I'm looking to build a budget PC for $500 or less. I already have a PS5 Pro, so I'm not looking for a high-end gaming setup, but I want to be able to play newer simulation games like the recent ones that drop, along with some indie titles. It would be great if I could gradually upgrade the PC over time, but if that's not possible and I can just get a solid budget build, I'd be happy with that.
4 Answers
You could either go for a full build or buy used parts to assemble one yourself. There are often great deals available. For instance, I built a simple $300 PC for my media server and family gaming. It features a Ryzen 5 3600 and a GTX 1660 Super, and it handles most games just fine, even if it’s not for hardcore AAA titles.
Check out your local used market! Building a PC with new parts for under $500 often means you’ll have to make some pretty tough compromises. You might end up having to replace most of the components sooner than you’d like.
Thanks for the tip! I built a PC for my girlfriend last year for $900, and it runs everything perfectly, but I know prices have shot up since then. I'm just trying to keep costs down this time.
Absolutely agree, the used market can be a real lifesaver here. Look for a system with at least an 8th Gen Intel processor or Ryzen 3000 series. For the GPU, you should aim for at least a 2070 or an AMD 6700 to keep your options open for games.
I'll definitely take note of that! I usually hate buying second-hand tech, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Just keep in mind that super cheap builds and the ability to upgrade often don’t go hand in hand. However, if you spend a bit more on a good motherboard and cut costs in other areas like RAM, you might still be able to upgrade later.
That makes sense! I was thinking of investing a bit in the motherboard now and then upgrading the RAM later.
That sounds encouraging! I just wish I had a bit more knowledge about what to look for when buying components.