Pull out all the stops with an extreme gaming PC build.
Building an extreme gaming PC is about designing a rig that crushes any and every game you throw at it. If you’re unsure when it comes to pairing parts, this list will give you the framework for a monster machine. This beast will run Elden Ring at 4K on max settings, without flinching, and will likely keep even the games of tomorrow running smoothly. Putting together a gaming PC with the best CPU for gaming (opens in new tab) and the best graphics card (opens in new tab) is the best way to future proof your gaming setup.
All that will cost you, however. With this exact build you’re looking at around $4,000. If that number made your wallet shrivel up, the more fiscally responsible PC gamers among you can check out our high-end PC build guide (opens in new tab). Otherwise, a smaller SSD or a RAM downgrade can shave off a few hundred dollars from the overall cost.
The final price doesn’t include accessories or peripherals either, so don’t forget to pick up the best gaming mouse (opens in new tab), and best gaming keyboard (opens in new tab) combo. And if you’re going all-in on 4K gaming, you should pick yourself up a quality gaming monitor (opens in new tab) that’ll make the most out of your GPU. Don’t bottleneck your high-powered components with a super out-of-date gaming panel, people.
Over the years, myself and my colleagues have tested more components than your could shake a stick at, and here’s where we’ve collated all the most powerful PC components that work together. It’s a true monster of a gaming PC with little to no care about cost. It really is the PC of our dreams.
Extreme gaming PC buildCPU
CPU: Intel Core i9 12900K (Image credit: Intel)
Intel Core i9 12900K
The new enthusiast processor to beat
Specifications
Cores: 8+8
Threads: 24
Base Clock: 3.2GHz P-core, 2.4GHz E-core
Boost Clock : 5.2GHz P-core, 3.9GHz E-core
Overclocking: Yes
L3 Cache (smart): 30MB
L2 Cache: 14MB
MTP: 241W
PCIe 5.0 lanes: 16
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Reasons to buy
+
Incredible single-threaded performance+
Much improved multithreaded ability
Reasons to avoid
–
Top performance requires power-
Some games don’t play nicely with Alder Lake yet
The Core i9 12900K represents the very best in Intel’s desktop 12th Generation processors, and the fastest chip out there today. That said, AMD’s Ryzen 7 5800X3D (opens in new tab) does give it a run for its money in gaming performance, but we’re looking at a more holistic chip in the 12th Gen unit. Its hybrid Core architecture, characterised by Intel’s addition of Performance Cores (P-Cores) and Efficient Cores (E-Cores), gives it an edge—the P-Cores especially when it comes to gaming.
It’s second on our best CPUs for gaming (opens in new tab) list only because it’s a little ridiculous, and can get pretty pricey as a result, so it’s the perfect recommendation for an intense build like this. You’ll need a decent motherboard, some serious cooling, and a powerful PSU to get the most from it, but that’s what this build is all about.
Read our full Intel Core i9 12900K review (opens in new tab).Motherboard
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro (Image credit: Gigabyte)
Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro
An extreme motherboard for an extreme build
Specifications
Chipset: Z690
Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-6200 (OC)
Expansion slots: 4x M.2 PCIe, 2x PCIe 3.0 x4, 1x PCIe 5.0 x16, 6x SATA 6GB/s
Video ports: 1x DisplayPort 1.4
USB ports: 20x
Storage: 4x M.2; 6x SATA
Network: Intel Wi-Fi 6; Intel i225V 2.5G LAN
Lighting: 2x aRGB (3-pin), 2x RGB (4-pin)
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Reasons to buy
+
Four M.2 slots+
13 rear USB ports+
Strong VRM
Reasons to avoid
–
The very grey design might not be to your taste-
WiFi 6 only
With DDR5 support, and space for up to four NVMe SSDs, the totally specced out Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro is perfect for an extreme build. It leaves hardly a thing to be desired, with 13 rear USB ports and strong VRM for delivering clean and consistent power to your components.
And by limiting it to Wi-Fi 6, and 2.5G Intel wired networking connections, and eschewing such unnecessary luxuries as Thunderbolt 4 or another M.2 slot, Gigabyte has managed to keep the price at least relatively sensible.
If you want more options, then check out our list of the best gaming motherboards (opens in new tab).
Read our full Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro review (opens in new tab).CPU Cooling
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X62 (Image credit: NZXT)
NZXT Kraken X62
Substantial cooling for your Core i9 processor
Specifications
Size: 280mm
Fan speed: 1,200rpm
Airflow: 55.4CFM
Noise level: 20.4dB(A)
Dimensions: 315 x 143 x 29mm
Socket support: LGA1700, LGA115x, LGA2011, LGA2066, AM2, AM3, AM4
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Reasons to buy
+
Good cooling and software+
Quieter than previous revision
Reasons to avoid
–
Not much more powerful than the Kraken X52
This rig has a beastly CPU, and yes, it loves some overclocking. Liquid cooling is highly recommended when you’re trying to get the most out of Intel’s unlocked enthusiast chips, and the 12th Gen Core i9 processors require it.
The NZXT Kraken X62 is an impressive piece of kit and works with all major platforms. It’s reasonably easy to install and features a large 280mm radiator with a pair of 140mm fans. Once everything is installed, having a small water block on your CPU instead of a massive air cooler makes things look much cleaner. You’ll need a large case capable of housing the radiator, naturally, but we’ll get to that shortly.
But even with the X62, you may run into thermal limitations. If you’re serious about pushing the i9 12900K to its limits, you’ll want to consider going with a fully custom liquid cooling loop. That’s beyond this buying guide’s scope, but know that even a good AIO cooler likely won’t allow maximum overclock with the i9 12900K.
