I'm putting together my first PC and want to spend around $500. The parts I'm considering are an Intel Core i5-11400, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a B560M motherboard, and a 256GB SSD. I mainly plan to play Minecraft at decent settings. Will this setup run it smoothly, and is there anything I should change or know before buying? I don't currently have a dedicated graphics card.
3 Answers
For Minecraft alone, this should be workable because the i5-11400 has integrated graphics, so you don’t necessarily need a separate GPU. The main weakness is the 8GB of RAM. Minecraft can use several gigabytes by itself, so 16GB would make the system much more comfortable. If you stay with 8GB for now, limit Minecraft’s memory allocation to around 4–5GB.
I’d strongly recommend getting 16GB of RAM, preferably as two matching 8GB sticks so you can use dual-channel memory. You could start with one 8GB stick if prices are tight, but adding a second stick later would be a worthwhile upgrade. Also, 256GB of storage fills up quickly, so consider a larger SSD if your budget allows.
Since your budget is about $500, compare the total cost with a used or refurbished office PC that has similar specifications. You might be able to add a graphics card later, but check the power supply, case clearance, and available PCIe slot before planning that upgrade.
I don’t have a dedicated graphics card right now, so I was hoping the integrated graphics would be enough for Minecraft.