Budget PC build under $2,200?

Hey everyone!

I’m looking for some solid advice on a PC build around the $5.00 mark. My main priority here is strictly gaming—that’s what this machine is for.

In terms of specs, I really want to go with an NVIDIA RTX 2080 Super. I don't need any storage drives—I've got plenty from my old rig that’s basically on its deathbed at this point. I also don't need a monitor or any peripherals included in this budget.

So, if anyone (or a few of you) can weigh in with some suggestions—that would be great! 😁

1 * AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Code: 0400500 - $935
1 * BE QUIET Dark Rock 4 Cooler, compatible with 1150/1151/1155/1156/1366/2011-3/2066/AM2+/AM3+/AM4/FM1/FM2+, black
Code: 050.903.378 - $216
1 * ASUS TUF Gaming X570-PLUS (WI-FI) motherboard
Code: 0202253 - $787
1 * Kingston DDR4 HX Fury, 16GB (2x 8GB), 3200MHz, CL16
Code: king-x432c16fk2-16 - $228
1 * Gainward GF NVIDIA RTX 2080 Super Phantom, 8GB GDDR6
Code: gai-2080s-ph-8gb - $2177
1 * KINGSTON A2000 1000G SSD, M.2 2280, NVMe, Read/Write: 2200 / 2000 MB/s, Random Read/Write IOPS 250K/220K
Code: SA2000M8/1000G - $387
1 * Riotoro ENIGMA G2 PSU, 650W, 80 GOLD
Code: RIO-PR-GP0650-FMG2EU - $307
1 * BE QUIET Pure Base 500 Case, ATX, metallic-grey, black, windowed
Code: 052.600.313 - $222

Total: $5259
Discounted Total: $4733 BestBuy.com

You've got some room there to add more storage if you need to.
You could save a bit more $333 by switching to an MSI B450 Tomahawk, but since your budget is already at 15k...

Also, if you aren't planning on doing any overclocking, you can just stick with the stock cooler; it'll do the job. Or maybe something like an Arctic Freezer 34, though I'm not even sure how much better that actually is than the AMD Wraith Prism you get with the 3700X.

In my opinion, if you're primarily gaming, an Intel Core i7 would be the better choice.

Then just give them a solid example of a complex configuration so the author can make an informed call 🙂

Thanks for the hand, Adam Moore3! 👍

@Alexander Moore67:
Yeah, it's primarily for gaming—but honestly, I still think this processor is perfectly fine.

The build is solid; I don't think you'd get much more bang for your buck switching over to an Intel Core i7 setup. Honestly, the only thing I’d nitpick is the case, but hey, that’s totally subjective—everyone’s got their own taste when it comes to aesthetics. If I were building this myself, I might actually grab an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and a different motherboard just to squeeze out some better value.

Feel free to suggest any cases you think would fit; personally, I'm leaning toward a minimalist aesthetic, especially since this build is going to be whisper-quiet. 🙂
I went with the 3700X just to ensure some level of future-proofing, given this is a $1,500 build, and the motherboard is easily one of the better options in the upper mid to lower high-end tier. If you paired a Ryzen 5 3600 with an MSI B450 Tomahawk—which offers incredible value—the price drops below $667.

Here’s one for the Intel fans, featuring a slightly more flashy case. Just for comparison 🙂

1 * Intel Core i7-10700K 3.8GHZ LGA1200 16M Cache Box
SKU: INT-0723 - $1245
1 * Asus tuf gaming Z490-PLUS
SKU: 0202316 - $633
1 * Viper Steel, 3200Mhz, 16GB (2x8GB), CL16
SKU: pat-vs416g320k-16g - $233
1 * Gainward GF RTX2080Super Phantom, 8GB GDDR6
SKU: gai-2080s-ph-8gb - $2177
1 * SSD 1 TB KIN A2000 PCIe M.2 2280 NVMe
SKU: 0141201 - $409
1 * Riotoro ENIGMA G2 PSU, 650W, 80 GOLD
SKU: RIO-PR-GP0650-FMG2EU - $307
1 * PHANTEKS Eclipse P400S MidiTower, Silent, TG, Black/Red
SKU: PH-EC416PSTG_BR - $259
1 * Cooler BE QUIET Dark Rock 4, compatible with 1150/1151/1155/1156/1366/2011-3/2066/AM2+/AM3+/AM4/FM1/FM2+, black
SKU: 050.903.378 - $216

Total: $5480
Total after discount: $4932 Best Buy

There isn't much room here to expand storage, but if 1TB is enough for you, then there's really no need to change anything.