For just under $1,000, you can get a gaming rig that will crush 1080p games and play 1440p games well. It also includes a fast NVMe SSD and 16GB of RAM, which is plenty for most people.

The RTX 4060 Ti is a great modern GPU that offers good performance at 1080p and even decent ray tracing at 1440p. It will also be upgradeable to 4K if you want to in the future.

GPU

GPUs (graphics processing units) are essential for a best computer build under 1000, especially ones that require high frame rates and demanding graphics settings. They also come in handy for other computer applications such as video editing software, design and drafting programs like Autodesk’s AutoCAD, and even machine learning algorithms.

For this build, we chose a powerful AMD Radeon RTX 4060 Ti which currently goes for as low as $381. This GPU is capable of handling most games at 1080p max settings and 1440p ultra with playable frame rates. It can also run some games at 4K with DLSS 3 and ray tracing enabled, however, the game settings will need to be tweaked.

A CPU cooler upgrade is also recommended, as the stock AMD wraith stealth isn’t up to the task of cooling this powerful processor. The be quiet! BW006 will provide better cooling performance while allowing you to push the Ryzen 5 7600 to its limit when overclocking. Sign up to our newsletter and get the latest news on CPUs, GPUs, AI, maker hardware and more.

RAM

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is the temporary storage space for all your computer’s processes, apps, and data. It stores information right in front of your CPU, so your computer can access it quickly. The faster it is, the more efficient your computer can be.

Unlike hard drive storage, which is a permanent storage medium, RAM gets wiped clean when you shut down your computer. Think of it like the top of your desk – everything you work with goes on the surface, while things that aren’t in immediate use go into a drawer below.

Low-end computers often come with 4GB of RAM, which is fine for web browsing and light Office work. Heavy multitaskers and gamers should consider upgrading to 8GB. Many modern games demand 16GB or more, and it is fairly cheap to upgrade to that level if your budget allows. If you’re an engineer or professional A/V editor, you may want to aim higher than 32GB for the best performance. This is usually overkill on most desktops, however. If you’re unsure of how much RAM to purchase, talk with a tech friend or visit an online computer parts retailer for advice.

Storage

The next build on our list is another AMD-based machine that offers more performance than you might expect for a $1000 gaming PC. The RTX 4060 from Nvidia combines well with the Ryzen 5 7600X CPU to create an impressive mid-range PC that’s capable of handling most games at 1080p with maxed-out settings.

This build also includes a decent amount of RAM with 16GB, which should be enough for most users. It doesn’t have the fastest SSD on the market, but the 1TB model is still plenty of space and will give you fast boot times.

As for the power supply, this one from Cooler Master is fully modular which should help keep your case clean of unused wires and improve airflow. It also supports up to a 280mm radiator, which is a good size for most systems. It’s also rated for a fairly high load, so you should be able to overclock it if you want to. The price is pretty decent too.

Motherboard

The motherboard is the core of your computer, enabling you to install and connect all your other components. It is also where you configure your operating system and other software. The best PC motherboards support the latest and greatest technologies. For example, they might support DDR5 RAM, PCIe Gen 4 graphics cards, and Intel 2.5Gb ethernet. In addition, they should have expansion slots to accommodate future components.

If you are looking for a gaming motherboard under $1000, then it is important to choose a model that can handle demanding AAA games and even ray tracing in some cases. This Asus ROG Strix B550-E motherboard offers AMD’s budget Ryzen chipset in a Micro ATX form factor. It features a 14+2 power stage, integrated Intel Wi-Fi 6, and more.

Conclusion

It’s also capable of running the latest AAA games at 1080p without a problem, and it can even do some 1440p gaming. All of this is possible thanks to the RX 7700 XT GPU and Intel Core i5-12400F CPU. Combined, they can easily handle high-end games with a maximum FPS of 100+.