How to compare pc parts

Although it can be daunting to build your own PC for the first time, it is also usually cheaper and better for you because you can find the best deals for the PC parts and build a computer you want.

The first thing you need to do before picking PC parts is to understand how you will use your computer. That will help you calculate the cost of your desktop. For example, you can skimp on a GPU if you are not going to play games or work with video and graphics on your PC.

Then make a list of all components for your desktop, make sure they are compatible with each other, the most cost-effective, and suitable for your needs.

How to Choose PC Parts

Picking PC parts can be overwhelming, especially if you are new to this. But as soon as you find out about computer components’ features and types, it becomes simple.

To build a computer doesn’t mean to become a programmer-roboticist. It is a much simpler but still a pleasant DIY project.

Let’s take a look at what you need to build a PC.

Processor

The CPU is the brain of the PC. There are two main CPU brands on the market today: AMD and Intel. Whichever brand you choose, make sure your motherboard is compatible with the processor. For this, you need to check if its interface type coincides with the motherboard CPU socket.

Most of Intel’s processors come with integrated graphics, unlike most AMD’s CPUs, except some accelerated processing units (APU), such as the Ryzen 5 3400G, which is more powerful than Intel’s integrated graphics.

Cores make your computer capable of multitasking. However, you may not need too many of them. For casual usage, 4 cores are enough. But if you work with graphics, the more the better.

The same is with the cache. CPU caching is like short-term memory, the bigger it is, the more information is kept there, which can be used immediately, increasing a computer’s performance.

Another thing to consider while picking a CPU is its frequency (clock speed). The higher it is, the better a processor performs compared to other processors of the same generation and brand.

It is also important to pay attention to the power consumption of a processor. This factor stands out for low-power processors, they are a little more expensive. A laptop processor consumes less power to generate less heat because it is inconvenient to push a large fan or cooling system into a laptop.

Processors can also be locked and unlocked, the latter can be overclocked at your own risk to sky-high heights of gigahertz. If you are not an experimenter, then you don't need it. 99% never overclock anything. Intel’s unlocked processors have the letter “K” in their names.

A beautifully packaged CPU is more expensive (box edition) than OEM without packaging.

For more details, read our CPU buying guide on the CPU Comparison page and check the best processors.

Motherboard

The most important PC parts are connected to a motherboard. If you already have a CPU, make sure you buy a motherboard with the right CPU socket. The latest sockets today are AMD’s AM4, TR4, Intel’s LGA1151, LGA2066.

If you want the super performance of video cards for 3D rendering, and you can put 2 of them on a motherboard, then you need to choose the appropriate motherboard with this capability.

Motherboards are also divided by sizes and form factors, such as Mini-ITX (for a tiny PC), Micro-ATX, ATX. So check their form factors for a small case. The smaller the motherboard is, the fewer components it supports. For more details, read our motherboard buying guide and check the best motherboards.

Graphics Card

If you are going to deal with graphics or build a gaming PC, you need a dedicated GPU. To buy a video card with good performance, pay attention to CUDA Cores. More cores indicate better performance.

Engine clock speed shows how fast the graphics card is. In the graphics card specs, you’ll find the base speed, while in the description, you can also find the boost speed — the maximum possible speed the video card can reach when necessary.

Memory bus width shows how many bits are transferred per clock cycle. So if you compare GPUs with the same clock speed but with different memory bus width, the one with the bigger memory bus width will have better performance.

As for the memory, 8 GB of GDDR5 or GDDR6 is more than enough to play games with high resolution.

Most graphics cards come with a PCIe 3.0 x16 interface type, and modern motherboards have PCIe 3.0 x16 slots. Even if your motherboard is equipped with a previous generation slot. Don’t worry, they are backward compatible.

However, you won’t benefit from the higher data transfer rate and bandwidth of your PCIe 3.0 video card with a PCIe 2.0 motherboard.

Read more about the best graphics cards and how to choose a GPU.

RAM

RAM (Random Access Memory) is used for storing the data, which is immediately extracted if needed while a desktop is on. The minimum RAM for a modern computer is 8 GB, better 16.

When you choose RAM, pay attention to its type and speed so that it's compatible with the motherboard and CPU. If your motherboard and CPU support only DDR3 RAM with 1600MHz, you can’t use DDR4, or even if you put DDR3 but with a higher speed, it will be clocked down to 1600MHz.

Storage

Although HDDs are replaced by SSDs nowadays, a 10 TB HDD is cheaper. So, it’s a good option for a server. Otherwise, solid-state drives are better since they are faster and quieter.

There are different types of SSDs. The most common type is a 2.5-inch drive that connects over SATA cables.

There are also SSDs that can be inserted directly into PCIe slots. Among them, there are M.2 NVMe SSDs with 5 times higher speed than in SATA models, which is noticeable while doing demanding work like video editing or large file transfer.

Most of the newer M.2 drives use PCIe 3.0 x4 slots. So make sure your motherboard has one if you need this type of storage.

As for the capacity, it’s not recommended to install less than 256 GB.

In the chain of devices transmitting data of memory, disks, video cards, and a processor, the weak link is that which has the lowest frequency, the data transfer rate. At good speeds, this is not so noticeable. Let's say the game is first loaded into RAM and video card. Therefore, it is good to have sufficient memory on these devices. Plus, it's not bad when the frequencies are the same or multiples of 2 to ensure synchronous data transfer without downtime and delays.

Power Supply

It is very important to supply enough power to all PC components. So count how much power every PC part consumes and pick a PSU that provides your computer with the necessary amount of watts and even a little more, in case your computer consumes more energy during demanding tasks.

Also, it’s better to have a PSU with built-in power surge protection, over-voltage protection, and short circuit protection.

Pay attention to efficiency. A power supply must be at least 80% efficient.

The most power-hungry is a video card, then a processor, RAM, and the rest of the peripherals.

Tower Form Factor

Although PC case sizes are not so standard as motherboard form factors, the following categories are distinguished: full-tower, mid-tower, mini-tower, and small form factor PC cases.

If you want a large eATX motherboard or a multiple graphics card setup, consider a full-tower case. 20 inches (50 cm) high or more, they have plenty of space for everything you want.

A mid-tower chassis with a height of 16 - 18 inches (40 - 45 cm) is the most common form factor which can contain up to a standard ATX motherboard (some of them allow installing an extended ATX motherboard), up to 3 graphics cards, up to 9 case fans, up to 8 drive bays, and extension slots. For this type of tower, make sure you choose the right size of the PSU and coolers, including a CPU cooler height.

Mini-towers are compact, but there is not much space for liquid cooling and extra hardware in them. Some of them don’t support full-length graphics cards. They are usually about 14 inches (36 cm) high and comprise micro ATX and mini-ITX motherboards, up to 5 case fans, up to 2 graphics cards, up to 4 2.5” drive bays, up to 6 3.5” drive bays, and 4 expansion slots.

A small form factor PC case or a shoebox case is even more compact, 6 - 8 inches (15 - 20 cm). It is a perfect option for those who have to move often or don’t have enough room for a big computer. This case can contain only a mini-ITX motherboard, 1 video card, up to 3 fans, 2 expansion slots, up to 2 2.5 drive bays, and up to 3 3.5 drive bays.

Cooling System

Most modern CPU coolers support both Intel and AMD sockets. Still, it’s better to check if the cooler you’ve chosen is compatible with your CPU socket and if there is enough room for it on the motherboard and inside the case.

CPU coolers are divided into 3 types: air, all-in-one (AIO) or closed-loop and custom or open-loop cooling systems.

Custom liquid cooling keeps the temperature lower and works quieter than air coolers, but it’s harder to install and more expensive. And if you mess up, it can damage your computer. Besides, if you are not going to overclock your processor or play demanding games all day long, you can get by without it.

Some air coolers are quieter than AIO coolers. If you want a quiet air cooler, make sure its sound level is below 25 dB.

Most Ryzen CPUs come with decent air coolers, unlike Intel’s processors.

Monitor and Peripherals

What monitor and peripherals to choose depends on the purpose of your PC. For general usage, a Full HD resolution is quite enough for a monitor less than 27 inches, while professionals may need a 4K display with good color accuracy. The bigger the monitor, the higher the resolution should be. Otherwise, the pixel density will be low, as well as the picture quality.

For gamers, a fast refresh rate and low response time are important. Most gaming monitors today offer at least 144 Hz of refresh rate. The lowest response time is 0.5ms, the highest - 5ms.

Curved monitors give you a more immersive experience and are less harmful to your eyes. However, an effective curved monitor should be ultra-wide, at least 30 inches. The best maximum viewing distance for a monitor with a 1800R curvature is 1.8 meters.

There is a wide range of keyboards of various colors nowadays: wired or wireless, mechanical and durable or membrane and quiet, with backlight or without it. Whichever you choose, make sure it has the right size so that you would feel comfortable.

Pick the right size of a mouse too. It should fit in your hand perfectly to prevent hand fatigue or repetitive strain injury.

PC Parts Compatibility

Now that you know what to consider when choosing PC parts, you also know how to check if PC parts are compatible. Let’s review again briefly what PC parts should be compatible:

• A processor interface type should coincide with a motherboard CPU socket.
• A motherboard should support a certain RAM type and speed.
• A CPU should support a certain RAM type.
• A motherboard should have PCIe 3.0 x4 slots for most of the newer M.2 drives.
• Count how much power every PC part consumes and pick the right PSU.
• Make sure a motherboard, GPU, PSU, and coolers fit in a mid-tower or mini-ITX case.
• Check if a cooler is compatible with a CPU socket.

How to Assemble a PC

Building a PC for the first time is a challenging task. But if you picked all PC parts right, it’s hard to connect them in the wrong way.

Before installing the motherboard, read the manual to find out how to connect the cables, in which slots to stick the memory modules and storage drives to get better performance.

Read more about assembling a computer, or watch a video on YouTube about it.

If you don’t want to assemble a desktop on your own, you can always buy a pre-built PC or an all-in-one computer. Also, you may consider buying a laptop or turning your phone into a desktop.