Do you want to build a configuration capable of holding up on the majority of current titles? With our gaming PC for less than 1200 USD, you should be able to play the latest titles in 1080p without difficulty but also enjoy your games in 1440p while maintaining excellent fluidity.
The current configuration is based on an Intel Core i5-10400F processor, accompanied by an RTX 2060 (or an RX 5600 XT). The 1TB NVMe SSD gives you the storage you need for your games while enjoying excellent responsiveness with your OS and reduced loading times for your games.
LIST OF COMPONENTS
| TYPE | PRODUCTS | ORDER |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-10400F |  |
| Motherboard | ASUS TUF B460-M-PLUS WiFi |  |
| Graphics card | Radeon RX 5600 Used |  |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance LPX (2×8 Go @ 3000 Mhz) |  |
| SSD | Crucial P2 M.2 NVMe – 1TB |  |
| Cooling | Be Quiet! Pure Rock Slim |  |
| Power supply | Corsair TX650M |  |
| Case | MSI MAG Forge 100R |  |
Concretely, what can we expect from such a configuration? With an Intel Core i5-10400F processor and an Nvidia RTX 2060 or AMD RX 5600 XT , you should be able to enjoy a more than adequate experience on most of the current games.
By limiting yourself to a Full HD / 1080p resolution, today’s configuration will allow you to exceed 100 FPS in Ultra and thus enjoy perfect fluidity on your favorite games. On less greedy titles, you will also be able to take full advantage of your screen at 144 Hz, an interesting point on competitive titles such as CS: GO or Fortnite.
Today’s setup will also allow you to try your hand at higher resolutions, especially 1440p. You will obviously have to lower your expectations in terms of details or FPS, but if you have a QHD screen, this 1200$ config should perfectly meet your expectations.
Processor- Intel Core i5-10400F
For this configuration at less than 1000 €, we keep the same CPU as our 800 € Gamer PC with the Intel Core i5-10400F. With its 6-core and 12-thread design and a Turbo mode that can go up to 4.3 GHz, it is more than sufficient for the needs of most players and allows us to save more budget from evolving the rest of our configuration. And, in particular, our graphics card.
If you have a slightly larger budget, its big brother the Core i5-10600K at 225 € may be interesting, but we recommend a Z490 motherboard at that point to be able to overclock it.
To take it a step further, you can check out our pick of the best processors for gamers.
Motherboard- ASUS TUF B460-M-PLUS WiFi
To accompany the 10400F, we remain on a motherboard with the B460 chipset. As cannot overclock the processor, there is no point in investing more than necessary in a Z490 card.
We opted here for a model positioned in the mid-range, with the A SUS TUF B460M Plus WiFi. This is an mATX format model, but that does not interfere with our configuration, and we find everything necessary to assemble a gaming PC worthy of the name.
We particularly appreciate integrating a WiFi 6 and Bluetooth chip, the presence of 2 M.2 PCIe 3.0 ports, or its 6 USB ports on the back. The card also has a nice design, with large heatsinks for 6 + 2 phase VRM or a reinforced PCIe port. Count around 175 $.
Graphic card- RX 5600 XT (Used)
You probably already know this, but a huge shortage currently hits the graphics card market. Inventories are completely dry, and the few cards that appear are sold out in minutes at exorbitant prices.
For this PC Gamer configuration at 1200$, we once again recommend that you focus on the second-hand market and look for an RTX 2060 or an RX 5600 XT for around $350. Don’t hesitate to put alerts on your favorite ad sites, so you don’t miss out on good deals!
Both cards allow you to play in perfect conditions at 1080p or even 1440p, depending on the games and the graphics settings selected. If you want to stream, favor the Nvidia model to enjoy the advantages of NVENC encoding.
Memory- Corsair Vengeance LPX
For RAM, no need to move towards a kit with enormous frequencies since we will be limited to 2666 Mhz with this B460 motherboard. We start here on Corsair Vengeance LPX barrettes, with 2 x 8 GB @ 3000 Mhz kits available under the $100 bar. They will be more than enough to play in good conditions with the components of the day. They are currently more affordable than 2666 Mhz kits.
Do not hesitate to check the other kits available at the different merchants; the prices may vary from day today.
SSD- Crucial P2 M.2 NVMe – 1TB
For our storage, we start here on a 1TB NVMe SSD with a Crucial P2 model.
With speeds that can climb to 2400 MB / s in reading and up to 1800 MB / s in writing, we will use it here to store its operating system, favorite applications as well as its game library.
It is available under the 100 € mark. It is one of the most affordable NVMe compatible models, alongside the XLR8 CS3030, the Sabrent Rocket, or even models from Silicon Power.
If you want to save a few tens of dollars, you can also go for a more classic SATA model. There are 1 TB models around102$.
Cooling- BeQuiet! Pure Rock Slim
If the Intel Core i5-10400F comes directly with its own cooler, we still recommend investing in a little more beefy and quieter model.
Available around 35$, the little BeQuiet! Pure Rock Slim could do the trick perfectly to keep your processor at the correct temperatures when gaming.
If you have a slightly larger budget, we also recommend the Noctua NH-U12S, especially if you plan to upgrade your CPU to a more powerful model in the years to come.
If you are more AIO water cooling, the Arctic Liquid Freezer II in 240 mm offers an unbeatable quality/price ratio under the bar of 100$.
Power Supply-Corsair CV550
On the power side, we go on a Corsair TX650M with 80 PLUS Gold certification. This semi-modular version offers good value for money combined with excellent reliability.
With 650W under the hood, you should power the various components of this configuration without worrying about it for less than 1200$ and ensuring a margin when you upgrade your graphics card or CPU.
If you have a tighter budget, you can also go for the Corsair CX550M, also semi-modular but a little less powerful and only certified 80 PLUS Bronze.
Case- Corsair Carbide 275R
For this case, there are many candidates in a price range between 80$. We opt here for the MSI BT MAG Forme 100M and its affordable price of only 80$.
It has a rather neat design, with a tempered glass window, power supply cover, and perforated front panel to ensure good ventilation. It also comes with 3 RGB fans, and it is rather rare in this price range.
Obviously, the choice of your case will also depend on your tastes, and other models around 100$ offer excellent value for money. We think in particular of the NZXT H510, the BeQuiet! Pure Base 500 or the Phanteks Eclipse P350X .
Modify your configuration
As with each of our configurations, we offer a few tracks to change your setup easily. If a configuration is close to 1200 USD, you have a more than correct basis for transforming your PC into a high-end model.
A more powerful graphics card
If you have a larger budget, we recommend that you replace your RTX 2060 with an even more powerful model. Several options are available, including allowing you to play in 1440p in excellent conditions.
In particular, you can opt for a recent RTX 3060 if you find one under the 420 USD mark. For a slightly higher budget, the RTX 3060 Ti boasts one of the best value for money in the industry, but once again, it’s still hard to find it at its true price.
For those who wish to play without the slightest concession, it will be necessary to go for the RTX 3080 or the RX 6800 XT but count here nearly 1200 USD with the current shortage.
An even more complete processor
If you’re not just limiting yourself to gaming or feel like your excellent 10400F is reaching its limits, you can still opt for an even more powerful processor.
By staying at Intel, we can, for example, go on a Core i5-10600K or, better, a Core i7-10700K. Two real racing beasts can withstand the most intense loads and can be particularly interesting for players wishing to play and stream from a single machine.
In these cases, keep in mind that it will also be better to switch to a Z490 or Z590 motherboard so that you can OC your processor and RAM.
Which screen to choose
To really enjoy your gaming PC, it is essential not to neglect the choice of your screen. With the configuration of the day, you can move towards a 1080p 144 Hz model to obtain a perfectly smooth rendering. If you are thinking about quickly changing your configuration, especially by upgrading your GPU, do not hesitate to look at the 1440p monitors.
At less than 360 USD, the ViewSonic XG2402 is positioned as one of the best 24-inch monitors. With a refresh rate of 144 Hz and a response time of 1 ms, it offers perfect fluidity for your games in 1080p.
