1080p · 240 Hz+
Esports
Valorant, CS2, Fortnite, Apex and League at competitive frame rates.
- CPU
- 6–8 core, current gen
- GPU
- RTX 5060 Ti / RX 9060 XT class
- Memory
- 32 GB DDR5
- Storage
- 1 TB Gen4 NVMe
Typical budget
$1,100 – $1,600
Custom PC builds · Berkeley
Custom gaming PCs. Built by hand.
Tell us your games, apps and budget. We spec every part, build it on our Berkeley bench, tune it, stress-test it and hand you a machine that’s faster, quieter and cleaner than anything off a shelf.
- Itemized quote
- No bloatware
- Stress-tested
- Local support
- 10% student discount
Most popular
1440p Enthusiast
$1,800 – $2,800
Pick a starting point
Four builds. Infinitely tuned.
Budgets are typical ranges for parts and assembly. You get an exact, itemized quote after a quick consult.
1440p · Ultra
Enthusiast
AAA games maxed out at 1440p, plus streaming on one machine.
- CPU
- 8-core X3D-class
- GPU
- RTX 5070 Ti / RX 9070 XT class
- Memory
- 32–64 GB DDR5
- Cooling
- 360 mm AIO or premium air
Typical budget
$1,800 – $2,800
4K · Path tracing
Flagship
No-compromise 4K, VR and simulators.
- CPU
- Top-tier gaming CPU
- GPU
- RTX 5080 / 5090 class
- Memory
- 64 GB DDR5
- Build
- Showcase case, custom RGB
Typical budget
$3,200+
Workstation
Creator & AI
Video editing, 3D, CAD, code and running AI models locally.
- CPU
- 16+ cores
- GPU
- High-VRAM for local AI
- Memory
- 64–192 GB
- OS
- Windows, Linux or dual-boot
Typical budget
Custom quote
GPU and memory prices move weekly. We quote live and will tell you when waiting a few weeks saves real money.
Custom vs. prebuilt
Prebuilts hide their shortcuts. We show you every part.
Big-box gaming PCs look great in photos, then ship with a bargain power supply, slow RAM and trial-ware. Here’s the difference.
| American Tech | Typical prebuilt | |
|---|---|---|
| Parts list | Every part named & explained | Vague “gaming-grade” parts |
| Power supply | Quality, efficiency-rated | Often the cheapest that boots |
| Memory | Dual-channel, XMP/EXPO tuned | Sometimes single stick |
| Software | Clean Windows, no bloat | Trials and pop-ups |
| Upgrades | Standard parts | Proprietary boards & cases |
| Support | Walk into our Berkeley shop | Ship it back and wait |
Every build includes
The details big-box stores skip.
Consult & spec
Tell us what you play, create or run. We choose every part for a reason.
Hand-built
Clean, hand-routed cabling and airflow planned around your case.
Tuned & tested
BIOS updated, memory profiles on, fan curves set, stress-tested.
Local support
Pickup or desk setup. Anything feels off? Walk right back in.
Build configurator
Design your PC in 60 seconds.
Pick what matters. A builder reviews it and sends an itemized parts list and price, usually the same business day. No obligation.
Already have a PC?
Upgrade it instead. Often the smarter money.
A new GPU, more RAM or a fast NVMe drive can transform a three-year-old PC. We check your power supply, clearance and bottlenecks before you spend a dollar.
- Graphics card upgrades
- RAM & NVMe upgrades
- CPU / motherboard swaps
- AIO & custom cooling
- Re-paste & deep clean
- Move into a new case
How much does a custom gaming PC cost in Berkeley?
Most of our gaming builds land between $1,100 and $2,800 including parts and assembly. Competitive 1080p esports machines typically start around $1,100, 1440p ultra builds around $1,800, and 4K flagships from about $3,200. You get an exact itemized quote before anything is ordered. Read our 2027 cost guide.
How long does a custom PC build take?
Once parts are in hand, most builds are assembled, tuned and stress-tested within a few business days. Parts availability is the main variable, and we give you a realistic date with your quote.
Can I bring my own parts?
Yes. We’ll assemble, update the BIOS, install Windows and drivers and stress-test everything. Assembly of customer-supplied parts is billed at $75/hour, quoted upfront.
Is a custom PC better than a prebuilt?
Usually. Prebuilts often cut corners on the parts you don’t see: power supply, motherboard, RAM speed and cooling. A custom build uses parts you choose, ships without bloatware and is easy to upgrade later.
Do you build PCs for AI, machine learning and video editing?
Yes. Workstations for local LLMs and image generation, Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, Blender, CAD and development, on Windows, Linux or dual-boot.
What if something goes wrong after I take it home?
You bought it from a local shop, so call or walk in. We troubleshoot builds we made and help with manufacturer warranty claims on parts we supplied.
Let’s build something fast.
Send your wishlist or stop by the shop. We’ll reply with an itemized quote.