The Tech Buyer's Guru

The Best $2,000 High-End Content Creation PC Build – June 2021

The Best $2,000 High-End Content Creation PC Build – June 2021

By Ari Altman | Published June 9, 2021 | Updated June 11, 2021

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, and it would actually do a really great job at it, 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.

For June 2021, you won’t find a better High-End Content Creation PC $2,000 than the one we’ve spec’d in this guide. Headlining this build is the awesome AMD Ryzen 9 5900X CPU, a 12-core, 24-thread powerhouse that leaves Intel in the dust. Based on the incredible Zen 3 architecture, it’s both massively fast and extraordinarily efficient. Backing it up is 32GB of ultra-high-speed DDR4-3600 RAM, which will make the most of the Zen 3 platform. In terms of storage, we go with dual 1TB PCIe 4.0 solid-state drives for extraordinary I/O throughput. The main drive is the Samsung 980 Pro, which offers over 7,000MB/s sequential operations, and the secondary drive is the Sabrent Rocket 4.0, which offers a still insane 5,000MB/s, and will be more than fast enough as a swap file drive or working file drive. In the graphics department, this system uses an Nvidia GeForce card with HDMI 2.0 for full UHD (4K) output. 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 ultra-quiet, professionally-styled SilverStone Seta A1 case, and cool it the premium Scythe Fuma 2 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:

For extra help building your PC, check out our detailed Guide to Assembling a Ryzen PC. And 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.

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Required Components

  • Click to Buy
    CPU –

    AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

    $681

    AMD had already taken the lead against Intel in the multi-core race with its Zen 2 processors, and then it went and blew the lid off with its Zen 3 processors. The Ryzen 9 5900X is a fire-breathing 12-core, 24-thread processor that is both the world’s best gaming CPU and the best value among high-end content creation CPUs. Truly one CPU to rule them all!

    The Guru’s Tip

    We think this CPU offers the absolute best value in an ultra-high-end processor, and will in fact be faster than the previous-gen 3950X 16-core in most applications, including Photoshop and Premiere.
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    Motherboard –

    Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite WIFI

    $210

    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 (both being Gen 4), ten USB ports, and built-in  802.11ac networking and Bluetooth. It also has the ample power delivery system required to support a high-powered CPU.

    The Guru’s Tip

    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 (both being Gen 4, one of which you'll be using for this build's SSD), ten USB ports, and built-in  802.11ac networking and Bluetooth. It also has the ample power delivery system required to support a high-powered CPU.
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    Video Card –

    ASUS GeForce GT 1030 2GB Phoenix @Newegg

    $140

    For video output at up to 4K/60Hz via its HDMI 2.0 port, plus a moderate level of app acceleration, this GT 1030 2GB is a great choice. It has a large cooler for a card at this level, meaning it will run cool and quiet.

    The Guru’s Tip

    It goes without saying that this is also one of the very few GPUs you'll find at retail at any price, so even if you'd like to upgrade later on, this will get your content creation PC running with one UHD monitor now, which means you can get to work!
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    Memory –

    Crucial 2x16GB Ballistix DDR4-3600 C16 White @Newegg

    $188

    For this build, you need lots of high-speed RAM, and this 32GB DDR4-3600 kit will do the trick! It not only offers a high frequency, but also has tight 16-18-18 timings that most other 3600 kits can only dream of. Just note that being a commodity, RAM is highly susceptible to price fluctuations, and we are witnessing a pretty rapid increase in prices right now.

    The Guru’s Tip

    This kit offers high-frequency operation (3600MHz) plus tight timings, which will make the most of the AMD Zen 3 platform.
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    Solid-State Drive –

    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB

    $200
    For storage, head straight for the 980 Pro 1TB drive from Samsung. It uses the new PCIe 4.0 interface provided on this system’s motherboard to massively accelerate I/O operations. But this isn’t just any PCIe Gen 4 drive, it’s the fastest PCIe Gen 4 drive!
    The Guru’s Tip

    This drive offers sequential transfer speeds of up to 7000MB/s, the highest you'll find on any SSDs currently on the market! 
  • Click to Buy
    Solid-State Drive –

    Sabrent 1TB Rocket PCIe 4.0

    $160
    The Rocket PCIe 4.0, which blows past previous PCIe Gen3-based drives by harnessing the power of the PCIe 4.0 interface, is an absolute bargain of a high-end drive. The Rocket can hit up to 5,000MB/s in sequential operations!
    The Guru’s Tip

    This would be a great drive for use as a swap file drive, or to store working files.
  • Click to Buy
    Case –

    SilverStone Seta A1 Titanium

    $128
    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

    Learn more about this case in our YouTube overview, shown at the top of this guide.
  • Click to Buy
    Power Supply –

    SilverStone ET700-MG

    $92
    This awesome fully-modular 700W Gold-rated unit is easy to find in stock most days, unlike most other competing models, so grab it while you can! It provides plenty of power for this system, along with great efficiency and low noise levels.
    The Guru’s Tip

    Thanks to this PSU's modular cables, you'll be able to keep your build's interior much neater, as most cables won't be used.
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    CPU Cooler –

    Scythe Fuma 2

    $60
    Offering amazing performance thanks to its big heatsink and dual 120mm fans, along with excellent compatibility thanks to its offset design, this is our favorite cooler at any price.
    The Guru’s Tip

    We really like this cooler more than larger coolers due to the fact that it doesn't block RAM slots and because it's so easy to install, despite being just as powerful!
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    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

    This USB 3.0 version of W10 will load in under 5 minutes!

Optional Products

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    Sound Card –

    Creative Sound Blaster AE-7

    $210
    If you’re serious about audio production and playback, you’ll want 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 Creative Sound Blaster cards of years past have gotten a bad reputation for driver support, this model, released in 2019, is totally up-to-date and designed specifically for Windows 10.
  • Click to Buy
    Keyboard –

    Logitech G815 Mechanical Keyboard (Linear)

    $197
    This groundbreaking keyboard combines the responsiveness of a true mechanical switch with a slim, professional design that doesn’t scream “gamer!” It’s quite simply the only keyboard of its kind, and it’s our new favorite. It comes in three models: linear (quietest), tactile (with feedback), and clicky (audible click).
    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 3

    $100
    Nothing can bog you down faster when in the midst of a quick trade than a mouse tangled up on its cord. So we strongly recommend a wireless mouse, but not just any wireless mouse – the MX Master 3 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 it can even track on glass!
    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.
    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!
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    The 32-inch Professional 4K Monitor –

    ViewSonic VP3268-4K PRO

    $736
    Want to pair your productivity rig with a stunning monitor? Look no further than the awesome VP3268-4K PRO from Viewsonic, a 32″ 4K IPS  monitor that achieves 100% Rec. 709 and sRGB color space, while also offering HDR10 certification!
    The Guru’s Tip

    This model even allows for hardware color calibration, should you need it for your photography work or graphic design.