Hello everyone!
This is the Yinaoyun scientific research circle, I am sister Miaojun~
When we choose a computer, we often have no idea how to choose a computer that can meet our scientific research needs and has a good cost performance.
In this issue, we have invited Tang Xian and Meng Ma to give us detailed answers to the precautions for psychologists when purchasing computers. Welcome to forward and share~
PS: Reply the keyword "computer purchase guide" in the background to get the original text in PDF version!
If a home computer is compared to a brain, there are four main components that affect its performance, with the impact factors ranging from high to low.
If the brain of the computer needs to calculate a paired sample t-test, what factors will affect the calculation process?
1. Processor/CPU
Processor/CPU is the most relevant computer accessory for everyone's work efficiency. It can be understood as the transmission speed of nerve impulses of neurons. The faster the transmission speed, the stronger the brain function.
Similarly, the better the processor, the faster the computer runs, the faster the calculation process of SPSS, and the faster the paired sample t-test is completed.
In addition, the number of CPU cores is also very important. When using matlab to process data, you can enable multi-core simultaneous processing. At this time, the more cores, the faster the speed.
2. Graphics card
The graphics card is used to draw the binary data of the computer into a picture and display it. Without a graphics card, the computer can still perform the paired sample t-test, but you cannot see the answer, which is equivalent to the occipital lobe that processes visual information.
The following two groups have relatively high requirements for graphics cards:
game player:
The game screen can only be displayed after being rendered and drawn by the graphics card. The better the graphics card, the better the picture can be displayed at a faster speed.
Plane workers:
Making animations and modifying high-resolution images requires extremely high graphics card performance.
Computer graphics cards generally fall into two categories:
Integrated Graphics:
As the name suggests, integrated graphics card is a graphics card integrated in the CPU, not an independent component. Generally, business laptops are equipped with a CPU integrated with a graphics card. On the one hand, the cost is reduced, and on the other hand, the computer is thinner and lighter.
However, the integrated graphics card can only meet the basic needs, and cannot meet the needs of large-scale games and graphic workers. This type of graphics card does not need to be selected, because it is determined by the CPU you choose.
Discrete graphics card:
This type of graphics card is a separate component that typically accounts for the bulk of the cost of a desktop computer.
In the past, only desktop computers and gaming notebooks were equipped with discrete graphics cards. However, in recent years, graphics card manufacturers have introduced thin and light discrete graphics cards for notebooks. The performance is between integrated graphics cards and discrete graphics cards, increasing the range of choices for users.
If you need to use matlab to process data with a graphics card acceleration function (only supports Nvidia graphics card), if you often deal with EEG and nuclear magnetic data, it is recommended to choose a discrete graphics card.
3. Memory
The larger the memory, the stronger the computer's load capacity at the same time, which can be understood as the working memory capacity of the brain.
The size of a single memory stick is 8G, 16G, and 32G. Generally speaking, it is better to use two 8G memory sticks to form a 16G dual channel than to use only one 16G memory stick.
In addition to the size of the memory stick, there is another parameter: the frequency, the common types are 2400, 2666, 3200, etc. The higher the frequency, the better, and of course the more expensive the price.
4. Hard disk
Hard drives serve two purposes:
Let your system and software have a running foundation;
Let your data be stored. Equivalent to the total number of neurons.
There are two types of hard drives used in computers: solid-state drives and mechanical hard drives. Solid state drives are smaller in size, faster in read and write speeds, better in performance, and more expensive in price. Mechanical hard drives are bulky and have slower read and write speeds, but they are cheap.
For a hard drive of the same size, one solid state drive can usually buy two or more mechanical hard drives.
In addition, the data of the mechanical hard disk is stored on the magnetic disk, even if the hard disk cannot be read, it can be recovered, while the solid-state hard disk uses flash memory as the storage medium. Once the data is damaged, it is difficult to restore and its service life is relatively shorter.
The classification of mechanical hard disk varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Taking Western Digital as an example, it is divided into blue disk, black disk, gold disk, purple disk, etc. The more expensive the hard disk, the more stable the performance, the faster the read and write speed, and it can withstand It can afford longer running time and higher frequency of reading and writing, but the blue disk is enough for ordinary users.
Generally speaking, our system disk uses solid-state hard disk, which can make the system and software run quickly and stably. The storage disk chooses mechanical hard disk, which can buy larger capacity at a lower price and ensure data security at the same time.
If there is a need for nuclear magnetic data processing, it is recommended to place the data on a solid-state hard disk for processing, and its processing speed will be significantly faster than that of a mechanical hard disk, and then copy and save it to the mechanical hard disk after processing.
What kind of computer do psychologists need?
How to choose a computer?
If you want to buy a desktop machine that meets the needs of scientific research and is cost-effective, you need to consider many factors. It is difficult to describe it clearly in a short article. It is recommended to consult a friend who knows about machine installation. This article does not make recommendations, just talk about the choice of laptops.
- Student books:
About 3,000 yuan, the most basic configuration can meet the needs of entry-level users. If the usage habits are not good, the office may freeze after a long time. It is recommended that users who have insufficient budget but know how to install software and maintain computers reasonably should purchase it.
- Office book:
About 6,000 yuan, the configuration is quite satisfactory, but it is enough to meet the needs of most psychologists, and the price is relatively reasonable. Due to the minimal difference in hardware competition between various brands, it is easy to choose.
- Game book:
About 8,000 yuan, generally use the processor and graphics card of the desktop computer version. For ordinary users, the performance part is overflowed, and it is also thicker and prone to heat. It is not suitable for psychologists who need to travel around. However, users who need to process a large amount of NMR and EEG data and do not often move their computers can also consider it.
- thinkpad, etc.:
About 10,000 yuan, at this price, the hardware is not the main consideration, just choose what you like to buy.
The hardware information of the latest notebook computers with a price of 6,000 yuan from several well-known brands is collected below for your further understanding.
It can be seen from the above table that if you want to buy a business thin and light notebook of a common brand, the performance of each company will not be much different. Basically, you will choose the same or similar processor and graphics card. Memory and hard disk are also a standard set of configurations. .
So after choosing a price you can accept, you can decide which one to buy based on your favorite brand, detailed design (such as Huawei's touch screen and multi-screen collaborative office), and user reviews.
A computer with a price of 6,000 yuan and configuration, if used reasonably, is enough to run common software such as Office Family Bucket, e-prime, SPSS, graphpad, etc., but it will still be a bit time-consuming to process EEG or NMR data (it is recommended to buy a game book or a desktop computer ).
If you only use this computer for three years, the hard disk capacity may not be enough, and you need to equip a mobile hard disk as a supplement, or replace the original hard disk of the computer with a larger capacity hard disk.
reference:
1. Laptop CPU ranking:
https://rank.kkj.cn/mcpu3.shtml
2. Laptop graphics card ranking:
https://rank.kkj.cn/mgpu3.shtml
3. The above data acquisition and June 2021 On the 10th, Tmall platform
4. There are two major manufacturers of processors, AMD and Intel. Here we only take laptops using Intel processors as an example.
5. The discrete graphics cards in the table are all notebook version thin and light discrete graphics cards
PS: Reply to the keyword "computer purchase guide" in the background to get the original text in PDF version.
That's all for today's sharing, see you next time!
Author｜Tang Xian
Typesetting｜Qiuqiu
Proofreading｜Sister Blue Eucalyptus Miaojun