Diamond
Phoenix
Diamond
Phoenix
Computer Consulting
"With the Horse Owner in Mind"
Over 30 Years of Professional Experience
We offer Good Old-Fashioned Service Before, During and After the Sale and that is hard to come by these days!
We perform just as if it were for Ourselves and
We are not easy to please, mind you, and like I always say "Computer Doctors Make the Worst Computer Patients!"
And it is True! We will explain in language that is easy to understand for You.
We have numerous References who will recommend Our Services. Ask Us about them, if you desire.
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Computer Parts are known as "Computer Hardware"
Before you buy or upgrade your own computer, let's go over all the different components we'll need in order to build your own computer. Now you have seen a list of computer parts that are common to all computers and you are ready to have a full picture of how your new computer look like .
Once you see how it is to assemble computer parts into a computer you will be convinced and feel like trusting an expert to do this.
You need someone to trust who has the knowledge and experience to do this and get you into a reliable well built system.
Buying from an independent computer systems integrator will save you money and win your trust. You will save hundreds in the end, if you plan on buying a computer from an expert.
Below are some general parts that are common. You can get more expensive and faster hardware than those listed below, however, at greater expense.
1.) Computer - Computer Case and Power Supply
The Case also known as a tower is the frame that holds and protects all your computer parts. The power supply recieves the electricity from the wall and divides and rations the power sent to each of your computer parts.
Don't get a power supply smaller than 250watts.
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Various Case Sizes and Styles Available
Get a nice large case (like the one above) a "MEDIUM TOWER CASE" - that has enough room for you to work on your computer. I personally have one like the one pictured on the right. (above-most picture on right)
Also get a case that has several cooling fans. Today's CPU's run very fast and very hot, so you need a case with good cooling capabilities to keep your computer from melting down.
Best Selection is the Generic (NOT Proprietary!!) ATX type Computer Case-based system. Easier to expand and repair the internal components.
Mini Tower Case
Currently one of the most popular styles for new PCs, and the most popular of the stand-up style case, the mini tower is the case of choice for many homebuilders. It is roughly the same size as a desktop case, but due to its design is generally easier to use and often has more capacity. It also tends to keep components cooler than a desktop case. Since it is not nearly as large as a full tower case, many people put the mini tower on the desktop, next to the monitor. This is particularly preferable if you are using a larger (17" or larger) monitor. Putting an 80 pound 20" monitor on top of your desktop case is not good for your eyes, and not good for the system either!
Medium Case - Very popular for powerful systems:
One of the most popular styles for new PCs, and Maybe one of the most popular of the stand-up style case, the mini tower is the case of choice for many builders. It is roughly the same size as a Large desktop case, but due to its design is generally easier to use and often has more capacity. It also tends to keep components cooler than a desktop case.
Full Tower Case
A full tower case is the largest standard PC case available on the market. These units are big, heavy and at two to three feet in height, are intended to be installed on the floor. (I had one on my desk at work once but then, I'm weird. It was butt-ugly.) Towers are the most flexible, expandable cases, with many drive bays to support a large number of internal devices. They normally come with larger power supplies to support these devices (but not always) and since they are so roomy, they are the easiest to work in and the best at keeping components from overheating. This makes them the choice of many power users and homebuilders. They are, naturally, also the most expensive type of case.
A view of a Typical Tower Case & Its Contents
The picture above shows the MOTHERBOARD or MAINBOARD.
Power Supply & Auxilliary Cooling Fan
2.) Computer - Motherboard
The motherboard is what all the other computer parts plug into. It links the parts together and makes them work together.
The type of motherboard you get determines how upgradeable your system is. I recommend that you get a good motherboard that has plenty of room for expansion. You can add a fast AGP 3D graphics card for games.
If you want you can browse a range of motherboards here: www.asustek.com
Socket 478 is the type of connector to the CPU. Pentium 4s use socket 478 while AMD Athlons use socket A.
3.) Computer - CPU (Central Processing Unit)
This is what makes your computer run. There are two main brands of CPU's to choose from: Intel (Pentium) Computer Parts - and AMD. Both are great companies and have excellent products. The Intel Pentium series is by far the most common processor on the market and has the most compatible parts available to it. I recommend a Socket 478 Pentium Pentium 4 processor 2GHz or higher. The AMD "Athlon" is also an excellent series!
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If you want a cost effective computer then get a socket 478 motherboard and CPU. When you take into account all the other costs like memory then this is the best buy.
Most socket 478 motherboards have Intel components are very stable. This means that your computer will crash less often.
If you want to see all the different types of socket 478 CPUs you can browse Intel Processors here: www.intel.com
Celeron versions are slightly slower than full strength Pentium 4 but are a better value.
1. Socket 478:
This is for the Intel Pentium 4 CPU. You can get 1.6 to 3.x gigahertz Pentium 4s. The higher numbers correspond to faster CPUs. There are huge increases in price as you go up in speed so I recommend you always buy at the middle of the row. These processors are very expensive and the motherboards for them are also costly. Pentium 4s are very fast processors. In fact the 3.x gigahertz Pentium 4 is the fastest processor you can currently get. Pentium 4s are especially good at dealing with audio/video editing.
2. Socket 370:
This is for the Pentium III/Celeron CPUs. The Celeron CPU has a bit less performance but is also much cheaper. Both the Celeron and Pentium III are currently the lowest priced CPUs around. However some good deals can be had on these parts if you shop around. If you want to get the best value CPU around then click on the link below. You won't find a better deal. This type of CPU is great for word processing, playing games and surfing the net. If you can get a good price and don't need top of the line performance then you can't go wrong with a Celeron.
3. Socket A:
This is for AMD's Athlon XP and Duron processors. The Duron is a cheaper and slower version of the Athlon. Currently these chips offer the best price, performance ratio. I currently use an Athlon XP CPU and I have been totally happy with it.
Tips:
You always have to pay a great deal more if you want extra performance. The golden rule is to never buy the top model. The prices for the best are always way out of line with the extra performance you will receive.
If you are after a really cheap computer then I recommend getting a Socket 370 based Pentium 3 or Celeron. If you want to play games then spend some of the money you saved on getting a better graphics card.
You can get more expensive and faster hardware than those listed here, however, at greater expense.
Among these are AMD Sempron, Athlon X64, INTEL DUAL CORE, Pentium D, XEON, Quad-Core...the list is Endless!
4.) Computer - Cooling Fan & Heat Sink
A cooling Fan device that sits on top of the CPU. Todays CPUs are are very powerful and they run very hot, therefore you need a Cooling Fan & Heat Sink to keep your cpu from overheating and melting your motherboard.
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Make sure the cooling Fan is compatible with your CPU, remember Intel and AMD have different sockets.
Get a cooling Fan that is mounted on top of the heatsink. A heatsink is like a radiator.
Make sure you get thermal paste with your cooling Fan.
Don't skimp...get a quality cooling Fan. Ball-Bearing Fans are best.
5.) Computer - RAM (Memory)
RAM is memory that your computer uses to run programs and software applications on your computer. Without RAM your computer won't function.
You need at least 128MB of RAM, but I personally recommend that you get 256MB or 512MB or more. The more RAM you have the faster and more smoothly your computer will run.
You can get more expensive and faster hardware than those listed here, however, at greater expense.
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SD RAM - For Lower End Systems Support Motherboard Speed From 66Mhz To 133Mhz
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DDR RAM - For High End Systems Support Motherboard Speed From 266Mhz To 400Mhz
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EDO Simm Memory For notebooks/laptops and printers. |
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DDR SDRAM is the type you want for a socket 478 or socket A motherboard. Read the motherboard specifications to find out exactly which memory will work best and compatible with your Motherboard.
There
is DDR-2 RAM out available now. 
6.) Computer - Hard Drive
The hard drive is where your programs are installed and where you save information on your computer. Get at least a 30GB Hard Drive.
You always need more space so buy as much as you can afford. Buying more space doesn't cost much extra so I recommend you get at lease a 30 GB and above drive like the one above with 7200 RPM (more faster when reading data)
The hard drive is where your installed programs are stored. Lots of storage space means that you can have a wide variety of different software at your fingertips.
7.) Computer - CD-RW/DVD Writer (CD Burner)
A CD Writer allows you to burn music, pictures, video, files, or programs onto a black CD so that you can share them with others.
Any CD Writer faster than 32x is plenty fast.
CD-RW 0.7 GB of data so you can record up to 1 hour of streaming video. |
DVD-RW 4.7 GB of data so you can record up to 4 hours of streaming video or 8.5 GB Double Layer version with TWICE the cpacity! |
CD writers are very handy if you want to share large lots of digital pictures or video. DVD writers/burners have recently dropped dramatically in price.
You must have a CD ROM drive to install Windows and other applications. With CD writer drives so cheap it makes sense to simply get a CD writer and use that as or with your CD ROM.
You may want to buy a traditional CD ROM drive as well, as it is very convenient if you want to copy a CD. You put the CD you want o copy in the standard CD ROM drive and blank CD in the CD Writer, and then you click copy and your computer copies the cd onto the blank one.
8.) Computer - Floppy Drive
Floppy drives are going out of style, but they are not gone yet, a ton pf people still use floppy disks, so I recommend that you get a floppy drive for your computer.
You don't need to spend a lot of money on a floppy drive. You can get a good on for around under $20.00.
9.) Computer - Graphics Card / Video Card
The Graphics card also know as a video card is what turns your computer data into visible graphics. Get at least a 16MB (more if you plan on playing hi-rez games) AGP Graphics Card.
AGP graphics cards are about the best but make sure your motherboard has an AGP slot. There are newer PCI-2 ones available as well that are high performance.
The best brands of Graphics Cards are: GeForce and NVidia as well as ATI. Lots to choose from!
If you like to play games on your computer or use photo editing programs, then it is definitely worth it for you to invest in a quality graphics card.
10.) Computer - Sound Card
The sound card is what allows you to listen sounds and music on your computer. The better your sound card and your speakers, the better the quality of sound or music you will hear!
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We recommend a SoundBlaster - by Creative Labs. They are the most common and most compatible brand.
Without a sound card you will hear only the most basic of computer sounds.
11.) Computer - Modem
The modem is what allows you to get on the internet as well as what use to hook your fax or telephone up to the computer.
Get a v.90/v.92 Data Fax Modem. You can still find external self-contained modems at more expense.
56K PCI Fax Modem For PC |
56K PCMCIA Fax Modem For Notebook |
4-Port Cable/DSL Router For Networking & Broadband
If you have cable or DSL internet, then you need a cable or DSL-type modem, You can use these with a router and a network card.
You can also get WIRELESS NETWORKING Gear that makes it convenient to install a network without running cables.
Networking Products - Left - a Wired Router, Middle is a USB Wireless and right is a Belkin Wired/wireless Router
PCI Network Cards - Leftmost one is WIRELESS, right one is an Ethernet WIRED-type.
12.) Computer - LCD Monitor and CRT Monitor
A Monitor is...come on everybody knows what a monitor is :)
LCD Monitor |
CRT Monitor |
If you want to save your eyesight get a 17" LCD screen like the one pictured above. LCD screens are much easier to read from than bulky CRT displays.
If you have a limited budget, you may want to consider getting a traditional CRT monitor, while they are rather big by todays standards, they are much cheaper than the LCD monitors. If you want to browse a range of cheap monitors & LCD's click here.
13.)Computer - Keyboard and Mouse / Input Devices
If you are going to be spending a great deal of time using your mouse surfing or doing graphic design then get a new optical mouse like the one below. This Logitech combo includes both a cordless mouse and matching keyboard.
I use the mouse pictured above and it is very responsive and doesn't get "jammed" with funny brown gunk like old style mice.
Keyboards are pretty much all the same. If you do a lot of typing then spend more. I recommend you get the Logitech keyboard pictured above. I use this keyboard and it works great. The keyboard has great key action and the mouse is precise. The best part of all is that there are no cords to clutter up your desk.
14.) Computer - Speakers
You need to get a set of speakers so that you can listen to music and sounds on your computer.
There is a massive range of computer speakers out there but as with anything you get what you pay for. If you just want some sounds to accompany your game then you can get a pair of speakers for under $10 that will fill the role nicely. But if you like to watch movies and play game on your computer, you will want to get a good set of speakers.
15.) Computer - Printer
You need a Printer to produce your result or data or photo into a paper form.
Laser Printer |
All-In-One Printer ( Print, Scan & Fax)
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352-584-2464
A Full Service Part of
Over 30 Years of Professional Experience
References Upon Request
Brooksville, FL 34601
