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Step by Step to Building Your PC
Last Updated: February 28th, 2023
Looking to build your best gaming pc build this 2023? These builds are updated every month in 2023 and this guide has the best pc builds at various budgets put together based on the best-performing hardware per dollar spent. 2023 has shown to be the best year to build a PC in a very long time, so what better time to get started building your own computer?
Building your own gaming pc has many benefits including the ability to customize/personalize your pc, a greater appreciation for your gaming pc build investment and it's really fun. Even though building your own pc can be more budget-friendly, we all have a budget to adhere to, which is where the following pc builds come into play.
The best gaming pc builds you see below are updated every single month and are split into the most popular budgets and gaming performance categories that allow you to easily plan your next pc without the hassle of doing all of the research yourself.
The following builds are based on popular performance benchmarks and are put together with a specific budget in mind while using aiming for maximum gaming performance. What this means is maximum performance while trying to limit the fluff (ie. flashy hardware that is not needed). Should you have a more exorbitant budget, there are also hardware upgrades included in each of the pc budget categories.
These gaming pc builds below are for new pc builders and experienced builders alike.
If you have any questions leave a comment below, or if you want to learn more about the specifics of the hardware in each of the pc builds budgets, or want upgrade ideas if you have a tad more to spend, then you can visit each budget's page directly:
The Best $1500 Gaming PC Builds for 2023
Looking for a really high-end gaming pc? If you are interested in building a high-end gaming pc, then the $1500 budget is probably where you should start. These builds typically include hardware geared towards higher resolution gameplay at high frames per second.
Considering 1400p gameplay? How about gaming into 4K resolutions? Then these gaming pc builds are for you.
1. CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor
*Update: The Ryzen 7600X is a fantastic gaming CPU - and a switch from last month's Intel Choice of the Intel i5-13600KF (you can find this in the $1000 build now). Both CPUs are similarly great, but the Ryzen 7600X and AM5 Platform have more upgradability for the future, supporting DDR5 Memory and more.
- Pure gaming performance with smooth 100+ FPS in the world's most popular games
- 6 Cores and 12 processing threads, based on AMD "Zen 4" architecture
- 5.3 GHz Max Boost, unlocked for overclocking, 38 MB cache, DDR5-5200 support
- For the state-of-the-art Socket AM5 platform, can support PCIe 5.0 on select 600 Series motherboards
- Cooler not included
Amazon Price: $240.92
2. Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S Redux
*Note: This takes the place of the below alternative Hyper 212 Black Edition cooler for assured AM5 compatibility. The below Hyper 212 may need a compatibility kit.
- Streamlined, more affordable redux line version of the award-winning NH-U12S heatsink
- Slim 120mm size for excellent case, RAM and PCIe compatibility: fits most tower cases (158mm height), doesn’t overhang the RAM slots, doesn’t block the PCIe on most ATX and Micro-ATX motherboards
- Quiet NF-P12 redux-1700 120mm fan with PWM for automatic speed control: full cooling performance under load, near silent at idle!
- Pre-applied high-quality NT-H1 thermal paste & SecuFirm2 mounting system for easy installation on Intel LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA2011, LGA2066 and AMD AM4 & AM5
Amazon Price: $49.95
Alternative (See *note above): Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition RGB CPU Air Cooler
- Sleek Finishing: Anodized gun-metal black with brushed aluminum surface finish to the top cover for a more refined look
- Nickle Black: The nickel plated jet black also enhances radiation cooling performance
- Direct contact technology: 4 Heat Pipe with exclusive direct contact technology effectively provides excellent heat dissipation; Air flow: 57.3 CFM; Noise level: 30.0 decibels
- Precise Air Flow: Stacked fin array ensures the least airflow resistance which allows cooler air flow into the heat sink
- RGB LED controller: The wired RGB LED controller allows for customizable colors and effects with just the touch of a button
Amazon Price: $57.41
3. Motherboard: MSI PRO B650-P WiFi ProSeries Motherboard (AMD AM5, ATX, DDR5)
- Supports AMD Ryzen 7000 Series Desktop Processors
- Supports DDR5 Memory
- Core Boost : With premium layout and digital power design to support more cores and provide better performance
- Memory Boost: Advanced technology to deliver pure data signals for the best performance, stability and compatibility
- Premium Thermal Solution: Extended Heatsink, MOSFET thermal pads rated for 7W/mK, additional choke thermal pads and M.2 Shield Frozr are built for high performance system and non-stop work
Amazon Price: $199.99
4. Graphics Card: XFX Speedster MERC319 AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
- Memory Speed:16 GBPS
- The Speedster series exemplifies a modern aerodynamic style though clean and elegant design. It is a thoughtful design with the sole purpose of maximizing airflow to improve cooling and performance.
- A revolutionary new memory architecture that redefines how to deliver higher levels of performance and efficiency for 4K gaming. AMD RDNA 2 architecture elevates and unifies the gaming
- AMD RDNA 2 architecture elevates and unifies the gaming experience from performance to visuals across consoles and PC.
- New Ray Accelerators, handling the intersection of rays, deliver high performance hardware accelerated raytracing
Cost (Amazon): $579.99
5. RAM: Crucial RAM 16GB Kit (2x8GB) DDR5 4800MHz
DDR5 Memory is here! 16GB of RAM is the perfect spot for any high-end gaming PC -- plus this is DDR5.
- Harness blazing speeds up to 5600MHz — 1.5x faster than DDR4
- Game at higher frame rates and run demanding software with nearly 2x the bandwidth of DDR4
- Empower your system for the next-generation multi-core CPUs
- Intel XMP 3.0 enabled for easy performance recovery
- ECC Type = Non-ECC, Form Factor = UDIMM, Pin Count = 288-pin, PC Speed = PC5-38400, Voltage = 1.1V
Amazon Price: $65.99
6. SSD: Crucial P2 1TB 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD Up to 2400MB/s - CT1000P2SSD8
- Capacity: 1TB but Up to 2TB with sequential reads/writes up to 2400MB/s/1900MB/s
- NVMe PCIe interface, marking the next step in storage innovation
- Includes SSD management software for performance optimization, data security, and firmware updates
- 5-year limited warranty
Amazon Price: $70.49
7. Power Supply: Corsair RMx Series (2021), RM850x
- Fully modular, so you only connect the cables that your system needs.
- A 135mm ML fan utilizes a magnetic levitation bearing and custom-engineered rotors for high performance, low noise, and superior reliability.
- EPS12V connector for compatibility with modern graphics cards and motherboards.
- 100% Industrial-grade, 105°C rated Japanese capacitors ensure unwavering power and reliability.
- Supports Modern Standby sleep mode for extremely fast wake-from-sleep times and better low-load efficiency.
- Zero RPM fan mode for near-silent operation at low to medium loads.
- Resonant LLC topology with DC-to-DC conversion provides clean, consistent power, reduces coil whine for quieter operation, and enables use of more energy-efficient sleep states.
- Ten-year warranty for complete peace of mind.
Amazon Price: $149.03
8. PC Case: Corsair 4000D
- Combining innovative cable management, concentrated airflow, and proven CORSAIR build quality, the 4000D is a fitting choice for an immaculate high-performance PC.
- The CORSAIR RapidRoute cable management system makes it simple and fast to route your major cables through a single channel, with a roomy 25mm of space behind the motherboard for all of your cables.
- Includes two CORSAIR 120mm AirGuide fans, utilizing anti-vortex vanes to concentrate airflow and enhance cooling. Motherboard will fit in our 4000 Series cases without any issue. Mini-ITX, micro-ATX, ATX, and E-ATX form factor motherboards are all supported.
- A spacious interior fits up to 6x 120mm or 4x 140mm cooling fans, along with multiple radiators including 360mm in front and 280mm in the roof (dependent on RAM height).
- Put modern connections within easy reach with a front I/O panel including a USB 3.1 Type-C Port, USB 3.0 port, and a combination audio/microphone jack.
Amazon Price: $94.99
ESTIMATED PRICE (March 2023): $1,459
The Best $1000 Gaming PC Builds for 2023
Looking for a gaming pc build that plays any game maxed out at standard HD resolutions and even higher? If you are in the budget for a $1000 gaming pc, then you can expect to max out games at standard HD resolutions and even higher.
These $1000 pc builds are compiled using the best performing hardware for their cost, while minimizing the cost of hardware that is un-needed.
$1000 is the perfect budget for those wanting a well-rounded pc that will last for a while and play way better than any gaming console on the market.
1. CPU: Intel Core i5 Core 13600KF
A superb gaming chip!
(*PS: If this build is a bit over budget, you could consider a more affordable CPU for this build, such as the Intel i5 12400F ($164), which will still game great and you can use the bundled CPU cooler, which will save you even more)
- 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 20 threads
- Performance hybrid architecture integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
- Up to 5.1 GHz unlocked. 24M Cache
- Compatible with Intel 600 series and 700 series chipset-based motherboards
- Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, and PCIe 5.0 & 4.0 support. Intel Optane Memory support. No thermal solution included. Discrete graphics required
Amazon Price: $296.96
2. Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO V2 CPU Air Cooler
- New SickleFlow 120 Fan: Improved airflow and air pressure with revised curve blade design.
- Asymmetrical 4 Heatpipes Design: Asymmetrical heat pipe design provides RAM compatibility and clearance across various platforms
- Direct Contact Technology: Exclusive Direct Contact Technology using 4 copper heat pipes delivers exceptional heat dissipation
- Optimal Air Flow: Stacked fin array minimizes resistance for better airflow through the heatsink
- Quiet Operation: Performance fan reduces vibration for silent operation
Amazon Price: $33.99
3. Motherboard: ASUS Prime B660-PLUS D4
This is a great budget B660 motherboard with the following specifications:
Amazon Price: $124.99
4. Graphics Card: PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
The 6700 XT is a great graphics card for most standard gaming and is faster than previous cards in this bracket giving you great 1440p and 1080p performance in gaming.
Price: $369.99
5. RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 X 8GB) DDR4 3600
Included is a total of 16GB in the best $1000 gaming pc build, which will be plenty of memory for this rig.
Amazon Price: $42.99
6. SSD: Crucial P3 500GB PCIe Gen3 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD
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- Capacity: Up to 2TB with sequential reads or writes up to 2400MB/s/1900MB/s
- NVMe PCIe interface, marking the next step in storage innovation
- Includes SSD management software for performance optimization, data security, and firmware updates
- Backed by a limited 5-year warranty or up to the max endurance rating of 150 TBW
Amazon Price: $36.99
7. Power Supply: be quiet! BN671 Pure Power 11 FM 650W
The sweet spot for this build is 650W of juice -- and I'm a big fan of be quiet!'s pure power line of PSUs.
Amazon Price: $99.90
8. PC Case: Zalman S2
- Full Acrylic Side Panel for ATX Mid Tower Computer PC Case
- Front Design for maximized Airflow with two front 120mm fan pre-installed (& one rear 120mm fan pre-installed)
- Convenient Interface with one USB, 3.0 & two USB 2.0
- Power Supply unit dedicated space for improved cooling performance
- 7 PCI Expansion Slots with Bottom & Top Magnetic Dust Filter
Amazon Price: $59.99
Estimated Cost (March 2023): $1,066
The Best $800 Gaming PC Builds for 2023
Looking for a gaming pc that will get you up and playing any game on the market better than a console hand-down? The $800 gaming pc build budget is for those who just want to get up and gaming on typical HD resolutions and do it far better than any gaming console.
The $800 budget is a very versatile starting budget as it gives you better than expected performance right off the bat, and provides plenty of room for growth should you ever want to upgrade.
1. CPU: INTEL CORE I3-12100F DESKTOP
A top-of-the-line gaming CPU is in this price range -- beating out its competition in gaming performance, even in the higher cost ranges. This CPU is like the Intel i3 12100, but cheaper and without integrated graphics (since a graphics card is included anyhow).
- Intel Core i3-12100F Desktop Processor 4 (4P-0E) Cores Up to 4.3 GHz Turbo Frequency LGA1700 600 Series Chipset 58W Processor Base Power
Amazon Price: $106.99
2. Cooler: Intel Laminar Cooler (Included)
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This is the stock cooler for the Intel Core i5 12400. It would be recommended that if you want to overclock upgrade this to an after-market CPU cooler (see hardware alternatives for options)
Price: *Included
3. Motherboard: ASUS Prime B660-PLUS D4 LGA 1700(Intel 12th Gen)
4. Graphics Card: PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT
The $800 gaming PC build includes an MSI Gaming RX 6650 XT Graphics Card, which offers top-of-the-line $800 gaming PC performance, blasting through the previous card offerings in this spot and providing very high 1080p FPS gameplay.
Price: $299.99
5. RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 X 8GB) DDR4 3600
16GB of RAM is the sweet spot for any gaming pc out there and should be all you need -- however there is always room to upgrade!
Amazon Price: $48.99
6. SSD: Crucial P3 500GB PCIe Gen3 3D NAND NVMe
- NVMe (PCIe Gen3 x4) technology with up to 3500MB/s sequential reads, random read/write 350K/460K IOPS
- Spacious storage up to 4TB
- Performs up to 33% better than the previous generation
- Solid Gen3 performance
- Rated at MTTF greater than 1.5 million hours for extended longevity and reliability
Amazon Price: $39.99
7. Power Supply Unit: Apevia ATX-PR600W Prestige 600W 80+ Gold Certified, RoHS Compliance, Active PFC ATX Gaming Power Supply
- Supports Dual/Quad/multi-core CPUs. Supports single 12V output for higher power usage
- Dc to DC converter design, provides superior dynamic response, greater system stability and maximizes the 12V DC rail output
- Multi-gpu technologies supported; 6 pin and 8 pin PCI-E connectors support all GPU platforms. Built in 1 x auto-thermally controlled black 135mm fan
- Connectors: 1 x 20/24pin main power, 1 x 4/8pin 12V, 2 x PCI 6+2pin, 4 x SATA, 4 x peripheral. All protections
- Apevia ATX-PR600W Prestige 600W 80+ Gold Certified, RoHS Compliance, Active PFC ATX Gaming Power Supply, 3 Year Warranty
Amazon Price: $51.99
8. PC Case: Zalman S2 ATX Mid Tower Computer PC Case
- Full Acrylic Side Panel for ATX Mid Tower Computer PC Case
- Front Design for maximized Airflow with two front 120mm fan pre-installed (& one rear 120mm fan pre-installed)
- Convenient Interface with one USB, 3.0 & two USB 2.0
- Power Supply unit dedicated space for improved cooling performance
- 7 PCI Expansion Slots with Bottom & Top Magnetic Dust Filter
Amazon Price: $59.99
Estimated Price (March 2023): $730
The Best $500 Gaming PC Builds for 2023
If you are in the market for a $500 gaming pc build, then you are simply looking for the most affordable gaming pc that simply gets you up and running with your favorite pc games.
The best possible $500 gaming pc build will get you up and playing at standard HD 1080P resolutions with game settings scaled back for optimal FPS gameplay. So if you are looking for the best bang for your buck $500 builds, the following are posted and updated every month here at Newb Computer Build.
Below is the best 2023 $500 gaming pc build.
1. CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700G 8-Core, 16-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Radeon Graphics
(*You don't need a graphics card with this CPU as it comes with Integrated Radeon Graphics for smooth 1080p gaming)
- Play some of the most popular games at 1080p with the fastest processor graphics in the world, no graphics card is required
- 8 Cores and 16 processing threads, bundled with the AMD Wraith Stealth cooler
- 4.6 GHz Max Boost, unlocked for overclocking, 20 MB cache, DDR4-3200 support
- For the advanced Socket AM4 platform. Maximum Operating Temperature (Tjmax)-95°C
Amazon Price: $178.00 (If you want to cut your budget even further, consider the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G)
2. Cooler: AMD Wraith Stealth Cooler (Included)
This cooler is included with the AMD Ryzen 5700G CPU
3. Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming A520M-PLUS (WiFi) AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen™) microATX Gaming Motherboard
This motherboard is a quality budget Micro ATX sized board, that features everything you'd need in a $500 PC, including:
- AMD AM4 Socket: l Ready for Ryzen 5000 Series/ 4000 G-Series/ 3000 Series Desktop Processors
- Comprehensive cooling: Large VRM heatsink, PCH heatsink and Fan Xpert 2+
- Made for online gaming: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, TUF LANGuard and TurboLAN technology
- Gaming Connectivity: BIOS FlashBack button, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 32Gb/s M.2 onboard, SATA 6Gb/s, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, DisplayPort/HDMI/D-Sub
- Gaming Look and Feel: ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, including RGB headers and a Gen 2 addressable RGB header for greater customization
Amazon Price: $99.99
4. Graphics Card: *Integrated Radeon RX Graphics Included
The Ryzen 5 5600G comes with integrated Radeon Graphics at a graphics frequency of 1900 MHz and a graphics core count of 7.
5. RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 X 8GB) DDR4 3600 MHz
16GB is an upgrade to the $500 gaming PC build, and might even be more than you actually need. However, at the moment 16GB kits are close in cost to 8GB ones at the moment anyhow -- so it only makes sense.
Amazon Price: $48.99
6. SSD: Crucial P3 500GB PCIe Gen3 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD
- Capacity: Up to 2TB with sequential reads or writes up to 2400MB/s/1900MB/s
- NVMe PCIe interface, marking the next step in storage innovation
- Includes SSD management software for performance optimization, data security, and firmware updates
- Backed by a limited 5-year warranty or up to the max endurance rating of 150 TBW
Amazon Price: $36.99
7. Power Supply Unit: Thermaltake Smart 500W 80+ White Certified PSU, Continuous Power with 120mm Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan
500W is plenty for this pc build and the Thermaltake Smart 500W RGB does the trick perfectly.
- Delivers 500 Watt Continuous output at plus 40 degree. Compliance with Intel ATX 12 Volt 2.31 and EPS 12V 2.92 standards
- 80 PLUS Certified, 80 percentage efficiency under typical load
- Supports (2) PCI E 6plus2pin Connectors. Active (PFC) Power Factor Correction, MTBF: 100,000 hours
- Industry Grade Protections: (OPP) Over Power Protection, (OVP) Over Voltage Protection, (SCP) Short Circuit Protection
- High Quality Components
- Equipped with a powerful plus 12 Volt rail, superior performance under all types of system loading
- 5 Year Warranty
Amazon Price: $39.99
8. PC Case: Zalman S2 ATX Mid Tower Computer PC Case
- Front Design for maximized Airflow with two front 120mm fan pre-installed (& one rear 120mm fan pre-installed)
- Convenient Interface with one USB, 3.0 & two USB 2.0
- Power Supply unit dedicated space for improved cooling performance
- 7 PCI Expansion Slots with Bottom & Top Magnetic Dust Filter
Amazon Price: $59.99
Estimated Price (March 2023): $464
(*Using integrated graphics)
Step by Step to Building Your Gaming PC this 2023
Looking for the steps to actually build your gaming pc - then look no further. The below video takes you through a complete hardware setup for a gaming pc build.
Or if you are looking for a really in-depth how to choose your hardware, tips for choosing your hardware and steps to building your gaming pc, then check out the A Step by Step on How to Build a Gaming PC this 2023 here at Newb Computer Build.
Best of luck Building Your Best Gaming PC Build this 2023
Thank you for visiting us for the best 2023 gaming pc builds of the month over here at Newb Computer Build. These gaming pc builds are updated every month to give you the most up-to-date builds in and between three main budgets giving you a range of the best gaming pc builds to choose from.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below. Prices and hardware are constantly being updated and released, so if you find you need some clarification on your specific build, or want to know you have chosen the best possible hardware please leave a comment and I'll try my best to help you out. Building the best gaming pc build for you may look a little different than anyone one else depending on multiple factors, such as your usage (do you do more than game?), your budget and your personal style. So when investing in your new build, keep up to date with the latest hardware and get what's right for you!
Looking for Further PC Building Resources?
If you are looking to become an expert PC builder, there are tons of other resources and communities available to you. Please visit our PC building resources page to learn more about what's available.
Or feel free to join our Facebook group to help grow a PC building community or if you have any questions: Newb Computer Build Gaming PC Builders Facebook Group.
Best of luck building your PC!
Comments 4
Thanks for the reply. I took what you wrote to heart and made a list of my needs and wants and went from there. I ended up going with an intel I5-13600KF, ASUS Prime Z690M motherboard, and figured I would try out the Intel Arc A770 even though there are some bad reviews on drivers and such being finicky. I have to say this thing is fast and super smooth. I am very happy with it so far. I do like to game, but also do a bit of fusion 360 for my 3d printing and think this setup will serve me better in the long run. I appreciate your reply! Take care.
Author
Chris, this is so amazing to hear. Glad to hear the build went good and is running smoothly. Intel Arc A770 is not a bad choice, and recent reviews are actually not bad, so very cool to see that you went with it. All the best with your PC.
Do you have any recommendations for a better gpu for the 500.00 build? I have heard a lot of bad about the one you linked. I’m planning on around 750.00 range. Would you still use the same board if going with the ryzen 7? If using a gpu would it be better to use a ryzen 7 without the built in graphics? If so which would you recommend? Sorry I am new to this stuff!
Author
Hi Christopher,
The $500 build above actually doesn’t have a gpu, as it takes advantage of the integrated graphics o the CPU — which uses Integrated Radeon RX graphics. However, this is good news, since if you do have a bit more to spend, adding a separate gpu will benefit your build tremendously.
With that being said, you may be better to look at the $800 build this month (which is closer to $750) as this will be a huge upgrade in comparison: https://newbcomputerbuild.com/the-best-800-gaming-pc-build-2023/
It does use a newer intel CPU, however includes a graphics card that will garner you much more performance. If you would rather go the Ryzen route, a CPU like a Ryzen 7 5700x could work and may be a better overall cpu, or even a Ryzen 5 5600x, and may be a little more expensive at the moment and you may need compromise on the graphics card a bit (it’s also slightly older tech overall at the moment). In the end it may depend on what you want to use your pc for (more gaming versus cpu intensive tasks).
I hope this helps!