Building Custom Computers

Type of Computer: Gaming Computer
Estimated budget: 1600 USD

Parts:
        Motherboard: Asus P8H67-M EVO Rev. 3.0 (Intel H67 MicroATX)
Reason: I choose this motherboard, because it supports Intel core i7 and DDR3 RAM that I need for my games. And it has a big screen resolution and an HDMI port which would work great with my HDTV. In addition, it has up to 6 USB ports and 4 PCI ports which is enough for me – since I need only a few PCI ports and 6 USB ports is a lot.

        CPU: Intel Core i7 2600K (3.4GHz) QUAD CORE 95W
Reason: I run emulators that often require multi-threading, so the more core the better. Now, it support up to only 4 cores. In addition, I used to run it on my 2-core CPU, and it is only slugging a bit, I believe that four cores would result in a dramatic improvement.

        RAM: Kingston 16GB DDR3-1333 (4x4GB)
Reason: I’m a multi-tasker – I use a lot of programs at once, so I need a large RAM. Also, with 4 of the 4GB DDR3 RAM, I do not need to be so worried in case one of the RAMs do not function, I know there are three working ones left.

         Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 1GB QUIET (Asus)
Reason: nVidia is a very popular brand in the gaming sector. I had a great gaming experience with the GeForce GT predecessor, I hope that the successor give me a better sense of satisfaction. This video card supports the DirectX up to the 11 series which is the latest and a great improvement for the graphic. Also, it supports a variety of video output: VGA, HDMI, and DVI.

          Sound Card: Onboard Sound
Reason: I do not really care about the sound when I play games, so any sound card is fine. The motherboard’s sound is already a high definition type, so I do not need any additional sound card.

        Controllers (Adapter Cards): None
Reason: I do not really need any port expansion or any other addition, the motherboard provided enough.

         Networking (Adapter Cards): ASUS USB-BT211 USB 2.0 Mini Bluetooth Dongle
Reason: I need the Bluetooth technology to connect between my phones wirelessly, and, especially, I need to connect my Wii controller with the Bluetooth when I use the Wii emulator on my computer.

         Hard Drive: 1.0TB Western Digital Caviar Black (7200 RPM, SATA III)
Reason: I choose this hard-disk, because I need to store a lot of my favorite movies to watch on my HDTV and the games require quite a lot of free space nowadays.

          CD / DVD Rom: Asus 12x Blu-Ray Player SATA (black)
Reason: I need a Blu-Ray Rom to play my HD movies and to run my Playstation 3’s games on the PS3 emulator.

          Removable Drive: None
Reason: I do not think that any additional Removable Drive is needed.

           Case: Cooler Master HAF 922
Reason: As the name imply, this case is a pro in cooling the whole CPU. As a gamer, I spend a lot of hours playing games, so the CPU tends to get pretty hot. Therefore, this case would be a great help to cool off the CPU. In addition, it looks very “cool”.

          Power Supply: Antec TruePower 650W
Reason: The Website’s recommended power supply is a 560w, but I choose this one so that there are some spare supply powers. And one more reason is that it is cheaper than the one with the 560w.

           CPU Cooling: Scythe Katana 3 (Intel 1155/6)
Reason: This CPU cooling is smaller and can cool better than those of the like. Also, Scythe Katana 3 is a quiet model that I’m sure will not bother me during my usage, at least, that is what they say it is.

           Monitor: None
Reason: I intended to buy this computer in order to connect to my HDTV for a better gaming experience and to enjoy movies that I downloaded or movies that I watch online.

           Speakers: None
Reason: My TV has build-in HD-sound speakers.

           Keyboard: Microsoft Desktop 600 Keyboard/Mouse (black)
Reason: I just need a working keyboard. I already had a complete set of game control to use; I do not need the keyboard.

           Mouse: Microsoft Desktop 600 Keyboard/Mouse (black)
Reason: I choose this mouse because it is the cheapest and it is included in a combo. I have never experienced any pain while using any mouse, so a working one is fine.

Cost according to the website: $1603.65

Conclusion:
 As a gamer, a multi-tasker, and a movie buff; my computer must have a High-Definition graphic, a large memory, and many cores to do the multi-threading for my game-console emulators. I used to buy computer in a complete set, and this is the first time that I buy computer part by part. I think that this is a lot better, since I can choose all of the part and can specify it to my own liking. I have to focus on the limited budget, and try my best to build a computer that is about my budget and is suitable for me.

Zaman University

Zaman University:

Zaman University aspires to be a bold and dynamic community, with an unparalleled sense of commitment, which strives for positive influence and impact on Cambodia. (University Cambodia)

Zaman University will be home to an academic community who will in turn promote outstanding individuals to succeed in our fast-changing world (Cambodia University).

Zaman University mission is: To discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, produce creative work, and promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Zaman community (Phnom Penh University).

Zaman University vision is: Zaman University will be a prominent university in Cambodia, the region and the world known for its academic excellence and producing quality human resources (University Phnom Penh).

PAGEultra

Reviewed Application Software: PAGEultra
Type: Freeware
Link: http://www.pageultra.com/

Review:

PAGEultra has been available for thousands of users since 1982. It is a very convenient accounting software, because of its multiple functions. The functions that it has are sales invoicing, sales order processing, purchase order processing, job costing, multi-user, foreign currencies, product/stock/inventory file, ledgers, cashbook, management report, etc. 

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Almost every function for accounting
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Old style

Summary:

The most stand-out characteristic of this software is its various functions, which is more than 20 functions in relation to accounting. However, right now the program itself is unavailable, due to the malware problem that previous users have encountered. I think that if it is available for me to try, it will be a very convenient program to use because I do not have to use many programs at the same time, and I believe that it only takes this one program to get the work done. 

Rating: 5 stars () 

Projectbubble

Reviewed Application Software: Projectbubble
Type: Web Application
Link: http://projectbubble.com/

Review:

Since 2009, Projectbubble has been a helpful companion for all those who are working on a business project, no matter what their professions are. Projectbubble is a web application that helps make your project management and collaborate on the project easy. The useful functions that this web application provide are calendar for your project planning, time tracking, invoicing, manage expenses, team collaboration, file sharing, discuss project with clients, etc. 

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Reasonable price
• Many important functions for managing projects
• Safe and secure
• Drag-and-drop compatible
• Data back-up frequently

Cons:

• Can’t work offline
• Security risk is higher than standalone computer

Summary:

Projectbubble has many easy-to-use functions that just make you want to get the work done! It is very easy to learn how to use – you can get start within minutes. Still, if you do not feel like trusting the website advertisement, there a 15-day trial for those who want to try it out. I think that this is relevant to use in my future career. I think it will help me to work more efficiently as a team on a project. In addition, it would prove to be a good, private environment to talk business with my client, as well. 

Rating: 5 stars () 

MyBanco

Reviewed Application Software: MyBanco
Type: Open source software
Download Link: http://timg.ws/downloads/mybanco/

Review:

MyBanco is a free open source software that help you and your bank to do Core banking, which normallyusually cost thousands of dollars, without having to spend even a cent. It provides a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) protocol that is easy to setup and use within minutes. MyBanco makes you work faster with the support of the installation of all size. With a one computer test system, it is capable of processing around 100 transactions per second, and with a 10 machines test system, it is can process up to 1500 transactions per second. In addition, it integrated the Cross Communication (XBank) which allows to send more messages between banks than any other system in the markets.

Pros:

• Fully free core banking software for not just now, but in the future as well
• Well documented open source software
• High quality source code
• Your data will be safe, because data will never be deleted
• Provides solution to be able scale well with new technology
• Cross Communication (XBank) can transfer the most number of messages between banks
• Every transaction is logged – you always know where the money go

Cons:

• Things can always go wrong with the data (for safety, always back-up)
• Any changes made has to be send to the author

Summary:

Normally, core banking application is very expensive – because it is an important application to use to distribute important information between banks to banks or from a branch to another branch. However, this seems to be a very reliable application because of its high quality source code that even passes the standard application. Even though, the installation is different from common application, it does provide a guide to install its latest version. Overall, you should give it a try. As for me, it, most definitely, is a must for my future job. Just because it is free, it does not mean that it cannot be as good as the one that cost you money. 

Rating: 4 stars ()

David Muth

I am studying Banking and Finance at Zaman University Phnom Penh / Cambodia (www.zamanuniversity.com). Here are some possible job for student from the department of Banking and Finance:
- Human Resource Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Corporate Finance
- Investment Manager
- Insurance
- Financial Planning Manager
- Strategic Planning Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Public Relations Manager
- Retail Manager
- Manager for Start-ups
- Manager for NGOs
- Loan/Micro-Loan Managers
- Real Estate Manager
- for local and international companies in Cambodia
- Business Consultant
- Financial Consultant
- Securities Consultant
- Banking Consultant

You may find more information about Banking and Finance from Zaman University department page (http://www.zamanuniversity.com/en/node/55) and download the brochure from http://www.zamanuniversity.com/pdf_files/brochure_business_banking_2010.pdf link. These are some programs used by people in the Banking and Finance:
- MyBanco
- Projectbubble
- PAGEultra