Best PC Build for Competitive Gaming (CS2, Valorant)

Many new players enter the world of tactical shooter games like Valorant and CS2 believing that any modern device can run these games smoothly. However, the reality is that the requirements for competitive play differ drastically from those for casual play.

We are not just talking about "running the game," but about achieving stable and instantaneous performance at the highest competitive settings, where every frame counts and every fraction of a second translates into an opportunity for victory or defeat.

For this reason, we have prepared this article to be a practical technical reference, helping you build the best possible build for competitive shooter games, with a detailed explanation of the impact of each component on your in-game experience, and realistic recommendations from experts, away from exaggeration or marketing!

What Makes Your Device Ideal for Competitive Gaming?

If you aim to excel in competitive games, you need to achieve a balance in your device's components: a fast processor, a powerful graphics card, efficient memory, and a system that processes commands in the shortest possible time.

Below, we review in detail the most important factors that make your device ideal for this type of high-level experience:

A. Frame Rate (FPS)

In competitive games, the frame rate per second (FPS) is the main factor that translates your device's power into smooth responsiveness and crucial visual clarity in the smallest time differences.

Players in fast-paced games like CS2 and Valorant aim to exceed 240 FPS for superior responsiveness and smoothness that allows for precise enemy tracking, in addition to ensuring the display on the screen keeps pace with their reactions, especially when using 240Hz or 360Hz monitors.

A study tracking the settings of professional Valorant players showed that the vast majority rely on 240Hz monitors as a new competitive standard, as they provide a balance between high performance and the ability to achieve stable frame rates without overly stressing the device.

B. Processor (CPU)

If you seek fast performance and instantaneous response in competitive games, choosing a processor with a high clock speed is an essential step. The processor directly affects the speed of command response and performance accuracy, especially in games that require quick reactions. Here are 3 of the most prominent processors that meet this requirement:

Best Processors in 2025

For outstanding competitive gaming performance in 2025:

• Intel Core i5-14600K: A strong option at a mid-range price, suitable for most gamers.
• AMD Ryzen 5 7600X: An ideal balance between performance and price, with support for the latest technologies.
• Intel Core i7-13700KF: Superior performance for professionals and content creators.

C. Graphics Card (GPU)

Skill in competitive games is measured in fractions of a second, so you must choose a suitable graphics card that supports a high frame rate at 1080p or 1440p resolution to achieve smooth performance and instantaneous response.

This year, 3 main cards are at the forefront, each meeting different needs in terms of resolution and frame rate.

Best Graphics Card Types Suitable for Competitive Gaming

• NVIDIA RTX 4060 / 4060 Ti: Ideal for 1080p gaming, with the possibility of playing at 1440p when DLSS is enabled.
• AMD RX 6700 XT: Excellent balance for 1440p gaming, with strong performance and a suitable price.
• NVIDIA RTX 4070: The professional's choice for 2K monitors and 240Hz+ refresh rates.

D. Random Access Memory (RAM)

Random Access Memory (RAM) plays a role in achieving smooth performance and instantaneous response. Choosing the right capacity and frequency can make a big difference in the gaming experience, especially when streaming or running multiple applications.

16GB vs 32GB: Which is More Suitable?

For most modern games, 16GB of RAM is considered sufficient to provide good performance. However, if you plan to live stream, run multiple applications while gaming, or use video and photo editing software, upgrading to 32GB provides more space for multitasking and reduces the likelihood of slowdowns or stuttering.

Importance of Choosing 6000MHz or Higher Frequency

RAM speed, measured in Megahertz (MHz), is a factor influencing the speed of data transfer between the processor and memory. Tests show that using DDR5 memory with a frequency of 6000MHz provides better performance compared to lower frequencies, especially in games that rely on quick response.

E. Storage (SSD)

With the increasing size and complexity of modern games, using an NVMe SSD with a capacity of at least 1 terabyte is essential to reduce map loading times and improve overall performance.

Tests indicate that loading a game like Forspoken took only one second on an NVMe SSD, compared to 28 seconds on an HDD, thanks to read and write speeds reaching 7450 and 6900 MB/s respectively. This capacity also provides enough space to install large games and the operating system efficiently.

Best Builds for Competitive Gaming by Budget!

Excelling in competitive games requires a computer capable of keeping pace with the speed of events, through suitable components that ensure instantaneous response and stable performance. Below, we present 3 selected builds prepared to provide the best possible performance within their price range, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.

Budget Build (Less than 5000 Saudi Riyals)

This build offers good performance for running games like CS2 and Valorant at medium settings with a frame rate exceeding 144FPS. It is an ideal choice for beginners or those who want to experience competitive gaming without a large expenditure. Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super RAM: 16GB DDR4 Storage: 1TB SSD Case: PCD RGB Case

Mid-Range Build (Up to 8000 Saudi Riyals)

This build is suitable for players seeking higher performance on 240Hz monitors at 1080p or 1440p resolution. Processor: Intel Core i5-13600K Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti RAM: 32GB DDR5 Storage: 1TB SSD NVMe Case: NZXT H5 Flow

Professional Build (More than 11,000 Saudi Riyals)

This build is dedicated to professionals who participate in tournaments or live stream in high quality, in addition to playing on 360Hz monitors. It provides superior performance and stability suitable for high-level competitions. Processor: Intel Core i7-13700KF Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4070 RAM: 32GB DDR5 Storage: 2TB SSD NVMe Case: Fractal Design Pop Air RGB All these builds are available at the Computer Doctor store, order now before quantities run out!

Comparison of Expected Performance in Popular Competitive Games

Game requirements vary in terms of frame rate and ideal resolution depending on the nature of the game and the speed of its events. In the following table, we compare the performance of the RTX 4060 and RTX 4070 cards in Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant, across three different operating settings, with the aim of illustrating how the card's power affects gaming responsiveness and smoothness in competitive games.

Best Monitors for Competitive Gaming

Here is a quick look at 3 prominent monitors this year that meet the requirements of competitive players:

BenQ ZOWIE XL2566K – 360Hz Monitor Dedicated to CS2 This monitor is suitable for competitive gaming professionals, especially in games like Counter-Strike 2. It provides a smooth and blur-free gaming experience thanks to its 360Hz refresh rate and DyAc⁺ technology, which helps players track targets with high accuracy.

ASUS ROG Swift 240Hz – Excellent Performance and Good Color Accuracy This monitor combines a 240Hz refresh rate with excellent color accuracy, making it suitable for a wide range of competitive games. It also provides a rich visual experience without sacrificing response speed.

Alienware AW2524H – 500Hz Monitor for Super Frame Enthusiasts This monitor is one of the fastest available on the market, with a refresh rate of up to 500Hz and a response time of 0.5ms. It provides an ultra-smooth gaming experience, giving players a competitive edge in games that require fast reactions. With support for G-Sync and HDR technologies, it ensures outstanding visual performance.

Tips for Reducing Input Lag in Competitive Games

Here are 4 practical tips from gaming experts to help you reduce input lag and improve your device's responsiveness without needing complex changes:

• Use a high refresh rate monitor with G-Sync or FreeSync: High refresh rate monitors reduce display delay. G-Sync and FreeSync technologies help synchronize frames between the graphics card and the monitor, reducing tearing and lag.

• Reduce unnecessary graphical effects within the game: Disabling features like Motion Blur, V-Sync, and Anti-Aliasing can lighten the load on the graphics card, which improves response speed.

• Update graphics card drivers regularly: Manufacturers release periodic updates to improve performance and support new games, so be sure to install the latest drivers from the official NVIDIA or AMD websites.

• Enable High-Performance mode in Windows and power settings: In power settings, choose "High performance" to ensure that the processor and graphics card are operating at maximum efficiency while gaming.

Conclusion

If you intend to seriously enter the realm of competitive gaming, do not underestimate the importance of the build behind your performance. Winning in games like CS2 and Valorant depends not only on skill but also on your device's ability to keep up with your speed.

Therefore, be sure to choose components that offer the best value for performance, and focus on the components that directly affect the frame rate and the quality of the in-game experience.

If you have made your decision... do not waste your time on random choices. Go now to the Computer Doctor website and build your device based on real performance, not advertising!