Building the Ultimate Game PC

by Lloyd Case and Loyd Case

Book Overview

The graphics, sound and networking needs of computer games are different than those of standard business applications. In fact, there are games that are among the most demanding applications you can... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0789722046
• ISBN13: 9780789722041
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Que
• Length: 330 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The Premier PC Gamer's Handbook in its Day

The author, Loyd Case, did an outstanding service for the PC gaming community back in '99 when he wrote this book. His book is packed full of useful, relevant info about PC gaming hardware and Windows configuration tweaks that really squeeze a new level of knowledge into the reader's mind. Ironically, when I first read the book a few years ago, I didn't have the basic knowledge about PC hardware and operating systems that I do now, so I slighty resented the way in which the book was written. A lot of the content seemed to be over my head and it made me frustrated as the book clearly stated that it would cover the topic of 'Building the Ultimate Game PC'. Previous PC hardware upgrade books that I'd read listed the basic steps of doing so, but the difference is in the details. Only now do I appreciate Loyd's effort to explain the essentials behind the truly high tech topics within a space of just over 300 pages. The fact is that PC aren't exactly simple machines, but for those of us who make them our passion the payoffs are big as we can affordably upgrade our rigs, configure our own software, and troubleshoot our systems when there's a foulup wthout paying another person to do it. I'm glad that I picked up the book a second time from the library to give it another go because I'm more confident as a PC builder and tweaker now than ever before. It's certainly worth pointing out that the book is no longer cutting edge in its content. Windows 98, and other OSes have come and gone, 3dfx is now an aftertthought, and myriad hardware offered by Intel, AMD, and many boardmakers has been relegated to landfill sites. That's not to say, however, the the principles that Loyd teaches about PC hardware and Win9x are obsolete. On the contrary, most modern-day PC hardware authors would benefit by giving there books a style similar to Loyd's, as the reader will only be smarter for it. So after this second thorough reading of this solid book devoted to PC gamers, I think that it deserves classic status. I dont' know how many copies Que Publishing sold but for those fortunate folks who boght a new copy, and were smart enough to keep it in their libraries after all this time, they could surely say that this book is among their all time favorite PC gamer titles. And mine, too, but I have to bring my copy back to the library next week.

The Ultimate PC Bible

This book was awesome. It explained how the parts of your PC work plus it has instructions on buying Parts and constructing your pc. Definitely a must-have.

This book has it all

I borrowed this book from the public library but now I am buying it as an easy to read resource in my computing library. As a new comer to building computers as a hobby, I found this book extremely helpful. Not only did it help me build a superb gaming machine at a reasonable price, but it also gave me a great foundation in the science of how things work and and interact inside my computer. This understanding will help me for years to come. Thanks for a great book!db

Building the ultimate game PC

This book is a "must have" for all computer gamers. All the questions a gamer could have, are answer in this book. When it comes to computer parts, Mr. Loyd Case have all the answers. When I started to reading this book, I could not stop. The best part is that everything is up to date. Anybody that is thinking about buying or upgrading a computer, must buy this book. The information in this book is easy to understand and even give information about ISP, ISDN, DSL and cable modems. This is "The Bible" for PC gamers and upgraders

This is the book gamers have been waiting for!

Hooooyahhhh! Building the Ultimate game PC is destined to be the hottest selling book for online and offline gamers! This book answers the tough questions that all gamers are asking about the best 3D graphics cards, motherboards, processors, monitors, memory, CDROMs, DVD, controllers, networks, etc. Not only does Loyd answer the tough questions with bold and cold facts, but he also shows you how to build a bad boy PC for yourself! Makes your hair stand on end thinking about it! Loyd futher explores average and advanced topics such as: DirectX, positional audio, ping times, bandwidth, chipsets, SCSI, pipelines, rendering, OpenGL, Direct3D, DSL, cable modems, and even LAN parties! As an added bonus, compared to other books about building PCs, this book is actually up to date! Loyd describes in detail the very latest in technolgy products including the new GeForce and Savage 2000 3D cards and the pulse pounding AMD Athlon and Intel's upcoming Coppermine. I honestly can't see how any gaming buff could do without this highly informative book. If your a hardcore Quaker, Unrealist, or Mechhead then this book will help your tweek your computer to it's best performance level to aid you in your quest to be the one. Or even if you are just getting started, the how to build a UGPC sections will guide you smoothly through the process of building the ultimate gaming PC monster! For all those who miss the oppurtunity to buy this secret treasure trove of game kicking knowledge, then I have to say: you are nothing more than a pingless, jinking gimp just begging to get fragged!-Daniel Hill