Tom's Hardware Guide
by Pabst, Thomas; Desmond, Michael; Barber, LarryEdition: 1st
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 1998-08-26
Publisher(s): Que Pub
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Summary
Tom's Hardware Guide was created to provide you with the inside scoop on attaining the ultimate in PC performance. Written by the originators of tomshardware.com, the Interenet's #1 source of new technology information and performance reviews. Millions of people rely on Tom's reviews and advice. Tom's no-holds-barred approach to the PC industry has made him into the premier technology industry guru. From Intel's boardroom to the individual at the corner computer store--they all look to Tom for information on the latest technology products.
Author Biography
Thomas Pabst is the founder and author of Tom¿s Hardware Guide (www.tomhardware.com) the largest independent source of cutting edge hardware information and reviews. Tom¿s review and insights into PCs and PC performance are famous for their thoroughness and independence. Tom has consistently delivered information you can¿t get anywhere else. Tom¿s advice and reviews are so popular and valuable that in a typical month, Tom¿s site delivered over 2 million impressions on the front page alone, and receives more than 200,000 page requests daily totaling over 6 million page requests a month. In his spare time, Tom is a surgeon living in London.
Table of Contents
(NOTE: All chapters, except Chapters 1,2, 6 and 22, conclude with Tom's Pick.)
I. OVERVIEW.
1. The Guide Guide.
2. Hardware Primer.
3. Operating Systems.
What is Tom's Hardware. Tom's Hardware Guide to High Performance PCs. Exploring Each Chapter.
2. Hardware Primer.
Taking the Tour. Mobile Computing.
3. Operating Systems.
Understanding Operating Systems. Current State of the Market. Evaluating OSs.
II. ON BOARD.
4. CPU Guide.
5. Chipset Guide.
6. BIOS Guide.
7. Motherboards.
8. RAM Guide. How RAM Works Inside the System. Performance Impact Report. RAM Choices. Evaluating RAM.
9. Overclocking Guide.
Understanding CPUs. State of the CPU Market. Buying Considerations.
5. Chipset Guide.
Chipset Mission and Workings. Performance Impact Report. Available Chipsets. Evaluating Chipsets.
6. BIOS Guide.
Understanding the BIOS. Basic Optimization Tricks. The Grand Tour. Updating Your BIOS.
7. Motherboards.
Components of the Motherboard. Performance Impact Report. Currently Available Motherboards. Evaluating Motherboards.
8. RAM Guide. How RAM Works Inside the System. Performance Impact Report. RAM Choices. Evaluating RAM.
9. Overclocking Guide.
Overclocking Explained. Overclocking Your PC. Expert Overclocking.
III. STORAGE DEVICES.
10. Disk Controllers.
11. Hard Disk Guide.
12. Tape Backup Guide.
13. Near-Disk Storage Guide.
14. Optical Storage Guide.
Examining IDE. Examining SCSI. Adding a Controller. Performance Tips and Tweaks.
11. Hard Disk Guide.
How Magnetic Hard Disks Work. Performance Impact Report. Currently Available Hard Disks. Evaluating Hard Disks.
12. Tape Backup Guide.
Understanding Tape Backup. Currently Available Tape Backup. Evaluating Tape Backup. Understanding Backup Routines.
13. Near-Disk Storage Guide.
Understanding Near-Line Storage. Currently Available Near-Line Storage. Evaluating Near-Line Storage.
14. Optical Storage Guide.
Understanding CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and Writable Drives. Currently Available Optical Storage. Evaluating Optical Storage.
IV. GRAPHIC AND AUDIO SYSTEMS.
15. Graphics Board Guide.
16. Display Guide.
17. Sound Card Guide.
Understanding Graphics Boards. Currently Available Boards. Evaluating Graphics Boards. 3D Graphics in Depth. Graphics Tips.
16. Display Guide.
How CRTs Work. Performance Impact Report. Currently Available Monitors. Evaluating Monitors. Monitor Optimization Tips.
17. Sound Card Guide.
Inside Digital Audio. The New Audio Market. Performance Impact Report. Currently Available Soundcards. Evaluating Soundcards. Speakers. Audio Tips.
V. GETTING CONNECTED.
18. Modem Guide.
19. Network Hardware Guide.
Understanding Modems and Adapters. Currently Available Modems. Evaluating Communications.
19. Network Hardware Guide.
Understanding Network Hardware. Currently Available Network Hardware. Evaluating Network Cards.
VI. COMPLETING YOUR SYSTEM.
20. Input Devices.
21. Cases and Power Supplies.
Understanding Keyboards. Understanding Mice and Trackballs. Gaming Devices.
21. Cases and Power Supplies.
Power Supplies. Surge Protectors. Uninterruptible Power Supply. System Cases.
VII. TOM'S DREAM MACHINE.
22. Tom's Dream Machine.
A. Benchmarking.
B. Future Casting.
Index.
The Grand Tour. Wrapping Up.
A. Benchmarking.
Types of Benchmarks. Benchmarking Lessons.
B. Future Casting.
Mainboard Components. Peripherals. Tom's Vision.
Index.
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