PC games have a reputation for being very expensive. It's easy to search the Internet, find examples of high-end systems that can cost thousands of dollars to build. But the best gaming PCs aren't limited to what the 1% can afford.
To convince you, we'll show you how to build a cheap gaming PC that doesn't fear. The system we're going to guide you through won't be able to play 4K Control at maximum radio range, but 1080p at high settings? Easy.
If you build a system from new parts, you won't be able to beat the Xbox One X at the same price. 4K gaming is pretty much out of the question until you hit mid-range. You can fix this problem by picking up worn parts, but we don't recommend this if you're afraid that your PC components will spontaneously burn out.
But, the other benefits that a gaming PC can offer far outweigh the price increase. And even if PC games have a higher entry price, you'll save a lot of money on PC games over time.
So if you're ready to build a cheap gaming PC capable of handling modern AAA gaming in 1080p, you've come to the right place. We have selected the best PC components you can get cheaply, and we already have a guide to building a PC that is still totally valid - PC construction hasn't changed much in a few years. We've been building PCs for years, so you can be sure there are no compatibility issues with our suggested versions.
What you need
Despite what you may have thought, you don't need a lot of tools to build a cheap gaming PC. A Phillips screwdriver is the only absolutely necessary tool. However, there are a few things that can help you. Since you will have to deal with a lot of screws, having a coin tray helps a lot. If you don't have one of those hanging around (who can blame you), you can just use a few bowls to keep things in order.
Also, you should be aware of static electricity. An antistatic wrist strap is a godsend if you have one, but if you don't, make sure you don't stand on a mat during construction and discharge any latent static electricity by touching metal, like your power supply or your PC. Case.
But most importantly, you need a clean space to build. If you can clean the dining room table for a few hours, that's perfect. You just need enough space to hold all the components of your PC.
The parts
Today, there are so many PC components that you could theoretically build dozens of PCs without having the same parts list. Fortunately, we follow the components of the computer almost every day. So we used our experience to select the best components for your money for this cheap gaming computer. Why are these components the best choice for a budget computer built in 2019? And, once you've gathered all the best non-zero PC components, we'll show you how to build a PC.
(Image credit: AMD)
Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
Get a quad-core for little money
affordable
Includes letters on board
Not multi-threaded
This AMD Ryzen processor (CPU) is the holy grail of budget components. This is a quad-core chip clocked at 4.0 GHz, which would be sufficient for playing PC games only. The integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics card is where this chip really wins its budget rights. This integrated graphics processor (GPU) isn't powerful enough to play high-end games, but it should be enough to try out some of the best indie games while saving for robust graphics.
Alternate Intel: We suggest the Pentium G4560. It's just a dual-core chip, but with high clock speeds and hyper-processing, it can keep up with the latest PC games.
(Image credit: ASRock)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty B450 Gaming
You shouldn't have to open the piggy bank
Looks good for the budget
affordable
No overclocking
When choosing a motherboard, you don't want to skimp too much. This is one of those components where, in the event of a problem, you have to rebuild the entire PC. ASRock Fatal1ty B450 Gaming will get the job done while saving you a lot of money. It's not the most feature-packed motherboard, but you're just looking for a reliable card. Don't forget that you need to update the BIOS to at least P3.20 to use the Ryzen 3 3200G. But if you're not comfortable with it, you can always go for the Ryzen 3 2200G, you won't lose much performance.
Alternative Intel: If you use Team Blue, you can save a lot on motherboard by opting for the ASRock B250M-HDV motherboard. It is an older chipset, so you can find a good deal.
(Image credit: G.Skill)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V
affordable
Neat red cover
Only 2,400 MHz
For budget gamers, it is reasonable to keep 8GB of RAM. There are some heavyweight games that will really start to break this limit, but they are rare and sparse, especially at 1080p. So we recommend that you buy a G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4 8GB kit. It's not the fastest or the brightest, but it gets the job done.
(Image credit: Adata)
SSD: 800GB Adata Ultimate SU128
Super affordable
easy to install
Not the fastest SSD in the neighborhood.
A 128GB SSD may seem small to you, and it's true, but when you're just trying to create an affordable PC, it's perfect. The 800GB Adata Ultimate SU128 is large enough to install your operating system on your computer, which means that your computer will be nice and fast, and most importantly, it is very inexpensive. This record is only € 20, and you should be able to find it even cheaper during sales, such as Black Friday.
(Image credit: Western Digital)
Hard Drive: WD Caviar Blue 1TB
It's where your games go
Energy efficiency
Much space
Not as fast as an SSD
Unfortunately, SSDs are much more expensive than the best hard drives in terms of mass storage, that's the reality. That's why choosing a 1TB hard drive, like the WD Caviar Blue, makes perfect sense for a cheap gaming PC. You will install your operating system and maybe a game on your SSD, and everything else can go to your hard drive.
(Image credit: AMD)
Graphics card: AMD Radeon RX 570 8GB
Great 1080p performance
Don't collect too much power
Won't go to 1440p
When looking for the best graphics card for your version, the most important advice we can give you is to think about what you are looking for. Many people will tell you that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti graphics card is the best graphics card available on the market, but not everyone has $ 1,200 for a GPU. That is why the AMD Radeon RX 570 8GB is a gem. It's extremely affordable and should be sufficient to handle most 1080p games at high settings.
Alternative Nvidia: If you're looking for an affordable Nvidia card that offers significant benefits over AMD's Radeon RX 570, take a look at the GeForce GTX 1650. It's not very powerful, but it will help you beat your game.
(Image credit: Corsair)
PC case: Corsair Carbide 100R
extensibility
Decent air flow
A little ugly
With a PC case, you really don't need the cruelest tower to get the job done. And the Corsair 100R is a perfect example of a budget PC case that doesn't fear. There are not all the RGB lights and tempered glass panels that a more expensive case could have, but the important thing is that there is enough room for case fans and more than enough for full graphics cards if you want to upgrade later.
(Image credit: Corsair)
PC power supply: Corsair VS550
Do not go to burn your house
affordable
Not modular
When you plan to build a cheap, unaffected gaming PC, it's easy to find the cheapest power supply and start it up on your PC. But since it could literally be a fire hazard, you should at least find something like the Corsair VS550K. This low-wattage PSU is only over 80 efficient, rather than the more expensive Gold, Silver, or Bronze PSUs, but it should still be enough to get the job done. Don't forget that this PSU is not modular, so you may need to find a creative way to hide the extra cables.
Welcome to LaComparacion 2019 Computer Gaming Week. We celebrate the world's most powerful gaming platform with in-depth articles, exclusive interviews, and essential buying guides that showcase all of those PC games you can offer. Visit our Computer Game Week 2019 page to see all of our coverage in one place.