Building a Budget Gaming PC in 2023: Essential Components and Configurations
Building a budget gaming PC in 2023 can be a fulfilling and cost-effective endeavor. To ensure your gaming experience is top-notch and your system is future-proof, it's essential to choose the right components. This guide will walk you through the necessary parts for your build, aiming to deliver a gaming performance at or above AAA titles on medium settings while staying within a tight budget.
Best Components for Your Budget Gaming PC
When selecting components for a budget gaming PC, the processor, graphics card, RAM, motherboard, power supply, and storage are the key considerations. However, there's more to a successful build than just picking the right hardware. Let's explore the ideal components for your gaming needs in 2023.
Processor
The Ryzen 7 series or the more affordable Intel I5 13th generation are top choices for a budget PC. The Ryzen 7 series offers excellent performance at a reasonable price, making it a great option for multitasking and gaming. For a slightly lower budget, the Intel I5 13th generation is a solid choice that provides decent performance and value.
Graphics Card
A reliable graphics card is crucial for gaming. Options like the GTX 1660, RTX 3060, or RX 6600 are popular choices. These cards offer good performance, especially on medium settings for the latest AAA games. Recently, the MSI Ventus RX 6600 has been gaining recognition for its performance and affordability. MSI has a Black Friday special where the Ventus RX 6600 can be purchased at $189, making it a highly attractive option for budget-conscious gamers. This card pairs well with the Ryzen 5 5500, offering a solid balance of price and performance.
RAM
For your memory, the 2 x 8GB Crucial DDR4-3200 is a reliable choice. This 16GB configuration will provide enough RAM for your gaming needs, ensuring smooth multitasking and background processes. Prices for this RAM range from $50 to $60, making it a worthwhile investment for your budget build.
Motherboard
The motherboard is the backbone of your system. The ASRock B550M DS3H ATX is a top pick for its affordability and reliability. This motherboard supports PCIe 3.0, which is fast enough for current and near-future gaming. While the PCIe 4.0 standard is more desirable, PCIe 3.0 is more than sufficient for most users and offers excellent value.
Power Supply
Future-proofing your build with a more substantial power supply is wise. For this budget build, consider a 650W or 700W PSU for future upgrades. The Rosewill ARCTIC 450W 80 Bronze is currently available for $36, providing adequate power for your build and future-proofing potential. This power supply is efficient and reliable, ensuring your PC runs smoothly.
Storage
For storage, aim for a combination of SSDs and HDDs. The Crucial P3 500GB is an excellent choice for system drives, offering incredible read speeds at a great price. At $33, it's a steal for Black Friday. Additionally, a SATA SSD can be an upgraded 480GB Neo Forza for $24, providing more space for games and applications.
Casing and Additional Features
Completing your build with a stylish and functional case, such as the DIYPC BG01, is a good idea. This case offers reasonable pricing with features like front I/O ports that support two USB-2 and one USB-3 for easy mouse and keyboard swapping, while still allowing for a high-speed drive port. The Rosewill ARCTIC 450W 80 Bronze power supply is complemented by the DIYPC BG01 case, ensuring a clean and attractive build.
Building Your Budget Gaming PC
The components listed above can be assembled to create a powerful gaming PC at a reasonable cost. When you factor in the MSI Ventus RX 6600 at $189 and the Ryzen 5 5500 at $99, along with the SSDs and other essentials, the total cost comes to approximately $554. This represents a lot of PC for the money, offering impressive performance on medium settings and solid frame rates on the latest AAA games.
For those looking for a more powerful graphics card, a GTX 1660 SUPER could provide better performance, although it will come at a higher cost.
In conclusion, building a budget gaming PC is not only about the parts you choose but also about finding the right balance between performance and cost. With the components and configurations detailed in this guide, you can achieve a gaming experience that is both enjoyable and cost-effective in 2023.
Key Components Summary
Processor: Ryzen 7 series or Intel I5 13th generation Graphics Card: MSI Ventus RX 6600 (Black Friday Special $189) RAM: 2 x 8GB Crucial DDR4-3200 ($50-$60) Motherboard: ASRock B550M DS3H ATX Power Supply: Rosewill ARCTIC 450W 80 Bronze ($36) Storage: Crucial P3 500GB (Black Friday Special $33) 480GB Neo Forza SATA SSD ($24) Casing: DIYPC BG01 ($39 with shipping)Related Keywords
Budget gaming PC, PC components, Gaming setup