Most build mistakes aren’t about picking bad components individually — they’re about picking components that don’t actually fit or work together. This checker takes the core parts you’re planning to use (CPU, motherboard, RAM, GPU, case, and PSU) and flags the classic compatibility problems: wrong socket, a motherboard that needs a BIOS update for your CPU, wrong RAM type, a motherboard, cooler or GPU too big for the case, a PSU without enough headroom, or a 16-pin graphics card without the right PSU cable. It’s meant for anyone assembling a parts list for the first time, or double-checking a mix of new and existing parts before buying anything.
| Socket | Memory | Examples in our list | BIOS note |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM5 | DDR5 | Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 7 7800X3D | Ryzen 9000 on a 600-series board needs a BIOS from mid-2024 or later |
| AM4 | DDR4 | Ryzen 7 5800X3D, Ryzen 7 5700X3D and Ryzen 7 5800X | Ryzen 5000 on 300/400-series boards needs a BIOS update (not every A320 board got it) |
| LGA 1851 | DDR5 | Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 5 245K | Supported on every 800-series board |
| LGA 1700 | DDR4 or DDR5 (each board takes one) | Core i9-14900K, Core i7-14700K and Core i9-13900K | 13th/14th Gen on a 600-series board needs a BIOS update |
| LGA 1200 | DDR4 | — | — |
The PSU check uses the PSU Calculator’s sum for the picked CPU and GPU; every RTX 4080, 4090, 5080 and 5090 takes the 16-pin 12V-2x6 plug.
How this is calculated: the formula on our Methodology page. Sources: AMD AM5; Socket AM4; LGA 1700; LGA 1851.
Quick answer
This checker compares your chosen CPU, motherboard, RAM, GPU, case and PSU on specific compatibility points: CPU-to-motherboard socket match, whether the board’s chipset needs a BIOS update for your CPU, RAM type (DDR4 vs DDR5), motherboard size, cooler height and GPU length against the case, PSU wattage headroom, and whether the PSU has the 16-pin 12V-2×6 cable newer NVIDIA cards use. It flags a pass, a step to check, or a specific mismatch for each. Checks you leave on “Not sure” are skipped. A pass means those particular checks found no conflict, not a full guarantee every part will fit.
Are All CPUs and GPUs Compatible?
For desktop PCs, yes: any current graphics card works with any current CPU and motherboard that has a PCIe x16 slot. PCIe works across generations, so a PCIe 5.0 card runs in a PCIe 4.0 or 3.0 slot, at that slot’s speed. What decides whether a CPU and GPU suit each other is balance (one holding the other back) and power (the PSU), not a compatibility rule. The parts that must match are the CPU and motherboard socket, the RAM type, and what fits inside the case.
Two catches: a CPU without integrated graphics (Intel “F” models, Ryzen 5000 and older chips without a “G”, and Ryzen “F” models) needs a graphics card to show a picture at all, and some budget cards use only 8 PCIe lanes (the RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti, for example), which can cost a little performance in an older PCIe 3.0 slot.
What the Result Means
The checker returns a pass/fail-style result for each compatibility category it checks, rather than one overall score, because these are genuinely separate failure points — a build can have a perfectly matched CPU and motherboard while still having a GPU that physically won’t fit the case, or a PSU with too little headroom for the components chosen. A “pass” on a category means the parts you entered are compatible on that specific dimension; a flagged issue tells you specifically what doesn’t line up (for example, “CPU socket AM5 does not match motherboard socket AM4”) so you know exactly what to change.
How This Calculator Works
The checker compares the specific attributes that actually determine physical and electrical compatibility, using verified spec data rather than general assumptions. For CPU and motherboard, it checks socket type — for example, AM4 versus AM5 for AMD, or LGA 1700 for recent Intel chips — since a CPU physically cannot be installed in a motherboard with a different socket. For RAM, it checks memory type (DDR4 versus DDR5), since these use physically different slots and are not interchangeable, and a motherboard only supports one type. For GPU and case, it compares the GPU’s physical length against the case’s maximum supported GPU clearance, since larger, higher-tier GPUs are often quite long and can exceed the clearance of smaller cases. For PSU, it checks the GPU’s TDP and the rest of your component list against the PSU’s rated wattage, using the same headroom logic as the PSU Calculator, and never asks for less than the GPU manufacturer’s recommended PSU wattage. If you pick the motherboard’s chipset, it also says whether that board needs a BIOS update for your CPU, following AMD’s and Intel’s support lists: Ryzen 5000 on 300- and 400-series AM4 boards, Ryzen 9000 on 600-series AM5 boards, and 13th or 14th Gen Intel on 600-series LGA 1700 boards all need one. Optional inputs check the motherboard size (ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, E-ATX) against the largest board the case takes, an air cooler’s height against the case’s cooler limit, and the GPU’s power plug against the PSU’s cables. Every RTX 4080, 4090, 5080 and 5090 uses the 16-pin 12V-2×6 plug, so for those cards the checker raises the cable question even if you leave it blank.
Worked example: Say you enter an Intel Core i7-13700K (LGA 1700 socket) with a motherboard listed as LGA 1700 — that passes the socket check. You pair it with DDR5 RAM on a motherboard that supports DDR5 — that passes too. But you select an RTX 4090 (a large, flagship-tier card) alongside a compact case with limited GPU clearance, and a 650W PSU. The RTX 4090’s recommended PSU wattage is 850W, well above the 650W you selected, so the checker would flag the PSU as insufficient headroom, and separately flag the GPU-to-case fit as worth double-checking against the case’s actual clearance specification before buying.
Important Limitations
This checker relies on the specs you select and our reference data for known parts — if you enter a part that isn’t in our reference list, or enter specs manually, the accuracy depends entirely on those inputs being correct. It also can’t check every physical constraint that matters in a real build: radiator mounting space for liquid coolers, RAM height under a large air cooler, front-panel connector compatibility and cable routing space are real concerns this tool does not check, and its BIOS note says which board series need an update, not the exact BIOS version for your model.
A “pass” result means the specific checks this tool performs found no conflict — it is not a full guarantee that every part will fit and work together in practice. Always cross-check a case’s specific GPU clearance and cooler height listings, and a motherboard’s specific supported CPU list (especially for BIOS-dependent compatibility on older boards), directly against the manufacturer’s own specifications before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a DDR5 RAM stick in a DDR4 motherboard?
No — DDR4 and DDR5 use physically different slot designs and are not interchangeable in either direction. Your motherboard’s supported memory type determines which one you can use, and this is fixed by the board, not adjustable.
Will any GPU fit any case?
No — larger, higher-tier GPUs can be quite long, and compact or small-form-factor cases often have limited maximum GPU clearance. Always check a case’s specific supported GPU length against your chosen GPU’s physical length before buying either one.
What does 'insufficient PSU headroom' mean in the result?
It means your selected PSU’s wattage is below what’s recommended for safe, stable operation with your chosen components, particularly the GPU. This can lead to instability or shutdowns under load, especially with modern GPUs that briefly spike above their rated power draw.
Does a passing socket check guarantee my CPU will work on that motherboard?
It confirms the physical socket matches, but some motherboards need a BIOS update to support newer CPUs, especially across CPU generations on the same socket. Check the motherboard manufacturer’s supported CPU list for BIOS requirements before buying an older board for a newer chip.
Does this checker check my CPU cooler?
Partly. Enter your air cooler’s height and the case’s maximum cooler height, and it checks that the cooler fits. It can’t check radiator mounting space for an AIO liquid cooler, or RAM clearance under a large air cooler, because those depend on the exact case and cooler model, so check them against both spec sheets.