PC Building
Ongoing coverage on PC Building.
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The highly customisable Corsair Frame 4000X promised it would be my dream PC case, but I'm not completely convinced
The Corsair Frame 4000X PC case offers significant customization options and ease of access, but the author found the thick braided cables and digital manual frustrating. While the case's modularity is a strong point, limitations in colorways and pricing prevent it from being a completely convincing dream build.
Is a $1,200 gaming PC build in 2026 still possible?
This guide outlines a PC build for approximately $1,300 in 2026, aiming to balance cost and performance amidst rising component prices. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 9600X CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 8GB GPU, capable of running current titles at 1080p and 1440p with medium settings and high refresh rates, and is future-proofed for upcoming games like Grand Theft Auto 6.
"As a consumer myself, I feel your pain" - in a rare pro-consumer move, PC cooler brand Arctic passes US tariff refunds back to its customers with a "dedicated sales promotion"
PC cooling brand Arctic is passing US tariff refunds back to its customers through a dedicated sales promotion. CEO Magnus Huber stated the promotion will continue until all refunded tariff money is returned to consumers, a move praised as rare and pro-consumer in the current market.
Maingear introduces a new lineup of hidden-cable 'Zero' pre-built PCs
Maingear has introduced a new lineup of pre-built PCs called 'Zero', designed to offer a clean aesthetic with hidden cables. This new offering caters to users seeking high-performance computers with a minimalist visual design.
One Redditor spent four months building a 'Turkish kebab PC' with working spinning components
A Reddit user named Zestyclose-Salad-290 has created a unique 'Turkish kebab PC' build, featuring spinning components like the GPU and motherboard within a glass case. The elaborate custom PC took four months to construct and utilizes slip rings to prevent cable twisting, though it is noted as an impractical design.
Redditor uses 'ticking time bomb' vial of gallium to stop their GPU sagging
A Reddit user named Philip_777 has shared an unconventional method for preventing GPU sag by using a vial of gallium, describing it as a 'temperature indicator and ticking time bomb.' While gallium's low melting point and corrosive properties make this a risky modification, the user opted for it as a readily available solution for the perfect height, eschewing commercial GPU support brackets.
New PC? Change These 5 BIOS Settings Before You Do Anything Else [2026]
This guide details five essential BIOS settings for new PC builds to optimize performance and system behavior. Key adjustments include enabling XMP/EXPO for memory speed, activating Resizable BAR, configuring fan curves for quieter operation, managing processor power settings, and ensuring the BIOS is up-to-date.
Broken laptops can morph into Steam Machine alternatives, and the base parts cost less than 32GB RAM
A DIY guide demonstrates how to repurpose old laptop components, including motherboards and GPUs, to build custom gaming PCs or Steam Machine alternatives for significantly less than the cost of new parts. One project successfully transformed a laptop into an all-in-one PC for under $400, showcasing a cost-effective approach to PC building by utilizing salvaged hardware.
PNY's Slimline RTX 5080 might be the best version of this graphics card for versatile PC building, and making good on those FE promises
The PNY GeForce RTX 5080 Slim offers excellent performance and compatibility for PC builders seeking a high-end graphics card in a more compact form factor. Despite its smaller size, it matches the performance of larger RTX 5080 models and maintains good thermal management, making it a versatile option for 4K gaming without compromising frame rates.
Obsession star Inde Navarrette built her gaming PC just like you and me: By watching Henry Cavill do it first
Actress Inde Navarrette revealed that she built her own gaming PC by watching tutorials, including those by Henry Cavill. She emphasized the cost of building a PC and advised viewers to research components based on their intended use. The article also touches on PC Gamer's content direction and reader engagement.
This China-only RTX 4080 GPU combines laptop silicon with desktop hardware, and draws a fraction of the power of a more…
A unique China-only graphics card, dubbed the RTX 4080M, combines laptop GPU silicon with a desktop PCIe board, drawing significantly less power than a traditional RTX 4080. While not an official Nvidia product and lacking driver support, it offers competitive performance for its price point in China, comparable to the RTX 4060 Ti and RX 7070 GRE. The article suggests that for most builders, newer, more performant cards are a better choice unless building a small form factor ITX system.
A ray of hope for PC builders desperate for an upgrade - one of my favorite motherboards is being bundled with 32GB of…
Amidst component shortages and a lean Prime Day, PC builders are advised to look at motherboard bundles from retailers like Newegg for potential upgrades. The article highlights specific MSI and ASRock motherboard bundles that offer quality-of-life features and future-proofing for AMD's AM5 platform and Intel's upcoming CPUs.
Phanteks XT View Matrix case review
The Phanteks XT View Matrix PC case is a remarkably affordable and easy-to-build-in chassis that features a unique, configurable dot-matrix LED strip behind a fabric mesh panel. While its bold aesthetic may be polarizing, the case offers premium features and excellent value, especially for UK buyers at £80, though it could benefit from a GPU anti-sag bracket and improved fan cable management.
Possibly the first instance of Asus' anti-melting 12V-2×6 power cable…err…melting shows up, adding more fuel to the fire that is Nvidia's connector
A new instance of an Asus ROG Equalizer power cable, designed to prevent melting issues with Nvidia graphics cards, has reportedly melted. While the exact cause is unknown, this incident adds to ongoing concerns about Nvidia's 12VHPWR and 12V-2x6 connectors, which have been linked to melting due to power delivery imbalances. The article discusses potential solutions and user advice for mitigating these risks.
Custom PC Builds That Turn Hardware Into a Display Piece
Desktop computers have evolved from functional tools to aesthetic centerpieces, with custom PC builds now designed to be visually striking display pieces. This trend emphasizes maximizing internal visibility through features like wrap-around glass panels and spacious interiors, allowing high-end components to be showcased. Attention to detail in cable management, lighting, and component selection further enhances the visual appeal, turning a PC into a unified work of art that requires regular maintenance to preserve its look.
The blower is back: Cooler Master has made a GPU accessory that pushes hot air outside your case rather than onto your…
Cooler Master has reintroduced the blower-style GPU shroud with its new MasterFlow accessory, designed to exhaust hot air directly out of the PC case. This aims to prevent GPU heat from negatively impacting CPU temperatures, potentially offering a four to six degree improvement. While currently planned for use in prebuilt systems, there is hope for a consumer release.
What's better than one high tier gaming rig? A double-decker gaming rig, according to Thermaltake
Thermaltake has unveiled the Capo X, a dual system PC case designed to house two independent Micro ATX systems within a micro tower footprint. The case features a curved glass panel, clearance for dual 360mm radiators, and is pitched for AI applications, streamers, or users seeking a space-saving solution for two PCs. It is expected to be available in the US for around $190.
It's just as well I'm not at Computex this year, because I could not be trusted with Corsair's glowing…
Corsair showcased a unique PC build at Computex resembling a cyberpunk samurai sword, featuring limited edition Shugo DDR5-6000 memory. The build includes a sword-shaped hilt with illuminated RAM sticks and a mechanism to turn on the PC by placing the sword back on its pedestal. The company also announced the 'Nightsword' gaming mouse with a dedicated Stream Deck button.
MSI's Maestro 900R case is almost here. Tremble in fear, poor wallet
MSI's flagship Maestro 900R PC case, previously shown as a prototype, is set for a Q3 release with a price tag of $699. Key features include a triple-sided panoramic glass front and a completely removable motherboard tray that doubles as an open test bench. A more affordable option, the MPG Maestro Vixta, will also be available.
Gayming Awards 2026 Reveals Hosts, Guests, And Early Award Winners
The Gayming Awards 2026 will celebrate queer geek culture on June 8, hosted by Erika Ishii and Dawn. Trixie Mattel will receive the LGBTQ+ Content Creator Superstar Award, and Darion Lowenstein will be honored with the Gayming Icon Award for his work in authentic LGBTQ+ representation in gaming. The event will feature various segments, including a D&D-style scene, a ranking of video game characters, a custom PC build giveaway, and a reunion of the 'Gaymer Guys'.
