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As a gaming enthusiast, I understand the importance of having a powerful gaming PC. However, building a gaming PC can be quite expensive, especially if you want to have the latest components. In this article, I will show you how to build a cheap gaming PC for under $500. I will also explain why building a gaming PC is better than buying a prebuilt one, the components needed for a budget gaming PC, the best budget processor and motherboard for a gaming PC under $500, choosing the right graphics card for your budget gaming PC, considerations for RAM and storage in a budget gaming PC, building your budget gaming PC, prebuilt gaming PCs under $500, the best-prebuilt gaming PC under $500, and my final thoughts on building a cheap gaming PC under $500.
Why Building a Gaming PC is Better than Buying a Prebuilt One
Building a gaming PC is better than buying a prebuilt one for several reasons. Firstly, building a gaming PC allows you to customize your build to your desired specifications. This means that you can choose the components that best suit your gaming needs, which can result in a better gaming experience. Secondly, building a gaming PC is usually cheaper than buying a prebuilt one. Prebuilt gaming PCs often come with components that are not necessary for gaming, which increases the overall cost. Lastly, building a gaming PC is a fun and educational experience. You get to learn how to assemble components, troubleshoot problems, and optimize your PC for gaming.
Components Needed for a Budget Gaming PC
To build a budget gaming PC under $500, you will need the following components:
- Processor
- Motherboard
- Graphics Card
- RAM
- Storage
- Power Supply
- Case
Best Budget Processor and Motherboard for a Gaming PC Under $500
The processor and motherboard are crucial components of a gaming PC. For a budget gaming PC under $500, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G processor and the ASRock B450M-HDV motherboard are excellent choices. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is a quad-core processor with a base clock speed of 3.5 GHz and a boost clock speed of 3.7 GHz. It also has an integrated graphics card, which can handle most games at 720p resolution. The ASRock B450M-HDV motherboard is a micro-ATX motherboard that supports the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G processor and has four RAM slots, which can support up to 64GB of RAM.
Choosing the Right Graphics Card for Your Budget Gaming PC
The graphics card is one of the most important components of a gaming PC. For a budget gaming PC under $500, the AMD Radeon RX 570 graphics card is an excellent choice. The AMD Radeon RX 570 is a mid-range graphics card that can handle most games at 1080p resolution. It has 4GB of GDDR5 memory and a base clock speed of 1168 MHz.
Considerations for RAM and Storage in a Budget Gaming PC
RAM and storage are also crucial components of a gaming PC. For a budget gaming PC under $500, 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 240GB SSD are sufficient. DDR4 RAM is faster and more power-efficient than DDR3 RAM, and 8GB is enough for most games. A 240GB SSD is enough to store the operating system and a few games. You can always add more storage later if needed.
Building Your Budget Gaming PC
Building a budget gaming PC under $500 is not as difficult as it may seem. First, you need to gather all the necessary components. Then, you need to assemble them following the instructions provided with each component. Make sure to ground yourself before handling any components to avoid damaging them with static electricity. Once you have assembled your PC, you need to install the operating system, drivers, and games. There are plenty of online resources that can guide you through the building process.
Prebuilt Gaming PCs Under $500
If you don't feel comfortable building your own gaming PC, there are prebuilt gaming PCs under $500 that you can consider. These prebuilt gaming PCs come with components that are optimized for gaming and are ready to use out of the box. However, they may not be as customizable as building your own gaming PC.
Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $500
The best-prebuilt gaming PC under $500 is the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 3500 processor, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a 256GB SSD, and an AMD Radeon RX 550 graphics card. It also has a DVD writer, a USB-C port, and Wi-Fi connectivity. It is a great value for the price and is a good choice for casual gamers.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Building a Cheap Gaming PC Under $500
Building a cheap gaming PC under $500 is possible and can result in a great gaming experience. By choosing the right components and following the instructions carefully, you can build a gaming PC that can handle most games at 1080p resolution. However, if you don't feel comfortable building your own PC, there are prebuilt gaming PCs under $500 that you can consider. The HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop is a great choice for casual gamers. Remember to optimize your PC for gaming by updating drivers, adjusting graphics settings, and keeping your PC clean. Happy gaming!