Lesson 1Case selection: sizes, airflow vs aesthetics, drive bays, clearance for CPU coolers and GPUsFind out how to choose a PC case by looking at its size, how air flows inside, and other build features. Balance how it looks nice, how quiet it is, and how well it cools, 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 stabilityLearn how to pick the right size for your power supply unit (PSU) for gaming or work setups using real power needs. Compare 80 Plus ratings for how efficient it is, modular versus non-modular types, how stable the rails are, protections, and which brands you can trust.
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 what you want to achieve, considering power use, noise, and how much you can spend.
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/mediaGet to know storage choices for your operating system, apps, and media files. Compare SATA SSDs and NVMe drives from different PCIe generations, paying attention to size, speed, how long they last, and how many 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 decide between the basic cooler that comes with your CPU and better aftermarket ones, compare air cooling and all-in-one liquid cooling, and set up fan speeds. Understand noise levels, heat management, case air flow, and reliability to keep your system cool and not too loud.
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 setups from the latest generations. Learn about the sockets they use, how long chipsets last, value for money, power saving, and ways to upgrade later, so you can pick a solid foundation 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 RAM for price, speed, and what platforms support them. See how amount, speed, and timings affect actual performance, and why using two channels and setting it up right matters for today's computers.
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 your daily tasks into smart part choices. Compare what you need for office work, browsing the web, simple photo editing, and light gaming, balancing CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage so you don't spend extra money.
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 list to check if parts fit together, covering CPU socket, chipset, RAM type, GPU size, and PSU plugs. Learn to confirm space in the case, air flow routes, and heat limits before you buy anything.
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 choose a motherboard based on chipset, size, and connections. Check power delivery quality, BIOS options, RAM support, and slots for extras to fit your CPU, case, and plans for upgrading later.
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