Building a gaming computer for under $300 can be a great way to get your gaming experience up and running without breaking the bank. There are a few steps involved in creating a gaming setup with this budget, but with some patience you’ll have a powerful and reliable system ready to power your favorite games.
To start, you’ll need to determine what type of processor and graphics card you’ll need. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly setup, it may be best to find a processor and graphics card combo that fit into your budget. There are some great Intel Core i5 and AMD Ryzen 5 processors available at this price range. For the graphics card, look for something with at least 4GB of VRAM and a display output that can support monitors with a resolution of 1080p.
Once you have the CPU and GPU selected, you’ll need to find a good motherboard to house it all. Make sure you find one that is compatible with the CPU and GPU you’ve chosen. You’ll also need to find a good case to hold all the components and keep the system cool. You should also add some extra cooling, such as a liquid cooler for your CPU, as this will help keep your system running optimally when gaming.
To complete your setup, you’ll also need RAM, a storage solution, and a power supply. You can find some 8GB kits of memory for this budget, and a small SSD is a great choice for storage. For the power supply, look for something with at least 400 watts of power. This will be more than enough to power your current setup.
Once you have all the components in place, it’s time to assemble them. If you’re not feeling confident you can always take your parts to a local PC building service and they can help you out. After assembly, you’re ready to install your operating system, driver and application updates and start gaming!
What Gaming Features Can You Expect?
Once your system is running, you’ll be able to access some pretty good gaming features. Your system should be capable of running most games at 1080p resolution at medium to high settings. Many games will be playable at 4K resolution, when enabled, depending on the hardware and software you have. You’ll also be able to take advantage of features such as HDR, DirectX 12, and modern games like Fortnite.
Even with this budget, you should still expect some decent gaming performance. You may still find some games that run better on more expensive systems, but this budget should allow you to enjoy a good gaming experience with many of the top titles.
Furthermore, you can also take advantage of awesome features such as Virtual Reality if you pair your PC with any of the compatible headsets. This gives you full access to the world of VR gaming and you’ll be amazed at the high quality visuals and intense level of immersion that it offers.
How To Expand Your Setup
Your current setup should be enough to get you through some of the modern triple-A and indie titles currently available, but if you’re looking to expand your setup and take your gaming experience to the next level, you have a few options. You could upgrade your graphics card to a more powerful model, such as one from Nvidia or AMD’s range of cards. Upgrading your processor to something like a Ryzen 7 or Intel Core i7 is also an option, and this can bring some good performance upgrades.
You can also add more RAM to your system to help with multitasking and improve overall performance. Having more RAM is beneficial for gaming, as it allows you to run more applications at once without experiencing slowdowns or stuttering. You can also look into upgrading your storage and replacing your current drive with an NVMe SSD to increase boot times, reduce loading times and enhance overall system performance.
Another great way to upgrade your system is by adding additional fans and liquid cooling elements. Having additional fans and liquid cooling elements in your system will greatly help with cooling and will also reduce the noise output coming from your system. This will keep your system quiet and cool, allowing it to perform optimally when gaming.
What Games Will You Be Able To Play?
With this budget, you should be able to enjoy some of the newer and more popular games that are currently on the market. You’ll be able to play titles such as Battlefield V, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Apex Legends with ease. You’ll also be able to enjoy VR games such as Beat Saber and Skyrim, as well as some of the older single-player titles like Fallout 4 and Dishonored 2.
Moreover, if you’re an indie game enthusiast, this system should be more than capable of running the majority of indie titles out there. Low-budget and retro titles will also be no problem, as the hardware you have should be more than capable of running them. All in all, you should have a great selection of titles to choose from.
What Accessories You Should Buy?
Having a good gaming setup means more than just having the right hardware, it also requires the right gaming accessories. To get the most out of your setup, you should invest in a good gaming mouse, keyboard and headset. These accessories come in many shapes and sizes and you should be able to find something in your budget that fits your needs.
If you’re on the market for a good gaming mouse, consider investing in something with customizable buttons and an ergonomic design. Gaming keyboards also come in many shapes and sizes and you should find one that allows you to enjoy comfortable gaming sessions. Last but not least, a gaming headset will make a huge difference in your gaming experience, as it allows you to fully immerse yourself in the game and its soundscape.
What Else Should You Consider?
If you’re going to be gaming, you should consider investing in a good chair. A good chair not only offers comfort but also helps in supporting your back and preventing any long-term damage to your spine. Some chairs even come with built-in support for your wrists and arms, which is great for preventing any wrist-related problems in the long run.
You should also consider investing in a good monitor, depending on your budget. If you have the funds, a good monitor can help improve your gaming experience, as it will allow you to enjoy games at higher resolutions, with better colors and improved visuals.
Finally, you should also think about getting a good headset and tracking device to enjoy the full gaming experience. Having a good headset will give you a much better sound experience, as well as help you stay immersed in the game. Additionally, if you’re playing games such as VR titles, a tracking device will allow you to move freely within the game and explore the virtual world with more freedom.
