PC Build Cliff Notes

Quick definitions of the terms that matter when picking parts, grouped by component.

Generated by Claude.

CPU (Processor)

Cores / threads – Independent processing units; threads let each core juggle two tasks. Games want 6–8 fast cores; editing and rendering scale with more.
Clock speed (GHz) – Cycles per second. Boost clock is the short-burst peak. Only comparable within the same brand and generation.
IPC – Instructions per clock, i.e. work done per cycle. Why a newer, lower-clocked chip can beat an older, faster-clocked one.
Cache (L3, 3D V-Cache) – Small, very fast memory on the chip. Large L3 gives big gains in many games.
Socket – The physical connector (e.g. AM5 for AMD, LGA1851 for Intel). CPU and motherboard must match.
TDP / PPT – Rated power and heat output in watts. Guides cooler and PSU choice.
iGPU – Integrated graphics. Lets you run a display without a graphics card; useful for troubleshooting.
Model suffixes – Intel K = unlocked, F = no iGPU. AMD X = higher clocks, X3D = extra cache.

Chipset – Sets the board’s feature tier (e.g. B-series vs Z/X-series). Higher tiers add overclocking, more lanes, USB, and M.2 slots.
Form factor – ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX. Must fit your case; smaller means fewer slots.
VRM – Power delivery to the CPU. Weak VRMs can throttle high-end CPUs.
PCIe lanes / generation – Data highways to GPU and SSDs; each gen doubles bandwidth. Check which slots share lanes.
M.2 slots – Slots for NVMe SSDs. Count them if you want several drives.
BIOS / UEFI – Firmware and settings screen. Where you enable XMP/EXPO; may need an update for newer CPUs.
I/O – Rear and front ports. Check for Wi-Fi, 2.5G Ethernet, enough USB, and front-panel headers.

VRAM – Memory on the card for textures and frames. Too little causes stutter at high settings and resolutions.
Resolution target – 1080p, 1440p, or 4K. The biggest factor in how strong a GPU you need.
Ray tracing – Realistic lighting simulation. Looks great, very demanding; performance varies by brand and generation.
Upscaling / frame generation – DLSS, FSR, XeSS render lower and reconstruct, or insert generated frames. Big FPS gains; support varies by game.
Card dimensions – Length and slot thickness. Measure case clearance first.
Power connectors – 8-pin PCIe or 12V-2x6 (16-pin). PSU must supply the right connector and wattage.

Capacity – 16GB is the gaming minimum; 32GB is comfortable; more for heavy creative work.
DDR4 vs DDR5 – Different generations, not interchangeable. The motherboard decides which.
Speed (MT/s) – Transfer rate (e.g. 6000 MT/s). Faster helps up to what your CPU handles well.
CAS latency (CL) – Delay before data returns. Lower is better; judge together with speed.
XMP / EXPO – Profiles that run RAM at its rated speed. Off by default; enable in BIOS.
Dual channel – Two sticks let the CPU read both at once. 2 × 16GB beats 1 × 32GB.

NVMe SSD – Fast solid-state drive over PCIe, usually M.2. Best for OS and games.
SATA SSD / HDD – Slower interface; HDDs use spinning disks. Fine for bulk storage and backups.
PCIe Gen 3/4/5 – Sets max drive speed. Gen 4 is plenty for most people.
DRAM cache – Onboard memory that helps the SSD sustain speed under heavy use.
TBW – Terabytes written, the endurance rating. Rarely a concern for home use.

Wattage – Maximum power output. Leave headroom above your estimated draw.
80 Plus rating – Efficiency tiers: Bronze, Gold, Platinum, Titanium. Gold is a solid default.
Modular – Fully modular cables detach; semi-modular has some fixed. Easier cable management.
ATX 3.x – Newer standard that handles GPU power spikes and includes 12V-2x6. Recommended for current high-end GPUs.
Quality tier – Community tier lists rank PSU quality. Don’t cheap out; a bad PSU can damage other parts.

Air cooler – Heatsink plus fan. Quiet, reliable, enough for most CPUs.
AIO liquid cooler – Sealed pump, tubes, radiator (240/280/360mm). Better for hot CPUs; confirm the radiator fits the case.
Thermal paste – Transfers heat from CPU to cooler. Often pre-applied.
Airflow – Intake fans pull air in, exhaust fans push it out. Mesh-front cases run cooler.
Thermal throttling – Parts slow themselves down when too hot. A sign cooling isn’t keeping up.

Size – Full tower, mid tower, small form factor. Determines what board, GPU, and radiator fit.
Clearances – Max GPU length, CPU cooler height, radiator support. Check each against your parts.
Cable management – Space and routing holes behind the motherboard tray. Cleaner build, better airflow.
Front I/O – Front USB-A, USB-C, audio. Make sure the motherboard has matching headers.

Compatibility – Socket, RAM type, form factor, clearances, and power must all line up. PCPartPicker flags most conflicts.
Bottleneck – One part limiting the others (e.g. weak CPU holding back a strong GPU). Balance the budget for your use case.
FPS vs refresh rate – Frames your PC renders per second vs how often the monitor updates (Hz). Match the GPU to the monitor.
Budget split – For gaming, the GPU usually gets the largest share.
POST – Power-On Self-Test, the first boot check. Motherboard debug LEDs point to the failing part.