Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá

Centro Regional de Panamá Oeste

Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnología
Licenciatura en Comunicación ejecutiva bilingüe

It belongs to:
Eulett Ruiz

Activity:
Laboratory # 3

Course:
TIC

Group:
9EB111

Delivery date:
Monday, September 9, 2024
 Laboratory # 3
Development
1. SSD & TYPES

SSDs (Solid State Drives) are data storage devices that offer significantly faster speeds
than traditional hard drives (HDDs). They contain no moving mechanical parts, making
them more durable and long-lasting. There are several types of SSDs based on
interfaces and technologies:

 SATA (Serial ATA): This is the most common and inexpensive type of SSD, suitable
for general tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and multimedia playback.
Its maximum transfer speed is 550 MB/s due to SATA port limitations, making it
slower compared to other types of SSDs. Popular examples include the Samsung
860 EVO and the Crucial MX500.

 NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express): This uses the PCIe (Peripheral Component
Interconnect Express) bus, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 7000 MB/s. These
SSDs are ideal for applications requiring high performance, such as video editing,
3D content creation, and gaming. Notable examples include the Western Digital
Black SN850 and the Samsung 970 EVO Plus.

 M.2: This is a physical form of SSD that can be either SATA or NVMe. M.2 NVMe
SSDs offer the best speeds, while M.2 SATA SSDs are cheaper but slower. M.2 are
compact, making them ideal for laptops or systems with limited space.

 U.2: Although less common, this type of SSD also uses the PCIe interface and is
popular in professional servers and workstations. It offers comparable performance
to NVMe M.2, but with higher storage capacity and thermal dissipation.

When choosing an SSD, it’s important to consider your specific needs. If you
prioritize performance for heavy-duty tasks, an NVMe SSD will be the best choice. If
you’re looking for something cheaper for everyday tasks, a SATA SSD will suffice.
2. RAM & TYPES

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a key component in any computer system, as it

temporarily stores data that the processor needs to access quickly to run programs and
perform simultaneous tasks. There are several types of RAM, and each has different
characteristics in terms of speed, capacity, and efficiency. Below is a guide to the main
types of RAM:

 Most common types of RAM

DRAM (Dynamic RAM): This is the most common type of RAM in modern systems,
known for needing to refresh its data periodically to prevent it from being lost. Its
evolution, SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), synchronizes the memory with the system
clock, improving its processing speed by allowing multiple instructions to be executed
at the same time.

SRAM (Static RAM): Unlike DRAM, this does not need to be constantly refreshed,
making it faster but also more expensive to manufacture. It is generally used for caches
in processors due to its speed and stability.

 RAM Generations

DDR (Double Data Rate): Each generation of DDR SDRAM has increased in speed
and efficiency. Here is a summary of the most relevant ones:

DDR3: Although it is already becoming obsolete, it is still used in older systems. It offers
lower speeds than the most recent generations, but is adequate for basic tasks.

DDR4: This is the current standard generation in most systems. It offers a good
balance between cost, speed and capacity, reaching up to 3200 MHz and with modules
of up to 32 GB.

DDR5: The latest version of RAM that is starting to be adopted more widely. It offers
higher speeds (starting at 4800 MHz) and greater bandwidth, making it ideal for more
demanding future applications. However, it is more expensive.
 Physical Forms of RAM

DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module): Used mainly in desktop computers, this is the
most common physical form of RAM. It has a higher capacity and flexibility in terms of
size and performance.

SO-DIMM (Small Outline DIMM): It is a smaller version of RAM, used in laptops and
compact devices due to its small size, but with similar performance to DIMMs in
desktop computers.

 Capacity and recommended use

4GB - 8GB: Enough for basic tasks such as web browsing, using office applications,
and light multitasking.

16GB: Ideal for gaming, basic video editing, and more intensive multitasking.

32GB or more: Recommended for professionals who do work such as 3D rendering,

high-end video editing, and other resource-intensive applications.

In short, the choice of RAM type depends on the use you plan to give your system, from
basic tasks to high-performance processing. DDR5 technology is starting to gain
popularity and will offer the best performance in the near future, but DDR4 is still an
excellent choice for most users.
3. GRAPHICS CARD RAM
Graphics card memory, also known as VRAM (Video RAM), is essential for processing
large amounts of graphics data quickly. The two main types of GPU memory are GDDR
(Graphics Double Data Rate) and HBM (High Bandwidth Memory). Both are specifically
designed to handle the intense demands of graphics, but have key differences in terms of
performance and usage.

 GDDR (Graphics Double Data Rate)

GDDR is the most common type of VRAM used in consumer graphics cards. It is based on
the same technology as DDR (RAM used in computers), but is optimized for the high
demands of GPUs.
Some of the most popular versions include:

GDDR5: Used in previous generation graphics cards, it is known for its good balance
between cost and performance. It offers a data transfer rate of up to 8 Gbps.

GDDR5X: An improvement on GDDR5, which can reach up to 14 Gbps and is used in

cards such as the Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti.

GDDR6: The current generation for most modern GPUs. It offers transfer rates of up to
16 Gbps and is more energy efficient. It is used in high-performance graphics cards
such as the Nvidia RTX 3090 and RTX 6000 Ada.

GDDR6X: It offers even higher speeds than GDDR6, reaching up to 19.5 Gbps, and is
used in the most powerful cards, such as the Nvidia RTX 3090.

In short, GDDR is ideal for most users due to its good balance between cost and
performance, while HBM is more suitable for professional applications that require extreme
performance in tasks such as artificial intelligence or advanced simulations.
4. INTEL VS AMD PROCESSORS

Comparing Intel and AMD processors is a crucial topic. Both manufacturers have their
strengths in different areas:

 Intel:

Single-core performance: Intel continues to lead in tasks that rely on single-core speed,
such as gaming and some productivity applications. Its Raptor Lake architecture (13th
and 14th generation) offers an excellent price-performance ratio in models such as the
Core i7 and i9.

Integrated graphics: Many Intel processors come with integrated graphics, which is
useful for those who do not require a dedicated graphics card.

Compatibility: Intel offers a more friendly platform for short-term upgrades. Its LGA 1700
socket, for example, is compatible with several generations of CPUs, which can save
costs when upgrading other components.

Disadvantages: Power consumption on high-end models can be high, and some

processors tend to require more robust cooling systems to avoid overheating.

 AMD:

Multi-threaded performance: AMD has excelled in multi-threaded performance, thanks

to the Ryzen architecture, which offers more cores and better efficiency. This makes it
ideal for applications such as content creation, rendering, and video editing. Its Ryzen
7000 models have made a noticeable difference compared to Intel in these tasks.

Price: AMD used to be the leader in value for money, offering more cores for less
money. However, over time, its prices have increased compared to Intel. Still, it remains
competitive in some ranges such as the Ryzen 5.

Long-term support: AMD has promised extended support for its AM5 socket, suggesting
that users will be able to upgrade their processors without changing motherboards in
the near future, which represents an advantage in terms of longevity.
 Conclusion:

For gaming: Intel is usually the best choice thanks to its single-core performance.

For productivity and multitasking: AMD, with its multiple cores and better multi-threaded
performance, is a more efficient option.

Budget and upgrades: Intel has improved its platform to be more affordable and
compatible, while AMD continues to offer competitive options for users looking for long-
term performance.

Both companies offer excellent options depending on the user’s specific needs and
budget.
5. INTERNAL VIDEO CARD VS DEDICATED VIDEO CARD

The difference between an internal (integrated) graphics card and a dedicated graphics
card lies in their architecture and functionality.

 Integrated graphics card (iGPU):

This is located inside the processor and shares system resources such as RAM. This
means that both the CPU and GPU compete for the same resources, which can affect
performance on more graphically demanding tasks. However, iGPUs are more
economical and energy efficient, making them ideal for everyday tasks such as
browsing the web, working on documents, watching streaming videos, or playing light
games.

In recent years, iGPUs have greatly improved in performance, with examples such as
the Intel Iris Xe and AMD RX Vega 11 allowing for some moderate graphics tasks such
as basic photo editing or non-demanding games.

 Dedicated graphics card (dGPU):

This is a separate component that is installed on the motherboard and has its own
dedicated memory (VRAM). This allows for much better performance on graphics-
intensive tasks such as high-end gaming, 4K video editing, 3D modeling, and
professional design applications. Dedicated cards take the graphical load off the CPU,
improving overall system performance.

dGPUs are typically more expensive, consume more power, and require an additional
cooling system, which increases the overall cost of the system. However, they offer the
advantage of being upgradeable, allowing for improved graphics performance over time.

In short, integrated graphics cards are a more affordable and power-efficient option,
while dedicated cards are essential for graphics-intensive tasks or for those who want to
play modern graphics-intensive games. Your choice depends on your needs: if you’re
only doing basic tasks, an iGPU may be sufficient, but if you work with advanced
graphics or are a serious gamer, a dGPU is the best choice.