Build a PC Checklist

Computer Case

The computer case is where it all comes together! The case you choose will determine many of the parts you’ll buy.

There is a lot to consider when choosing a PC case. Are you looking for something big and flashy with lots of LED lighting or something small and basic to tuck under your desk or behind your monitor?

Also, many cases come with pre-installed fans, which help with overall cooling, as good airflow is important for any PC.

If you plan to build the biggest and baddest PC money can buy, you’ll need one that accommodates your graphics card. So, it’s a full tower case for you!

Regardless of the case you choose, be aware that the smaller the case, the more limited your options for selecting PC components that fit within it.

However, don’t let that stop you. There are PC parts to fit every case, so choose one that fits your style and décor.

Tip: Choose your case first so you’ll know what PC components will fit.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the brain of your computer. It handles all instructions from your software and serves as the “Central Point” among many computer components.

Think of it as the conductor that controls what each section of an orchestra does.

As we mentioned, think about how you’ll use your new PC. Build a higher-end model if you’re into gaming or heavy-duty tasks like graphics design and video editing. However, if you need a PC for basic office tasks, such as using apps like MS Office or participating in video conferences, consider building a lower-cost PC to save money.

So, once you know how you’ll use it, which brand should you buy? AMD or Intel?

PC tech changes quickly, so the rules may have changed by the time I finish writing this article and you actually read it.

If you’re looking for advice on choosing a CPU or any specific PC part, I suggest searching online to see what other tech professionals like me are saying at the time. As I mentioned, PC technology changes quickly.

If you’re a gamer, search online for tech reviews and benchmarks on how different CPUs perform in some of the top-rated games.

If they perform tests on one or more of the games you play, they’ll show which CPUs offer the best value to performance.

You’d be surprised at how some older CPUs outperform newer models in gaming.

Tip: Generally, a CPU with more cores will likely be better.

CPU Cooler

If you’re building a business PC and your CPU came with a cooler, you should be fine using that one.

However, suppose you’re building a monster gaming rig. In that case, you’ll want to purchase a separate CPU cooler capable of handling the heat your CPU generates while playing today’s resource-demanding PC games.

With the CPU center stage, keeping your PC cool is essential for it to perform at its best. For example, most CPUs will do what’s called “thermal throttling” if they reach a temperature over 100 degrees Celsius.

Thermal throttling can impact performance and potentially damage your CPU, so maintaining a cool environment is crucial.

CPU Cooler manufacturers provide a TDP (Thermal Design Power) rating, so you’ll know which type to buy.

There are two main types of coolers to consider:

• Air Coolers: These coolers are generally more affordable and easier to install. They use a combination of a heatsink and a fan to draw heat away from the CPU.

If you’re not planning to overclock your processor or push it to its limits, an air cooler might be all you need. They’re reliable, and many come in a variety of sizes to fit different cases.

• Liquid Coolers: This type of cooler, known as an AIO (All-in-One), provides better cooling performance, especially for high-end CPUs. However, there are options for building custom liquid-cooling systems, which we’ll cover in a future article.

These coolers come in a variety of sizes. Here are the most common options:

• 120mm AIO – This is the smallest and most affordable option. It’s best suited for low-power processors or compact PC builds with limited space. A 120mm AIO cooler typically has a single 120mm fan.
• 240mm AIO – A popular choice for mid-range processors. It is still relatively compact and offers better cooling performance than a 120mm AIO cooler. Typically, a 240mm AIO cooler will have two 120mm fans.
• 360mm AIO – The largest of the three standard AIO cooler options. It is best suited for high-end processors or systems with overclocking capabilities. Typically, a 360mm AIO cooler will have three 120mm fans.

These AIO coolers circulate liquid coolant through tubes connected to a radiator.

Just like the radiator in your car, the liquid absorbs heat generated by the CPU and carries it through the radiator, where fans expel it.

Liquid coolers are an excellent option for overclocking and reducing noise, as their fans can operate more efficiently at lower speeds.

When choosing a cooler, make sure it’s rated to cool your CPU effectively and will fit within your PC case.

Personally, I prefer liquid coolers (AIOs). They perform better in my experience and make for a cleaner-looking build.

Tip: If you’re a first-time builder and your CPU supports one, consider an air cooler, as these are easier to install.

Motherboard

The Motherboard is the backbone of your build. And as a shout-out to all those “Mothers” out there, it’s rightly named, as it’s “In Charge” of connecting all your components.

Be sure it supports the CPU you’ve chosen and that it has enough expansion slots for your needs, whether that’s multiple GPUs or RAM modules.

Most modern full-size motherboards offer expansion slots to meet almost everyone’s needs. The exception might be the smaller varieties designed to fit into specialty cases often used for media center PCs or Network Attached Storage Units (NAS).

Also, consider the CPU’s future upgradeability. All motherboard manufacturers will include a list of supported CPUs.

Here are some of the most common motherboard types:

• ATX (Advanced Technology Extended): The most common motherboard form factor for desktop PCs. It offers plenty of space for features like multiple expansion slots, multiple RAM slots, and various connectors. ATX motherboards are an excellent choice for gamers, content creators, and anyone who needs a powerful, versatile PC.
• Micro ATX (µATX): Micro ATX motherboards are smaller than ATX motherboards but still offer most of the same features. They are a good choice for building compact PCs. Micro ATX motherboards typically have fewer expansion and RAM slots than ATX motherboards.
• Mini-ITX (Mini Information Technology Extended): Mini-ITX motherboards are among the smallest and most compact. They are often used in small-form-factor (SFF) PCs. Mini-ITX motherboards have very few expansion slots and may only have two RAM slots.
• Nano-ITX: Nano-ITX motherboards are even smaller than Mini-ITX motherboards. They’re typically used in specialized embedded systems or custom-built Small Form Factor PCs. Nano-ITX motherboards typically have minimal features and often have only one or two RAM slots.

Of course, the larger the Motherboard, the more features and slots you’ll have available for future expansion. So, make sure your motherboard connections meet your needs.

Tip: Purchase the largest Motherboard that will fit in your PC case.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM is your computer’s short-term memory. The more you have, the smoother your PC will run, especially when multitasking. Again, I understand RAM is ridiculously expensive right now, but if you can afford it, the recommended minimum is 32GB if you’re gaming or doing creative work.

Storage (HDD, SSD or NVMe)

Storage is where all your files and software live. So, what types of PC storage are available?

SSDs and NVMe drives are faster than traditional HDDs, resulting in quicker boot times and faster file transfers.

Nowadays, almost no one uses an old mechanical hard drive (HDD) for anything other than extra or Network Attached Storage (NAS).

However, some gamers will use these HDDs as swap drives to store all their games, then move them to their faster SSD or NVMe drives for gameplay.

Therefore, always use an SSD or NVMe drive for your operating system (boot drive). If you need additional storage space, a larger standard HDD is a cost-effective option for a secondary drive.

One thing I’d like to point out is that there are two dominant NVMe specifications. These are Gen 4 and Gen 5.

Like DDR RAM specs, Gen 5 is the newer, faster technology. If your Motherboard supports Gen 5 and you have the budget, purchase a Gen 5 NVMe.

Otherwise, a Gen 4 is backward-compatible and still very fast, so you’ll hardly notice the difference.

Gen 5 is only supported by the latest CPUs and compatible motherboards, so be sure to check before you make a purchase.

Many say it’s never a good time to build or buy a PC, and with today’s RAM and Storage costs, this couldn’t be truer! However, you have to go for it at some point.

Tip: Check the rated speeds and purchase the fastest your budget will allow. Be sure your motherboard supports the “Gen” type.

GPU (Graphics Card)

The GPU is where you’ll connect your monitor to your PC. Before purchasing one, consider how you plan to use your new PC.

Powerful graphics cards (GPUs) are essential if gaming, working with heavy graphics, or video editing is your thing. High-end GPUs can be pricey, but they’re worth the investment. If this is you, be sure to install the GPU in the PCIe slot closest to the CPU. On almost every Motherboard, this slot has access to the full PCIe lanes supported, so you get the most out of your GPU.

The whole PCIe topic is for another article, but trust me, this is the standard.

I recommend pricing out all the other PC parts first to see what you have left in your budget. Then, buy the best-performing GPU you can afford.

Also, be sure the power supply you choose meets the GPU’s power requirements (in Watts).

The GPU will demand the most power of all other system components. Be sure to check the GPU power requirements. Plus, most manufacturers recommend a minimum power supply for each GPU model.

However, suppose you only need to build a PC for business applications (such as spreadsheets and documents).

In that case, most CPUs (primarily Intel) support integrated graphics, meaning you can use the graphics port directly on the Motherboard to connect to your monitor.

This feature will save you the cost of buying a separate GPU, giving you significant cost savings for your PC build.

So, if you’re not a gamer and don’t need all that graphics power, you may not need a GPU. However, be sure the CPU you choose supports integrated graphics and that the Motherboard supports a video connection, such as HDMI or DisplayPort (DP).

Tip: Modern GPUs are very large. If you do buy a GPU, make sure it will fit in your PC case.

PSU (Power Supply Unit)

The Power Supply Unit (PSU) powers all your components. It’s a key part of any PC build, so be sure to get one that’s reliable and has enough wattage for all the components you choose.

However, if you purchase a GPU, choose a power supply that meets or exceeds the manufacturer’s recommendation, as it accounts for all the other standard parts typically included in a gaming PC.

If you base your choice on their recommendation, you should be fine.

My advice is to purchase a power supply rated for at least 100 watts more than the GPU manufacturer’s recommended wattage to give yourself a little headroom.

Additionally, PC power supplies are typically rated for performance and efficiency.

Here are the standard 80 Plus ratings and what each represents:

• 80 Plus (Standard): This is the base level of certification and guarantees at least 80% efficiency at a typical load (50%).
• 80 Plus Bronze: This level guarantees a minimum efficiency of 82% at 50% load, 85% at 20% load, and 82% at 100% load.
• 80 Plus Silver: This level guarantees a minimum efficiency of 85% at 50% load, 88% at 20% load, and 85% at 100% load.
• 80 Plus Gold: This level guarantees a minimum efficiency of 87% at 50% load, 90% at 20% load, and 87% at 100% load. This option is a popular choice among users, as it offers a good balance between efficiency and price.
• 80 Plus Platinum: This level guarantees a minimum efficiency of 90% at 50% load, 92% at 20% load, and 89% at 100% load. It’s more efficient than Gold but also more expensive.
• 80 Plus Titanium: This is the highest level of certification, guaranteeing a minimum efficiency of 92% at 50% load, 94% at 20% load, and 89% at 100% load. It’s the most efficient option, but also the most expensive.

Of course, the higher the tier, the better the efficiency. Typically, an 80 Plus Gold power supply is suitable for almost any PC build.

Tip: Consider the “Modular” variety where you only use the power cables you need. This makes for a nicer-looking build.