Best Gaming PC Under $2000 [Top Rated]

Have a budget of $2000 for a gaming PC but don’t know which components to get? Well, we understand what you’re going through because selecting the right components in a specific budget can be a tedious task.

After all, there are so many components to select from that it becomes overwhelming to determine which one is perfect and which one is not.

Therefore, to help you, we have compiled a list of components that you need to build a gaming PC for $2000. Here’s what you need:

Last update on 2023-05-28

The above rig can handle all AAA games at 1440p resolution with maxed-out settings. Not only that, but you can even game at 4K resolution on it, and it will still give you decent framerates. So, follow along in this guide as we walk you through the components you need to build a gaming PC for $2000. Furthermore, we will also tell you about its gaming benchmarks, so you know exactly how much performance this PC will give.

We have also covered similar guides on Best Gaming PC Under $1000 and Best Gaming PC $1500. Be sure to check them out!

Best Gaming PC Under $2000

According to Tech4Gamers, the following are the best parts for a gaming PC under $2000:

1. Processor: Intel Core i5-13600KF
2. CPU Coolers: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB
3. Motherboard: MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi
4. RAM: Kingston Fury Renegade 6400MT/s CL32 32GB DDR5
5. Storage: Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD
6. Graphics Card: ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC Edition
7. Power Supply: be quiet! Dark Power 13 750W
8. Casing: Corsair 4000D Airflow

Intel Core i5-13600KF

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Processor

Socket: LGA 1700 | Cores: 14 | Threads: 20 | Base Clock: 3.50 GHz, 2.60 GHz (P-core, E-Core) | Boost Clock: 5.10 GHz | L2 Cache: 20 MB | TDP: 125W

The first component you need to purchase is the processor, and for that, we recommend the Intel Core i5-13600KF. The best thing about the i5-13600KF is that it does not come with an integrated GPU. However, it offers the exact same performance as the Core i5-13600K, making it quite a good deal.

On paper, the Core i5-13600KF comes with 14 cores, which is a mix of 8 Efficiency Cores and 6 Performance Cores. This hybrid architecture that encapsulates a mixture of efficiency and performance cores has proved to be successful over the past years. As far as the clock speeds go, the base frequency is 3.50 GHz and 2.60 GHz for P-Cores and E-Cores, respectively. 

With a maximum turbo frequency of 5.10 GHz and an L2 capacity of 20 MB, the Core i5-13600KF is one of the best gaming processors Intel has ever built. In fact, it is so good that when we compared it with the previous-gen flagship, the Core i9-12900K, the two processors were running neck-to-neck, with no massive difference.

We have had the pleasure of testing the processor ourselves, and it blew us away with its insane performance. We also tweaked the chip manually to test its overclocking potential, and it gave us a ~9.69% performance jump in Cinebench R23. For more benchmarks, please read our Core i5-13600K review.

For all of these reasons, we have selected the Core i5-13600KF as the Best Processor for a $2000 Gaming PC Build. It offers great performance, and it falls right within your price range.

Also Read: How To Buy A CPU

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build CPU Cooler

Radiator: 240mm | Fan: 2x ARCTIC P12 PWM A-RGB 120mm | Fan Speed: 200-1800 RPM | Noise Level: 0.3 Sone  | Pump Speed: 800 – 2000 RPM | Radiator Dimensions: 277 x 120 x 53mm | RGB: A-RGB

Since the Core i5-13600KF is a gaming processor, you will have to equip it with an equally high-end CPU cooler to keep it under optimal thermals, and for that, our go-to choice is the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB. Keeping in mind the $2000 budget and the rest of the components, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 is the perfect CPU cooler for you.

As far as the cooling capabilities are concerned, the AIO comes with 2x ARCTIC P12 PWM A-RGB 120mm fans that are rated to spin between 200 and 1800 RPM. With a 240mm radiator, the CPU Cooler packs enough performance to go perfectly well with the Core i5-13600KF. If you have any doubts about the performance of the Liquid Freezer II, then you should know that it won the Best Overall 240mm AIO award in our Best 240mm AIO guide.

In our thorough testing of the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240, we tested the cooler against many similar AIOs and air coolers, and here is how they all performed against each other:

As you can see, the Liquid Freezer II 240 is performing quite well. On top of great thermal performance, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 ARGB is also quite a bang for the buck. It does not cost as much as other AIOs, but it packs enough performance to go against them head-to-head.

That’s not all, because the cooler also looks drop-dead gorgeous with its A-RGB lightning. Take at our test bench:

For all of these reasons and more, we have selected the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 A-RGB as the Best CPU Cooler for a $2000 Gaming PC Build.  

Also Read: How To Buy A CPU Cooler

MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Motherboard

Chipset: Z790 | VRM: 16+1+1 | USB Ports: 8x Rear, 7x Front | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Displayport 1.4 | Storage: 4x M.2 Slots, 6x SATA 6G

For the motherboard, we recommend the MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi. The best thing about the MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi is that it offers the perfect blend of great performance and affordability. Therefore, it is perfect for high-end gaming while staying within the $2000 gaming PC budget.

First up, the motherboard uses Intel’s top-tier Z790 chipset; therefore, you can expect PCIe 5.0 slots from it. In addition to that, it does not disappoint with its VRM structure either, as it uses a 16+1+1 VRM design. The 18-phase VRM is perfect for providing stable power to the CPU and other components. 

Since the MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi is aimed at gaming rigs, it has to offer lots of cooling solutions. Well, the motherboard uses large heatsinks and thermal pads to cover the VRM. Plus, it also cools the M.2 slots with M.2 Shield Frozr.

The board offers 4x M.2 slots and 6x SATA 6G. Hence, you have plenty of room to install lots of fast storage. Similarly, it comes with 8x rear ports and 7x front ports. Both the front IO and the rear IO have a Type-C port each.

Since we are building an extreme gaming PC for $2000, our motherboard has to support high-speed memory. Well, the MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi has 4x DDR5 DIMM slots with a maximum capacity of 192GB and maximum frequency support of more than 7200MHz. After going through the RAM configuration, you can rest assured that the MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi is a very capable motherboard when it comes to performance.

Due to its insanely good price-to-performance ratio, the MSI PRO Z790-A WiFi is a no-brainer for such a $2000 extreme gaming build. You might have noticed that there are lots of factors to consider when buying a motherboard, and to help you out, we have covered a guide on the 11 Factors To Consider Before Buying A Motherboard, be sure to give it a read.

Kingston Fury Renegade 6400MT/s CL32 32GB DDR5

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build RAM

Memory: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x 16GB) | Frequency: 6400MHz | CAS Latency: CL32 | Input Voltage: 1.4 | RGB: No

Moving on to the RAM, we picked the no-nonsense, high-performance option from Kingston, their Fury Renegade 6400MT/s. We have already reviewed the Kingston Fury Renegade 6400MT/s, so if you want to learn about it in more detail, along with its benchmarks, then check out our review.

Nevertheless, as you can guess from the name, the Kingston Fury Renegade packs some serious performance. With a frequency of 6400MHz and a CAS latency of 32 clocks, this variant of the Fury Renegade is one of the best-performance DDR5 RAMs out there. If that’s not enough, then you should know that by just a simple manual tweak, you can gain +400MHz more frequency by neither increasing the power voltage nor the latency. 

Yes, you read that correctly; in our review, we managed to get a free performance upgrade of 400MHz by manually overclocking the RAM. Not only that but by cranking the input voltage to 1.45V, we had the RAM clocked at 7000MHz, which is just insane.

Whether you manually overclock the RAM or not, the Kingston Fury Renegade is a superb DDR5 RAM when it comes to sheer gaming performance. But, that’s not all, because when we compare it against other similar specs DDR5 RAMs, then the Fury Renegade also comes out on top in terms of pricing.

That’s because Kingston has focused only on performance with this kit, and by excluding RGB, they have managed to price it very competitively. So, given its good price-to-performance ratio, it comes as no surprise that the Kingston Fury Renegade 6400MT/s is the Best RAM for a $2000 Gaming PC Build.

Also Read: How To Buy RAM

Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Storage

Capacity: 2TB | Interface: M.2 NVMe 1.4 | Sequential Read Performance: 7,100 MBps | Sequential Write Performance: 6,600 MBps | Warranty: 5 Years

You can’t build a $2000 extreme gaming PC without equipping it with super-fast storage, and when it comes to super-fast storage, the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD takes the crown. It is not just that it’s fast, but it also has a huge capacity and good pricing.

Let’s go over the specs on paper first; the Rocket 4 Plus SSD has a sequential read and write speed of 7,100 MBps and 6,600 MBps, respectively, making it one of the fastest SSD you can get for under 200 bucks. Plus, since it has a 2TB capacity, you won’t need any hard drives. You can install all of your AAA games right in your SSD and say goodbye to the long load times.

In our review of the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus, we tested the SSD against many other options out in the market, and the Rocket 4 Plus seemed to have performed exceptionally well, given its price.

ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC Edition

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Graphics Card

VRAM: 12GB GDDR6X | Clock: 2760MHz, 2730MHz (OC Mode, Default Mode) | Memory Speed: 21Gbps | Dimensions: 305 x 138 x 65 mm | Slot Size: 3.25 Slot | Power Connector: 1x 16-pin | RGB: Yes

Now comes one of the most important (and expensive) parts of your PC, the graphics card, and since we are building a $2000 gaming PC, we need to equip it with enough power to handle 4K gaming without any hiccups. Therefore, for the graphics card, there is no better option out there than the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC Edition.

If you have read our Best RTX 4070 Ti Graphics Cards guide, then you will know we have called this variant the Best Overall RTX 4070 Ti, and that’s because the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC Edition offers so many high-end features without costing a bank that it makes sense to consider it the Best RTX 4070 Ti.

For instance, the card has a clock speed of 2760MHz in the OC Mode, and since the RTX 4070 Ti has 7680 CUDA cores, this variant blows away all the other similarly priced competitors. The RTX 4070 Ti in itself is a phenomenal graphics card, and even though it is not aimed at the high-end segment, it performed 12% better than the last-gen flagship, the RTX 3090, in our RTX 4070 Ti vs. RTX 3090 comparison.

So, as far as the gaming potential of the RTX 4070 Ti is concerned, you should know that you will face absolutely no issues whatsoever from it, even at 4K resolution. Not only that, but since we have paired this high-end GPU with the Core i5-13600F and 32GB of DDR5 RAM running at a whopping 6400MHz frequency, this PC is not only the extreme gaming rig for 2023, but it will also hold its ground rather well in the years to come.

Now you know that the RTX 4070 Ti is the perfect graphics card for a $2000 gaming PC. However, what about the looks? Because for such a high-end PC, you expect it to have some bells and whistles to show off as well, right? Well, the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC Edition features a distinct metal exoskeleton that gives it an aggressive feel. Furthermore, it also has a minimalistic RGB lightning at the top, which adds to its gamer-ish vibes.

Also Read: How To Buy A Graphics Card

be quiet! Dark Power 13 750W

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Power Supply

Total Output: 750W | Efficiency: 80 Plus Titanium Certified | Cables: Modular

Regardless of your budget, it is never a good idea to cheap out on the PSU. Yes, it won’t give you extra FPS, nor will it add visual appeal to your build. However, a good PSU can ensure that your system works as expected for as long as possible. On the other hand, buying a knockoff PSU means that your PC is at risk of simply dying at any given time.

So, when selecting the power supply for the $2000 gaming PC, we had to ensure that it not only offers enough wattage to support the high-end rig we are building but is also equipped with high-quality components to ensure that our expensive gaming parts are safe. With these factors in mind, there is only one PSU we could select, and that is the be quiet! Dark Power 13 750W.

With a rated total output of 750W and a peak output of 850W, no matter which game you play at the extreme settings, the Dark Power 13 750W has got enough power to juice up your power-hungry system without breaking a sweat. Furthermore, the Dark Power 13 750W is also quite efficient; with an 80 Plus Titanium certification, it is one of the most power-efficient power supplies you can get.

Another great thing about the be quiet! Dark Power 13 750W is that it is a fully modular PSU, meaning that you can unplug the cables your PC is not using, making cable management easier than ever. With that said, the Dark Power 13 750W is the best PSU you can get for your $2000 gaming PC.

Corsair 4000D Airflow

Best $2000 Gaming PC Build Case

Case Dimensions: 453 x 230 x 466mm | Maximum GPU Length: 360mm | Maximum PSU Length: 220mm | Maximum CPU Cooler Height: 170mm | Form Factor: Mid Tower | Radiator Compatibility: 120mm, 140mm, 240mm, 280mm, 360mm

Last but not least, we have the PC case, and since this guide is all about the best parts for gaming PC for $2000, we had to go with the Corsair 4000D Airflow. Before we dive into how good the 4000D is at keeping your PC cool, let’s go over how compatible it is with the components we have selected.

First up, the Corsair 4000D Airflow supports a maximum GPU length of 360mm, and our recommended GPU has a length of 304.8mm. Hence, the chassis is compatible with the GPU. Similarly, it is also compatible with the PSU and the CPU Cooler. Therefore, you will face no clearance or compatibility issues with this case.

Now let’s go over the cooling capabilities of the Corsair 4000D Airflow and see why it is the perfect PC case for the extreme gaming PC we are building. First of all, the front panel of the case is designed to take in as much air as possible. In fact, it takes in air from three different angles just by using the front panel alone, so, as the name suggests, the 4000D Airflow has quite some airflow.

Furthermore, the interior of the chassis is very spacious to equip several fans. In total, you can equip it with 4x 120mm fans or 6x 120mm. Not only that, but the chassis can also cater to multiple radiators, which means that it has lots of cooling capabilities.

The front panel can support either 3x 120mm fans or 2x 140mm fans, the top panel can support either 2x 120mm fans or 2x 140mm fans, and the back panel can support 1x 120mm fan. Overall, the fan support of the Corsair 4000D is perfect for supporting proper ventilation, which is very necessary for a high-end gaming rig.

Apart from this, whether it is good cable management support or sleek looks, the 4000D Airflow has got it all, and considering its price tag, it fits with the rest of the $2000 gaming rig we are building. That’s why you should go for it.

If you want to buy the perfect PC case according to your needs, then read our guide on What To Consider When Buying A PC Case.

How We Test

At Tech4Gamers, we conduct comprehensive testing on various components, such as processors, CPU coolers, graphics cards, and gaming PC builds, before recommending them to our readers. That’s because our goal is to provide unbiased and informative reviews that can help our readers make informed decisions.

To ensure the accuracy of our reviews, we have established specific criteria that must be followed during the testing process. If you are interested in learning more about our testing methods, please refer to the following guides.

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

Gaming Benchmarks

With that said, our $2000 Gaming PC is a powerhouse that can handle all AAA titles at 1440p resolution with maximum settings. Furthermore, you can even crank up the resolution to 4K, and this PC will handle the games at decent frame rates without breaking a sweat.

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:

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 the one for you.

Also Read: Gaming PC Benchmarks 

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 and a monitor, etc. Well, 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, the rig we have built is quite capable of 4K gaming. However, do you plan to game on such a high resolution, or will you stay at 1440p? Because if you plan to game on 4K, then you’re going to need a 4K monitor, and those guys don’t come cheap. Furthermore, if you plan on playing some FPS shooters like CSGO, Valorant, COD, etc., then your monitor needs a high refresh rate, like 144Hz, to go along with your high framerates.

If you neither plan on playing 4K games nor are you interested in FPS gaming, then a 1440p panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and good color accuracy and response time should be the way to go. Similarly, for peripherals like keyboard, mouse, and headphones, you need to evaluate what kind of gaming you are after.

You will probably have to spend heavy bucks if you go after extreme gaming components. However, if you want to settle on casual gaming, then you will save a few dollars. Nevertheless, Tech4Gamers has covered a wide variety of peripherals; for more information on which one you should go for, be sure to check out our reviews.

There is one more expense you need to factor in when you’re building a gaming PC, and that is the Windows license. Although a Windows 11 license key is rather cheap when compared to how much you have spent on a PC. But, if you don’t have an old license key to use, then you will also have to purchase it.

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 that you don’t damage any component, especially since all of your parts are for a $2000 gaming PC.

Let’s briefly go over the factors you need to consider when planning a $2000 extreme gaming rig build.

Budget

Even though your budget is quite good at $2000, you still need to keep it in mind with every component you purchase. By that, we mean that despite having a high budget, you can still risk overspending on a single component, and if that happens, then you will have to cheap out on some other component to compensate for it.

Therefore, no matter what your budget is, you always need to consider the pricing of the components you’re going after. For more information, read our guide on How Much Does It Cost to Build A PC. 

Upgradability

Even though the PC we have built for $2000 is quite future-proof, after all, it uses all the latest gen components along with DDR5 RAM, but even when your budget is not high-end, you always need to go after future-proofing your rig.

PC gaming rigs have a huge edge over consoles when it comes to upgradable; you can just swap out a particular component with a newer variant and get a performance jump. However, all of this is only possible when your PC supports upgradability, and to achieve that, you need to go after compatible components.

Performance

It goes without saying that you need to keep the performance you want in mind when building your PC. Obviously, most people will say we need the best possible performance in a particular budget. However, it may not be as simple. 

For instance, if you are a video editor, then your $2000 PC build may not come with the same components we have selected. Both builds will offer great performance, but one of them has a different type of performance.

Not only that but even in gaming, there are different types of performance that you can go after. Maybe you need to build a racing simulator or a beast for FPS gaming; the point is, it all comes down to your use case. Therefore, you need to consider the type of performance you want and then proceed with the build.

Looks

This factor is quite subjective; hence, it comes down to your personal preference. Basically, if you are a fan of RGB or overall visually appealing gaming PCs, then you will have to go with the components that look good and go along with each other in terms of aesthetics. For instance, if you plan to build a white gaming PC like the one in the picture, then you will have to buy a white CPU cooler, a white PC case, and other white components.

On the other hand, if you want a no-nonsense PC that focuses only on the essentials like sheer performance, then you can skip this factor. One thing you should keep in mind is that looks come at a price. Therefore, all the good-looking components will come with a premium price tag.

Overclocking Potential

Even though the $2000 gaming PC we have built packs quite a powerful punch, if you want even more performance, then you will have to overclock it. Luckily, our rig has great overclocking potential, so you can take it up a notch safely.

However, if you plan on building your own rig and you want to overclock it, then you should select the components that can offer good overclocking potential. Meaning that you need to equip your build with a high-end cooler, a motherboard with good VRM, and a processor that supports overclocking.

In addition to that, most importantly, you need a high-quality PSU that can deliver the additional power.

Also Read: Best GPU Overclocking Software

Custom Built or Prebuilt

Since you’re currently planning your next gaming PC, you also need to consider the possibility of going with a prebuilt rig rather than a custom one. As their name suggests, prebuilt gaming PCs are available in different stores; you can just go and pick the one that falls within your budget.

However, prebuilt PCs are relatively more expensive than their custom-built counterparts. Therefore, if you don’t have the time to build your own rig and you just want a gaming PC as soon as possible, then you should go for a prebuilt rig.

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

On the other hand, custom gaming PCs are the exact opposite, with an entirely different target audience. Basically, if you have the technical expertise and the time, then you should definitely build your PC yourself. You will not only save some money, but you will also feel more connected to the rig you have built yourself. 

Tools Required

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

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

A Few Tips For Beginners

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 that the surface you are building on is flat and not uneven.
• Stay organized: The key to a successful PC build is organization; make sure you 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 grounded 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 thermal paste, as an inadequate amount of paste can cause overheating issues.

  

• Correct fan configuration: Always install the right amount of fans to have 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.

Why You Should Trust Tech4Gamers

For over a decade, Tech4Gamers has been a leading source of gaming and technology insights. As a result, our team of experienced writers has gained immense knowledge and expertise in the industry.

To ensure the utmost quality and authenticity, every writer on our team strives to produce the best possible content from the inception of Tech4Gamers to the present day. To achieve our goal, we thoroughly test and evaluate every product we review, providing our readers with unbiased and trustworthy recommendations.

Furthermore, we back up our claims with gaming benchmarks to help our readers understand the level of performance they can expect from their builds. Our coverage doesn’t stop at hardware reviews; we provide a wide range of technology news and guides to help our readers stay informed and troubleshoot common problems.

Thanks to our team’s hard work and dedication, we’ve earned the recognition of leading hardware manufacturers like Cooler Master, DeepCool, Corsair, GIGABYTE, and Noctua. These brands trust us to provide expert insights and reviews of their latest products.

At Tech4Gamers, we’re committed to staying on the cutting edge of gaming and technology advancements. To fulfill that, our team is constantly researching and testing new products to provide our readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information. We’re proud to be a trusted source of knowledge and advice for gamers and tech enthusiasts around the world.

Similarly, we hope that our guide on the Best Gaming PC Under $2000 offers you valuable information and helps you build your next gaming rig.