Custom PC

Last updated

Custom PC
Custom PC logo.svg
Custom PC Cover April 2011.jpg
Custom PC No. 091, April 2011
EditorBen Hardwidge
Categories Computing
FrequencyMonthly
Circulation 8,094 (Jan–Dec 2018)
First issue2003
Company Raspberry Pi Trading Ltd
Country United Kingdom
Website www.custompc.com
ISSN 1740-7443

Custom PC (usually abbreviated to 'CPC') was a UK-based computer magazine originally published by Dennis Publishing Ltd and subsequently sold to Raspberry Pi Trading Ltd. It was aimed at PC hardware enthusiasts, covering topics such as modding, overclocking, and PC gaming. The first issue was released in October 2003 and it was published monthly until the final issue, number 235, was released in February 2023.

Contents

In February 2023 the magazine ceased printed production and the brand name and content rights were sold to Network N Media who relaunched the brand as an online-only entity CustomPC.com. [1]

Audited circulation figures for the magazine were 9,428 [2] (ABC, Jan–Dec 2014). Gareth Ogden retired as editor of Custom PC at the end of Issue 52. Issue 53 was edited by Deputy Editor James Gorbold; from Issue 54 onwards the magazine was edited by Alex Watson. From Issue 87 to Issue 102 the magazine was edited by James Gorbold. From Issue 103 onward, the magazine has been edited by Ben Hardwidge.

Between 2009 and January 2012, the magazine was partnered with enthusiast site bit-tech.net, with the two editorial teams merging and sharing resources across both the site and the magazine. [3] Custom PC's James Gorbold took over as Group Editor of the two teams. However, since February 2012, the two brands have separated and content is no longer shared between the two publications, although many of the magazine's writers continue to write for bit-tech.

In February 2019 the magazine, along with Digital SLR Photography Magazine, was sold to Raspberry Pi Trading, a subsidiary of the Raspberry Pi Foundation. [4]

Issue 235 in February 2023 became the final issue available in printed format. The brand was acquired by Network N [5] in April 2023 with plans to continue coverage online. However, the existing editorial members have since been migrated to PCGamesN following cost cutting measures and company wide redundancies.

Sections

The magazine includes reviews, features, tutorials, analysis columns and sections devoted to magazine readers. The most current regular sections includes:

From the Editor
Introductory column by the editor Ben Hardwidge
Tracy King
Sceptical analysis of the ways in which technology and gaming are presented in the media
Richard Swinburne
Analysis of hardware trends in Taiwan
Hobby Tech
Tips, tricks and news about computer hobbyism, including Raspberry Pi, Arduino and retro computing, by Gareth Halfacree
Folding@Custom PC
Custom PC encourages readers to use their idle computers for the purpose of scientific research – Folding@home is a program created and run by Stanford University that uses spare processor cycles to simulate protein folding for disease research. Each month the magazine features a league table of their top folders, the 'Custom PC & bit-tech' team is currently ranked number 6 worldwide. [6] One random folder receives an item of PC hardware each month (stopped in 2010), while the top folder that month is noted in the 'Folder of the month' section.
CPC Elite
A 10-page section of CPC's latest recommendations for the best hardware in several categories (motherboards, processors, cases etc.).
Reviews
CPC Magazine review the latest hardware and software (including games), they rate the product with their own rating system, and CPC give their stamp of approval (including a Premium Grade award for excellent products) to any product that they feel excels in its particular category. While hardware reviews are the focus of the magazine, games reviews are included.
Custom Kit
2 pages of short reviews of computer gadgets and accessories.
Lab Test
Each month CPC tests related hardware from different manufacturers / different specifications (such as graphics cards or hard-drives) comparing them to discern the best choice. The tests include extensive benchmark comparison tables. Unlike most computer magazines, CPC doesn't do price point labs tests. Instead each item is awarded a value score that reflects whether the item is worth the asking price.
Games
Reviews of the latest games plus graphical comparison guides that show the difference made by different graphical settings.
Inverse Look
Opinion and analysis of PC gaming, by Rick Lane
Features
Several in-depth articles on computer-related topics (normally 2 per issue)
Customised PC
Two-page column dedicated to modding, water-cooling and PC customisation, by Antony Leather
How To
5 pages of step-by-step tutorials written by Antony Leather.
Readers' Drives
Readers of the magazine get the chance to show off their computer modification skills. Each month a different reader is photographed with his rig and answers questions on its specification and how it was constructed. Featured modders win a prize pack of assorted computer hardware.
James Gorbold
The back page column is written by previous editor, James Gorbold, who now works for Scan Computers.

Subscriber edition

Anyone who subscribes currently receives a free tool kit or another freebie such as a custompc mug or recently (28 January 2011) a Muc-off Screen Cleaning Rescue Kit, targeted at computer maintenance. [7] Subscribers receive a Special Subscriber Edition which features exclusive artwork (usually the "flat-out coolest" photo from the cover shoot, [8] according to Alex Watson).

Editorial team

List of the editorial staff as of Issue 187 (April 2019).

Printing / distribution

Cover printed by:- Ancient House.

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Amstrad Action</i>

Amstrad Action was a monthly magazine, published in the United Kingdom, which catered to owners of home computers from the Amstrad CPC range and later the GX4000 console.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Case modding</span> Modifications to a computer to add or remove extra hardware

Case modification, commonly referred to as case modding, is the modification of a computer case or a video game console chassis. Modifying a computer case in any non-standard way is considered a case mod. Modding is done, particularly by hardware enthusiasts, to show off a computer's apparent power by showing off the internal hardware, and also to make it look aesthetically pleasing to the owner.

<i>Maximum PC</i> US magazine

Maximum PC, formerly known as boot, is an American magazine and website published by Future US. It focuses on cutting-edge PC hardware, with an emphasis on product reviews, step-by-step tutorials, and in-depth technical briefs. Component coverage areas include CPUs, motherboards, core-logic chipsets, memory, videocards, mechanical hard drives, solid-state drives, optical drives, cases, component cooling, and anything else to do with recent tech news. Additional hardware coverage is directed at smartphones, tablet computers, cameras and other consumer electronic devices that interface with consumer PCs. Software coverage focuses on games, anti-virus suites, content-editing programs, and other consumer-level applications.

<i>Run</i> (magazine) Defunct American computer magazine

Run was an American computer magazine published monthly by IDG Communications with its first issue debuting in January 1984. Bi-monthly publishing began in June/July 1990, and went on until the magazine folded in November/December 1992. In its heyday, Run's monthly circulation was in the 200,000–300,000 range. Folio, the trade journal of the magazine industry, rated it as the second fastest-growing U.S. magazine of 1985.

<i>PC Format</i> Former UK computer magazine (1991–2015)

PC Format was a computer magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future plc, and licensed to other publishers in countries around the world. In publication between 1991 and 2015, it was part of Future plc's Format series of magazines that include articles about games, entertainment and how to get the most out of the platform. Despite the occasional mention of alternatives, PC Format takes the term 'PC' to mean a Microsoft Windows-based computer.

<i>GamePro</i> American video game magazine

GamePro was an American multiplatform video game magazine media company that published online and print content covering the video game industry, video game hardware and video game software. The magazine featured content on various video game consoles, personal computers and mobile devices. GamePro Media properties included GamePro magazine and their website. The company was also a part subsidiary of the privately held International Data Group (IDG), a media, events and research technology group. The magazine and its parent publication printing the magazine went defunct in 2011, but is outlasted by Gamepro.com.

<i>Zero</i> (video game magazine)

Zero was a video game magazine in the UK, published monthly by Dennis Publishing Ltd. between November 1989 and October 1992. It won the InDin Magazine of the Year award in both 1990 and 1991, and was also briefly the best-selling multi-format 16-bit computer magazine in the UK.

<i>PCMag</i> Computer magazine

PC Magazine is an American computer magazine published by Ziff Davis. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009. Publication of online editions started in late 1994 and continues as of 2024.

bit-tech is an online magazine for computer hardware enthusiasts, gamers and case modders, based in the UK. It was founded in 2000, became a fully professional online publication in 2005, and announced its acquisition by Dennis Publishing in October 2008. Dennis Publishing then partnered the site with existing monthly publication Custom PC magazine, making Bit-Tech the online version of the magazine. At this point the two editorial teams were totally integrated. However, due to a restructure in January 2012 the website and magazine had separate editors again, although several of the writers still contributed material to both publications. It is owned by The Media Team.

<i>TechLife</i>

TechLife is an Australian general computer magazine, published monthly by Future Australia.

<i>Amstrad Computer User</i> Official magazine for the Amstrad CPC series of home computers

Amstrad Computer User was the official magazine for the Amstrad CPC series of 8-bit home computers. This monthly publication, usually referred to as ACU by its readers, concentrated more on the hardware and technical side of the Amstrad range, although it had a small dedicated games section as well.

<i>Mean Machines</i> UK video game magazine (1990–1992)

Mean Machines was a multi-format video game magazine published between 1990 and 1992 in the United Kingdom.

Velocity Micro is a privately held boutique computer manufacturer located in Richmond, Virginia (USA), specializing in custom high-performance gaming computers, professional workstations, and high-performance computer solutions. Its extended product line includes gaming PCs, notebooks, CAD workstations, digital media creation workstations, home and home office PCs, home entertainment media centers, Tesla-based supercomputers, and business solutions. All products are custom assembled by hand and supported at the company's headquarters.

Igromania is a Russian video game website and formerly a magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raspberry Pi</span> Series of low-cost single-board computers

Raspberry Pi is a series of small single-board computers (SBCs) developed in the United Kingdom by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in association with Broadcom. Since 2013, Raspberry Pi devices have been developed and supported by a subsidiary of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, Raspberry Pi Ltd. The Raspberry Pi project originally leaned toward the promotion of teaching basic computer science in schools. The original model became more popular than anticipated, selling outside its target market for diverse uses such as robotics, home and industrial automation, and by computer and electronic hobbyists, because of its low cost, modularity, open design, and its adoption of the HDMI and USB standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raspberry Pi Foundation</span> Charity which promotes the study of basic computer science in schools, producer of the Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, as well as an England and Wales company limited by guarantee. It was founded in 2009 to promote the study of computer science. It is part of a group that comprises legal entities in India, Ireland, and the United States, which carry out educational activities in those jurisdictions; and Raspberry Pi Ltd, a commercial subsidiary that develops Raspberry Pi computers and other hardware. The foundation’s charitable activities are funded through a combination of Gift Aid from the profits of Raspberry Pi Ltd, contracts for the delivery of educational services e.g. professional development for teachers, and donations from individuals, foundations, and other organisations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eben Upton</span> Welsh computer scientist (born 1978)

Eben Christopher Upton is the Welsh CEO of Raspberry Pi (Trading) Ltd., which runs the engineering and trading activities of the Raspberry Pi Foundation. He is responsible for the overall software and hardware architecture of the Raspberry Pi device. He is a former technical director and ASIC architect for Broadcom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ZX Spectrum Next</span> Remake of a popular microcomputer

ZX Spectrum Next is an 8-bit home computer, initially released in 2017, which is compatible with software and hardware for the 1982 ZX Spectrum. It also has enhanced capabilities. It is intended to appeal to retrocomputing enthusiasts and to "encourage a new generation of bedroom coders", according to project member Jim Bagley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Win Development</span> Taiwanese computer case company

In Win Development, Inc., formerly rendered as In-Win Development and commonly shortened to In Win or InWin, is a Taiwanese computer case and computer power supply manufacturer. In Win was founded in 1985 and has since opened multiple factories and headquarters internationally.

Orange Pi is a brand of single-board computers (SBCs) developed and manufactured by Shenzhen Xunlong Software Co., Ltd. in China. These computers are designed for educators and developers to tinker with electronics, learn programming, and build various projects.

References

  1. "Network N acquires Custom PC, launches new website". 3 April 2023.
  2. "Custom PC ABC" (PDF). abc.org.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  3. Dennis Publishing acquires bit-tech.net
  4. "Dennis Publishing sells off two magazines to computer manufacturer Raspberry Pi and looks to shift third title". pressgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  5. Editor-in-chief, James Batchelor (3 April 2023). "Network N acquires Custom PC, launches new website". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 15 December 2023.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. "Folding@home". Folding@home/Stanford University. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  7. "Custom PC subscriptions". custompc.co.uk.
  8. "Issue 047 discussion". custompc.co.uk.[ permanent dead link ]