Choosing Your CPU
When building a budget gaming PC, the most important component you’ll need to choose is your CPU. This is the brain behind everything your computer does; think of it as the central processing unit. The CPU is what processes the instructions your gaming software gives it, so it’s an important decision. When it comes to budget PC gaming, Intel is typically the go-to brand.
When selecting a processor, you want to focus on finding one that offers balanced performance that won’t break your bank. AMD Ryzen 5 and Intel Core i5 are some of the most popular choices when it comes to budget gaming. Why? Because AMD Ryzen 5 offers great performance for the price and Intel Core i5 is known for its reliable performance and value for money.
Keep in mind that the faster the clock speed of a CPU, the better it will handle multitasking. That means that if you plan to run multiple applications at the same time while gaming (recording game footage, broadcasting your game through Twitch, etc), you’ll want to prioritize a high clock speed.
Selecting Your Graphics Card
Your graphics card, or GPU, is also a key component of your budget gaming PC build. It’s responsible for producing the visuals you see on your monitor. When it comes to budget gaming, there are two main brands to focus on: AMD and Nvidia. AMD is the cheaper option and offers decent performance for the price, while Nvidia will give you better performance but comes with a higher price tag.
If you’re looking to save money, you can opt for the mid-range GPU from AMD such as the Radeon RX 570 or the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti. These will help you achieve playable frame rates in most modern games at lower settings. Alternatively, if you’re willing to pay a bit more, you can opt for a higher end graphics card such as the Nvidia RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT. These will help you get the most out of you games while still staying within your budget.
You also need to consider the type of monitor you’ll be using. If you plan on playing games at high resolutions or running multiple monitors, you’ll want to select a GPU with more power. But if you plan on gaming at lower resolutions and have no need for multiple monitors, you can opt for a cheaper GPU.
Selecting Your RAM
Your RAM, or Random Access Memory, is very important for multitasking. Think of it like virtual storage; it’s where programs, games and other applications are kept while they’re being used. When building a budget gaming PC, you’ll want to opt for 8GB of RAM. This should be enough for most games and applications.
However, if you’re the type of gamer who likes to run multiple applications and multitask, you might want to consider upgrading to 16GB of RAM. That should be more than enough to handle even the most intensive multitasking.
Selecting Your Motherboard
When selecting a motherboard for your budget gaming PC, you want to focus on finding one that has all the features you need while not breaking your budget. Since most budget gaming PCs are used with an Intel processor, you’ll likely want to opt for an Intel Z490 chipset motherboard such as the ASUS Prime Z490-A. This offers great performance and value while still being reasonably priced.
When it comes to selecting a motherboard, you’ll also want to consider the number of expansion slots, ports, and input/output options it provides. This is especially important for gamers who plan on using multiple graphics cards or extra storage.
Choosing Your Storage
When it comes to budget gaming, you won’t have the luxury of investing in a high-end storage solution such as an SSD. However, you can still get decent performance from a high-capacity hard drive. If you’re looking to save money, you can opt for a 1TB HDD. This will provide you with plenty of space for all your games and other applications.
Selecting Your Case
Finally, when it comes to building a budget gaming PC you’ll need to select a case. This is more of a personal preference as you don’t want to skimp out on quality here. You want a case that is big enough to accommodate all your components while also being able to keep them cool.
When it comes to cases, aesthetics are also important. You want a case that compliments the design of your gaming setup but is also reasonably priced. Luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from and you should be able to find something that fits your budget.
Putting it all Together
Once you’ve selected all the components for your budget gaming PC, it’s time to put it all together. The best way to do this is to follow the instructions provided in the manuals for all the components. This will ensure that you get the best performance out of your budget gaming PC.
Also, make sure to invest in some PC building tools such as an anti-static wristband and some tweezers. This will make it easier to install components and protect your hardware from damage caused by static electricity.
Conclusion
Building a budget gaming PC can be quite daunting, but with the right knowledge and selection of components you can achieve great performance and still stay within your budget. When choosing components, focus on finding products that will give you the most bang for your buck. Choose a CPU that offers balanced performance and don’t skimp out on your graphics card or RAM as these are key components for gaming performance. Finally, make sure to invest in good quality tools and follow the instructions in the manual when assembling all the components. Good luck!
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