I'm building my first PC and could really use some advice. I've asked a few friends and family, but there are still some uncertainties I'm dealing with. Here are a few things I'm curious about:
1. Do I need a heatsink? Any recommendations?
2. Is a 2TB M.2 SSD enough, or should I also get an HDD?
3. Any good monitor recommendations?
4. Is it silly to ask how to ensure everything will fit in my case? I haven't selected a case yet.
5. Am I forgetting anything essential? I'm planning to visit Microcenter for assistance but would love some guidance to ease my nerves about picking parts.
By the way, here's my PCPartPicker list for reference.
1 Answer
1. You actually don't need a separate heatsink since you already have one for your CPU. If you're thinking about an NVMe SSD heatsink, only consider it if you plan to use multiple drives.
2. A 2TB M.2 SSD is usually plenty for most users. If your focus is just gaming, stick with the SSD for speed, and you can always add more storage later if you need it.
3. If you're aiming for a good visual experience, look for a monitor with a resolution of 1440P and a refresh rate of 144Hz or higher. Check out RTINGS for detailed recommendations.
4. To check if everything fits in your case, look at the specifications for the parts you're considering. Components have their sizes listed online, and cases will specify compatibility with different motherboard sizes, power supply forms, and more.
5. Just make sure you've got a case that can accommodate your selected parts, especially with your CPU cooler. If the case can fit three 120mm fans, it should accommodate a 360 cooler without issues.
6. As for RAM, consider upgrading to TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32GB DDR5-6000 for just an extra $30—you'll be thankful later!
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely check RTINGS for monitor recommendations.
Got it, thanks for clarifying about the heatsink! I feel much better knowing a 2TB SSD should be enough for now.