Reference no: EM132358600 , Length: word count:2000
Introduction to Computer Systems and Platform Technologies Assignment -
Part A: System Architecture
The pictures (see attached file) are of a modern commercial server motherboard, the ASUS "ROG CROSSHAIR VI HERO"; both the main circuit board and the rear panel. The questions in this part (beginning overleaf) refer to this board and the labeled components.
Main Circuit Board -
Answer the following questions in your own words, and in the context of this specific motherboard make and model. Where explanations are required as part of an answer, they need not be longer than a paragraph (2-4 sentences), or summarized as dot points.
1. For each of the 6 components labeled A, B, C, D, E and F:
a) What is the name generally given to that component?
b) What is that component designed for?
2. For each of the 11 internal expansion connectors, labeled G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, and O:
a) What is the name generally given to that internal connector?
b) Give a typical example of what might connect to it.
c) What standard(s) are supported by that connector? Provide details where relevant or appropriate, such as the version(s) of standards supported, and their maximum bandwidth.
d) Consider how the connector is mated to the system.
i. Which core component (i.e. CPU or chipset) does it connect to?
ii. How does it connect to this core component - does it connect directly, or via a bus or other interface?
iii. Are there any components in between it and the core component?
3. Answer the following questions, noting the source of your pricing information:
a) What is the best price (approximately) of this motherboard, from Australian computer shops/Ebay?
b) If you were to buy 128 GB of memory to upgrade this motherboard:
i. What type of modules would you purchase from Crucial?
ii. How much would you expect to pay for the modules? Provide the full specifications for the modules you select. Please make sure that the selected memory is fully compatible to the motherboard ROG CROSSHAIR VI HERO.
4. As you observe the design of this gaming motherboard is quite different to that of your laptop or desktop. Please answer the following questions.
a) In a few sentences please explain what the main purpose of "gaming computer".
b) Take any 3 hardware features studied in this unit, e.g., CPU, memory, mass storage, display, communication, operating systems, cooling, system/peripheral expansion, power considerations, equipment failure and explain in a few sentences for each feature how this particular computer on ROG CROSSHAIR VI HERO handles these differently from your laptop or desktop.
Back Panel Ports - Rear Panel Connectors
1. Identify the connectors 1 to 11 in the diagram above and state their function.
2. Briefly explain the difference between USB ports, in terms of standard(s) supported and maximum bandwidth in Mbps.
Part B - Building a Recommended Platform Machine
System Categories Description - If you are going to build a computer from scratch for a specific purpose, you will want to keep that purpose in mind when choosing your components; do not just go to the store or an online shop and start buying.
Different configurations suit different purposes. The cost implications of choosing between these uses are huge. A cheap work computer might cost only two or three hundred dollars. A server can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
Spend no more than is required for your usage.
Here are some general system categories:
1. Office computer (Basic System) - An office computer can be expected to do word processing, spread-sheet and database work, network access, e-mail and a little light development of spread-sheets, database, and presentations.
2. Gaming computer (A Gamer's Rig) - Playing the latest video games places heavy demands on a computer, both in terms of graphics and processor performance. To ensure you have the best platform for your digital adventures you will need a machine that has a powerful graphics processing unit, fast internal storage, and a display that can keep up with everything that is going on in the game.
3. Home theatre PC (Video Editing Suite) - A desktop PC for playing HD movies, streaming HD videos, and doing lots of video editing. You need a graphics card good enough at rendering what you need done. Your machine needs to support multithreaded codecs. A large hard drive will be needed.
4. Database server (Server System) - A computer is going to be performing complex tasks (such as using the PHP programming language, database storage, and database retrieval). It holds the database management system and the databases. Upon requests from the client machines, it searches the database for selected records and passes back the results. It needs multiple CPUs, as much RAM as possible, and massive storage.
The parts should be chosen for being affordable, economical, without being over spec based on the purpose described above. Network devices (router, cable, firewall) and network access (internet and intranet) are not in the scope of this assignment and the assumption is that you have them set up already.
Select two categories using the last digit (d) of your RMIT student number:
d - Categories to select
4 or 7 - Gaming computer and Database server
8 or 6 - Gaming computer and Home theatre PC
2 or 5 - Office computer and Home theatre PC
3 or 9 - Office computer and Database server
0 - Home theatre PC and Database server
1 - Office computer and Gaming computer
Task Description -
1. Fill out the following tables (attached) - part model and price - for each of the categories. Please make sure all combinations of parts are compatible.
You may use any site you chose and must state this information in these tables. You may wish to provide screenshots of product store pages.
Feel free to extend the tables to include additional parts
Your aim is to build a system that is fit for purpose, at least cost.
2. Compare and contrast the two categories chosen, and explicitly describe the reason of your choice on each category for each part.
3. Provide some key technical specifications for each specific component you have chosen, such as access times, speed, latency, and throughput.
4. With reference to relevant published benchmarks describe how each chosen part will perform and why it is a good fit to in the system you have specified.
Part C: Junk Yard Special
One weekend you visit a local computer swap meet. While rummaging through a "junk box" at a vendor's stall, you unwrap an antistatic bag to find this somewhat "strange looking" motherboard:
1. Consider the internal expansion interfaces:
a) Why does it have two CPU sockets? What CPU socket standard do they appear to be?
b) What memory standard does it appear to use? How can you tell?
2. When picking this motherboard up out of curiosity, you notice several experienced computer enthusiasts starting to recognize what you have in your hand and start offering their own stories to tell about this motherboard model.
a) What is the make and model of this motherboard?
b) What made this motherboard model so memorable for enthusiasts?
3. One of the enthusiasts has strong doubts that this motherboard, or any other of the same vintage, still works today.
a) What would be your first suspicion as to why they say that?
b) How does the design and construction of the motherboard in Part A differ, which makes this particular failure mode less of a problem to worry about?
Attachment:- Computer Systems and Platform Technologies Assignment File.rar