The Best $2500 Extreme 4K Gaming PC Build – May 2024
Game to the Extreme!
If you’re looking to play all the latest games on a 4K or ultra-wide monitor, you’re going to need extreme processing power. And that’s what the $2,500 Gaming PC Build delivers – every component has been selected with one and only one goal in mind: maximum high-resolution performance for $2,500, with a healthy dose of style thrown in!
This Month’s Build, Powered by AMD and Nvidia!
For May 2024, the $2,500 Gaming PC Build continues to feature AMD’s shockingly-fast Ryzen 7 7800X3D, an 8-core, 16-thread gaming masterpiece. It’s endowed with 3D V-cache, allowing it to beat every other CPU on the market, regardless of price – even Intel’s latest “14th-Gen” CPUs can’t top it. We figure if you’re interested in serious 4K gaming and not much else, you might as well optimize for maximum framerates! The 7800X3D is backing up a powerhouse of a GPU, the GeForce RTX 4080 Super 16GB, which equals AMD’s best in older games and offers far superior performance in the latest Ray Tracing titles and with DLSS enabled.
But this build is about more than just a fancy CPU and GPU. For starters, you’re getting an amazing 64GB of DDR5-6000 RAM (vs. 32GB in our lower-end builds) and a high-end 2TB PCIe Gen 4 solid-state drive. Defining the build is the high-airflow Phanteks G500A mesh case, in which you’ll be mounting a big liquid CPU cooler and a potent 850W Gold-rated power supply. In other words, this build is great in every way!
Parting Thoughts
We highlight our favorite accessories for this build in the optional components section at the end of this guide, including the best high-end peripherals and monitor. If you’re looking for more options, feel free to browse our Monitor Buyer’s Guide, Peripherals Buyer’s Guide, and Speaker/Headset Buyer’s Guide for all our favorite picks!
Throughout this guide, we provide direct links to Amazon or Newegg in the US, and our Amazon links will auto-convert for readers in other regions, including Canada, the UK, and parts of the EU, with substitutions made where necessary. To help support the continued development of this guide, please use the links we provide if you purchase products we recommend.
The Pre-Built Option
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The Ultra-High-End Gaming PC –
Empowered PC Mantis 7800X3D/RTX 4080 Super
$2450This pre-built PC is packed with premium components that will get you gaming at warp speed! These include AMD’s game-crushing Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-core processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super 16GB video card, and 32GB of RAM. In terms of storage, you’ll get a 1TB Gen 4 solid-state drive plus a 3TB hard drive. The system is built in a sleek RGB and glass case, and comes pre-loaded with Windows 11.This system will go toe-to-toe with the custom build we spec out below!
The DIY Build
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CPU –
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
$368 The Guru’s TipThis CPU doesn't come with a cooler, so make sure to pick up the powerful liquid cooler we list later in this guide.
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Motherboard –
ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi
$251 The Guru’s TipWe strongly recommend paying extra for a B650E board versus a B650 - the one benefit is the PCIe Gen 5 graphics card slot, and that's what you'll need for next-gen GPUs. The CPU in this system will still be able to push huge framerates in a few years, so having that upgrade path open is critical.
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Video Card –
PNY GeForce RTX 4080 Super 16GB Verto
$1000 The Guru’s TipWhile the competing Radeon RX 7900 XTX performs similarly in older games, the 4080 Super has a huge advantage in the latest titles, plus a superior suite of features.
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Memory –
G.Skill 2x32GB Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 CL30 EXPO
$215 The Guru’s TipThis RAM is the fastest kit you can run on this board's motherboard, leaving nothing on the table!
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Solid-State Drive –
WD_Black SN850X 2TB NVMe
$140 The Guru’s TipWhile a high-end Gen 4 drive isn't necessary for gaming, the performance of this blazing-fast model is hard to pass up!
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Case –
Phanteks Eclipse G500A Digital RGB
$130 The Guru’s TipThis case's ARGB lighting can be controlled via the motherboard.
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ARGB Fan –
ARCTIC P14 PWM PST A-RGB
$18 The Guru’s TipWhile it may seem like a small upgrade, mounting this to the rear of the case will vastly improve cooling performance.
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Power Supply –
SilverStone DA850R White
$115 The Guru’s TipThis PSU will easily handle the CPU and GPU in this system, which together will draw around 500W at max load.
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CPU Cooler –
SilverStone IceMyst 360
$137 The Guru’s TipYou'll be mounting this cooler to the top of the case, with the fans set to blow through the radiator and out of the system.
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Operating System –
Windows 11 Home (USB) @Newegg
$139 The Guru’s TipWin11 is what you want on a new system!
Optional Products
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The 32" 4K 144Hz Gamer's Dream Monitor –
LG 32GR93U
$598 The Guru’s TipThere's no better way to show off what your 4K gaming rig than with this awesome, value-packed 4K monitor!
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The Mechanical Gaming Keyboard –
Corsair K70 RGB Pro MX Red
$130 The Guru’s TipOnce you try a mechanical board, you'll never go back!
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The Ultralight Gaming Mouse –
Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro Wireless
$137 The Guru’s TipDownload the Synapse software to control parameters of this mouse.
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The Deluxe PC Headset –
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless
$132 The Guru’s TipThis offers sound quality on par with much more expensive headsets!
Total Cost: $2492
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Build
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D ($368)
- Motherboard – ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi ($251)
- Video Card – PNY GeForce RTX 4080 Super 16GB Verto ($1000)
- Memory – G.Skill 2x32GB Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 CL30 EXPO ($215)
- Solid-State Drive – WD_Black SN850X 2TB NVMe ($140)
- Case – Phanteks Eclipse G500A Digital RGB ($130)
- ARGB Fan – ARCTIC P14 PWM PST A-RGB ($18)
- Power Supply – SilverStone DA850R White ($115)
- CPU Cooler – SilverStone IceMyst 360 ($137)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home (USB) @Newegg ($139)