PC Compatibility Guide

How to Make Sure All Your PC Components Work Together

How to Make Sure All Your PC Components Work Together

Building or upgrading a PC can feel overwhelming when you're not sure if the parts you're buying will actually work together. This guide walks you through every key compatibility check — and shows you how to use the filters on our store to make the process as simple as possible.

Step 1 — CPU and Motherboard Socket

The most critical compatibility check. Your CPU and motherboard must share the same socket.

How to check it on our store:

1. Go to PC Components Store → select CPU from the category dropdown

2. Use the CPU Socket filter (e.g. AM5, AM4, LGA1700) to find your CPU

3. Note the socket (e.g. AM5)

4. Then switch category to MOTHERBOARD and use the Motherboard Socket filter to show only boards that match

Common sockets:

• AMD Ryzen 7000 series → AM5

• AMD Ryzen 3000 / 5000 series → AM4

• Intel 12th / 13th / 14th Gen Core → LGA1700

If our filter doesn't show what you need: Visit the CPU manufacturer's website (AMD or Intel), search your CPU model, and confirm the socket in the specifications tab. Then do the same on the motherboard product page.

Step 2 — RAM Compatibility

Three things must match: type, speed, and capacity.

How to check it on our store:

1. Select MOTHERBOARD category → use the RAM Gen filter to see which RAM generation the board supports (DDR4 or DDR5)

2. Switch to RAM category → use the DDR Type filter to match (DDR4 or DDR5)

3. Use the RAM Frequency slider to stay within the board's supported speed range

4. Use the RAM Latency slider if you want to fine-tune performance

DDR4 and DDR5 are physically different — they are not interchangeable. If you're unsure which your motherboard supports, check the Motherboard RAM Speed filter on the motherboard listing or visit the manufacturer's website.

Dual channel tip: For best performance buy RAM in matched pairs and install in the correct slots — check your motherboard manual for which slots to use.

Step 3 — GPU Clearance in Your Case

Most modern GPUs use a PCIe x16 slot which is standard on all motherboards — so the slot connection is almost never an issue. What you DO need to check is whether the GPU physically fits in your case.

How to check it on our store:

1. Select the GPU category → find your GPU and note its length in the product specs

2. Switch to the CASE category → use the GPU Clearance range slider to filter only cases that can fit your GPU length

3. You can also filter by Case Form Factor to match your motherboard size

If you already have a case: Search for your case model on the manufacturer's website and find the maximum GPU length in the specifications.

Also check power requirements:

• Switch to PSU category → use the Wattage range slider

• Add your CPU TDP (found using the CPU TDP range filter) + GPU TDP (found using the GPU TDP range filter) + approximately 100W for the rest of the system

• Filter PSUs above that total

Step 4 — Storage

M.2 NVMe SSDs:

1. Select STORAGE category → use the Connection Type filter → select NVMe

2. Use the PCIe Gen filter to match your motherboard's M.2 slot generation (check using the M.2 Slots Gen filter in the MOTHERBOARD category)

3. Use Read Speed and Write Speed sliders if performance is a priority

SATA SSDs and HDDs:

• Use the Drive Type filter → select SSD or HDD

• Use the Connection Type filter → select SATA

• Use the Capacity slider to find the right size

Step 5 — Case and Motherboard Form Factor

Your case and motherboard must be compatible in size.

How to check it on our store:

1. Select MOTHERBOARD category → use the Form Factor filter to choose ATX, Micro-ATX, or Mini-ITX

2. Switch to CASE category → use the Case Motherboard Form Factor filter to show only cases that support your board size

ATX → compatible with Full Tower and Mid Tower cases Micro-ATX → compatible with Mid Tower, Mini Tower and ATX cases Mini-ITX → compatible with Mini-ITX cases and larger

Also use the CPU Cooler Clearance range slider to make sure your cooler height fits inside the case.

Step 6 — CPU Cooler

1. Select COOLING category → use the Cooling TDP slider to match or exceed your CPU's TDP

2. Cross-reference the cooler's supported socket list in the product description with your CPU socket

3. Switch to CASE category → use the CPU Cooler Clearance slider to confirm the cooler fits

Step 7 — Power Supply

1. Select PSU category → use the Wattage range slider to filter above your calculated system power draw

2. Use the PSU Certification filter (80+ Bronze, Gold, Platinum) — higher certification means more efficient and less heat

3. Use the Modular toggle if you want cable management flexibility

4. Use the protection filters (OVP, OCP, OPP, SCP, UVP) if you want extra hardware safety features

5. Use the Case PSU Clearance slider in the CASE category to confirm the PSU fits

Quick Compatibility Checklist

Before you buy, tick off every item:

— CPU socket matches motherboard socket (use CPU Socket and Motherboard Socket filters) — RAM type DDR4/DDR5 matches motherboard (use RAM Gen and DDR Type filters) — RAM speed within motherboard's supported range (use RAM Frequency and Motherboard RAM Speed filters) — GPU length fits inside case (use GPU Clearance filter on cases) — CPU cooler height fits inside case (use CPU Cooler Clearance filter) — CPU cooler supports your socket — PSU wattage covers total system TDP plus approximately 100W headroom — M.2 PCIe generation matches between SSD and motherboard — Motherboard form factor fits your case (use Case Mobo Form Factor filter) — Case PSU clearance fits your chosen PSU

Still not sure?

Send us a message through the contact form with your current specs and the component you want to add — we'll check compatibility for you before you buy.