The TBG DIY PC Build Guides
Introduction to the TBG PC Build Guides
Welcome to TBG’s DIY PC Build Guides! This is where you’ll find all the best PC builds on the ‘net, from ultra-compact home office PCs to screaming-fast gaming towers. In total, we offer 24 distinct DIY PC Build guides, constantly updated with the latest and greatest components.
While we know our readers stumble upon a lot of other sites during their research, what we do is completely different: we professionally curate every build based on relationships we have with dozens of manufacturers and our constant testing of the latest products. That means our PC Builds are the most up-to-date, best-performing builds you’ll find anywhere, period.
The May 2022 Updates
Now on to the latest updates, and for the third month in a row, it’s all good news for gamers and content creators! After well over a year of inflated prices (not to mention terrible availability), GPUs are now easy to buy every day of the week, thanks to the end of the longest cryptocurrency craze in history. GPU prices have dropped 40-50% so far this year, and many are now approaching MSRP, which would have been impossible to imagine six months ago.
In fact, the performance per dollar you get today is actually far better than at any time in history, since none of the circa-2020 GPUs that launched at too-good-to-be-true prices were ever easy to buy at retail. We’re especially impressed by prices on AMD’s Radeon RX 6600/6700 series, which offer tremendous value to mid-range gamers. Nvidia’s RTX 3070 Ti, 3080 12GB, and 3080 Ti are pretty attractive at the high-end too, given that they are at or below MSRP, while the 3090 Ti is a tour de force at the $2000+ pricepoint for gamers who just want the best!
Once you factor in the compelling prices on Intel’s groundbreaking 12th-Gen Alder Lake CPUs, it’s most definitely a great time to be building a PC! We’re a bit surprised AMD didn’t counter Intel sooner. We think the underdog got a bit too confident after sweeping past the 10th- and 11th-Gen CPUs from Intel, but now it’s definitely playing catchup. The only AMD CPU we still strongly recommend is the Ryzen 5 5600X, which offers great bang for the buck, especially once you consider the lower platform cost versus the high-end Intel CPUs. Shockingly, we recommend AMD in fewer than a quarter of our 24 DIY builds, down from nearly 100% of our 24 builds last summer. There’s no doubt that Intel is back with a vengeance!
More In-Depth Content From TBG
We spend most of our editorial and review time over at YouTube. You can post questions in our channel trailer here or any of our videos and we’ll answer it! And don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there to make sure you don’t miss out on future content!
With that said, our written DIY PC Build Guides linked below continue to be updated monthly, and sometimes daily, to ensure you get the most up-to-date info, because a video can only be relevant for so long. If you appreciate the work we do on these, don’t forget to use our Amazon and Newegg links to support continued publication of these guides. And if you’re specifically interested in Small Form Factor PCs, definitely check out our monthly guide to the Small Form Factor PC Market as well.
Using the TBG PC Build Guides
Whether it’s your first, tenth, or hundredth time building a PC, these guides will set you up with the best components you can buy. Our build guides fall into five price ranges. To find the right PC for you, feel free to browse all of the options below, or alternatively choose specific criteria from our filter browser below, which will display just the builds that meet your needs. You can then click on the “View Specs” button to see a quick view of prices, parts, and dimensions, or click the “View Guide” button to jump straight to the full Build Guide for that build. Happy hunting, and good luck with whichever build you choose!
We’d like to express special thanks to SilverStone Technology Co., which sponsors the TBG PC Build Guides. Founded in 2003, SilverStone has made major contributions to PC case design, small form factor PC development, and power supply innovation!

The Best $500 Home Office PC Build – May 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Option
Optional Products
- Wireless Card – TP-Link Archer T5E AC1200/Bluetooth 4.2 ($35)
- Hard Drive – Seagate BarraCuda 2TB ($48)
- Video Card – ASUS GeForce GTX 1650 4GB Phoenix ($220)
- The Basic Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Combo – Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo ($20)
- Webcam – Logitech C920x Pro HD Webcam ($70)
- The Basic PC Speakers – Creative Pebble 2.0 ($19)
- The 24-inch Small Office Monitor – Sceptre E248W-19203R ($132)

The Best $600 Home Office Mini-ITX PC Build – May 2022
Required Components
Optional Products
- CPU – Intel Core i5-10400 ($152)
- Hard Drive – WD Blue 2TB 2.5″ ($68)
- The Basic Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Combo – Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo ($20)
- Webcam – Logitech C920x Pro HD Webcam ($70)
- The Basic PC Speakers – Creative Pebble 2.0 ($19)
- The 24-inch Small Office Monitor – Sceptre E248W-19203R ($132)

The Best $700 Ultra-Compact NUC PC Build – May 2022
Required Components

The Best $750 Budget Gaming PC Build – May 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Build
- CPU – Intel Core i3-12100F @Newegg ($108)
- Motherboard – GIGABYTE H610M S2H DDR4 ($100)
- Video Card – Gigabyte Radeon RX 6500 XT Eagle 4G ($210)
- Memory – G.Skill 2x8GB RipJaws V DDR4 3200 ($66)
- Solid-State Drive – Silicon Power 512GB NVMe ($46)
- Case – Thermaltake H17 ($51)
- Power Supply – Thermaltake Smart 430W 80+ ($30)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products
- Wireless Card – TP-Link Archer T5E AC1200/Bluetooth 4.2 ($35)
- Hard Drive – Seagate BarraCuda 2TB ($48)
- The Budget Gaming Keyboard – Logitech G213 Gaming Keyboard ($45)
- The Pro Gaming Mouse – Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed Wireless ($40)
- The 24-inch 144Hz Gaming Monitor – AOC 24G2 ($170)
- The Mainstream Gaming Headset – Corsair HS35 Stereo ($35)

The Best $750 Small Office Mini-ITX PC Build – May 2022
Required Components
Optional Products
- CPU Cooler – Scythe Big Shuriken 3 Rev. B ($50)
- Hard Drive – WD Blue 2TB 2.5″ ($68)
- Video Card – Sapphire Radeon RX 6400 Pulse 4GB LP ($160)
- The Basic Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Combo – Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo ($20)
- Webcam – Logitech C920x Pro HD Webcam ($70)
- The Basic PC Speakers – Creative Pebble 2.0 ($19)
- The 24-inch Small Office Monitor – Sceptre E248W-19203R ($132)

The Best $1000 Mid-Range Gaming PC Build – May 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Option
- CPU – Intel Core i3-12100 ($130)
- Motherboard – MSI PRO B660-A DDR4 ($150)
- Video Card – XFX Radeon RX 6600 Speedster 8GB ($330)
- Memory – G.Skill 2x8GB RipJaws V DDR4 3200 ($66)
- Solid-State Drive – WD Blue SN570 500GB NVMe ($50)
- Case – SilverStone Fara R1 Black ($66)
- Case Fan – Arctic P12 PWM ($8)
- Power Supply – Silverstone ET550-B ($47)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products

The Best $1000 eSports Mini-ITX Gaming PC Build – May 2022
The DIY Build
- CPU – Intel Core i3-12100F @Newegg ($108)
- Motherboard – ASRock B660M-ITX/AC @Newegg ($120)
- Video Card – XFX Radeon RX 6600 Speedster 8GB ($330)
- Memory – G.Skill 2x8GB RipJaws V DDR4 3200 ($66)
- Solid-State Drive – WD Blue SN570 500GB NVMe ($50)
- Case – SilverStone RVZ02B ($110)
- Power Supply – EVGA Supernova 450GM ($85)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)

The Best $1000 Content Creation PC Build – May 2022
Required Components
- CPU – Intel Core i7-12700 ($350)
- Motherboard – Gigabyte B660 AORUS Master DDR4 ($190)
- Memory – Patriot 2x16GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 C18 ($125)
- Solid-State Drive – WD Blue SN570 1TB NVMe ($90)
- Case – Silverstone Fara B1 RGB ($68)
- Power Supply – Silverstone ET550-B ($47)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products
- CPU Cooler – Arctic Freezer 34 w/ 1700 Kit ($40)
- The Deluxe Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Combo – Logitech MK735 Keyboard/Mouse Combo ($80)
- The 32-inch 4K Monitor – LG 32UD60-B 4K ($330)
- Webcam – Logitech C920x Pro HD Webcam ($70)
- The Basic PC Speakers – Creative Pebble 2.0 ($19)
- The Budget Wireless PC Headset – SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless ($97)

The Best $1,000 High-End Home Theater PC Build – May 2022
Required Components
- CPU – Intel Core i5-12400 ($194)
- Motherboard – Gigabyte B660 AORUS Master DDR4 ($190)
- Memory – Patriot 2x16GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 C18 ($125)
- Solid-State Drive – WD Blue SN570 1TB NVMe ($90)
- Case – SilverStone GD09-C ($115)
- Power Supply – SilverStone ST55F-GS ($103)
- Low-Profile CPU Cooler – Noctua NH-L12S ($60)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products
- Hard Drive – WD Blue 4TB ($60)
- Optical Drive – LG 16x Blu-Ray Burner ($65)
- Video Card – XFX Radeon RX 6600 XT Speedster 8GB ($400)
- Sound Card – Creative Sound Blaster AE-7 ($191)
- Video Capture Card – Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2-4K60 HDR10 ($242)
- The Home Theater Keyboard/Trackpad Combo – Microsoft Wireless Media Keyboard ($27)

The Best $1250 Quiet Gaming PC Build – May 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Build
- CPU – Intel Core i5-12400 ($194)
- Motherboard – MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 ($190)
- Video Card – XFX Radeon RX 6600 XT Speedster 8GB ($400)
- Memory – G.Skill 2x8GB RipJaws V DDR4 3200 ($66)
- Solid-State Drive – WD Blue SN570 1TB NVMe ($90)
- Case – NZXT H510 Red/Black ($90)
- Power Supply – EVGA SuperNOVA 550 GA ($77)
- CPU Cooler – Arctic Freezer 34 w/ 1700 Kit ($40)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)

The Best $1500 High-End Mini-ITX Gaming PC Build – May 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Option
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 5 5600X ($200)
- Motherboard – Gigabyte B550I Aorus Pro AX ($210)
- Video Card – EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB XC ($430)
- Memory – Patriot 2x8GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 14-16-16 ($88)
- Solid-State Drive – WD Blue SN570 1TB NVMe ($90)
- Case – SilverStone SG16 ($91)
- Case Fan – Arctic P12 PWM ($8)
- Power Supply – SilverStone SX500-G ($102)
- CPU Cooler – SilverStone PF120-ARGB ($80)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products

The Best $1500 High-End Gaming PC Build – May 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Build
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 5 5600X ($200)
- Motherboard – Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 ($180)
- Video Card – PowerColor Radeon RX 6750 XT 12GB Red Devil ($580)
- Memory – Patriot 2x8GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 14-16-16 ($88)
- Solid-State Drive – WD Blue SN570 1TB NVMe ($90)
- Case – Corsair 4000D Airflow ($95)
- Power Supply – Phanteks AMP 650W Gold ($90)
- CPU Cooler – Arctic Freezer 34 eSports White ($39)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)

The Best $1,500 Stock Trading PC Build – May 2022
Required Components
- CPU – Intel Core i9-12900 ($520)
- Motherboard – MSI MAG B660M Mortar WiFi DDR4 ($179)
- Memory – Patriot 2x32GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 ($240)
- Solid-State Drive – WD_Black SN850 1TB NVMe ($150)
- Case – Phanteks EVOLV mATX Tempered Glass Gray ($140)
- Power Supply – Phanteks AMP 650W Gold ($90)
- CPU Cooler – Scythe Fuma 2 Rev. B ($66)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products
- The 34-inch Widescreen Monitor – Philips 346E2CUAE ($390)
- The Ultimate Business Keyboard – Logitech MX Keys Wireless Illuminated Keyboard ($120)
- The Deluxe Wireless Mouse – Logitech MX Master 3 ($100)
- The Deluxe PC Speakers – Logitech Z207 Multi Device Speakers ($50)
- Webcam – Logitech C920x Pro HD Webcam ($70)

The Best $1750 Advanced Gaming PC Build – May 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Option
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 5 5600X ($200)
- Motherboard – Gigabyte B550 AORUS Elite AX V2 ($180)
- Memory – Patriot 2x8GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 14-16-16 ($88)
- Solid-State Drive – WD Blue SN570 1TB NVMe ($90)
- Case – be quiet! Pure Base 500DX White ($108)
- Power Supply – Phanteks AMP 650W Gold ($90)
- CPU Cooler – Arctic Freezer 34 eSports Duo Black ($53)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)

The Best $2000 Premium Gaming PC Build – May 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Option
- CPU – Intel Core i5-12600K ($278)
- Motherboard – MSI PRO Z690-A WiFi DDR4 ($230)
- Video Card – MSI GeForce RTX 3080 10GB Ventus 3X ($850)
- Memory – Patriot 2x8GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 14-16-16 ($88)
- Solid-State Drive – WD Blue SN570 1TB NVMe ($90)
- Case – Lian Li Lancool II Mesh RGB ($130)
- ARGB Fan – ARCTIC P12 PWM PST A-RGB ($17)
- Power Supply – SilverStone ST75F-GS-V3 Gold ($107)
- CPU Cooler – Scythe Fuma 2 Rev. B ($66)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)

The Best $2000 High-End Content Creation PC Build – May 2022
Required Components
- CPU – Intel Core i9-12900 ($520)
- Motherboard – Gigabyte B660 AORUS Master DDR4 ($190)
- Video Card – EVGA GeForce RTX 3050 8GB XC ($330)
- Memory – Patriot 2x32GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 ($240)
- Solid-State Drive – WD_Black SN850 2TB NVMe ($240)
- Case – SilverStone Seta A1 Silver ($135)
- Power Supply – Phanteks AMP 650W Gold ($90)
- CPU Cooler – Noctua NH-D15S chromax.black ($100)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products
- Sound Card – Creative Sound Blaster AE-7 ($191)
- The Ultimate Business Keyboard – Logitech MX Keys Wireless Illuminated Keyboard ($120)
- The Deluxe Wireless Mouse – Logitech MX Master 3 ($100)
- The Deluxe PC Headset – Corsair Virtuoso Wireless Headset ($180)
- The 32-inch Professional 4K Monitor – LG 32UN650-W ($469)

The Best $2000 Ultimate Mini-ITX Gaming PC Build – May 2022
The DIY PC Build
- CPU – Intel Core i7-12700KF ($351)
- Motherboard – ASRock Z690M-ITX/ax @Newegg ($230)
- Video Card – Zotac GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Trinity 8GB ($770)
- Memory – Patriot 2x8GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 14-16-16 ($88)
- Solid-State Drive – WD_Black SN850 1TB NVMe ($150)
- Case – Cooler Master NR200 ($100)
- Power Supply – SilverStone SX700 ($134)
- CPU Cooler – Scythe Fuma 2 Rev. B ($66)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)

The Best $2500 Extreme 4K/VR Gaming PC Build – May 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Build
- CPU – Intel Core i7-12700KF ($351)
- Motherboard – MSI Z690 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 ($270)
- Video Card – MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming Z Trio 12G LHR ($1000)
- Memory – Corsair 2x8GB Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4-3600 C16 ($103)
- Solid-State Drive – WD_Black SN850 1TB NVMe ($150)
- Case – Phanteks Eclipse P500A Digital RGB ($160)
- ARGB Fan – ARCTIC P12 PWM PST A-RGB ($17)
- Power Supply – Phanteks Revolt Pro 850W ($140)
- CPU Cooler – Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 ARGB ($120)
- Adapter – ARCTIC Intel LGA1700 Upgrade Kit for Liquid Freezer II Series ($7)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)

The Best $3,000 Ultra-Extreme Mini-ITX Gaming PC Build – May 2022
Required Components
- CPU – Intel Core i7-12700K ($370)
- Motherboard – MSI Z690I Unify ($400)
- Video Card – Zotac GeForce RTX 3080 12GB Trinity ($1022)
- Memory – G.SKILL 2x16GB Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 ($350)
- Solid-State Drive – WD_Black SN850 2TB NVMe ($240)
- Case – Lian Li Q58X4 Black ($160)
- Power Supply – Corsair SF750 ($150)
- CPU Cooler – MSI MAG CoreLiquid C280 ($124)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products
- The Typist's Gaming Keyboard – Logitech G915 Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Clicky) ($230)
- The Ultimate Wireless Gaming Mouse – Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless ($120)
- The Deluxe PC Headset – Corsair Virtuoso Wireless Headset ($180)
- The 32" 4K 144Hz Gamer's Dream Monitor – Gigabyte M32U ($760)

The Best $3000 Corsair RGB Gaming PC Build – June 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Build
- CPU – Intel Core i7-12700KF ($351)
- Motherboard – ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi D4 ($290)
- Video Card – PowerColor Radeon RX 6950 XT Red Devil ($1100)
- Memory – Corsair 4x8GB Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4-3600 C16 ($196)
- Solid-State Drive – WD_Black SN850 2TB NVMe ($240)
- Case – Corsair iCUE 5000X RGB ($205)
- Fan – Corsair iCUE SP120 RGB Elite ($25)
- Power Supply – Corsair RM850x (2021) ($150)
- CPU Cooler – Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD CPU Cooler ($290)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products
- Cable – Corsair Individually Sleeved PSU Cables Pro Kit – White ($113)
- The Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 Rapidfire ($133)
- Mouse – Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE ($80)
- The Deluxe PC Headset – Corsair Virtuoso Wireless Headset ($180)
- The 34" 165Hz Ultra-Wide Gaming Monitor – MSI MPG Artymis 343CQR ($736)

The Best $3500 Ultimate Gaming PC Build – June 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Build
- – ($)
- CPU – Intel Core i9-12900KS ($750)
- Motherboard – MSI MPG Z690 Edge WiFi DDR5 ($310)
- Video Card – PowerColor Radeon RX 6950 XT Red Devil ($1100)
- Memory – G.SKILL 2x16GB Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 ($350)
- Solid-State Drive – WD_Black SN850 2TB NVMe ($240)
- Case – Cooler Master MasterCase H500P Mesh White ARGB ($200)
- Power Supply – Corsair RM1000x Gold (2021) ($170)
- CPU Cooler – Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD CPU Cooler ($290)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products
- Cable – Corsair Individually Sleeved PSU Cables Pro Kit – White ($113)
- The Typist's Gaming Keyboard – Logitech G915 Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Clicky) ($230)
- The Ultimate Wireless Gaming Mouse – Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless ($120)
- The Deluxe PC Headset – Corsair Virtuoso Wireless Headset ($180)
- The 32" 4K 144Hz Gamer's Dream Monitor – Gigabyte M32U ($760)

The Best $5000 Dream Machine Gaming PC Build – June 2022
The DIY Build
- CPU – Intel Core i9-12900KS ($750)
- Motherboard – MSI MEG Z690 ACE ($550)
- Video Card – EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti 24GB FTW3 Ultra ($2000)
- Memory – G.Skill 2x16GB Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 CL32 ($430)
- Solid-State Drive – Corsair MP600 Pro XT 2TB ($293)
- – Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic Evo ($190)
- ARGB Fan – Corsair iCUE SP120 RGB Elite 3-Pack ($70)
- Power Supply – be quiet! Straight Power 11 Platinum 1200W ($214)
- CPU Cooler – Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD CPU Cooler ($290)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home USB ($139)
Optional Products

The Best $5,000 Professional Content Creation PC Build – May 2022
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Build
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 9 5950X ($549)
- Motherboard – Gigabyte X570S Aero G ($320)
- Memory – G.SKILL 4x32GB Trident Z DDR4-3600 CL18 ($580)
- Video Card – Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3080 Ti OC 12GB ($1200)
- Solid-State Drive – Corsair MP600 Pro XT 4TB ($800)
- Solid-State Drive – Second Corsair MP600 Pro XT 4TB ($800)
- Case – SilverStone Seta Q1 ($205)
- Power Supply – be quiet! Straight Power 11 Platinum 1000W ($210)
- CPU Cooler – Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 ($125)
- Operating System – Microsoft Windows 11 Pro Flash Drive ($200)

The Best $10,000 Supreme Dream Machine Gaming PC Build – May 2022
The DIY Build
- CPU – Intel Core i9-12900KS ($750)
- Motherboard – MSI MEG Z690 ACE ($550)
- Video Card – EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti 24GB FTW3 Ultra ($2000)
- Memory – G.Skill 2x16GB Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 CL32 ($430)
- Memory – Second Kit of G.Skill 2x16GB Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 ($450)
- Solid-State Drive – Corsair MP600 Pro XT 4TB ($800)
- Solid-State Drive – Second Corsair MP600 Pro XT 4TB ($800)
- Case – Cooler Master HAF 700 EVO @Newegg ($650)
- Power Supply – be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 1500W ($449)
- CPU Cooler – Corsair iCUE H170i ELITE LCD CPU Cooler ($310)
- Operating System – Microsoft Windows 11 Pro Flash Drive ($200)
Optional Products