Different Theme for specific Category

[seventyone]

checked the forum(s) but did not see the answer

would like to have a certain category utilize a different theme (CSS) -- sort of differentiate that specific content as a special section and have the content 'look' a little different

i'm thinking that i can either create a new install in a new directory then hard code that link in my root theme's nav bar
OR
have the content from the category in question utilize a different theme (which would be preferred if not too complicated)

wordpress seems to state that it is possible be editing the specific category code (*.php file)
( http://codex.wordpress.org/Category_Templates ) - just not quite sure how to begin or whether i am no understanding correctly

thanks in advance

/ steve