rigvelaBuild and upgrade your PC, step by step
Find the parts in your PC, choose an upgrade or troubleshoot a new build. Each guide includes steps to follow and links to the relevant documentation.
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Start with the symptom
Know your PC
Identify your components and prepare for a first start.
How to check what parts are in your PC
Find your CPU, motherboard, BIOS, GPU and SSD model in Windows. Tell disks from partitions and confirm RAM, PSU and case details for an upgrade.
Read the guideFirst boot of a new PC: a step-by-step checklist
What to inspect before powering on, verify in BIOS and check in the operating system before tuning or sustained load.
Read the guideWhy RAM runs below its advertised speed: MT/s, XMP and EXPO
Tell a genuine speed difference from a reporting mismatch, and learn what to check before using a memory profile.
Read the guideSATA, NVMe and M.2: choosing an SSD that fits
Understand interfaces, protocols, module sizes and connector keys before buying a drive that only looks compatible.
Read the guideDDR to DDR5 RAM: how to identify your memory type
Identify DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 or DDR5 RAM. Compare DIMM and SO-DIMM pin counts, understand DDR3L, and check an upgrade before buying.
Read the guideChoose & upgrade
Understand specifications and check restrictions before buying.
PC upgrade checklist: what to keep and what to replace
Plan a PC upgrade around your actual needs, identify existing parts, and compare the full cost of keeping or replacing your platform.
Read the guideCPU, motherboard, and BIOS: check before you buy
Why matching sockets are not enough, and how to verify CPU support, the required BIOS, and a workable update method.
Read the guideDDR4 vs DDR5 RAM: differences and upgrade choices
Compare DDR4 and DDR5 RAM: motherboard support, capacity, MT/s and CL timings. See what must change before upgrading from DDR4 to DDR5.
Read the guideGraphics card, case, and power: a fit checklist
Check the exact graphics-card model, clearance with cooling installed, PSU requirements, and compatible power cables.
Read the guideCan you add a second SSD to your PC?
Can you add a second SSD? Check M.2 and SATA connections, CPU restrictions, mounting and Windows setup, with a worked MSI B650 Tomahawk example.
Read the guideCan your PC run Windows 11? Check before buying parts
Check Windows 11 eligibility with PC Health Check. Understand CPU, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, RAM and storage results before spending on an upgrade.
Read the guideReplace an HDD with an SSD: clone or clean install?
Plan a system HDD-to-SSD replacement: check the connection, back up files, choose cloning or a clean Windows install, and verify the new boot drive.
Read the guideWill a PCIe 4.0 SSD work in a PCIe 3.0 slot?
Check an NVMe SSD in an older PCIe slot: Gen 4 and Gen 5 examples, x2/x4 limits and the connection details to verify before buying.
Read the guideWill this RAM work with my motherboard? A step-by-step check
Check RAM against your motherboard: DDR, DIMM or SO-DIMM, capacity, exact kit, QVL, speed profiles and slots. Examples, diagrams and a buying checklist.
Read the guideCan you mix RAM brands, speeds and sizes?
Mixing 8GB and 16GB RAM, different speeds or two separate kits? Check the limits, count modules and compare adding memory with replacing the whole kit.
Read the guideHow much RAM do you need? Check your Windows workload
Check whether you need more RAM with Task Manager. Understand Available and Committed memory, compare 16GB, 32GB and 64GB, and plan a supported upgrade.
Read the guideWhen something goes wrong
Step-by-step checks for display, memory and storage problems.
PC powers on but has no display: a troubleshooting order
Separate a display connection problem from a PC startup failure, and check the basics before replacing parts.
Read the guidePC will not start after a RAM upgrade: what to check
Black screen after a RAM upgrade? Check DDR5 training, the DRAM light, DIMM slots and individual modules in a clear order.
Read the guideSSD not detected: BIOS, Windows or the boot list?
Distinguish a missing device, volume and bootloader, check SSD connections and protect existing data.
Read the guidePC won’t turn on: no response to the power button
No response to the case button? Check external power, ATX/EPS and PWR SW. Separate a power problem from a blank screen and know when to stop.
Read the guideNot all RAM detected: checks in BIOS and Windows
Seeing 16 GB instead of 32 GB? Compare BIOS and Windows totals, check modules and system limits, and distinguish installed RAM from available and shared GPU memory.
Read the guideCheck your own
parts list.
Add exact models to the builder, save the list and review any conflicts.