Build Your PC

Choose parts like a real configurator

Pick the main components, see the build summary update, then finish with a power-supply recommendation based on what you selected.

Check your current PC first

CPU

Choose a processor by cores, platform, budget, upgrade path, and real workload instead of only model names.

Details

Basic PC

4-core office CPU

For browsing, documents, media playback, and very light games. Pair with budget RAM and an efficient PSU.

Value gaming

6-core mainstream CPU

The practical entry point for a gaming desktop. Good with 1080p cards and 16-32 GB RAM.

Balanced pick

8-core modern CPU

Best default for gaming plus streaming, editing, school/work, and a longer upgrade runway.

Creator build

12-core productivity CPU

Useful for video work, compiling, multitasking, and running several heavy apps together.

Heavy workstation

16-core workstation CPU

For serious rendering and professional workloads. Needs stronger cooling and a better motherboard.

Quiet / compact

Low-power mini-PC CPU

Choose this when heat, noise, and a tiny case matter more than maximum performance.

GPU

Choose a graphics card by resolution, VRAM, power, case fit, and the games or apps you actually use.

Details

Laptop GPU · Steam 3.81%

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

8 GB GDDR6. A widely used Ada-generation laptop GPU whose real performance depends heavily on the laptop's configured graphics power and cooling.

Desktop GPU · Steam 3.73%

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060

Commonly 12 GB GDDR6; an 8 GB variant also exists. A popular Ampere desktop card available in more than one memory configuration, so the exact model matters.

Desktop GPU · Steam 3.11%

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070

12 GB GDDR7. A Blackwell-generation desktop GPU with 12 GB of GDDR7 memory and support for current RTX platform features.

Desktop GPU · Steam 3.06%

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050

Available in multiple configurations, including 6 GB and 8 GB GDDR6. An entry-level RTX desktop family sold in materially different 6 GB and 8 GB versions.

Desktop GPU · Steam 2.66%

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060

8 GB GDDR7. A mainstream Blackwell-generation desktop GPU with 8 GB of GDDR7 memory.

Laptop GPU · Steam 2.33%

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU

8 GB GDDR7. A rapidly growing Blackwell laptop GPU whose performance varies with each laptop's configured power and thermal design.

Desktop GPU · Steam 2.29%

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

8 GB or 16 GB GDDR6. An Ada desktop GPU sold in both 8 GB and 16 GB memory configurations.

Desktop GPU · Steam 2.15%

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti

8 GB or 16 GB GDDR7. A Blackwell desktop GPU offered with either 8 GB or 16 GB of GDDR7 memory.

Desktop GPU · Steam 2.12%

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

8 GB; GDDR6 and later GDDR6X board variants exist. An Ampere desktop GPU most commonly recognized as an 8 GB card, with more than one memory-technology variant in the market.

RAM

Choose memory capacity, generation, speed, and module layout for gaming, work, and upgrades.

Details

Avoid unless ultra-budget

8 GB single stick

Works for basic browsing, but modern Windows and games feel cramped. Upgrade soon.

Minimum gaming comfort

16 GB dual-channel

Still common and usable. Choose two sticks, not one, for better performance.

Recommended default

32 GB dual-channel

The safest modern choice for gaming, browsers, Discord, creator apps, and multitasking.

Creator / workstation

64 GB dual-channel

For large projects, virtual machines, heavy editing timelines, and memory-hungry tools.

Specialized

128 GB workstation memory

Only for workloads that truly consume it. Check motherboard slot count and max capacity.

Storage

Compare NVMe SSDs, SATA SSDs, hard drives, capacity, boot drives, and backup storage.

Details

Starter boot drive

500 GB NVMe SSD

Enough for Windows and core apps, but games will fill it quickly.

Best default

1 TB NVMe SSD

The sweet spot for Windows, apps, and several large games.

Game library

2 TB NVMe SSD

A better fit if you install modern AAA games, record gameplay, or work with large files.

Premium library

4 TB NVMe SSD

Great for a large game library or media projects, but check motherboard M.2 slot availability.

Reuse / value

SATA SSD secondary drive

Still fine for extra games and files when M.2 slots are limited.

Bulk storage

4 TB HDD backup drive

Useful for archives and backups, not ideal as a main Windows drive.

Motherboard

Pick a motherboard by socket, chipset, memory support, expansion slots, networking, and size.

Details

Compact value

Budget mATX board

Good if you only need one GPU, two memory sticks, and basic expansion. Confirm socket and RAM generation.

Balanced

Mainstream ATX board

More slots, headers, cooling room, and upgrade flexibility. Best default for first-time builders.

Cleaner setup

Wi-Fi motherboard

Choose this if you want built-in wireless and Bluetooth without using an add-in card.

High connectivity

Creator / expansion board

Better for many drives, capture cards, fast USB, and stronger VRM cooling.

Small form factor

Mini-ITX motherboard

For compact builds. Great, but expensive and stricter about cooler, case, and GPU fit.

Power Supply

Understand wattage, efficiency, connectors, headroom, and safe power-supply planning.

Details

Office / no GPU

450 W quality PSU

For low-power systems or integrated graphics builds. Not for serious GPU upgrades.

Entry/mid-range

550 W quality PSU

Good for efficient CPUs and lower-power GPUs.

Mainstream sweet spot

650 W quality PSU

A safe default for many mid-range gaming builds.

Upper mid-range

750 W quality PSU

Useful for stronger GPUs, upgrade headroom, and quieter operation.

High-end default

850 W quality PSU

Good for powerful GPUs, stronger CPUs, and future upgrades.

Flagship / workstation

1000 W+ quality PSU

For very power-hungry GPUs, high-core CPUs, and heavy creator builds.

Case

Choose a PC case by motherboard support, GPU clearance, cooling, airflow, and desk space.

Details

Recommended

Airflow mid-tower

The safest default: good cooling, normal parts fit, easier building, and fewer compatibility headaches.

Small desk

Compact mATX case

Great for space, but check GPU length, cooler height, PSU length, and front airflow.

Tiny build

Mini-ITX case

Beautiful when done right. Demands careful checks for motherboard, cooler, GPU, and SFX PSU support.

Low noise

Quiet case

Good acoustic panels, but make sure airflow is still strong enough for your selected GPU.

Aesthetic build

Showcase glass case

Great for RGB and clean builds. Prioritize airflow, cable space, and included fans.

Monitor

Choose a monitor by resolution, refresh rate, panel size, PPI, ports, and GPU workload.

Details

Office / budget

1080p 75 Hz display

Cheap and easy to drive. Fine for work and casual use, less exciting for gaming.

Competitive value

1080p 144 Hz display

Easy to drive and still the most practical gaming baseline.

Best gaming balance

1440p 165 Hz display

Sharper than 1080p and pairs well with mid/high GPUs.

Immersive / productivity

Ultrawide 1440p display

Great for timelines and multitasking. Needs more GPU power than normal 1440p.

Premium

4K 144 Hz display

Beautiful but GPU-heavy. Buy the GPU for the monitor, not the other way around.

Mouse

Choose a mouse by grip style, sensor, weight, buttons, wireless needs, and desk space.

Details

FPS / fast aim

Lightweight gaming mouse

Low weight, good sensor, simple shape, and low latency matter most.

Daily comfort

Ergonomic wireless mouse

Better for long work sessions and mixed productivity/gaming desks.

Many buttons

MMO / productivity mouse

Extra thumb buttons help with macros, editing, spreadsheets, and MMOs.

Simple build

Budget wired mouse

Reliable and cheap. Good if you do not care about wireless charging or ultra-light weight.

Laptop desk

Travel / compact mouse

Small and portable, but usually less comfortable for long gaming or editing sessions.

Keyboard

Choose a keyboard by size, switch feel, layout, noise, wireless needs, and comfort.

Details

Workstation

Full-size keyboard

Best if you use the numpad, shortcuts, and spreadsheet-heavy workflows.

Gaming balance

TKL keyboard

Keeps function keys but frees mouse space by removing the numpad.

Small desk

75% / compact keyboard

Good for desk space, but check if you can live without dedicated keys.

Shared room

Quiet membrane keyboard

Less premium, but quieter and cheap. Good for bedrooms, offices, and calls.

Clean desk

Wireless mechanical keyboard

Nice for a cable-free setup. Check latency, battery, and switch noise.

Network

Plan Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, internet speed, latency, and downloads for a better PC setup.

Details

Best latency

Wired Gigabit Ethernet

Use this when possible for gaming, big downloads, and stable calls.

Fast local network

2.5 Gb Ethernet

Useful for NAS transfers, local backups, and faster-than-gigabit home networks.

Modern wireless

Wi-Fi 6 / 6E

Good if wiring is hard and your router supports it.

Future wireless

Wi-Fi 7 ready

Worth considering only if your router and internet/local network can benefit from it.

Budget

Basic Wi-Fi adapter

Fine for browsing; less ideal for latency-sensitive gaming.

Why start with your current PC?

If you already own a computer, the best upgrade decision starts with the exact parts you have now. The ShowMeIP detector creates a local report you can compare against these guides.