Computer Hardware - General, IBM & IBM-compatible PCs, General & Miscellaneous PCs

Building the Perfect PC

Name: Building the Perfect PC
Author: Robert Bruce Thompson
ISBN: 9781449388249

by Robert Bruce Thompson

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Overview

Written by hardware experts, this book delivers complete instructions for creating your ideal machine-and every system in this book has been designed to run well under Linux and Windows Vista. Straightforward language, clear directions, and extensive illustrations make this guide a breeze for computer builders of any skill level-even those with little or no experience. It covers the fundamentals: reasons why you'd want to build your own PC, how to plan your project, and how to find high-quality components.

Learn how to: Choose best-quality hardware for the perfect PC, Take the dual-core leap with the latest Core 2 Duo and Athlon X2 CPUs, Assemble, test and configure a PC, Build a reliable and affordable general purpose PC, Balance size and power as you build a small form factor PC, Replace your VCR, TiVo, DVD, and CD player with the perfect media center PC.

This popular Build-It-Yourself (BIY) PC book covers every step in building one's own system: planning and picking out the right components, step-by-step assembly instructions, and an insightful discussion of why someone would want to do it in the first place.

Synopsis

About the Author, Robert Bruce Thompson

Robert Bruce Thompson is a coauthor of Building the Perfect PC, PC Hardware Buyer's Guide, Astronomy Hacks, and PC Hardware in a Nutshell. Robert built his first computer in 1976 from discrete chips. It had 256 bytes of memory, used toggle switches and LEDs for I/O, ran at less than 1MHz, and had no operating system. Since then, he has bought, built, upgraded, and repaired hundreds of PCs for himself, employers, customers, friends, and clients. Robert reads mysteries and nonfiction for relaxation, but only on cloudy nights. He spends most clear, moonless nights outdoors with his 10-inch Dobsonian reflector telescope, hunting down faint fuzzies, and is currently designing a larger truss-tube Dobsonian (computerized, of course) that he plans to build.

Barbara Fritchman Thompson is a coauthor of Building the Perfect PC, PC Hardware Buyer's Guide, Astronomy Hacks, and PC Hardware in a Nutshell. Barbara worked for 20 years as a librarian before starting her own home-based consulting practice, Research Solutions, and is also a researcher for the law firm Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge, & Rice, PLLC. During her leisure hours, Barbara reads, works out, plays golf, and, like Robert, is an avid amateur astronomer.

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Editorials

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
“Have it your way” doesn’t just apply to burgers anymore: It applies to PCs, too. If the prefabricated choices out there don’t float your boat, just build your own. There’s no better way to ensure superior quality, or to make sure your PC meets your specialized needs -- gaming, Linux, whatever. Building the Perfect PC will be your start-to-finish guide and companion.

The authors walk you through five separate projects: building a mainstream PC, a small office/home office server, home theater PC, miniature “small form factor” PC, and a LAN party PC. They don’t just offer step-by-step construction techniques; they also illuminate the thinking that led them to choose each component. That way, as new components arrive, you can still use their advice to make wise choices. Bill Camarda

Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2003 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.