Human Computer Interface
Reference:
"HCI (human-computer interaction) is the study of how people interact with computers and to what extent computers are or are not developed for successful interaction with human beings. A significant number of major corporations and academic institutions now study HCI."
http://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/HCI-human-computer-interaction
Description & Why Important to Gaming: Without this gaming cant be played because this is what happens when you control something on your computer or console, examples of this is a PS4 Controller or a keypad because without these you would no longer be able to control the PC. without using a interface you would never be able to play games or doing anything on the PC.
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Limitations:
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Reference:
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the part of a computer system that is commonly referred to as the "brains" of a computer. The CPU is also known as the processor or microprocessor. The CPU is responsible for executing a sequence of stored instructions called a program. This program will take inputs from an input device, process the input in some way and output the results to an output device.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/hardware/0inputandoutputdevicesrev3.shtml
Description & Why Important to Gaming:
without this gaming couldn't work because it is the CPU that is the brains of the computer and is what plays the game itself by running the software and functions. this takes the inputs usually the controller and tells the computer or console what to do so that we see the action take place on the output device which would be the monitor
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Limitations: The limitations of a CPU is that they will quickly become outdated and when they do they become very obsolete and unnecessary and another limitation is that they don't work with all motherboards. CPUs are not always compatible with the Motherboard because of speed it runs at and the shape of it. also not all brands can be overclocked to gain higher performance.
Graphics Processors (GPU)
Reference:
The GPU’s advanced capabilities were originally used primarily for 3D game rendering. But now those capabilities are being harnessed more broadly to accelerate computational workloads in areas such as financial modeling, cutting-edge scientific research and oil and gas exploration.
https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2009/12/16/whats-the-difference-between-a-cpu-and-a-gpu/
Description & Why Important to Gaming:
without this gaming couldn't work as well as it does now a days and would struggle to play most games because the GPU is usually used for 3D modeling and plenty of other graphical parts and by doing this it allows you to accelerate the workload of the computer so a massive burden is taken off of the CPU allowing for way more beautiful and larger games.
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Limitations: a limitation of is that when you have a integrated GPU it slows the system down because it drains the main RAM and new GPUs are quite expensive. another limit is that the GPU is difficult to upgrade and will not all allow extra Video memory upgrades.
Memory (RAM)
Reference:
RAM (pronounced ramm) is an acronym for random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html
Description & Why Important to Gaming:
without ram games couldn't be played because all games need some RAM to be able to process everything. the games would slow down quite considerably without the RAM. RAM is used in pretty much every type of electronic device that requires memory and is the most common memory type. RAM also allows you to have multiple programmes running at once while, storing the memory and information on it, this memory will later be deleted after the computer is turned off.
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Limitations: the limitation to the RAM is that loses memory when the computer is turned off even though it should do it, it is still a limitation. another is the fact that it has a cheap and short lifecycle and needs cleaning and checking often.
Display
Reference:
A display is a computer output surface and projecting mechanism that shows text and often graphic images to the computer user, using a cathode ray tube ( CRT ), liquid crystal display ( LCD ), light-emitting diode, gas plasma, or other image projection technology.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/display
Description & Why Important to Gaming:
A display is something that is definitely something that is important to gaming and is very necessery as long as we have eyes. without a display gaming could not take place because this what we look at when we play a game. a video game is "a game played by electronically manipulating images produced by a computer program on a monitor or other display." so without a monitor a video game can not exist since it is the biggest part of a video game but whether the display be a tv or a headset like the Occulus doesn't really matter.
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Limitations: Limitations can be that you have to buy a license to own a TV, they are bulky and require lots of space tvs also produce a lot of heat. now a days we have tablets, phones and handheld consoles that are light and can produce moving images. also they can be quite expensive no matter what you buy from a big tv to other devices such as the playstation VR which costs just as much as the console.
Sound
Reference:
A sound card is an expansion card or IC for producing sound on a computer that can be heard through speakers or headphones. Although the computer does not need a sound device to function, they are included on every machine in one form or another, either in an expansion slot (sound card) or on the motherboard (onboard).
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/souncard.htm
Description & Why Important to Gaming:
Sound is something that is very important to any game, without sound games can still be played but it will always be needed to make a good game because sound is what sets the mood of the game. Sound allows for a game to be good, the mood, tension, atmosphere and lots of other things are created using sound so while games can be played without sound a true game can not be made without using sound on it.
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Limitations: for sound on computers you need two things, the first being a sound card which is limited because sometimes they do not work with every system and good speakers which is another limitation because without them you would not have a good sound output no matter how good the card is.
Game Storage Media
Reference:
In computers, a storage medium is any technology (including devices and materials) used to place, keep, and retrieve data. A medium is an element used in communicating a message; on a storage medium, the "messages" - in the form of data - are suspended for use when needed. The plural form of this term is storage media. Although the term storage includes both primary storage (memory), a storage medium usually means a place to hold secondary storage such as that on a hard disk or tape.
http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/storage-medium
Description & Why Important to Gaming:
game storage media is absolutely necessary to games and without it games could never even be created because every game needs to be stored away. without games storage media games could never be because we always need somewhere to store them whether that be disks that we buy from a store or download them from the internet they have to be stored on some kind of device to be played late on.
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Limitations: for storage you can have hard drives, pen drive, DVDs and CDs. the limitation of a hard drive is that although they have a lot of memory they can be quite expensive.the limitation of pen drive, DVDs and CDs is that they have to be stored away safely otherwise they will just gain dust, they are also easily lost or damaged because of what they are made of and size of them.
Interface Devices
Reference:
An interface device (IDF) is a hardware component or system of components that allows a human being to interact with a computer, a telephone system, or other electronic information system.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/interface-device-IDF
Description & Why Important to Gaming:
an interface device is definitely needed in games to play and depending of which one you use it can help with immersion. without a IDF you cant play games because the input device that you use will be what affect the game and your experience playing the game so not only will you have to use a IDF to play the game but the very experience you play will change depending on which one you use e.g. playing a racing game with a controller against playing with a steering wheel and pedal set.
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Limitations: Limits to these are the fact the wireless controllers can run out of battery and also the fact that wired controllers wires could get tangled and not stretch far enough for your set up.
Reference:
connectivity - Computer Definition. A generic term for connecting devices to each other in order to transfer data back and forth. It often refers to network connections, which embraces bridges, routers, switches and gateways as well as backbone networks.
http://www.yourdictionary.com/connectivity
Description & Why Important to Gaming:
connectivity is not something that will make it impossible to play a game but it can make or break certain games. connectivity is definitely something that is needed when playing games that have multiplayer functions such as a FPS game which needs a good connectivity so that you can play with your friends. connectivity is something that is needed on a computer so that you can connect to the internet.
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Limitations: the limitation of broadband and internet is the fact that you need a subscription to something and depending on that e.g. Sky, talk talk, etc. the download speeds and quality varies quite a lot.
Power Supply (PSU)
Reference:
Power supply unit (computer) A power supply unit (or PSU) converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply_unit_(computer)
Description & Why Important to Gaming:
without a a power supply games would never be able to be played or any computerised device really because every device needs power to work. all of the hardware needs power which is provided by the power supply itself
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i have also found a series of videos by a youtuber called iGameOver where he explains the different pieces of computer hardware. i have put and labeled all the videos down below
Computer Parts Explained - Part 1: Processors
Computer Parts Explained - Part 2: Motherboards
Computer Parts Explained - Part 3: Graphics Cards
Computer Parts Explained - Part 4: RAM Memory
Computer Parts Explained - Part 5: Hard Drives
Computer Parts Explained - Part 6: Computer Cases
Computer Parts Explained - Part 7: PC Cooling
Computer Parts Explained - Part 8: Power Supplies
Computer Parts Explained - Part 9: Sound Cards
Computer Parts Explained - Part 10: Network Cards
http://reedz.findtalk.biz/t107-human-computer-interactionhci-in-the-year-2020
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_cpu.htm
http://www.gridgit.com/post_graphics-processing-unit_985031/
http://notebooks.com/2013/10/29/how-to-choose-the-right-memory-for-your-notebook/
https://mspoweruser.com/samsung-announces-worlds-first-all-in-one-pc-with-curved-display/
http://www.custom-build-computers.com/Computer-Sound-Cards.html
http://jordanblandgamesdevelopmentu20c2.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/game-storage-medium.html
http://blog.proaudiostar.com/2010/08/19/hid-vs-midi-whats-the-difference/
http://www.blog.skytopper.com/computer-network-and-internet/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/550W-ATX-12V-Computer-Power-Supply-Desktop-PC-PSU-PS-500W-/300722365379
Assignment 2 – Current Hardware Technologies
Brief is to write an article for an online game ezine on the hardware technologies available within the current
games market.
Learners will:
- investigate HCI developments for game platforms
- investigate both central and graphical processors for game platforms
- investigate memory, display and sound technologies for game platforms
- investigate game storage medium, interface devices, connectivity and power supplies for game platforms
- generate an article for online game ezine.
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