I have just built my third PC and still find this book very useful. By now, I do not need to consult it every minute, but I did on my first build (about a year ago) and it was a total lifesaver then. Now it serves as a resource when I need to refresh my memory or when I want to "checklist" my build to make sure I have not forgotten something.

The book is extremely well laid out and very easy to understand. It includes pictures where they're useful and takes a truly step-by-step approach. Even though computer technology changes pretty fast, I think anyone could still build an excellent computer using this book.

If the authors update this guide, I will absolutely buy a new one. But for now, I'm sure I'll be referring to it on any new build I attempt.

Thanks for the great work folks!

I bought the book and built a computer. The book is now out-dated and should be read in conjunction with Adrian's newer "How-to" works. Using this and the hand book from the motherboard I put together a machine that was fast, gave superb graphics and very stable with Vista.
I thoroughly recommend this as a starting point for someone who is a bit nervous about this kind of project.

Although I already knew most of the basic stuff in this book it was a great fall back. It was very easy to follow. It did provide additional details I was not aware of. I built my first computer and everything worked perfectly all the way up to the installation of Vista (Not the best operating Program stick with XP Pro, I hope the service pack makes its much better and Microsoft stops with the "Big Brother" tendencies of this software).

It's nearly impossible to write a book like this that isn't dated a few months after it's published, and this book is no exception. This would be fine if the book were a little more technical or specific, but it's really just a broad overview of the basics of building a computer in 2005. I would have rated it higher back then. Perhaps a new edition with an inclusion of more up to date technology, speculation on impending technology's impact, or treatment of more advanced concepts such as overclocking/temperature management/bios tinkering is in order.

An excellent review for first time DIY PC builders. It won't help you decide on the specific components for your system, and its a bit behind the curve technically (ie., PATA vs. SATA drives), but overall its an excellent summary of the process of building your own pc.

I used it as a guide, then used web resources (many provided in one of several useful appendices) for further research, chose my components, purchased them and successfully put together a high end gaming pc. This was a great project, and this book was very helpful in making it a success. It is not a standalone resource, however.

An excellent review for first time DIY PC builders. It won't help you decide on the specific components for your system, and its a bit behind the curve technically (ie., PATA vs. SATA drives), but overall its an excellent summary of the process of building your own pc.

I used it as a guide, then used web resources (many provided in one of several useful appendices) for further research, chose my components, purchased them and successfully put together a high end gaming pc. This was a great project, and this book was very helpful in making it a success. It is not a standalone resource, however.

This book is now pretty well out of date. While the process is still relevant, the technology has nearly all been surpassed and is obsolete. Oh, well...

I am a software developer but have never built my own computer. I decided to do it as a fun project.

In addition, I also find that "store bought" computers in my price range ($800 - $1000 for CPU) are nearly impossible to upgrade since they use such cheap components.

Even if you know a bit about computers (I knew an average amount) I would suggest reading the entire book as you pick up great tidbits of information along the way.

This book gave me the ability to make very smart decisions in buying and building. For instance, I ended up spending more money on my motherboard so I'd have the ability to upgrade substantially in the future.

The book is very good about helping you weigh your options regarding whether you want to build an inexpensive computer or building a box for the future; that is, one that will still have current components in the future and is easy to upgrade.

Not sure if the advanced builder would get much out of this book-- definitely targeted towards the novice.

This book made my first build as easy as pie. I can't wait for the next upgrade/build I get to do.

I am a software developer but have never built my own computer. I decided to do it as a fun project.

In addition, I also find that "store bought" computers in my price range ($800 - $1000 for CPU) are nearly impossible to upgrade since they use such cheap components.

Even if you know a bit about computers (I knew an average amount) I would suggest reading the entire book as you pick up great tidbits of information along the way.

This book gave me the ability to make very smart decisions in buying and building. For instance, I ended up spending more money on my motherboard so I'd have the ability to upgrade substantially in the future.

The book is very good about helping you weigh your options regarding whether you want to build an inexpensive computer or building a box for the future; that is, one that will still have current components in the future and is easy to upgrade.

Not sure if the advanced builder would get much out of this book-- definitely targeted towards the novice.

This book made my first build as easy as pie. I can't wait for the next upgrade/build I get to do.

I found this an excellent book for reading from front-to-back as a learning exercise prior to selecting and purchasing components and as a reference while actually building my PC. I'm a very experienced PC user who had never really messed with the hardware too much other than installing memory or an occasional PCI card.

The authors first take you through the components you're going to need, and although the specific components they list are a bit old (no published book could ever possibly keep up), I found it very applicable in the building of my state-of-the-art Core2Duo-based machine. After taking you through the components, they go through assembly in detail, highlighting areas of particular difficulty that you need to watch out for.

I read several sources before building my PC, and this is easily the most highly recommended.

This book is a great guide if you're just starting out customizing your PC or buidling from scratch. It has extensive hardware guides, tips and instructions, as well as how to load and configure software and operating systems.

My only complaint is that the copy I got from Amazon looked like it came from a library. It was yellowed and the cover was badly scratched. This isn't a big deal, but when I buy something new, I expect it to be in new condition.

If someone is looking to build a computer for the first time, this is probably the best book they could pick up. It goes through everything you need to know in a way that is clear and easy to follow. With this book and a screwdriver, anyone can build a PC.
For those with more experience though, this is more of a reference book. I've done several groud-up builds, so there really wasn't much in here that I didn't already know (although it would have been great a few years ago when I built my first PC).
This is one I've started recommending to friends who are interested in building their own PC so I won't have to worry about getting the "what do I do now?" and "I don't know what I did!" phone calls.

This book is a great guide if you're just starting out customizing your PC or buidling from scratch. It has extensive hardware guides, tips and instructions, as well as how to load and configure software and operating systems.

My only complaint is that the copy I got from Amazon looked like it came from a library. It was yellowed and the cover was badly scratched. This isn't a big deal, but when I buy something new, I expect it to be in new condition.

If someone is looking to build a computer for the first time, this is probably the best book they could pick up. It goes through everything you need to know in a way that is clear and easy to follow. With this book and a screwdriver, anyone can build a PC.
For those with more experience though, this is more of a reference book. I've done several groud-up builds, so there really wasn't much in here that I didn't already know (although it would have been great a few years ago when I built my first PC).
This is one I've started recommending to friends who are interested in building their own PC so I won't have to worry about getting the "what do I do now?" and "I don't know what I did!" phone calls.

Well, I did it.

I should have my own "quote" on the back of the book, because after reading "Build the Ultimate Custom PC," I actually built a freakin' computer!

Like others have said, currently this book is still one of the newest you can buy about building your own PC--I was a little skeptical at first--because if you're into technology fiddle-faddle, you know that parts and things change so fast that in another few years, this book could be about as useless as they come--the innovation is always topping itself. (If you want a more modern PC, or even a cheaper, "budget" one--than this book is perfect. If you want the newest $3,000 gaming rig, than I might recommend checking out the other "sister" book)

Thankfully, instead of taking the easy route and ordering a PC from "Dell" or buying one at Best Buy, I decided I wanted to build one myself. Building your own PC is still a special accomplishment these days--I mean, unless you consider yourself a nerdy kind of guy or gal, how many people do you know that built the computer they own in their living room themselves? See what I mean?

This book was written, solely, absolutely without question, for the person who has never done this sort of thing before. Even if he or she has never even seen the inside of a computer case. If that's you, then you're in luck, because guess what, it's surprisingly easy. Basically, the only tool I needed was a Phillips screwdriver. I'm completely serious, it's nothing like what you initially think.

But not only is it a lot easier than you think--it's fun. I actually had a blast building my PC, and since the book was so informative and gave me plenty of foreshadowing and "heads-up" kind of tips, I was very prepared--and it didn't take me long at all. And if you're worried about safety--don't be. It makes me laugh just to think about how nervous I was that I was going to electrocute myself or something--it's just rediculous.

This book will hold your hand the whole way through. It's very apparent that the couple who wrote this have plenty of experience with the insides of computers, but the refreshing thing is--they know exactly how to explain it in just plain, simple English.

It will help you plan your budget, choose the right parts, and then put it all together. If you have a credit card and a screwdriver, then you can do it. It may not teach you how to "tweak out" your new system, or overclock your CPU--you won't know everything there is to know--but the cool thing is, you don't have to, and everything works out great.

One thing to remember--besides taking the time to read this book, set aside time to do some shopping and online research. When shopping for computer parts, you'll want to see other people's opinions about certain things, and if you're a tad unclear about something specific in the book, set aside time to Google it and research it a little further. There's so much information about the topic that it's quite easy to find specific answers online.

All in all, after reading this book (and doing just a little extra research and shopping), I built my first computer. And I can't wait to build my next one!

Don't do Dell, do it yourself.

An excellent publication that not only has a touch of humour but covers everything you would want to know about the serious side of building your own computer. Simply and clearly presented it would be equally acceptable to both the real biginner and those with a bit more knowledge. Highly recommended.

This book caters to the person who is basically a novice PC builder. It takes the beginner through all the various steps necessary to building a PC. In this, it does an admirable job. I would have appreciated a more in depth troubleshooting section as this area is pretty generic. I think the book also could have discussed more about cutting edge technology. After reading the book I realized that there was a lot of PC technology that just wasn't covered. I bought this book because of its 2006 copyright date; I wanted a book that was current with the latest PC technology.

If you are new to PC building and PC technology, then this would be a good book to read. If you are an avid reader of PC magazines or read much about PC technology on the Web, you might find this book too basic. Despite this, I still learned a few new things which made it worthwhile.

Good book. It really helped me in my first PC build. Thorough description of building a PC. Good description of component selection. I especially liked their overview of cabling. They also did a good job in explaining how to test your components. My only complaint here is their attempt to describe how to test a PSU and the rails on the PSU, using a multimeter. They lost me half way through, which was frustrating because it was a skill I really wanted to learn. It would have been helpful if they had used more pictures and diagrams to describe this procedure.
The book also included a good step by step guide to the PC build, as well as an excellent overview of installing Windows.
I also read their companion book, Build the Ultimate Gaming PC. Although that book didn't have a thorough overview of Installing Windows, it did have a very good overview of other post build procedures including: creating floppy boot discs, setting up Raid and partitions, installing and setting up drivers, optimizing performance, maintenance, benchmarking, etc.
To be honest, it would have been better if they had written just one book. I think the book on Build the Ultimate Gaming PC would have been perfect if they had added the Windows Installation guide they had in this book. Then they could have added a section on component selection for Build the Ultimate Custom PC, or Home Theater PC. They could have called it Build the Ultimate PC. But I guess they'll make more money splitting it up into a few books.
If I had to recommend one book, it would be the other one, Build the Ultimate Gaming PC. It's a more thorough book on the build process, no matter what kind of PC you're building. You can always find online descriptions of Installing Windows. There's an excellent DIY Guide to Building an AMD Socket 939 PC at HardwareZone.com, that includes an excellent description of installing Windows. It was written July 2004 but it's thorough, well written and free.

Good book. It really helped me in my first PC build. Thorough description of building a PC. Good description of component selection. I especially liked their overview of cabling. They also did a good job in explaining how to test your components. My only complaint here is their attempt to describe how to test a PSU and the rails on the PSU, using a multimeter. They lost me half way through, which was frustrating because it was a skill I really wanted to learn. It would have been helpful if they had used more pictures and diagrams to describe this procedure.
The book also included a good step by step guide to the PC build, as well as an excellent overview of installing Windows.
I also read their companion book, Building the Ultimate Gaming PC. Although that book didn't have a thorough overview of Installing Windows, it did have a very good overview of other post build procedures including: creating floppy boot discs, setting up Raid and partitions, installing and setting up drivers, optimizing performance, maintenance, benchmarking, etc.
To be honest, it would have been better if they had written just one book. I think the book on Building the Ultimate Gaming PC would have been perfect if they had added the Windows Installation guide they had in this book. Then they could have added a section on component selection for Building the Ultimate Custom PC, or Home Theater PC. They could have called it Building the Ultimate PC. But I guess they'll make more money splitting it up into a few books.
If I had to recommend one book, it would be the other one, Building the Ultimate Gaming PC. It's a more thorough book on the build process, no matter what kind of PC you're building. You can always find online descriptions of Installing Windows. There's an excellent DIY Guide to Building an AMD Socket 939 PC at HardwareZone.com, that includes an excellent description of installing Windows. It was written July 2004 but it's thorough, well written and free.

The book has some great advice, but most of the data is out of date if you are making a pc using the most current technology. With that said, the book does offer great advice about choosing components and in the end, your research should be done on the web long before you buy a book. Computer technology just evolves too quickly for paper and print. however, if you are upgrading an older machine this is the book for you!!!

Great book for either the beginner or Intermediate builder. Informs the reader on the different technologies needed to build an Intel based computer. Chapters cover from the motherboard, memory, different types of drives and other information required to get a computer assembled and operating the first time. I've been building systems for over 10 years and learned more things from this book than many other "build yourself a computer" books.

Build the Ultimate Custom PC (Paperback)
by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Kathie Kingsley-Hughes
Recently I had the unenvious task of helping my friend's daughter with "making her own computer". The first impulse was to take her to the nearest Crap USA or Bogus Buy and pick up a "kit" and then put it all together, but the kids of today are smarter then that. So I decided to buy this book being the most recent publication. The book suggests a list of websites to help in buying the hardware as well as for comparison shopping. With the help of the book we went through all the various hardware choices and chose the best for our purpose. The directions in the book making the PC suited to our specific needs a breeze. The troubleshooting tips assured us during the project just if things did not go as planned.
The PC works great and the project was a good learning experience. This is something I recommend parents do with their kids in the vacation to keep them occupied.
I give this book 5 stars on a scale of 5, 5 being the highest. I strongly recommend this book.
Niloufer Tamboly, CISSP

After reading Build the Ultimate Custom PC by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes and Kathie Kingsley-Hughes, I'm pretty convinced that my next desktop PC will be built by me instead of purchased at a store. I think I could actually do this...

Contents:
Part 1 - Choosing Components for Your PC: Staying Safe; Choosing the Tools You Need; Choosing a Suitable Case and Power Supply; Choosing a CPU and Motherboard; Choosing the Right RAM; Choosing Hard Drives and Floppy Drives; Choosing CD/DVD Drives; Choosing Video Adaptors and Monitors; Choosing Sound Capability; A Tour of Cables and Fittings; Checking and Testing Components
Part 2 - Building Your PC: Top 10 Things You Don't Want to Forget before You Begin the Build!; Assembling the Case and Fitting the PSU; Fitting the Basic Parts; Adding Storage
Part 3 - Starting and Testing Your PC: Fire Up and Burn In; Final Tweaks and Installing Windows XP; Check and Test, Check and Test Again!; Everything You Need to Know about Warranties and Beyond
Part 4 - Appendices: Useful Websites; Checklist; Hardware Manufacturers; Glossary
Index

The authors work from the assumption that you've never done this before (which I haven't) and that you will need guidance from choosing the parts clear through the assembly and start-up. They do a very nice job in covering all the basic components, what things need to be known about them (specs, details, etc.), and what you'll need to look for in terms of making good choices based on your requirements. This would even be good material if you're looking to upgrade something (like a CD unit) and you need to better understand what to look for. Once you have all your parts together, they show you how to assemble it all into a working computer, along with things you must know during the assembly process, like how to diffuse static electricity. You don't want a simple spark to fry your expensive CPU, do you? I was impressed with their coverage of testing tips, too. My biggest fear (short of having left-over parts) is pushing the power button and having nothing happen. With the testing steps shown here, you should be able to quickly get past that point should it occur. Honestly, seeing the quality of the information presented, I'd say there's a very good chance that you won't have that happen unless you have a faulty part to begin with...

Bottom line, this is a book I'd definitely recommend to a first-time computer builder who wants the experience of "rolling their own". As much as it surprises me to say it, I think I might just be that person for the next upgrade...