The Best $2500 Extreme 4K/VR Gaming PC Build – November 2021

By Ari Altman | Published November 21, 2021 | Updated November 21, 2021

CRITICAL UPDATE:

Due to the ongoing cryptocurrency mining craze, it’s currently impossible to buy video cards at retail prices. Therefore, you have two options if you want to game now. Either buy a pre-built gaming PC or build up a new PC using a GPU selling for over the retail price. We present both options in this guide. Based on current market conditions, we do not believe this generation of GPUs will ever return to MSRP, so lower prices will have to wait until late 2022 when the next generation arrives!

Game to the Extreme!

If you’re looking to play all the latest games on a 4K or ultra-wide monitor, you’re going to need extreme processing power. And that’s what the $2,500 Gaming PC Build delivers – every component has been selected with one and only one goal in mind: maximum high-resolution performance for $2,500, with a healthy dose of style thrown in!

This Month’s Build, Powered by Intel and Nvidia!

For November 2021, the $2,500 Gaming PC Build features AMD’s Ryzen 9 5900X, a 12-core, 24-thread CPU that simply rips through games, thanks to its cutting-edge Zen 3 architecture and the liquid cooler we recommend. The 5900X is backing up a powerhouse of a GPU, the Radeon RX 6700 XT 12GB. Sure, it’s selling above MSRP, but it’s actually only 50% higher than at launch, making it an absolute bargain among ultra-high-end cards!

But this build is about more than just a fancy CPU and GPU. It also includes 32GB of DDR4-3600 RAM, a fast 1TB PCIe solid-state drive, the sweet P500A mesh case from Phanteks, and a potent 750W Gold-rated power supply.

Parting Thoughts

We highlight our favorite accessories for this build in the optional components section at the end of this guide, including the best high-end peripherals and monitor. If you’re looking for more options, feel free to browse our Monitor Buyer’s Guide, Peripherals Buyer’s Guide, and Speaker/Headset Buyer’s Guide for all our favorite picks!

Throughout this guide, we provide direct links to Amazon or Newegg in the US, and our Amazon links will auto-convert for readers in other regions, including Canada, the UK, and parts of the EU, with substitutions made where necessary. To help support the continued development of this guide, please use the links we provide if you purchase products we recommend.

The Pre-Built Option

Click to Buy

The Ultra-High-End Gaming PC –
Skytech Siege 3.0 5800X/RX 6900XT
$2600
MIND-BLOWING DEAL! Not ready to build your own gaming PC? Then step into serious ultra-high-end gaming with this awesome pre-built from Skytech. It’s packed with game-crushing gear, including the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8-core, 16-thread processor and the AMD Radeon RX 6900XT 16GB GPU, which matches the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 12GB in performance but offers a lot more VRAM. Also onboard is a 360mm liquid CPU cooler, 16GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, a 1TB PCIe-based SSD, and a 750W Gold-rated power supply. The system is wrapped up in the stylish Thermaltake S300 chassis, which really brings this sweet system together!
The Guru’s Tip
Prices are currently going UP on anything with a GPU inside, and this PC will certainly sell out soon!

The DIY Build

Click to Buy

CPU –
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
$484
CYBER MONDAY PRICING IN EFFECT! 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
This CPU doesn't come with a cooler, but the high-powered model we list later in this guide will keep it nicely chilled!
Click to Buy

Motherboard –
MSI B550 Gaming Edge WiFi
$185

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 has it all, but just note that the onboard video outputs won't be operational when used with the 5600X CPU.
Click to Buy

Video Card –
XFX Radeon RX 6700XT 12GB Speedster QICK319 BLACK
$1000
It’s time to get gaming again! This Radeon RX 6700 XT 12GB from XFX has impressive gaming power, going head to head with the RTX 3070, while actually being available to order today! Sure, the price is above the original MSRP, but it’s pretty clear at this point that prices have been reset permanently, so rather than wait for a price drop that will never come, grab a great GPU today and get into your games!
The Guru’s Tip
Even at prices well above MSRP, this card is going to be hard to find in stock. If you want a better deal, go for the pre-built PC we listed earlier in this guide.
Click to Buy

Memory –
Crucial 2x16GB Ballistix RGB DDR4-3600 C16 Red @Newegg
$186

For serious work or gaming, you practically can’t have “too much” RAM. That being said, we think 32GB of RAM is going to be perfect start for all but the most extreme cases, and this 2x16GB kit is only fast, at 3600MHz, but also sports very tight timings of 16-18-18.

The Guru’s Tip
You can sync this kit's lighting with the motherboard's RGB software.
Click to Buy

Solid-State Drive –
XPG SX8200 Pro 1TB NVMe
$94

CYBER MONDAY PRICING IN EFFECT! 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 you could go with a PCIe Gen 4 drive, it would provide little benefit to gaming and this Gen 3 drive is a fantastic deal!
Click to Buy

Case –
Phanteks Eclipse P500A Digital RGB
$150
Phanteks cases are simply exquisite; no other manufacturer can quite match the great blend of quality materials, attention to detail, and high performance, especially for the price. And the P500A may be Phanteks’ crowning achievement: an ultra-high performance ATX case with killer looks! A few of the very cool touches on this case include the hinged glass door on the left side and the integrated RGB light pipe on the PSU shroud. No one does it better!
The Guru’s Tip
This case's ARGB fans can be sync'd with the 3-pin ARGB header on the motherboard we recommend. You'll also have full access to the case's front Type-C port thanks to the motherboard's Type-C header.
Click to Buy

Power Supply –
Cooler Master MWE Gold 750 V2
$105
This 750W Gold-rated power supply offers everything you could want in a high-end PSU at a great price. That includes amazing efficiency, a cooling fan equipped with a hydro-dynamic bearing for smooth operation, a zero-fan mode at idle for silence, fully-modular cables, and a 5-year warranty.
The Guru’s Tip
This PSU won't even come close to its limits with this build, which will top out at around 500W fully loaded!
Click to Buy

CPU Cooler –
Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 ARGB
$118
CYBER MONDAY PRICING IN EFFECT! To run a high-wattage CPU, you need extreme cooling, and we suggest you go straight for this awesome 360mm liquid cooler, which offers the best performance of any 360mm AIO on the market based on our testing! That comes down to its big 38mm-thick radiator, effective pump, and the best ARGB fans on the market, the Arctic P12 A-RGB models. They provide both great looks and superior performance at low noise levels.
The Guru’s Tip
This cooler will fit easily in the top of the case we recommend for this build and will provide a great ARGB light show!
Click to Buy

Operating System –
Windows 10 Home USB Flash Drive @Newegg
$130

Windows 10 is the most popular operating system in the world, and Microsoft continues to support users not only with regular security updates, but with major content releases every year. This USB version installs in under 5 minutes, meaning you can get right into using your system!

The Guru’s Tip
Windows 11 has launched, but isn't for sale at retail. The only way to get it is to install Win10 and upgrade.

Optional Products

Click to Buy

The Mechanical Gaming Keyboard –
Corsair K60 RGB Pro Low Profile
$79

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
Once you try a low-profile mechanical keyboard, you won't want to go back!
Click to Buy

The Ultimate Wireless Gaming Mouse –
Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless
$124
Logitech designed the G502 Lightspeed Wireless to be the ultimate technological tour de force in the gaming mouse industry. Featuring a mesmerizing 25K Hero sensor, tunable weights, RGB lighting, and the best wireless connectivity, it is impossible to beat. And you can even upgrade it to ultra-elite status with the optional PowerPlay charging mat, which allows you to use it forever without stopping to charge thanks to the exclusive wireless charging capability!
The Guru’s Tip
We've been using this mouse since the day it launched and we absolutely love it!
Click to Buy

The Deluxe PC Headset –
Corsair Virtuoso Wireless Headset
$169

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 use this headset everyday and love it!
Click to Buy

The 34-inch Gaming Monitor –
MSI Optix MPG341CQR
$645

Without a doubt, our top pick among monitors to pair with this elite system is the equally-elite ultra-wide model. It offers a huge 34″ 3440×1440 IPS panel, a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, and G-Sync compatibility (via FreeSync) to achieve the smoothest possible gaming experience.

The Guru’s Tip
While 4K Gaming is still what people talk about, in a lot of ways, ultra-wide gaming is the real deal!