Gaming PC around €1250 in 2026: RTX 5060 Ti + i5-14400F/13400F, the DSGate premium mid-range
At €1250, you enter a different world. We're no longer talking about "it runs decently" but "it runs at full tilt." The RTX 5060 Ti is the first RTX 50 series GPU available at a reasonable price, and paired with an i5-14400F, it creates a machine tailored for uncompromised 1440p ultra gaming.
At DSGate, this is our setup for the demanding gamer — the one who doesn't want to choose between beautiful graphics and fluidity. We're going to show you exactly what it can do.
What changes at this budget
The difference between a €1000 PC and a €1250 PC is the GPU generation. We move from RTX 30 or Arc Battlemage cards to the RTX 50 (Blackwell) series. And with it, three game-changing technologies.
DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation. This is the massive advantage of the RTX 50 over everything that came before it. Instead of simply reconstructing the image (DLSS 2), DLSS 4 generates entire additional frames using AI. The result: perceived FPS can double in compatible games. A game running at 60 native FPS can display 120 FPS with DLSS 4 enabled.
4th Generation Ray Tracing. The RT cores of the RTX 5060 Ti are significantly faster than those of the RTX 3070 or Arc B580. Ray Tracing finally becomes playable in 1440p without massacring FPS.
GDDR7. The fastest memory on the market, with higher bandwidth than the GDDR6/GDDR6X of previous generations.
What's in the build
| Component | Reference | Why this choice |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-14400F (10C/16T, 4.7 GHz boost) | 10 cores, doesn't bottleneck the 5060 Ti, excellent for multitasking |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB GDDR7 | DLSS 4, RT Gen 4, 1440p ultra |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4-3200 (2x8 GB) | Dual channel, sufficient for gaming |
| Storage | 1 TB NVMe SSD | Comfortable capacity — no need to juggle files |
| System | Windows 11 Pro activated | Ready to play |
| Connectivity | Integrated WiFi | Included |
| Case | ATX Mid-Tower, mesh front, fans included | Airflow suitable for the 5060 Ti's TDP (180W) |
| Power Supply | 600W certified | Sized with headroom |
Why the i5-14400F?
At this budget, the i5-14400F at ~€150-170 is the most rational choice. Its 10 cores (6P+4E) offer an excellent balance of gaming + multitasking. It doesn't bottleneck the RTX 5060 Ti in 1440p — the GPU does the heavy lifting at this resolution.
The AMD alternative would be a Ryzen 7 5700X (~€170-190) for its multithreaded power across 8 true cores. We offer this variant on request. In pure gaming, both CPUs are neck and neck with the 5060 Ti.
The i7-14700K (~€320-350) would be the "zero compromise" version but adds €150-180 to the total price. We reserve it for our €1300-1600 builds.
Why 1 TB SSD?
At this budget level, we move to a 1 TB NVMe SSD. AAA games are getting heavier and heavier (Call of Duty: 150 GB, Cyberpunk: 80 GB, GTA 6: probably 150 GB+). With 1 TB, you can install Windows + 6-8 big games without stress. No more juggling installations.
In-game performance
This is where the RTX 5060 Ti justifies its price. The figures below are native FPS (without DLSS). With DLSS 4 enabled, add 40 to 100% perceived FPS in compatible games.
Competitive games — 1080p high settings
| Game | Native FPS | FPS with DLSS 4 (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Fortnite | ~220 FPS | ~350+ FPS |
| Valorant | ~400+ FPS | N/A (no DLSS) |
| CS2 | ~250 FPS | N/A (no DLSS) |
| Apex Legends | ~180 FPS | ~280 FPS |
In competitive 1080p, this build is simply overpowered. Even a 360 Hz monitor is usable on Valorant. This is the territory of the competitive gamer who wants every millisecond of responsiveness.
AAA games — 1080p ultra settings
| Game | Native FPS | FPS with DLSS 4 (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | ~100 FPS | ~170 FPS |
| Black Myth Wukong | ~90 FPS | ~150 FPS |
| Hogwarts Legacy | ~105 FPS | ~175 FPS |
| Forza Horizon 5 | ~130 FPS | ~200 FPS |
In 1080p ultra, everything runs above 90 native FPS. With DLSS 4, we exceed 150 FPS on the most demanding titles. This is a level of performance that €750-€1000 builds cannot achieve.
AAA games — 1440p (QHD) high settings
| Game | Native FPS | FPS with DLSS 4 (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | ~70 FPS | ~120 FPS |
| Black Myth Wukong | ~65 FPS | ~110 FPS |
| Hogwarts Legacy | ~75 FPS | ~130 FPS |
| Forza Horizon 5 | ~95 FPS | ~155 FPS |
This is the target resolution for this build. In 1440p high settings, the RTX 5060 Ti maintains 65-75 native FPS on the most demanding AAA titles. It's fluid and comfortable. Activate DLSS 4 on quality and you'll go above 110-130 FPS — a level that fully utilizes a 144 Hz QHD monitor.
AAA games — 1440p ultra settings + Ray Tracing
| Game | Native FPS (medium RT) | FPS with DLSS 4 (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 RT | ~45 FPS | ~80 FPS |
| Hogwarts Legacy RT | ~50 FPS | ~90 FPS |
Ray Tracing in 1440p is finally playable on this card. The 4th generation RT cores handle reflections, shadows, and global illumination without massacring FPS like on previous generations. DLSS 4 compensates for the RT load to maintain acceptable fluidity.
Indicative values — estimated average FPS. DLSS 4 performance varies depending on the game and mode used.
The leap from €1000 builds
For about €250 more than our RTX 3070 (€999) or Arc B580 (€999-1090) builds, here's what you gain.
| €999 Build (RTX 3070) | €1090 Build (B580) | €1259 Build (RTX 5060 Ti) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 1440p high | ~60 FPS | ~50 FPS | ~70 native FPS / ~120 DLSS 4 |
| VRAM | 8 GB GDDR6X | 12 GB GDDR6 | 8 GB GDDR7 |
| Upscaling | DLSS 2 | XeSS 2 | DLSS 4 (Multi Frame Gen) |
| Ray Tracing | Gen 2 | Gen 2 (Xe) | Gen 4 |
| CPU | R5 5500 (6C) | R5 5500/5600X (6C) | i5-14400F (10C) |
| SSD | 512 GB | 512 GB | 1 TB |
The raw FPS gain vs the RTX 3070 is 15-20%. But the real game changer is DLSS 4: it transforms 70 native FPS into 120 perceived FPS. This is a technology that simply didn't exist on previous cards.
The CPU also goes from 6 cores (5500) to 10 cores (14400F), and the SSD doubles in capacity (512 GB → 1 TB). The whole package is a qualitative leap on all fronts.
The 8 GB VRAM question
Like the RTX 3070, the 8 GB version of the RTX 5060 Ti has "only" 8 GB of VRAM. This is a point of contention.
The difference with the 3070: the GDDR7 in the 5060 Ti is significantly faster (higher bandwidth), and DLSS 4 is much more effective than DLSS 2 at compensating when VRAM saturates. In practice, the 8 GB of the 5060 Ti "count more" than the 8 GB of the 3070.
For gamers who absolutely want more VRAM, the RTX 5060 Ti is available in a 16 GB version — but at ~€550 instead of ~€390-440. This is a significant additional cost that pushes the total PC budget beyond €1400.
Our position: the 8 GB version is the rational choice at this budget. 16 GB is relevant for creators or gamers targeting 4K, not for 1440p gaming.
What's included with DSGate
Like all our builds, this €1259 PC is delivered assembled, tested, and ready to play.
Professional assembly with neat cable management and quality thermal paste. Windows 11 Pro activated — not a trial version. XMP activated so RAM runs at its true frequency. GPU + CPU + memory stress tests before shipment with temperature verification. 1 TB NVMe SSD — Windows, drivers, and space for your games, all on the same fast drive. Integrated WiFi and up-to-date drivers. 600W power supply with headroom for the 5060 Ti. DSGate technical support in case of issues.
The upgrade path
This build is already high-end, but it can still evolve.
RAM → 32 GB +(~€100-120) — The most logical upgrade. With an RTX 5060 Ti in 1440p and demanding AAA titles, 32 GB improves stability (1% lows) and multitasking comfort. Add 2x8 GB identical sticks if your motherboard has 4 slots.
CPU → i7-14700K (~€320-350, net additional cost ~€170) — For competitive 1080p gamers who want every FPS, or for simultaneous streaming + gaming. The 14700K is ~29% faster than the 14400F in gaming.
GPU → RTX 5070 (~€580-700) — If prices drop or you find a deal. The 14400F will not bottleneck a 5070 in 1440p.
Storage → 2 TB NVMe SSD (~€180-250) — If 1 TB is no longer enough with the accumulation of AAA titles.
Who is this build for?
Demanding 1440p gamers. You have a 1440p 144 Hz monitor (or plan to buy one) and you want to utilize every pixel and every hertz. This build does it.
Ray Tracing enthusiasts. If you want realistic reflections, dynamic shadows, and credible global illumination without dropping to 30 FPS, you need the RTX 50. It's the entry price for playable RT in 1440p.
Gamers who want DLSS 4. Multi Frame Generation is a technology you can't get on an RTX 30 or an Intel Arc. If perceived FPS matters to you (and it should), this card is the minimum tier.
Those who keep their PC for 4-5 years. The i5-14400F + RTX 5060 Ti combo is designed to remain relevant for titles from 2026 to 2030. DLSS 4 will become increasingly valuable as games become more demanding.
Content creators who game. The 14400F with its 10 cores handles light editing, encoding, and streaming. The RTX 5060 Ti's NVENC encodes streaming at maximum quality without impacting in-game FPS.
It's NOT for you if...
You only play in 1080p. This build is overpowered for 1080p. If you don't have a 1440p monitor and don't want one, a €999-€1100 build (RTX 3070 or B580) is more than sufficient.
Your budget is tight. €1259 is an investment. If you're hesitant, our €999-€1100 builds offer 80-85% of the performance for €200 less.
VRAM is your obsession. 8 GB GDDR7 is enough for 1440p today, but if you want 12-16 GB for the long term, look at the B580 (12 GB) or wait for the RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB on sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB or RTX 3070 8 GB for €250 less? The RTX 5060 Ti is ~15-20% faster in pure rasterization, but the real difference comes from DLSS 4, which can double perceived FPS, and significantly superior RT Gen 4. If you play recent AAA titles with RT and DLSS, the 5060 Ti is worth the extra cost. If you primarily play competitive games without RT, the 3070 remains an excellent deal.
16 GB or 32 GB RAM at this budget? 16 GB is sufficient for gaming. But at €1259, the additional cost of €100-120 to upgrade to 32 GB starts to be justified — you are in a territory where RAM can become the bottleneck in multitasking. If the budget allows, opt for 32 GB.
What monitor for this build? A 1440p 144 Hz IPS 27-inch monitor is the ideal companion. Budget: €200-300. For pure competitive gaming, a 1440p 165-240 Hz is conceivable. Avoid 1080p — it would be a waste with this card.
Can this build do 4K? Yes, on medium settings with DLSS 4 enabled. But it's not its target resolution. For comfortable 4K on high/ultra settings, you need at least an RTX 5070.
Is the i5-14400F powerful enough? Yes. In 1440p, the GPU determines the FPS. The 14400F does not bottleneck the 5060 Ti at this resolution. In pure competitive 1080p, an i7-14700K would provide ~10-15% more FPS, but the €170 additional cost is rarely justified.
Last updated: April 2026.
All our gaming PCs are assembled in our workshop in Paris and tested before shipment. Discover our range on dsgate.fr.
EP Digital Solutions — DSGate contact@dsgate.fr
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