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Fox Engineering Inc.
-Small Business Super-Sized PC Page-
Fox Engineering Inc.
PO Box 215
Spencerville, MD 20868
(301) 421-4130

Recommended Configuration a Super-Sized Small Business Computer (2009)
Designed to last 3 to 4 years and then be replaced


CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad (2.6Ghz or better, 1333 Mhz FSB) w/Intel chipset family
Alternate CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad (2.3 Ghz or better 1066 Mhz FSB) w/Intel chipset family
** BIOS: Phoenix/Award BIOS
(Note: some motherboards have Video and Sound built-in)
Memory: 4096 MBytes total, DDR2, dual channel (2048 MBytes each), PC2-6400 rating (800 Mhz) or better (Ideal if motherboard has capacity greater than 4GB memory)
Case: MiniTower ATX (two 3 1/2" plus three 5 1/4" bays)
Keyboard: Standard Windows 104 Keys USB
Pointing Device: optical mouse with scroll wheel (USB); other pointing devices may be needed depending upon the applications being used
Note: Pay attention to ergonomics and ease of use
Floppy Disk: Not required anymore
Hard Drive: SATA2 750 GByte; 7200 rpm, 16MB cache; RAID qualified
Alt Hard Drive: SATA2 1 TByte, 7200 rpm, 168MB cache; RAID qualified
Consider dual 750 GB or greater (750 GB or 1 TB) hard drives in a RAID 1 configuration for greater reliability
Partition Info: Single user: Recommend 25% primary partition for OS and applications.  Store all DATA on extended partition (always backup your data)
Partition Info: Multi user: At least 50% of drive for primary OS partition and applications; Store photos, images & common files on extended partition (always backup your data)
Optical Disk Drive: DVD Reader/Writer
Optional Additional Optical DD: DVD Reader
**  Video Board: PCI-Express w/256 MBytes(minimum) with Dual Outputs and supporting dual monitors; 
Video Display LCD: 24" or larger (resolution is fixed on LCDs) contrast >400, brightness >250 nits
No more than 3 dead pixels (always on) per screen; no more than 5 dead pixels (always dark)
Both DVI (digital) and RGB/SVGA (analog) inputs

For very high end work, dual displays configured as a single "desktop"
Sound Board: PCI based Sound Card if not on motherboard (most motherboards have sound built-in)
Speakers: Small, Price $25 or under sufficient; some speakers built into the video display
Internet Connectivity: ADSL or Cable service probably available in your area these require different modems
FIOS (Fiber service may be available) uses a WAN/LAN router)
(Note: Firewall absolutely required with any Internet use)
LAN: 100/1000 mb Ethernet (often on motherboard) 
LAN Switches: 8 or more ports, 1000 mb capability, (unmanaged for simple networking)
LAN Cable: Cat 6 or 6E unshielded twisted pair wire
Backup Strategy: DVD+R or DVD-R is very acceptable; also Network Attached Storage
(Note: BACKUP to CD or DVD and TAKE OFF SITE!!)
Power Sys Backup: UPS 6 minutes minimum - 650 watts/750+VA
Operating System: Windows XP-Professional (64-bit edition)
Green IT: RoHS specification (no lead); 80 Plus (power supply efficiency better than 85%; EPEAT (Silver minimum); Energy Star 4.0 or better; Recycle you old computer.
VIRUS Protection, Anti Spyware, and Firewalls
If you connect to the Internet, you need a minimum of three forms of protection against intruders:  A virus detection software package, a Spyware protection software, and a software or hardware firewall.  Here are but some of the better products you can choose from:
Virus Protection
McAfee: VirusScan
Symantec:
Norton AntiVirus
TrendMicro: AntiVirus
GRISOFT: AVG Antivirus
Spyware Protection
Microsoft: Microsoft AntiSypware 
Webroot: Webroot Spy Sweeper
Firewall Protection
Zone Labs: Zone Alarm
McAfee: Firewall
Symantec: Norton Firewall
Always keep your Firewall and Virus Protection software up to date!
** Recommend You Use a NAME BRAND only for this item - see below
NAME BRANDS
In some cases, use of Name Brands (instead of generic brands) is critical to system success.  This is especially true for the more modern Operating Systems like Windows and Linux. The drivers required to operate the peripheral devices need to be obtained from a ready source.  Some generic products do not have WEB or technical support and it may be impossible to locate the manufacturer. Use of name brands in these cases also assures drivers are included infuture editions of these modern OSs.  Use of a "product compatible" rating will not suffice with today's modern Operating Systems! 
Name Brand Power System Backup Products
American Power Conversion
http://www.apc.com/
Name Brand LAN Products
D-Link http://www.dlink.com/
NetGear http://www.NetGear.com/
Linksys http://www.linksys.com
Operating Systems
Windows http://www.microsoft.com/
NOTE

Any names/trademarks used are NOT an endorsement of those items...but are provided for reference only and are owned by their owner.  Name Brand suggestions are not all inclusive.
http://www.Fox-Engineering.com
info2 AT Fox-Engineering DOT com
Copyright © 2004-2009 Fox Engineering Inc.
 Last Updated: 19 Jan 2009