The Best $1000 Content Creation PC Build – November 2024
Your Ticket to Pro-Level Content Creation on a Budget!
Looking for the best video editing/content creation PC build you can buy for $1,000? You just found it! While content creation isn’t anything new, in the past it’s been the domain of agencies that could invest in a fleet of overpriced Mac Pros. For all you folks doing content creation at home or on the side, money spent on an overpriced content creation PC comes straight out of your bottom line.
But there’s no need to overspend! This guide will set you up with a PC build perfect for video or photo editing that provides excellent performance, quiet operation, and ease of assembly, all at a great price. And take note, this build also serves as our top recommendation for a Stock Trading PC at the $1000 pricepoint. In short, if you’re ready for a PC build that can handle any professional task you could throw at it, follow this guide to get the best component picks.
This Month’s Build, Powered by AMD!
For November 2024, this system continues to feature AMD’s ultra-fast Ryzen 9 9900X 12-core, 24-thread CPU, which beats Intel in terms of performance per dollar, while also using far less power, meaning it runs cooler. AMD also gives you a much more future-proof platform, which it will support for years to come. Finally, the 9900X has integrated AMD graphics, making it the ultimate tool for content creators on a budget. You can get up and running without worrying about the added expense of a separate video card, which would eat up far too much of a $1,000 budget, cutting into overall performance.
Keeping this system fed with data is 32GB of fast DDR5-6000 RAM, which will accelerate both CPU and GPU tasks, along with a high-speed 1TB Gen 4 solid-state drive that’s perfect for content creation use. The PC is housed in a stylish SilverStone micro-ATX case, utilizes a quiet tower cooler from Arctic, and is powered by an efficient and capable power supply.
Parting Thoughts
If you need a monitor or peripherals, we have some great recommendations for you at the end of this guide, but you can also check out our dedicated monitor buyer’s guide and peripherals buyer’s guide. Note that throughout our this and all of our guides, we provide direct links to Amazon or Newegg for our US readers, and our Amazon links will auto-convert for readers in the UK, Canada, and a number of countries in the EU, with substitutions made based on availability. To support this site, please use these links if you purchase any of the products we list.
Required Components
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CPU –
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
$383AMD has done it again with Zen 5, improving performance in all respects over the previous generation. The 12-core, 24-thread Ryzen 9 9900X is up to 15% faster than its predecessor, while offering even better efficiency.Note that because the 9900X is so new, it's likely you'll need to perform a firmware update to the motherboard prior to booting the CPU up. Luckily this is made easy by the Q-Flash feature, which allows you to load the firmware onto a USB drive on another computer and then install it on your motherboard without needing to boot up.
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Motherboard –
Gigabyte B650M D3HP AX
$130This AM5-based micro-ATX motherboard offers a lot in a compact package. It has two expansion slots, dual M.2 slots, six USB ports (including a Type-C port), four DDR5 RAM slots, and built-in 802.11ax wireless networking.You'll be able to output to three UHD displays simultaneously using this board's HDMI 2.1 and dual DisplayPort 1.4 ports in conjunction with the graphics built into the CPU.
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Memory –
TeamGroup 2x16GB T-Create Expert DDR5-6000 CL30 EXPO
$85To get the most out of AMD’s latest CPUs, you want fast RAM, and DDR5-6000 is the sweetspot not only in terms of price, but in terms of the AM5 platform. It allows for the highest overall performance thanks to running in 1:1 sync with the memory controller. And this T-Create kit is specially designed for AM5, thanks to the enhanced 30-36-36-76 AMD EXPO timings.This kit's speed will provide a boost to both the CPU and its built-in video processor.
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Solid-State Drive –
TeamGroup MP44 1TB PCIe 4.0
$69The MP44 PCIe 4.0, which blows past previous PCIe Gen3-based drives by harnessing the power of the PCIe Gen4 interface, is an absolute bargain of a high-end drive. It can hit up to 7,400MB/s in sequential operations, practically maxing out the Gen4 interface!This is priced like many PCIe Gen 3 drives, but provides a huge boost in performance for content creators who need fast storage on a budget!
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Case –
SilverStone Fara H1M
$67This stylish, modern mATX case offers great performance and flexibility in a compact package. Mesh panels provide great airflow and plentiful fan-mounting positions. On top you’ll find three USB ports plus microphone and headphone jacks, and on the side is a tempered glass panel that offers great views of the interior. All in all, this case is amazing for the price!This compact and stylish case is perfect for a pro-level build!
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Power Supply –
Thermaltake Toughpower GX2 80+ Gold 600W
$64Thermaltake offers a ton of value in its GX line, and this model is no exception. You get 600W of Gold-rated power, a quiet 120mm fan, and a solid 5-year warranty.While many lower-cost PSUs are of questionable quality, this is the real deal!
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CPU Cooler –
Arctic Freezer 36
$25Arctic’s Freezer line has always punched way above its price class, and the 36 takes it to a whole new level. Featuring dual high-performance P12 fans with hydraulic bearings, it’s both quiet and capable. It uses an innovative click-in fan mounting system to ease installation, and to top it off, the 36 comes with MX-6 thermal paste, some of the best in the business!The CPU we recommend does not come with a cooler, so make sure to pick up this very capable model.
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Operating System –
Windows 11 Home (USB) @Newegg
$139Windows 11 built on everything people loved about Windows 10, and then took it to 11! It adds significant under-the-hood changes to make it faster and more secure, and of course, the interface is sleek too! Note that we’re linking to Newegg, because Amazon long ago stopped selling this physical USB version of Windows, which is the most convenient one to use.Windows 11 is definitely what you want on a system running Intel's latest hybrid processors!
Optional Products
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The Ergonomic Keyboard / Mouse Combo –
Logitech Wave Keys MK670 Combo
$80 The Guru’s TipThis wireless kit uses a single USB receiver for both devices, freeing up a port for other USB peripherals.
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The Deluxe PC Speakers –
Logitech Z207 Multi Device Speakers
$59 The Guru’s TipThese stylish speakers will be a great way to demo all your content!
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The 32-inch 4K Monitor –
LG 32UP83A-W
$400 The Guru’s TipThe value this monitor offers to content creators can't be overstated!
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Webcam –
Logitech C920x Pro HD Webcam
$70 The Guru’s TipThis has a microphone built in, but in order to teleconference, you'll still need headphones to hear, or alternatively speakers, such as the ones below.
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The Budget Wireless PC Headset –
SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless
$95 The Guru’s TipWe really value wireless connectivity on headsets when doing content creation, as we're never at our desk for too long!
Total Cost: $966
Required Components
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 9 9900X ($383)
- Motherboard – Gigabyte B650M D3HP AX ($130)
- Memory – TeamGroup 2x16GB T-Create Expert DDR5-6000 CL30 EXPO ($85)
- Solid-State Drive – TeamGroup MP44 1TB PCIe 4.0 ($69)
- Case – SilverStone Fara H1M ($67)
- Power Supply – Thermaltake Toughpower GX2 80+ Gold 600W ($64)
- CPU Cooler – Arctic Freezer 36 ($25)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home (USB) @Newegg ($139)
Optional Products
- The Ergonomic Keyboard / Mouse Combo – Logitech Wave Keys MK670 Combo ($80)
- The Deluxe PC Speakers – Logitech Z207 Multi Device Speakers ($59)
- The 32-inch 4K Monitor – LG 32UP83A-W ($400)
- Webcam – Logitech C920x Pro HD Webcam ($70)
- The Budget Wireless PC Headset – SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless ($95)