Building the Perfect PC: The complete guide to customizing, upgrading, and creating your own machine

by Robert Bruce Thompson, Barbara Fritchman-Thompson

With off-the-shelf computer systems to fit any budget or requirement, some people might wonder why you'd want to build your own. They don't understand that for many computer users, a ready-made system is about as satisfying as popping a frozen dinner in the microwave when you'd rather have real food instead. Sure, it works, but it's not exactly what you need or want.There's a lot to be said for a computer that has exactly the quality components you choose, by the manufacturers you choose, rather than the conveniently bundled assortment made for your price point. But perhaps you've stopped short of building your own because you're inexperienced or you're concerned it won't come out right. After all, you want your computer to be perfect. Hesitate no Building the Perfect PC delivers end-to-end instructions (that even inexperienced PC-builders can follow) for creating your ideal machine.Written by hardware experts Robert Bruce Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson, this book covers it all, beginning with the various reasons why you'd want to build your own PC, planning and picking out the components, and putting it all together. The book outlines a variety of complete systems and all of their components, including a small form factor PC; a middle-of-the-road "sweet spot" system with top-notch components; and a top-end gaming PC with high-end video, a fast processor, and enough RAM to make your palms sweat just thinking about it.Straightforward language, clear directions, and extensive illustrations make this guide a breeze for computer builders of any level to follow--even those with little or no experience. If you've yearned for a quality machine with high-end components that suit your needs, then Building the Perfect PC will put you where you want to in control of your computer system.

Genres: Nonfiction, Computers, Reference

352 pages, Paperback

First published August 26, 2004

About the author

Robert Bruce Thompson was an accomplished author and scientist, publishing books on computers and the sciences. He built and sold science kits in support of home school education throughout the United States.

Reviews

[Suible]

I've read this in preparation of building a PC. Good information about computer parts - where to spend money, where to save it - depending on what kind of computer you want and how things fit together, or fail to fit together.

There are lots of details about how to do various steps, many with photos.

The negative side is inherent in explaining how to do anything very complicated - there are a lot of steps and the variables are so many that it is just not possible to cover everything.

I do feel better prepared after reading 4-5 chapters and I do plan to go over the information piece by piece as I build my first computer. And, if that one works out well - will possibly consult it with future builds. The reason I'm less enthusiastic about consulting it in the future is just the nature of the topic - technology changes, what is a high-end build becomes mainstream and what is a cheap, cheap build becomes . . . well, ancient.

Still, the book was a good one for me to read - stretched my techie knowledge to a more acceptable level.

[Fernando Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Building the perfect PC - A good alternative to how much you want to spend on a specific system. The book list's different used PC's today in homes,offices,server's etc. every PC described in the book gives clear instruction's on the building of the specific system. In the beginning the
book gives you a brief summary of what part's to buy and for what price range. overall the book is based on instruction's step by step & get you in building your dream PC when the time & money is right.

I learned from this book - that making a PC is not be difficult because that's how the whitebox system brands cheaply insert non-branded part's in there product's and therefore decreases it's dependably on the life of the system.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully thorough and well-organized handbook, and possibly the best book to have in hand before starting to build a computer, especially for a novice. Best hands-on computer book I've seen in nearly 30 years of messing with the things.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now longer will I be a slave to Dell. I'm building my own PCs and I can't imagine a better guide.