The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than by treating yourself or a loved one to a brand-new gaming PC setup? Whether you’re an avid gamer looking to upgrade your rig or you’re searching for the perfect gift for that special tech enthusiast in your life, we’ve got you covered. In this list, we’ve curated a selection of the coolest PC builds for the holidays, featuring a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. From high-performance gaming beasts with dazzling RGB lighting to budget-friendly builds that pack a punch, there’s something here for everyone. So, let’s unwrap the joy of gaming with these top picks for holiday PC builds in 2023.
Current Price all-together: $1836.43
CPU: Intel Core i9-12900K 12th gen
This is a gaming powerhouse designed to meet the demands of the next generation of gaming enthusiasts. This PC build boasts an Intel processor that brings uncompromised performance and multitasking capabilities to the forefront. Thanks to Intel’s cutting-edge performance hybrid architecture, you can seamlessly immerse yourself in gaming and handle multiple tasks without missing a beat. Plus, with the processor’s unlocked capabilities, you have the freedom to push your system to its limits.
When it comes to graphics, this build doesn’t disappoint. It features integrated Intel UHD 770 Graphics, ensuring that your gaming and multimedia experiences are visually stunning. What’s more, this processor is compatible with both Intel 600 series and 700 series chipset-based motherboards, providing versatility in your build choices. Installation is a breeze with the Socket LGA-1700 socket, and the inclusion of 30 MB of L3 cache memory enhances system performance by ensuring quick access to essential data. With its 10 nm architecture and Intel 7 Architecture, this processor strikes a balance between performance and power efficiency, offering an exceptional gaming experience while minimizing energy consumption. In summary, this PC build is a powerhouse for gamers, offering an array of features that elevate your gaming and multitasking experiences to new heights.
GPU: GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4070 Gaming OC 12G Graphics Card
Here’s a PC build that’s truly a game-changer for gaming enthusiasts. At its core, it’s powered by the latest and greatest from NVIDIA, featuring the cutting-edge DLSS 3 technology, ultra-efficient Ada Lovelace architecture, and full ray tracing capabilities. This means you can expect nothing short of breathtaking graphics and realism in your gaming experiences.
One standout feature of this build is its 4th Generation Tensor Cores, which deliver up to a jaw-dropping 4x boost in performance with DLSS 3. This translates to smoother gameplay and enhanced visuals, even in the most demanding titles. Furthermore, the 3rd Generation RT Cores provide up to 2x improved ray tracing performance, allowing you to explore beautifully rendered game worlds with stunning detail. Powered by the GeForce RTX 4070, this PC build also comes equipped with 12GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit memory interface, ensuring you have the necessary firepower for high-resolution gaming. On the cooling front, the WINDFORCE Cooling System keeps your components running at optimal temperatures, while features like RGB Fusion, Dual BIOS, a protective metal backplate, and an Anti-Sag Bracket round out this comprehensive package. In summary, this PC build is a powerhouse for gamers who demand nothing but the best in performance, visuals, and reliability.
PSU: Corsair RM750e (2023) Fully Modular Low-Noise Power Supply
Here’s a power supply unit that’s designed to meet the needs of your system build while delivering reliable and efficient performance. The Corsair RM750e is a fully modular PSU, meaning you can connect only the cables your system requires, reducing cable clutter and enhancing overall aesthetics. It’s a power supply unit that adheres to the Intel ATX 3.0 certification, ensuring compatibility with the latest standards and supporting the PCIe Gen 5 platform. This not only future-proofs your system but also makes it resistant to transient power spikes, enhancing its durability.
One standout feature of the Corsair RM750e is its commitment to keeping things quiet. Equipped with a 120mm rifle bearing fan, this PSU features a specially calculated fan curve that effectively minimizes fan noise, even during high load operations. The result is a quieter computing experience without sacrificing performance. Moreover, the RM750e boasts 105°C-rated capacitors, providing consistent and dependable power delivery for your system. It’s built to offer steady, reliable power and consistent electrical performance, ensuring the stability of your PC. Additionally, this PSU is modern standby compatible, which means it delivers extremely fast wake-from-sleep times and improves low-load efficiency, enhancing both convenience and energy efficiency in your system. In summary, the Corsair RM750e is a versatile and dependable choice for those seeking a power supply unit that combines modularity, reliability, and quiet operation for their PC build.
Motherboard: MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi Gaming Motherboard
Here’s a motherboard that’s designed to cater to the latest generation of processors and deliver an exceptional gaming experience. The MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi Gaming Motherboard supports 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors, as well as Pentium Gold and Celeron processors, all compatible with the LGA 1700 socket. This means you have a wide range of CPU options to choose from to suit your computing needs.
When it comes to memory, this motherboard supports DDR5 Memory, enabling Dual Channel DDR5 operation at speeds of 6800+MHz (OC), ensuring snappy performance for your gaming and multitasking endeavors. To provide you with a lightning-fast gaming experience, the motherboard features a PCIe 4.0 slot and Lightning Gen 4 x4 M.2 support, allowing for high-speed data transfer and storage options. On the thermal front, the MSI B760 Gaming Plus goes the extra mile with its Premium Thermal Solution, which includes an extended heatsink and MOSFET thermal pads rated for 7W/mK. Additionally, there are extra choke thermal pads, all of which are geared towards delivering high performance and ensuring your gaming sessions remain uninterrupted.
Moreover, this motherboard offers an upgraded network solution featuring 2.5G LAN with Wi-Fi 6E. This combination provides a secure, stable, and lightning-fast network connection, making it ideal for both professional and multimedia use. In summary, the MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi Gaming Motherboard is a versatile and high-performance choice for gamers and users seeking a reliable platform for their 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors, DDR5 memory, and fast network connectivity needs.
Case: Cooler Master MasterCase H500M ARGB Airflow ATX Mid-Tower
Here’s a Cooler Master MasterCase H500M ARGB Airflow ATX Mid-Tower that offers a blend of style and functionality for your PC build. Featuring four tempered glass panels, this case provides an unobstructed view of your system from all angles, including edge-to-edge glass side panels on both sides, a glass top panel, and a glass front panel. You have the flexibility to choose between the glass front panel for a balance of aesthetics and performance or opt for the full mesh panel, which is included as an accessory, to maximize airflow for efficient cooling.
In terms of connectivity, the I/O panel is well-equipped, offering a USB 3.1 (Gen 2) Type C port along with four additional USB 3.0 ports, ensuring you have plenty of options for connecting your peripherals and devices. The case also features a total of 9 covers, which help you achieve a clean and organized build. These covers include a PSU cut-out cover, which gives you the choice of showcasing your PSU or concealing it from view, contributing to a sleek and tidy appearance. To enhance cooling and aesthetics further, the case comes with two 200-millimeter Addressable RGB fans and an included ARGB controller, allowing you to move air in style and enjoy customizable lighting effects. With expansion slots totaling 7 plus 2, you have ample room for installing additional components as needed. In summary, the Cooler Master MasterCase H500M ARGB Airflow ATX Mid-Tower combines premium features like tempered glass panels, versatile connectivity, and advanced cooling options to meet the demands of both enthusiasts and builders focused on aesthetics and performance.
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Rock 2 150W TDP CPU Cooler
The Pure Rock 2 150W TDP CPU Cooler is a cooling solution designed to deliver high-performance and silent operation for your CPU. With a cooling efficiency of up to 150W TDP, this cooler is well-equipped to handle the heat generated by powerful processors.
One of the key features of this CPU cooler is its four high-performance 6mm heat pipes, which incorporate HDT (Heatpipe Direct Touch) technology. This design ensures efficient heat transfer from your CPU to the heatsink, helping to maintain lower temperatures. The cooler’s asymmetrical construction is thoughtfully engineered to avoid obstructing memory slots on your motherboard, allowing for easy installation and maximizing compatibility with various RAM modules.
Silent operation is a top priority for the be quiet! Pure Rock 2, and it achieves this with its included Pure Wings 2 120mm PWM fan. This fan operates quietly, with a maximum noise level of just 26.8 dB(A), ensuring that your system remains virtually silent even under heavy workloads. The elegant black surface finish adds a touch of sophistication to your build. Installation is made straightforward with an easily installable kit that can be mounted from atop the motherboard, streamlining the setup process. Additionally, the be quiet! Pure Rock 2 CPU Cooler comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty, providing peace of mind and assurance of its quality and durability. In summary, this CPU cooler is an excellent choice for those seeking efficient cooling, compatibility, and a quiet computing experience for their CPU-intensive tasks.
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus SSD 500GB
The SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus SSD 500GB is a cutting-edge storage solution that leverages innovative V-NAND Technology from Samsung. This SSD’s NVMe interface (PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 NVMe 1.3) takes advantage of enhanced bandwidth, low latency, and power efficiency. It’s an ideal choice for tech enthusiasts, high-end gamers, and content creators working with 4K and 3D content.
One of the standout features of this SSD is its groundbreaking read and write speeds. With sequential read and write performance levels of up to 3,500MB/s and 3,300MB/s, respectively, it offers blazing-fast data access and transfer rates. In terms of random read performance (4KB, QD32), it can achieve up to 600,000 IOPS, ensuring responsive system performance. To further enhance performance and data security, the SSD includes the Samsung Magician Software, which enables seamless cloning, file transfers, and automatic firmware updates.
Maintaining optimal operating temperatures is crucial for consistent performance, and the SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus excels in this aspect. Samsung’s Dynamic Thermal Guard automatically monitors and regulates temperatures to minimize performance drops, ensuring your SSD runs efficiently. This SSD comes with a 5-year limited warranty or 600 Terabytes Written (TBW), offering peace of mind and durability for your data storage needs. Additionally, it incorporates AES 256-bit Full Disk Encryption, TCG/Opal V2.0, and supports Encrypted Drive (IEEE1667), further enhancing data security. In summary, the SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus SSD 500GB is a top-tier storage solution that combines high-speed performance, reliability, and advanced data security features, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications and users.
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG 870 QVO SATA III SSD 2TB 2.5
One of the key enhancements of the 870 QVO is its expanded SATA interface, which boasts sequential speeds of up to 560MB/s for read and 530MB/s for write operations. This improvement translates into faster random access speed and sustained performance, ensuring efficient data access for various applications. The 870 QVO is available in multiple capacities, including 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and the massive 8TB option, offering flexibility to cater to your specific storage needs.
Reliability and sustainability are core features of this SSD. The 8TB 870 QVO, in particular, achieves an impressive 2,880 Terabytes Written (TBW) using a refined ECC algorithm, contributing to stable and dependable performance over the long term. Upgrading your system with the 870 QVO is a breeze, especially for users with desktop PCs or laptops that support the standard 2.5-inch SATA form factor.
The SAMSUNG 870 QVO also comes equipped with the SAMSUNG Magician Software, a valuable tool that allows you to manage your drive, enhance its performance, and stay up to date with the latest updates. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Samsung is the world’s #1 flash memory brand, and all firmware and components, including Samsung’s renowned DRAM and NAND, are produced in-house, ensuring end-to-end integration for top-notch quality and reliability. In summary, the SAMSUNG 870 QVO SATA III SSD 2TB 2.5 offers impressive storage capacity, enhanced performance, and long-term reliability, making it a trustworthy choice for both personal and business use.
RAM: G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB Series DDR5 RAM 32GB
This item is a powerhouse, packing 32GB of DDR5-7200 memory, split into two 16GB modules. With a 288-pin design and CAS Latency (CL34) of 34-45-45-115, it operates at a voltage of 1.40V, all geared toward unleashing your system’s full potential, especially when utilizing Intel XMP. Whether you’re diving into high-performance tasks or immersive gaming experiences, this memory kit has you covered.
Elegantly engineered for dual-channel use, it offers seamless compatibility with a wide range of hardware. When it comes to setup, your memory kit will boot at the SPD speed with default BIOS settings on compatible systems. However, for those looking to push the envelope, the XMP profile in BIOS can be enabled, unlocking the memory kit’s full overclocking potential. Achieving that coveted XMP overclock speed and system stability will, of course, depend on the synergy between your motherboard and CPU. In the end, the G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB Series DDR5 RAM 32GB is more than just memory; it’s a gateway to a world of powerful computing illuminated by captivating RGB lighting. Get ready to unlock new levels of performance and aesthetics as your system soars to new heights.
Mouse: Cooler Master MM711 RGB-LED Lightweight 60g Wired Gaming Mouse
The Cooler Master MM711 is a gaming mouse that seamlessly combines style, performance, and durability for an exceptional gaming experience. Weighing a mere 60 grams, the MM711 not only feels incredibly lightweight but also boasts subtle RGB illumination on both the scroll wheel and logo, allowing you to personalize your setup and indicate real-time sensitivity adjustments. Its unique honeycomb housing design not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also serves a functional purpose by keeping your palms sweat-free and reducing wrist fatigue during extended gaming sessions. With the MM711, you can aim better, perform better, and stay in the game for longer.
Durability and balance are at the core of the MM711’s design. It features L/R buttons equipped with Omron switches, each rated at 20+ million clicks, ensuring reliable and long-lasting performance. Additionally, the mouse incorporates two right-hand optimized side buttons, which can be customized using the MasterPlus+ software for tailored polling rates and button response times. Its virtually symmetrical form factor makes it suitable for both left- and right-handed users, catering to those who prefer a claw or finger grip and high-sensitivity wrist aiming. When it comes to precision, the MM711 doesn’t disappoint.
It boasts a 16000 DPI PixArt PMW3389 optical sensor with 7 sensitivity settings, delivering minimal lag, little-to-no stuttering, and superior tracking capabilities, including 400 IPS, 1000 Hz polling rate, less than 2 mm lift-off distance, and 50 g acceleration. To enhance your in-game movements, the mouse is equipped with smooth-gliding PTFE feet, setting the standard for low-friction surfaces. The MM711 also features an ultraweave cable, providing superior responsiveness and reliability of wired hardware while offering near-zero drag. With a generous 1.8-meter length and USB connection, it’s compatible with PC Windows and Mac OS systems, ensuring a hassle-free gaming experience on various platforms. In summary, the Cooler Master MM711 is a gaming mouse that not only looks great but also delivers pinpoint accuracy, smooth gliding, and the durability needed for intense gaming sessions. It’s a true gaming companion that combines form and function for gamers who demand the best.
As we bid farewell to this year’s holiday season, we hope our list of the coolest PC builds has inspired you to embark on your own gaming journey or surprise someone with the perfect tech gift. Whether you’re drawn to the high-powered setups designed to handle the latest AAA titles or the sleek, minimalist builds that offer excellent value for your budget, the world of PC gaming continues to evolve and delight. From breathtaking visuals to seamless performance, these PC builds represent the very best in gaming technology. As you embrace the new year, may your gaming experiences be immersive, your framerates high, and your adventures boundless. Happy gaming, and here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
