Evaluation - Building Your Own PC

This grading rubric will be used to grade the final product. Be sure to look it over thoroughly to guarantee you meet all of the criteria needed for the PowerPoint presentation.

CATEGORY	100-90	89-80	79-70	69-0
Necessary Components	Computer contains all of the necessary components needed for it to run properly.	Computer is missing 1 of the necessary components needed for it to run properly.	Computer is missing 2 of the necessary components needed for it to run properly.	Computer is missing more than 3 of the necessary components needed for it to run properly.
Extra Components	The computer has 6 or more extra components.	The computer has 5 extra components.	The computer has 4 extra components.	The computer has 3 or less extra components.
Cost	The computer cost between $2,750 and $3000.	The computer cost between $2,250 and $2,750.	The computer cost between $1,750 and $2,250.	The computer either cost more that $3,000 or less than $1,750.
Presentation Completeness	The entire presentation was completed with information on each page; minimum 10 slides; Supported by spreadsheet and 100 word reflection paper.	The entire presentation was completed with information on each page but with minimal effort.	The presentation was completed with minimal information on pages and minimal effort put into it.	The presentation was not completed. Presented less than 10 slides; missing spreadsheet and reflection paper.
Pictures/Photo	There pictures on each slide; minimum 1 each.	Less than 2 slides are missing pictures.	More than 5 slides are missing pictures.	There are no pictures on the slides.
Sources Cited	There are 5 sources used and cited.	There are 4 sources used and cited.	There are 3 sources used and cited.	There are 2 or less sources used and cited.

Introduction

In today's technology society, an individual’s ability to understand and use technology is a valuable asset to possess. Your task is to demonstrate your skills to use technology to design and build a PC. Here, you will be given a budget and be asked to build a computer to your exact specifications and interests within the budget. You will complete this mission with the Internet research skills that you have mastered throughout the class and present your presentation. Ultimately, this project will give you the experience and knowledge needed to increase your understanding of PC technology. Remember, email your presentation and spreadsheet as an attachment to your instructor at email.

What does it take to build your dream PC? Let's get started!

Task

It is good to see that you are enjoying this mission. Here you and teammates will take your budget of a staggering $3000.00 and build your dream computer, and as in any mission there are objectives that you must overcome. First, you must build a desktop PC (IBM type), nothing against MAC! You can reduce your cost by using open source software. Second, you are not able to go over your budget, this is all the money that you have and you want to use as much of it as you can. Third, this computer has to be built from the ground up, this means no previously built computers that you can just upgrade. Use Microsoft Excel as database to list the components and parts that you want to have. Label the component’s name, model or part number, quantity, cost, taxes, subtotals, totals, and other general data in your database. Use Microsoft Word to prepare a 100-word reflection paper on what you have learned from completing this project. Email the project to your instructor. Other than that, building this computer is completely up to you, I know you will complete this mission successfully.

The Process

Here you will start your mission by using the resources that have been given to you; as well as, going beyond those resources and using your own to start building your dream computer. Below are a few examples of things that you must have in addition to optional items, don't be afraid to go beyond these items. You are strongly encouraged to look at some of these items as well as the grading rubric to achieve optimum success. In the end you will create a presentation showing your computer, all it has to offer, and expalin why it is your dream machine.

Where should you start?

Should I first look at the grading rubric?
What is the primary use for this computer?

What is necessary for the computer to operate?

CPU
Power Supply
Hard Drive
Memory
Cooling System
Operating System
Keyboard/Mouse
Motherboard

What kind of extra things do I want?

Speakers
Printers
Camera
Video Cards
Graphic Cards
Software
Drives
Cables

Is something missing?

Make sure I look over the computer; if you have extras do I need anything to support it.
Should I talk to classmates about any additional necessary components?

Once I have all of the information I need, what is the best way to use it and complete the task?

How do I want to display this on the presentation?
Should I draw a rough draft of what I want the presentation to look like?

Have I checked the rubric and task to make sure that I have completed all aspects of the task?

Is everything from the rubric on the presentation?

The Resources

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000905.html

http://www.buildacomputerguide.com/getting-started.html

http://www.acme.com/build_a_pc

http://www.pcmech.com/byopc

http://www.mysuperpc.com

http://www.buildeasypc.com/index.htm

http://www.cheap-computers-guide.com/build-your-own-computer.html

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Assemble_A_Desktop_PC

http://www.tigerdirect.com

http://www.compinfo-center.com

http://www.daileyint.com/build

Conclusion

Great, now that you have performed this mission flawlessly. You can proudly say that your computer is the greatest PC created as well as be able to defend your design. To top it off, when it comes time for you to buy yourself a real computer, you will know exactly what to look for and be able to get it to your exact specifications.