Work through the steps in order. Each one links to the part of a guide that explains it. Tick them off as you go: your ticks are saved in this browser, so you can come back mid-build.
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Plan & budget
Decide whether building is right for you, then set a budget and the resolution you play at. Those two choices shape every part after this.
Memory and graphics cards cost far more in 2026 than a year ago, so check current prices before you settle on a number. The part picker links each part to its current price.
Part pickerUpgrade the GPU first, then memory. Don’t save money on the power supply.
Can you build a gaming PC for $500 in 2026? · Upgrades to plan for
Free ebook The $500 Gaming PC Build Guide
Pick the parts
Start with the graphics card and let it set the rest of the budget, then match the CPU, memory, storage and cooling to it.
Current cards by tier, with their VRAM and launch prices.
Choosing a graphics card for 1440p in 2026 · Cards that suit 1440p8 GB works at 1080p with care, 12 GB is the minimum for 1440p, 16 GB or more for 4K.
Which graphics card should you buy in 2026? · VRAM by resolutionNVIDIA leads on DLSS and heavy ray tracing; AMD often gives more VRAM for the money; Intel’s Arc B580 is the budget option.
Choosing a graphics card for 1440p in 2026 · NVIDIA, AMD or IntelA mismatched pair leaves one part waiting on the other: a bottleneck.
What is a bottleneck, and how do you find one? · Pairings that often end up unbalancedAM5 (AMD) and LGA1851 (Intel) are both DDR5-only.
DDR4 vs DDR5: which memory does your build need? · DDR5 is required on current platforms32 GB is comfortable; 16 GB is the workable minimum; 64 GB is for work like video editing.
How much RAM do you need for gaming in 2026? · 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GBTwo sticks run in dual channel, which doubles the theoretical bandwidth.
How much RAM do you need for gaming in 2026? · Two sticks, not onePCIe 5.0 drives copy big files much faster; games load only fractions of a second sooner than on a good PCIe 4.0 drive.
PCIe 5.0: do you need it for a graphics card or an SSD? · SSDs: faster copies, similar game loadingA good dual-tower air cooler handles gaming CPUs like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Check the case’s cooler height limit.
Do you need liquid cooling for a gaming PC? · When air cooling is enoughThe part picker checks socket, memory, board size and power as you pick.
Part picker
Free ebooks GPU Buying Guide 2026 · Budget 1440p Build Guide
Build it
Do as much as you can on a flat surface before the board goes in the case, then route the cables. Tidy cables help airflow, not just looks.
Seat the CPU, install the M.2 drive and fit the cooler bracket while the board is on a flat surface.
Building a $1,500 gaming PC in 2026 · Assembly GuideThe 24-pin and PCIe power cables go first; use velcro straps rather than zip ties.
Cable management: a routing order that keeps a build tidy and serviceable · Routing behind the trayYou get far more room to reach the pins.
Cable management: a routing order that keeps a build tidy and serviceable · Taming the front panel
Free ebook Cable Management Mastery
First boot & BIOS
Turning on isn’t the finish line. Check that the BIOS sees everything, then switch on the settings you paid for.
Press Delete or F2 at power-on, then confirm the CPU, memory and drives are listed.
BIOS setup for a new build: what to check and what to change · The first bootWithout it, DDR5 runs at its slower default, commonly 4800 or 5600 MT/s, not the speed on the box.
BIOS setup for a new build: what to check and what to change · Turn on XMP or EXPOResizable BAR is called Smart Access Memory on AMD boards.
BIOS setup for a new build: what to check and what to change · Resizable BAR and fan curves
Free ebook Overclocking for Beginners
If something goes wrong
Problems on the first boot are common, even for experienced builders. Start from what you’re seeing.
- Nothing happens when you press power
Check the switch on the power supply, then the front-panel power connector.
New PC won’t boot? Fixes for common first-build problems · When it won’t turn on - Fans spin but there’s no picture
Plug the monitor into the graphics card, then read the board’s debug LEDs.
New PC won’t boot? Fixes for common first-build problems · Fans spin, but no display - Memory isn’t detected
Reseat the sticks until they click, and use slots A2 and B2 first.
New PC won’t boot? Fixes for common first-build problems · RAM not detected - Games run slower than they should What is a bottleneck, and how do you find one? · How to tell which one you have
- Still stuck? Ask in the forum
Post your parts list and what happens when you press power.
Forum · Troubleshooting