Gaming PCs can get expensive quickly, but with some strategic part choices, you can build a capable budget gaming PC for under $800. This article compares budget gaming PC component options to help you maximize performance and value.
Budget Gaming PC Build Comparison
Here are two sample $800 gaming PC builds for 2024, with a breakdown of each component and price. The builds target smooth 1080p gaming at high settings in modern titles.
Build 1 – AMD Focus
[PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/yYz Chile-based)
| Type | Item | Price |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core Processor | $129.99 @ Amazon |
| Motherboard | MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $119.99 @ Amazon |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory | $59.99 @ Amazon |
| Storage | Western Digital Blue SN570 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $89.99 @ Amazon |
| Video Card | XFX Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Speedster SWFT 210 Video Card | $259.99 @ Amazon |
| Case | Cougar MX330 ATX Mid Tower Case | $54.99 @ Amazon |
| Power Supply | EVGA SuperNOVA GA 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply | $69.98 @ Amazon |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total | $784.92 | |
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-02-27 11:52 EST-0500 |
This build is focused on AMD components. It includes a 6-core Ryzen 5 5600 CPU, a B550 motherboard, 16GB of fast DDR4 RAM, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and a Radeon RX 6600 GPU. The total cost is just under $800.
Read Also: Linus Tech Tips Net Worth 2020:Linus Sebastian
Build 2 – Intel Focus
| Type | Item | Price |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor | $174.99 @ Amazon |
| Motherboard | MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard | $139.99 @ Amazon |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory | $59.99 @ Amazon |
| Storage | Western Digital Blue SN570 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $89.99 @ Amazon |
| Video Card | XFX Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Speedster SWFT 210 Video Card | $259.99 @ Amazon |
| Case | Cougar MX330 ATX Mid Tower Case | $54.99 @ Amazon |
| Power Supply | EVGA SuperNOVA GA 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply | $69.98 @ Amazon |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total | $849.92 | |
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-02-27 11:57 EST-0500 |
This Intel build uses a 12th-gen Core i5-12400F CPU with a B660 motherboard. It also has the same 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, GPU, case, and power supply as the AMD build for just under $850 in total.
Both builds feature modern quad-core CPUs, fast DDR4 RAM, PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs for quick loading, and capable GPUs for smooth 1080p gaming. The Intel build costs slightly more due to the higher price of the 12400F and B660 motherboards. However, both deliver excellent gaming performance per dollar.
Read Also: Top 4 Kenyan Billionaires From Kiambu County
CPU Options
The processor is one of the most critical components in a gaming PC. For budget gaming builds, good options under $200 include:
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600 – 6 cores, 12 threads, 3.5 GHz. Excellent performance for the price.
- Intel Core i5-12400F—6 cores, 12 threads, 2.5 GHz (4.4 GHz boost)—is a great value latest-gen option.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600 – 6 cores, 12 threads, 3.6 GHz. Solid, cheaper alternative.
AMD Ryzen CPUs offer the best performance per dollar, while Intel’s 12th gen chips are faster for gaming but cost more. The Ryzen 5 5600 is an excellent pick for budget gaming in 2024.
Motherboard Options
You’ll need a compatible motherboard for your CPU. Good budget options include:
Read Also: How to Write an Effective Business Plan: A Detailed Comparison
- B550 – For AMD Ryzen CPUs. Offers PCIe 4.0 support. The MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI is an excellent choice with built-in Wi-Fi.
- B660—This is for Intel 12th-gen CPUs and has PCIe 4.0 support. The MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI DDR4 is a good pick.
- B450—For AMD Ryzen on a tighter budget, the MSI B450M BAZOOKA MAX WIFI is a decent choice. It lacks PCIe 4.0 but costs less.
Aim for B550 or B660 boards for best future upgradability. B450 saves money but won’t support next-gen Ryzen CPUs.
RAM Considerations
- The sweet spot for budget gaming PCs is 16GB DDR4 at 3200MHz or higher. It provides enough RAM to game smoothly.
- 2x 8GB in dual channel – Using two RAM sticks enables dual channel mode for better performance.
- Corsair, G.Skill, Crucial – Major brands to look for. Corsair Vengeance LPX is a popular model.
16GB of fast DDR4 RAM from a reputable brand gives you plenty of memory to game and multitask.
Storage Options
You want a fast SSD and an optional hard drive for storage.
Read Also: Bill Gates Daughter Jennifer Engaged To Egyptian Millionaire Nayel Nassar
SSD
- 250GB-1TB NVMe SSD – NVMe drives offer blazing-fast speeds. 500GB-1TB gives you room for your OS and games.
- WD Blue, Crucial P2, Samsung 970 Evo – Quality budget models. The WD Blue SN570 is a good 1TB option under $100.
Hard Drive
- 1-2TB 7200 RPM hard drive – Optional for extra game storage. The Seagate BarraCuda Compute is a solid choice.
- Or larger SSD if affordable. A 2TB SSD may fit the budget and avoid needing a hard drive.
Go with a 500GB-1TB NVMe SSD for your main drive, with an optional 1-2TB HDD for more storage.
Graphics Card Options
GPUs play a significant role in gaming performance. Solid budget options for 1080p include:
- Nvidia RTX 3050 / 3060 – Newer models with DLSS and ray tracing. The 3060 delivers excellent 1080p performance.
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 / RX 6600 XT—AMD’s budget cards offer good value. The RX 6600 is a good 1080p pick under $300.
- Nvidia RTX 2060 is a capable last-gen option if found at a discount.
Aim for an RTX 3050 / RX 6600 level card for smooth 1080p gaming at high settings. The RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT provide even better performance if they fit the budget.
Read Also: Make Money Online: Affiliate Marketing And EPL/CPA
Case and Power Supply
You’ll want a roomy case with decent airflow and a quality power supply:
- ATX Mid Tower case – Provides good cooling and expansion room. Cougar MX330 is a budget option.
- 500-650W 80+ Gold PSU—Look for an efficient PSU from trusted brands like Corsair, EVGA, and SeaSonic. Aim for at least an 80+ Gold model.
- Modular or semi-modular PSU – Easier cable management. Fully modular supplies cost more but aren’t required.
Spend around $50-75 for a good case like the MX330 and $70-100 for a 550-650W 80+ Gold power supply. This ensures you have enough power and cooling for upgrades.
Peripherals
You’ll also need:
Read Also: “Hydrating And Guarding My Heart!” Trouble In Paradise For Betty Kyallo And Somali Boyfriend?
- Gaming monitor – A 1080p 144Hz monitor like the Asus TUF Gaming VG24VQ provides a smooth gaming experience.
- Keyboard and mouse—Budget gaming keyboards and mice are available from brands like Redragon. You can also try a combo like the Havit KB501L RGB keyboard + mouse set.
- Headset – The HyperX Cloud Stinger or Razer Kraken X are good starter gaming headsets.
Aim to budget about $200-250 for a 1080p 144Hz monitor and $50-100 each for an entry-level gaming keyboard, mouse, and headset.
Putting It All Together
Here’s an example of a complete budget 1080p gaming build, including OS, peripherals, and two alternate part lists:
Read Also: YouTube Success: How African Youths are Cashing In
| Type | Item | Price |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core Processor | $129.99 @ Amazon |
| Motherboard | MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard | $119.99 @ Amazon |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory | $59.99 @ Amazon |
| Storage | Western Digital Blue SN570 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive | $89.99 @ Amazon |
| Video Card | XFX Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Speedster SWFT 210 Video Card | $259.99 @ Amazon |
| Case | Cougar MX330 ATX Mid Tower Case | $54.99 @ Amazon |
| Power Supply | EVGA SuperNOVA GA 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply | $69.98 @ Amazon |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit | $108.78 @ Other World Computing |
| Monitor | Asus TUF Gaming VG24VQ 23.6″ 1920×1080 144 Hz Monitor | $199.00 @ Amazon |
| Keyboard | Redragon K582 SURARA RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard | $42.99 @ Amazon |
| Mouse | Logitech G305 (Black) Wireless Optical Mouse | $39.99 @ Amazon |
| Headphones | HyperX Cloud Stinger Headset | $49.99 @ Amazon |
| Total | $1225.67 | |
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-02-27 12:35 EST-0500 |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ 1: What is the best budget for a gaming PC in 2024?
For a capable 1080p gaming PC, aim for a $700-$900 budget. This allows you to get modern components like a 6-core Ryzen or Intel CPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a GPU like the RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT. You can build a viable budget gaming rig for under $800 2024.
FAQ 2: What CPU should I get for budget gaming?
Read Also: Eric Omondi: Wants To Reunite Eve Mungai, Director Trevor
The Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5-12400F are great budget options under $200 that deliver excellent gaming performance. For a cheaper alternative, the Ryzen 5 3600 also works well.
FAQ 3: Is an SSD or HDD better for gaming?
An SSD is strongly recommended as your primary drive for much faster loading and boot times. Add a 1-2TB HDD if you need extra storage for an extensive game library. A 500GB-1TB NVMe SSD is ideal for your OS and critical games.
Read Also: Building a Budget Gaming PC in 2024: Parts, Price, and Performance
FAQ 4: How much RAM do I need for gaming?
16GB of DDR4 RAM is the sweet spot for smooth gaming and multitasking. 8GB may be okay for some, but 16GB gives you comfortable headroom. 32GB is overkill for most gaming rigs.
FAQ 5: What GPU is best for 1080p gaming on a budget?
Read Also: Aga Khan University Hospital Luaches Home Care Services
Aim for at least an RTX 3050 or RX 6600-level GPU. Better options, like the RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT, deliver great 1080p performance on high settings. The GPU is where you should invest most of your budget.
FAQ 6: Is liquid or air cooling better for budget gaming PCs?
Air cooling is generally recommended for budget gaming builds. A good air cooler, like the Vetroo V5, costs under $30 and performs well. Liquid cooling tends to cost quite a bit more for only minor improvements.
Read Also: Using Data for Better Business Decisions: A Comprehensive Guide
FAQ 7: Should I build my PC or buy a prebuilt?
Building your own is best for maximizing value and customization if you’re comfortable assembling components. Decent prebuilt are available, but they often cut corners on parts.
FAQ 8: Will these parts be outdated soon?
Read Also: Benny Hinn Crusade: Funding Unclear, Rain of Blessing in Nairobi
PC components constantly improve, but a budget gaming build should provide excellent performance for at least 2-3 years. These parts offer great bang for buck that will hold up over time.
FAQ 9: Can I stream and game on a budget PC?
However, performance may suffer depending on game and stream settings. The recommended 6-core CPUs provide enough power for smooth concurrent streaming and gaming.
Read Also: Meet Kenya's Richest Kids Living Big Lives
FAQ 10: How can I get Windows 10 cheaply?
You can install and run Windows 10 for free with just a watermark. Or look for sales on legitimate licenses – authorized keys can often be found for $20-40 if you shop around.
In summary, prioritizing a 6-core solid CPU, 16GB of fast RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a solid budget GPU like the RTX 3060 will allow you to build an excellent 1080p gaming PC for under $800 that can also handle streaming and productivity. Focus on value parts rather than just raw power to maximize performance per dollar.
Read Also: “A MILLION DOLLAR WATCH” Check It Out
