Navigation: CPU • Cooler • Motherboard • Graphics Card • Memory • SSD • PSU • Case
Build Overview
Get revving with the best $1000 gaming PC build of the month this 2023. This gaming PC build is a fantastic gaming pc build for those who want to max out PC games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions -- this PC build is just enough for the savvy PC gamer who doesn't want to worry about scaling back on PC game settings.
The $1000's worth of hardware below for this gaming PC build is chosen based on two main things, performance, and quality for the best possible price. All of the hardware is conveniently linked to Amazon.
Best of luck when planning your next gaming PC build for around $1000. Should you have any questions feel free to get in touch or if you are in the market for another budget you can also check out the other pc build budgets
The Best $1000 Gaming PC Build 2023
Capability: Game with Extreme settings at 1920X1080 (HD) resolutions up to Higher Settings at 2560x1440 (2K)
Powered by the Intel Core i5-13600KF and the RX 6700 XT Graphics Card
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
$1000 Gaming PC Build Details
The $1000 Gaming PC build is a very powerful mid-range pc build worthy of gaming at resolutions anywhere from 1080p to 2K with maxed-out settings.
The included gaming CPU this month is the Intel Core i5 13600KF. This is a huge upgrade to the gaming CPU for the $1000 pc build, which provides impressive gaming and beats a lot of AMDs newest chips in its 7000 lineup.
The RX 6700 XT is a very capable GPU and is great for high-refresh / FPS gaming at 1920 x 1080 and solid performance at 2560 x 1440 (1440p). This GPU is a great choice for 1440p gamers, and a great choice for this $1000 PC Build. However, look at some of the alternative graphics cards included above in the hardware table under the graphics card section if you can't find one affordable or think you need more GPU power.
The motherboard included is an ASUS Prime B660-PLUS D4 to go with the newer Intel i5 12400F CPU. This is a newer board replacing the previous MSI B660 board that held this spot. Here are the specifications (for the full specifications, please visit asus.com):
- Intel® LGA 1700 socket: Ready for 13th & 12th Gen Intel® processors
- Ultrafast connectivity: PCIe 4.0 slots, three M.2 slots, rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C®, front USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C®, Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet and Thunderbolt™ 4 header support
- Comprehensive cooling: VRM heatsink, M.2 heatsink, PCH heatsink, hybrid fan headers and Fan Xpert 2+
- ASUS OptiMem: Careful routing of traces and vias to preserve signal integrity for improved memory stability
The RAM kit included is a 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600 kit which is enough memory for most gaming pc builds, and you always have the option to upgrade more in the future if need be with the extra couple of slots on the included gaming motherboard.
The included storage is a Crucial P3 500GB -- a great nvme SSD, and it also gives you the option to swap easily for the 1TB model, but you will need $30+ or The power supply unit (PSU) included is the be quiet! Pure Powe 650W. This is the sweet spot for this build and since it's fully modular, it should keep your case clean of unused wires - plus it's decently efficient.
For the gaming pc case, we have a Zalman S2, which is a fantastic all-type of builder case that's quite affordable, featuring an easy build-in case, full acrylic side panel, dedicated power supply housing and more. Learn more at zalman.com.
Upgrades for the $1000 Build
Motherboard Upgrade - DDR5 Memory Compatability!
You could upgrade to a Z690 chipset motherboard and enable DDR5 memory support. Of course, you will then need DDR5 memory, but you can get a 16GB kit for a bit more, SUCH AS THIS Crucial RAM 16GB Kit (2x8GB) DDR5 KIT FOR $65.99.
Cost: $219.99
Graphics Card Upgrade
XFX Speedster MERC319 AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT CORE Gaming
You can further pump up those graphics settings by bumping up to an RX 6800 Xt - it is a tad more expensive, but will provide better frame rates at 1440p and 4K resolutions.
Cost Current: $579.99
Storage Upgrade
- Capacity: 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
- Backed by a limited 5-year warranty or up to the max endurance rating of 600 TBW
Cost: $70.49
CPU Upgrade
*Note: You will also need an aftermarket cooler
- 16 cores (8 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 24 threads. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770 included
- Performance hybrid architecture integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
- Up to 5.4 GHz unlocked. 30M 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
Cost: $417.95
Above are some suggested upgrade ideas for the best 2023 $1000 gaming PC build. This PC hardware is recommended if you have a larger budget or want some upgrade suggestions later on when you need an upgrade.
The first included is a Asus Prime Z690-p Wifi motherboard. Why? Well with the inclusion of the Intel 13600KF CPU, you have the option to take advantage of the latest features that come with it, like DDR5 memory, but you will need a better chipset board, hence this Z690 one. You would then need to consider a DDR5 kit of memory as well -- fortunately, it's not too much more than the DDr4 equivalent in memory size.
Want more immediate gaming power -- then the graphics card upgrade is definitely the first upgrade I would take. The upgraded card seen here is the Radeon RX 6800 XT.
If you are looking to bump up your storage space right off the bat, then simply upgrade to the 1TB version of the Crucial P2 NVMe SSD, which doubles your available storage capacity.
Perhaps you need more computing power, then your next best bet is to bump the CPU up to a superb and newer Intel Core i7-13700K, a beast of a CPU.
Best of luck building your best possible $1000 gaming pc build this 2023. If you have any questions be sure to leave a comment or simply join our Facebook Group to help grow a great gaming pc build community: Gaming PC Builders Facebook Group.
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