Components

Upgrading or Building? Start Here

Components are the parts that go inside the case, and buying the right one depends on matching it to everything else already in your system. A graphics card needs enough power from your supply and enough physical clearance inside your case. A processor needs to match your motherboard's socket, and it needs cooling rated for its output. Memory needs to match the type your motherboard supports (DDR4 or DDR5), and running kits in a matched pair takes advantage of dual-channel bandwidth. None of these decisions happen in isolation, which is why it helps to know what's already in your machine before ordering a replacement part.

If you're not sure where to start, it usually comes down to where the bottleneck actually is. A system that struggles at higher graphics settings usually points to the GPU. A system that chugs during multitasking, compiling, or heavy multi-window work often points to the CPU or a shortage of RAM. Slow load times and long file transfers point to storage: an old SATA SSD or HDD being the limiting factor rather than the processor. And any upgrade that draws meaningfully more power should come with a look at your power supply's wattage and efficiency rating, since underpowering a new GPU or CPU causes instability that has nothing to do with the part itself.

Cases and cooling round things out because they set the ceiling for what the other components can do. A case with poor airflow will bottleneck a powerful CPU and GPU through thermal throttling no matter how good the parts are, and a cooler that's undersized for a processor's rated output will do the same. If you'd rather not handle the install yourself, professional installation and testing is available on these parts before delivery.