Building a PC in easy steps (4th edtion) Stuart Yarnold.pdf

Table of Contents

1. Before You Start 7
Introduction 8
Store-Bought versus Self-Build 10
What Do You Want it to Do? 12
OEM versus Retail 13
Where to Buy Your Parts 14
Parts You Will Need 16
Tools You Will Need 16

2. Central Processing Units 17
CPU Manufacturers 18
What CPU to Buy 22
CPU Specifications 23
CPU Technologies 25
Installing a CPU 28
Fitting a Heatsink and Fan 30

4. Memory 31
Overview 32
Types of Memory 32
Error-Checking Memory 35
Buying Memory 36
Handling Memory Modules 40
Installing Memory 41

5. Motherboards 43
Overview 46
Buying a Motherboard 47
Other Motherboard Features 54
Installing a Motherboard 55

6. System Cases 57
Types of Case 58
Important Case Features 59
Aesthetics 64
Case Modding 65

7. Power Supply Units (PSU) 67
Overview 68
Specifications 68
External AC Power Supply 72
Installing a PSU 74
Case Connections 76
Video Systems 77
Video Systems 78
Integrated Video 78
Video Cards 79
2D versus 3D 80
The Video Card Market 81
Video Card Specifications 82
Other Factors to Consider 84
Installing a Video Card 88

8. Monitors 91
Overview 92
Types of LCD Panel 93
Monitor Specifications 94
Installing an LCD Monitor 100

9. Testing the Basic System 101
Why Do This Now? 102
Check the Monitor 103
Check the Connections 104
Does it Work? 105
The PC Doesn’t Boot-Up 107
Beep Codes 108

10. Hard Drives 111
Overview 112
Interfaces 113
Hard Drive Specifications 116
Types of Hard Drive 118
Buying a Hard Drive 122
Installing a Hard Drive 123

11. Input Devices 125
Mouse Technology 126
Types of Mouse 127
Mouse Specifications 128
Mouse Features 129
Keyboard Technology 130
Types of Keyboard 131
Keyboard Specifications 133
Keyboard Features 134

12. Sound Systems 135
Overview 136
Integrated Sound Systems 137
Sound Cards 138
Installing a Sound Card 142

13. Removable Media Drives 143
What’s Available? 144
DVD Drives 145
DVD Formats 146
DVD Drive Specifications 147
Blu-ray Drives 149
RDX Drives 150
Tape Drives 151
USB Flash Drives 152
Installing a DVD Drive 153

14. Setting Up the System 155
Navigating the BIOS 156
Setting up a Video Card 157
Enabling USB 158
Disabling Integrated Sound 159
Setting the Boot Device 160
RAID Configurations 161
Installing Windows 163
Installing System Drivers 166

15. Peripherals 167
Printers 168
Installing a Printer 171
Multi-Function Devices 171
Broadband Modems 172
Installing a Broadband Modem 173
Scanners 174
Speakers 175
Speaker Installation 176

16. Troubleshooting 177
Hard Drives 178
Windows 180
Sound 182
Removable Media Drives 184
Printers 185
Broadband 186