Lesson 1Cooling solutions: air coolers vs AIO liquid coolers, socket compatibility, mounting, and noise vs performance tradeoffsCompare air coolers and AIO liquid coolers for gaming PCs. Learn about socket compatibility, mounting hardware, pump and fan noise, and how to size coolers for your CPU’s heat output while balancing aesthetics, reliability, and maintenance needs.
Tower air coolers vs AIO liquid coolersChoosing cooler TDP rating for your CPUSocket compatibility and mounting bracketsPump, fan noise and acoustic tuningRadiator sizes and case fit verificationMaintenance, leaks and long term reliabilityLesson 2Memory selection: capacity, kit configuration, frequency, timings, XMP/EXPO profiles and dual/quad channel considerationsLearn how to choose gaming RAM kits by balancing capacity, speed, timings, and channels. Understand XMP and EXPO profiles, stability considerations, and how memory impacts frame rates, frametimes, and overall system responsiveness.
Choosing 16, 32 or 64 GB for gaming workloadsDual channel vs single channel vs quad channelMatching RAM speed to CPU and motherboard limitsUnderstanding CAS latency and primary timingsEnabling and tuning XMP or EXPO profilesStability testing with MemTest and stress toolsLesson 3Motherboard selection: sockets, chipsets, form factors, VRM quality, expansion slots, and firmwareDive into motherboard selection for gaming builds, focusing on socket and chipset compatibility, VRM quality, and expansion options. Learn how form factor, BIOS features, and connectivity affect overclocking headroom, stability, and future upgrades.
Matching CPU socket and chipset generationsATX, micro ATX and mini ITX tradeoffsVRM phases, cooling and power delivery qualityPCIe slots for GPUs, capture cards and NVMeUSB, networking and audio feature comparisonBIOS features, flashback and update supportLesson 4Case fans and airflow tuning: fan types, static pressure vs airflow, fan curves, and PWM vs DC controlLearn how to choose and tune case fans for optimal airflow and noise. Compare airflow and static pressure models, understand PWM versus DC control, and design fan curves that keep your gaming PC cool without excessive noise or dust buildup.
Intake vs exhaust placement and airflow pathsAirflow fans vs static pressure fans120 mm vs 140 mm and fan count tradeoffsPWM vs DC control and motherboard headersCreating effective fan curves in BIOS or softwareReducing dust buildup with filters and pressureLesson 5GPU selection: memory, bus, TDP, cooler designs, and performance targets for 1080p/1440pExplore how to select a GPU that matches your resolution and refresh targets. Learn about VRAM capacity, memory bus width, power limits, cooler designs, and how to read benchmarks for 1080p and 1440p competitive or cinematic gaming.
VRAM capacity needs for 1080p and 1440pMemory bus width, bandwidth and bottlenecksDual fan vs triple fan and blower coolersPower limits, BIOS and undervolting optionsReading benchmark charts and frame time dataMatching GPU to monitor refresh and sync techLesson 6CPU selection: understanding families, architectures, cores/threads, clocks, TDP, and integrated graphicsExplore how to pick the right gaming CPU by comparing core counts, architectures, and clock behavior. Learn to read product stacks, match CPUs to GPUs, and consider thermals, power limits, and integrated graphics for troubleshooting or light gaming.
Comparing Intel and AMD gaming CPU lineupsCores, threads, and modern game engine scalingBase, boost clocks and thermal throttlingReading TDP, PPT and real power consumptionIntegrated graphics uses and limitationsAvoiding CPU bottlenecks for target frame ratesLesson 7Cases and airflow: form factors, GPU clearance, radiator/coil compatibility, dust management and cable routingUnderstand how to choose a PC case that supports your hardware and airflow goals. Learn about form factors, GPU and cooler clearance, radiator support, dust filtration, and cable routing features that simplify clean, quiet gaming builds.
Checking GPU length and cooler height limitsFront, top and bottom radiator supportAirflow focused vs tempered glass showcase casesDust filters, mesh panels and cleaning accessCable routing channels and tie down pointsFront I O layout and quality of constructionLesson 8Storage selection: NVMe vs SATA, capacities, endurance (TBW), queue depth and controller differencesUnderstand how to choose storage for fast game loading and responsiveness. Compare NVMe and SATA SSDs, capacities, endurance ratings, controllers, and DRAM cache, and learn how to plan separate drives for OS, games, and large media files.
NVMe vs SATA SSDs for game load timesChoosing capacities for OS, games and mediaTBW, DWPD and SSD endurance considerationsDRAM cache vs DRAMless SSD performanceController brands and firmware reliabilityPartitioning and organizing game librariesLesson 9Power supply selection: efficiency ratings (80 PLUS), wattage headroom, rails, connectors, and reliability brandsUnderstand how to size and select a reliable PSU for a gaming rig. Learn about 80 PLUS efficiency, wattage headroom for GPU spikes, rail design, protections, modular cabling, and how brand quality affects stability, noise, and long term safety.
Estimating system wattage and GPU power spikesChoosing 80 PLUS Bronze, Gold, Platinum or higherSingle rail vs multi rail and OCP protectionsConnector types for GPUs, CPU and peripheralsModular, semi modular and fixed cable designsSelecting reputable PSU brands and platformsLesson 10OS license and software: choosing Windows license types, activation, and alternativesLearn how to choose and activate an operating system for your gaming PC. Compare Windows licence types, activation methods, and OEM versus retail keys, and briefly review Linux based alternatives for budget or specialized gaming setups.
OEM vs retail Windows license differencesOnline activation, keys and digital entitlementChoosing Windows editions for gaming needsBasic driver installation and update strategyGame launchers and storefront ecosystemsLinux gaming options and Proton compatibility