Building a PC isn't just a matter of picking a good CPU, a graphics card to match in performance, and the rest of the components you need to put together a functioning system. It's also about knowing how to put them together, which tools you need, and a few tips about BIOS settings to get that first successful boot. The process has been streamlined over the years, with standardized cable lengths, connectors, and roomy PC cases all helping to ease things along. The latest crop of motherboards makes this process even easier, with tool-less installation for almost everything. It's truly never been easier to build a PC once you've decided on your parts.

All you need is a screwdriver

And even then, only for a few things

Standardizing parts and ports has made PC building relatively child's play. Cases generally have thumbscrews for the few panels that might need securing, and push-fit connections for SSDs and HDDs are widespread. The only things that need any tools to secure are fans, CPU coolers, radiators if you're using an AIO or custom watercooling, and the motherboard to the tray. All of those tasks are easily accomplished with a single cross-head screwdriver, and you can even get motorized screwdrivers that automatically stop at the correct torque so you don't over-tighten anything.

It's a far cry from the old days of needing to drill holes to put cable ties through the chassis, several sizes of screwdriver tips, or even having to drill out rivets if you wanted to remove drive bays or do customizations. You don't need a tool kit to build a PC nowadays, although it does help to have a magnetic screwdriver for when you invariably drop a screw into the depths of your chassis.

Most things are tool-less on newer motherboards

This generation of motherboards makes things even easier, with M.2 mounts that use swivel mounts instead of fiddling with tiny screws and M.2 heatsinks that also latch instead of needing a different screw size. On some motherboards, like the Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Master I'm currently using, the M.2 heatsinks use magnets to align, so all you need to do is push the latch out of the way and let it close once you push the heatsink into place. It's so much easier than every other motherboard I've ever used and it means you don't have to worry about spearing your expensive motherboard with a screwdriver.

It's not only M.2 slots that have gone tool-less. Many premium motherboards have push-fit Wi-Fi antennas that are similar to a non-grounded appliance cord and push into a socket on the I/O panel. No more fussing with tiny screw-on connectors or worrying that you'll break the antenna cable while it's twisting. It makes for a much less stressful build process, and it won't be long before every motherboard has these awesome quality-of-life improvements.

Power supplies are mostly modular

Tame that unruly cable clutter by not installing it

Ahh, the humble PSU. It's never the most attractive part of any PC build, but it deserves more attention than it usually gets. The best PSUs these days are fully modular, with cables that you can connect if you need them and save space inside the chassis if you don't. It wasn't always like this, with PSUs often being bare metal boxes with randomly colored cables coming out of them that weren't always long enough to reach the components in your case.

Now, the premium PSUs have individually sleeved cables, and everything else has bundled cables. The ketchup-and-mustard cables are mostly gone, and unless you're trying to use a PSU made for SFF cases in a larger one, all the cables should be long enough. Efficiency ratings and quality are things to look for instead, but it's really how much easier it is to build when you can choose only the cables you need that make all the difference.

And even semi-modular PSUs are fine

If you're building a budget PC, it's fine to use a semi-modular PSU, where the main motherboard cables are permanently attached, but you have detachable cables for everything else. You'll still save space inside the case and save money on your PSU, and lower-power components will be fine for that tier of PSU.

You don't have to go fully non-modular, nor would we recommend that, partly because most new PSUs are at least semi-modular and you don't really want to use an aging PSU with modern components. They're just not built for the types of transient voltage spikes that modern hardware can need and run the risk of issues.

Cases have plenty of space

Old cases were an afterthought when people only cared about the insides

The era of beige PC cases might be getting a modern overhaul, which is a good thing because cases back then were terrible to build in. Pressed steel with sharp edges that were often riveted together, no space for airflow, no space for cables to be cleanly routed around components, and lots of wasted space for 5.25" bays that only ever got one CD-ROM drive on most machines.

But that was then, and I can confidently say that even budget PC cases are relatively pleasant to build in. They tend to be spacious, have thoughtful cable management features, and come with extra screws, standoffs, and other hardware that you might need. As you go up the brackets to the best PC cases, you get things like inbuilt fan hubs, more spots to mount radiators or fans, and various quality-of-life improvements like being able to remove panels or brackets easily so that you can add hardware outside the case and slot it back in.

For those with a larger budget, high-end cases offer many creature comforts that will make building even easier. You'll get better front panel connectors, better cable management, more thoughtful grommets for cable routing, more included fans, and better esthetics, which is often a primary consideration. All the things that case manufacturers drop to hit lower price points are often the things that make building easier, so keep that in mind.

I can't wait until I don't need a screwdriver at all

As it stands, PC building still needs a screwdriver for some tasks. You also get more features designed to make the process easier as you spend more, but given the rapid advancement in technology, it won't be long until these features are on budget hardware tiers. I'm not sure manufacturers are ever going to be able to remove the need for manual screws to secure the motherboard to the chassis or the CPU cooler to the motherboard, but it would be neat if they could.