Lesson 1Motherboard chipsets, sockets, and feature sets: matching to CPU use casesLearn to pair motherboards with processors and needs. You'll compare sockets, chipsets, power delivery, and connections, balancing growth options, links, and costs for gaming, work, or office setups.
CPU socket and chipset compatibilityVRM design and power delivery qualityPCIe slots, M.2 slots, and lane sharingUSB, networking, and audio featuresBIOS quality, updates, and supportLesson 2Power supply fundamentals: wattage estimation, 80+ efficiency ratings, modularity, protectionsKnow how to choose and size a solid power supply unit. You'll calculate system power use, read 80 Plus ratings, compare cable designs, and check safety features to prevent crashes, noise, and upgrade problems.
Estimating peak and sustained wattage80 Plus efficiency levels and impactModular vs non‑modular cabling choicesProtections: OCP, OVP, SCP, OTP, OPPSelecting reputable PSU brands and linesLesson 3RAM types, capacities, speeds, timings, and dual/quad channel implicationsGrasp how RAM type, size, and speed influence performance. You'll compare DDR types, timings, and layers, plus dual or quad channel effects for games, content making, and heavy memory tasks.
DDR generations and voltage differencesCapacity planning for common workloadsFrequency, timings, and real latencySingle vs dual rank DIMM behaviorDual and quad channel performanceLesson 4Case form factors, airflow, GPU clearance, drive mounting, and cable management considerationsSee how case size and design impact fit, air flow, and sound. You'll check space for graphics cards and coolers, drive spots, and cable paths so builds stay cool, neat, and simple to put together or fix later.
ATX, mATX, ITX case and board fitmentFront, top, and rear airflow planningGPU and CPU cooler height clearancesDrive cages, brackets, and SSD mountsCable routing channels and tie‑down pointsLesson 5Storage types: SATA SSD, NVMe PCIe (Gen3/Gen4/Gen5) and sizing strategiesUnderstand differences between SATA SSDs and NVMe drives in speed, response time, durability, and price. Know PCIe versions, storage planning, and task demands to size storage right without wasting money or slowing things down.
SATA SSD vs NVMe: latency and throughputPCIe Gen3, Gen4, Gen5 lanes and limitsRandom vs sequential workloads and QD impactEndurance ratings, TBW, and warranty termsCapacity planning for OS, apps, and dataLesson 6Cooling options: stock coolers, air coolers, AIO liquid coolers, and thermal performance trade-offsCompare basic coolers, tower air units, and all-in-one liquid systems. You'll balance noise levels, space fit, dependability, and heat handling to select cooling that suits your case, processor power, and style preferences.
Stock coolers: pros, cons, and limitsTower air coolers and heatpipe designAIO liquid coolers and radiator sizingClearance with RAM, GPU, and side panelsNoise, fan curves, and maintenance needsLesson 7Interpreting current component availability and pricing from major retailers and tech sitesLearn to understand live prices and stock from big shops and tech trackers. You'll notice patterns, special deals, and local price differences to time buys and tweak builds to fit your budget.
Using price history and tracking toolsComparing major retailers and regionsSpotting sales cycles and promo patternsReacting to stock shortages and delaysAdjusting builds to stay within budgetLesson 8How to read and compare CPU specifications: cores, threads, clocks, IPC, and TDPGet comfortable with CPU details and pages. You'll read cores, threads, speeds, efficiency, cache, and power use, linking them to gaming, creation, and office tasks to pick the best processor level.
Physical cores vs logical threadsBase, boost clocks, and turbo behaviorIPC, cache sizes, and single‑thread strengthTDP, power limits, and cooling needsMatching CPU tiers to target workloadsLesson 9Building a parts list quickly: templates, compatibility checks, and saved search techniquesLearn to put together a full, matching parts list fast. Use ready templates, filters, and check tools, then save searches and notices to respond quick to stock shifts and short deals.
Starting from proven build templatesUsing online compatibility checkersFiltering by budget and performanceSaving searches and price alertsVersioning and cloning parts listsLesson 10Sourcing realistic parts: verifying product listings, reading spec sheets, and cross-checking pricesBuild skills to confirm online parts listings are genuine and reliable. You'll verify specs, model numbers, and feedback from different sellers and makers, keeping an eye out for tricky pictures, packages, and costs.
Confirming model numbers and revisionsComparing specs with vendor PDFsSpotting misleading photos and bundlesUsing reviews to confirm real behaviorFlagging gray‑market or fake listingsLesson 11Documenting choices: writing concise justifications and noting purchase URLs and price snapshots for manager reviewCreate a reliable way to note part picks, prices, and sources. Practice short, clear reasons and save links, times, and options so bosses can check and okay your build plans easily.
Writing one‑sentence part justificationsRecording URLs, SKUs, and seller detailsCapturing dated price and promo evidenceTracking alternative parts and trade‑offsOrganizing build notes for manager reviewLesson 12GPU tiers and market positioning: integrated vs discrete GPUs and how to pick by workloadSee how graphics card levels fit gaming, creative, and office jobs. Compare built-in and separate cards, memory sizes, power, and features to choose one for screen size, speed, and budget goals.
Integrated graphics vs discrete GPUsEntry, midrange, and high‑end GPU tiersVRAM capacity, bus width, and bandwidthPower draw, connectors, and PSU impactMatching GPU to resolution and refresh
