PC Building Guides
Everything you need to go from budget to built — step by step.
Building Your Pc
View all →Choosing Parts
View all →Best RAM for Gaming in 2026: DDR5 Kits Ranked
DDR5 prices have risen sharply. Budget 32GB DDR5-6000 kits now run $150-181; AMD EXPO picks reach $280. Best gaming RAM picks at every capacity based on current June 2026 prices.
Best PSU for Gaming in 2026: Power Supplies Ranked by Wattage Tier
Best gaming PSU in 2026 by wattage tier: 650W, 750W, 850W, and 1000W. Skip Bronze, 80+ Gold minimum. Fully modular recommended but not required.
Best GPU Under $200 in 2026 — New vs Used Compared
Best graphics card under $200 in 2026: the Intel Arc A380 new, or a used RX 6600. What's worth buying, what to stretch for, and what to skip.
Best GPU Under $300 in 2026 — What You Can Actually Buy
The best GPUs to buy near $300 in 2026. The RTX 5060 and RX 9060 XT have $299 MSRPs but retail at $340–430+. Here's what's actually worth buying and why.
How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming? (2026 Guide)
16GB is the minimum for gaming in 2026 — 32GB is the smarter buy. Here's what each tier gets you, plus DDR4 vs DDR5 and speed questions answered.
How to Build a Gaming PC on a Budget: 2026 Guide
Build a capable 1080p gaming PC for $650–750 (new parts) or $500–650 with a used GPU. GPU-first priority breakdown — where to spend and where to cut.
New vs Used PC Parts: What's Safe to Buy Second-Hand?
New vs used PC parts — most components are safe second-hand, but GPU and PSU carry real risk. Here's what to buy used, what to avoid, and how much you'll save.
How Much VRAM Do You Need for Gaming? 2026 Guide
How much VRAM do you need for gaming? 8GB for 1080p, 12GB for 1440p, 16GB for 4K — with real GPU picks at every budget and resolution.
How to Choose a CPU for Gaming — Cores, Speed, and Budget Guide
How to choose a CPU for gaming. Match your processor to your GPU and budget — with real CPU picks and benchmark scores at every price point.
How to Choose a GPU for Gaming — Budget & Resolution Guide
How to choose a GPU for gaming. Match your graphics card to your resolution — 1080p, 1440p, or 4K — with real GPU picks and prices for every budget.
Getting Started
View all →How to Set Your Gaming PC Budget — 2026 Guide
How much does a gaming PC cost? Concrete budget tiers, a GPU allocation framework, and what's not included. See what your budget gets you at MaxMyBuild.
How to Use MaxMyBuild: PC Build Generator Guide
Enter your budget, get a fully compatible gaming PC build with up-to-date pricing — in minutes. Here's how MaxMyBuild works and why it's the fastest way to go from budget to parts list.
Understanding Pc Parts
View all →SSD vs HDD — What's the Difference for Gaming?
SSDs load games 2–10x faster than HDDs. For a new build, a 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD starts around $130 and outperforms any HDD by 35–50x at sequential reads.
CPU Cooler Height and RAM Clearance — Will Your Cooler Fit?
Check if your CPU cooler fits your case before you buy. Cooler height, RAM clearance, AIO radiator sizing, and the 5–10mm margin rule — with real specs.
GPU Size and Case Clearance — Will Your GPU Fit?
Check if your GPU fits your case before you buy. GPU length, slot width, drive cage conflicts, and the 5-10mm margin rule — explained with real numbers.
Motherboard and CPU Socket Compatibility Explained
CPU socket compatibility explained. Which CPUs fit which motherboards, current socket types (AM4, AM5, LGA1700, LGA1851), chipset tiers, and BIOS tips.
PC Build Compatibility — The Complete Guide
Will your PC parts work together? This guide covers every compatibility check that matters — CPU socket, RAM, GPU size, power connectors, display outputs, and more — with a quick checklist you can use before you buy.
RAM Compatibility — DDR4 vs DDR5, XMP, and Dual Channel
Check RAM compatibility before you buy. DDR4 vs DDR5 differences, XMP/EXPO profiles, dual-channel slot configuration, and capacity guidance — with real numbers.
TDP Explained — How to Match Your CPU and GPU to Your PSU
TDP explained for PC builders. Learn what TDP means, how to size your PSU wattage, and whether your current PSU can handle a GPU upgrade.