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Craig Powe builds state-of-the art computer at just 13
By Al Edwards
Sunday, October 11, 2009
At the tender age of 13, private school student Craig Powe has built one of the best computers in Jamaica.
Ordering the parts from Amazon.com, it took a year to build a gaming computer that sets new benchmarks in the industry. Young Craig says he began showing interest in computers from age two when his father, JMMB's Chief Informations Systems Manager Sheldon Powe's work brought him into close contact with them. He also had a penchant for computer games. I guess one can say that young Craig was destined to be a chip off the old block.
"From an early age he showed remarkable aptitude with computers, able to use a mouse and know his way around the machine before he could walk and talk. I used to play this game called Doom, which he took a particular interest in. Over the last few years his computer knowledge has grown by leaps and bounds and for some time now he has been telling me that he wants to build his own computer. I am very proud at what he has accomplished but I have some concerns that his school curriculum does not do his abilities justice. I bought him a book on building computers and realised very quickly that he takes computer science very seriously. I am now trying to find programmes that will challenge him," said Sheldon Powe.
His interest in creating his own computer was inspired by his two school buddies, Gavin Grant and Dylan Chang, who introduced him to computer games with stunning graphics. He had the notion that he could create something better and badgered his dad for two years to help him make it so.
Speaking with Sunday Finance from his home in Kingston, Craig said: "I can definitely say this is one of the best computers in Jamaica. The specifications are 3.6 Gigahertz quad core (GHz) with 4 Gig Ram containing two 500 gig hard drives. It also has a HD4890 ATI GTU graphics card together with a 128 GX Biostar motherboard which has a 2600 megahertz (MHz) font size bus. The AC monitor is 22 inches and the unit also has 150 watt surround sound speakers. The hard drives run at 10,000 RPMs each, which means when one stores data you can double the rate of loading and downloading. With this computer I can actually hold nine hard drives. In fact I call it 'The Beast' because it can just about do anything."
With the parts sourced and imported, the computer was built at a cost of around US$2,4000.
The articulate youngster says that he would like to attend the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to study computer science and would like to pursue a career as a technical computer programmer before becoming a games designer.
"One of the limitations here in Jamaica is that, as far as computers are concerned, you can't find anything high-end, you have to import everything and the tax on computer parts is excessive. This is prohibitive for IT specialists operating in Jamaica. Mind you, it is encouraging to see more people in Jamaica using computers, particularly the Internet and 3G technology which will take things to another level. I do think Windows 7, which is coming out soon, will be revolutionary. Wireless technology, though, is the next frontier and we can already see companies in Jamaica embracing it. Flow has done a lot to usher in the digital age in Jamaica," said young Powe.
Computer games have come a long way from the days of Pac-Man, Atari, Sega and Nintendo. Movies today are co-marketed with the equivalent computer game and the visual quality is amazing. Craig Powe spends a lot of time playing computer games and his knowledge is vast, considering his tender years. What does he see as the future for computer games?
"Realism and making characters and situations as life-like as possible. Now the way that is going to happen is through antialising. A graphics programme to look out for is Direct X 11 which will change the face of gaming and be a big improvement. My favourite computer game is Team Fortress 2. I do believe that I can custom-make computers specifically for gaming. That would be fun."
By Al Edwards
Sunday, October 11, 2009
At the tender age of 13, private school student Craig Powe has built one of the best computers in Jamaica.
Ordering the parts from Amazon.com, it took a year to build a gaming computer that sets new benchmarks in the industry. Young Craig says he began showing interest in computers from age two when his father, JMMB's Chief Informations Systems Manager Sheldon Powe's work brought him into close contact with them. He also had a penchant for computer games. I guess one can say that young Craig was destined to be a chip off the old block.
"From an early age he showed remarkable aptitude with computers, able to use a mouse and know his way around the machine before he could walk and talk. I used to play this game called Doom, which he took a particular interest in. Over the last few years his computer knowledge has grown by leaps and bounds and for some time now he has been telling me that he wants to build his own computer. I am very proud at what he has accomplished but I have some concerns that his school curriculum does not do his abilities justice. I bought him a book on building computers and realised very quickly that he takes computer science very seriously. I am now trying to find programmes that will challenge him," said Sheldon Powe.
His interest in creating his own computer was inspired by his two school buddies, Gavin Grant and Dylan Chang, who introduced him to computer games with stunning graphics. He had the notion that he could create something better and badgered his dad for two years to help him make it so.
Speaking with Sunday Finance from his home in Kingston, Craig said: "I can definitely say this is one of the best computers in Jamaica. The specifications are 3.6 Gigahertz quad core (GHz) with 4 Gig Ram containing two 500 gig hard drives. It also has a HD4890 ATI GTU graphics card together with a 128 GX Biostar motherboard which has a 2600 megahertz (MHz) font size bus. The AC monitor is 22 inches and the unit also has 150 watt surround sound speakers. The hard drives run at 10,000 RPMs each, which means when one stores data you can double the rate of loading and downloading. With this computer I can actually hold nine hard drives. In fact I call it 'The Beast' because it can just about do anything."
With the parts sourced and imported, the computer was built at a cost of around US$2,4000.
The articulate youngster says that he would like to attend the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to study computer science and would like to pursue a career as a technical computer programmer before becoming a games designer.
"One of the limitations here in Jamaica is that, as far as computers are concerned, you can't find anything high-end, you have to import everything and the tax on computer parts is excessive. This is prohibitive for IT specialists operating in Jamaica. Mind you, it is encouraging to see more people in Jamaica using computers, particularly the Internet and 3G technology which will take things to another level. I do think Windows 7, which is coming out soon, will be revolutionary. Wireless technology, though, is the next frontier and we can already see companies in Jamaica embracing it. Flow has done a lot to usher in the digital age in Jamaica," said young Powe.
Computer games have come a long way from the days of Pac-Man, Atari, Sega and Nintendo. Movies today are co-marketed with the equivalent computer game and the visual quality is amazing. Craig Powe spends a lot of time playing computer games and his knowledge is vast, considering his tender years. What does he see as the future for computer games?
"Realism and making characters and situations as life-like as possible. Now the way that is going to happen is through antialising. A graphics programme to look out for is Direct X 11 which will change the face of gaming and be a big improvement. My favourite computer game is Team Fortress 2. I do believe that I can custom-make computers specifically for gaming. That would be fun."
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