If you're hoping to get some tips to build the "utimate" gaming PC, you'll probably be disappointed, but this book is a good general primer to building gaming or graphics-intense PC's.

It's sponsored by a web site that sells PC parts and kits, so the book references that web site as a resource, and the goal is to keep it all under $999, so the more expensive options aren't even really discussed (water cooling, more expensive graphics cards, etc.) It would have been nice to read some pros and cons and maybe have some "But if you want to spend more..." side bars. (And for purchasing the parts, I suggest TigerDirect.com, much cheaper.)

This book did a good job raising my comfort level...

But in the end I decided to just buy a Dell XPS! For the work involved including time and patience, it was just more practical. But the book at least showed me what to look for in a good machine, and I was incredibly impressed to see that the XPS was built pretty much as I imagined my home-built PC would have been.

Very thorough color images throughout, and a good value if your intention is to build a great gaming PC for under a $999. The book definitely delivers on that promise.

I believe that everyone who ever saw computer or working with it every day- tried to play different computer games whether they are "Solitare", "The Sims", "Quake", "Doom", "War Craft" or any other.

For last 5 years market of computer games is in good progress and attracts more and more people of different ages and tastes. Games attract more and more people and i think it is great, because games can relax you, improve your managing skills (Anno 1701, Civilization, Caesar, The Sims), improve your reaction (Quake, Doom, Battlefield 2142) or just let you enjoy of world of magic characters and skills (World of WarCraft, KnightOnline). And the better game PC you have, the more enjoyable will be your hours, month's, years of playing. This particular book will help you to built computer that will serve to you for many years, so just let's take overview of this amazing book "Build it yourself visually: The Ultimate Game PC under $999" by Wiley Publishing.

First thing we notice when we take this book in hands and turn some pages (in such on-line shops as amazon.com you can also do it virtually) we notice that book has very friendly interface. Take a look at table of content and you will notice that it tells you not only how to build, but also gives you tips for organizing, managing and preparing for whole process.

If you have good PC computer you can use it for everything: from office programs to playing games. But if you have only simple office PC - i have doubt you will able to use it for more in future. For the sake of example: you decided to use video conference to chat with your friends - don't think usual office computer will very manage very good with this task. As minimum you need good video card (and internet connection of cause) - and video card is as we call it "heart" of Game PC.

So think twice before you start to build computer. And if you build one for yourself - choose the best parts and make your dream come true, cause you deserve it.

Doesn't matter if you 9 or 69 years old - you will simply find all needed information and will have no problem with understanding it. In this book you will find many technical aspects that you will be quick to gasp thanks to friendly interface, good explanations and a lot of helpful pictures.

Many people think that to build a computer is very hard and need to be almost genius, but that ones who really think so will definitely change there mind after reading this book. Plus, i am sure, they will take a pride for doing it themselves (that's how i felt when i built my first computer at age of 10).

Information that you find in this book with time will (of cause! - like in any other book) became a bit older, but computer basic and principles always stays the same (until we will be with both legs in nano-age but this will not happen in next 50-60 years and we want computer right now). With time RAM or HDD will have bigger capacity, we will have better video card, but if in future you will want to change smth in you computer - the only thing you will need to do - is simply to replace particular detail or maybe just add new detail as extra memory of hard drive (why not? Just make supercomputer from game computer). As result we can conclude that this book will stay your friend as minimum for next half century.

All information in book is perfectly organized and ready for you. So, just read the book and build your dream Game PC yourself right now.
Have fun!

THIS BOOK IS VERY GOOD LOTS OF COLOR PICTURES, AND INFORMATION, GOES IN DEPTH ON THESE SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHATS GOING ON. I'D RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE FROM THE BEGINNER TO A EXPERT. JUST A GOOD BUY.

THIS BOOK IS VERY GOOD LOTS OF COLOR PICTURES, AND INFORMATION, GOES IN DEPTH ON THESE SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHATS GOING ON. I'D RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE FROM THE BEGINNER TO A EXPERT. JUST A GOOD BUY.

Pro: Book taught me about the necessary things I needed to build my pc.

Con: The book basically told you about the products that they are selling. I don't like the fact that they limit it to those products and wanted to learn about other products that were available.

I've been building my own computers for years. I always tell people how easy it is and end up spending my own time helping them. Now I can just hand them the book and walk away. I lent this book to a mechanic friend of mine and he went from zero to up and running in one weekend. Highly recommended.

If you've ever wanted to build a PC but want *exact* instructions on what to buy, where to buy it, and how to put it all together, here you go... Build It Yourself Visually: The Ultimate Game PC for Under $999 by Joel Durham. No guesswork here...

Contents: Special Considerations for Game PCs; Preparing Your Shopping List; Buying Your Components; Preparing Your Tools and Workspace; Introducing the Case; Mounting the Power Supply; Installing the Motherboard; Dropping In the CPU; Adding Memory; Installing the Graphics Card; Introducing the Audio Device; Installing the Floppy Drive; Installing the Hard Drive; Installing the Optical Drive; Setting Up the Speakers; Attaching the Monitor; Connecting the Input Devices; Installing Windows XP; Installing the Drivers; Keeping Your System Up-To-Date; Optimizing Your System; Benchmarking to Quantify Your System's Performance; Glossary; Index

The Build It Yourself Visually series relies, as you can probably surmise, on a graphic-heavy format to show the reader exactly how to do something. In many cases, it's just a lot of screen shots that show each step in a program or installation. In this situation, it's valuable in that you get pictures of each component as well as each installation step. This book goes beyond other "build your own PC" books in that it tells you *exactly* what to buy, why it is the preferred choice (cost vs. performance), and then points you to the CPUSolutions.com site where they have a special area set up to complement the book. You can buy the very same components listed in the book, therefore assuring yourself that the parts you get and assemble are the same ones you'll see in the instructions. For those who are a bit gun-shy to begin with, that's a nice safety net. And if you're confident of your skills to "wing it" a bit, you can spend a bit more and upgrade per their recommendations listed on each component. Either way, the end result should be a solid gaming system for less than you would have spent to buy it off the shelf... Not to mention the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.

A solid title for the target they're shooting for, and one I would recommend to someone that fits that category...

I bought this as a last minute present for my nephew, and he loves it! This book is easy to understand and gives you tips and details on building a great game machine under your budget.

I bought this as a last minute present for my nephew, and he loves it! This book is easy to understand and gives you tips and details on building a great game machine under your budget.

For anyone interested in building their own gaming PC, you can't do better than this book. Mr. Durham knows exactly which parts you need (and that won't break the bank), and the design and layout of the book ensure that you know exactly what to do when it comes time to build your PC.

Highly recommended.

For anyone interested in building their own gaming PC, you can't do better than this book. Mr. Durham knows exactly which parts you need (and that won't break the bank), and the design and layout of the book ensure that you know exactly what to do when it comes time to build your PC.

Highly recommended.

I know a decent amount about PC hardware and have built or upgraded my own systems in the past -- so it's hard for me to find someone who knows more than I do and can actually answer the questions I have about the latest PC gaming gear.

Thank goodness for Mr. Durham and this book. His advice definitely helped me be sure I had the best motherboard, CPU, video card, etc. for my budget. By the time I bit the bullet and spent the money on a new system, I was confident I was getting the most bang for my buck.

This book was an excellent investment. If nothing else, think of it as a big book of discount coupons that will net you a hot gaming system for less than a grand -- because that's the ultimate result.

I bought his last book, "PC Modding for Dummies" and thought it was great. His latest is even better. ANYONE can use this book to build a killer gaming system. Even if you aren't into gaming, this book really helps you understand how to build or improve a home PC.

Bravo Joel!

The author outlines how EXTREMELY simple it is to build a PC with an abundance of clear photographs. He really knows how to pick very high-quality but inexpensive components

Absolutely great! Concise, detailed and with plenty of understandable graphics. My teen-age son and I are ready to build our own gaming PC (good family adventure!) with the book in hand.

Well worth the investment even if you're not going to build your own; you'll know EXACTLY what questions to ask if you decide to buy instead of build.