PC Compatibility Checker

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, wrong RAM type, a GPU too long for the case, or a PSU without enough headroom. 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.

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 separately flags the GPU manufacturer’s recommended PSU wattage if your chosen PSU falls short of it.

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: CPU cooler height clearance against the case, radiator mounting space for liquid coolers, front-panel connector compatibility, BIOS version requirements for newer CPUs on existing motherboards, and cable routing space are all real compatibility concerns this tool does not check.

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.