Lesson 1Case selection: sizes, airflow vs aesthetics, drive bays, clearance for CPU coolers and GPUsExplore how to choose a PC case by size, airflow design, and build features. Balance aesthetics, noise, and cooling support while checking clearance for CPU coolers, GPUs, radiators, and storage expansion to suit local availability.
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 size a PSU for gaming and productivity builds using realistic power estimates. Compare 80 Plus efficiency ratings, modular vs non modular designs, rail stability, protections, and brand reliability available in Namibia.
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 targetsEvaluate GPU options for mid range gaming, from strong integrated graphics to discrete cards. Learn to match resolution, refresh rate, and game settings to performance targets and power, noise, and budget limits considering Namibian markets.
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 storage options for operating systems, apps, and media. Compare SATA SSDs and NVMe drives across PCIe generations, focusing on capacity, speed, endurance, and how many drives your platform supports in local setups.
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 how to choose between stock and aftermarket cooling, compare air and AIO liquid solutions, and tune fan curves. Understand noise, thermals, case airflow, and reliability to keep your system cool and quiet in hot Namibian climates.
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 across recent generations. Learn about sockets, chipset lifespans, performance per dollar, power efficiency, and upgrade paths to choose a stable base for your build suited to Namibian power conditions.
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 support. Learn how capacity, frequency, and timings affect real performance, and why dual channel and proper configuration matter for modern systems in everyday use.
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-offsTranslate real workload needs into component choices. Compare requirements for office tasks, web use, light photo editing, and casual gaming, balancing CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage without overspending in a Namibian budget.
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 considerationsBuild a complete compatibility checklist covering CPU socket, chipset, RAM type, GPU size, and PSU connectors. Learn to verify case clearance, airflow paths, and thermal limits before buying any component for reliable builds.
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 how to pick a motherboard by chipset, form factor, and connectivity. Evaluate VRM quality, BIOS features, memory support, and expansion options to match your CPU choice, case, and future upgrade plans locally.
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