What is Custom PC Builder?
Easily design your ideal PC with Newegg's custom PC builder. This computer builder tool lets you choose from a wide range of components, such as CPUs, GPUs, and more, to make your custom PC without the usual hassle and calculations.
What computer parts do you need to build a PC?
A computer system is relatively simple. While the individual components and storage are often examples of cutting-edge technology and feature the latest industry developments, their underlying functions remain unchanged over time. Let’s look at the computer parts that combine to make up the modern PC and help you prepare for your assembly project.
What is the CPU?
The CPU or processor translates instructions entered into the computer into executable actions your computer understands. What does that mean in practical terms? When you enter a command into a program, be it via mouse click, button push, or typed phrase, the CPU converts that command into language that the other components recognize and to which they respond.
There are two dominant manufacturers of the x86 processors used in desktop computing. When picking your computer parts, one of the first choices you will make is whether your system will use an Intel or an AMD processor.
What does a motherboard do?
Your CPU and motherboard have one of the closest relationships of all. Nothing will function if a processor doesn’t sit properly in the motherboard, and if the motherboard is not designed for it. AMD CPUs must fit into AMD motherboards and Intel CPUs in Intel motherboards. Certain CPUs fit specific motherboard socket types and chipsets as well. Check product information pages for compatibility; see the motherboard buying guide for more guidance.
Manufacturers have developed safeguards against mixing incorrect parts. However—if a CPU isn’t suitable for the motherboard you chose, it literally will not fit— the chip has a pin configuration that is different from the one in the board's CPU socket. If you use a tool like the Newegg PC Builder or buy a combo package on Newegg.com, then Newegg double-checks to ensure that the motherboard and CPU you purchased are compatible. Still, it's wise to double-check online and consult your user manuals to ensure all components match before starting.
Some motherboards have extra bells and whistles, such as overclocking your CPU or adding additional lighting features. If you intend to delve into your system and tinker with its performance, a board with some additional features might be right up your alley.
What is RAM, and how much do you need?
Random access memory modules, or RAM, act as your system’s quick-recall storage and hold active applications and data to keep them available for immediate access. RAM is also called system memory. RAM modules fit into the DIMM slots on a motherboard.
The amount and type of desktop RAM you install in your system directly affects system performance. 16-32 GB of RAM is usually enough for a modern gaming desktop. The more RAM you have in your system, the more quick-access data the system can hold, which comes in handy if you like multitasking. As with your CPU and motherboard, the RAM type you need changes depending on your motherboard and processor architecture. DDR4 is the legacy standard for system memory, and DDR5 is the current generation. Consult product information pages to verify that the RAM you intend to purchase works with your system.
Do you need a graphics card?
A GPU usually comes as a standalone card, although some motherboards include integrated GPUs. A graphics card, especially a higher-end one, is, in essence, a specialized CPU. Like a CPU, it contains one or more processing cores and has an onboard memory cache to allow for rapid operations. Your graphics card also contains the ports into which you connect your monitor or monitors.
High-end GPUs, or desktop graphics cards, are used in systems designed for gaming, streaming, or media editing and are often as expensive as the rest of the computer put together. These graphics cards often take up a lot of motherboard real estate, and they can increase your system’s power consumption by a considerable amount.
Several different video card manufacturers sell products today. Nvidia and AMD are the industry leaders for the graphics processing chips (GPUs) onboard graphics cards. Most video cards are produced by “board partner” companies like ASUS and MSI, which build their cooling and overclocking architecture on the standards set by the two GPU manufacturers.
What are the different data storage drives?
Data storage drives come in two varieties: a hard disk drive,an HDD, is the older technology that uses mechanical means to store data. A solid-state drive, or SSD, stores all its data in integrated circuits. SSDs are often much faster and quieter than HDDs, and they are less likely to break because they don’t rely on mechanical operations to function. However, SSDs are more expensive than HDDs, and you’ll expect to pay more per gigabyte of storage for the more advanced drives.
An SSD is commonly used as a primary drive to hold your operating system and other frequently used and essential applications, in tandem with a high-capacity HDD that holds larger media files.
HDDs and 2.5-inch SSDs connect to the motherboard using a SATAIII connection. The latest in SSD technology are M.2 NVMe SSDs that connect to a PCIe slot on the motherboard for faster data transfers and performance.
What does the Power Supply Unit (PSU) do?
The power supply unit, or PSU, is the energy center of your computer. Without a PSU, your PC couldn’t do anything other than sit there and look pretty. The PSU does more than act as a hub for incoming power, too—one of the PSU’s primary functions is to transform the power coming out of your wall outlet into a form usable by the system’s many components, all of which have different wattage and voltage requirements.
How much wattage your system requires depends on the components that you choose. You can calculate this using the Power Supply Wattage Calculator.
Newer PSUs often feature modular designs that can make the assembly process a bit easier. They also make cable management in your PC cleaner; your power and data cables will need to go all through the PC’s interior to connect all components.
How big should your PC case be?
Your computer case not only provides a framework upon which to attach your motherboard and other components but, along with integrated fans, also ensures proper airflow over your internal parts. Correctly setup airflow pulls heat away from sensitive electronics and out of the case.
Not every computer case will work with every motherboard. The size or form-factor of your motherboard matters a lot. Please take note of your motherboard’s form-factor to select a PC case that will support it.
Compared to most desktop PCs on the market, both Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX cases make for incredibly small PCs. Mini-ITX is by far the more common option of the two. Most common are ATX mid-sized towers; most motherboards, either Intel or AMD, fit into these, and there are only some niche cases in which you’d need to upgrade to something larger.
While motherboards don’t generally grow in size past a standard ATX, you might need a larger power supply, more case fans to keep airflow consistent, dual GPUs, custom liquid cooling tubing including chunky reservoirs, and other add-ons.
Should you air cool or liquid cool your PC build?
The PC water cooling vs air cooling debate has raged on for decades. If you’re a first-time PC builder and you’re looking to find the right PC cooling solution for your new rig, then you’ll want to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each type of cooling carefully.
Air cooling for PCs is standard; you can’t get much simpler than a heat sink and fan. Plug the case fans in, mount the heat sink on the CPU with a few screws, and then your heat and sink fan is complete. If you don’t plan on overclocking your PC, then an air-cooled CPU heatsink will be sufficient.
If you like to push the limits by overclocking your components, we recommend water cooling your customized PC.. Pre-built water cooling kits (called All-in-Ones or AiO water cooling) are the best option for beginners because you only need to mount them. There are no worries about filling and building. Simply mount the radiator and block inside your PC, and you’re on your way.
For experienced builders, a DIY water cooling kit with individual parts offers more flexibility. A typical DIY water cooling kit consists of a radiator, hoses, pump, water block, reservoir, and fan. When these pieces are installed and working together, they are called a loop and are very similar to what you would find under the hood of your car
Why use Newegg for easy PC customization?
Design your perfect PC hassle-free with Newegg's easy-to-use custom PC builder. Select components effortlessly — choose your CPU, Motherboard, Memory, Video Cards, Case, Power Supply, Storage, CPU Cooler, and Operating System. This customized PC-building tool simplifies the building process, offering real-time opportunities to compare components and find compatible parts. Newegg’s PC builder takes the guesswork and manual calculating out of PC building. Choose Newegg's custom computer builder for a PC building process that is simple, straightforward, and tailored to your needs.
How does Newegg's AI simplify PC component selection?
Use AI to help you with your PC build
Newegg's PC Builder now features AI that guides you in choosing compatible components. Once you pick a CPU, it shows only matching parts, reducing the chance of mismatched selections and simplifying the build process to create a customized PC.
