The Quiet Scholar

8 parts · $1239.64 estimated · Created Aug 5, 2026

Parts list

Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus18C/18T · 5.3 GHz boostIntel$209.99Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
ASRock Challenger Arc B580 (Black)12GB VRAM · 249mm longASRock$309.99↓ AmazonAmazon ↗Newegg ↗
GIGABYTE B860M AORUS ELITE WIFI6E (White)RAM ≤9200GIGABYTE$189.99Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
Fractal Design Core 1100 (Black)fits GPU ≤350mm · cooler ≤148mmFractal Design$49.99Amazon ↗Newegg ↗
G.SKILL Flare X5 (Black)DDR5-6000 · CL30 · 2×8GB (16GB)G.SKILL$264.00↓ AmazonAmazon ↗Newegg ↗
Super Flower Leadex III GE Gold (Black)750W · ATXSuper Flower$109.99↓ AmazonAmazon ↗Newegg ↗
Peerless Assassin 120 MINI BlackAir towerThermalright$35.69Amazon ↗
Solid State Drive MTFDKBA512TFK 1BC1AABGA Compatible Replacement Spare Part for Micron 245512GB · PCIe 4.0 NVMeAscendtech$70.00Newegg ↗

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CBuild Score 74/100A capable 1440p gaming build. Biggest lever: Older platform — limited CPU upgrade path without swapping motherboard + RAM.

Choose a use case to see how this build scores for it:

1440p gaming: A capable 1440p gaming build. Biggest lever: Older platform — limited CPU upgrade path without swapping motherboard + RAM.

How to improve · 6 pts to B

CPU/GPU balancecosting ~14 pts

GPU-limited — measured at the 1080p reference, a stronger GPU would unlock about +93% with this CPU (median 86 fps today). CPU: enthusiast, GPU: mid-range.

Expected performancecosting ~5 pts

74 fps median across 5 demanding games at 1440p · 60% above 60 fps, 0% above 100 · via HowManyFPS

Open in builder to apply these →

Expected FPSfollows the Build Score scenario

Expected FPS · 1440p

For Ultra 5 250KF Plus + Arc B580, default settings. Estimates only — your actual framerate may be higher or lower.

Cyberpunk 2077
2560×1440 · High
80 avg
60 1% low
Black Myth: Wukong
2560×1440 · High · RT Off
39 avg
29 1% low
Hogwarts Legacy
2560×1440 · High
74 avg
49 1% low
Alan Wake 2
2560×1440 · High · RT Off
45 avg
34 1% low
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
2560×1440 · Ultra
92 avg
67 1% low
Counter-Strike 2
2560×1440 · High
344 avg
232 1% low

Estimates via HowManyFPS · cached up to 24 hours.

Why these are estimates?

These numbers are model-predicted averages, not measured benchmarks of your specific system. Treat them as ballpark guidance, not a promise. Real framerate depends on:

Your full system (RAM speed, storage, drivers, OS, background load)
In-game scene complexity, multiplayer player count, mods
Driver updates and game patches after this estimate was made
Display, thermals, and how your case manages airflow

If you want a measured number for your specific build, the only reliable answer is to benchmark it yourself once you own the parts.

Balance

GPU-bound (50%)

GPU-limited at 1440p gaming — measured against real FPS data, a stronger GPU would unlock about +117% with this CPU (median 74 fps → ~121 fps across 5 demanding AAA games). Based on our most recent measurements.

Compatibility

2 warnings

Cooler socket data incomplete
CPU cooler height unknown

Power

PSU Excellent · 436W draw / 750W

Physical fit

GPU + cooler clear the case

Spec-sheet guidance — verify before buying.