I'm planning to build a gaming PC from scratch with a total budget of $2,000 USD. I'd like it to handle games such as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Expedition 33 at 1440p with at least 60 FPS, ideally taking advantage of a 165 Hz monitor. I'd also like a two-monitor setup for personal projects and work. RGB lighting would be nice, but performance and value are more important. I can visit a nearby Micro Center and would appreciate recommendations for a good starting build, including whether the budget can cover the PC and two 1440p displays.
3 Answers
The budget is workable for the PC itself, but fitting two brand-new 1440p 165 Hz monitors into the same $2,000 total will make the build much tighter. A Micro Center CPU, motherboard, and RAM bundle could save a significant amount. You could also consider one new main monitor and a less expensive or used second display for project work.
Keep in mind that a 165 Hz monitor does not automatically mean games will run at 165 FPS. If the game is rendering at 60 FPS, the monitor can only show those 60 unique frames, although a higher-refresh display is still useful for smoother motion and future upgrades. Screen size and whether you already own any components will also affect the recommendations.
A Radeon RX 9070 XT paired with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D would be a strong foundation for this kind of gaming. That combination should comfortably exceed 60 FPS at 1440p in many games, though exact results will depend on graphics settings and whether you use upscaling or ray tracing.
I’m starting from scratch, and I’m mainly interested in 1440p around 165 Hz. I’m willing to compromise on RGB or the second monitor if that helps keep the core system strong.