Building the Perfect PC

Build a PC that will outperform any brand-name box on the market

Yes, even if you’re not a total geek you can build your own PC -- and we guarantee it’s worth the effort. You’ll discover that the quality is better and the cost is much lower than any comparable off-the-shelf PC you can buy. Design the custom computer you want, and have fun doing it.

  • Get high-quality PC hardware from local stores and online vendors
  • Plan your computer project with a complete checklist
  • Create the ideal PC that will run Windows 7 or Linux
  • Take advantage of the latest multi-core CPUs
  • Assemble, test, and configure your PC with ease
  • Build a PC that meets your needs and fits your budget

Written by hardware experts, this book delivers complete instructions for building your own dream machine with high-quality components, whether it’s a PC for general use, extreme gaming, a media center, or home server. Straightforward language, clear directions, and easy-to-follow illustrations make this guide a breeze for computer builders of any skill level, even those with no experience.

Building the Perfect PC presents six in-depth custom PC projects:

  • Mainstream PC -- Fast, flexible, quiet, and reliable at a reasonable price
  • Extreme System -- A wicked fast PC for video editing, gaming, and more
  • Media Center -- One PC to replace your TiVo, game console, DVD, and CD player
  • Home Server -- Ideal home network hub to store, share, and secure data
  • Appliance PC -- A tiny, quiet, inexpensive PC you can put anywhere
  • Budget System -- Reliable and highly functional at a low, low price
1100156358
Building the Perfect PC

Build a PC that will outperform any brand-name box on the market

Yes, even if you’re not a total geek you can build your own PC -- and we guarantee it’s worth the effort. You’ll discover that the quality is better and the cost is much lower than any comparable off-the-shelf PC you can buy. Design the custom computer you want, and have fun doing it.

  • Get high-quality PC hardware from local stores and online vendors
  • Plan your computer project with a complete checklist
  • Create the ideal PC that will run Windows 7 or Linux
  • Take advantage of the latest multi-core CPUs
  • Assemble, test, and configure your PC with ease
  • Build a PC that meets your needs and fits your budget

Written by hardware experts, this book delivers complete instructions for building your own dream machine with high-quality components, whether it’s a PC for general use, extreme gaming, a media center, or home server. Straightforward language, clear directions, and easy-to-follow illustrations make this guide a breeze for computer builders of any skill level, even those with no experience.

Building the Perfect PC presents six in-depth custom PC projects:

  • Mainstream PC -- Fast, flexible, quiet, and reliable at a reasonable price
  • Extreme System -- A wicked fast PC for video editing, gaming, and more
  • Media Center -- One PC to replace your TiVo, game console, DVD, and CD player
  • Home Server -- Ideal home network hub to store, share, and secure data
  • Appliance PC -- A tiny, quiet, inexpensive PC you can put anywhere
  • Budget System -- Reliable and highly functional at a low, low price
17.99 In Stock
Building the Perfect PC

Building the Perfect PC

Building the Perfect PC

Building the Perfect PC

eBook

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Overview

Build a PC that will outperform any brand-name box on the market

Yes, even if you’re not a total geek you can build your own PC -- and we guarantee it’s worth the effort. You’ll discover that the quality is better and the cost is much lower than any comparable off-the-shelf PC you can buy. Design the custom computer you want, and have fun doing it.

  • Get high-quality PC hardware from local stores and online vendors
  • Plan your computer project with a complete checklist
  • Create the ideal PC that will run Windows 7 or Linux
  • Take advantage of the latest multi-core CPUs
  • Assemble, test, and configure your PC with ease
  • Build a PC that meets your needs and fits your budget

Written by hardware experts, this book delivers complete instructions for building your own dream machine with high-quality components, whether it’s a PC for general use, extreme gaming, a media center, or home server. Straightforward language, clear directions, and easy-to-follow illustrations make this guide a breeze for computer builders of any skill level, even those with no experience.

Building the Perfect PC presents six in-depth custom PC projects:

  • Mainstream PC -- Fast, flexible, quiet, and reliable at a reasonable price
  • Extreme System -- A wicked fast PC for video editing, gaming, and more
  • Media Center -- One PC to replace your TiVo, game console, DVD, and CD player
  • Home Server -- Ideal home network hub to store, share, and secure data
  • Appliance PC -- A tiny, quiet, inexpensive PC you can put anywhere
  • Budget System -- Reliable and highly functional at a low, low price

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781449396626
Publisher: Maker Media, Inc
Publication date: 11/16/2010
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 368
File size: 28 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Robert Bruce Thompson is a coauthor of Building the Perfect PC, Astronomy Hacks, and the Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders. Thompson built his first computer in 1976 from discrete chips. It had 256 bytes of memory, used toggle switches and LEDs for I/O, ran at less than 1MHz, and had no operating system. Since then, he has bought, built, upgraded, and repaired hundreds of PCs for himself, employers, customers, friends, and clients. Robert spends most clear, moonless nights outdoors with his 10-inch Dobsonian reflector telescope, and is currently designing a larger, computerized, truss-tube Dobsonian that he plans to build.

Barbara Fritchman Thompson is a coauthor of Building the Perfect PC, PC Hardware Buyer's Guide, Astronomy Hacks, and PC Hardware in a Nutshell. Barbara worked for 20 years as a librarian before starting her own home-based consulting practice, Research Solutions, and is also a researcher for the law firm Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice, PLLC. Barbara is an avid amateur astronomer.

Table of Contents


Foreword     vii
Preface     xi
Fundamentals     1
Why Build a PC?     2
Designing the Perfect PC     5
Things to Know and Do Before You Start     17
Things You Need to Have     20
Getting to Know Your Motherboard     25
Troubleshooting     30
Choosing and Buying Components     43
Choosing Components     46
Buying Components     72
Final Words     79
Building a Mainstream PC     81
Determining Functional Requirements     82
Hardware Design Criteria     83
Component Considerations     86
Building the Mainstream PC     99
Post-Assembly     129
Final Words     134
Building a SOHO Server     135
Determining Functional Requirements     136
Hardware Design Criteria     140
Component Considerations     146
Building the SOHO Server     158
Final Words     191
Building a Gaming PC     195
Determining Functional Requirements     196
Hardware Design Criteria     197
Component Considerations     200
Building the Gaming PC     214
Final Words     246
Building a Media Center PC     249
Determining Functional Requirements     251
Hardware Design Criteria     255
Choosing Software     258
Component Considerations     262
Building the Media Center PC     277
Final Words     309
Building a Small Form Factor (SFF) PC     311
Determining Functional Requirements     312
Hardware Design Criteria     314
Component Considerations     315
Building the SFF PC     322
Final Words     344
Building a Budget PC     347
Determining Functional Requirements     348
Hardware Design Criteria     349
Component Considerations     350
Building the Budget PC     356
Final Words     387
Index     391
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