SCOM / BUYING GUIDES

Find the right parts for your PC

Start with your workload and exact PC model. These guides explain the trade-offs, compatibility checks and questions to ask before buying.

Monitors

Choosing a QHD, 4K or DQHD monitor for your PC and desk
Compare 24, 27, 32-inch and ultrawide monitors using resolution, pixel density, scaling and desk space—not diagonal screen size alone.
HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C: Which Connection Does Your Monitor Need?
Choose HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C by the display mode your full setup supports. Check refresh rate, docks, cable certification and laptop charging.
IPS, VA, TN, OLED and Mini-LED: Which Monitor Type Fits Your Day?
Compare IPS, VA, TN, OLED and Mini-LED monitors for gaming, work and movies. Understand panel types, backlighting and the trade-offs that matter.
What Refresh Rate Do You Need? Choosing Between 60Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz and 240Hz+
Choose a refresh rate that matches your games and actual frame rates. Compare 60Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz and 240Hz while understanding FPS, response time and VRR.

500GB, 1TB, 2TB or 4TB: How Much Storage Do You Really Need?
Make sense of 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and 8TB drives with clear examples for games, photos and video, plus a practical way to estimate your own needs.
Choosing storage: HDD, SATA SSD, M.2 NVMe or portable SSD
Understand HDDs, SATA SSDs, NVMe and M.2 without confusing drive types, interfaces and form factors. Choose storage for your PC and your workload.
How to check a WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with heatsink before buying
A practical check of M.2 slot support, PCIe, 2280 clearance, heatsink space and model confirmation for the WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB, without replacing your motherboard or system manual.

16GB, 32GB or 64GB of RAM? Making Sense of Capacity and DDR4 vs DDR5
Choose RAM capacity for your actual workload, understand DDR4 vs DDR5, and compare MT/s, CAS latency and memory profiles without buying incompatible parts.
AMD or Intel? Choose a CPU Around the Work, Not the Badge
Compare AMD and Intel CPUs by workload, exact model and total platform cost. Check motherboard support, memory, cooling and realistic upgrade options.
ATX vs Micro-ATX vs Mini-ITX: Choose a Board That Fits Your Build
Compare ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboard sizes, expansion options and case requirements. Build around your components rather than size alone.

Can You Reuse Modular PSU Cables? Matching Plugs Are Not Enough
Check modular PSU cable compatibility by exact model and cable type. Understand CPU and PCIe leads, replacement cables and extensions before connecting.
How to Choose a PC Power Supply Without Guessing the Wattage
Choose a PC power supply by checking system load, GPU requirements, connectors, case fit and cables. Learn why wattage alone is not enough.
80 PLUS Bronze, Gold and Platinum: What Changes, and Is It Worth Paying More?
See how 80 PLUS Bronze, Gold and Platinum differ, with a clearly labelled 230V EU efficiency table and an illustrative electricity-cost comparison.

Buying Used PC Parts: What to Check Before You Pay
Check used monitors, SSDs, RAM and PSUs with a practical evidence-led approach. Know what to ask about condition, tests, cables and written terms.