Understanding Custom PC Building: Beginner Guide

What is Custom PC Building

Custom PC Building is in many ways a form of art, you get to have full control over not only on the aesthetics of the case, but also to expand on your own creativity to create a PC Build that truly reflects and meets your every need.

The thought of building your own custom PC may seem daunting at first, but the joy and satisfaction of being able to handpick what goes into your build and having your very own build that suits your needs specifically is extremely rewarding. Consideration into the size and type of PC case is more important that it seems and will affect the type of components that go into the build and the possibility for future upgrading of them.
The following simple guide should help you get a deeper understanding into Custom PC Building and assist you in making a more informed decision on building a PC that can achieve your needs and expectations.

4 Types of PC Cases: Size matters

One of the more important decisions you have to make is choosing the size of PC cases which generally fall into one of four categories namely SFF/Mini/Mid/Full tower cases.

1. Small Form Factor (SFF)

Considered to be niche in the PC Market, the Small Form Factor’s popularity however is quickly increasing due to it’s incredible portability and ease of access.
Some cases can go as small as a console making it very attractive for those who have very limited space for a build or just want to have their PC blend into the backdrop of their homes. The SFF Cases uses mainly an ITX sized motherboard which is the smallest sized one in the market.

Focus

  • AestheticsStealth/Low ProfileQuiet & minimalistic builds.

Things to note

  • SFF Parts and components are usually on the pricier end and may be hard to source out.
  • Potential high temperatures on long operating hours due to restricted airflow.
  • High level gaming is possible with the right budget.
  • Single graphic card slot.
  • Might encounter more difficulty in replacing parts due to space constraint.
  • Very limited physical space for storage drives.

2. Mini Tower Cases

An optimal choice for those who prefer to keep a stealth-like profile while still having the capabilities to perform at a higher level as compared to Small Form Factor Cases. This size is widely considered to be the most versatile to build as it is easy to upgrade and is highly compatible with sizes larger than a Mini Tower Case.
These cases will mostly utilize the M-ATX sized motherboards.

Focus:

  • Gaming/high performance capabilities
  • Budget focused builds

Things to note:

  • Options for future upgrading of parts will be slightly limited especially for most heavy duty Graphics Cards(e.g. triple-fan GPUs).
  • Water Cooling functions with radiators bigger than 120mm might not be compatible.
  • Airflow efficiency might be affected by bad cable management due to space constraint.
  • Single graphic card slot
  • Limited physical space for storage drives

3. Mid Tower Cases

The hardcore gamer’s choice.
Mid Tower Cases are the most common in the market as it is able to accommodate almost any component and having the ability to perform at high levels for longer term hardcore gaming or software functionality. With this option, builders will have a wide range of flexibility in their PC Builds in terms of water-cooling, fan sizes and Graphic Cards.
These cases will mostly utilize up to the ATX sized motherboards.

Focus:

  • Long term high performance gaming/software builds.

Things to note:

  • Mostly compatible with anything but the biggest components (e.g 360mm radiators, 200mm case fans)
  • Able to fit up to 2-3 graphic cards depending on the ATX sized motherboard
  • Airflow efficiency dependent on size and placements of components
  • Able to take multiple storage drives
  • Good level of flexibility in accessory compatibility

4. Full Tower Cases

The builder’s enthusiast choice.
Full Tower Cases brings PC Building to a whole new level with near limitless possibilities.
This behemoth of a case will easily fit any component with space to spare, allowing for a multitude of customization and accessories to be installed to fully bring out the builder in you.
Cases like these can even fit multiple 200mm case fans which allows for very efficient airflow and are rarely compatible in the smaller case sizes.
The ability to fit huge 360mm water cooled radiators will make super heavy duty & long term usage a breeze.
These cases will mostly utilize the biggest E-ATX Motherboards.

Focus:

  • Long term super heavy duty gaming/software & Showcase Builds.

Things to note:

  • Build will most likely be heavy and bulky
  • Allows for a high number of storage drives and drive bay installations
  • Dismantling and building of PC made easy due to large space
  • Huge flexibility in accessory compatibility

Understanding the Main Parts of a Computer


1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is widely regarded as the “brains” of the PC. It is responsible for processing and executing instructions that allow the rest of your components to function properly.

The market is currently dominated by two manufacturers: Intel and AMD.

In recent years, AMD CPUs have generally outperformed Intel in several areas, though Intel has maintained a reputation for more stable software and drivers with fewer bugs or compatibility issues.

Intel vs AMD differences – Click here to find out more!

2. Motherboard / Mainboard

The motherboard is usually the largest circuit board in your PC. It distributes power and enables communication between key components such as the CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage devices.

All major hardware parts must connect to the motherboard either directly or via connectors, making it one of the most important components in your build.

3. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

The GPU handles image and video rendering for your display. It’s especially important for gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering tasks.

There are two types of GPUs:

  • Integrated GPU

Built into the CPU chip, suitable for light tasks.

  • Dedicated/Standalone GPU:

Installed separately on the motherboard, used for high performance tasks.

4. Storage Devices (SSD/HDD)

Storage is essential for saving your operating system, applications, and files.

Hard Disk Drives (HDD)

  • Lower cost, slower speeds.
  • Common sizes: 2.5″ (laptops) and 3.5″ (desktops).
  • Good for mass storage of large files.

Solid State Drives (SSD)

  • Faster load times and better performance.
  • Comes in 2.5″ format or M.2 form factor (very compact).
  • Higher cost per GB, but recommended for OS installation due to speed.

SSD vs HDD – Click here to learn more!

5. Power Supply Unit (PSU)

The PSU provides electrical power to your PC components, especially the:

  • Motherboard
  • GPU
  • Storage drives
  • Additional accessories (fans, RGB lights, etc.)

⚠️  Things to Consider:

  • Wattage: Ensure it’s enough for your build (plus some buffer for upgrades).
  • Efficiency Rating:
  • Bronze Certified: Budget-friendly.
  • Gold Certified: More efficient and reliable.

Bronze vs Gold Certified PSU – Learn more here!

Things to Take Note Before Building a PC

  • Use Anti Static Protection

It’s important to use anti static mats (ESD mats) when building to prevent electrostatic discharge, which can damage sensitive electronic components. This simple step can save you from accidental damage and costly delays.

  • Clean Environment Matters

In light of health concerns such as COVID 19, maintaining a clean work area and disinfecting your PC components before and after assembly is highly recommended.

Common Issues to Troubleshoot

After building your PC, it’s easy to forget connections. If your system doesn’t boot, run through this checklist:

Basic Connection Checklist:

  • PSU → CPU power (on motherboard)
  • PSU → Motherboard (24 pin connector)
  • PSU → GPU power
  • PSU → Storage drives
  • SATA cables from motherboard to storage
  • Front panel connectors (USB, power button)

If issues persist, we recommend bringing your system in for a Full Diagnostic Test

Contact Us to get help!

Performance Testing Tools for Your PC

Benchmarking tools are essential for evaluating your PC’s performance, whether you’re testing a new build, upgrading, or troubleshooting.

3D Mark Benchmark

3D Mark is a widely recognized benchmarking tool focused on graphics performance. It provides:

  • An overall performance score
  • The ability to compare scores with other users online

It’s great for stress testing your GPU, and it’s available on:

  • Windows
  • Android
  • iOS

👉 3DMark Benchmark from UL.com

User Benchmark

UserBenchmark offers a quick way to test and compare the performance of your full PC build, including:

  • CPU
  • GPU
  • SSD/HDD

  • RAM

Compared to 3DMark, it’s less stressful on your system and better suited for general performance analysis.

👉 Run UserBenchmark – PC Speed Test Tool

HW Monitor

HWMonitor is not a benchmarking tool but a real time monitoring tool that shows:

  • CPU and GPU temperatures
  • Voltages
  • Fan speeds
  • Power consumption

It’s especially useful during or after a benchmark test to make sure your components are running within safe temperature and power limits.

👉 HW Monitor

Other similar alternatives:


If building a Custom PC seems too high a hurdle, you can approach our Volta PC’s team of experienced Custom PC Builders to help you in building one that tailors to your needs.

Scroll to Top