Planning a $1,500 1440p gaming PC: compatibility pitfalls and upgrade paths

[Zoey_S]

I'm planning my first gaming PC build with a budget around $1,500, aiming for smooth 1440p performance on new titles. I've picked out a mid-range GPU and CPU, but I'm getting overwhelmed by motherboard options, RAM speeds, and choosing the right power supply wattage. For experienced builders, what are the common compatibility pitfalls or performance bottlenecks to avoid with a build in this price range, and is it worth spending extra on faster RAM or a higher-tier motherboard for future upgrades?