PC Build Tools & Accessories

Useful tools, ESD accessories and thermal compounds for building and maintaining a PC.

Quick buying guide

A practical starting point for pc build tools & accessories

Typical UK price range: About £5–£80 for the tools most home builders needIndicative market guide reviewed August 2026. International pricing, tax, availability and subscriptions vary by region.

Most builds need less equipment than people expect: a good Phillips driver, small bit set, light, cable ties and a safe place for screws. Anti-static precautions matter, but avoid fear-based gadget buying. Thermal paste is normally supplied with many coolers, so check before buying extra.

Common search themes:best PC building toolkittools to build a PCbest thermal pasteanti static wrist strap PCPC screwdriver kit
Products worth comparing

Shortlist at a glance

These are research-led starting points chosen to represent useful budgets and use cases. A product appearing here is not a claim that we have personally tested it; hands-on experience is labelled separately in detailed reviews.

PC Build Tools & Accessories shortlist comparison
Product / serviceOur shortlist roleIndicative priceBest for
iFixit Pro Tech ToolkitComplete toolkit~£65–£80Builders who also repair laptops, phones and electronics
iFixit Anti-Static Wrist StrapSimple ESD accessory~£7–£10Builders wanting a simple grounding aid
Noctua NT-H2Premium thermal paste~£10–£15CPU cooler remounts and multi-build use
ARCTIC MX-6Value thermal paste~£7–£12Affordable cooler installation and maintenance

Complete toolkit

iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit

Indicative price: ~£65–£80

Category-supported evidence · sources checked 26 August 2026

A broad precision toolkit that earns its cost when PC building is part of wider repair and upgrade work.

Best for: Builders who also repair laptops, phones and electronics

Potential drawback: Far more tools than a one-off desktop build needs

Research assessment

A broad precision toolkit that earns its cost when PC building is part of wider repair and upgrade work. Treat the price shown on the category page as an indicative UK range, not a live quote.

Reasons to consider
  • Builders who also repair laptops, phones and electronics
  • A broad precision toolkit that earns its cost when PC building is part of wider repair and upgrade work
Limitations and checks
  • Far more tools than a one-off desktop build needs
  • Check exact model, compatibility and current UK availability before buying
Sources and evidence notes (2)

This editorial synthesis does not represent a hands-on test by The Tools and Tech. Source links are references, not affiliate links. Research depth: Official product information plus current independent category context.

  1. iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit official product information (opens in a new tab) (manufacturer / official)
  2. Current independent category/workload context (opens in a new tab) (independent category guidance)
View manufacturer / official information (opens in a new tab)Check price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab)

Price and availability can change. Check the retailer for the latest information.

Simple ESD accessory

iFixit Anti-Static Wrist Strap

Indicative price: ~£7–£10

Category-supported evidence · sources checked 26 August 2026

A low-cost ESD aid for builders who want an explicit grounding point while handling components.

Best for: Builders wanting a simple grounding aid

Potential drawback: Proper use still matters and it is not a substitute for sensible handling

Research assessment

A low-cost ESD aid for builders who want an explicit grounding point while handling components. Treat the price shown on the category page as an indicative UK range, not a live quote.

Reasons to consider
  • Builders wanting a simple grounding aid
  • A low-cost ESD aid for builders who want an explicit grounding point while handling components
Limitations and checks
  • Proper use still matters and it is not a substitute for sensible handling
  • Check exact model, compatibility and current UK availability before buying
Sources and evidence notes (2)

This editorial synthesis does not represent a hands-on test by The Tools and Tech. Source links are references, not affiliate links. Research depth: Official product information plus current independent category context.

  1. iFixit Anti-Static Wrist Strap official product information (opens in a new tab) (manufacturer / official)
  2. Current independent category/workload context (opens in a new tab) (independent category guidance)
View manufacturer / official information (opens in a new tab)Check price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab)

Price and availability can change. Check the retailer for the latest information.

Premium thermal paste

Noctua NT-H2

Indicative price: ~£10–£15

Category-supported evidence · sources checked 26 August 2026

A reputable thermal compound for remounts, maintenance and builders who want a known spare on hand.

Best for: CPU cooler remounts and multi-build use

Potential drawback: Many new coolers already include adequate paste

Research assessment

A reputable thermal compound for remounts, maintenance and builders who want a known spare on hand. Treat the price shown on the category page as an indicative UK range, not a live quote.

Reasons to consider
  • CPU cooler remounts and multi-build use
  • A reputable thermal compound for remounts, maintenance and builders who want a known spare on hand
Limitations and checks
  • Many new coolers already include adequate paste
  • Check exact model, compatibility and current UK availability before buying
Sources and evidence notes (2)

This editorial synthesis does not represent a hands-on test by The Tools and Tech. Source links are references, not affiliate links. Research depth: Official product information plus current independent category context.

  1. Noctua NT-H2 official product information (opens in a new tab) (manufacturer / official)
  2. Current independent category/workload context (opens in a new tab) (independent category guidance)
View manufacturer / official information (opens in a new tab)Check price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab)

Price and availability can change. Check the retailer for the latest information.

Value thermal paste

ARCTIC MX-6

Indicative price: ~£7–£12

Category-supported evidence · sources checked 26 August 2026

A mainstream non-conductive thermal compound that is useful for repeated builds and cooler changes.

Best for: Affordable cooler installation and maintenance

Potential drawback: Little reason to buy if the cooler already includes good paste

Research assessment

A mainstream non-conductive thermal compound that is useful for repeated builds and cooler changes. Treat the price shown on the category page as an indicative UK range, not a live quote.

Reasons to consider
  • Affordable cooler installation and maintenance
  • A mainstream non-conductive thermal compound that is useful for repeated builds and cooler changes
Limitations and checks
  • Little reason to buy if the cooler already includes good paste
  • Check exact model, compatibility and current UK availability before buying
Sources and evidence notes (2)

This editorial synthesis does not represent a hands-on test by The Tools and Tech. Source links are references, not affiliate links. Research depth: Official product information plus current independent category context.

  1. ARCTIC MX-6 official product information (opens in a new tab) (manufacturer / official)
  2. Current independent category/workload context (opens in a new tab) (independent category guidance)
View manufacturer / official information (opens in a new tab)Check price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab)

Price and availability can change. Check the retailer for the latest information.

Use the retailer or official-site button to check the latest price, availability and specifications before buying. Where we later obtain approved affiliate relationships, qualifying links may earn a commission at no extra cost to the reader.

Buying advice

What matters when choosing pc build tools & accessories

Only buy tools that solve a real task
Safe component handling
Correct driver/bit sizes
Reusable value for future upgrades

Our guides focus on the factors that affect real-world fit and value, not simply the longest specification list.

Common questions

PC Build Tools & Accessories FAQ

How much should I spend on pc build tools & accessories?

A useful UK market guide is About £5–£80 for the tools most home builders need. The right spend depends on the features you will genuinely use, so compare the middle of the range before paying for premium extras.

What should I look for when buying pc build tools & accessories?

Prioritise Only buy tools that solve a real task, Safe component handling, Correct driver/bit sizes. Check compatibility and return/warranty terms before buying, particularly when a product is part of a wider hardware ecosystem.

Are the products on this page hands-on tested?

Not necessarily. This category page is a research-led shortlist. Detailed guides clearly label any hands-on testing and distinguish it from manufacturer specifications, independent evidence and market research.

What is a good pc build tools & accessories option to start comparing?

iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit is one of the current research starting points on this page. Compare it with the alternatives above for budget, compatibility, features and drawbacks before deciding.

Keep exploring

Related tech topics

BrowsePC Building & ComponentsParent topicBrowseCase Fans & CoolingTopic guideBrowseComplete PC BuildsTopic guideBrowseCPU CoolersTopic guideBrowseGraphics Cards (GPUs)Topic guideBrowseHard Drives (HDDs)Topic guide
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