If you can’t afford a true gaming laptop or a high-end PC but still want that awesome gaming performance all is not lost. If you try to create your own budget gaming PC build on a tight budget, we have some ideas for how you can create your best gaming pc build under 500 dollars.
More...
You want the best gaming experience for your PC games without spending too much money. It all boils down to choosing the right components for the right price.
Building a gaming PC isn’t as difficult as you may think. What’s more, you don’t need to splash out on expensive hardware, such as a Blu-ray drive and masses of hard disk storage. Before you start your own gaming PC budget build, you need the following gaming rig parts:
- Case
- Power supply
- CPU
- Memory
- Graphics card
- Hard drive of around 500 GB
We’ve rounded up a few of the best in each category that will give you a good gaming experience without breaking the bank. Choose each component so that you build the best gaming pc under 500 dollars.
Case
Basically, the case is what will hold your build. Another important part of the case is that it provides the right ventilation that your computer needs so it won’t overheat during hours of use. It also has several features integrated into its design, like the power button, USB ports, and headphone jack.
When choosing a case, pay special attention to the dimensions. The manufacturer will usually provide specific measurements for the size of each component of the build so make sure the parts you’re getting fit into the case. Some of the best cases that you can choose while still sticking to a tight budget are:
Power Supply
When choosing your power supply, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, wattage.
For a PC, it can range anywhere from 200 to 1800 watts. While you’re probably better off sticking to the middle of the range, remember to keep in mind any future upgrades. It’s best to get a power source that has about 20% power than you need at the moment.
You should also look for 80PLUS certification, which is a designation that the power supply is both accurate and efficient at delivering the power it’s supposed to. Some of the best power supplies that can fit into a build for under $500 are:
Motherboard
A motherboard is one of the most important parts of a computer. It holds everything together and has slots and connectors where just about every part of your build will connect. They’re usually made of sturdy plastic or some other non-conductive material. On the surface, you’ll see thin layers of metal like aluminum or copper that form the circuits that connect everything together.
Some of the parts of a motherboard are a CPU socket, power connection, slots for memory and firmware chips, and a slot for the video or graphics card. It’s likely this will be one of the most expensive components of your build, but here are some reasonably priced choices to keep you in your budget:
CPU
The CPU, or central processing unit, is often called the “brains” of the computer because it’s the part that processes data from all the other components, interprets the information, and then executes commands using other hardware and software on the computer. Your computer needs it to be able to run. CPUs are small and square shaped with a lot of round metal connectors covering the bottom.
These connectors can be easily bent so it’s important to be very careful when handling and installing your CPU. It attaches directly to the motherboard into its designated slot. The CPU is one of the parts of your build that will get really hot as it’s running, which is why the ventilation in the case is so important. It’s a good idea to position a fan so it’s blowing right on top of the CPU. Here are some great budget-friendly options:
Memory (RAM)
Random Access Memory (RAM) is the actual physical hardware inside the computer where data is temporarily stored. More RAM means your computer can work faster because it has the ability to do more than one thing at a time because there is room for all the accumulating data. You can think of RAM as short-term memory. It’s all the information the computer needs to do whatever activity you’re currently doing.
Instead of having to dig deep into the hard drive to retrieve the information needed to run the programs you’re using; instead, the computer keeps it in RAM in order to have it sitting aside for quick access. Memory will also end up being one of the more expensive components of your build but here are some options for affordable RAM:
Graphics Card
The graphics card is one of the most important features when it comes to a gaming PC build simply because graphics are such a key component to immersive gaming. The graphics card plugs right into the motherboard and produces the image that you see on your monitor. These can get a little pricey, too, but here are some great ones that will help you stay in your budget:
Hard Drive
A hard drive permanently stores data and information on your computer. If you think of RAM as short-term memory, your hard drive could be thought of as long-term memory. The hard drive holds most of your computer’s program files as well as the operating system. There are external and internal hard drives but, for a gaming build, an internal one is best. If you’re trying to stay within your budget, here’s some to take a closer look at: