Building a PC for Dummies

An old adage says, "If you want something done right, do it yourself." Building A PC For Dummies can help you get the job done right -- the first time. Author Mark L. Chambers walks you through the process of figuring out which computer is right for you and how to put it all together. Building A PC For Dummies offers tons of useful cost-cutting tips, and it gives you the facts on items like hardware and operating systems, network connections, modems, CD-ROM drives, sound and video cards, and more. When you open up the CD-ROM included with Building A PC For Dummies, you'll find a number of shareware programs, demos, tools, and utilities designed to maximize your new PC's performance.

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.