PC Build Planner
Set a budget and a purpose and get a complete compatible PC build: CPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, storage and PSU, all checked to work together.
How to split a PC build budget
There is no single correct allocation, because the right split depends entirely on what the machine is for. A gaming build puts the largest share into the graphics card; an editing or streaming build shifts it towards the processor and memory; an AI workstation prioritises VRAM above everything else. The planner applies those weightings to your budget.
Where not to save money
Two components are false economies. A cheap power supply can fail badly and take other parts with it, and it is the one component that touches everything else. And a mechanical boot drive makes an otherwise fast machine feel sluggish at every single interaction. Both are inexpensive to get right and expensive to get wrong.
Where you can save
The motherboard is where most people overspend. Unless you need CPU overclocking or a lot of high-speed connectivity, a solid B-series board performs identically to a premium one for gaming. Cases similarly follow diminishing returns quickly — a well-ventilated mid-range case cools as well as an expensive one.
Balance beats any single component
A flagship graphics card behind a weak processor wastes a large part of what you paid for. Once the planner produces a build, check the pairing with the Bottleneck Calculator and the power requirement with the PSU Calculator.
Prices are indicative
The figures used here are manufacturer MSRPs. Real street prices move constantly with supply, sales and region, so treat the total as a planning guide rather than a quotation — and check current pricing before buying.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I spend on the GPU?
For a gaming build, roughly 40-45% of the total is a reasonable target. For editing or productivity, closer to 30%, with the difference going to the processor and memory.
What is a good budget for a gaming PC?
Around $800-1000 builds a capable 1080p machine, $1200-1600 covers 1440p at high refresh rates, and $2000 and above targets 4K. Below about $700 a console or a used system is usually better value.
Should I buy prebuilt or build my own?
Building yourself usually gives better components for the money and full control over part choice. Prebuilts win on convenience, a single warranty, and sometimes on GPU pricing when cards are scarce.
Can I upgrade this build later?
Yes, and it is worth planning for. Buy a power supply with headroom and a motherboard on a current socket, and a graphics card upgrade in two or three years becomes a simple swap rather than a rebuild.