PC parts don’t work in isolation. They’re a collective, working together to immerse you in games, accelerate your creative projects, and keep your productivity efforts ahead of the pack. That’s why balance is important. When you plan ahead for how your PC components work together, you can avoid common build problems like performance bottlenecks, ensure that you’re not overspending on any single component, and get the overall experience that you’re looking for with your new PC.
To help you with the process of building a balanced PC, here are seven tips to keep in mind as you pick parts. Along the way, we’ll suggest some component combinations that fit well together, giving you an easy launchpad for build ideas of your own.
This article is part of our “Back to Basics” series designed to help PC building newcomers make informed decisions about component purchases and assemble their new PC with confidence. Click here to browse the entire collection of articles.
1. Mainstream CPUs are a great fit with mainstream GPUs
Balance between your CPU and your GPU is extremely important. You don’t want to purchase a high-end graphics card only to limit its performance by pairing it with a CPU that can’t keep up.
On the flip side of things, it can also be easy to go overboard with your CPU purchase. If your main priority for your new PC is gaming, and you plan to pick up a mainstream graphics card, then there’s little point in buying the best gaming CPU on the market. You’ll get comparable gaming performance from a mainstream CPU. And by saving money on your CPU, you’ll have more budget to play with for niceties like a large storage drive, faster RAM, a more powerful graphics card, or more games to add to your library.
Let’s say, for example, that you’ve got your eye on the TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Ti. Fortified with the latest NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, a future-proof 16GB pool of VRAM, and a robust triple-fan cooling solution, this graphics card is built to go the distance.
What’s the best CPU to pair with this graphics card? To maximize every dollar of your build budget, the Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 265K is a savvy choice. While it’s not the top-tier model in the Core Ultra family, it has more than enough horsepower to keep an RTX 5070 Ti blazing through the latest games. With eight Performance cores and twelve Efficient cores, it has the chops for content creation apps, too. The TUF Gaming B860-Plus WiFi motherboard makes a great pairing with this CPU, giving you WiFi 7 support, a rich USB selection, a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for your next-gen graphics card, and effortless memory overclocking.
Perhaps you’d prefer an AMD CPU instead. You’ll get plenty of value out of the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and the TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi. This chip is a proven performer when it comes to get, and the TUF board gets it rolling with a robust power solution with 14+2+1 DrMOS power stages. You’ll get a wide range of our build-friendly innovations, including a pre-mounted I/O shield, tool-free M.2 installation through M.2 Q-Latch, our easy-to-setup WiFi Q-Antenna, and more.
2. Prioritize efficiency as you’re picking a power supply
A power supply might not be the most exciting component on your shopping list for a new PC, but it’s worth some attention. If you’re not thinking about your full system, you could end up with an overworked PSU that runs hot and noisy — or even worse, one that isn’t up to the task of powering your build under load. To avoid those issues from the start, factor in the power demands of both your graphics card and your CPU, and then round up a tier.
The reason for bumping up is efficiency. Power supplies are most efficient when operating at around 40–60% of their rated capacity, so choosing one with just enough extra wattage ensures that your system consistently runs in this “sweet spot,” maximizing efficiency and minimizing wasted energy as heat. Don’t go overboard, as a unit that’s far too large for your needs will frequently operate under light load, where efficiency also tends to decrease.
Considering these factors, we like the ROG Thor 1200W Platinum III White Edition for the example build below that partners an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K with an ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5080 White OC Edition. The standard recommendation for a GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card is an 850W PSU, but when you factor in both the GPU and CPU using our free online PSU calculator, you’ll see that we recommend a bit more headroom. And as this power supply’s 80 PLUS Platinum and Cybenetics Lambda A+ certifications attest, it’s built from the ground up to operate with very little wasted energy at supremely quiet noise levels.
The ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi provides the perfect backdrop for the build below with its white and silver accents atop against a cobble-gray PCB. Yet it’s more than just a pretty face. Beefed-up VRM circuitry and heatsinks keep the board cool under pressure, and it’s ready for your next-gen gaming build through robust support for high-end memory kits, the latest graphics cards, a high-speed PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSD, and WiFi 7 support. You’ll get a full suite of fine-tuning tools, too, including NPU Boost, an easy-to-use BIOS feature can increase the NPU performance of a K-Series Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPU by up to 24%.* Click here to learn more.
3. Even one messy wire can throw off your tidy build
Here’s a tough truth about PC cases with big and wide tempered glass side panels: every cable management decision you make while building this PC will be visible every time you sit down to use it. This reality has changed the way that many people build PCs. Folks who used to be content with making sure wires weren’t obstructing their PC’s airflow are now cable management experts, using aftermarket cables, cable combs, and color-coordinated zip ties to maintain an orderly aesthetic.
Once you start putting in that work to clean up your PC build, it’s hard to stop. When most of your PC’s interior is tidy, the remaining disorderly elements stick out like sore thumbs. And with standard PC builds, there are a couple spots that are very difficult to bring into line. The power cable for your graphics card, for instance, almost always manages to be front-and-center in your build, and the tubing for your AIO CPU liquid cooler tends to have a knack for getting in the way of other components that you’d prefer to look at.
If you’ve determined that your next PC will be the one that’s tidy from top to bottom, you’ll be best off starting with the BTF ecosystem of PC parts. This family of parts is built around motherboards designed with their connectors on the backside of the board rather than the front. You’ll need a BTF-compatible case with the right cutouts in the motherboard tray in order to access these connectors, but this arrangement means that most of your PC’s wires will be completely hidden inside the cable management compartment.
How about the power cable for your graphics card? Opt for a BTF graphics card to go with your BTF motherboard, and you won’t have to look at that power cable, either. These cards have a special gold finger that connects to a graphics card high-power slot (GC-HPWR) on a BTF 2.0 motherboard. That slot draws its power from a 12v2x6 connector hidden on the backside of the motherboard. Our latest innovation appears on the new ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 BTF Edition. As a BTF 2.5 graphics card, it’s compatible with both standard motherboards and BTF motherboards. Its GC-HPWR adapter is detachable so that you can remove it for compatibility with traditional motherboard designs. The perfect partner for this graphics card is the just-released ROG Crosshair X870E Hero BTF, the first BTF X870E motherboard. Presenting a clean front with edge-to-edge armored surfaces, equipped with a rich kit of overclocking technologies, and armed with a high-end power solution, this motherboard is perfect for a high-performance showcase rig.
One last suggestion for your ultra-tidy build. You might be happiest with an AIO CPU liquid cooler that doesn’t block your view with an unnecessarily long stretch of tubing. The ROG Ryuo IV SLC 360 ARGB cooler is specially designed for a top-mounted radiator setup. With the tubing inlets placed at the center of the radiator rather than an end, the tubing only needs to stretch a distance to run from the pump housing to the radiator. That allows us to cut down the tubing length to just 200mm, making sure it doesn’t impair your view of the dazzling 6.67-inch 2K curved AMOLED screen atop the pump housing.
4. Top-shelf CPUs deserve motherboards with robust power solutions
When you go shopping for a new motherboard, you’ll find plenty of options. Typically, the decision comes down to picking a board from a cutting-edge series versus one focused on mainstream value. Since you’ll typically find the same CPU socket on both families, it can be tempting to cut corners and go for a cheaper motherboard, no matter how much you’re spending on the CPU.
Over the long haul, we think you’ll be happiest with a motherboard and CPU combo that prioritizes balance. Let’s say you’re eyeing up the top-of-the-line Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K. This chip isn’t shy about its aspiration to deliver potent processing performance. As its 250W Max Turbo Power shows, it’s willing to pull some serious current when you put its 24 cores to work. For this reason, we think you’re best off selecting a motherboard with a robust power solution. The ROG Maximus Z890 Hero, for example, spreads out the work of supplying power to CPUs across 22(110A) +1(90A) +2(90A) +2(80A) power stages, reducing the strain faced by each. This allows the power solution to maintain a high level of efficiency and lower operating temperatures, all other things being equal.
Will a Z890 motherboard with fewer power stages be able to run an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K? Certainly, as long as its product page indicates compatibility. The value of a more robust power solution doesn’t always reveal itself over days or even weeks, though you’ll often measure lower VRM temperatures right away with such a motherboard. It’s more about long-term value, about a careful investment during your build process that will pay off over years of reliable use.
All told, don’t be shy about pairing a mainstream motherboard with a mainstream CPU. But if you have your sights set on a top-of-the-line CPU, give it an equally capable partner in a top-shelf motherboard.
5. Your system will only be as quiet as its noisiest component
Many PC users prioritize quiet operation. If they’re comparing two case fans with the same airflow but different max noise levels, they’ll go for the quieter options. They prefer a silent-running AIO CPU liquid cooler like the ProArt LC 360 over a tower cooler. When they set up their graphics card in GPU Tweak III, they’re more likely to hit the “Silent” preset mode than the “OC” preset mode.
The challenge with building a PC to fly under the radar, even under heavy workloads, is that everything has to work together to keep noise levels low. Even AIO CPU liquid coolers with massive radiators will spin up audibly if they’re not fed with a fresh supply of cooling air. That’s why the ProArt PA602 chassis comes with two extra-thick 200 x 38mm fans pre-installed in the front, and why it has angled interior deflectors ready to route that air where it’s needed the most.
If you’re keen to build a PC that won’t distract you with excess noise while you’re working or gaming, pay close attention to the noise output of every component that has moving parts. For example, people too often forget that their power supply can be a source of noise in their PC, as well. Cybenetics certifications can help you find a quiet-running unit. The A+ certification achieved by the ROG Strix 1000W Platinum, for example, shows you that it emits less than 20dB of noise. We’d call that whisper-quiet, except that the average whisper is about 25dB.
One last thought about a quiet PC build: the idea of “quiet” applies to style as well as acoustics. If you’re looking to build a PC with a minimalist vibe, take a look at our lineup of ProArt PC components. The ProArt Z890-Creator WiFi, for example, offers an elegant vibe with its clean lines, charcoal tones, and gold accents. It’s perfect for a professional creator’s PC not just for its no-RGB vibe, but also for its onboard Thunderbolt 5 port, dual Ethernet solution, two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots ready to run in an x8/x8 configuration, high-end memory support, and more.
6. Themed gear gives you out-of-the-box aesthetic cohesion
The concept of balance applies to aesthetics, as well. Without a little forward planning, your PC build is liable to end up looking like a patchwork quilt of different aesthetics rather than a cohesive, complete package.
Some builders have a particular color or concept that they’ll pursue with each component in a build. Others will try to stick with a certain brand so that each part has a similar design language and they can use one app to control the RGB LED lighting for all their parts. But occasionally you’ll also find limited-time opportunities to construct a PC that’s fully themed with something special right out of the box. Right now, you can assemble a complete ROG gaming PC with parts the dazzle with the signature colors and style of Hatsune Miku. There’s even a collection of Hatsune Miku Edition peripherals from TUF Gaming that are ready to complete your shrine to the world’s most famous vocaloid.
7. AIO CPU liquid coolers are a perfect fit for panoramic PC cases
One last thought for building a well-balanced PC: certain types of components complement each other really nicely. One common example these days revolves around panoramic PC cases.
If you’ve explored the PC case market at all recently, you’ve probably seen many examples of these cases. These chassis options have tempered glass on the front and side, putting your internal components on display from a much wider range of angles. The Prime AP202 ARGB goes all-out with a single piece of tempered glass that curves around from the side to the front for a one-of-a-kind aesthetic. You’ll need a smaller motherboard to go with this case, and the Prime B850M-A WiFi will fit the moment nicely, giving you support for PCIe 5.0 graphics cards and M.2 SSDs, enhanced DDR5 support, and an easy building experience all within the smaller dimensions of a microATX motherboard.
Since they have a sheet of glass across the front, panoramic cases can’t follow the front-to-back airflow pattern of standard PCs. Instead, panoramic cases typically use the top panel for exhaust. While a certain amount of heat will exhaust naturally through an open vent up top, since heat rises, it’s good to fill the top panel with as many case fans as it’ll fit to make sure that you’re venting air from the entirety of the case.
One of the easiest ways to accomplish that is with an AIO CPU liquid cooler. Grab an AIO cooler with the largest radiator that’ll fit in your top panel, and you’ll have a very effective exhaust system not just for your CPU, but for all of your internal components. If your case has enough pre-installed intake fans, you might not even need to buy additional case fans beyond the ones that came with your case and AIO CPU liquid cooler.
An AIO CPU liquid cooler tends to be a bit more of an investment than a tower cooler, but these days the price difference might not be as high as you think. The Prime LC 360 ARGB LCD, for instance, is available for $159.99 (USD), yet it offers a large 360mm radiator, daisy-chained fans for easy installation, and a high-performance Asetek pump. You even get a built-in display on the pump housing ready to give you a readout on vital system information.
8. Get the balanced performance you need for running large language models
AI applications are revolutionizing the ways that many people work, play, create, and communicate, but many folks are finding that cloud-based AI services come with too many limitations. To run large language models on your own terms, you need an AI PC.
One of the key requirements for running AI workflows on your own hardware is a graphics card with plenty of VRAM. The graphics cards at the very top of the NVIDIA 50 Series lineup, like the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090, can handle higher-parameter models thanks to their 32GB of GDDR7. But these top-shelf components aren’t within the budget of every PC builder, and even with one in your system, it’s not hard to find an LLM that will ask for even more VRAM than your card can provide.
ASUS AMD 800 or 600 series motherboards give you an option for getting a smooth experience with LLMs, even with a mainstream graphics card: AI Cache Boost. Activating it engages a wide variety of optimizations that mitigate the performance hit that comes with oversaturating your graphics card’s VRAM, giving you a better experience when you’re running an LLM that doesn’t fit in GPU memory.
The build listed below offers a careful balance in its specifications to make sure that you get the performance you need for AI workflows. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X offers 12 cores and 24 threads for high-end multitasking. We pair it with the ROG Strix X870E-H Gaming WiFi 7, which gives you enhanced DDR5 performance, a 5GB Ethernet port, and a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. The ROG Strix GeForce RTX 5070 Ti dazzles with classic gamer style and potent performance alike, and it’s AI-ready with its 16GB of GDDR7.
Learn more through special giveaway
Interested in learning more about each of these builds? We’ve worked with some of your favorite tech influencers to put these concept builds into action. Click here to check out their work and learn from their process.
Don’t miss out on a special giveaway while you’re taking a look at these high-performance PCs. We’re excited to partner with chipset makers AMD and Intel, as well as leading component makers like Corsair, G.SKILL, Kingston, Lian Li, Micron, and TeamGroup. Thanks to their support, we’re able to give participants a chance to win truly spectacular PC hardware, including CPUs, memory, SSDs, and PC cases from these top brands — and that’s on top of our own PC building components that we’re throwing into the mix. Check out our event page for all the details.