Do you want to build an epic $1200 gaming PC for 2023? If so, we’ve got a guide that will suit your needs. This piece will outline all the components you need for a great 1080p and 1440p gaming PC. Along with a list of all the components, we will provide justifications for each pick, as well as statistics to show how they are expected to perform.
CPU: Intel Core i5 12400F
Key Specs:
Cores: 8
Threads: 16
Clock Speed: Up to 4.4GHz
Max Turbo Power: 117W
Release Date: January 2022
Despite the recent release of the Intel’s 13th generation of CPUs, the Core i5 12400F is still one of the best value for money deals right now. As a previous generation processor that has just received a refresh, the Core i5 12400F is bound to decrease in price, making it even better value.
Benchmark Test | Score |
---|---|
Cinebench R23 Multi core | 12545 |
Cinebench R23 Single core | 1628 |
3D Mark Timespy Extreme Overall | 6190 |
3D Mark Timespy Extreme CPU Score | 4333 |
The Core i5 12400F has the processing power required to run the latest titles at 1440p thanks to the 8 cores and 16 threads. Unfortunately, this CPU will struggle when faced with heavier workloads, meaning it will be less than ideal for productivity tasks video editing. In this case, it may be worth spending more on a 13th gen CPU, but for anyone looking to use their system primarily for gaming, the i5 12400F is a great pickup.
GPU: MSI RTX 3060Ti GAMING X TRIO
Key Specs:
CUDA Cores: 4864
RT Cores: 38
TDP: 175W
Video Memory: 8GB GDDR6
Release Date: December 2020
With the turbulent release of Nvidia’s 4000 series of graphics card so far and general drop in GPU prices, the RTX 3000 line-up is proving to be better value than ever. The 3060Ti stands out for us as arguably the best deal for mid-range systems, as it is the cheapest way to play 1440p titles.
Benchmark Test | Score |
---|---|
Fortnite – 1080p Competitive | 222 FPS |
Apex Legends – 1440p High | 154 FPS |
COD MW2 (2022) – 1080p High | 167 FPS |
COD Warzone 2.0 – 1440p High | 101 FPS |
Overwatch 2 – 1080p Ultra | 180 FPS |
We’ve opted for the MSI Gaming X Trio SKU in this build, as it looks great and adds a small boost to performance when compared to other variants. As shown in the table above, this graphics card offers over 100 frames at both 1080p and 1440p in a wide range of competitive titles, making it a perfect fit for this build. In addition, the triple-fan design will ensure that performance remains optimal and reduces the risk of overheating.
Motherboard: MSI MAG B660M MORTAR WiFi DDR4
Key Specs:
Form Factor: mATX
Max Memory: 128GB
M.2 Slots: 2 x PCIe 4.0
LAN Type: 2.5 Gigabit LAN
Release Date: January 2022
For the motherboard, we’ve gone for the MSI MAG B660M MORTAR WiFi DDR4. This B660 motherboard is a great choice for anyone looking to support their mid-range Intel systems. B660 chipsets support both Intel 12th and 13th generation CPUs, but reduce the amount of additional features to reduce costs. However, the excluded features won’t have a huge impact on budget and mid-range builders, which makes it a great way to save some cash.
Looking at the B660M MORTAR WiFi DDR4 specifically, this board has a wide range of connectivity options packed into the compact m-ATX form-factor. Along with support for dual-channel DDR4 memory, this board includes two M.2 slots, allowing you to connect additional storage directly into the motherboard for improved speeds. Also, the rear IO includes seven USB ports and one USB-C port, giving you plenty of ways to connect peripherals to your system.
RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB RS 16GB
Key Specs:
Capacity: 16GB
Clock Speed: 3200 MHz
CAS Latency: 18-22-22-42
RGB: Yes
Release Date: September 2021
Our memory of choice for this build is the 16GB variant of Corsair’s Vengeance RGB RS. This DDR4 RAM is optimised for Intel systems, resulting in smooth and responsive gameplay. With a 16GB capacity that performs at a clock speed of 3200MHz, the Vengeance RGB RS will provide enough speed to run 1440p titles efficiently, making it perfect for this build.
But like most of Corsair’s memory kits, the Vengeance RGB RS seamlessly blends reliable performance with a design that elevates the overall aesthetics of a system. This is mainly thanks to the RGB lighting located on the top of each DIMM, which can be connected to Corsair’s iCUE software. This software allows you to change the lighting effects and settings, as well as synchronise effects with other Corsair iCUE compatible products, leading to a clean look that won’t stand out for the wrong reasons.
SSD: Samsung 980
Key Specs:
Capacity: 1TB
Read Speed: 3500MB/s
Write Speed: 3000MB/s
Interface: PCIe Gen3 x4
Release Date: March 2021
Due to the increasing size of game files, along with the speeds required to run them, an M.2 storage option is a necessity for any modern gaming PC. For this build, we’ve decided to include a 1TB version of Samsung’s 980. Despite being a previous generation device, the Samsung 980 still provides the performance required for this build, making it a great value for money option.
With read and write speeds of 3.5GB/s and 3GB/s respectively, this SSD will offer offer load times that are similar to our base system, meaning there is no need to constantly switch game files around for better performance. In addition, the 1TB capacity will be more than enough to store a wide range of titles, saving you the task of regularly cleaning up your games library.
PSU: Corsair CX650F RGB
Key Specs:
Wattage: 650W
Efficiency: 80+ Bronze
Modular: Fully
Fan Size: 120mm
Release Date: September 2020
The powerhouse of our system is the Corsair CX650F RGB. This PSU will give us 650 Watts of power to play with, which is more than enough for the components in this build. Though it’s often tempting to buy a PSU above the recommended amount for added security and longevity, a 650W is a substantial amount for most mid-range systems and the extra expenses would be more useful elsewhere.
With this power supply being awarded a 80+ Bronze efficiency rating, it should run in a fairly quiet manner with less power lost as heat. The main benefit of the CX650F RGB is that it is fully modular. This lets you connect cable with complete freedom, which makes cable management a lot easier. And whilst aesthetics on a power supply are less visible than other components, the RGB fan on the CX650F is a nice touch.
Case: Cooler Master CMP 320
Key Specs:
Form Factor: Mini-Tower
Fan Support: 6 x 120mm
Motherboard Support: micro-ATX, mini-ITX
Release Date: August 2022
Least but not least, we have the Cooler Master CMP 320, which will be used to encase all of our components. This mini-tower case will keep our build nice and compact, whilst ensuring that airflow remains optimal to reduce the risk of overheating.
There are some unavoidable restrictions with mini-tower cases compared to other form factors, but this case does its best to make the most out of the restricted space. For example, the CMP 320 can accommodate up to six 120mm fans to meet cooling needs, along with enough space for a triple-fan GPU, making it a perfect fit for the components in our build. In addition, the design includes an angular mesh front panel, which provides a unique but subtle look that also helps to further improve ventilation.