Build a Budget Gaming PC

How to Build a Budget Gaming PC: A Step-by-Step Guide

Building a gaming PC on a budget can be a rewarding experience. It allows you to get great gaming performance without spending to much. Here's a complete guide to help you assemble your own budget gaming PC, I'll be covering all the essential components and tips for getting the most value for your money.

Essential Components for a Budget Gaming PC

1. Processor (CPU)

  • Recommended Options: AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i3/i5.

AMD Ryzen 5(Great Price right now) (Paid Link)

Intel Core i5 (Paid Link)

  • Why It Matters: The CPU is the brain of your PC and affects overall performance, especially in CPU-intensive games.

  • Pro Tip: If you're not buying a dedicated graphics card right away, choose a CPU with integrated graphics, like the Ryzen 5 5600G or Intel Core i5-13400.

2. Graphics Card (GPU)

  • Recommended Options: AMD RX 6500 XT, NVIDIA GTX 1650/1660, or used cards like the GTX 1060 or 1070.

AMD RX 6500 XT (Paid Link)

NVIDIA GTX 1660 (Paid Link)

  • Why It Matters: The GPU is the most important component for gaming performance.

  • Pro Tip: Consider buying a used GPU for better performance at a lower cost, but ensure it hasn't been overused (e.g., in crypto mining).

3. Motherboard

  • Recommended Options: Choose based on your CPU:

    • For AMD: B450 or B550 motherboards.

MSI B450M PRO-VDH MAX (Paid Link)

    • For Intel: B660 or B760 motherboards.

MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi Gaming (Paid Link)

  • Why It Matters: The motherboard connects all your components and determines upgrade options.

  • Pro Tip: Look for features like NVMe SSD support, USB 3.0 ports, and future compatibility, but avoid overspending on extras.

4. RAM

  • Recommendation: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 RAM with at least 3200 MHz speed.

  • Why It Matters: Adequate RAM ensures smooth multitasking and faster game load times.

  • Pro Tip: Brands like Crucial, Corsair Vengeance, or TEAMGROUP often have affordable, high-quality options.

5. Storage

  • Recommendation:

    • SSD: At least a 500GB NVMe SSD for fast boot and load times.

    • Optional HDD: 1TB or 2TB for additional storage.

  • Why It Matters: Faster storage reduces game and system loading times.

  • Pro Tip: Budget SSDs like Kingston NV2 or WD Blue SN570 offer excellent performance at a low cost.

6. Power Supply Unit (PSU)

  • Recommended Options: A reliable 500-600W PSU

Corsair CV550 (Paid Link)

  • Why It Matters: A good PSU protects your components from power issues.

  • Pro Tip: Look for 80+ Bronze certification for efficiency and reliability.

7. Case

  • Recommended Options: Simple ATX or Micro-ATX cases from brands like Cooler Master, NZXT, or Thermaltake.

Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L Micro-ATX Tower (Paid Link)

  • Why It Matters: The case houses your components and affects cooling and cable management.

  • Pro Tip: Ensure your case fits your GPU and has enough airflow for cooling.

8. Cooling

  • Recommendation: Most budget CPUs come with a stock cooler, which is sufficient for entry-level builds.

  • Pro Tip: Add extra case fans only if your case lacks airflow.

9. Operating System

  • Options:

    • Windows: Purchase a license or use a free trial version.

    • Linux: Ubuntu or other Linux distributions can save money while supporting many games.

  • Pro Tip: Windows licenses can sometimes be found at a discount from authorized resellers.

Down below are some tips for saving money.

Tips for Saving Money

  1. Shop Sales: Keep an eye on sales. Big ones are Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

  2. Consider Used Parts: Platforms like eBay or Amazon often have great deals.

  3. Bundle Deals: Some places offer CPU and motherboard bundles at a discount.

  4. Future Upgrades: Focus on components that you can upgrade later, like adding a better GPU or more storage.

Once you have all these parts you should be able to Start Building!!!