100 Best PC Components & Hardware for Building, Upgrading and Customizing a Computer

 

Building or upgrading a desktop computer can be one of the best ways to get the exact performance you need. Instead of purchasing a complete computer with specifications chosen by someone else, you can select individual components according to your budget, workload and performance requirements.

The PC hardware market includes everything from processors and graphics cards to memory, storage, motherboards, power supplies, cooling systems, cases, networking hardware and upgrade kits.

However, buying PC components requires more than simply choosing the most powerful part available. Compatibility is critical. A processor must work with the motherboard socket and chipset. RAM must match the platform. An SSD needs an appropriate interface and slot. A graphics card must physically fit inside the case and have adequate power. The power supply must provide enough wattage and the appropriate modern connectors. Cooling must also be sufficient for the processor and case configuration.

This guide brings together 100 PC components and hardware products across 17 major categories, giving shoppers a convenient starting point for building a new computer or upgrading an existing one.

Prices are approximate and can vary according to specifications, capacity, manufacturer, retailer and promotions.

CPUs & Processors

The CPU is the primary processor responsible for executing instructions and handling general computing workloads. AMD and Intel offer processors across entry-level, mainstream, enthusiast and workstation segments.

When choosing a CPU, consider the socket, number of cores, clock speeds, cache, power requirements, integrated graphics and whether the processor includes a cooler.

1. AMD Ryzen 5 7600

Approx. price: $180–$230
A capable mainstream processor for gaming, productivity and general desktop use.

2. AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

Approx. price: $200–$260
A modern mainstream Ryzen processor suitable for gaming and demanding everyday workloads.

3. AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

Approx. price: $300–$380
A higher-performance processor for gaming, productivity and content creation.

4. AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D

Approx. price: $400–$500
A gaming-focused processor with large 3D V-Cache.

5. AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

Approx. price: $500–$650
A high-core-count processor suited to demanding productivity and creator workloads.

6. AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Approx. price: $650–$850
A premium processor combining high core counts with 3D V-Cache technology.

7. Intel Core Ultra 5 245K

Approx. price: $250–$350
A mainstream Intel desktop processor for gaming and productivity.

8. Intel Core Ultra 7 265K

Approx. price: $300–$400
A higher-performance processor for demanding desktop workloads.

9. Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus

Approx. price: $350–$450
A powerful Intel processor aimed at high-performance desktop systems.

10. Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

Approx. price: $450–$600
A high-end Intel processor designed for demanding applications and enthusiast PCs.

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Graphics Cards / GPUs

The graphics processing unit is particularly important for gaming, 3D rendering, AI workloads, video production and other graphics-intensive applications.

The right GPU depends heavily on your target resolution, desired frame rate, available VRAM, power supply and budget. Current PC-build guidance generally recommends allocating a substantial portion of a gaming PC budget to the graphics card.

11. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050

Approx. price: $250–$350
An entry-level modern GPU for mainstream gaming and graphics workloads.

12. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060

Approx. price: $300–$400
A mainstream graphics card suitable for 1080p gaming and general GPU workloads.

13. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB

Approx. price: $450–$600
The additional VRAM makes this attractive for demanding games and creative applications.

14. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070

Approx. price: $500–$650
A strong option for high-refresh 1440p gaming.

15. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti

Approx. price: $700–$900
A high-performance GPU for demanding 1440p and 4K workloads.

16. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080

Approx. price: $1,000–$1,500
A flagship-class graphics card for high-end gaming and professional GPU workloads.

17. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

Approx. price: $2,000–$3,000+
An extreme-performance GPU designed for users seeking maximum graphics performance.

18. AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB

Approx. price: $350–$500
A mainstream Radeon card with substantial VRAM for its performance class.

19. AMD Radeon RX 9070

Approx. price: $500–$700
A powerful Radeon option for 1440p and higher-resolution gaming.

20. AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT

Approx. price: $650–$800
A high-performance AMD graphics card for demanding gaming systems.

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Motherboards

The motherboard connects virtually every major component in a desktop PC. It determines which CPU, RAM, storage devices, expansion cards and connectivity options you can use.

Always check the CPU socket, chipset, RAM type, motherboard size and expansion requirements before purchasing.

21. MSI PRO B650-S WiFi

Approx. price: $150–$200
An AM5 motherboard aimed at mainstream AMD systems.

22. Gigabyte B650M Gaming Plus WiFi

Approx. price: $130–$180
A compact Micro-ATX option for Ryzen systems.

23. MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi

Approx. price: $200–$250
A feature-rich AM5 motherboard for performance-oriented builds.

24. ASUS TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi

Approx. price: $180–$230
A durable mainstream motherboard for AMD desktop systems.

25. ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi

Approx. price: $350–$450
A premium AM5 motherboard for enthusiast builds.

26. MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi

Approx. price: $250–$350
A strong motherboard for higher-end Ryzen systems.

27. Gigabyte X870 AORUS Elite WiFi7

Approx. price: $220–$300
A modern AM5 motherboard with extensive connectivity.

28. ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero

Approx. price: $500–$700
A premium Intel motherboard designed for enthusiast-class systems.

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RAM / Memory

RAM provides temporary working memory for the operating system and applications. More memory is particularly useful when running multiple applications simultaneously, editing media, gaming or working with large datasets.

Current PC-building guidance commonly treats 32GB as a strong target for gaming and demanding general-purpose PCs, with 64GB or more becoming increasingly useful for professional workloads.

29. Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR5

Approx. price: $50–$80
A mainstream memory option for compatible DDR5 systems.

30. Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5-6000

Approx. price: $90–$150
A popular capacity for gaming and general performance systems.

31. G.Skill Trident Z5 32GB DDR5-6000

Approx. price: $100–$170
Performance-oriented memory suitable for enthusiast builds.

32. Kingston Fury Beast 32GB DDR5

Approx. price: $80–$140
A mainstream DDR5 kit for gaming and productivity.

33. Crucial Pro 32GB DDR5

Approx. price: $70–$130
A practical choice for upgrading compatible systems.

34. G.Skill Trident Z5 64GB DDR5

Approx. price: $180–$300
Suitable for creators, developers and demanding multitaskers.

35. Corsair Vengeance 64GB DDR5

Approx. price: $170–$300
A high-capacity memory option for demanding desktop workloads.

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SSDs

Solid-state drives are among the most effective upgrades for older computers. NVMe SSDs connected through PCIe can deliver dramatically higher transfer speeds than traditional SATA hard drives.

36. Samsung 990 Pro 1TB

Approx. price: $80–$120
A high-performance PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD.

37. Samsung 990 Pro 2TB

Approx. price: $120–$180
A fast high-capacity SSD for gaming and demanding applications.

38. WD Black SN850X 1TB

Approx. price: $70–$110
A performance-focused PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive.

39. WD Black SN850X 2TB

Approx. price: $120–$180
A larger option for games, applications and media files.

40. Crucial T500 2TB

Approx. price: $120–$180
A fast PCIe 4.0 SSD suitable for general performance systems.

41. Crucial T705 2TB

Approx. price: $200–$300
A premium PCIe 5.0 SSD designed for high-performance workloads.

42. Crucial P3 Plus 2TB

Approx. price: $80–$130
A value-oriented NVMe option for mainstream systems.

43. Kingston KC3000 2TB

Approx. price: $120–$180
A high-performance NVMe SSD for demanding desktop users.

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HDDs

Hard disk drives remain useful when large amounts of storage are required at a relatively low cost. They are particularly useful for archives, backups, media collections and secondary storage.

44. Seagate BarraCuda 2TB

Approx. price: $50–$70
A mainstream desktop hard drive for general storage.

45. Seagate BarraCuda 4TB

Approx. price: $70–$100
A larger capacity option for files and media.

46. Western Digital Blue 4TB

Approx. price: $70–$100
A mainstream desktop storage drive.

47. Seagate IronWolf 4TB

Approx. price: $100–$140
Designed for NAS and storage-intensive environments.

48. Western Digital Red Plus 8TB

Approx. price: $150–$220
A high-capacity NAS-oriented drive.

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Power Supplies

The power supply unit provides electricity to the entire computer. It should never be treated as an afterthought.

Consider wattage, efficiency certification, connector standards, build quality and the power requirements of the GPU and CPU. Modern high-end graphics cards may require newer high-power connectors such as 12V-2x6.

49. Corsair RM750e

Approx. price: $90–$130
A suitable power supply for many mainstream gaming PCs.

50. Corsair RM850x

Approx. price: $130–$180
A higher-capacity PSU for more demanding systems.

51. Corsair RM1000x

Approx. price: $160–$220
A 1000W option for powerful single-GPU systems.

52. Seasonic Focus GX-750

Approx. price: $100–$140
A quality 750W modular PSU.

53. Seasonic Focus GX-850

Approx. price: $120–$170
A higher-wattage option for performance systems.

54. be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850W

Approx. price: $110–$160
A modern modular PSU for performance PCs.

55. Super Flower Leadex VII XP Pro 1000W

Approx. price: $150–$220
A high-capacity power supply for demanding enthusiast systems.

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PC Cases

The case houses and protects the components while influencing airflow, cooling, noise, expansion and aesthetics.

Check motherboard compatibility, GPU length, CPU cooler height, radiator support, fan mounts and front-panel connectivity before buying.

56. Corsair 4000D Airflow

Approx. price: $80–$120
A popular airflow-focused mid-tower case.

57. Fractal Design North

Approx. price: $120–$160
A distinctive mid-tower combining aesthetics with airflow.

58. Fractal Design North XL

Approx. price: $170–$220
A larger case for high-end components and extensive cooling.

59. Lian Li Lancool III

Approx. price: $130–$180
A spacious case designed around airflow and easy building.

60. NZXT H7 Flow

Approx. price: $100–$150
A clean-looking airflow-focused case.

61. be quiet! Pure Base 501

Approx. price: $80–$130
A practical case designed around quiet operation and airflow.

62. Montech TG3

Approx. price: $60–$90
A value-oriented gaming case.

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CPU Coolers

CPU cooling prevents the processor from reaching excessive temperatures during demanding workloads. Air coolers are simple and reliable, while AIO liquid coolers can provide strong cooling for higher-performance processors.

63. Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Approx. price: $35–$50
A highly affordable dual-tower air cooler.

64. Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

Approx. price: $35–$60
A strong value air cooler for performance systems.

65. Noctua NH-D15 G2

Approx. price: $100–$130
A premium dual-tower air cooler.

66. be quiet! Dark Rock 5

Approx. price: $70–$100
A quiet high-performance air cooler.

67. Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240

Approx. price: $80–$120
A 240mm all-in-one liquid cooler.

68. Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360

Approx. price: $100–$160
A larger AIO for demanding processors.

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Case Fans

Additional case fans can improve airflow by moving cool air into the case and hot air out. Fan size, airflow, static pressure, noise level and motherboard control should all be considered.

69. Noctua NF-A12x25

Approx. price: $30–$40
A premium 120mm fan known for performance and low noise.

70. be quiet! Silent Wings 4

Approx. price: $20–$30
A quiet premium case fan.

71. Arctic P12 PWM PST

Approx. price: $10–$15
An affordable high-value 120mm fan.

72. Corsair AF120 Elite

Approx. price: $20–$30
A performance-oriented 120mm case fan.

73. Lian Li UNI FAN SL-INF

Approx. price: $30–$40 per fan
A premium fan with integrated lighting and simplified cable management.

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Thermal Paste

Thermal paste fills microscopic gaps between the CPU heat spreader and cooler base, helping transfer heat efficiently.

74. Noctua NT-H2

Approx. price: $10–$15
A premium thermal compound suitable for CPU installations.

75. Arctic MX-6

Approx. price: $8–$15
A popular thermal compound for CPU and GPU cooling applications.

76. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut

Approx. price: $10–$20
A high-performance thermal compound for enthusiast builds.

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Network Cards

Internal network cards can add or upgrade wired networking capabilities on desktop computers.

77. Intel X550-T2

Approx. price: $300–$500
A high-performance dual-port 10Gb Ethernet adapter.

78. TP-Link 2.5Gb PCIe Network Card

Approx. price: $20–$40
An affordable way to upgrade a desktop to faster Ethernet.

79. ASUS XG-C100C

Approx. price: $70–$100
A 10Gb Ethernet adapter for compatible desktop systems.

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Wi-Fi Adapters

Wi-Fi adapters are useful when a desktop computer does not have built-in wireless networking or when you want to upgrade to a newer Wi-Fi standard.

80. TP-Link Archer TXE75E

Approx. price: $40–$70
A PCIe Wi-Fi adapter supporting modern wireless connectivity.

81. ASUS PCE-AXE58BT

Approx. price: $50–$80
A Wi-Fi 6E PCIe adapter with Bluetooth support.

82. TP-Link Archer TX3000E

Approx. price: $35–$60
A Wi-Fi 6 adapter for desktop computers.

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Bluetooth Adapters

Bluetooth adapters allow desktop computers to connect wirelessly with headphones, speakers, keyboards, mice, controllers and other compatible devices.

83. TP-Link UB500

Approx. price: $10–$20
A compact USB Bluetooth adapter.

84. ASUS USB-BT500

Approx. price: $15–$25
A small Bluetooth adapter for desktops and laptops.

85. TP-Link Bluetooth 5.3 USB Adapter

Approx. price: $10–$20
An inexpensive option for adding Bluetooth connectivity.

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Capture Cards

Capture cards are useful for streamers, gamers and content creators who need to record or broadcast video from another computer, console or camera.

86. Elgato Game Capture 4K X

Approx. price: $200–$250
A high-performance external capture device for modern gaming and content creation.

87. Elgato HD60 X

Approx. price: $150–$200
A popular capture solution for gaming and streaming.

88. AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1

Approx. price: $250–$350
A high-end capture card for demanding video workflows.

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Internal Cables

Internal cables connect power, storage devices, cooling hardware and other components inside a desktop computer.

Always make sure a cable is designed for the specific connector and component you intend to use.

89. Corsair Premium Individually Sleeved PSU Cables

Approx. price: $50–$100
Useful for improving the appearance and organization of compatible PC builds.

90. CableMod ModMesh Cable Kit

Approx. price: $60–$100
Premium sleeved cables for compatible power supplies.

91. SATA III Data Cable Pack

Approx. price: $8–$15
Useful for connecting SATA storage devices to compatible motherboards.

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PC Upgrade Kits

Upgrade kits can be useful when several components need to be replaced simultaneously. A CPU upgrade may require a new motherboard and RAM, while a gaming upgrade might involve a GPU and PSU.

Always check compatibility before buying a kit.

92. AMD Ryzen 5 CPU + AM5 Motherboard Bundle

Approx. price: $300–$450
A convenient starting point for upgrading to a modern AMD platform.

93. AMD Ryzen 7 CPU + Motherboard + DDR5 RAM Bundle

Approx. price: $500–$750
A multi-component upgrade for users moving to a more powerful platform.

94. Intel Core Ultra CPU + Motherboard Bundle

Approx. price: $500–$800
A convenient route for upgrading compatible Intel desktop systems.

95. 32GB DDR5 RAM Upgrade Kit

Approx. price: $70–$150
A straightforward upgrade for compatible systems.

96. 64GB DDR5 RAM Upgrade Kit

Approx. price: $150–$300
Designed for demanding multitasking, content creation and professional workloads.

97. 2TB NVMe SSD Upgrade Kit

Approx. price: $100–$200
A useful storage upgrade for systems with compatible M.2 slots.

98. CPU + Cooler Upgrade Bundle

Approx. price: $250–$600
Combines a processor upgrade with appropriate cooling.

99. Gaming PC GPU + PSU Upgrade Bundle

Approx. price: $500–$1,200+
A practical upgrade combination when moving to a significantly more powerful graphics card.

100. PC Building Starter Component Kit

Approx. price: $500–$1,500+
A bundled approach for shoppers replacing several major components at once.

How to Choose PC Components

Choosing individual PC parts becomes much easier when you start with the purpose of the computer.

Gaming PC

For gaming, the graphics card is usually one of the most important components to prioritize. Your target resolution also matters.

A basic gaming computer might focus on:

• Mainstream CPU

• 16GB–32GB RAM

• 1TB NVMe SSD

• Mid-range GPU

• 650W–750W quality PSU

• Air cooler

• Airflow-focused case

A higher-end gaming system may move toward:

• High-performance CPU

• 32GB–64GB RAM

• 2TB or larger NVMe SSD

• High-end GPU

• 850W–1000W PSU

• Advanced CPU cooling

• Larger airflow-focused case

The components should be balanced rather than spending almost everything on one component while leaving another severely underpowered.

Workstation or Creator PC

Content creators, video editors, 3D artists and professional users may benefit from:

• High-core-count CPU

• Powerful GPU

• 64GB or more RAM

• Large NVMe SSD

• Secondary HDD for archives

• High-capacity PSU

• Strong CPU cooling

• Large case with good airflow

Workstation requirements vary dramatically depending on whether the primary workload is video editing, 3D rendering, software development, AI, photography or engineering.

Budget PC

A budget system does not have to use the newest version of every component.

You can save money by choosing:

• A mainstream CPU

• Integrated graphics if gaming is not required

• 16GB or 32GB RAM

• 1TB SSD

• Value motherboard

• Reliable 550W–650W PSU

• Affordable airflow case

Avoid sacrificing power-supply quality merely to save a small amount of money.

PC Upgrade Strategy

If you already own a desktop, you may not need to replace everything.

A targeted upgrade can often deliver a significant improvement. SSDs are particularly attractive upgrades for computers still using traditional hard drives, while additional RAM can help systems that regularly run out of memory. GPU upgrades can provide a much larger gaming-performance improvement when the existing graphics card is the limiting component.

A sensible upgrade sequence can be:

Step 1: Identify the current bottleneck.

Step 2: Check motherboard compatibility.

Step 3: Check PSU capacity.

Step 4: Check physical clearance inside the case.

Step 5: Install the new component.

Step 6: Test temperatures and stability.

Step 7: Upgrade another component only if necessary.

PC Component Compatibility Checklist

Before purchasing components, check these specifications carefully:

Component	What to Check
CPU	Socket, chipset, power requirements
GPU	Case clearance, PSU wattage, connectors
Motherboard	CPU socket, chipset, RAM type, form factor
RAM	DDR generation, capacity, speed, motherboard support
SSD	M.2/SATA interface and motherboard slot
HDD	SATA interface and available drive bays
PSU	Wattage, efficiency, connectors and standards
Case	ATX/mATX/ITX compatibility and component clearance
CPU cooler	CPU socket, cooler height or radiator support
Case fans	Size, mounting points and fan headers
Thermal paste	Cooler/CPU installation requirements
Network card	PCIe slot and operating-system support
Wi-Fi adapter	PCIe/USB interface and wireless standard
Bluetooth adapter	USB/PCIe compatibility
Capture card	Interface, resolution and refresh-rate support
Internal cables	Correct connector and component compatibility
Upgrade kits	Compatibility between every included component

SSD vs HDD

If you are deciding between an SSD and HDD, the simplest distinction is speed versus inexpensive capacity.

An SSD is normally the better choice for:

• Operating systems

• Applications

• Games

• Frequently accessed files

• General computer performance

An HDD can make more sense for:

• Large archives

• Backups

• Media libraries

• Secondary storage

• Large amounts of inexpensive capacity

For many modern desktop builds, combining an SSD for active applications with a larger HDD for archival storage can be an effective approach.

Air Cooling vs Liquid Cooling

Air cooling is straightforward, generally inexpensive and easy to maintain.

Liquid AIO cooling can provide strong thermal performance and can also contribute to the appearance of a high-end build.

For many mainstream processors, a good tower air cooler is sufficient. Higher-power CPUs may justify a larger air cooler or a 240mm/280mm/360mm AIO depending on the processor, case and workload.

The important consideration is not simply whether liquid cooling is more expensive. The cooler needs to match the CPU's thermal requirements and physically fit the case.

How Much RAM Do You Need?

The correct amount depends on what you do.

16GB: Suitable for basic computing and lighter workloads.

32GB: A strong general-purpose target for gaming, productivity and many creative applications.

64GB: Useful for demanding multitasking, professional applications, content creation and development workloads.

128GB+: More appropriate for specialized professional workloads, virtual machines, large datasets and certain workstation applications.

Buying more RAM than your workload requires will not automatically make the computer faster.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

A modern computer can become frustrating if its storage fills up quickly.

A practical starting point is:

500GB: Basic computer with limited applications.

1TB: Good general-purpose capacity.

2TB: Excellent for gaming, creative work and larger software libraries.

4TB+: Useful for large media libraries, professional projects and extensive game collections.

You can also combine multiple drives. For example, a 1TB or 2TB NVMe SSD can handle the operating system and applications while a larger HDD provides inexpensive archival storage.

Final Thoughts

PC components give shoppers something that prebuilt computers cannot always provide: control.

You can choose exactly how much processing power, graphics performance, memory, storage, cooling and connectivity you need.

For a gaming computer, the GPU and CPU combination deserves particular attention. For productivity, RAM and SSD performance may matter more. For a workstation, processor cores, memory capacity, GPU performance and storage can all become important. For an upgrade, compatibility is often more important than simply buying the newest component.

The most important rule is to think about the computer as a complete system.

A powerful processor is not useful if the motherboard is incompatible. A powerful GPU is not useful if the PSU cannot safely support it. Fast RAM is not useful if the motherboard does not support the required memory generation. A large CPU cooler is not useful if it cannot fit inside the case.

Choose components that work together, then spend more where your particular workload actually benefits from the additional performance.

If you are ready to compare processors, graphics cards, RAM, SSDs, motherboards, cooling systems, power supplies, cases and other PC hardware, browse the available selection on Amazon:

Shop PC Components & Hardware on Amazon

A well-planned PC does not necessarily require the most expensive components. It requires the right combination of components for the job.