The Ultimate Midrange Gaming & Workstation PC Build – Under $1500

Total: $1503.

Performance: 53% of the best posible PC Build.

Perfrmance per Price: 78%.

From the system summary, we can observe the performance in both applications and games, as well as the overall performance-to-price ratio. This build is classified as a midrange PC, and yet it delivers around 50% performance in gaming and productivity workloads, which is outstanding for a system priced at $1500 USD.

The performance-to-price ratio comes in at 78.8%, offering excellent value for money. This system is capable of handling all modern games at high settings in 1440p, and can even run games at 4K (2160p) with adjusted settings for smooth performance.

Below, you’ll find charts illustrating the individual performance scores and efficiency (performance per dollar) of each component.
Feel free to experiment with different part combinations using our PC Builder to optimize the system for your specific needs or budget!

🔄 Component Interactions and Performance Impact

In the following chart, you can explore how the key PC components interact and affect each other’s performance. Optimizing the synergy between the CPU, motherboard, RAM, and GPU is essential for getting the best value and efficiency out of your build.

🧠 CPU Performance Impact

• The motherboard selection has boosted CPU performance by ↑ +2.8%.
  This is thanks to the high-quality VRM setup (16-phase, 90A), which supports the CPU’s 125W / 181W TDP and allows it to maintain turbo frequencies under load.

• The RAM selection slightly reduces the CPU's application performance by ↓ -3.1%.
  Despite this, it still qualifies as high-performance memory, and the performance drop compared to top-tier kits is minimal.

• As a result of both components, the CPU’s application performance shows:
  Relative / Projected / Net Change → 58.0% / 57.8% / ↓ -0.3%

🎮 GPU Performance Impact

• RAM selection affects GPU performance at 1080p, leading to a ↓ -3.0% drop.
  This effect is minor and does not significantly bottleneck the system, ensuring smooth operation in gaming workloads.

• CPU limitations have a more notable impact, reducing GPU performance by ↓ -11.5% at 1080p.
  This is expected in midrange systems where the GPU is relatively high-end compared to the CPU.

• Combined Effect on GPU Performance:

  • At 1080p: ↓ -14.2%

  • At 1440p: ↓ -9.3%

  • At 2160p: ↓ -5.1%

Even with minor bottlenecks introduced by the CPU and RAM at lower resolutions, this system remains highly capable and well-balanced. Performance losses are within acceptable margins for a midrange system and become less relevant at higher resolutions like 1440p and 2160p, where GPU load dominates.

Feel free to experiment with other CPU, motherboard, or RAM combinations in our PC Builder to further optimize performance based on your resolution target.

You can view the entire build on this link.