Build & Upgrade

Build or upgrade a PC

By Tiny. For first-time builders and anyone getting more life out of an older PC, whether it's for gaming, local AI, or a home server. Plain English, and I'll tell you what to skip.

RAM prices are high in 2026. A global memory shortage has pushed prices up sharply as chipmakers shift production toward AI data centers. If you already own RAM, check whether you can reuse it before buying a whole new platform.

Your first build

Free tool

PC build budget calculator

Enter a budget and what the PC is for, and see how to split the money across parts.

Checklist

First PC build checklist

The parts list, compatibility checks, tools, and the mistakes beginners make most.

Troubleshooting

First PC build shows no display? Fix it in this order

From DDR5 memory training to the processor power cable everyone forgets.

Buying timing

Is it a good time to build a PC in 2026?

RAM prices have climbed steeply. Who should build now, and who should wait.

Upgrade what you already have

Upgrades

PC upgrade parts: SSDs, RAM, graphics cards, and networking

Which upgrade gives the biggest jump for the money, and how to check it fits your machine.

Reuse

Turn an old PC into a home server

The cheapest first server is the one you already own. What's worth doing and what isn't.

How-to

Install Linux on an old desktop

A step-by-step walkthrough for giving an older PC a second life.

Build for local AI

Graphics cards

Best GPU for local AI under $500

VRAM is the spec that matters. The cards worth buying new or used.

Full build

Build a home AI server

Parts, trade-offs, and what each budget can run.

Explainer

How much RAM do you need for a local LLM?

Straight answers by model size, before you spend on memory.

Not sure what your current PC can handle? Run it through the Server Calculator or take the "which server should I buy?" quiz.