The Computer Buzz

April 3rd, 2008

Nome and Paul Van Middlesworth - owners - The Computer Factory
 

How to design a PC

We have been designing custom PCs for our customers since 1995 so the process seems fairly easy and straightforward to us. Unfortunately that makes it easy for us to forget that the process doesn't seem that simple to many of our customers.

We can usually determine the optimal PC configuration for a customer by asking a few simple questions. Often the hard part is helping the customer understand why we are recommending a particular configuration and how it relates to their specific needs.

Whether using an AMD or Intel CPU, there are essentially three broad types of PCs. Business servers, Gamer/graphics/media workstations and what we term "normal business and home PC workstations." Each type of workstation requires it's own specific motherboard design and array of peripheral device options.

The term "workstation" is used to describe PCs that are built to a higher standard than the "package PCs" sold in retail stores and on the Internet. "Workstations" are essentially "industrial strength" PCs. They need to "take a lickin and keep on tickin." Since 75% of our PC customers are businesses, we build all of our PCs to "workstation" standards.

90% of the PC workstations that we build fall into the category of "normal business and home PC workstations". Three quarters of those are built with AMD CPUs simply because AMD offers better performance dollar for dollar than Intel.

Many features are standardized and require no decision-making. A DVD-R/W is standard equipment. The sound and video connections built into our standard motherboard are more than adequate for most users but there are expansion slots for addition of high-end video and audio modules if needed. Our motherboards also incorporate standard features like Ethernet and USB. These motherboards also accommodate the entire range of single and multi-core CPUs from AMD.

The decisions to be made in configuring a PC workstation are: How much RAM memory (1, 2, or 3 Gigabytes). How fast the CPU (from 2.0 to 3.4 GHz), how many hard drives (1 or 2), what size hard drive/s (80Gb to 1000Gb), Windows XP Home or Pro operating system or one of the (yuk) Vistas. Now all that's left is the size and color of the computer case and perhaps the selection of an LCD monitor.

There may be a few other accessories to consider like floppies, card readers, fire-wire, dial-up/fax modems extra USB 2.0 ports and perhaps a second DVD-R/W for disc-to-disc recording.

Often there is the question of how to transfer files from an older PC onto the hard drive of the new PC. There are several ways to transfer data from one PC to another and we review those alternatives with the user to find the best method. Then there may be the question as to what to do with the old computer system. Whether to keep it as is, clean it up, upgrade it, recycle it or trade it in. We go over each alternative with our customers. Last is the decision whether to pick it up or have it delivered.

See how easy it is?