Buying Guide
The Best Gaming PCs for Starfield
Five gaming PCs compared, from the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 to the Y40 265F, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Starfield leans on the CPU in cities. Every pick has a Ryzen 7 or Core i7 class CPU with 12GB or more of video memory and cost $2,800 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by graphics card, VRAM and processor, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips warranty, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
WIWB Gaming Desktop (Core i7-14700KF, RTX 4070 12GB)
A Core i7-14700KF, an unlocked chip.
Best for: Buyers who want Core i7-14700KF, an unlocked chip.
Our take Check price for WIWB Gaming Desktop (Core i7-14700KF, RTX 4070 12GB) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Skytech Chronos 3 (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, White)
An 850W Gold PSU and a 360mm AIO in a white Chronos case.
Best for: Buyers who want 850W Gold PSU and a 360mm AIO in a white Chronos case.
Our take Check price for Skytech Chronos 3 (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, White) (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Skytech Gaming PC (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5070, 16GB)
A 360mm AIO on a Core i7-14700F.
Best for: Buyers who want 360mm AIO on a Core i7-14700F.
Our take Check price for Skytech Gaming PC (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5070, 16GB) (opens in a new tab)
Solid Runner-Up
STORMCRAFT Viper AI (Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 16GB)
A 16GB Radeon RX 9070.
Best for: Buyers who want 16GB Radeon RX 9070.
Our take Check price for STORMCRAFT Viper AI (Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 16GB) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
iBUYPOWER Y40 (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5070 12GB)
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the Y40 dual-chamber glass case.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for iBUYPOWER Y40 (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5070 12GB) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
WIWB Gaming Desktop (Core i7-14700KF, RTX 4070 12GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
WIWB pairs an unlocked Core i7-14700KF with an RTX 4070 12GB and DDR5 memory.
Best for
- Buyers who want Core i7-14700KF, an unlocked chip.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing.
Why we like it
The 20-core CPU suits gaming alongside heavier multitasking. On VRAM it ties with the Skytech i7 RTX 5070 and the Y40 265F at 12GB. On memory it ties with the Chronos 3 and the Skytech i7 RTX 5070 at 16GB.
An RTX 4070 graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the Skytech i7 RTX 5070 uses an RTX 5070 graphics card. You get a DDR5 memory type here, which sets it apart from the Y40 265F and its a DDR5-5200 memory type. Check the WIWB i7 RTX 4070's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
The WIWB i7 RTX 4070's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. With 16GB installed, check for free memory slots before adding more. What it gives up: VRAM of 12GB, behind the Chronos 3 (16GB); by contrast, the Chronos 3 offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 4070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Processor: Core i7-14700KF
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 4070 graphics card
- 12GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- Core i7-14700KF, an unlocked chip
- DDR5 memory type, the only one here
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- VRAM of 12GB, behind the Chronos 3 (16GB)
Strong Alternative2 of 5
Skytech Chronos 3 (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, White) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Chronos 3 pairs a Core i7-14700F with an RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR5-6000 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want 850W Gold PSU and a 360mm AIO in a white Chronos case.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing.
Why we like it
It also comes with an 850W Gold PSU and a 360mm AIO in a white Chronos case. It matches the STORMCRAFT Viper on VRAM (16GB). It matches the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 and the Skytech i7 RTX 5070 on memory (16GB).
It is the only pick here with an RTX 5060 Ti graphics card; the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 has an RTX 4070 graphics card instead. Like the Skytech i7 RTX 5070, it has a core i7-14700F processor, while the Y40 265F uses a core Ultra 7 265F processor. Like the STORMCRAFT Viper, it has a DDR5-6000 memory type, while the Y40 265F uses a DDR5-5200 memory type.
Check the Chronos 3's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The main gap: memory of 16GB, behind the STORMCRAFT Viper (32GB). If that matters, the STORMCRAFT Viper offers 32GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Processor: Core i7-14700F
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR5-6000
- SSD: 1TB
- Power supply: 850W
- PSU rating: 80 Plus Gold
- Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
- Case colour: White
Pros
- A RTX 5060 Ti graphics card
- 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- A 850W power supply
- An 80 Plus Gold power supply
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Memory of 16GB, behind the STORMCRAFT Viper (32GB)
Worth a Look3 of 5
Skytech Gaming PC (Core i7-14700F, RTX 5070, 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Inside the Skytech i7 RTX 5070 are a Core i7-14700F and an RTX 5070 with 12GB of VRAM, backed by 16GB of DDR4-3200 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers who want 360mm AIO on a Core i7-14700F.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editin is a problem.
Why we like it
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. It matches the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 and the Y40 265F on VRAM (12GB). It matches the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 and the Chronos 3 on memory (16GB).
Like the Y40 265F, it has an RTX 5070 graphics card, while the STORMCRAFT Viper uses an RX 9070 graphics card. Like the Chronos 3, it has a core i7-14700F processor, while the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 uses a core i7-14700KF processor. It is the only pick here with a DDR4-3200 memory type; the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 has a DDR5 memory type instead.
On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Chronos 3 and the pricier STORMCRAFT Viper, at the time of writing. The trade-off is memory; for more, the STORMCRAFT Viper offers 32GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Processor: Core i7-14700F
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR4-3200
- SSD: 1TB
- Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
Pros
- A RTX 5070 graphics card
- 12GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 360mm AIO on a Core i7-14700F
- DDR4-3200 memory type, the only one here
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Memory trails the STORMCRAFT Viper (32GB)
- Costs more than the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 at the time of writing
Solid Runner-Up4 of 5
STORMCRAFT Viper AI (Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Radeon RX 9070 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
STORMCRAFT Viper pairs a Ryzen 7 7800X3D with an RX 9070 with 16GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of DDR5-6000 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want 16GB Radeon RX 9070.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On memory it ties with the Y40 265F at 32GB. You get an RX 9070 graphics card here, which sets it apart from the Y40 265F and its an RTX 5070 graphics card.
You get a ryzen 7 7800X3D processor here, which sets it apart from the Y40 265F and its a core Ultra 7 265F processor. It shares a DDR5-6000 memory type with the Chronos 3; the Y40 265F goes with a DDR5-5200 memory type. Check the STORMCRAFT Viper'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 Skytech i7 RTX 5070 and below the Y40 265F at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RX 9070
- VRAM: 16GB
- Processor: Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5-6000
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RX 9070 graphics card
- 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- An Ryzen 7 7800X3D with 3D V-Cache
- 32GB of RAM
Cons
- Costs more than the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
iBUYPOWER Y40 (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5070 12GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Y40 265F pairs a Core Ultra 7 265F with an RTX 5070 with 12GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of DDR5-5200 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if VRAM matters most to you; the Chronos 3 offers 16GB.
Why we like it
It also comes with the Y40 dual-chamber glass case. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On memory it ties with the STORMCRAFT Viper at 32GB.
It shares an RTX 5070 graphics card with the Skytech i7 RTX 5070; the Chronos 3 goes with an RTX 5060 Ti graphics card. You get a core Ultra 7 265F processor here, which sets it apart from the STORMCRAFT Viper and its a ryzen 7 7800X3D processor. A DDR5-5200 memory type is unique to it among these picks, while the Chronos 3 uses a DDR5-6000 memory type.
Check the Y40 265F's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. Only the STORMCRAFT Viper came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. It gives ground on VRAM, where the Chronos 3 offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Processor: Core Ultra 7 265F
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5-5200
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 5070 graphics card
- 12GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 32GB of RAM
- The Y40 dual-chamber glass case
Cons
- VRAM trails the Chronos 3 (16GB)
- Costs more than the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming PCs for Starfield
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 to the Y40 265F, state graphics card, VRAM and processor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The WIWB i7 RTX 4070, the STORMCRAFT Viper and the Y40 265F give no warranty.
- Price range
- From the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 to the Y40 265F, all sat in the over $1500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming PC for Starfield
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much VRAM you need
Here VRAM runs from 12GB on the Y40 265F to 16GB on the Chronos 3. The Chronos 3 is the pick for VRAM.
Memory across these picks
Here memory runs from 16GB on the Skytech i7 RTX 5070 to 32GB on the STORMCRAFT Viper. Start with the STORMCRAFT Viper if memory decides it.
Processor
The WIWB i7 RTX 4070 lists Core i7-14700KF; the Chronos 3 and the Skytech i7 RTX 5070 list Core i7-14700F; the STORMCRAFT Viper lists Ryzen 7 7800X3D; the Y40 265F lists Core Ultra 7 265F.
Memory type
The WIWB i7 RTX 4070 lists DDR5; the Chronos 3 and the STORMCRAFT Viper list DDR5-6000; the Skytech i7 RTX 5070 lists DDR4-3200; the Y40 265F lists DDR5-5200.
Fit and compatibility
Check the WIWB i7 RTX 4070'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 PC for Starfield
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want Core i7-14700KF, an unlocked chip | WIWB i7 RTX 4070 | A Core i7-14700KF, an unlocked chip |
| Buyers who want 850W Gold PSU and a 360mm AIO in a white Chronos case | Chronos 3 | An 850W Gold PSU and a 360mm AIO in a white Chronos case |
| Buyers who want 360mm AIO on a Core i7-14700F | Skytech i7 RTX 5070 | A 360mm AIO on a Core i7-14700F |
| Buyers who want 16GB Radeon RX 9070 | STORMCRAFT Viper | A 16GB Radeon RX 9070 |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Y40 265F | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the Y40 dual-chamber glass case |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Chronos 3 leads on VRAM at 16GB, ahead of the STORMCRAFT Viper at 16GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIWB i7 RTX 4070 | RTX 4070 | 12GB | Core i7-14700KF | 16GB |
| Chronos 3 | RTX 5060 Ti | 16GB | Core i7-14700F | 16GB |
| Skytech i7 RTX 5070 | RTX 5070 | 12GB | Core i7-14700F | 16GB |
| STORMCRAFT Viper | RX 9070 | 16GB | Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 32GB |
| Y40 265F | RTX 5070 | 12GB | Core Ultra 7 265F | 32GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Y40 265F worth paying more than the WIWB i7 RTX 4070?
On paper it adds memory (32GB against 16GB). The WIWB i7 RTX 4070 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Y40 265F the Premium Pick?
It earns the label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the Y40 dual-chamber glass case. It suits anyone who wants the most complete package.
Do the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 and the Chronos 3 differ on graphics card?
The WIWB i7 RTX 4070 uses RTX 4070; the Chronos 3 uses RTX 5060 Ti; the Skytech i7 RTX 5070 and the Y40 265F use RTX 5070; the STORMCRAFT Viper uses RX 9070.
What should I check before buying the Y40 265F?
Check the Y40 265F's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The Y40 265F's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Premium Pick pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the WIWB i7 RTX 4070 and the Chronos 3 apart?
The WIWB i7 RTX 4070: a Core i7-14700KF, an unlocked chip. The Chronos 3: an 850W Gold PSU and a 360mm AIO in a white Chronos case. The Skytech i7 RTX 5070: a 360mm AIO on a Core i7-14700F.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the WIWB i7 RTX 4070, chosen for a Core i7-14700KF, an unlocked chip. Look at the Chronos 3 for an 850W Gold PSU and a 360mm AIO in a white Chronos case, the Skytech i7 RTX 5070 for a 360mm AIO on a Core i7-14700F and the STORMCRAFT Viper for a 16GB Radeon RX 9070 if those matter more to you.
Keep the game on the fastest SSD you have.