Build the Ultimate Custom PC
by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Kathie Kingsley-Hughes
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Book Summary Information
Author: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Kathie Kingsley-HughesEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-12-05
ISBN: 0471760994
Number of pages: 416
Publisher: Wiley
Book Reviews of Build the Ultimate Custom PC
Book Review: A Complete Success--Worth Every Penny...
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, I did it.
I should have my own "quote" on the back of the book, because after reading "Build the Ultimate Custom PC," I actually built a freakin' computer!
Like others have said, currently this book is still one of the newest you can buy about building your own PC--I was a little skeptical at first--because if you're into technology fiddle-faddle, you know that parts and things change so fast that in another few years, this book could be about as useless as they come--the innovation is always topping itself. (If you want a more modern PC, or even a cheaper, "budget" one--than this book is perfect. If you want the newest $3,000 gaming rig, than I might recommend checking out the other "sister" book)
Thankfully, instead of taking the easy route and ordering a PC from "Dell" or buying one at Best Buy, I decided I wanted to build one myself. Building your own PC is still a special accomplishment these days--I mean, unless you consider yourself a nerdy kind of guy or gal, how many people do you know that built the computer they own in their living room themselves? See what I mean?
This book was written, solely, absolutely without question, for the person who has never done this sort of thing before. Even if he or she has never even seen the inside of a computer case. If that's you, then you're in luck, because guess what, it's surprisingly easy. Basically, the only tool I needed was a Phillips screwdriver. I'm completely serious, it's nothing like what you initially think.
But not only is it a lot easier than you think--it's fun. I actually had a blast building my PC, and since the book was so informative and gave me plenty of foreshadowing and "heads-up" kind of tips, I was very prepared--and it didn't take me long at all. And if you're worried about safety--don't be. It makes me laugh just to think about how nervous I was that I was going to electrocute myself or something--it's just rediculous.
This book will hold your hand the whole way through. It's very apparent that the couple who wrote this have plenty of experience with the insides of computers, but the refreshing thing is--they know exactly how to explain it in just plain, simple English.
It will help you plan your budget, choose the right parts, and then put it all together. If you have a credit card and a screwdriver, then you can do it. It may not teach you how to "tweak out" your new system, or overclock your CPU--you won't know everything there is to know--but the cool thing is, you don't have to, and everything works out great.
One thing to remember--besides taking the time to read this book, set aside time to do some shopping and online research. When shopping for computer parts, you'll want to see other people's opinions about certain things, and if you're a tad unclear about something specific in the book, set aside time to Google it and research it a little further. There's so much information about the topic that it's quite easy to find specific answers online.
All in all, after reading this book (and doing just a little extra research and shopping), I built my first computer. And I can't wait to build my next one!
Don't do Dell, do it yourself.
Summary of Build the Ultimate Custom PC
Take control of your PC!Why do they load up a PC with stuff you don't need and leave off the things you really want? Don't take it anymore! Grab a screwdriver and let these two experts show you how to build the PC of your dreams, even if you've never cracked a case before. You'll learn to choose the right components, install them safely, test your system, find the best prices on parts, and even trick out your new machine with some cool tweaks and mods. Plenty of illustrations and step-by-step directions make it easy, and you just might make your wallet happy, too.
How to build what you want
Oh, the things you'll learn!
* Safety first--it's Chapter 1
* Choose your tools
* Powering this puppy
* Motherboard knows best
* RAM it into drive(s)
* Video and sound are in the cards
* Bringing your PC to life
* Testing! Testing!
* Operate on Windows? XP
* Warranties--in English
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