22: Building Your Own PC (Part 1)
Learning Target
- Use benchmarks to evaluate and compare devices
- Use online tools to manage building a machine
- Engineer AI prompts to aid in the design of a custom computer
Resources
AI Build Assistant
Online Tools:
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- PC Part Picker - Comprehensive database
- Build Cores - Shows 3D computer if you choose certain parts
- PC Build Scoring Calculator
Component Benchmarks:
Activity Guided (Digital)
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- Activity Guide - Designing a Personal Computer (Part 1)
- Activity Guide - Designing a Personal Computer (Part 2)
Example Guides for Building a PC:
Instructions
Tips:
Save your PC Calculator progress at the end of the period or after you've made a lot of changes.
Save access to your PC Parts Picker selections by copying the permalink.
Save your Build Cores project by sharing and then cloning.
Step 1 - Your Budget and Usage:
Complete the first page of the activity guide:
This is where you will set your goals and desires for your custom PC.
Here are some general guidelines for dividing your budget when building a custom PC:
| Budget | Balanced | Gaming | Productivity | |
| CPU | 25–30% | ~20% | 15–20% | 25–35% |
| GPU | 0–15% | 30–35% | 40–50% | 15–30% |
| Motherboard | 12–15% | 9–11% | 7–10% | 10–12% |
| RAM | 8–12% | 7–9% | 5–8% | 10–15% |
| Storage | 10–15% | 10–13% | 8–12% | 12–18% |
| Power Supply (PSU) | 8–10% | 5–7% | 6–8% | 6–8% |
| Case | 6–8% | 6–8% | 6–8% | 5–7% |
| Cooling | 2–4% | 4–6% | 4–6% | 5–8% |
| Misc / Extras | 0–3% | 0–3% | 0–3% | 0–3% |
Step 2 - CPU and Motherboard:
Select the processor and motherboard that meets your goals using the aid of online tools.
Look up the performance benchmarks for the CPU and include it in your activity guide.
Document your choices in the activity guide and in the PC calculator.
Step 3 - GPU:
Select the GPU that meets your goals using the aid of online tools.
Look up the performance benchmarks for the GPU and include it in your activity guide.
Document your choices in the activity guide and in the PC calculator.
Step 4 - RAM:
Select the RAM that meets your goals using the aid of online tools.
Suggestions:
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- 8 GB: Email, Internet browsing, office productivity
- 16 GB: Photoshop, video streaming, most gaming, basic programming
- 32 GB: Highly-demanding games, 3D modeling, video editing
- 64 GB: 4K/8K video editing or heavy multi-tasking while editing images, videos and 3D scenes
Look up the performance benchmarks for RAM and include it in your activity guide.
Document your choices in the activity guide and in the PC calculator.
Step 5 - SSD / HDD:
Select the RAM that meets your goals using the aid of online tools.
Many PC's are built with both a primary SSD and larger secondary HDD since HDD's are much cheaper.
Here are some suggested sizes based on use case.
| Primary Drive (SSD) | Typical Use Cases |
| 500 GB SSD | General home use, media playback, web-surfing, office productivity |
| 1 TB NVMe SSD | 1080p gaming, light creative work, basic software development |
| 2 TB NVMe SSD | High-end gaming, photo editing, most video editing, 3D modeling |
| 4 TB NVMe SSD | Data science, AI, heavy content production, power users |
| Secondary Drive (SSD) | Typical Use Cases |
| Optional 1 TB HDD | Web-surfing, office productivity |
| 2 TB HDD | General home use, media playback, light photo-editing, basic gaming |
| 4 TB HDD | Game library, media storage, software development |
| 8 TB HDD | Video editing, heaving production, data science |
| Note | Replace the HDD with a SATA or NVMe SSD if fast retrieval is necessary |
Look up the performance benchmarks for your primary SSD and include it in your activity guide.
Note: Do not include the secondary hard drive in your scoring or activity guide. It has a much lower effect on overall performance.
Document your choices in the activity guide and in the PC calculator.
Step 6 - PSU:
Select the PSU that is sufficient to safely power your system. PC Parts Picker and Build Cores will help you choose a PSU wattage that is right for your system.
| Higher-Quality PSUs | Lower-Quality PSUs |
| Maintains a stable voltage with less noise | Voltage is has more ripple and noise |
| Handles spikes in demand well | Voltage may dip under high demand |
| Can supply full-rated power for long periods | May not supply its full-rated power for very long |
| Uses higher-quality components, better warranty | Uses cheaper components more prone to fail |
| Better protection for the system should failure occur | May destroy other components if it fails |
Document your choices in the activity guide and in the PC calculator.
Step 7 - Final Scoring:
Use the PC Build Scoring Calculator to calculate your overall score. Be sure to save your entries before the end of the period or when you are done! That way, you can reload them later to make adjustments.
Be sure to take a screenshot and include it in your activity guide.