Building a Cheap Gaming PC

Building a gaming PC on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice performance. With careful selection of components, you can create a system that offers excellent value and can handle modern games at respectable settings. This guide will help you build three different budget-friendly gaming PCs using parts available on Amazon, tailored to different price points: under $500, under $700, and under $1000.

Key Considerations for a Budget Gaming PC

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the heart of your PC. For budget builds, consider processors that offer good performance for their price, typically in the lower to mid-range segments.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

A dedicated GPU is crucial for gaming performance. For budget builds, look for GPUs that offer good performance at 1080p resolution.

RAM (Memory)

For gaming, 8GB to 16GB of DDR4 RAM is typically sufficient. Higher speeds can provide a slight performance boost, but the capacity is more critical.

Storage

An SSD (Solid State Drive) is essential for fast load times and overall system responsiveness. A combination of SSD for the OS and key games, along with a larger HDD for additional storage, is ideal.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A reliable PSU is crucial for stability. Look for PSUs with at least 80 PLUS Bronze certification for efficiency.

Case

Choose a case that fits your components and has good airflow. Budget cases often provide excellent value without flashy aesthetics.

Cooling

Stock coolers included with most budget CPUs are usually sufficient, but consider aftermarket options if you plan to overclock.

Budget Build 1: Under $500

Components

Build Summary

This build utilizes the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G with integrated Vega 8 graphics, providing decent performance for 1080p gaming on lower settings. It's a great entry-level option for those on a tight budget.

Games and Software Performance

• Games: Capable of running titles like League of Legends, CS
  , Fortnite (low settings), Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Overwatch (low settings) at 720p or 1080p.
• Software: Suitable for general productivity tasks, web browsing, media consumption, and light content creation.

Budget Build 2: Under $700

Components

Build Summary

This mid-range build offers significantly better performance, featuring a dedicated GTX 1650 Super GPU and a Ryzen 5 2600 CPU, capable of handling most modern games at 1080p with medium to high settings.

Games and Software Performance

• Games: Capable of running titles like The Witcher 3, GTA V, Rainbow Six Siege, Apex Legends, Valorant, and Cyberpunk 2077 (medium settings) at 1080p.
• Software: Suitable for more demanding productivity tasks, video editing, and multitasking, thanks to the additional CPU cores and RAM.

Budget Build 3: Under $1000

Components

Build Summary

This higher-end budget build includes the Ryzen 5 3600 and GTX 1660 Super, providing excellent performance for 1080p gaming at high settings and even 1440p gaming at medium settings. It’s a great option for those who want a bit more power without breaking the bank.

Games and Software Performance

• Games: Capable of running titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Red Dead Redemption 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, Battlefield V, Cyberpunk 2077 (high settings) at 1080p and medium settings at 1440p.
• Software: Excellent for demanding productivity tasks, advanced video editing, 3D rendering, and heavy multitasking.

  Comparison of Budget Builds

  Component	Build 1: Under $500	Build 2: Under $700	Build 3: Under $1000
  CPU	AMD Ryzen 3 3200G - $99	AMD Ryzen 5 2600 - $150	AMD Ryzen 5 3600 - $199
  Motherboard	ASUS Prime A320M-K - $60	MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX - $110	MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX - $110
  RAM	Crucial 8GB DDR4 2400MHz - $35	Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 3200MHz - $79	Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 3200MHz - $79
  Storage	Kingston A400 240GB SSD - $30	Kingston A400 480GB SSD - $45	Kingston A400 1TB SSD - $89
  GPU	Integrated Vega 8 Graphics - Included	NVIDIA GTX 1650 Super - $170	NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super - $229
  PSU	EVGA 400 N1, 400W 80+ White - $30	EVGA 500 W1, 500W 80+ White - $35	EVGA 600 W1, 600W 80+ White - $45
  Case	Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L - $40	NZXT H510 - $70	NZXT H510 - $70
  Total	$294	$659	$821

  Software and Gaming Capabilities

  Build 1: Under $500

  Games:

  • League of Legends: Smooth gameplay at high settings.
  • CS
    : High FPS at medium settings.
  • Fortnite: Playable at low to medium settings.
  • Minecraft: Smooth performance at default settings.
  • Stardew Valley: Excellent performance.
  • Overwatch: Playable at low settings.

  Software:

  • General productivity applications (Microsoft Office, Google Suite).
  • Web browsing and media consumption.
  • Light photo editing (e.g., Adobe Photoshop).
  • Basic video editing (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, limited to lower resolutions).

  Build 2: Under $700

  Games:

  • The Witcher 3: Playable at medium settings.
  • GTA V: Smooth gameplay at medium to high settings.
  • Rainbow Six Siege: High FPS at high settings.
  • Apex Legends: Playable at medium to high settings.
  • Valorant: Excellent performance at high settings.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Playable at medium settings.

  Software:

  • Advanced productivity applications (Microsoft Office, Google Suite).
  • Web browsing and media consumption.
  • Intermediate photo editing (e.g., Adobe Photoshop).
  • Intermediate video editing (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, 1080p projects).

  Build 3: Under $1000

  Games:

  • Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Smooth gameplay at medium settings.
  • Red Dead Redemption 2: Playable at high settings.
  • Call of Duty: Warzone: High FPS at high settings.
  • Battlefield V: Excellent performance at high settings.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Playable at high settings.
  • Horizon Zero Dawn: Smooth gameplay at high settings.

  Software:

  • Advanced productivity applications (Microsoft Office, Google Suite).
  • Web browsing and media consumption.
  • Professional photo editing (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom).
  • Advanced video editing (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, 4K projects).
  • 3D rendering and animation (e.g., Blender, Autodesk Maya).
  • Heavy multitasking and virtualization.

  Future Upgrade Options for Budget Builds

  Planning for future upgrades can help extend the life of your PC and improve performance as new software and games are released. Here are some potential upgrades for each build:

  Build 1: Under $500

  Potential Upgrades

  • CPU Upgrade: AMD Ryzen 5 3400G - $149 (approximately 547 AED)
    • Amazon Link
  • Dedicated GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1650 Super - $170 (approximately 624 AED)
    • Amazon Link
  • RAM Upgrade: Crucial 16GB DDR4 2400MHz - $70 (approximately 257 AED)
    • Amazon Link

  Build 2: Under $700

  Potential Upgrades

  • CPU Upgrade: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X - $329 (approximately 1205 AED)
    • Amazon Link
  • GPU Upgrade: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super - $229 (approximately 840 AED)
    • Amazon Link
  • Storage Upgrade: Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB NVMe SSD - $139 (approximately 510 AED)
    • Amazon Link

  Build 3: Under $1000

  Potential Upgrades

  • CPU Upgrade: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X - $449 (approximately 1649 AED)
    • Amazon Link
  • GPU Upgrade: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti - $399 (approximately 1467 AED)
    • Amazon Link
  • RAM Upgrade: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 3200MHz - $159 (approximately 584 AED)
    • Amazon Link

  Performance Monitoring and Maintenance

  Performance Monitoring Tools

  • HWMonitor: Monitors temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds.
  • CPU-Z: Provides detailed information on your CPU, motherboard, RAM, and more.
  • MSI Afterburner: Allows for GPU overclocking and monitoring of GPU performance and temperatures.

  Regular Maintenance Tips

  • Cleaning: Regularly clean your PC to remove dust and ensure proper airflow. Use compressed air to clean fans, heatsinks, and other components.
  • Software Updates: Keep your operating system, drivers, and software up to date to ensure optimal performance and security.
  • Thermal Paste: Reapply thermal paste to your CPU every couple of years to maintain effective cooling.

  Overclocking Tips

  Overclocking can provide a performance boost, but it should be done carefully to avoid damage to your components. Here are some tips for safe overclocking:

  CPU Overclocking

  1. Check Compatibility: Ensure your CPU and motherboard support overclocking.
  2. Update BIOS: Make sure your motherboard's BIOS is up to date.
  3. Start Slow: Increase the CPU multiplier gradually and test for stability.
  4. Adjust Voltage: Increase the CPU voltage slightly if needed to maintain stability.
  5. Monitor Temperatures: Use monitoring tools to keep an eye on temperatures. Ensure they remain within safe limits (typically below 85°C).

  GPU Overclocking

  1. Use Software Tools: MSI Afterburner is a popular choice for GPU overclocking.
  2. Incremental Increases: Increase the GPU clock speed and memory clock speed gradually.
  3. Stress Test: Use stress testing software like FurMark to test stability.
  4. Monitor Performance: Keep an eye on temperatures and performance metrics.

  Conclusion

  Building a gaming PC on a budget requires careful selection of components to ensure you get the best performance for your money. The three builds outlined above offer a range of options to suit different budgets, from entry-level gaming to more demanding 1080p and 1440p gaming experiences. By following this guide and using the provided links, you can assemble a cost-effective gaming PC that meets your specific needs and provides a solid foundation for both gaming and productivity.

  For high-quality components and expert advice, visit Habibi Technology. Our team can help you with customized recommendations and professional support to ensure you get the most out of your budget build