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The Best $1,000 Content Creation PC Build – September 2021

The Best $1,000 Content Creation PC Build – September 2021

By Ari Altman | Published September 2, 2021 | Updated September 2, 2021

SilverStone Fara B1Your 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. If you’re ready for a Content Creation 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’s Zen and Vega!

For September 2021, this build features AMD’s new and long-awaited Ryzen 7 5700G, an eight-core, 16-thread powerhouse of a CPU paired with integrated AMD Vega Graphics. It’s the ultimate tool for content creators on a budget. The built-in video is twice as fast as anything Intel can offer, and allows you to get up and running without worrying about the added expense of a separate video card

Keeping this system fed with data is 16GB of ultra-fast DDR4-3600 RAM, which will accelerate both CPU and GPU tasks, along with a responsive 1TB PCIe-based solid-state drive. The PC is housed in a stylish SilverStone mid-tower case and powered by an efficient 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, Newegg, or B&H 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

  • AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Click to Buy
    CPU –

    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G w/ Vega Graphics

    $359

    AMD’s Ryzen 7 5700G combines the best of all worlds, with its speedy 8-core/16-thread CPU powered by AMD’s Zen 3 architecture, along with the incredibly-fast integrated graphics powered by AMD’s Vega design.  It’s the ultimate one-stop-shop if you want extreme CPU performance and don’t want or need a separate video card!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This CPU includes the proven Wraith Stealth cooler, and to keep costs in check, we suggest you use it for this build.
  • Click to Buy
    Motherboard –

    MSI B550 Gaming Edge WiFi

    $190
    This feature-packed board gives you everything you need for a PC build at a great price. Dual M.2 PCIe slots for high-speed SSDs (the top slot being Gen 4), six USB ports (including a Type-C port), and built-in WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5. It also has the ample power delivery system required to support any Zen 3 processor.
    The Guru’s Tip

    You'll be able to output to two UHD displays simultaneously using this board's HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 ports in conjunction with AMD's Vega graphics on the CPU.
  • Click to Buy
    Memory –

    Crucial 2x8GB Ballistix DDR4-3600 C16 Black

    $85
    To get the most out of your PC Build, you want 16GB of RAM, and this kit comes in at a great price. But more importantly, with a combination of serious speed (3600MHz) and serious timings (16-18-18), this isn’t just a slow 3200 kit rebranded to sell at a higher price, it’s the real deal!
    The Guru’s Tip

    This ultra-fast RAM won't just help CPU performance, it will also unleash the onboard graphics, which uses system RAM in lieu of dedicated video RAM. Note that to reach the rated speed of this kit, make sure to enable the memory overclocking profile in the motherboard BIOS.
  • Click to Buy
    Solid-State Drive –

    XPG SX8200 Pro 1TB NVMe

    $110
    Harnessing the power of cutting-edge TLC V-NAND, the NVMe protocol, and the PCIe interface, this SSD is by far the fastest drive at its pricepoint. It can hit sequential speeds of up to 3500MB/s! Note that you’ll need a jeweler’s-type screwdriver to affix it.
    The Guru’s Tip

    While PCIe Gen 4 drives would work in this build, the premium for them is still far too high for a system in this price range.
  • Click to Buy
    Case –

    Silverstone Fara B1 RGB

    $70
    The bargain-priced case offers tremendous features and style for the price. It has dual 120mm RGB fans to provide cooling and modern looks, along with a tempered glass side panel, a sleekly-styled front panel with ample venting, plus three USB ports on top.
    The Guru’s Tip

    We used to recommend the standard single-fan version of this case, but this dual-fan version is now a better value and saves you the need to get another fan!
  • EVGA 550 G3
    Click to Buy
    Power Supply –

    EVGA SuperNOVA 550 G3

    $60

    EVGA’s SuperNOVA series offers exceptional performance at a great price, and has set the standard for high-end PSUs for years. The 550 G3 is a perfect example of that, offering up 550W of Gold-rated power, fully-modular cables, and a hybrid fan design that shuts off at low loads for silent operation. It’s also backed by an exceptional 7-year warranty.

    The Guru’s Tip

    While many lower-cost PSUs are of questionable quality, this is the real deal!
  • Click to Buy
    Operating System –

    Windows 10 Home USB Flash Drive

    $130
    Windows 10 was a big step up from Windows 8.1, and Microsoft continues to support Windows 10 users not only with regular security updates, but with major content releases every six months. And the USB version installs in under 5 minutes, meaning you can get right into using your system!
    The Guru’s Tip

    W10 on USB is becoming harder to find in stock, so if it's sold out, you buy it via download from the same product page. All you need is an 8GB or bigger flash drive to load the image onto.

Optional Products

  • Click to Buy
    The 32-inch 4K Monitor –

    LG 32UD60-B 4K

    $290
    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! It also includes a highly-adjustable stand for proper ergonomics.
    The Guru’s Tip

    The value this monitor offers to content creators can't be overstated!
  • Click to Buy
    The Basic Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Combo –

    Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo

    $25
    While you may have an old keyboard and mouse sitting in your desk, treat yourself to a new wireless setup from Logitech, the MK270!
    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 Budget Wireless PC Headset –

    ‎SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless

    $80

    SteelSeries has made a name for itself in the gaming headset world with its no-nonsense focus on performance. The Arctis 1 follows in this tradition with high-end drivers, lossless 2.4 GHz wireless for ultra-low latency wireless connectivity on both PC and PS4/PS5, a detachable bidirectional microphone, and 20 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!
  • Click to Buy
    Webcam –

    Logitech C925-e Webcam

    $80
    Need to do some teleconferencing? No problem, just pick up this high-quality USB webcam from Logitech!
    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.
  • Click to Buy
    The Basic PC Speakers –

    Creative Pebble 2.0

    $20
    Because desktop PCs, unlike laptops, don’t have internal speakers, we recommend you pick up Creative’s Pebble kit. Whether it’s music, You Tube videos, TV, or movies, Pebble will sound great.
    The Guru’s Tip

    Note that despite the name, these are far larger than a pebble!

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