Buying Guide
The Best Gaming PCs Around $2,500
Five gaming PCs ranked on VRAM and memory; the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Around $2,500 you reach RTX 5070 Ti and RX 9070 XT systems. Every pick cost between $2,300 and $2,700, ordered by video memory.
The order reflects graphics card, VRAM and processor from maker specifications; a missing warranty is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
KOTIN Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB)
A 9800X3D and an RX 9070 XT.
Best for: Buyers who want 9800X3D and an RX 9070 XT.
Our take Check price for KOTIN Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Skytech King 95 (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 XT, White)
A 2TB SSD in a white King 95 case.
Best for: Buyers who want 2TB SSD in a white King 95 case.
Our take Check price for Skytech King 95 (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 XT, White) (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Skytech King 95 (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB, White)
A white King 95 case with a 360mm AIO.
Best for: Buyers who want white King 95 case with a 360mm AIO.
Our take Check price for Skytech King 95 (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB, White) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Skytech King 95 (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB, 2TB)
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an 850W Gold PSU and a 2TB SSD.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Skytech King 95 (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB, 2TB) (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
CyberPowerPC Gaming PC (Ryzen 9 9900X, RTX 5070 12GB)
The lowest price among these gaming PCs at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X for the least money.
Our take Check price for CyberPowerPC Gaming PC (Ryzen 9 9900X, RTX 5070 12GB) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
KOTIN Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT build pairs a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, an RX 9070 XT with 16GB of VRAM, 32GB of DDR5 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want 9800X3D and an RX 9070 XT.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it ties with the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT, the King 95 i7 5070 Ti and the King 95 i7 2TB at 16GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the King 95 i7 5070 Ti and the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 at 1TB.
It shares a DDR5 memory type with the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070; the King 95 i7 5070 Ti goes with a DDR5-6000 memory type. Check the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. It was priced above the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 and below the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RX 9070 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Processor: Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RX 9070 XT graphics card
- 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- An Ryzen 7 9800X3D with 3D V-Cache
- 32GB of RAM
Cons
- Costs more than the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative2 of 5
Skytech King 95 (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 XT, White) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT pairs a Ryzen 7 9800X3D with an RX 9070 XT with 16GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of DDR5-6000 and a 2TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2TB SSD in a white King 95 case.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. Like the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT, it has an RX 9070 XT graphics card, while the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 uses an RTX 5070 graphics card. Check the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
Another plus is 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings. Its price falls between the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT and the King 95 i7 5070 Ti, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RX 9070 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Processor: Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5-6000
- SSD: 2TB
- Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
- Case colour: White
Pros
- A RX 9070 XT graphics card
- 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- An Ryzen 7 9800X3D with 3D V-Cache
- 32GB of RAM
Cons
- Costs more than the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 at the time of writing
Worth a Look3 of 5
Skytech King 95 (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB, White) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Inside the King 95 i7 5070 Ti are a Core i7-14700F and an RTX 5070 Ti with 16GB of VRAM, backed by 32GB of DDR5-6000 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers who want white King 95 case with a 360mm AIO.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also comes with a white King 95 case with a 360mm AIO. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it ties with the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT, the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT and the King 95 i7 2TB at 16GB.
On SSD capacity it ties with the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT and the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 at 1TB. It shares an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card with the King 95 i7 2TB; the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT goes with an RX 9070 XT graphics card. It shares a core i7-14700F processor with the King 95 i7 2TB; the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 goes with a ryzen 9 9900X processor. It shares a DDR5-6000 memory type with the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT and King 95 i7 2TB; the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 goes with a DDR5 memory type.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5070 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Processor: Core i7-14700F
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5-6000
- SSD: 1TB
- Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
- Case colour: White
Pros
- A RTX 5070 Ti graphics card
- 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 32GB of RAM
- White King 95 case with a 360mm AIO
Cons
- Costs more than the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 5
Skytech King 95 (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB, 2TB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Inside the King 95 i7 2TB are a Core i7-14700F and an RTX 5070 Ti with 16GB of VRAM, backed by 32GB of DDR5-6000 and 2TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also comes with an 850W Gold PSU and a 2TB SSD. It matches the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT, the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT and the King 95 i7 5070 Ti on VRAM (16GB). Like the King 95 i7 5070 Ti, it has an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, while the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT uses an RX 9070 XT graphics card.
Check the King 95 i7 2TB's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The 850W power supply is the stated figure; check its connectors before a later GPU upgrade. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the King 95 i7 5070 Ti.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5070 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Processor: Core i7-14700F
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5-6000
- SSD: 2TB
- Power supply: 850W
- PSU rating: 80 Plus Gold
- Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
Pros
- A RTX 5070 Ti graphics card
- 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 32GB of RAM
- A 2TB SSD
Cons
- Costs more than the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
CyberPowerPC Gaming PC (Ryzen 9 9900X, RTX 5070 12GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
CyberPowerPC's build pairs a 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X with an RTX 5070 12GB.
Best for
- Getting 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if VRAM matters most to you; the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT offers 16GB.
Why we like it
It has more CPU cores than any other RTX 5070 system here, which helps with rendering and encoding. On VRAM it trails the group at 12GB, while the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT offers 16GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT and the King 95 i7 5070 Ti at 1TB.
An RTX 5070 graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT uses an RX 9070 XT graphics card. It shares a DDR5 memory type with the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT; the King 95 i7 2TB goes with a DDR5-6000 memory type. Check the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Processor: Ryzen 9 9900X
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 1TB
- Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
Pros
- A RTX 5070 graphics card
- 12GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 32GB of RAM
- 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X
Cons
- VRAM trails the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT (16GB)
- SSD capacity trails the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT (2TB)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT to the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070, state graphics card, VRAM and processor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT gives no warranty; the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT, the King 95 i7 2TB and the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 give no case colour.
- Price range
- From the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 to the King 95 i7 2TB, all sat in the over $1500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming PCs Around $2,500
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much VRAM you need
Here VRAM runs from 12GB on the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 to 16GB on the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT. Start with the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT if VRAM decides it.
SSD capacity
Here SSD capacity runs from 1TB on the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 to 2TB on the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT. The King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT is the pick for SSD capacity.
Processor
The KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT and the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT list Ryzen 7 9800X3D; the King 95 i7 5070 Ti and the King 95 i7 2TB list Core i7-14700F; the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 lists Ryzen 9 9900X. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Memory type
The KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT and the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 list DDR5; the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT, the King 95 i7 5070 Ti and the King 95 i7 2TB list DDR5-6000. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Setup checks
Check the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
How to Choose a Gaming PCs Around $2,500
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 9800X3D and an RX 9070 XT | KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT | A 9800X3D and an RX 9070 XT |
| Buyers who want 2TB SSD in a white King 95 case | King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT | A 2TB SSD in a white King 95 case |
| Buyers who want white King 95 case with a 360mm AIO | King 95 i7 5070 Ti | A white King 95 case with a 360mm AIO |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | King 95 i7 2TB | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an 850W Gold PSU and a 2TB SSD |
| Getting 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X for the least money | CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 | The lowest price among these gaming PCs at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT leads on VRAM at 16GB, ahead of the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT at 16GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT | RX 9070 XT | 16GB | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 32GB |
| King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT | RX 9070 XT | 16GB | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 32GB |
| King 95 i7 5070 Ti | RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | Core i7-14700F | 32GB |
| King 95 i7 2TB | RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | Core i7-14700F | 32GB |
| CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 | RTX 5070 | 12GB | Ryzen 9 9900X | 32GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the King 95 i7 2TB add over the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070?
On paper it adds VRAM (16GB against 12GB) and SSD capacity (2TB against 1TB). The CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the lowest price among these gaming PCs at the time of writing. It suits getting 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X for the least money.
Do the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT and the King 95 i7 5070 Ti differ on graphics card?
The KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT and the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT use RX 9070 XT; the King 95 i7 5070 Ti and the King 95 i7 2TB use RTX 5070 Ti; the CyberPowerPC 9900X RTX 5070 uses RTX 5070.
Will the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT work with my setup?
Check the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. In this guide it ranks first of 5.
What extras do the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT and the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT include?
The KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT: a 9800X3D and an RX 9070 XT. The King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT: a 2TB SSD in a white King 95 case. The King 95 i7 5070 Ti: a white King 95 case with a 360mm AIO.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the KOTIN 9800X3D RX 9070 XT, chosen for a 9800X3D and an RX 9070 XT. Look at the King 95 9800X3D RX 9070 XT for a 2TB SSD in a white King 95 case, the King 95 i7 5070 Ti for a white King 95 case with a 360mm AIO and the King 95 i7 2TB for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an 850W Gold PSU and a 2TB SSD if those matter more to you.
A 9800X3D CPU pairs well with this tier for esports.