Best gaming PC build under $1500 in 2024
Built & Tested By Our Team
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Best gaming PC build under $1500
The best gaming PC under $1500 gets you a PC that can handle almost anything. With a $1500 PC build, you should be able to play any game you wish, no matter the settings, and do it in 4k no less. However, where this PC will shine is in 1440p, offering high FPS in almost all games, giving you the ability to take full advantage of a high refresh rate monitor.
$1500 gaming PC of the month
This is the ultimate $1500 gaming PC, we feel that $1500 is about the right amount to spend on a high-end gaming PC capable of 4k performance, and capable it is. The RTX 4070 this PC is equipped with does all the heavy lifting, a very capable GPU that can handle even some demanding titles in 4k at 60 FPS. We went hard on the GPU in the $1500 build, meaning we had to compromise a little on the CPU, but rest assured the i5-12600KF is still very capable of supporting the RTX 4070 in 1440p and 4K resolutions. Of course, we went with the DDR5 variant of the Z790 MSI Pro to milk the most performance possible out of the 12600KF. Aiding us in that venture is the T-Force Delta 23GB 5600MHz kit itself. All of these components together make for a well-optimized, high-performance, and future-proof 1500-dollar gaming PC build.
How we test
We build each of our selected PCs from scratch to make sure all the parts we recommend can be configured properly together, fit into the selected case, and provide the best performance possible for the price. Once built, the PCs are tested in the office with everyday use as well as in a series of games that range from light to demanding. While we test, we also run benchmarks to see how well our builds perform, all while keeping an eye on the temperature of the components and the overall health of the configuration.
We know how much some of you enjoy overclocking your PCs, so we made sure to test that too. So, you can rest assured knowing these machines can be comfortably pushed beyond their standard capabilities. But, please make sure you know how to overclock before trying to maximize the performance of your brand-new PC build, as overclocking carries risks and voids warranties.
The WePC experts that worked on this build
As a Junior Staff Writer, Jack is involved in writing and maintaining a bunch of hardware guides & reviews. With an interest in PC gaming, he now focuses on writing about monitors, headsets, and more.
Shaun is a gaming enthusiast and computer science graduate who has been working with computers for the last 15 years. He took a shine to competitive FPS back in the mid-2000s and hasn’t looked back since.
Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $1500
Skytech Nebula Gaming PC Desktop (R5 5600X, RTX 4070)
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
GPU
RTX 4070
RAM
16GB DDR4
Storage
1TB NVMe SSD
Skytech Nebula Gaming PC Desktop (R5 5600X, RTX 4070)
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
GPU
RTX 4070
RAM
16GB DDR4
Storage
1TB NVMe SSD
Not everyone can build a new gaming PC from scratch, so we have included some premium prebuilt options for your consideration. While building your own is always going to be the best choice for both your experience and wallet, since you pay a premium for assembly, we understand this can be a daunting task for some. It is worth noting; that we select our prebuilt PCs from reputable custom PC builders that you can trust.
This post recommends the best gaming PC you can build for under $1500. If you’re looking to buy a prebuilt gaming PC instead, we recommend the Skytech Nebula gaming PC. It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU and the RTX 4070 GPU, that can run AAA games at high settings without breaking a sweat. However, the CPU is a little behind our option, the 12600KF.
Best gaming PC build under $1500
- Last Updated - Mar 14, 2024
This $1500 gaming PC was designed to bring out all the power you’ll need to play any game in both high settings and higher resolutions, while also providing silky-smooth streaming/rendering performance.
Our $1500 Intel custom gaming PC
With the best gaming PC build for around $1500, you’ll enjoy a high level of performance, productivity, and content production. In the $1500 range, you can expect every game to run without any issues and a system that won’t let you down for years to come. This is the best gaming PC you can buy for the price, and it comes packed with serious ability across the board.
Intel Core i5-12600KF
Boost clock speed (single core)
4.9 GHz
Total Cores / Threads
10/16
P-cores
6
E-cores
4
Socket
LGA 1700
Overclockable
Yes
Intel Core i5-12600KF
Boost clock speed (single core)
4.9 GHz
Total Cores / Threads
10/16
P-cores
6
E-cores
4
Socket
LGA 1700
Overclockable
Yes
The Intel i5-12600KF was one of Intel’s most successful 12th-gen processors largely down to its price to performance. While we would love to fit a 13600K or 14600K into this build, we have compromised to get a better GPU inside – all three of these CPU generations work with the same LGA 1700 socket regardless. The 12600KF comes to shelves with an impressive 10-core/16-thread makeup, beating its predecessor convincingly.
It has a potential of 4.9GHz boost clock and is still a great option for gamers at its current price. The rest of the build features next-gen components and you will be able to upgrade to a 13th-gen CPU with the motherboard below.
MSI PRO Z790-P Wifi DDR5
Form factor
ATX
Power stages
14+1+1 DRPS with 55A DrMOS
Connectivity
PCIe 5.0, M.2, 2.5Gbps LAN, USB 3.2 Gen2
Wifi
Wi-Fi 6E
MSI PRO Z790-P Wifi DDR5
Form factor
ATX
Power stages
14+1+1 DRPS with 55A DrMOS
Connectivity
PCIe 5.0, M.2, 2.5Gbps LAN, USB 3.2 Gen2
Wifi
Wi-Fi 6E
To match the potential of the CPU, you are going to need a reliable motherboard. The MSI PROI Z790-P is a DDR5 option that offers a nice balance of affordability and quality. This board is packed with features for the price, supporting overclocking, fast RAM speeds, Wifi6E, PCIe 5,0, and more.
While you may of expected a liquid cooling solution for this i5, the DeepCool AK620 is more than OK for this. Again, we are trying to save money for the better GPU but this cooler will take care of the 12600K and the 13600K if you ever decided to opt for the latest gen SKU.
Affordable, beefy and effective, just what you need.
TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) 5600MHz
Capcity
32GB (2x16GB)
Speed
5600MHz
Timings
CL32
RGB?
Yes
TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) 5600MHz
Capcity
32GB (2x16GB)
Speed
5600MHz
Timings
CL32
RGB?
Yes
This 32GB RAM kit from TEAMGROUP comes with an abundance of speed and quality for both the this next-gen build under $1500. Whether you are gaming, streaming, or working, we wanted to make sure you have more than enough RAM capacity and speed to get things done effectively.
We have gone for a RAM kit with a speed of 5600MHz to give you optimal speeds for gaming and to future-proof your system a little bit more. With speeds like this, you are guaranteed to avoid being bottlenecked by the RAM.
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Trinity OC
Clock speed
2625 MHz
VRAM
12GB GDDR6X
Output
DisplayPort 1.4a (x3) / HDMI 2.1a (x1)
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Trinity OC
Clock speed
2625 MHz
VRAM
12GB GDDR6X
Output
DisplayPort 1.4a (x3) / HDMI 2.1a (x1)
To power your graphical needs we have gone for one of the latest GPUs from Nvidia’s RTX 40-series – The RTX 4070 Ti. While pushing your frames in esports titles exponentially in high settings, this card will also smash through your favorite AAA titles and more when playing in 1440p. There is also some decent 4K performance from the 4070 Ti with the odd settings tweak.
The build quality of this SSD is unquestionable, and the boost in performance it gives makes it a no-brainer for this $1500 gaming PC. While testing, the benchmark results showed us that there is little difference between SATA SSDs and M.2, however, the WD Black SN770 NVMe 1TB M.2 is of the highest quality and is well-priced at the moment.
This SSD has a 1TB capacity, is from a reputable manufacturer, will enhance your gaming experience, and give you speedy boot times.
Corsair 4000D Airflow Black
Type
Mid-tower
Motherboard Support
ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX
Dimensions
17.83 x 9.06 x 18.35 inches
Included Fans
2 x 120mm AirGuide fans
Corsair 4000D Airflow Black
Type
Mid-tower
Motherboard Support
ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX
Dimensions
17.83 x 9.06 x 18.35 inches
Included Fans
2 x 120mm AirGuide fans
Last but not least is our case. The Corsair 4000D Airflow is one stylish PC case for the price and has been built using the highest quality materials to ensure this case will stand the test of time. This case boasts a tempered glass side panel for you to view your build.
With two 120mm included fans and an open-airflow design, you get excellent cooling performance out of the box. Alongside the airflow and aesthetics, the 4000D is also very builder-friendly, offering plenty of options for cable management, drive mounting, extra fans, and room for a liquid cooling setup. This is far from a budget case, and once you get your hands on it you’ll know why.
Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 850W
Wattage
850W
Efficiency
Gold
Modularity
Fully
ATX 3.0/PCI-E 5.0 compatibility
Yes
Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 850W
Wattage
850W
Efficiency
Gold
Modularity
Fully
ATX 3.0/PCI-E 5.0 compatibility
Yes
When building a PC of this value, you want to ensure you have a stable and reliable power supply to power your new components. This is where the Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 850W PSU comes in, with its gold efficiency rating. The amount of Watts on this PSU is going to be more than enough to power the build, giving you a little more for future upgrades, plus it features ATX 3/ PCIe 5 compatibility.
Our $1500 Intel custom gaming PC
Things to consider
What you get for your $1500
When you are spending around $1500, you are pretty much guaranteed to give yourself a high-end PC with an array of top-shelf features. For this amount of money, you can expect a fast CPU that will enhance your gaming experience and also perform without issue when multitasking. You will also benefit from a high-end graphics card, capable of high frame rates in glorious high-fidelity graphical settings. Overall, a PC built under $1500 brings some of the very best components together and puts you in the lower high-end bracket, ideal for 1440p gaming on a high refresh rate monitor.
We separate our builds into different categories, all based on a specific budget. Regardless of this, it is still important to consider if this is the right budget for your gaming needs. If you are looking to play AAA titles in high settings and achieve relatively high FPS metrics, then you are in the right place. For the more casual gamers who primarily play less taxing indie games, this PC could be overkill. While we do our best to bring you a high-quality system that remains within our budget parameters, Amazon’s prices can fluctuate from time to time.
This $1500 gaming PC build features the latest next-gen components, ensuring you get high performance that will last for years. With an RTX 40-series GPU, you are guaranteed high frame rates in most titles in 1440p and below, with some 4K performance viable through the odd setting tweak.
Supporting the CPU and GPU, this $1500 build also comes with a rapid 1TB NVMe SSD to take care of your operating system and more than a few games. This storage solution will give you faster boot times than your standard HDD and will also improve your FPS in-game. We also see 32GB of ultra-fast 5600MHz DDR5 RAM in this PC, making this PC feel fast and responsive for years to come.
Overclocking
Some gamers and plenty of enthusiasts love to overclock their gaming rigs, so we have included components that can cater to this. Overclocking can squeeze extra power out of your system and provide you with even better performance.
If you are considering overclocking your system, remember to include a capable aftermarket cooler to handle the extra heat produced by the CPU. The fast RAM included in this build will not run at 5600MHz out of the box, so remember to overclock your RAM in the BIOS, by enabling the XMP profile. It is worth noting that the motherboard selected can handle these speeds without any issues, so no need to worry.
Should you choose AMD or Intel for your $1500 gaming PC build?
Both AMD and Intel offer incredible results from their latest lines of processors. We currently recommend Intel’s 12600KF, but this CPU and the accompanying motherboard can be switched out for an AMD equivalent if you prefer. This $1500 PC build provides you with one of the best price-to-performance gaming CPUs on the market and its multithreading capabilities will stand the test of time for a few more years to come.
Upgradability & Future-Proofing the $1500 build
Even though this is a $1500 gaming PC and is considered high-end, there is still some room for improvement. Upgrades in the right areas can give you an improved gaming experience if done right, and a greater life span out of your PC build, so certainly worthy of consideration. Upgrades will come at a significant extra cost for that boost in performance, but if you can accommodate it, go for it! For a significant upgrade, at a little extra cost, consider our $2000 gaming PC.
Financing and purchase options for your $1500 PC build
There is more than one way to purchase PC parts in 2024, we’re of course speaking about finance. Now, while we don’t recommend you get into debt and end up paying more for your components than you should, there are several 0% interest purchase options from the likes of ClearPay and Klarna. These can be especially useful if your PC breaks, for example, and you need a new one for work quickly. If you don’t fancy getting into debt, there’s always the option of buying components secondhand.
There are only a couple of components we do not recommend you buy secondhand, these are hard drives and PSUs. Everything else is okay if you can deduce that they have been treated properly. Please ask for proof of the working component before buying, buy, and test in person if you can, to avoid any shenanigans.
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Upgrade options
Even this powerful $1500 gaming PC has some wiggle room for upgrades, thanks to the Z790’s expansive CPU compatibility you can play host to the latest Intel 14th gen CPUs if you so wish. Upgrades will bring you better performance and further future-proof your system but, of course, at an extra cost.
As per our $1500 build, we’d say an upgrade in generation and SKU called for the i7-13700K. Not the highest-end CPU, but an enthusiast pick which is an exceptional performer. As for the graphics card, the next step up from the 4070 Ti is the RTX 4080, or the RTX 4070 Ti Super. If you wanted to, you could snag a 7900 XT from AMD that performs just slightly better than the 4070 Ti for around $800, all good options if you want a little extra power for 4K gaming.
Note: These will raise the price of the build! Some of them more significantly than others. CPUs and GPUs are the options that raise the price the most, as they are the main drivers behind gaming performance.
Even this powerful $1500 gaming PC has some wiggle room for upgrades, thanks to the Z790’s expansive CPU compatibility you can play host to the latest Intel 14th gen CPUs if you so wish. Upgrades will bring you better performance and further future-proof your system but, of course, at an extra cost.
As per our $1500 build, we’d say an upgrade in generation and SKU called for the i7-13700K. Not the highest-end CPU, but an enthusiast pick which is an exceptional performer. As for the graphics card, the next step up from the 4070 Ti is the RTX 4080, or the RTX 4070 Ti Super. If you wanted to, you could snag a 7900 XT from AMD that performs just slightly better than the 4070 Ti for around $800, all good options if you want a little extra power for 4K gaming.
Note: These will raise the price of the build! Some of them more significantly than others. CPUs and GPUs are the options that raise the price the most, as they are the main drivers behind gaming performance.
ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 4080 GAMING OC
Core Clock Speed
2,535 MHz boost, 2,205 MHz base
CUDA Cores
9,728
Memory Size
16GB GDDR6X
Dimensions
357.6 x 149.3 x 70.1mm
PSU Required
750 W
TBP
320 W
ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 4080 GAMING OC
Core Clock Speed
2,535 MHz boost, 2,205 MHz base
CUDA Cores
9,728
Memory Size
16GB GDDR6X
Dimensions
357.6 x 149.3 x 70.1mm
PSU Required
750 W
TBP
320 W
Intel Core i7-13700K
Cores
16
Threads
24
Base speed
P-cores 3.4 GHz / E-cores 2.5 GHz
Boost speed
P-cores 5.4 GHz / E-cores 4.2 GHz
Cache
24MB
TDP
125 W / 253 W boost.
Intel Core i7-13700K
Cores
16
Threads
24
Base speed
P-cores 3.4 GHz / E-cores 2.5 GHz
Boost speed
P-cores 5.4 GHz / E-cores 4.2 GHz
Cache
24MB
TDP
125 W / 253 W boost.
Operating System & Peripherals
No items found.
Building Tips
When spending this much money to get the best $1,500 gaming desktop, you want to make sure you’re doing everything right. So, to keep you from making the same mistakes every other newb PC builder makes, you’ll want to familiarise yourself with common PC building concerns.
FAQs
How long will this $1500 PC stay relevant?
The PC hardware industry advances fast, but we predict that this $1500 gaming PC will last around 4 years in terms of relevancy. Fortunately, we’ve designed this PC with future-proofing in mind, and we only need to upgrade the CPU to keep it relevant for a little longer.
Is $1500 the best value for a gaming PC?
$1500 is a good value and about how much we recommend you spend on a gaming PC. It may seem like a lot, but this PC will buy you 4 years of relevance, more if you spend a few extra bucks to upgrade the CPU, but for the price, and the system’s longevity, $1500 goes a long way.
Closing Thoughts
This $1500 gaming PC can glide through gaming in 1440p while pushing high FPS in AAA titles, and even dabble in 4k. The component list offered is the best for the price, leveraging the 13600KF’s performance-per-dollar, and the RTX 4070 Ti’s efficiency in 1440p. Whilst this $1500 build is targeted toward 1440p it can easily be pushed beyond with some minor setting tweaks, don’t forget, you always have the option to overclock or upgrade your components if you want a bit more performance. The upgradability of this machine is greatly increased by the Z790 motherboard which is comfortably set as Intel’s latest 14th generation CPUs without breaking a sweat, it’s what the Z790 was made for!
If you have more cash to spend and want even more performance out of your rig, you can look into our $2000 PC build. On the flip side, if you’re looking for something a little more budget, you can browse our $1000 gaming PC page.
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