MID-RANGE BUILD
Our recommended build for playing the latest games
B660M Mortar WiFi MSI $160
This MSI board delivers everything we need in a compact package and allows us to use much cheaper DDR4 memory.
Core i5 13400F Intel $208
Yes, this is the same CPU as the budget build. It’s simply too good value to miss and perfect for high fps gaming.
RX 7700 XT AMD $449
If you can spare the extra cash, the RX 7800 XT is a tantalising upgrade. Nevertheless, we’ll opt for AMD’s cheaper card.
Laminar RM1 (included with CPU) Intel Free
Intel bundles a redesigned CPU cooler with some 13th Gen processors. This little chip chiller will serve us well for a while
Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4-3200 Corsair $40
With plenty of capacity at 16GB, this unembellished memory has everything you need for gaming and more.
Pure Power 12 M 650W Be Quiet! $105
This larger Be Quiet! PSU offers a stable platform with modern PCIe 5.0 connectivity.
WD Black SN770 1TB Western Digital $51
There are faster PCIe 4.0 drives, but this is the best value for money SSD around.
WD Blue 1TB 7200rpm Western Digital $32 (not in budget)
Just like in the budget build, this HDD isn’t strictly necessary, but for a pretty low price it’s nice to have plenty of extra space.
H7
NZXT $130
It’s very clever of NZXT to design such an easy PC case to build into, and make it look so gorgeous too.
S2722DGM Dell $270
With a snappy 165Hz refresh rate and a 1440p resolution, this Dell is an enviable blend of monitor performance.
KM250 RGB G0.Skill $40
You could spend more for a full-size gaming keyboard, but this G.Skill will certainly suffice for most gamers.
DeathAdder V2 Razer $50
Tried and tested, this Razer mouse is a superb companion for competitive gaming without breaking the bank.
Blackshark V2 Razer $65
The Blackshark V2 offers up some killer audio quality to rival the greats. And at a reasonable price too.