Amazon now has a compatibility checker for PC parts

Amazon seems to be rolling out a new "Part Finder" tool to check the compatibility of PC parts. On some PC component product pages, a widget at the top lets you select the brand and model number of your existing rig to check if the part is compatible.

The system appears to be brand new, and only shows up on some part pages—I saw it on this listing for a Samsung 860 Evo SSD, for example, but not an MSI GTX 1080. From what I can tell, Part Finder isn't as full-featured as tools like PC Part Picker's Compatibility Check, and it only works for systems that actually have a model number—prebuilts and laptops, that is. This means it's no use if you built your rig yourself, though you can at least check if two specific parts will match up, like a set of RAM sticks and a particular motherboard.

That last feature still needs some work, though. It says this EVGA Z370 mobo is incompatible with a standard set of DDR4 RAM, when they definitely shouldn't have a problem with each other.

The system is definitely in its early days, and it'll only be useful if it actually builds its knowledge base to a more complete level. As it stands, if you're building your own PC, you're much better off checking your parts on PC Part Picker—or following one of our build guides—than relying on Amazon's budding system. But if nothing else, it'll be a useful tool for folks who started off with a prebuilt rig and are now looking for their next upgrade. Might I suggest an SSD?

As the former head of PC Gamer's hardware coverage, Bo was in charge of helping readers better understand and use PC hardware. He also headed up the buying guides, picking the best peripherals and components to spend your hard-earned money on. He can usually be found playing Overwatch, Apex Legends, or more likely, with his cats. He is now IGN's resident tech editor and PC hardware expert.