If you?ve dreamed about having a customized multimedia PC or one tricked out for your favorite games, build your own and make your dreams come true!
Build Your Own PC Do-It-Yourself For Dummies makes it easy.
Not only is building your own PC a really rewarding project, it can also save you a nice chunk of cash. This step-by-step guide helps you decide what you need, teaches you what all those computer terms mean, and tells you exactly how to put the pieces together. It shows you: What tools you need (not as many as you might think!) All about operating systems How to install CD and DVD drives The scoop on sound and video, and how to put a sound system together from start to finish How to connect a monitor and install a modem All about setting up and configuring the hard drive Secrets for securing your system, and more
Included is a bonus DVD showing you how to install the motherboard, CPU, RAM, ports, hard drive, video and sound cards, a DVD drive, and more. With Build Your Own PC Do-It-Yourself For Dummies, you can have the computer you want plus the satisfaction of doing it yourself!
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
User review
OK for dummies :)
It's a good book for dummies. If you've ever done any repairwork on your desktop pc, then you won't learn much, but I'm sure you'll learn something. It's well written, save for the occasional very bad pun or joke. Everything is well explained.
User review
Makes a seemingly-daunting task very doable
`Build Your Own PC for Dummies,` written by Mark Chambers, takes you through the entire process of building a PC from the ground up, from `Why would I build my own PC anyway?` to determining what kind of machine you should build to what components you will need to actual assembly to maintenance and upkeep.
The book is arranged sequentially, so by following it from beginning to end you will be led through each and every step, all with the trademark Dummies sense of humor and Chambers' vast insight. Each chapter is also self-contained, so if you only need help with, say, installing a new video card, you can skip right to that part (and if he references anything from another chapter, Chambers will tell you what chapter you should refer to).
As the book progresses, Chambers builds a top-of-the-line computer using the outlined steps, giving exact parts and the rationale behind why he chose them. A companion DVD to the book shows the actual assembly process for those who are more visual-oriented.
I was pleasantly surprised at the rather unbiased comparison of Linux, Vista and XP in the operating system chapter - rather than becoming a fanboy of either side, Chambers lists the strengths of all the systems and makes recommendations based on what you have in mind for your PC.
A handy section at the end of the guide is a collection of `Top Ten` lists, such as biggest assembly pitfalls and tips to maintain your hard drive.
This book is a fun read, conveys great information, is easy to digest and is generously illustrated. I give it my highest recommendation, and am using it to build a PC that will save me about 35% off retail and will last longer.
User review
Great introduction and written in a easy to understand style
I've worked with PCs for over twenty years, but it's been ten-plus years since I had a need to look inside one other than to add the occasional RAM chip. I decided its time to replace my PC and was disappointed at the configuration options available from Dell,HP, and Sony, so I decided to consider building one with my specific wants in mind.
Mark does a wonderful job explaining the basics of what you need to know, what's important and what's not important. I read the book in one day and felt completely comfortable specifying my a PC to meet my needs. I've already decided what I want in my new PC. I went back and figured out what I would have to add to the HP and Dell configurations to match my own design. Doing it myself looks like I'll save 20% to 25% ($1,400 vs $1,750-$1,900). Not bad for a day of reading and day of assembly. An added bonus will be the lack of bloat-ware (a/k/a/ useless software) usually installed by HP and Dell.
Not surprising, Amazon sells 90% of the components I want so I'll be making good use my Amazon Prime shipping plan. My UPS guy already thinks I own stock in Amazon, so what's a few more boxes!
User review
Hand-holding for the novice
Imagine all of those beautiful, expensive parts on your work table, and a trusted friend shows up to walk you through the process of building your first computer. He's there to look over your should and help when you need. You are confident and empowered.
This is an excellent book, with very clear logic about laying out and building three different levels of computer systems. While I have been a PC user since 1981, I never tried to build one until now, and I was worried about how the big bucks I was plunking down would translate.
Now that you have all these parts, where do you start? What should your concerns be? in 28 years of PC fiddling and replacing parts, for example, I never had anybody tell me that it was okay (and useful) to use a magnetic screwdriver.
While it is, technologically speaking, a step behind the latest state of the art, it covers the fundamental order and process of assembly and test in clear, concise and memorable prose. Couple this with the `bad english` instructions that will come with your components, and you should get through this fine.
The author is good enough to inspire confidence. I guess the only things I saw that were lacking is I would like to have seen him write about building a laptop and about liquid cooling. Other than that, I could not think of an idea that was missed.
There is also a CD with it. Oddly enough, this book lacks a `troubleshooting` chapter or section, but that's the only flaw I've found.
