Velocity Micro Edge Z55

Specs

This gaming computer is everything you could want in a gaming computer kit. From a massive hard drive to an incredibly fast processor with ample RAM to support it, this gaming system packs a serious set of specs that will allow you to run any game out there with ease. Equipped with an MSI Pro motherboard to support each of the computer components, this computer kit is loaded with features.

Let’s start with the the massive hard drive that is attached to this computer kit. It comes with a 1.5 TB SATA II hard drive, which is far more than enough space for most of us. 1.5TB is the equivalent of 1536 GB. A GB is what you will see most hard drive space measured in. Typical hard drives are in the areas between 250GB to 640GB. So it is easy to see that with more than twice the space of a typical hard drive.

On top of the huge storage space in this gaming computer kit, you will get a process or and enough RAM to support incredibly fast load times with very little lag. The process that this computer kit comes with is Intel’s newest line of processor, their i7 series. This processor is a quad core that runs at 3.20GHz. A quad core processor allows you to multitask with great ease, and will not slow down your system in the process.

The RAM equipped on this computer kit is a full 16GB of DDR3 RAM. If we do some rounding, it would take roughly 1GB of RAM to run Windows 7. This would leave of with a whopping 15GB of RAM to play our video games, listen to music, and surf the internet all at the same time.

The graphics card in this computer kit is a full 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5780. This will allow you to play your games like you have never seen them before. This graphics card coupled with an HD LED computer monitor and you will have an experience like none other. This line of graphics card can render your favorite games to be exceptionally clear giving you a more realistic gameplay no matter what game you decide to conquer in the evenings.

The final aspect of this computer that makes it great for a heightened level of gameplay is the integrated HD sound card. It is a full 7.1 surround supported sound card that will allow you to a home theater aspect to video gaming. This will create and experience of feeling like you are actually in the place you are seeing on your computer screen.

On top of the top of the line system specifications, this gaming computer comes with two, not one but two, DVD RW drives. You can burn multiple DVDs at once, use each drive for different programs and games.

Features

The computer tower casing that this gaming computer kit comes with is an aluminum case with a side window that is complimented by a blue LED lighting system. One of the advantages to a side window on your computer casing is that it allows you to view the internal hardware and monitor the cleanliness of the inside of the computer tower.

This computer has 8 USB ports to allow for multiple expansion components to be added to the computer. Two located in the front of the computer casing and the remainder in the rear. It also has an 8-in-1 multimedia card reader to allow for easy uploads of photos and videos from external sources.

Conclusion

This gaming computer is most definitely on the higher and of computer kits when it comes to gaming computers. It packs a lot of punch in it for its price, even if it is one of the more expensive computer kits out there. If you want to look at the computer kit on Newegg.com check it out here Velocity Micro Edge Z55.

MSI Wind Top AE1900 18.5 inch All-in-one TouchScreen Atom Dual Core 1.6GHz Desktop PC (White)

SpecificationsMfr Part Number: AE1900-05SUS-WT3302G25VB

Chipset and Processor

• Processor: Intel Atom 330 Dual Core processor (1.6GHz, 512KB L2 Cache, FSB 533 MHz)
• Chipset: Intel 945GC & ICH7
• Memory: 2GB DDR2-533 Memory

Monitor

• LCD SpecificationsDisplay: 18.5″ WXGA(1366×768)
• 16:9 Widescreen Touch Panel LCD
• Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
• Brightness: 250cd/m2
• Pixel Pitch: 0.3 mm
• Viewing Angle(H/V): 170°/ 160°
• Response Time: 5 ms

Graphics

• Graphics Module: Intel GMA950 Graphics Controller
• shared up to 228MB memory,

Hard Drive

• Hard Disk: 250GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive

Disc Drive

• Optical Drive: Tray-load DVD Super Multi rewriter drive
• support dual-layer burning

Audio

• Audio: Integrated HD Audio CODEC
• 2x Speakers w/ SRS Premium Sound,

Networking Connections

• LAN: 1x Realtek Gigabit LAN
• 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN

Ports

• Interface: 4x USB 2.0 Ports
• 1x RJ45 Port
• 1x Microphone-in
• 1x Headphone-ou
• Camera: Build-in 1.3 Mpixel Web Camera
• Card Reader: 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/xD)

Power Supply

• Power Supply: External 65W DC Power Supply w/ Active PFC

Dimensions

• Dimensions: 14.37 x 18.74 x 1.93 mm

Operating Systems

• Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic,Color: White

Why This Computer?

This All-In-One is a great entry level personal computer for anyone that is looking to be able to use their computer for simple at home projects such as:

• internet browsing
• picture viewing
• movie watching
• office programs: excel, powerpoint, word, quicken

If you are not looking for a computer to play the latest and greatest video games, and you do not do anything too system intensive on your computer, then there is no point in dumping excessive amounts of money into a computer that you will never be able to use the entire system.

All-In-One

An all-in-one PC is a computer that contains the central processing unit or CPU and the monitor encased in a single entity.

Common Features of the All-In-One

• CD/DVD/Bluray drives built in
• Touchscreen capabilities
• 4+ USB 2.0 ports
• Built-In wireless system

Advantages

• Huge Space saver when compared to a desktop
• everything needed comes in the same box
• touchscreen-ability to operate computer from screen or keyboard and mouse capability for almost a completely wireless system (no more rats’ nests)

Disadvantages

• No room for expansion or changing components
• one thing goes wrong with a component very difficult to replace
• price when compared to a desktop, you pay more for the convenience of having an all-in-one

Desktop PC
A desktop PC is a computer that consists of the CPU and monitor encased as separate entities and are controlled with a keyboard and mouse combination.

Advantages

• Get more put into the system for the same price as an all-in-one
• room for airflow, computer will not run as warm as a laptop or an all-in-one
• highly customizable with components and accessories

Disadvantages

• spatially inefficient
• takes longer time to clean and more effort to maintain
• purchase each component separately which takes time and knowledge

Conclusion

Desktop PCs, because of their customization opportunity, make the best choices for the gaming computer route. It is possible to add a lot more into your computer for the money that you pay for it with the desktop PC.

The All-In-One PC makes a great home personal computer because you can do any of the more basic home computer tasks such as internet surfing, video streaming, and word, office or business, applications all really well, and the All-In-One will save you a ton of extra space that a desktop would take up.

Air Cooled

Since computers have been available to the public they have come with the ability to regulate temperature of the central processing unit (CPU) through air cooling systems.

An air cooled system is simply the use of fans built into the case of the computer used to cool of the components inside the computer case to keep it from overheating and melting the individual components of the computer.

In most computer cases you will find the air cooling system.  Based on the size of the computer case, it will determine the number and placement of fans.  Many of the small computer cases will only have one or two fans, one located in the front and one in the rear.

Many of the full mid tower computer case and all of the full tower computer cases have three or more fans built into them.  At least one is located in the front, one in the rear, and one on the removable side plate of the case.

Advantages

• Save money when purchasing the case.
• Fans easily replaceable if they burn out.

Disadvantages

• Constant cleaning of the case because fans move dust and dirt into the case when turned on.
• Weaker cooling power than liquid cooling, which prevents from optimizing the overclocking ability of a computer system.
• If air going into computer from the surrounding environment is already warm air, the effectiveness of air cooling the computer system is greatly reduced.
• Fans use the power supply to run, which draws extra power, and expansion slots away from the other parts of the computer system.

Liquid Cooled

Liquid cooling is the most recent technology that has become available to the computer world in the terms of temperature regulation of your home computer system.

The liquid cooling system uses water or a comparable liquid run through a series of  “pipes” that line the computer case to regulate temperature.  Instead of moving air through the components, the case is design to maximize the heat dissipating properties of water to keep the system from over heating.

Advantages

• Regulates temperature more effectively than the use of fans.
• Does not use the expansion slots in the power supply that multiple fans built into the case does.
• Allows for the overclocking the computer systems more effectively because the system temperature is less of an issue with the more effective liquid cooling.

Disadvantages

• If the cooling system were to go bad, it creates a huge ordeal to replace.
• More expensive to purchase or add to a case.

Conclusion

Trying to decide which case is the best option for you?

If you are building your computer for the home office or for school or business, an air cooled system is your best option.  The reason I say this is because it will save you money on the initial purchase of the case and using your computer to

• search the internet
• monitor text documents
• maybe listen to music

is all that is going to be done then overclocking the system is not even in consideration.  None of the above listed processes are intense enough to require overclocking the system to be able to run them.

If you are attempting to create a system to maximize media and/or gaming experience than a liquid cooling system is your best option.  Overclocking your system is making it run at excessive speeds which generates more heat.  It would require multiple fans to produce the same cooling effectiveness that a liquid cooling system produces.

Choosing your computer case is the first major step in you parts selection process for building your desktop.  When choosing your case there are many factors to take into account.

Some of the factors are solely aesthetic, while on the opposite end of the spectrum  some of the determining factors of the case are purely functional.

Let’s start with the functional properties.  It is easier to match aesthetics to function than to match the function to the aesthetics.

The first factor to analyze when deciding on a case is the size and orientation of the case.  Computer cases come in many shapes and sizes: they range from

• mid-tower cases
• full-tower computer casing
• all-in-one units

Computer Case & Casing Functionality

The major differentiation factor of computer tower casing is the size of the case is what determines the availability of expansion room withing the computer.

Obviously, the larger the case the more room will be available for additional hardware upgrades in the future.

Many tower cases, whether they are full tower or mid tower computer cases, have easily accessible

• USB ports, a
• headphone jack, and a
• microphone jack installed into the front of the case.

Some are located towards the bottom of the case, but some are located in the middle of the case or closer to the top of the case.  Based on where the CPU will be stored in location to the operator of the computer will determine which option is best for you to choose from.

If you have trouble bending over but want your CPU to sit under your computer desk it might be wise to choose a mid-tower or full tower computer case that has the front ports located farther towards the top than to choose a tower case that has them located at the base of the case.

Casing Aesthetics

After you have decided on the layout of your computer case, as far as the functionality aspects, the next step is to look at the aesthetics or the way the computer looks from the outside.

Today’s custom computer cases have so many visual differences that there is potential to create as many computer tower cases as there are people in the world.

When you are determining how you want your case to look, keep in mind

• light displays,
• ‘chrome’ plating,
• color of the case itself, and
• whether or not you want to be able to view the inside of the case from any angle, if at all.

LED light displays are very common in tower casing and come in a variety of colors.  They are most commonly available in blue, green, or red, but they can also be found in purple, yellow, and orange.  However, it is much more difficult to find LED displays for computer cases in those colors so it may increase expenditure.  If that is not a factor then feel free to browse away at the less commonly found colors.

Many computer cases come in black by default.  They are available in many other colors, but the black case is the easiest color to fit into any motif of any room that a computer may be located in.  There are also options available to get an entirely clear case where the inside of the computer is visible from 360 degrees.  Cases come in a plethora of blues, greens, reds, golds/yellows, and silvers.  If there is a certain color case you want, it is very likely that one is available that meets the specifications you are looking for.