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-Home Personal Computer Page- |
Fox Engineering Inc. PO Box 215 Spencerville, MD 20868 (com)
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| CPU
(average cost): |
Intel quad core and greater processor (or AMD equivalant), nominally 2.4 GHz or more
with Intel
chipset
family. Generally seek the Intel 12th and greater generation
processors (e.g. i5-12xxx)in order to run Windows 11 if so
desired. Intel
generations 10 to 12 will generally be found in refurbished computers,
with generations 13 and 14 most likely be found in
brand
new computers. (Again, there are AMD equivalants) |
| Alternate CPU (lower cost): | Intel
1.6Ghz-class processor w/Intel chipset family (built-in video) -
dual core CPU; i3 family, 10th generation or newer. (AMD
equivalant) |
| Alternate CPU (higher cost and performance): |
Intel
Core i7 hex+ core, 2.5Hz or greater with
Intel chipset family). Note: hyperthreading adds more 'cores'; latest i5-10xxx shows 12 'cores' (6 cores plus 6 hyperthreading) |
| ** BIOS: | Not
a significant factor any more; generally a UEFI managed load sequence
for added security and protections. Current UEFI bios devices generally cannot run legacy (DOS) software. |
| Memory: | 32 GBytes,
(most desktop systems have 2 or 4 memory slots) Note: Motherboards using dual channel memory capability (most), use 2 memory sticks of the same brand, capacity, and speed rating for optimal performance. |
| Alternate Memory: | 16 GBytes memory;
this amount of
memory should suffice for most simple use needs such as Internet
browsing and
word processing and even to some degree simple photo editing. |
| USB Ports: |
Various
motherboards / cases have a variety of USB ports - USB 2, USB 3,
USB 3C. Make sure you have sufficient ports for all your planned
devices plus extras -
Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Printers, UPS status notification, Webcam,
external drives, USB flash memory sticks. |
| Case: | Mini ITX / BTX configuration (or similar) in a small desktop
configuration with possible access to the DVD drive. Some smaller
configurations can exclude the DVD drive and provide an even smaller
configuration. USB
ports get to be the
issue...make sure you have at least 6 with some on the front. One
storage drive would be typical; for Optical - can use slim optical
player
or even an external optical player. Computers typically come in Mini Tower, Desktop, and Micro sizes. Some even come in small squares or on sticks. Easiest accessiblity to internals will be on the Tower, Desktop, and to some extent Micro - in that order. For the home environment, the Small Form Factor desktop models should suffice for ease of access plus small size. |
| Keyboard: | Standard
Windows layout with 104
Keys, USB
connection (or wireless Bluetooth or USB-based 2.4 GHz dongle) |
| Pointing Device: | Optical
mouse with scroll wheel (USB);
touch pad on keyboard. If you have a touch screen, a pen would be
helpful; how functional a touch screen for desktop usage is
questionable from a human dynamics perspective; a touch screen for a
laptop/tablet computing device is almost a necessity. Note: Irrespective of your favorites, pay attention to ergonomics and ease of use. |
| Floppy Disk Drive (FDD): | Not used at all today. But, if needed use an external drive and copy everything off the disks now! |
| Main storage Drive (minimum): | Single Drive
Systems: Primary storage for most simple systems should be in the range of 250 to 500 Gigabytes. A key factor is how much non-operating system storage is needed - e.g. documents, photographs, music. These items are much more valuable and need storage considerations for backup, retention, and recovery in case of loss. Cost effective 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB M.2 storage is readily available. (Backup vital data is absolutely required). Primary storage has evolved to solid state drives - SATA SSD or M.2 SSD. More recent motherboard architecture provides for an M.2 slot and storage is available in M.2 formats from 250GB to 4TB, same with 2.5" SATA SSDs. In either case, solid state storage is NOT / NOT archival - sufficient for regular usage, sufficient for several years. Archival storage of valuable data should be on magnetic media. Basic primary storage should be at least 250GB. Network Attached Storage (NAS) or an external storage drive can extend available storage space. For higher reliability, network attached storage should use dual disk drives configure for RAID 1 (mirroring) or better. Cloud storage may also work but consider if it is down for the moment or not reachable. |
| Alt Storage Drive: | SATA 1
TB,
larger drives for lots of storage of pictures suggested as an
ADDITIONAL drive and not main storage - recommend using
external disks in case the operating system disk crashes. |
| Alternative Storage: | For multiple
computer households, consider storing all data
files on a Network Attached Storage (NAS). This provides for
backup in the event of a workstation failure, but also provides access
from multiple computers / devices. As always mentioned, backup
even the NAS
device and keep copies external to the house; and rotate the backups to
minimize impacts of any potential loss. |
| Performance and
Storage Condiderations: |
Seriously consider
the storage / performance goals of your selection of main
storage. I recently ran a test on a Dell Optiplex 3050 computer using a 7200 rpm HDD, a 2 1/2" SSD, and an M.2 PCIE SSD. The Dell cold boot sequence includes a 5 second display of the Dell logo to more easily select various boot options. 7200 RPM HDD: 63 seconds to boot to desktop; 93 seconds to finish boot and ready to work 2 1/2/" SSD: 29 seconds to boot to desktop; 54 seconds to finish boot and ready to work M.2 PCIE SSD: 20 seconds to boot to desktop; 39 seconds to finish boot and ready to work Conclusion: Recommend the Operating System and Applications run from an M.2 SSD if available otherwise an internal 2 1/2" SSD. You'll get noticably better system performance. |
| Partition Info: | Single user: Recommend 25% to 50% for primary partition for OS and applications. Store all DATA on extended partition (always backup your data) |
| Partition Info: | Multi user: At least 50% of drive for primary OS partition and applications; Store photos, images & common files on extended partition (always backup your data) |
| Optical Disk Drive: | Given a greater tendency to use USB Flash Drives, DVD Reader/Writers are optional. |
| Optional Additional Optical Drive: | DVD Reader
(no write capabilities needed; configuration very suitable for disc
copying to main storage) |
| ** Video Board: | Some
motherboards have Video (and Sound) built-in which may be sufficient. If using add-on video, PCI-Express w/256 Megbytes(minimum); Serious Gamers 4 GB minimum. Make sure the video supports DirectX 12 or better. Many desktop computers and mid to high end video cards support multiple monitors. For serious desktop work consider using two monitors and configure the operating system for dual displays. You'll wonder in amazement how you ever got along without the dual displays. |
| Video Display LCD: | 24"
nominal(resolution
is fixed on LCDs) contrast
>400,
brightness >250 nits Even larger needs use 24" or larger. Some alternatives with HDMI include large screen TVs. It appears that most of the newer video displays are using HDMI and Display Port (DP) connections with VGA rapidly disappearing. In some newer desktop computers, the only native video out is Display Port. DVI (either 25 or 25+4) connections look like they are already gone. If using a device to convert from one output mode to another in order to connect to the Display, pay note to the directional characteristics of the connection. Some only work one-way...from the computer TO the display. Note: If using Windows 10 / 11, a touch screen may help but may not be required - even an "all-in-one" where the computer and display are integrated as a single device. Touch in a desktop environment may be akward due to the distance of the eyes to the screen usually two feet or longer; touch is more viable on a tablet or laptop. |
| Sound Board: | Generally
all motherboards have sound today. Suitable for the average
usageGenerally all motherboards have sound today. Suitable for
the average usage |
| Speakers: | Small is sufficient; generally about $30. |
| Modem: | Digital
Subscriber Line (DSL) - uses existing copper
phone lines and provides about 3mb/sec speeds (down). DSL Modem provides external connectivity to phone line and outputs ethernet or is a router with several ports (and usually a wireless network for the house) [Note: DSL requires low pass filters on all telephone instruments other than the DSL modem]. Fiber (FIOS) - services use direct to the house fiber connections and an Optical Network Terminating Device (ONT) to provide Internet, telephone, and television services. A WAN/LAN Router is also needed which usually provides wired and wireless LAN capability. While speeds up to 1Gbit/second are available, most likely a nominal 300Mbit/second will suffice. Cable- uses cable TV systems for Internet connection and also requires a cable modem, generally to the DOCSIS 3.0 (or above) standard, and has a single ethernet port for direct connection to a single PC or to a router for multiple PCs or wireless. (Note: In many cases you can provide your own company-approved cable modem and save about $150 per year). If you leverage the cable provider for telephone service, a special class of cable modems is required. While speeds up to 1Gbit/second are available, most likely a nominal 300Mbit/second will suffice. Cellular Hot Spot - This mechanism uses the cellular phone system and a modem/cell phone to create a WiFi hot spot and often leverages the data portion of your cell phone account or a fee for special service. But you'll need to manage your data plan as some downloads can be quite large. A separate WiFi "puck" may be available...essentially a dedicated cell-phone type device for networking. 4G and 5G cellular service is beginning to offer home Internet via the 4G/5G network. (Note: Firewall (hardware and/or software) required with any Internet use) |
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Internet
Connectivity (LAN):
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Fixed Wire: 100/1000/2500 Mbit Ethernet (ports usually on motherboard); use Cat 6 or 6E or even Cat 8 unshielded
twisted pair wire for new installations. This most likely will
provide the fastest connectivity. Some 10Gbit service/infrastructure is available. Wireless: 802.11ac (WiFi 5), b, n, or g - wireless networking; for security, use WPA or greater encryption (WPA2, WPA3), consider not advertising SSID, maybe even access by MAC address only. WiFi 6 is readily available, and WiFi 7 is nacent. However WiFi 5 or 6 may suffice for most home/SOHO infrastructures. Internet Gateway: The Internet provider (ISP) will generally enter the premises/house via a gateway router of some form. Generally a router with a wired and wireless capability. Using this single router is workable, but open to vast security pitfalls. We prefer to have additional routers attached to the Gateway router...in essence a double router, double NAT, double firewall configureation. From this second level of routers, internal WiFi can be used, Guest WiFi can be used. In addition, another second level router (WiFi or wired outputs) can be used for Internet of Things (IOT) and/or entertainment devices, thus separating these devices from the core data. Internet of Things (IoT): New household items are more and more desiring Internet connectivity. It is important to place IoT devices on their own sub-network, unreachable to the core network of the house. Security issues continue to emerge concerning IoT devices and attempts to exploit holes in IoT security to access the core network. The IoT network should have its own strong encryption capabilities. Guest Wireless: As with the IoT devices, it may be a good idea to have a Guest Internet Wireless to provide good hospitality to your guests. This keeps your data and their data separate and protects your core network from any malicious interference. Similarly, the Guest Network should have its own strong encryption capabilities. [Some routers can isolate the devices on the Guest/IOT sub-nets from seeing each other] |
| Operating System: | Since Windows 10 is going out of support in Oct 2025, use Windows 11
Home or Pro (64-bit edition for new installations). Windows Account Configuration I like to make sure that for day-to-day operation and overall system security, using Windows is at the USER level and not the ADMIN level. Therefore every system I configure has both an ADMIN-level account and at least one USER-level account. It is recommended that the first account set up during a new Windows installation is ADMIN, I prefer a local account (during installation, do NOT connect to the Internet). Then set up the various USER account(s) which can either be local or with a Microsoft Account. Thus as a minimum, two accounts should exist on the computer. Make sure the Admin account has a password. The purpose of this setup is to make sure that any attempts to install software first ask for ADMIN approval and password...a way to mitigate possible external threats.
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| Alternate Operating System: | A form of Linux (64-bit edition) |
| Green IT: | RoHS specification (no lead); 80 Plus (power supply efficiency better than 80%; EPEAT (Silver minimum); Energy Star 4 or better; Recycle your old computer after cleaning out your data. |
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VIRUS
Protection, Anti Spyware, and
Firewalls
If you connect to
the Internet, you need a minimum
of three
forms of protection against
intruders:
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| Virus Protection | |
| Microsoft: | Microsoft Security
Essentials (free) // Windows Defender |
| McAfee: | VirusScan ($) |
| Norton: | Norton
Firewall ($) |
| Malwarebytes: | Malwarebytes (free and $) |
| TrendMicro: | AntiVirus ? |
| GRISOFT: |
AVG Free
Edition (free and a $ version with additional features) |
| Firewall Protection | |
| Router: | Most
routers have built-in firewalls; firewalls in series (router and
operating system) generally are workable. |
| Operating System: | Many operating systems, including Windows, come with built-in firewalls. |
| McAfee: | Firewall ($) |
| Norton: | Norton
Firewall ($) |
| Always keep your Firewall and Virus Protection software up to date! | |
| ** Recommend You Use a NAME BRANDs only for this item - see below | |
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ABOUT NAME
BRANDS
In some cases, use of Name
Brands
(instead of generic brands) is
critical to system
success. This is especially true for the more modern Operating Systems
like Windows and Linux. The drivers
required to operate the
peripheral devices need to be obtained from
a ready source. Some
generic products do not have WEB or
technical support and it may be impossible
to locate the manufacturer. Use of name brands in these cases also
assures drivers are included infuture
editions of modern
OSs. Use of a
"product compatible"
rating will not
suffice! |
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| Operating Systems | |
| Windows | https://www.microsoft.com/
Recommend Windows 11 for the average user (Windows 10 goes out of support Oct 2025) |
| Raspberry Pi |
https://www.raspberrypi.org |
| Debian
Linux |
https://www.debian.org |
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NOTES
Note:
In buying any computer system, especially refurbished, make sure it has
the ability
to run Windows 11 even if you run another operating system. Note: Any names/trademarks used are NOT an endorsement of those items...but are provided for reference only and are owned by their respective owner(s). Name Brand suggestions are not all inclusive. |
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