Best PC builds 2026

CPU and graphics card pairs that give the most for the money in 2026. For games we look at frames per second; for neural networks, at video memory — it decides which model will run at all.

For gaming

Budget gaming PC for 1080p

≈ $808 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F
Intel Arc B580 · 12 GB
16 GB DDR5 · 1 TB SSD · 550 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~98	~64	~36

79 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 194 · GPU rendering (Blender): 2373

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	200–260	140–180	80–105
Fortnite	190–245	135–175	75–105
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	70–95	45–65	25–40
Cyberpunk 2077	75–100	50–70	25–40
Rust	65–90	40–60	25–33
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	130–170	85–115	45–65
Apex Legends	145–190	95–125	55–75
ELDEN RING	85–115	55–75	30–45
Red Dead Redemption 2	120–155	75–105	45–60
Baldur's Gate 3	85–115	55–75	30–45

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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1080p gaming PC with NVIDIA

≈ $895 Price (approx.)

Intel Core i5-14400F
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 · 8 GB
16 GB DDR5 · 1 TB SSD · 550 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~107	~70	~40

78 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 202 · GPU rendering (Blender): 3680

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	210–270	150–200	85–115
Fortnite	195–255	145–195	85–115
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	80–105	50–70	30–40
Cyberpunk 2077	80–110	55–75	30–45
Rust	75–100	45–65	25–40
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	145–190	95–125	50–70
Apex Legends	155–205	105–135	60–80
ELDEN RING	90–125	60–80	35–45
Red Dead Redemption 2	130–170	85–115	45–65
Baldur's Gate 3	95–125	60–85	35–50

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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Best-value gaming PC for 1080p

≈ $958 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F
AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB · 16 GB
32 GB DDR5 · 1 TB SSD · 650 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~118	~78	~44

81 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 194 · GPU rendering (Blender): 1615

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	215–280	165–215	95–125
Fortnite	200–260	160–210	95–125
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	90–115	55–75	30–45
Cyberpunk 2077	85–115	60–80	35–50
Rust	80–110	50–70	30–40
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	160–205	105–135	55–80
Apex Legends	170–220	115–150	65–90
ELDEN RING	100–135	65–90	35–50
Red Dead Redemption 2	145–190	95–125	50–70
Baldur's Gate 3	105–140	65–90	35–55

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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★ Best price-to-performance

Affordable gaming PC for 1440p

≈ $1178 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 · 12 GB
32 GB DDR5 · 1 TB SSD · 650 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~142	~97	~55

82 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 194 · GPU rendering (Blender): 6174

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	230–295	195–255	120–155
Fortnite	210–270	185–240	115–155
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	110–145	70–95	40–55
Cyberpunk 2077	100–130	75–100	40–60
Rust	100–135	65–90	35–50
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	190–250	130–170	70–100
Apex Legends	195–250	140–185	80–110
ELDEN RING	125–160	85–110	45–65
Red Dead Redemption 2	180–230	115–155	65–90
Baldur's Gate 3	125–165	85–115	45–65

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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Balanced gaming PC for 1440p

≈ $1298 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
AMD Radeon RX 9070 · 16 GB
32 GB DDR5 · 2 TB SSD · 750 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~148	~98	~56

76 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 263 · GPU rendering (Blender): 2840

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	205–270	120–160
Fortnite	245+	200–260	120–155
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	110–145	70–95	40–55
Cyberpunk 2077	110–145	75–100	40–60
Rust	105–135	65–90	35–50
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	200–260	130–170	75–100
Apex Legends	210–275	145–190	80–110
ELDEN RING	130–170	85–110	45–65
Red Dead Redemption 2	180–240	120–155	65–90
Baldur's Gate 3	130–175	85–115	50–65

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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PC for 1440p gaming and work

≈ $1458 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT · 16 GB
32 GB DDR5 · 2 TB SSD · 750 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~179	~120	~68

82 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 309 · GPU rendering (Blender): 3279

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	250+	150–195
Fortnite	300+	240+	145–190
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	135–180	90–120	50–70
Cyberpunk 2077	130–170	95–125	50–70
Rust	125–165	80–110	45–65
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	240+	160–210	90–120
Apex Legends	255+	175–230	100–135
ELDEN RING	155–205	105–135	60–80
Red Dead Redemption 2	225–290	145–190	80–110
Baldur's Gate 3	160–210	105–140	60–80

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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Powerful 1440p gaming PC (AMD)

≈ $1568 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT · 16 GB
32 GB DDR5 · 2 TB SSD · 750 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~174	~119	~68

76 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 264 · GPU rendering (Blender): 3279

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	240+	150–195
Fortnite	250+	225–295	145–190
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	135–180	90–120	50–70
Cyberpunk 2077	120–155	90–120	50–70
Rust	125–165	80–110	45–65
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	235+	160–210	90–120
Apex Legends	235+	175–230	100–135
ELDEN RING	150–200	105–135	60–80
Red Dead Redemption 2	220–285	145–190	80–110
Baldur's Gate 3	155–205	105–140	60–80

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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Intel gaming PC for 1440p

≈ $1703 Price (approx.)

Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti · 16 GB
32 GB DDR5 · 2 TB SSD · 850 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~188	~123	~70

72 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 478 · GPU rendering (Blender): 7589

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	300+	150–200
Fortnite	300+	260+	150–195
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	140–185	90–120	50–70
Cyberpunk 2077	145–190	95–130	55–75
Rust	130–170	85–110	45–65
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	255+	165–215	90–125
Apex Legends	300+	185–240	105–135
ELDEN RING	165–215	105–140	60–80
Red Dead Redemption 2	230–300	150–195	85–110
Baldur's Gate 3	165–220	110–145	60–85

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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Powerful 1440p gaming PC (NVIDIA)

≈ $1788 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti · 16 GB
32 GB DDR5 · 2 TB SSD · 850 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~184	~123	~70

69 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 334 · GPU rendering (Blender): 7589

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	260+	150–200
Fortnite	300+	245+	150–195
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	140–185	90–120	50–70
Cyberpunk 2077	135–175	95–125	55–75
Rust	130–170	85–110	45–65
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	250+	165–215	90–125
Apex Legends	260+	180–235	105–135
ELDEN RING	160–210	105–140	60–80
Red Dead Redemption 2	230–295	150–195	85–110
Baldur's Gate 3	165–215	110–145	60–85

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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4K gaming PC

≈ $2078 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 · 16 GB
32 GB DDR5 · 2 TB SSD · 850 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~210	~145	~83

70 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 334 · GPU rendering (Blender): 9138

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	300+	180–235
Fortnite	300+	300+	175–230
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	165–215	105–140	60–80
Cyberpunk 2077	140–185	110–145	65–85
Rust	155–200	100–130	55–75
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	300+	195–250	110–145
Apex Legends	300+	210–275	125–160
ELDEN RING	185–240	125–165	70–95
Red Dead Redemption 2	300+	175–230	100–135
Baldur's Gate 3	190–245	130–170	70–95

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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PC for 4K gaming on Ultra

≈ $2728 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 · 24 GB
32 GB DDR5 · 2 TB SSD · 1000 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~236	~171	~99

63 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 334 · GPU rendering (Blender): 11062

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	300+	215–280
Fortnite	300+	300+	210–270
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	195–250	130–170	75–100
Cyberpunk 2077	145–195	125–170	75–105
Rust	185–240	120–155	65–90
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	300+	230–300	130–175
Apex Legends	300+	245+	145–195
ELDEN RING	200–265	150–195	85–115
Red Dead Redemption 2	300+	210–275	120–160
Baldur's Gate 3	215–275	155–200	85–115

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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Top no-compromise gaming PC

≈ $3598 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 · 32 GB
64 GB DDR5 · 4 TB SSD · 1000 W power supply

FPS at High (average)

	1080p	1440p	4K
High	~324	~220	~126

61 fps at 1440p per $1000

Which games run on it →

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 664 · GPU rendering (Blender): 14966

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	300+	300+
Fortnite	300+	300+	300+
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	250+	165–215	95–125
Cyberpunk 2077	225–290	170–225	100–130
Rust	235+	150–200	85–115
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	300+	300+	170–220
Apex Legends	300+	300+	190–245
ELDEN RING	300+	190–250	110–145
Red Dead Redemption 2	300+	300+	155–200
Baldur's Gate 3	300+	195–255	110–145

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

Select to compare

FPS = our estimate from the system requirements of popular games (Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, ELDEN RING, Black Myth: Wukong, Baldur's Gate 3, Battlefield 6), High settings, no DLSS/FSR; ±15–20%.

For AI work

Cheapest PC for running AI

≈ $876 Price (approx.)

Intel Core i5-12400F
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 · 12 GB
32 GB DDR4 · 1 TB SSD · 550 W power supply

VRAM: 12 GB — models up to ~14B parameters (4-bit)

GPU score: 20.2

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 154 · GPU rendering (Blender): 2155

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	160–210	115–150	65–85
Fortnite	150–200	110–145	60–85
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	60–80	35–55	22–29
Cyberpunk 2077	60–85	40–55	24–31
Rust	55–75	35–50	20–27
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	105–140	70–95	40–55
Apex Legends	115–155	75–105	45–60
ELDEN RING	70–95	45–60	26–34
Red Dead Redemption 2	95–130	60–85	35–50
Baldur's Gate 3	70–95	45–65	25–35

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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Entry-level PC for AI at home

≈ $1158 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB · 16 GB
32 GB DDR5 · 1 TB SSD · 650 W power supply

VRAM: 16 GB — models up to ~14B parameters (4-bit)

GPU score: 32.8

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 263 · GPU rendering (Blender): 4309

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	245+	175–230	100–130
Fortnite	230–300	170–220	95–130
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	90–120	60–80	30–45
Cyberpunk 2077	95–125	65–85	35–50
Rust	85–115	55–75	30–45
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	165–215	105–140	60–80
Apex Legends	180–235	120–160	65–90
ELDEN RING	105–140	70–95	40–55
Red Dead Redemption 2	150–200	95–130	55–75
Baldur's Gate 3	110–145	70–95	40–55

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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★ Best price-to-performance

Mid-range PC for AI work

≈ $1758 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti · 16 GB
64 GB DDR5 · 2 TB SSD · 850 W power supply

VRAM: 16 GB — models up to ~14B parameters (4-bit)

GPU score: 52.0

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 309 · GPU rendering (Blender): 7589

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	255+	150–200
Fortnite	300+	245+	150–195
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	140–185	90–120	50–70
Cyberpunk 2077	130–175	95–125	55–75
Rust	130–170	85–110	45–65
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	250+	165–215	90–125
Apex Legends	255+	180–235	105–135
ELDEN RING	160–210	105–140	60–80
Red Dead Redemption 2	230–295	150–195	85–110
Baldur's Gate 3	165–215	110–145	60–85

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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Fast AI PC (16 GB VRAM)

≈ $2198 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 · 16 GB
64 GB DDR5 · 2 TB SSD · 850 W power supply

VRAM: 16 GB — models up to ~14B parameters (4-bit)

GPU score: 62.8

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 501 · GPU rendering (Blender): 9138

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	300+	180–235
Fortnite	300+	300+	175–230
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	165–215	110–145	60–80
Cyberpunk 2077	165–215	115–150	65–85
Rust	155–200	100–130	55–75
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	300+	195–255	110–145
Apex Legends	300+	215–280	125–160
ELDEN RING	190–250	125–165	70–95
Red Dead Redemption 2	300+	175–230	100–135
Baldur's Gate 3	195–255	130–170	70–95

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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PC for large AI models (24 GB)

≈ $2848 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 · 24 GB
64 GB DDR5 · 2 TB SSD · 1000 W power supply

VRAM: 24 GB — models up to ~32B parameters (4-bit)

GPU score: 76.7

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 501 · GPU rendering (Blender): 11062

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	300+	215–280
Fortnite	300+	300+	210–275
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	200–260	130–170	75–100
Cyberpunk 2077	180–235	135–180	75–105
Rust	185–240	120–155	65–90
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	300+	235–300	130–175
Apex Legends	300+	255+	145–195
ELDEN RING	225–290	150–195	85–115
Red Dead Redemption 2	300+	210–275	120–160
Baldur's Gate 3	230–300	155–200	85–115

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

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Maximum AI workstation

≈ $3748 Price (approx.)

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 · 32 GB
128 GB DDR5 · 4 TB SSD · 1200 W power supply

VRAM: 32 GB — models up to ~32B parameters (4-bit)

GPU score: 100.0

Real tests: CPU rendering (Blender): 625 · GPU rendering (Blender): 14966

FPS in 10 popular games

Graphics settings:

Game	1080p (Full HD)	1440p (2K)	4K
Counter-Strike 2	300+	300+	300+
Fortnite	300+	300+	300+
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced	250+	165–215	95–125
Cyberpunk 2077	225–290	170–225	100–130
Rust	235+	150–200	85–115
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS	300+	300+	170–220
Apex Legends	300+	300+	190–245
ELDEN RING	300+	190–250	110–145
Red Dead Redemption 2	300+	300+	155–200
Baldur's Gate 3	300+	195–255	110–145

With this build's CPU and GPU. Approximate, from the games' system requirements, ±15–20%.

Select to compare

For neural networks VRAM comes first: the model has to fit in it. So only NVIDIA here (almost all AI software supports CUDA), with at least twice as much system RAM as VRAM.

Price = CPU and graphics card at launch MSRP plus our rough estimate for the board, RAM, SSD, PSU and case. Shop prices differ — compare before buying.