Our Methodology
How we choose what to recommend — and why you can trust it.
Anyone can list parts and slap affiliate links on them. CoreForge is built differently. This page explains exactly how we research, select, and recommend components, how we handle pricing, and how affiliate links work — so you can judge our advice for yourself.
How We Select Components
We recommend parts based on real-world value for our audience: Canadian beginners building gaming and everyday PCs. Selection starts with the intended use, resolution, and budget — never with which product pays the most commission.
We prioritize widely available parts on Amazon.ca and trusted Canadian retailers, from reputable brands with good reliability track records. We cross-reference current-generation and last-generation options, because a discounted previous-gen part often beats a new one on value.
How We Check Compatibility
Every build recommendation is checked for the fundamentals: CPU socket vs motherboard, RAM type (DDR4/DDR5), power supply headroom, GPU and cooler clearance, and case size. Our free BuildValidator and AI Builder automate these checks.
When a compatibility detail depends on exact measurements or a specific motherboard BIOS version, we tell you to verify it on the manufacturer's page rather than guessing. We would rather say "check this" than state something that might be wrong.
How We Handle Pricing
We never print fixed prices in our guides. Hardware prices change daily, and a number written today is misleading tomorrow. Instead, we describe value in relative terms ("often in the budget range") and link to Amazon.ca so you see the real, current price before buying.
All prices are in Canadian dollars, sourced from Amazon.ca and Canadian retailers. We do not use USD-only comparisons that don't reflect what you'll actually pay.
How We Keep Guides Current
The PC hardware landscape shifts constantly. We date our guides, note when a recommendation reflects a specific point in time (like a GPU generation), and update articles as prices and hardware change. When something is a snapshot, we say so.
Our Affiliate Disclosure
CoreForge is a member of the Amazon Associates program. When you buy through some of our Amazon.ca links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the site running and the tools free.
Here is our commitment: affiliate commissions never change what we recommend. We choose parts on merit and value first. If a better option pays us nothing, it still gets recommended. Every article with affiliate links says so clearly at the top.
What We Will Never Do
- Invent prices, benchmarks, FPS numbers, or stock availability
- Publish fake reviews or fabricated testimonials
- Claim a build is guaranteed to hit a specific performance number
- Let an affiliate commission override an honest recommendation
- Pressure you with false urgency or inflated stats
See the Methodology in Action
Our tools apply these principles automatically.
This methodology is reviewed and updated as our process evolves.