Create a gaming build with minimal sound on a $2000 budget?
Create a gaming build with minimal sound on a $2000 budget?
Approximate Purchase Date:
between 1 to 2 months
Budget Range:
around 2000$ usd
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
gaming and work projects
Are you purchasing a monitor:
Yes, I already have an old 24-inch Samsung that could serve as a second monitor
Parts to Upgrade:
full build upgrade
Do you need to purchase an operating system:
Yes
Please be aware that if you're using an OEM Windows license, you'll need a new one when buying a new motherboard.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
best deals, no preference
Location:
Las Vegas
Parts Preferences:
none specified
Overclocking:
possibly worth considering
SLI or Crossfire:
no
Your Monitor Resolution:
unknown; possibly a new one is needed
Additional Comments:
a quieter PC is better, fewer lights are preferred even LEDs, as I often sleep in the same room and tend to put the PC to sleep.
And most importantly, why are you upgrading:
My PC is approaching its upgrade stage for media center conversion... an older build any advice would be appreciated. It currently runs a 1080 GPU and i7 processor. While performance is decent, I generally prefer getting good value for money. Also, I usually wait about 5 to 8 years before building a new PC. This doesn't cover minor upgrades either, like extra storage or future GPU improvements.
Thank you again for any tips and suggestions!
I have the money to buy it right now. I thought it would be smart to add a larger window just in case new hardware releases soon. It's tough to keep up with the latest technology.
AM5 upgrade for enhanced performance:
PCPartPicker Product Selection
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor
($439.00 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler:
Thermalright FT120 82 CFM CPU Cooler
($39.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
Gigabyte B650 GAMING X AX ATX AM5 Board
($169.99 @ Newegg)
Memory:
G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 RAM
($76.98 @ Amazon)
Storage:
Western Digital Black SN770 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVMe SSD
($88.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card:
PNY XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti 12 GB Graphics Card
($769.99 @ B&H)
Case:
Fractal Design Focus 2 RGB ATX Mid Tower Housing
($53.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply:
MSI MPG A850G PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
($109.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System:
Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit
($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan:
Thermalright TL-C12C-S 66.17 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack
($15.39 @ Amazon)
Monitor:
Dell S2722DGM 27.0" 2560 x 1440 165 Hz Curved Display
($249.99 @ Dell Technologies)
Overall Cost:
$2114.19
Includes shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
Created by
PCPartPicker
2023-07-12 06:11 EDT-0400
This monitor features a VA panel delivering deep blacks and a curved design for an immersive experience. If you desire wider viewing angles, the Samsung model is recommended as suggested by @Why_Me.
For those seeking additional VRAM, the 7900XT is available:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/v2...-r...xt-pg-20go
Noise in a computer often stems from small fans spinning at high speeds. The main culprit is likely the graphics card. Noctua has teamed up with ASUS to create some remarkably quiet graphics cards. For instance, the 3070 model is available for $750. You can find more details here: https://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-NF-A1...5366&psc=1
If you plan to run at higher resolutions or prefer fast-paced action titles, start with the most suitable graphics card you can afford. A common guideline is to allocate twice the processor cost for the graphics card. This advice has become more relevant now that mining trends have changed. I recommend the i5-13600K if your budget allows.
For CPU-focused titles such as Sims, MMOs, and strategy games, a stronger processor with improved single-thread performance is advisable. Here are some single-thread bench results from CPU-Z for the Intel Core i5-13600K:
CPU-Z Benchmark for Intel Core i5-13600K (1T) - CPU-Z VALIDATOR
Optimal performance – 64-bit – February 2026
valid.x86.fr
If you engage in multiplayer with numerous players, having extra threads is beneficial. However, the 13600K with 20 threads should suffice. You can read more about this on Newegg: https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i5-136...6819118416
Don’t worry too much about processor cooling. The 13th generation is built to handle high temperatures and heat. An article on cooling the 13900K with affordable solutions is available: Core i9-13900K Cooling Guide: Testing Intel's Flagship With Budget Air and Big AIOs. You’ll find that even top liquid coolers can struggle with this chip, but budget air cooling still delivers solid results.
The Core i9-13900K can push even the best liquid coolers to their limits, yet performance drops only slightly if you opt for budget air cooling.
For more visual insights, see the Cooling Guide for the Core i9-13900K: Testing Intel's Flagship With Budget Air and Big AIOs.
Regarding cooling options, the Noctua NH-D15 is considered one of the quietest and most effective air coolers, priced around $100. It requires good case airflow, and some cases with 200mm front intake fans can achieve even greater silence. The Lian Li LANCool216 model has 160mm front fans and is highly regarded for its quiet operation. You can check it out here: https://www.newegg.com/black-lian-li-lan...000Z-000A8
A pair of 140mm front intake fans isn’t a problem either. Ultimately, aesthetics play a role—choose a case that matches your style. You can stretch your budget if needed; it’s likely you’ll stick with it for a long time.
The final factor that could cause noise is the power supply unit (PSU). The key is to overprovision it. This allows the PSU to handle its load, and on quality units, the fan may not spin at all. Upgrading from 750W to 850W usually adds only a small cost.
A PSU only draws the power it needs, regardless of its maximum capacity. Look for models with a 7 to 10-year warranty for better reliability. Popular choices include Seasonic Focus/Prime and Corsair RMx.
Hi floshow, I’m building PCs by myself and wanted to share a quick parts list here:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/hhGFW4
The setup includes an ATX configuration with 32 GB of DDR5-6000 RAM, an Intel i5 13600KF processor—actually offering performance close to the 13900 in games for a more affordable price. I’m using an MSI Trio 4070ti, which handles any game at 4K and maximum settings without issue. A 2 TB Intel SSD is also part of this build. I aimed for a clean, white look and think it turned out nicely. Several NZXT components are included, such as the case, CPU cooler, and motherboard. The PSU I chose is rated well, providing quiet and efficient power delivery. This configuration offers excellent airflow, reducing fan usage and keeping the build cool and silent. If you’re interested in getting this PC made, just let me know.