The Ultimate Guide to Building a Gaming PC on a Budget

Are you looking to build a gaming PC without breaking the bank? Whether you're new to the world of gaming or a seasoned gamer on a budget, it's possible to build a powerful gaming PC that delivers great performance at a low cost. In this guide, we'll show you how to build a gaming PC cheap, highlight some essential tips for saving money, and introduce you to some affordable options available at HabibiTech.

Why Build a Budget Gaming PC?

Building a budget gaming PC offers several benefits:

Cost Savings: A budget build allows you to enjoy gaming without spending a fortune.
Customization: You have control over the components, ensuring you get the best performance for your money.
Upgrade Potential: Budget builds can be upgraded over time, allowing you to improve performance gradually.

Key Components for a Budget Gaming PC

To build a gaming PC cheap, you need to focus on getting the best value for each component. Here's a breakdown of the essential parts:

1. CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the brain of your PC. For budget builds, AMD Ryzen and Intel Core i3 processors offer excellent performance at a low cost.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600: A six-core processor with great multi-threading performance. It's known for its excellent balance between price and performance, making it ideal for budget gaming builds. With a base clock of 3.6GHz and boost clock up to 4.2GHz, it handles gaming and multitasking efficiently.
Intel Core i3-10100: A four-core processor that's perfect for gaming on a budget. It offers solid performance for entry-level gaming setups, with a base clock of 3.6GHz and turbo boost up to 4.3GHz. It's an excellent choice for those looking to save money while still getting good gaming performance.

2. GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

The GPU is crucial for gaming performance. Look for budget-friendly options that can handle modern games at respectable settings.

NVIDIA GTX 1650: A solid entry-level card that can handle most games at 1080p. It provides a good balance of performance and power efficiency, making it suitable for budget builds. With features like Turing architecture and GDDR5 memory, it offers smooth gameplay for many popular titles.
AMD Radeon RX 570: Another great option that offers excellent performance for the price. It's known for its robust performance in 1080p gaming, featuring 4GB or 8GB of GDDR5 memory. The RX 570 delivers high frame rates and is often found at very competitive prices, making it a favorite among budget-conscious gamers.

3. RAM (Memory)

For gaming, 8GB of RAM is the minimum, but 16GB is ideal for better performance and future-proofing.

Crucial Ballistix 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200: Affordable and reliable RAM that provides excellent performance. With a speed of 3200MHz, it ensures smooth gameplay and quick load times. Dual-channel configurations improve performance by allowing simultaneous data processing, which is crucial for gaming.

4. Storage

A combination of an SSD for the operating system and a larger HDD for games and files offers the best balance of speed and capacity.

Kingston A2000 NVMe SSD (500GB): Fast storage for quick boot times and game loading. NVMe SSDs are significantly faster than traditional SATA SSDs, offering read speeds up to 2200MB/s and write speeds up to 2000MB/s. This translates to faster game load times and overall system responsiveness.
Western Digital Blue 1TB HDD: Plenty of space for games and media. HDDs provide large storage capacities at a lower cost compared to SSDs, making them ideal for storing large game libraries, videos, and other media files.

5. Motherboard

The motherboard connects all your components and ensures they work together seamlessly. For budget builds, focus on motherboards that offer essential features without unnecessary extras.

ASRock B450M Pro4 (for AMD builds): A reliable and affordable motherboard with good overclocking potential. It supports AMD Ryzen processors and offers features like four DIMM slots for memory, M.2 slots for SSDs, and multiple USB ports. The B450 chipset provides a good balance of performance and price, making it suitable for budget builds.
Gigabyte B460M DS3H (for Intel builds): A budget-friendly motherboard that supports Intel's latest CPUs. It offers essential features like support for DDR4 memory, M.2 storage, and USB 3.2 ports. The B460 chipset ensures compatibility with 10th and 11th Gen Intel processors, providing a solid foundation for a budget gaming PC.

6. Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A reliable power supply is crucial for system stability. Don't skimp on the PSU; choose a unit from a reputable brand with sufficient wattage for your build.

Corsair CX550M: A semi-modular power supply with 550W capacity, perfect for budget builds. Semi-modular design means you can detach unused cables, reducing clutter and improving airflow. With an 80 PLUS Bronze certification, it offers decent efficiency and reliability.
EVGA 500 W1: An affordable, non-modular option that provides 500W of power. It features 80 PLUS certification, ensuring efficient power delivery. While not modular, it provides all the necessary cables for most budget builds, making it a cost-effective choice.

7. Case

The case houses all your components and provides airflow to keep them cool. Look for cases that offer good airflow and cable management options.

Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L: A compact and affordable case with excellent airflow and easy cable management. It features a perforated front and top panel for better ventilation, a transparent side panel to showcase your build, and a versatile layout that supports various component configurations.
NZXT H510: A stylish mid-tower case with a tempered glass side panel and efficient design. It offers excellent cable management features, such as a cable routing kit with pre-installed channels and straps. The H510 also includes two Aer F120mm fans for optimal airflow, and it supports radiators up to 280mm for liquid cooling solutions.

8. Cooling

Good cooling ensures your components stay within safe temperature ranges, improving performance and longevity. Most budget builds can get by with stock coolers, but consider aftermarket options for better cooling.

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO: A popular budget air cooler that provides excellent cooling performance. It features a tower design with four heat pipes and a 120mm PWM fan, offering efficient heat dissipation. The Hyper 212 EVO is compatible with most modern CPU sockets and provides a significant cooling upgrade over stock coolers.
Stock Coolers: Many CPUs come with stock coolers that are sufficient for budget builds. Stock coolers are designed to provide adequate cooling for processors at their default settings. They are a cost-effective option for budget builds, especially if you don't plan on overclocking.

Tips for Building a Gaming PC Cheap

Buy Used or Refurbished Components: You can save a significant amount by purchasing used or refurbished parts from reputable sellers. Websites like eBay, Craigslist, and local classifieds often have great deals on used hardware. Ensure the components are tested and come with a return policy or warranty.
Look for Sales and Discounts: Keep an eye on sales, discounts, and bundle deals from online retailers and local stores. Major sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and back-to-school sales offer significant savings on PC components.
Prioritize Components: Allocate more budget to critical components like the GPU and CPU, and save on less critical parts like the case and peripherals. This ensures that you get the best performance where it matters most.
Consider Older Generations: Previous-generation components often offer great performance at reduced prices. For example, older GPUs and CPUs can still handle modern games well and are often available at a fraction of the cost of newer models.
Upgrade Over Time: Start with essential components and upgrade gradually as your budget allows. This approach lets you spread out the cost and keep your system up-to-date with incremental improvements.

Affordable Gaming PCs at HabibiTech

At HabibiTech, we offer a range of budget-friendly gaming PCs that deliver excellent performance without breaking the bank. Here are some of our top picks for a gaming PC cheap:

1. Matron Fury Prime Gaming PC

Processor: Intel Core i5-12400F
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4060 8GB
Motherboard: H610M-K D4
RAM: 16GB 3200MHz DDR4
Storage: 500GB NVMe SSD
Power Supply: 700W 80 Plus
Cooler: 120mm Air Cooler
Price: AED 3,990

This build offers a great balance of performance and cost, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers. The combination of the i5-12400F and RTX 4060 8GB provides smooth gameplay for most modern titles.

Check out the Matron Fury Prime Gaming PC (HABIBI TECHNOLOGY LLC).

2. Quantum Blaze Nexus Gaming PC

Processor: Intel Core i5-14600K
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
Motherboard: Z790-P WiFi DDR5
RAM: 32GB 6000MHz DDR5
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Power Supply: 750W 80 Plus Gold Rated
Cooler: ARGB 360mm Liquid Cooler
Price: AED 6,950

This build is slightly higher in price but offers significant performance enhancements, especially with the RTX 4060 Ti 16GB and high-speed DDR5 memory, making it suitable for more demanding gaming and multitasking.

Check out the Quantum Blaze Nexus Gaming PC (HABIBI TECHNOLOGY LLC).

3. Cyber Edge Storm Gaming PC

Processor: Intel Core i7-13700F
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4060 8GB
Motherboard: B760 WiFi DDR4
RAM: 32GB 3600MHz RGB
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Power Supply: 750W 80 Plus Gold Rated
Cooler: RGB 240mm Liquid Cooler
Price: AED 5,500

This build offers excellent performance with the i7-13700F and 32GB RAM, making it a great choice for both gaming and productivity at a reasonable price.

Check out the Cyber Edge Storm Gaming PC (HABIBI TECHNOLOGY LLC).

4. War Fury Sentinel Gaming PC

Processor: Intel Core i7-13700F
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4060 8GB
Motherboard: B760 WiFi DDR4
RAM: 32GB 3600MHz RGB
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Power Supply: 750W 80 Plus Gold Rated
Cooler: RGB 240mm Liquid Cooler
Price: AED 5,700

This build provides similar specifications to the Cyber Edge Storm but with additional cooling capabilities, ensuring optimal performance during intense gaming sessions.

Check out the War Fury Sentinel Gaming PC (HABIBI TECHNOLOGY LLC).

Conclusion

Building a gaming PC on a budget is entirely possible with careful planning and smart choices. By focusing on value-oriented components and taking advantage of deals, you can create a gaming PC that delivers excellent performance without a hefty price tag. For more affordable gaming PCs and components, visit HabibiTech and explore our range of budget-friendly options. Save this URL and stay updated with the latest deals and products to build your ultimate gaming setup without breaking the bank.