Devry COMP129 course project

BUILDING A PERFECT PC!

The COMP129 project is designed to help you apply what you are learning each week using current hardware and software options to build a PC that meets a specific purpose. Although your Final Project is due in Week 7, you will begin working in Week 1 and continue adding components to your computer in each week of the class. Start by selecting the purpose of your computer and a budget. Then you can work each week to select components for your PC based on what you are learning in your class activities. Download the project deliverable template and create a spreadsheet in Week 1. (Remember, you will be turning in these two files in Week 7.) Build on these during the term as you work on building your perfect PC.

Guidelines

Plan to build your perfect PC. (Remember, you are to select each part of the computer. No kits are allowed. No prebuilt computing devices are allowed. This project is designed to help you apply what you are learning each week using current hardware and software options.) Use the lab project template to turn in your project questions. Attach an Excel spreadsheet that includes the major components, specifications, parts, vendors, pricing, and total cost as outlined below. (You can add additional rows and columns to the Excel template if you want to add more than the minimum in your completed computer build).

1. Plan the purpose of your computer. (Remember, Chapter 10 in your textbook will give you some ideas on what you might select as a purpose.)
2. Preplan a price range and try to stick to it. (Were you able to stick to your budget? Why or why not?)
3. List all major components in your spreadsheet template. (Include at least the motherboard, processor power, memory, drives, and monitor size. Add to this list as needed).
4. Determine all necessary parts to buy. (Include at least the case, expansion cards, NIC, and keyboard. Add to this list as needed.)
5. Include OS and software.
6. Update an Excel spreadsheet with all specifications and parts.
7. Price parts from two locations. You may use brick-and-mortar stores in your area, such as TigerDirect, and online sellers, such asnewegg.comorhttp://www.tigerdirect.com/. You can do all of your comparison shopping online, if you desire. (You will be adding in the prices from these two locations as separate columns in your spreadsheet. See Item 8 below.)
8. Update your spreadsheet with the seller’s name, prices, and totals. (Make sure you add the vendor, price, and total for all the items you select, as well as the total for the computer as a whole.)
9. Write a 4–5-paragraph report on your learning and experiences in completing this project. Make sure to include an introduction, two to three paragraphs about the project, and a conclusion for full credit on this part of the assignment. Remember, this portion of the project is worth 10 points, so make sure you are thorough and complete in your essay.

Grading Rubrics

 Remember, you will have two files to submit in Week 7: the project template and your Excel spreadsheet.

Best Practices

Work each week: Although your Final Project is due in Week 7, start working in Week 1 and continue adding components to your computer in each week of the class. In Week 1, you will be selecting the purpose of your computer, as well as a budget. Find a purpose that will be interesting to you as you address the components each week throughout the course. (Remember, Chapter 10 in your textbook will give you some ideas on what you might select as a purpose.) You will work each week to select components for your PC based on what you are learning in your class activities.

Budget: Were you able to stick to your original budget? Why or why not? Include this information on the project template.

Template: Use the project template to answer the questions and frame your project deliverables. Make sure you write in complete sentences and address all sections of the project. The component lists are the minimum—add in additional items as you find them each week. Different computer purposes and budgets will require different considerations for parts and budget. Make sure you add in everything necessary for your specific purpose. Did you have to modify your budget as you worked to select components each week?

Excel: Create an excel spreadsheet that includes all of the gradable items.

1. List all major components in your spreadsheet template. Include at least the motherboard, processor power, memory, drives, and monitor size. Add to this list as needed.
2. Determine all necessary parts to buy. (Include at least the case, expansion cards, NIC, and keyboard. Add to this list as needed.)
3. Include OS and software.
4. Update an Excel spreadsheet with all specifications and parts.
5. Price parts from two locations: You may use brick-and-mortar stores in your area, such as TigerDirect, and online sellers, such asnewegg.comorhttp://www.tigerdirect.com/. You can do all of your comparison shopping online, if you desire.
6. Update your spreadsheet with the seller’s name, prices, and totals. Add the prices from the two vendor locations as separate columns in your spreadsheet. Make sure you add the vendor, price, and total for all items you select, as well as for the computer as a whole.

Essay: Make sure to include an introduction, two to three paragraphs about the project, and a conclusion for full credit on this part of the assignment. Remember, this portion of the project is worth 10 points, so make sure you are thorough and complete in your essay. Talk about the purpose and budget issues, as well. How did you use your budget to select components? Were there any surprises? Were you able to stick to your original budget? Why or why not? Were there things you ended up not adding due to budget restrictions? These are only some things to consider as you assess your project work for the term.

Week-by-Week Additions to the Project

Week 1:This week is an introduction to hardware and software, and you will learn to identify basic computer components and the role of the operating system. Make sure you decide on a purpose for your project and an associated budget. (Remember, Chapter 10 in your textbook will give you some ideas on what you might select as a purpose.)

Week 2:This week is an introduction to motherboards, CPUs, memory, and BIOS/CMOS. Apply what you are learning this week to your Course Project by investigating which motherboard, CPU, and memory selection is appropriate for your computer build.

Week 3:This week is an introduction to the basic function of the operating system the most common types of operating systems available. Apply what you are learning this week to your Course Project by investigating which OS is appropriate for your computer and what version to install.

Week 4:This week is an introduction to how a hard drive works and what forms of peripherals, backup, and storage devices are available. Apply what you are learning this week to your Course Project by investigating what hard drive, peripherals, and storage media you want to include with your system.

Week 5:This week is an introduction to networking and networking components. Apply what you are learning this week to your Course Project by investigating what NIC to include with your system.

Week 6:This week introduces topics related to security. Apply what you are learning this week to your Course Project by investigating what OS to include with your system. In addition, decide how to handle physical security issues for your computer, as well as what you will use to help fight malware and viruses. Are you going to choose a firewall? Why or why not?

Week 7:The Course Project is due this week and covers what was learned in previous week's about the components.

NAME
DATE
PROFESSOR
COMP129 PROJECT

Remember to use this template to submit your class project. Save the file with your name and COMP129 Project in the title. (Remove this comment before you turn in your lab!)

1. What purpose did you select for the computer you will be building?

ADD IN ANSWER HERE.

1. What price range did you select for the computer you will be building? Were you able to stay within budget? Why or why not?

ADD IN ANSWER HERE.

1. List all major components in your spreadsheet template. Include at least the motherboard, processor power, memory, drives, and monitor size. Add to this list as needed.

HAVE YOU CREATED AN EXCEL SPREADSHEET FOR THIS PROJECT? ARE THESE INCLUDED IN YOUR SPREADSHEET?

1. Determine all necessary parts to buy.(Include at least the case, expansion cards, NIC, and keyboard. Add to this list as needed.)

What parts did you decide to buy? ARE THESE INCLUDED IN YOUR SPREADSHEET?

1. Include OS and software.

What OS and software did you decide to include? ARE THESE INCLUDED IN YOUR SPREADSHEET?

1. Update an Excel spreadsheet with all specifications and parts.

HAVE YOU UPDATED YOUR SPREADSHEET?

1. Price parts from two locations. You may use bricks and mortar stores in your area, such as TigerDirect and online sellers, such asnewegg.comorhttp://www.tigerdirect.com/. So you can do all of your comparison shopping online, if you desire.

WHAT TWO LOCATIONS DID YOU CHOOSE TO PRICE PARTS? (YOU WILL BE ADDING IN THE PRICES FROM THESE TWO LOCATIONS AS SEPARATE COLUMNS IN YOUR SPREADSHEET. (See item #8 below))

1. Update your spreadsheet with the seller’s name, prices, and totals.

ADD IN THE PRICES FROM THESE TWO LOCATIONS AS SEPARATE COLUMNS IN YOUR SPREADSHEET. MAKE SURE YOU ADD THE VENDOR, PRICE AND TOTAL FOR ALL ITEMS YOU SELECT AS WELL AS THE COMPUTER AS A WHOLE.

1. Write a 2–5 paragraph report on your learning and experiences in completing this project. (10 points)

MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE AN INTRODUCTION, 2-3 PARAGRAPHS ABOUT THE PROJECT, AND A CONCLUSION FOR FULL CREDIT ON THIS PART OF THE ASSIGNMENT.

DELETE THIS SECTION BEFORE YOU TURN IN YOUR PROJECT REPORT:
Week by week additions to the project:
Week 1: This week is an introduction to hardware and software and you will learn to identify basic computer components and the role of the operating system. Make sure you decide upon a purpose for your project and an associated budget.

Week 2: This week is an introduction to motherboards, CPUs, memory, and BIOS/CMOS. Apply what you are learning this week to your Course Project by investigating which motherboard, CPU, and memory selection is appropriate for your computer build.

Week 3: This week is an introduction to the basic function of the operating system the most common types of operating systems available. Apply what you are learning this week to your Course Project by investigating which OS is appropriate for your computer and what version to install.

Week 4: This week is an introduction to how a hard drive works and what forms of peripherals, back-up, and storage devices are available. Apply what you are learning this week to your Course Project by investigating what hard drive, peripherals, and storage media you want to include with your system.

Week 5: This week is an introduction to networking and networking components. Apply what you are learning this week to your Course Project by investigating what NIC to include with your system.

Week 6: This week introduces topics related to security. Apply what you are learning this week to your Course Project by investigating what OS to include with your system. In addition, decide how to handle physical security issues for your computer, as well as what you will use to help fight malware and viruses. Are you going to choose a firewall? Why or why not?

Week 7: The course project is due this week and covers what was learned in previous week's about the components of a computer system. Be sure to turn in the Lab Project Template as well as your spreadsheet.