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 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 longer: 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.
Straight-forward 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 be: in control of
your computer system.
Robert Bruce Thompson is the coauthor of Astronomy Hacks, Building the Perfect PC, 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 the coauthor of Astonomy Hacks, Building the Perfect PC, 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.
