Methodology

Sourcing & verification

Every product enters the catalog through a research pipeline with hard gates: at least one product-level source is required, and every compatibility-critical specification (a socket, a lens mount, a quick-release standard, a wattage) must carry either a field-level source or an explicit 'needs verification' flag. The import fails otherwise — there is no path for an unsourced critical spec to reach the site silently.

Products with flagged fields display 'partially verified'. A flag means we could not pin that value to a primary source yet — it does not mean the value is wrong, and we show the flag rather than hiding the uncertainty. Source links, their type (manufacturer, retailer, review), confidence level, and retrieval date are published on every product page.

Products whose existence or current retail form we could not verify are excluded entirely, even when widely rumored.

Scores

All eight scores (overall, value, compatibility, upgrade path, use-case fit, beginner friendliness, pro readiness, confidence) are computed deterministically by code from sourced data — there is no live AI generation and no pay-for-placement of any kind. The v1 formulas are heuristic: value derives from price position within the category, confidence from source coverage and verification flags, beginner friendliness and pro readiness from the product's tier classification. Each score shows its own reasoning string on the product page.

Use-case fit currently sits at a neutral baseline pending the editorial per-use-case pass; we say so on the score itself rather than inventing differentiation.

Compatibility engine

Compatibility rules are typed checks (socket match, ecosystem overlap, clearance, wattage headroom) parameterized by rule instances with declared sources and confidence. When a needed spec is missing the engine reports 'couldn't verify' at informational severity — unknown never blocks a build and never masquerades as a verified pass or fail.

Inference-based rules (judgment calls rather than manufacturer documentation) are flagged as such and capped at medium confidence.

Prices

Prices are point-in-time snapshots with the check date displayed. 2026's components market is volatile (the RAM/SSD supply crisis especially) — where a price is far above its historical normal, we say so in the product notes rather than presenting it as ordinary.

Affiliate independence

Some outbound links may become affiliate links. Commission never influences rankings, scores, compatibility results, or recommendations — the engines cannot see affiliate status as an input. See the affiliate disclosure page for specifics.