I'm aiming to build a PC on a tight budget of about $200-$300. My use case isn't for heavy gaming like GTA V or Fortnite, but rather casual games such as Minecraft and Forza Horizon. I've got a list of components I'm considering, but I'm missing a few essentials like a CPU cooler, case, and power supply. I know I need to avoid a cheap power supply because a little outage could ruin everything, so I would appreciate suggestions for a reliable one. As for the motherboard, I'm pretty clueless and would love any advice on that as well—especially if it fits within this budget. I plan to add more RAM and a dedicated GPU in the future, so I just need something functional for now that can handle basic games with decent graphics. Please no console suggestions; I really want to make this PC work!
3 Answers
I recommend checking out PCPartPicker to find budget components! For the power supply, look for something reliable from brands like Seasonic or EVGA. Avoid generic brands if you can. A decent option might be an 80+ bronze certified PSU. Also, aim for a 512GB SSD instead of a smaller one; it'll make your system much faster.
If you're looking for a cheap motherboard, try the Gigabyte B550M DS3H AC—it usually goes for around half the price of what others are selling for. Also, some CPUs come with fans included, so you might not need to buy a separate cooler. Make sure to buy RAM in a kit for better performance too!
Solid tip about the fan! I'll definitely keep that in mind.
If you're working within that budget, try looking for a Ryzen 5 8600G. It's a little pricier but will allow for future upgrades with the AM5 platform. I currently use one, and it handles games like GTA V pretty smoothly at decent settings. Just remember, you'll want at least 16GB of RAM, especially since the integrated graphics borrow from system memory. Also, consider grabbing a B650M motherboard for added flexibility.
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll check out the Ryzen 5. Sounds like a solid start!
Good call on the SSD! I'll definitely go for a larger one if I can fit it in.