Build your own Computer
Build your own Computer provides a practical guide to building a modern personal computer hardware system. The strategy promoted in this book is to build a system that meets your current system needs -- and also provides enough flexibility to meet your future system needs. It is intended for people with limited knowledge of computers, and therefore complex concepts are carefully explained and a glindex of Information Technology (IT) terms is also provided. Detailed instructions and advice are provided for every step -- from selecting components to testing and troubleshooting the system. These instructions are supported with more than one hundred photos.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Planning the Build
3: Selecting Components
3.1: Selecting the Central Microprocessor Unit
3.2: Selecting the Motherboard
3.3 Selecting RAM Modules
3.4: Selecting the Expansion Cards
3.5: Selecting the Case
3.6: Selecting the Secondary Storage Devices
3.7: Selecting the Power Supply Unit
3.8: Selecting the Monitor
4: Buying Components and Organizing Work
5: Building the Computer
5.1: Preparing the Case
5.2: Installing the CPU
5.3: Installing the RAM Modules
5.4: Installing the Motherboard
5.5: Installing the Expansion Cards
5.6: Installing the Power Supply Unit
5.7: Installing Secondary Storage Devices
5.8: Connecting External Peripheral Devices
6: Powering-up
7: Troubleshooting
8: Checking Components
9: Giving Something Back
Glindex
Appendix
Appendix 1: Software Selection List
Appendix 2: Software System Requirements
Appendix 3: Selection of Components and Essential Peripheral Devices
Appendix 4: Installation of Legacy SCSI System
Appendix 5: Introduction to Case Modeling
Appendix 6: Removing Write-protection with Regedit
Appendix 7: Installing Windows 10 ISO from USB Device
Appendix 8: Troubleshooting Checklist
Appendix 9: Audio-Technica Forum Guidelines
Professional Review
Denis Vukosav, Senior Project Manager
This book about building your perfect computer is easy to read and follow. Build your own Computer, written by Hugh Pittman, is a book that, unlike many others in the market, goes really deep into the subject matter. The process of personal computer building is explained in detail, showing the author’s obvious experience in the field. From the very beginning, the author provides an informative introduction, explaining his reason for writing this book: to provide a practical guide to building a modern personal computer hardware system that runs on a Windows or Linux-based operating system. Pittman makes it clear that his book is intended for people that have limited knowledge of computers. Therefore, he makes sure that complex technical concepts are carefully explained — starting with basic terms such as ‘personal computer’, ‘operating system’, ‘Hackintosh computers’ and the like.
Also, the author chose to make his book more than just a good reference guide by introducing a bit of humor. Therefore, the reader will be able to meet a cartoon character named Ding Duck, who either offers some friendly advice or is annoyed when he points out some common mistakes. The user should listen to advice provided by this charming character, and make sure to avoid mistakes that usually happen when it comes to computer assembly.
Build your own Computer puts a special emphasis on the use of tables full of reference data, in figures that can be found throughout the entire book, and in demonstrating practical examples of the situations in which users can, and most likely will find themselves, following the author’s instructions.
Though I’m not part of the audience this book is written for, given my 30+ years of working with computers, I’m pleasantly surprised by the amount and quality of information that can be found within, as well as by the author’s knowledge. During careful reading, I could not find a single thing that is incorrect. Though, of course, I have somewhat different opinions about some of the author’s views. But, when it comes to software and hardware, that is normal. Therefore, I would say Build your own Computer is a book that is intended for, and will be mostly enjoyed by, those readers that know nothing or very little about personal computers. That is because the well-written instructions and good quality pictures make it easy-to-read and easy-to-follow.
On the other hand, even experienced users will find this book interesting because of the exhaustive and comprehensive manner in which the author synthesizes knowledge about the selection of high-quality components to enable users to create the kinds of systems they want to build.
I was given a copy of this book by the author for the purpose of writing an unbiased review, and all the presented information is based on my own.
