PC Chop Shop : Tricked Out Guide to PC Moddling

by Groth, David

• ISBN13: 9780782143607
• ISBN10: 0782143601
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-11-19
• Publisher: Sybex

Summary

Learn How To Soup Up and Customize Your PC and Really Make It Your Own Unimpressed by how the commonplace beige or gray computer looks and performs? Want to apply a personal touch to your PC so it reflects your own sense of style? You can make it glow, fill it with water, paint your favorite emblem on the case, or ultimately transform it into a completely unique work of art. There are myriad ways you can make your PC distinct. In PC Chop Shop, best-selling author and expert "Modder" David Groth empowers you to create original PC modifications by teaching you the essential modding skills and inspiring you with a showcase of the most imaginative ideas. Through clear, step-by-step instruction, you'll learn a variety of basic-to-advanced modifications, including how to: Install lights--from neon to cold cathode to UV Make and apply custom decals Integrate windows and fan grilles in your case Add LED's and lights to your drives Modify the cooling systems for your case, memory, hard drive, and CPU Experiment with water cooling, Peltier cooling, and phase change cooling Enhance performance with CPU and memory overclocking Deaden Sound Personalize your keyboard, mouse, speakers, and monitor Paint creative designs on metal and plastic And much, much more!

Author Biography

David Groth, author of the Sybex's best-selling A+ Complete Study Guide, is a full-time author and consultant. Groth holds many technical certifications but spends most of his free time modding and hosting LAN parties. His specialty mods include a '57 Chevy and SWAT Hummer.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. x
Introduction to PC Modification	p. 1
The What, Why, and Who of Modification	p. 2
What Is It?	p. 2
Why Do It?	p. 3
Who Is Doing It?	p. 3
Warnings	p. 3
Warranty Voiding	p. 3
Parts Destruction	p. 4
Safety	p. 4
Safety Equipment	p. 4
Metal Safety	p. 7
Tool Safety	p. 8
Chemical Safety	p. 8
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)	p. 8
Tools	p. 10
Workspace	p. 10
Basic Hand Tools	p. 11
Small Power Tools	p. 18
Other Specialized Tools	p. 28
Modding Chemicals	p. 32
Paints	p. 32
Glues and Adhesives	p. 32
Solvents and Cleaners	p. 34
Modification Prerequisites	p. 35
Choosing a Theme	p. 35
Purchasing the Needed Parts	p. 35
Disassembling an Existing PC	p. 36
Modification Tips	p. 37
Have a Plan	p. 37
Know Your Limitations	p. 38
Have a Clean Workspace	p. 38
Collect Parts and Tools Beforehand	p. 38
Have Fun	p. 39
Basic Modifications	p. 41
Lighting	p. 42
LEDs	p. 42
Neon Lights	p. 47
Cold Cathodes	p. 49
EL Tape	p. 51
EL Wire	p. 52
UV Lights	p. 54
Other Light Types	p. 54
Decals	p. 55
Kits	p. 55
Custom Made	p. 56
Case Wraps	p. 57
Cable Management	p. 61
Using Rounded IDE cables	p. 61
Using Zip Ties	p. 62
Using Tie Downs	p. 64
Sleeving Cables	p. 66
Case Modification	p. 77
Case Windows	p. 78
Window Installation	p. 78
Window Etching	p. 87
Other Window Techniques	p. 93
Premodded Cases	p. 94
Metal	p. 95
Acrylic	p. 96
Laptop Modifications	p. 97
Drive Modifications	p. 99
Activity LEDs	p. 100
Changing Case Hard Drive Activity LEDs	p. 100
Changing CD-ROM and Floppy LEDs	p. 101
Cutouts or Drive Windows	p. 104
Stealthing CD-ROM Drives	p. 111
Cooling Modifications	p. 117
Fans	p. 118
Fan Sizes and Air Movement	p. 119
Fan Types	p. 119
Fan Grilles	p. 120
Fan Controls	p. 124
Memory Cooling	p. 125
Hard Drive Cooling	p. 126
Chipset Cooling	p. 126
CPU Cooling	p. 127
Air Cooling Methods	p. 127
Advanced CPU Cooling Methods	p. 130
Silent Cooling Methods	p. 132
Quiet Case Fans	p. 133
Sound Deadening Materials	p. 133
Performance Modifications	p. 135
Overclocking	p. 136
CPU Overclocking	p. 136
Video Card Overclocking	p. 138
Disk Subsystem Enhancements	p. 139
Memory Enhancements	p. 140
Peripheral Modifications	p. 143
Keyboards	p. 144
Keyboard Lighting	p. 144
Keyboard Painting	p. 149
Mice	p. 152
Optical Mouse LED Changeover	p. 152
Mouse Painting	p. 155
Lighted Mousepads	p. 155
Speakers	p. 156
Monitors	p. 156
Painting	p. 159
Paint Basics	p. 160
Paint Chemistry and Terminology	p. 160
Paint Delivery	p. 166
Painting Supplies	p. 167
Where to Paint	p. 169
The Painting Process	p. 170
Surface Preparation	p. 170
Priming	p. 175
Finish Sanding and Cleaning	p. 178
Sealing	p. 180
Painting	p. 181
Finishing	p. 184
Painting Plastic	p. 189
Other Modifications	p. 191
Adding AC Devices to a PC	p. 192
Key Switch Power Switch Mod	p. 193
Adding an LCD screen	p. 195
Go For It!	p. 203
Index	p. 204
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