The Tech Buyer's Guru

The Best $1500 High-End Gaming PC Build – October 2022

The Best $1500 High-End Gaming PC Build – October 2022

By Ari Altman | Published September 29, 2022 | Updated September 29, 2022

Corsair 4000DYour Ticket to High-End Gaming!

Do you want to build the best high-end gaming PC possible for $1,500? Then you’ve come to the right place! The build we profile here offers the best balance of CPU and GPU power you’ll find in any build on the ‘Net, along with high-end yet cost-effective parts in every other category. The goal: maximum frames per dollar without skimping on the stuff everyone else does, like a quality power supply and a big solid-state drive. The last thing you want is a hot rod engine in an old beater chassis, so we make sure your gaming PC build checks off all the boxes!

This Month’s Build, featuring Intel and AMD!

For October 2022, the $1,500 High-End Gaming PC Build harnesses the power of the Intel Core i5-12400 six-core, 12-thread CPU to drive an absolute beast of a GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB. Yes, there are newer CPUs from AMD and Intel, but the 12400 undercuts them all by at least $100, money we allocate to the RX 6800 XT. You’ll be infinitely better off in games with this setup versus a cheaper GPU and a more expensive CPU!

But this build is about more than just that mighty GPU. It is also equipped with a fast 1TB PCIe solid-state drive and 16GB of high-speed DDR4-3600 RAM. For the case, we recommend a sleek tempered glass model from Corsair, which is the best-selling case on the market for good reason! Finally, the build is anchored by a Gold-rated 650W power supply.

Parting Thoughts

If you want to accessorize your new build, check out our top keyboard, mouse, and monitor recommendations at the end of this build guide. We update this build monthly, as prices and components in this market change quite frequently, and a few dollars here or there could buy you a lot of performance. Throughout our guides, we provide links to Amazon for our US readers, which will auto-convert for readers in Canada, the UK, and parts of the EU, with substitutions made based on regional availability. Your use of these links helps support this site, allowing us to continue to update this guide regularly.

The Pre-Built Option

  • Skytech Shiva
    Click to Buy
    The High-End Gaming PC –

    Skytech Shiva 5600X/RTX 3070

    $1500
    This system punches way above its price class thanks to the GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GPU is comes equipped with. Also on board is the potent AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 6-core, 12-thread CPU, 16GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, and a 1TB solid-state drive. It’s all wrapped up in the stylish In Win 101 chassis.
    The Guru’s Tip

    This system is a great choice if you're not quite ready to build your own!

The DIY Build

  • Intel Core i5
    Click to Buy
    CPU –

    Intel Core i5-12400

    $194
    The 12th-Gen “Alder Lake” CPUs are Intel’s most impressive release in a decade, and the Core i5-12400 offers the best value not only among Alder Lake CPUs, but among any CPU ever released! Packing in 6 performance cores and 6 additional threads, it can easily beat any CPU at its pricepoint, and competes with AMD (and older Intel) CPUs that cost 25-50% more.
    The Guru’s Tip

    While AMD and Intel have both announced next-gen processors, they start at $300, and honestly don't make sense for a build at this pricepoint. The name of the game is getting a good CPU and a massive GPU inside, and that's what we've spec'd for this system!
  • Gigabyte Z690 UD AX
    Click to Buy
    Motherboard –

    Gigabyte Z690 UD AX DDR4

    $180
    Gigabyte as usual packs tons of value into its Ultra-Durable “UD” series motherboard, and this Socket 1700 model is a perfect match for Intel’s latest CPUs. It features three PCIe Gen 4 M.2 slots, a PCIe Gen 5 video card slot, ten USB ports (including a Type-C port), and integrated WiFi 6 and 2.5Gbps LAN. Note that it conforms to the DDR4 RAM standard, allowing the use of less expensive memory while maintaining similar performance versus DDR5 RAM.
    The Guru’s Tip

    This board will allow you to upgrade down the line to any more expensive 13th-gen processor you wish, while rocking out now on a system at a great pricepoint.
  • XFX RX 6800 XT
    Click to Buy
    Video Card –

    XFX Radeon RX 6800 XT SWFT319 16GB

    $621
    The Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB has impressive gaming power, beating the RTX 3080 10GB, at a much lower pricepoint. And this stylish model has a massive triple-fan, triple-slot cooler to keep boost at maximum levels!
    The Guru’s Tip

    The 6800 XT debuted at an MSRP of $650, and was considered an incredible deal at that pricepoint. It's now below that price, which makes the deal even sweeter!
  • G.Skill RipjawsV
    Click to Buy
    Memory –

    G.Skill 2x8GB Ripjaws V DDR4-3600 16-19-19

    $76
    To get the most out of DDR4 memory, you want high frequencies, and G.Skill’s Ripjaws V 2x8GB DDR4-3600 CL16 kit delivers! DDR4-3600 is the sweet spot in terms of compatibility with the majority of DDR4-based systems, but most kits have weak timings. This one, on the other hand, is the real deal: 16-19-19 at 1.35V, to be exact.
    The Guru’s Tip

    This kit will max out the performance of the DDR4-based motherboard we recommend!
  • WD Blue SN570
    Click to Buy
    Solid-State Drive –

    WD Blue SN570 1TB NVMe

    $80
    WD knocked it out of the park with its high-performance yet bargain-priced SN570. Optimized for excellent real-world performance thanks to WD’s years of SSD development, it easily keeps up with much more expensive drives. This 1TB model can provide sequential read speeds of 3500MB/s and write speeds of 3500MB/s. Note that you’ll need a jeweler’s-type screwdriver to affix it.
    The Guru’s Tip

    While the 1TB NVMe market is very competitive, this drive clearly stands above the rest in terms of performance per dollar!
  • Click to Buy
    Case –

    Corsair 4000D Airflow

    $95
    The 4000D is simply the best performance-oriented case you can get for the money, thanks to its fantastic airflow design, dual 120mm fans, and a plenty of builder-friendly touches, like excellent cable routing, captive screws, and plenty of fan mounts.
    The Guru’s Tip

    This is the best selling case in the US, passing up the long-running record holder, the NZXT H510!
  • SilverStone ET650-G
    Click to Buy
    Power Supply –

    Silverstone ET650-G

    $76
    This PSU offers top-notch quality and Gold-rated efficiency. With 650W of power on tap, this unit has plenty of headroom to keep this system going for years, even with significant upgrades.
    The Guru’s Tip

    SilverStone is undercutting the competition, while giving you the quality that no-name brands can't!
  • ID-Cooling SE-226-XT
    Click to Buy
    CPU Cooler –

    ID-COOLING SE-226-XT

    $45
    This cooler is the perfect pick for a mainstream PC Build. It offers robust cooling potential and nearly-silent operation thanks to an excellent fan blade design. And despite its hefty heatsink, it clears the RAM slots perfectly due to an offset setup.
    The Guru’s Tip

    While the CPU we recommend comes with a cooler, you'll be a whole lot happier with this much quieter, more powerful model. And of course, it comes with the socket 1700 bracket you need for Intel's latest processors!
  • Microsoft Windows 11
    Click to Buy
    Operating System –

    Windows 11 Home USB

    $139
    Windows 11 take everything people loved about Windows 10, and then takes 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!
    The Guru’s Tip

    It took Microsoft a while to launch the retail version of Win11 after releasing the upgrade version, but now that it's here, this is what you want on your new PC build!

Optional Products

  • K55 Pro
    Click to Buy
    The Budget Gaming Keyboard –

    Corsair K55 RGB Pro

    $50
    Pick up a great keyboard at a great price with the K55. It offers IP42-rated dust and spill resistance, zoned RGB backlighting, dedicated macro and media keys, plus quiet keys with a tactile bump to provide great feedback with low noise levels!
    The Guru’s Tip

    The lighting on this model can be controlled via the iCUE software.
  • Click to Buy
    The Pro Gaming Mouse –

    Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed Wireless

    $35
    Offering cutting-edge performance, there’s nothing like the Basilisk X for anywhere near the price. Ultra-sensitive sensor, Razer’s awesome HyperSpeed wireless system, and perfect ergonomics. It’s a great mouse!
    The Guru’s Tip

    Remember, you're getting a great wireless mouse for the same price as many wired mice.
  • HP X27Q
    Click to Buy
    The 27" 2560x1440 Gaming Monitor –

    HP X27q

    $250
    HP has taken over the value high-end gaming monitor market with the X27q. Didn’t think you could get value in a high-end monitor? Think again! The X27q offers all the specs you could want: a 27″ 2560×1440 IPS panel capable of a 165Hz refresh rate, enhanced with FreeSync Premium frame-syncing technology. Previously, you couldn’t get anything but an inferior TN panel for this price. The X27q even has a height-adjustable stand, which we consider critical for a high-end monitor, making this a flat-out winner!
    The Guru’s Tip

    This monitor will let you get the most out of your new high-end gaming PC!
  • Corsair HS65
    Click to Buy
    The Mainstream Gaming Headset –

    Corsair HS65 Surround

    $70
    If you need a good headset at an unbeatable price, we recommend Corsair’s excellent HS65 Surround headset. Light, comfortable, and stylish without being in your face, it’s a great headset for gaming, and can even be used with mobile devices that have a 3.5mm analog jack.
    The Guru’s Tip

    To provide surround effects, this headset uses a USB adapter, which you connect in line with the attached 3.5mm audio plug.

Pin It on Pinterest