If you’re looking to build an affordable gaming computer that can easily handle your favorite games, in this guide, you’ll find six different budget gaming PC builds that will serve you well into 2024 (and beyond).
In this day and age of incredible graphics and extremely demanding video games, you, as a PC gamer, must have a capable system to play today’s top titles on high settings with an acceptable framerate.
And, although some console gamers might tell you that PC gaming is too expensive to get into, the reality is that even if you are working with a tight budget, you can build a cheap gaming PC that can deliver excellent performance at 1080P resolution in most games. And, depending on your budget, you can even build a gaming PC that will max out anything at 1440P resolution or serve as an entry into 4K gaming.
In this guide, we’ve given you six different cheap PC builds that you can use as is or use as a base that you can tweak to create your own part list.
These aren’t the best gaming PCs you can build, but for the price, their performance is incredible, and most of these builds will offer a better PC gaming experience than consoles will.
With this guide, you’ll have a plan of action and a number of different components to choose between, and you’ll be well on your way to building the best gaming PC for your budget. You’ll also find a link for budget to a comparable prebuilt gaming PC. So, if you decide that you don’t want to build your own system, you can check out a prebuilt gaming PC for a similar price.
Table of Contents
I. Quick-Look: PC Builds Comparison
• Partlist
• Benchmarks
• Partlist
• Benchmarks
• Partlist
• Benchmarks
• Partlist
• Benchmarks
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• Benchmarks
• Partlist
• Benchmarks
II. FAQ: Should You Build A PC?
IV. Ask A Question
Important: For help choosing parts or for any questions you might have, check the FAQ section below, use the Get Help form, or ask a question in the comment section.
Quick-Look: Compare Builds for Different Budgets
In this section, we’ve taken six different price points ($300, $400, $500, $600, $700, & $800) and we’ve put together budget-friendly gaming PC builds for each budget. These builds can either be used as is, or they can serve as a base that you can customize to your liking. We’ve also linked to a comparable prebuilt gaming PC for each price range.
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*I update these builds about once per week and if the total price is over the price range I have set ($30 threshold) then it’s likely that one (or more) of the components included in the build saw a price increase since I had last updated the build.
1. Ryzen 5 5600 + RX 6800 Build
What if I told you that for ~$800, you could build a computer that could serve as a solid 1080P or 1440P PC gaming machine?
That’s what this $800 gaming PC build brings to the table. Thanks to an AMD Ryzen 5 5600 CPU, an XFX RX 6800 video card, and 16GB of DDR4 RAM, this budget PC build is capable of playing most games on a 1440P monitor at medium-to-higher settings with an excellent average frame rate.
And, of course, if you want to play on a 1080P monitor, this budget build will easily handle that, as benchmarks for the RX 6800 show that it is more than enough to get ~100+ FPS in even the most demanding titles.
In fact, pairing this build with a cheap 144Hz+ gaming monitor would make it an excellent option for competitive gamers. Whether, you’re playing Fortnite, Call of Duty, GTA, Apex Legends, Rocket League, or any other highly competitive game, this build will be powerful enough to deliver a high enough framerate to utilize a fast refresh rate display.
The build also includes a Crucial 1TB NVME SSD and an MSI 80PLUS Gold rated fully-modular 650W power supply. This power supply will handle any upgrades or additions you might want to make in the future.
And, while there are a ton of different cases you can choose between that would work for this build, we’ve included the Montech AIR 903. It’s an affordable mid tower case that has a grilled front panel (for better airflow), a PSU shroud, a transparent side panel that will let you show off your build, and three preinstalled 140mm RGB fans on the front of the case and another non-RGB 140mm fan at the back of the case.
Ultimately, this is one of the best budget gaming PC builds available. It can easily handle 1080P gaming, it will serve well for 1440P gaming, and it can even run some less-demanding games on a 4K monitor on mediumish settings.
Part List for $800 PC Build
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| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 | |
| MOBO | ASRock B550 | |
| GPU | XFX RX 6800 | |
| RAM | TEAMGROUP 16GB | |
| SSD | Crucial 1TB | |
| CASE | Montech AIR 903 | |
| PSU | MSI 650W |
Grand Total: $770-$830
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click ‘Price on Amazon’ to see the most-up-to-date price.
**You’ll need an operating system. Windows 11 is free to download but a license costs ~$125. However, you can still install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your desktop asking you to activate it.
Ryzen 5 5600 + RX 6800 Benchmark
2. Ryzen 5 5600 + RX 7600 Build
With an AMD Ryzen 5 5600 CPU and an RX 7600 graphics card, this is one of the best budget gaming PC builds for ~$700. It is even capable of functioning as an entry-level 4K gaming system (it can run non-demanding games on a 4K monitor).
The processor/graphics card combination will even meet the required specifications for running the Valve Index or HTC Vive Pro 2—so tethered virtual reality is also doable with this setup.
The combination of the Ryzen 5 5600 and the RX 7600 won’t be quite as powerful as the 5600/6800 combo from the $800 build above. However, it will still max out pretty much any game on a 1080P monitor and serve well for 1440P, too.
This $700 gaming PC also comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a Bitfenix Nova Mesh case. This isn’t the roomiest case in the world, but for right at $60, it wold hold this system with no problems. It will also provide decent airflow out-of-the-box, with four 120mm fans preinstalled. Not to mention, the fans all sport ARGB lighting. So, considering that most RGB fans cost at least ~$10, that’s $40 in value alone just on fans.
For storage, this build opts for the same Crucial 1TB NVME drive as the $800 build.
You get the same high-quality 650W 80 PLUS Gold MSI power supply as well. This PSU will give you plenty of power to make upgrades or additions in the future and, as its fully-modular, it will make the building process much easier.
Overall, this budget build will offer ideal performance in 1080p gaming and decent performance in 1440P gaming, and it is one of the best options right now for $700.
Part List for $700 PC Build
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| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 | |
| MOBO | ASRock B550 | |
| GPU | XFX RX 7600 | |
| RAM | TEAMGROUP 16GB | |
| SSD | Crucial 1TB | |
| CASE | Montech AIR 903 | |
| PSU | MSI 650W |
Grand Total: $670-$730
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click ‘Price on Amazon’ to see the most-up-to-date price.
**You’ll need an operating system. Windows 11 is free to download but a license costs ~$125. However, you can still install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your desktop asking you to activate it.
Ryzen 5 5600 + RX 7600 Benchmark
3. Intel i3-12100F + RX 6650 XT Build
For right around $600, you can throw together a solid gaming desktop that will max out any game on a 1080P monitor.
The main difference between this $600 gaming PC build and the build listed for $700 above, is that this build has a less powerful Intel Core i3 processor. The i3-12100F CPU is no slouch, though, and since this build comes with a solid RX 6650 XT graphics card, the in-game performance difference between the two builds won’t be too significant.
And, for popular games like Elden Ring, Minecraft, Fortnite, or Call of Duty, and Starfield, this computer will be able to handle them with ease.
Also, with the Intel Core i3-12100F CPU, the Radeon RX 6650 XT graphics card, and 16GB of memory, this $600 gaming computer build meets the requirements to run a Valve Index or HTC Vive Pro 2.
To round out the part list, this build comes with a 1TB NVME SSD, the Thermaltake Versa H18 micro-ATX case, and an 80PLUS Gold-rated power supply from EVGA.
The Versa H18 is a solid sub-$50 case that has a grilled front panel, a full-length PSU shroud, and a tempered glass side panel. Everything considered, the H18 offers a lot more than most cases in its price range.
The EVGA power supply is a solid unit, but the one downside is that it is not fully modular. It is tough to get a quality full modular power supply in this budget, but if you want to spend a little more, the MSI unit listed in the two builds above will make the building process a little easier.
The bottom line, though, is that this system is a really good budget gaming PC build for the money and it will easily last you through 2024 and beyond.
Part List for $600 PC Build
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| CPU | Intel Core i3-12100F | |
| MOBO | Gigabyte H610M | |
| GPU | PowerColor RX 6650 XT | |
| RAM | TEAMGROUP 16GB | |
| SSD | Crucial 1TB | |
| CASE | Thermaltake Versa H18 | |
| PSU | EVGA 600W |
Grand Total: $570-$630
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click ‘Price on Amazon’ to see the most-up-to-date price.
**You’ll need an operating system. Windows 11 is free to download but a license costs ~$125. However, you can still install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your desktop asking you to activate it.
12100F + RX 6650 XT Benchmark
4. Intel i3-12100F + ARC A580 Build
If you’re looking to spend ~$500, this gaming PC build might be the option for you.
These parts are capable of producing an experience on par with a some custom PC builder’s $1,000+ prebuilt gaming PC.
Still, though, with the budget limitations, there will be a noticeable drop in performance between this system and the $600 PC build listed above. But, if you’re mainly playing non-demanding titles (like Fortnite, League of Legends, Minecraft, Rocket League, etc.) this system will get the job done.
Thanks to an Intel Core i3-12100F processor, an Intel ARC A580 graphics card, and 16GB of DDR4 RAM, the cheap $500 gaming PC build listed below can max out pretty much any game on a budget 1080p monitor, as well as play non-demanding games at 1440p on medium-to-high settings.
And, with the drop in memory prices over the past year, we were even able to fit 16GB of memory in this system, whereas in the past it was limited to just 8GB.
This build also comes with the same Crucial 1TB NVME SSD that the $600 build comes with. This part list, however, opts for MSI’s cheaper 550-watt Bronze-rated power supply.
Overall, this system is a good starter build for anyone looking to get into PC gaming or anyone who is looking for the best cheap gaming PC for $500.
Part List for $500 PC Build
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| CPU | Intel Core i3-12100F | |
| MOBO | Gigabyte H610M | |
| GPU | ASRock ARC A580 | |
| RAM | TEAMGROUP 16GB | |
| SSD | Crucial 1TB | |
| CASE | Thermaltake Versa H18 | |
| PSU | MSI 550W |
Grand Total: $470-$530
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click ‘Price on Amazon’ to see the most-up-to-date price.
**You’ll need an operating system. Windows 11 is free to download but a license costs ~$125. However, you can still install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your desktop asking you to activate it.
ARC A580 Benchmark
5. Intel i3-12100F + RX 580 Build
For $400, you can build a budget gaming PC that will allow you to play games like Rocket League, League of Legends, Valorant, and Dota 2 on higher settings.
And, by building it yourself, you can avoid having to deal with the low-quality power supplies and motherboards that the big computer companies like to throw in their budget systems. And, it is a far better alternative than opting for a cheap laptop.
This $400 gaming PC build comes with an Intel Core i3-12100F processor, 8GB of DDR4 memory, a RX 580 graphics card, an 80PLUS Bronze 550W power supply, and the same Thermaltake micro-ATX case as found in the builds above. The 350mm of GPU clearance offered by the Thermaltake case will make upgrading this budget gaming PC a lot easier in the future.
In the past, we’ve had to use a renewed RX 580 in this build, but with some price drops, we can now afford a brand new XFX RX 580 graphics card. And, while this graphics card is quite a few GPU generations old, it’s 8GB of VRAM make it a solid budget option heading into 2024.
In fact, the RX 580 is still strong enough to where it will be able to run any game at 1080P settings. You’ll be able to run less-demanding titles at maxed out settings, and more demanding titles on medium settings, with a solid average framerate.
Ultimately, if you don’t have a huge budget, but you want to be able to jump into your favorite games, this build will be the perfect option for 1080P gaming.
Part List for $400 PC Build
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| CPU | Intel Core i3-12100F | |
| MOBO | Gigabyte H610M | |
| GPU | XFX RX 580 | |
| RAM | Patriot Viper 8GB | |
| SSD | ADATA 240GB | |
| CASE | Thermaltake Versa H18 | |
| PSU | MSI 550W |
Grand Total: $370-$430
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click ‘Price on Amazon’ to see the most-up-to-date price.
**Price includes the parts that make up the tower only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows costs ~$125 for an activation key. However, you can still install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it with no problems—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your desktop asking you to activate it.
12100F + RX 580 Benchmark
6. Ryzen 5 4600G Build
For gamers who are working with an extremely tight budget, it is possible to build a gaming PC for under $300.
The downside of putting together such a system is that you’ll be stuck with integrated graphics.
Also Read: Dedicated Graphics Card vs. Integrated Graphics
However, the upside of this build is that with just an upgrade to the video card you will have a capable gaming PC.
But, even as is, with the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G and its integrated Vega graphics, and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, this PC build can handle most games at 1080P resolution on lower-to-medium settings.
We’ve kept the Thermaltake Versa H18 and the EVGA 600-watt Gold-rated PSU in this build so that you will have an easier time upgrading in the future. The power supply will be able to accommodate an upgrade to a mid-range graphics card and the H18 case is roomy enough to where you won’t run into any clearance issues.
So, if you are severely strapped for cash now, but you want something that will let you play your favorite games on lower-to-medium settings and will also let you upgrade to a high-end system later on down the road, then this is probably one of the best budget gaming PCs you can build for the price.
Again, it should be noted that with such a low budget, it is worth considering shopping the used market for components. With a $300 budget you could build a significantly better system by opting for used parts. Obviously, the downside to that strategy is there is no guarantee on the state of the components you are buying. But, you might find the risk worth taking if you’re looking for more performance.
The best places to check for used components are your local Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay.
Part List for $300 PC Build
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| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 4600G | |
| MOBO | MSI B450M | |
| RAM | Patriot Viper 8GB | |
| SSD | ADATA 240GB | |
| CASE | Thermaltake Versa H18 | |
| PSU | MSI 550W |
Grand Total: $270-$330
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click ‘Price on Amazon’ to see the most-up-to-date price.
**You’ll need an operating system. Windows costs ~$125. However, you can still install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your desktop asking you to activate it.
Ryzen 5 4600G Benchmark
FAQ: Questions to Ask Before You Build Your Budget PC
If you’re on the fence of whether or not you should build your own cheap gaming PC, or you have questions, we’ve provided a list of frequently asked questions below to help you find the answers you’re looking for.
FAQ
1. How do I build a gaming PC for the first time?
To build a PC you need a specific set of components, an operating system, and a screwdriver. While the process might seem daunting, as long as you follow a solid PC building guide, you should be able to finish your build without any problems. I walk you through how to build your own PC in this step-by-step PC building guide.
Choosing components is a bit more difficult as you have to make sure all of your components are compatible. Fortunately, with the pre-made part lists in this guide, we’ve removed that difficulty.
However, if you want to learn how to choose your own parts, we highly recommend reading our guide, How to Choose PC Parts, as it will walk you through all of the comptibility issues you need to be aware of.
2. Is building a gaming PC hard?
Anyone who knows how to read or even how to watch a video and how to use a screwdriver can build their own PC. Â I should also add, too, that you do need some patience when building your own computer. Building a gaming PC is not rocket science and is not too difficult of a task.
However, there are moments that can arise during the building process that can be frustrating. The good news, though, is that there are plenty of guides out there that can help walk you through the building process to minimize the chances of you running into these kinds of problems.
Check out our guide on the common PC building mistakes that first-time builders make in order to get an idea of what NOT to do.
Most builders won’t face too many issues during their first build and even the most tech-challenged individuals could probably get through their own PC build if they are patient enough.
We’ve also put together a step-by-step guide to help first-time builders through the building process. You can access it here.
3. How much should a budget gaming PC build Cost?
How much a gaming PCÂ should cost is going to vary from user to user depending on a handful of variables.
How much should a gaming PC build cost for someone who wants to mainly play League of Legends?
What about if someone wants to play Starfield on a 4K 144Hz monitors?
Obviously, the second user is going to have to spend a lot more in order to build a PC that will suit their needs.
So, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how much a gaming PC should cost. It will depend on what your budget is and what you plan on doing with your system.
In general, though, for 1080P gaming, a budget of $600-$800 would be suffice for most users.
For more information on the cost of building a PC, check out our guide How Much is A Good Gaming PC?
4. Will it be cheaper to build your own PC going into 2024?
In most cases, building your own PC has typically been cheaper than buying a prebuilt gaming PC with similar hardware. However, you can sometimes find prebuilt PCs on sale at prices that may be cheaper than what it would cost to build that same system. This is fairly rare, even with somewhat inflated component prices—but, it is worth noting that it is possible to find good deals on prebuilt systems.
5. Should you build a PC or get a console?
There are two sides to this question… Yes, I am a diehard PC fan. But two of my favorite video games are Madden and MLB the Show. And, up until a few years ago, Madden wasn’t available on PC. (And, MLB the Show is still a console exclusive.) So, if I wanted to play Madden in the past, I also had to have an XBox One. (Yes, that’s right, I have a console…)
Or, if you wanted to play a game like Red Dead Redemption 2 at launch, you would have needed a console to play it.
So, before you go out and build a new budget gaming computer, you need to make sure that you understand that certain games aren’t available on PC. But, at the same time, what you lose on a console, you gain on a PC. There are also plenty of popular games that are exclusive to PC, like, for instance, League of Legends (also one of my favorite games), DOTA 2, Factorio, the Civilization games, etc.
And, overall, the in-game experience on a PC is better than it is on a console. That’s simply because on the PC you have the potential to play with better visuals, more detailed graphics, and smoother gameplay. And, of course, on average, PC games tend to be cheaper and there are also a lot more of them. (Although, with the launch of the PS5, the gap between platforms is closing. Check out our guide PC vs PS5: Which is Better for Gaming? to learn more.)
So, while a console will cost you less upfront (unless you go with a really inexpensive PC), if you buy a lot of games, in the long run, a PC will win out. Ultimately, though, if you’re like me, you just get both and enjoy the best of both worlds.
Get Help With Your Build: If you need help putting together a part list for your build? Fill out the form below or ask your questions in the comment section!
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