The downloadable guide is fully electronic, is fast to get and easy to use, search, and print. You'll never buy a printed book again.
What's in the PC Workshop?
No single guide can cover everything related to gaming and PC computer systems. As such, the overall objective of the PC Workshop is to touch on as many issues as possible that are relevant to computers and gaming and explore the salient details as necessary.
In other words, if you're in need of information for beginners - how to turn on a computer or get a program started - you will be better served by other publications. Likewise, if you're looking for the bit-by-byte minutia in one particular area, look elsewhere (though throughout the course of a discussion, when appropriate, we will tell you where to go for the details). But if you're like most gamers - somewhere between those extremes - and are looking for a gaming-specific PC primer and a how-to all rolled into one, you've come to the right place.
A Word About the Workshop
As some of you might know, PC Workshop is a long-standing feature of GameSpot. Since some of the installments were in dire need up updating, we've updated each section. That said, pricing and availability of components listed within GameSpot's PC Workshop were accurate as of publication. To help GameSpot's PC Workshop stay current, we will update relevant sections as necessity requires. In the meantime, if you have any comments or concerns related to the world of GameSpot's PC Workshop, you are invited to e-mail them to us via Letters to Loyd.
So. Finally. Welcome to GameSpot's PC Workshop. Your place at the workbench is ready, and we are here to help.
Chapter One: Tuning Up Your Computer
Keeping your computer running at peak performance requires you to do a little work on it once in a while. Some of it is easy, some is a bit more involved. Covering the basics, this chapter discusses system requirements, graphics, and audio drivers, disk performance, and more.
Chapter Two: Getting Games to
Run Right
Nothing is more troubling than buying a hot new game only to find that you can't get it to run. This chapter tells you what to do to target the problem in your computer (or in the game) and things you can do to fix it - like getting the latest drivers and patches, dealing with software conflicts, refreshing and reinstalling Windows, and more.
Chapter Three: Internet Gaming in the Fast Lane
It's one thing to connect to the Internet for Web browsing; it's another thing to play games on it. This chapter not only gives you a better understanding of how you connect to the Internet, but how it all works. Then, once everything is working right, this chapter turns it up a notch and gives you advice how to speed up your connection for playing games.
Chapter Four: Buying and Installing RAM
Think you need more memory for your gaming computer? In this chapter, Loyd helps you decide how much memory you need, explains what the different memory types mean, tells you what to watch for when you buy, shows you how to install your new memory, and more.
Chapter Five: The Budget Rig: Components on the Cheap
Want to put together your own custom gaming rig? Want to do it for less than $1,500? If you answered yes, this chapter is for you. Here, we look at all the components you need to make an excellent gaming machine, which we affectionately call The Budget Rig.
Chapter Six: Building a Computer
It's time to put it all together. Taking the component advice from Chapters 5 and 6, this chapter shows you how to build your own PC. From power supply and peripherals to the various good (and bad) chassis designs, it's all here.
Chapter Seven: Creating a Network of Your Own
Do you have an old PC taking up closet space? Why not use it to create a home LAN, so you can play games against your friends. And here is your opportunity to learn how to do it.
Chapter Eight: 3D Graphics - Making the Right Choice
One of the most frequently asked hardware questions is, "Which 3D graphics card should I get?" As you will discover, the answer depends on what kind of system you have and what kind of games you like to play. And Loyd is here to help you get the right card. Then, when you've got your upgrade, check out Chapter 9: Installing Your Graphics Card.
Chapter Nine: Installing Your Graphics Card
Whether you finally sprang for a 3D accelerator or got one as a gift, you're probably wondering how to get the thing into your computer, so you can play all those cool 3D-accelerated games. Loyd tells you how to crack your case, install your card, and get it running.
Chapter Ten: Audiophile: A PC Sound System
PC sound systems can be mind-bendingly complex and convoluted; but at the same time can also be fairly easy to assemble and put together. Here's how to do it.
Chapter Eleven: Gaming Peripherals
The biggest thing you must worry about when investing in gaming peripherals is: What exactly do I need? Well, this chapter is here to help find answers to that key question.
Chapter Twelve: Creating Your Ultimate Game Machine
Check out our updated ultimate PC gaming machine, based on the latest technology, recommendations, and the best components that money can buy.
Chapter Thirteen: The Black Art of Performance Testing
Benchmarking isn't just for industry professionals and gearheads anymore. With a little advice, you can run benchmarks on your system to help you diagnose problems to make more informed buying decisions. This chapter gets down and dirty with this mysterious art and helps you start benchmarking on your own.
Chapter Fourteen: The Gamer's Guide to Installing Linux The good news is: Installing Linux gets easier every day. The bad news is: It's still more complicated than installing Windows. With this guide and a lot of patience you can get through it.
Chapter Fifteen: Building an Athlon System
Piecing together a computer from the ground up, especially an AMD machine, can be a headache. We take you through step-by-step instructions on building your own Athlon system, and make recommendations on all the components necessary to get you up and running.
Chapter Sixteen: How to Throw a LAN Party
Sometimes multiplayer games over the Internet or your home network just don't cut it anymore - It's time for a professional LAN party. This chapter takes the headache out of organizing and executing a multiplayer get-together.
Chapter Seventeen: Sound Cards and Speakers
It used to be simple to keep your PC sound system up to date. All you had
to do was buy a Sound Blaster. In the modern world of 3D audio and
satellite speakers, though, things are not so cut and dried. In this
chapter of PC Workshop, we'll give you the information to decide which
sound card and speakers fit your particular gaming needs.
