Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsTo check whether PC parts will work together, compare the exact models—not just their product categories—and verify the key specifications against each manufacturer’s support pages and manuals. A compatibility checker can catch common conflicts, but it cannot guarantee that a build will assemble or boot.
Start with the exact parts list
Write down the full model names of the CPU, motherboard, memory kit, graphics card, power supply, case, CPU cooler, and storage drives. Small differences between models or board revisions can affect support. Begin with the CPU and motherboard because they establish the platform and determine which firmware and memory checks matter.
- Choose the CPU and motherboard. Record each exact model and, where applicable, the motherboard revision.
- Add the remaining components. Include the exact RAM kit, GPU, PSU, case, cooler, and drives rather than generic descriptions.
- Run a compatibility checker. Use its results to identify likely conflicts and form a shortlist, not as final approval.
- Verify the parts against manufacturer documentation. Check support lists, product specifications, and manuals for each potential mismatch.
- Resolve warnings and unchecked items. Do not order until you have checked physical clearance, connectors, firmware support, and any other item the checker says it does not validate.
Check the compatibility points that matter
CPU and motherboard: socket, chipset, and BIOS
Confirm that the motherboard supports the exact processor, including the required socket and chipset compatibility. Then look up the processor in the motherboard maker’s CPU support list and check the minimum BIOS version shown there. A CPU can fit the socket yet still need a particular BIOS version to be supported. Use the support list for the exact board model and revision; a similar name or socket family is not enough. MSI’s CPU support guidance is an example of the manufacturer documentation to consult.
Memory: generation, capacity, modules, and speed
Match the memory generation—such as DDR4 or DDR5—to what the motherboard accepts. Confirm that the board supports the kit’s total capacity and number of modules, then consult its memory support list or QVL for the exact kit and target speed. A checker may flag the wrong generation or an unsupported module count, but its result may not establish that a particular kit is listed or that it will run at the speed you want. Use the board’s manual and memory support information for the final check. MSI’s memory support guide explains the kind of board-specific information to review.
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Graphics card and case: dimensions and room
Compare the GPU’s published dimensions with the case’s stated graphics-card clearance. Check more than card length: account for the card’s thickness and slot requirements, and verify that the case has room for the selected card in the intended configuration. Use the exact card specifications and case documentation; product-family names do not establish physical fit. MSI also advises checking GPU dimensions against case clearance in its PC compatibility guide.
Power supply: capacity and the exact connectors
Check the system’s estimated power requirement, but treat a wattage figure as a screening check rather than proof that a PSU is suitable. Verify that the exact PSU has the power cables and connectors required by the selected GPU and CPU. A PSU can have an apparently adequate wattage rating yet lack a connector a component requires. Review the graphics card and power supply specifications together, and consult the PSU documentation before buying. MSI’s compatibility guidance also calls out PSU wattage and connectors.
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Motherboard and case: supported form factors
Confirm that the case supports the motherboard’s form factor. Check the case specification rather than assuming that a board will fit because it belongs to a familiar desktop-PC category. Also consider how the selected cooler and graphics card affect the space available inside the case.
CPU cooler: mounting and clearance
Check that the cooler supports the CPU socket’s mounting system. Then compare the cooler’s height or radiator dimensions with the case’s stated limits. Look for possible conflicts with memory modules or other components, and consult the cooler and case manuals for the exact mounting and clearance details. MSI’s PC compatibility guide highlights socket mounting support as a check.
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Storage: slots and interfaces
For each drive, confirm that the motherboard provides the required M.2 or SATA interface and a suitable slot or port. Check the motherboard manual for the exact configuration supported; do not assume that the presence of a connector means every drive arrangement is supported.
Use compatibility checkers as a first screen
Checkers vary in scope, so read what each tool says it validates and what it leaves out. The following descriptions come from the providers; they are not independent accuracy tests, and neither tool should be treated as a guarantee.
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| Tool | Provider-described checks | Stated limits |
|---|---|---|
| PlanMyPC | Its checker says it validates socket, board form factor, RAM, PSU wattage, and case clearance; its page also describes GPU and cooler clearance. | The page’s feature description is not an independent audit of results. Verify exact CPU support, BIOS, memory-kit support, connectors, and any other unchecked item against manufacturer documentation. |
| ComponentPrices | It says it checks processor–motherboard socket compatibility, memory generation, and published PSU wattage. | It explicitly says it does not check BIOS support, physical clearances, cables, firmware, cooling, or every motherboard revision, and cannot guarantee that a complete build will assemble or boot. |
A green result means only that the tool did not flag a conflict within its stated coverage. It does not establish every compatibility detail. Do not rank checker accuracy based on these feature descriptions alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Make the final decision from manufacturer documentation
For each item that could prevent a part from working or fitting, compare the component’s exact specifications with the relevant support list or manual. Start with the motherboard’s CPU and memory support information, then verify the GPU’s power and physical requirements, the PSU’s connectors, the case’s clearances, the cooler’s mounting and dimensions, and the storage interfaces. If a tool reports a warning, resolve it from those documents rather than assuming the warning is harmless or that a clean result overrides the manufacturer’s specifications.
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If your goal is to move from parts selection to installation, Tom’s Hardware’s PC-building guide covers the assembly process; it does not determine whether a particular parts list is compatible.
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