The PC space has evolved over the last decade to the point that computers are no longer only utilitarian but also showcased as works of art. Manufacturers have noticed the trend and are constantly coming up with visually appealing components, thus drifting away from the traditional gamer-y design language. First-time PC builders and enthusiasts now have the liberty to put together a rig according to their color of choice while including RGB elements for added flair.
All-white builds are gaining popularity due to their clean and modern appearance without sacrificing much performance. For as little as $1300, we can have a PC capable of producing impressive numbers at 1440p resolution gaming with only using white components. For about $2500, we can build a decked-out gaming PC capable of consistently pushing frames in triple-digits even at 4K resolution. The last rig is the definition of an ultimate no-budget gaming monster built with only the most supreme components money can buy.
Without Spending An Arm And A Leg For A Clean Rig
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
The undisputed champion of entry-level gaming, the Ryzen 5 7600 achieves this feat thanks to its incredible performance at a sub-$ $200 price while being on the newer AM5 platform. This 6-core processor can boost its clock speed to 5.1 GHz, only consumes 65W of power, and even packs 32 MB of L3 cache.
Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 EVO White ARGB CPU Air Cooler
Thermalright, a Taiwanese company, has been consistently crafting affordable PC cooling solutions and their CPU cooler lineup starts with the Assassin Spirit 120 EVO. This single-tower air cooler consists of 4 heatpipes and a single 120mm PWM & ARGB fan with a max speed of 2000 RPM.
ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi
The ASRock B650M Pro RS Wi-Fi fits any budget Ryzen build without cutting corners. Key features include PCIe 5.0 support, 7 USB Type-A ports, and Wi-Fi 6E. The motherboard provides ample VRM cooling with an 8+2+1 power phase and aluminum heatsinks.
Silicon Power XPOWER Zenith RGB Gaming 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
This 32 GB DDR5 RAM kit from Silicon Power is ideal for gaming PC builds as modern titles are progressing towards being more memory intensive. Running at 6000MHz with a CAS latency of 30, these sticks have proven to offer optimal efficiency for Ryzen systems.
Silicon Power A60 1TB NVMe M.2 PCIe 2280 SSD
The Silicon Power A60 1TB Gen 3 NVMe SSD is affordable and fits a budget build perfectly. With read speeds of up to 2,200MB/s, this drive is sufficient for fast booting and loading games.
SAPPHIRE PURE Radeon RX 7900 GRE
The Sapphire Pure Radeon RX 7900 GRE is a step up from the massively popular RX 7800 XT and delivers a stellar 1440p gaming experience. The GPU features 16 GB GDDR6 VRAM, 5120 Stream Processors, and a 256-bit memory bus, making it faster than the RTX 4070 SUPER.
Seasonic FOCUS GX-750
Seasonic is a reputable power supply manufacturer known for its craftsmanship and reliability. The Focus GX-750 delivers 750W of power in a single-rail configuration and offers all the security features such as OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP, SCP. The PSU has a 10-year warranty and a life expectancy of 50,000 hours.
Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case
The Fractal Design Pop Air RGB is a budget mid-tower PC case with a clear tempered glass window. The case comes pre-installed with 3 ARGB fans with room for two more and can fit a 240mm radiator on the top. The front mesh panel and the rear cutouts allow ample ventilation and airflow into the case and keep the system temperatures under control.
For our first build, we allocated a budget of about $1300, which is sufficient for an all-white gaming-focused rig without compromising on horsepower. AMD has been the go-to option for gaming PC builds whereas Intel suits a productivity-intense one. Team Red’s Ryzen 7000 series is objectively better performing thanIntel’s 13th/14th generation, making it popular among gamers of every level.
The CPU for the build, the Ryzen 5 7600 is the gateway to AMD’s latest AM5 platform which brings improved efficiency over their previous generation. This CPU pairs well with our GPU without showing signs of bottlenecking, ensuring maximum frame rates are achieved on a relatively tight budget.
The ASRock B650M PRO RS Wi-Fi offers a range of I/O, a decent VRM and chipset cooling arrangement, and WI-Fi support while being affordable. For memory, the 32 GB kit of DDR5 RAM from Silicon Power is the sweet spot for the current generation gaming scenario as its6000MHz frequency and low latency of CL30returns the most output and stability. As the processor only consumes 65W of power, the Thermalright Assassin King 120 SE is all we need to cool it. Storage is taken care of by the 1TB Silicon Power A60 Gen 3 NVMe SSD as it’s plenty quick and easy on the wallet.
The SAPPHIRE PURE Radeon RX 7900 GRE comes in bright white, has a white backplate and a glowing Sapphire logo beside the power connectors. This GPU retails for around $550 and features 16 GB GDDR6 VRAM at a memory bus of 256-bit. It positions itself between the RX 7900 XT and the RX 7800 XT, and all three GPUs are excellent powerhouses for 1440p gaming. With the current CPU in mind, this build will be able to accommodate an RX 7900 XT or an RTX 4070ti without noticeable bottlenecking.
All the components will be housed in the Fractal Design Pop Air mid-tower PC case. The enclosure can fit up to an ATX motherboard and comes with a transparent side panel and 3 pre-installed ARGB fans for added flair. Powering the rig is a 750W PSU from Seasonic as they are the gold standard for power supplies in the PC industry due to their generous warranty policy and reliability.
A “Have Your Cake And Eat It” Situation
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D has earned accolades for being the best gaming CPU for its unmatched performance. Its 96MB of L3 cache makes it so special, which significantly enhances the gaming experience. Air cooling is sufficient for this processor as it only draws 120W of power.
ASRock B650 Steel Legend WiFi
ASRock B650 Steel Legend Wi-Fi has the aesthetics to fit in an all-white build. Key features include Gen 5.0 x16 PCIe support, 8 rear USB-A ports with 4 being USB 3.2 Gen 2, 14+2+1 power phase, and 80A Dr.MOS for VCore. Other notable features include Realtek HD audio, Wi-Fi 6E support, and 3 NVMe slots.
DeepCool AK620 WH White CPU Air Cooler
The DeepCool AK620 is a rare all-white air cooler that distinguishes itself with more than just its looks. Relying on two FK120 mm fans that can spin with a maximum of 1850 RPMs, producing an airflow of up to 68.99 CFM. Even so, the AK620 system keeps noise levels below the 28 dBA threshold with an optional low-noise adapter included. The 6 mm white heat pipes with raised copper cold plates reduce temperature levels near CPU sockets with unmatched efficiency.
CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB)
A fast DDR5 RAM kit is essential for a high-end build to churn the most performance out of the hardware. This kit supports AMD EXPO out-of-the-box and runs at a stable 6000MHz speed with tight timings of CL30. This equates to a first-word latency of only 10ns and is the optimal configuration of the latest Ryzen CPUs.
acer Predator GM7000 2TB M.2 SSD
The Acer Predator GM7000 2TB M.2 SSD ticks two important boxes: fast data transfer speed and the inclusion of DRAM cache. This Gen 4 NVMe drive reaches sequential read and write speeds of up to 7400 MB/s and 6700 MB/s. With the added security of a 5-year warranty, the Acer Predator GM7000 is a no-brainer.
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER AERO OC 16G
The 4080 SUPER is all one can ask for in a GPU and more, performing on par with its rival, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX. This particular variant from Gigabyte features a white shroud and backplate making it ideal for white PC builds. This GPU crushes 4K gaming effortlessly while being relatively attainable at around $1000.
MONTECH KING 95 PRO Mid-Tower PC Gaming Case
The King 95 Pro from Montech is a premium dual-chamber case with a curved front panel giving it an edge-less appearance. This variant comes pre-installed with 6 ARGB PWM fans with a fan hub and can support a 360mm radiator on the top of the case. The front curved glass panel is resilient to bends and cracks and can also be swapped for a mesh one for better airflow.
Corsair RM1000x Power Supply
The Corsair RM1000x is an 80+ gold-certified fully-modular power supply with impressive build quality and longevity. The PSU is ATX 3.0 compliant and supports PCIe Gen 5.0 GPUs with its 12VHPWR cable. The unit is cooled by a 135mm fan and produces below 30 dBA of noise.
The second build raises the bar and aims to handlegaming at super high refresh ratesand 4K resolution, comfortably. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is arguably the easiest component choice due to its proven track record in speed and efficiency. When put under stressful gaming situations, this CPU always emerges on top against the likes of heavyweights such as the Intel Core i9 14900 K.
Ryzen processors aren’t among the hottest-running processors, allowing them to get away with affordable air cooling solutions. However, as this build focuses on aesthetics, we went with the DeepCool AK620 for its clean profile and praiseworthy cooling capacity. The AK620 Digital is another great option for those looking to monitor the system temperatures on the cooler’s display.
The ASRock B650 Steel Legend Wi-Fi is theirpremium B650 motherboardand compliments our high-performance processor. Should the aforementioned motherboard be unavailable, similar choices include the Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX ICE, ASUS ROG STRIX B650-A GAMING Wi-Fi, and NZXT N7 B650E. For RAM, the Corsair Vengeance RGB 32 GB DDR5 is sufficient for any graphically intensive game we throw at it.
Although 32 GB is appropriate in 2024, upgrading to 64 GB is a viable option if productivity and further future-proofing is on the cards. The Acer Predator GM7000 2 TB M.2 SSD makes it our build for two specific reasons: includes DRAM cache without an exorbitant price tag. The next best reasonable upgrade will be opting for the 4 TB variant, which, although sounds overkill, might be necessary as game files keep increasing.
The Gigabyte AERO OCGeForce RTX 4080 SUPERfaces the infamous “bling-tax” and will set you back another $150. Despite the steep cost, it’s a popular graphics card for all-white builds, with two alternatives being the ostentatious ASUS ROG Strix 4080 SUPER and the underrated ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 Super Trinity OC White Edition. Team Red loyalists can match the 4080 SUPER’s performance with an AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX. Some white versions of the latter are the ASRock Taichi OC and the PoweColor Hellhound ones.
The case chosen for this build is the Montech KING 95 PRO (white) which is adual-chamber ATX mid-tower PC cabinet. The case has a unique look thanks to its curved front tempered glass panel, and it even comes with 6 pre-installed ARGB PWM fans. The Lian Li Lancool 216 is a great alternative as well. Finishing the build is the Corsair RM1000x gold-certified PSU, which is quite regular in our other builds due to its remarkable build quality and life expectancy.
When Money Is Not An Issue
Intel Core i9 14900K 24-Core, 32-Thread CPU
The Intel Core i9 14900K is their flagship “Meteor Lake” processor made to storm through resource-intensive productivity tasks and AAA gaming. This CPU can reach a staggering 6 GHz boost clock, drawing up to 253W of max turbo power. Unfortunately, with great power comes great heat generation, thus a robust cooling solution is imperative.
ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler
The Ryujin III is ASUS’s most formidable and striking AIO, featuring a sharp 3.5-inch LCD screen on the water block. Like other premium AIOs, the Ryujin III comes equipped with an 8th Gen Asetek pump, three 120mm daisy-chainable magnetic fans running at a maximum of 2200RPM, and a 30mm thick radiator.
GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX
A great white Intel 14th Gen motherboard is the GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX showcasing a plethora of quirks from PCIe 5.0 to 2.5GbE LAN and Wi-Fi 6E. The motherboard has a twin 16+1+2 hybrid digital VRM design and fully covered MOSFET heatsinks for efficient cooling. The rear I/O includes 9 USB Type-A ports and a single USB Type-C 20Gb/s port.
G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB Series
The G.Skill Trident lineup of RAM has been a top seller for the company mainly due to its simplistic design and reliability. This 64 GB kit is adequate for performance-oriented builds for multitasking and gaming. The kit runs at a stable 6000MHz and low latency of CL30, allowing it to push more frames and smoother frame times.
SAMSUNG 990 PRO NVMe 4.0 SSD 1TB
The Samsung 990 Pro is Samsung’s latest and greatest PCI-E 4.0 SSD endeavor. It delivers blazing-fast read and write speeds with a solid 5-year warranty and excellent software support in tow via the Samsung Magician software suite allowing for fine-grained control to users giving them the ability to tweak, benchmark, and customize how their SSDs function.
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX™ 4090 White OC
ASUS’s focus on designing mass-appealing GPUs is evident in their products and the ROG Strix RTX 4090 is no exception. This GPU boasts an astonishing 24 GB of GDDR6X VRAM along with 16,384 CUDA cores, making it a powerhouse for running games at 4K with maxed-out ray-tracing.
NZXT H9 Elite
NZXT makes some of the best-looking PC components and so is their H9 Elite. This PC case has a unique 3-side tempered glass layout, making it perfect for showcasing all the expensive hardware in a build. The enclosure comes pre-installed with three 120mm RGB fans on the side, another 120mm non-RGB fan at the rear, and space for 6 more.
Seasonic Vertex GX-1200 1200W PSU
The Seasonic Vertex GX-1200 PSU easily qualifies for high-end PC builds due to the company’s long-standing reputation for producing top-quality and reliable PSUs. This power supply consists of Japanese transistors, is rated for 80+ Gold efficiency, and is ATX 3.0/PCIe5 compatible. It’s a single-rail PSU with a host of protection standards such as OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP, and SCP.
The star of the show is our final build where we put together only the best possible components without overspending on atrociously expensive parts just for the sake of that. The heart of the build, the Intel Core i9 14900K, is a multi-thread processing beast that shows its prowess in gaming as well.
With a max boost clock of 6GHz, there’s little doubt about the processor’s abilities. Although the latest generation Intel processors are infamous for generating excessive heat, an effective cooling solution is mandatory. The ASUS Ryujin III is the best in business and lives up to its reputation when it comes to cooling the i9 behemoth.
The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS PRO X is our motherboard of choice as it matches the theme of the build and provides all the bells and whistles an expensive build deserves. For RAM, we chose the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 64 GB kit with a stable frequency of 6000MHz and a low first-word latency of 10ms. 64 GB memory is overkill by today’s standards but if need be, the remaining two dim slots can be populated in the future, making it a total of 128 GB! The Samsung 990 Pro 4 TB M.2 drive can reachblazing-fast speeds of up to 7450 MB/s,which is adequate for a gaming PC.
The Asus ROG STRIX GAMING OC GeForce RTX 4090 is right up there with the best-looking GPUs of all time and makes our build even more special. Currently, the RTX 4090 is the king of the hill and blows all competition out of the water. Until Nvidia releases the highly anticipated RTX 5090, we can rely on the 4090 for a high refresh rate 4K gaming experience.
Providing power to the system is the Seasonic Vertex GX-1200 which promises to last a decade before showing signs of aging. Seasonic is a seasoned campaigner in the PSU business, and their product reliability is among the best. All the components come together in the majestic NZXT H9 Elite, which adds the final touches to our build with its wraparound tempered glass design.
FAQ
Q: Which parts should I spend the most money on for a gaming PC?
Contrary to popular belief that a powerful CPU will yield more frames per second, sometimes it is wiser to drop a notch and get a cheaper CPU with a more capable GPU a.k.a the graphics card. A lot of new PC builders run into the confusion of getting an expensive processor thinking that it’s what fuels the system which isn’t entirely correct. The graphics card handles the bulk of the processing in most games, whereas the CPU remains underutilized. A rule of thumb when selecting parts for a new build is to allocate around 50%-60% of the budget for the graphics card and work with the remaining amount for the rest of the components. Pcpartpicket.com is a resourceful tool for shortlisting PC components and getting them reviewed by tech enthusiasts, which is a great option for the novice.
Q: Is $5000 for a PC too much for a gaming PC?
While shopping for PC components, it is easy to fill your cart with overpriced and unnecessary hardware without proper planning. Back in the day when SLI and water-cooling were a hot topic, $5000 was the average price of high-end PCs, but times have changed and so has technology. It usually boils down to the level of usage and needs of the consumer, as someone who casually plays Fortnite after school can get away with a decent build for under $1000. On the other hand, a power user utilizing a high refresh-rate ultra-wide 4K monitor requires the best possible GPU on the market which can easily cost north of $2000 depending on supply conditions and demand. Add water-cooling and a beastly CPU to the list and a budget of $5000 might not seem ridiculous. For the average user wanting to experience 1440p gaming, a $2000-$2500 budget is all they need to keep themselves content for a few years.
Q: Do I need an AIO for my CPU?
AIOs are attractive and can level up the aesthetics of a build but aren’t always necessary as they can be expensive and chip into the budget of the rig. Air coolers have come a long way and can effectively cool almost all current generation processors while being economical. Some good examples are the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE, DeepCool AK620 DIGITAL, and the Noctua NH-D15 Chromax, which perform on par with AIOs while causing fewer hardware issues down the line. However, it is crucial to read user reviews and look up certain CPUs' power draw and heat generation as air coolers might not be an effective solution.
