The Tech Buyer's Guru

The Best $2,000 Premium Gaming PC Build – June 2021

The Best $2,000 Premium Gaming PC Build – June 2021

By Ari Altman | Published June 13, 2021 | Updated June 15, 2021

Critical Update: if you actually want to start gaming on a new PC any time before Fall 2021, you have two options: try to grab one of the few pre-built PCs still for sale, or build up a PC using an older GPU you have on hand. That’s because GPUs are sold out worldwide due to the latest cryptocurrency mining crisis. We present both options to you in this guide.

Looking to build the best gaming PC possible for $2,000? This is it! Incredibly stylish, ultra-quiet, and most importantly, brutally fast, this build offers the very best balance of CPU power, GPU power, and cooling performance out of any of the gaming PCs we profile. We call it “premium” for a reason! And take note: this build doesn’t skimp on the wheels and chassis just to cram in a “big engine”. We’re all about long-term thinking here at TBG, and this is a seriously long-term build!

For June 2021, the $2,000 Premium Gaming PC Build features the blazing-fast AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, an 8-core, 16-thread gaming powerhouse, which easily beats anything that’s come before it (or after it!). And it will be put to good use in this system, which is built around the Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3080 10GB GPU. But take note: despite being launched in September 2020, you still can’t buy one, and likely won’t be able to get one near MSRP for a very long time! But if you’re willing to run with an older GPU you have on hand for a while, you’ll be able to set up your system with great components. That includes 16GB of ultra-fast DDR4-3600 RAM, a 1TB PCIe-based solid-state drive, and an efficient 700W power supply. Topping it all off is a great-looking high-performance case from be quiet! and a high-powered tower cooler. Learn more about this build and ask questions in our YouTube video overview.

We also list plenty of ways to accessorize the $2,000 Premium Gaming PC Build – just scroll down to the end of this guide to see our top picks among gaming keyboards, mice, and monitors. If you want to see even more options, check out our Monitor Buyer’s Guide and Peripherals Buyer’s Guide!

We update this build every month, and provide direct links to Amazon, Newegg, or B&H. Our Amazon links will auto-convert for readers in the UK, Canada, and several countries in the EU, with regional substitutions made where necessary. Your use of these links is the only thing that keeps this site on the ‘net!

The Pre-Built Option

  • Click to Buy
    The Premium Gaming PC –

    MSI Aegis RS 10700K/RTX 3070

    $2199

    HOT DEAL – START GAMING TODAY! With the GPU market in turmoil, you won’t be able to get a new GPU at a decent price anytime soon, but you can start gaming now if you go with this sweet pre-built machine from MSI. Its Aegis RS is equipped with a liquid-cooled Intel Core i7-10700K eight-core, 16-thread CPU, a blazing-fast GeForce RTX 3070 8GB video card, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB solid-state drive, and a 2TB hard drive. The included MSI Z490 motherboard even has built-in 802.11ax wireless networking!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This deal is honestly too good - grab it before everyone else does!

The DIY Option

  • Click to Buy
    CPU –

    AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

    $399
    Based on AMD’s revolutionary Zen 3 architecture, the Ryzen 7 5800X is a truly fantastic processor. It has 8 core and 16 threads all running from a single complex for maximum efficiency, with boost up to 4.7GHz. That means it’s actually the fastest processor available for single-threaded tasks, which many tasks still are.
    The Guru’s Tip

    This CPU does not come with a cooler, and even if it did, you'd still want to awesome upgraded cooler we recommend later in this guide!
  • Click to Buy
    Motherboard –

    MSI B550 Gaming Edge WiFi @Newegg

    $188
    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

    This board also has a modern Type-C header, allowing you to use the Type-C port built into the case we recommend for this build.
  • Click to Buy
    Video Card –

    EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 Black @EVGA

    $800
    CRITICAL UPDATE: The RTX 3080 definitely has the performance you want for this build, it’s just a matter of when you can get one. Due to limited production by Nvidia and tremendous demand from cryptocurrency miners, the 3080 sells for 2-3x its MSRP on eBay.
    The Guru’s Tip

    We anticipate retail availability at the MSRP won't happen until Fall at this point, so your best bet is to use any older GPU you have on hand for now.
  • Click to Buy
    Memory –

    Crucial 2x8GB Ballistix RGB DDR4-3600 Red

    $110
    This awesome 16GB kit will provide more than enough capacity for any game today and for years to come, and thanks to its mind-blowing DDR4-3600 speed and 16-18-18 timings, it will keep your fast CPU fed with data. Plus it offers sweet RGB effects!
    The Guru’s Tip

    Note that we've seen a slight uptick in RAM prices lately, but Crucial has been able to continue offering the best deals, because it makes not just the modules but the RAM chips as well!
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    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 this model comes with a heatsink in the box, the motherboard has an even larger heatsink pre-installed.
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    Case –

    be quiet! Pure Base 500DX White

    $100
    The Pure Base 500DX offers new levels of performance around the $100 pricepoint. It has three high-quality 140mm fans (front, top, and rear), integrated RGB lighting in the front panel and interior of the case, plus a tempered glass side panel to show it all off! Note that you’ll have to hurry to catch this in stock, as it sells out constantly.
    The Guru’s Tip

    be quiet! was the undisputed king of quiet computing cases, but is now a serious contender in the gaming market as well thanks to the 500DX!
  • 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

    One of the things we really like about this model that distinguishes it from cheaper units is that it has dual EPS (CPU) power connectors, allowing it to fully support all CPUs on the market.
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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

    This cooler truly has no peers at its pricepoint, and while it was sold out for much of 2020, it's been in good supply more recently.
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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

    The USB version of Windows sells out regularly, but you can always get the downloadable version for $10 less, and use an 8GB+ USB drive to install it.

Optional Products

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    The Mechanical Gaming Keyboard –

    Corsair K60 RGB Pro Low Profile

    $110
    For the very fastest gameplay, there’s nothing better than the K60 Low Profile. Thanks to Cherry’s unbeaten low-profile MX Speed switches, you get amazing response and feel, plus low noise.
    The Guru’s Tip

    For the very fastest gameplay, there's nothing better than the K60 Low Profile. Thanks to Cherry's unbeaten low-profile MX Speed switches, you get amazing response and feel, plus low noise.
  • Click to Buy
    Mouse –

    Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE

    $90
    Offering up awesome functionality, a sleek design, and an ultra-fast 18,000 DPI sensor, the Dark Core Pro SE simply has no competition at its pricepoint.
    The Guru’s Tip

    The SE model is able to charge on any flat Qi charger, adding to its versatility.
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    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

    This is the headset we've used as our daily driver for over a year - still solid as a rock!
  • Click to Buy
    The 27-inch G-Sync Gaming Monitor –

    Gigabyte M27Q

    $320
    Offering up a 27″ 2560×1440 IPS panel capable of a 170Hz refresh rate, and enhanced with FreeSync frame-syncing technology, this is a true high-end monitor that won’t break the bank! Gigabyte may be new to the monitor market, but it’s making a huge splash, offering up tremendous quality at low prices. Previously, you couldn’t get anything but an inferior TN panel for this price!
    The Guru’s Tip

    This model was designed around AMD's FreeSync technology, but Nvidia has enabled its use on GeForce cards, which means you save money versus a G-Sync monitor!