Building a PC for Dummies [Paperback]

Mark L. Chambers (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764507826 | ISBN-13: 978-0764507823 | Publication Date: November 15, 2000 | Edition: 3

This book gives you step-by-step instructions to build your own PC, including what kind of computer you need, parts you will need, how to choose components, how to install them, which operating system you should use and much more. The 3rd Edition of this successful For Dummies title is updated to include the latest technologies making it the most up-to-date reference for new and old do-it-yourselfers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

By buying components and assembling them yourself, you can save a little money and gain a lifetime of free technical support. Building a PC for Dummies removes the intimidation factor from building your own Intel-based personal computer, explains what you need, and shows you how to put everything together. It's a fine place to start if you've never assembled your own machine before and want to give the process a try.

Author Mark L. Chambers describes what to look for when shopping for components, but he refrains from recommending any specific models or manufacturers. Building a PC for Dummies would be stronger if he had made such recommendations, the way Tom's Hardware Guide does. Even without a specific shopping list, this book makes it possible for a novice computer builder to make informed decisions about motherboards, processors, storage devices, expansion cards, and input devices.

Chambers presents the assembly process logically, explaining how to install a component or two at a time while performing incremental testing. He includes troubleshooting information in each component's section, but it's odd that he puts his discussion of operating systems in an appendix--most system builders will want to see their creations run as soon as possible. --David Wall

Topics covered: Buying and building a PC; selecting motherboards, processors, storage devices, expansion cards, and input devices. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

How to find the latest components at the lowest prices

Create your dream system — the painless way!

Tips for working with the latest technologies, including Linux^®, DSL, high-speed processors, and more! So you want a computer that meets your specific needs rather than the cookie-cutter PC in the store, but you don't have a big budget? Consider this guide your first aid kit^® for designing and building the system you really want — from determining which parts you need to troubleshooting when things don't work right.

Discover how to: Build with new or used components Put together a home network Install and configure drives Add first-rate sound to your system Select and install a modem Test your work

The Dummies Way^™ Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

Get smart! www.dummies.com Register to win cool prizes Browse exclusive articles and excerpts Get a free Dummies Daily^™ e-mail newsletter Chat with authors and preview other books Talk to us, ask questions, get answers

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Product Details

• Paperback: 358 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 3 edition (November 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764507826
• ISBN-13: 978-0764507823
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #394,545 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Maintenance, Repair & Upgrading
  • #40 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design > Microprocessor Design

More About the Author

Mark L. Chambers is an author, tech editor, and unabashed Mac fan. He is the author of more than 30 computer books including Mac OS X Leopard All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies and AppleTV For Dummies.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Format! A little dated., December 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Building a PC for Dummies (Paperback)

This is another great book in the Dummies series. I had never built a computer before, but this book showed me how. My brother and I built two computers in about a day and a half, and this book was a big help. But although the book was a great introduction to computers and components, and although it did a great job convincing me that even I could build a computer, it was a bit outdated when it came to hardware. That's a dilema, of course, because new computer products come onto the market so fast that by the time a book makes it to the market, it's already a bit behind. I suggest that the publisher post an "update" chapter on its website. Then, even if the book gets a bit outdated, readers can download the "update" chapter to find out about important recent developments in computer hardware that the book didn't already cover.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect book for the First Time Computer Builder, October 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Building a PC for Dummies (Paperback)

As a Value Added Reseller, I have been building computers for the last 15 years. I am now recommending "Building a PC for Dummies" for first time computer builders and those who want to open the hood and understand what's inside. The book takes a humorous approach to the construction process and provides a complete "How To" step by step processes. The components of a computer system can change each month. Information about the latest and greatest parts can be gained from many other sources, such as Toms Hardware. For the first timer, this book is a must have.

Dave Barnett Vice President SDSI Business Systems

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Computer building for the hardware technophobe..., November 3, 2005

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Building a PC For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) (Paperback)

(This is a review of the 5th edition)

I'll admit it... I buy my PCs when I upgrade. I'm getting more at ease with hardware since I've started doing all these book reviews, and I probably *could* build a PC now without too much angst, but I still buy. But if I were to decide that my next PC would be "home-built", I'd be comfortable with using the book Building a PC for Dummies by Mark L. Chambers.

Contents:
Part 1 - Can I Really Do This?: What's in a Computer, Anyway?; What Type of PC Should I Build?
Part 2 - Building Your PC: Building the Foundation - The Case and Motherboard; A Bag of Chips - Adding RAM and a CPU; The Three PC Senses - Ports, Mouse, and Keyboard; Images "R" Us - Adding Video and a Monitor; Make Room! Your Hard Drive and Other Storage Devices
Part 3 - Adding the Fun Stuff: Putting the Spin on CD-ROM and DVD; Let Your PC Rock!; Modems and the Call of the Internet
Part 4 - Adding the Advanced Stuff: Attack of the SCSI Monster; So You Want to Add a LAN?; Life in the Fast Lane with Broadband; Input and Output - Scanners, Cameras, Video Capture, and Printers; More Power User Toys
Part 5 - The Part of Tens: Ten Reasons Not to Buy a Retail PC; Ten Tools and Tasks for a Power User's PC; Ten Important Assembly Tips; Ten Ways to Speed Up Your PC; Ten Things to Avoid Like the Plague
Part 6 - Appendixes: Choosing Your Operating System; Glossary
Index

This book is most likely going to appeal to the hardware-phobic computer owner (like I was for quite awhile) or the first-time PC builder. Chambers has an amusing writing style which will make you smile as you figure out the next steps to take in your PC adventure. If you've already built a PC or you dwell in the land of needing to know every last technical spec of a device before you install it, there's probably not much here to offer you. Even I know most of the material *about* each device and what type of rationale you should apply (buying new vs. refurbished, why hard drive capacity is important, RAM is king, etc.). My downfall would be actually having all those devices spread out on a table with an empty computer case in front of me. But I'm pretty confident that I'd be able to stand a pretty good chance of getting everything to actually work the first time if I followed the information here. There's even a center section with color pictures to show you what to expect. It's a nice touch...

If you're looking for an approachable book on getting past your first computer build, this one would be a good choice. Easy to follow, fun to read, and the intimidation factor is nonexistent.