AnandTech Guide to PC Gaming Hardware, The
- By Anand Lal Shimpi
- Published Nov 19, 2001 by Que. Part of the Que-Consumer-Other series.
Book
- Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
Description
- Copyright 2002
- Dimensions: 7-3/8" x 9-1/8"
- Pages: 512
- Edition: 1st
- Book
- ISBN-10: 0-7897-2626-2
- ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-2626-1
Take your PC farther. The AnandTech Guide to PC Gaming Hardware shows you just how to choose the right parts, assemble your new PC, and squeeze every last drop of performance from it.
- Tired of reading about hardware specs written for the masses? Grit your teeth no longer. The AnandTech Guide to PC Gaming Hardware provides in-depth coverage of processors, chipsets, motherboards, and memory from a gamer's perspective.
- Although this book covers the latest advancements in PC hardware technology, it spends more time helping you understand the specs and under-the-hood tricks that will turn your meager PCs into implements of death and destruction.
- Build your ultimate gaming PC from scratch or overhaul your existing PC. Maybe your PC is the neighborhood slowpoke today, but it could be the resident PC speed demon tomorrow.
Sample Content
Table of Contents
Introduction.
1. The Central Processing Unit: The Heart and Soul of the PC.
Introducing the CPU. Moving In: A Look Inside the CPU. Players Betting Chips in the CPU Game. The Gamer's CPU.
2. The Chipset: The PC's Crossing Guard.
Introduction to the Chipset. North Versus South. Today's High Performance Chipsets.
3. The Motherboard: Low Rent Housing for the CPU and Chipset.
Blueprint for the Typical Motherboard. Not a Component to Skimp On: Choosing a Motherboard. Popular Manufacturers and Their Boards. Looking Forward.
4. Memory: Your PC's Scratchpad.
The Role of System Memory. Memory Types: It's Dynamic. Future Memory Technologies. How Does Memory Impact Game Performance? Memory Modules. Memory Sizes. Why All Memory Isn't Created Equally.
5. The Video Card: A Gamer's Heart and Soul.
The Graphics Card's Key Role in Game Performance. Building a 3D Image. Efficient Use of Memory Bandwidth—Making $1 Out of $0.15. Performance in 3D Graphics. Performance and Quality in 2D Graphics. The Contenders.
6. Sound: Waking Up the Neighbors.
Analog Versus Digital. Sound Cards and Other PC Audio Solutions. AMR/CNR/ACR Cards. Sound in 3D. What Makes for Good Sound? Sound Card Recommendations. Speakers.
7. Storage: The Slowest Part of Your PC.
Why You Need Mass Storage Mediums. Hard Disk Storage. Interface Influences on Performance. RAID: Tool for Professionals Only or Useful Gaming Hardware Technology, Too? Optical Storage. The Future of Storage.
8. Networking: Gamers Unite.
Networking and Multiplayer Gaming. Specialty Networks. Setting Up a Gaming LAN. Getting Online. Setting Up Your Game for Network Play. The Future.
9. Cases and Cooling: Living in Style and Keeping Your Cool.
The Importance of Cases. Chassis Construction. CPU Cooling.
10. Monitors and Input Devices: Your Sense of Sight and Touch Restored.
Monitors. What to Look for in a Monitor. Monitor Brand Picks. Input Devices. Keyboards. Mice. Joysticks and Gamepads.
11. Putting It All Together: Break Out the Hammers and Duct Tape.
Building Your PC. Tools for the Job. Putting It All Together. Installing Peripheral Cards. Installing Storage Devices. …and You Are Done!
12. Upgrading: Feeling the Need for Speed.
I Once Was a King. Upgrade Paths. Help! My Computer Feels Slow. My Programs Feel Slow. My Games Are Running Slow.
13. Operating Systems and Device Drivers: Making Your Hardware Work.
From MS-DOS to Windows XP: The Role and Evolution of PC Operating Systems. Hardware Compatibility. Installing the OS. Drivers and OS Updates.
14. Tweaking and Overclocking: Turbo-Charging Your PC.
Overclocking: Getting What You Didn't Pay For. Overclocking Your CPU. Overclocking Your Video Card. Other Tweaks. Benchmarks—Grading Your PC.
15. Troubleshooting: Something Is Wrong with My Baby.
The Mental Game. Symptoms and Solutions.
Index.
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