The Best $3500 Ultimate Gaming PC Build

It also offers a 30MB L3 cache and offers a 5.5GHz boost clock.

The Core Ultra 7 265K brings 20 cores and 20 threads, a 5.5GHz maximum boost, 30MB of L3 cache and a 125W rating, and it accounts for 9% of the parts total. It ships without a cooler, so the build pairs it with the Nautilus 360 RS White. Its integrated graphics stay available as a backup display output.

LGA1851 is the socket on both the Core Ultra 7 265K and the TUF Z890-PLUS, which is the first thing that has to match. The board maker's support list names the BIOS version this processor needs. The TUF Z890-PLUS takes DDR5 and the Core Ultra 7 265K supports DDR5, so the Vengeance RGB kit in DDR5 is the matching type. DDR4 and DDR5 sticks are keyed differently, so the wrong type will not seat. LGA1851 appears in the Nautilus 360 RS White's supported sockets (AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700), so the bracket for the Core Ultra 7 265K comes in its box. If the budget is tighter, the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 14 cores and 24MB of L3 cache against 20 and 30MB, roughly 46% cheaper than the Core Ultra 7 265K; it keeps the same socket, memory type and cooler fit.

On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory.

16GB of GDDR7 and the RTX 5080 chip come with the PNY 5080, which takes 47% of the parts total, more than any other part. For the supply, the maker's guidance for this chip is 850W.

The Pop 2 Vision takes cards up to 412mm. The listing for the PNY 5080 gives no length, so compare the card's spec page with that limit before ordering. For an RTX 5080 card the recommended supply is 850W, and the LIAN LI Edge Gold 1000W White offers 1000W, a margin of 150W above that figure. The listing for the PNY 5080 does not name its power connector, while the LIAN LI Edge Gold 1000W White lists one 12V-2x6 connector. Check the card's page for 8-pin or 12V-2x6 and count the leads you need. If the budget is tighter, the MSI 4080 Super Ventus 3X offers the RTX 4080 Super with 16GB of GDDR6X, against the RTX 5080's 16GB, roughly 18% cheaper than the PNY 5080; the supply wattage and case length rows stay green.

It covers Core Ultra 200S builds without premium pricing.

LGA1851 is the socket on the TUF Z890-PLUS, a board with the Z890 chipset, ATX size, 4 M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5GbE LAN that accounts for 7% of the parts total; its memory slots accept DDR5 and nothing else.

LGA1851 is the socket on both the Core Ultra 7 265K and the TUF Z890-PLUS, which is the first thing that has to match. The board maker's support list names the BIOS version this processor needs. The TUF Z890-PLUS takes DDR5 and the Core Ultra 7 265K supports DDR5, so the Vengeance RGB kit in DDR5 is the matching type. DDR4 and DDR5 sticks are keyed differently, so the wrong type will not seat. The TUF Z890-PLUS lists 4 M.2 slots, so the 990 EVO Plus 2TB has a home and a second drive can follow. The manual says which slot runs at full PCIe speed.

It is the pick for builds with a glass panel.

This kit is 32GB, DDR5, 6000MT/s, CL30 and EXPO and XMP profiles in two sticks and takes 16% of the parts total, a heavy slice because DDR5 is expensive when we checked.

The TUF Z890-PLUS takes DDR5 and the Core Ultra 7 265K supports DDR5, so the Vengeance RGB kit in DDR5 is the matching type. DDR4 and DDR5 sticks are keyed differently, so the wrong type will not seat. Because the Vengeance RGB is a two-stick 32GB kit, the board manual's dual-channel slot pair is where it goes. To spend more, the Flare X5 64GB is 64GB at 6000MT/s, roughly 113% dearer than the Vengeance RGB; the memory-type check still passes.

Its 7,250MB/s reads keep it close to the fastest Gen4 drives.

The 990 EVO Plus 2TB offers 2TB, PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 x2 and up to 7250MB/s sequential reads and takes 11% of the parts total.

The TUF Z890-PLUS lists 4 M.2 slots, so the 990 EVO Plus 2TB has a home and a second drive can follow. The manual says which slot runs at full PCIe speed. If the budget allows more, the SN5000 4TB offers 4TB on PCIe 4.0, roughly 35% dearer than the 990 EVO Plus 2TB; it uses the same M.2 slot as the current drive.

It also offers a 1000W rated output and offers a 1 native 12V-2x6 cable count.

The LIAN LI Edge Gold 1000W White is 1000W, Gold rated, ATX 3.1, ATX format and one 12V-2x6 connector and takes 4% of the parts total.

For an RTX 5080 card the recommended supply is 850W, and the LIAN LI Edge Gold 1000W White offers 1000W, a margin of 150W above that figure. The listing for the PNY 5080 does not name its power connector, while the LIAN LI Edge Gold 1000W White lists one 12V-2x6 connector. Check the card's page for 8-pin or 12V-2x6 and count the leads you need. The LIAN LI Edge Gold 1000W White is a standard ATX unit, and the Pop 2 Vision listing does not name a power supply type, so confirm ATX fits in its manual.

On the spec sheet, it offers a 412mm GPU clearance and offers a 360mm largest radiator size.

The Pop 2 Vision lists room for ATX boards, graphics cards up to 412mm, a radiator up to 360mm and 4 fans in the box and takes 2% of the parts total.

ATX is the TUF Z890-PLUS's size, and the Pop 2 Vision lists ATX, so the board has a place on its tray. The Pop 2 Vision takes cards up to 412mm. The listing for the PNY 5080 gives no length, so compare the card's spec page with that limit before ordering. The LIAN LI Edge Gold 1000W White is a standard ATX unit, and the Pop 2 Vision listing does not name a power supply type, so confirm ATX fits in its manual.

The Nautilus 360 RS White is a liquid cooler with a 360mm radiator, 120mm fans and AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 mounting, and it takes 4% of the parts total.

LGA1851 appears in the Nautilus 360 RS White's supported sockets (AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700), so the bracket for the Core Ultra 7 265K comes in its box. The Nautilus 360 RS White has a 360mm radiator and the Pop 2 Vision lists room for up to 360mm, so it mounts at the front or top as the case manual allows. Check clearance over the memory if it goes on top.