Building a PC in Easy Steps

by Yarnold, Stuart

• ISBN13: 9781840783261
• ISBN10: 1840783265
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-10
• Publisher: In Easy Steps Limited

Summary

Need a new PC! Can't find a system that offers just what you want? The solution is to build it yourself and Building a PC in easy steps second edition will show you how. You can build a PC that is tailored to your exact requirements with no superfluous features that will never be used. Also, by buying the parts yourself you will know they are of adequate quality and capable of doing what they are intended to do. You can design the system so that it can be expanded and upgraded as and when new technology becomes available. You will have total control over price. You may, however, be thinking "Can I do this, computers are complex machines?" Well, if you can read and can handle a screwdriver, the answer is yes. The only other thing you'll need is your copy of the new edition of Building a PC in easy steps. The book explains what you will need, the best places to buy your parts, how to install them and what to do in the event of problems.

Table of Contents

Before You Start	p. 7
Introduction	p. 8
Store-Bought versus Self-Build	p. 10
What Do You Want it to Do?	p. 12
OEM versus Retail	p. 13
Where to Buy Your Parts	p. 14
Parts You Will Need	p. 16
Tools You Will Need	p. 16
Central Processing Units	p. 17
CPU Manufacturers	p. 18
Performance Ratings	p. 20
What CPU To Buy?	p. 21
Specifications	p. 23
Technologies	p. 25
Installing a CPU	p. 27
Fitting a Heatsink and Fan	p. 29
Memory	p. 31
Overview	p. 32
Types of Memory	p. 32
Error-Checking Memory	p. 35
Buying Memory	p. 36
Handling Memory Modules	p. 40
Installing Memory	p. 41
Motherboards	p. 43
Overview	p. 46
Buying a Motherboard	p. 47
Types of Motherboard	p. 54
Installing a Motherboard	p. 55
System Cases	p. 57
Types of Case	p. 58
Important Case Features	p. 59
Aesthetics	p. 64
Case Modding	p. 65
Power Supply Units (PSU)	p. 67
Overview	p. 68
Specifications	p. 68
External AC Power Supply	p. 72
Installing a PSU	p. 74
Case Connections	p. 76
Video Systems	p. 77
Video Systems	p. 78
Integrated Video	p. 78
Video Cards	p. 79
2D versus 3D	p. 80
The Video Card Market	p. 81
Video Card Specifications	p. 82
More Factors to Consider	p. 84
Installing a Video Card	p. 88
Monitors	p. 91
Overview	p. 92
CRT or LCD?	p. 93
Image Quality	p. 96
WideScreen LCD Monitors	p. 97
Installing a Monitor	p. 98
Testing the Basic System	p. 99
Why Do This Now?	p. 100
Check the Monitor	p. 101
Check the Connections	p. 102
Does it Work?	p. 103
The PC Doesn't Boot-Up	p. 105
Beep Codes	p. 106
Hard Drives	p. 109
Overview	p. 110
Interfaces	p. 111
Internal or External?	p. 114
Specifications	p. 115
Storage Capacity	p. 116
Aesthetics	p. 116
ATA Drive Configuration	p. 117
Installing an ATA Drive	p. 118
Installing a Second ATA Drive	p. 120
Installing a SATA Drive	p. 121
Installing a SATA Driver	p. 122
RAID Configurations	p. 124
Input Devices	p. 125
Mouse Technology	p. 126
Mouse Specifications	p. 127
Types of Mice	p. 128
Mouse Features	p. 129
Keyboard Technology	p. 130
Types of Keyboard	p. 131
Keyboard Specifications	p. 133
Keyboard Features	p. 134
Sound Systems	p. 135
Overview	p. 136
Integrated Sound Systems	p. 137
Sound Cards	p. 138
Installing a Sound Card	p. 142
Removable Media Drives	p. 143
What's Available?	p. 144
Floppy Drives	p. 145
CD-ROM Drives	p. 145
CD Writers	p. 146
DVD Drives	p. 147
DVD Formats	p. 148
CD/DVD Drive Specifications	p. 149
Beyond DVD	p. 151
Zip/Rev Drives	p. 152
Installing a Floppy Drive	p. 153
Installing a CD/DVD Drive	p. 155
Setting Up the System	p. 157
Navigating the BIOS	p. 158
Setting the Boot Device	p. 159
Setting Up the Hard Drive	p. 160
Enabling USB	p. 153
Disabling Integrated Sound	p. 154
Setting Up a Video Card	p. 155
Installing System Drivers	p. 155
Peripherals	p. 167
Printers	p. 168
Installing a Printer	p. 171
Multi-Function Devices	p. 171
Dial-Up Modems	p. 172
Installing a Dial-Up Modem	p. 173
Broadband Modems	p. 174
Installing a Broadband Modem	p. 175
Scanners	p. 175
Speakers	p. 177
Speaker Installation	p. 178
Troubleshooting	p. 179
Hard Drives	p. 180
Removable Media Drives	p. 182
Video	p. 183
Sound	p. 185
Dial-Up Modems	p. 186
Index	p. 187
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