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Reviewkings PC Building Guide

Maurice De Pauw · February 6, 2024

Reviewkings PC Building Guide

Reviewkings PC Building Guide

Our PC building guide walks you through how to assemble your own PC. We regularly update and expand this guide. Missing something or want to know more? Join us on Discord and ask for help directly.

This guide aims to give you as much help as possible to get started. We'll cover what to look out for with each component, sharing tips and tricks along the way.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Gather the components

  • Motherboard
  • CPU (processor)
  • RAM (memory)
  • GPU (graphics card) (optional, if the motherboard has integrated graphics) (for gaming PCs, choose a dedicated graphics card regardless)
  • Storage drive (SSD or HDD)
  • Power supply unit (PSU)
  • Case
  • Cooling (fans, CPU cooler)
  • Keyboard, mouse, monitor
  • Screwdriver


Step 2: Prepare the case

  • Remove the case's side panels.
  • Fit the power supply unit in the case according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Install the fans and any additional cooling systems.

Step 3: Prepare the motherboard

  • Place the CPU in the CPU socket on the motherboard. Pay close attention, as the CPU only fits into the socket one way.
  • Attach the CPU cooler according to the manufacturer's instructions. TIP: For better performance, we always recommend buying a separate cooler rather than using any bundled cooler. 
  • Install the RAM in the designated slots.
  • Install the GPU (if applicable) in the motherboard's PCIe slot.

Step 4: Connect the components

  • Connect the power supply cables to the motherboard, CPU, GPU and other relevant components.
  • Connect the storage drives (SSD/HDD) to the motherboard using SATA cables.
  • Connect the front-panel connections (USB, audio, power button, etc.) to the motherboard.

Step 5: Fit the motherboard in the case

  • Carefully place the motherboard in the case, making sure it lines up correctly with the mounting holes.
  • Secure the motherboard to the case using the supplied screws.

Step 6: Cable management

  • Organize and route the component cables so they are neat and tidy.
  • Make sure there is enough room for airflow and that cables do not obstruct fans or other components.

Step 7: Testing

  • Connect the keyboard, mouse and monitor to the computer.
  • Turn on the computer and check that everything starts up correctly.
  • Check that the BIOS is configured correctly and that all components are detected.
  • Update the BIOS and hardware drivers if necessary.

These are general guidelines for assembling a computer. Be sure to follow the specific instructions supplied with your components, as these can vary depending on the brand and model. 

Processor

lga1700Decide which CPU brand you prefer: Intel or AMD. The choice is entirely yours. Some people swear by AMD, while others prefer Intel. You'll often see price differences, but a closer look usually reveals that the options are not all that far apart. 

TIP 1 (Socket)
Once you know which brand you're going with, check which socket the processor uses, as this determines which motherboard you should choose. A socket is essentially the mount into which your processor fits. It therefore needs to match the motherboard.

TIP 2 (Budget)
Depending on what you plan to use your PC for, prices start at EUR 52 and can sometimes exceed EUR 1000. As you can imagine, a basic system doesn't need much processing power, so the price will be considerably lower. For a gaming PC, expect to spend around EUR 300.

TIP 3 (Cooler)
If you choose a boxed processor, it comes with a stock cooler. We recommend buying a separate cooler, as it offers much better performance than the bundled option. This is worth keeping in mind.

Motherboard

mainboardOnce you know which processor you want to buy (AMD or Intel), you can start choosing a motherboard. There is a huge range to choose from, so bear that in mind. Think about which features are essential to you. For example, do you want the very latest chipset, or do you also need WiFi or Bluetooth? You can have plenty of features on your wish list, but they will push up the price.

TIP 1 (CPU)
Once you've chosen a processor, pay close attention to its socket, as you need to choose a motherboard that matches. There are several different sockets, so check carefully.

TIP 2 (Budget)
Your budget obviously matters too, as prices start at around EUR 49 and can sometimes exceed EUR 300. A very expensive board isn't necessarily outstanding. However, the more expensive the board, the more features it generally offers, often including the latest chipsets. We recommend choosing something a little above the cheapest option, although this also depends on your budget.

TIP 3 (Memory)
Now that you've chosen a motherboard, it's important to choose compatible memory. Check which memory type your motherboard supports, such as DDR4 or DDR5.

Memory

ddr5Already know which processor and motherboard you want? Then it's time to look at memory. Alongside the memory type your motherboard supports, such as DDR5, you also need to consider speed. Check what your motherboard supports and choose your memory accordingly. This usually isn't an issue, but it's worth making sure everything is compatible.

TIP 1 (How much memory do you need?)
Exactly how much you need also depends on what you plan to do. Building a nice gaming PC? We recommend looking at 2x 8GB, or 2x 16GB if your budget allows.