Best $1,100 Custom PC Build in 2022

• 10 Cores / 16 Threads (6 Performance-cores, 4 Efficient-cores)
• Unlocked, overclockable
• Up to 4.9 GHz Max Clock Speed
• 125W base power
• LGA 1700

You could go for an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X but the AM5 motherboards required for that CPU are sadly still too expensive. Meanwhile, Intel’s 13th Gen is somewhat out of reach for this budget range without sacrificing too much gaming power in the GPU segment.

Thus, this is the best compromise. But despite being only 12th Gen and only i5, the 12600KF can punch way above its weight class thanks to the four efficiency cores. It’s a significant performance increase over the 12400F which we’re sure you’d appreciate in video games.

• Boost Clock: 1695 MHz
• Video Memory: 8GB GDDR6
• Memory Interface: 256-bit
• Dimensions: 12.4 x 1.7 x 4.7 inches
• Triple-fan Shroud

The performance difference between the RTX 3060 and the RTX 3060 Ti is pretty significant– significant enough to cause buyer’s remorse. So you’re better off going with an RTX 3060 Ti and this one from MSI is quite a beast.

It’s a triple-fan 3060 Ti, meaning you can overclock it and not worry too much about the heat and the noise. As for its gaming capabilities? We mentioned that you can go for ultra settings at 1440p in the intro, right? Well, that’s made possible thanks to this GPU. It’s the best value graphics card for 2022.

• Supports 12th Gen Intel Core Pentium Celeron processors for LGA 1700 socket
• Supports DDR4 Memory
• Four RAM slots
• 2 NVMe SSD slots
• ATX form factor

If you’re staying in the mid-range bracket, then overclocking your CPU will yield diminishing returns and isn’t recommended– even if the i5-12600KF is a robust overclocker. You likely won’t gain much in terms of gaming.

As such, the MSI PRO B660-A motherboard is plenty for this build and CPU. It’s spacious enough to accommodate a second SSD and other PCIe peripherals such as a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module. Meanwhile, the VRM heatsinks on this motherboard are huge and easily count towards the aesthetics. The monochromatic design is the cherry on top here.

Overall, a solid motherboard choice that won’t leave you hanging or wanting for more if you’re just going for mid-range.

• Heat dissipation power of 260W
• Dimensions:129x138x160mm, 43mm RAM height clearance
• Compatible with LGA 1700 (ask for a bracket)
• Two Fans

This is all the cooling a mid-range CPU will need. Since you’re packing in a powerful i5 overclocker in this build, you’re better off with a CPU cooler that’s rated for an i7 or higher. That way, you get plenty of overhead with temperature.

Despite the price and intended budget range of this CPU cooler, it can trade blows with air coolers that are more than double the price, such as those from Noctua. This is mandatory since most of the time, the 12600K does not come bundled with a stock Intel cooler, and those are poor performers anyway.

• DDR4
• 3200MHz
• 16-20-20-40 timing
• 16GB

DDR5 RAM is still expensive since you will need to include the compatible motherboard in the cost, which is also expensive. So for now, let’s stick with DDR4 RAM. Most of them are the same with some proper latencies.

You’re fine as long as you get dual-channel (two sticks), like the RAM above. And 16GB is the standard today, so no need to go overboard with 32GB just yet. No RGB for this one, however; pick the black one for this build to fit the aesthetics.

• Fast NVMe performance for daily computing needs — up to 3,200MB/s
• SSDs offer shock resistance against accidental bumps and drops
• Western Digital 3-year limited warranty
• 1 TB

Since you have only a few (2) NVMe slots on this motherboard, as is the case with most motherboards these days, it’s best to make the slot count. In this case, going for 1 TB is the most cost-effective solution.

A lot of NVMe SSDs are cheaper these days due to competition and an abundance of supplies. As for speed, you don’t really need anything too crazy if you’re mostly just using it for gaming. You can buy another one of these later if you need more storage.

• Fully modular
• 650W
• 80 PLUS Gold Efficiency
• Semi-Fanless with Hybrid Switch
• 135mm Fluid Dynamic Fan

No custom PC build is complete or stable without a reliable PSU or power supply unit. And when it comes to power supplies, Cooler Master has a good reputation. 650 watts should be enough for this setup with a bit more room for upgrades in the foreseeable future.

And the efficiency is thankfully gold, meaning you don’t waste much while gaming or running the PC at full load. The fully-modular design ensures that the inside of your case remains tidy and as minimalistic as possible when it comes to messy cables.

• Dimensions: ‎17.83 x 9.06 x 18.35 inches
• ATX, mid-sized
• Front mesh and filter
• 6 fan slots
• PSU Shroud

For the case, the Corsair 4000D offers the best balance of cooling performance, aesthetics, and price. It’s one of the best in the market right now when it comes to keeping your PC components cool. The design is also user-friendly since it allows you to access and clean the front panel dust filter easily.

Cable management is excellent in this case and there are a lot of holes and grommets for tucking away those messy cables. Meanwhile, we’ll be taking advantage of the spacious interior since our GPU for this build is quite big.