Whether you're building a PC completely new, are upgrading an older build, or are tinkering with a pre-built desktop PC or pre-built gaming PC, having the right tools and accessories at hand for the job will make your experience so much better.
I've attempted in the past to put together a PC with the gear I had lying around the house, and I wouldn't recommend it. The proper tools and accessories for building PCs really don't cost much, especially when compared to the price of the actual PC hardware, and you won't have to spend extra time fixing mistakes caused by improper handling and assembly.
With everything from screwdrivers to thermal paste to full toolkits, this collection of great tools and accessories can make your next PC build as easy as possible.
Best toolkit
Although you won't necessarily need all of the tools included here when building a PC, they will absolutely come in handy whenever you want to tinker with phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronics. Strebito's 142-piece toolkit is priced reasonably and comes with thousands of stellar reviews to ensure quality and value.
Premium toolkit
iFixit is the go-to brand for many people when it comes to electronics toolkits, and its Pro Tech set is again what you'll want when building or tinkering with PCs and just about any other electronics. It includes a 64-piece driver set, anti-static wrist strap, and plenty more, all contained in a roll-up fabric sleeve for easy access and transportation. iFixit offers a lifetime warranty should anything break.
Magnetic screwdriver
There are lots of extra tools you can keep around when building a PC, but the one that you won't be able to do much of anything without is a Phillips #2 screwdriver. This option from Spec Ops Tools is magnetized to hold fasteners in place, and it has a comfy grip. At about $4, it's a cheap and easy way to put your PC together.
Best headlamp
PC cases are sometimes crowded or enshrouded, and not having enough light to see where you're working can only lead to frustration. That's why I always pull on a headlamp for focused light wherever I'm looking. Energizer's two-pack of LED headlamps is affordable, and the bonus here is that you can use them anywhere (I take mine camping all the time).
Best multimeter
Attempting to troubleshoot issues with a PC build usually includes testing the PSU, and that requires a multimeter. Something like AstroAI's DM200M works with both AC and DC voltages and currents, and it has a digital display to give you clear readings. It usually costs somewhere between $10 and $15, which isn't too much for PSU peace of mind.
Best base
Anyone living in a dry climate can attest to the copious amounts of static electricity that builds up on clothes, furniture, and carpets. That static electricity, if it comes in contact with PC hardware with enough force, has the potential to cause damage. Something like this anti-static mat from StarTech can be grounded to act as a base of operations for your PC building and tinkering.
Shock protection
Don't want to go with the full mat? Some PC builders and tinkerers prefer tying a wrist strap to their arm and grounding it with the built-in clip. It's not entirely necessary, especially if you don't live somewhere prone to static electricity, but it is a cheap way to ensure that you don't fry any hardware before it makes its way into your new build.
Screw holder
I don't know how many times I've nearly finished an upgrade on a laptop or PC and realized that I've misplaced one or two crucial fasteners. I started using a small receptacle like this one from GRIP. It measures six inches in diameter, it's magnetic to hold fasteners in place, and it's made from stainless steel (not that you'll be working outdoors on your PC).
Best cable ties
Cable management is something that all PC builders take into account, and without the proper accessories, your PC might come out looking like a bowl of spaghetti. Nobody wants that. These reusable cloth ties do as good of a job as zip ties and don't look nearly as tacky when installed. A 60-pack only costs about $5, and you can reuse them as many times as you want.
Best thermal paste
Your CPU is safely in the motherboard socket, and it's time to install the CPU cooler. But wait! Aren't you forgetting something? The cooler can't go on without thermal paste in between, and Thermal Grizzly's Kryonaut is some of the best you can buy today. Most people will get by with the one-gram kit, but there are larger amounts if you're working on multiple PCs.
Best thermal pad
Matching your PC's cooling with its hardware heat output isn't always easy, and you might find that certain parts are running hot. Instead of completely overhauling the build, you might be able to add some thermal pads to the SSD, GPU, motherboard, or even RAM to better dissipate heat. This sheet from Gelid Solutions can be cut up as needed and applied with the adhesive backing.
Quick cleanup
Cleaning PC parts is a tad finicky, as you don't want any water coming in contact with the hardware. That's where 99% isopropyl alcohol comes into play, as it's very effective at removing thermal paste or other gunk buildups from your PC. It evaporates quickly to leave behind no moisture, but you do have to be careful as it is quite flammable. I've been using it for years with no issues.
Essential tools you need to build a PC
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The essential tools required to put together a PC really don't extend much further than some quality screwdrivers, as manufacturers of PC parts have made the process very easy. PC building is a great hobby that I liken to LEGO, in that you can come up with some truly spectacular builds put together from a pile of pieces.
A quality Phillips #2 screwdriver like the one from Spec Ops Tools we recommended above will be your best friend throughout the process, though a Phillips #1 will likely be required for the smaller M.2 screw at the end of your SSD. Seeing those tiny parts will be much easier with proper lighting, which is why we recommend a headlamp like the Energizer LED.
You might also want to pick up the GRIP magnetic screw tray to hold all your fasteners in place before they go into the build, and you'll also no doubt want to pick up some Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut thermal paste to keep your processor running cool and efficient. Don't forget some isopropyl alcohol to clean up any extra paste or other gunk. For those concerned about cable management, HMROPE's reusable cloth ties are cheap and very useful; a 60-pack only costs about $5.
Anyone living in a dry climate prone to static electricity should consider some anti-state measures, whether from a full mat or with a wrist strap. And on the subject of electricity, having a multimeter around to test your PSU for faults can remove a lot of frustration. It might also save the rest of your PC, as the PSU has the ability to do a lot of damage when it fails.
The toolkits I recommended here from Strebito and iFixit aren't totally necessary if you're only working on a desktop PC, but they will come in handy with practically all other electronics, including laptops. They have all the screwdrivers you'll ever need, as well as tweezers, anti-static measures (in the case of the iFixit kit), pry bars, and many more useful tools.
What accessories are best for a desktop PC?
Completing a PC build and having it turn on is an incredibly satisfying experience. It's humming along next to you, and you now realize that you need some supporting hardware to help it realize its full potential.
For those who built a PC focused on more general computing, our collection of the best PC accessories that we've tested and reviewed here at Windows Central should have some great options that will work for just about anyone. We also have a broader list of the best laptop accessories, with many options that will work just fine with a desktop PC.
If you built or upgraded a PC with a gaming focus, we also have a list of the best PC gaming accessories that's worth checking out. For a more broad approach, our collection of the best gaming laptop accessories has plenty of options, many of which can easily make the transition to a desktop PC.
