Computer Architecture: Gaming PC Build, Functionality, and Comparison

This project delves into the construction of a gaming PC, meticulously detailing each component and its role in achieving optimal performance. The student begins by selecting a computer with the primary objective of running high-configuration games smoothly, choosing components such as an Intel Core X processor, an ATX motherboard, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 graphics card, 8GB of Samsung RAM, a 2TB hard drive with a Samsung EVO SSD, a Corsair VS450 power supply, an NZXT Hx00i CPU case, and an Antec A40 CPU cooler. The project then explores the future-proofing of the system, highlighting the upgradability of components like the graphics card and RAM, as well as the expandability of storage. The determination of functionalities includes discussing potential upgrades for the CPU, RAM, and storage. The project also includes a detailed comparison of the selected components with alternative options, providing justifications for each choice. The final section provides references to support the component selection and build decisions.

Running head: - COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
Table of Contents
1. Choice of Computer and features:..........................................................................................2
2. Future and Abilities:...............................................................................................................6
3. Determination of functionalities:...........................................................................................6
4. Building of Computer:...........................................................................................................7
5. Comparison of systems:.........................................................................................................8
6. References:...........................................................................................................................10

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1. Choice of Computer and features:
The computer that shall be chosen will have the primary objective of performing
efficiently for the purpose of gaming. The computer features as well as the components shall
be chosen considering the fact that the computer will have the potential ability to run high
configuration games with ease and with smooth functionality (Betancourt et al., 2018).
Hence, the following features and components shall be included for building the computer,
i) Processor- the processor shall be of high quality to ensure the fact that games run
on the system shall entertain no lagging and the game must run in the smoothest
way that is possible. In regards to this, the processor Intel Core X will best serve
the purpose and the objective that is being looked towards. Price- $1234.49.
Figure-1: Intel Core X
(Source- Betancourt et al., 2018)
ii) Motherboard- the motherboard of the system shall be chosen in regards to the fact
that the board shall have the ability to provision all the other components with
slots and to make them run at their greatest efficiency for the optimum
performance (Shen et al., 2017). This can be done by using an ATX motherboard.
Price- $60.71.

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Figure-2: ATX Motherboard
(Source- Shen et al., 2017)
iii) Graphics card- this is a video card that acts a primary contributor towards
improving the video resolution of the games at the optimum level without lags and
fixes. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 shall be the best for this purpose. Price-
$498.28.
Figure-3: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660
(Source- Black, 2017)
iv) Memory or RAM- carries out the primary responsibility of keeping the machine
healthy by making it run smooth as well as provides space for the other
applications to work smooth as well (Black, 2017). A Samsung 8 GB memory
shall be okay for the primary gaming purpose. Price- $65.03.

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Figure-4: Random Access Memory
(Source- Hwaitat et al., 2018)
v) Storage- allows the user to store data as well as information. A 2TB hard drive
will be okay for a gaming PC. However, an external Solid State Drive will provide
with storage along with faster running of the applications (Hwaitat et al., 2018).
Samsung EVO is the preferred SSD out here. Price- $99.72.
Figure-5: Samsung EVO
(Source- Prior et al., 2017)
vi) Power supply- this component has the primary and the only responsibility to
supply the computer and all the other parts of the computer with the required
amount of power for running. Corsair VS450 has been chosen. Price- $51.61
(Prior et al., 2017).

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Figure-6: Power Supply
(Source- Lopez, Guynn & Lu, 2018)
vii) CPU case- the CPU case that has been chosen for the gaming PC should be tool
less as much as possible and provisioning with multiple routing and cabling
facilities for the objectives and purpose for which the computer is built. NZXT
Hx00i-series has been chosen for this purpose. Price- $344.76.
Figure-7: NZXT Hx00i
(Source- Liu et al., 2019)
viii) CPU coolers- for gaming on computers, there is a lot of heating inside the CPU
case due to the high radiant features and functionalities of the top-rated games. As

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a result, the CPU coolers are integrated to keep the internal temperature of the
machine cool. Antec A40 socket shall be used for this gaming PC. Price- $33.67.
Figure-8: Antec A40
(Source- Patterson & Hennessy, 2016)
2. Future and Abilities:
The computer system that has been selected along with the components that shall be
used for building up the gaming computer has been provided with components that are
upgradable in regards to the future as well as the increasing functionalities of the games that
are releasing.
Such as, the graphics card and the memory of the computer is upgradable (Patterson
& Hennessy, 2016). Following this, the SSD storage and the hard drive is also expandable
that will greatly help towards meeting the future needs of configuration in relation to the
upgraded games that are getting released every year.
3. Determination of functionalities:
In regards to the increasing upgrades of the games, there is a need for a significant
upgrade of the components to increase the performance of the PC. The CPU can be upgraded
to a better version by upgrading the motherboard and the Processor.

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Currently, the Motherboard has four DIMM slots. In regards to the need of upgrading
the RAM, more RAMs can be placed on the motherboard to increase the functionality and
efficiency of the current system (Liu et al., 2019). For increasing the RAM, newer RAM can
be installed on the empty slots to increase the performance of the system.
For the SATA connectors, 4 are already available apart from the ones that are
connected to components within the CPU. This can greatly used for upgrading the PC by
connecting newer components within the CPU Case.
Lastly, the motherboard has NVME slots for connecting the SSDs (Lopez, Guynn &
Lu, 2018). Currently, the Motherboard has 3 NVME slots for connecting more storage
devices.
4. Building of Computer:

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5. Comparison of systems:
Component Model and Price Choice Reason
Old New
CPU (Processor) Intel Core i9
Price-
$1234.49.
AMD Ryzen 5
2600.
Price- $125.98.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Smoother working and
cost-effective.
CPU Cooler Antec A40.
Price-$33.67.
Cooler Master
Hyper 212 RGB.
Price- $44.99
Cooler Master
Hyper 212 RGB.
Better service and keeps
the CPU temperature
optimum for gaming.
Motherboard ATX
Motherboard.
Price- $60.71.
ASUS Rog Strix
B450-F. Price-
$129.99.
ASUS Rog Strix
B450-F.
Provides with better
video resolution and
better compatibility to
other components.
Memory (RAM) Samsung
8GB. Price-
$65.03.
Corsair Vengeance
LPX 16 GB. Price-
$74.98.
Corsair Vengeance
LPX 16 GB
Faster and greater
efficiency in running of
applications and gaming.
Storage (SSD) Samsung
EVO. Price-
$99.72.
Seagate Barracuda
Compute. Price-
$54.98.
Samsung EVO. The price might be
higher but provides with
greater speed than the
Seagate SSD.
Video Card Nvidia
GeForce
GTX 1660
Price-
$498.28
ASUS GeForce
RTX 2080. Price-
$1279.99.
Nvidia GeForce
GTX 1660.
Low cost with greater
services such as smooth
running of the high
configuration games and
with better video quality
as well as resolution.
CPU Case NZXT Hx00i.
Price-
$344.76
Fractal Design
Meshify C ATX
Mid Tower Case.
NZXT Hx00i. The price might be more
but comes in with greater
space for components to

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Price- $99.98. be integrated and with
RGB Lighting scheme.
Power Supply Corsair
VS450
Price- $51.61.
Corsair RM 750.
Price- $124.99.
Corsair RM 750. Lower power
fluctuations and no
intervention while
gaming.

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6. References:
Betancourt, H. E., Armijos, D. A., Martinez, P. N., Ponce, A. E., & Ortega-Zamorano, F.
(2018, December). Portable Expert System to Voice and Speech Recognition Using
an Open Source Computer Hardware. In 2018 2nd European Conference on
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) (pp. 564-568). IEEE.
Black, M. (2017). Teaching Computer Hardware with Software.
Hwaitat, A. K. A., Shaheen, A., Adhim, K., Arkebat, E. N., & Hwiatat, A. A. A. (2018).
Computer Hardware Components Ontology. Modern Applied Science, 12(3), 35-40.
Prior, D., Biscoe, I., Rofe, M., & Reuben, F. (2017). Designing a system for Online
Orchestra: Computer hardware and software. Journal of Music, Technology &
Education, 10(2-3), 185-196.
Patterson, D. A., & Hennessy, J. L. (2016). Computer Organization and Design ARM
Edition: The Hardware Software Interface. Morgan kaufmann.
Liu, C., Yao, H., Hu, C., Tong, H., Liu, Y., & Wang, Y. (2019, August). A Cloud-based
Virtual Experiment Platform for Computer Hardware Teaching. In 2019 IEEE
International Conference on Computer Science and Educational Informatization
(CSEI) (pp. 68-71). IEEE.
Shen, S., Shan, Y., Wei, Z., & Jiang, W. (2017, July). The Progressive Training Mode of
Computer Hardware Talents. In 2017 3rd International Conference on Economics,
Social Science, Arts, Education and Management Engineering (ESSAEME 2017).
Atlantis Press.
Lopez, L., Guynn, M., & Lu, M. (2018, December). Predicting Computer Performance Based
on Hardware Configuration Using Multiple Neural Networks. In 2018 17th IEEE

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International Conference on Machine Learning and Applications (ICMLA) (pp. 824-
827). IEEE.