Unleashing Gaming Power: The Ultimate PC Builds under $3000 Revealed

Modern gaming PCs have become increasingly expensive as the pursuit of visual excellence remains elusive for all but the most dedicated PC enthusiasts. The majority of DIY PC builders cannot afford to invest a substantial amount each year to obtain the latest and greatest hardware. With PC builds easily surpassing $5k for top-of-the-line components and aesthetic enhancements, consumer budgets have also soared in the quest for unparalleled performance offered by contemporary gaming PCs.

What Gaming PC Build Should I Get?

Our build guides are categorized into various tiers, enabling you to select from a range of optimal builds that cater to diverse budget and performance classes. Specifically, we offer the Entry Level $500 Gaming PC Builds, which are designed to deliver an immersive Full HD gaming experience.

The Mid-Range Gaming PC Builds priced at $1000 are capable of handling Full HD and 2K Gaming, while also offering entry-level VR support.

The High-End Gaming PC Builds priced at $2000 strive to provide exceptional 2K Ray Traced Performance, coupled with mid-Range VR support.

The Enthusiast-Grade $3000 Gaming PC Builds that can handle 4K Gaming with Ray Tracing (with DLSS/FSR at times)

Our Best $3000 Gaming PC Builds For 2023

The Cool Customer

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D stands out as AMD's most powerful CPU for gaming purposes. Boasting exceptional gaming performance, it currently ranks at the top of the charts. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D solidifies its position as a formidable player in the gaming arena, thanks to its impressive 3D V-Cache-enabled capabilities on a PC.

Kingston Fury Beast RGB 32GB 6000MHz DDR5 Cl36 offers an impressive performance that is AMD Expo Certified. This RAM kit provides tight timings at a CAS latency of 36-38-38-80 (CL36) at AMD's recommended sweet spot of 6000MHz in DDR5. Along with its outstanding RGB lighting and a lifetime warranty, users have already started pushing the Fury Rams beyond their rated limits, achieving even CL32 at higher clock speeds.

Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB is a top-of-the-line solid-state drive known for its exceptional performance and remarkable speed enhancements compared to its predecessor. With a significant increase in random read and write speeds, it outperforms the 980 PRO by 40% and 55% respectively. This SSD also boasts high input/output operations per second (IOPS) of up to 1400K/1550K, as well as sequential read and write speeds reaching up to 7,450 and 6,900 MB/s respectively. These speeds approach the maximum performance capabilities of PCIe 4.0. Not only does the Samsung 990 PRO excel in performance, but it is also energy-efficient, delivering up to 50% improved performance per watt compared to the 980 PRO.

$160 at Amazon

The GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master Motherboard is designed to cater to the needs of midrange/high-end users without compromising on reliability or value for money. With its native support for IO and PCI-E Gen 5, Gigabyte's high-end X670E aims to capture the market by offering a competitive entry that won't break the bank.

PNY GeForce RTX 4080 16GB XLR8 Gaming GPU - Superior Performance at an Affordable Price

The PNY GeForce RTX 4080 16GB XLR8 Gaming OC GPU stands out as an exceptional choice among RTX 4080 GPUs. Despite being priced at a discount compared to its competitors, it delivers impressive performance. While its boost clocks may not be as high as some other models, it efficiently maintains optimal temperatures with its tri-fan air-cooled thermal component.

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MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU is a high-quality power supply unit specifically designed to support the ATX 3.0 specification. It is also compatible with PCI-E 5.0, ensuring optimal performance for your gaming PC. With its fully modular design, you can easily customize and organize your cables without breaking the bank. In comparison to its competitors, the MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU offers great value for the price, making it a strong contender for your gaming setup.

$200 at Amazon $200 at Newegg

The DeepCool Liquid Cooler LS720 360MM ARGB Liquid Cooler stands out as one of the most visually appealing ARGB liquid coolers currently available in the market. It not only offers a stunning design but also provides exceptional cooling performance, making it suitable for even the most high-powered CPUs. What sets it apart is that it offers all these features at a more affordable price compared to other premium ARGB liquid coolers.

Fractal Design Meshify C is a standout among the mid-tower case options available in the market. Its mesh front design not only gives it a unique and angular appearance but also facilitates efficient airflow within the chassis. Unlike other mid-tower cases, the Meshify C offers the spaciousness of a full tower in a smaller form factor, making it an ideal choice for gamers. Equipped with 7 fan mounts, a liquid cooling radiator, and space for 5 hard drives, this case is designed to adapt to the evolving needs of gamers and their rigs.

Our initial selection centers around obtaining the most powerful gaming CPU available, coupled with a 1000W PCI-E 5.0 PSU that can effortlessly support an RTX 4090 in the future. Additionally, we prioritize abundant and high-speed storage with the Samsung 990 Pro 2TB, along with top-notch AMD EXPO-compatible memory included as a standard feature.

The PNY RTX 4080 is a competitively priced GPU that has sparked some skepticism among the PC gaming community. However, it remains a worthwhile investment, particularly when available at a significant discount.

To complement this purchase, the Gigabyte X670E Aorus Elite motherboard provides exceptional versatility with its wide range of connectivity options. This motherboard is housed in the sleek and functional Fractal Design Meshify C case, which is capable of accommodating a front-mounted 3-fan cooler like the impressive DeepCool LS720. Not only does this cooler boast impressive reviews, but it also delivers on both aesthetic appeal and performance.

The end product is a sleek and sophisticated device that combines the elegance of white with the boldness of black, resulting in a visually appealing design. It features impressive RGB lighting and is equipped to handle the demanding requirements of the RTX 4090, if necessary. Moreover, it delivers exceptional Ray Tracing capabilities and is optimized for 4K content, with the added support of DLSS in a wide range of contemporary gaming titles. All of these remarkable features are available at an estimated build cost of $2,783.

The Team Blue Juggernaut

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a powerhouse in terms of value, dominating the top-tier sector. With the ability to surpass most of its non-X3D AMD competitors when properly cooled and overclocked, this CPU proves its superiority. Additionally, if you already own a 600 series motherboard from your previous CPU, you can seamlessly transition to the i7-13700K with a simple bios update. Featuring 16 cores (8 P-cores and 8 E-cores) and 24 processing threads, this processor also includes integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770, boasting a maximum clock speed of 5.2 GHz.

Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 32GB 6000MHz C36 is renowned for its stunning aesthetics and superior performance. With 12 ultra-bright RGB lights adorning each module and an exquisite design, these RAM modules are a sight to behold. Alongside its visually appealing attributes, the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 32GB 6000MHz C36 also offers exclusive features such as customizable EXPO profiles through the iCUE utility, a patented heat spreader, and onboard voltage regulation. At $160, it presents an excellent value proposition, allowing users to save $145 on their purchase.

SAMSUNG 980 PRO 2TB SSD is now available for just $122, marked down from its original price of $380, allowing you to save a significant $258. This high-performance SSD takes computing to the next level with its impressive data transfer rate, which is twice as fast as PCIe 3.0 SSDs while remaining backward compatible. Powered by the advanced Elpsis controller, specifically designed for seamless integration with flash memory components and the PCIe 4.0 interface, the 980 PRO offers exceptional speed and performance. It is an ideal choice for hardcore gamers and tech-savvy users, ensuring fast game loading times and reduced waiting periods. Additionally, its compact M.2 2280 form factor allows for easy installation in both desktops and laptops. Don't miss out on this incredible deal!

$122 at Amazon

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is a top-tier motherboard designed for Intel 12th and 13th generation CPUs. With its exceptional performance, this motherboard supports high-speed memory overclocking. It not only boasts a premium and sturdy construction but also stands out with its inclusion of dual Thunderbolt 4 ports. As one of the limited USB4 motherboards available, it offers users unparalleled connectivity options.

Asus TUF GAMING GeForce RTX 4070 Ti, powered by NVIDIA DLSS3, features the ultra-efficient Ada Lovelace architecture and full ray tracing capabilities. This cutting-edge GPU is a part of the newest generation of NVIDIA GPUs. This specific version from Asus is equipped with Axial-tech fans that have been scaled up, providing 21% more airflow. Given the immense power of this graphics card, exceptional cooling is essential.

$800 at Newegg

Introducing the MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU, a power supply unit that is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the ATX 3.0 specification. Not only does it offer full compatibility with PCI-E 5.0, but it also boasts a fully modular design. The best part? It comes at an affordable price point, making it a strong competitor against other similar products in the market. If you're in need of a reliable and cost-effective power supply for your gaming PC, look no further than the MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU.

$200 at Amazon $200 at Newegg

The ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler is an exceptional cooling solution that offers superior performance. Equipped with Noctua fans, this liquid cooler not only delivers efficient cooling but also adds a touch of elegance with Asus's own ROG AF 12S ARGB fans. Featuring the Asetek 7th Gen pump, a copper base, and a tri-fan radiator, the Ryujin II 360 ARGB is specifically designed to handle even the most demanding AMD and Intel processors while maintaining optimal temperatures. With its impressive capabilities, this liquid cooler ensures that your system stays cool and efficient.

The LIAN LI PC-O11 Dynamic Razer Edition PC Case is available for $160 at Amazon and $190 at Newegg. This ATX mid-tower case offers a perfect blend of style and functionality. Lian Li has specially designed this version of the PC-O11 Dynamic Case to cater to fans of Razer gaming peripherals. With its dual chamber chassis design and front and side tempered glass panels, the case boasts a sleek and modern look. Additionally, the Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic Razer Edition fully supports the Razer Synapse 3 RGB ecosystem, allowing users to synchronize case lights with their Razer keyboards, mice, and headsets.

Our next build showcases the Intel Core i7 13700K processor, paired with the ASUS ROG Hero Z790-based motherboard. For improved cooling performance, we have opted for a higher-end cooler, as the Intel 13th gen flagship i9 and i7 CPUs tend to generate more heat compared to their competitors. To ensure ample storage with lightning-fast speeds, we have chosen Samsung's reliable 980 Pro 2TB SSD. Additionally, the inclusion of the ASUS RTX 4070TI TUF GPU not only provides stability but also delivers significant performance enhancements compared to the previous generation of GPUs. This build also offers a highly versatile motherboard option.

If you are considering the Intel Core i9 13900K, it might not be the most suitable choice for our budget limitations as it does not significantly enhance gaming performance. The same applies to upgrading from the RTX 4070TI to the RTX 4080. However, if you still want to make an upgrade, it is advisable to invest the extra money in a higher-end GPU rather than a CPU. In a PC designed for high-end gaming, the GPU is more likely to be the limiting factor in most modern 4K games.

Estimated Total Cost of the Build: $2,850

The Creator's Wishlist

The AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X3D 16-Core, 32-Thread Desktop Processor is AMD's response to Intel's resurgent 13th generation processor lineup. With the same cutting-edge technology that made the previous generation's 5800X3D CPU a force to be reckoned with, AMD aims to reclaim the gaming crown.

The G.Skill Flare X5 Series RAM kits are specifically designed for AMD AM5 processors, offering a high-performance DDR5 RAM that operates at an impressive overclocked speed of 6000MHz. With its lower latency EXPO profile, users can easily overclock their memory with just a simple push of a button. What sets the G.Skill Flare X5 Series apart from the competition is its affordability, as it is priced significantly lower than other similar options in the market.

$92 at Newegg

The Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB is a top-tier solid-state drive designed to deliver exceptional performance. With significant speed enhancements over its predecessor, this SSD offers a massive boost in random read and write speeds, with a 40% increase in random read speed and a 55% increase in random write speed compared to the 980 PRO.

Not only does it provide impressive speed, but it also offers high input/output operations per second (IOPS) of up to 1400K/1550K, as well as sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,450 and 6,900 MB/s respectively, approaching the maximum performance of PCIe 4.0.

Moreover, the Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB is energy-efficient, providing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO.

$160 at Amazon

The ASUS ROG Strix X670E-F Gaming Wi-Fi is a feature-rich motherboard that caters to the needs of AMD enthusiasts, motherboard manufacturers, and system builders. Priced reasonably compared to its competitors, it offers support for up to 128 GB of DDR5 RAM, 4 M2 Slots, a PCI-Express x16 slot, and up to 17 USB ports. With such extensive connectivity options, power users can expect a seamless experience.

The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX® 4080 OC Edition is available at different prices on various platforms. It is priced at $380 on Amazon, $422 on Newegg, and $460 at Best Buy. This high-performance graphics card is a part of Nvidia's RTX 4080 lineup and is known for its exceptional cooling system, which is considered one of the best in the market. With its sleek and powerful design, the Strix RTX 4080 is the ultimate choice for those seeking top-notch performance in their RTX 4080 options.

GIGABYTE GP-UD1000GM PG5 Rev2.0 1000W PSU is available for $190, marked down from $200, saving you $10. This second revision of the successful PG5 PSU comes with a native 16-pin PCI-E 5.0 power connector and complies with Intel's new ATX 3.0 PSU standards. With a fully modular design and up to 10 years of warranty, this affordable option is worth considering.

Cooler Master MASTERLIQUID Liquid CPU Cooler COOLER MASTER MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2 offers a refreshed design compared to the popular MasterLiquid Lite Series, enhancing its exterior elements. The radiator has been expanded to provide a larger surface area, optimizing heat dissipation and ensuring improved cooling performance. Additionally, the ML240L RGB V2 is equipped with the latest SickleFlow 120 RGB fan, featuring a brand-new design and Air Balance fan blades that offer reduced noise levels without compromising on airflow and pressure.

Corsair 4000D Airflow is a top-notch mid-tower ATX case available for $100 on Amazon. This case stands out with its exceptional cooling capabilities and easy cable management features. Its steel front panel is equipped with triangular cutouts that ensure optimal airflow to your components. Additionally, the package includes two 120 mm AirGuide fans designed with anti-vortex vanes, which further enhance the cooling system. The CORSAIR RapidRoute cable management system simplifies the process of routing major cables by offering a single channel with a routing depth of 25mm. The

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Creators, who often multitask as gamers and productivity professionals, have more specific needs. In order to cater to these requirements, we have made significant upgrades to both the CPU and GPU compared to the previous builds. However, we have decided to reduce the emphasis on the cooler and the case, while still maintaining acceptable thermals. Our choice for the flagship creator-centric processor is AMD's 7950X3D, which we have paired with an exceptional motherboard from ASUS. It is crucial to update the BIOS in order to avoid the recent issues faced by ASUS with the AM5 platform. This motherboard provides excellent I/O and networking options right out of the box.

We utilize G.Skill memory modules equipped with AMD EXPO profiles, designed to meet the requirements of the X3D series processors, operating at a maximum speed of 6000MHz. To ensure top-notch performance, we opt for the finest RTX 4080 SKU available in the market, surpassing our budget constraint slightly. Consequently, the current version of the rig exceeds the $3k mark effortlessly.

Estimated Total Build Cost: $3067

FAQ:

Q: Should I aim for an RTX 4080 or 4090 for a high-end gaming PC?

Yes, the high-end GPUs of ADA Lovelace, such as the RTX 4080 or 4090, have the ability to significantly enhance performance in modern games on most gaming PCs. These GPUs are more powerful than their predecessors and, in situations where they are not limited by other components of the PC, they can easily outperform their competitors.

Q: What is the best CPU I can get as a content creator?

Both Intel's 13900K and AMD's Ryzen 7950X3D flagship processors are outstanding CPUs that compete for the CPU slot in creator-centric PCs. Intel focuses on delivering increased raw power and clock speeds, while AMD prioritizes efficiency and enhanced gaming performance, aiming to provide better value to its customers.