By the FlowUP team, gaming PC builder in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 28 September 2026
In brief: with €1,500 in 2026, aim for 1440p, a Ryzen 5 7500F (or a Core i5-14600KF), a RTX 5070 or a RX 9070, 16 GB of DDR5 in dual-channel (32 GB if you stream), a 1 TB NVMe SSD, or even 2 TB, and a quality 650 to 750 W power supply. This is the tier where a gaming PC tackles today’s big, recent games at 1440p with high settings, and keeps 144 Hz and higher in competitive titles.
Why €1,500 is the ideal budget for 1440p
At €1,500, you move past the entry-level tier without paying the price of the very high end. It’s often the most sensible budget for a gaming PC: enough for a real mid-to-high-end graphics card, a recent DDR5 platform, and comfortable storage.
1440p is the right compromise in 2026: a lot sharper than 1080p on a 27-inch display, without the cost of 4K. And a €1,500 PC isn’t just a bit better than a model for €1,000, it plays in a different league.
At €1,500, 1440p becomes the natural target.
The ideal 1,500-euro gaming PC configuration in 2026
| Component | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Ryzen 5 7500F or Core i5-14600KF | A recent platform, enough power for a graphics card at this level |
| Graphics card | RTX 5070 (12 GB) or RX 9070 (16 GB) | The heart of the PC for 1440p |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 in dual-channel, 32 GB if you stream | Enough for gaming, with room to spare for everything else |
| Storage | 1 TB NVMe SSD, 2 TB if possible | Multiple big games installed without having to shuffle |
| Power supply | Quality 650 to 750 W | Manufacturer recommendations for these graphics cards |
| Cooling | A good tower air cooler, or an AIO liquid cooler | Silence and stability |
| Case | Good airflow, an upgrade-friendly form factor | Temperatures kept under control |
A €1,500 PC: a real graphics card, a DDR5 platform and carefully chosen cooling.
Which processor for a €1,500 gaming PC?
The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F (6 cores, 12 threads, up to 5.0 GHz) is the most balanced base: an AM5 DDR5 platform, EXPO profiles for memory, and real room to upgrade to more powerful AM5 processors. On the Intel side, the Core i5-14600KF (14 cores including 6 performance cores, 20 threads, up to 5.3 GHz) offers more cores for multitasking.
In 1440p, it’s the graphics card that limits FPS in the vast majority of games: at this budget, there’s no point spending more on the processor. To compare the two brands, see Intel or AMD for a gaming PC in 2026.
Which graphics card for gaming at 1440p for €1,500?
Two cards go head-to-head for this budget. The GeForce RTX 5070 (12 GB of GDDR7) brings DLSS 4 with multiple image generation, the best advantage for gaining FPS in compatible games, along with solid ray tracing. The Radeon RX 9070 (16 GB of GDDR6) bets on more comfortable memory and FSR 4.
Both are built for 1440p. The right choice depends on the price at the time of purchase and the games you’re aiming for: ray tracing and DLSS for the RTX 5070; video memory and the performance-for-price ratio for the RX 9070. More details in how to choose your graphics card in 2026.
The graphics card determines your comfort in 1440p.
DDR5 and SSD: what changes at €1,500
With this budget, DDR5 is a given: the AM5 platform requires it, and it offers more bandwidth. 16 GB in dual-channel is enough to game; go for 32 GB if you stream, do editing or play heavy simulators (16 or 32 GB of RAM)
For storage, 1 TB remains the base, but 2 TB become interesting: you’ll be able to install more big games, and some easily exceed 100 GB. To choose the right model, read how to choose your SSD in 2026.
16 GB DDR5 for gaming, 32 GB for streaming or creating.
Power supply and cooling: don’t ruin the configuration
A RTX 5070 can draw up to 250 W, and the manufacturers recommend a 650 to 750 W power supply for a gaming setup around this card. A quality power supply, with headroom, protects everything else in the PC (test your PC power supply)
When it comes to cooling, a good tower air cooler is enough for a Ryzen 5 7500F; an AIO liquid cooler is mainly justified for silence or aesthetics. And a case with good airflow keeps the graphics card cool during long gaming sessions.
A quality 650 to 750 W power supply for an RTX 5070 or an RX 9070.
Which games to play with a €1,500 gaming PC?
In 1440p, a €1,500 gaming PC runs competitive games (Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, Fortnite, Apex Legends) well beyond 144 frames per second, enough to make the most of a high-refresh-rate screen. The bigger, newer games run on high settings, using DLSS or FSR for the most demanding titles or for ray tracing. And for upcoming big games like GTA 6 on PC, it’s a solid foundation.
To see one of our PCs in action, here is the test in games of our Rift PC (Radeon RX 9060 XT) by Mathis and Gauthier:
Mathis and Gauthier, test of the FlowUP Rift PC, September 2026.
€1,500 gaming PC: assembled or build it yourself?
With €1,500, a configuration mistake still costs even more: a poorly chosen motherboard, a power supply that’s too tight, RAM that won’t run at its rated speed because no EXPO profile is activated. A built and tested gaming PC arrives balanced and ready to play.
We compared both approaches in building your PC or buying a pre-built one. And if your budget is tighter, see our guide to the €1,200 gaming PC.
Each FlowUP PC is assembled and then tested before shipping.
Our gaming PCs for playing in 1440p
PC Swift: RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB
Core i5 14400F, RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB and DDR5: 1440p gaming without running out of VRAM, 8% below its DDR4 equivalent.
Rubis V2 PC, GeForce RTX 5070
RTX 5070 12 GB and Ryzen 5 7500F in DDR5, with the option to upgrade to 32 GB RAM: designed to last.
Rift PC, Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB
Ryzen 5 7500F, RX 9060 XT 16 GB and 16 GB DDR5: access to 1440p on the AM5 platform, one step down for the budget.
All of our configurations are in the category FlowUP gaming PCs.
Gaming PC for €1500 at Black Friday 2026: our prices are already low
For €1500, we’re aiming for comfortable 1440p, and that’s exactly the range where the graphics card and RAM weigh the most in the price. With DRAM prices up by 13 to 18% in the third quarter, according to TrendForce, waiting until 27 November doesn’t guarantee you’ll pay less.
According to our survey from 12 October 2026, with identical components, the PC Swift (RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB) is around 8% cheaper than its equivalent from the major French system integrators, the PC Spike (RX 9060 XT) around 8% and the PC Savannah (RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB) around 7%. To switch to a RTX 5070, the PC Cheetoh slightly exceeds the budget but remains 13% below its equivalent.
See all our Black Friday 2026 gaming PC selection
PC gaming FAQ 1500€
Is a €1,500 gaming PC enough in 2026?
Yes, more than enough for 1440p. It’s one of the most balanced budgets for a high-performance, long-lasting machine.
What is the best €1,500 gaming PC setup?
Ryzen 5 7500F or Core i5-14600KF, RTX 5070 or RX 9070, 16 GB DDR5, a 1 to 2 TB NVMe SSD, and a quality 650 to 750 W power supply.
RTX 5070 or RX 9070 for a €1,500 gaming PC?
RTX 5070 for DLSS 4 and ray tracing; RX 9070 for its 16 GB of video memory and its performance/price ratio. Both are suitable for 1440p: compare the prices at the moment.
16 or 32 GB RAM for a €1,500 gaming PC?
16 GB DDR5 is enough to play. 32 GB is worth it for streaming, video editing, or very demanding simulators.
1 TB or 2 TB SSD at this budget?
1 TB is the base. 2 TB becomes interesting if you keep several big games installed at the same time.
Can you play in 4K with a €1,500 gaming PC?
In some games, with DLSS or FSR and adjusted settings. For comfortable 4K everywhere, you need to aim for a higher-end graphics card.
Should you wait for Black Friday to buy a €1500 gaming PC?
Not necessarily. RAM and graphics cards keep getting more expensive, and our Swift, Spike and Savannah PCs are already cheaper than their equivalents from the major French system integrators we compared.
