Intel Core Ultra 7 265K Creator Build
We’ve talked a bit before about how incredible Intel’s latest generation of processors is for creative work. Whether that means video editing, 3D rendering, game development, or any of the many other things creatives need a PC for, the Intel Core Ultra 200S has your back.
Photo: Jacob Bobo This time, we decided to take it a step further and actually design a PC specifically for creator uses. We put less focus on RGB and gaming prowess, opting for a simpler, subtler workhorse design that will still look stunning on your desk.
Let's get into it.
The Build:
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 265K Arrow Lake Twenty-Core LGA 1851 Boxed Processor
Intel’s Core 7 265K is a stellar upper-mid-range processor with 20 cores (8P, 12E) and 20 threads; perfect for creators who are just getting their start as well as long-time professionals. It even works well for AI processes, with a powerful NPU, or Neural Processing Unit, built in.
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken 240mm All in One Liquid CPU Cooling Kit - Black
NZXT’s Kraken AIOs are a staple of the PC building world for a reason. They’re efficient, solidly built, and come in a wide variety of styles. For this build, we opted for the two fan, RGB-less model that still features an LCD screen on the pump for easy temp readings.
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z890 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 Intel LGA 1851 ATX Motherboard
Gigabyte’s Z890 AORUS Elite is a no-frills motherboard that doesn’t skimp on features. With built-in WiFi 7, PCIe 5.0, and just two hints of subtle RGB, this is a motherboard that will easily slot into our build without bottlenecking the power of the 265K processor.
Video Card: ASUS NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Prime Overclocked Triple Fan 12GB GDDR7 PCIe 5.0 Graphics Card
While the GPU in a creator build is used differently than one in a gaming build, we’re still opting for the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070. It's a mid-range option that still offers the latest and greatest features of the 50 Series GPUs, including an increased CUDA Core count, faster VRAM and, if you’re a gamer as well, DLSS4. (But if you're not, don't forget to install the NVIDIA Studio drivers instead of the Game Ready drivers.)
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5-6000 PC5-48000 CL36 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit F5-6000J3636F32GX2-RS5K - Black
Much like the GPU, the RAM in a creator build is fairly dependent on the use case. Thankfully, RAM is also the easiest component to swap out an upgrade. For our base, we’ll be using 64GB of DDR5-6000 RAM from G.Skill. 64GB is more than enough for most video and photo editing, but if you’re working with more intense applications, you can easily increase your capacity up to 256GB -- the limit of our motherboard.
Storage: Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB Samsung V NAND TLC NAND (V8) PCIe Gen 5 x4 and PCIe Gen 5 x4 NVMe M.2 Internal SSD
Samsung’s brand-new 9100 PRO line of M.2 SSDs are some of the absolute fastest on the market. If speed is a must in your creator PC, you owe it to yourself to pick one of these up. In our benchmarking, we saw read/write speeds of up to 14,643 MB/s and 13,476 MB/s, respectively. That can save you a lot of time, whether you’re just saving and loading project files or pushing the 9100 with AI and gaming.
PSU: Corsair RM850e 850 Watt 80 Plus Gold ATX Fully Modular Power Supply - ATX 3.0 Compatible
If your PC is also your livelihood, a reliable power supply is an absolute must-have. Skimping on the power supply can result in higher energy bills, an uglier PC (thanks to a slew of loose cables), and, most critically, system instability or even component failure. High quality PSUs like this Corsair offer improved efficiency, better protection for your PC, and the ability to only use the modular cables you need for your build.
Case: Fractal Design North Tempered Glass ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case - Black/Walnut
Fractal’s North line of cases introduced wood paneling to the world of PC cases. With real walnut panels on the front of the case instead of gamer-coded RGB, the Fractal North is a great option for anyone looking for a sophisticated look with subtle details and a mod aesthetic.
Watch Our Video Team Build a New Creator PC:
The Full Build:
Configure Your PC| Name | Item | Qty | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 265K Arrow Lake Twenty-Core LGA 1851 Boxed Processor - Heatsink Not Included | 1 | $299.99 EACH |
 |
Motherboard | Gigabyte Z890 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 Intel LGA 1851 ATX Motherboard | 1 | $269.99 EACH |
 |
RAM | G.Skill Ripjaws S5 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5-6000 PC5-48000 CL36 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit F5-6000J3636F32GX2-RS5K - Black | 1 | $159.99 EACH |
 |
Video Card | ASUS NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Prime Overclocked Triple Fan 12GB GDDR7 PCIe 5.0 Graphics Card | 1 | $699.99 EACH |
 |
M.2 / NVMe SSD | Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB Samsung V NAND TLC NAND (V8) PCIe Gen 5 x4 and PCIe Gen 5 x4 NVMe M.2 Internal SSD | 1 | $299.99 EACH |
 |
Case | Fractal Design North Tempered Glass ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case - Black/Walnut | 1 | $149.99 EACH |
 |
Power Supply | Corsair RM850e 850 Watt 80 Plus Gold ATX Fully Modular Power Supply - ATX 3.0 Compatible | 1 | $129.99 EACH |
 |
Water Cooling Kits | NZXT Kraken 240mm All in One Liquid CPU Cooling Kit - Black | 1 | $149.99 EACH |
