Lab - Build a Specialized Computer System

Use the Internet, a newspaper, or a local store to gather information about building a specialized computer
system that supports hardware and software that allows a user to perform tasks that an off-the-shelf system
cannot perform. Be prepared to discuss your selections.
For this worksheet, assume the customer’s system will be compatible with the parts you order.
a. The customer runs an audio and video editing workstation to record and mix music, create music CDs,
CD labels, and create home movies. The customer wishes to upgrade the components listed in the table.

Brand and Model Features Cost

Number

Audio card - -10 to +60 dB Mic Gain $499

Audient - -20 to +40 dB Line Gain
iD22 - +22dBu maximum mic input level
- +18dBu maximum output level
- 10 input channels (2x analogue, 8x digital); 14 output
channels (6x analogue, 8x digital)
- Has many sound features
Video card - 14 Gbps memory speed $999
NVIDIA - 11GB memory capacity
GeForce RTX - Can support up to 7680x4320 resolution
2080 Ti - Up to 4 monitors
- Uses DisplayPort, HDMI, USB Type-C
- 225W
Hard drive - Up to 6TB capacity $244.99
Western Digital - 256MB cache
WD6003FZBX - SATA 6Gb/s interface
- 7200 RPM

Dual monitors - 7,680 x 4,320 resolution $3,899.99 (x2)

Dell - 32-inch screen
UP3218K - 6ms response time
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 1300:1 contrast ratio
- 23.14 pounds

Provide reasons for the components purchased. How will they support the customer’s needs?
Assuming that there are no restrictions on the price, all of these components are optimal for
video/audio editing/recording. The Audient iD22 is packed with different features to experiment with, and
has 10 input channels that can directly record instruments. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti is one of
the newest video cards on the market; it dominates its competition with a huge 11GB memory capacity,
supporting up to 7680 x 4320 resolution. That brings us to the Dell UP3218K, a powerful monitor with 32-
inch screen supporting 7,680 x 4,320 resolution, fitting in nicely with the capabilities of the Geforce RTX
2080 Ti. Lastly, the Western Digital WD6003FZBX would be excellent for what the customer has in mind:
with a 6 TB capacity and 7200 RPM hard drive speed, this allows very large video and audio files to be
stored and processed with ease.

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Lab - Build a Specialized Computer System

b. The customer runs computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software and
wishes to upgrade the components listed in the table.

Brand and Model Features Cost

Number

CPU - Quad-core ~$250

- 4 threads
Intel
i5-7600K - 64 GB memory
- Allows up to 16 PCI Express Lanes
- 3.8GHz base clock speed
- Easy to overclock

Video card - 14 Gbps memory speed $999

- 11GB memory capacity
NVIDIA - Can support up to 7680x4320 resolution
GeForce RTX
2080 Ti - Up to 4 monitors
- Uses DisplayPort, HDMI, USB Type-C
- 225W

RAM - Automatic overclocking - up to 2466MHz $43-$600+

- Runs at low, standard, DDR4 1.2 voltage
HyperX - 4GB-16GB single-module capacities
FURY DDR4 - 8GB-64GB kit capacities
- Includes heat spreader
- 1.2V usage
- 288 pins

Provide reasons for the components purchased. How will they support the customer’s needs?
For CAD and CAM software, there may be many different parts that may require the use of virtual
machines. With the Intel i5-7600K, its Quad-core capabilities can provide the processing power needed
for these programs. On that note, the HyperX FURY DDR4 can provide large amounts of SRAM to run
multiple programs simultaneously. Finally, a high-end video card that can support extreme resolutions
will help with the rendering of 2d and 3d-objects within the software.

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Lab - Build a Specialized Computer System

c. The customer uses virtualization technologies to run several different operating systems to test software
compatibility. The customer wishes to upgrade the components listed in the table.

Brand and Model Features Cost

Number

RAM - Automatic overclocking - up to 2466MHz ~$43-$600

- Runs at low, standard, DDR4 1.2 voltage
HyperX - 4GB-16GB single-module capacities
FURY DDR4 - 8GB-64GB kit capacities (recommend 32 GB)
- Includes heat spreader
- 1.2V usage
- 288 pins

CPU - Quad-core ~$250

Intel - 4 threads
i5-7600K - 64 GB memory
- Allows up to 16 PCI Express Lanes
- 3.8GHz base clock speed
- Easy to overclock

Provide reasons for the components purchased. How will they support the customer’s needs?
In this case, a quad-core CPU (or higher) is a requirement; virtual machines use these cores. Depending
on the extent of work the customer does, they may consider another product with even more cores. As
for RAM, I would recommend at least 32GB to keep up with simultaneously running operating systems.

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Lab - Build a Specialized Computer System

d. The customer wishes to upgrade an HTPC with the components listed in the table.

Brand and Model Features Cost

Number

Case - 8 expansion slots $79.99

- 4 I/O ports
SilverStone - 4.2kg
SST-GD09B - 440m (W) x 170mm (H) x 358mm (D)

Power supply - Multiple sizes, wattage varies $79.90

- Compact Size - 140 mm (W) x 150 mm (L) x 86 mm (H)
Seasonic - 100 V - 240 V
SSR-550FX - 1x MB (24/20 pins) cable, 2x CPU (8/4 pins) cables, 3x
PCle (8/6 pins), 1x SATA cable, 1x Molex to FDD
Adapter

Surround sound - 2 Way - 3 Drive Floorstanding Main Speakers $399.99

audio
- 50-160 Watts
- 28.8 x 7.8 x 13.0 inch
Fluance - 89dB @ 2.83V/1m sensitivity
SXHTB-BK

TV tuner and - USB TV tuner = convenient/portable $75

cable cards
- Easy to record TV programs
- Can watch programs while recording another one
Hauppauge - Channels can be watched in a window or fullscreen
1191
WinTV-HVR-955Q

Provide reasons for the components purchased. How will they support the customer’s needs?
All of the components are listed would be used to modernize the HTPC to 2018 standards. The case and
power supply are compatible with modern components. Since traditional TV tuner cables are losing
popularity, USB TV tuners are the way to go; they offer many more features. The sound system is very
high-end but requires a large amount of space.

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Lab - Build a Specialized Computer System

e. The customer wishes to upgrade a gaming computer with the components listed in the table.

Brand and Model Features Cost

Number

CPU - 6 cores $204.99

- 12 threads
Intel - 3.8GHz base clock speed
i5-8400 - 16 PCle 3.0 lanes
- Includes liquid cooler

Video card - 14 Gbps memory speed $999

- 11GB memory capacity
NVIDIA - Can support up to 7680x4320 resolution
GeForce RTX - Up to 4 monitors
2080 Ti - Uses DisplayPort, HDMI, USB Type-C
- 225W
Sound card - Includes operational amplifier $62
- Automatic jack-sensing front-panel output
Asus - Utilizes DTS Connect technology for surround sound
Xonar DSX PCle
7.1

Cooling system - 276mm x 125mm x 30 mm $129.99

- 120mm x 25mm fan dimensions
Corsair - 37.7 dBA noise level
CW-9060025-W - liquid cooling
W

RAM - Automatic overclocking - up to 2466MHz $43-$600+

- Runs at low, standard, DDR4 1.2 voltage
HyperX - 4GB-16GB single-module capacities
FURY DDR4 - 8GB-64GB kit capacities
- Includes heat spreader
- 1.2V usage
Hard drive - 288 pins
- Up to 6TB capacity $244.99
- 256MB cache
Western Digital - SATA 6Gb/s interface
WD6003FZBX - 7200 RPM

Provide reasons for the components purchased. How will they support the customer’s needs?
Most of these components are very high-end. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti was designed for
gaming computers and is currently the best video card out on the market. The Xonar DSX PCle 7.1
offers immersive surround sound (+ amplification). The i5-8400 is a highly recommended CPU for
gaming, known for its speed and processing capacity; it is often bundled with the Corsair CW-9060025-
WW, a compact liquid cooler that is compatible with most gaming computer setups. The HyperX FURY
DDR4 will allow a computer to easily run games at high graphics levels, and even simultaneously with
enough SRAM. The Western Digital hard drive can support the space games may take up with its 6TB
capacity.
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