COSC2473, RMIT University: Computer Systems Assignment 2 Report

This report, submitted as part of the COSC2473 Introduction to Computer Systems course at RMIT University, presents a comprehensive analysis of computer systems. It begins with a detailed examination of motherboard components, including power connectors, CPU sockets, and various expansion slots (PCIe, DIMM, USB, etc.), as well as their functions. The report then delves into the comparison of two distinct computer builds: a gaming PC and a home theatre PC. This comparison includes a breakdown of each build's components (CPU, motherboard, RAM, storage, and graphics card), specifications, and performance benchmarks. The report also includes a comparison table which contrasts the two builds across various component types. Furthermore, the report addresses the concept of a proxy server, defining its role and key features. Finally, the report includes detailed specifications tables for the components of the gaming and home theatre PCs, including specifications for CPU, RAM, storage, and display. The report concludes with benchmark details for both builds, assessing CPU, graphics card, RAM, and storage performance. This report provides a valuable resource for understanding computer system architecture, component selection, and performance evaluation.

Running head: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Table of Contents
Question 1..................................................................................................................................2
Q1. Table 1:...........................................................................................................................2
Q2. Table 2:............................................................................................................................2
Q3. Answer for Q3:................................................................................................................6
Question 2..................................................................................................................................7
1. Table descriptions..............................................................................................................7
2. Compare and Contrast:.....................................................................................................17
3. Specifications table.........................................................................................................19
4. Benchmark details:...........................................................................................................22
References................................................................................................................................27

2INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Question 1
Q1. Table 1:
Label Name Designed for
A EATX12V1 EATX Power connectors
B EATXPWR1 EATX Power connectors
C CPU1 CPU socket
D VGA_HDR1 VGA connector
E BAT1 CMOS battery interface
F VROC_KEY1 VROC key connector
Q2. Table 2:
Label Name Devices connected Standard/Versions/
Maximum
bandwidth
How it is mated to
the system
G PCIE1 Various server class high
performance add-on cards
PCI Express x8 slot
(Generation 3)
Core component:
LAN card/Sound
card
Connected via: Bus
In-between
components: None
H PCIE2 VGA cards and various
server class high
performance add-on cards
PCI Express x16 slot
(Generation 3)
Core component:
Graphics card/LAN
card/Sound card
Connected via: Bus

3INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
In-between
components: None
I PCIE3 VGA cards and various
server class high
performance add-on cards
PCI Express x8 slot
(Generation 3)
Core component:
Graphics card/LAN
card/Sound card
Connected via: Bus
In-between
components: None
J PCIE4 VGA cards and various
server class high
performance add-on cards
PCI Express x16 slot
(Generation 3)
Core component:
Graphics card/LAN
card/Sound card
Connected via: Bus
In-between
components: None
K DDR4 DIMM
(64bit, 288-pin
module) x 12
slots
DIMM RAM sticks
(4GB to 64GB each
capacity)
DDR4 version
2666/2400/2133
speed supported
Core component:
System memory or
RAM
Connected via: Bus
In-between
components: None
L COM1 serial port module cable 10-1 pin COM1
serial COM port
Core component:
peripheral devices
Connected via:
wired cable
In-between

4INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
components:
connecting cable
M USB3_34 connect a USB 3.0
module
USB 3.0
Up to 5Gbps speed
Core component:
USB 3.0 port
Connected via:
wired cable
In-between
components:
connecting cable
N USB56 connect a USB 2.0
module
USB 2.0
Up to 480Mbps speed
Core component:
USB 2.0 port
Connected via:
wired cable
In-between
components:
connecting cable
O NGFF1 Install an M.2 device like
a Solid State Drive.
PCI-E (2 lanes only)
and SATA interface
Up to 6 Gbps speed
Core component:
Solid State Drives or
SSD
Connected via: Bus
or wired cable
In-between
components: None
P ISATA2,
ISATA1,
4 x Serial ATA devices
for each connector
Serial Attached SCSI
(SAS) HD
Core component:
Hard Disk Drive or

5INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
ISSATA1 6Gb/s speed HDD
Connected via:
wired cable
In-between
components: None
Q SSATA1 Serial ATA signal cable
Secondary SATA port
7-pin SSATA1 Core component:
Hard disk drive
(HDD) or Optical
drives
Connected via:
wired cable
In-between
components:
connecting cable

6INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Q3. Answer for Q3:
1. A proxy server can be defined as a gateway between the user and the internet. It is a
middle server that acts as a separating wall between end users and the websites they are
accessing. A proxy server can provide the user with multiple different levels of security,
functionality and privacy depending on the user’s company policy or need. In today’s world,
a proxy server can also act as a security firewall and web filter. It can also be used to speed
up response to common requests by catching data and sharing network connections.
2. The three main features of the Z11PAU12/10G-2S are:
a) CPU: The central processing unit of this motherboard is very different from our laptop or
desktop as the CPU socket is designed for server based Intel Xeon processor from the
Skylake-SP product family. These server processors are designed to handle much more load
that the normal i5 processor that is in my laptop.
b) Mass Storage: The storage capacity of the server motherboard is much more than my
laptop. The motherboard is capable of handling multiple mass storage hard disks as well as a
solid state drive. It has a total capacity of 4 hard disk drives and 1 solid state drive. This
increases the overall storage capacity and speed of the data transfer.
c) Peripheral expansion: This is a massive advantage of the Z11PAU12/10G-2S
motherboard. The motherboard supports numerous peripheral expansion slots including 2
dedicated x16 graphics card slot and 2 other x8 VGA/LAN/Audio card slots. The
motherboard also supports 12 RAM expansion slots each supporting up to 64GB. These slots
are absent in my laptop and hence no expansion can be done in it.

7INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Question 2
1. Table descriptions
BUILD A: GAMING PC BUILD
Parts Model Cost Link
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6GHz
6-core processor
$294.30 https://
www.amazon.com.au/dp/
B07B428V2L/?tag=pcppau-
22
Motherboard MSI B450M Gaming Plus
AM4 mATX Motherboard
$125 https://www.umart.com.au/
MSI-B450M-Gaming-Plus-
AM4-mATX-
Motherboard_45241G.html?
utm_source=au.pcpartpicker.
com&utm_medium=Website
&utm_content=&utm_campa
ign=commissionfactory&cfcl
ick=307cc2a340bc4a2ab27b
8c6ba8dabc57
Memory CORSAIR Vengeance LPX
16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin
DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000
(PC4 24000) Desktop Memory
Model
CMK16GX4M2D3000C16
$170.50 https://www.newegg.com/
Product/Product.aspx?
Item=N82E16820236345&ig
norebbr=1&nm_mc=AFC-
C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-
C8Junction-PCPartPicker,
%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-

8INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
na&cm_sp=&AID=1044607
6&PID=3938566&SID=
Storage WD 1TB Blue 3D NAND M.2
SSD - WDS100T2B0B
$187.03 https://
www.amazon.com.au/dp/
B073SB2MXT/?tag=pcppau-
22
Graphics ASUS Radeon RX580 STRIX
OC 8GB GDDR5
$369 https://www.ple.com.au/
Products/627787/ASUS-
Radeon-RX580-STRIX-OC-
8GB-GDDR5
Display MSI Optix MAG241C LED
display 59.9 cm (23.6") Full
HD Curved Matt Black 144Hz
$329 https://www.austin.net.au/
msi-optix-mag241c-23-6-
144hz-full-hd-1ms-freesync-
curved-va-gaming-
monitor.html
TOTAL PRICE: $ 1474.83
Compatibility check image:

9INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Product images:

10INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS

11INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS