24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I could actually *do* this!, December 13, 2005
This review is from: Build the Ultimate Custom PC (Paperback)
After reading Build the Ultimate Custom PC by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes and Kathie Kingsley-Hughes, I'm pretty convinced that my next desktop PC will be built by me instead of purchased at a store. I think I could actually do this...
Contents:
Part 1 - Choosing Components for Your PC: Staying Safe; Choosing the Tools You Need; Choosing a Suitable Case and Power Supply; Choosing a CPU and Motherboard; Choosing the Right RAM; Choosing Hard Drives and Floppy Drives; Choosing CD/DVD Drives; Choosing Video Adaptors and Monitors; Choosing Sound Capability; A Tour of Cables and Fittings; Checking and Testing Components
Part 2 - Building Your PC: Top 10 Things You Don't Want to Forget before You Begin the Build!; Assembling the Case and Fitting the PSU; Fitting the Basic Parts; Adding Storage
Part 3 - Starting and Testing Your PC: Fire Up and Burn In; Final Tweaks and Installing Windows XP; Check and Test, Check and Test Again!; Everything You Need to Know about Warranties and Beyond
Part 4 - Appendices: Useful Websites; Checklist; Hardware Manufacturers; Glossary
Index
The authors work from the assumption that you've never done this before (which I haven't) and that you will need guidance from choosing the parts clear through the assembly and start-up. They do a very nice job in covering all the basic components, what things need to be known about them (specs, details, etc.), and what you'll need to look for in terms of making good choices based on your requirements. This would even be good material if you're looking to upgrade something (like a CD unit) and you need to better understand what to look for. Once you have all your parts together, they show you how to assemble it all into a working computer, along with things you must know during the assembly process, like how to diffuse static electricity. You don't want a simple spark to fry your expensive CPU, do you? I was impressed with their coverage of testing tips, too. My biggest fear (short of having left-over parts) is pushing the power button and having nothing happen. With the testing steps shown here, you should be able to quickly get past that point should it occur. Honestly, seeing the quality of the information presented, I'd say there's a very good chance that you won't have that happen unless you have a faulty part to begin with...
Bottom line, this is a book I'd definitely recommend to a first-time computer builder who wants the experience of "rolling their own". As much as it surprises me to say it, I think I might just be that person for the next upgrade...
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Complete Success--Worth Every Penny..., August 13, 2006
This review is from: Build the Ultimate Custom PC (Paperback)
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.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
time/technology marches on, August 31, 2007
This review is from: Build the Ultimate Custom PC (Paperback)
It's nearly impossible to write a book like this that isn't dated a few months after it's published, and this book is no exception. This would be fine if the book were a little more technical or specific, but it's really just a broad overview of the basics of building a computer in 2005. I would have rated it higher back then. Perhaps a new edition with an inclusion of more up to date technology, speculation on impending technology's impact, or treatment of more advanced concepts such as overclocking/temperature management/bios tinkering is in order.
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