How to Build a Gaming PC for Under $1000
If you’re a gamer on a budget, building your own gaming PC is a great way to save money while still getting the performance you need to play your favorite games. And the good news is that building a gaming PC for under $1000 is not only possible but can offer some serious gaming performance plus, you also get the satisfaction of building it yourself. In this post, we’ll guide you through the process of building your own gaming rig for under $1000, the components you’ll need, how to put them together and some tips to keep in mind to save some money in the process.
The Components You Need
When building a gaming PC on a tight budget, it’s important to choose the right components to get the best value for your money while still getting good performance. Here is a list of the components you’ll need:
CPU: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
Motherboard: B450 or H370
RAM: 16GB DDR4
Graphics card: Nvidia GTX 1650 Super or AMD Radeon RX 580
Storage: 500GB SSD
Power Supply: 500W or 600W
Case: ATX or Micro-ATX
Note that these components are a suggestion, you can always tweak them according to your preference, budget or availability.
CPU – The Brain of Your Gaming PC
When building a gaming PC, your CPU is the most important component. The CPU is the brain of your computer. It’s responsible for processing all the instructions from the operating system and the programs you run. For gaming, you’ll want a CPU with multiple cores and high clock speed.
Intel Core i5 10400F – $152
The Intel Core i5 10400F is an excellent CPU for gaming. It’s a six-core processor with a base clock speed of 2.9GHz and a boost clock speed of 4.3GHz. It also comes with Intel’s hyper-threading technology, which means it can handle up to 12 threads at once. It’s one of the best value-for-money CPUs on the market.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 – $200
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is another excellent CPU for gaming. It’s a six-core processor with a base clock speed of 3.6GHz and a boost clock speed of 4.2GHz. It also comes with 12 threads thanks to AMD’s simultaneous multi-threading technology. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 typically performs a bit better than the i5 10400F during heavy workloads but is slightly more expensive.
Motherboard- Choose the right one for your CPU
When choosing a motherboard for your gaming PC, the first thing you need to consider is compatibility with your CPU. Intel CPUs need an Intel motherboard, while AMD CPUs need an AMD motherboard. You’ll also need to consider the socket type. Intel’s 10th generation CPUs use an LGA 1200 socket, while AMD’s Ryzen CPUs use the AM4 socket.
B450 and H370 motherboards are a great choice if you’re on a budget. They offer all the essential features you need for gaming without breaking the bank. If you want to save some money, you can opt-in for a micro-ATX motherboard instead of a full-sized ATX motherboard, these are usually cheaper.
MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX – $124
The MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX is one of the most popular motherboards for gaming. It supports AMD Ryzen CPUs and has all the essential features you’ll need, including support for up to 64GB DDR4 memory and PCIe 3.0.
ASUS Prime H370-PLUS/CSM
The ASUS Prime H370-PLUS/CSM supports Intel processors and offers all the necessary features, PCIe 3.0, and support for up to 64GB DDR4 memory. It’s an affordable choice for gamers building on a budget.
RAM – Get enough for gaming
When building a gaming PC, you should aim for at least 16GB of DDR4 RAM. This is the minimum amount required for most modern games. You’ll also want to make sure you get RAM that’s compatible with your motherboard. DDR4 RAM is standard; the speed and timing of the RAM will determine the performance.
G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GB DDR4-3200 – $50
The G.Skill Ripjaws V is a popular choice for gaming. It’s affordable, fast, and reliable, with a clock speed of 3200MHz and low-profile heat spreaders for easy installation. It’s an excellent choice for a budget gaming PC.
Graphics Card – The heart and soul of gaming PC
The graphics card is the heart and soul of your gaming PC. It’s what allows you to play games at high resolutions and quality settings. For a gaming PC, it’s important to get a graphics card that’s powerful enough to handle your favorite games.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super – $169
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super is a great graphics card for gamers on a budget. It features Nvidia’s latest Turing architecture and has 4GB of GDDR6 memory. It supports VR and can handle games at 1080p resolution with high quality settings. It’s also efficient in terms of power consumption, so you won’t need a massive power supply.
AMD Radeon RX 580 – $199
The AMD Radeon RX 580 is another excellent graphics card for budget gaming PC. It has 8GB of GDDR5 memory and is capable of handling games at high resolutions and quality settings. It’s also a great choice for those who want to switch to a monitor with a high refresh rate. It does consume more power, so make sure you get a PSU with sufficient wattage.
Storage – SSD is a must
For gaming, you’ll want an SSD. Solid-state drives are much faster than traditional hard drives, so they’ll improve the loading times in your favorite games and your computer’s overall performance.
Kingston A2000 500GB SSD- $56
The Kingston A2000 is an affordable NVMe SSD that delivers excellent performance. It has read and write speeds of up to 2000MB/s and 1100MB/s, respectively, and offers a massive 500GB of storage space at an affordable price. It’s an excellent choice for a budget gaming PC.
Power Supply – Don’t skimp on this
The power supply is the backbone of your PC and should be a reliable, high-quality unit. As a rule of thumb, you should get a power supply that’s 20-30% higher than the estimated power consumption of your PC to make sure it can handle unexpected spikes in power usage.
Thermaltake Smart 500W PSU- $44
The Thermaltake Smart 500W PSU is an affordable and reliable power supply. It’s powerful enough to handle most budget gaming PCs and comes with all the necessary cables and connectors.
Case- It doesn’t have to be flashy
Last but not least, you’ll need a case to house all your components. ATX or Micro-ATX cases are great choices for budget gaming PC builds. It’s worth considering a case with good airflow and some extra space for cable management.
Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L – $47
The Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L is an affordable and compact case that’s great for budget gaming PC builds. It has a minimalist design and good airflow, with space for a full-sized ATX power supply and a graphics card of up to 360mm in length.
Putting it together
Now that you have all the components, it’s time to put your budget gaming PC together! You can always refer to your motherboard manual for specific instructions.
Step 1: Install the Power Supply
Start by installing the power supply in the case and route the cables to where they will need to be connected to the components.
Step 2: Install the CPU and Cooler
Install your CPU and cooler according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure the cooler is properly installed on the CPU to avoid any damage.
Step 3: Install RAM
Install the RAM into the motherboard’s RAM slots. Make sure the clips are securely pushed down to hold the RAM in place.
Step 4: Install the Graphics Card
Install the graphics card into the PCIe slot on the motherboard. Make sure it’s fully seated and that the locking tab is closed.
Step 5: Install SSD
Install the SSD into the motherboard’s NVMe or SATA port, depending on the SSD’s interface.
Step 6: Connect the cables
Connect the cables from the power supply to the motherboard, CPU, graphics card, and SSD.
Step 7: Turn it on
Once everything is properly connected, turn on the power supply and press the power button on your gaming PC case.
Tips to save money
Building a gaming PC on a budget doesn’t mean you have to cut corners. Here are some tips to consider to save some money while still getting a great gaming rig:
1. Buy the components used: You can buy used parts from reputable sellers and save some money. Just make sure they’re in good condition.
2. Use free sources of power: Windows 10 can be activated for free with a few limitations; also, there are free and open-source alternatives for software like Adobe Photoshop.
3. Get your parts during sales: You can save a lot of money by buying components during sales.
4. Be Patient: Check prices regularly and wait for the right time to buy.
Conclusion
Building a gaming PC on a budget is a lot easier than you think. With a little research and some smart shopping, you can build a gaming rig that will deliver excellent performance without breaking the bank. Choose the right components, be patient, and follow the instructions carefully, and in no time, you’ll be playing the latest games at high settings – all for under $1000.
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