Ultimate Gaming PC Builds for Under $2000
Get the ultimate gaming experience without breaking the bank! Discover the top 3 gaming PC builds under $2000 that you can easily assemble yourself From high-end components to unbeatable performance, build the gaming PC of your dreams at an affordable price FAQs included
Gaming PCs vary greatly in terms of size, shape, and cost. It's important to consider your needs and budget before investing in a prebuilt PC, as they may not align with what's available on the market. Building your own gaming PC is often the most cost-effective option, offering greater flexibility and customization potential.
For those looking to build a $2000 gaming PC, it's important to note that this budget is best suited for 2K resolution gaming. Most games that are 4K-ready require hardware that can push past the $3k mark to sustain a stable high frame rate at that resolution. If you're aiming for Full HD resolution, a $1000 gaming PC or build guide should suffice, and we have one of our own in that price range to offer.
What Do I Need To Get Build A Gaming PC
To build an optimal gaming PC, it's crucial to pay attention to specific components and how they integrate to achieve the best possible performance. The following list highlights the key components that need to be considered (in no particular order) to ensure your gaming setup provides you with the ultimate gaming experience:
CPU/Processor
GPU/Graphics Card
Motherboard
RAM Modules
SSDs/Alternate Storage
CPU Cooler (Some CPUs do come bundled with a cooler)
Power Supply Units (PSUs)
PC Cases
Our Best 3 Gaming PC Build Suggestions Under $2,000
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is an excellent entry point into the latest generation of CPUs, offering access to PCIe 5.0, DDR5 RAM, and a new design that places the pins on the motherboard rather than the CPU itself, reducing the risk of damage from bending. At a competitive price point, this processor is a great starting point for those looking to upgrade their system.
$240 at Amazon $249 at Newegg
The Asus Prime B650-PLUS AM5 motherboard may not be the flashiest option out there, but it certainly packs a punch when it comes to features. With four DDR5 memory slots, three M.2 NVME connectors, and built-in 2.5 Gb/s LAN, this ATX motherboard is perfect for budget-friendly builds as well as those looking to use top-of-the-line components. At just $200 on Amazon, it's a great choice for those looking to get the most bang for their buck.
Upgrade your gaming experience with the Silicon Power XPOWER Zenith RGB Gaming 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL40 Memory. This RAM boasts faster frequencies, larger capacities, and lower voltages, providing top-notch gaming performance. The aluminum heat sink, available in black or white, ensures efficient heat dissipation, enabling long-term high performance. Get yours for only $85 on Amazon.
Experience lightning-fast speed and top-notch data protection with the Crucial P5 Plus 1 TB M.2 SSD. Boasting an impressive transfer rate of up to 6600MB/s, this drive is the perfect solution for demanding workloads such as gaming and creative applications. While it performs best when paired with a Gen 4 slot, it remains backward compatible with Gen 3.0 slots. Get yours now for only $70 at Amazon or Newegg and save $90!
The Corsair iCUE 4000X ATX Mid Tower case offers a stunning aesthetic and a user-friendly design, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to build their own PC. With the ability to accommodate up to 6x 120 mm or 4x 140 mm cooling fans, along with multiple radiators including a 360 mm in the front and 280 mm in the roof, this case provides excellent cooling potential. The tempered glass side panel allows for easy viewing of your build, and provides a scratch-resistant surface unlike traditional plastic side panels. At $130 on Amazon, it's a great value for the quality and features it offers.
The Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler is designed to provide maximum cooling for your CPU while minimizing noise. Equipped with dual Noctua NF-A15 PWM fans and low-noise adapters, this air-based CPU cooler gets the job done without any unnecessary frills. It is capable of cooling even the most powerful CPUs available on the market, and comes with high-end NT-H1 thermal paste to assist in its efforts.
Price: $110 on Amazon, $114 on Newegg.
The NZXT C1000 PSU is a versatile power supply that is compatible with any ATX case and can support most of the latest NVIDIA 30 series and AMD 6000 series GPUs. With its DC-DC technology, this PSU is able to generate less heat and reduce fan RPM, while the 135 mm PWM silent fan ensures quiet operation even at high loads. Additionally, the fully modular design of the C1000 eliminates clutter at the bottom of the case, which helps to keep your PC cooler. You can purchase it for $180 on Amazon.
The PNY RTX 4070 Ti 12GB XLR8 Gaming Verto Epic-X is a sleek and stylish GPU that offers the same base clocks as the founder's edition, but with the added bonus of subtle RGB lighting and a high-quality, yet quiet cooler. Despite its impressive features, it is available at a price point that matches the MSRP of the founder's edition, making it an excellent choice for gamers looking for a powerful and aesthetically pleasing graphics card. Currently priced at $800 on Amazon and $850 on Newegg for the OC variant.
Total Estimated Cost: $1,815
This gaming PC is purpose-built to provide maximum value under $2k and it doesn't disappoint. Equipped with the efficient AMD Ryzen 5 7600X processor and the powerful RTX 4070TI GPU, it's a formidable machine for gamers. Even though there are many options for RTX 4070TI GPUs, the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X has a lower TDP of just 105W, making it an excellent choice for air-cooled gaming setups. The Noctua NH-D15 is a reliable and silent cooling solution that ensures the CPU won't experience any thermal throttling, as long as there is adequate airflow in the case. While it may not be cheap, it's a worthwhile investment to make the most out of this gaming PC's raw power.
The Corsair iCUE 4000X is a versatile mid-tower case that can accommodate all of the builds we'll be discussing. Despite its unimposing size, it's easy to build in and can easily house a full-length GPU and larger CPU coolers. We've opted for the Crucial P5 NVME SSD at 1 TB for storage, which is a great starting point for most gamers. If you need more space, you can always add a second drive or opt for the higher capacity 2 Terabyte Crucial P5 drive. 32 GB of RAM is more than sufficient for all games and most creativity or productivity-focused applications. However, if you decide to upgrade in the future, the motherboard in this build has 4 DIMM slots, allowing you to add another set of this RAM to increase your capacity up to 64GB.
Lastly, the NZXT PSU is fully modular, 80+ Gold certified, and capable of delivering up to 1000 watts of power. It's also reasonably priced, making it an excellent choice for this build. With this much power available, you should be set for several upgrades to come, unless the next generation of GPUs requires a significant increase in power, which seems unlikely.
The Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor is a powerful 12th generation CPU that boasts 10 cores and a base clock speed of 3.7 GHz, which can be boosted up to 4.9 GHz. With 6 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, this processor has a TDP of only 125 W, making it a great option for those who want high performance without sacrificing energy efficiency. You can purchase it for $219 on Amazon.
The GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC Gaming Motherboard boasts a powerful combination of DDR5 and Wi-Fi AC, bundled with 3 M2 slots, making it an excellent choice for entry-level Z790 motherboards. Despite being priced similarly to most B760 motherboards, it delivers exceptional value from a price-to-performance standpoint. Save $5 when you purchase it for $195 at Amazon or Newegg.
Get ready to experience the power of the XFX Radeon RX 7900XT - an epitome of AMD's latest and most advanced graphics chips. With the RDNA 3 architecture, you can enjoy AI acceleration, a new AMD Radiance display engine, and a Chiplet design, all of which ensure a smooth and immersive gaming experience. Moreover, the second generation of ray-tracing and AMD Infinity Cache features take your gaming graphics to the next level. This particular XFX GPU boasts a whopping 20 gigabytes of graphics memory on a 320-bit memory interface, a high clock speed of 2400 MHz, and efficient triple fan cooling. And the best part? You can get it now for just $779.99 on Amazon, a whopping $220 off its regular price!
Elevate your gaming experience with the Silicon Power XPOWER Zenith RGB Gaming RAM. Boasting faster frequencies, greater capacities, and lower voltages, this RAM offers exceptional performance for gamers. Its aluminum heat sink, available in black or white, efficiently dissipates heat from the RAM, ensuring sustained high performance over long gaming sessions. Get yours now for just $85 on Amazon.
The CORSAIR 4000D AIRFLOW is a top-of-the-line mid-tower ATX case that boasts both excellent cable management and superior cooling capabilities. Its steel front panel has been crafted with triangular cutouts that optimize airflow to your components, which are further complemented by two 120 mm AirGuide fans that are specially designed with anti-vortex vanes for enhanced cooling performance. Moreover, the case features the CORSAIR RapidRoute cable management system, which simplifies the process of routing major cables through a single channel by providing 25mm of routing depth. At just $105 at both Amazon and Best Buy, the CORSAIR 4000D AIRFLOW is a must-have for any PC enthusiast.
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black is the perfect combination of style and function, providing exceptional cooling performance at an affordable price point. With its sleek black aluminum top cover and enlarged fan blades, this cooler is sure to blend seamlessly with any PC build. Plus, the dual-loop ARGB lighting effects add an extra touch of visual appeal, making it a top choice for gamers looking to create the ultimate setup. And with compatibility for both AMD Ryzen AM5/AM4 and Intel LGA1700/1200 chip sets, it's a versatile option for any builder. Get yours today for just $50 on Amazon.
The Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 PE 850 W PSU is an excellent choice for high-end gaming or workstation setups. It delivers a reliable and stable power supply of 850 W with full modular cables, making cable management a breeze. This power supply has an 80 plus gold certification, ensuring high efficiency and lower energy consumption. Additionally, it comes equipped with a 140 mm fan that keeps the system cool even under heavy loads. The powerful single +12V rail ensures that all PC components receive a consistent and stable supply of power. At $157 on Amazon and $140 on Newegg, it's a great investment for any serious PC builder or enthusiast.
Total Estimated Cost: $1,735
This gaming setup offers the best of both worlds, pairing an Intel CPU with an AMD GPU. The Intel Core i5-12600KF is a cost-effective option with 10 cores running at 3.7 GHz, making it a popular choice among gamers. The XFX Radeon RX 7900XT is a powerful GPU that can handle most games released in 2023, although it may struggle with Ray Tracing at present. We've opted for a 32 GB, 6000MHz kit from Silicon Power, and the motherboard has 4 RAM slots, allowing for easy upgrades to memory capacity in the future if necessary.
Samsung's 990 Pro SSD is currently on sale, and purchasing their 2TB SKU at its current price point and value proposition is a wise decision for storage needs. The Corsair 4000D Airflow case easily accommodates all of these components and offers exceptional cooling performance. When paired with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 cooler, thermal throttling should not be a concern. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D 8-Core 16-Thread Processor, launched just over a year ago, still competes with the best-in-class CPUs from both AMD and Intel in terms of gaming performance, proving to be a reliable powerhouse that has yet to be overshadowed by newer iterations of Intel CPUs.
The Gigabyte B550 UD AC ATX motherboard strikes the perfect balance between luxurious features and affordability, with a price tag of $120 at Amazon and $140 at Newegg. It supports all AM4 CPUs, but users should note that BIOS updates may be required for Ryzen 5 CPUs. With 2 NVME M.2 connectors that run at PCIe 4.0 speeds, this motherboard can deliver lightning-fast read and write speeds when paired with compatible SSDs.
The XFX Radeon RX 7900XT, available for $779.99 on Amazon, boasts AMD's latest and most powerful graphics chips. Its RDNA 3 architecture offers AI acceleration, an AMD Radiance display engine, and a Chiplet design. Additionally, this GPU features 20GB of graphics memory on a 320-bit memory interface, a clock speed of 2400 MHz, and a triple fan cooling solution to keep things running smoothly. With the improved 2nd generation of ray-tracing and AMD Infinity Cache features, the XFX Radeon RX 7900XT is a top-of-the-line choice for gamers and graphic designers alike.
XPG DDR4 D50 RGB 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz CL18 RAM kits are a top-tier option for those seeking to upgrade to high-quality DDR4 RAM that not only supports the latest Intel platforms but also caters to the vast Ryzen market for processors from the 5000 series and below. With its sleek design and impressive speed, this RAM kit is perfect for users who want both performance and aesthetics. At only $779.99 on Amazon, the XPG DDR4 D50 RGB 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz CL18 is an affordable option for those who want visually appealing memory without breaking the bank.
The SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus 1TB SSD is a steal at just $85 on Amazon. It offers reliable performance and exceptional value, delivering solid speeds at a fraction of the cost of other PCI-E 4.0 drives. Despite not being the fastest on the market, its exceptional software makes it an appealing choice for those looking for a budget-friendly SSD upgrade.
The Corsair 4000D Airflow is an exceptional mid-tower ATX case that offers easy cable management and superior cooling. Its steel front panel features triangular cutouts that optimize airflow to your components while the two included 120mm AirGuide fans, designed with anti-vortex vanes, enhance cooling. With the CORSAIR RapidRoute cable management system, routing major cables through a single channel with 25mm of routing depth is effortless. Plus, you can snag it for just $55 on Amazon or $60 on Newegg.
The Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler is designed to provide maximum cooling for your CPU while keeping noise levels to a minimum. With dual Noctua NF-A15 PWM fans and low-noise adapters included, this air-based cooler means business when it comes to keeping even the most powerful CPUs cool. And with the high-end NT-H1 thermal paste also included, you can be sure that your CPU will stay cool and running smoothly. At $105 on Amazon, the Noctua NH-D15 is a top-performing CPU cooler that won't break the bank.
The NZXT C1000 PSU is a versatile power supply that is compatible with most ATX cases and can support the latest NVIDIA 30 series and AMD 6000 series GPUs. It features DC-DC technology to reduce heat generation and fan RPM, while the 135 mm PWM silent fan ensures quiet operation even at high loads. The fully modular design eliminates clutter and improves airflow, resulting in a cooler PC.
$180 at Amazon
Total Estimated Cost: $1,789
This high-end build may be the priciest on the list, but it packs a serious punch with AMD components built around the AM4 platform and DDR4 memory. For under $2,000, you can't beat the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, which still holds its own against the top CPUs from AMD and Intel when it comes to gaming. Pair it with the current generation RX 7900XT, boasting 20 GB of VRAM, and you can comfortably run any triple-A game at high quality. The Gigabyte B550 UC AC motherboard is an excellent entry-level AMD motherboard with multiple M.2 slots and built-in Wi-Fi. We opted for the XPG DDR4 D50 RGB 32 GB for memory, with its impressive 3600MHz speed and solid support for the Ryzen series. The Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1 TB M.2 SSD is another standout component, delivering near-PCIe 4.0 speeds at a much lower cost.
With so much power under the hood, cooling is crucial to avoid thermal throttling. That's why we chose the Corsair 4000D Airflow case, which is easy to build in and offers ample cooling thanks to its steel mesh panel. To keep the Ryzen 7 5800X3D running smoothly, we went with the Noctua NH-D15 CPU cooler. If the standard color scheme doesn't suit your style, Noctua also offers an all-black version for a slightly higher cost.
Best Budget Graphics Cards
FAQ
Is A $2000 PC Good For Gaming?
A $2,000 budget is perfect for gamers who want to enjoy high refresh rates at 1080p or 1440p resolutions. Not only that, but these top-quality components are built to last, so you won't have to worry about upgrading anytime soon. In fact, you can expect them to keep up with the latest gaming trends for at least three years.
Is It Cheaper To Build A Gaming PC?
Building your own PC not only allows you to save money by avoiding the building fee charged by prebuilt PC companies, but also gives you the freedom to choose the components you want. With the plethora of build guides available online, building your own PC has become easier than ever before. All you need is the confidence to put the components together and you're good to go.
