Best PC Builds for Gaming, Streaming and Productivity

[COLGeek]

<<Removed by moderator>>

This is not a thread for specific questions. Start a thread in the Systems section to seek input from others.

 

[helper800]

These new builds are almost universally not great, though I can be generous and say that I do not know the pricing on the dates they were put together. The 500 dollar build is basically incapable of playing anything made in the last 3-4 years at a reasonable framerate and detail quality. Mind as well get a console because they will be more performative and at the same cost or cheaper.

The 800 dollar build spends way too much on a CPU and too little on the PSU and graphics card. Something like this would be more appropriate in my opinion:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core Processor ($114.83 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN580 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Fighter Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.96 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: NZXT C750 (2022) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $797.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-17 18:06 EDT-0400

The 1k build at least starts off with a decent CPU but the spends too much in some areas, like on an AIO cooler, and too little on the PSU. I would do it like this:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D 3 GHz 8-Core Processor ($186.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B550 GAMING X V2 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN580 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ASRock Challenger OC Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB Video Card ($469.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.96 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1058.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-17 16:41 EDT-0400

The 1500 dollar build again skimps on the PSU and spends more in areas its not needed. I would do it like this.
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($419.00 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650 EAGLE AX ATX AM5 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: TEAMGROUP MP44L 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($105.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ASRock Challenger OC Radeon RX 7900 GRE 16 GB Video Card ($529.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.96 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT Premium 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1508.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-17 18:24 EDT-0400

Or like this:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-13600K 3.5 GHz 14-Core Processor ($249.99 @ Best Buy)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z790 PRO RS WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($158.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Acer Predator GM7000 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($136.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI VENTUS 2X OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti 12 GB Video Card ($690.99 @ MSI)
Case: Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.96 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT Premium 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1530.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-17 18:31 EDT-0400

For the 3700 dollar build / 4k+ you can do a bit better if all you care about is price to performance if the sliding scale is more heavily on the side of performance. At this budget you can seemingly get whatever you want, within reason, and as long as you do not pick super mismatched parts, in regards to performance, you should be good. Also never get two kits of two sticks of RAM and assume they will work together, there is a reason why RAM is sold in kits:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D 4.2 GHz 16-Core Processor ($574.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Lian Li Galahad II Trinity Performance 108.29 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Newegg Sellers)
Motherboard: ASRock X670E Steel Legend ATX AM5 Motherboard ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Redline Lumina White 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6400 CL30 Memory ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Acer Predator GM7000 4 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($269.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte AERO OC GeForce RTX 4090 24 GB Video Card ($1849.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Lian Li LANCOOL III RGB ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.49 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower PF3-L 1050 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($164.60 @ Amazon)
Total: $3589.03
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-17 18:48 EDT-0400

 

[thestryker]

If you're aiming at the $500 mark I think it would be much better to go slightly over than massively cut to get under. Here's one that I came up with which would end up having a much better experience (albeit going ~$30 over and I suppose you could use one of the TT Smart PSUs, but I would never recommend one so there's some potential savings):
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i3-12100F 3.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($83.62 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B760M-HDV/M.2 D4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($28.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Klevv CRAS C710 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte EAGLE Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A550BN 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $530.54
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-17 19:11 EDT-0400

Then just to add a couple of Intel alternatives to the good AMD $800/$1000 builds @helper800 has listed above:

$800 Build:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor ($127.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 V2 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($16.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B660M Pro RS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($48.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Klevv CRAS C710 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Fighter Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.96 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: NZXT C750 (2022) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $779.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-17 19:28 EDT-0400

$1000 Build:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor ($225.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B660M Pro RS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($48.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Klevv CRAS C710 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Speedster MERC 319 CORE Radeon RX 6800 XT 16 GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Pop Air ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.96 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: NZXT C750 (2022) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $997.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-09-17 19:32 EDT-0400

 

[edisto69]

I found a potential issue with the $1500 build (2024 article). Apparently the CPU settings for the Gigabyte Z790 Gaming X AX had the potential to lead to rapid degradation of the Intel CPU. The BIOS update (F11) to address this by adding the Intel defaults caused issues for some users, Specifically, random restarts (kernel power error) at idle or low use for the CPU. Some fixed this by flashing back to F10, Some fixed it by disabling C-states C8 and C10.

As you might guess, this is an issue that we are experiencing with the i5-14600KF in the Gigabyte Z790. Runs Prime95 just fine, temps are good, no issues with gaming, Memtest86 checks out, but we get random restarts (no BSOD) at idle or low usage.

We are going to disable C10 to start, and then C8 if the issue persists. Thus far, people experiencing the issue have said that Gigabyte isn't aware (not enough reporting), and so it might be some time before there is a BIOS fix.

 

[Icepilot]

Been waiting, waiting, waiting.
Current rig is >10yrs old & thought I would be building a "5th Version Computer" last Spring, had AMD caught up on the Graphics war.
Win10/i5 8400/16G Ram/Pair AMD Radeon R9 290s (now 1)/Dell 30" Monitor 2500x1600 (which has been an absolute champ!, but fading now), Pair of 1 T SSDs & a 10 T mobile HD & Starlink.
I didn't want to drive a big, expensive 4K OLED Monitor with the FIRST hot, power-hungry graphics card that came along (4090). Besides, it starts with "4" & this rig needs to last 10 years.
I'm glad I waited, with new v2 Firmware on the latest new MBs.
Going with AMD for future proofing - 9950XCD, that it's the fastest game player is just gravy. ASRock X870E Taichi for the MB (but I'll keep an eye on the ASUS ROG MBs); at least 64 G of good RAM (I tend to maximize on core basics), >40" 4K OLED Monitor (ASUS ROG, Alienware & Samsung, LG TVs). Plus the Nvidea 50 series graphics card.
Two questions:
TV vs Monitor? 55 inches would be REALLY neat & the prices are great. I'm not concerned about 180 or 240 Hz, my eyes aren't that fast. But there's gotta be a downside.
Memory. I want Raid 10. But I'm not clear on how you connect 4 identical SSDs, without 4 identical connections, unless it's something like an NVMe Switch Adapter connected to the second x16 slot after the 5090 Graphics Board.
Any help, advice or whatever would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[DrCactuar]

I was looking at the 4000+ Build recommended in the page and I don't understand the RAM, I see that the G.Skill Trident Z5 has a NEO and a INTEL version, which one should you buy for the GIGABYTE X870E AORUS PRO ICE AM5

 

[helper800]

I was looking at the 4000+ Build recommended in the page and I don't understand the RAM, I see that the G.Skill Trident Z5 has a NEO and a INTEL version, which one should you buy for the GIGABYTE X870E AORUS PRO ICE AM5

These would be the best kits available for your motherboard.

 

[DrCactuar]

I've bought most of the components listed on the 4000+ build, GPU is still pending because on the difficulty to get and the high prices, so far I've managed to find a 5070 and a AMD RX 9070 XT, which one do you experts recommend to buy?

Edit: 5070Ti is also available

 

[COLGeek]

I've bought most of the components listed on the 4000+ build, GPU is still pending because on the difficulty to get and the high prices, so far I've managed to find a 5070 and a AMD RX 9070 XT, which one do you experts recommend to buy?

Edit: 5070Ti is also available

Start a thread in the Graphics Card section. This is not a thread for these sorts of questions.

Graphics Cards

For discussion focused on graphics cards. Overclocking advice, technical discussion, and brand favoritism are all welcome here.

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[thestryker]

With the crazy market now and the potential for tariffs it's probably not a great time to try to squeeze builds together, but I noticed there hasn't been any community additions for a while so I figured I'd see what's available:

Intel:
~$550: (I think the $500 price point is dead unless you are buying used)
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i3-13100F 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($82.92 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B760 Pro RS/D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($26.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Klevv CRAS C910 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sparkle ORC OC Arc A580 8 GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Zalman S2 ATX Mid Tower Case ($53.95 @ Newegg Sellers)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A550BN 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $562.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-05-08 17:56 EDT-0400

Alternative motherboard/case to save a bit extra:
Motherboard: ASRock B660M Pro RS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)

Buying a used RX 6600 would probably be the best option in this price range

~$800:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($21.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B760 Pro RS/D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Klevv BOLT X 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Klevv CRAS C910 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ONIX LUMI OC Arc B580 12 GB Video Card ($309.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman S2 ATX Mid Tower Case ($53.95 @ Newegg Sellers)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II VE 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $822.57
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-05-08 18:20 EDT-0400

Alternative motherboard/case to save a bit extra:
Motherboard: ASRock B660M Pro RS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)

If you're worried about older game and overall compatibility the other video card option in this price range would be:
Video Card: Asus DUAL EVO OC Radeon RX 7600 8 GB Video Card ($274.99 @ Amazon)

~$1000:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700KF 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Royal Knight 120 80.45 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B760M-HDV/M.2 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($97.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Klevv CRAS C910 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB PCIe x8 Video Card ($479.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $479.99
Case: Zalman S2 ATX Mid Tower Case ($53.95 @ Newegg Sellers)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1076.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-05-08 18:33 EDT-0400

Video card pricing is crazy, but this is sadly the best choice in the $350-500 range. Dropping to DDR4 here could lower the cost some as well, but I think this is the territory where overall performance benefit starts to creep in.

~$1500:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700KF 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Royal Knight 120 80.45 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($229.99 @ MSI)
Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6400 CL32 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN580 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ SanDisk)
Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE SFF GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB Video Card ($604.99 @ B&H)
Case: Lian Li Lancool 207 ATX Mid Tower Case ($81.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A750GN PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1431.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-05-08 19:03 EDT-0400

Ideally you'd be looking at a 9070 XT in this price range (or maybe a 5070 Ti), but since the 5070 isn't flying off shelves its prices are much closer to MSRP.

~$2000:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-14700K 3.4 GHz 20-Core Processor ($329.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($229.99 @ MSI)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-7200 CL34 Memory ($108.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($144.94 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI VENTUS 3X OC GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB Video Card ($899.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Antec FLUX ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Enermax REVOLUTION D.F. 2 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1968.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-05-08 19:16 EDT-0400

Once again strike of the crazy video card pricing as squeezing in a 5080 ought to be possible here, but reality says otherwise. Currently 9070 XTs are starting at ~$860 which I think gives the edge to the 5070 Ti at ~$900, but if the price difference hits ~15% or so then I think it tips back to the 9070 XT.

AMD:
~$1000:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($198.85 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Klevv CRAS C910 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB PCIe x8 Video Card ($479.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II VE 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1058.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-05-08 19:57 EDT-0400

Same video card note as with Intel.

~$1500:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 4.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($391.10 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Royal Knight 120 80.45 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN580 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ SanDisk)
Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE SFF GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB Video Card ($604.99 @ B&H)
Case: Lian Li Lancool 207 ATX Mid Tower Case ($81.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A750GN PCIE5 750 W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1525.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-05-08 19:52 EDT-0400

I do think the extra cost for a 7800X3D is warranted here unless replacing CPU down the road is on the table in which case a 7700 is a decent way to save some money on both the CPU and cooling:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($279.95 @ Amazon)

Same video card note as with Intel.

~$2000:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 4.7 GHz 8-Core Processor ($499.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Royal Knight 120 80.45 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B850M Pro RS WiFi Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital WD_Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($144.94 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI VENTUS 3X OC GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB Video Card ($899.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Antec FLUX ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Enermax REVOLUTION D.F. 2 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2032.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-05-08 20:03 EDT-0400

Fastest gaming CPU on the market right now and the B850 motherboard has a PCIe 5.0 primary slot.

Dropping down to a lower CPU gives more options with the 7800X3D (~$392) or 9700X (~$310) which would give more room for a X670/X870 based motherboard if one wanted more connectivity.

Same video card note as Intel.

Generally speaking once you get to around the $1000 mark I think AMD is a better choice if gaming is what you're going to be doing predominantly due to AM5 longevity and the ability to get X3D parts. Certainly once you hit the $1500 mark where X3D parts come into play and of course there's always the ability to upgrade to one down the road. I do not think buying AM4 new is a good choice, but it's a fantastic option for low cost used or upgrading to X3D if you're already on it.