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Dream Machine

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

Fairy Tale Forest Spider Web

GIT-335, Computer Systems Technology
Assignment 3
24 July 2012
Dream Machine

In a glowing Fairy Tale Forest of computers on a limitless budget I hesitate entering on fear of getting caught in its web. Surrounded by sidelined CPUs, I never owned a computer that I’ve thrown away. My most powerful desktop dragon uses a 400 watt power supply and Intel 2.8 GHz dual-core; the monster breaths feet searing heat. A Dream Machine of the past evolved from the most powerful to the most efficient.

I ramped up from a Commodore 64 to Insight XT to HP Pavilion 6600 to Insignia 400a then 2 self-assembled boxes and a Fry’s GreatQuality laptop; I now use a cooler conservative 65 watt sipping Compaq Laptop during the summer’s sweltering heat. When winter comes, the dragon’s breath will fire up and warm a 306 sq.-ft. above garage Fonzie-fied apartment. During intense video processing and photo gallery webpage making modes, 3 and 4 boxes light up to roll through film. My Dream Machine uses none of APS’s electricity; it lives on the 5.7 kWh/day power I collect from the sun.

Beginning the investigation in PC World’s Top 10 Performance Desktops [1] a complaint of the 3rd place choice’s 550 watt power supply being weak, brought me from the year 2006 to 2012. The Top performer included a 1200 watt power supply with a water cooled 4.8 GHz clocked Intel Core i7 3960X. Yesterday I thought i7 indicated the processor integrated 7 cores; this model has 6.

Green Leaves of the Wood

For the i5, I learned the number of cores could vary between 2 and 4 for mobile (laptop) and desktop dedicated processors. Intel lays their complex processor comparison matrix out by dividing it between Laptops, Desktops and Servers, then by Processor names [4]. Their website allows a head-to-head comparison of 5 processors simultaneously.

I looked at Aleutia’s $1667 fanless i5 2390T Relia Fanless Industrial PC and know of some work applications I might use it for. They offer a Solar Classroom in a Box that includes the solar cells and batteries with 10 rugged PCs, a Server and 3G connection that only consumes 370 watts for a cost of $11328.

I found a machine fitting my desires at TopTenReview.com Multimedia Computers. The sexy HP Touchsmart 610xt’s low 180 watt power consumption and integrated design landed me. Learning it was out of stock led me to a beefed up i7 version at nearly the same price. The i7 uses up to 230 watts, but, hey, I shouldn’t need to have it on as long. Mmm, once again, I’ve been seduced by power.

The web I feared snagged my foot and has lured me to place an HP TouchSmart 610-1280qd Desktop PC into the online shopping cart. Will I resist hitting the button to buy it with 12 Months of No Payments or Interest through hpdirect.com?

My HP TouchSmart 610-1280qd multimedia Dream Machine includes Windows 7 Home Premium [64-bit], a 2nd Generation Intel Core i7-2600 quad-core processor with Turbo-Boost [up to 3.8GHz, 8MB cache], 8GB DDR3-1066MHz SODIMM, 2TB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive, Microsoft Office Word & Excel w/ ads, 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6450A, Blu-Ray writer, Premium Wireless-N LAN card and Bluetooth, 6-in-1 memory card reader, 4 total USB (2.0), Beats audio, TV tuner, ATSC-NTSC with PVR, remote, Integrated sound, HP wireless keyboard and wireless optical mouse, HDMI Game Console, HDMI input [for discrete graphics] and may ship on the 31 July with a few button clicks at the cost of $1300.99 with tax.

Free internet access puts the “Wet” in my Dream Machine. To avoid paying Century Link, Road Runner, and Verizon, I’m willing to stand on my head, contort, and arrange a parabolic dish for the thrill and pursuit of an unbilled link. I’ll connect through the $60 HWDN3 Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless-300N USB Dish Adapter Network adapter to an available Yuma Heritage Library Wi-Fi Hot Spot.

To compensate for the extra power draw, I’ll install an additional 1 kW Solar System on my Guest House for an estimated after Federal Tax rebate cost of $3600. The solar system should cover a year round uninterrupted 230 watt power use.

For Application Software, I’ll purchase Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Professional ($118.95), Adobe CS6 Production Premium ($449.99), SoThink Video Encoder for Flash 3.2 ($45), Adobe Creative Design & Web Premium ($416), Cyberlink Power Director 10 ($49.95)

I’ll add 4, 1.5 Terabyte Seagate FreeAgent Goflex Ultra-Portable USB Hard Drives ($119.95 ea) for saving Photo & Video Data to round out the Dream Package.

The Total Solar Powered Wet Dream Machine cost adds up to $6520.68

Sprouting Stump

References
1. PC World, Top Ten Performance Desktop PCs, http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/collection/1645/top_10_power_desktop_pcs.html
2. Bright Hub, Core i3 vs i5 vs i7: A Summary of Intel’s Processors, http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/65861.aspx
3. PC World, What’s the difference between an Intel Core i3, i5 and i7?, http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/386100/what_difference_between_an_intel_core_i3_i5_i7_/
4. Intel Processor Comparison, http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processor-comparison/compare-intel-processors.html?select=desktop

Tags: 610-1280qd, 64-bit, Adobe CS6, Aleutia, ATSC, Blu-Ray Writer, Bluetooth Keyboard, breath, Century Link, commodore 64, Compaq, CPU, Desktop, dragon, Dream Machine, Dual Core, Efficient, evolve, Fairy Tale, free internet access, Hawking, HDMI, heat, Hot Spot, HP, HP Pavilion, HP TouchSmart, HWDN3, i3, i5, i7, Insight XT, Intel, Laptop, limitless budget, Microsoft Visual Studio, monster, Multimedia, NTSC, parabolic dish, PC, PC World, power, Power Supply, processor, PVR, Quad Core, Road runner, Seagate, Solar Classroom, Solar System, SoThink Video Encoder, Top Ten, TV Tuner, USB Hard Drive, Verizon, wet dream, Wi-Fi, wireless optical mouse, Wireless-N LAN, Yuma Heritage Library
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Cocopah Wild River Family Entertainment Center

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

Cocopah Wild River Family Entertainment Center Entrance

Deal or No Deal? As we entered the Cocopah Family Entertainment Center, Daniel asked why it was called the Wild River. I suggested it’s name stemmed from the Colorado River which once flowed untamed and un-dammed through the area. A rushing river fit the theme and feel of the Wild River Arcade; the adjacent Cocopah Casino’s tight slots contrasted the Fun Center in damming it’s flow. Clara, Debbi and Fern dropped $40 each into the One-Armed-Bandits. They told Daniel & I of the solemn silence that rang though the building as they heard no celebration, no joy and no excitement from their fellow gamers.

Cocopah Casino & Resort

The day started with me meeting Debbi & crew at the Quechan Casino Saturday Buffet. Surprised to find a packed parking lot I pulled the Lincoln LS into a slot as far from the entrance as could be found. Debbi chose Valet Parking and dropped her Cadillac SRX off at the shaded Hotel Resort entrance. At 2PM on 15 May, 92 degrees and a blistering sun chased the Winter visiting Snowbirds away. We wondered where the bustling crowd came from. A VIP Member line snaked from the Hotel Lobby into the Convention Center. The Slot Machines chimed away with intoxicating C-note sounds, enticing it’s addicted followers to play another weekend.

Quechan Casino & Resort Parking Lot

Clara saddled up, smokes in hand, to get her fix with the other gamblers. Debbi, Daniel, Fern and I opted out of the Blackjack tables in exchange for a seat at the Ocotillo Buffet international culinary food adventure. Debbi fell in Linguine love, Daniel suckled on the succulent Roast Beef in Mushroom Gravy, Aunt Fern agreed to the Corn on the Cob though it doesn’t agree with her and I covered my tiny plate with Asian Orange Chicken (陈皮鸡(陳皮雞; Pinyin: chénpí jī) and a side of Green Beans. In my book, the coffee is the best; perhaps they siphon it off of the Food Court’s next door Starbucks urn. Our drink server couldn’t bring my 2nd cup fast enough. When I purchased the $32 meal ticket, the clerk asked if I’d like to add a tip on the Discover Card bill. I refrained from adding a tip as well as refrained in informing her that I do not tip at Buffets. Okay, I did leave a $1 tip at the Mandarin Garden buffet the other night.

Odd Looking Apartment Complex, Somerton, Arizona

Debbi decided to try her luck at the Cocopah Casino for the first time. A couple weeks prior, I discovered they had the Alley & Arcade next door for 9-year-old Daniel and I to play in. I prompted Debbi to drive us past the Casino and to the San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico border crossing. On our way we noticed these odd looking red, white and blue buildings on the entering edge of Somerton, Arizona. They turned out to be Apartments. Clara and Fern were impressed with the fence running through San Luis between Mexico and the US; they weren’t impressed in it’s ability to curb illegal immigration. Remembering Reagan’s Berlin call, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” left us all felling World openness was going in reverse.

Palm Tree - A Tree Trimmer's Hazard

Clara remarks how she understands the dangers Palm Tree Trimmers face when she notices these unkempt trees. A few weeks ago a Mesa, Arizona trimmer was smothered to death under the weight of these heavy fronds.

Bowling Alley - Cocopah Wild River Family Entertainment Center

I brought my 16 pound bowling ball, 2 lb. Nike left-handed shoes, 3 lb. bag and a misplaced 1998 8mm ping pong training tape. The ball & all provided more exercise than entertainment. I lugged it around the arcade as Daniel dashed from game to game. I better understand how the “ball & chain” hinders prisoners from even trying to escape.

The Fast and the Furious - Super Bikes

Daniel starts out on Sega’s “The Fast and the Furious Super Bike” (High Res Video). (Low Res Video)

Deal or No Deal - Card Swipe

“Deal or No Deal” – 1st Game Single Swipe (High Res. Video) (Low Res Video) “Deal or No Deal” -2nd Game Double Swipe (High Res. Video) (Low Res Video)