PC Part Picker: An Invaluable Resource for Aspiring PC Builders

Are you thinking about building your first PC but don’t know where to start? Or are you concerned about choosing the right components to create a balanced and functional build?

In this case, using the PC Part Picker website can help. The site has a ton of information about PC components so you can make the right choice for your first build.

Why is PC component compatibility important and how to check it?

If you are building a PC for the first time, you need to be aware of an important question » is compatibility. Not every processor works with every motherboard, and not every cooler is right for every occasion. You must ensure that the parts you purchase are compatible with each other.

In the past, you had to do a lot of research to find out which parts were compatible. Even then, you sometimes buy multiple components only to find that they don’t all fit in your chosen case.

Fortunately, it is now easy to check the compatibility of parts before buying any equipment. Sites like PC Part Picker will let you add your chosen hardware to a list and will alert you to any incompatibilities.

How to check part compatibility with PC Part Picker

To check the compatibility of the parts of the hardware you are about to purchase, go to the PC Part Picker website. Then select System Builder from the menu above. Here you will see a list of components such as CPU , motherboard and memory .

To add a component, such as a processor, click the blue button labeled » Select Processor » . Add all the different components you are thinking of buying for your build.

Using PC Part Picker - System Picker

Now look at the colored bar below the link for your build. If everything is compatible, the bar will be green with «Compatibility: See Notes Below» written on it. The notes will let you know if there are any compatibility issues that cannot be verified (for example, some coolers are only suitable for specific configurations). But, as a rule, if the stripe is green, then you are good to go.

Using PC Part Picker - Incompatibility

If there are compatibility issues, such as a motherboard that doesn’t support your chosen processor, the compatibility bar will be red with «Compatibility Attention!» These parts have potential issues or incompatibilities.» If you click on details, you will see exactly which parts are incompatible.

How to budget the cost of selected components

Anyone with an embedded PC knows that the costs of various components can quickly add up. In addition to the basic components such as processor, motherboard, RAM, power supply, video card and memory, there are other costs to consider.

Maybe you need an aftermarket cooler, or maybe you need an expensive case to showcase your build. You should also keep in mind the budget for extras such as fans, case lighting, or a sound card. Not to mention shipping costs if you buy your components online. All these small expenses can add up.

That’s why it’s useful to keep a budget total for your build. As a rough guide, spending less than $1,000 will be considered a budgetary charge. Spending between $1,000 and $2,000 is average. And spending over $2,000 would be a high-end assembly.

To check your budget for the PC Part Picker, scroll down to the bottom of the page. There you will see the total cost with the base amount of only the cost of the components you have selected, as well as extras for shipping and deductions for discounts.

How to choose the right components

Using the PC Part Picker - Finding a Component

If you are not sure which components to choose, then PC Part Picker can help you with that too. If you go to section «View products» you can select component types such as source of power . You can then see a list of available power sources.

This listing shows key information such as specs, price, and form factor. There is also an option compatibility filter, which will only show you the parts that are compatible with the components you have already selected.

Most useful of all, you can see prices for parts from different online retailers. Click on a component’s name and you’ll see how much it costs across different websites, as well as a graph showing how much it’s historically cost. You can also check the reviews on this page to see if other people were satisfied with their purchase.

How to check the total power of your build

Another useful feature of the site is that it will tell you the general power requirements of your system. Many people end up buying power supplies with much more power than they need because they overestimate their power requirements.

When you build a build on the site, at the top of the page it will show you the approximate power of the system in a blue box. You can use this information to select the appropriate power supply.

Power Supply Considerations

Remember that you don’t want to underpower your system, so give yourself some leeway in your power when choosing a power source.

Also, just because you don’t need high power doesn’t mean you should buy the cheapest power supply you can find. The power supply is an important component and can damage other components if it fails, so get a trusted and trusted brand even if it’s low wattage.

To learn more about power, check out our guide to building your own low power PC. low power consumption