I'm 19 years old and earn about $17 an hour. I want to build a cheap PC for gaming, but I don't have any experience with PCs. I'm currently using a PS5 and want to try some games that are only available on computer, like Project Zomboid and Arc Raiders. I'm hoping to keep my budget under $500, ideally around $400. Since I'm still going to use my PS5 for most gaming, I need something that's affordable but effective for my needs. I would appreciate specific recommendations for parts and cases because I'm not familiar with the technical specs. Please explain everything simply, as I'm quite new to this!
3 Answers
Just a heads up, a $400-$500 budget is pretty low for gaming, so you won't get the same level of performance as your PS5. That said, there are still tons of indie games on PC that you can enjoy without high specs. I found some good build recommendations on Tom's Hardware that fit your price range, which could be helpful for you! Also, consider looking for a used Steam Deck; you might find a deal under $550. It's portable and has decent performance for gaming without the hassle of a full setup.
You might want to check out sites like PCPartPicker to help you find compatible parts for your build. Start by looking at the minimum and recommended specs for the games you're interested in; that way, you can tailor your setup to those requirements. Building the PC is usually the easy part, but understanding what parts are good quality can be a bit of a learning curve. I’d also suggest watching some video guides on building a PC. If you’re not comfortable with DIY, buying a used PC and upgrading parts could be a great way to learn.
If this PC is more of a side project, check out listings for used PCs on places like Facebook Marketplace. You can sometimes find a decent system for a good price and then upgrade components as you learn more about building.
Definitely check out building tutorials! They can really help you understand what to do. Plus, starting with a laptop means you might find some good tips online that can help with your future PC builds.