Gaming PC build recommendations: $1,800 - $2,300 budget

Hey there,
A buddy of mine is looking to pull the trigger on a new gaming rig and he’s hunting for these specific parts:
Motherboard
Graphics card
Processor
CPU Cooler (Intel Core i7-8700)
RAM, ideally at 3200MHz
2 Hard drives (he's already got an SSD)
And a case
Plus a monitor

His budget is sitting around $1,800 to $2,200.
Of course, if you guys know a way to put together a total "best buy" beast for less cash, please let me know.
He was actually offered this setup:
Basically, he needs a killer GPU to pair up with that 8700K, mostly because he lives for PUBG but also wants to crush whatever new titles drop down the line.
It looks like nobody is even selling the Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti anymore, so we're definitely looking at the RTX series.
As for the monitor, nothing under 144Hz or smaller than 24 inches.
He'd prefer a shop that offers free assembly and shipping anywhere in the US.
He'll be paying in installments, and he'll just grab a mouse and keyboard later on.
Anyway, thanks for the help with the builds!

1440p vs 1080p monitors? Which one's better?

Do I really need two HDDs, or can I just stick with one big one?

Starting point.

The budget situation sucks because the actual best value sits just above what I want to spend.
Basically, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 (roughly similar to an Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti) is pricey, and the Nvidia RTX 2070 is also expensive while being significantly weaker.

I went with the Intel Core i5-9600K because there's no other way to pair it with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080.
Could save some cash on the case, power supply, or cooler.
Could also jump to an Intel Core i7-8700 or Intel Core i7-9700K, but then the 2080 won't fit. Not much difference in price or performance, but for gaming, I think 8 cores without HT beats 6 cores with HT.

1 * MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 VENTUS GDDR6 8GB/256bit, 1515MHz/14000MHz, PCI-E 3.0 x16, 3xDP, HDMI, USB Type-C, Torx 2x Cooler(Double Slot) Backplate, Retail
Retail Code: RTX_2080_VENTUS_8G - $1991

1 * MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151,4DDR4, 2PCI-Ex16, 4PCI-Ex1,1M.2, 6SATA3, 2USB3.1 GEN2 ,6USB3.1
Retail Code: Z390-A_PRO - $342

1 * Kingston DDR4 HX Fury, 16GB (2x 8GB), 3200MHz
Retail Code: king-x432c18fbk-16 - $277

1 * Seagate HDD, 4TB, 5400rpm, SATA, 256MB
Retail Code: SGT-ST4000DM004 - $301

1 * Corsair PSU, 650W, RMx Series
Retail Code: COR-CP-9020178-EU - $301

1 * Case SilentiumPC Armis AR3 TG-RGB Black, TG, 2x120mm
Retail Code: 29150643 - $150

1 * Noctua NH-D14 Cooler, Intel/AMD
Retail Code: NH-D14 - $190

1 * Intel Core i5-9600K (3.7GHz, 9MB, LGA1151) box
Retail Code: BX80684I59600KSRELU - $740

Total: $4292

Ends up being $4.75 on monthly installments.

In reality, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 price is the main driver here. It would be "more cost-effective" to grab an Nvidia RTX 2060 for $3300 instead of $2200, but that's roughly performing like an Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti Ti.

That works out to $1,330 on a payment plan, which leaves enough room to grab a monitor like

https://www.amazon.com/monitors/...

1 * MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 VENTUS GDDR6 8GB/256bit, 1515MHz/14000MHz, PCI-E 3.0 x16, 3xDP, HDMI, USB Type-C, Torx 2x Cooler(Double Slot) Backplate, Retail
Retail Code: RTX_2080_VENTUS_8G - $1991

1 * MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151,4DDR4, 2PCI-Ex16, 4PCI-Ex1,1M.2, 6SATA3, 2USB3.1 GEN2 ,6USB3.1
Retail Code: Z390-A_PRO - $342

1 * Kingston DDR4 HX Fury, 16GB (2x 8GB), 3200MHz
Retail Code: king-x432c18fbk-16 - $277

1 * Seagate HDD, 4TB, 5400rpm, SATA, 256MB
Retail Code: SGT-ST4000DM004 - $301

1 * Intel Core i5-9600K (3.7GHz, 9MB, LGA1151) box
Retail Code: BX80684I59600KSRELU - $740

1 * SAMA FORZA 750W 80PLUS GOLD
Retail Code: 0151380 - $173

1 * Kućište SilentiumPC Regnum RG4 Crno, 3x120mm
Retail Code: 29150644 - $113

1 * Hladnjak LC-Power LC-CC-120, Intel/AMD + AM4
Retail Code: lcp-hlad-lc-cc-120 - $60

Total: $3998

Needs to decide if dropping down to an Nvidia RTX 2060 makes sense. If he does that, he saves enough cash to jump up to an Intel Core i7-9700K. If he's playing competitively, CPU and FPS matter way more than maxed-out ultra settings. Better to future-proof on the processing side, especially since nothing much better is coming for that Intel socket/chipset anyway.

P.S. those Nvidia cards support FreeSync

1 * Acer ED242QRAbidpx LED Monitor FreeSync 144Hz
Retail Code: ACR-2133 - $500

1 * Intel Core i7-9700K (3.6GHz, 12MB, LGA1151) box
Retail Code: BX80684I79700KSRELT - $1183

1 * Noctua NH-D14 Cooler, Intel/AMD
Retail Code: NH-D14 - $190

1 * MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151, 4DDR4, 2PCI-Ex16, 4PCI-Ex1, 1M.2, 6SATA3, 2USB3.1 GEN2, 6USB3.1
Retail Code: Z390-A_PRO - $342

1 * GSkill Aegis 16GB (2x8) DDR4 3000MHz
Retail Code: F4-3000C16D-16GISB - $250

1 * MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 VENTUS GDDR6 8GB/256bit, 1515MHz/14000MHz, PCI-E 3.0 x16, 3xDP, HDMI, USB Type-C, Torx 2x Cooler(Double Slot) Backplate, Retail
Retail Code: RTX_2080_VENTUS_8G - $1991

1 * Seagate HDD, 4TB, 5400rpm, SATA, 256MB
Retail Code: SGT-ST4000DM004 - $301

1 * Seasonic FOCUS Plus 650 Gold
Retail Code: 0151480 - $263

1 * Rampage Everest 66W Mesh Black Case, 2x120mm
Retail Code: 123.000.161 - $116

Total: $5136 (-2%=$5.00)
Free assembly and shipping

Honestly, the difference between 3000MHz and 3200MHz RAM is basically invisible when you're actually playing games. You'll definitely notice the extra cost in your wallet, though. Stick with the 3000MHz; it's much more sensible.

swiftfalcon89, that's the cash price, not for cards

Honestly, I wouldn't even mind just grabbing one massive HDD if it means I can save some cash.
A monitor that hits around 1440p at 144Hz would be perfect.
And yeah... let's be real, the price tag on this Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 is an absolute joke.

fadedviper26 said:Honestly, I wouldn't even mind just grabbing one massive HDD if it means I can save some cash.
A monitor that hits around 1440p at 144Hz would be perfect.
And yeah... let's be real, the price tag on this Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 is an absolute joke.

4TB should be plenty.

I didn't quite catch what you meant about the monitor—do you want 1440p 144Hz larger than 24", or smaller?
Assuming larger.
From your first post, I gathered the monitor shouldn't exceed 24" and needs at least a 144Hz refresh rate, so basically a 24" 144Hz setup.

Either way, a monitor with those specs won't fit your budget, and even if someone handed it to you for free, an NVIDIA RTX 2080 isn't exactly built to push 100+ FPS at that resolution.

I didn't see anything about him asking for an installment plan.
He's making a lot of demands, honestly, especially considering what he's willing to pay and how he wants to handle the transaction.

Just wanted to clear a few things up here.
I’m actually scaling back on the GPU because, let's be honest, an NVIDIA RTX 2080 is just way too steep for my budget right now.
As for the CPU, I'm definitely sticking with either an Intel Core i7-8700 or a 9700K—there's absolutely no way I'm settling for some weak i5.
I'm trying to figure out which graphics card would be the ultimate best buy to pair with those processors.
Maybe a 1070ti or an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070?
I'll probably just hunt down a 24-inch 144Hz monitor somewhere on my own.
It would be pretty ideal if I could grab all the parts from a single shop like Best Buy to keep things simple.
Later,

1 x AMD Radeon VII, 16GB HBM2
1 x EVGA Gold Series PSU
1 x MSI Z390-A PRO LGA1151,4DDR4, 2PCI-Ex16, 4PCI-Ex1,1M.2,
1 x Intel Core i7-8700
1 x GSkill Aegis 16GB (2x8) DDR4 3000MHz
1 x Seagate Barracuda (3.5"/2TB/SATA)
1 x Sharkoon TG5 Midi Tower ATX case, no PSU included,
1 x ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 34, fits 1150/1155/1156/2011/2011-3/2066/AM4,
1 x 24" AOC C24G1, VA, 144Hz, 1ms, Samsung Curved

Total: $5.00 via installments - 2% discount for forum members ~$5.00

fadedviper26 said:Just wanted to clear a few things up here.
I’m actually scaling back on the GPU because, let's be honest, an NVIDIA RTX 2080 is just way too steep for my budget right now.
As for the CPU, I'm definitely sticking with either an Intel Core i7-8700 or a 9700K—there's absolutely no way I'm settling for some weak i5.
I'm trying to figure out which graphics card would be the ultimate best buy to pair with those processors.
Maybe a 1070ti or an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070?
I'll probably just hunt down a 24-inch 144Hz monitor somewhere on my own.
It would be pretty ideal if I could grab all the parts from a single shop like Best Buy to keep things simple.
Later,

Dell Monitor/Intel CPU Bundle
1x Intel Core i7-8700
1x Cooler Master Spartan
1x AMD/Gigabyte Motherboard
1x GSkill Aegis 16GB (2x8) DDR4 3000MHz
1x AMD Radeon VII, 16GB HBM2
1x Western Digital Blue 4TB, S-ATA3, 5400rpm, 64MB cache (WD40EZRZ)
1x Seasonic FOCUS
1x DeepCool Kendomen RD, 5x120mm, USB3.0

TOTAL: $5.00 (-2%=$5.00)
Free assembly and shipping

The build those guys put together for you is mostly fine, but an 8700 isn't going to fit K within your budget if you're grabbing a card at that level.

A better move is picking up an NVIDIA RTX 2060. It’s way more bang for your buck in terms of performance per dollar, and then you actually have room for the K processor.

BTW, 1440p on a 24" screen makes zero sense.

Personally, I wouldn't really bother looking at anything smaller than a 27" 1440p 144Hz monitor...

1 * Samsung Monitor
code: 0225191 - $839

1 * Intel Core i7-8700
code: ITL-BX80684I78700 - $888

1 * ASRock B360 Pro4 Motherboard
code: 0202195 - $275

1 * NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Twin, 8GB GDDR6
code: gai-2070-twin-8g - $1366

1 * Kingston DDR4 HX Predator, 16GB (2x 8GB), 3000MHz
code: king-x430c15pbk-16 - $311

1 * Fortron Hydro GE 650W, 80+ GOLD modular
code: fsp-hydro-ge-650w - $257

1 * Corsair MidiTower, Tempered Glass, Black/White
code: PH-EC416PTG_BW - $233

2 * Toshiba P300 Desktop HDD (3.5 2TB, 7200RPM, 64MB, NCQ, AF, SATAIII), bulk
code: HDWD120UZSVA - $333

1 * LC-Power LC-CC-120 Cooler, Intel/AMD + AM4
code: lcp-hlad-lc-cc-120 - $60

Total: $4562 - cash

Why bother dropping cash on high-end 3000MHz RAM when that B360 motherboard is just going to throttle everything down to 2666MHz anyway? You might as well grab the Aegis kit instead; it’s practically $67 cheaper, and you'll end up with the exact same 2666MHz speeds.
Also, I don't get the logic behind running two 2TB drives when a single 4TB unit is actually
more budget-friendly.

The NVIDIA RTX 2070 isn't exactly built for 1440p at 144Hz. It’ll hold its own in certain titles, sure, but modern AAA games? No way it hits 100+ FPS at that resolution.

And you end up compromising on the motherboard, the CPU, and everything else in the process.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 is actually plenty capable for 1440p at 144Hz. If certain titles struggle on that card, I doubt an NVIDIA RTX 2080 would make much of a difference either, and honestly, an NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti is probably out of reach anyway.
As for the Intel Core i7-8700, it hits a 4.3 GHz boost across all cores, which I guess should be more than enough for a setup like this.
I suppose they could just stick with a single HDD, since I was mostly following the direction of the original post.
It seems a bit strange to me that anyone would pick a small 24" 1080p monitor for a gaming rig with this kind of budget these days; maybe the author should suggest looking into something a bit larger instead.

Look, the NVIDIA RTX 2070 isn't going to cut it if you're aiming for 1440p at 144Hz. In most modern titles, you're going to see average frame rates dipping well below 100fps.



If you want to use an NVIDIA RTX 2070, stick to 1440p at 60Hz or just play at 1080p with a 144Hz refresh rate.

Honestly, hitting over 100 FPS is plenty for a smooth experience on a 144Hz monitor. I mean, sure, there's always going to be a handful of titles that struggle or demand way more power, but there will always be those ultra-demanding games designed specifically to push even the most high-end cards to their limits.
My point is that we're talking about a relatively small number of games here. In my opinion, you shouldn't really feel the need to sacrifice your screen size or your resolution—things that actually dictate how much you enjoy the game—just so a specific GPU can squeeze out a few extra frames.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 is actually a solid card for 4K at 60Hz, while the NVIDIA RTX 2060 and the RX 590 are perfectly fine choices for 1440p.

Amy Vaughn12 said:Honestly, hitting over 100 FPS is plenty for a smooth experience on a 144Hz monitor. I mean, sure, there's always going to be a handful of titles that struggle or demand way more power, but there will always be those ultra-demanding games designed specifically to push even the most high-end cards to their limits.
My point is that we're talking about a relatively small number of games here. In my opinion, you shouldn't really feel the need to sacrifice your screen size or your resolution—things that actually dictate how much you enjoy the game—just so a specific GPU can squeeze out a few extra frames.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 is actually a solid card for 4K at 60Hz, while the NVIDIA RTX 2060 and the RX 590 are perfectly fine choices for 1440p.

The GTX 1080 Ti is 7% faster than the 1080, but 14% slower than the 2080.


If you want to play at 4K, you realistically need at least an RTX 2080, and even then, you’ll often dip well below 60FPS.

I’m running an RX580. It holds up okay at 1440p for older titles or Minecraft. It manages around 60 FPS, but for new AAA games, you have to tank the settings significantly.

4K 60Hz is basically on the same level as 1440p 144Hz.

The thing is, GPUs age fast. It's stupid to drop too much $1333 on a card that won't even hit 100 FPS in most demanding games now, let alone a year from now.

Dropping below 100 FPS puts you right near 75Hz, which is more realistic territory.
For this setup, 1440p 75Hz paired with a monitor like this would be perfect:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/monitor-example-link

The guy clearly wants high-performance gaming. If that's the case, he needs a card that can actually sustain those speeds for a few years. Personally, I'd go with a 32" 1440p 75Hz setup.

Honestly, the smartest move is probably grabbing a GTX 1660 Ti and planning an upgrade in a year or two. Trying to push a card like the GTX 1080 Ti for high-refresh 1440p right now is pushing it.

P.S.

If he doesn't care about playing on high settings—meaning he's willing to lower them just to chase high FPS—then the GTX 1080 Ti works.
But if that's the case, the GTX 1660 Ti would work too.