Custom PC is a UK based computer customization magazine published by Dennis Publishing Ltd. It contains information on top performance hardware and gaming as well as monthly news related to these topics. The first issue was released in October 2003 and it is published monthly. Audited circulation figures are 19,660 (ABC, Jan-Dec 2006). 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 onwards the magazine was edited by James Gorbold.

As of 2009 the magazine has been partnered with enthusiast site bit-tech.net, with the two editorial teams having merged and sharing resources across both the site and the magazine. Custom PC's James Gorbold took over as Group Editor of the two teams.

Sections

The magazine includes several 'news and views' sections as well as tutorials and sections devoted to magazine readers. The most current regular sections includes:

Customised:Introduction by the editor James Gorbold

Download:Comments and news from the computing world, including editorial content from experts. The section usually starts with news on the latest release (or pre-release) computer hardware (e.g. the latest graphics card or processor). Other sections are:

Competition:Each week a distorted closeup of a piece of hardware reviewed in the magazine is printed. The winning reader can win from a selection of prizes; as of Issue 033 Zalman headphones, Imon multimedia system or a Zalman PSU.

Value Added:Phil Hartup, writer and gamer pens a column about free expansios for PC games.

Win... (Photo Competition):Custom PC is intent on world domination! Readers submit photos of themselves sporting a copy of the magazine in various locations around the world, and the winner is the person who has their picture taken in the most exotic location, or has the most interesting photo. The prize is a piece of high-end computer hardware (currently a Cooler Master PSU) (Ended sometime in 2010).

Where's Wendel:Competition inviting users to track down a small image of Jonathan 'Fatal1ty' Wendel hidden in the magazine. The current prize is a Gigabyte

Gigabyte Technology

Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. is a Taiwan-based manufacturer of computer hardware products best known for its motherboards. The company is publicly held and traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange .-Company:...

 Green Max power supply.

Folding@Custom PC:Custom PC encourages readers to use their idle computers for the purpose of scientific research - Folding@Home

Folding@home

Folding@home is a distributed computing project designed to use spare processing power on personal computers to perform simulations of disease-relevant protein folding and other molecular dynamics, and to improve on the methods of doing so...

 is a program created and run by Stanford University that can uses spare processor cycles to analyse how proteins 'fold'. Each month the magazine features a league table of their top folders, the 'Custom PC & bit-tech' team is currently ranked number 6 worldwide. 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.

Game News:Round up of PC gaming news. Although Custom PC is mostly devoted to hardware and PC modding, there are normally 2 or more pages devoted to game news each month, plus six pages of game reviews.

As of 2009 the games news has been replaced with a round-up of notable indie games from the past month, dubbed Required Reading. A games preview is typically run alongside this content.

Game News also contains details of the CPC Game server

Game server

A game server is a remotely or locally run server used by game clients to play multiplayer video games. Most video games played over the Internet operate via a connection to a game server...

s. CustomPC run a monthly Reader's Night, where they invite readers of the magazine to play online with magazine staff and other readers.

CPC Elite:A 6 page section of CPC's latest recommendations for the best hardware in several categories (motherboard

Motherboard

In personal computers, a motherboard is the central printed circuit board in many modern computers and holds many of the crucial components of the system, providing connectors for other peripherals. The motherboard is sometimes alternatively known as the mainboard, system board, or, on Apple...

s, processor

Central processing unit

The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...

s, case

Computer case

A computer case is the enclosure that contains most of the components of a computer...

s 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 recommended 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:4 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 Test:Review of the latest games plus a Tune up section for each which gives tips on getting the best performance from the game.
Analysis:Several in-depth articles on computer related topics (normally 3 per issue)
Reader's 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.

Subscriber Edition

Anyone who subscribes currently receives a free tool kit or another freebie such as a custompc mug or recently (28/01/2011) a Muc-off Screen Cleaning Rescue Kit, targeted at computer maintenance. Subscribers receive a Special Subscriber Edition which features exclusive artwork (usually the "flat-out coolest" photo from the cover shoot, according to Alex Watson).

Editorial team

List of the editorial staff as of Issue 92 (May 2011). Staff hold the same positions across the bit-tech

Bit-tech

bit-tech.net 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...

 and Custom PC brand.

• Publisher:- Paul Rayner
• Group Editor:- James Gorbold
• Deputy Editor:- Clive Webster
• Games Editor:- Joe Martin
• Senior Staff Writers: - Antony Leather
• Staff Writer:- Harry Butler
• Staff Writer:- Paul Goodhead
• Group Art Editor:- Bill Bagnall
• Production Editor:- Julie Birrell
• Regular Contributors:- Ben Hardwidge, Stuart Andrews, Josh Blodwell, Daniel Emery, Phil Hartup, James Morris.
• Photography:- Danny Bird and Chris Wood
• Regular Art & Production Contributors:- Magic Torch, Mike Harding, Khoi Keiu, Helena Redmons

Advertising Manager:- John Pudney
Display Sales Executive:- Adam McDonnell

Printing / Distribution

• Printed by:- BGP.

Cover printed by:- Ancient House.

• Distributed by:- Seymour Distribution

External links

• Custom PC website
• Custom PC Forums, now hosted on bit-tech.net
• Custom PC Benchmarks Suite