Building a gaming PC under 500 dollars is a great way to get into the world of PC gaming without breaking the bank. Most gaming computers are extremely expensive and can easily get into the thousands of dollars range. But with this guide, you can build a solid gaming PC for cheaper. Here’re the steps to do that!
First, you’ll need a reliable processor. For your 500-dollar budget, you should be looking at the budget options from Intel and AMD. Both offer great value for the money, so decide based on which games you want to play. Any processor from AMD’s Ryzen 3 or Intel’s i3 series will work great for your budget.
After getting your processor, you’ll need a motherboard that’s compatible with it. Your board should have enough RAM slots and PCIe slots for your desired gaming build. Look for a board from reputable manufacturers that offer a decent warranty. For your budget, go for boards with the B-series chipset from either AMD or Intel.
Next, you’ll need to pick a graphics card. You’ll want a good graphics card that connects to your processor via its PCIe slot. A GTX 1650 or Radeon RX 570 are great options for a budget gaming PC. Both offer good performance and value for their price tag.
You’ll also need a compatible power supply unit (PSU). Look for a reliable PSU that can handle the power requirements of your build. Most gaming builds require at least a 400W PSU; make sure to get a higher wattage if your graphics card requires more power.
To bring everything together, you’ll need a case and cooling system. A mini-ITX or micro-ATX case will work for most budget builds. Additionally, invest in a good cooling system to keep your components from overheating. Air coolers are a great way to keep temperatures in check without breaking the bank.
Lastly, you’ll need some storage and RAM. Get an SSD for the operating system and some games, as it’ll make your boot times and game loading much quicker. Your RAM should be compatible with your motherboard, with 8GB being a great baseline for gaming builds.
How To Budget
When building a gaming PC under 500 dollars, you’ll need to be very mindful of your budget. You’ll want to pick the best components while still staying within the limit. Make a list of the components you need and research the best options that fit your budget. Additionally, look out for sales, discounts, and coupons which can help you save money on your build.
It’s also important to determine what your priority components are. Some components are more important than others, such as getting a good processor or graphics card for playing games. Decide your priorities, and invest more in those components rather than buying lower end components for all parts of your build.
Do You Need To Overclock?
Overclocking is the process of having your processor, graphics card, or other components run at a higher speed than their standard specs. It’s a widely debated topic in the community since it can potentially void your warranty, and cause permanent damage to the components. Generally, you don’t need to overclock components in a 500-dollar budget gaming PC, so it’s best avoided unless you know what you’re doing.
If you still want to overclock, start off slow by researching the best processes and using software utilities like MSI Afterburner and Asus AI Suite. Try to get the most out of your components without overloading them with voltage, as this can cause permanent damage.
What Are Alternatives To Building a PC?
If you’re looking for an alternative to building a PC, there are multiple options available. You can buy a pre-built gaming PC, but these are generally overpriced and have low-end components. Alternatively, you can buy parts piece-by-piece and have somebody else build it for you. This route can be costly, however, and you may not get the same value or performance as when building yourself.
Another alternative is buying a console. This is a great option if you’re primarily looking to play console-exclusive titles, but you won’t be able to enjoy PC-exclusive games or take advantage of PC gaming benefits like modding.
Is 500 Dollars Enough?
500 dollars is enough to build a decent budget gaming PC, but performance-wise, it may not be able to run the latest gaming titles at higher settings. But for some older titles and eSports games, 500 dollars can be more than enough for a great experience. With that said, you may need to go beyond 500 dollars for more modern gaming titles and for achieving higher graphics settings.
If you want to maximize your budget, you can always look for used parts or wait for new parts to go on sale. Additionally, you can make your build more future-proof by choosing components that will last you a few years.
What Else Can You Do To Make Your Build Better?
Aside from the components mentioned above, many other optional accessories will make your gaming build even better. Invest in a good gaming mouse and keyboard, a good gaming headset, and a comfortable gaming chair to make your gaming experience even more immersive. Additionally, adding RGB lighting to your build can give it a nice touch and, depending on the motherboard, allow you to customize your colors.
You can also splurge on the monitor. If you can afford it, you’ll want to get a 144hz monitor that’ll make games look amazing and run smoother. And for that extra boost in performance, you can invest in a solid-state drive (SSD) as well.
Finally, you’ll want to look into getting an efficient power supply, as these will help you save money on your overall electricity bills. With an efficient power supply, your gaming PC won’t consume too much energy and will still be able to deliver a good performance.
