Editorial policy
How we research PC hardware
Our job is to make build and upgrade decisions clearer while showing where the evidence ends.
01 / METHOD
Start with the reader's workload
A useful recommendation starts with the applications, games, display target, budget and existing system. We define the decision before comparing products. A part that fits one build may be a poor choice in another.
02 / METHOD
Use source documents for compatibility
We use manufacturer manuals, support lists, specification sheets and firmware notes for model-specific claims. CPU support may depend on board revision and BIOS version. Memory, storage, power, cooling and case fit also require checks against the exact models. If those details cannot be verified, we say so and do not claim compatibility.
03 / METHOD
Evaluate each category on its own terms
A graphics card needs relevant game or application evidence, memory capacity and physical and power checks. A power supply needs model-specific documentation and connector verification. A monitor needs display measurements under known conditions. We do not apply one office-product scoring formula to unrelated PC categories.
04 / METHOD
Separate claims from measurements
Manufacturer specifications describe product design and stated capabilities. Third-party benchmarks are attributed and interpreted in context, including resolution, settings and test system where material. We do not combine unrelated tests into a controlled ranking or invent FPS, temperatures, noise or power figures.
05 / METHOD
State what we did
Current PC Journal guides are research-based. They are not hands-on reviews. We use AI assistance for drafting and organization, and review published wording for factual support and clarity. We do not claim a lab, technical credentials or physical testing that has not been documented for an article.
06 / METHOD
Explain limits and trade-offs
We describe why an option may fit, who should skip it, what must be checked before purchase and what evidence is missing. When evidence is too thin for a product ranking, we publish a decision guide instead.
07 / METHOD
Funding, updates and corrections
As an Amazon Associate, The PC Journal earns from qualifying purchases made through retail links. Affiliate status does not establish product merit or change a ranking. Prices, firmware support and availability change, so we review guides against current sources when we update them. Readers can report errors to contact@thepcjournal.com.