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Most desktop boards these days feature multiple NVMe PCIe M.2 sockets which provide the fastest read/write options for PC storage. You should check your motherboard model to determine the type of PCIe slot it features (PCIe Gen 3.0, 4.0, 5.0), and length (2230, 2280, 22110, etc.), to narrow down your list of potential drives.
Faster, higher capacity drives can also get quite hot during operation so many vendors provide heat sinks or spreaders on the drives to keep them cool. The motherboard may also feature a removable heatsink.
Graphic
Choosing a graphics card is similar to choosing a processor model. There are two main GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) manufacturers: AMD and NVIDIA, although Intel has recently made a foray back into the graphics card business. AMD and NVIDIA typically introduce new GPUs every year and graphics card vendors offer options for low, mid, and high tier models.
The differences between the various models usually relate to performance (more cores, higher resolution, higher frame rate), amount of internal memory (GDDR, HBM), and number/type of output (HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, etc. ). As mentioned in the section on cases, graphics cards can also come in different lengths, with high-tier cards typically being the longest and using 2-3 fans to keep them cool. When debating how extreme your graphics card is, consider the intended use for that PC.
Are you going to play the latest and greatest games? Will you do the 3D rendering and video production yourself? Or are you going to mine cryptocurrency? Start your selection process by checking the recommended graphics requirements for your app or game. This selection can narrow your list of options if the requirements are high.
Power supply
A power supply (PSU) can be relatively easy to choose from, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines. Power supplies are measured by their efficiency and the baseline today is called "80 Plus". 80 Plus means the associated power supply has an efficiency of 80% with a maximum power loss of 20% due to heat.
PSU vendors differentiate PSU models based on the use of various metals, sometimes with precious metals, and feature low to high-level naming conventions such as Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Greater efficiency through the use of better materials means less energy lost to heat. Next, you will need to determine the wattage of power that the PSU will support. In this case, we recommend using the PSU power wattage calculator which is easy to find by searching the web.
This calculator will take into account all the different components you plan to use in your PC and suggest the minimum power wattage to support them. The last and most important thing is to confirm the number and type of connectors that the PSU features. This confirmation will relate to the type and number of power connectors on the motherboard, graphics card, and any storage drives that attach directly to the motherboard.
Also consider the need for additional outputs to support water or RGB cooling options, if the power is not sourced from the motherboard. Still not sure to make a choice? Seek information from the motherboard vendor as the vendor maintains a list of eligible power supplies under the QVL section for each board model.
