A guide to building a custom PC provides information on planning the project, choosing the components, and constructing five different systems, including a mainstream PC and a home theater PC

A gaming hardware authority shows users how to optimize gaming performance with tips on installation of components, getting up and running, and more for those ultimate gamers who are interested in learning a little more about what's under the hood of their PC.

Build games with techniques and insights from a pro.

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

Using the highly effective Visual format, readers follow numbered steps illustrated with full-color photos to plan a game PC, develop a parts list, acquire components inexpensively, and finally, assemble the PC Readers choose a case, then select, purchase, and install a motherboard, CPU, memory, graphics cards, audio and network hardware, and hard drive, as well as monitors, keyboards, and game controllers A unique book that shows readers step by step how to build their dream game PC on a budget Enables gamers to build the ultimate PC, with blistering frame rates, incredible game detail, and realistic sound

Build games with techniques and insights from a pro.

Building a gaming PC is arguably the best technological investment you can make. A quality gaming rig lasts longer than a smartphone, boasts more power than a gaming console, and is infinitely more versatile than even the most powerful streaming box. Whether you're typing up documents, editing video or cranking up the settings on the latest and greatest games, a gaming PC is the best tool for the job. With regular maintenance, one of these systems could last five years - with regular upgrades, maybe ten.Still, building a PC can be a daunting process, particularly for newcomers. There are plenty of good guides out there, particularly from our sister sites like PC Gamer and Tom's Hardware. However both of these stories focus a lot on mechanics: what components you need, and how to fit them all into a motherboard. Before I built my first PC, even these guides would have been a little daunting.Instead to split the process into two parts and take a more experiential tack. Before you build a PC, you need to decide why you want to build it. What do you want that you can't get from a prebuilt machine? Which parts will facilitate that goal? And how can you make sense of the hundreds of different tech specs between the half-a-dozen different pieces you'll need?With that in mind, this book focuses on picking parts. In a broad sense, I'd like to discuss my thought process behind each part.