Question 1

How does PC Atlas check that parts work together?

Accepted Answer

Every part you pick runs through the same rules as the PC Wizard: CPU socket, memory type, board size, graphics card length and thickness, cooler height and radiator size, power supply size and wattage, BIOS updates, and RAM clearance under big air coolers. Specs come from the makers' spec pages (last checked Oct 2026).

Question 2

What do ✓, !, ✕ and ⚠ mean?

Accepted Answer

✓ fits. ! works, but needs a step from you or is close to a limit (each one says what to do). ✕ won't work together. ⚑ works, but it's a pairing we don't recommend. ⚠ means we don't have checked specs for that listing yet, so check the maker's page.

Question 3

How big a power supply do I need?

Accepted Answer

We add up the CPU and graphics card under a gaming load plus about 80 W for everything else, then recommend at least 1.3 times that, or the graphics card maker's own number if it's higher (NVIDIA recommends 850 W for an RTX 5080, for example).

Question 4

Are these prices live?

Accepted Answer

Parts with a store name show the lowest price from the latest daily scan. "est." is a PC Atlas estimate of the US street price until a matching listing is found. You always check out on the store's site, so the store has the final price.

Question 5

Can I start from a ready-made build?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Pick one of the Best Builds, or answer five questions in the PC Wizard, then tap Customize or Open in Build a PC to change any part here.

Question 6

Does a build include Windows, a monitor or a keyboard?

Accepted Answer

No. Build a PC covers the eight parts inside the tower. Monitors and peripherals are in Browse.