MINDANAO COMMUNITY SCHOOL, INC.

Banga, South Cotabato

SY. 2023 - 2024

COMPUTER SYSTEM
SERVICING
COC 1: Install and Configure Computer System
Module 7 - 8

Name
Computer System Servicing
Quarter 1 – Module 7: Computer System Specifications

EXPECTATION
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:
 identify the computer system specifications;
 understand computer system specifications;
 appreciate the importance of learning computer system specifications

LESSON
COMPUTER SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

Computer system specifications are technical descriptions of the computer's components

and capabilities. Decisions on hardware specification are often driven by the minimum
hardware required to run specific software. In broad terms, the performance of a
computer depends on four factors: the speed and architecture of its processor or "central
processing unit" (CPU), how much random access memory (RAM) it has, its graphics
system, and its internal hard drive speed and capacity.

PROCESSOR SPEED & ARCHITECTURE

The speed of a computer's processor chip is measured in

gigahertz (GHz). For most computing tasks -- including
web browsing, sending e-mails, word processing and
spreadsheet work -- any processor running at 1GHz or
more remains perfectly sufficient.

The architecture of a processor is the most important factor to determine its

performance, and refers to its basic design and complexity. Some processors are simply
more sophisticated than others, with Intel (for example) producing "basic" processors
called Celerons and Pentiums, as well as more powerful processors under its "Core"
processor family. The later include the Core 2, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 & Core i9, with
the last of these being the most powerful.

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

RAM – or “random access memory” – is the

temporary storage space that a computer loads
software applications and user data into when it is
running. To a large extent, the more RAM a
computer has the faster and more effectively it will
operate.
RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). Just how much RAM a
computer needs depends on the software it is required to run effectively. A computer
running Windows XP will usually function quite happily with 1GB of RAM, whereas twice
this amount (ie 2GB) is the realistic minimum for computers running Windows 7.

GRAPHICS SYSTEM (VIDEO CARD)

A computer's graphics system determines how well it

can work with visual output. Graphics systems can
either be integrated into a computer's motherboard,
or plugged into the motherboard as a separate "video
card". Graphics systems integrated into the
motherboard (also known as "onboard graphics") are
now quite powerful, and sufficient for handling the
requirements of most software applications aside
from games playing, 3D modelling, and some forms
of video editing.

As a basic rule, unless a computer is going to be used to handle 3D graphics or to

undertake a significant volume of video editing or recording, today there is little point in
opting for anything other than onboard graphics (not least because separate graphics
cards consume quite a lot of electricity and create quite a lot of heat and noise). Adding a
new graphics card to a computer with onboard graphics is also a very easy upgrade if
required in the future.

Graphics cards connect to what is known as either a "PCI Express" or an "AGP" slot on a
computer's motherboard. PCI Express is the more powerful and modern standard, with
the best graphics cards requiring the use of two PCI Express slots. A PC being upgraded
from onboard graphics sometimes also requires an upgraded power supply if it is to
continue to run in a stable fashion.

HARD DRIVE SPEED AND CAPACITY

Hard disk drives are the high capacity storage

devices inside a computer from which
software and user data are loaded. Like most
other modern storage devices, the capacity of
the one or more internal hard
disks inside a computer is measured in
gigabytes (GB), as detailed on the storage
page.

Two key factors determine the speed of Hard Drive:

Rotational velocity - The faster the disk spins, the quicker data can be read from or
written to it, hence the faster the disk the better. Most desktop hard disks run at either
5400 or 7200 rpm, while most laptop hard disks run at 4200 or 5400. However,
upgrading to a 10000 or 15000 rpm disk -- such as a Velociraptor from Western Digital --
can prove one of the most cost-effective upgrades for increasing the performance and
responsiveness of a desktop computer.

Interface used to connect it to the computer's motherboard

Types of Interfaces
 SATA - the most modern and commonly used on new PCs
 IDE (also known as UDMA) - which is a slower and older form of interface
 SCSI - the oldest but in it most modern variant is still the fastest disk interface
standard

The above points all noted, for users seeking ultimate performance, there is now the
option of installing a computer's operating system, programs and data on a solid state
drive (SSD), rather than a traditional, spinning hard disk. SSDs are far faster and more
energy efficient than traditional, spinning hard disks, which in time they will largely
replace. This said, at present SSDs are still a lot more expensive than traditional
spinning hard disks in terms of cost-per-gigabyte.

WRAP–UP
Computer users need different types of computer systems. What the user does with the
computer dictates the components and peripherals needed. Looking at the computer
systems by purpose is a good place to start with design. The Basic parts of computer is
the System Unit, Monitor, Mouse, and Keyboard also included are the peripheral devices
such as speaker, and printer although it’s not mandatory for a computer's overall
operation.

Computer System Servicing

Quarter 1 – Module 8: Computer Form Factor

EXPECTATION
At the end of this module, student will be able to:
 identify the different computer form factors;
 understand typical usage of each form factor;
 appreciate the importance of learning computer form factors

LESSON
COMPUTER FORM FACTOR

In computing, the form factor refers to the size, shape, and physical specifications of
hardware or hardware components. Computer form factor is used to describe any
physical aspect of a computer system.
A PC motherboard is the main circuit board within a typical desktop computer, laptop or
server. Its main functions are as follows:
To serve as a central backbone to which all other modular parts such as CPU, RAM, and
hard drives can be attached as required to create a computer
To be interchangeable (in most cases) with different components (in particular CPU and
expansion cards) for the purposes of customization and upgrading
To distribute power to other circuit boards
To electronically co-ordinate and interface the operation of the components

Pico-ITX

Pico-ITX is a PC motherboard
form factor announced by VIA
Technologies in January 2007.
The Pico-ITX motherboard form
factor measures 7.2 cm x 10 cm
(2.8" x 3.9") and is 75% smaller
than the Mini-ITX form factor.
The motherboard supports any
processor that uses VIA's
NanoBGA2 technology with
speeds up to 1.5 GHz with 128
KB L1 and L2 cache. Pico-ITX
uses DDR2 400/533 SODIMM memory with support for up to 1 GB and AGP video with
built-in MPEG-2, 4, and WMV9 decoding acceleration.
Pico ITX Computers are often used in low-cost small setups found in cars, network
devices, set-top boxes, and other small computers.

Nano-ITX

Nano-ITX is a computer motherboard form

factor first proposed by VIA Technologies at CeBIT in
March 2003, and implemented in late 2005. Nano-
ITX boards measure 12 × 12 cm (4.7 × 4.7 in), and
are fully integrated, very low power
consumption motherboards with many uses.
Nano ITX Computers are commonly used for smart digital entertainment devices such as
DVRs, set-top boxes, media centers, car PCs, and thin devices.

Mini-ITX

The Mini-ITX motherboard form factor measures 17 cm x 17

cm (6.75" x 6.75") in size. Mini-ITX often has two memory
slots, 1 PCI Express or mini-PCI slot, several USB ports, and
one network port. Some Mini-ITX motherboards include an
onboard VGA port and an HDMI port.

An important feature of a Mini-ITX motherboard is its low

power consumption, using less than 25 watts of power, with some as few as five watts.

Mini ITX computers are commonly used for automobiles, set-top boxes, network devices
and home theater PC system.

Micro-ATX

Micro ATX is a standard for

motherboards that was introduced in
December 1997. The maximum size of
a microATX motherboard is 9.6 × 9.6 in
(244 × 244 mm). The standard ATX
size is 25% longer, at 12 × 9.6 in (305
× 244 mm).
Micro ATX computers are very popular
for desktop and small form factor
computers as of 2017.

Standard-ATX
ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended) is a motherboard and
power supply configuration specification developed by Intel in
1995 to improve on previous de facto standards like the AT
design. It was the first major change in desktop computer
enclosure, motherboard and power supply design in many years,
improving standardization and interchangeability of parts.
Typical size is 9.6 × 12 in although some companies extend that
to 10 × 12 in. ATX computers are commonly used for desktop
PC’s both used for home and commercial used.