デザトレ！(Dezatore!): PC Hardware Software

Today I'll be sharing about デザトレ! (Dezatore! - pronounced as day-zah-toe-ray) that we have been doing within our design team on a weekly basis.

“デザトレ! Dezatore!" is a one-hour session set out weekly to explore, experiment, share skills, knowledge and ideas among ourselves. It is a curt and catchy sounding vocabulary we created from the words デザイン・トレーニング (dezain・toreeningu : design training) ☆

Every week, we each take turns to plan what topic to focus on and facilitate the session. I'll be sharing one of the topics that I've shared in Dezatore! with the design team as part of revision and a gentle reminder for us all whenever we're designing - Computer Hardware / Software.

Computer Hardware / Software

I remember when I bought my first (2nd hand) computer, a beige cased Intel i486 33Mhz, 16MB RAM, WD 350MB hard drive and of course Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 sound card.

Since then we’ve come a long way. In our daily lives we can’t imagine a life without a computer. Desktops, Laptops, smartphones and tablets, computers come in various sizes and shapes.

Parts that make a computer are basically a CPU, RAM, GPU, HDD / SSD and something to connect it all together, a Motherboard / Logicboard

Each part has their benefits and usage.
We as designers use our computer as tool, as a painter use their brushes.

For each purpose there is a different brush, and that also counts for computers.

A few years back we where able to freely upgrade parts on our devices as software and hardware was rapidly changing to get the most performance out of our machines.

Now a days with the reduction in space, not much you can upgrade and before you make a purchase you should choose what you are going to be using for the upcoming 3+ years.

Let’s explain what the parts are and what they are used for.

CPU = Central Processor Unit
Is the electronic circuitry that executes instructions comprising a computer program.  The CPU performs basic arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions in the program. This part can have a single “core” or multiples within one CPU at various frequencies (speed of the CPU)

RAM = Random Access Memory

Is used to store (temporarily) data when the machine is on. Such as when you have an application open. It comes in various capacities (GB) RAM is quicker then HDD or SSD so the CPU can easily / quickly access it. When the computer is off, any data that is stored in the RAM will be gone.

GPU = Graphics Processing Unit
Is intended to create output to a display, but it could also be used to render videos and making other calculating intensive tasks. 

HDD = Hard Disk Drive
Is where we store our data in the long term. It has a disk that rotates in various speeds, which mainly determines the speed of the drive. It comes in larger sizes than SSD’s and are less expensive, but slow and vulnerable for dataloss due to damage and wear on the moving parts.

SDD = Solid State Drive
Is where we store our data in the long term. Since it doesn’t have moving parts it’s more less vulnerable for data loss due shocks and wear on the moving parts. Much faster than HDD, but comes is less larger sizes and is more expensive.

Motherboard (PC) / Logicboard (Apple)
This board is where everything connects with each other. They came in various versions, depending on your needs.

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Now we know a bit more about the parts of the hardware of a computer.
What do they mean and what are things to look out for.

As designer we would like to have multiple applications open at the same time time and being able to render images / videos.

The CPU;
The speed determines how quick calculations can be done. Measured in frequency, Hz (GHz). And can hold multiple “cores” which means multiple CPU’s within a single CPU.

The higher the faster, but that is only for Single Core applications.

When you use MultiCore applications (Video editing), more CPU’s come into play as multiple cores can work on the task which eventually makes it quicker compared to a single core with higher speed.

The Memory;
Each application get loaded into the memory when opened. When your capacity of your RAM is full, it will use the HDD / SSD which is drastically slower then the RAM, which can slow down or even lock your computer.

Basically more is better, with a minimum of 16GB when working with graphical software.

GPU;
This not only provides output onto a display, but could also take a workload off the CPU but using the remaining power for calculating graphics in applications such as Photoshop. More memory on the GPU is desirable, but depends on your use case.

HDD/SSD;
I suggest to only go for SSD’s. They are fast, less chance to break which makes you lose your data.

512GB is a minimum when working on graphics with also access to online storage. When you are only locally I suggest a minimum for 1TB. 

For backups / or storage that you don’t need to access that frequently I suggest HDD.

Also think about backup solutions to make sure your data is safe sand not only stored on single place. Search for 3-2-1 backup.

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I hope this makes it a bit easier to understand what to look for when shopping for a computer and the specifications.

There are many specific use cases, so I suggest to read online articles, reviews and videos on YouTube to learn more what works for you.

One of the many YouTubers is https://www.youtube.com/c/LinusTechTips to find out more.

Until next time!

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Header credits:
Template Design by asato

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