The Best 4 Gaming PC Builds for Under $500

سبتمبر 20, 2023

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Whether it’s better for a gamer to design a system or purchase one of the best prebuilt PCs is a debate that’s been raging for years. Particularly for inexperienced PC builders, it’s tempting just to spend money on a ready-to-go system instead of struggling to design a cheap PC build. In reality, while the prebuilt approach is the fastest way to enjoy the many benefits of PC gaming, selecting and installing parts to build a customized rig is now easier than ever before. There is a wealth of online resources that suggest compatible build configurations, complete with links to purchase parts at the lowest prices possible.

When assembling a budget gaming PC build, some key factors include deciding on an Intel or AMD processor which will dictate the choice of other components like motherboards. Buyers will also have to wrestle with whether to save money on a CPU with integrated graphics or choose a budget graphics card which adds to the total cost of a system considerably. Finally, even an affordable gaming PC can come in a variety of form factors from mini ITX to ATX, housed in compact or full-tower cases. Whatever route a gamer goes, these four budget gaming PC build options are great introductions to the exciting world of custom-made PCs.

Intel Core i3/GTX 1650 Mid-Tower Budget Gaming Build

Best NVIDIA Graphics Card Gaming Build Under $500

Zalman T7 ATX Mid Tower PC Case

$50 $55 Save $5

The Zalman T7 ATX Mid-Tower PC Case features a front mesh panel for maximum airflow and a transparent side viewing window. The case includes 2 pre-installed 120 mm fans and accommodates ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards.
Intel Core i3-12100F

The 4-Core, 8-Thread Intel Core i3-12100F processor is an entry-level contender from Intel’s 12th generation that can handle today’s games to a moderate level without bottlenecking and offers a path to upgrade to a faster processor by allowing you to build on an Intel 600 or 700 series motherboard.
ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 Motherboard

The ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 Motherboard is an M-ATX entry-level H610 chipset-based motherboard that came out with the 12th generation Intel CPU lineup but has since received a bios update to support the 13th generation Intel processor lineup.
MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1650 GPU

The MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1650 is a graphics card featuring the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 chipset. It operates with a boost clock speed of 1620 MHz and is equipped with 4GB GDDR6 video memory. The memory speed of this card is 12 Gbps, and it has a 128-bit memory interface. The card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680×4320, providing high-quality visuals for gaming and other multimedia applications.
TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 16 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory

$33 $39 Save $6

The TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 16 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory is a tremendous value and is compatible with a wide variety of Intel and AMD motherboards. A streamlined cooling module and high thermal conductive adhesive keep the memory cool during intense gaming sessions. The TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z comes with a lifetime warranty.
Kingston NV2 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD

This internal solid-state drive from Kingston has 1 TB of digital storage capacity. The NV2 series SSD is designed to be compatible with laptops. It operates on PCIe 4.0 Gen 4×4 technology, features an M.2 2280 form factor, and delivers read speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s. It has lower power requirements, generating minimal heat, which makes it perfect for compact devices.
Apevia CAPTAIN550 ATX Power Supply

The Apevia CAPTAIN550 watt power supply packs a wallop for an incredibly affordable price. The CAPTAIN550 features an automatically thermally controlled 120 mm fan and all-black cables to blend in with modern gaming rigs. Connectors include: 1 x 20/24pin Main Power, 1 x P8pin(P4+4pin), 1 x 6/8pin PCI-express, 12V, 3 x SATA, 3 x Peripheral, 1 x Floppy.

Total Estimated Cost: $520

Assembling the best budget gaming PC build using a lower-end NVIDIA graphics card is relatively straightforward with fewer compromises than a builder might expect. The brain of this build is the Intel Core i3-12100F processor, which is more than adequate to drive a lower-end system. The quad-core processor debuted in early 2022 as part of Intel’s 12th generation of CPUs and offered an alternative to more costly AMD chips like the Ryzen 3 3100. The Intel Core i3-12100F is a locked chip that is not overclockable, making the bundled stock cooler ideal for managing temperatures.

The Intel Core i3-12100F pairs extremely well with equally affordable LGA 1700 motherboards such as the ASUS Prime H610M-E D4. This motherboard has some impressive capabilities including PCIe 4.0 to support the most recent graphics cards, and it’s one of the few H610 boards with dual M.2 storage slots. For this build, the TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 16 GB DDR4 memory only takes up a fourth of the 64 GB capacity of the board. The ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 has all the ports and connectors expected with a cheap PC build, including 10 USB ports on the front and rear that are either USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 2.0.

NVIDIA is not known for offering budget-friendly graphics cards but the MSI GeForce GTX 1650 4GB in this build should produce acceptable 1080p gaming performance. The graphics card also has numerous advantages for a low-power rig, requiring only a 300-watt power supply and needing no discrete power connectors of its own. The Apevia Venus 550-watt ATX power supply selected for this build is more than sufficient to run the graphics card with some power to spare and also includes a 6-pin connector for future upgrades. The short length of the MSI GeForce GTX 1650 4GB also contributes to easier cable management with more room to work with compact PC cases.

For this budget gaming build, the well-priced Zalman T7 ATX Mid-Tower Case not only provides more potential for expansion than more compact cases but also has a clear side window for a premium look. Gamers can install up to four 2.5-inch hard drives, with the 1TB NVME Kingston NV2 allowing for users to take advantage of all 4 going forward. As far as cooling goes, there are two 120 mm fans already positioned on the front and rear of the case, but up to eight more can be installed. Combined with a mesh front panel, the fan layout of the Zalman T7 should keep the temps of this relatively low-powered gaming rig under control.

AMD Ryzen 7 Micro ATX Budget Gaming Build

Best AMD Ryzen Integrated Graphics Gaming Build Under $500

Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L

The Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L is a Micro ATX tower case that’s all about flexibility. The case’s I/O panel can be installed in 6 different positions and the case is suited for vertical or horizontal positioning. A clear side window gives a view into a modern gaming rig. A front magnetic dust filter with a perforated front allows for constant airflow in and out of the case.
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G 8-Core 16-Thread Processor

$178 $359 Save $181

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G is not a desktop GPU replacement for gamers, but it does do a fair job for some MOBA titles as well as for light 720P/1080P gaming on medium graphics. It does offer a full 8-core, 16-thread processor but halves the L3 cache as a result versus its comparable 5700X and 5800X siblings in the Ryzen 7 5000 Series lineup and limiting itself to PCI-E 3.0 speeds.
Gigabyte B550M K Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard

$85 $100 Save $15

The Gigabyte B550M K Micro ATX AM4 motherboard supports the AMD Ryzen 5000 Series/ Ryzen 5000 G-Series/ Ryzen 4000 G-Series and Ryzen 3000 Series family of CPUs. The motherboard features a sturdy power design and offers support for HDMI 2.1 to meet the latest standards in 4K video playback with HDR.
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory

$45 $68 Save $23

Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4-3600 memory is compatible with many Intel and AMD DDR4 motherboards. Using a solid aluminum heat spreader and high-quality PCB, the memory is ideal for overclocking and gaming rigs. Its low profile height of 34 mm makes this memory an ideal choice for compact systems.
Silicon Power 1TB NVMe M.2 PCIe 2280 SSD

$38 $46 Save $8

The Silicon Power 1TB NVMe M2 2280 SSD uses the PCIe Gen 3×4 interface with class-leading read and write speeds. Utilizing the NVMe 1.3 + HMB protocols, the Silicon Power 1TB NVMe M2 offers scalable bandwidth and low latency performance.
Thermaltake Smart BM2 550W

$40 $45 Save $5

The Thermaltake Smart BM2 500W ATX power supply is made for smart PC builds, with an efficiency rating of up to 86%. The power supply’s 120 mm Ultra Quiet fan manages substantial airflow without annoying background noise. The Thermaltake Smart BM2 500W provides the security of a 5-year warranty.

Total Estimated Cost: $420

Many gamers instantly turn their noses up at the idea of a budget gaming PC build without a dedicated graphics card. Still, when the budget-saving AMD Ryzen 7 5700G appeared in April 2021, the prospect of gaming with an integrated graphics controller was more attractive than ever, especially with graphics card shortages rampant. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G won’t allow gamers to play Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K resolution, but it does hold its own against budget graphics cards. This compact and cheap PC build best suits entry-level gamers with 1080p displays and limited desk space. Coming in well under the $500 price point, this rig also has some room to grow if a builder wants to upgrade its GPU.

In this build, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G CPU works well with the Gigabyte B550M K Micro ATX motherboard, which supports a wide range of 3000 to 5000 Ryzen CPUs. Since this parts list lacks a dedicated graphics card, it’s essential that the motherboard has all the latest video outputs. Thankfully, the Gigabyte B550M includes two HDMI 2.1 ports which are HDCP 2.3 compliant with full HDR support, as well as a single DisplayPort 1.4 connection. The motherboard also has dual M.2 slots, one of which will house the Silicon Power 1TB NVME SSD as part of the build. For memory, the Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB DDR4 low-profile RAM is ideal to fit in a Micro ATX case while sporting a dedicated heat spreader design to combat overheating when pushing XMP overclocks.

RELATED: The Best Budget CPUs in 2023

Without a dedicated graphics card, this budget PC build is all about simplicity, and a Micro ATX case like the Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L fits with this theme perfectly. Although a user could install a graphics card up to 14.1 inches in the case, the chassis is small enough not to look too cavernous without one. The MasterBox Q300L blends in remarkably well either in a home entertainment center or small desk, since it supports vertical or horizontal placement. Even the I/O panel is installable at various points around the edges of the case. The edge-to-edge clear side window is acrylic, not tempered glass, but it’s hard to argue with the overall look of the case at this price point. The small case only ships with one fan installed toward the rear, but the stock cooler on the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G and the lack of a toasty graphics card should keep case temperatures reasonable.

To give life to the best budget gaming PC with Ryzen-based integrated graphics, the Thermaltake Smart BM2 500-watt White Certified PSU may seem like overkill, considering the total power consumption of the system is around 150 watts. Even so, the PSU adapts well to low-power budget PCs and provides flexibility if a gamer wishes to add a graphics card or more components in the future. The 120 mm fan in the PSU is whisper-quiet, so it won’t disturb movie-watching in living rooms or gamers sensitive to excessive background noise.

Radeon RX 6500 XT Mid-Tower Budget Gaming Build

Best Radeon RX 6000 Series Gaming Build Under $500

Antec Performance Series P7 Neo Case

$75 $90 Save $15

The Antec Performance Series P7 Neo Case is a mid-tower case for gamers who value efficient and silent performance of their components. The P7 Neo employs sound dampening side panels to drown out loud fans from CPU coolers and graphics cards. To maintain its clean classic look, the P7 Neo places front air intake vents on the sides of the front panel. The rock-solid case proudly maintains the Antec tradition of superior build quality and offers ample space in its chassis for motherboards up to E-ATX size.
Intel Core i3-10100F

The 10th Generation Comet Lake quad-core Intel Core i3-10100F with a base frequency of 3.60 GHz and 4.30 GHz max turbo frequency is the ideal power-efficient CPU. This CPU consumes only 65 watts of power and is compatible with LGA 1200 motherboards.
ASUS Prime H510M-E LGA1200 Micro-ATX Motherboard

Asus Prime motherboards are designed to utilize Intel 10th and 11th-generation CPUs fully. The H510M is a feature-packed LGA 1200 motherboard offering PCI 4.0, a 32 Gbps M.2 storage slot, and USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A ports. The PCI heatsink and Fan Xpert 4 software work together to keep system temperatures at safe levels.
MSI Gaming AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT Graphics Card

This graphics card based on the AMD Radeon 6500 XT from MSI Gaming features a clock speed of 2.83 GHz and four gigabytes of GDDR6 memory on a 64-bit interface. The connection is made with PCI Express 4.0 x4. There’s one DisplayPort 1.4a and one HDMI 2.1 connector for a double monitor setup. The maximum resolution supported by the card is 8K at 7680 x 4320 pixels. The graphics card comes with a reinforced backplate for durability and a dual TORX FAN 4.0 setup for cooling.
Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 16GB (1 x 16GB) 3200 MHz

Patriot’s Viper Steel line of DDR4 memory uses a custom aluminum heat spreader to keep temperatures in check. The Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 16GB ram supports XMP 2.0 for excellent overclocking potential.
Kingston NV2 500G M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD

The Kingston NV2 500G SSD uses Gen 4×4 NVMe PCIe technology. This drive delivers read speeds up to 3,500 MB/s and write speeds up to 2,800 MB/s. It’s designed for systems requiring fast performance, in both laptop and desktop builds. It is suitable for most applications thanks to the compact, single-sided M.2 2280 design. And the low power requirements mean that it produces minimal heat.
SilverStone 550 Watt 80 Plus Bronze ATX PSU

The SilverStone ET550-B Power Supply is a budget-oriented PSU that provides excellent efficiency and some features normally found on more expensive alternatives. All-black flat cables make it simple to route cables without wiring becoming an eyesore.

Total Estimated Cost: $588

Gamers who desire a gaming PC build with a Radeon graphics card can find an affordable configuration to meet their demands as well. The budget gaming PC build begins with the extremely power-efficient Core i3-10100F, which is not as brand new to the processor arena as a 10th-generation Intel CPU. Still, it’s difficult to beat the value that this quad-core processor provides when combined with a low-end dedicated graphics card. The Intel Core i3-10100F is also overclockable, but the benefits are fairly minimal and most new PC builders should stick with the base 3.60 GHz clock speed and stock cooler. Consuming only 65 watts of power, the low-power CPU leaves room for more power-hungry components in any build.

For this budget gaming rig, the Core i3-10100F finds a partner with the ASUS Prime H510M-E Micro-ATX motherboard which utilizes the LGA 1200 socket that supports the 10th and 11th generation Intel CPUs. Once again, because of its great value and easy-to-use software, an ASUS Prime motherboard finds its way into another build. Ideal for gamers who are nervous about the health of their rigs, the H510M-E takes advantage of software constantly monitoring temps and fan speeds and making adjustments accordingly. The H510M-E only offers one M.2 slot which is leveraged by a PCI-E 4.0 NVME SSD in the form of the Kingston NV2 500G.

The MSI AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT OC is the graphics card of choice for this mid-tower PC. This graphics card is fairly compact and power efficient as well, but when paired with the PCIe 4.0 slot in the Prime H510M-E motherboard, its boosted clock speed of up to 2.82 GHz can shine. One drawback for the Radeon RX 6500 XT is the lack of more than two combined HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a connections. Gamers who intend to hook up more than a few displays may need to consider a more expensive GPU. Otherwise, consuming only 107 watts of power and performing admirably at 1080p, the graphics card is an excellent fit for any budget build.

To house the components for the best budget gaming PC with a Radeon graphics card, the Antec Performance Series P7 Neo is an ATX mid-tower case that relieves the frustration of first-time builders. It offers a simple, yet effective airflow solution with 3 fans as part of its offerings in addition to plenty of I/O as part of its front panel. It also supports larger motherboards (up to E-ATX) if upgrades are required in the future.

AMD Ryzen 5 Full-Tower Budget Gaming Build

Best Full-Tower Gaming Build Under $500

MAKASHI MKII Full-Tower Case

The Enermax Makashi MKII is a full-tower case perfect for gamers new to PC building. Unlike many budget cases, the Makashi MKII has the space for Extended ATX (E-ATX) motherboards, up to 6 hard drives, and 8 fans. The tempered glass side window lets users keep tabs on expensive components. LED strips lining the front of the case provide a unique look to the Makashi MKII, with addressable RGB effects compatible with the most popular lighting ecosystems.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor

$139 $260 Save $121

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G 6-Core 12-Thread Processor is an excellent entry from AMD into the budget CPU bracket. This CPU boasts integrated Radeon graphics which can rival lower-end dedicated graphics cards. Precision Boost Overdrive and Precision Boost 2 make overclocking possible for supercharged performance.
ASRock X570 Steel Legend

The ASRock X570 motherboard supports AMD 2000 to 5000 series processors and is built for extreme durability. Featuring a 10-power phase design, gamers can install DDR4 memory up to 4666+(OC). With HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, the motherboard also embraces AMD Quad CrossFireX and CrossFireX technology.
Silicon Power Value Gaming DDR4 16GB (8GBx2) 3200MHz (PC4 25600) CL16 RAM

The Silicon Power Value Gaming RAM is a DDR4 memory module engineered to enhance the capabilities of desktop PCs. It offers a memory size of 16GB and speeds of 3200 MHz. This RAM is designed to be compatible with Intel Coffee Lake processors and adheres to Intel Extreme Memory Profile (Intel XMP) standards, ensuring seamless integration with various systems.

Equipped with an aluminum heat sink, the RAM efficiently dissipates heat while its 1.35V low voltage reduces power consumption for hardware components. These attributes contribute to maintaining swift and stable performance during extensive gaming periods or intensive workloads.
Silicon Power 1TB NVMe M.2 PCIe 2280 SSD

$38 $46 Save $8

The Silicon Power 1TB NVMe M2 2280 SSD uses the PCIe Gen 3×4 interface with class-leading read and write speeds. Utilizing the NVMe 1.3 + HMB protocols, the Silicon Power 1TB NVMe M2 offers scalable bandwidth and low latency performance.
Cooler Master Elite 600W V3 ATX

The Cooler Master Elite 600-watt V3 power supply manages an excellent 75 percent efficiency rating at a typical 50 percent load. This ATX power supply can adapt to any conditions with the ability to operate at high temperatures and extreme humidity levels.

Total Estimated Cost: $505

The vast majority of budget gaming PC build configurations do not include full-sized tower cases or ATX motherboards. While this is another AMD Ryzen integrated graphics build, it’s also the most expandable and storage-packed system. Thanks to the affordable full-tower Makashi MKII Full-Tower case, gamers can install a combination of up to six 3.5″ or 2.5″ hard drives. We’ve started buyers off with a 1 TB Silicon Power NVMe M.2 SSD which accommodates operating systems plus a decent amount of space for games benefiting from its blazing fast read and write speeds. However, if a gamer only plans on using one or two additional hard drives, a more compact build makes sense.

To offset the added costs of a full-tower ATX build, this parts list includes an AMD Ryzen 5 series 5600G CPU with integrated graphics. Thanks to the spacious nature of the Makashi MKII case, this build is ready for low to mid-range dedicated graphics for installation at any point in the future. Still, like our AMD Ryzen 7-based PC, this system can handle many games at 1080p without lowering detail levels significantly.

Unlike the previous Ryzen build, this configuration involves an X570 motherboard courtesy of ASRock’s Steel Legend line of components. Compared to B550M motherboards, X570 options offer PCI Express 4.0 connectivity and more high-speed SATA connections. Additional VRM and power phases on the X570 also make overclocking CPU and RAM more realistic. Buyers should note that to work properly with AMD 5000 series CPUs, most X570 motherboards require a BIOS update. If you aren’t comfortable flashing a BIOS, then any number of B550M motherboards are better choices.

The ASRock X570 is a powerful motherboard that on its own, exceeds the capabilities of most budget builds. With storage speed and future-proofing the theme of this gaming PC, there are eight SATA 3 ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and 10 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. Vital for any PC with integrated graphics, the rear I/O shield includes HDMI and DisplayPort connections. The Makashi MKII case itself has some adjustable RGB effects of its own, but this ASRock motherboard also supports the manufacturer’s Polychrome SYNC lighting protocol.

The 16GB kit of Silicon Power DDR4 memory offers an acceptable 3200MHz clock at an affordable price and rounds off the build’s RAM needs. To power this slightly more demanding AMD Ryzen 5000 series build, there is a 600-watt Cooler Master Elite PSU that’s plenty beefy enough for a stack of hard drives or a modest GPU in the future.

The stylish Makashi MKII is hardly the tallest or widest full-tower case on the market, but its roomy chassis makes cable management less complicated. Despite some compatibility issues requiring BIOS updates that may scare away novice users, the trouble is well worth the effort to create the best budget gaming PC in the largest form factor.

More Budget Gaming Build Choices Than You Bargained For?

With everything from groceries to consumer electronics rising in price, eventually, it may become impossible to assemble a capable gaming PC for under $500. Fortunately, that time has not yet come, and there remain a variety of successful approaches to building the best budget gaming PC for a limited amount of money.

Two of the gaming builds discussed above utilize 10th or 12-generation Intel Core i3 CPUs, while the others rely on AMD 5000 series processors with Radeon-integrated graphics. Deciding between these options has ramifications for how to approach the rest of a new system’s configuration. Our first build was a mid-tower PC with Intel Core i3-12100F CPU and a PNY GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. The Zalman T7 case selected is large enough to accommodate a dedicated graphics card and up to four 2.5″ hard drives.

The second budget build takes a different approach to assembling an affordable gaming PC since it includes an AMD Ryzen 7 5700G processor with integrated graphics. Taking a graphics card out of the equation reduces the overall cost significantly, but the micro ATX form factor of the Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L case and Gigabyte B550M K motherboard do limit storage options and future expandability somewhat.

For gamers looking for a rig that can adapt to an increasing budget, the final build with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G CPU and MAKASHI MKII Full-Tower case is ideal. Even without a Radeon or NVIDIA graphics card, this PC boasts some fairly high-end components including an ASRock X570 Steel Legend motherboard. The combination of this X570 motherboard and full-tower case makes it possible to add a large stack of 2.5″ or 3.5″ hard drives full of games or media.

Each build in this guide offers different form factors catering to gamers with varying amounts of space on their humble gaming desks or media rooms. None of the suggested PCs discussed will provide the thrills of 4K gaming as they are, but each is flexible enough to generate more serious gaming performance as a gamer’s budget allows for.

Need more gaming PC options? Check out Game Rant’s list for the best gaming PCs in 2023!

MORE: The Best Gaming PC Builds For $1000

FAQ

Q: Is it cheaper to build your own gaming PC, rather than to buy a prebuilt system?

In most cases, finding the best prices for each component individually will save money over prebuilt options. Also, you may learn how to replace parts on your own instead of sending in a prebuilt PC for expensive repairs or buying a new system entirely.

Q: What should I consider when assembling a custom gaming PC?

Some factors to consider when putting together your own gaming PC are budget, what types of games you play, what resolution you want to play games at, and how much space you have for either a full tower or compact system.

Q: What are the most critical components of a gaming PC?

Some key parts of a gaming PC are the processor, motherboard, case, and graphics card. The graphics card will usually affect a budget the most, but also ensure that a CPU is compatible with a motherboard and that all parts will fit in the selected case.

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