Data and measurements from our catalog, checked against each manufacturer's spec sheet.
- Saving money on the power supply and buying uncertified generic brands.
- Plugging the HDMI or DisplayPort cable into the motherboard instead of the graphics card.
- Forgetting to remove the protective plastic from the cooler's base.
- Installing RAM in single channel or without enabling the XMP/EXPO profile.
1Plugging the monitor into the motherboard
It's the number one mistake: plugging the monitor into the motherboard's port instead of the graphics card's ports. That way the PC uses the CPU's integrated graphics, which are much slower, instead of your graphics card. And if the CPU has no integrated graphics (F models, for example), you won't get a picture at all.
2The “invisible” plastic on the cooler
Many new coolers come with a clear plastic film over the copper base or the thermal paste. If you don't remove it, heat doesn't reach the cooler: the CPU heats up in seconds and the PC throttles or shuts down to protect itself.
3Saving money on the power supply
A generic, uncertified power supply may not deliver the watts it promises or have protections. The symptoms are shutdowns and restarts mid-game, and in the worst case it can damage other parts. Pick a well-known brand with 80 Plus certification, protections and a long warranty. More in the power supply guide.
4RAM in single channel or without XMP/EXPO
Two memory mistakes: buying a single module or putting both in slots on the same channel, and not enabling the XMP or EXPO profile in the BIOS. Either way, the memory performs well below what you paid for. More in the RAM guide.
5Splitting the budget badly
Overspending on the CPU, the motherboard or the lights and falling short on the graphics card, which is what delivers the most FPS. Or the other way around: a very expensive graphics card with an entry-level CPU. See how we split the money at each tier of our builds and make sure your parts fit with the compatibility guide.
6Forgetting about cooling and airflow
A closed case with few fans, fans mounted backwards or a cooler that's barely enough for the CPU make everything run hotter and louder. Check which way each fan blows (the arrow on the frame shows it) and choose a cooler with capacity to spare. More in the case and cooling guide.