M1 – Digital Graphics
In this section I am going to talk about how they can upgrade their computer systems and why because as graphics files are large in size they will require a reliable system. I am going to justify each section and explain where they can update their system.
Hardware -
Intel Pentium D 'Dual Core X2' CPU (5.3 Ghz)
VIA Chipset 1066 Mhz Motherboard - slots available: AGP8x (1), PCI (3), RAM (2);
Ports available: LAN (1), USB (6)
512 MB RAM
80 GB HDD (SATA300)
18X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer & Dual Format
Onboard UniChrome PRO 3D Graphics with 64 MB shared memory
Mouse and Keyboard
15" CRT screen
Cheap inkjet printer
VIA Chipset 1066 Mhz Motherboard - slots available: AGP8x (1), PCI (3), RAM (2);
Ports available: LAN (1), USB (6)
512 MB RAM
80 GB HDD (SATA300)
18X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer & Dual Format
Onboard UniChrome PRO 3D Graphics with 64 MB shared memory
Mouse and Keyboard
15" CRT screen
Cheap inkjet printer
Software -
Adobe Photoshop 8
Hardware
Processor:
The processor you currently have within the computer system is Intel Pentium D’Dual Core X2 which is quite good as it will be able to carry out two sets of instructions together but for a graphics computer it will require loads of instructions so I would recommend getting a Intel i7 processor as it has 4-8 cores which then allows the computer to complete many tasks at the same time. There is no point in having a processor that doesn’t do the job you want it to do, this means that if you want a processor to handle graphics then you will need a high in core processor. You can get an i7 processor for around £180 this may seem a lot of money but in content in having a slow system that will not run the required software.
Motherboard:
The motherboard you currently have within the computer system is VIA Chipset 1066 motherboard which is quite good as it has one slot for AGP which is dedicated 3D graphics using a normal computer, 3 slots for PCI which allows you to add graphics card ect and 2 slots for RAM which allows you to add in extra pieces of RAM. Personally I think the motherboard you have already got will be ok for the computer system as it has the required slots within the motherboard to add in all the cards ect you want within the system.
Ports (LAN and USB):
The ports you currently have within the computer system is LAN 1 and USB 6 which will be enough ports as it will allow you to add different peripherals that you can use within the designing section such as graphics tablets and external hard drives for example. If you need to add more peripherals within your system you will be able to use a USB hub which then allows you to add more USBs. Even with one LAN port you will still be able to create a network between the computers within the business by connecting a straight cable into a hub.
RAM (Random Access Memory):
The RAM you have currently within the computer system is 512MB will not run the programs required for the graphics therefore it will have to be upgraded. I recommend that you upgrade your system to at least 4GB then it will be able to run the required software. The software you want within your business is Adobe Photoshop 8 will need at least 1GB to run efficiently. So having the 512 MB RAM wouldn’t run the software and would make your system very slow and possibly crash, as you are a company in graphics you will require a fast reliable computer system. You can upgrade your RAM for around £40 which will then allow you to run the software required for your business.
Hard Drive:
The hard drive you have currently within the computer system is 80GB which is not big enough for all the graphics files you are going to save within the system so I recommend that you upgrade your system to 1TB hard drive so that you will be able to save all the required graphics files that you need within the hard drive than saving then else were. Just think of all the software you will need for graphics to the amount of space they require also having a larger hard drive within the system will reduce the need to use an external hard drive. You can upgrade your hard drive for around £37.
DVD Drive:
The DVD drive you currently have within the computer system is 18X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer & Dual Format which I think will be ok for the graphics computer because you won’t really need to use the DVD drive unless you are creating graphic videos so I think you won’t need to upgrade your DVD drive.
Graphics Card:
The graphics you currently have within your system is Onboard UniChrome PRO 3D Graphics with 64 MB shared memory which is attached to your motherboard so I recommend that you upgrade to a graphics card that is dedicated graphics because for graphics you will require good graphics that allows you to create graphics files and using integrated graphics will not be as good as using dedicated graphics. You can upgrade your graphics card for around £20.
Mouse and Keyboard:
I would recommend that you just keep your mouse and keyboard as graphics computer doesn’t require the use of a different mouse and keyboard. If you want to upgrade it will be around £20 for a standardized keyboard and mouse.
Monitor:
The monitor you currently have within your system is 15” CRT monitor I would recommend that you upgrade to a TFT monitor which will provide features. As CRT monitors are extremely bulky and would take a lot of table space whereas TFT monitors only require limited amount of space, this will be good within a business as you will require many computers within each room. TFT monitors will also attract more customers to your business because they are more up-to-date with technology as you are a graphics company they would suggest that everything is up-to-date equipment. You can upgrade to a TFT monitor for around £30 depending on size and features.
Printer:
The printer you currently have within your business is a cheap inkjet printer, I would recommend that you upgrade your printer to a more efficient printer because within a graphics company you will be required to print out your designs in a multiple different formats and with this cheap inject printer you will be lucky if your designs print out onto paper without losing detail and colour. As your company deals with graphics they will have to have a printer to show end products of different graphics this means that you will have to have a high quality printer to print out the graphics in as much detail as you can to attract more customers. You can upgrade your printer for around £100 - £500 depending on the features you want within your company.
Software
The software you currently have within your company is Adobe Photoshop, I would recommend that you don’t upgrade your systems with a different package all together because Adobe Photoshop provides you will all different features that you can apply to your images. I think that Adobe is the best graphical software you can get in today’s market as it provides you to manipulate photos in a way that you want. If you are to upgrade your software I would recommend that you still use Adobe Photoshop but upgrade it to the newest version.
