These powerful builds will have you gaming at higher resolutions.
You’re ready to go all out. You’ve got a large budget and you want the most powerful PC possible. You want to be able to run games at 1440P or 4K resolution with a high average framerate. How are you going to do it?
You’re going to build it yourself.
In this guide, we’ve presented you with five high-end PC build options that will give you extreme performance, even at 1440P or 4K resolution. So, whether you’re looking for a solid gaming PC to play Fortnite on a 1440P 240Hz resolution monitor, or you want to play Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K resolution, one of the builds listed below will get the job done for you.
Each build lists all of the parts you’ll need to build that system, with links of where to get the parts. We’ve also provided a full overview of what the build comes with and what kind of performance you can expect out of it.
Ready to build your new gaming PC?
Table of Contents
II. Quick-Look: PC Builds Comparison
III. FAQ: Should You Build A PC?
IV. Ask A Question
Picking the Best Parts for These Builds
Over the years, Tech Guided has helped thousands of builders choose the right parts for their builds.
Each component in our part lists are chosen based on our years of hands-on experience using and testing PC hardware. We look for the best parts at the best price points to ensure you’re getting the most possible performance for your budget.
Want to know our thought process behind how we choose each component? Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Parts.
You can also watch us build computers and discuss PC hardware on our YouTube channel.
Important: For help choosing parts or for any questions you might have, check the FAQ section below, or ask a question in the comment section.
Quick-Look: Compare Builds for Different Budgets
This section highlights the core components of five different PC builds, all at different pricepoints ($1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $1,750, & $2,000). You can use these partlists as is or adjust them to your personal needs. We’ve also linked to comparably priced prebuilt PCs if you really don’t want to build your own system.
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*We update these builds about once per week and if the total price is over the price range I have set ($30 threshold) then it’s likely that one (or more) of the components included in the build saw a price increase since I had last updated the build.
1. Ryzen 7 9800X3D + RX 7900 XTX Build
So you’ve decided to go all out… You’re not spending a dime under $2,000 on computer parts for your new ridiculously awesome computer build. Alright… that’s cool… some people just have to have the best!
Fortunately, with a $2,000+ budget you can really max out your build. You can get an extreme video card, a high-end processor, a ton of RAM, a nice-looking feature-packed case, and plenty of SSD storage.
This is an extreme gaming computer that can handle higher-resolution gaming with ease. If you’re going to drop this much on a computer, be sure to pair it with some high-end peripherals as well, like a FreeSync monitor, a comfortable gaming chair, and a high-quality gaming headset.
This build features an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, an RX 7900 XTX graphics card, and 32GB of DDR5 RAM. The combination of the RX 7900 XTX and the 9800X3D CPU will be more than powerful enough to have you maxing out games on a 4K monitor or a 1440P 240Hz monitor.
This system also comes with an overclocking-friendly X870 chipset motherboard from Gigabyte, a 1TB Gen 4 NVME SSD from WD, and an 850W Gold fully modular power supply from ADATA. And, while there are a wide option of computer cases that would be able to accommodate this part list, we’ve included the Cooler Master HAF 500 for its roomy interior and excellent airflow.
Overall, this is one of the best systems for pure gaming performance you can build for ~$2,000.
Part List for $2,000 PC Build
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| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | |
| AIO | Thermalright Notte 360 | |
| MOBO | Gigabyte X870 AORUS | |
| GPU | ASRock RX 7900 XTX | |
| RAM | G.SKILL Flare X5 32GB | |
| SSD | WD Black 1TB | |
| CASE | CM HAF 500 | |
| PSU | XPG 850W |
Grand Total: $1,970-$2,030
Or, get a custom PC from Origin »
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click ‘Price on Amazon’ to see the most-up-to-date price.
**The ‘Grand Total’ price includes the parts that make up the computer only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows costs ~$125 for an activation key. However, you can still install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it with no problems—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your screen asking you to activate it.
2. Ryzen 5 7600X + RX 7900 XTX Build
For a price of $1,750, the sky is the limit in terms of performance. Seriously, with an RX 7900 XTX GPU this build is ready to push games on a 4K monitor…
$1,750 will also give you plenty of other options as well. For instance, if you’re planning on doing some system tuning, this kind of budget will allow you to hit some decent overclocks. And, it’s definitely a tethered VR-ready PC build (Valve Index or HTC Vive).
Along with the RX 7900 XTX graphics card, this build features an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, a solid dual tower air cooler from Thermalright, and an XPG 850W Gold power supply. You will also get a 1TB NVME SSD and 32GB of 6000MHz DDR5 RAM.
While 32GB of memory won’t be used in the majority of older games, newer games are starting to utilize over 16GB of RAM and so the extra memory will ensure that you have enough to meet their demands. And, if you’re into RGB lighting, the Cooler Master HAF 500 case in this build come with three preinstalled RGB fans.
This system is powerful enough to easily handle any game on max settings on a 1080P or 1440P monitor and it will nearly max out anything on a 4K monitor as well. For 1080P and 1440P gaming, though, be sure to pair it with a higher refresh rate display to fully maximize its performance (like a 1080P 360Hz display or a 1440P 240Hz display.)
This build comes with the following parts:
Part List for $1,750 PC Build
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| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 7600X | |
| COOL | Thermalright PA 120 SE | |
| MOBO | MSI PRO B650-S | |
| GPU | ASRock RX 7900 XTX | |
| RAM | G.SKILL Flare X5 32GB | |
| SSD | WD Black 1TB | |
| CASE | CM HAF 500 | |
| PSU | XPG 850W |
Grand Total: $1,720-$1,780
Or, get a custom PC from Origin »
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click ‘Price on Amazon’ to see the most-up-to-date price.
**The ‘Grand Total’ price includes the parts that make up the computer only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows costs ~$125 for an activation key. However, you can still install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it with no problems—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your screen asking you to activate it.
3. Ryzen 5 7600X + RX 7900 XT Build
For $1,500 you’re getting a very similar computer to our $1,250 build. The only difference? You get a better graphics card.
Whereas the $1,250 build comes with an AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT, this system comes with a more powerful RX 7900 XT. While both graphics cards are solid options for high resolution gaming, the 7900 XT is about 10-15% faster in most games. If you can fit it into your budget and you’re gaming at 1440P or 4K, it is definitely worth it.
This system also features an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X processor, 32GB of DDR5 6000MHz memory, a standard ATX B650 chipset motherboard with plenty of RGB lighting features, a WD Black1TB NVME SSD, and an 850W 80 PLUS Gold power supply.
Ultimately, this build is capable of maxing out anything on a 2560×1440 monitor, handling pretty much anything on a 4K monitor, will work well with a 1440P 240Hz+ monitor, and will allow you to get into VR with the Valve Index or HTC Vive. And, it has plenty of storage for your needs and it has enough space to allow you to upgrade in the future as well.
The following is a list of parts that will help you build the best computer for gaming under $1,500:
Part List for $1,500 PC Build
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| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 7600X | |
| COOL | Thermalright PA 120 SE | |
| MOBO | MSI PRO B650-S | |
| GPU | ASRock RX 7900 XT | |
| RAM | Silicon Power 32GB | |
| SSD | WD Black 1TB | |
| CASE | Montech AIR 903 Max | |
| PSU | XPG 850W |
Grand Total: $1,470-$1,530
Or, get a custom PC from Origin »
*Prices on PC components change on a daily basis. Click ‘Price on Amazon’ to see the most-up-to-date price.
**The ‘Grand Total’ price includes the parts that make up the computer only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows costs ~$125 for an activation key. However, you can still install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it with no problems—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your screen asking you to activate it.
4. Ryzen 5 7600X + RTX 4070 Super Build
With a budget of $1,250 or more, you can expect to get a high-quality PC build. At this price range, you will be able to put together a machine that will be able to fully utilize a high refres rate monitor, whether that’s a 1080P 360Hz display or a 1440P 240Hz monitor. It will perform well at 4K resolution as well.
However, playing on the highest settings is just one of the many benefits you will receive when you drop $1,250 on parts for a gaming computer. You can also expect your computer to stay relevant for a long time and you can be sure that you have high-quality parts all throughout your build.
That means along with a great processor and excellent video card, you will also get a high-end motherboard and a well-built power supply.
For specs, this build features an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X processor, an RTX 4070 Super graphics card, a B650 chipset motherboard from MSI, 32GB of DDR5 memory, a 1TB Gen 4 NVME SSD, and an 80PLUS Gold-rated 750W power supply from Thermaltake.
The power supply is also fully modular, which will make the build process easier to handle.
Part List for $1,250 PC Build
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| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 7600X | |
| COOL | Thermalright PA 120 SE | |
| MOBO | MSI PRO B650-S | |
| GPU | ASUS RTX 4070 Super | |
| RAM | Silicon Power 32GB | |
| SSD | Crucial 1TB | |
| CASE | Montech AIR 903 Max | |
| PSU | Thermaltake 750W |
Grand Total: $1,220-$1,280
Or, get a custom PC from Origin »
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click ‘Price on Amazon’ to see the most-up-to-date price.
**The ‘Grand Total’ price includes the parts that make up the computer only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows costs ~$125 for an activation key. However, you can still install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it with no problems—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your screen asking you to activate it.
5. Ryzen 5 5600X + RX 7800 XT Build
With a budget of $1,000 you can expect to put together a system that can max out any game on 2560×1440 resolution and is ready for tethered VR gaming. And, you can even expect a $1,000 gaming PC to handle playing most games on a 4K with no problems. (With exception to some more demanding titles.)
Watch this video for the 17-game 1080P and 1440P benchmark for this system.
The $1,000 mark is the sweet spot for putting together your own computer, as $1,000 in parts is enough to provide optimal in-game performance while still maintaining a reasonable budget. This system comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU, an XFX Radeon RX 7800 XT graphics card, 16GB of DDR4 3600MHz RAM, and a 1TB NVME SSD from Crucial.
Overall, this is the perfect gaming PC for anyone who is looking to max out titles on a high refresh rate monitor, either a 1080P or 1440P display. Again, this system should be able to handle non-demanding titles at 4K resolution as well.
However, for more demanding games, at 4K resolution, you’ll have to turn down some settings in order to maintain a higher framerate. Just make sure you pair this build with a monitor that utilizes AMD’s FreeSync technology (to match the AMD GPU in this build) to provide the smoothest in-game experience possible.
Part List for $1,000 PC Build
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| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | |
| COOL | Thermalright PA 120 SE | |
| MOBO | ASRock B550 | |
| GPU | XFX RX 7800 XT | |
| RAM | G.SKILL 16GB | |
| SSD | Crucial 1TB | |
| CASE | Montech AIR 903 | |
| PSU | Thermaltake 750W |
Grand Total: $970-$1,030
Or, get a custom PC from Origin »
*Prices on PC components change on a daily basis. Click ‘Price on Amazon’ to see the most-up-to-date price.
**The ‘Grand Total’ price includes the parts that make up the computer only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows costs ~$125 for an activation key. However, you can still install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it with no problems—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your screen asking you to activate it.
FAQ: Buying/Building the Best Gaming PC
If you’re on the fence of whether or not you should build your own gaming computer, buy a prebuilt computer, get a gaming laptop, or go with a console (like a PS5 or XBox Series X), we’ve put together a list of answers to some questions you likely have.
FAQ
1. How do I build a PC?
You will need to assemble all of the individual components you have purchased into a working PC. Fortunately, this process is not difficult! And, it’s a lot of fun. If you’ve never built a PC before, use our Step-by-Step PC building guide to walk you through the process.
How to Build A Gaming PC: Step-by-Step
2. Which PC is best for gaming?
There really is no answer to the question of what the best computer for gaming is. The best computer for gaming will vary from individual to individual. For instance, if all you want to do is run non-demanding titles like Marvel Rivals, Rocket League, Apex Legends, Minecraft, and/or Fortnite, you don’t need an extreme $4,000 computer with a multi-GPU setup and an insane liquid cooling configuration.
You could easily get by with spending aound $1,000 on parts.
However, if you want to game on a new 4K monitor, you’re going to need a much better system because of how much more demanding 4K gaming is.
Or, if you want a capable gaming computer that will also serve as a workstation system for your profession, you’ll want to alter the type of system you build or buy to accommodate your needs.
So, the bottom line is that, there is no such thing as the single “best” gaming computer. The reality is that everyone has different needs and a different budget. So, the best gaming PC will be one that gives you the performance you need at a price you can afford.
Also Read: What to Look for in A Gaming PC
3. Can you build a gaming PC in 2025?
With the GPU shortage and supply chain issues mostly over, it is once again far more affordable to build your own PC than it is to buy a prebuilt system. Prebuilt systems and custom-built systems are still a worthy option if you want to forego the building process.
However, if you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, your best bet is to assemble your own computer.
The good news is that it isn’t difficult to build your own gaming PC. All you need to build a computer is all of the parts necessary (which we’ve provided you with the part lists above), a screw driver, some patience, and a good step-by-step building guide. (Check out ours here.)
Also Read: What Parts Are Needed to Build A Gaming PC?
4. Is $2,000 good for a gaming PC?
Yes, a $2,000 budget to put towards a gaming computer will allow you to acquire a high-end gaming desktop. If you’re talking about a prebuilt system, that should be enough to get you an RX 7900 XTX gaming PC, or something similar. And, that will provide you with enough power to max out just about any game you want to play.
It should be noted, though, that even a $2,000 budget will not be able to max out all games on a 4K display, as newer titles like Starfield are incredibly demanding. But, with a $2,000 budget your limitations on what you can do will be very small.
Depending on your needs, you could also spend less and still come away with a PC build that will exceed all of your expectations. Check out our guide on how much it costs to build a gaming PC to get an idea of what kind of performance you should expect for your budget.
5. Is building a gaming PC hard?
If you’ve never built a computer before, the good news is that there are a ton of written and video guides out there that do a great job of walking you through the assembly process. We’ve provided a solid step-by-step building guide (listed above), but you might also want to check out our guide on the most common PC building mistakes and our guide on how long it takes to build a PC to help give you a better idea of the process.
6. Is Intel or AMD better for gaming?
Both processor manufacturers are worthy of considering. In fact, it’s probably not a good idea to commit to one brand over the other and, instead, pick the option that will best fit your budget at the time you go to purchase your components or system.
The reality is that, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the two processor manufacturer options are going to provide similar in-game performance. What this means is that, for example, if you have ~$200 to spend on a processor, the options available from Intel and AMD at that price range are going to provide near identical in-game performance. So, it’s much better to not commit to either brand, and see which option costs less at the time of purchase.
There are instances where you may prefer one brand over the other, however…
AMD’s Ryzen CPUs have generally provided a decent performance boost over similarly-priced Intel processors in multi-threaded applications and Intels CPUs have typically provided better single core performance which have helped them perform better in games.
However, the last couple of CPU generations have flipped the tables. AMD’s new 3D V-Cache CPUs are able to outperfom Intel’s top CPUs in in-game performance, but lag behind in productivity tasks. Both options are still viable and at any given pricepoint you’ll get similar performance from the competing options.
But, if your main aim is pure gaming performance, it is best to just choose the option that comes with a lower pricetag. As of right now, we like AMD’s CPUs in the majority of budget ranges.
7. Should I get a gaming laptop or a desktop?
A desktop will always offer more performance for the price than a laptop. However, that’s not to say that laptops aren’t capable gaming machines. If you have a larger budget, you can get yourself a really powerful gaming laptop.
There are RTX 4090 laptops, RTX 4080 laptops, and RTX 4070 laptops that are all capable of maxing out any game you throw at them. On the flip side, though, for the same amount of money, you can build or buy a PC that offers more performance and better cooling.
So, whether or not you should get a laptop or a desktop will come down to how much you value the mobility of a laptop. If you need a mobile system that you can take with you on the go, sacrificing a little bit of performance for the mobility that a laptop provides is probably your best option.
If you need as much performance as possible and you don’t mind opting for a stationary system, then a traditional PC offers the most performance regardless of your budget. And, you can squeeze out even more performance from your budget if you opt to build your own system.
8. Which is better? A gaming PC, PS5, or XBox One X?
I’ve touched on this a bit above, but, in terms of hardware and performance potential, a gaming computer will always beat out a PS5 or XBox One X, or any other console. However, that doesn’t mean that a computer would be the best option for you.
For starters, certain titles are only available on consoles. For example, MLB The Show and the Spider Man series are console exclusives. (And, up until recently, the God of War Series). If those are the titles you want to primarily play, you probably shouldn’t spend a ton of money to build an extreme gaming computer.
Of course, the PC platform has its own exclusive titles as well (League of Legends, Dota 2, World of Warcraft, etc.) And, of the games that you can run on both the PC and console (Apex Legends, PUBG, Rocket League, Fortnite, etc.), most of them will run better on a PC than they will on a console.
As I mentioned earlier, though, if you love playing games with your friends and they all game on a console, it might not be worth it for you to start playing games on a computer. Regardless of the advantages that computers offer over a consoles, its always more fun to game with your friends than it is to game alone.
So, again, the reality is that, while PC gaming does offer some advantages over console gaming (like more RGB lighting!), there isn’t a right answer to which platform is better for you.
Get Help With Your Build: If you need help putting together a part list for your build post your questions in the comment section!
