we are here to provide you with a comprehensive guide on the best gaming PC under $500 in 2023. In this article, we will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the best components to use for a budget gaming PC build that can handle most games with ease.
Building a gaming PC on a budget can be a challenging task, especially when you are trying to balance performance and cost. However, with the right components and some smart choices, you can build a capable gaming PC for under $500 in 2023.
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Budget gaming PC under $500 component details
1. Processor(CPU)
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The processor is the heart of any PC, and for a budget gaming PC, we recommend the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G(APU). This processor comes with integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which means you don't need a separate graphics card. It has a base clock speed of 3.6GHz and can be boosted up to 4.0GHz. This processor offers excellent performance for its price and can handle most modern games with ease. It has four cores and four threads, which is plenty for most modern games and general computing tasks.
2. Graphics Card(GPU)
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If you are looking for a budget-friendly graphics card, we recommend the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 super. This graphics card comes with 4GB of GDDR6 memory and offers excellent performance for its price. It can handle most games at 1080p resolution and offers a smooth gaming experience.
3. Memory(RAM)
4. Motherboard(Main-Board)
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We've chosen the ASRock B450M-HDV R4.0 Micro ATX AM4 motherboard for this build. This motherboard offers a great balance of features and affordability, making it an ideal choice for budget builds.
The ASRock B450M-HDV R4.0 supports the AM4 socket, which means you can use it with a wide range of AMD processors, including the Ryzen 3 3200G that we've chosen for this build. It also supports up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, which is plenty for most gaming and general computing tasks.
This motherboard comes with four SATA III ports, which means you can connect up to four storage drives, such as an SSD and an HDD, for ample storage capacity. It also has an M.2 slot, which allows you to install a super-fast NVMe SSD for lightning-fast boot and load times.
In terms of expansion slots, the ASRock B450M-HDV R4.0 has one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, which is ideal for installing a graphics card. It also has two PCIe 2.0 x1 slots, which can be used for other expansion cards, such as a Wi-Fi card or a sound card.
Overall, the ASRock B450M-HDV R4.0 Micro ATX AM4 motherboard offers a great balance of features and affordability. It's an ideal choice for budget gaming PC builds and provides ample room for future upgrades.
5. Storage
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6. Power Supply(PSU)
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7. Case
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performance
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 super graphics card is another essential component in this build. It can handle most games at 1080p resolution with ease and delivers a smooth gaming experience. You can expect high frame rates in less demanding games and stable performance in more demanding titles.
With 8GB of DDR4 RAM, you can expect smooth multitasking and excellent performance in most games. However, if you opt for 16GB of RAM, you can future-proof your build and enjoy even better performance in more demanding games and applications.
The combination of an SSD and an HDD provides you with fast boot times and quick loading times for your games. You can expect shorter loading screens and faster in-game performance with this setup.
Overall, this budget gaming PC build offers excellent performance for its price. It can handle most modern games at 1080p resolution with ease and delivers a smooth gaming experience. With the right settings, you can expect high frame rates in less demanding titles and stable performance in more demanding games.
Why AMD?
There are a few reasons why we've chosen the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G processor over the Intel Core i3 10400F for this budget gaming PC build.
Firstly, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G offers more affordable pricing while still delivering excellent performance. It has four cores and four threads, which is plenty for most modern games and general computing tasks.
Secondly, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G has an integrated graphics solution, which means you don't need to purchase a separate graphics card if you're on a tight budget. This can save you a significant amount of money and is ideal for gamers who don't need the highest-end graphics capabilities.
Lastly, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G uses the AM4 socket, which means you can upgrade to a more powerful processor later on without needing to replace your motherboard. This provides you with some flexibility in terms of future upgrades and can help you save money in the long run.
While the Intel Core i3 10400F is a capable processor, it's priced slightly higher than the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G, and it doesn't offer an integrated graphics solution. You'll need to purchase a separate graphics card, which can add to the overall cost of your build.
Ultimately, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G is an excellent choice for a budget gaming PC build, and we believe it offers better value for money than the Intel Core i3 10400F.
Upgradability
If you're looking for the best upgradable option for this budget gaming PC, then the first thing you should consider is the motherboard. The ASRock B450M-HDV R4.0 Micro ATX AM4 motherboard that we recommended is a great choice, as it is compatible with both AMD Ryzen 3000, 4000 and 5000 series processors. This means that you can easily upgrade your processor in the future without having to replace your motherboard.
Another important component to consider upgrading is the graphics card. While the Nvidia GTX 1650 Super or AMD Radeon RX 570 may be suitable for your current needs, upgrading to a higher-end graphics card such as the Nvidia GTX 1660 Super or AMD Radeon RX 580 can significantly improve your gaming performance. You can also upgrade to Nvidia's RTX series or AMD's higher-end cards. Just be sure to check that your power supply is capable of handling the higher power requirements of a more powerful graphics card.
In terms of storage, upgrading to an M.2 NVMe SSD can provide a significant boost in performance by reducing load times and improving overall system responsiveness. You can also consider adding more RAM, as having at least 16GB can be beneficial for gaming and other demanding applications.
Overall, the key to a good upgradable option for this PC is to choose components that are compatible with each other and with your desired future upgrades. By starting with a solid foundation and choosing components with upgradeability in mind, you can ensure that your budget gaming PC will continue to perform well for years to come.
$500 Custom Gaming PC vs Prebuilt PC
Custom Gaming PC:
For our custom gaming PC build, we chose components that offer good performance for the price. Our build includes an AMD Ryzen 3 3200G processor, an Nvidia GTX 1650 Super graphics card, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a 240GB SSD and 1TB HDD, and a budget-friendly ASRock B450M-HDV R4.0 Micro ATX AM4 motherboard. This build should be able to handle most modern games at 1080p resolution and medium to high graphics settings.
Prebuilt Gaming PC:
For our prebuilt gaming PC, we chose the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop. This system comes with an Intel Core i3-10100F processor, an Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 256GB SSD. While this system has a slightly larger SSD than our custom build, it has a lower-tier processor and graphics card, which may affect its gaming performance.
Comparison:
When comparing the two options, we can see that the custom gaming PC provides better value for the price. Our custom build includes a better processor and graphics card, which can provide better gaming performance. Additionally, our custom build includes a more upgradable motherboard, which can save money in the long run if you plan to upgrade your system in the future.
While prebuilt PCs may be more convenient, they often come at a higher cost due to the added labor and markups from manufacturers. Building your own custom PC may take a little more time and research, but it can provide better performance for the price and allow for more customization and upgradability.
In conclusion, if you're looking for the best value for a $500 gaming PC, building your own custom PC is the way to go. With a little research and patience, you can create a system that provides excellent gaming performance without breaking the bank.
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