computer and computer accessories

8/8/2019 Computer and Computer Accessories

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Computer and Computer Accessories If we have a computer, we need a lot of things to get the most of our experience. There are a lot of desktop computer accessories that we need in order to hear, see, and do all of the things that computersare now design to do, therefore we need to have the knowledge about these accessories.

Computers have made it possible for working more smoothly and in better sync for daily operations, e-commerce, government, banking, entertainment etc. Internet has converged complex operations and hasbrought it into one machine.

Computers have been designed as per the user¶s requirements, like:

Personal Computer: Computer designed for general use by a single person.

Desktop: A PC that is not designed for portability.

Laptop: Also called notebooks, they are portable computers

Palmtop: More commonly known as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), palmtops are tightly integratedcomputers that often use flash memory instead of a hard drive for storage. A slightly larger and heavier version of the palmtop is the handheld computer.

Workstation: A desktop computer that has a more powerful processor and has enhanced capabilities for performing a special group of task, such as 3D Graphics or game development.

Server: A computer that has been optimized to provide services to other computers over a network.

The other types of computer designed to offer all the more comfort to its user include the minicomputer,super computer, wearable, etc.

The computer is surrounded by its essential accessories like the keyboard, mouse, speakers, displayscreen, Bluetooth, modem etc. The accessories make the computer more functional and easier and it canbe exploited to its core. The Printer allows you to take print outs of the required matter immediately andthe scanner enables you to upload the tangible paper written matter on to the computer. Nowadays thePrinter, scanner, photocopy and fax are available in one device for comforted utility and less botheration.

Data was carried around in floppies, then came the CD¶s offering more capacity (about 700 MB), thencame the DVD¶s, offering storage up to +4 GB and the latest offering being the Blue-ray disks which claimto carry around more than 10 GB of data. So a DVD or a Blue-ray drive is required to run these availablefacilities.

A PC can also be turned into a home-theater system by plugging in the right speakers, woofers andamplifiers. A good surround sound system attached can amaze you and your neighbors. A LCD screen

for display can take up less space for your desktop and gives you better viewing experience. Now a stepbeyond optical mouse and keyboards are the wireless mouse and keyboard. They are connected throughthe attached Bluetooth in your PC and you can operate your PC sitting ideally in your bed. But make sureyou do not lose it.

The high-speed modem connection offers great internet speed for your seamless browsing anddownloading. One thing that is to be taken care, is to make sure that the accessories you buy issupported by your system and is not overloading the capacity of the system. For eg, an addition of external memory can slow down the speed of your PC, if the RAM (Read Access Memory) is not enough



to support the external additions.

Thus, one needs to know the capacity and the ability of the computer to tone down to the change and thesupport it offers to the accessories added.

Now, there are thousands of shops are available where we can do the Online Computer Shopping at thelowest price and can also get the needful information there.

Computer Motherboard Parts This article will help you understand the various computer motherboard parts and their uses. Theknowledge of such devices will aid in the smooth functioning of your machine.

In the modern computer, the motherboard or the primary circuit board (PCB), is the heart of the machine.The computer motherboard is the device that is solely responsible for ensuring that all the devices andcomponents of the machine are connected to the microprocessor. These devices, that the motherboard

powers and regulates, are storage devices, hard disks, graphics cards and sound cards. All thesedevices, without which the machine cannot function, are either inbuilt in the motherboard or areconnected via computer motherboard slots or sockets.

Simply put, it is the motherboard that ensures that each of these computer motherboard components arepowered and communicate with each other effectively. The first motherboards that were invented hadvery few computer motherboard components, and the only things present on those motherboards werethe processor and slots, to connect other devices. But today's machines have motherboards containing awide variety of features and tremendous potential for future upgrades. Read more about computer buying.

What are the Parts of a Motherboard? So now the question is what are the standard computer motherboard parts that are present in the

machines in use today. Knowing the basics of these parts will help you solve many computer motherboard problems that may arise from time to time, and also if you have to build a computer . Thelayout and the manner in which the computer motherboard parts are placed is known as the form factor.The shape of the case of the computer is also decided by the form factor. To standardize the manner inwhich computers are assembled across the world, there are certain fixed models for deciding the formfactor. Given below is a list that will throw light on what all functions the parts of a motherboard performs.

Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) slot Normally, the number of PCI slots on the motherboard could be anywhere between 1 and 6. Theperipherals like graphics cards, sound cards, ethernet cards, modems and DVD recorders are attachedhere, and the slots are 32 bit slots.

Central Processing Unit (CPU) socket This socket is the home for your computer's processor. There are 2 types of sockets that are commonly

used by the major processors (Intel and AMD), these are Pin Grid Array (PGA) and the Land Grid Array(LGA).

Motherboard Battery Compartment When you shut your system down, your data is stored in a battery on the motherboard. This computer motherboard battery is placed inside the battery compartment that is present on the surface of your motherboard.

RAM slots (DIMM and SIMM)



These are the slots that hold the RAM chips of your computer. They are usually of two types - DIMM(Double Inline Memory Module) and SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module). Memory chips of differentsizes can be attached here.

Power Connector The motherboard requires the power to function properly and this power supply comes from the mainpower connector. There are usually two main types of connectors - 20 + 4 pins (when there are twoconnectors on the same motherboard), and the 24 pins.

Apart from these computer motherboard components, the following are computer motherboard parts thathave specific purposes for connecting to hardware devices. These connectors show up on the back panelof the computer, once the entire machine is assembled and mounted.

PS/2 Connectors Every motherboard contains two PS/2 connectors, one for the keyboard and one for the mouse.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port There are many of these ports across the back panel. They are used for connecting external devices likeUSB flash drives, external hard disks, ipods, mp3 players and cameras.

Game Port This port is mostly used to connect the devices that are used for gaming purposes, like joysticks.

Display Connector This port is used to connect the computer monitor of the machine to the back panel.

Sound Card Connector Your sound devices like headphones and mics are connected here.

This computer motherboard information should illuminate the many purposes of the various computer

motherboard parts that are standard requirement for every computer to function properly.

Computer Hardware Solutions: How to Choose aMotherboard Choosing a motherboard is an important task while you choose the hardware for your computer system.To know more about how to choose a motherboard, read on... What is a Motherboard Without a motherboard, we wouldn't be able to play games, watch movies, listen to music, and do anykind of work on our computer. It is the backbone of the computer. Let's know more on motherboards.

A motherboard is the most important component in the CPU. It is a piece of hardware that is a circuit, andis flat and rectangular in shape. It consists of the computer's micro-processing chip with manycomponents attached to it that play a very important role in the operation of the computer system. It is acircuit on which everything is connected to something. It has many other names like main board, systemboard, and logic board and also 'mobo' as an abbreviation. It has many ports and slots which can be used



by other computer hardware peripherals. Components like RAM, CPU, hard disks, optical drives, diskdrives, video and sound cards are all plugged into sockets on the motherboard, directly or via cables. Itfunctions crucially in the transfer of data and information to all the connected peripherals. It is also used inmany other electronic devices such as televisions, mobile phones, clocks and so on. All motherboardsmay not be compatible with every peripheral. The motherboard manufacturers should be able to providethe consumer with information about the type of products compatible with the motherboard.

Some Basic Components on a Motherboard

The motherboard has Basic Input/ Output System (BIOS), a software initialized by the computer when it isturned on. The BIOS chip set is used in controlling the setup of the motherboard. There is amicroprocessor 'socket' which gives you an idea of what type of CPU it uses. It also houses a chipset thatis the computer's logic system. The chipset generally consists of two parts that are known as 'northbridge' and 'south bridge' which connect the central processing unit to other parts in the system. The real-time clock is also a part of the motherboard, that is a chip operated by a battery, which enables thecomputer to maintain the correct time and perform other simple functions.

Types of Motherboards

There are many types of motherboards that depend on form factors like their dimension and size, and

layout of the components on it. It is important to know all about their form factors before buying one, asyou can't just install any motherboard in your computer system.

Full AT : It is 12 inches wide and 11 inches long. Earlier, it had a complication due to it's inability to accesssome items on the motherboard as the drive bays hung over the motherboard. Due to this, it was verydifficult in installing and troubleshooting the components on the motherboard. Another problem was, whenthe expansion cards were inserted into the systems, the whole processor was covered, which led tocooling problems because of insufficient ventilation to the chip.

Baby AT : This type was been widely used in recent years. It is 8.5 inches wide and 19 inches long. It caneasily be distinguished as it has a DIN keyboard connector at the top-right corner. It was about 2/3rd of the size of an Full AT board. It consisted of a combination of SA/EISA and PCI slots and also had a plugand play BIOS.

ATX : This type of motherboard was built in order to support the Pentium II processor and the new AGPslot for video cards. It is 7.5 inches wide and 12 inches long. It consists of all IO ports that are directlyconnected to the board, which also included USB ports. A new 100 MHz system bus was introduced in

ATX motherboards that overtook old Pentium boards which ran on 60/66 MHz. It also included a softpower support that enabled the operating system to shutdown the system. Cards inserted into the bussystems do not cover the whole processor and so provide proper cooling to the motherboard.

Before purchasing a motherboard for your system, read reviews on the Internet, consider what all

components it supports and finally buy it from a reputed retailer.

The computer motherboard is the heart of your desktop computer. These days, motherboards areavailable in all sorts of combinations and numerous specifications. When you want to choose a computer motherboard, it is necessary to first decide the type of computer system you want. The motherboard youchoose, must be compatible to the computer system. The motherboards should also be chosen after taking the purpose and the nature of the computer usage into consideration. Firstly, decide whether youwant the desktop computer for playing games or for office use or just as an entertainment medium for watching movies.

CPU Socket



The computer motherboard is housed in the central processing unit (CPU). There are three types of CPUs available in the market viz. Socket 478, socket 370 and socket A. Selecting the socket, means thatyou are selecting your processor. The type of processor chosen, decides the socket type of the CPU. It isimportant to remember that all processors are not compatible with all the available motherboards. Theprocessors are available in different speeds and the cost of the processors increase with the increase inthe speed they provide.

Chipset The next most important feature while choosing a computer motherboard is the type of chipset. Manypeople ignore this, but it is the nitty-gritty of the computer motherboard. The chipset is a set of two chipscalled the Northbridge and the Southbridge. The main function of the chipset is to connect the CPU to theinput-output (IO) system of the computer. The Northbridge is closer to the CPU as compared to theSouthbridge and deals with the connection of the CPU and the memory (RAM). The second function of the Northbridge is to handle the connection between the CPU and the graphics card connected to it. TheSouthbridge takes care of the other input-output systems in the computer, like the audio and the drivesconnected to the system. It also deals with the ports and expansion slots and generally, the Southbridgehas a slower speed of operation than that of the Northbridge. Improvements and changes are alwaysseen in the chipset, so it is advisable to opt for the newest chipset available.

Memory

Memory of the computer is another essential part of the computer motherboard. The memory (RAM) decides the speed of your computer system. There are three types of memories available that should bechosen depending on their compatibility with different processors used. They are as follows:

RD R AM : This type of RAM is quite an efficient RAM available and isused with the Pentium IV processor.

S D R AM : This type of memory is the most common type because all thePentium III processors use this memory.

DDR S DR AM : This type is generally used with the Athlon motherboardsthat require the CPU with the socket type 'A'. This is the fastest type of RAM and nowadays, is also supported by some of the socket 478CPUs (Pentium IV).

Graphics card Choosing or upgrading a graphics card is dependent upon the type of the motherboard you have chosen.The PCIexpress slots are nowadays available, which also have a facility that gives you the benefit of using two video (graphics) cards at the same time.

The type of on-board video should also be decided when you choose a computer motherboard. Thestandard VGA is always found in the computer motherboards but recently the DVI and HDMI connectionsoffer higher resolutions and are rapidly replacing the VGA connections.It is necessary to take intoconsideration, the compatibility of the monitors of your computer with these standards.

BIOS Menu When you choose a motherboard, you need to decide whether you want the overclocking option. Theoverclock is used to increase the clock rate of the computer so as to give better performance. In

overclocking, the voltages required and the bus speeds are changed. Usually, people who want to playcomputer games, overclock the computer system. The BIOS menu takes care of this overclocking option.

Connectors The front panel and the rear panel connectors also matter when you choose a computer motherboard.The connectors that must be considered, include the USB ports, the serial and parallel communicationports, SPDIF (digital input and output port), infrared port, firewire (generally used for high speed transfers)and eSATA (connector).



These were some of the issues you must take care of, when choosing a computer motherboard.Remember choosing your computer motherboard can be an easy task and not as difficult as it is usuallythought to be!

Types of Computer Hardware Computer hardware is a physical part of a computer that executes within the hardware.

Computer hardware is a physical part of a computer that executes within the hardware. It is unlikecomputer software or data that can be frequently changed, modified or erased on a computer. Computer hardware is not frequently changed and so is stored in hardware devices such as read only memory(ROM) where it is not readily changed.

Most computer hardware is embedded and so is not visible to normal users. Below are the different typesof hardware¶s found in a computer.

-- Motherboard: It is the central or primary circuit board making up a complex electronic system such as acomputer. A motherboard is also known as a main board, logic board or system board.

-- Central processing Unit: A CPU is the main component of a digital computer that interprets instructionsand process data in computer programs.-- Random Access Memory: A RAM allows the stored data to be accessed in any order. RAM isconsidered as the main memory of the computer where the working area is used for displaying andmanipulating data.-- Basic Input Output System: BIOS prepares the software programs to load, execute and control thecomputer.-- Power Supply: Power Supply supplies electrical energy to an output load or group of loads.-- Video Display Controller: It converts the logical representation of visual information into a signal thatcan be used as input for a display medium.-- Computer Bus: It is used to transfer data or power between computer components inside a computer or between computers.-- CD-ROM drive: It contains data accessible by a computer -- Floppy disk: It is a data storage device-- Zip Drive: It is a medium capacity removable disk storage system.-- Hard Disk: It is a non-volatile data storage system that stores data on a magnetic surface layered untohard disk platters. 32 Bit vs. 64 Bit Processors This debate has been on for a long time, since the advent of the 64 bit processors, in the market. 64 bitprocessors initially suffered a blow, because of the lack of 64 bit compatible softwares, but now things aredifferent. Here, I am putting in my insight to this processor war, to help you decide, which of theseprocessors would meet your requirements.

Before we get into the details, let us try to understand, what this big fuss of a larger number of bits, is allabout. A bit is the short form of a binary digit, i.e. 0 or 1. Computers store and perform operations onthese binary digits. So, it can be very easily concluded that a 32 bit processor can represent numbersfrom 0 to 2

32, while 64 bit processors can represent numbers from 0 to 2

64. Thus, most of us will simply

conclude that, since 64 bit processors can perform calculations on a greater range of numbers ascompared to the 64 bit processors; then, of course, they are better. But wait, we need to consider a fewmore points, before we reach our conclusion.



When we say a 64 bit or 32 bit processor, what we are primarily referring to is the width of the data bus.In a layman's language, a data bus is a cable that carries information to and from the computer's memory,to the processor. A 64 bit processor has a data bus that is 64 bit wide, while a 32 bit processor has a databus i.e. 32 bits wide. Thus, a 64 bit processor's data bus can carry in more information than that whichcan be done by the 32 bit processor's data bus. So, we again come back to the same conclusion, that 64bit processors are faster than the 32 bit processors, and hence, they should be declared the winners. Butthe point out here is - which of these processors will actually suit our needs.

When we come down to comparing the speeds of both the processors, at our home or office level, we willfind no significant change in it. The spreadsheets won't load any faster, browsing speed over the Internetstays the same, and there will be no change in the booting time of your computer. So, what makes thedifference then? 64 bit processors turn out to be very useful for the scientific organizations, universitiesand major software development firms. They will also prove to be of much use, if your work is that of animation or graphic designing.They can perform calculations on a wider range of data and can givemore accurate and precise information for smaller numbers. On the other hand, if you do not need your computer to perform these processes, then a 32 bit processor will solve most of your needs. Besides,when we come down to the cost, 32 bit processors have definitely hit the bottom line.

In fact, what makes the 64 bit processor better than the 32 bit processor, at home or office levels, is notthat they can access and process better, but the advanced silicon technology, with which they are

manufactured. When 64 bit processors hit the market, the major factors that made them suffer a lot, werethat there were not many softwares compatible with them. However, this is not a deciding factor anymorewhen you are planning to buy a new processor. With companies like AMD, that have been sticking to the64 bit technology, the software developers have come down with a solution by developing softwares,which are compatible with both the 32 bit and 64 bit processors. Another important point that needs to bementioned is that a multicore processor resembles in features, more to a 64 bit processor than a 32 bitprocessor. Again, speaking in a layman's language, one has to use more than one 32 bit processor tomatch the performance of a 64 bit processor. One more important factor that needs to be considered isthat, if you really need your 64 bit processors to work well, then you will definitely need a RAM with morestorage capacity. Even, a 512 MB or 1 GB RAM will not show any significant improvement in theprocessing speed, when working with a 64 bit processor.

So, we finally conclude that the choice lies entirely on the type of work you need to do. If your work is not

related to very heavy calculations and graphics or you are not interested in playing big multimedia games,then of course, the 32 bit processors will solve your purpose. Moreover, you can save some bucks for buying some other component, like an extra RAM, which would definitely prove to be of more use. But,with a 64 bit processor, you will definitely not need a better processor for quite some time. Again,technology never stops advancing, let's see what changes do the quad-core processors bring in the

market. Then, of course, we will have to start over with some more comparison.

Keyboard Lessons: How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts,Symbols and Hotkeys In order to get the best out of your keyboard it is necessary to be proficient. Here is information on how to

use the keyboard shortcuts, symbols and hotkeys.

Issac put on hi s formal attire and ran to get hi s car out of the garage, it was 9:30 and he hoped that therewouldn¶t be any traffic on the road. He turned on the ignition and pressed the accelerator and off he was! The interview went nicely and they told him he could join work in 2 week s«Issac had never beenhappier, he had got hi s dream job and salary, now the only thing lurking in hi s mind was how he could improve hi s keyboard skill s and master all the shortcut symbol s. He went home, called hi s mother up with



the good new s and then got himself a cup of coffee and some cookies and placed the laptop on the table,ready to begin hi s computer keyboard lessons!

Knowing the computer keyboard hotkeys does simplify your life. So now I think we should begin with thelessons.

Computer Keyboard Symbols and Shortcuts

Functions Related to Files

Ctrl + S = To save a file Ctrl + N = To create a new document Ctrl + O = To open an existing file Ctrl + P = To print a file or folder Ctrl + W = To close an open file or folder

Functions Related to Paragraph Alignment

Ctrl + J = To justify a paragraph

Ctrl + L = To left align a paragraph Ctrl + R = To right align a paragraph Ctrl + E = To center align a paragraph

Functions Related to Line Spacing

Ctrl + 1 = For single line spacing Ctrl + 2 = For double line spacing Ctrl + 5 = For 1 ½ line spacing

Functions Related to Font Styles (when text is selected)

Ctrl + B = For bold Ctrl + I = For Italic Ctrl + U = To underline

Functions Related to Page Scrolling

Ctrl + Home = To reach the top of the document Ctrl + End = To reach the bottom of the document Ctrl + Page Up = To reach the top of the page Ctrl + Page Down = To reach the bottom of the page

Functions Related to Editing

Ctrl + A = To select all Ctrl + X = To cut Ctrl + C = To copy Ctrl + V = To paste Ctrl + F = To find Ctrl + H = To find and release Ctrl + Z = To undo

Ctrl + Y = To redo



Functions Using The Alt Key

Alt + 0176 = Degrees Alt + 0162 = For the symbol ¢ Alt + 0188 = For the fraction ¼ Alt + 0189 = For the fraction ½

Alt + 0190 = For the fraction ¾ Alt + 0163 = For the symbol £ Alt + 0169 = For the symbol © Alt + 0174 = For the symbol ® Alt + 0165 = For the symbol ¥ Alt + 0177 = For the symbol ± Alt + 0247 = For the symbol ÷ Alt + 0166 = For the symbol ¦ Alt + 0149 = For the symbol Alt + 0134 = For the symbol Alt + 0227 = For the symbol ã Alt + 0151 = For the symbol ² Alt + 0150 = For the symbol

More PC Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows Key + E = Opens window explorer Windows Key + F = Finds files and folders Windows Key + R = The Run command is brought up Window Key + Pause/Break = Will take you to the systems profile Windows Key + D = Helps you toggle between the desktop and the other

thing you are working on F1 = For help F7 = To check the spelling Shift + F7 = To go to the thesaurus F12 = To save as«.

Alt + F4 = To exit the program Ctrl + Alt + Del = To break out of a lockup and open task manager

I hope that by now you are familiar with the computer keyboard keys on you personal computer. Theknowledge listed here will also help you with your Mac computer. All you need to do is use the C ommand

key instead of the C ontrol key.

How to Install a New Motherboard Getting into a computer's hardware undoubtedly causes us to sprout goosebumps. But, there is indeednothing much to be scared of. The best part about a computer's hardware is that it will fix into the place,

only where it's meant to fix; unless you want to experiment. Here in this article, I will try to help you withinstalling your new motherboard.

Remember the manual that comes along with your motherboard? It will be your bible throughout theprocess of motherboard installation. With this point in mind, let us now take a look into the requirementswe need to have in our possession, when installing a new motherboard. Obviously, to start off, we willneed a motherboard. The other requirements are a cabinet and a processor (CPU). I assume that since



you are taking the trouble to assemble your computer yourself, you must be having the correct set of screwdrivers. A Phillips screwdriver set would be perfect for the entire operation.

Two important factors that you need to take care of, before starting your installation process are:

Check whether your CPU is compatible to your motherboard

Check whether your cabinet is of the right size for your motherboard.

Once you verify the factors mentioned above; you are ready to start off with the assemblyprocess.

I/O Core ShieldLet us start with the I/O core shield. First, we need to verify that the I/O core shield that has comealong with the cabinet, is compatible with the I/O ports' socket of the motherboard. Motherboardsthat are available in the market, generally have new features, like an integrated game andintegrated sound ports. So, it is probable the I/O shield of your cabinet may not match with the I/Oports' socket, that has come along with your motherboard. The motherboards that aremanufactured nowadays, generally come along with an I/O shield. So, simply discard the I/Oshield, that has come along with your cabinet, and fix the new I/O shield in the case. Be sure not

to put any unnecessary force on the I/O shield, when pushing it into the cabinet. This may causeyour I/O shield to be out of shape and it may never fit in properly into the cabinet.

Processor Once you are done with the I/O shield, the next important step is installing your processor into themotherboard. This is a relatively simple task, but since the processor is a very delicate object, itneeds to be handled with care. The processor socket in the motherboard is very easilyidentifiable. It generally comes along with a small plastic arm on its side. All that you need to do,is to simply pull up the plastic arm and open the socket grip. Now, check your processor. Theprocessor will have a good number of pins below it, but one corner of the processor will generallyhave no pins. It is generally marked with a triangular symbol. Match the processor with its socketand place it into the socket. It will simply fit into its place. Now, lock the socket by pulling downthe plastic arm.

CabinetThe next step is fitting in the motherboard to your cabinet. The cabinets manufactured by variousvendors normally come along with screw positions that match the screw positions of themotherboard. Mount the motherboard into the cabinet, aligning it properly to the I/O socket shield.Once the motherboard is mounted after proper alignment, simply start with the screwing process.The cabinet, as you must have noticed, comes with an SMPS and it provides power to the variouscomponents. The old motherboards like the ATX, generally have a 20-pin ATX connector, whilethe newer ones may come with a 2X2, 12V header and a 1X4 lead, in addition. Make the proper connections, to allow your motherboard to get the proper power supply. Refer to themotherboard's manual before proceeding along with the connection. You also need to connect thepower supply switch. It is normally labeled PW-SW and on the motherboard, its appropriateconnector is labeled as P-ON, PW etc. Make the proper connections. Finally, fix in the differentadapters and when doing so, make it a point not to screw the adapters after fixing in each of them,

rather screw in all the adapters after all the fixing is done.Keep referring the instruction manualsof the different adapters and the motherboard before fixing them in.

Assembling all the hardware components in a CPU cabinet is not a difficult task. All you need todo is handle each component with care. Fixing up the RAM and the hard disks are the post-assembly tasks, that can be very easily done. You just need to ensure that you have connected

the power supply cables and data connectors to the right places.Dual-CoreProcessor Wars: AMD X2 vs Intel Pentium D



There's a war going on and the latest battle continues in the realm of dual-core processors, offering thepromise of good prices to consumers looking for the best stuff for their computer.

There's a war going on and the latest battle continues to offer the promise of good prices to consumers

looking for the best stuff for their computer.

Since the inception of dual-core processors a little while back the race has been on to see who can getthe better chip with this dual-core processor technology.

During the final days of the single-core battles, there was a stalemate between AMD and Intel. Intel'sclocked higher but were unable to match the speeds that the AMD managed at lower clock speeds.

The oldest difference between them has been their suitability for specific tasks. AMD have had thegaming sector in the bag, especially in terms of the value for money possible with their lower clockedchips, which could be overclocked to the same speeds as their top models. Intel has the crown for general performance. When it comes to office related tasks, Intel processors are able to outperform AMDchips in these areas.

As the ability to clock the chips any higher became more and more difficult technically, the next step wasto just add another core, theoretically allowing twice as much number crunching in a dual-core processor.This is not exactly how it works however.

Modern operating systems and programs have not been designed with multiple-core or dual-coreprocessors in mind. They were designed to make use of one core on one processor. The major expensethat went with multiple processor computers was the circuitry needed to split tasks up amongst theprocessors and sharing cache.

Dual-core processors simply act like two places for tasks to go. Instead of single tasks getting split up andperformed in two different places, as is the case with traditional single core processors, single threads getsplit up amongst the cores. This essentially means that each program gets assigned to a core.

Because of this there is absolutely no increase in speed for gaming from dual-core processor chips. Onlyonce the games themselves have been programmed to take advantage of dual-core processors will therebe a difference. This is due to the intensive nature of games and the number crunching needed for intense graphics, which for now cannot be split over multiple cores in dual-core processors.

So back to the battlefield.

AMD were the first to introduce their dual-core processor solution to a desktop computer. This gave thema slight lead over Intel. Despite this, AMD gave people a bit of a surprise with their new offering.

Always having been renowned for giving far more than expected for the price, these new dual-coreprocessors were very expensive. Part of what managed to give AMD a hold in a market previouslydominated by Intel was their good pricing. This shock did not go down well with consumers.

To add insult to injury, Intel's dual-core processor offerings came in at remarkably good value. Both of their initial dual-core processors cost less than AMD's lowest priced model. That's right, AMD's cheapestdual-core processor cost more than Intel's most expensive. This definitely put the ball in Intel's court andwas downright disappointing for AMD fans.

AMD did manage to introduce a cheaper model to compete better with the Intel offerings. Despite this,Intel was still the forerunner in this area.



Performance remains an area that is sketchy.

With the relatively new technology involved it is hard to draw a clear conclusion on who is faster. Withoperating systems only recently oriented towards fully utilizing dual-core processor technology, it is stillnew territory. Both offer increased performance, but as to who will rule the roost, we'll have to see.

For the meantime it would probably be advisable to just watch. Being a cautious buyer I prefer to buy intoa sure thing, once things have settled down, prices will balance out and all the related technology will bein place. Then we will be able to get a true opinion on where to put your hard earned cash.

Get the most honest and useful reviews and Dual-core processor reviews at our Desktop Computer

Hardware Reviews site or get practical computer buying tips at our Computer Buying Guide site

Diagnosing Computer Hardware Faults Computers going wrong can be a headache - f ind out how to diagnose which piece of hardware has gonewrong. When your PC goes wrong and you have lost all hope the normal final stage is to reformat your computer and start afresh. This will most likely resolve any software issues, remove viruses or any other nastiesand give you a clean start. But what happens if you have already reformatted and the problem stillexists?

This means, most likely, you have a hardware fault. This is where problems can start.

Diagnosing a computer hardware fault can be a right pain as any of the computer components could thecause. Unless you are intending to replace the entire machine you need to carefully diagnose with whatcomponents the fault lies with.

I would advise you look at the computer into these main areas to analyze.

Memory / RAM

Power Supply

Hard Disk

Motherboard

This isn¶t a complete definitive list, obviously depending on your issue i.e. if your issue is that you don¶tget sound then it could be a sound card issue, similarly if you don¶t get a display then the graphics couldbe the culprit. If it is a random fault then either of the above could be the cause.

Memory - This is fortunately quite easy to diagnose. Search the Internet for a memory tester. Generallythese can be put onto a CD (or Floppy if you are stuck in the past!!), boot up from the CD which then

enters the memory test. This will constantly cycle through, testing the memory for errors. It is wise toleave this on for several hours or even better over night. It will advise you if the memory fails.

Power Supply - This can be a strange one. People generally assume that if the power supply does failthen you would get no life from you computer at all. This sometimes is not true. I have had computers thatturn off at random times, computers that have the power light on, but do not start up etc and it has turnedout to be the supply - I would advise this should be one of the first things to test as can be a problematicarea. Testing it can be difficult without the right equipment. Really the only way is to get a volt tester andcheck the voltage and current coming out.



Hard Disk - This can be one of the worst computer components to fail as if your hard disk does fail, unlessyou have been sensible and done regular backups of your most valuable data, you stand to lose it all.Hard disks can go at any time and usually you will hear a harsh sounding clicking noise that is comingfrom your computer. If this is the case you need to probably replace the hard disk. Get someone who thenknows what they are doing here to try and recover your old data for you.

If none of the above solves your problem then you could possibly be looking at the fault being with themotherboard or any other plug in cards or devices you have. Remove everything to leave only the verybasics. Take out all sound cards, etc and any other PCI devices that are not essential. If you have morethan one stick of RAM then leave in only one and see if the problem resolves.

Really, solving hardware issues comes down to a case of trial and error here, so take the time to testeverything out. Bear in mind that even if your keyboard or mouse is faulty, very strange things canhappen to a computer, so if you can, try to remove and test every single item.

Uninterruptible Power Supply In our present age of electronic and electrical consumption, we cannot imagine living without a system toprovide us with uninterruptible power supply. In fact, the device that enables that is also called as anUninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). Here's a brief description of the UPS.

As the name suggests, the Uninterruptible Power Supply is an appliance that is used to provide acontinuous supply of power to an electrical device. It can provide power to the device even when the mainpower supply source is temporarily shut down, such as during a blackout. At such times, the UPSprovides the device with its own stored power. Thus, a UPS ensures that the device continues functioningeven if the primary source of electrical supply is not able to provide it with the power to function. This isvery important to improve efficiencies of workplace environments that rely largely on electric supply, suchas an office that uses computers.

Different Types of Uninterruptible Power Supply

There are three main types of UPS, based on their method of providing the power supply. These are asfollows:-

Standby UPS, also known as the Offline UPS The offline UPS is the most basic design of the UPS. Itworks in the following manner As long as the external electrical supply is on, the UPS remains inactive,though it keeps on charging itself. However, if there is any ebb in the amount of power being supplied tothe device, the UPS will take over and supply current. This it will continue until the primary power is backto normal. When that happens, the UPS will go back into its standby mode.

On-line UPS The on-line UPS draws current from the main source of power, but supplies the power from its own battery to the device that is connected to it. In this manner, it delegates the main source of

power to a secondary position and itself becomes the main source of power for the device. Such a UPSsystem will provide a continuous source of power to the device through its own battery, which is chargedfrom the external source. In case the main power supply fails, the battery of the UPS keeps providingpower to the device without as much as a blink. To understand this, recall the way your laptop workswhen it is connected to AC mains. As long as it is connected to the mains, it will draw power from there.But if you shut down that switch, the laptop will still remain functional, because then its internal batterytakes over completely.

Line Interactive UPS This is a modified form of the original UPS system in which there is a regulator to



keep the current coming into the device at a steady flow. You can consider this as a normal standby UPSwith a filter attached. Typically, this UPS functions by drawing some part of current from the AC mains tocharge its own battery and use the rest of it to power the device attached. In case there's a power failure,the line connecting to the AC mains is switched off and the battery takes over in energizing the device.

What does an Uninterrupted Power Supply actually do?

The general perception is that an Uninterrupted Power Supply provides power to an electrical device incase there's a blackout, and that's the only function people attribute to it. But, the UPS performs severalother functions. It not only powers the device when there's a power failure, but it can also keep thevoltage difference across the device at a constant rate. That means, if there is an unexpected fall in thecurrent flowing into the device or, for that matter, even an unexpected surge, the UPS will take care thatthe voltage difference across the device is still maintained constantly. For sensitive devices likecomputers and air conditioners, this is a very important benefit.

If you think by the principle of working, anything that provides an unhindered power supply to an electricaldevice can be called as an UPS. Indeed, some professionals even call the small 9 volt batteries that areused as backups for less power-consuming electrical devices as UPS systems. At the same time, UPS isalso applied to heavy devices that are used in workplace environments and in residential buildings

SMPS Power Supply

Switch mode power supplies(SMPS) are an extraordinary array of high frequency alternative. These arethe Switching Regulators offers higher efficiency then liner regulators. In addition the Power SupplySMPS can step-up, down and invert the input voltage.

Working principal of Switch Mode Power Supply

A switching regulator is a circuit that uses an inductor, a tranformer, and a capacitor as energy-storageelement to tranfer energy from input to output in discrete packets. Feedback circuitry regulates the energytranfer to maintain a canstant voltage within the load limits of the circuit.

They use some form of pulse-width modulation to alter the on time relative to the off time to effect control.The device used in this to giveen the constraints of frequency and the speed are power µfets¶

The use of power µfets¶ with fast turn-on and turn-off characteristics have made switches that operatecomfortable at frequency above 100khz practical.

There are two topologies are used

1. Forward converters2. Flyback circuits.

Forward converters are used in medium and high power applications. They can be recognizeed by their power transformer and output choke.

Flybacks are favored for low power applications because they employ a transformer that doubles as theinput choke .

Using a transformer as the energy-storage element also allows output voltage to be electrically isolatedfrom the input voltage.

Advantages of Switch Mode Power Supply

Change the output to a different voltage level then the input ( step-up or step-down).



Most people think that restarting and resetting means one and the same thing, but they are not!Restarting is the process when the computer is made to shut down (normally) and then made to startagain after the common rebooting process that the computer undergoes. Restarting can be done throughseveral internal features of the computer operating system, including the Shut Down menu. But resettingis different. This is done by pressing a button present on the CPU. When you reset a computer, you areshutting it down forcefully and then starting it again. When resetting is done, the computer is not allowedto shut down in the normal way, but restarting allows that to happen.

Resetting must be done only when nothing else seems to work. For example, if the display has frozen, or if the computer 'hang's, and even Ctrl-Alt-Del does not seem to work, then resetting can be done. But for simple requirements like reconfiguring the system after installing new software, you must only go for restarting.

Computer Maintenance Tip # 2 ± S hutting down the computer

The computer must never be shut down by any other method except through the Shut Down menuprovided. Never must the computer be shut down by powering it off directly from the AC mains. This willcause irreparable damage to the hard disk.

Computer Maintenance Tip # 3 ± C lean out your computer occasionally

It doesn't take much time to run a Scan Disk and a Disk Fragmenter on your computer often. This is infact the simplest way to maintain your computer. When you fragment your disk, you are freeing up allwasted space on your computer and that certainly increases its efficiency. Scanning shows you all thebad and corrupt files located on your computer.

Computer Maintenance Tip # 4 ± Keep the startup simple

If your computer takes very long starting up, it probably has a lot of start programs. Let the computer startcompletely, then enter into the Start Up programs and delete those which you don't need to load atstartup. These programs will only slow down your computer drastically.

Computer Maintenance Tip # 5 ± I nstall an antivirus

Anyone knowing an iota of computers will tell you how an antivirus is important to your computer, if youare using the Internet. Remember to run the antivirus scan regularly. You can even set it upautomatically.

Computer Maintenance Tip # 6 ± I nstall firewall s

You can say that firewalls are better than antivirus programs at protection. While antivirus programs arethe cure, firewalls can be considered as the prevention. When you set up a firewall, you are restricting allkinds of unauthorized accesses to your computer. You must do this as soon as you get your Internetconnection, and then keep the firewall definitions updated.

Computer Maintenance Tip # 7 ± I nstall anti s pyware programs

Spyware is a term used to describe several unauthorized applications that install on your computer whenyou browse the Internet, and then they make a connection between your computer and the host server.These programs can relay private information from your computer to the host server. Spyware is a chief element of identity theft in today's times. Fortunately, there are several good antispyware programs thatyou can install to protect your computer from such threats.

Computer Maintenance Tip # 8 ± Keep adequate di sk s pace

Never fill your hard disk to full capacity. This will make your computer run slow and can cause damage to



the disk even. Keep at least 100 MB free space. However, the hard disks available today havehumongous capacities, so this problem will probably never arise.

Computer Maintenance Tip # 9 ± U se peripheral devices carefully

For all peripheral devices, you must exercise care when making direct connections with your PC.Especially when you are removing them, don't just yank them out. Turn off the device through thecorresponding software first, and remove them only when they say it's safe to remove the device.

Computer Maintenance Tip # 10 ± C lean out the temp files

Temp files are created when you are working on any application on your computer. These are not user-readable files, but they are records for the computer to use the applications easily the next time. A similar analogy is found in cached files when using the Internet. These files can accumulate to a large extent andcan clog the computer, making it run very slow. You must regularly visit the temp or cache folder andclean out these files.

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