How much does a great gaming computer cost, one that can run everything on “ultra” settings? What`s the minimum amount needed to play new releases? What kind of build is possible within my budget? In this monthly column, you`ll find answers to all your questions about assembling a gaming PC in Russia.
The main condition is that we use components currently available or obtainable via short-term pre-order from Russian retailers. Options involving ordering cheaper parts from AliExpress, buying from Amazon in the USA through intermediaries, or other gray market schemes are not considered.
Budget Gaming PC Builds
When the budget is severely limited, aiming for the absolute minimum for a relatively decent gaming PC, compromises will inevitably be necessary in almost every area. We have to choose components at the lowest prices from options that have already been user-verified to minimize the risk of defects and other unexpected issues. Additionally, it`s important to note that the lifespan of such a computer`s relevance will likely last only until the next generation of consoles. After that, an upgrade will definitely be needed, and quite likely, almost all parts will require replacement. Essentially, it might be simpler to just buy a completely new PC. However, keep in mind that during its use, you can purchase additional components to improve image quality, increase frame rates, and so on. This is precisely why we are not considering currently relevant and inexpensive, but aging, components for DDR4 RAM.
For the foundation, we`ll use budget motherboards like the MSI PRO B650M-B for the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F processor and the B760M-E for the Intel Core i5-12400F. We`ll complement these with two 16GB Apacer NOX RAM sticks, a 1TB Samsung 980 SSD, and affordable coolers whose performance is more than sufficient for our needs. We take a similar approach with the power supply unit – although less wattage might suffice, we`ll opt for a 750W unit. This allows it to avoid running at full load even under peak performance, thereby increasing its lifespan and reducing fan noise. As for the case, this is more individualized. We`ve chosen a relatively inexpensive option that has a sturdy construction and ample space for all our components. Furthermore, to avoid the hassle of installing case fans (which are necessary even in budget builds and should not be neglected), our chosen case includes sufficient built-in intake and exhaust fans to ensure good airflow.
The final consideration is the graphics card. Our budget here doesn`t allow for anything better than the Palit GeForce RTX 4060 Infinity 2 with 8GB. The main compromise is having to install a model from the previous generation, as there`s no budget for the new one. We aren`t proposing AMD alternatives because NVIDIA`s upscaling and frame generation technologies work significantly better than those from the competitor. And these technologies will be useful for balancing image quality and frame rate.
Mid-Range Gaming PC Builds
To build a PC capable of providing consistently high frame rates at 2K resolution and 60 FPS at 4K with relatively high image quality, we`ll need a larger budget. In this configuration, we`ve kept the same SSD, case, and cooler as in the budget option. However, we`ve selected new and more powerful components for everything else.
Let`s start with the motherboard. Although our case can fit a Standard-ATX board, we`ll stick with the ASUS TUF GAMING Micro-ATX because it costs several thousand rubles less while completely meeting our requirements. Similar to the budget build, we are essentially selecting comparable boards for Intel and AMD, just with the correct B650M or B760 chipsets needed for our chosen processor manufacturer. These are required for the more powerful AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and Intel Core i5-14600K processors. They are roughly comparable in performance, while the i7-14700K, which is nominally a competitor to the 9700X, is simply out of budget – we can`t afford it because it costs ₽5-6 thousand more in Russia.
This is because we will have to spend considerably on the graphics card – in our case, it will be the GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5070 EAGLE OC SFF with 12GB. Yes, there are cheaper RTX 5070 options available, which could save a couple or three thousand rubles. However, that wouldn`t allow us to get a more powerful processor, while the three fans on this specific card will help our PC run quieter and keep the graphics card cooler. We are also using a power supply unit 100W more powerful than in the budget build.
In this price category, we also cannot offer an alternative graphics card from AMD. This is because the comparable Radeon RX 9070 XT costs over ₽80 thousand in Russia, and cheaper options among AMD`s new releases simply cannot compete in raw performance with NVIDIA`s offering at this price point.
High-End Gaming PC Builds
When it comes to a top-tier build, the budget could theoretically run into millions of rubles. However, in this case, we`ve taken a more rational approach: we`ve assembled a PC designed so you can forget about upgrades for the next 3-4 years (or potentially longer) and have no issues with FPS anywhere at “ultra” graphics settings in 4K resolution, assuming the games are well-optimized initially. If they aren`t, like with Microsoft Flight Simulator X, then no amount of hardware will help.
As a result, we will have a completely self-sufficient build from the minimum necessary set of components. You can further supplement it and increase the budget by adding high-end sound cards, additional SSDs (our case can fit two more M.2 drives or several SATA drives), and so on. And since we are investing a significant sum (otherwise, our requirements cannot be met), we will also consider making the computer aesthetically pleasing. Relative to the base cost of the PC, this won`t lead to a significant price increase but will be a pleasure to look at. Therefore, wherever possible, we will choose components with ARGB lighting. However, we won`t get carried away to avoid overpaying or losing important functionality.
Our case will be the Cooler Master CMP 510 ARGB – a rather stylish, sturdy, and entirely suitable case for our needs, to which we will add an extra exhaust fan at the rear. Inside, we will install the ASUS ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI motherboard – in case the owner doesn`t want to run a network cable to the computer. Yes, for esports, a wired connection is always necessary, but for simply browsing the internet and playing games that don`t require perfect connectivity, Wi-Fi will be perfectly sufficient. Furthermore, this board is equipped with three ARGB headers, where we will connect all our lighting components and then synchronize the lighting using ASUS Aura software.
For the top-tier PC, we did not configure an Intel-based option because as of summer 2025, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D simply has no alternative. At the time of this publication, there are almost no gaming tasks that can load it beyond 60-70% – any graphics card will become a bottleneck sooner. Theoretical alternatives that are more powerful are either prohibitively expensive (hello, Threadripper) or, not only more expensive, but also yield lower or the same FPS in 90% of cases (like the Ryzen 9 9950X3D). Our system will be powered by a kilowatt ADATA XPG CYBER CORE II 1000W power supply, and for RAM, we will install two 32GB ADATA XPG Lancer sticks with a frequency of 6400 MHz and support for overclocking via AMD EXPO profiles.
The system will utilize a high-end Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB SSD and an MSI GeForce RTX 5080 INSPIRE 3X OC graphics card. Cooling will be handled by the quiet Enermax ETS-F40-FS ARGB Edition cooler with lighting. It`s not exceptionally powerful, but we don`t need it to be, as the energy efficiency of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is one of its strengths, and we are covering the necessary TDP by almost double. Alternatively, liquid cooling could be used, but we chose an air cooler for its reliability and simplicity.
Finley Holt