Need the best gaming PC build for 2023? This guide gives you five of the best computer builds and prebuilt PC options at a variety of price points.
With modern PC games advancing at such a rapid rate, there is no surprise that there are multiple titles that have been released that most standard cookie-cutter computers can barely handle. And, as PC gamers we like to have and experience the best… We like to play our games on the highest settings possible, with the highest framerate possible, with as many RGB lights as possible.
Fortunately, in this day and age, even a budget gaming PC will allow you to run most games on higher settings on an affordable 1080p monitor. (Although, in this guide, we’ll be talking about high-end computers, rather than budget-friendly systems.)
During the GPU shortage it was actually more affordable to purchase a prebuilt gaming computer, a custom gaming PC, or a gaming laptop than it is to build your own PC. However, with the GPU shortage now over, it is once again cheaper to build your own system.
And, in this guide, we’ve given you part lists for the most powerful gaming PC builds at five different price ranges. We’ve also linked to prebuilt gaming computers with similar specs as well so that if you don’t want to build your own system, you can go the prebuilt route as well.
Table of Contents
I. FAQ: Buying/Building the Best Gaming PC
II. Quick-Look: Best Gaming PCs
1. Elite $2,000 Gaming Computer
2. $1,750 RX 6800 XT Gaming PC
3. High-End $1,500 Gaming Computer
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 pre-built 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.
1. Which PC is best for gaming?
You could easily get by with a $1,000 build (or less). 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 Parts Are Needed to Build A Gaming PC?
2. Can you build a gaming PC in 2023?
3. Is $2,000 good for a gaming PC?
But, you can get away with spending less and still come away with a powerful gaming PC. 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.
4. Is building a gaming PC hard?
5. Is Intel or AMD better for gaming?
The reality is that, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the two processor 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 generally provide a decent performance boost over similarly-priced Intel processors in multi-threaded applications. So, if you need the extra power in multi-threaded applications, that might be one reason to justify choosing an AMD CPU over an Intel CPU in the same price range.
But, if your main aim is pure gaming performance, it is best to just choose the option that comes with a lower pricetag (and, that includes the cost of a compatible motherboard, as well.)
6. Should I get a gaming laptop or a desktop?
The new RTX 3080 laptops, RTX 3070 laptops, and RTX 3060 laptops 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.
7. Which is better? A gaming PC, PS5, or XBox One X?
For starters, certain titles are only available on consoles. For example, MLB The Show and Horizon 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.
Quick-Look: Our Top Picks for the Best Gaming PC Builds
For those of you who just want to get right into ordering the parts for your system, I’ve put together five different pre-made part lists ($1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $1,750, & $2,000) so that you can bypass the component selection process and get right into building your new powerful gaming PC for 2023.
These systems are updated with the top components at the best prices on a regular basis. So, if you’re looking at these builds you can bet they’ll give you maximum performance for the budget you’ve set. And, if you’re looking for a similarly priced pre-built gaming computer, just click on the “PRE-BUILT »” link to check out an alternative option.
| | NAME | SPECS | ||
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| EXTREME |  |
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| ULTRA |  |
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| HIGH-END |  |
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| BALANCED |  |
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| VALUE 4K |  |
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*These components are updated about once per week. If the lists contain components that are out-of-stock or if the price is higher than listed, either search for similar replacement components or use the comment form below to ask for advice on alternative options.
1. Elite $2,000 4K Gaming PC 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. You can utilize a processor with a ton of cores and threads (which will really help you with stuff like video rendering and image editing.) And, you can leave yourself with a lot of options for upgrading in the future. (RGB lights, more storage, dual video cards, etc.)
This is an extreme 4K gaming computer that can easily handle virtual reality and can serve as a powerful workstation as well. Also, 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 quality gaming chair, a G-Sync monitor, and a high-quality gaming headset.
This build features an Intel Core i5-13600KF processor, an RTX 4070 Ti graphics card, and 16GB of DDR5 RAM. The combination of the RTX 4070 Ti and the i5-13600KF CPU will be more than powerful enough to have you maxing out games on a 4K monitor or a 1440P 240Hz monitor.
Also Read: Intel K vs KF: What’s the Difference?
This system also comes with an overclocking & RGB-friendly motherboard, a 1TB NVME PCIe 4.0 SSD and an 850W Gold power supply. And, while there are a wide option of computer cases that would be able to accommodate this part list, we’ve included the Lian Li LANCOOL II MESH for its roomy interior and excellent airflow. You can check out our guide on the best full PC cases for more options.
Overall, this is one of the best systems you can build for ~$2,000.
*If you’re also interested in getting a laptop, you might want to check out our guide on the Best RTX 4080 Laptops to see what kind of laptop options you have.
Part List for $2,000 PC Build
 |  |  |  |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-13600KF | |
| AIO | Corsair H150i 360 | |
| MOBO | MSI PRO Z790-P | |
| GPU | PNY RTX 4070 Ti | |
| RAM | Kingston 16GB | |
| SSD | Kingston 1TB | |
| CASE | Lian Li LANCOOL II MESH | |
| PSU | Thermaltake 850W | |
| ODD | Use USB to Install O.S. | |
| OS | Windows |
Grand Total: $1,970-$2,030
*Prices on PC components change on a daily basis. Click here for the most up-to-date pricing.
**The ‘Grand Total’ price includes the parts that make up the computer only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows costs ~$100 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.
RTX 4070 Ti Benchmark
2. $1,750 RX 6800 XT Gaming Computer
For a price of $1,750, the sky is the limit in terms of performance. Seriously, with an RTX 4070 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 VR-ready PC build (Oculus Rift or HTC Vive).
Along with the RTX 4070 graphics card, this build features an Intel Core i5-13600KF, a high-end 360mm AIO CPU cooler, and a 850W Gold power supply. You will also get a 1TB NVME SSD and 16GB of 5600MHz DDR5 RAM.
While 16GB of memory won’t be used in most titles, newer games are starting to utilize over 8GB 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 case and CPU cooler in this system come with RGB lights.
This system is powerful enough to handle any game on max settings on a 1080P or 1440P monitor and it will perform well with 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.)
And, if you don’t want to build this computer, the pre-built system we’ve linked to below will serve as a nice alternative. This build comes with the following parts:
Part List for $1,750 PC Build
 |  |  |  |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-13600KF | |
| AIO | Corsair H150i 360 | |
| MOBO | MSI PRO Z790-P | |
| GPU | ASUS RTX 4070 | |
| RAM | Kingston 16GB | |
| SSD | Kingston 1TB | |
| CASE | Lian Li LANCOOL II MESH | |
| PSU | Thermaltake 850W | |
| ODD | Install O.S. from USB | |
| OS | Windows |
Grand Total: $1,720-$1,780
*Prices on PC components change on a daily basis. Click here for the most up-to-date pricing.
**The ‘Grand Total’ price includes the parts that make up the computer only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows costs ~$100 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.
RTX 4070 Benchmark
3. $1,500 High-End Gaming PC
For $1,500 you’re getting a very similar computer to our $1,250 build. The only difference? You get a better CPU/motherboard combination
While the Intel Core i5-13600K in this system won’t give you a significant in-game performance increase over the i5-12400F found in the $1,250 build below, it is a better overall processor that should give you a small bump in FPS while gaming and will serve you better for non-gaming tasks as well—and, you can overclock it to squeeze even more performance out of it.
This system also features an RX 6800 XT video card, 16GB of DDR5 5600MHz memory, a standard ATX motherboard with plenty of RGB lighting features, a 1TB SATA SSD, and a 750W 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 144Hz+ monitor, and will allow you to get into VR with the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. 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
 |  |  |  |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-13600KF | |
| AIO | Corsair H100i 240 | |
| MOBO | MSI PRO Z790-P | |
| GPU | XFX RX 6800 XT | |
| RAM | Kingston 16GB | |
| SSD | Crucial 1TB | |
| CASE | Phanteks Eclipse P400A | |
| PSU | Thermaltake 650W | |
| ODD | Install O.S. from USB | |
| OS | Windows |
Grand Total: $1,470-$1,530
*Prices on PC components change on a daily basis. Click here for the most up-to-date pricing.
**The ‘Grand Total’ price includes the parts that make up the computer only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows costs ~$100 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.
RX 6800 XT Benchmark
4. 4K/VR Monster $1,250 Gaming PC
With a budget of $1,250 or more, you can expect to get a high-quality custom computer. At this price range, you will be able to put together a machine that will be able to handle games on 1080P 144Hz monitors, or 240Hz monitors. It will also serve as a 1440P 144Hz or 4K gaming PC 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. And, this system easily meets the Oculus Rift requirements so it is definitely a VR-ready PC.
For specs, this build features an Intel Core i5-12600KF procesoor, an RTX 3070 graphics card, an RGB-friendly motherboard, 16GB of memory, a 1TB SATA SSD, and a quality 650W power supply.
Also Read: RTX 3070 vs RX 6700 XT: Which GPU is Best Value?
While this system doesn’t have the newer generation Intel CPU or DDR5 memory, the combination of the i5-12600K CPU, the 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and the NVIDIA RTX 3070 GPU will still give you a ton of performance.
Part List for $1,250 PC Build
 |  |  |  |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-12600KF | |
| AIO | Corsair H100i 240 | |
| MOBO | MSI PRO Z690-P | |
| GPU | Gigabyte RTX 3070 | |
| RAM | TEAMGROUP 16GB | |
| SSD | Crucial 1TB | |
| CASE | Phanteks Eclipse P400A | |
| PSU | Thermaltake 650W | |
| ODD | Install O.S. from USB | |
| OS | Windows |
Grand Total: $1,220-$1,280
*Prices on PC components change on a daily basis. Click here for the most up-to-date pricing.
**The ‘Grand Total’ price includes the parts that make up the computer only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows costs ~$100 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.
12600K + RX 6700 XT Benchmark
5. Balanced $1,000 Intel Gaming PC
For a price 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 VR gaming and the Oculus Rift headset. And, you can even expect a $1,000 gaming PC to handle playing at 4K just fine.
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 Intel Core i5-12400F CPU, an NVIDIA RTX 3070 GPU, 16GB of DDR4 3200MHz RAM, and a 1TB SATA SSD.
Overall, this is the perfect gaming PC for anyone who is looking to max out titles on a 1080P 144Hz monitor, or even a higher 1440P resolution monitor, too. Again, this system should be able to handle 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 provide the smoothest in-game experience possible.
Also Read: Which Resolution Is Best for Gaming?
*If you’re considering a laptop, too, check out our guide on the Best RTX 4070 Laptops.
Part List for $1,000 PC Build
 |  |  |  |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-12400F | |
| MOBO | MSI H610M | |
| GPU | Gigabyte RTX 3070 | |
| RAM | TEAMGROUP 16GB | |
| SSD | Crucial 1TB | |
| CASE | Phanteks Eclipse P400A | |
| PSU | Thermaltake 650W | |
| ODD | Install O.S. from USB | |
| OS | Windows |
Grand Total: $970-$1,030
*Prices on PC components change on a daily basis. Click here for the most up-to-date pricing.
**The ‘Grand Total’ price includes the parts that make up the computer only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows costs ~$100 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.
So I decided to build a computer and this is what I went with:
i9-12900K 30MB CPU
ASUS RoG Strix Z690-E Gaming WiFi motherboard
NVIDIA GeForce 3080 Ti Founder’s Edition GPU
EVGA Supernova 1000+ G power supply
Corsair iCue 360mm H150i Elite Capellix Liquid Cooled CPU cooler
Corsair 16×2 38 MB DDR5 5600mH RGB DRAM
Seagate FireCuda 2TB heatsinked PCli NVM4 SSD
8 TB Seagate SATA drive
Razer Tomahawk MidTower RGB gaming Case
Razer Basilisk Elite Chroma wireless gaming mouse
Razer Widow 3 Chroma gaming keyboard
Razer Kraken Tournament headphones, Kitty version
I think that should last me for a bit, right?
hi. what you think about this pc?
Cpu: i7 12700K
Mothetboard: asus prime Z690-P wifi D4 ATX
cooler: deepcool gammaxx l360 V2
ram: corsair 16GB (8×2GB) DDR4- 3200 MHz
SSD: Samsung 970 evo plus NVME m.2 1TB
GPU: asus GeForce RTX 3060 12GB Dual OC
Case: Deepcool CL500 4F
Power: Deepcool DQ-M-V2L 750W 80+Gold
Hi Brent,
I’m trying to build the PC listed under the 4th in the list. I received all the components and can’t seem to find a video that deals with the same exact products, so things are a little confusing with the different components other than the ones listed for #4 that I bought. I was wondering if there was any guide or video you would recommend for the #4 product; MasterCase H500? Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you!