All PC building guides
Browse the complete guide collection by the job you want to do.
Your first gaming PC
- Plan your first gaming PC
- Balanced 1440p PC build: a UK AM5 parts list
- Gaming PC budget: include the monitor and extras
- AM4 or AM5: choose the right budget PC platform
- How to divide your gaming PC budget
- How to check that your PC parts fit
- How to choose a PSU for your gaming PC
- How to replace an unavailable PC part
- Prepare and assemble your first PC
- First boot: BIOS, Windows and driver setup
- New PC powers on but has no display
Builds by budget and use
- Entry 1080p PC build: when AM4 still makes sense
- 4K gaming PC build: spend on the graphics card first
- Build or buy a gaming PC: compare the complete system
Looking for an interactive starting point? Open PC Builder to choose an AM5 tower, see the 3D preview and compare planning estimates.
CPU and graphics
Supporting components
Useful upgrades
Fault diagnosis
Monitors and peripherals
Quiet and compact PCs
Complete build and buying-guide network
A Beginner’s Guide to Building a PC in 2027
- How to Build a PC for Gaming
- How to Build a PC for Graphic Design
- How to Build a PC for Video Editing
- How to Build a PC for Blender and 3D Rendering
- How to Build a PC for Everyday Work
- How to Build a Quiet and Compact PC
Best Processors for Building a PC in 2027
- Best Processors for Gaming PCs in 2027
- Best Processors for Graphic Design PCs in 2027
- Best Processors for Video Editing PCs in 2027
- Best Processors for Blender and 3D Rendering PCs in 2027
- Best Processors for Everyday Work PCs in 2027
- Best Processors for Quiet and Compact PCs in 2027
Best Graphics Cards for Building a PC in 2027
- Best Graphics Cards for Gaming PCs in 2027
- Best Graphics Cards for Graphic Design PCs in 2027
- Best Graphics Cards for Video Editing PCs in 2027
- Best Graphics Cards for Blender and 3D Rendering PCs in 2027
- Best Graphics Cards for Everyday Work PCs in 2027
- Best Graphics Cards for Quiet and Compact PCs in 2027
Best Motherboards for Building a PC in 2027
- Best Motherboards for Gaming PCs in 2027
- Best Motherboards for Graphic Design PCs in 2027
- Best Motherboards for Video Editing PCs in 2027
- Best Motherboards for Blender and 3D Rendering PCs in 2027
- Best Motherboards for Everyday Work PCs in 2027
- Best Motherboards for Quiet and Compact PCs in 2027
Best RAM Kits for Building a PC in 2027
- Best RAM Kits for Gaming PCs in 2027
- Best RAM Kits for Graphic Design PCs in 2027
- Best RAM Kits for Video Editing PCs in 2027
- Best RAM Kits for Blender and 3D Rendering PCs in 2027
- Best RAM Kits for Everyday Work PCs in 2027
- Best RAM Kits for Quiet and Compact PCs in 2027
Best SSDs for Building a PC in 2027
- Best SSDs for Gaming PCs in 2027
- Best SSDs for Graphic Design PCs in 2027
- Best SSDs for Video Editing PCs in 2027
- Best SSDs for Blender and 3D Rendering PCs in 2027
- Best SSDs for Everyday Work PCs in 2027
- Best SSDs for Quiet and Compact PCs in 2027
Best Power Supplies for Building a PC in 2027
- Best Power Supplies for Gaming PCs in 2027
- Best Power Supplies for Graphic Design PCs in 2027
- Best Power Supplies for Video Editing PCs in 2027
- Best Power Supplies for Blender and 3D Rendering PCs in 2027
- Best Power Supplies for Everyday Work PCs in 2027
- Best Power Supplies for Quiet and Compact PCs in 2027
Best PC Cases for Building a PC in 2027
- Best PC Cases for Gaming PCs in 2027
- Best PC Cases for Graphic Design PCs in 2027
- Best PC Cases for Video Editing PCs in 2027
- Best PC Cases for Blender and 3D Rendering PCs in 2027
- Best PC Cases for Everyday Work PCs in 2027
- Best PC Cases for Quiet and Compact PCs in 2027
Best CPU Coolers for Building a PC in 2027
Sim-racing build and buying guides
- How to Build a PC for Sim Racing in 2027
- Best Processors for Sim Racing in 2027
- Best Graphics Cards for Sim Racing in 2027
- Best PC Builds for iRacing in 2027
- Best PC Build for Triple-Monitor Sim Racing in 2027
- Best PC Build for VR Sim Racing in 2027
- Best Monitors for Sim Racing in 2027
- Best Steering Wheels and Pedals for Beginners in 2027
Specialist build clusters
Simulation and specialist gaming
- Flight Simulation builds — Flight Simulation processors · Flight Simulation graphics · Best Flight-Sim Controls for Beginners
- Competitive Esports builds — Competitive Esports processors · Competitive Esports graphics · Best Monitors for an Esports PC
- Strategy and City-Building Games builds — Strategy and City-Building Games processors · Strategy and City-Building Games graphics · Best RAM for Strategy and City-Building PCs
- Living-Room Gaming builds — Living-Room Gaming processors · Living-Room Gaming graphics · Best Controllers for a Living-Room PC
- Portable Mini-ITX builds — Portable Mini-ITX processors · Portable Mini-ITX graphics · Best Cases for Portable PC Builds
Creator and technical workstations
- Music Production builds — Music Production processors · Music Production graphics · Best Audio Interfaces for a Home-Studio PC
- Photography and Lightroom builds — Photography and Lightroom processors · Photography and Lightroom graphics · Best Monitors for a Photography PC
- CAD and Engineering builds — CAD and Engineering processors · CAD and Engineering graphics · Best RAM for CAD and Engineering PCs
- Game Development builds — Game Development processors · Game Development graphics · Best SSDs for Game-Development PCs
- Local AI and LLMs builds — Local AI and LLMs processors · Local AI and LLMs graphics · Best RAM for Local-AI and LLM PCs
- Photogrammetry and 3D Scanning builds — Photogrammetry and 3D Scanning processors · Photogrammetry and 3D Scanning graphics · Best RAM for Photogrammetry PCs
- Astrophotography Processing builds — Astrophotography Processing processors · Astrophotography Processing graphics · Best SSDs for Astrophotography Processing
- Software Development builds — Software Development processors · Software Development graphics · Best RAM for Software-Development PCs
- Gaming and Streaming builds — Gaming and Streaming processors · Gaming and Streaming graphics · Best Capture Cards for a PC Streaming Setup
Home servers and storage
- Home NAS Storage builds — Home NAS Storage processors · Home NAS Storage storage · Best PC Cases for a Home NAS
- Plex and Jellyfin Media Servers builds — Plex and Jellyfin Media Servers processors · Plex and Jellyfin Media Servers storage · Best Network Upgrades for a Home Media Server
- Proxmox Home Labs builds — Proxmox Home Labs processors · Proxmox Home Labs ram · Best SSDs for a Proxmox Home Lab
- Home Game Servers builds — Home Game Servers processors · Home Game Servers ram · Best SSDs for Home Game Servers
AutoCAD build guide · Revit build guide · Home-server build hub
Processor information guides
- Understanding PC Processors: How to Choose the Right CPU
- How Many CPU Cores Do You Need for Gaming?
- CPU Cores vs Clock Speed vs Cache: What Matters?
- What Is X3D, and Is It Worth Paying For?
- How to Check CPU and Motherboard Compatibility
- Do You Need a Graphics Card if Your CPU Has Integrated Graphics?
- CPU Power and Cooling Explained: TDP, Boost and Cooler Choice
- Find the performance limit before upgrading
- CPU upgrade or a new platform
Graphics, memory, motherboard and storage information
- Understanding Graphics Cards: How to Choose the Right GPU
- Graphics Card Specifications Explained: VRAM, Bandwidth and Power
- Graphics Card Benchmarks Explained: FPS, 1% Lows and Frame Times
- GPU PCIe Compatibility and Resizable BAR Explained
- GPU Acceleration for Creative Software: Rendering, Editing and AI
- Understanding PC Memory: RAM Capacity, Speed and Compatibility
- How Much RAM Do You Need? 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and Beyond
- RAM Speed and CAS Latency Explained: MT/s, MHz and CL
- Dual-Channel RAM, Four DIMMs and Mixing Memory Kits
- XMP and EXPO Memory Profiles: What They Do and How to Set Up RAM
- Understanding PC Motherboards: Socket, Chipset, Slots and Connections
- ATX vs Micro-ATX vs Mini-ITX: Choose the Right Motherboard Size
- Motherboard PCIe Lanes and M.2 Sharing: Plan Your GPU and Drives
- Motherboard Headers and Connectors: Front Panel, USB, Fans and RGB
- Understanding PC Storage: SSDs, Hard Drives and the Right Drive Plan
- M.2 vs SATA vs NVMe: SSD Types and Compatibility Explained
- PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0 SSDs: When Is the Faster Drive Worth It?
- SSD NAND, DRAM, Cache and Endurance: Read the Specs That Matter
- How Much SSD Storage Do You Need? Plan Games, Projects and Free Space
- How to Add a Second SSD to Your PC: Compatibility, Installation and Setup
Power, peripherals, home networking and backup guides
- Understanding PC power supplies: watts, connectors and fit
- Modular PSU cables: compatibility, replacements and extensions
- PSU efficiency ratings explained: Bronze, Gold and wall power
- Best PC case fans for airflow, compact builds and controlled noise in 2027
- PWM and DC fan control: set a useful curve without constant surges
- Best gaming mice for PC builds: budget, wireless and extra controls in 2027
- Best mice for work PCs: everyday, vertical and creative controls in 2027
- Best mouse mats for small desks, broad aiming and full setups in 2027
- Mouse DPI and polling rate explained: useful settings for a new PC
- Best keyboards for PC builds: UK layouts for gaming and work in 2027
- Best macro pads for PC shortcuts, streaming and creative controls in 2027
- Mechanical keyboard switches explained: linear, tactile and clicky
- UK keyboard layouts and sizes: full-size, TKL and compact
- Best gaming headsets for PC: analogue, USB and wireless in 2027
- Best PC speakers for everyday desks, USB audio and mixed sources in 2027
- Best USB microphones for PC calls, recording and streaming in 2027
- Best webcams for PC calls and streaming:1080p choices that fit the job in 2027
- USB vs XLR microphones: which recording setup should you build?
- Reduce PC microphone background noise: position, gain and processing
- PC headset and audio connections:3.5mm, USB and wireless
- Best monitors for PC builds: gaming, work and OLED in 2027
- Best monitor arms: fixed desks, daily adjustment and heavy screens in 2027
- Best laptop docking stations for a shared PC desk in 2027
- Best drawing tablets for PC: affordable pen input and pen displays in 2027
- Best monitor calibrators for PC photography and design in 2027
- USB-C display and dock compatibility: choose the right connection
- How to calibrate a PC monitor for photography and design
- Best external SSDs for PC: everyday files, travel and 20Gb/s ports in 2027
- Best external hard drives for PC backups and large libraries in 2027
- Best memory card readers for PC: microSD, UHS-II and CFexpress in 2027
- Best USB hubs for PC: simple ports, laptop video and powered desks in 2027
- Best PC building tool kits: first builds and regular upgrades in 2027
- External SSD USB speeds explained: 5, 10 and 20Gb/s connections
- How to back up a PC to an external drive and check recovery
- Home network setup guide in 2027: better Wi-Fi and wired PCs
- Best Wi-Fi routers for home PCs: gigabit and multi-gigabit routes in 2027
- Best mesh Wi-Fi for UK homes: Wi-Fi6 and multi-gigabit options in 2027
- Best Wi-Fi access points for home: wired coverage and PoE in 2027
- Mesh Wi-Fi versus wired access points: choose the home layout
- Wi-Fi bands, Wi-Fi6, 6E and 7 explained for PC builders
- Where to place a Wi-Fi router and mesh nodes in a UK home
- Best network switches for home: gigabit, 2.5Gb/s and PoE in 2027
- Best 2.5Gb Ethernet adapters for desktops and laptops in 2027
- Best Ethernet cables for home PCs: patch leads and permanent runs in 2027
- Best UPS for PC and NAS: UK sockets, load and safe shutdown in 2027
- How to wire a house with Ethernet: plan the rooms and installation
- How to upgrade a home network to 2.5Gb/s for PC and NAS transfers
- How to back up a home NAS: independent copies and a tested restore