What’s the best gaming PC build for around $700?
Asked by
MellowPine47
I'm ready to build my first PC and have about $700 to spend. I'd like good image quality and high frame rates in most games, ideally around 1080p with settings near high. I'm new to choosing PC parts, so I'd appreciate advice on whether to build new or buy used, plus any recommendations for a balanced parts list.
Answers
A new build is possible, but you’ll need to make compromises. An AM4 setup with a Ryzen 5 5500 or 5600, an inexpensive B550 or A520 motherboard, 16GB of DDR4, a 500GB SSD, and a graphics card such as an RTX 5050 or RX 7600 can fit close to the budget. Make sure the RAM is two sticks rather than one when possible, since dual-channel memory helps performance. A 500GB drive will fill quickly, so plan to add more storage later.
Reply to this answer
Your location matters because prices and used-market deals vary a lot. Also remember that the $700 may need to cover Windows, Wi-Fi, peripherals, and possibly a monitor. If you already have those, put as much of the budget as possible into the graphics card. For 1080p gaming, a good midrange GPU paired with a Ryzen 5 processor is usually the best balance.
Reply to this answer
For roughly the same money, I’d consider buying several components used. A Ryzen 5 5500, 32GB of DDR4, a 1TB NVMe drive, and a used RX 6600 XT can make a much better gaming-focused system than buying every part new. Keep the power supply new or choose a reputable, well-reviewed model, since that’s not a part worth taking a major risk on.
Reply to this answer
At this budget, buying used is probably the best value. Look for a complete system with something like a Ryzen 5 3600 or 5600, 16–32GB of RAM, and a graphics card around the RTX 2060, RX 6600 XT, or better. A used $700 system with those parts should handle 1080p gaming around 100–144 FPS in many games, although newer titles may require some settings adjustments. Just test it in person and check the power supply before buying.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
QuietHarbor22: That’s the route I’d take too. I bought a used prebuilt, then gradually upgraded the graphics card, RAM, power supply, storage, Wi-Fi, and case. It worked well, but the upgrades eventually cost enough that I wish I had started with a better motherboard and platform.