The Best $3000 Elite RGB Gaming PC Build – March 2025

By Ari Altman | Published March 9, 2025 | Updated March 9, 2025

CRITICAL UPDATE: The retail GPU market has collapsed, and we can no longer recommend attempting to purchase high-end GPUs. Please consider the pre-built PC alternative we provide in this guide, as at this time, only OEMs have access to decently-priced GPUs.

Game Hard and Look Good Doing It!

If you want a $3,000 Gaming PC Build that’s a true showcase, not just another black box, then this is the one for you! In addition to the best gaming components available, we’ve pushed the limit on aesthetics with this build more than any other – it sports white components, tasteful RGB lighting, and a glass-paneled white case to put your gear front and center!

This Month’s Build, Featuring AMD and Nvidia!

For March 2025, the $3,000 Gaming PC Build uses AMD’s game-dominating Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which beats everything Intel has ever offered. It’s supporting the seriously-fast Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Super 16GB. Also in this system is a blazing-fast 2TB PCIe Gen 4 drive, along with 32GB of DDR5-6000 RGB RAM.

To make this system really stand out, this case uses the stylish Lian Li O11D case, which provides an unmatched view into the interior. Keeping the CPU cool is Corsair’s highest-performing 360mm liquid cooler (with integrated LCD screen!), and powering this system is an ultra-modern 850W ATX 3.0 power supply. And to give this system a distinctive look, all the main internal components are white (GPU, PSU, cooler, fans).

Parting Thoughts

If you’re looking for new accessories to add to your $3,000 Gaming PC build, check out our Monitor Buyer’s Guide, our Peripherals Buyer’s Guide and our Speaker/Headset Buyer’s Guide for all the latest and greatest accessories, although we list our top recommendations for the $3,000 Gaming PC Build later in this guide.

Throughout this guide, we provide direct links to Amazon or Newegg, and the Amazon links will auto-convert for our readers in the UK, Canada, and parts of the EU, with regional substitutions made automatically when 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

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The Extreme Gaming PC –
Skytech King 9800X3D/RTX 5080
$3000

Want mind-blowing performance without having to build your own PC? Then go for this incredible pre-built from Skytech. Equipped with the fastest gaming CPU on the planet, AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800 X3D 8-Core, 16-thread processor, along with the mighty Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 16GB GPU, you simply can’t do better for the money. This system also features 32GB of DDR5-6000 RAM, and a 2TB PCIe Gen 4 solid-state drive, a stylish case, and an 850W power supply. In other words, it’s locked, loaded, and ready to rock the latest games!

The Guru’s Tip
Given how hard it is to grab the CPU and GPU in this system at retail, this system is an absolute steal!

The DIY Build

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CPU –
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
$479

AMD’s 7800 X3D was impressive enough, easily beating every other CPU ever released in gaming. And despite it still holding the crown after the release of many other CPUs, AMD went and did it again, giving gamers the 9800X3D with enhanced 3D cache technology, redesigned to allow higher clockspeeds and manual overclocking. This CPU is the ultimate gaming processor, regardless of price.

The Guru’s Tip
This CPU does not come with a cooler, so make sure to pick up the capable liquid cooler we recommend later in this guide!
Click to Buy

Motherboard –
ASUS Prime X870-P WiFi
$230

This X870 board from Asus allows you to tap into the potential of AMD’s cutting-edge AM5 platform at a great price. You get a potent 14+2+1 phase power solution, a PCIe Gen 5 video card slot plus three additional PCIe slots, four M.2 slots (one being Gen 5, two being Gen 4, and one being Gen 3), and built-in WiFi 7. On the back you have 10 USB ports, including two cutting-edge USB 4 (40Gbps) ports.

The Guru’s Tip
The X870 chipset is actually identical to the B650E chipset, but with X870, you are getting newer connectivity, like WiFi 7 and USB 4.
Click to Buy

Video Card –
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Aorus @Newegg
$1300

The RTX 5080 is the ultimate GPU ever sold for under $1500. It has advanced Ray Tracing and DLSS technology, and this Aorus model from Gigabyte has extreme cooling and fantastic looks!

The Guru’s Tip
Please note that it will be months before this GPU can be purchased at retail. Please consider the pre-built PC equipped with this GPU listed earlier in this guide.
Click to Buy

Memory –
G.Skill 2x16GB Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 CL30 EXPO White
$125

To get the most out of AMD’s latest CPUs, you want fast RAM, and DDR5-6000 is the sweetspot not only in terms of price, but in terms of making the most of the AM5 platform. It allows for the highest overall performance thanks to running in 1:1 sync with the memory controller. And this 32GB Trident Z5 Neo kit from G.Skill is specially designed for AM5, thanks to the extraordinary 30-36-36-96 AMD EXPO timings.

The Guru’s Tip
We go with white to complete the look of this system!
Click to Buy

Solid-State Drive –
Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
$167

For primary storage, you don’t just want high-end, you want ultra-high-end, and that means going for the 990 Pro PCIe 4.0. It offers mind-blowing performance, up to 7,450MB/s read and 6,900MB/s, plus blistering random speeds that no other drive can touch. The 990 Pro will go down in history as the drive that truly maxed out the PCIe Gen 4 bus.

The Guru’s Tip
You don't need a drive this fast for gaming, but you won't regret having this much fast storage for your game collection!
Click to Buy

Case –
Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic Evo
$220

Lian Li put itself back on the enthusiast map after years of relative anonymity when it launched the immensely-stylish 011 Dynamic, which offered glass panels arranged to provide an unparalleled view of the interior of the system. The 011 Dynamic Evo is a further refinement of the design, with a larger interior volume plus classy integrated RGB effects on the front panel. And with radiator and fan mounts on the bottom, top, rear, and sides, it’s also an airflow champ!

The Guru’s Tip
Keep in mind that this case doesn't have fans, so you'll want to get the ones below.
Click to Buy

Case Fan –
Corsair iCUE LINK QX120 3-Pack White
$158

Add a ton of airflow and style to your system with Corsair’s 3-pack of QX120 White fans! They have 34 RGB LEDs per fan, and use the awesome iCUE Link system to allow connecting the fans together with zero power or RGB cables, meaning a much more streamline appearance!

The Guru’s Tip
Mount these to the bottom of the chassis, blowing up.
Click to Buy

Power Supply –
SilverStone DA850R White
$105

Offering up 850W of power and top-notch build quality, this PSU is a great value among high-end models. Thanks to its fully-modular cables and compact 150mm length, it’s very easy to install, allowing you to minimize cable clutter by leaving out cables you don’t need for this build. It’s also forward-looking, with both traditional video card power cables and a 12V-2×6 connector (an improved version of the 12VHPWR connector), allowing you to directly connect to any current or future GPU. The best part: thanks to its Gold-rated efficiency and zero-fan mode, the power supply will operate in silence most of the time!

The Guru’s Tip
This PSU even has white cables, which while mostly hidden in this system, will complete the look! The only one visible will be the GPU cable.
Click to Buy

CPU Cooler –
Corsair iCUE Link H150i LCD CPU Cooler White
$280

Corsair’s iCUE Link H150i LCD offers more performance and features than any other 360mm cooler. Its big radiator is equipped with triple QX120 RGB fans, which offer tremendous static pressure, making them unbeatable on a radiator. But the standout part is that the pump has a built-in LCD display, allowing you to monitor just about anything in your PC using the Corsair iCUE software. Also adding to the aesthetic is that the fans use the iCUE Link system to eliminate fan cables, making for the sleekest installation possible!

The Guru’s Tip
This cooler should be mounted to the top of the chassis, blowing up and out.
Click to Buy

Operating System –
Windows 11 Home (USB) @Newegg
$139

Windows 11 built on everything people loved about Windows 10, and then took 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! Note that we’re linking to Newegg, because Amazon long ago stopped selling this physical USB version of Windows, which is the most convenient one to use.

The Guru’s Tip
This is absolutely the OS you want on your system to take full advantage of a modern gaming system!

Optional Products

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The Ultimate Gaming Keyboard –
SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3
$212

SteelSeries is establishing itself as the king of gaming keyboards with the Apex Pro Gen 3, which builds upon the strengths of prior offerings, but adds even more tech! In addition to incredible build quality and lots of configuration options, it features Hall Effect Switches for the smoothest, fastest response, plus bold RGB effects, and a built-in OLED screen to monitor PC vitals!

The Guru’s Tip
You can set up the RGB on this keyboard to integrate with the lighting in your system!
Click to Buy

The Ultimate Wireless Gaming Mouse –
Logitech G502X Plus Lightspeed Wireless
$155

Logitech designed the G502X Lightspeed Wireless to be the ultimate technological tour de force in the gaming mouse industry. Featuring a mesmerizing 25K Hero sensor, hybrid optical-mechanical switches, RGB lighting, and the best wireless connectivity, it is impossible to beat. And you can even upgrade 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
The lighting on this mouse can be controlled via Logitech's GHub software.
Click to Buy

The Deluxe PC Headset –
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless
$160

PRIME DAY DEAL – SAVE $25 TODAY! From humble beginnings as a mousemat manufacturer, SteelSeries has come to absolutely dominate the gaming headset industry. And that’s because it’s not rocket science, it’s audio science! SteelSeries took a careful look at what gamers needed and and then applied all the proven techniques to get them everything they wanted. That includes ultra-high-fidelity audio, 360-degree surround sound for immersive gaming, dual audio streams for simultaneous connection to a PC and a smartphone, multi-platform support, and amazing 38-hour battery life plus quick-charge over USB-C, providing a 6 hour boost in 15 minutes! It also has among the best microphones in business, providing clear audio for everyone you’re talking to!

The Guru’s Tip
The Arctis series truly has a lock on performance!
Click to Buy

The 32" 4K 144Hz Gamer's Dream Monitor –
LG 32GR93U
$600

LG makes the best LCD-based gaming monitors, bar none. Known for its high-end TVs, it didn’t take long for LG to dominate the gaming monitor market once it entered the field, and its Ultragear line is synonymous with quality. The 32GR93U may not have a catchy name, but it certainly has the goods! Get a load of these specs: a 32″ 3840 x 2160 4K IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms (GTG) response time, FreeSync Premium, 10-bit color, 95% DCI-P3, and VESA DisplayHDR 400. While other products may seem similar on paper, LG’s Ultragear line is always a cut above!

The Guru’s Tip
There's no better way to show off brutal gaming horsepower than with a big 4K monitor!