The Best Gaming PC Builds For $1000
Building a gaming PC used to be a much tougher job that involved picking parts from various retailers, getting a tech-savvy friend to help, and diagnosing issues with one’s build in case they mixed up the instructions. It is now much easier to build a DIY PC as PC part manufacturers make it easier to install hardware. Precise instructions and a plethora of online information (often in video format) assist first-time and intermediate-level PC builders attempting to do so on their own.
Part of what appeals to a lot of users when it comes to building a PC is the amount of customizability that is available so that they can build a PC that is specific to their needs and the games they play. While some users prefer prebuilt PCs simply because of how easy they are to set up and use, others prefer the fine-grained control they get in their preferred PC. Custom-built PCs often have higher-end internal components that get overlooked by system builders, such as faster SSDs, better memory, and performance coolers.
The Best Gaming PC Builds Under $2000
Need to build a PC on a budget? Here are the best builds you can make yourself for under $2000!
While gaming PCs are something that many gamers know as well as the back of their hands, others might be a bit uneasy trying to put parts together to avoid making a mistake or overcomplicating their PC build. This is in particular a concern when selecting components that represent excellent value and price-performance ratios that clock in at around or below $1,000.
How To Build A Balanced Gaming PC For $1000
Building a balanced gaming PC can be a challenge for even the most seasoned of PC builders. This is because dealing with any sort of budget when building a PC that can have as many as seven or more key components nearly always means compromising one way or another. This is particularly true for builds that are considerably more restricted in terms of pricing at certain price points (such as $1000). However, prospective PC builders can consider some of the key factors that make a gaming PC balanced and functional:
Needs-Based Choices: At $1000, prospective gamers and system builders have a fair amount of budget to play with to ensure they end up with a balanced gaming PC, but what is required by the gamer and the titles they play is key to determining what specific components will be purchased. For example, some titles benefit from faster CPUs while others find themselves bottlenecked by GPUs. Making tradeoffs that favor the games one intends to play means building around their needs as a gamer instead of going with more generic builds.
Target Resolutions: Gamers may have different performance demands. CPU/GPU needs vary based on the titles and their target resolutions. Higher resolutions require considerably beefier GPUs and memory as opposed to more balanced PC builds, which would see more spending on ancillary PC parts such as a PSU/Case/Cooler.
A Quality PSU: Power supplies (PSUs) are often the most easily overlooked aspect of any PC build. They are, however, some of the most important given that they ensure stability, performance, and future upgrade potential for a gaming PC.
Aesthetics: While it is tempting to get the latest and greatest when it comes to RGB lighting and premium AIOs and cases, one must consider the performance implications of reallocating a significant amount of a user’s budget towards how a PC looks rather than how it performs, especially when working with a limited $1000 budget.
Estimated build costs are based on the cheapest price available on Newegg and Amazon at the time these builds were made. Prices are subject to change by these vendors. Game Rant will strive to keep the builds up to date as better alternatives appear on the market or prices change significantly.
First Build: Well-Rounded Value-Added Performance
Intel Core i5-14400F
$210 $215 Save $5
Intel Core i5-14400F is a revised edition of the i5 13400F that brings higher clock speeds for the same price. The Raptor Lake Refresh architecture helps it improve in overall performance while retaining its power efficiency. The i5 14400F brings 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, resulting in a total of 16 threads.
ASUS Prime B760-PLUS
ASUS Prime B760-PLUS is cheap yet brings a standard ATX form factor with satisfactory component support, good cooling, and adequate connectivity features. Compatible with Intel’s 12th, 13th, and 14th gen processors, the B760-Plus provides an affordable option for locked processors from the latest gen families that excel in gaming and productivity.
CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 6400MHz 32GB
Corsair’s Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM kit features dual RAM modules, each having 16GB memory capacity. It’s XMP 3.0 compatible and is easier to overclock to its advertised frequency at tight timings. Aesthetically, the RAM sticks look gorgeous as a result of RGB LEDs on top of those aluminum heat spreaders.
MSI GeForce RTX™ 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC
The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC is an excellent GPU offering as far as RTX 4060 offerings go. It offers an excellent, balanced take on Nvidia’s entry-level Ada Lovelace-based RTX 4000 series, offering low power consumption, a compact design, and a single 8-pin power connector to handle its power needs, making it a silent performer that delivers on its promise.
Kingston NV2 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD
This internal solid-state drive from Kingston has 1 TB of digital storage capacity. The NV2 series SSD is designed to be compatible with laptops. It operates on PCIe 4.0 Gen 4×4 technology, features an M.2 2280 form factor, and delivers read speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s. It has lower power requirements, generating minimal heat, which makes it perfect for compact devices.
EVGA SuperNOVA 650 GT
EVGA SuperNOVA 650 GT provides a reliable power supply to the components and has excellent power efficiency due to being 80 Plus gold rated. It is fully modular and provides all the necessary cables to power the PC components reliably. Ideal for budget and mid-range PC builds, this unit comes with a 7 year warranty.
LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 PC Case
$100 $103 Save $3
The LANCOOL 216 is a mid-tower case with all-around mesh panels for optimal airflow. Thanks to its modular rear panel, it can be optimized for air or water cooling. It includes 2 x 160mm and 1 x 140mm pre-installed PWM fans and an innovative rear PCIe fan bracket to maximize airflow.
There are plenty of good CPUs to choose from if we consider building an Intel processor-based gaming build. Considering that most users would want to upgrade in the coming years to a better GPU, it’s important to choose a powerful CPU that can handle high-end gaming GPUs. Therefore, we recommend going with the latest Core i5 14400F CPU, which is from the latest 14th gen Raptor Lake Refresh family.
Boasting 10 cores and 16 threads clocked at a higher frequency than its predecessor, it is the best mid-range gaming CPU from Intel that has enough power to crunch numbers and handle any GPU. Being locked gives users benefits of going with a locked chipset like B760, which is cheaper and yet has enough ports, slots, and headers to support multiple components. This is why the Asus Prime B760 Plus is the ideal option that costs only 100 bucks and has 4x DIMM slots, several PCI-E slots and good connectivity options. .
Combine that with the Geforce RTX 4060 GPU, and users are looking at a minimum of 60 fps in modern titles on ultra settings. Though the RTX 4060 doesn’t provide a big jump over its predecessor, it’s currently the fastest for its price tag that excels in Ray Tracing by a mile when compared to AMD GPUs. With 8GB of VRAM, most games will do pretty well, particularly when DLSS 3.0 Frame Generation is available to double the frame rates.
The Best 4 Gaming PC Builds for Under $500
If you think it’s impossible to assemble a gaming PC for a console price, check out these 3 surprisingly capable budget gaming builds.
For memory, we went with two sticks of 16GB DDR5 memory kit that boast RGB lighting and run at 6400MHz frequency. It’s fully XMP 3.0 compatible and will do the job quite satisfactorily without messing up with the timings. For storage, a 1TB of fast NVMe SSD is all users need and the Kingston 1TB SSD provides a high 3,500 MB/s of read speed to make sure the OS, apps and games open up pretty fast.
The system will be powered by a reliable EVGA SuperNova 650 GT power supply that comes with all heavy-duty protections and 7 year of warranty. The PSU provides 650 watts of wattage capacity to not only power every component this build has but also provides room for some upgrades. Finally, all of these parts will be hosted inside the gorgeous Lian Li Lancool 216 mid-tower that has RGB fans pre-installed at the front for both cool air intake and aesthetics.
The interior is pretty spacious and brings a full-length PSU shroud to keep things tidy. This case provides ample space for long GPUs, tall coolers, and has decent clearance for cable management.
Total Estimated Build Cost: ~$970-$1000
Second Build: Best AMD-Centric Gaming Build
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
$228 $240 Save $12
Gamers interested in upgrading to a newer CPU from Team Red will find the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X to be of spectacular value thanks to its high single-core performance, efficient hexacore architecture, and compatibility with newer technology such as PCI-E 5.0 and DDR5 memory. It also abandons AMD’s AM4 design, going for a pin-less processor offering by moving them to the motherboard instead.
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is simply the best budget air cooler ever made. The cooler costs under $35 and yet brings an effective dual tower design with two fans to create a powerful push-pull configuration. It’s easier to install and is compatible with the latest platforms.
GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX
$200 $230 Save $30
The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX is a high-end motherboard featuring the B650 chipset that allows it to command a much lower price point, closer to AMD’s more budget-oriented motherboard lineups. It is a capable entry that also offers a PCI-E Gen 5 M2 slot that should allow access to faster PCI-E 5.0 storage down the line.
G.Skill Flare X5 Series (AMD Expo) 6000MHz 32GB (CL36)
The G.Skill Flare X5 Series RAM kits are DDR5 RAMs that operate at an overclocked 6000MHz sweet spot for AMD AM5 processors with a lower latency EXPO profile available to allow users to overclock their memory with a push of a button while costing significantly lower than the competition.
Kingston NV2 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD
This internal solid-state drive from Kingston has 1 TB of digital storage capacity. The NV2 series SSD is designed to be compatible with laptops. It operates on PCIe 4.0 Gen 4×4 technology, features an M.2 2280 form factor, and delivers read speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s. It has lower power requirements, generating minimal heat, which makes it perfect for compact devices.
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 Gaming OC
The Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 Gaming OC is a triple-fan dual-slot graphics card that brings Gigabyte’s effective WINDFORCE cooling technology. It has three 80mm fans with alternate spinning that work alongside the five composite copper heat pipes that directly touch the GPU. The GPU uses the highest-grade metal chokes, 2oz copper PCB, lower ESR solid capacitors, and lower RDS(on) MOSFETs, among other features.
MSI MAG Forge 112R Case
The MSI MAG Forge 112R is an excellent affordable case for both gamers and content creators. Featuring 4 ARGB fans and an included controller box, the case lights up with some spectacular preset effects. A 4 mm tempered glass panel showcases the best components and is easily removed without tools. The case accommodates liquid cooling radiators and promotes efficient cooling through its mesh front panel.
Thermaltake Toughpower GX2 600W
Thermaltake Toughpower GX2 600W is a highly affordable GPU with excellent power efficiency. Its 600W capacity is sufficient for most budget or even mid-range builds and this PSU makes sure users get all the needed cables for their components. The GX2 comes with a 5-year warranty and various protection features to keep the components safe.
This second build leverages the excellent gaming prowess of the powerful, unlocked hexacore AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, bundling it with a capable Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite motherboard as well as 32GB of G.Skill’s Flare X5 offering 6000MHz DDR5 memory with an EXPO profile with decent timings (CL36). This offers end-users a future-proof AM5 motherboard and memory in addition to a capable gaming CPU with the newer Zen 4 cores. This allows it to deliver better performance while requiring less thermal headroom versus the older Ryzen 5000 series processors thanks to them using a newer, more efficient design and fabs (5nm vs 7nm).
As the CPU doesn’t come with a thermal solution, we are going with the Thermalright PA SE120 cooler, which is the greatest budget air cooler ever made. With a dual tower design, the cooler provides the cooling of premium air coolers while costing less or equal to the budget single tower air coolers.
For the GPU, the newer RX 7600 powers the pixels, which is a good alternative to the RTX 4060 for $30-$40 less. The RX 7600 is based on the RDNA 3 architecture and brings about a 35% higher performance compared to the RX 6600 from the previous generation. 8GB VRAM on a 128-bit bus is what users will get to maximize the fps at 1080p resolution and through the high potential of the Ryzen 7600X, it is going to run at its full potential.
The Best Budget GPUs for Gaming in 2024
Here are some of the best budget-centric GPUs gamers can buy in 2024!
For this build, a decent mid-range 600W Thermaltake Toughpower 80+ Gold rated PSU gets the job done given the PC specs, and has enough room to upgrade to a mid-range GPU or add a few more storage drives or chassis fans. If users are on a budget that allows them to account for a later upgrade, however, they can get a more expensive but higher-capacity Gold-Rated PSU that will get the job done. This allows for upgrades up to an RTX 4070 Ti SUPER or higher down the line.
With one of the best gaming CPUs in the business, plenty of power capacity under the hood, and excellent memory, there isn’t much to improve given budget constraints when targeting a sub-$1000 PC build without going considerably overboard. The build utilizes the MSI MAG Forge 112R Case, which arguably is one of the best value-centric cases within its price range, and a mid-range Kingston NV2 SSD offering 1TB of space for gamers looking to handle their storage capacity needs meaningfully in the coming days.
To decide if it fits a user’s needs, Game Rant has a dedicated review for the MSI MAG Forge 112R available. If not, they can always interchange it with another PC case that better suits their needs while accommodating the current PC build.
Total Estimated Build Cost: $1,040-$1070
Third Build: Crosshairs Centered On The GPU
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU
$158 $176 Save $18
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a mid-range CPU, excellent for gaming setups. This is the fastest six-core AM4-based processor from AMD and features 12 processing threads. According to the company, the processor can deliver 100-plus FPS performance in the world’s most popular games. The processor supports DDR4 memory with a sweet spot of 3600MHz.
It offers 4.6 GHz boost clock speeds out of the box with overclocking potential in tow, coupled with 35 MB of cache. This model comes bundled with a quiet and capable AMD Wraith Stealth cooler.
MSI B550-A PRO ProSeries
MSI B550-A PRO is an ATX motherboard with B550 chipset that supports CPU overclocking. The board comes with sufficient slots, headers, and ports to support multiple RAM sticks, expansion cards, cooling solutions, as well as storage drives on a budget. Compatible with Ryzen 1000 to 5000 series, it is an ideal choice for budget gaming builds where overclocking is a crucial factor.
Corsair VENGEANCE LPX DDR4 RAM 32GB
The Corsair VENGEANCE LPX DDR4 RAM kit provides users with ample memory size clocked at 3200MHz with tight timings. Vengeance has been the most popular RAM series for DDR4 platforms as it packs a punch on a budget without creating any issues with clearance. It’s fully compatible with Intel XMP 2.0 out of the box and works flawlessly on the tested timings.
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7700 XT GAMING OC 12G
The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7700 XT GAMING OC 12G graphics card is a mid-tier offering in the Radeon 7000 series. Based on the Navi 32 platform, the graphics card comes with a boost clock speed of up to 2599 MHz and a game clock speed of up to 2276 MHz. The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7700 XT GAMING OC 12G comes with a triple-fan cooler design, two 8-pin connectors, two DisplayPort 2.1, and two HDMI 2.1 ports.
Kingston NV2 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD
This internal solid-state drive from Kingston has 1 TB of digital storage capacity. The NV2 series SSD is designed to be compatible with laptops. It operates on PCIe 4.0 Gen 4×4 technology, features an M.2 2280 form factor, and delivers read speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s. It has lower power requirements, generating minimal heat, which makes it perfect for compact devices.
Corsair RM750E
Corsair RM750e keeps its amazing history of flawless operation for providing excellent performance. This 2023 edition comes with a fully modular design to keep the cable clutter at bay and also provides PCI-E Gen 5.0 support. The PSU brings a 12VHPWR cable included and can power multiple components with its 750-wattage capacity.
ANTEC AX61
ANTEC AX61 is a gorgeous mid-tower that is priced much lower than cases with similar functionality. It features a spacious interior that is clearly visible through the tempered glass panel and has 4x 120mm RGB fans pre-installed. The front panel is fully meshed and results in a balanced airflow inside the case for better heat dissipation.
While it’s recommended to opt for the newer generation hardware, sometimes the older generation excels in providing a higher value. The AM4 platform is one of the most legendary platforms ever made that is not going anywhere anytime soon. The best advantage of opting for the AM4 platform is the significant reduction in the overall cost, which helps to choose a better GPU.
This PC utilizes the popular Ryzen 5600X CPU that reigned as the gaming champ for a long time previously. With its 6-core/12-thread configuration, it provides sufficient horsepower to maximize the potential of GPUs. The system uses a DDR4 platform that isn’t any inferior to the DDR5 ones when it comes to gaming and it already has enough RAM capacity to support intensive applications and modern titles.
The games will be powered by the powerful Radeon RX 7700 XT, which is a significant upgrade over the RTX 4060 and the RX 7600 which are listed in the previous builds. Even though the 5600X is noticeably slower than the processors used in the previous builds, the RX 7700 XT makes up for all the loss and allows it to max graphics settings at 1440p resolution. It also has a higher VRAM size, which is essential for intensive modern titles at higher resolutions.
The Best AM4 CPUs for Gaming in 2024
AM4 CPUs provide excellent value for the money, and with the ones highlighted in this guide are the best available right now.
The system will be powered by 750 watts Gold-rated PSU from Corsair that has received so much positive reviews due to its stability at different voltage rails and great power efficiency. All of it will be hosted inside the excellent Antec AX61 mid-tower, which provides multiple pre-installed RGB fans at the front and rear for high airflow. It has a tempered glass panel to show off the interior and a PSU shroud to cover up the mess.
Total Estimated Build Cost: ~$980-$1020
Other Considerations When Building A Gaming PC
What Memory Capacity Should Buyers Aim For?
A gaming PC generally needs more memory than standard computers, which ship with 8 to 16 gigabytes of memory. While most PC games recommend up to 16GB of memory, recent games like Hogwarts Legacy (specific to ultra settings) and other titles tend to push for 32GB of memory. While 16GB of memory will work for most users, it can’t hurt to have more, especially given that memory prices are considerably lower now than in the past.
Ideally, users should aim for 32GB of memory if their budget allows it. There are currently not many use cases for 64GB of memory, even if one can afford it. However, if budget constraints apply, 16GB of memory should tide users over until games get demanding to the point of one needing more memory to meet specifications.
Should Gamers Buy A High-end Power Supply?
Most PSUs work most efficiently when running at about 50% load. With power costs rising, this is an important consideration. More importantly, higher-end PSUs have significant protection for PCs, such as OVP (Overvoltage Protection) and OCP (Overcurrent Protection), which can safeguard their components from adverse internal and external issues.
A PSU is probably the component of one’s PC that is (hopefully) not going to be regularly changed. It makes sense to get one that can handle higher or more demanding PC hardware down the line, allowing easy upgrades without needing it to be swapped while reliable power is available to one’s system. Most high-end PSUs last many years with many clocking in up to a decade of service before requiring a replacement or repair.
FAQ
Q: Can anyone build a PC?
Yes, building a PC is not a complicated endeavor. It does however mean having to research the PC parts you need to pick up to avoid getting incompatible hardware by mistake.
Q: Can a gaming PC be upgraded over time?
Yes, users can build a gaming PC part by part on an existing PC system or simply by ordering some of the parts recommended and upgrading them one by one.