PC Chop Shop: Tricked Out Guide to PC Modding [Paperback]

David Groth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 19, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0782143601 | ISBN-13: 978-0782143607 | Edition: 1

Learn How To Soup Up and Customize Your PC and Really Make It Your Own

Unimpressed by how the commonplace beige or gray computer looks and performs? Want to apply a personal touch to your PC so it reflects your own sense of style? You can make it glow, fill it with water, paint your favorite emblem on the case, or ultimately transform it into a completely unique work of art. There are myriad ways you can make your PC distinct.

In PC Chop Shop, best-selling author and expert "Modder" David Groth empowers you to create original PC modifications by teaching you the essential modding skills and inspiring you with a showcase of the most imaginative ideas. Through clear, step-by-step instruction, you'll learn a variety of basic-to-advanced modifications, including how to:

• Install lights--from neon to cold cathode to UV
• Make and apply custom decals
• Integrate windows and fan grilles in your case
• Add LED's and lights to your drives
• Modify the cooling systems for your case, memory, hard drive, and CPU
• Experiment with water cooling, Peltier cooling, and phase change cooling
• Enhance performance with CPU and memory overclocking
• Deaden Sound
• Personalize your keyboard, mouse, speakers, and monitor
• Paint creative designs on metal and plastic
• And much, much more!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Learn How To Soup Up and Customize Your PC and Really Make It YourOwn

Unimpressed by how the commonplace beige or gray computer looksand performs? Want to apply a personal touch to your PC so it reflects your ownsense of style? You can make it glow, fill it with water, paint your favoriteemblem on the case, or ultimately transform it into a completely unique work ofart. There are myriad ways you can make your PC distinct.

In PC ChopShop, best-selling author and expert "Modder" David Groth empowersyou to create original PC modifications by teaching you the essential moddingskills and inspiring you with a showcase of the most imaginative ideas. Throughclear, step-by-step instruction, you’ll learn a variety ofbasic-to-advanced modifications, including how to:

Install lights—from neon to cold cathode to UV

Makeand apply custom decals

Integrate windows and fan grilles in yourcase

Add LED’s and lights to your drives

Modify the cooling systemsfor your case, memory, hard drive, and CPU

Experiment with water cooling,Peltier cooling, and phase change cooling

Enhance performance with CPU andmemory overclocking

Deaden Sound

Personalize your keyboard, mouse,speakers, and monitor

Paint creative designs on metal and plastic

And much, much more!

About the Author

David Groth, author of the Sybex's best-selling A+ Complete Study Guide, is a full-time author and consultant. Groth holds many technical certifications but spends most of his free time modding and hosting LAN parties. His specialty mods include a '57 Chevy and SWAT Hummer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Sybex; 1 edition (November 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782143601
• ISBN-13: 978-0782143607
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,394,445 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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, but not fantastic, October 25, 2005

By 

brant (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PC Chop Shop: Tricked Out Guide to PC Modding (Paperback)

There is a lot of great information in this book. I learned loads in the section of lighting, from how to solder LEDs to installing those cool plasma balls and/or plates. The stealthing section was also cool.

My only gripe is the photos. Most are black and white, and don't always clearly illustrate the point, especially when he is talking about the different colors of wire coming from a PSU. Many photos are on different pages than the text describing them, making one flip a page over to see what the author is talking about, and then flip back and try to find your spot. Minor, but annoying.

Besides the issue over photos, I learned loads, and will definatly apply some of the techniques to the project I bought the book for.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful, December 24, 2004

By 

Hacker007 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PC Chop Shop: Tricked Out Guide to PC Modding (Paperback)

A great book for the workbench. Photo tutorials are very clear and easy to follow. The Author also restores Classic cars so the chapter on "case painting" is worth the price alone. The book covers all skill levels. Its a great reference guide when you find yourself in garge or workshop w/o internet access.
Modders, buy this book!