F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop You may find yourself building a PC and wonder if anything else is required.

You may find yourself building a PC and wonder if anything else is required.

You may find yourself building a PC and wonder if anything else is required.

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Turquose
Member
198
06-01-2026, 06:09 PM
#1
I would build the PC myself if I just wanted air cooling. But I never mess with liquid cooling because I don't know what's involved and I don't trust me to do it alone, so I'll let MicroCenter handle it. My question is: they show water cooling accessories in their list of things needed for a build, but I have no idea which ones are actually required. I'm trying two ways to figure out exactly what goes into this build so the list makes sense here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/711y...ey...ds82d0yfk9&st=8s00vlm2&dl=0 Thanks to anyone who helps!
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Turquose
06-01-2026, 06:09 PM #1

I would build the PC myself if I just wanted air cooling. But I never mess with liquid cooling because I don't know what's involved and I don't trust me to do it alone, so I'll let MicroCenter handle it. My question is: they show water cooling accessories in their list of things needed for a build, but I have no idea which ones are actually required. I'm trying two ways to figure out exactly what goes into this build so the list makes sense here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/711y...ey...ds82d0yfk9&st=8s00vlm2&dl=0 Thanks to anyone who helps!

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XxGrenidierXx
Posting Freak
813
06-01-2026, 07:01 PM
#2
A better case. Here are links to the parts needed for a black mid-tower computer case, plus an extra IO kit with Argb control and USB module. Also check out two YouTube videos about it.
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XxGrenidierXx
06-01-2026, 07:01 PM #2

A better case. Here are links to the parts needed for a black mid-tower computer case, plus an extra IO kit with Argb control and USB module. Also check out two YouTube videos about it.

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stephanie2005
Member
233
06-01-2026, 11:47 PM
#3
I would skip buying a BX500 SSD. If you were in my spot, I'd grab a small 500GB drive just for the operating system, apps, and launchers. Big capacity drives can work as game storage, but only if your whole setup is built to be a gaming machine. When it comes to the power supply, you don't need a 1KW unit, even though it feels overkill; an 850W one will do just fine. I suggest posting like this: *How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice* First off, respect where respect is due - this idea came from an old Animal guide about asking for build advice. I made my own post because so many people are asking here and on the CPU forums for upgrade tips, and I feel like the community can give good tweaks and suggestions. I've never touched liquid cooling, and honestly, I don't even know what that is all about. It's basically installing an air cooler, just follow the steps in the manual. My question is: they list water cooling accessories, but I have no idea what each one does. The AIO unit comes with all the necessary parts and thermal paste already put on the pump block.
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stephanie2005
06-01-2026, 11:47 PM #3

I would skip buying a BX500 SSD. If you were in my spot, I'd grab a small 500GB drive just for the operating system, apps, and launchers. Big capacity drives can work as game storage, but only if your whole setup is built to be a gaming machine. When it comes to the power supply, you don't need a 1KW unit, even though it feels overkill; an 850W one will do just fine. I suggest posting like this: *How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice* First off, respect where respect is due - this idea came from an old Animal guide about asking for build advice. I made my own post because so many people are asking here and on the CPU forums for upgrade tips, and I feel like the community can give good tweaks and suggestions. I've never touched liquid cooling, and honestly, I don't even know what that is all about. It's basically installing an air cooler, just follow the steps in the manual. My question is: they list water cooling accessories, but I have no idea what each one does. The AIO unit comes with all the necessary parts and thermal paste already put on the pump block.

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DarkSkarlet
Senior Member
415
06-02-2026, 07:09 AM
#4
You can actually buy an 850W PSU for the same price, even though it looks a bit cheaper. But if you want to be ready for big upgrades later, getting a 1000W one makes more sense in the end.
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DarkSkarlet
06-02-2026, 07:09 AM #4

You can actually buy an 850W PSU for the same price, even though it looks a bit cheaper. But if you want to be ready for big upgrades later, getting a 1000W one makes more sense in the end.