CS250 Lab 2: Designing a computer
For this lab, you will design (not build) a desktop computer using off-the-shelf hardware. The design should include:
- A description of how the computer will be used. For example, the computer might be used for E-mail, web surfing, and encoding DVD movies. Or gaming and general college work.
- A list of parts which the computer will be built from. All of these must be compatible! This list should include the part, the price, and an explanation of why the part is appropriate to the task (and is not a waste of money). Software is not considered a computer part for this assignment.
The components must be available online somewhere which you can give a link to. Newegg.com is an excellent place to look for parts, and my default source, but there are plenty of places that sell computer parts.
A complete desktop computer should include:
- A CPU
- A Motherboard
- A heatsink for the CPU (often included with the CPU, but not always!)
- RAM
- A hard drive
- A video card
- A case
- A power supply
- In general, you need at least one case fan. This is sometimes included with the case.
- A CD-ROM drive
- Cabling as appropriate. This is usually included with other parts.
You do not need to worry about components outside the case such as keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc.