Build Your Own PC, Third Edition [Paperback]

Morris Rosenthal (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072195584 | ISBN-13: 978-0072195583 | Publication Date: January 18, 2002 | Edition: 1

Build and customize your own PC from start to finish with this highly visual guide. Now you can save money by putting together your very own PC with help from PC expert Morris Rosenthal. Containing everything you need to know--from basic vocabulary to where to find and purchase parts--this book shows you how to assemble both tower and desktop PCs, install an operating system and software, as well as upgrade and add components. If you can follow a recipe, then you can learn to build your own PC!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Outstanding, very informative & easy to read! This was the most informative book on building computers I have ever read, and I have read a few. I would recommend this book to anyone who was considering building a PC or who just wanted to see how they were put together, operate, and what you can do with them." -- Amazon reviewer

From the Author

I have incorporated reader feedback into each new edition of Build Your Own PC. The troubleshooting chapter added to the 3rd edition was a direct result of your comments. The chapter about common mistakes to avoid before beginning was also a result of reader requests. Unlike most computer books that last through multiple editions, I do a complete rewrite each time, removing obsolete facts and information about systems that are no longer built (and for which parts are no longer available). This book does not present the history of computers, it's a guide to building a PC with the latest technology. The only photograph from the 1st edition that still appears in the third is a two-page display on a 17" monitor. I look forward to your continued feedback.

Morris Rosenthal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 1 edition (January 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072195584
• ISBN-13: 978-0072195583
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,411,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

117 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! This is a GREAT book for FIRST TIME PC BUILDERS!, November 11, 1999

By 

Ryan (Virginia USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Build Your Own PC, First Edition (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for anybody who wants to build their own computer. Even if you don't know any of the computer parts, this book fully details every part of the computer and how they work. The author introduces computer terms and allows the reader to understand what they mean in simple terms. I am 13 years old, and am making my own computer thanks to this book. The book makes things simple, building a PC is not half as hard as it seems. The book is filled with photos, allowing you to see every process of assembling the computer. This book will teach you in normal language how to make a desktop or tower. Not to mention, this book was written recentely and includes PIII cpu's, AMD processors, and even DVD-ROM drives. However, to make your own computer following this book, you must be willing to specd at least $500.00. I highly recommend this book to any person, any age, who wants to make their own computer. However, this book seems to leave some questions about assembly unanswered, and a little research by yourself might be necessary. Overall, this is a simple, fun book to read that makes PC building very easy. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Book, October 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Build Your Own PC, Third Edition (Paperback)

Im typing this review from the PC I just built with help from this book. I would have given it 5 stars only if they had made it more clear that this was not for the absolute beginners. This book is for intermediate to advanced users, but even if you are a beginner there's still a chance you'd be satisfied with it. You have to refer to some background knowledge to understand some of the concepts and terminology, but by in large thats really not that big a problem if you're not prone to being easily frustrated. The bottom line is if you're patient, then you'll get the job done, but if you're looking for a quick build, then dude.....just buy a Dell. Here are the basic specs for the system I built:

Tower case (love the big casing)
Pentium 4 processor
256 MB DDR Ram
64 MB video card
Intel Mobo
Windows 2000

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First Time Computer Builder, December 28, 2000

By 

D. Stoddard - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Build Your Own PC (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This guy has built some computers before. He has some excellent insights into the computer parts and functions. What you need versus what you want..."don't buy tomorrows technology today...you can easily upgrade it later saving hundreds ($500). Some good advice. I felt good about going forward with the build.

As the author states, he can't write in detail about everything. So, you should be prepared to pay ten cents per page for his book. He's not wordy...and he's got a sense of humor if your in the right frame of mind. The computer building business must be getting tougher to make a buck these days.

I researched my parts using what Vendors were using in thier builds and then researched them via the internet. Try Pricewatch.com; Motherboards.com; and use a search engine for computer component reviews. Then talk to the sales people...they'll help you for a sell.

Even if you buy your computer prebuilt, you should go through the reading and research so you can pick out a computer with right components you need and not just buzzword names.

Go ahead a try to build one. If you get in trouble, just be prepared to let the computer store down the road bail you out for a nominal fee.