PC Components Cheatsheet
PC Components Cheatsheet
Key specs and what they mean for CPU, RAM, GPU, PSU, and storage.
CPU
| Cores / Threads | More cores = better multitasking; threads = logical processors (hyper-threading) |
| Clock speed (GHz) | Higher = faster single-threaded performance; boost clocks are short-burst peaks |
| TDP (Watts) | Heat output under sustained load ߀” must match or exceed the cooler rating |
| Socket | Physical interface to motherboard ߀” CPU and board socket must match exactly |
| L3 Cache | On-chip memory; larger cache reduces main RAM access latency |
RAM
| DDR4 / DDR5 | Generation ߀” must match what the motherboard supports |
| Capacity (GB) | 16 GB minimum; 32 GB for workstations/content creation |
| Speed (MHz) | e.g. DDR5-5600; faster gives small gains in most workloads |
| Dual-channel | Use matched pairs of DIMMs in slots 2+4 (or 1+3) for ~15% bandwidth gain |
Storage
| NVMe M.2 (PCIe) | 3,000߀“7,000 MB/s ߀” best for OS and applications |
| SATA SSD | ~550 MB/s ߀” cheaper; good for secondary storage |
| HDD | 100߀“200 MB/s ߀” bulk/backup storage; cheapest per GB |
| M.2 sizes | 2280 (most common), 2242, 2260 ߀” first 2 digits = width, last 2 = length in mm |
PSU
| Wattage | Sum all component TDPs + 20% headroom |
| 80 PLUS Gold | At least 87% efficiency ߀” Bronze is minimum; avoid unrated PSUs |
| Fully modular | Detach unused cables ߀” cleaner cable management |
| ATX / SFX | ATX for standard cases; SFX for small form factor builds |