BEST Gaming PC Build Under $1000 In 2023

Selecting the right products for your next gaming PC build can be a challenging task, especially if you’re under a tight budget. So, if you’re looking to build a gaming PC without breaking the bank, then look no further!

In this guide, we will show you how to build the best gaming PC under $1000 that can handle the latest games at 1080p resolution and provide an immersive gaming experience.

Here are all our picks summarized:

Last update on 2023-03-20

No need to worry about buying the right components because we have done extensive research and have handpicked the best hardware components that not only fall under your $1000 budget but also provide excellent performance without compromising on quality.

Best Gaming PC Build 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: ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB CPU 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: Western Digital Blue SA510 500GB
6. Graphics Card: ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Edge OC LHR
7. Casing: Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh
8. Power Supply: Asus ROG Strix 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Processor

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

Let’s begin with the most important component of any PC, the brain of the computer, the CPU. So, for the processor, we recommend you the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. Even though the Ryzen 5 5600X was released all the way back in the COVID era, it is undoubtedly a great CPU to this day.

Plus, it falls right into your budget and is the best deal that you can get. 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.

If you don’t know what these technical terms mean and how many cores, threads, and how much clock speed your CPU should have, then be sure to check out our thorough guide on What Is A CPU? as it explains every factor that affects the CPU’s performance in great detail.

All in all, the specifications of the Ryzen 5 5600X with its price in mind are really impressive, and you should definitely go with it if your budget for the entire PC is under $1000.

The processor, when combined with the right GPU and memory, can easily handle all 1080p games, making it your best bet. It offers great value for money and has a superb price-to-performance ratio.

ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build CPU Cooler

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

After the CPU, you will be looking for a cooler for the said CPU. Well, worry not because we have got just the right deal for you, and it is the ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB.

We have already reviewed the Intel-compatible variant of this cooler called the ARCTIC Freezer i35 A-RGB, so be sure to check that out for more in-depth analysis and testing of the ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB.

The ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB is a great CPU cooler to go along with the Ryzen 5 5600X. It comes with 4 heat pipes, a 1x 112mm fan, an aluminum-made heatsink with 56 fins, and beautiful RGB.

Let’s talk about the heat pipes first. The heat pipes are responsible for transferring the heat from the CPU to the heatsink, and since the ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB has 4 heat pipes, you can be assured that the cooler does a great job at heat transfer.

Now, let’s move on to the 112mm fan. It has a speed range of 200 to 1700 RPM. Meaning that, under low temperatures, the fan can come all the way down to 200 RPM to decrease the noise output, and once the temperature rises, it can ramp up to 1700 RPM to keep the CPU cool.

On the topic of noise output, the ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB is rated to have a noise level of 0.35 Sone, which is rather quiet for a cooler of this budget.

Also Read: Understanding CPU Coolers

Remember the aluminum-made heatsink that we mentioned? Well, it’s responsible for dissipating heat efficiently. Once the heat pipes have brought the heat to the heatsink, the fan will blow cool air to the heatsink, which will effectively dissipate the heat. Plus, since aluminum is a great heat conductor, it is one of the best materials to be used in a heatsink.

Not only that, but the cooler’s dimensions are 133x91x135mm (WxLxH), which means that it is compatible with the rest of the components we are going to recommend, and you will not face any clearance issues whatsoever.

Overall, as far as performance is concerned, the ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB will not let you down. You can play 1080p games on your Ryzen 5 5600X and completely forget about the temperatures. However, if you want to know how much your Ryzen 5 5600X temperature should be while playing games, be sure to check out our guide on CPU Temperature While Gaming.

On top of great thermal performance, the ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB, as the name suggests, also comes with RGB lighting.

So, if you’re a fan of colorful lights and you want to brag about your RGB Gaming PC to your friends, then the ARCTIC Freezer A35 RGB has got your back. 

MSI B550-A PRO

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Motherboard

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

Let’s move on to the motherboard, the component which will connect your entire rig and bring it together into a beautiful machine that is capable of providing you with an immersive gaming experience.

For the motherboard, we recommend you the MSI B550-A PRO, the winner of the Best Budget B550 Motherboard award in our Best B550 Motherboards guide. With the $1000 budget in mind, the MSI B550-A Pro is the best value motherboard for you, and it is perfect for a CPU like the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Remember that we talked about having a good power delivery system to support overclocking? Well, the motherboard is the core component that is responsible for the overclocking potential of your system.

You might wonder how, well, it is really simple. Basically, motherboards have a component called Voltage Regulator Module, or VRM for short. The VRM is responsible for delivering the right amount of voltage to all the other components of your PC in a stable manner.

So, when you overclock, you feed the component you are overclocking with extra power; that’s where VRM comes in, a strong and good-quality VRM is capable of delivering additional power to the CPU or other components without breaking a sweat.

Now that you know the importance of VRM, let’s discuss the VRM and other specifications of the MSI B550-A PRO. The motherboard features a 10+2+1 VRM structure, meaning that, in total, it has a 13-phase VRM.

In short, the VRM design of the MSI B550-A PRO is really good, considering how affordable the motherboard is. Apart from the power delivery system, a good motherboard should also offer an exceptional cooling system, and the MSI B550-A PRO nails it in that department as well.

To cool down the VRM, the board uses a massive heatsink along with high-quality 7W/mK Thermal Pads, all of which work together to keep the temperatures low. Not only that, but it also uses M.2 SHIELD FROZR to cool down the SSDs.

For your storage needs, the MSI B550-A PRO comes with 2x M.2 slots for your SSDs, and 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports for your HDDs. All in all, you have plenty of room to add more storage to your build.

The USB ports are also quite a lot; you get 8x USB ports at the back of the board and 7x USB ports at the front, including 1x Type-C port at the back and 1x Type-C port at the front. 

It also has great RAM support, as the board can handle a maximum of 128GB DDR4 RAM. So, if you plan to increase your RAM capacity in the future, you have lots of room to do so.

Overall, the MSI B550-A PRO is a great motherboard for your build. It falls right into your budget and offers 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

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

It’s time we move toward memory. After all, if you’re building a gaming PC, then you’re gonna need some really good RAM. So, our pick for the RAM is the G.Skill Trident Z Neo 16GB DDR4.

The variant of the G.Skill Trident Z Neo that we have picked is a kit of 2x8GB with a clock speed of 3600MHz and a CL16-19-19-39 latency with 1.35V of input voltage.

Let’s start off with the memory capacity, which is 16GB in total. Since we are building a gaming PC that can run AAA titles at 1080p without any hiccups, then 16GB of DDR4 RAM is a must-have to make that possible. Anything below that will create performance hurdles, and anything above will drive up the price. So, overall, 16GB RAM is just right for your $1000 budget.

About the clock speed, you should consider it as the higher, the better, and for DDR4 memory, a 3600MHz is a really good deal. Especially when you factor in the fact that most 3600MHz DDR4 RAMs cost more than the Trident Z Neo.

Now let’s move on to the latency. Consider it the opposite of clock speed; that is, the lower, the better. With a CAS latency of 16 clocks, the G.Skill Trident Z Neo can quickly perform operations without feeling laggy or anything.

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, we don’t think you’d want to overclock it because it already has great performance.

If you think you’re going to overclock the G.Skill Trident Z Neo, then be sure to check out our in-depth guide on How To Overclock RAM.

Western Digital Blue SA510 500GB

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Storage

Capacity: 500GB | Interface: SATA III | Dimensions (LxWxH): 3.94″ x 2.75″ x 0.28″ | Sequential Read Performance: 560MB/s | Sequential Write Performance: 510MB/s

No build is complete without great storage, right? Well, for that, we present to you the Western Digital Blue SA510 500GB. It’s time you put one of those M.2 slots that your board comes with into good use and use this really reliable and fast SSD.

As far as capacity is concerned, the WD Blue SA510 comes with 500GB of storage, so you can download a ton of games without having to worry about running out of space.

We all know that the biggest advantage that SSDs have over HDDs is performance, and by performance, we mean really fast performance. Well, the WD Blue SA510 has a read speed of 560MB/s, so you can say goodbye to long game loading times.

Not only that, but its write speed is just as fast at 510MB/s, meaning that you can uncompress large files rather quickly.

All things considered, the Western Digital Blue SA510 500GB offers the perfect balance between high capacity and high performance. Plus, for the price, the SSD is a great bang for the buck, making it the best storage option for your $1000 Gaming PC Build.

ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Edge OC LHR

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Graphics Card

VRAM: 8GB GDDR6 | Clock: 1695MHz (Boost) | Memory Clock: 14Gbps | Power Consumption: 200W | Slot Size: Dual Slot | Dimensions: 8.74″ x 4.55″ x 1.5″

Now comes one of the most important parts of your $1000 Gaming PC Build. The component that you must have been looking forward to the most; the graphics card. When building a gaming PC, you cannot go wrong with the GPU. It directly impacts the gaming performance of your system and has the potential to completely make it or break it.

With that said, our graphics card of choice for the Best $1000 Gaming PC Build is the ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Edge OC LHR. Quite a long name indeed, but this GPU also won the Best Budget RTX 3060 Ti award in our Best RTX 3060 Ti Graphics Cards guide.

The GPU comes with 8GB of GDDR6 memory, which gives it a good edge in games that require lots of VRAM. As far as clock speed is concerned, the GPU offers 1695MHz with the Boost mode enabled.

The clock speed is high enough to ensure that the GPU stays on top of providing high-end performance. Furthermore, a GPU is only as good as the number of cores it offers, and the RTX 3060 Ti comes with an astounding 4864 CUDA Cores.

All of these high figures point to one thing and one thing alone, the ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Edge OC LHR is a great GPU that packs a solid punch when it comes to performance.

However, that’s not all because the ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Edge also features 2x massive fans with 11 blades each and a huge heatsink to stay cooler under extreme gaming sessions. In addition to that, if you’re a fan of the good-looking graphics card, then this GPU will not disappoint you either.

It features subtle yet beautiful white LED logo lighting that gives the card a minimalistic feel. In a nutshell, the ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Edge OC LHR is your best bet at building a $1000 Gaming PC that is capable of running 1080p games at high settings without lagging behind.

Also Read: RTX 3060 Ti Vs. RTX 3070 Ti

Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Case

Form Factor: Midtower | Materials: Steel chassis, Steel exterior, ABS, Glass | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX, E-ATX | Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0, Mic, Headphone, Reset

We can’t finish a Gaming PC Build guide without talking about the case. So, for the chassis, we recommend the Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh. It is a mid-tower case with support for ATX motherboards.

Let’s go over the airflow of the case first. The Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh features a massive high-quality mesh design at the front panel that allows for unrestricted airflow and optimal cooling performance. As far as quality is concerned, the mesh panel is made of high-quality steel and is backed by a fine dust filter that prevents dust from entering the case.

If you feel like the mesh has accumulated a bunch of dust and it is hindering the case’s airflow, then you can remove the front panel and clean the filter in just a few steps.

Moving on to compatibility, the case supports ATX motherboards and graphics cards with lengths of up to 355mm. For you, the motherboard that we have selected, the MSI B550-A PRO, has an ATX form factor. Similarly, the ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Edge OC LHR has a length of just 222.1mm. So, in both cases, the Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh is compatible with the PC we’re building.

As far as the cooling is concerned, the case comes with a 1x 120mm Black Case Fan. In addition to that, it supports 2x 120mm or 2x 140mm fans at the front panel, 1x 120mm fan at the back panel, and 1x 120mm or 1x 140mm fan at the top panel.

Also Read: Push vs Pull vs Push-Pull Radiator Configuration

Design-wise, the P300A Mesh has a sleek and modern design that will appeal to gamers and enthusiasts. Since we have included a bunch of RGB components, it’s really great that the tempered glass side panel provides a clear view of your components.

Overall, the Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh is an excellent choice for gamers who prioritize great cooling performance as well as beautiful aesthetics. Its full mesh front panel, spacious interior, and modular design make it easy to build and maintain your gaming PC.

ASUS ROG Strix 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular

Best $1000 Gaming PC Build Power Supply

Total Output: 550W | AC Input Range: 100-240Vac | Efficiency: 80Plus Gold | Dimensions: 16 x 15 x 8.6 Centimeter

Last but not least, let’s talk about the power supply unit. Even though we’re talking about the PSU in the end, it should be given the same priority as the other important components of your rig. That’s because you might be able to get away with a knockoff casing, but a knockoff PSU will only come back to haunt you.

So, there’s no doubt that the PSU is an important component, and you must never cheap out when purchasing one. That’s why we’re recommending the ASUS ROG Strix 550W. With a brand like ASUS ROG, you can be assured that the PSU is built with the highest quality in mind.

Our exact variant of the PSU offers 550W. Keeping in mind the CPU, GPU, Motherboard, and Cooler that we have selected, a good quality 550W PSU should be more than enough for your needs.

Going over the efficiency, the ASUS ROG Strix 550W comes with the 80 Plus Gold Certification, which basically means that the PSU is built with high-end capacitors to ensure that it does a really efficient job at converting the AC power into DC. 

To keep the PSU under optimal temperature, ASUS has incorporated a bunch of thermal solutions. The PSU comes with top-of-the-line ROG heatsinks to keep the insides cool. Not only that, but it also uses an Axial-tech fan design that can efficiently dissipate the heat without running at a high RPM.

Meaning that the PSU not only offers great power and stays cool, but it also does that while providing a quiet experience. Furthermore, it uses 0dB Technology which stops the fans from spinning once the total power draw falls under 40% to make sure that the PSU does not make unnecessary noise.

As far as the connectors go, you get 2x 4+4-pin connectors for the CPU, a 24/20-pin for the motherboard, 2x 6+2-pin for the PCI-E, 8x for SATA, and 3x for the peripherals. Overall, the connectors are plenty, and you shouldn’t face any issues with them.

Being an ASUS ROG Strix product, you can expect the PSU to look really aggressive with lots of gamer-ish vibes. Along with a matte-black body and red accents, you also get magnetic stickers and logos that you can apply wherever you want on the PSU.

In a nutshell, for the $1000 Gaming PC Build, there is no better PSU out there than the ASUS ROG Strix 550W. Performance-wise, it is absolutely perfect for the other components we have selected. On top of that, it also does not cost a bank, so you can stay within your budget.

How We Test

We at Tech4Gamers always test every component we recommend based on specific criteria. In fact, we have thorough guides on how we test different components as well, so if you would like to learn about our testing process, then be sure to read the following guides:

• How We Test Motherboards
• How We Test RAM
• How We Test CPU Coolers
• How We Test Graphics Cards
• How We Test PC Cases

Apart from just specific components, when we recommend a Gaming PC Build, we also perform extensive research on that particular build, including going through the compatibility of the build and, most importantly, the gaming performance of the build.

For instance, in our Best $1000 Gaming PC Build, the two main components of our rig are the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and the ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Edge OC LHR. Hence, we present to you a bunch of gaming benchmarks surrounding these specifications. 

Gaming Benchmarks

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

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600x
• GPU: RTX 3060 Ti
• RAM: 16GB DDR4 3600MHz (2×8 GB)
• PSU: 550W 80+ Gold

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

As shown in the above screenshot, the $1000 Gaming PC Build managed to achieve our 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.

Also Read: Gaming PC Benchmarks (How To Benchmark Gaming PC)

Here, the lowest average FPS we can see is in Elden Ring, and the highest is in Days Gone. Regardless, all games are definitely playable. So, we can conclude that our build does a phenomenal job at running all games at respectable framerates.

Monitor, Peripherals, and Other Expenses

You might be wondering; we 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, we 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.

Keeping these factors in mind, we recommend you the ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QL1A 27” HDR Gaming Monitor; it offers a superb set of specifications combined with an affordable price tag. However, if you already have an old monitor that you think can go along with your build, then we recommend you use that and save yourself a few bucks.

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. As always, you can check our guides on which peripherals to go for if you need any guidance.

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. For Windows, if you have an old system, then you should use the license of that PC, as it can save you a few bucks.

Also Read: How To Update Windows 

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 a $1000 budget Gaming PC Build.

Budget

Whether you have a $1000 budget or a $5000 budget, when you’re building a PC, you need to make sure that you stay within your budget and do not overspend on any product.

You can try to look for the same component in different stores. The idea behind this is simple; you really shouldn’t just go to one place and buy all the components from there. You need to do your research and try to get the best possible prices.

So, the point is, when you’re planning a build, even after knowing what components you need, make sure to do your research on their prices. Similarly, if there is a graphics card or a motherboard that you really like, but you think that it costs a bit more and you can’t afford it, then you can also look for it in the used market.

You can refer to our guide on How to Check Used Graphics Card Before Buying for more information.

More often than not, you will find a much better deal in terms of value for money when it comes to buying second-hand components. However, we don’t recommend going down the second-hand market route if you’re a beginner because it comes with lots of risks, and unless you really know what you’re doing and you have the technical knowledge to rigorously test the component, you might end up losing your money.

Upgradability

You also need to keep in mind the upgradability factor of your build. One of the biggest advantages that PC builds have over consoles is that they offer great upgradability, which is exactly what you need when you’re on a tight budget.

So, the components we selected under the $1000 budget also support good upgradability, this way, your build remains future-proof. Once you’ve built your PC, months later, if you’ve saved up enough money, you can just upgrade the RAM, GPU, or any other integral component, and without buying a whole new rig, you will get a significant performance boost.

Performance

This goes without saying that performance should hold the utmost importance when building a gaming PC. For the money, every component should offer the best possible performance, and all of them should be highly compatible with each other. This means that the gaming PC should not suffer from any bottlenecks.

It is a very simple concept. Basically, a bottleneck occurs when your hardware components are not compatible with each other, meaning that one of your components is very high-end whilst one of them is very low-end. Suppose that you have a really great graphics card but also a very poor CPU. However, you purchased the rig under your $1000 budget. So, technically, it is a $1000 Gaming PC build.

However, since your CPU isn’t running at the level of your GPU, your GPU will not operate at its best, and hence, its performance will be limited. So, what’s happening is that your CPU is creating a bottleneck that is hindering the performance of your GPU. In fact, even a motherboard can cause a bottleneck to your CPU, GPU, and RAM.

That’s why performance is an extremely important factor to keep in mind whenever you’re building a PC. Because technically, the above hypothetical build we discussed can also come under your budget, but it is practically useless because you’re wasting your GPU’s performance.

With that said, the components we selected are highly compatible with each other, and they don’t create any bottlenecks whatsoever. This way, you get the best possible performance out of your $1000 Gaming PC Build.

Looks

Even though looks are not nearly as important as the other factors we have talked about, they can still matter a lot to some gamers. You might want to show off your $1000 Gaming PC Build to your friends, or you might just want to look at how beautiful it is.

Well, whatever the reason may be, if looks are important to you, then worry not because we will never leave you behind. The build we are going to recommend incorporates a bunch of RGB features; this way, your rig will look really beautiful with its RGB CPU cooler, RAM, and GPU.

Overclocking Potential

Unless you want really want to squeeze every bit of performance out of your rig, and unless you have the technical knowledge to succeed in doing so, this factor might not appeal to you.

Put simply, the overclocking potential refers to your PC’s ability to handle high thermals in order to deliver more performance than it was meant to by default. Basically, when you overclock your PC, you feed it with more power, and in turn, you hope that your system runs stable and delivers higher performance. 

However, in doing so, your system will also generate extra heat. So, it must have great cooling in place that can take care of the extra heat. Similarly, your system must also have a capable power delivery system that can feed the additional power that your CPU, GPU, RAM, or any other component might require smoothly without any interruptions.

All things considered, a build with great overclocking potential means that it has an incredible power delivery system and thermal solution in place, all of which are must-have features in a $1000 build. That’s why our recommended build incorporates a great CPU cooler and superb power supply along with a durable motherboard, all of which support overclocking.

Also Read: 12 Best GPU Overclocking Software

Should You Build The PC Yourself?

If you have no experience with building PCs, then should you build this rig yourself? or should you get a pre-built system? In this section, we will talk about a few pros and cons of Custom Gaming PCs and Pre-Built ones and discuss which one you should go for.

In addition to that, we will also walk you through the basic mistakes that you must always avoid when building a PC yourself. Not only that, but we will also tell you a few tips, tricks, and things to consider when building your first PC.

Pre-Built Systems Vs Custom Gaming PC

There are quite a few differences between Custom Gaming PCs and Pre-Built systems. In fact, one might consider them the exact opposite of each other. If you don’t know which one you should go for, let’s discuss the two briefly first.

Pre-Built Gaming PC

As mentioned earlier, you can call Pre-Built Gaming PCs the exact opposite of Custom Gaming PCs. Because, in Pre-Built Gaming PCs, you go to a store and just purchase a pre-built system that falls under your budget.

There are a few advantages here, like:

• Provides a hassle-free experience. You can just go and buy a PC without having to select individual products. So, in just a matter of hours, you will have a fully functional gaming PC.
• Similarly, the entire process saves a bunch of time. So, even if you don’t have lots of free time at hand or the expertise to do so, you can get a Pre-Built Gaming PC.
• The store you buy from offers its warranty. This way, you don’t have to go after individual manufacturers if anything fails.

There are also a few disadvantages surrounding Pre-Built Gaming PCs:

• First of all, Pre-Built systems cost more than their Custom Built counterparts. So, if you’re on a tight budget, then it’s highly recommended that you build the PC yourself to save some bucks.
• Additionally, you don’t get as many customization options with Pre-Built systems. Yes, you might ask the store to replace a component or two, but that option is very limited, and some stores might not offer it. Not only that but you might also be charged more for replacing the components depending on the component itself.
• Since every component isn’t handpicked by you, the system may pose an upgradeability issue in the future. I mean, you are likely to have room for some upgrades, but definitely not as much room as you would get in a custom PC.

Custom Gaming PC

The idea behind a Custom Gaming PC is simple: you buy particular components from different places or just a single store (depending on your preference), and you build the system yourself at home. Of course, you can ask a friend of yours to build it with you, but in a nutshell, that’s the concept of a Custom Gaming PC.

There are a bunch of advantages surrounding this methodology, so let’s go over them quickly:

• First and foremost, the range of customization is unparalleled in Custom Gaming PCs. You can decide exactly what component you want, and you can go and buy it (as long as it is compatible). 
• In the same fashion, it is also rather easy to upgrade a Custom Gaming PC. For instance, you have built the computer yourself, and you know all about its insides, so you can plan future upgrades better and swap out the components with the latest ones depending on your budget and needs.
• Since you’re purchasing each component individually, you can get a better deal on them and save a bunch of money. You can specifically decide which component you want, like in the case of our Best Budget $1000 Gaming PC Build.

As with the advantages, there are also a few disadvantages of building a Custom Gaming PC, like:

• It takes time and expertise. You really need to know what you’re doing to build a gaming PC, and you also need to have a bunch of time to invest in this hobby. However, building a gaming PC is not a difficult task; with the right amount of knowledge and guidance, you can do it safely.
• Since you’re buying parts separately, if something goes wrong, you will have to contact the particular manufacturer for a warranty claim, which can be a headache since they are different components and have different warranties.
• Unless you know which components to go for, like we have told you about in the case of Best $1000 Gaming PC Build, finding the right and compatible components can be difficult. However, if you follow our guides, you will know exactly which component to go for.

Also Read: How Long Does it Take to Build A PC?

Which One Should You Go For?

With that said, which PC should you for? Should you build a Custom Gaming PC with the specifications we have recommended to get the Best $1000 Gaming PC? Or should you go with a Pre-Built System that offers similar specifications at a higher price tag?

Well, we recommend that you go with a Custom Gaming PC and save yourself some dollars. Plus, it’s a really rewarding experience, and you might just discover a new hobby for yourself. However, if you don’t have the time or the energy to build a PC, then you should definitely go with a Pre-Built System.

Also Read: How Much Does It Cost to Build A PC

As far as building a Custom Gaming PC is concerned, even if you don’t have any experience, then you can read our blogs and watch a few videos to get started. The process might sound difficult at first, but in the end, it’s just a bunch of expensive electronic legos waiting to be put together.

If you have a friend or know someone who has built a PC before, then we highly recommend you contact that person to avoid some of the rookie mistakes people make when building their first PC.

Regardless, we 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. For instance, when installing the CPU, make sure to hold it from its sides and not from the bottom or top. After that, with the help of the alignment marking on the chip and the board, gently seat the CPU in the socket. We have thorough guides on How To Install SSD, IO Shield, Liquid CPU Cooler, and other components; make sure to go through them.

   

4. Applying too much or too little thermal paste: On the topic of CPU, another beginner mistake that many people make is applying the wrong amount of 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: Fans, and cooling in general, is a very integral part of a PC. It ensures that all the components stay at their optimal temperature and operate smoothly. 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: From RGB to fans to power, there are lots of cables that need to be connected to their right port when building a PC. 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; you can refer to the installation manual of individual components to learn where each cable goes. For more guidance, you can read our guides on How To Connect RGB Fans To the Motherboard and How To Connect the Power Button To the Motherboard.

   

These are just a few of the most common mistakes that you are likely to make when building your first PC. If you run into any issues, you can always turn to one of Tech4Gamer’s guides, and we will walk you through the troubleshooting process.

Once you have the Best $1000 Gaming PC all set up and ready to go, there are still a few things you must do. For instance, you need to keep an eye on all the temperatures. Use software like HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner, and Speccy to monitor the temperatures of different components.

If you notice that one of the components is running too hot, then you know something is not right. You can read our guide on How To Lower CPU Temperature and How To Lower GPU Temperature to fix these issues.

As time passes and you enjoy the glorious gaming PC you have built, you need to properly maintain it to ensure its lifespan increases. This includes properly cleaning the PC regularly. We have written extensive guides on How To Clean PC Fans, Motherboards, Tempered Glass, and even How To Clean Your PC Without Compressed Air; you can refer to these guides whenever you’re cleaning your PC for the best guidance.

Tool Required For Building PC

Building a PC is not that difficult. In fact, with a couple of Phillips Headscrews and a few other tools, you can get right down to business. Here are a few of the most important tools required for building a gaming PC:

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

With these tools, you should be good to go with your PC-building experience. It is highly recommended that you go for magnetic screwdrivers, as they can be a lifesaver when it comes to staying organized.

Remember, the key here is to stay as organized as possible, read the proper manuals, and follow the guides. Also, don’t forget to enjoy the process as you are going to reminisce about your first ever PC building experience throughout your life.

Happy Building!

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