The Tech Buyer's Guru

The Best $3000 Elite RGB Gaming PC Build – May 2023

The Best $3000 Elite RGB Gaming PC Build – May 2023

By Ari Altman | Published May 8, 2023 | Updated May 8, 2023

Lian Li 011Game 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, it sports a sleek and refined look, along with ultra-quiet components to keep it humming while you are pushing it to the max!

This Month’s Build, Featuring Intel and Nvidia!

For May 2023, the $3,000 Gaming PC Build features the fire-breathing Intel Core i7-13700KF CPU, a 16-core, 24-thread gaming monster. It’s paired with a seriously-fast GPU, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 16GB, which offers mind-blowing performance and easily beats every previous-gen GPU!

For storage, we go with the blazing-fast 2TB PCIe Gen 4 drive, along with 32GB of DDR5-7200 RGB RAM. To make this system really stand out, we recommend the classy Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo case, which offers both great looks and tremendous airflow. Keeping the system cool is Corsair’s highest-performing 360mm liquid cooler, and powering this system is an 850W Gold-rated power supply.

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

  • Skytech Eclipse
    Click to Buy
    The Ultra-High-End Gaming PC –

    Skytech Eclipse 13700K/RTX 4080

    $3000
    Skytech is all about delivering incredible power and hand-crafted quality at every pricepoint, and the Eclipse is no different. You get a fantastic gaming chip, the Intel Core i7-13700K, a 16-core, 24-thread beast, along with the ultra-fast Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 16GB video card. Also on this list are 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 solid-state drive, a massive 420mm AIO liquid cooler, a 1000W Gold-rated power supply, and Windows 11.

    The Guru’s Tip

    If you're not ready to build your own, this system comes at a great price, and it's nearly as fast as our DIY build below!

The DIY Build

  • Intel Core i7-13700KF
    Click to Buy
    CPU –

    Intel Core i7-13700KF

    $391
    With the 13700KF on the market, it’s game over for AMD! The 13700KF blows away Intel’s previous leader, the 12900KS, which was already unbeatable, and in doing so, drives a serious bargain at the extreme high-end of PC gaming performance. Offering up 16 cores, 24 threads, and the pumped-up cache and clockspeed, it’s the chip every serious gamer will want in their system!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This CPU does not come with a cooler, and it needs a serious one, so make sure to pick up the huge liquid cooler we recommend later in this guide!
  • Asus Z790-A
    Click to Buy
    Motherboard –

    Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi 6E

    $270
    The Asus Prime line is legendary for offering up excellent features and performance for the price, and this Socket 1700 model based on the Z790 chipset is a perfect match for Intel’s latest CPUs. It features a massive 16+1 Phase VRM, four M.2 slots (all being Gen 4 x4), a PCIe Gen 5 video card slot, eight USB ports (two being Type-C), and integrated WiFi 6E. Note that it conforms to the DDR5 RAM standard, providing the ultimate in performance for high-end Intel processors.

    The Guru’s Tip

    We're going with a DDR5 motherboard here, so of course we recommend DDR5 RAM in this guide!
  • Asus RTX 4090 TUF
    Click to Buy
    Video Card –

    Asus GeForce RTX 4080 16GB TUF

    $1199
    The RTX 4080 does the impossible, blowing by the previous king-of-the-hill RTX 3090 Ti while using far less power. It doesn’t hurt that it comes in at the original MSRP of the lower-end RTX 3080 Ti! And this model from Asus is fitted with a powerful, stylish cooler, with sweet RGB lighting for a custom look!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This GPU will look great in the all glass case we recommend!
  • G.Skill Trident Z5
    Click to Buy
    Memory –

    G.Skill 2x16GB Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 CL34

    $180
    For the ultimate in speed, you must go with DDR5 RAM, but not just any DDR5 RAM, because you need high-frequency DDR5 to blow past DDR4 RAM performance. And that’s what you get with G.Skill’s TridentZ5 kit running at DDR5-7200 with timings of 34-45-45-115 at 1.40V. This is the real deal when it comes to DDR5 performance!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This ultra-fast kit will make the most of your Intel-based system!
  • Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    Click to Buy
    Solid-State Drive –

    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB

    $190
    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. Want something faster, you’ll have to wait for next gen!

    The Guru’s Tip

    While the speed of this Gen 4 drive may be overkill in a gaming system, we figure you'll want it in this level of build!
  • Lian Li 011
    Click to Buy
    Case –

    Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic Evo

    $170
    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

    This case does not come with fans, so make sure to pick up the ones we recommend below.
  • Corsair SP120 RGB Elite
    Click to Buy
    ARGB Fan –

    Corsair iCUE SP120 RGB Elite 3-Pack

    $72
    Add a ton of airflow and style to your system with Corsair’s 3-pack of SP120 RGB Elite fans!

    The Guru’s Tip

    Mount these to the bottom of the case, blowing upwards towards the GPU.
  • Corsair RM850X 2021
    Click to Buy
    Power Supply –

    Corsair RM850x (2021)

    $150
    Corsair is legendary in the PSU market, being among the first to develop truly-premium offerings. This 850W Gold-rated unit power supply is the latest in a long series of RM850x units, redesigned in 2021 for even better performance. It offers fully-modular cables, extreme efficiency and stability, and a magnetic levitation fan for low noise and long life!

    The Guru’s Tip

    Further enhance the look of your system by going with the custom Corsair sleeved cables we list in the optional products section of this guide!
  • Click to Buy
    CPU Cooler –

    Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix XT

    $220
    For this build, we recommend you go for the amazing H150i Elite Capellix XT from Corsair. It offers up three AF120 RGB Elite fans equipped with AirGuide technology, along with awesome ARGB lighting that can be sync’d directly with the rest of the components spec’d in this build.

    The Guru’s Tip

    This cooler includes the Socket 1700 adapter required for use with the Intel processor we recommend.
  • Microsoft Windows 11
    Click to Buy
    Operating System –

    Windows 11 Home (USB)

    $136
    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! This version ships on a convenient USB stick, allowing it to be easily installed by just plugging it in.

    The Guru’s Tip

    This is absolutely the OS you want on your system to take full advantage of the Intel 13th-Gen CPU!

Optional Products

  • Corsair cables
    Click to Buy
    Cable –

    Corsair Individually Sleeved PSU Cables Pro Kit – Black

    $90
    These sleek individually-sleeved cables provide the ultimate custom look for your PC! While black goes with any build, they are available in a wide variety of colors, all on the same product page.

    The Guru’s Tip

    This kit is compatible with the Corsair PSU we recommend, and has all the cables you'll need for the system.
  • Razer Blackwidow V3
    Click to Buy
    The Mechanical Gaming Keyboard –

    Razer BlackWidow V3 Clicky

    $118
    Razer has been in the gaming peripheral business a long time, and the BlackWidow is perhaps the most legendary bit of kit in history. It has practically defined the mechanical gaming keyboard market, and all the while has offered surprising value as well. That’s the story with the V3, which undercuts the other big names, while offering more style and more functionality. Razer’s Green mechanical switches deliver super-responsive tactile action. The keycaps are the high-quality Doubleshot ABS that enthusiasts pay extra for to fix other brands’ boards. And then there’s the stunning Chroma RGB effects that allow endless customization plus integration with countless games. In short, the BlackWidow is better than ever!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This board will look great paired up with an RGB rig!
  • Razer Basilisk Ultimate
    Click to Buy
    The Ultimate Wireless Gaming Mouse –

    Razer Basilisk Ultimate HyperSpeed

    $75
    Razer is legendary in the gaming mouse market, and the Basilisk Ultimate, now discounted from its original introductory price, is an ultra-high-end bargain! Featuring a 20,000dpi sensor, Razer’s awesome HyperSpeed wireless system, and a perfect ergonomic design, this model can’t be beat! And in addition to its 100-hour battery life, it’s also incredibly light, at just 107g!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This is by far the best mouse available in its price range!
  • Click to Buy
    The Deluxe PC Headset –

    Corsair Virtuoso Wireless Headset SE

    $170
    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

    This is our daily driver and we love it!
  • Gigabyte M32U
    Click to Buy
    The 32" 4K 144Hz Gamer's Dream Monitor –

    Gigabyte M32U

    $680
    It took seemingly forever for the elusive 32″ 4K 144Hz panels that gamers had dreamed of for years to finally hit the market, and surprisingly Gigabyte was first out of the gate with one widely available at retail. Known for its high-end video cards and motherboards, Gigabyte has quickly made a name for itself in the gaming monitor market, and the M32U simply astounds with its features. Get a load of these specs: a 31.5″ 3840 x 2160 4K IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms (GTG) response time, FreeSync, 10-bit color,  90% DCI-P3  and 123% sRGB color space, and VESA DisplayHDR 400. It even has a built-in KVM switch, allowing you to use it on multiple systems with the push of a button!

    The Guru’s Tip

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

Pin It on Pinterest