You can configure a desktop for way cheaper than that and it can run 90% of modern games. Just don't get the latest generation top of the line Nvidia/AMD card, either get the previous top of the line one or a decent mid-range one (check benchmarks when choosing).
Don't get the most expensive RAM or CPU, you lose 10% real performance but you halve your budget.
Don't get the most expensive RAM or CPU, you lose 10% real performance but you halve your budget.