Building the Perfect PC 3rd Edition

Description

Build a PC that will outperform any brand-name box on the market

Yes, even if you’re not a total geek you can build your own PC -- and we guarantee it’s worth the effort. You’ll discover that the quality is better and the cost is much lower than any comparable off-the-shelf PC you can buy. Design the custom computer you want, and have fun doing it.

* Get high-quality PC hardware from local stores and online vendors
* Plan your computer project with a complete checklist
* Create the ideal PC that will run Windows 7 or Linux
* Take advantage of the latest multi-core CPUs
* Assemble, test, and configure your PC with ease
* Build a PC that meets your needs and fits your budget

Written by hardware experts, this book delivers complete instructions for building your own dream machine with high-quality components, whether it’s a PC for general use, extreme gaming, a media center, or home server. Straightforward language, clear directions, and easy-to-follow illustrations make this guide a breeze for computer builders of any skill level, even those with no experience.

 Building the Perfect PC presents six in-depth custom PC projects:

* Mainstream PC -- Fast, flexible, quiet, and reliable at a reasonable price
* Extreme System -- A wicked fast PC for video editing, gaming, and more
* Media Center -- One PC to replace your TiVo, game console, DVD, and CD player
* Home Server -- Ideal home network hub to store, share, and secure data
* Appliance PC -- A tiny, quiet, inexpensive PC you can put anywhere
* Budget System -- Reliable and highly functional at a low, low price

CONTENTS:

Dedication; Foreword to the Third Edition; Foreword to the Second Edition; Foreword to the First Edition; Preface; Goals of This Book; Audience for This Book; Organization of This Book; We'd Like to Hear from You; Disclaimer; Safari(R) Books Online; Acknowledgments; Thank You; Chapter 1: Fundamentals; 1.1 Why Build a PC?; 1.2 Designing the Perfect PC; 1.3 Things to Know and Do Before You Start; 1.4 Things You Need to Have; 1.5 Troubleshooting; Chapter 2: Choosing and Buying Components; 2.1 Choosing Components; 2.2 Buying Components; 2.3 Final Words; Chapter 3: Building a Budget PC; 3.1 Determining Functional Requirements; 3.2 Hardware Design Criteria; 3.3 Component Considerations; 3.4 Building the Budget System; 3.5 Final Words; Chapter 4: Building a Mainstream System; 4.1 Determining Functional Requirements; 4.2 Hardware Design Criteria; 4.3 Component Considerations; 4.4 Building the Mainstream System; 4.5 Final Words; Chapter 5: Building an Extreme System; 5.1 Determining Functional Requirements; 5.2 Hardware Design Criteria; 5.3 Component Considerations; 5.4 Building the Extreme System; 5.5 Final Words; Chapter 6: Building a Media Center System; 6.1 Determining Functional Requirements; 6.2 Hardware Design Criteria; 6.3 Component Considerations; 6.4 Building the Media Center System; 6.5 Installing Software; 6.6 Final Words; Chapter 7: Building an Appliance/Nettop System; 7.1 Determining Functional Requirements; 7.2 Hardware Design Criteria; 7.3 Component Considerations; 7.4 Building the Appliance System; 7.5 Final Words; Chapter 8: Building a Home Server; 8.1 Determining Functional Requirements; 8.2 Hardware Design Criteria; 8.3 Component Considerations; 8.4 Building the Home Server; 8.5 Final Words; Colophon;