A-level ICT: 2014

Computer evaluation using NovaBench

First computer

Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro

Intel Core i7 X 980 3.33GHz running at 3326 MHz

AMD Radeon HD 5800 Series GPU

12287 MB System RAM (Score: 208)
- RAM Speed: 9622 MB/s

CPU Tests (Score: 950)
- Floating Point Operations/Second: 312378456
- Integer Operations/Second: 1184276268
- MD5 Hashes Generated/Second: 1118006

Graphics Tests (Score: 469)
- 3D Frames Per Second: 1296

Hardware Tests (Score: 18)
- Primary Partition Capacity: 59 GB
- Drive Write Speed: 179 MB/s

Second computer

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate

Intel Core i7-3960X 3.30GHz running at 3309 MHz

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 GPU

32707 MB System RAM (Score: 318)
- RAM Speed: 19947 MB/s

CPU Tests (Score: 1281)
- Floating Point Operations/Second: 313751028
- Integer Operations/Second: 1853069400
- MD5 Hashes Generated/Second: 1743291

Graphics Tests (Score: 1769)
- 3D Frames Per Second: 4377

Hardware Tests (Score: 204)
- Primary Partition Capacity: 5309 GB
- Drive Write Speed: 262 MB/s

Comparing the two computers:

The first computer has a system RAM score of 208 which is lower than the second computer’s system score which is 318. This means that the second computer runs a higher memory speed which helps it to work faster without heating up quickly and creating problems.

The CPU it is important because performs basic arithmetic for instance addition, subtraction, multiplication and division at very high speed. The CPU is the most important piece of the computer as it is also known as the “brain” of the computer. The first computer has a CPU score of 950 which is lower than the second computer score which is 1281, this shows that the second computer has higher ability of starting up, loading application, running programs and performing as a better computer.

The graphic test of the first computer is 469 which is lower than the second computers score that is 1769. The second computer presents a higher score which is important because it provides higher quality of the graphics. A high score graphic requires a high speed processor which is provided by the second computer.

The hardware score of the first computer is 18 which is very low compared to the second computer’s score which is 204 which is about 11 times higher. The hardware of the computer is considered to be the most important because without it, it will simply not work.

Improvements that could be made :

The RAM speed could be improved to 6168 MB/s. This will help the computer to be more efficient. You could improve the processor to core i7-3960X 3.30 Hz running at 3309 MHz. This will make the computer to run smoother and open more tabs. The graphic card could be changed to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 GPU to perform better; it helps increase the frames per second. If the graphic card is not increased then some of the high graphics games might lag and also when we watch a high defintion movies (HD) the sound and the image might not synchronize. The other improvements that could be made is changing the CPU to a high score which will help the computer to run better and it will also allow to have a higher graphic score. The score of the first hardware test is lower than the second’s computers hardware test. A higher hardware test means that the computer will detect any inconsistencies between the software units that are assembled together or between any of the assemblages and the hardware with a higher power at a higher speed. The first computer has a price of £539.99 which has a low quality at a high price this will be a disadvantage because the money don't worth it as the scores are very low compared to the second computer which costs only £429.99 and has a higher quality and higher scores.

www: this witness statement proves that you have set up a standalone computer system, installing hardware and software components. P5 achieved.

As lead assessor I confirm this did happen on the date stated above: Phil Wilkinson.

P6

www: this witness statement proves that you have configured a computer system to meet user needs. P6 achieved

As lead assessor I confirm this did happen on the date stated above: Phil Wilkinson.

P7
www. you have shown with this table that you can test a configured computer system for functionality. P7 achieved.

P8

www. you have shown with this statement that you have undertaken routine maintenance tasks on a standalone computer system. P8 achieved.

As lead assessor I confirm this did happen on the date stated above: Phil Wilkinson.

Excellent effort and very well done Devis.