It's 2026, and AI can do a lot for the average consumer, ranging from writing an email to summarizing a research article or planning a trip. So, the question has to be asked: can it provide similar utility to someone looking to build a gaming PC, specifically, a newbie with no real knowledge of PC parts? To answer that, I decided to use ChatGPT to help me scout for the best PC parts for a given budget.

The prompt

This might take a while...

So, I realized there are a few problems with using ChatGPT for this. First off, the parts that it recommends are based on already existing guides. If you ask it to recommend PC parts for a $1000 build, it will check current guides for that particular budget, which essentially defeats its utility. It's also not ideal because it quoted older guides that don't account for the rise in RAM and SSD prices in the past few months. What's more, it's hard to get it to recommend specific components (for example, it will recommend a B650M motherboard, but not a specific manufacturer or model) unless you prompt it further. I couldn't come up with a single prompt that would let me fix all that in a single response, so you'll probably also need to give it multiple prompts to reflect up-to-date prices or recommend specific models.

Anyhow, to the build now: I asked it to generate a parts list for a $1000 build that mixes performance and aesthetics, but is built around a DDR4 platform. This leaves us with the option of Intel's 12th- and 14th-generation and AMD's Ryzen 5000 CPUs. The focus is on core components and does not include peripherals and accessories. Now, the build ChatGPT recommended is actually quite decent. It includes an Intel Core i5-13400F paired with a B660/B760 motherboard, 16 GB of DDR4-3600 RAM, a 1 TB Gen 3/4 NVMe drive, and a 650W 80+ Bronze power supply. For the GPU, we were recommended the RX 7600.

The good and the bad

Overall, it does a fairly good job

I then asked ChatGPT to list specific models for each component that it would recommend, and overall, the selection was good. The CPU is, in my opinion, one of two good options in this price range at the moment (the other being the Ryzen 7 5700X). And while the 13400F comes with a stock cooler, a cheap aftermarket cooler is a good investment to minimize noise under load. A 1 TB Gen 3/Gen 4 drive is also good enough for most users, and the fact is that Gen 3 is more than enough for the average user (if you can find one new, that is). The GPU is good, but Intel's Arc B580 is definitely a better option, since it's cheaper, faster, and has more VRAM. A decent 650W 80+ Bronze is good enough for this build, and ChatGPT recommended a few, including the trusty MSI MAG A650BN. The chassis (Phanteks Eclipse P360A) is also an excellent option, both for aesthetics and performance.

But, now to the cons. First off, there's room for 32 GB of RAM in this build since we're sticking with DDR4, and I ensured that when I tried to compile a similar list for $1000 (specifically $1030). Since this is a budget-oriented build, there was also room for more savings on the motherboard by going with a more entry-level option, and the savings could be put toward a better GPU. However, I also can't blame ChatGPT for not picking a completely barebones option. Lastly, as I mentioned, the Arc B580 is undoubtedly the best option for this price range at the moment and was not mentioned in the list.

Is it worth relying on AI to pick PC parts for you?

Sure, but due diligence is important

Using an AI chatbot to select PC parts is actually a pretty good idea, especially if you're a complete newbie. But, given that ChatGPT is recommending parts based on the data it has accumulated, you could also trust a reputable website that publishes buying guides. In any case, though, the parts recommended were generally pretty solid, and I have no major complaints. If you're looking to build a PC using ChatGPT to pick the parts, it's still worth researching a bit to make sure the parts you select fit your needs. But, as a starting point, using ChatGPT works pretty well.

ChatGPT can compile a pretty good list of parts, but it's worth double-checking

My experiment with this chatbot to pick PC parts was pretty good. As long as you specify your needs correctly, you should get a pretty good list of parts to start with. You can then go through those parts and make any adjustments you think are necessary, such as getting a cheaper motherboard in exchange for more storage. Also, some parts may not have up-to-date prices or may be out of stock, so you might need to make some changes. If you're a beginner with PCs and want to save time, you can also ask communities on Reddit or similar platforms about the build ChatGPT picked for you.