What's New on RigSync:April 2026 Part 2 - Understanding Performance Goals and Size Preferences

Understanding Performance Goals and Size Preferences

If you 've used RigSync's Custom Builder, you've probably seen the Performance Goal slider and Size Preference options. But what do they actually do? How do they affect your build? Let's break it down.

They were initially not doing much but after some updates, they now have a real impact on how your build is optimized within your budget. They're not just arbitrary settings, they guide the optimizer in making trade-offs that align with your priorities.

When using RigSync's Custom Builder, you will see the two options: Performance Goal and Size Preference right in the middle of all the possible selections. Here's what they actually do.

The Performance Slider: Basic to Extreme

The Performance slider controls how the optimizer balances your budget across components. It still respects your total budget-this isn't about spending more. It's about where the money goes and how demanding your workload is treated.

Think of it as setting the "difficulty level" for your chosen use case. Higher performance levels tell the optimizer to treat your workload as more demanding, which means it needs better hardware to meet those requirements.

Basic: Balanced build quality with budget spread evenly across all components. You'll get a well-rounded build with quality cases, cooling, and storage, paired with mid-range CPU/GPU that's sufficient for your chosen resolution and use case. The optimizer is conservative in allocating budget to core performance, so you might end up with a mid-range CPU and GPU even if your budget could technically afford better. The idea is to give you a solid build that doesn't sacrifice build quality for raw performance. Great for users who value overall build quality and future-proofing over maximum gaming FPS.

Moderate (recommended for most users): Smart budget allocation with focus on CPU and GPU without compromising supporting components. Solid all-around builds that balance core performance with quality peripherals. This is the sweet spot for most gaming builds.

High: Performance-focused builds where CPU and GPU get a bigger share of the budget, but you still get decent quality storage, cooling, and case. Supporting components are functional but not premium. Good for gamers who prioritize FPS over aesthetics.

Ultra: Heavy focus on CPU and GPU performance. Supporting components (case, cooling, storage) get minimum viable budgets-they'll work fine, but they won't be premium. Your CPU and GPU will be strong, but your case might be basic and your cooler adequate rather than high-end. For users who want maximum performance within budget.

Extreme: Maximum core component priority. The optimizer treats your workload as extremely demanding, so it allocates nearly all budget to CPU, GPU, and motherboard to meet those high performance requirements. You'll get flagship-tier hardware, but expect budget-tier cases, cooling (still adequate!), and storage. This is for users who care about raw FPS and rendering speed above everything else-competitive gamers, professional streamers, and content creators who need maximum performance.

What Actually Changes?

The Performance slider tells the optimizer how demanding your workload is, which affects hardware requirements. It's not about spending more money-it's about how the optimizer evaluates whether components are "good enough".

Example: A $1,500 gaming build at different performance levels:

• Basic: RTX 4060 Ti + i5-14600K + premium Fractal case + 2TB storage + quality AIO cooler
• Moderate: RTX 4070 + i5-14600K + good NZXT case + 1TB storage + solid air cooler
• High: RTX 4070 Super + i7-14700K + decent case + 1TB storage + adequate air cooler
• Extreme: RTX 4070 Ti Super + i7-14700K + basic case + 1TB storage + budget tower cooler

All four builds cost roughly the same, but the money goes to different places. Basic prioritizes overall build quality, while Extreme prioritizes maximum CPU/GPU performance.

Important: Resolution affects achievable FPS more than the Performance slider. Basic @ 1080p can easily hit 60+ FPS. Extreme @ 4K might struggle with 60 FPS on the same budget because 4K is just harder. The Performance slider controls how the budget is allocated, not the laws of physics.

The optimizer still ensures everything works together and hits playable framerates for your chosen resolution and use case. You're just telling it whether you care more about core performance or overall build quality.

Compact vs Standard Size

Size preference controls motherboard form factor and case size.

Compact (Mini-ITX / Micro-ATX): Smaller builds, space-efficient. Great for desk setups where space matters. Trade-off: fewer expansion slots, tighter component compatibility, potentially limited cooling options.

Standard (ATX): Full-size builds with more room for upgrades and better airflow. No compromises on expansion or cooling capacity.

Auto: Lets RigSync decide based on your budget and components. Budget builds lean compact to save money on the case. High-performance builds lean standard for better cooling and expandability.

Why Size Matters

Compact builds need compatible cooling solutions. A massive dual-tower air cooler won't fit in a Mini-ITX case. RigSync checks clearance automatically if your CPU cooler is too tall, it'll switch to a compatible option or suggest a different case. It also takes into account air flow and thermal performance. High-end CPUs and GPUs generate more heat, so if you choose Extreme performance with Compact size, RigSync will prioritize components that can be adequately cooled in a smaller case.

Standard builds have more flexibility. Want a 360mm AIO? Need multiple storage drives? ATX cases have the space.

Using These Together

Performance Goal and Size Preference work together to guide the optimizer:

• Basic + Compact: Balanced budget build in a small form factor (office work, casual gaming)
• High + Standard: Well-rounded gaming PC with room to upgrade and good cooling
• Extreme + Compact: Maximum CPU/GPU performance in a small case (challenging cooling, but possible)
• Extreme + Standard: Flagship performance with adequate cooling and case

The optimizer can go slightly over budget if needed to avoid bottlenecks, but it prioritizes your preferences. If you want Compact, it'll find compatible components even if it means adjusting cooling or case selection.

The Bottom Line

Performance Goal tells the optimizer how to split your budget: balanced quality vs maximum core performance. Size Preference determines physical footprint and expandability.

Want to see how these preferences affect real builds? Try the Custom Builder and compare a Basic Standard build to an Extreme Compact build with the same $1,500 budget. You'll see exactly where the money goes.

Building a gaming PC and want help optimizing every dollar? Try RigSync's Game-Based Builder, it'll handle the technical decisions so you can focus on the games you want to play.