The Best $1250 Quiet Gaming PC Build – July 2022
Game Hard, Run Silent!
Want a high-powered Quiet Gaming PC Build that delivers an excellent gaming experience while running in near silence? Then the $1,250 Quiet Gaming PC Build is the system for you! Every component has been chosen to maximize performance in both games and applications, while minimizing noise.
This Month’s Build, Powered by Intel and AMD!
For July 2022, the Quiet Gaming PC Build gets another round of upgrades, starting with Intel’s cutting-edge Alder Lake platform. In this build, we’re going for the Core i5-12400F 6-core, 12-thread CPU, which offers unbeatable performance for the price. It’s supporting the equally-amazing AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT 12GB video card, which after a recent price cut is a must-have upgrade versus the 6600 XT we previously recommended! This combo can handle resolutions up to 2560 x 1440 with ease, and the GPU is also very quiet thanks to its excellent efficiency and cooler.
As for the other components, the Quiet Gaming PC Build is loaded up with 16GB of DDR4-3600 RAM, a 1TB NVMe solid-state drive, a silent CPU cooler, and an ultra-efficient power supply. Bringing it all together is the stylish NZXT H510 tempered glass case.
Parting Thoughts
We also list a few of our favorite accessories to complete the Quiet Gaming PC build, including a responsive keyboard, a great low-cost mouse, and an excellent 165Hz gaming monitor, but feel free to check out our dedicated Monitor Buyer’s Guide and Peripherals Buyer’s Guide for more options.
We update this build on a monthly basis to incorporate new product releases or major price adjustments, so check back often. Throughout our guides, we provide direct shopping links to Amazon for our readers in the US, which will auto-convert for readers in other countries, including Canada, the UK, and parts of the EU, with automatic substitutions made where necessary. Your use of these links helps keep this guide alive!
The Pre-Built Option
-
The High-End Gaming PC –
Skytech Archangel 12400F/RTX 3060
$1280HOT DEAL! If you don’t want to build your own, Skytech has the answer in its Archangel gaming desktop! This tower comes equipped with the potent Intel Core i5-12400F 6-core, 12-thread CPU, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 3060 12GB video card, plus a 1TB PCIe solid-state drive and 16GB of DDR4-3200 RAM.While not quite as fast as our DIY build spec'd out below, there's no shame in picking this up if you're not ready to build, as the price is great!
The DIY Build
-
CPU –
Intel Core i5-12400F
$170 The Guru’s TipThis CPU comes with a cooler, but we recommend a much quieter aftermarket model later in this guide.
-
Motherboard –
MSI PRO B660-A DDR4
$150 The Guru’s TipThis board has video outputs, but they will be disabled in this build. You will connect the monitor to the video card.
-
Video Card –
PowerColor Radeon RX 6700 XT 12GB Red Devil
$470 The Guru’s TipThis card offers not only tremendous value, but also a color scheme to match this build's case!
-
Memory –
Patriot 2x8GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 17-19-19
$65 The Guru’s TipThe motherboard we recommend supports high-speed RAM like this kit.
-
Solid-State Drive –
Silicon Power 1TB NVMe
$70 The Guru’s TipThis drive will fit into one of the two M.2 slots on the motherboard, leaving another slot free for future upgrades!
-
Case –
NZXT H510 Red/Black
$90 The Guru’s TipThe solid steel front panel will keep this system running very quiet. We happen to like the red and black version for its extra style, but feel free to get the standard all-black version.
-
Power Supply –
EVGA SuperNOVA 550 GA
$55 The Guru’s TipThis quality power supply is selling for far less than its competitors!
-
CPU Cooler –
Arctic Freezer 34 eSports w/ 1700 Kit
$40 The Guru’s TipThe CPU we recommend for this build includes a cooler, but you'll want this one to keep things quiet!
-
Operating System –
Windows 11 Home USB
$139 The Guru’s TipIt took a while for Microsoft to launch Win11 at retail after making it available as an upgrade to existing users, but now that it's here, it's what you want on your new PC!
Optional Products
-
Wireless Card –
TP-Link Archer T5E AC1200/Bluetooth 4.2
$34 The Guru’s TipInstall this card in one of the lower PCIe x1 slots on the motherboard.
-
The 24-inch 165Hz Gaming Monitor –
Asus VG248QG
$189 The Guru’s TipConnect this monitor via DisplayPort to take advantage of its high refresh rate.
-
The Budget Gaming Keyboard –
Corsair K55 RGB Pro
$44 The Guru’s TipTo set the keyboard's backlighting, you'll want to download Corsair's iCUE software.
-
The Pro Gaming Mouse –
Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed Wireless
$37 The Guru’s TipAvoid all the knock-off brands that often top the sales charts - they won't come close to offering the same performance and quality.
-
The Mainstream Gaming Headset –
Corsair HS60 Pro Surround
$55 The Guru’s TipThe HS60 Pro Surround offers up a virtual 7.1 Surround mode via an included USB adapter.
Total Cost: $1249
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Build
- CPU – Intel Core i5-12400F ($170)
- Motherboard – MSI PRO B660-A DDR4 ($150)
- Video Card – PowerColor Radeon RX 6700 XT 12GB Red Devil ($470)
- Memory – Patriot 2x8GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 17-19-19 ($65)
- Solid-State Drive – Silicon Power 1TB NVMe ($70)
- Case – NZXT H510 Red/Black ($90)
- Power Supply – EVGA SuperNOVA 550 GA ($55)
- CPU Cooler – Arctic Freezer 34 eSports w/ 1700 Kit ($40)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products
- Wireless Card – TP-Link Archer T5E AC1200/Bluetooth 4.2 ($34)
- The 24-inch 165Hz Gaming Monitor – Asus VG248QG ($189)
- The Budget Gaming Keyboard – Corsair K55 RGB Pro ($44)
- The Pro Gaming Mouse – Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed Wireless ($37)
- The Mainstream Gaming Headset – Corsair HS60 Pro Surround ($55)