Computer Hardware

The Design Problem/ Design Brief

Problem: Our group is to install a video card in a computer that doesn’t have one.

Brief: We aim to solve this problem by reading the instructional document given by Mr. Martin. We are going to install a video card into a computer, so that the video card functions will generate and the output images will be displayed. The cost of an average video card is $150-$300.00 or more. Having this is mandatory for the computer user to view images on the screen. In regards to safety just always be cautious when touching the insides of a computer and make sure your hands are dry and clean.

Analysis:
1. What safety considerations must I keep in mind?
2. How much is a video card?
3. Where can I get a video card?
4. Where else can I learn to install a video card myself?
5. Who is going to need this product installed?
6. What tools will I need?
7. Is there more than one type of video card?
8. Where is the best place to install a video card?
9. How do you make sure the video card works?
10. How much time will it take to install?


Synthesis:

1. The installation process will be safe because we will be cautious with the product and the other components inside of the computer. We will make sure our hands are dry and that we are careful when removing the cover of the computer.

2. The average cost of a video card is $ 150-$300.00 or more

3. Video cards are available in Canada at retailers such as Future shop, Circuit city and online at websites such as tigerdirect.ca.

4. Instead of reading a long document it is so much easier to go on youtube.com and search ‘how to install a video card in a PC’. It shows an actual person installing the video card and giving directions which I find much easier to understand.

5. Anyone who wants to view videos on youtube, clips sent over e-mail or anyone who wants to play video games needs to have a video card.

6. A screw driver and a video card .

7. Yes , depending on what video game of how detailed you want the videos you watch to be, you can purchase more expensive products that will supply you with better and different results.

8. The best place to install a video card is a large, hard, flat surface that is totally cleared off.

9. To make sure your video card works you just have to install it, plug the computer in and turn it on. See if any identification notices come up that there is a new product in the computer and try to watch a video on youtube and see if it works!

10. A video card should only take a maximum of 10 minutes to install if done properly.




Research: When I researched I looked through the internet and searched key words on www.google.ca to get the results that I needed. I also used www.dictionary.com to find the function of a video card. I also looked in the document given by Mr. Martin for examples of questions for the analysis. I have pictures of a video card similar to the one my group installed in a computer similar to the picture on the bottom right corner. The










Evaluation: In our particular design project there are really no cons. You only benefit from installing the video card, it allows you to watch video clips and play video games. Our design worked out well and worked as planned when the PC was plugged in. Our solution is safe and took a minimal amount of time. This would not take very long to install in an assembly line.
There is nothing we could have improved on when we installed the product.