How to Build a Budget Gaming PC That Doesn’t Suck
Let’s be real, building a gaming PC on a budget can feel like trying to order a five-star meal on a fast-food budget. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to spend a fortune to build a gaming rig that actually delivers solid performance. You just need to know where to spend wisely and where to cut corners (without turning your PC into a potato). In this guide I’ll show you how to build a budget gaming PC.
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Step 1: Set a Realistic Budget
Before diving in, figure out how much you can spend. Here’s a rough idea of what you can get at different price points:
$400 – $600 – Entry-level gaming (good for esports titles like Fortnite, Valorant, and League of Legends)
$600 – $800 – Mid-range gaming (can handle AAA games at 1080p on medium-high settings)
$800 – $1000 – High-end budget (great for 1440p gaming, VR, and future-proofing)
For this guide, we’ll aim for a $600 – $800 build that provides great 1080p performance without making you cry at checkout.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Parts
Building a PC is like assembling a tech-based Frankenstein, every part needs to work together perfectly. For more in-depth knowledge on PC hardware compatibility check out our post on that! PC Hardware Compatibility. After you’ve read that let’s break it down.
1. CPU (Your PC’s Brain) – $100-$200
For gaming, you don’t need an over-the-top processor. The key is getting something fast and efficient without overspending.
Best Budget CPU Picks:
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600 – Best price-to-performance CPU, handles most modern games easily.
- Intel Core i5-12400F – Great for gaming and slightly cheaper than AMD.
Avoid: Anything older than Ryzen 3000 or Intel 10th Gen, don’t bottleneck your system.
2. GPU (The Real MVP for Gaming) – $200-$350
This is where most of your money should go. A good GPU means better frame rates, smoother gameplay, and happier gaming sessions.
Best Budget GPU Picks:
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 – Fantastic 1080p performance, great for high FPS gaming.
- NVIDIA RTX 3060 – Solid for AAA games, plus you get ray tracing (but don’t expect miracles).
Avoid: GTX 1650 or RX 550, they’re outdated and won’t give you a good experience.
3. RAM (Because 4GB Is a Joke) – $40-$70
Forget the days when 8GB was enough. 16GB of RAM is now the sweet spot for gaming.
Best Budget RAM:
- Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) 3200MHz – Fast, reliable, and budget-friendly.
- G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GB 3600MHz – A bit faster, great for Ryzen builds.
Avoid: Anything under 16GB unless you enjoy lag spikes and Chrome eating your soul.
4. Storage (SSD or Bust) – $50-$100
An SSD will speed up everything, loading times, boot-ups, even game performance.
Best Budget Storage Picks:
- Crucial P3 1TB NVMe SSD – Fast, reliable, and way better than a hard drive.
- Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500GB – A bit smaller, but ultra-fast for boot drives.
Avoid: Regular HDDs for gaming, unless you love waiting an eternity for games to load.
5. Motherboard (Your PC’s Backbone) – $80-$120
Pick a motherboard that supports your CPU and has room for future upgrades.
Best Budget Motherboard Picks:
- ASUS Prime B550M-A (For Ryzen CPUs) – Great features, built-in WiFi.
- ASRock B660M Pro RS (For Intel CPUs) – Solid, affordable, and reliable.
Avoid: Cheap, no-name boards, they often lack essential features and have terrible power delivery.
6. Power Supply (Don’t Cheap Out Here!) – $50-$80
A good PSU prevents random shutdowns, power surges, and potentially frying your entire PC.
Best Budget PSU Picks:
- Corsair RM650 (650W, 80+ Gold) – Enough power for budget builds.
- EVGA 700 BR (700W, 80+ Bronze) – Reliable and affordable.
Avoid: Anything under 500W, or brands you’ve never heard of (looking at you, “Ultra Power 700W Deluxe”).
7. Case (Where It All Comes Together) – $50-$100
This is mostly personal preference, but make sure your case has good airflow and room for future upgrades.
Best Budget Case Picks:
- NZXT H5 Flow – Sleek, simple, and easy to build in.
- Lian Li Lancool 216 – Great airflow, includes fans.
Avoid: Super cheap cases with no airflow, your components will hate you.
Step 3: Assembling Your PC (The Fun Part!)
Once you have all your parts, it’s time to build your beast. Follow these steps:
- Install the CPU – Carefully drop it into the motherboard socket (don’t force it!).
- Attach RAM & Storage – Click RAM sticks into place and mount your SSD.
- Install the Motherboard into the Case – Make sure everything lines up with the standoffs.
- Connect the Power Supply – Plug in your CPU, GPU, and motherboard cables.
- Install the GPU – Slot it into the PCIe slot and secure it with screws.
- Cable Management – Make things neat and tidy for better airflow.
- Boot It Up – If it doesn’t turn on, check all power connections and RAM placement.
Step 4: Install Windows & Optimize for Gaming
Your PC is built, now let’s make it game-ready.
- Install Windows 11 or Windows 10 (or Linux if you’re feeling adventurous).
- Update GPU drivers (get them from NVIDIA or AMD, not random sites!).
- Tweak Windows settings (disable background apps, enable high-performance mode).
- Install your favorite games and test your frame rates!
Final Thoughts: Budget Doesn’t Mean Bad
Building a gaming PC on a budget doesn’t have to suck, you just need to spend smart and avoid garbage parts. With this build, you’ll be able to enjoy smooth 1080p gaming without feeling like you’re playing on a glorified toaster.
