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BEST White PC Build In 2024 [Gaming With Looks] is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

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Nauman Siddique

At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.

 

 

 

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Let’s face it: no matter how good those stealthy or full-blown RGB builds look, nothing comes close to a sleek white PC. It brings a level of satisfaction that is unmatched by any other theme. That’s also why everyone wants to get the best possible white PC build. Well, to help you out, I have tested and rounded up a list of components that complement each other’s performance and white design. With this build, you’ll most certainly get the best framerates alongside Internet points for having the most beautiful rig. 

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Sameed Hussain is our hardware expert who has been testing graphics cards, processors, RAM, and motherboards for years.
  • 25+ PCs built, tested, and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 1000+ hours spent testing different PC builds for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria.

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

These are the components I recommend for the top-performance white PC build:

Last Updated:

  • May 30, 2024: I have swapped the old build for a new build because this one is the latest and offers the most performance.
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If you want step-by-step instructions, we have also covered a guide on how to build a white gaming PC.

Similarly, we have also built and tested gaming PCs at different price ranges:

Have a different budget? You can check our other builds:

Our Recommended White PC Build Parts

While you can build a white PC for any configuration, these are the parts I would recommend for top-tier performance alongside beautiful looks in 2024:

  • GPU: ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 Super Trinity OC White Edition
  • AMD Motherboard: ASRock B650 Steel Legend WiFi
  • Intel Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX ICE
  • RAM: CORSAIR Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 CL34
  • PC Case: CORSAIR 4000D Airflow
  • AIO: CORSAIR iCUE Link H150i LCD
  • Fans: CORSAIR iCUE LINK QX120 RGB
  • PSU: CORSAIR RM1000x Shift Fully Modular

ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 Super Trinity OC White Edition

Best White GPU

ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 Super Trinity OC White Edition - Best White GPU
ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 Super Trinity OC White Edition

CUDA Cores: 10240 | VRAM: 16GB GDDR6X | Clock: 2565 MHz | Memory Speed: 23Gbps | Dimensions: 306.8 x 119.4 x 58.5 mm | Power Connector: 1x 12VHPWR | RGB: Yes

Pros

  • Cheaper than the RTX 4080
  • Perfect for high-FPS gaming
  • Beautiful white design

Cons

  • Very little performance gain over the RTX 4080
Check Price

The NVIDIA RTX 4080 SUPER is one of the best 4K gaming GPUs you can buy right now, and that’s because it not only offers good performance but does so at an impressively good price tag. Equipped with a high-speed 16GB GDDR6X VRAM and 10240 CUDA Cores, the card rocks 4K gaming out of the park (our team got an average of 106FPS during 4K gaming tests). Of course, you can also expect beautiful ray tracing from it without much of a performance hiccup, either. This card is a true beast and the perfect choice for AAA gaming with high framerates.

Apart from its high-end performance, the card is one of the most beautiful GPUs I’ve ever tested. I used it in a vertical mount to really show off the curves – it is simply gorgeous. You also get sleek RGB lighting at the top that highlights the ZOTAC Gaming logo. These RGB effects, combined with the curvature of the massive 3-fan design, make the ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 Super Trinity OC White a perfect choice for a white build.

ASRock B650 Steel Legend WiFi

Best White AMD Motherboard

ASRock B650 Steel Legend WiFi - Best White AMD Motherboard
ASRock B650 Steel Legend WiFi

Chipset: B650 | VRM: 14+2+1 | USB Ports: 10x Rear, 9x Front | RAM Support: 4x DDR5-7200+ (192GB) | Storage: 3x M.2 Slots, 4x SATA 6Gb/s

Pros

  • Solid performance
  • Gorgeous white PCB
  • Great value

Cons

  • Expansion slots configuration could have been better
Check Price

If you’re building an AMD rig (I recommend the 7800X3D), the right motherboard to go along with the white theme would be ASRock B650 Steel Legend WiFi. It has a 14+2+1 VRM design, which is more than enough for even the flagship AMD CPUs. Plus, you get a PCIe 5.0 slot for future proofing, and plenty of storage options (3x M.2, 4x SATA). The memory support is also just as impressive, as the board can handle up to 7200+MHz of DDR5 RAM with a max capacity of 192GB.

Looks-wise, I always recommend the Steel Legend series for white builds regardless of the platform. These motherboards completely stand out. That’s because ASRock has not just used white-themed heatsinks, but the entire PCB is white with gray accents. It looks really amazing. Plus, to take the flare factor to the next level, there is a long RGB strip below the bottom M.2 heatsink. In short, the ASRock B650 Steel Legend WiFi is the perfect motherboard to show off your white PC build.

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX ICE

Best White Intel Motherboard

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX ICE - Best White Intel Motherboard
GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX ICE

Chipset: Z790 | VRM: 16+1+2 | USB Ports: 10x Rear, 7x Front | RAM Support: 4x DDR5-7600 (192GB) | Storage: 4x M.2 Slots, 6x SATA 6Gb/s

Pros

  • A very good VRM design
  • Plenty of USB ports
  • 4x M.2 ports

Cons

  • No Gen5 storage
Check Price

Building an Intel rig instead? The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX ICE has got you covered. The motherboard’s 16+1+2 VRM structure can even handle the 14900KS without breaking a sweat. These MOSFETs are cooled by a huge single-piece heatsink that does a great job at efficient heat dissipation. GIGABYTE has really crammed as many features into the AORUS ELITE AX ICE features as possible, and this is very evident by the board’s USB and storage configuration. You get 2x Type-C, 7x Type-A, and 8x USB 2.0 ports. Furthermore, there are 4x M.2 and 6x SATA storage options.

The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX ICE offers everything you would expect from a top-notch white motherboard. It has a completely white PCB with massive heatsinks (covered in white+gray accents). To complete the look, the chipset cover has a sweet underglow which is like a cherry on top. All things considered, for the price, the GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS ELITE AX ICE is really hard to beat, and that’s why I am recommending it as the best white motherboard for Intel builds.

CORSAIR Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 CL34

Best White RAM

CORSAIR Dominator Titanium DDR5 - Best White RAM
CORSAIR Dominator Titanium DDR5

Memory: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x16GB) | Frequency: 7200 MHz | CAS Latency: CL34 | Input Voltage: 1.45V

Pros

  • Top performance
  • Beautiful design

Cons

  • Heatspreader is very tall
Check Price

Last year, our hardware expert Nauman Siddique had the pleasure of testing the Corsair Dominator Titanium, and he loved how CORSAIR has managed to squeeze high-end performance into such a beautiful package. After all, the RAM clocks at 7200MHz with just a CL34 latency at 1.45V. Sure, it lacks overclocking potential, so you can’t really get it higher than 7200MHz, but let’s be honest; there is absolutely no need to cross that figure in the first place.

Despite that, the Dominator Titanium is truly one-of-a-kind and a blessing for white build lovers. It has a unique design with two RGB strips and an RGB top bar to give it a clean look, which is further complemented by the white heat spreader. Just look at these shots of the CORSAIR Dominator Titanium DDR5 from our testing and enjoy the beauty yourself:

CORSAIR 4000D Airflow

Best White PC Case

CORSAIR 4000D Airflow Best White PC Case
CORSAIR 4000D Airflow

Type: Mid-Tower ATX | Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX | Dimensions: 453 x 230 x 466mm | GPU Clearance: 360mm | PSU Clearance: 220mm | CPU Cooler Clearance: 170mm | Drive Bays: 2x 3.5″ HDDs, 2x 2.5″ SSDs 

Pros

  • Remarkable cooling support
  • Great clearance for a mid-tower
  • Good storage configuration

Cons

  • Only 2x pre-installed fans
Check Price

Given the focus on raw airflow and cooling performance, the CORSAIR 4000D Airflow has always been a favorite choice among PC builders. Apart from its front panel, which brings plenty of air thanks to its perforated design and large gaps on either side, the top panel also adds to the ventilation. The chassis can handle 2x radiators at a time (240mm at the top, 360mm at the front or 2x 280mm at the top and front). For storage, it can hold 2x 2.5″ SSDs and 2x 3.5″ HDDs.

CORSAIR has also provided a dedicated cable routing path along with several velcro straps so all the cables are kept tidy. This makes the final build look way cleaner than usual. All of these features, combined with the triangle perforations all over the chassis put together in a beautiful white finish make it a great option for white builds. It not only nails performance, but also offers good value given its pricing and overall design.

CORSAIR iCUE Link H150i LCD

Best White AIO

CORSAIR iCUE Link H150i LCD - Best White AIO
CORSAIR iCUE Link H150i LCD

Type: 360mm AIO | Fans: 3x QX120 RGB Fans | Fan Speed: 480 – 2400RPM ±10% | Noise: 10 – 37 dBA | Dimensions: 397x120x27mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, & 1156 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes

Pros

  • Excellent performance
  • Beautiful block with LCD screen and RGB
  • iCUE Links minimizes cable clutter

Cons

  • Fans can get noisy at 100% speed
Check Price

For cooling, my go-to AIO has to be the CORSAIR iCUE Link H150i LCD. It offers exceptional performance thanks to its 3x QX120 fans, which can spin at up to 2400RPM while offering a peak airflow of 63.1 CFM. Plus, given that it is a 360mm radiator with 20FPS density, the overall cooling is simply perfect for any flagship CPU. When our team tested it with the i7-13700K (power limits removed), the CPU maintained 82°C after a 30-minute Cinebench R23.2 run, which is very impressive considering we removed the power limits to really push the CPU to its absolute limits.

The iCUE Link H150i LCD also happens to be an unbelievably beautiful AIO. There is so much to love about it. First up, the pump has a 2.1″ IPS LCD screen that can display any graphic, text, or PC stat you want. There is also a huge amount of RGB lighting all around the block. On top of that, thanks to iCUE Link, all three fans can be daisy-chained and connected to a single hub to offer the cleanest look possible. All these features, topped off with the beautiful white radiator, fans, tubing, and pump, make the CORSAIR iCUE Link H150i LCD the best white AIO currently available.

CORSAIR iCUE LINK QX120 RGB

Best White Fans

CORSAIR iCUE LINK QX120 RGB - Best White Fans
CORSAIR iCUE LINK QX120 RGB

Size: 120mm | Speed: 480 – 2400RPM ±10% | Noise: 10 – 37 dBA | Static Pressure: 0.17 – 3.8 mm-H2O | Airflow: 16.44 – 63.1 CFM | Bearing: Magnetic Dome | RGB: Yes | PWM: Yes 

Pros

  • Solid cooling
  • Beautiful white design
  • Supports iCUE Link

Cons

  • High noise at full speed
Check Price

You’ll mount your AIO on the front panel of the CORSAIR 4000D Airflow, but for the top and rear panels, you still need 3x more 120mm fans. Well, I recommend the CORSAIR iCUE LINK QX120 RGB fans. These are the same fans you’ll get with your AIO as well. Plus, since these fans support iCUE Link, the installation and cable management are exponentially easier. All you need to do is connect these fans to the iCUE Link Hub, and that’ll take care of all the RGB controls and PWM management. 

As expected, these are white fans with plenty of RGB, so you’re covered in the looks department. Along with that, the fans can spin at up to 2400 RPM at a 3.8mmH₂O static pressure, all while giving a max airflow of 63.1 CFM. These are very good figures, and in our hands-on testing, the real-world performance turned out to be just as good as we expected. Overall, from installation to looks and performance, the CORSAIR iCUE LINK QX120 RGB are the perfect choice for a white PC build.

CORSAIR RM1000x Shift Fully Modular

Best White PSU

CORSAIR RM1000x Shift Fully Modular - Best White PSU
CORSAIR RM1000x Shift Fully Modular

Wattage: 1000W | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Gold | Modular: Yes (Fully) | ATX12V Version: 3.1 | ATX Connector: 1 | EPS Connector: 2 | SATA Connector: 16 | PCIe Connector: 7

Pros

  • Great performance and efficiency
  • Side-mounted connections
  • Future proof

Cons

  • A bit pricey
Check Price

To power up this beast of a build, I suggest you go with the CORSAIR RM1000x Shift Fully Modular. We have been testing quite a lot of PSUs recently, but the RMx Shift series from CORSAIR has really impressed us with its voltage regulation, efficiency, and ripple performance. It has a max output of 1000W, so there is plenty of room to power up the build (You can also check our PSU Watts Calculator). 

The PSU uses high-quality Japanese internals and boasts a Cybenetics efficiency and noise rating of Gold and A, respectively. As for installation, it is a fully modular PSU with side-mounted connections; this means plugging the cables is significantly easier as compared to other PSUs, and full modular means you don’t have to plug in unnecessary cables. Lastly, all of these features and top performance are packed in a beautiful white design, completing the look of the perfect white PC build.

How I Picked The Best White PC Build

Given the popularity of white PC builds, almost all components now have a white variant. However, to put together the absolute best white PC build, we had to look beyond the white design. We wanted something that offers the best performance and most value while also looking drop-dead gorgeous. As such, I kept these factors in mind:

  1. Performance: As you can expect, my main priority was top performance. However, this doesn’t mean that I would just go ahead and recommend all the flagship components. Instead, I picked those that offer a balanced set of features along with great numbers.
  2. Compatibility: Alongside performance, I also factored in the compatibility of the components. For instance, if you’re going with an RTX 4080 SUPER, the CPU you’re going to pair it with is definitely going to need a 360mm AIO for optimal performance. As such, I made sure the components were compatible with each other to offer a smooth gaming experience without any stability issues.
  3. Aesthetics: Of course, it goes without saying that I only picked the white variants of the parts I suggested. But other than that, the color scheme also played a big part. For instance, the Steel Legend motherboard’s design philosophy is a major reason why I am recommending this motherboard – it simply looks so cool.
  4. Value For Money: While factoring all of these features and more, one that stayed vital is the overall value for money of the build. I didn’t want to recommend a rig just for the sake of it being white; I wanted to round up those components that are truly worth the buck. That’s why every part on my list offers a comprehensive set of features that make them stand out from their competition.

FAQs

Is it more expensive to build a white PC?

A bit yes, white PC parts are always a few bucks more than their black counterparts.

Does a black GPU look good in a white build?

While looks are subjective, I wouldn’t recommend a black GPU on a white build. However, a stealthy all-black PC build has its own style, and it definitely looks quite appealing.

Can you build a decent PC for $1000?

Certainly, a $1000 budget is a great amount to build a decent 1080p to 1440p gaming PC that can handle all the latest games at high framerates.

Do white GPUs turn yellow?

Not really, a white GPU will not be turning yellow any time soon as long as you keep it away from direct sunlight.

 

BEST White PC Build In 2024 [Gaming With Looks] is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

]]> BEST Gaming PC Under $5000 In 2024 [Hands-On Tested] https://tech4gamers.com/best-gaming-pc-under-5000/ Sun, 31 Mar 2024 18:40:34 +0000 https://tech4gamers.com/?p=153144 In this guide, we will walk you through the Best Gaming PC Under $5000 based on performance, looks, and value for money.

BEST Gaming PC Under $5000 In 2024 [Hands-On Tested] is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

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See full bio

For $5000, you can build the highest-end gaming PC that leaves no stone unturned to provide the best gaming experience possible. I compiled the list of parts you would need in order to achieve exactly that. I also made sure that my selection of components also offers the best balance between price, performance, and aesthetics.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Sameed Hussain has been building different gaming PCs for years now, and that’s why he is very experienced when it comes to knowing what PC components work the best together.
  • 100+ PCs Built and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 1000+ different PCs tested for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See How We Test Gaming PC).

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

Take a look at the components you need for the Best Gaming PC Under $5000:

Editor`s Note
Image

We’re excited to introduce our new, free Personalized PC Build Recommendation Service! Just fill out a form with your requirements, and our editor-in-chief, Malik Sajjad, will personally provide a recommendation based on his extensive PC building experience.

– Sameed Hussain

We have also built the following custom gaming PCs:

Best Gaming PC Under $5000

Here are all the parts you need to build the ultimate gaming PC under $5000:

  1. Processor: Core i9-14900K
  2. CPU Cooler: Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX LCD White
  3. Motherboard: ASUS Prime Z790-A WiFi
  4. RAM: Corsair Dominator Titanium 2x16GB 32GB 7200 MHz CL34 
  5. SSD 1: Corsair 2TB MP600 PRO XT
  6. SSD 2: Samsung 990 PRO 2TB
  7. Graphics Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4090 AERO OC 24G
  8. Casing: Corsair 5000D Airflow White
  9. Power Supply: Corsair RM1200x Shift
  10. Custom Cables: Corsair Premium White Sleeved PSU Cables Pro Kit
  11. 12VHPWR Cable: Corsair Premium 600W 12VHPWR Cable 

Intel Core i9-14900K

Best Processor For Gaming PC Under $5000

Intel Core i9-14900K - Best Processor For Gaming PC Under $5000
Intel Core i9-14900K

Socket: LGA1700 | Cores: 24 (8P + 16E) | Threads: 32 | Base Clock: 3.2GHz (P-Cores) | Max Turbo Frequency: 5.80GHz | L2 Cache: 32MB | TDP: 125W Base Power, 253W Turbo Power

Pros

  • Outstanding performance
  • Incredbile clock speeds
  • DDR4 and DDR5 support

Cons

  • Runs hot
  • Higher power draw
Check Price

A $5000 PC build requires the best possible processor available, which is why I went with the Core i9-14900K. The processor packs a total of 24 cores, divided into 8 performance and 16 efficient cores along with 32 threads, delivering phenomenal results in both single-core and multi-core tests.

The performance cores on the 14900K come with a base and boost clock speed of 3.2 GHz and 5.6 GHz respectively; whereas, the E-cores max out at 4.4 GHz. Simply put, I was blown away by the performance offered by the flagship 14900K and it makes for the ideal processor for 4K gaming as long as you pair it with an equally capable graphics card.

WARNING: The Core i9-14900K can get very hot during overclocking. Make sure to pay close attention to the temperatures.

Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX LCD White

Best CPU Cooler For Gaming PC Under $5000

Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX LCD White
Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX LCD White

Radiator: 360mm | Fans: 3x CORSAIR ML120 RGB | Fan Speed: 2400 RPM | Noise Level: 10 – 37 dBA | Tubing Length: 400mm | Radiator Dimensions: 397mm x 120mm x 27mm

Pros

  • Chart-topping cooling performance
  • LCD Screen

Cons

  • Loud fans
Check Price

As I mentioned earlier, the i9-14900K produces a lot of heat, which means maintaining optimal temperatures would require an equally capable cooler. I found the Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX LCD White to be perfect for that job.

First up, the AIO comes with 3x CORSAIR ML120 RGB fans. These fans can spin at up to 2400 RPM with an impressively good static pressure of 4.2 mm-H2O. It is worth noting that the fans reach 37 dBA at maximum load, which is slightly higher than the competition. Performance aside, I also liked the implementation of the clean white finish on the cooler.

PRO TIP: The pump has an LCD that can be customized to display a variety of information, including images, gifs, and different statistics using iCUE Commander Core.

ASUS Prime Z790-A WiFi

Best Motherboard For Gaming PC Under $5000

ASUS Prime Z790-A WiFi
ASUS Prime Z790-A WiFi

Chipset: Z790 | VRM: 20+1 | USB Ports: 12x Rear, 9x Front | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1, 2x Thunderbolt 4 | Storage: 5x M.2 Slots, 6x SATA 6Gb/s

Pros

  • Robust Power Delivery
  • DDR5 7200 Support
  • Decent overclocking capabilities
  • Good connectivity options

Cons

  • No Gen 5 M.2 drives
Check Price

The ASUS Prime Z790-A WiFi proves to be a capable enough motherboard to power the mighty 14900K. It comes with support for DDR5 RAM up to 7200 MHz, a capable VRM configuration packing 16+1 power stages, as well as 4 M.2 slots for storage. All of that also receives adequate cooling through massive VRM and M.2 heatsinks.  

The motherboard also comes with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, which means you won’t have to rely on any external adapters either. I was also pleased with the USB configuration offered by the motherboard. In total, you get 8x rear USB ports and 7x front USB ports.

Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 2x16GB 32GB C34

Best RAM For Gaming PC Under $5000

Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 2x16GB 32GB C34 - Best RAM For Gaming PC Under $5000
Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 2x16GB 32GB C34

Memory: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x16GB) | Frequency: 7200 MHz | CAS Latency: CL34 | Input Voltage: 1.45V

Pros

  • High clock speeds of 7200 MHz
  • Great design
  • Tight timings

Cons

Check Price

The Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 makes for the ideal pair with the i9-14900K, providing an astounding frequency of 7200 MHz while managing relatively tight CL34 timings. During our tests, I found that overclocking potential is fairly limited on the kit; however, that isn’t a deal breaker considering its already great overall performance.

To top it all off, Corsair has not skimped out on the design elements of the Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 either, equipping it with 11 controllable LEDs on top. Overall, I am a fan of the unique aesthetic offered by the kit. That said, the RAM sticks are fairly tall, which might pose issues if you switch to an air cooler down the line. 

PRO TIP: Use Corsair’s iCUE software to customize the RGB lighting to your liking.

Corsair 2TB MP600 PRO XT and Samsung 990 PRO 2TB

Best SSD For Gaming PC Under $5000

Corsair 2TB MP600 PRO XT and Samsung 990 PRO 2TB
Corsair 2TB MP600 PRO XT and Samsung 990 PRO 2TB

Corsair: Capacity: 2TB | Interface: M.2 NVMe 1.4 | Sequential Read Performance: 7,100MB/s | Sequential Write Performance: 6,800MB/s | Warranty: 5 Years or 1400TBW

Samsung: Capacity: 2TB | Interface: M.2 NVMe 2.0 | Sequential Read Performance: 7,450MB/s | Sequential Write Performance: 6,900MB/s | Warranty: 5 Years or 1200TBW

Pros

  • 4TB of combined storage
  • Extremely fast drives

Cons

  • No heatsink with the Samsung 990 Pro
Check Price

For storage, I recommend the Corsair 2TB MP600 PRO XT and Samsung 990 PRO 2TB. For the best $5000 gaming PC, it would be unfair to pair it with just a single SSD. After all, our motherboard has 4x M.2 slots. Regardless, to offer the best configuration, we have opted for 2x 2TB SSDs, which gives you a total of 4TB of storage.

Let’s go over both of them, starting with the Corsair 2TB MP600 PRO XT. When it comes to super-fast data transfers, the MP600 PRO XT leaves no stone unturned. Thanks to its PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 interface, the memory can reach up to 7,100MB/s and 6,800MB/s of sequential read and write speeds, respectively.

On the other hand, the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB is just as fast as the Corsair MP600. The SSD also uses the PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 interface and has a sequential read and write speed of 7,450MB/s and 6,900MB/s. However, it does not come with a built-in heat spreader.

Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4090 AERO OC 24G

Best Graphics Card For Gaming PC Under $5000

Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4090 AERO OC 24G
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4090 AERO OC 24G

CUDA Cores: 16384 | VRAM: 24GB GDDR6X | Clock: 2535 MHz | Memory Speed: 21Gbps | Dimensions: 342 x 150 x 75 mm | Power Connector: 1x 16-pin | RGB: Yes

Pros

  • Outstanding 4K gaming performance
  • Solid Ray Tracing Performance
  • DLSS 3
  • Future Proof

Cons

  • Bulkier design
  • Expensive
Check Price

With a budget of $5000, I would not settle for anything less than an RTX 4090. I decided to opt for Gigabyte’s Aero variant of the 4090 card since it also matches the white theme of the rest of our build. The Gigabyte RTX 4090 Aero OC goes above and beyond to offer the best performance possible. 

Starting with the boost clock speed, which sits at a whopping 2535 MHz, thanks to the factory OC. The higher clock speeds, combined with the 16,384 CUDA cores and 24GB of GDDR6X RAM, allow the card to bring outstanding performance to the table.

Apart from raw performance and efficient cooling, I am a huge fan of the card’s design. It features a white-on-white shroud that makes it the perfect choice for a white gaming PC. On top of that, there is subtle RGB lighting at the top that can be customized using the RGB Fusion.

Corsair RM1200x Shift

Best PSU For Gaming PC Under $5000

Corsair RM1200x Shift
Corsair RM1200x Shift

Capacity: 1200W | Efficiency: 80+ GOLD | Modular: Full | ATX 3.0: Yes

Pros

  • Solid Build Quality
  • 1200W output
  • Gold rating
  • 10 year warranty

Cons

  • Performance could be better
Check Price

Since I went with an RTX 4090, I needed to go for an ATX 3.0 PSU that comes with a dedicated PCIe Gen 5 cable as well as support for up to 600W of unparalleled power, and the RM1200X Shift has got it all.  Furthermore, it has a total output capacity of 1200W, which is more than enough for our Best Gaming PC Under $5000.

The power supply is equipped with industry-leading 105°C Japanese capacitors to provide the best reliability even under full load. Speaking of which, the PSU is 80+ GOLD Certified, so you shouldn’t worry about excess heat generation from inefficient operations. In fact, there are no heating issues at all because of the 140mm low-friction FDB fan.

Corsair 5000D Airflow White

Best Case For Gaming PC Under $5000

Corsair 5000D Airflow White
Corsair 5000D Airflow White

Case Dimensions: 520 x 245 x 520mm | Maximum GPU Length: 400mm | Maximum PSU Length: 250mm | Maximum CPU Cooler Height: 170mm | Form Factor: Mid Tower | Radiator Compatibility: 120mm, 140mm, 240mm, 280mm, 360mm | Drive Bays: 2x 3.5″, 4x 2.5″ | Front IO: 1x USB 3.1 Type-C, 2x USB 3.0, 1x Audio in/out

Pros

  • Sleek white design
  • Great airflow
  • Ideal fan support

Cons

  • Tinted side panel
  • Loud fans
Check Price

Last but not least, we have the chassis, and to perfectly bring all our components together, I went with the Corsair 5000D Airflow White.  The case features fully mesh front and top panels. This way, the build gets access to unrestricted airflow. You also get plenty of dust filters, which is a must for me.

As for the fan support, you can equip the Corsair 5000D Airflow with 10x 120mm fans (3x front, 3x side, 3x top, and 1x rear), or you can also equip the front and top panels with 2x 140mm fans each. Another impressive feature of the 5000D Airflow is its dedicated cable routes for easy cable management and 25mm of space behind the rear panel so you can comfortably hide your cables

Extras For White Build

If you plan to go all-in and build the Best White Gaming PC Under $5000, then there are a few extra components that you should get to complete the aesthetic.

CORSAIR Premium Individually Sleeved PSU Cables Pro Kit
CORSAIR Premium Individually Sleeved PSU Cables Pro Kit

Corsair Premium White Sleeved PSU Cables Pro Kit

While the Corsair RM1200x Shift delivers phenomenal performance with utmost reliability, it uses black-sleeved cables, which don’t look that good on a white PC build. As such, you should go for this Premium White Sleeved PSU Cables Pro Kit from Corsair that is just as reliable as the original RM1200X Shift cables but look better with the build.

These triple-layer mesh paracord-sleeved cables are not only easier to manage, but their white aesthetics are perfect for the $5000 Gaming PC we are building. On top of that, for the best look, you also get pre-installed 24-pin and 8-pin cable combs.

Corsair Premium 600W 12VHPWR Cable

Since I have used an RTX 4090 in our $5000 gaming PC build, I needed a white 12VHPWR cable to fit the theme. I found the Corsair Premium 600W 12VHPWR Cable to be a perfect fit for that. It maintains the 600W reliable output to power up the Gigabyte RTX 4090 Aero OC, and it features white triple-layer mesh paracord sleeved cables for the aesthetic.

Best Pre-Built $5000 Gaming PC

The Best Gaming PC Under $5000 we have built is undoubtedly a piece of art. However, it is a very expensive gaming PC, and building it requires high expertise to ensure the components are safe and no damage has occurred to such a high-end rig. Furthermore, building your own custom PC also requires quite some time, especially if you are out of practice.

With that said, if you want a similar spec top-tier gaming PC under $5000, but don’t want to spend any time or go through the hassle of building one yourself, then you should consider getting a pre-built $5000 gaming PC. We recently got our hands on the Origin Neuron 5000D Airflow, and its sheer performance blew us away.

Origin Neuron Pre-Built PC

The Origin Neuron can be customized with pretty much the same specifications as the ones we have listed above. It also features an i9-13900K + RTX 4090 duo based inside the Corsair 5000D Airflow chassis.

Consequently, the build was top-notch with no issues whatsoever. Even the cable management was very impressive. As for the performance, we got exactly what we expected: the highest framerates possible at 4K resolution.

Benchmarks Of The Best Gaming PC Under $5000

I took this prebuilt best $5000 gaming PC, aka Origin Neuron 5000D Airflow 2023, for a spin around a variety of games and other applications to test its real-life performance. It also showed me how well our Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX LCD White and Corsair 5000D Airflow are performing at keeping the i9-13900K and RTX 4090 cool. Take a look at our results below:

Recent Updates

  • March 31, 2024: I replaced the Core i9-13900K with the i9-14900K thanks to its better performance at a similar price point and the Corsair Dominator 5600 MHz CL40 with the Corsair Dominator Titanium 7200 MHz CL34 due to its superior performance.
 

BEST Gaming PC Under $5000 In 2024 [Hands-On Tested] is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

]]> Best Gaming PC Under $2000 In 2024 https://tech4gamers.com/best-gaming-pc-build-under-2000/ Fri, 22 Mar 2024 21:04:36 +0000 https://tech4gamers.com/?p=117931 In this guide, we will walk you through the parts required to build the Best Gaming PC Build Under $2000, along with the gaming benchmarks.

Best Gaming PC Under $2000 In 2024 is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

]]>
Nauman Siddique

At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.

 

 

 

See full bio

Building a gaming PC that can support 1440p and 4K gaming for $2000 isn’t tricky, but finding the proper components in today’s saturated markets can be a nuance. Therefore, based on the budget, here is my best gaming PC build under $2000 that provides impressive performance, doesn’t thermal throttle, and provides decent upgradability.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Sameed Hussain has been building different gaming PCs for years now, and that’s why he is very experienced when it comes to knowing what PC components work the best together.
  • 100+ PCs Built and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 1000+ different PCs tested for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See How We Test Gaming PC).

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

Here are our hardware picks for the best gaming PC build under $2000:

Editor`s Note
Image

We’re thrilled to launch our free Personalized PC Build Recommendation Service! All you need to do is fill out a form with your needs, and Malik Sajjad, our editor-in-chief, will use his years of experience to give you a custom recommendation.

– Sameed Hussain

[toc]

Have a different budget? You can check our other builds:

Best Gaming PC Under $2000

These are my recommendations for the best gaming PC build under $2000:

  1. Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
  2. Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Motherboard: MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi
  3. Best $2000 Gaming PC Build CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB
  4. Best $2000 Gaming PC Build RAM: Kingston Fury Renegade 6400MT/s CL32 32GB DDR5
  5. Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Storage: TEAMGROUP MP44 2TB
  6. Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Graphics Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC
  7. Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Power Supply: Corsair RM850x SHIFT
  8. Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Case: Corsair 4000D Airflow

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Processor

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Processor - AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

Specifications: Socket: AM5 | Architecture: Zen 4 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Base Clock: 4.2GHz | Boost Clock: 5.0GHz | L3 Cache: 96MB | TDP: 120W

Pros

  • Outstanding gaming performance
  • Unbelievable 96MB L3 cache
  • Relatively efficient
  • Great value

Cons

  • No overclocking support
  • Runs hotter
Check Price

The most important component for video editing is that I usually recommend sparing a decent portion of your budget for the CPU. Therefore, for a $2000 gaming PC, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a perfect fit, featuring 8 cores, 16 threads, and remarkable 5.0GHz boost clocks.

Moreover, the CPU provides emasculate gaming performance because its 96MB L3 cache reduces map load times in heavier games. However, the CPU doesn’t promote overclocking, so I don’t recommend trying. The stock performance is good enough for its price range, so you won’t have to worry.

Nevertheless, you’ll have to spend more on the CPU cooler as the Ryzen 7 7800X3D needs more cooling to keep the temperatures at bay due to its higher 120W TDP. Thus, with the latest ARCTIC 360mm AIO, I faced no thermal throttling or issues during my testing, allowing me to gain remarkable FPS at 1440p and 4K resolutions.

WARNING: The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D can’t be overclocked, and if attempted, it can void your warranty. So, if you want to attempt overclocking, we recommend purchasing another CPU.

MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Motherboard

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Motherboard - MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi
MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi.

Specifications: Chipset: B650 | Form Factor: ATX | VRM: 14+2 | Memory Support: 4x DIMM 256GB DDR5 | USB Ports: 10x Rear, 7x Front | Display Outputs: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s

Pros

  • Solid 14+2+1 VRM design
  • Plenty storage options
  • Remarkable cooling features
  • Sturdy build quality
  • Decent dark aesthetics

Cons

  • No RGB
  • Slightly pricier
Check Price

You won’t have to go all-out with the motherboard because you won’t be overclocking the Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU. Thus, I installed the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard, which promises decent connectivity options, a robust 14+2 VRM phase, and good storage connectivity.

Moreover, the motherboard is compatible with faster DDR5 RAM kits, so you can get better video editing and gaming performance without having any compatibility issues or worries. For its price, the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi is a great find for a $2000 gaming PC build.

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build CPU Cooler

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build CPU Cooler - ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB.

Specifications: Type: 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler | Fans: 3x P12 PWM PST A-RGB Fans | Fan Speed: 200 — 2,000RPM | Noise: 309 NNPI | Dimensions: 398 x 120 x 38mm | Socket Compatibility: Intel: LGA 1700, 1851 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes

Pros

  • Unmatched thermal performance
  • Integrated cable management
  • A-RGB lighting on the pump cover
  • Longer 6-year warranty
  • Supports LGA 1851

Cons

  • Thicker NVMe heatsinks may block tube connection
  • Bent fins
Check Price

Because I have installed a powerful processor, it’s only natural to complement it with a stronger CPU cooler. That’s where the latest ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB AIO cooler comes in with its 3x 120mm PWM fans running at a marvelous 2,000RPM speed to provide incredible cooling performance.

During my testing, the AIO cooler helped reduce any thermal throttling issues and didn’t bottleneck the CPU at all. While the fans have a slower 48.82CFM, you won’t have to worry about airflow thanks to the PC case that promotes airflow. You won’t have to worry about any leaks either, thanks to the robust build quality the cooler provides.

Thus, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB AIO cooler is a must-have for a $2000 gaming PC. Not only does the AIO cooler improve the PC’s thermals, but it also provides beautiful aesthetics with immersive RGB lighting on the fans and the pump. The in-house pump design also creates an exotic look not found in many coolers.

Kingston Fury Renegade 6,400MHz

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build RAM

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build RAM - Kingston Fury Renegade 6,400MHz
Kingston Fury Renegade 6,400MHz.

Specifications: Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x 16GB) | Frequency: 6,400MHz | Latency: CL32 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 10ns | Input Voltage: 1.40 | RGB: No

Pros

  • Great performance
  • Low profile design
  • Decent overclocking capabilities
  • Fast latency

Cons

  • Could be more affordable
  • No RGB
Check Price

The Kingston Fury Renegade 6,400MHz 32GB DDR5 RAM kit should prove helpful if you’re mainly after gaming and productivity performance. With a higher frequency and tighter CAS timings, the RAM kit showed incredible performance while I was testing it in the $2,000 gaming PC build.

Moreover, If that’s not enough, you should know that with a simple manual tweak, you can gain a 400MHz frequency boost without changing the voltage or latencies. Hence, with easier overclocking capabilities, the RAM kit is a must-have for an expensive PC build.

However, I disliked the absence of RGB lighting from such a kit. While it’s not a big issue, many gamers might want more RGB lighting in their PC, so you should also consider that.

PRO TIP: Sometimes, loosening the CAS timings can help increase the latencies, helping increase the overall performance of the RAM kit. So, don’t feel scared to play around when overclocking your RAM.

TEAMGROUP MP44 2TB

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Storage

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Storage - TEAMGROUP MP44 2TB
TEAMGROUP MP44 2TB.

Specifications: Capacity: 2TB | Interface: NVMe (PCIe Gen-4) | Sequential Read Performance: 7,400MB/s | Sequential Write Performance: 7,000MB/s | Warranty: Limited 5 Years

Pros

  • Superb 7,400MB/s read speed
  • Fast 7,000MB/s write speed
  • Longer warranty period
  • Lots of storage capacity

Cons

  • Runs warm
Check Price

Having separate storage devices has pros, but you can install a larger NVMe M.2 SSD and call it a day. So, to make the installation process easier, I opted for the TEAMGROUP MP44 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD that will serve as the primary OS storage and other media storage such as essential software for your productivity tasks.

With its faster read and write speeds, the SSD helped me reduce loading times by simply installing Windows 11 on it. Moreover, games such as Fortnite and Elden Ring saw remarkable FPS uplifts when I put them in my NVMe M.2 drive. Thanks to the greater capacity, you can clip and store all your competitive gaming outplays.

Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Graphics Card

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Graphics Card - Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC.

Specifications: Dimensions: 336 x 140 x 58mm | Video Memory: 12GB GDDR6X | CUDA Cores: 7,680 | Base Clock: 2,310MHz | Boost Clock: 2,640MHz | Power Connectors: 1x 16-pin | RGB: Yes | Display Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a | Recommended PSU: 750W

Pros

  • Insane gaming performance
  • Gorgeous looks
  • Decent DLSS & RTX performance
  • Lower thermals at full load
  • Decent 12GB VRAM

Cons

  • Slightly expensive
  • Higher power consumption
  • Size and length issues
Check Price

Moving to one of the most important components in a gaming PC, the graphics card, I left around half of the budget aside for a decent GPU, which is how I ended up with the Gigabyte RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC. Not only is this GPU capable of hitting 120Hz at 1440p, but it can also provide decent entry-level 4K gaming performance.

Thanks to its 2,640MHz boost clocks and greater 12GB VRAM, the GPU had no problems running most AAA-titled games in my tests at 1440p resolution 120Hz with varied settings. You can also attempt to overclock the GPU and increase the boost clocks slightly. However, the GPU comes with a factory overclock, so you don’t need to go through the trouble.

Even so, if you’re looking for that slight extra performance, manual overclocking will keep you happy. Furthermore, the GPU’s RGB fans complement the rest of the PC build, making it a decent choice for a $2000 gaming PC.

Corsair RM850x SHIFT

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Power Supply

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Power Supply - Corsair RM850x SHIFT
Corsair RM850x SHIFT.

Specifications: Size: 160 x 150 x 129mm | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Gold | Modular: Yes (Fully) | Wattage: 850W | ATX 24-Pin: 1 | EPS 4+4-Pin: 2 | PCI-E 5.0 16-Pin: 4 | SATA: 12 | PATA 4-Pin: 8

Pros

  • Higher performance
  • Sturdy build quality
  • Fully modular
  • Decent 80+ Gold efficiency rating

Cons

  • Expensive
Check Price

Seeing as how I planned to install the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and RTX 4070 Ti GPU, I decided to go with a higher-wattage power supply to ensure enough wattage in the PC. Therefore, I went with the Corsair RM850x SHIFT 80+ Gold, which provides more than enough power and is more efficient.

Other than its wattage, the power supply also supports a greater number of SATA drives, ensuring you don’t face any issues if you’re planning on running a mini-server. The full modularity will also help keep the PC build clean with lower cable clutter and an easier installation process.

Corsair 4000D Airflow

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Case

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Case - Corsair 4000D Airflow
Corsair 4000D Airflow.

Specifications: Type: Mid-Tower ATX | Colors: Black, White | Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX | Dimensions: 453 x 230 x 466mm | GPU Clearance: 360mm | PSU Clearance: 220mm | CPU Cooler Clearance: 170mm | Drive Bays: 2x 3.5″ HDDs, 2x 2.5″ SSDs 

Pros

  • Good SSD support
  • Excellent airflow capabilities
  • Decent value for money
  • Sleek design

Cons

  • Only two pre-installed fans
  • Limited space for larger air coolers
Check Price

Lastly, talking about the PC case, you want a chassis that provides better airflow capabilities with more space for better customization. That’s why I decided to go with the Corsair 4000D Airflow. Not only does the PC case offer better airflow but it can also support up to an E-ATX motherboard with the longest GPUs out there.

To explain, thanks to its front mesh panel, the Corsair 4000D Airflow directs more air into the chassis with 3x 120mm in-take fans. Similarly, whether it’s good cable management support or sleek looks, the chassis has got it all, and considering its price tag, it fits with the rest of the $2000 gaming rig we are building.

However, the only thing I disliked was the drive bay compatibility of the PC case. If Corsair had added more slots for HDDs and SSDs, then the PC case could have been a perfect choice for every gamer out there. Otherwise, there are no issues.

Our Gaming Benchmarks

To back our claims, we put this extreme $2000 gaming PC build to the test in various games, and it delivered smooth and immersive gameplay experiences without any issues. Take a look at the average frame rates below to see what we mean:

1440p Gaming Benchmarks Of Our $2000 Gaming PC
1440p Gaming Benchmarks Of Our $2000 Gaming PC

As you can see, the PC is nailing in gaming benchmarks. Hence, if you’re a high-performance gamer looking for a reliable and capable gaming rig, this is for you.

Monitor, Peripherals, And Other Expenses

Now that you have a complete list of all the components necessary to build a $2000 gaming PC, you might also be looking for peripherals, a monitor, and more. Before you jump ahead and purchase the first good-looking monitor you come across, you should think about the kind of gaming and work you expect from your PC.

For instance, my rig is capable of 4K gaming. However, do you plan to game on 4K or stay at 1440p? Because if you plan to game on 4K, you’ll need a 4K monitor, and they don’t come cheap. Furthermore, you must decide the refresh rate. I recommend at least 120Hz for casual gaming and 240Hz for competitive gaming.

There is one more expense you need to factor in when you’re building a gaming PC: the Windows license. Although a Windows 11 license key is affordable when compared to how much you have spent on a PC. Otherwise, you can stay on your older PC’s Windows if you still have the license key.

Also Read: How To Update Windows 

How To Plan The Best $2000 Gaming PC Build

Building a gaming PC is not a difficult task. However, you still need proper guidance to ensure you don’t damage any component, especially since all your parts are for a $2000 gaming PC. Here’s my short list of factors you must consider before you start building:

  • Budget: Even though a $2000 budget is hefty, you must keep every component’s price in mind. By that, I mean that despite having a high budget, you can still risk overspending on a single component, and if that happens, you will have to cheap out on some other component to compensate for it.
  • Upgradability: PC gaming rigs have an edge over consoles in terms of upgradeability; you can swap out a particular component with a newer variant and get a performance boost. However, all of this is only possible when your PC supports upgradability, and to achieve that, you need to go after compatible components.
  • Performance: You must keep the performance you want in mind when building your PC. While you should focus on getting the most performance on a certain budget, it’s not always that simple. For instance, video editors need different components to achieve their performance target, while gamers focus on others.
  • Aesthetics: This factor is quite subjective and depends on your preference. If you are a fan of RGB or visually appealing gaming PCs, you will have to go with the components that look good and go along with each other in terms of aesthetics. Or you can do a white PC build or a darker stealth build.

Tools Required

If you have decided to go down the custom gaming PC route and plan on building on your rig, then make sure you have these tools to get started:

  • Thermal Paste: It is one of the most important components to keep your CPU cool. You must install the thermal paste on the processor before installing the CPU cooler.
  • Philips & Standard Flathead Screwdriver: These are important to screw in all the different nuts and bolts in the PC during installation.
  • Anti-Static Mat: An anti-static mat will come in handy to prevent electric discharges from your body from ruining any of your hard-earned PC components.
  • Zip Ties: Using zip ties in a PC build can help keep the installation process easy and improve the aesthetics of your PC.
  • Magnetic Screw Tray: It’s an important asset to keep all the screws in one place without misplacing them.
  • Knife: A knife can help reduce the PC building time when you’ll be unboxing all the PC components.

Gaming PC Build Tips

If you don’t have any experience with building gaming PCs, then here are a few tips for you:

  • Call a friend with experience: If you have a friend who has built a custom gaming PC, then we recommend you call him over; this way, you can build your rig with your friend and have less risk of making any mistakes.
  • Always build the computer on a suitable surface: Make sure the surface you are building on is flat and not uneven.
  • Stay organized: The key to a successful PC build is organization; keep everything neat and clean throughout the process. Staying organized will also help you in keeping track of all the screws and nuts.
  • Always ground yourself: Always ground yourself before you start working on electrical components. You can do so by wearing an anti-static band. Furthermore, you can also work on an anti-static mat to protect your components from getting static electricity.
  • Apply the correct amount of thermal paste: Never apply too much or too little, as an inadequate amount of paste can cause overheating issues.
  • Correct fan configuration: Always install the right amount of fans for good airflow. This way, your rig will be properly ventilated, and none of your components will overheat.
  • Always keep an eye on the thermals: Don’t forget to monitor the thermals and the performance of your rig after building it. You can use software like MSI Afterburner to monitor your PC’s stats.

For more important tips, read our guide on PC building mistakes to avoid, especially if it’s your first time building a PC.

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FAQs

Is $2000 enough for a gaming PC?

Yes, you can build a high-end gaming rig for $2000. You can even build a gaming PC for $1000.

Is a $2000 Gaming PC capable of 1440p gaming?

Yes. As was evident in the gaming benchmarks, the $2000 Gaming PC we built can easily handle 1440p gaming with high framerates.

Is the RTX 4070 Ti enough for 4K?

Yes, the RTX 4070 Ti is a very powerful GPU; it will have no issues running games at 4K resolution.

Recent Updates

  • March 23, 2024: To keep the PC build’s budget within range, I replaced the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD with the TEAMGROUP MP44 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD because the latter’s price is significantly lower without having a major decrease in read and write speeds. Similarly, I decided to swap out the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB with the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB after testing its thermal performance on my testing rig.
  • March 11, 2024: Bringing a few major changes, I switched out the Intel Core i5-13600KF with the significantly stronger AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D due to similar pricing but a major performance difference in my testing. Of course, I had to change the motherboard, too, so I removed the MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi and added the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi, as the CPU doesn’t need a high-end motherboard.
  • March 4, 2024: I opted to replace the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti OC with the Gigabyte RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC due to a slight price difference, improving the latter’s overall value without changing the performance. Along with that, I changed the Be Quiet! Dark Power 13 750W with the Corsair RM850x SHIFT as it provides greater wattage with a robust build quality.
 

Best Gaming PC Under $2000 In 2024 is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

]]> Best Gaming PC Under $1000 In 2024: High FPS On A Budget! https://tech4gamers.com/best-gaming-pc-build-under-1000/ Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:31:22 +0000 https://tech4gamers.com/?p=112012 Are you on a tight budget but want to enjoy gaming? Worry not because this Best $1000 Gaming PC Build has got you covered. We have outlined the exact components you need to build your budget gaming PC. Not only that, but we will also tell you few beginner mistakes to avoid when building your first gaming PC.

Best Gaming PC Under $1000 In 2024: High FPS On A Budget! is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

]]>
Nauman Siddique

At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.

 

 

 

See full bio

Selecting the right products for your next gaming PC build can be a challenging task, especially if you’re under a tight budget. My list of components for the Best Gaming PC Under $1000 is here to help you with exactly that. During my research, I paid utmost importance to factors such as compatibility, performance, and future-proofing, allowing you to get the best possible gaming experience within a set budget of $1000.  

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Sameed Hussain has been building different gaming PCs for years now, and that’s why he is very experienced when it comes to knowing what PC components work the best together.
  • 100+ PCs Built and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 1000+ different PCs tested for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See How We Test Gaming PC).

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Sameed Hussain has been building different gaming PCs for years now, and that’s why he is very experienced when it comes to knowing what PC components work the best together.
  • 100+ PCs Built and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 1000+ different PCs tested for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See How We Test Gaming PC).

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

Here are all my Best Gaming PC under $1000 picks summarized:

Editor`s Note
Image

Check out our Personalized PC Build Recommendation Service! Simply complete the form with your specific requirements, and our editor-in-chief, Malik Sajjad, will personally send you an email with a custom PC build recommendation.

– Sameed Hussain

[toc]

Have a different budget? We have also built the following gaming PCs:

Best Gaming PC Under $1000

Let’s go over our recommendations for the Best $1000 Gaming PC build. Here are our picks:

  1. Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
  2. CPU Coolers: DeepCool AK400 CPU Air Cooler
  3. Motherboard: MSI B550-A PRO Motherboard
  4. RAM: G.Skill Trident Z Neo 16 GB (2x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16
  5. Storage OS: TEAMGROUP MP44 1TB
  6. Storage Media And Games: TEAMGROUP QX 2TB
  7. Graphics Card: MSI RTX 4060 Ventus 2X Black 8G OC
  8. Casing: DeepCool MATREXX 55 MESH
  9. Power Supply: CORSAIR RM650 80 Plus Gold Fully Modular

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Processor

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build - AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Processor
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Processor

Socket: AM4 | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Base Clock: 3.7GHz | Boost Clock: 4.6GHz | L2 Cache: 3MB | TDP: 65W

Pros

  • Decent performance
  • Overclocking Support
  • Reasonable price

Cons

  • No Integrated Graphics
  • Not Future Proof
Check Price

For the processor, I recommend the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. Despite the older release date of the CPU, I found it to be the best deal you can get in your budget. The processor comes with 6 CPU cores, 12 threads, a base clock speed of 3.7GHz, and a boost clock speed of 4.6GHz. Additionally, its default TDP is just 65W, so you won’t need a high-end cooler to bring down its temperatures.

The specifications of the Ryzen 5 5600X are undeniably impressive, especially considering its relatively low price. When combined with the right GPU and memory, the processor can easily handle all 1080p games, making it your best bet for a PC build under $1000.

DeepCool AK400 CPU Air Cooler

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build CPU Cooler

ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB - Best $1000 Gaming PC Build CPU Cooler
ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB

Heatsink: Single Tower | Noise Level: 0.35 Sone | Number of Heatpipes: 4 | Fan Speed: 200-1700RPM | Dimensions: 133x91x135mm | RGB: Yes

Pros

  • Great value
  • Adaqueate performance

Cons

  • No RGB
  • Can’t handle overclocking
Check Price

Recently, there has been a lot of competition in the budget CPU cooling space; however, I was quick to pick the DeepCool AK400 for the $1000 build. In my opinion, the AK400 strikes the ideal balance between noise, performance, and price, which makes it the perfect cooler to pair with the Ryzen 5 5600X.

To ensure optimal performance, Deepcool has equipped the cooler with a single 120mm fan, which reaches a speed of 1850 RPM while generating 66.47 CFM of airflow. Not only that, it also runs quiet, coming with a rated noise output of 29 dBA. The CPU cooler itself utilizes a four-heat pipe design, featuring an aluminum heatsink that consists of 54 fins in total.

All in all, you won’t have to worry about the thermal performance of the AK400; however, heavy overclocking might not be achievable.

WARNING: The Deepcool AK400 is not the best CPU cooler for heavy overclocking. Consider going for a higher-end cooler if you intend on overclocking the Ryzen 5 5600X.

MSI B550-A PRO

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Motherboard

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build - MSI B550-A PRO Motherboard
MSI B550-A PRO

Chipset: B550 | VRM: 10+2+1 | USB Ports: 8x Rear, 7x Front | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s

Pros

  • VRM and M.2 Heatsinks
  • Decent storage options
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Limited Gen 2 USB ports
Check Price

For the motherboard, I picked the MSI B550-A PRO, the winner of the Best Budget B550 Motherboard award in our Best B550 Motherboards guide. The motherboard comes with support for DDR4 RAM up to 128 GB and an adequate 10+2+1 VRM structure, which also makes it suitable for overclocking.

In addition to that, MSI has employed a reasonable amount of cooling, with the board utilizing a massive heatsink, high-quality 7W/mK Thermal Pads, and M.2 Shield Frozr heatsinks for the M.2 slots. Speaking of which, storage needs are facilitated through the 2x M.2 slots for your SSDs, and 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports.

Overall, I found no issues with the MSI B550-A PRO, and it falls right into our budget, offering just the perfect amount of features to support future upgradability and overclocking potential.

G.Skill Trident Z Neo 16GB (2x 8GB) DDR4-3600 CL16

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build RAM

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build - G.Skill Trident Z Neo 16GB RAM
G.Skill Trident Z Neo 16GB

Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 16GB (2x8GB) | Frequency: 3600MHz | CAS Latency: 16 | Input Voltage: 1.35V | RGB: Yes

Pros

  • 8.88ns latency
  • Great design
  • Overclocking potential

Cons

  • Slightly expensive
Check Price

When it comes to DDR4 RAM, the G.Skill Trident Z Neo 16GB DDR4 has been my go-to option. It also fits well into our budget, which is why I decided to go with it for my $1000 build. The variant of the G.Skill Trident Z Neo that I have picked is a kit of 2x8GB with a frequency of 3600MHz and a CL16-19-19-39 latency. That latency translates to around 8.88 nanoseconds.

The input voltage of the G.Skill Trident Z Neo is 1.35V, which is just right for the performance it offers. It leaves a bit of room for manual overclocking. However, I don’t think overclocking is required given the already solid performance of the RAM kit.

TEAMGROUP MP44 1TB

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Storage For OS

TEAMGROUP MP44 1TB - Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Storage For OS
TEAMGROUP MP44 1TB

Capacity: 1TB | Interface: PCIe Gen 4×4 | Dimensions (LxWxH): 80 x 22 x 3.7 mm | Sequential Read Performance: 7400 MB/s | Sequential Write Performance: 6500MB/s

Pros

  • Great read and write performance
  • 1450 TBW
  • 5-year warranty

Cons

  • Slightly higher temperatures
Check Price

Going for a capable SSD that is responsible for storing your operating system is a must for a build under $1000. This is why I opted for the Teamgroup M44 1TB, which ensures lower boot times while also providing you with enough capacity to store all of your essential software.

Storage capacity aside, the Teamgroup MP44 has a maximum sequential read speed of 7400 MB/s, along with a sequential write speed of 6500 MB/s. I found the endurance rating to be rather impressive as well, sitting at 1450 TBW. Combine that with the 5-year warranty, and you get an SSD that will last a reasonably long time.

Check out other SSDs:

TEAMGROUP QX 2TB

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Storage For Media & Games

TEAMGROUP QX 2TB - Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Storage For Media & Games
TEAMGROUP QX 2TB

Capacity: 2TB | Interface: SATA III | Dimensions (LxWxH): 100 x 69.9 x 7 mm | Sequential Read Performance: 540 MB/s | Sequential Write Performance: 490 MB/s

Pros

  • Budget Friendly
  • 2TB Capacity

Cons

  • Slower overall speed
Check Price

Apart from the OS and the necessary software, additional storage for storing games and media files can always come in handy, especially considering the increased sizes of modern triple-A titles. To ensure you don’t run into storage issues right after installing a few games, I picked the Teamgroup QX 2TB, a SATA III SSD that provides phenomenal value for money.

Not only that, but the SSD guarantees quick load times with the Teamgroup QX 2TB, thanks to its decent read and write speeds of 540 MB/s, and 490 MB/s. The SSD is also backed up by its endurance rating of 690 TBW, MTBF of 1,500,000 hours, and 3 years of total warranty.

MSI RTX 4060 Ventus 2X Black 8G OC

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Graphics Card

MSI RTX 4060 Ventus 2X Black 8G OC - Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Graphics Card
MSI RTX 4060 Ventus 2X Black 8G OC

VRAM: 8GB GDDR6 | Clock: 2490 (Boost) | Memory Clock: 17Gbps | Power Consumption: 115W | Slot Size: Dual Slot | Dimensions: 199 x 120 x 41 mm

Pros

  • Remarkable 1080p performance
  • DLSS 3 
  • Frame generation

Cons

  • Not for high-resolution gaming
Check Price

With a budget of $1000, a 1080p graphics card such as the MSI RTX 4060 Ventus 2X Black 8GB makes for the ideal fit, especially considering that it poses no bottlenecking issues with our selected processor. Its decent overall performance can be attributed to the high boost clock speed of 2490 MHz, 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, as well as the presence of 3072 Cuda cores.

You also get access to 4000-series exclusive features such as DLSS 3.0 upscaling and frame generation, which is a bonus. Despite the dual-slot design of the card, cooling has not been skimped out on, with the MSI RTX 4060 Ventus featuring TOXR 4.0 fans that maintain reasonable temperatures even under load.

PRO TIP: You can turn on DLSS in supported games to get a boost in performance.

DeepCool MATREXX 55 MESH

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Case

DeepCool MATREXX 55 MESH - Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Case
DeepCool MATREXX 55 MESH

Type: Mid-tower ATX | Colors: Black | Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX | Dimensions: 460×215×480mm | GPU Clearance: 380mm | CPU Cooler Clearance: 160mm | PSU Clearance: 170mm | Drive Bays: 2 x 2.5” SSDs and 2 x 3.5” HDDs | Included Fans: 4 x 120mm A-RGB Fans Front, 1x 120mm A-RGB Fan Rear

Pros

  • Solid cooling support
  • Budget Friendly
  • Good airflow

Cons

  • Limited soundproofing.
Check Price

With pre-installed fans, excellent radiator support, and a tempered glass side panel, the Deepcool Matrexx 55 Mesh packs a lot of note-worthy features without costing an outrageous amount. I’ve also made sure that the PC case provides guaranteed compatibility with all of the previously listed components.

The Deepcool Matrexx 55 Mesh, as suggested by the name, uses a mesh front panel, with three pre-installed 120mm fans. In order to further improve the airflow, Deepcool has incorporated vented portions on both sides of the front panels. Overall, I was impressed by how well the case manages the airflow side of things.

The case supports a 240mm radiator on the top and a 360mm radiator on the front. PSU and Cooler clearance will pose no issues either, and the dual-slot GPU will fit inside the case nicely with plenty of room to spare. I was also satisfied with the front I/O, which incorporates a single USB 3.0 port along with two USB 2.0 ports.

PRO TIP: When upgrading your components, ensure compatibility with the PC case

CORSAIR RM650 80 Plus Gold Fully Modular

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Power Supply

CORSAIR RM650 80 Plus Gold Fully Modular - Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Power Supply
CORSAIR RM650 80 Plus Gold Fully Modular

Size: 140 x 150 x 86mm | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Gold | Modular: Yes (Fully) | Wattage: 750W | ATX 24-Pin: 1 | EPS 4+4-Pin: 2 | PCI-E 5.0 16-Pin: 3 | SATA: 7 | MOLEX 4-Pin: 4

Pros

  • Remarkable performance
  • Gold rating
  • Silent operation

Cons

  • Mediocre build quality
Check Price

Responsible for powering the entirety of the system, the power supply unit is one component you will never want to cheap out on. That’s why I went with the Corsair RM650 80 Plus Gold, a 650W PSU that provides excellent performance and low noise levels.

Its gold plus efficiency rating also ensures that no power is wasted. To keep the PSU under optimal temperature, Corsair has incorporated a 140mm fan on top that allows the PSU to maintain lower temperatures. I noticed that the fan doesn’t reach higher noise levels either, which is always nice to see.

Our Tested Gaming Benchmarks

Here is the testing rig that was used for the gaming benchmarks:

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
  • GPU: RTX 4060
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 3600MHz (2×8 GB)
  • PSU: 650W 80+ Gold

Since my aim is to build a 1080p gaming PC under the $1000 budget that is capable of running all big games at high settings, I went through the 1080p gaming benchmarks only.

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Gaming Benchmarks
Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Gaming Benchmarks (Image By Tech4Gamers)

As shown in the above screenshot, the $1000 Gaming PC Build managed to achieve my goal, that is, to run high-end games at 1080p on high settings. It can be seen that throughout the six games, all average framerates are well above 60.

Monitor, Peripherals, and Other Expenses

You might be wondering; I have managed to build a great PC under the $1000 budget that runs all high-end games without any issues. However, what about the monitor, peripherals, and other expenses?

Well, as far as the monitor is concerned, I think that you should be good to go with anything under the $250-$300 price range. Since you’re building a gaming rig, make sure that the monitor offers a great refresh rate; anything above 120Hz should be good to go, with 144Hz and 165Hz being the sweet spot.

Similarly, buying gaming peripherals can also drive up the cost of your budget gaming PC build. So, if you have old peripherals and if you think you can use them, then we highly recommend that you do that. However, if you do plan to buy peripherals, then go with the combo ones, as they offer more value for money. 

One expense that you might overlook is the Windows license. Yes, it is basically dirt cheap compared to the other expenses we have talked about, but it should be considered nevertheless.

How To Plan The Best $1000 Gaming PC Build

Now, let’s go over a few factors that you need to consider when you’re planning to build the best gaming PC under $1000.

  • Budget: With a budget of $1000, you have to do your best to spend on the most essential things first and then go for the non-essential parts like RGB. I highly recommend that you first outline a strict budget and plan according to that budget.
  • Upgradability: Planning your build with upgradability in mind can do wonders for the overall longevity of your system. When shortlisting components, always select ones that you’ll be able to upgrade down the line without the need to fully swap out everything.
  • Performance: It is obvious that you need to factor in the performance you need when planning your best gaming PC under $1000 build, and to achieve the best possible performance figures while staying within budget, you need to get the most compatible components. For that, you will have to do some research on which components fall under your budget and which of them are compatible. 
  • Looks: If you’re a fan of RGB, then you also need to think about what kind of looks you want from your PC. Whether you want an all-white theme or a flashy RGB rig. Keep in mind that going after looks will drive up the price of the components you select.
  • Custom Built or Prebuilt: Prebuilts usually save you from the hassle of building the PC yourself; however, that comes at the cost of a more expensive build, which is why I recommend shortlisting the components and building a custom PC that suits your needs.

Tools Required

If you’ve decided to go down the custom gaming PC route and are planning to build your best gaming PC under $1000 build yourself, then get these tools:

  • Anti-Static Mat or Anti-Static Wrist Band
  • Knife
  • Zip Ties
  • Thermal Paste
  • Standard Flathead Screwdriver
  • Phillips Screwdriver (Number #1)
  • Phillips Screwdriver (Number #2)
  • A magnetic screw tray or magnetic mat (to stay organized)
  • Hex Nut Driver

Regardless, I have outlined a few basic mistakes to avoid when building a PC so your experience can go as smoothly as possible.

Basic PC Building Mistakes To Avoid

We have covered an in-depth guide on PC Building Mistakes To Avoid, be sure to give it a read, as it contains lots of valuable information.

Briefly speaking, the following are a few basic mistakes that you must always avoid when building a PC:

  1. Not proper grounding: First of all, you must always ground yourself when dealing with electrical components. That includes wearing an Anti-Static Band and/or working on an Anti-Static Mat. Otherwise, you might get a tiny shock yourself and even risk damaging the components.
  2. Not building on a suitable surface: Organization is the key to success in everything, and that certainly applies here. Make sure the surface you’re building on is neat, clean, and suitable. A wooden desk can be good, but never a metal surface as that can short the electrical components.
  3. Not installing the components correctly: You don’t have to use too much force on anything; in fact, stay as gentle as possible throughout the process. But, make sure that all the components are seated in their right position correctly.
  4. Applying too much or too little thermal paste: Generally, the amount of thermal paste applied should be equal to the size of a grain of rice. You can also refer to our step-by-step guide on How To Clean Thermal Paste Off CPU for more thermal paste-related queries.
  5. Incorrect installation of case fans: If your PC does not have the right airflow, then it will begin to overheat, which will ultimately create lots of issues like reducing your motherboard’s lifespan. So, make sure your PC has proper cooling and the right amount of fans.
  6. Forgetting to plug in some cables: Even though everything is labeled, it is very easy to miss a few headers. Hence, you must make sure to plug in all the cables correctly.

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FAQs

How many FPS should I expect from the best $1000 Gaming PC?

As we concluded in the gaming benchmarks, a gaming PC under $1000 should give you plenty of framerates at 1080p ultra settings.

Is the RTX 3060 Ti enough for 1440p?

Paired with the right CPU and good memory, the RTX 3060 Ti is actually enough for 1440p. You can run most games at high to ultra settings at 1080p with great FPS. So, even if you have to turn down the settings to mid to high, 1440p is definitely possible.

Is a 550W PSU enough for the RTX 3060 Ti?

Wattage alone cannot determine if a PSU is enough for any GPU. However, if we’re assuming that the PSU is of a well-known brand and is built with high-quality components, then yes, a 550W PSU is enough for the RTX 3060 Ti

Recent Updates

  • March 20, 2024: All of the component replacements warranted a change in the PSU as well, and I opted for the Corsair RM650 80 PLUS GOLD, which took the ASUS ROG Strix 550W Gold’s spot. Plus, video games sizes have continued to increase, which is why I added the Teamgroup QX 2TB to allow users to store a lot more games along with other media.
  • March 16, 2024: I decided to replace the RTX 3060 Ti with the RTX 4060 since it gives users access to more features while also providing slightly better performance. I swapped out the Western Digital Blue SAS10 500GB with the Teamgroup MP44 1TB to give users a lot more room to work with. Also, the Arctic Freezer 35 with the Deepcool AK400 due to its better price-to-performance.

 

 
 

Best Gaming PC Under $1000 In 2024: High FPS On A Budget! is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

]]> The BEST Gaming PC Under $1500 In 2024: Dominate At 1440p! https://tech4gamers.com/best-gaming-pc-build-under-1500/ Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:39:44 +0000 https://tech4gamers.com/?p=116317 Our guide will cover all the best parts for a gaming pc under 1500$ you'll need, including the best Processor, CPU Cooler, Motherboard, RAM, Storage, Graphics Card, Casing, Power Supply, and more options within your budget. We will also tell you about the gaming benchmarks of this $1500 PC.

The BEST Gaming PC Under $1500 In 2024: Dominate At 1440p! is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

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Nauman Siddique

At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.

 

 

 

See full bio

Building the perfect gaming PC to provide decent FPS at 1440p resolution isn’t too tricky at a respectable $1500 budget. However, due to the influx of products in the market, choosing the perfect ones that won’t thermal throttle or bottleneck other components can be difficult. Therefore, to help you build your first custom PC, I have carefully picked out a complete list of components you’ll require to build the best gaming PC under $1500.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Sameed Hussain has been building different gaming PCs for years now, and that’s why he is very experienced when it comes to knowing what PC components work the best together.
  • 100+ PCs Built and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 1000+ different PCs tested for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See How We Test Gaming PC).

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

Here are hardware picks for the best gaming PC under $1500:

Processor
Best $1500 Gaming PC Build
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
CPU Cooler
DeepCool AK400
Motherboard
MSI B550-A PRO Motherboard
RAM
Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB
Storage OS
TEAMGROUP MP44 1TB
Storage Media & Games
TEAMGROUP QX 2TB
Graphics Card
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC
Casing
DeepCool CH560
Power Supply
Corsair RM750e 80+ Gold
Best $1500 Gaming PC Build
Processor
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
CPU Cooler
DeepCool AK400
Motherboard
MSI B550-A PRO Motherboard
RAM
Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB
Storage OS
TEAMGROUP MP44 1TB
Storage Media & Games
TEAMGROUP QX 2TB
Graphics Card
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC
Casing
DeepCool CH560
Power Supply
Corsair RM750e 80+ Gold
Editor`s Note
Image

Make sure to also check our Personalized PC Build Recommendation Service! It is completely free and all you have to do is share your requirements by filling out the form, and Malik Sajjad, our editor-in-chief, will get back to you with a PC build recommendation.

– Sameed Hussain

[toc]

Have a different budget? You can check our other builds:

Best Gaming PC Build Under $1500

These are our recommendations for the Best Gaming PC Under $1500:

  1. Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
  2. CPU Cooler: DeepCool AK400
  3. Motherboard: MSI B550-A PRO Motherboard
  4. RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB DDR4 3,600MHz CL16
  5. Storage OS: TEAMGROUP 1TB MP44
  6. Storage Media & Games: TEAMGROUP QX 2TB
  7. Graphics Card: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC
  8. Casing: DeepCool CH560
  9. Power Supply: Corsair RM750e

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Processor

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Processor - AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X.

Specifications: Socket: AM4 | Architecture: Zen 3 | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Base Clock: 3.7GHz | Boost Clock: 4.6GHz | L3 Cache: 32MB | TDP: 65W

Pros

  • Remarkable price-to-performance ratio
  • Low power consumption
  • Decent overclocking potential
  • Good thermals

Cons

  • No DDR5 support
Check Price

Packing 12 threads and 6 cores running at a base frequency of 3.7GHz that can be taken up to 4.6GHz, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X offers the perfect performance that you would expect from a 1440p gaming PC. Moreover, it doesn’t generate much heat either. With a TDP of 65W, you can get away with using an affordable CPU cooler.

Overall, I loved the Ryzen 5 5600X’s performance at 1440p when paired with a decent GPU. Because of its adequate performance, you don’t have to worry about bottlenecking or thermal throttling. Additionally, it offers slight overclocking potential, too. Thus, the CPU offers quite a good price-to-performance ratio, making it perfect for a $1,500 PC build.

WARNING: While you can overclock the Ryzen 5 5600X CPU, if not done moderately, you can potentially harm the processor, so it is recommended to be careful when tweaking the settings.

DeepCool AK400

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build CPU Cooler

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build CPU Cooler - DeepCool AK400
DeepCool AK400.

Specifications: Type: Single-Tower Air Cooler | Colors: Black, White | TDP: 220W | RGB: No | Dimensions: 127 × 97 × 155mm | Fan: 1x FC102 120mm | Fan Speed: 500 — 1,850RPM | Noise: 29dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X AMD: AM4, AM5

Pros

  • Single-tower slim design
  • Matrix fin array layout
  • Easy installation
  • Metal backplate
  • Silent fan

Cons

  • No extra thermal paste
  • Shorter 2-year warranty
Check Price

After finalizing the processor, choosing a CPU cooler that can provide adequate cooling performance and airflow to keep the temperatures at bay is necessary. That’s where the DeepCool AK400 air cooler comes in with its 220W TDP, a single 120mm fan running at 1,850RPM, providing a ~66.47CFM to improve the airflow within the PC case.

Moreover, with its robust build quality, I was satisfied with the cooler’s performance, providing enough thermal headroom to overclock the Ryzen 5 5600X CPU during my testing slightly. The only regret I had was the simple aesthetics, lacking any RGB. Other than that, you won’t have to worry about fan noise or physical compatibility issues.

MSI B550-A PRO

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Motherboard

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Motherboard - MSI B550-A PRO
MSI B550-A PRO.

Specifications: Chipset: B550 | Form Factor: ATX | VRM: 10+2+1 | Memory Support: 4x DIMM 128GB DDR4 | USB Ports: 8x Rear, 7x Front | Display Outputs: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Decent VRM quality
  • Plenty of USB 3.0 ports
  • Sturdy build quality

Cons

  • Less USB 2.0 ports
  • Mediocre audio port
Check Price

An impressive motherboard pair with the Ryzen 5 5600X is the midrange MSI B550-A PRO, which provides one of the best bang for the buck thanks to its 10+2+1 VRM phases, decent storage options such as 2x M.2 slots and 6x SATA slots along with a plethora of USB ports for better connectivity options.

All-in-all, because of its impressive performance and slight overclocking capabilities, the MSI B550-A PRO motherboard is a decent fit for a $1,500 gaming PC build. Moreover, being one of the best B550 motherboards out there, you can’t get a better deal than this one.

Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build RAM

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build RAM - Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB
Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB.

Specifications: Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 32GB (2x 16GB) | Frequency: 3,600MHz | Latency: CL16 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 8.8ns | Voltage: 1.35V | RGB: Yes

Pros

  • Excellent performance
  • Attractive design
  • Remarkable value for money
  • Super low latency

Cons

  • Limited overclocking headroom
  • No XMP 3.0 support
Check Price

As far as performance goes, the Corsair Vengeance RGB RT has your back, as the RAM can run at a frequency of up to 3,600MHz without any manual overclocking. Plus, its latency is also quite low at 16-20-20-38. When these two figures are combined with the 32GB capacity, it makes sense to call this RAM top-notch for any PC build.

Pairing it with the Ryzen 5 5600X CPU gave me remarkable FPS in most games at 1440p and 4K resolutions, surmounting the RAM’s cost and value. Therefore, to sum up, the Corsair Vengeance RGB RT is the perfect choice for our build. It packs a powerful punch, a good value for money, and has beautiful RGB lighting.

PRO TIP: If you’re trying to overclock your RAM kit, decreasing the core voltage can sometimes help stabilize tighter timings and greater frequencies.

TEAMGROUP MP44 1TB

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Storage OS

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Storage OS - TEAMGROUP MP44 1TB
TEAMGROUP MP44 1TB.

Specifications: Capacity: 1TB | Interface: NVMe (PCIe Gen-4) | Sequential Read Performance: 7,400MB/s | Sequential Write Performance: 6,500MB/s | Warranty: Limited 5 Years

Pros

  • Ultra-fast 7,400MB/s read speeds
  • Superb 6,500MB/s write speeds
  • Good durability
  • Higher 1TB capacity

Cons

  • Slightly expensive
  • No dedicated heatsink
Check Price

Because you’re building a PC worth $1500, having more storage shouldn’t be out of the question. Therefore, I chose the TEAMGROUP MP44 1TB for the operating system, which will house your Windows and the essential software you use. For example, if you want to work on creative tasks, you can easily install the entire Adobe Suite on this storage device.

The main reason for choosing an NVMe SSD is to reduce loading times thanks to the higher read and write speeds. Simply installing Windows 11 on this SSD allowed me to reduce the loading times significantly, improving my experience while testing the PC.

Moreover, if you use the SSD to install software for your creative tasks, the render times will be reduced, too, saving you lots of precious time that can be spent productively. Lastly, I was also happy with the 5-year warranty that ensures higher endurance and that nothing will happen to the data I feed into the storage device.

TEAMGROUP QX 2TB

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Storage Media & Games

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Storage Media & Games
TEAMGROUP QX 2TB.

Specifications: Capacity: 2TB | Interface: SATA III 6Gb/s | Sequential Read Performance: 540MB/s | Sequential Write Performance: 490MB/s | Warranty: Limited 3 Years

Pros

  • Higher 2TB capacity
  • More affordable
  • Good SATA III compatibility

Cons

  • Shorter warranty period
  • Slower read & write speeds
Check Price

If you’re any gamer like me, you’d be recording most of your gameplay and creating snippets of your outplays in a 1v5 situation. You need enough storage to save all this data. That’s where the TEAMGROUP QX 2TB 2.5″ SSD comes into the picture. With its super-high storage capacity, you can install many games and save all your desired data.

Some of the main reasons for choosing the TEAMGROUP QX 2TB are its superb value and higher MTBF of 1,500,000 hours, ensuring all your data will be safe for a long time. Even after installing all the games I wanted to test, I still had over 750GB of space left, which I dedicated to my gameplay snippets, movies, and music.

Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Graphics Card

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Graphics Card - Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC.

Specifications: Dimensions: 336 x 140 x 58mm | Video Memory: 12GB GDDR6X | CUDA Cores: 7,680 | Base Clock: 2,310MHz | Boost Clock: 2,640MHz | Power Connectors: 1x 16-pin | RGB: Yes | Display Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a | Recommended PSU: 750W

Pros

  • Outstanding gaming performance
  • Beautiful aesthetics
  • Impressive DLSS & RTX capabilities
  • Low thermals
  • Good 12GB VRAM

Cons

  • Slightly expensive
  • Greater power consumption
  • May pose size issues
Check Price

The graphics card is the most essential component for playing games at 1440p without facing stutters at higher settings. Therefore, I took a major chunk of the $1500 budget to install the Gigabyte RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC GPU that surprisingly pairs well with the Ryzen 5 5600X CPU.

The 12GB GDDR6X VRAM fares well with the 7,680 CUDA cores and 2,640MHz. While the GPU is already slightly factory overclocked, I tried my luck with manual overclocking and received a slight bonus. So, if you’re looking for that extra performance squeeze, you can always try to overclock the GPU.

Additionally, I loved the graphics card’s looks and RGB lighting, which adds to its overall value. In any case, during my testing, the GPU helped achieve over 60 FPS and, sometimes, over 120 FPS in all games at 1440p high settings. So you don’t have to worry about stutters.

DeepCool CH560

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Casing

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Casing - DeepCool CH560
DeepCool CH560.

Specifications: Type: Mid-tower ATX | Colors: Black, White | Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX | Dimensions: 471 x 458 x 230mm | GPU Clearance: 380mm | CPU Cooler Clearance: 175mm | PSU Clearance: 170mm | Drive Bays: 2x + 1x 2.5” SSDs and 2x 3.5” HDDs | Included Fans: 3x 140mm A-RGB Fans Front, 1x 120mm A-RGB Fan Rear

Pros

  • Excellent airflow capabilities
  • Hybrid side panel
  • Decent cable management space
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • Limited front panel I/O ports
  • Limited top radiator clearance
Check Price

The DeepCool CH560 chassis is ideal for greater airflow capabilities thanks to its bigger size, pre-installed fans, and open-air mounts. Moreover, the PC case has a clean finish with plenty of pathways for cables to go through to prevent cable clutter. However, I chose this chassis mainly because of its customization capabilities.

To explain, you can choose between black and white variants, have a side mesh panel for greater airflow, or install a glass panel for better aesthetics. Furthermore, the chassis supports E-ATX motherboards and has a 380mm GPU clearance, allowing decent future compatibility.

The only thing the DeepCool CH560 chassis could improve is its drive bay compatibility. While four storage devices are enough, someone might want more for modularity. Other than that, the included fans help improve the case’s value and help improve the overall airflow.

Corsair RM750e

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Power Supply

Best $1500 Gaming PC Build Power Supply - Corsair RM750e
Corsair RM750e.

Specifications: Size: 140 x 150 x 86mm | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Gold | Modular: Yes (Fully) | Wattage: 750W | ATX 24-Pin: 1 | EPS 4+4-Pin: 2 | PCI-E 5.0 16-Pin: 3 | SATA: 7 | MOLEX 4-Pin: 4

Pros

  • Fully modular
  • Silent PSU fan
  • 80+ Gold certified
  • Remarkable build quality

Cons

  • Lacks braided cables
  • Slightly higher cost
Check Price

Cheaping out on the power supply is easily one of the most common PC building mistakes. Therefore, to avoid making such mistakes, using a PSU with a higher wattage than your PC requires while having a higher efficiency rating is recommended. That’s why I chose the Corsair RM750e 80+ Gold PSU, as it should suffice for our $1500 gaming PC build.

The power supply won’t waste power thanks to its greater efficiency, comes fully modular to prevent any cable clutter, and provides decent cable compatibility for users who may want a greater number of storage devices. So, although it’s not the cheapest, it has features that accentuate its price.

Our Gaming Benchmarks (1440p)

We tested the rig in various games, and just as we said, the PC is running all the games at 1440p max settings without any hiccups. Take a look at the average FPS we got in all these games:

Best Gaming PC Under $1500 1440p Gaming Benchmarks
1440p Gaming Benchmarks (Image By Tech4Gamers)

As you can see, our extreme gaming PC has no issues running AAA titles with great FPS. Therefore, you can expect some great game time from this rig.

How To Plan The Best $1500 Gaming PC 

Before you begin to build a gaming PC, there are a few factors that you must always go through. We have covered these factors in much more detail in our guide on how to build a gaming PC.

  • Budget: Regardless of how much your budget is, you need to keep in mind that you must never overspend on any component. Whether it is the graphics card or RGB strips, don’t exceed your budget. If your budget is tight, you will have to cheap out on other components, which will badly affect your gaming PC.
  • Upgradability: One of the best things about custom gaming PCs is that they are very upgradeable. Therefore, when planning a PC, always select the parts that are most compatible with each other and offer the best upgradability. This way, swapping out the components for better ones in the future will not be difficult.
  • Performance: Obviously, you need to scrutinize all the components you plan to get based on their performance. Ensure that the PC will not suffer from any bottlenecks, as that can greatly affect the performance.
  • Aesthetics: This factor isn’t as essential as others. However, many gamers greatly prioritize their PC’s looks as they wish to show it off to their friends. Therefore, if you also want your PC to look as beautiful as possible, then you need to go with RGB components or other themed components like white CPU coolers and a white chassis.

Gaming PC Build Tips

If you’re a beginner and this is your first PC-building experience, here are a few tips to help you out:

  • Build on a suitable surface: Uneven ground can make it difficult to plug in fragile components. Similarly, a metallic surface poses the risk of damaging electrical components.
  • Always ground yourself: Make sure you have grounded yourself by wearing an anti-static band or working on an anti-static mat. This way, you will not transfer static electricity to the components and risk damaging them.
  • Plug in everything correctly and gently: When assembling your rig, stay as gentle as possible. Always remember that these components are quite expensive and fragile, so using any extra force might damage them. Furthermore, make sure every component and cable is seated in its position correctly.
  • Apply thermal paste correctly: Once you have installed the CPU, you must apply it. Ensure the amount of thermal paste you use equals the size of a grain of rice. If you use too much thermal paste or too little, your CPU will overheat.
  • Correct fan configuration: The right airflow is important for the PC’s thermal performance. Because otherwise, many of your expensive components will suffer from throttling issues. Therefore, ensure you correctly install the right amount of fans to promote good airflow. 

Apart from these tips, we highly recommend you read our guide on PC building mistakes to avoid, as it covers many mistakes beginners tend to make.

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FAQs

Is $1500 enough for a gaming PC?

Definitely, as you can see with the PC we have built for under $1500, this budget is enough for an extreme gaming PC.

Is the RTX 4070 Ti enough for 4K?

Yes, when paired with the right CPU, like the Ryzen 5 5600X, the RTX 4070 Ti can handle 4K gaming with decent FPS without breaking a sweat.

Recent Updates

  • March 20, 2024: I have switched the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti OC with the Gigabyte RTX 4070 Ti Gaming OC as the latter has a lower price but offers similar performance at 1440p resolution, improving the PC’s value. As I was changing other components, I decided to improve the power supply’s wattage and changed the Corsair RM650x 80+ Gold with the Corsair RM750e 80+ Gold as the cost changes aren’t high, but you get more wattage.
  • March 9, 2024: To improve the PC’s airflow capabilities, after my testing, I replaced the Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh with the DeepCool CH560 Airflow, as it is more spacious while also featuring more customization capabilities.
  • March 2, 2024: After testing it out, I decided to swap the Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro Slim with the DeepCool AK400 because of its greater RAM clearance and similar performance at a lower price. Similarly, looking at the storage prices, I changed the Western Digital Blue SA510 500GB NVMe SSD with the TEAMGROUP MP44 1TB as it provides faster read and write speeds. Moreover, I added the TEAMGROUP QX 2TB as a secondary 2.5″ SSD drive.
 

The BEST Gaming PC Under $1500 In 2024: Dominate At 1440p! is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

]]> BEST Gaming PC Under $500 In 2024 https://tech4gamers.com/best-gaming-pc-under-500/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:11:22 +0000 https://tech4gamers.com/?p=128973 Looking for a cheap gaming PC? Well worry not because this guide covers all the components you need to build the best gaming PC under $500. We will also show you the gaming benchmarks so you know exactly how much FPS you will get in your favourite games.

BEST Gaming PC Under $500 In 2024 is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

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See full bio

Building a complete gaming PC Under $500 can be a daunting task, especially considering the higher overall price of modern processors and graphics cards. However, it is still very possible to build a mid-range PC for 1080p gaming within this price range. To help you with the process, I have carefully picked out a complete list of the components required to build the best gaming PC under $500.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Sameed Hussain has been building different gaming PCs for years now, and that’s why he is very experienced when it comes to knowing what PC components work the best together.
  • 100+ PCs built and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 1000+ different PCs tested for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See How We Test Gaming PC).

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

Take a look at the components you need for a $500 gaming PC:

Editor`s Note
Image

I highly suggest checking our Personalized PC Build Recommendation Service! It is a free tool where you can tell us your requirements and our editor-in-chief, Malik Sajjad, will personally reply to you with a list of PC components specific for your needs.

– Sameed Hussain

[toc]

We have also built the following custom gaming PCs:

Best Gaming PC Under $500

Here are all the parts you need to build a cheap gaming PC under $500:

  1. Processor: Intel Core i3-13100F
  2. Motherboard: MSI PRO H610M-G
  3. RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 16GB
  4. Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 500GB
  5. Graphics Card: ASUS Dual RTX 3050 6GB OC GDDR6
  6. Casing: GAMDIAS AURA GC2
  7. Power Supply: EVGA 550 BP 80+ Bronze

Intel Core i3-13100F

Best Gaming PC Under $500 Processor

Intel Core i3-13100F - Best Gaming PC Under $500 Processor
Intel Core i3-13100F

Socket: LGA 1700 | Cores: 4 | Threads: 8 | Base Clock: 3.40 GHz | Boost Clock: 4.50 GHz | L2 Cache: 5 MB | TDP: 58W Base Power, 89W Turbo Power

Pros

  • Adaqueate gaming performance
  • Easy to cool
  • Included stock cooler

Cons

  • No integrated graphics
  • No overclocking support
Check Price

The Core i3-13100F is an entry-level 13th-generation processor; however, it offers decent performance for its price. You get a total of 4 cores and 8 threads, as well as a respectable boost speed of 4.5 GHz. Pairing the CPU with a budget GPU such as the RTX 3050 won’t pose any bottlenecking issues.

Given the i3-13100F’s lower overall TDP of 58W, the included stock cooler is enough for the processor. Of course, upgrading to an aftermarket cooler will guarantee lower temperatures; however, that might not be required considering the lack of overclocking support. Overall, I found the Core i3-13100F’s capabilities to be remarkable for the price, allowing for 1080p gaming when paired with a decent graphics card.

WARNING: The Core i3-13100F does not come with integrated graphics.

MSI PRO H610M-G

Best Gaming PC Under $500 Motherboard

MSI PRO H610M-G Motherboard For Best Gaming PC Under $500
MSI PRO H610M-G

Chipset: H610 | VRM: 4+2 | USB Ports: 6x Rear, 4x Front | Video Outputs: DisplayPort, VGA, HDMI | Storage: 1x M.2 Slots, 4x SATA 6Gb/s

Pros

  • Affordable
  • DDR4 support up to 3200 MHz

Cons

Check Price

Much like the rest of the H610-based boards I have taken a look at, the MSI PRO H610M-G is fairly barebones, only packing the essentials you need to build an LGA 1700 system. I found no distinctive design elements on the board and RGB lighting is also missing.

The MSI Pro H610M-G uses a 6-phase VRM design in a 4+2 configuration, which is enough for the i3-13100F.  For your storage, you get an M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD slot with 4x SATA III ports. Just like the storage configuration, the USB port offering is also adequate. Although you only get 2 DIMM slots, it still supports DDR4 modules up to a speed of 3200 MHz.

In my opinion, the MSI PRO H610M-G is worth every penny. It offers all the essential features you would need to have a smoothly functional PC, and that’s what we want.

Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 16GB 3200MHz CAS16

Best Gaming PC Under $500 RAM

Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 16GB 3200MHz CAS16 RAM For Best Gaming PC Under $500
Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 16GB 3200MHz CAS16

Memory: DDR4 | Capacity: 16GB (2x 8GB) | Frequency: 3200MHz | CAS Latency: CL16 | Input Voltage: 1.35 | RGB: Yes

Pros

  • Relatively tight timings
  • Solid price-to-performance
  • 10 zone RGB

Cons

  • Limited overclocking
Check Price

I cannot deny that Corsair Vengeance RGB 3200 MHz is extremely well-priced with respect to the current market. When it comes to sheer performance, the RAM is a beast, and once paired with the i3-12100F, I faced no issues in gaming. 

First up, the Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO has a whopping 3200MHz frequency and a low CL16 latency. For a RAM to perform well, it needs to have both high frequency and low CAS latency, and this kit from Corsair nails both aspects. We have also overclocked this kit in our test bench. In a nutshell, the performance figures we saw were mind-blowing, especially considering the low price. 

Apart from the impressive performance numbers and the low pricing, the Vengeance RGB PRO also looks very beautiful. Corsair has packed 10 ARGB LEDs into the stick, and you can control them using the iCUE software to display various effects. 

Crucial P3 Plus 500GB

Best Gaming PC Under $500 Storage

Crucial P3 Plus 500GB Storage For Best Gaming PC Under $500
Crucial P3 Plus 500GB

Capacity: 500GB | Interface: NVMe (PCIe Gen-4 x4) | Sequential Read Performance: 4,700 MBps | Sequential Write Performance: 1,900 MBps | Warranty: Limited 5 Years

Pros

  • Budget Friendly
  • Reasonable read and write performance
  • 5-year warranty

Cons

  • Slightly lower endurance rating
Check Price

For storage, I was quick to pick the Crucial P3 Plus 500GB. The SSD has exceptional read and write speeds, so you can say goodbye to long game loading times. But most importantly, it is very affordable, making it the perfect storage option for the best cheap gaming PC under $500.

The Crucial P3 Plus has a 500GB capacity, allowing you to download quite a few games along with essential software. Furthermore, it has a sequential read and write performance of 4,700 MBps and 1,900 MBps, respectively. In real-life performance, such transfer speeds basically mean that your Windows will boot quickly, and your games will load significantly faster.

You get such a remarkable SSD for just 32 dollars, which makes it quite a bang for the buck. Plus, Crucial also gives you a 5-year limited warranty, so in case anything goes wrong, Crucial has got your back.

ASUS Dual NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB OC Edition

Best Gaming PC Under $500 Graphics Card

ASUS Dual NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB OC Edition - Best Gaming PC Under $500 Graphics Card
ASUS Dual NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB OC Edition

VRAM: 6GB GDDR6 | Boost Clock: 1537 MHz | Dimensions (LxH): 201 x 120 x 37 mm | Slot Size: Dual Slot | Power Connector: 1x 6-pin | RGB: No

Pros

  • Reasonably priced
  • Great 1080p performance
  • Silent operation

Cons

  • Mediocre RT performance
  • Not future proof
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The ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is a capable 1080p gaming GPU, offering 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM, a total of 2304 Cuda Cores, and a boost clock speed of 1507 MHz. During my tests, the card proved to be a solid performer in 1080p gaming tasks, even allowing you to get a high-refresh-rate experience in competitive titles such as Valorant.

The ASUS Dual RTX 3050 6GB Edition is also reliable and stable, and that comes from its well-built cooling system. The graphics card uses a dual-fan design with high-quality thermal pads and a heatsink. It also comes with a stainless steel backplate along with two IP5X dust-resistant fans, which also remain fairly silent. 

PRO TIP: Enable DLSS on supported games for a boost in performance.

GAMDIAS AURA GC2

Best Gaming PC Under $500 Case

GAMDIAS AURA GC2 Case For Best Gaming PC Under $500
GAMDIAS AURA GC2

Case Dimensions: 352 x 200 x 442 mm | Maximum GPU Length: 260mm | Maximum PSU Length: 150mm | Maximum CPU Cooler Height: 160mm | Form Factor: Mid Tower | Radiator Compatibility: 120mm, 240mm

Pros

  • Preinstalled fans
  • Decent airflow

Cons

  • No PSU Shroud
  • Limited radiator clearance
Check Price

Design-wise, the GAMDIAS AURA GC2 has a very gamer-ish vibe to it. The chassis has a black body, and the looks of the ARGB fans at the front, combined with the mesh panel, make it stand out from the rest.

I have to hand it to GAMDIAS when it comes to providing sheer value. Not only is the fan support quite impressive, but the AURA GC2 also comes with 4 pre-installed fans. Adding on to that,  the AURA GC2 uses a beautiful mesh front panel for good airflow. 

As for the storage, the AURA GC2 comes with 2x HDD brackets. You can pair it with 2x SSDs, 2x HDDs, or 1x SSD and 1x HDD. Since we are using the Crucial P3 Plus 500GB SSD in our cheap gaming PC build, we will face no issues with storage compatibility. It is also worth mentioning that the front I/O is adequate and I had no problems with it.

PRO TIP: You can equip the front panel with a 240mm radiator and the rear panel with a 120mm radiator. 

EVGA 550 BP 80+ Bronze

Best Gaming PC Under $500 Power Supply

EVGA 550 BP 80+ Bronze PSU For Best Gaming PC Under $500
EVGA 550 BP 80+ Bronze

Total Output: 550W | Efficiency: 80 Plus Bronze | Dimensions (HxWxL): 86 x 150 x 120 mm

Pros

  • Fully modular
  • Bronze efficiency rating
  • Silent operation

Cons

  • Build quality could be better
Check Price

Skimping out on the PSU is one of the most detrimental beginner PC building mistakes, which is why I opted for the EVGA 550 BP 80+ Bronze. It has an output capacity of 550W, and in light of the components we have selected for our cheap gaming PC, a 550W PSU is sufficient. 

Furthermore, the power supply has an 80 PLUS Bronze certification, which means that this PSU will not unnecessarily waste power. It also offers over voltage, under voltage, over current, under current, short circuit, and over temperature protection along with a 3-year limited warranty at such a low price.

1080p Benchmarks Of Cheap Gaming PC Under $500

We also tested the $500 gaming PC build we have made. Considering the price, the gaming PC handles 1080p gaming quite well. In our tests, we were getting good frames with high settings. However, these days many AAA titles are not as optimized as they used to be, and even in those games, we were getting decent frames.

Take a look at our $500 Gaming PC 1080p benchmarks below:

1080p Gaming Benchmarks Of Our $500 Gaming PC
1080p Gaming Benchmarks Of Our $500 Gaming PC

Our tests show that the $500 Gaming PC build does a great job at handling 1080p gaming. Therefore, you should not worry about this rig’s performance.

Monitor, Peripherals, and Other Expenses Of A $500 Gaming PC

White Peripherals
White Peripherals (Image By Tech4Gamers)

First up, you need to get a monitor. If you already have one, then it’s good. But, if you are going to buy a monitor, then make sure it is 1080p. Personally, I’d recommend going for a 120hz option if you want to play competitive shooters; however, 60Hz will be adequate for story-based titles.

A good gaming monitor should be at least 22 to 24 inches, but the display size depends on your preference and the space you have. As for the other peripherals, I highly recommend skipping out on the RGB and other flashy features and going for the core essentials that can improve your gaming experience.

Another extra expense that you might not expect is the Windows license key. Since our $500 gaming PC uses the Core i3-12100F, which has no Efficiency Cores, the CPU offers great compatibility with Windows 10 and 11. It is recommended that you go with the latest Windows 11 because most games are optimized for it.

How To Plan The Best Cheap Gaming PC Under $500

Whether your budget is $500 or $2000, if you are a beginner in the PC building world, you must always consider these factors to ensure your build goes smoothly without any hiccups.

  • $500 Budget: With a $500 budget, you will have to only focus on the main components. I believe that focusing on performance should be your top priority since you can always get RGB lights and other aesthetics later by saving up.
  • Upgradability: To ensure that your PC has upgradability to some extent, you need to go for highly compatible and future-proof components, at least to some extent, and the $500 gaming PC parts we have selected offer just that.
  • Performance: You must consider the type of performance you require from your budget gaming rig and then move towards building it. For instance, if you want a gaming system, the CPU and GPU will be your the main components you’ll need to focus on.
  • Overclocking Potential: Since you’re building an economical gaming PC, it won’t have a ton of overclocking potential. However, if you use a strong cooler and a relatively reliable motherboard, then you can still get a bit extra juice out of your rig.
  • Custom Built or Prebuilt: In my opinion, if you can invest some time, have a bit of technical knowledge, and want to save up a few bucks, then you should definitely build your own PC.

Tools Required

If you go with our recommendation and decide to build your custom $500 gaming rig yourself, then here are a few important tools that you should have in your toolbox to ensure that your PC-building experience goes by smoothly:

  • Thermal Paste: To apply to your CPU after installing it.
  • Anti-Static Mat/Wrist Band: So you and/or your PC components don’t get an electric shock from the static build-up in your body.
  • Zip Ties: To cable manage your build so it looks clean and tidy.
  • Phillips Screwdriver (Number #1 and #2) and Hex Nut Driver: To screw the different screws involved in the PC-building process.
  • Magnetic Mat/Screw Tray: So you can keep all of your screws in one place for better organization.
  • Knife: To unbox your PC components.

Building Gaming PC Tips 

Building your first gaming PC? Here are a few basic tips for a safe and smooth experience:

  • Build with a friend: It is best to build a PC with someone who has experience. If you have a friend who is into the PC-building world, then it is best to call him/her over. You will have an extra pair of experienced hands.
  • Build on a suitable surface: Never build on an uneven surface because that puts your motherboard and other components at risk of damage.
  • Stay grounded: This is especially for those who have carpets in their rooms. As you walk, your body will build up static energy that will be discharged as soon as you touch other electrical components (like your PC parts). It is risky to touch your PC with it as it can risk damage. Therefore, always wear an anti-static wrist bend or work on an anti-static mat for safety.
  • Organization is key: You don’t want to misplace a few screws or mess around with the cables. Using magnetic trays or a large, neat, clean surface to build your PC is best. This way, everything will stay organized, and your build will go smoothly.
  • Stay on top of the airflow and thermals: If you are using the GAMDIAS AURA GC2, as we have recommended for your cheap $500 gaming PC, then you don’t have to change any fan configuration. However, it is still recommended that you keep an eye on the thermals of your finished build. You can use software like MSI Afterburner for it.
  • Apply thermal paste correctly: When it comes to building PCs, always apply thermal paste adequately. This means not too much, not too little. Just a pea-sized paste is enough.

We have a detailed guide on the basic PC Building Mistakes To Avoid. I recommend going through that guide before working on your first custom PC.

FAQs

Can a $500 Gaming PC run games at 1440p?  

While the $500 Gaming PC nails 1080p gaming in AAA titles. It may suffer when the resolution is cranked up to 1440p. However, if you lower the graphics, the budget build can run games at 1440p as well.

Is $500 enough for a gaming PC?

Definitely, our $500 gaming PC can handle AAA titles with decent FPS, making it the best cheap gaming PC.

Is a 550W PSU enough for GTX 1650 Super?  

Yes, a good quality 550W PSU is enough for a GTX 1650 Super.  

Is a $500 Gaming PC worth it?

Yes, for $500, you can build a great bang for the buck gaming PC that can handle high-end games without breaking a sweat.

Recent Updates

  • March 18, 2024: I have replaced the GeForce RTX 1650 with the ASUS Dual RTX 3050 6GB since it provides better features and superior performance without breaking the bank. Similarly, I also changed the the Core i3-12100F with the i3-13100F due to it being a newer-gen CPU that has seen reduced price tags after 14th-gen’s release.
 

BEST Gaming PC Under $500 In 2024 is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

]]> Origin Neuron (2023) Review: Unleash the Irresistible Power https://tech4gamers.com/origin-neuron-5000d-airflow/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 09:14:57 +0000 https://tech4gamers.com/?p=148040 From packaging to performance to sheer aesthetics, the Origin Neuron (2023) nails every aspect of a phenomenal 4K Gaming PC. Featuring an i9-13900K paired with the RTX 4090, the PC can handle every single AAA title for years to come, along with outstanding synthetic benchmarks. If you don't have the time or the expertise to build your own gaming PC, then it is the best-prebuilt PC you can get.

Origin Neuron (2023) Review: Unleash the Irresistible Power is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

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See full bio

If you want a top-tier gaming experience, the Origin Neuron is your best choice. It’s a $5000 gaming PC designed to fulfill your wildest gaming ambitions.

I received an Origin Neuron equipped with an RTX 4090 and i9-13900K. After a few months of navigating customs and shipping, it finally arrived and did not disappoint. Keep reading to learn more about this gaming beast and its capabilities.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Nauman Siddique is our hardware expert who has been testing graphics cards, motherboards, processors, and AIOs for more than a decade.
  • 20+ gaming PCs built, tested, and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 700+ hours spent testing different gaming PCs for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See how we test).

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

Key Takeaways

  • The Origin Neuron 2023 is perfect for those looking for a top-of-the-line gaming PC that packs the latest and greatest components to offer unparalleled performance. If you don’t have the time or expertise to build your gaming PC, then you should go for it.
  • You should get the Origin Neuron 2023 if you are a hardcore gamer passionate about high-end PC builds or a professional content creator whose workload demands the most top-tier performance.
  • You should not get the Origin Neuron 2023 if you are on a budget, can build your custom PC, and don’t need such a high-end build.

Last Updated:

  • June 15, 2024: We have changed the formatting to improve readability.
[toc]

Unboxing The Origin Neuron (2023)

ORIGIN Neuron 2023 Crate
ORIGIN Neuron 2023 Crate (Image By Tech4Gamers)

ORIGIN clearly put effort into securing their build. The detailed wooden box, though challenging to open, showed their commitment to safe delivery. That’s why the Neuron 5000D Airflow was free from any shipping damages.

Aesthetics

Corsair 5000D Airflow White (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Corsair 5000D Airflow White (Image By Tech4Gamers)

When I first saw the Origin Neuron, I was immediately impressed by its design. This gaming PC is truly outstanding. The white version in particular, exudes a mesmerizing charm and sophistication.

The CORSAIR 5000D AIRFLOW case highlights the attention to detail. The redesigned steel front panel enhances airflow for a quieter and cooler gaming experience. The tool-less tempered glass side panel allows easy access to the inner workings of this powerful machine.

The front panel’s perforated triangular design is both functional and beautiful, making the Origin Neuron a standout choice for any gaming setup.

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO Rear Panel Design (Image By Tech4Gamers)

The spacious interior of the Origin Neuron is designed to accommodate numerous fans and radiators, ensuring excellent ventilation and lower temperatures. Multiple dust filters protect the PC from dust and dirt, enhancing its longevity. The design of this gaming masterpiece is both breathtaking and remarkable.

What truly sets the Origin Neuron apart are the customization options. The ability to choose between HD UV glass printing and laser etching for the side panels is impressive. I customized my Neuron to match Tech4Gamers’ blue and white color scheme, resulting in a stunning final product. The design is both futuristic and familiar, making this gaming PC truly unique.

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO
RGB Effects (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Even after months of usage, I can’t take my eyes away from this magnificent work of art. Every curve, every line, and every color seemed thoughtful and planned. Above all, the blue and white color palettes of our website blended smoothly with the Neuron PC. Last but not least, witnessing this gaming PC for the first time with my own eyes was an experience I’ll never forget—a firsthand encounter with a work of art that transcended the borders of gaming and creativity.

Cable Management

Cable Management From ORIGIN
Cable Management From ORIGIN (Image By Tech4Gamers)

The Origin Neuron stands out in cable management. When I took of the back panel, the attention to detail was quite evident. Every wire was neatly placed and secured with cable ties, resulting in a tidy and organized layout with no tangles or mess.

I found it easy to access, relocate, or modify the wires due to the meticulous arrangement. ORIGIN PC’s dedication to a great user experience shone through, allowing gamers like me to focus on gaming without worrying about cables.

Even with 10 fans and 3 controllers, the cables were impeccably organized. The usually problematic extensions were also managed well. This excellent organization made closing the case’s side panel simple, a task often difficult in complex setups. The Origin Neuron proved that good cable management could enhance the overall gaming experience.

Origin Neuron Specifications

Let’s go over the specifications because the Origin Neuron offers the highest-end components you can choose.

Core i9-13900k

The Origin Neuron packs a punch with the Intel Core i9-13900K CPU, delivering top-tier performance. This CPU excels in both single-core and multi-core tasks, outpacing competitors with ease. If you crave ultimate processing power, the i9-13900K is the one to beat, offering exceptional speed and efficiency.

Intel Core i9-13900K
Intel Core i9-13900K (Image By Tech4Gamers)

With 24 cores and 32 threads, this processor handles multiple tasks effortlessly. It’s perfect for gamers and creative professionals who need robust performance, easily manage demanding games and intensive content creation. The i9-13900K supports the latest DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 technologies, elevating the Neuron’s performance to new heights.

The Origin Neuron benefits from the advanced Raptor Lake architecture, where Performance and Efficiency cores work together seamlessly. This CPU operates at 3.0 GHz, boosting up to an impressive 5.8 GHz, although it does come with a high TDP of 250W.

i9-13900K-CPU-Z
i9-13900K CPU-Z Screenshot (Image By Tech4Gamers)

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero DDR5 is a high-performance motherboard for any gaming setup. It supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring top performance with fast data transfers and multitasking.

It accommodates high-end components with 2 PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot. Its 20+1 VRM design earned it the Best High-End Motherboard for Core i9-13900K award, highlighting its robust performance.

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO (Image By Tech4Gamers)The motherboard also features three M.2 slots for rapid NVMe SSD storage. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth v5.2, ensuring stable and fast connections. 

Corsair 5000D Airflow White

An upgrade from Corsair’s 4000 series, the Corsair 5000D Airflow features clean lines and excellent cable management for an organized and visually appealing build.

The cooling capabilities are outstanding, with a high-airflow front panel and two CORSAIR AirGuide fans with anti-vortex vanes for precise airflow. It supports up to 10x 120mm or 4x 140mm cooling fans and multiple radiator options, including a 360mm in the front or side and a 360mm push/pull in the roof, making it ideal for liquid cooling enthusiasts.

Corsair 5000D Airflow White (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Corsair 5000D Airflow White (Image By Tech4Gamers)

The case’s interior design includes a PWM fan repeater, allowing you to easily control fan speeds from a single 4-pin PWM header on your motherboard. It also offers seamless integration for up to 4x 2.5-inch SSDs and 2x 3.5-inch HDDs, ensuring ample storage without compromising space.

Cable management is where this case truly excels. It offers 25mm of space behind the motherboard for cables, which can be concealed with a hinged steel door, resulting in a clean, cable-free build. With Corsair RapidRoute cable management, professional builders can achieve optimal cooling performance, making the 5000D Airflow a top choice for any PC build.

Zotac GeForce RTX 4090 Trinity OC

The ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 4090 Trinity OC, with a boost frequency of 2535 MHz and a core clock of 2235 MHz, delivers exceptional performance, pushing the Neuron to its limits. With 24GB of GDDR6X VRAM, you have ample space for expansive gaming worlds and complex creations.

ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 AMP Extreme AIRO ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 AMP Extreme AIRO

The heatsink is colossal; that’s why the card has perfect temperatures.

ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 AMP Extreme AIRO ZOTAC GeForce RTX 4090 Trinity OC 12-Pin Connector (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Corsair Dominator 2x16GB 32GB 6000MHz CL40

Corsair Dominator 2x16GB 32GB 6000MHz CL40 RGB Corsair Dominator 2x16GB 32GB 6000MHz CL40 (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Featuring an anodized aluminum heat spreader, the 32GB Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 memory boasts an astonishing speed of 6000MHz, coupled with impressive timings of 40-40-40-77. Additionally, running at a voltage of 1.1V, this memory module ensures optimal performance while maintaining energy efficiency.

Of course, the CAPPELIX LEDs and the overall sleek design make it more than just a powerful beast, it looks like art.

Samsung PM9A1 1TB And 2TB Gen4 SSD

For storage, there are two SSDs. One is the Samsung PM9A1 2TB for games and files, while the OS lies the Samsung PM9A1 1TB. Both SSDs are of the same model, that is, the PM9A1. As such, their specifications are pretty much the same as well. Both have the same 7000 MB/s sequential read speed with 1000K IOPS and 850K IOPS of Random Read and Radom Write, respectively. However, the 2TB variant has slightly higher Sequential Write speeds of 5200 MB/s, while the 1TB offers 5100 MB/s.

Corsair RM1200x Series PLUS GOLD

For the PSU, we get the CORSAIR RM1200X PLUS Gold. It is a pretty solid PSU, matching the theme of the overall build. Thanks to the modular bay and CORSAIR Type 5 Gen 1 micro-fit PSU cables, the overall cable management is made very simple. 

Corsair RM1200x Series PLUS GOLD
Corsair RM1200x Series PLUS GOLD (Image By Tech4Gamers)

I have been running this build for weeks and there were zero power spikes or any stability issues.

Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX LCD

For cooling, we get the H150i ELITE CAPELLIX LCD – a rather capable cooler that does not break a sweat in keeping the 13900K at optimal temperatures. As such, during all my gaming and productivity tests, the build functioned properly without any thermal problems.

The 360mm AIO makes the most out of its 3x 120mm ML ELITE fans to deliver top-notch airflow, but that’s not the highlight – that award goes to the LCD display. 

Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX LCD
Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX LCD (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Yep, apart from the all the RGB lighting, the CPU block has an LCD display that can be customized to show a variety of images and effects, including PC stats like CPU temp/usage etc.

LCD Display (Image By Tech4Gamers)
LCD Display (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Origin Neuron (2023) Benchmarks

Let’s go over the most critical section of this review, the benchmarks

Gaming Benchmarks

Our goal was to judge the rasterization performance the most. As such, you will only find RT and DLSS enabled in a few games.

Synthetic Benchmarks

The PC also nails productivity workloads.

Temperature

Specifically designed for airflow, the Corsair 5000D Airflow knocks it out of the park regarding air cooling. Combined with the Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX LCD, I had very high expectations from the thermal performance of this build, and I have to say, I was not disappointed. Take a look below at the idle and the average gaming thermals:

RTX 4090 and i9-13900K Temperatures
RTX 4090 and i9-13900K Temperatures (Image By Tech4Gamers)

These temperatures are undoubtedly impressive; the H150i Elite has knocked it out of the park by keeping the mighty i9-13900K under 80°C. However, if you still think the temperature is too high, you can always undervolt it for better thermals at a negligible performance difference.

iCUE Support

With CORSAIR being the parent company, Origin PCs, including the Neuron 5000D Airflow, are rigged with iCUE support from top to bottom. As such, you can customize every RGB aspect of the build straight from iCUE. Furthermore, you can also monitor different components, including all CORSAIR hardware (which are plenty). Since the chassis is CORSAIR 5000D Airflow, it has the LIGHTING NODE CORE included, which can be used to synchronize and customize the RGB effects of the CORSAIR QL 120 RGB fans.

Should You Buy It?

Buy It If

✅You want a future-proof gaming PC: Given the raw specifications and the performance of the Neuron 5000D, it is going to last you for the next several years to come without needing an upgrade.

✅You don’t want to build your own PC: Since it is prebuilt, you don’t have to spend any time building the PC. It comes in a plug-and-play condition.

Don’t Buy It If

❌You can build your own custom PC: If you have the time and expertise to build your own PC, you can skip a high-end prebuilt like the ORIGIN Neuron 5000D. 

Final Verdict

In summary, the Origin Neuron (2023) is a top-notch gaming PC, perfect for enthusiasts. If you want a high-end $5000 gaming PC but don’t have the time or skills to build one, the Neuron 5000D Airflow by Origin is a great option.

From its secure delivery to its sleek Corsair 5000D Airflow White case, the Neuron impresses with its attention to detail and protection of its high-quality parts. Inside, the Intel Core i9-13900K, ZOTAC GeForce RTX 4090 Trinity OC, and ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero motherboard ensure excellent gaming performance.

All of my tests also confirmed the Neuron’s abilities, excelling in games and applications, providing a smooth 4K gaming experience with Ray Tracing.

 

Origin Neuron (2023) Review: Unleash the Irresistible Power is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

]]> How To Build A White Gaming PC https://tech4gamers.com/how-to-build-a-white-gaming-pc/ Thu, 06 Apr 2023 10:35:43 +0000 https://tech4gamers.com/?p=114104 In this guide, we will teach you how to build a white gaming PC by walking you through our experience.

How To Build A White Gaming PC is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

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If you are planning to build a white-themed gaming PC for yourself, then you are in luck because today, we are sharing our experience of building a white gaming PC.

For any themed build, the most important factor is obviously color coordination and matching the components fitting the colored theme at its best. The white build is not an easy undertaking, given there are a few white-themed motherboards from reputable manufacturers, and those that are available don’t have white PCB. Only Colorful is making full white PCB motherboards.

Nevertheless, here is the complete list of the components we chose:

White BUILD
All of the components (Image By Tech4Gamers)

How To Build A White Gaming PC

First, let’s go over the components we have selected to build our white gaming PC.

Also Read: How to Build a Gaming PC

GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G

Our first priority was to decide the platform for this build. It was going to be AMD or Intel. We decided to go for GIGABYTE Z490 VERSION G as we decided to base this build on the VISION series from GIGABYTE. GIGABYTE offered their GeForce RTX 3070 VISION OC for this build and review completing our VISION powered PC.

GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G (Image By Tech4Gamers)
GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G (Image By Tech4Gamers)

The GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G is a well-balanced White/silver-themed motherboard aimed at content creators who would not want to spend more and are still able to utilize most of the functions and features of the Intel Z490 chipset. The motherboard has PCIe 4.0-ready hardware for which a supported BIOS update would be needed, along with an Intel 11th generation CPU.

The motherboard features a Monoblock heat sink design to provide better airflow from Omni-Direction. GIGABYTE has used LAIRD 1.5mm thick thermal pads under the aluminum heatsinks on the power delivery circuitry. These thermal pads have a 5W/mK conductivity rating.

GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 VISION OC

The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 VISION OC has a factory overclock boost clock of 1815 MHz as compared to the reference card’s boost clock of 1725MHz. The memory clock is 14000MHz. The dimension of the graphics card is 286x115x51mm making it a 2.5 slot design. Despite this dimension, the graphics card is lightweight.

This graphics card features GIGABYTE’s renowned WINDFORCE 3X cooling system, with three 80mm fans spinning alternately to reduce turbulence. The triangular fan edges and 3D stripe curves on the fan surface enhance airflow. The 3D Active Fan technology provides semi-passive cooling, keeping the fans off during low-load or low-power activities. The cooling system includes an aluminum heatsink with three segments connected by five 8mm composite heat pipes, and a direct-touch nickel-plated copper plate for effective VRAM and GPU cooling.

The distinctive feature is the VISION-themed shroud and white color of the graphics card, giving one heck of a spectacular look. This is further augmented by the silver metallic backplate with screen cooling. There is a large vented area on the metal backplate for proper ventilation. The card takes power using 8-pin and 6-pin PCIe power connectors. These connectors are housed inside a black color plastic-made housing.

GPU-Z Screenshot
GPU-Z Screenshot (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Intel Core i9-10850K

The reason we went with i9 10850k, not 10900k, was the better price deal, which saved us some bucks to spend on other components. Intel launched their i9 10850k in the third quarter of 2020. It has 10 Cores and 20 Threads with a base clock of 3.60GHz. The Intel turbo boost 2 frequency is 5.0GHz, and the Turbo boost 3 frequency is 5.1GHz. The thermal velocity boost frequency is 5.2GHz, which is dependent on the cooling solution, workload, and capability of the processor.

The CPU features an Intel 20MB Smart Cache with a bus speed of 8 GT/s. The TDP rating of the CPU is 125W. The CPU supports a maximum of 128GB RAM with a memory type of DDR4-2933 with a maximum memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s. 

XPG SPECTRIX D50

XPG SPECTRIX D50 aims to provide high-speed DDR4 kits at reasonable prices. These kits come in tungsten gray and white colors with a minimum frequency of 3000MHz and a maximum frequency of 4800MHz. Our kit uses Hynix D-Die on the standard package of monolithic 78-ball FBGA. Die Density is 8 Gb D-Die (17 nm) with the composition of 1024M x8 (64MB x8 x16 banks). Each module has a dimension of 133.35 x 40 x 8mm (LxWxH).

XPG SPECTRIX D50
XPG SPECTRIX D50 (Image By Tech4Gamers)

The heat spreader has a criss-cross pattern with geometric lining and finishing in an elegant manner making these kits stand out with their simple yet beautiful design footprint. There is a triangular designed cutout on the heat spreader in the center through which the RGB lighting peeks out. The white color on the heat spreader looks really cool in person. There is minimalistic branding on the modules.

Read our dedicated review of the XPG SPECTRIX D50.

XPG S50 Lite 1TB

XPG GAMMIX S50 Lite
XPG GAMMIX S50 Lite (Image By Tech4Gamers)

The XPG GAMMIX S50 Lite is available in two capacities; 1TB and 2TB. The XPG GAMMIX S50 Lite 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe4x4 SSD has an M.2 form factor of 2280. It is an M Key type SSD compatible with the majority of the M.2 slots on modern motherboards. The XPG S50 Lite is utilizing 3D TLC NAND. The SSD’s dimension is 80x22x4.3mm (LxWxH) with a weight of 10g.

Click here to read our detailed take on this SSD.

Lian Li GALAHAD 360 White

The GIGABYTE Z490 VISION G and GeForce RTX 3070 VISION OC presented us with a unique color combination of White and Silver. GIGABYTE could not have done it better than this and I admire their execution. In order to have almost a perfect match, we were on the lookout for the white and silver color cooler and Lian Li did not disappoint. We selected the Lian Li GALAHAD 360 White cooler for this purpose.

I love how Lian Li has implemented the faceplate with A-RGB backlit in quite a distinctive manner, and we can rotate the aluminum portion to have the Lian Li text face upright. This eases out the installation of the block regardless of the text orientation. The build quality is also top-notch, and the performance is good.

Click here to read our full review of this CPU Cooler.

Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL ROG Edition White

Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL ROG Edition White
Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL ROG Edition White (Image By Tech4Gamers)

We chose the Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL chassis for its spacious design and future-proofing potential. This case features a unique layout ideal for liquid cooling but not for air cooling, with a separate variant available for the latter. It supports up to E-ATX motherboards, though an extension panel is needed for EEB boards.

The design includes a GPU support bracket, accommodates PSUs up to 280mm, and has four removable hot-swappable drive bays. Cable management is made easy with a rear bracket, and there are multiple fan installation points: up to 3x 120mm or 2x 140mm fans on the top and bottom, 1x 120mm on the rear, and up to 3x 120mm on the side.

The chassis features a front aluminum panel with I/O ports, and two 4mm tempered glass panels on the front and side. The interior is made of SPCC material. Additionally, there is an A-RGB LED strip on the front with a dedicated controller that syncs with the motherboard.

Cooler Master MF120 HALO White Fans

When I reviewed the standard version of Cooler Master MF120 HALO fans on Enos Tech, I knew that the white version of these fans would look dope and would make up for any white fan with dual-loop A-RGB lighting. I was not wrong at all. These fans have added that touch that was needed to lift the total outlook of this build.

The Cooler Master MF120 Halo White fans are using Rifle bearings and are rated for 160,000 hours MTTF. The airflow rating is 47.2 CFM ±10% and the air pressure rating is 1.6 mm H2O ±10%. Their sound rating is 6-30 dBA.

DeepCool DQ750-M-V2L-WH PSU

DeepCool DQ750-M-V2L-WH PSU
DeepCool DQ750-M-V2L-WH PSU (Image By Tech4Gamers)

We are regularly getting white cases for review. DeepCool was kind enough to support us with white fans and a cooler for those reviews and feature builds. We reached out to them to support us with a white PSU as well. Next, we knew, FedEx dropped a parcel with the PSU in it.

The salient features of the PSU include:

  • 80 PLUS® GOLD certified – Up to 91.2% efficiency
  • 100% High quality Japanese capacitors
  • Full bridge PFC + LLC Resonant converter
  • Fully modular with flat cable design
  • CircuitShield™ — OVP / UVP / SCP / OPP / OTP

Featuring active Power Factor Correction (PFC), a full bridge LLC resonant converter, and synchronous rectification DC-DC design, the DQ750-M-V2L WH delivers improved performance with lower power dissipation, increased quality, and better thermals to meet your needs.

Build Experience

Now that we have given a brief of the components used in the white build, let’s dig into the building experience.

This is a gallery of our step-by-step building process, along with my thoughts as image captions. You can swipe through the gallery to go through all the steps.

POST

Here are more pictures of the build.

RGB Fusion

RGB Fusion (Image By Tech4Gamers)
RGB Fusion (Image By Tech4Gamers)

RGB Fusion is working flawlessly. It picked up the XPG SPECTRIX D50 as well and all three main components namely GIGABYTE Z490 VISION OC, GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 VISION OC, and XPG SPECTRIX D50. I did not install the RGB Fusion directly rather have the APP CENTER download and installed it.

Testing

Finally, it was time for some testing checking the storage, rendering, gaming, synthetic loads along with the thermals and power consumption. Testing was done on the stock auto settings except that the VCore was set at -0.2V Offset as on Auto, the board was pushing over 1.40V, and temperatures were in the upper 80s. The Microsoft Windows 10 x64 version 20H2 was used. The MSI After Burner was used to measure the FPS in the gaming load. Where the games have built-in benchmarks, the results were obtained from those benchmarks.

CPU-Z Screenshots
CPU-Z Screenshots (Image By Tech4Gamers)

The above picture shows the CPU-Z run on the stock Auto settings.

Storage

Let’s take a look at some storage benchmarks we ran on the XPG S50 Lite 1TB.

Memory Benchmark

We ran AIDA64 Extreme version 6.35 for memory benchmarks. Here is the result.

Memory Benchmark (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Memory Benchmark (Image By Tech4Gamers)

This score is better than what we have on our test bench with Intel i7 10700k on MSI MAG Z490 TOMAHAWK.

CPU Benchmark

Let’s go over a few CPU Benchmarks.

Graphics Card Testing

Let’s start with the synthetic benchmarks.

Gaming Benchmarks

It is time to take a look at the Gaming results.

Thermals and Power

Finally, here are the temperatures and the power consumption:

Thermals and Power
Thermals and Power (Image By Tech4Gamers)

We did not overclock the CPU and graphics card and are reporting the results on stock auto settings. The Auto Enhancement mode was disabled. We ran the Intel XTU benchmark of AES2 for 30 minutes.

The maximum temperature on any core was 80°C. The ambient temperature was 28°C. The package power was 164W. All cores were boosting to 4.8GHz on multi-core load, whereas we saw two cores jumping to 5.2GHz for a very short span of time, and the majority of them sticking at 5.0GHz under single-core load.

The maximum temperature on the graphics card was 69°C under a 4K gaming load at an ambient of 28°C. The card was drawing near 220W power.

End Remarks

So, we are done, and the build is serving us very well. It is time to further fine-tune it, particularly by tightening the timings of the RAM to have it run at 3600MHz with CL16. The motherboard was pushing way too much voltage on the stock, so I ended up disabling the Auto Enhancement and setting the VCore to an Offset -0.20V, and it is holding quite well. Other than that, we have got ourselves quite hot silicon.

The graphics card is charming to us. It is running silently with maximum temperature on stock fan settings at 69°C. The VISION COMBO or VISION POWER – should I call it, is one heck of a combination in terms of aesthetics and obviously in terms of performance as well. The XPG SPECTRIX D50 is doing well, and we are now looking forward to upgrading it to have 32GB of DDR4 RAM.

The XPG S50 Lite 1TB on PCIe 3.0 is rocking, and our Windows boot time is 6.6 seconds. All in all, we have got ourselves a powerful machine to last us for some time to come.

We are highly grateful to GIGABYTE, XPG, DeepCool, and Cooler Master for their kind support on this project.
Recent Updates

  • May 18, 2024: We have changed the formatting and added galleries to improve readability.

How To Build A White Gaming PC is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

]]> Synology DS218+ Review: The Storage Powerhouse https://tech4gamers.com/synology-2-bay-nas-diskstation-ds218-review/ Fri, 24 Dec 2021 17:24:24 +0000 https://tech4gamers.com/?p=48129 See full bio Nauman Siddique At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.       See full bio When it comes to […]

Synology DS218+ Review: The Storage Powerhouse is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

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When it comes to cloud computing, NAS and networking equipment, Synology needs no introduction at all as they are leading the market from the front with their continuous Software and Hardware innovation backed by customer support service. Striving to redefine what a NAS can achieve, Synology combines the features of public and private clouds to develop a hybrid cloud solution with a web-based platform, transforming NAS into a multi-functional device suitable for various purposes.

Synology was kind enough to let us test their DS218+ NAS box. As the name indicates this Synology 2 Bay Nas DiskStation DS218+ box is from their Plus series of the storage and sharing solution which is engineered for high-performance and data-intensive tasks, designed to meet on-the-fly encryption and scalability demands.

Key Takeaways

  • The DS218+ is excellent for home users with multiple devices looking for a reliable and scalable centralized storage solution offering robust features and seamless setup.
  • This NAS might not suit users looking for high-end performance for extensive gaming or resource-intensive applications due to limitations in CPU and RAM configuration.
  • Stand-out features of the DS218+ include its user-friendly setup, DSM interface for versatile functions, and the ability to cater to various needs like file sharing, backup, virtualization, and multimedia streaming in a compact, well-designed unit.
[toc]

Specifications

Here’s a peek at the specifications.

synology ds218+
Specifications

Packaging

The product is shipped inside a rugged cardboard box packing of typical brown color. 

Accessories And Contents

Let’s see what’s provided in the box.

Diskstation DS218+ Accessories and Contents
Accessories (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Closer Look

Now, it is time to take a closer look at the unit itself before discussing the DSM and few of the important packages. The enclosure is made of the plastic outer frame which is rugged. The dimension of the unit is 165x108x232.2mm (HxWxL).

The enclosure’s front sports a removable cover. We find LED indicators on the right. From top to bottom: the DiskStation Status LED, the Network indicator LED, and two LEDs indicating the drive status. Above the bottom, there’s a USB 3.0 port, USB copy button, and Power on/off button. The front cover boasts a dual finish: a matte black body with a smooth, albeit fingerprint-attracting surface.

The DS218+ displays its name in white on the bottom left. Its glossy black finish covers the left, right, and bottom sides. White labels for Status, LAN, Disk 1, and Disk 2 stand out on the right glossy frame, aligning with the LEDs. This sleek cover gives the unit an elegant, bold appearance, elevating its overall aesthetic.

Removing the front cover reveals the two drive caddies. The top latches, labeled “Push,” secure the caddies when slid in. Notably, there’s a white dot for Disk 1 and two for Disk 2 on the main housing’s top side. To slide out the caddies, push the latches up to unlock them, then pull them out easily.

Ds218+ Review Cover Design Closer look
Cover (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Another striking design element of this cover is its mounting mechanism. It is a smart design for sure. The back side of the cover has four mounting supports with rubber mounts secured to these supports using screws. Idea is that these rubber mounts go inside the unit and occupies the vacant slots to secure the cover on to the main housing. Hence there is no need for any magnetic mounting or screwed mounting. 10/10 to the design team!

Remove the caddies to show the inside of the enclosure. We can see the steel frame. At the bottom, we can see two hot-swappable SATA ports on to which the drives dock. We can also see the front side of the 92mmx92mm fan. It has 7 impellers and is in black color.

Synology ds218 vs ds218+ PCB of the NAS box
NAS Box PCB (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The PCB of the NAS box is in blue color. There is a second RAM slot which is located on the backside of the PCB to allow the user to install additional RAM should there be any need. It is DDR3L and compatible RAM should be using the same interface with preferably 1866MHz for parity.

There are two arms per caddy with one on each side. Pull them to take them off. Place the HDD on the caddy and put the arms back on. They will lock the HDD to the caddy. The user can also screw the drive on to the caddy. Please, note that SSD needs to be mounted using the screws.

synology ds218+ setup Caddy
Hard Drive orientation (Image by Tech4Gamers)

In case you are wondering about the orientation of the drive on the caddy. It is simple. Make sure to face the SATA ports side on the drive facing the open end of the caddy i.e ports side on HDD should not face the handle side of the caddy. See the picture above for the reference.

The right side of the unit has large size Synology logo in a cutout manner with the lined pattern. This not only serves the cosmetic effect which looks damn good in person but also it has enabled their design team to ensure the ventilation for the disk drives. The right side has an angular or curvature design on the top frame as well. The overall design is coherent.

The left side of the unit has the same Synology patterned design except that there is no angular or rounded top frame side. A certain portion of the front cover extends over the left side. This glossy and matte combination stands the unit out and gives that stunning look to the unit.

The rear side of the unit has 92mmx92mm system fan to exhaust the heat of the system. There are three modes that the user can access in the control panel of DSM to control the speed of the fan:

  • Full Speed Mode
  • Cool Mode
  • Quiet Mode

The Quiet mode is the default, and it functions exceptionally. When testing with a 200GB data transfer to RAID-enabled drives, Disk 1 peaked at 27°C, Disk 2 at 28°C, at an ambient temperature of 16°C. While virtually inaudible, the unit emits a subtle hum due to disk vibration.

Although there are rubber mounts on the four feet of the unit, they seem to be inadequate to absorb the vibration sound. I simply lifted the unit up and the noise was a goner. I added a thick Styrofoam padding under the unit and the noise was gone like forever. This fan is rated at 19.3 dB(A). the fan grill is plane of the main housing.

The top side of the unit is plain and solid surface without any branding or a particular design. Looking at the unit from the top side gives a clear idea of the gap between the front cover and the main housing. This is smart design as it will allow the unit to breathe some fresh air inside.

The underside of the unit has 7 cutouts on the front side and 4 cutouts on the bottom or right side of the unit. There are four feet with rubber mounts on them. They have sufficient height to give enough clearance to the unit from the surface for optimal ventilation. An information sticker is pasted as well.

NAS Set Up

Let’s set it up!

Hardware Configuration

Setting up NAS on Synology DS218+ is pretty much straight forward task without any frills. Although, take note:

WARNING: The LAN port on the Synology NS218+ is Gigabit one. The normal LAN ports on the ISP provided DSL modems/routers in a local area are not Gigabit rated. Though this doesn’t mean you can’t connect the NAS box to these modems/routers, just that order to you won’t be able to fully utilize the high speed rated connectivity Gigabit ports.

With that being said, here is what I did for my configuration:

  1. I bought a Linksys 8-port Gigabit Ethernet switch. Though it is not a managed one I did not need a managed one to test the performance of the NAS box or that of the network as it is quite a basic network setup at my home.
  2. I connected the switch to the PTCL (Local ISP) DSL Modem using Cat 6 Ethernet cable. Again, even though that modem lacks high-speed ports, this cable could be useful for future upgrades.
  3. Next, as my motherboard has Gigabit LAN port, I hooked it up with the switch using the Cat 6 Ethernet cable.
  4. In my last step, I have connected the Synology DS218+ to the Switch. In this way, the NAS box comes on the network with the Internet and at the same time got hooked up with any device on the network.

You can simply connect it to the PTCL modem/router. Here the bottleneck if any would come from the ISP’s modem/router.

Software Configuration

Now, that you know the configuration, let’s proceed on how to set up the NAS box. I am using two Seagate IronWolf 2TB drives as this is a two-bay NAS box. Make sure that your entire network is powered up and online. Open the browser window and type find.synology.com and follow the steps. 

Synology Diskstation DS218+ Disk Station Manager (DSM)

Any NAS station is only as good as its driving force aka software and I mean it. If the hardware is powerful but the software is not good enough to harness that power then it is pointless. Synology was way ahead of this thinking and they have an equal focus on both sides. Disk Station Manager is the name of the software at the heart of the Synology NAS boxes.

But before digging into DSM, I would like to highlight certain aspects and features of the DiskStation that would make you think again if you have been of the view that NAS is just network attached storage. Synology Disk Stations, when combined with the DSM, offer a lot more functionality than just being simple storage. Here are the categorization of the features and functions that Synology offers through their DSM on Disk Stations:

  • File Sharing
  • File Syncing
  • Data Backup
  • NAS Protection
  • Virtualization
  • Productivity
  • Multimedia
  • Cloud Services
  • Management
  • Data Security; the following services are available:
    • Firewall
    • More Efficient HTTP 2.0
    • IP Auto Block
    • Service-interface binding
    • Multiple SSL certificates
    • Let’s Encrypt Integration

All of the above is what can be leveraged using the DSM on your NAS. Let us take a real look at the DSM. DSM is built around Linux interface and it is intuitive and highly user-friendly. It is a web-based interface with everything under one window.

The main interface has a desktop layout. 

Synology Diskstation Ds218+ Main Interface
Main Interface (Image by Tech4Gamers)

On the top, we have a browser or window bar or even you can call it a taskbar. All the opened applications will have their instances pointed in this bar.

The last icon is the Widgets. It is a toggle button to show/hide the widget bar. The widget is a smart implementation and I have huge praise to Synology for this idea and its implementation. The Widgets allow the summarized presentation of the critical DiskStation information. It can show the Disk drives information like volumes, used space, available space.

Resource Monitor widget shows the hardware resources like CPU utilization, RAM utilization, and LAN speeds. System Health widget shows the server name, LAN, and uptime along with the health status of the Disk Station. Connected users are also displayed. Remote user connections are shown as CIFS.

The widget bar can be docked on the top right, bottom right, top left, and bottom left positions. It can also be set to remain visible on top of other open windows.

Package Center

There are 4 icons on the desktop by default. The Package Center is on the top. The package center is like a web store from where the Synology apps and third-party apps can be downloaded.

PRO TIP: Synology’s Package Center offers various applications for different purposes like file syncing, media streaming, surveillance, and more. Explore and install the ones that suit your needs.

How To Create Shared Folder

Let me show you how to create a shared folder on your NAS disk drives using File Station.

Control Panel

Before digging into the Hyper Backup, let’s take a quick look at the Control Panel. Much like Windows’ Control Panel, the DSM’s Control Panel gives full control over your Disk Station. For each and every setting, this is the place you need to be in. Again, I would not be going into details of each and every option as it is simply not possible to cover all. A bit brief is what is coming below.

Control Panel main menu
Control Panel main menu (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Click on the Control panel on the desktop or alternatively access it from the main menu. The main window shows four categories which are File Sharing, Connectivity, System, Applications. Basic mode is loaded which can be switched to Advanced mode.

Shared Folder

Shared Folder-related settings can be found in this option. Since I have already covered these settings above, I won’t be repeating them here.

Shared folder settings Synology DS218+
Shared folder settings (Image by Tech4Gamers)

File Services

Here, you’ll find the file service and protocol-related settings.

User

The user’s related settings can be found in the User section.

PRO TIP: Enable security features such as firewall, two-factor authentication, and regularly update passwords to enhance the security of your NAS.

Group

The groups’ section lists the available groups. New groups can be created as per the requirement and existing can be modified.

QuickConnect

The user can enable the QuickConnect from the control panel under Connectivity options.

Your DiskStation NAS account’s information will be shown in addition to your QuickConnect ID for connecting from the remote devices and from DSM. Advanced settings will allow setting permissions applications to establish a connection using the QuickConnect.

Without these permissions, the remote applications would not be able to establish a connection with your DiskStation. The user can also enable the Synology relay server to be used in case direct connection can’t be established. Port forwarding rules for QuickConnect can be set to be generated automatically if the router supports Port Forwarding.

Network

The network is another important setting to control every aspect of the connectivity.

Wireless

You can set up the DisStation network map in the Wireless.

Synology ds218+ setup Network Map
Wireless connection menu (Image by Tech4Gamers)

You will be prompted to connect USB Wi-Fi Adapter or Bluetooth Adapter to the DiskStation before proceeding. You can configure your DiskStation to act as Wireless AP or Wireless router or it may simply join your wireless network.

Security

Security section has all the security-related settings like enabling Fire Wall, adding trusted proxies, setting session time out, enabling DoS service on the connected network, enabling auto block after defining the login attempts, adding/configuring the certificates, enabling HTTP compression to name a few.

Info Center

The info center shows the info summary of the DiskStation like its serial no, CPU and RAM information, DSM version, System Data and time info, uptime, thermal status, Time Zone, network information, individual disk information in the Storage section, a listing of the services along with their status.

Device analytics can be shared with the Synology 2 Bay Nas DiskStation DS218+ should the user choose so. Similarly, network location can be shared as well. Synology account will be shown and it can be managed.

Theme

Login style and theme can be set from the Theme section. 

Light or Dark are the theme options available.

Regional Options

Date, time, and language can be changed in the Regional Options.

Synology 218+ regional Option
Regional options (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Task Scheduler

Task scheduler can be used to create or edit custom tasks.

Synology 218+ Task Schedule
Task Scheduler (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Hardware & Power

Update And Restore

In the Update & Restore options, the user can define the update settings of the DiskStation.

The user can factory reset the DiskStation by erasing all the data and the settings from here. The settings will be restored to the factory’s default. There is a reset button on the rear of the DiskStation which can also be used to load factory defaults.

Synology DS218+ Hyper Backup

Backups come handy in case of data loss. Synology has taken care of this critical aspect in the form of a robust and integrated backup/restoration solution through an application called Hyper Backup.

Synology has enabled the network administrators/users to set up multiple backups in three broader categories. These are:

  • Local/remote Synology NAS: Backing up data can be done locally or remotely using a Synology device. The steps are mostly similar across both, with a few adjustments based on specific configurations. With Synology DS218+, users can link an external USB drive to the NAS box. The Hyper Backup application was developed with this in mind, allowing data backup to the external drive.
  • File Servers: Filer servers let us back up data remotely. Just gather the server’s IP address, username, password, and the specific shared folder for the backup. The rest of the steps mirror any standard backup process.
  • Cloud Services: Synology really thought ahead by allowing users to back up to a cloud service like Google Drive. The steps are nearly identical, except for signing into your cloud service and authorizing Synology for the backup.

Main features of the Hyper Backup application can be summed up as:

  • Copying data for backup
  • Copying application settings and system configuration
  • Versioning
  • Scheduling
  • Encryption
  • Integrity Check
  • Restoring Data
  • Event Logging

Two of the features to note are Scheduling and Versioning, and I’ll explain them now.

Scheduling

The scheduling feature provides extensive settings to set up a backup on a user-selected time and date and to repeat it automatically without bothering me. This dynamic feature of the application software is a critical requirement for any NAS. I will be showing these settings shortly. This was one aspect of the copying data automatically at a given time interval.

Versioning

Imagine I have 20 main folders, each with its own set of sub-folders and files. Adding one more main folder makes it 21 in total. What I need for my backup is to copy just this new 21st folder and its content. This approach saves time and reduces network usage significantly. Versioning is crucial here, allowing users to store up to 256 versions of their data simultaneously.

How To Set Up Hyper Backup

Since I have only one DiskStation, I would be showing you the steps on setting up backup on a local Synology NAS and then setting up a backup using Google drive under cloud services. Let’s begin.

Hyper backup can be downloaded from the Package Center. Login to the DSM and go to the Package Center. DSM version 6.0 and above only support Hyper backup so it would be about time to update the DSM if you are up to setting a backup task. In the package center browse and locate the Hyper Backup app-+ and click on Install.

It will ask you to install related and required package(s) if not already installed. You would need to download and install those apps as well. Once, the Hyper Backup is installed, it can be accessed through package center in installed packages. You can also create its shortcut on DSM desktop. Launch the app by clicking it. It will launch the backup wizard. 

On the next screen, rotation settings will be presented to the user. By default, they are not enabled.

Backup wizard rotation settings Synology DS218+
Rotation settings (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The user can select from the three options. The default is From the Earliest Version. In this scheme, one the total no of the versions reach the limit of 256, the earliest most unlocked version will be rotated/deleted. Next option is Smart Recycle. In this scheme, the versions are retained till they reach 256 counts. Upon which the system will delete the version(s) that don’t meet any of these conditions:

  • Hourly versions from the past 24 hours: The system keeps the earliest version that is created each hour.
  • Daily versions from the past 1 day to 1 month: The system keeps the earliest version that is created each day.
  • Weekly versions older than 1 month: The system keeps the earliest version that is created each week.

In case all the versions meet the above criteria, the system will delete the earliest version. 

Next up is the Retention settings.

Once done, a new screen will be shown.

synology 218+ user create back up task
Waiting for backup to complete (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The left column will show a list of the user created back up tasks. On the right side pane, a summary of the tasks will be shown. Please, note that system configuration is backed up by default. The top portion will show the progress in the percentage of the backup task and files scanned along with the size of the backed up data. The Target pane will show the summary of the target share folder whereas the Task Setting will show the summary of the task.

synology 218+ hyper back up
Backup is successful (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Once the backup task is successfully completed, it will show the Success label along with the date and time stamp of the last back up as well the date/time stamp of the next backup. The user can click on Back Up Now to manually back up the data if needed.

There are three more option buttons on the right side of the Back Up Now button. The first is the Backup Explorer. The second one is the Backup Statistics.

Backup Statistics

The backup statistics screen has three options. The detention usage shows the size of the backed up data and allows the user to setup alarms if size reached the defined threshold limit. The source monitor shows the number of files backed up between the backup versions and allows the user to create alarms for files addition/modification and deletion between backup versions.

Backup Explorer

synology 218+ backup explorer
Backup explorer (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The Backup Explorer allows the users to view the contents of the source data in the typical Windows directory format. The backed up data can be restored from this interface as well.

synology 218+ three further option
Exploring more options in the backup menu (Image by Tech4Gamers)

The three bars buttons on the rightmost side of the Back Up Now button has three further options. Which are Edit, Delete, Check backup integrity. The delete button will allow the user to delete the selected backup task.

Check Backup Integrity

Synology 2-Bay NAS DiskStation DS218+ Review Synology 2-Bay NAS DiskStation DS218+ Review

Check backup integrity button will run the integrity check for the duration as selected by the user when defining the backup task.

Schedule Settings

I would particularly like to discuss the Edit next as it will show the backup settings screen again but with one major change. This time, the user will get to see the plethora of backup schedule settings which were not visible during the wizard run.

Clearly, Synology has provided very flexible yet a plethora of scheduling options/settings for the user convenience. They have almost covered every possible option in which user would want to set up the scheduling.

Backup Restore

So far, we have discussed creating and executing the backup task. There is also an option to restore the backed up data. 

Cloud Services

Now, I will walk you through the step needed to set up a backup task for Google Drive.

I am hoping by now, you would have had a clear idea how flexible and features rich the Hyper backup from the Synology DS218+ really is to bring the convenience at the doorstep of the user when it comes to backing up your precious data.

DiskStation for Gamers

For content creators seeking ample and centralized storage, Synology DiskStation offers massive benefits. As digital content grows—especially with 4k videos—the need for extensive storage becomes clear. Traditional PC storage methods fall short, especially when working across multiple systems, demanding a centralized solution. But can gamers rely solely on DiskStation for gaming storage?

New AAA games demand considerable space; titles like DOOM (80GB) and Grand Theft Auto V (83GB with updates) typify this trend. Updates further swell these sizes, ranging from MBs to GBs, necessitating scalable storage for heavy gamers. As a gamer with a full 1TB SSD, I faced dilemmas—delete games or expand storage?

DiskStation solves these issues. I offloaded games I didn’t want to delete, creating space for more. Some games ran directly from DiskStation, with an average load time of 38 seconds, slightly slower than the PC HDD’s 20 seconds. Faster network speeds and added DiskStation RAM enhance load times, yet noticeable lag persisted in online multiplayer games.

In my experience, DiskStation proves invaluable for gamers with vast libraries. Centralizing games eased access across both my PCs, eliminating the hassle of copying between drives. This is my firsthand take on DiskStation’s utility for gamers.

Should You Buy It?

The final question is, should you buy the DS218+?

Buy It If:

✅ You Seek a Comprehensive, User-Friendly Storage Solution: Ideal for home users requiring centralized storage across multiple devices, the DS218+ offers an intuitive setup, scalable storage, and convenient remote access via Synology mobile apps.

✅ You Are A Gamer Or Content Creator Looking for Efficient File Management: A suitable choice for content creators looking to store vast digital data or gamers aiming to centralize their game libraries. It enhances storage management, though online multiplayer gaming might be affected by network speed limitations.

✅ You Desire for Flexible and Expandable Storage: With the ability to connect multiple DS218+ units for expanded storage without compromising existing data, this NAS solution provides scalability and adaptability for evolving storage needs.

Don’t Buy It If

❌ You Have Demanding Network Requirements: Users reliant on high-speed network connections for optimal performance, especially in online multiplayer gaming, might experience lag due to the system’s dependency on network speed.

❌ You Are Noise Or Space-Sensitive: Its physical size and slight operational noise might be an issue for users with limited space or seeking absolute silence in their setup. Vibration noise from disks might require additional soundproofing measures.

❌ You Have Advanced Computing Requirements: While versatile, the system’s basic CPU and RAM configurations might limit capabilities for users seeking heavy virtualization, extensive VPN usage, or running multiple resource-intensive applications simultaneously.

Wrap Up

The Synology DiskStation DS218+ is a compact and powerful two-bay NAS designed for home and small office setups. Engineered for high performance, it handles data-intensive tasks and on-the-fly encryption needs while providing scalability. The sleek, rugged design houses a dual-core CPU and AES-NI hardware encryption engine, with a range of connectivity options, including USB 3.0 and eSATA ports.

Its versatility shines through the support for various RAID configurations, expanding storage flexibility. Despite its basic RAM and CPU configuration, it impressively supports up to 1500 local user accounts and accommodates multiple connections for diverse functions like cloud services and surveillance hosting.

The setup process is a breeze, and the intuitive DSM (DiskStation Manager) OS extends the DS218+’s functionality beyond mere storage. Offering packages and settings for file sharing, data backup, multimedia, and more, it transforms into a multifunctional hub. Despite some limitations with file uploads through the web browser, solutions like the JAVA runtime library help overcome these barriers.

The DS218+ caters to content creators and gamers alike, offering scalable and remotely accessible storage. While load times may vary, the device’s overall performance and adaptability make it an excellent centralized storage solution for home users with multiple devices.

We are thankful to Synology for giving us the opportunity to test their DS218+ DiskStation.

Recent Updates

  • December 13, 2023: Few text changes to improve readability. Also added image galleries.
 

Synology DS218+ Review: The Storage Powerhouse is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

]]> Entry Level Gaming PC for GTA V Under $450 https://tech4gamers.com/entry-level-gaming-pc-for-gta-v-under-450-2015-build/ Wed, 08 Dec 2021 15:59:48 +0000 http://tech4gamers.com/?p=14375 See full bio Sajjad Hussain As Tech4Gamers’ Founder and Editor-in-Chief, I bring over 13 years of PC Hardware Reviewing and 8+ years of IT Project Management experience. Certified in Google IT Support , my focus is on providing honest product reviews and analysis and fostering a strong gaming community with 130k+ members in PPG. See […]

Entry Level Gaming PC for GTA V Under $450 is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

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We’ve targeted a budget of approximately 450 USD for our build, since this is a sweet spot for the pocket friendly configuration and is right behind the cost of a PS4 at approximately $580.00. So let’s begin.

Entry Level Gaming PC for GTA V Under $450

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 Anniversary Edition LGA 1150

Along with the Devil’s Canyon, Pentium G3258 was launched to commemorate 20 years of Pentium brand. The G3258 has modest specs for a Pentium, two cores that aren’t Hyper-Threaded and clocked at 3.2 GHz with a modest 3 MB of Shared L3 cache and a compromising 1333 MHz DIMM support, what makes it remarkable value for money is that it has an unlocked multiplier!

And it sits on any LGA 1150 motherboard and since the motherboard OEMs are very well aware of the existence of this chip therefore they’ve released BIOS updates that enables overclocking on even non Z motherboards. And being based on the very efficient Haswell micro-architecture and with just 53W TDP, it is easy to cool this chip even at Overclocks up to 4.4 GHz at 1.38V core voltage. You might be thinking that 4.4 GHz is pretty difficult to achieve, but even on stock cooling this CPU can rock a 4.2 GHz at 1.25V–1.28V.

GPU: Gigabyte GTX 750 Ti 2GB GDDR5 WindForce Edition

The CPU was a pretty value for every penny and therefore the GPU must be equally powerful enough and should be a big explosion in a small packet. The 750 Ti is the first Maxwell architecture based GPU and has a 28nm GM107 chip at its core with 640 CUDA cores and 16 ROPs paired with 40 TMUs. And paired with a 128 bit wide 2GB GDDR5 memory and with just TDP rating of 75W, this little beast let us cut costs on the PSU.

The Gigabyte GTX 750 Ti WindForce edition comes with a factory OC of 1033 MHz on GPU base clock with boost upto 1111 MHz and the memory is at reference clocks at 5400 GT/s. The impressive factor for this specific card is the use of Ultra Durable 2 components like low RDS MosFETs, ferrite chokes and low ESR solid capacitors and the most striking feature is the WindForce dual axial cooler with two 80mm fans and copper heatpipes that makes the card run cool while looking cool. The 750 Ti doesn’t grant future-proofing for a long time, but at this budget, you won’t regret getting this. With this, you can definitely game at 1080p with medium to high setting on most titles with decent FPS.

Related: The 7 BEST Z690 Motherboards

Motherboard: ASRock H81 Pro BTC ATX

ASRock is known for budget friendliness and if you thought we wouldn’t mention that brand in this guide then you have been misled. The H81 Pro BTC was actually made for Bitcoin miners and therefore it has so many PCIe x2 slots. The solid VRM design made us inclined towards this specific H81 board since the G3258 needed a decent platform to reach that target of 4.4 GHz.

The board features a 4 independent phased Digital VRM layout that isn’t quite enough for more generalized OC, but given that G3258 has only 2 cores and requires only a we amount of power to reach its limit makes it the best choice. To wrap up the specs, it has a LGA 1150 socket with 2 DIMMs supporting dual channel and up to 16 GB of RAM (max 1600 MHz) and has a single PCI-E Gen 3.0 x16 slot and 5x PCIe x2 (Gen 2.0) slots. There are 2 SATA III headers and 2 SATA II headers, four front USB 2.0 headers and the rear I/O has 2x PS/2 ports for Mouse and keyboard. It has 2x USB 3.0 at the back with 2x USB 2.0 and three Audio ports.

RAM: Kingston ValueRAM 2x4GB DDR3-1333

As mentioned earlier, the G3258 has a 1333 MHz memory and since this is a budget build guide, one cannot expect 64GB of DDR4 RAM at 2933MHz from Corsair to feature in this build. 8 gigs is the sweet spot for gamers and is not at all less in any respect.

To avail the dual channel features, picking up a 2x4GB kit is the best choice. RAM is relatively cheap and can be added later, and to be honest, if you had the money to get a 16GB kit then budget build is not your need. There’s hardly a difference between 1600 MHz and 1333 MHz, which impacts gaming and Kingston being our all time favorite and trustworthy brand has the right memory for us.

PSU: Antec VP450

The G3258 sips wattage, so does 750 Ti, but that doesn’t grant you to get a cheap-so PSU from some shitty manufacturer. Antec VP450 provides the right amount of power and even though coming from a renowned manufacturer sits right in our budget. And since the G3258 has an unlocked multiplier, the PSU must have some muscle to fuel an OC’ed G3258. A full black metal shroud makes the VP450 a looker. Who says you can’t get a good looking PC f you’re on a budget?

Case: NZXT Source 210 White

With such a restraining budget, we didn’t have the bucks to get a better case like the Cooler Master HAF 912, Corsair Carbide Spec-01, the Bitfenix Shinobi or the NZXT Phantom. And we didn’t want to opt a case from 2nd Class manufacturers that would choke our components resulting in high temperatures eventually thermal throttling the GPU.

NZXT Source 210 was the only option we were left with. Decent airflow, sober looks, enough cable management space and all in our budget. The recommendation is flexible though; if you can get a better case at the same price then definitely go for it. Otherwise, if you are too lazy to research about the case in your budget, then Source 210 it is.

Storage: WD Caviar Blue 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB cache SATA III HDD

Storage is also a flexible thing, it depends on preference, budget and needs. 1TB is an adequate size, but if you need and can afford a 2TB+ HDD then no problem amigos. The brand is a bit of a skeptic choice, although I’ve used both Seagate and WD for a long period of time (Seagate for 11 years and WD for 8 years) and never had any HDD fail on me. One thing to keep in mind while looking for a different HDD from these two brands is the specs. It should be 7200 RPM and must have SATA III interface, if it does, you’re good to go.

 

Entry Level Gaming PC for GTA V Under $450 is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

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