TVL – COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING 11

Name: ______________________________________ Date: ____________________

Grade: ______________________________________ Section: ___________________

Semester: 2 Week: 4 SSLM No. 4 ELC(s): Plan and prepare for maintenance
and repair
➢ Objectives:

A. Identify the three most important components to take in reviewing computer

specifications.

B. Create a complete list of specifications of one set of desktop computers.

➢ Topic: PC Specifications

Let Us Discover

Computer Specifications

What is Specification?

The specification or ‘spec’ is a list of the key components that make up the computer.
It is provided by retailers to help buyers decide which PC, and which combination of features,
they need. When buying a PC you start by deciding what you want your PC to do. This tells
the specification you need.

When reviewing a computer specification, the most important components to take are
the processor, the size of RAM, and the size of the hard drive as these are central to the
overall capability of the system. If it is planned to use specialized programs for students with
special needs, it is advisable to purchase a suitable specification computer to meet the system
requirements for these programs.

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Understanding a Specification
Sample specification for certain desktop computers:

Processors
Two companies - Intel Inc. and AMD Inc. – are the manufacturers of most of today’s
PC processors and both offer a range that balances price and performance. Processors are
generally defined by their speed, in gigahertz (GHz), and this relates to the number of
operations they can perform per second. The higher the value, the faster the PC will perform
and the more expensive it is. More recent and more powerful processors use a 64-Bit
architecture, rather than the previous 32-Bit models.

Memory (RAM)

The main working memory in a computer is called random access memory or RAM.
The processor uses this memory to run programs. RAM is measured in gigabytes (GB). Most
modern computers use DDR 2 RAM.
A minimum of 2024 MB (2GB) of RAM is recommended for general-purpose PCs. 2048
MB (2GB) of RAM is also sufficient for PCs running multimedia applications, i.e., those on
which digital music, digital video, or high-end graphics are being created/edited.

Storage – The Hard Drive

The hard drive is the computer’s primary storage area. It stores the applications and
programs that run on the PC, as well as any work created by users. From a school’s

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perspective, the capacity of the hard drive, measured in gigabytes (GB), is a key criterion and
should be given due consideration when reviewing PC specifications.
A hard drive capacity of at least 80GB is recommended for general-purpose PCs. A
hard drive capacity of 200GB or more is recommended if working with multimedia applications
where large graphics and digital audio/video files are being created and stored.

Other Specifications
Monitors
• The older Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) has been largely replaced by Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) flat-screens. A 15” LCD/LED has the same viewing
area as the older 17” CRT.
• Average entry-level PCs usually come with a 17” flat screen and this is adequate for most
general purpose applications.
• Larger 19” flat screens are available and may be appropriate if video editing and advanced
graphics work are being carried out.
• Teachers of students with special needs may want to consider using larger monitors with
their students.

Optical Drives
CD R/W drives are standard on PCs and allow the information on a compact disc
(either data or audio) to be read and written to by the PC. It is defined by its speed (i.e., 48x
or 48 speed).
DVD drives can read both CDs and DVDs. Standard on entry-level computers are 48x
DVD-ROM/CD_RW drives and allows you to copy blank CDs. High-performance computers
use 52x DVD-RWs. Educational software is being developed in both DVD and CD formats,
but a DVD can hold over 25 times more data than a CD.

Graphics and Sound Cards

These cards are installed inside a PC and are responsible for determining the quality
of the audio and visuals (graphics and video) output by the computer. They hold their memory
(in MB), which is why they add to a computer’s capability. An integrated graphics card with
256MB of memory is recommended for general-purpose PCs. Computers running high-end
applications generally require a separate 256MB graphics card.
A sound card generally comes as standard in most PCs purchased today. If students
intend to work extensively with digital music, the school should consider getting a high-end
sound card as this will create greater depth, complexity, and realism of sound.

Speakers and Headphones

Most computers come with either built-in or external speakers. Schools may also consider
buying headphones to control sound levels within a classroom or computer room. Cheap
‘headphone splitters’ can also be purchased — these enable two sets of headphones to be
used per computer.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

It is recommended that all PCs be purchased with a suitable network interface card (NIC). A
network card allows a computer to be connected to a network. A 10/100/1000 Mbps (Megabits
per second) card is the standard network card today. Few school networks currently operate
at speeds higher than 100Mbps.

Operating Systems (OS)

PCs are generally purchased with an operating system pre-installed. It is worth checking that
your existing software will still work with the operating system of any new systems being

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purchased. It may be possible to choose a particular operating system and, if so, this may
help standardize new machines with existing school PCs. At present, Microsoft’s newer OS is
Windows 10.

Let Us Try

Activity 1. Think It!

1. What are the three most important components to take in reviewing computer
specifications?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
2. Why are they the most important components to consider in reviewing computer
specifications?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Let Us Do

Activity 2. Making a Checklist

Directions: Make a market study on components, their brand, functionality, and cost. You can
research on the website of the computer vendors of the price lists and inquire of its
specifications. Choose two brands then make comparisons. Use a separate sheet for your
answer.

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Activity 3. Computer Specifications
Directions: In this activity, you will create a complete list of specifications of one set of desktop
computers including their brand name and cost. Kindly total all the amount. Use a separate
sheet for your answer.

NAME OF COMPONENTS SPECIFICATIONS BRAND COST

Rubrics

Criteria for the Activity 1, 2, & 3

The performance of the learner will be rated based on the following criteria:
Criteria Excellent (5) Very Satisfactory (4) Satisfactory (3)
Substantial, specific,
Sufficiently developed Limited content with
and/or illustrative content
Content content with adequate inadequate
demonstrating strong
Knowledge elaboration or elaboration or
development and
explanation. explanation.
sophisticated ideas.
The information is The information is The organizational
broken down into a broken down into a pattern is not
block-by-block structure. block-by-block identifiable. Some
Organization
It follows a consistent structure, but may not details are not in a
and Structure
order when discussing follow a consistent logical or expected
the comparison. order when discussing order, and this
the comparison. distracts the reader.
No error in grammar 1-3 errors in grammar 4 or more errors in
and/or spelling that and/or spelling that grammar and/or
Grammar and
distracts the reader from distract the reader spelling distract the
Spelling
the content. from the content. reader from the
content.

References
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 ● CG TVL CSS: Code: TLE_IACSS9-12MRCN-IIa-e-40
● Milambiling, Owen. Computer Hardware Servicing 9 Learner's Materials.
Department of Education-Instructional Materials Council Secretariat (DepEd-
IMCS), 2013.

SSLM Development Team

Writer: Acel S. Monares
Content Editor: Melrose B. Gapate
LR Evaluator: Aida D. Nale
Illustrator: None
Creative Arts Designer: Reggie D. Galindez
Education Program Supervisor - EPP/TLE/TVL: Amalia C. Caballes
Education Program Supervisor – Learning Resources: Sally A. Palomo
Curriculum Implementation Division Chief: Juliet F. Lastimosa
Asst. Schools Division Superintendent: Carlos G. Susarno, Ph. D.
Schools Division Superintendent: Romelito G. Flores, CESO V

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