Learning Guides 2026/Hardware without the markup
[ HARDWARE ACADEMY 2026 ]

Easy-to-follow guides without needless jargon.

Learn to choose and assemble every component with simple explanations, checked on real test benches. No empty jargon and no sponsored picks.

Workshop Table & Components
Clean workbench background
Ranbisho the Supervisor (Easter Egg)
Pet
Metal Pencil Cup
White RGB Case
Case
Dual-Tower CPU Cooler
Cooling
ATX Gaming Motherboard
Motherboard
WD_BLACK Gen4 NVMe SSD
Storage
Dedicated Graphics Card (GPU)
GPU
Power Supply (PSU)
PSU
Kingston FURY DDR5 RGB RAM Kit (4x)
RAM
Processor (Intel Core CPU)
CPU
[ OFFICIAL STEP-BY-STEP BUILD GUIDE 2026 ]

From Unboxing to a Successful First Boot

Follow the exact order we use in the workshop. Check off each step as you finish it and use the animated illustrations to learn visually.

Build Progress0%
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STEP 1 OF 13Phase 1: On the Table (Outside the Case)5 min
Risk: Low

Preparing the workspace and the motherboard

Never build directly inside a cramped case. 80% of the parts are installed comfortably on the workbench, on top of the motherboard's own cardboard box.

Detailed Assembly Instructions

1
Clear a large, flat, well-lit table. Discharge static by touching a large unpainted metal object.Step 1.1: Discharging Static Electricity (ESD)
2
Take the motherboard out of its packaging and place it directly on its cardboard box.Step 1.2: A Safe Base on the Cardboard Box
3
WATCH OUT FOR THE BAG!: Never rest the board on the outside of the anti-static bag: the outer surface conducts static electricity and can cause shorts when testing components.Step 1.3: Anti-Static Bag Warning
COMMON ROOKIE MISTAKE ALERT!

Keep all screws and boxes; the serial numbers on the boxes are essential for warranty claims with the manufacturers.

Tools:Clear table • Motherboard cardboard box
Step 1 of 13
[ ESSENTIAL GUIDES & STRATEGIC TIPS ]

Compatibility rules, glossary and mistake prevention

General guides kept here for quick reference. Tips for each individual component (CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD, power supply and case) are also built right into each part of the interactive workshop table.

★ BASICS 7 min read

Beginner's Glossary

What each part of a PC is, explained in plain words: CPU, GPU, RAM, motherboard and the rest, without jargon.

Read Full Guide
★ TIPS 8 min read

Common Mistakes When Building Your First PC

The most frequent slip-ups on a first build — a cheap PSU, a bad budget, forgetting about cooling — and how to avoid all of them.

Read Full Guide
★ LIQUID 8 min read

Coolants for Fishbowl PCs

Which coolant to use in a custom loop for a fishbowl PC: clear, tinted, pastel or shimmer. Which one gets dirty least, what to never use and how often to change it.

Read Full Guide

Want to check whether your parts fit together?

The configurator checks wattage and sockets automatically.

Open Configurator