Rigforge // 2026 build hub

Built on Blackwell. Tuned for 2026.

Four reference builds around NVIDIA's RTX 50-series and the latest Intel Core Ultra 200S and Ryzen 9000 X3D silicon - all DDR5, all PCIe 5.0 storage. Pick a tier, follow the guide, power on. No filler, just the parts that earn their slot.

Browse the builds Read the guide

RTX 5090RTX 5080RTX 5070RTX 5060 SuperCore Ultra 9 285K+Ryzen 9 9950X3DDDR5-8000PCIe 5.0 NVMe

4: Reference builds
50: Series Blackwell
$1,099+: Entry price
PCIe 5.0: Storage

01 / Build lists

Four tiers, every part current

From a quiet entry rig to a no-ceiling flagship. Each list is a complete, compatible parts set built on this year's hardware. Prices are ballpark street figures and move with the market.

Entry-level1080p / 1440p

The Starter

A clean, current-gen machine for high-refresh 1080p and entry 1440p. Modern platform end to end, so it has somewhere to grow - DLSS 4 on tap from day one.

$1,099approx.

Target: 1080p / 144fps
Total draw: ~360W
Wattage psu: 650W
Noise: Whisper

CPUAMD Ryzen 5 9600X6-core Zen 5, runs cool
MotherboardB650 ATX (Wi-Fi)AM5, DDR5, PCIe 5.0 M.2
Memory32GB DDR5-6000 (2x16)EXPO dual-channel kit
GraphicsGeForce RTX 5060 SuperBlackwell, DLSS 4 1080p ultra
Storage1TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDFast OS + a few titles
CoolingDual-tower air coolerSilent, zero maintenance
Power650W 80+ Gold ATX 3.1Native 12V-2x6, headroom to grow

Mid-range1440p high-refreshEditor's pick

The Sweet Spot

The build most people should buy. High-refresh 1440p with ray tracing left on and the headroom to stay relevant for years. The price-to-frames champion of 2026.

$1,899approx.

Target: 1440p / 165fps
Total draw: ~520W
Wattage psu: 850W
Cooling: 280mm AIO

CPUIntel Core Ultra 7 265K+Core Ultra 200S Plus, 20 cores
MotherboardZ890 ATX (Wi-Fi 7)LGA 1851, PCIe 5.0 x16 + M.2
Memory32GB DDR5-7200 (2x16)XMP, low-latency kit
GraphicsGeForce RTX 50701440p ultra, DLSS 4 frame-gen
Storage2TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD~14GB/s, room for a real library
Cooling280mm liquid AIOCool and quiet under load
Power850W 80+ Gold ATX 3.1Fully modular, GPU upgrade ready

Enthusiast4K gaming

The Powerhouse

Native 4K high-refresh with the fastest gaming CPU money can buy. The 9950X3D pairs 3D V-Cache for games with 16 cores for everything else, so it never blinks.

$2,999approx.

Target: 4K / 120fps
Total draw: ~620W
Wattage psu: 1000W
Cooling: 360mm AIO

CPUAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D16-core Zen 5 + 3D V-Cache
MotherboardX870E ATX (Wi-Fi 7)AM5, full PCIe 5.0, USB4
Memory32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 (2x16)EXPO, the X3D sweet spot
GraphicsGeForce RTX 50804K ultra + ray tracing, DLSS 4
Storage2TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDGen5 boot + capacity drive
Cooling360mm liquid AIOFlat temps under sustained load
Power1000W 80+ Platinum ATX 3.1Native 600W 12V-2x6

Extreme4K / no ceiling

The Ultimate

No compromises anywhere. 4K maxed with path tracing on, an extreme-overclocking platform, and DDR5-8000 feeding the fastest consumer GPU ever made. Built to lead.

$4,899approx.

Target: 4K / 240fps
Total draw: ~780W
Wattage psu: 1200W
Cooling: 420mm AIO

CPUIntel Core Ultra 9 285K+Core Ultra 200S Plus, 24 cores
MotherboardZ890 ATX (overclocking)LGA 1851, hardened VRM, Wi-Fi 7
Memory64GB DDR5-8000 (2x32)Hand-binned XMP kit
GraphicsGeForce RTX 509032GB GDDR7, 4K path tracing
Storage4TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDMassive, ~14GB/s sequential
Cooling420mm liquid AIOTames the 285K+ at full tilt
CaseHigh-airflow full towerMesh front, vertical GPU mount
Power1200W 80+ Titanium ATX 3.1Native 12V-2x6 for the 5090

02 / The guide

Assemble it, step by step

The same order we follow on every bench. Work top to bottom and nothing fights you later - it's identical whether you're on AM5 or LGA 1851.

- Work on a hard, non-carpeted surface and keep the motherboard box handy as a tray.
- Touch a grounded metal object before handling components, or wear an anti-static strap.
- Lay out every part and the motherboard manual - it is the source of truth for headers.
- Have a single Phillips #2 screwdriver and a small dish for screws within reach.
- Open the socket lever, align the CPU triangle to the socket marker, drop it in with zero force.
- Apply a pea-sized dot of thermal paste unless the cooler ships with it pre-applied.
- Mount the cooler evenly in a cross pattern; plug the pump/fan into CPU_FAN, not SYS_FAN.
- Install DDR5 in the A2/B2 slots until both clips snap - check the manual for the layout.
- Most current boards have the I/O shield pre-attached; if not, click it in before the board.
- Confirm brass standoffs match your board size so nothing shorts against the tray.
- Lower the board onto the standoffs and start every screw before tightening any of them.
- Snug, don't crank - the board should sit flat with no flex.
- Seat PCIe 5.0 M.2 drives in the CPU-attached slot and reuse the board's heatsink - Gen5 runs hot.
- Mount the PSU fan-down if the case has a bottom vent, fan-up otherwise.
- Run the 24-pin, 8-pin EPS (top-left), and the 12V-2x6 GPU cable before fitting the card.
- On a modular PSU only plug in the cables you actually need to keep airflow clean.
- Remove the matching rear expansion-slot covers for the card's height.
- Seat the GPU into the top PCIe x16 slot until the retention clip clicks.
- Push the 12V-2x6 connector fully home until it latches - a partial seat is what overheats.
- Support heavy 50-series cards with the included bracket or an anti-sag holder.
- Wire the front-panel power, reset, USB-C and audio headers using the manual diagram.
- Plug case and AIO fans into their headers; tidy cables behind the tray.
- First boot to BIOS, enable EXPO/XMP for rated memory speed, set the boot drive.
- Install the OS, then the GPU and chipset drivers - power on and you're done.

Current as of mid-2026

Pick a tier. Print the steps. Build with confidence.

Every part here is shipping today and plays nicely with the rest. Start from a build, swap what you like, and use the guide as your checklist from first screw to first boot.

See the builds Read the guide

Rigforge // independent build hub - prices are estimates, always check compatibility before you buy.