how to build a gaming pc on a budget – Best Guide Ever
No need to buy pricey gaming PCs, After some planning and research, you can build a gaming PC that runs the latest games at respectable settings without breaking the budget.
This article shows how to build a gaming pc on a budget that can run most popular games at 1080p and medium to high settings. We’ll further provide component and related savings recommendations.
how to build a gaming pc on a budget
Table of Contents
Setting a Budget
How much should you spend?
The resolution, frame rate, games, and components of a budget gaming PC decide the cost. Budget $600-$800 for 1080p 60fps gaming, $800-$1000 for 1440p. 4K 30fps gaming should cost $1000-$1200, and 60fps should cost $1200+.
Pre-built gaming PCs are cheaper and have warranties, but they contain lower-quality components and may be hard to upgrade. Buy used parts, wait for deals, don’t overpay, and prioritize performance over appearances to save money.
Prioritizing components
Building a budget gaming PC requires prioritizing performance-impacting components. The GPU and CPU are the most critical gaming components. The GPU renders game graphics, therefore a strong GPU is needed for best performance.
If money is scarce, the CPU should be weaker yet still powerful enough for gaming. A decent CPU prevents gaming bottlenecks, yet a cheaper CPU can save money. Motherboard, RAM, storage, and PSU are also essential for a gaming PC.
Building a cheap gaming PC that can run the latest games at respectable settings requires prioritizing spending on gaming-performance components.
Choosing the Right Components
When building a gaming PC on a budget, selecting the right components is crucial. Here’s what you need to consider:
Processor (CPU)
The CPU executes game and program instructions, making it essential for gaming. When buying a budget gaming PC CPU, consider core count, clock speed, and overclocking. Core count is the number of CPU processing units, whereas clock speed is how fast it processes instructions.
Overclocking increases CPU clock speed above factory specifications, improving performance but also increasing heat and power consumption. Budget gamers should consider AMD Ryzen 5 5600, Intel Core i5-13400F, and Intel Core i3-12100F.
Avoid getting the most costly CPU for a budget gaming PC. Consider other components like graphics cards and do your homework. Before buying a CPU, study reviews and compare benchmarks. There are many good ones at affordable rates.
Gaming requires a processor, but it doesn’t have to be the most expensive portion of your system. Choose a budget gaming PC CPU based on core count, clock speed, and overclocking potential.
Graphics Card (GPU)
A gaming PC’s graphics card is vital for rendering Graphics. For a budget gaming PC, consider performance, pricing, and compatibility when picking a graphics card. Refurbished and older graphics cards are often considerably cheaper.
Private sellers provide good graphics card deals if you’re okay buying old components. Test the card before buying to guarantee functionality.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super, AMD Radeon RX 6600, and GTX 1650 Super are suggested for budget gaming PCs. Most games can be played at high settings with the cheap GTX 1660 Super. For ray tracing gamers, the AMD Radeon RX 6600 may perform better.
Although weaker, the GTX 1650 Super can run most games at medium settings for budget gamers. Installing the newest drivers from the manufacturer’s website optimizes performance.
Pick the best graphics card for a budget gaming PC by evaluating performance, affordability, compatibility, and compatibility. Follow these steps to choose the best gaming graphics card.
Memory (RAM)
RAM stores CPU data like textures, models, and game code, making it important in a gaming PC. RAM needs vary on games and other apps utilized simultaneously. 32GB of RAM may be needed for demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2, but 16GB is fine for recent titles.
RAM comes in two flavors: DDR4 and DDR5. Newer, faster DDR5 is more expensive. For inexpensive gaming PCs, DDR4 RAM is good. Lower RAM timings improve performance. RAM for a gaming PC should be at least 3200MHz and CAS 16 or below.
Popular RAM brands include Corsair, Crucial, G.Skill, HyperX, and Kingston. Most motherboards feature color-coded RAM slots, making RAM installation easier.
Follow these steps:
Switch off computer, open case, locate RAM slots, align RAM with slots, gently press it down, repeat steps 3 and 4 for each stick of RAM, close case, plug it back into power outlet, and check RAM installation.
Choosing the correct RAM is crucial for designing a budget gaming PC. You may choose the greatest RAM for your needs and budget by following these suggestions.
Storage
Gaming PCs need storage for games, operating systems, and other files. Consider HDDs and capacity when budgeting for storage. The frequency and size of games played determine storage needs. Smaller games can use smaller drives, whereas larger games need larger ones.
Storage prices depend on drive type, capacity, and brand. Find the best deal by comparing retailer prices. For inexpensive storage, choose the Seagate BarraCuda 2TB 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive and Western Digital Blue SN570 1TB NVMe Solid State Drive.
Bulk purchases of many disks might save money on storage. Installing a storage drive is easy, but follow the instructions to avoid damage.
Motherboard
The motherboard is the heart of a computer, therefore it must match your CPU, RAM, and graphics card. A budget gaming PC needs a motherboard with compatibility, form factor, socket type, and chipset.
ASRock B660M Pro4, MSI B660M-A Pro, ASUS Prime B550M-A D4, and Gigabyte B550M DS3H are good budget gaming motherboards. B660 chipsets, overclocking, and other sophisticated features are on these motherboards.
Gaming motherboards are generally discounted and certified by the manufacturer, so buying a refurbished one can save you money. Check shops and online merchants for sales and promotions, and investigate tiny ATX or mini ITX motherboards, which are cheaper and smaller.
Don’t overpay on unnecessary extras like RGB lighting or several M.2 slots. Building a budget gaming PC requires finding a motherboard that fulfills your goals and budget. Follow these guidelines.
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
Gaming PCs need a power supply unit (PSU) to power all components cleanly. A good PSU runs smoothly and reliably, while a bad one crashes and freezes.
Consider these variables when buying a budget gaming PC PSU:
Wattage: A PSU should have at least 100 watts more power than your components. A greater efficiency rating reduces power waste, lowering your electricity expenditure. The 80 Plus program rates PSUs as Standard, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium.
You may eliminate unneeded wires from modular PSUs, enhancing ventilation and case look. They cost more than non-modular PSUs. The Corsair RMx 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply, EVGA SuperNOVA G3 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply, and Seasonic Focus GX-550 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply are recommended for budget gaming PCs.
The PSU and case instructions must be followed for installation. Quality brands like Corsair, EVGA, and Seasonic are recommended. Avoid wattage cuts to make place for future components. Remember that a more efficient PSU will lower your electricity bill. PSUs with modularity make PC building and maintenance easier, but they cost more.
Case
When choosing a budget gaming PC case, consider various criteria. The motherboard and other components fitting within depend on the form factor. ATX, mid-tower, and mini-tower are common. If your gaming PC needs airflow, choose a case with several fan mounts and ventilation holes. Choose an extensible casing to accommodate graphics cards, hard drives, and SSDs if you plan to upgrade your PC.
Budget is another consideration while choosing a case. Cases can cost $50 to $200 or more, so set a budget before purchasing to prevent overspending. For affordable gaming PCs, consider the Cooler Master MasterBox 5, Fractal Design Meshify C, NZXT H510, and Phanteks P300A.
Check the case measurements to make sure the motherboard and graphics card fit. Read reviews to assess case quality and concerns. To overclock your components, make sure the case has enough fan mounts. Buying a secondhand case and considering the case size and components you wish to add are important.
Finally, the casing you choose for a budget gaming PC affects its performance and lifespan. Consider these variables to pick a case that fits your needs and budget.
Assembling Your PC
Once you have all your components then Assembly of a gaming PC can be overwhelming, but it can be done in a few simple steps. The CPU, your PC’s most critical part, should be installed first. Open the CPU socket, place it correctly, close it, and apply thermal paste according to your motherboard handbook.
RAM, another crucial PC component, should be installed next. Take care to fully and securely put the RAM modules into their motherboard slots. Your OS and games will be on the storage drive.Install the drive in a case drive bay or on the motherboard.
Install the graphics card for game graphics. Put it in your motherboard’s PCIe slot and tighten the screws. Install the power supply, which powers all PC components. Screw it into the casing and connect power cables to the motherboard and other components. Connect case fans to cool your PC. Connect fan connectors to motherboard fan headers.
Installing the Operating System
Steps to install the OS on a budget gaming PC:
- Select an operating system for your budget gaming PC.
- Download Windows installation media from Microsoft and use the Windows Media Creation Tool to make a bootable USB device.
- Plug in the USB drive and boot your PC by pressing F12 to enter BIOS.
- Set the BIOS boot device to the USB disk and install Windows.
- Install Windows using the on-screen directions.
- Use a Windows product key from a merchant or an OEM key to activate Windows.
- Check your PC for the operating system’s minimum requirements. Visit the operating system’s website for system requirements.
Performance Optimization
Follow these strategies to boost budget gaming PC performance:
- Update drivers to avoid performance concerns. Look for driver updates on component manufacturer websites.
- To minimize distractions, use Game Mode and disable notifications in Windows.
- Start with modest in-game graphics settings and progressively increase them to improve performance.
- Clear memory, improve CPU and GPU utilization, and disable background processes with a game booster.
- Overclocking your CPU and GPU increases clock speed but also heat and instability. If you’re not comfortable overclocking, leave your components stock.
- Keep your PC clean and cold to avoid performance issues from dust and heat.
These suggestions will improve your budget gaming PC for smooth, responsive gaming.
Building on a Tight Budget
Building a gaming PC on a tight budget? Try these tips:
- Choose the proper parts: Find the best offers on new and used parts. Put CPU, GPU, and RAM first for performance. Buy cheaper case and motherboard parts without losing performance.
- Be patient: Building a gaming PC takes time, so wait for bargains or buy them gradually. Stage your PC construction to save money and get the greatest offers.
AMD Ryzen 5 4500 or Intel Core i5 12400, AMD Radeon RX 6600 or Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, MSI B450M DS3H WiFi or Gigabyte B660M D3H, Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200, Samsung 980 SSD 500GB, Thermaltake Smart Series 500W, and Rosewill Prism S500 case are budget gaming recommendations.
- Find bundles: Many retailers provide multi-component bundles at a discount. Before buying components, check the manufacturer’s website for rebates.
- search around: Component prices vary by retailer, so search around for the best deals.
These recommendations can help you construct a superb gaming PC on a budget.
Maintenance and Upgrades
Budget gaming PCs need regular maintenance and updates to work well. Clean your PC periodically to prevent dust buildup, fan blockage, and overheating, which can damage hardware and limit performance. Update your operating system, drivers, and games for performance and security. HWMonitor and MSI Afterburner may detect overheating and modify fan settings or airflow.
Gaming on a Budget
To save money on gaming, consider buying games on sale, subscribing to game streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now, and playing free-to-play games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Fortnite.
These options allow you to play games without owning a powerful gaming PC and offer great deals on popular games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Fortnite. With proper planning, you can build a gaming PC that fits your budget and allows you to enjoy the latest games at decent settings.
Conclusion
Build a gaming PC on a budget to save money and get the functionality you want. Set a budget and stick to it; there are amazing components at all price points. Before buying components, read reviews, compare prices, and find the best deal. Buy used parts from reliable sellers, but test them first to make sure they function.
Finally, evaluate monitors, keyboards, mice, and speakers’ prices. Use used or reconditioned peripherals if you’re on a budget. Install the latest drivers and updates and benchmark your PC after assembly to ensure performance.
Cheap gaming PC construction recommendations include waiting for deals, buying in bulk, and contemplating a secondhand PC. Warranty-backed refurbished PCs are cheaper than new ones.
Overclocking components can increase performance without replacing them, but it can limit their lifespan. Linux, which is free and faster than Windows on outdated technology, is recommended. Graphics settings can be reduced to increase performance without sacrificing visual quality.
These recommendations will help you create a PC that matches your needs while saving money. Good luck building a budget gaming PC!
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Q: How much does it cost to build a budget gaming PC?
The cost of building a budget gaming PC will vary depending on the specific components you choose, but you can expect to spend around $500-$700. It is possible to build a budget gaming PC for less than $500, but you may have to make some sacrifices in terms of performance or features.
Q: What are the most important components for a budget gaming PC?
The graphics card, processor, and RAM are the most critical parts of a budget gaming PC. The graphics card renders game graphics, so buy one that can run them at the settings you choose. The processor controls PC performance, so choose one that’s powerful enough. To avoid stuttering and other performance difficulties, your PC needs adequate RAM to store current data.
Q: What are some specific component recommendations for a budget gaming PC?
Buy secondhand parts. Used components are often cheaper than new ones. Just buy from a trusted source and test the parts before using them.
Look for deals. Before buying parts, compare pricing from multiple retailers. Check for sales and discounts.
Spend less on needless features. Motherboards and casings have features you may not require. Budget-conscious people should stick to the fundamentals.