Best PC Build for Gaming Under $1500

Introduction

The strongest gaming PC we can build for under $1,500 from current deals: as much video card as the budget allows, a modern processor to match, a fast NVMe SSD, and a quality power supply. It is built for high settings at 1440p and high refresh rate 1080p gaming in current releases.

Every part was picked from current listings for the best combination of price and compatibility, and the whole list comes to $1,462.43, $32.42 below the parts' reference prices. Prices were checked when this page was last updated and can change, so the total updates with every refresh.

CPU and Cooler

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 8-Core is a 8-core processor on the AM4 socket. For gaming, a fast six-core-or-better CPU paired with a capable video card delivers high frame rates without overspending on cores most games do not use.

For cooling we added the Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler, an air cooler that lists support for AM5, AM4. This CPU does not include a cooler in the box, so one is required.

Motherboard

The MSI A520M-A PRO Gaming Motherboard (AMD Ryzen 5000 is a Micro-ATX board with the A520 chipset that matches the CPU's AM4 socket and takes DDR4 memory. It is the lowest-cost compatible board in our current listings, which leaves more of the budget for the parts that affect frame rates.

Memory

16GB of DDR4 at 3200 MT/s (TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 16GB Kit (2x8GB) 3200MHz (PC4-25600) CL16 Desktop Memory Module Ram (Gray)). 16GB is enough for 1080p gaming with a browser and voice chat open, and a second kit can be added later. See our guide to how much RAM you need.

Storage

The Fanxiang 1TB NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4 M.2 Internal Gaming SSD for PS5 is a 1TB NVMe. A solid state drive makes the PC boot, open apps, and load games far faster than a hard drive. Games keep growing, so 1TB is the practical minimum for a gaming PC.

Video Card

The ASUS PRIME Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB GDDR6 OC Edition Gaming Graphics Card with 16GB of video memory is the heart of this gaming build. 16GB of video memory leaves headroom for high-resolution textures in new releases.

Compare it with other options in our guide to choosing a graphics card.

Case

The AL01 Open Frame Computer case DIY PC Test Bench for ATX M-Board,1Pc fits ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX boards, so it holds this Micro-ATX motherboard with room to spare.

Power Supply

We estimate this build draws about 521W at full load, so we recommend at least 750W. The ASRock PRO 850G Power Supply provides 850W and is 80 Plus Gold rated, which leaves headroom for upgrades and keeps the fan quiet.

How we picked the parts

We start with the strongest video card that fits a complete build under $1,500, then pick the best processor that keeps the build balanced, capped at about three quarters of the video card's price. The rest are the lowest-cost compatible parts that meet our standards: at least 16GB of memory, a fast NVMe SSD, and an 80 Plus Gold or better power supply sized with headroom. Memory prices are high right now, so the build puts that money into the video card instead, which matters far more for frame rates.

The build is recalculated from current listings each time we refresh prices, so it always reflects the best value available, stays under $1,500, and passes our compatibility check.

What to expect at this budget

$1,500 is the sweet spot for 1440p gaming. Expect high settings at 1440p in current releases and very high frame rates at 1080p, plus enough headroom for streaming or recording on the side.

Where to upgrade first

Add storage as your game library grows; a second NVMe SSD is the easiest upgrade. For more frames, the video card is the next step, and the power supply in this build is sized with room for it.

Other versions

Looking for something different? See our Best Gaming PC Build Under $1200 ($1,195.07), Best Gaming PC Build Under $3000 ($2,991.79) or AMD Gaming Build ($1,512.03), or browse every PC build.

Customizing

Ready to make this build your own? Open it in the PC Builder to swap any part. The builder checks compatibility and wattage as you go.