The Tech Buyer's Guru

The Best $2000 High-End Content Creation PC Build – June 2022

The Best $2000 High-End Content Creation PC Build – June 2022

By Ari Altman | Published May 31, 2022 | Updated May 31, 2022

Seta A1Calling All Serious Content Creators!

If you’re looking to put together the ultimate video editing PC at a mainstream price, this is the guide for you! Rather than try to tweak gaming-focused builds to make them a better match for heavy Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and similar application use, just build one that’s designed for content creation from the start! Sure, you could game on this system, but the components have been chosen specifically to maximize application performance and minimize noise, which is what we think professional video editors will value the most.

This Month’s Build, Featuring Intel and Nvidia!

For June 2022, the High-End Content Creation build starts with the awesome Intel Core i9-12900 CPU, a 16-core, 24-thread powerhouse that leaves every AMD processor in the dust. Based on the incredible Alder Lake architecture, it’s massively fast in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. It’s simply the best pick for a Content Creation PC, thanks to its fantastic performance and relatively-low power use versus overclocking-focused models. For graphics, this system uses the potent Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 8GB card, which offers plenty of app acceleration capability along with simultaneous support for up to four 4K monitors!

Backing up the CPU and GPU is a whopping 64GB of high-speed DDR4-3600 RAM, meaning you’ll never run out of capacity. In terms of storage, we go with an ultra-fast 2TB PCIe 4.0 7000MB/s solid-state drive, offering extraordinary I/O throughput. To put the finishing touches on this build, we suggest you equip it with a Gold-rated fully-modular power supply, install it in the quiet, professionally-styled SilverStone Seta A1 case, and cool it with the Noctua NH-D15S tower cooler. This will give you a silent-running, workstation-class system. Learn more about many of these components and post your questions in our YouTube overview of an earlier version of this build.

Parting Thoughts

If you’re looking to complete your system, you’ll find our recommendations on the perfect peripherals for a content creation PC later on this page. We use Amazon and Newegg affiliate links for our readers in the US, and our Amazon links will auto-convert for our readers in the UK, Canada, and parts of the EU, with regional substitutions made automatically based on availability. To support this site, please use these links if you purchase any of the products we list.

Required Components

  • Intel Core i9-12900
    Click to Buy
    CPU –

    Intel Core i9-12900

    $530
    Intel reclaimed the performance lead with its 12th-Gen “Alder Lake” CPUs, and the 12900 is the CPU to get for extreme performance in professional applications. It handily beats the Ryzen 9 5900X and 5950X in traditional apps thanks to its incredible clockspeeds, and with its 8 multi-threaded performance cores plus 8 efficiency cores, it’s also a beast for content creation or multi-tasking! Note that the 12900 is significantly less expensive than its 12900K cousin, with the primary difference being a lack of overclocking capability in the 12900, but for professional apps, that’s just fine, because instability would cost money!
    The Guru’s Tip

    This CPU offers simply amazing content creation performance, and will be faster than AMD's best in most applications, including Photoshop and Premiere.
  • Gigabyte B660 Aorus Master
    Click to Buy
    Motherboard –

    Gigabyte B660 AORUS Master DDR4

    $190
    This feature-packed Socket 1700 board from Gigabyte is a perfect match for Intel’s latest CPUs. It offers a potent 16+1+1-phase VRM design with 60A power stage, three PCIe Gen 4 M.2 slots, a PCIe Gen 4 video card slot, ten USB ports (including a Type-C port), and integrated WiFi 6 plus 2.5Gbs LAN. It also has high-end audio using the Realtek ALC1220 codec. Note that it conforms to the DDR4 RAM standard, allowing the use of less expensive memory while maintaining similar performance to DDR5-based systems.
    The Guru’s Tip

    Those three M.2 slots are a huge benefit to space-constrained content creators... they'll offer plenty of opportunity for upgrades without scrapping your main drive!
  • MSI RTX 3050
    Click to Buy
    Video Card –

    MSI GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Gaming X

    $339
    The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers a cost-effective solution for gaming or content creation, and this model packs in additional value thanks to its highly-effective and ultra-quiet cooler.
    The Guru’s Tip

    This card has an HDMI 2.1 port and triple DisplayPort 1.4 outputs, meaning it can support up to four 4K monitors simultaneously, and it will provide a significant boost in rendering and other GPU-intensive tasks!
  • Viper Steel
    Click to Buy
    Memory –

    Patriot 2x32GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600

    $200
    This ultra-dense Viper Steel kit from Patriot allows you to push your RAM capacity to the max. It offers dual 32GB sticks, running at a fast 3600MHz with impressive 18-20-20 timings for excellent all-around performance on any platform!
    The Guru’s Tip

    We've made sure to select a motherboard that supports the DDR4 standard, rather than the newer DDR5 standard, which offers far less capacity per dollar.
  • WD Black SN850
    Click to Buy
    Solid-State Drive –

    WD_Black SN850 2TB NVMe

    $240
    The fastest M.2 drive on the planet…. many drives compete for that title, but the mighty SN850 is right at the top. Powered by amazingly-fast NAND flash, and maxing out the PCIe Gen 4 bus, it’s the one you want!
    The Guru’s Tip

    The insane speeds of this drive will be put to good use in a serious content creation machine. If you'd like to split out your OS and swap drive for even better throughput, just pick up two 1TB drives - the price will be about the same.
  • Click to Buy
    Case –

    SilverStone Seta A1 Silver

    $135
    The Seta A1 from SilverStone is a true watershed product in the case market. Designed around maximizing airflow while providing a professional exterior, the Seta A1 does something no other case can do: give you maximum performance, ultra-quiet operation, and a stylish aluminum front panel all in one package. The key to the A1’s excellent performance are the dual 200mm fans hidden behind that front panel, which spin at a maximum of just 800RPM, meaning they’re far quieter than typical 120mm fans, while producing tremendous airflow.
    The Guru’s Tip

    This case was originally designed as a gaming case, but its professional looks and ultra-quiet operation make it perfect for a content creation PC.
  • Phanteks Amp
    Click to Buy
    Power Supply –

    Phanteks AMP 650W Gold

    $80
    The AMP 650W from Phanteks offers exceptional performance at a great price. It features 650W of Gold-rated power, fully-modular cables, a low-noise fan design with zero-fan mode, and an ultra-compact form factor at just 140mm deep.
    The Guru’s Tip

    This PSU will operate right in its efficiency sweetspot when used with this system.
  • Noctua NH-D15S
    Click to Buy
    CPU Cooler –

    Noctua NH-D15S chromax.black

    $100
    For quiet and cool performance, there’s no better CPU cooler than the NH-D15S. It’s easy to install, comes with the best instructions and accessory package in the business, and runs in virtual silence. And the “chromax.black” version offers an updated all-black look.
    The Guru’s Tip

    Importantly, this cooler includes the required Intel Socket 1700 mounting bracket in the box, guaranteeing you can get up and running on day one!
  • Microsoft Windows 11
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    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

    Win 11 is definitely what you want on a system using an Intel Alder Lake CPU, which has a hybrid architecture that Win 10 couldn't manage properly!

Optional Products

  • Click to Buy
    Sound Card –

    Creative Sound Blaster AE-7

    $189
    If you’re serious about audio, you’ll want to add a dedicated sound card to your system. The AE-7 from Sound Blaster features an astounding 127db signal-to-noise ratio, an ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC, along with an Audio Control Module (ACM) that incorporates a built-in microphone array and mic/headphone I/O connections, plus a control knob to adjust the headphone levels.
    The Guru’s Tip

    While the motherboard we recommend has great onboard audio, stepping up to a dedicated sound card is a good choice if you do a lot of audio work.
  • Click to Buy
    The Ultimate Business Keyboard –

    Logitech MX Keys Wireless Illuminated Keyboard

    $120
    The sleek, full-featured keyboard is our top pick for serious office productivity use. The low-profile keys and metal frame give it a very professional look and feel, along with a solid typing experience. It also offers backlighting to make typing in the dimly-lit conditions easier, and being wireless, you can easily move it out of the way when you need more desk space. Finally, Logitech’s Flow Control software allows you to use it on multiple systems simultaneously!
    The Guru’s Tip

    Logitech really leapfrogged the competition when it released this keyboard, and no one is close to catching up!
  • Click to Buy
    The Deluxe Wireless Mouse –

    Logitech MX Master 3S

    $100
    Nothing can bog you down faster than a mouse tangled up on its cord. So we strongly recommend a wireless mouse, but not just any wireless mouse – the MX Master 3S from Logitech has an incredibly comfortable profile, ideal for use all day long, along with the most innovative scroll wheel ever to make its way onto a mouse. Its built-in battery will last up to 70 days before needing a charge, and the 3S can even track on glass, thanks to its highly-optimized 8000dpi sensor!
    The Guru’s Tip

    Perhaps the coolest feature of this mouse from a content creator's perspective is the Flow cross-computer control, which allows you to work seamlessly on three computers without the need for a KVM switch.
  • Click to Buy
    The Deluxe PC Headset –

    Corsair Virtuoso Wireless Headset

    $180
    Combining ultra-high-end performance with incredible comfort, this wireless headset from Corsair is the ideal all-day companion for listening to the latest market news. This headset also has an audiophile-grade microphone, perfect for teleconferencing. Free free to check out our full review right here!
    The Guru’s Tip

    We've used this as our daily driver since it was released, and we have no intention of ever giving it up!
  • LG32UN650
    Click to Buy
    The 32-inch Professional 4K Monitor –

    LG 32UN650-W

    $469
    This sleek monitor from LG features a 32″ IPS panel that can produce 95% of the DCI-P3 Color Gamut and is color calibrated from the factory. It’s nearly borderless for a sleek look and has a height-adjustable stand to provide great ergonomics.
    The Guru’s Tip

    We figure that any serious content creator is going to want a true 4K monitor rather than a standard or ultra-wide 1440p monitor.

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