide to the PC Hardware

Last month the first in the new NVIDEA 9000 series was launched. The GeForce 9600GT 512 Mb is the first of this new line that saw the light.

This new line of has to replace the whole NVIDIA assortment before summer. It’s six moths ago that we had our first view of the 8000 series, so things are moving quickly at this company

We tested the first sibling in this new range of graphics cards the 9600GT. In itself the fact the NVIDIA made the debut with the 9600GT model is unique. Mostly the high end super gaming monsters are the first to see the light. This is a middle class model but has is build around the new G94 GPU, and will be one of the few cards featuring this chip. Both the 9800GT and 9800GTX will be based on the G92 GPU.

The overall design is no revolution. Improvements in performance are great, and the price/quality ratio has gone up. But from a technical point of view there is not much new under the sun.

Both the G94 and G92 GPU’s don’t support DirectX 10.1 like their competitor Ati Radion with the 3000 series. If this lack of support is a great drawback remains to be seen. Their are no games supporting 10.1 and since the shelf life of a graphics card in the gaming sector is less than 6 months we need not be overcritical at this point.

Both GPU’s support PCI 2.0 and Pure Video 2 ( we had already seen this in the G84 and G86). But the new cards are cheaper, faster and have a better energy efficiency.

Although the 9000 series is not the most innovative, fact remains that they are interesting cards. If we compare the new GT9600 with the GT8600 (based on the G84 GPU).

The 9600 stands out with an 256 bits memory bus, while the 8600 had to work with half that amount, 128 bits. That this increase has pronounced effect on the performance stands to reason.

Where the GeForce 8600 had a maximum bandwidth of 32GB/sec the 9600 is capable of 57.6 GB/sec. Further the number of shader processors is doubled compared to the GPU84.

The clock of the 64 unified shaders increased from 1450 Mhz, to 1625 Mhz. The conclusion of this move is that Nvidea now has found a healthy balans between GPU power and memory bandwidth.

The 9600GT has two Dual-Link DVI connections, both HDCP capable. Dell is the only manufacturer that has a display capable of utilizing that possibility with their 24 Inch 2408WP and 30 Inch 3008WFP. Other companies promised to come with compatible models later this year.

Decoding HD imagery is no problem, so blue ray enthusiasts can rest assured. The GT9600 can be placed in double SLI. and beats its competitor the HD 3870 from Ati Radeon on all fronts. Tripple SLI is not possible but we have the feeling that not many of the potential buyers of this card will be interested in such a feature.

A comparison table for different games and resolutions can be found on our site. A strange phenomenon is that the overall energy consumption of the HD3870 X2 is higher with less performance.

To wrap it up, we think that a complete new line in 6 months time is a bit overdoing it, but that NVIDIA did a good job with the Geforce 9600GT 512 Mb. The great never seen before price/performance ratio is the and the consistent beating of the 3870 from Ati makes this card a great choice for the demanding but not overly fanatic gamer.

As soon as we can lay our hands on the 9800 models with will very happy to give them a good spin and find out what their extremes are. With our strange inclination we love to put new cards on the torture table.

Choose the best computer model.

Many computer manufacturers, especially such computer giants as IBM, Dell, Gateway, Sony, Apple, etc. issue families (series) of computers. Models of computers in each series have either the same principle of design, or same processor, or have been given diapason of performances. The series can include a base model, and several derivative models. Usually for each type of computer, manufacturers issue series that generally can be divided into 3-4 categories: budget-friendly (at low price), mid-range (at middle price), cutting-edge and ultimate performance (at high, and very high prices). IBM, Gateway, Dell and Apple issue computer families not only for Home and Home office, but also for Small, Mid size or Large Businesses. These families can also include the network optimized series.

The needed features

First of all, you have to make a preliminary analysis of your needs to pick a type of computer, and a zone where you might search this computer, for example, for Home or for Small Business. But it is not sufficient.

To understand what kind of computer to buy, you additionally have to determine what computer performance you need: the type of processor, speed, size of memory, type of video and audio cards, type of case, and so on. You can select one from two ways: 1 - to formulate your needs in the process of searching, 2 - to compile a list a hardware requirement for the programs you might want to run

Preliminary selection:

To select a computer family, you have to choose one, which the features match your wishes. Such families can be several. Next procedures are to find the best computer family and best model of computer belonging to this family. If you know the features you need, you can identify the name of the computer family. For this goal you have to use for example, a Table of Features comparison for base models of computer families. For example, according to this Table, if you know that you need a computer only for simple text editing and emailing, your choice is Budget-Friendly Series. On the other hand, if you need for realization of your tasks a computer from Cutting-Edge series , but it is not affordable, your choice can be like a computer from Mid-range series plus a customization (perhaps, when you can better afford it).

To accelerate the search for the preliminary selection, you can find comparison information about the different types of computers with the help a comparison-shopping search engine. It allows you quickly to find the needed products sold by online stores, small businesses, and individuals in diapason of affordable prices. Search can be done by Brand, by Price, by Processor speed, etc. To find what you need, see: http://www.nextag.com/serv/cleverace/buyer/outpdir.jsp

Generally, a preliminary selection can be executed on the basis of not only cost and main functions, but also on an evaluation of convenience of use, warranties, and so on. This kind of selection you can make for computer families of different manufacturers for example, for 3 or 4 families of computer giants. Some companies, such as Gateway, gives to a buyer an opportunity to compare preliminary selected models of computers with “compare” option.

Final selection.

To find the optimal model for yourself, you may make the final selection from the preliminary chosen models. It is much easier to compare 3-4 models, than more than 5 million variants that are available on the Computer Market at the beginning of your search.

Custom built model

If you cannot find a computer with the needed performances among the available computers, you need to select a vendor and to order a custom built computer.

Discount

Keep in mind, you can find a cheaper computer for the same model on the Discount Market, because some online stores, especially the computer giants, suggest coupons; or discounts, such as $20 off, when you spend $150 or more; free shipping; free printer; and so on.

Motherboards have been on the same standard size, created by Intel, the ATX form-factor motherboard. From there, they have somewhat expanded into the Extended-ATX, or made the motherboard smaller for a more compact design, like the Mini-ATX motherboards. They occasionally use newer chipsets when chipset companies release them. But all in all, motherboard manufacturers have been staying on the same form factor for a very, VERY long time. When will they ever change?

Well, for one, it may change with the release of the new Nehalem CPU’s from Intel. The Nehalem will use a completely-new socket on Intel motherboards, and possibly a new standard. One reason that manufacturers may have stayed on the same form-factor for so long is because everything else has been molded around the form factor of the motherboard.

One extremely apparent component molded around the motherboard size is the computer case itself. The holes on the motherboard tray are drilled exactly in the same positions as the holes in the motherboards for the screws to keep the motherboard in place while the case is tilted vertically.

Can you see one of the large main reasons manufacturers stay on the same form-factor for so long? Think about it: a lot of the components of the computer are molded around the motherboard. So if a manufacturer uses a different form-factor, those other components will have a larger chance of being incompatible with the motherboard.

Yes, you’ve guessed right: if a manufacturer uses a new form-factor, they lose their compatibility with many other components, and lose their share in the market. Large manufacturers are all about gaining profit through minimal means; staying on the same form-factor for a motherboard is a significant one. However, it does bore us, the consumer, if they stay on a single thing for a long time. After all, we are in an age where the attention span of a normal person is very short.

If you are looking for a reliable USB pen drive from the available cheap pen drives in the present day market, you need to observe some caution. You must give importance to several critical factors such as overall quality, performance, memory space, brand name, awareness, and price and customer service before selecting one.

The modern day USB drives permit the user community to store and organise images, sound and video files, word and Excel files, PowerPoint presentations besides applications and programs. The latest USB pen drives come in different sizes: 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB to name a few. Any user who is desirous to buy a pen drive may choose one as per his present and future estimations.

Most of the latest USB pen drives deliver exceptional performance on a consistent basis. However, it is better to make a market survey beforehand so that you can get the best deal at an affordable price. This will also help you to spend a significant time on the functioning and availability of the cheap pen drives in the market.

If you want a reliable USB drive for your mass storage needs then you can have a look at some of the big names such as Kingston and Transcend. Both these internationally recognised companies have been able to win the laurels of their customers for their unbeatable performance. You can have a look at the Kingston Data Traveller DTMFP/2GB, Kingston Data Traveller DT100/2GB, and Kingston Data Traveller DTM/2GB and Kingston DTI 2 GB Pen Drive. The Kingston DTI 2 GB Pen Drive is a compact and user-friendly device that can be used to store and organise images, applications, sound and video files.

You must perform a complete survey of the traditional as well as online market before making any purchasing decision. This will help you to fetch a good deal and that too at a highly affordable price. Search some cheap pen drives before placing your hands on one and after that, enjoy the benefits of sleek and smart storage devices.

1. What is the difference between copper cable and fiber optic cable?

Even though fiber optic cables may look like traditional copper cables, we should always keep in mind that inside fiber cables are fragile glass fibers which can be broken easily if not properly handled.

2. What are the most important things to obey in fiber cable installation?

During any fiber optic cable installation project, we must keep two very important things in mind: First, never over-bend the fiber cable over its minimum bend radius. Second, never pull over the cable manufacturer’s cable pulling tension specification.

3. What is Minimum Bend Radius (MBR)?

Fiber cables all have a minimum bend radius specification by the manufacturers. This the minimum curve radius while bending the fiber cable in either installation process or after the installation in its final resting position. You can make larger curves but never smaller than specified.

4. What is Loaded MBR?

It is the fiber cable bend radius specification during a cable pull as in the installation process. The cable must not bend tighter than its loaded MBR at any time during the installation process. Loaded MBR is larger than unloaded MBR as explained below.

5. What is Unloaded MBR?

It is the fiber bending radius specification in the cable’s final resting position after installation. That is when the cable is not under any tension. Often, this spec is determined by a simple multiplication such as 15~25 X OD (fiber cable outside diameter).

6. What is Fiber’s MBR?

Fiber optic cables are composed of individual fibers (strands). Individual fibers also have a minimum bend radius specification, which is usually 2~3 cm and is much smaller than jacket cables.

7. What will happen if a fiber cable is bent smaller than its minimum bend radius?

Bending a fiber cable over its MBR is one of biggest factors in fiber damaging in fiber cable installation projects. This practice can either break the inside fibers or increase fiber attenuation (fiber power loss) over the manufacturer’s specification. Even if the inside fibers are already broken, you may not see any physical damage to the outside jacket at all. The consequence is, you have to replace the whole section or even the entire length of cable. As a good practice, all fibers need to be thoroughly tested after cable installation.

8. What is Pulling Tension?

Pulling tension is the force placed on per square unit of fiber cable cross section. Maximum pulling tensions during fiber cable installation are specified by cable manufacturers and should not be exceeded at any time. Most tensile load on a cable will occur in a vertical installation and is caused by the cable’s own weight.

9. Other Fiber Optic Cable Installation Tips

a. The cable should be pulled by hand as much as possible

b. Pulling tension should always be monitored when using mechanical pulling techniques

c. Cable should be pulled in a steady, continuous motion and never jerked

d. Never push a fiber optic cable

e. Using the minimum possible tension while pulling fiber cables

Let us have a close look at some of the benefits of LCD monitors to derive the optimum benefits from its usage. A LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor is quite aesthetically pleasing in its nature and offer an exceptional wide viewing angle. The color purity, image brightness and contrast ratio by these monitors is way ahead of the traditional CRT monitors. These monitors are also protected against any kind of magnetic interference as well as screen flickers.

The latest LCD monitors can be easily mounted on the walls and make use of just 25-50 watts of energy as opposed to 60-80 watts by a CRT monitor. Most of the present day LCD monitors come with USB ports, which allow the users to easily connect numerous devices at a single time. The response time of these monitors is quite exceptional, ranging between 2-16 ms.

Let us understand how a LCD monitor functions. It makes use of the LCD technology to deliver advanced and smart desktop/laptop solutions. The polarized sheets that lie between the sandwiched crystals are used, which make it less bulky than a CRT monitor. Some of the latest LCD monitors have an aspect ratio of 4:3. These cheap LCD monitors deliver unbeatable viewing experience.

They enhance the overall impact of the visual elements on a desktop/laptop and its OSD controlling adjustment keys are not flimsy. A huge number of the modern day LCDs are known to be easily tilted by a particular angle, a feature which is conducive to the office executive’s needs.

If you are looking for a vibrant, reliable and power-packed monitor then the ViewSonic VX1945WM, ViewSonic VX922 and ViewSonic VG2030WM are some of the most excellent options for you. These ViewSonic LCD monitors are exceptionally high on performance, quality, contrast ratio, viewing angle, image resolution, active pixels, sound quality, multimedia capabilities and image size, to name a few.

The current day LCD market is full of cheap LCD monitors but you need to exercise full caution before buying one. Do not forget to ask about the warranty and check the policy in relation with dead pixels. Do not try to install it on your own unless you have the required knowledge.