The Tech Buyer's Guru

The Best $1000 Content Creation PC Build – November 2024

The Best $1000 Content Creation PC Build – November 2024

By Ari Altman | Published November 2, 2024 | Updated November 2, 2024

SilverStone Fara H1M Note: this build has been retired – please see our $1000 Stock Trading/Content Creation Build!

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

  • Ryzen 9
    Click to Buy
    CPU –

    AMD Ryzen 9 9900X

    $383
    AMD 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.

    The Guru’s Tip

    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.
  • B650M
    Click to Buy
    Motherboard –

    Gigabyte B650M Gaming Plus WiFi

    $140
    This 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.

    The Guru’s Tip

    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.
  • G.Skill Flare X5
    Click to Buy
    Memory –

    G.Skill 2x16GB Flare X5 DDR5-6000 CL30 EXPO

    $100
    To 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 kit is specially designed for AM5, thanks to the enhanced 30-38-38-96 AMD EXPO timings.

    The Guru’s Tip

    This kit's speed will provide a boost to both the CPU and its built-in video processor.
  • MP44
    Click to Buy
    Solid-State Drive –

    TeamGroup MP44 1TB PCIe 4.0

    $70
    The 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!

    The Guru’s Tip

    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!
  • SilverStone H1M
    Click to Buy
    Case –

    SilverStone Fara H1M

    $82
    This 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!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This compact and stylish case is perfect for a pro-level build!
  • GX2
    Click to Buy
    Power Supply –

    Thermaltake Toughpower GX2 80+ Gold 600W

    $68
    Thermaltake 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.

    The Guru’s Tip

    While many lower-cost PSUs are of questionable quality, this is the real deal!
  • Arctic Freezer 36
    Click to Buy
    CPU Cooler –

    Arctic Freezer 36

    $25
    Arctic’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 Guru’s Tip

    The CPU we recommend does not come with a cooler, so make sure to pick up this very capable model.
  • Microsoft Windows 11
    Click to Buy
    Operating System –

    Windows 11 Home (USB) @Newegg

    $139
    Windows 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.

    The Guru’s Tip

    Windows 11 is definitely what you want on a system running Intel's latest hybrid processors!

Optional Products

  • Logitech Wave Keys MK670
    Click to Buy
    The Ergonomic Keyboard / Mouse Combo –

    Logitech Wave Keys MK670 Combo

    $80
    This combo includes two great Logitech products at one great price. It starts with the Wave Keyboard, first released in 2009 (which we bought at launch and used for years!), and revolutionized in 2023 to make it even better. The ergonomic shape puts your hands in a natural position, avoiding an awkward bend of your arms. The Wave also has a supportive wrist rest that optimally raises your wrists, and finally, the uniquely narrow frame of the keyboard provides a keypad while still allowing you to keep your mouse close at hand, avoiding the shoulder issues that can come from reaching too far for your mouse. And while this keyboard can be bought alone, we recommend getting it in a discounted combo with the 500 L mouse, sculpted for a comfortable grip by right-handers. Both peripherals connect wirelessly to your PC with a single tiny Bolt USB receiver. Note that if you want to try something totally different, go with Logitech’s Lift mouse, which turns the mouse sideways to do for mice what the Wave does for keyboards by placing your wrist in the most natural position possible.

    The Guru’s Tip

    This wireless kit uses a single USB receiver for both devices, freeing up a port for other USB peripherals.
  • Click to Buy
    The Deluxe PC Speakers –

    Logitech Z207 Multi Device Speakers

    $50
    Logitech’s Z207 speakers sound and look great without taking up much space. They’ll also work with any Bluetooth audio device, so you can switch over to phone or tablet audio with the push of a button. Logitech has packed a ton of value into this slimline speaker kit!

    The Guru’s Tip

    These stylish speakers will be a great way to demo all your content!
  • LG32UN650
    Click to Buy
    The 32-inch 4K Monitor –

    LG 32UP83AK-W

    $395
    Looking for the best high-end content creation monitor available at a bargain price? This is it! It gives you a great view of your desktop, thanks to its massive 32″ 4K panel, and the IPS technology with HDR10 capability ensures great viewing angles, crisp colors, and bright whites! It also includes a highly-adjustable stand for proper ergonomics. It will even charge a laptop or other accessory at up to 60W via its USB-C port!

    The Guru’s Tip

    The value this monitor offers to content creators can't be overstated!
  • Click to Buy
    Webcam –

    Logitech C920x Pro HD Webcam

    $69
    Need to use your PC for video conferencing? No problem! Just add this high-quality 1080p webcam from Logitech, which includes a built-in microphone. Just remember that if your monitor doesn’t have built-in speakers, you’ll also need stand-alone speakers for web conferencing to work. We’re amazed at the number of people who use headphones for video conferencing when it’s so much more professional to use gear attached to your PC, rather than your head!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This 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.
  • Nova 5
    Click to Buy
    The Budget Wireless PC Headset –

    ‎SteelSeries Nova 5 Wireless

    $109
    SteelSeries has made a name for itself in the gaming headset world with its no-nonsense focus on performance. The Nova 5 follows in this tradition with high-end drivers, lossless 2.4 GHz wireless for ultra-low latency wireless connectivity on PC, plus Bluetooth 5.3 for PS4/PS5, and mobile, an extendable ClearCast microphone, and an incredible 60 hours of battery life.

    The Guru’s Tip

    We really value wireless connectivity on headsets when doing content creation, as we're never at our desk for too long!