Lesson 1Case selection: sizes, airflow vs aesthetics, drive bays, clearance for CPU coolers and GPUsLearn how to pick a PC case by its size, how air flows through it, and its building features. Balance looks, noise levels, and cooling support while checking space for CPU coolers, GPUs, radiators, and extra storage.
ATX, mATX, and ITX case sizesFront, top, and rear airflow pathsMesh vs glass and noise trade-offsCPU cooler and GPU clearanceRadiator and fan mounting optionsDrive bays and cable managementLesson 2Power supply fundamentals: wattage calculation, efficiency (80 Plus), modularity, rail stabilityUnderstand how to choose the right size for a power supply unit for gaming and work setups using real power estimates. Compare 80 Plus efficiency levels, modular versus non-modular designs, rail stability, protections, and brand trustworthiness.
Estimating system power drawHeadroom for upgrades and spikes80 Plus efficiency certificationsSingle vs multi 12V railsModular, semi, and fixed cablingProtections and PSU quality tiersLesson 3GPU options for mid-range gaming: integrated vs discrete mid-range GPUs and performance targetsLook at GPU choices for mid-level gaming, from good built-in graphics to separate cards. Learn to match screen resolution, refresh rate, and game settings to performance goals and limits on power, noise, and budget.
Integrated graphics capabilitiesMid-range discrete GPU tiers1080p and 1440p performance goalsVRAM capacity and game demandsPower, cooling, and noise factorsBrand, warranty, and value checksLesson 4Storage options: SATA SSD vs NVMe PCIe (Gen3/Gen4) and capacities for OS/apps/mediaUnderstand choices for storage for operating systems, apps, and media files. Compare SATA SSDs and NVMe drives across PCIe generations, focusing on size, speed, durability, and how many drives your setup can handle.
SATA SSD vs NVMe performancePCIe Gen3 vs Gen4 trade-offsOS, apps, and game drive sizingBulk media and backup storageEndurance, TBW, and warrantyDrive count and M.2 slot limitsLesson 5Cooling choices: stock vs aftermarket air coolers, AIO liquid coolers, fan curves and noise targetsLearn to choose between basic and upgraded cooling, compare air and liquid AIO solutions, and adjust fan speeds. Understand noise, heat levels, case air flow, and reliability to keep your system cool and quiet.
Stock vs aftermarket air coolersAIO liquid coolers: pros and consThermal performance vs noise targetsFan curves and motherboard controlCase airflow paths and pressureLesson 6CPU platform comparison: Intel vs AMD generations, sockets, performance-per-dollarCompare Intel and AMD CPU platforms from recent generations. Learn about sockets, chipset life, performance for money, power use, and upgrade options to pick a solid base for your build.
Recent Intel and AMD lineupsSocket longevity and upgradesPerformance per dollar analysisPower efficiency and thermalsIntegrated graphics availabilityPlatform features and ecosystemLesson 7Memory selection: DDR4 vs DDR5, capacity, speed, timings, single vs dual channel impactCompare DDR4 and DDR5 memory for cost, speed, and platform fit. Learn how size, frequency, and timings affect real performance, and why dual channel and right setup matter for modern systems.
DDR4 vs DDR5: cost and supportRecommended capacity by workloadFrequency, timings, and latencySingle vs dual channel impactXMP and EXPO profile configurationLesson 8Understanding workload requirements: office, light photo editing, casual gaming trade-offsTurn real work needs into part choices. Compare needs for office tasks, web browsing, light photo editing, and casual gaming, balancing CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage without spending too much.
Profiling typical daily workloadsOffice and web browsing needsLight photo and media editingCasual and eSports gaming needsBalancing CPU, GPU, and RAMAvoiding overkill and bottlenecksLesson 9Compatibility checklist: socket, TDP, RAM type, GPU length, PSU connectors, case clearance and thermal considerationsMake a full compatibility list covering CPU socket, chipset, RAM type, GPU size, and PSU connectors. Learn to check case space, air flow paths, and heat limits before buying any part.
CPU socket and chipset matchingTDP limits and cooler supportRAM type, speed, and capacityGPU length, height, and thicknessPSU connectors and wattage needsCase clearance and airflow checksLesson 10Motherboard selection: chipset features, form factors (ATX/mATX), VRM quality, BIOS supportLearn to pick a motherboard by chipset, size, and connections. Check VRM quality, BIOS features, memory support, and expansion to match your CPU, case, and future plans.
Chipset tiers and key featuresATX, mATX, and ITX form factorsVRM design and cooling qualityRAM support and QVL listsPCIe slots and M.2 layoutBIOS features and update support