How can I build the cheapest value for money gaming PC?
How can I build the cheapest value for money gaming PC?
You're looking to assemble your initial gaming setup. The cost-effectiveness of a gaming PC build depends on your budget and priorities, but generally, investing in quality components like a reliable CPU, fast RAM, and good graphics card will provide the best performance for your money.
Obtain a used or complimentary office computer and install an older GPU inside it. No matter the GPU market, this approach remains the most reliable. Affordable or free machines typically offer the greatest return on investment. Avoid searching for new models.
Don't rush this decision. I made a similar error seven years back. You don't require a silent power source for performance, do you? And a plain plastic enclosure works well and is affordable, isn't it? It's suitable for a few months, but then you'll notice the lack of quality and quiet operation. Spend your time earning the funds to create a solid setup, and you'll be much more satisfied. For gaming, I recommend a new Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5. Based on your screen size: GTX 1650 to GTX 1660 Ti for 1080p, RTX 3060 Ti or RTX 3070 for 1440p, and RTX 3080 or RTX 3090 for 4K. For AMD options: RX 6500 XT to RX 6700 XT for 1080p, RX 6700 XT or RX 6800 for 1440p, and RX 6800 to RX 6900 XT.
What's the most affordable choice? Are you considering Xbox or PlayStation? For a PC, things will be a bit more complicated due to the wide selection. Let's begin by understanding your requirements. What are your expectations for this build? What is your budget? (The most budget-friendly choice isn't always the top performer.) Do you already own any accessories? Are you also looking to purchase software, especially an operating system like Windows? Have you explored the available options and identified what you're looking for and what you're not? Do you value the look? Are you prepared to invest more if it means getting RGB, or are you prioritizing performance over that? The more detail you provide, the better we can tailor it.
Keep a small amount aside and choose reliable components. Power supplies come with 10-year guarantees, durable cases last a lifetime, and high-quality heatsinks remain effective indefinitely. Technology evolves quickly, so prioritize what fits your budget. Right now, the optimal setup seems to be a 12600k/5600x (only if you're close to a micro center, avoid paying 299) and a 3060/3060ti. A 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD should suffice.
It all comes down to the specific needs. What is your budget? Which games are you planning to play? What performance goals do you have in mind—target FPS, resolution, etc.? Which other programs will you be using alongside it? There’s no universal best value; even a 30-year-old PC bought for just a few euros could be incredibly valuable depending on your situation.
For 750$ you can assemble a solid PC without a dedicated graphics card. Choosing an Intel non-F CPU or an AMD G CPU gives you an integrated GPU, allowing you to run light games without a card until you upgrade. Which titles appeal to you? Doom might outperform the latest Tomb Raider in FPS on the same hardware, depending on resolution.
It won't work like that. A GPU capable of real ray tracing isn't feasible for 2060 or 3050, and a 3060 is essentially your full budget. You won't achieve your goals in any way. My advice would be to go with an AMD 5600G without a dedicated GPU right now, using the integrated graphics for now, and upgrade later when you have a better option.
I recently assembled a solid PC but might need to supply your own graphics card. The price is around RM3000 (about USD715). I’m unsure if that’s affordable, though I think it’s quite reasonable. Here’s what I received: CPU – Ryzen 5 3600 (not the newest, but still working fine. You could add a little more USD75 for a 5600G, which would eliminate the need for a GPU). RAM – two 8GB Patriot Viper 3200MHz units. Motherboard – AsRock B550M Steel Legend PSU: Silver Stone Aviva 500W (depends on your GPU, since mine is GTX1650, it’s enough). Case – a budget MATX model from Montech (no specific model remembered). Storage – Kingston NV1 500GB M2 SSD, OS – Windows 10 Home. Extras – two 12cm Silverstone basic fans (only power pins). I’m not sure if this fits everyone, as prices vary by region. You could adapt this guide and adjust as needed. Keep in mind, you’ll definitely need a GPU. AsRock B550M Steel Legend might be too much unless you don’t want to upgrade to Ryzen 7. If you’re not planning a future upgrade, a cheaper Asus Prime B550M-K would be better. I chose Steel Legend because it offers solid VRM, making it compatible with Ryzen 7 if needed.