This post recommends the best gaming PC you can build for under $500. If you’re willing to spend a little extra on a pre-built machine, we recommend the iBUYPOWER Gaming PC Computer Desktop Element Mini 9300. It’s powered by one of AMD’s 3rd-gen CPUs - the Ryzen 3 3100, an RX 550 GPU, 8GB of RAM, Wi-fi, and a 240GB SSD storage solution.
First-time custom PC builders can find the entire process a little intimidating, it's OK though, we've all lived through those head-scratching days. That's why we've created this easy to follow guide to the best budget gaming PC under $500. It will ensure you have all the tools you need to create the perfect gaming rig for your needs. Furthermore, with this budget build, you’ll be able to enjoy all your favorite AAA games without breaking the bank. Whether you choose Intel or AMD, both have the capacity to achieve an immersive gaming experience across a number of platforms and game styles.
Build Overview
In the modern age of computing and technology, many will be surprised at what a $500 budget can get you. Long gone are the days of console domination, you can now get a PC for under $500 that can pretty much hold it's own against any of the top console contenders. With that, let's take a closer look at what makes this build, what we can expect in terms of performance, and what compromises were made along the way to stick to that strict price budget.
Budget - As you can imagine, putting together the best custom PC build for under $500 was no easy task. Many compromises were made along the way to be able to extract the maximum level of performance out of this build. Let's start with the hard drive. Unlike our $400 build, the $500 only comes with 240GB of SSD storage. Even though this is a sizeable chunk smaller, it was still worth reducing in order to accommodate the RX 570 GPU. This is where the main performance difference between the $400 and the $500 builds comes from.
The case was another area of compromise. We had to go for the Thermaltake Versa H22 over something a little more aesthetically pleasing. Even though we compromised on looks, we still wanted to use a case that was user-friendly and easy for first-time builders to use. The Thermaltake ticked all the right boxes in this department.
Performance - From a performance standpoint, both AMD and Intel builds are pretty closely matched here. As a collective, we'd expect them both to be able to handle 1080p/60FPS gaming across the most popular AAA game titles. We can thank the quality of modern-day CPUs and the powerful GPU for these build characteristics. Furthermore, both showcase excellent multi-tasking and workload tasks such as video editing and image rendering. The AMD build is better equipped for these kinds of tasks, but both can perform them to acceptable levels. You wouldn't want to go too hard on the rendering though.
AMD Vs Intel - The AMD motherboard is a new MSI ProSeries MAX B450 which comes with Ryzen 3rd Gen support. This means the AMD build is fully ready for future upgrades when the day arrives. The Intel comes with an equally impressive CPU and a like-for-like motherboard. Both CPUs should push the GPU to its limit and you won't be in danger of bottlenecking anytime soon.
You'll probably notice that the Intel build is a fair bit more expensive than the AMD, and that's simply down to Intel products being more expensive than AMD's right now. It's a real struggle to piece together an Intel build that lives up to our performance requirements and is future-proof. We toyed with the idea of using an 8th gen CPU, but overall we found it just wasn't up to scratch with our needs.
How We Choose the PC Components
Here at WePC, we have years of experience building computers and giving advice to friends, families and our readers. All of our build recommendations have been carefully researched, utilize similar builds we have completed ourselves in the office or for personal use and most importantly are built with budget and performance in mind. We work tirelessly to ensure our builds are up to date, efficient and offer high performance to the lucky reader who is going to build it.
We don't just use our own knowledge and experience, we also keep up to date with the latest tech in our industry and use various benchmarks to allow us to quickly compare multiple components. We also check our builds daily, to ensure everything is still in stock and the price still offers you the best bang for the buck. We are here to support you.
How We Test the PC Components
We build each of our selected PC’s from scratch to make sure all the parts we recommend work well together, fit into the selected case, and provide the best performance possible for the price range.
Once built, the PC’s are used in the office for everyday work as well as a range of games from light to heavy-duty. While we test, we also run benchmarking tests to see how well our builds perform, all while keeping an eye on the temperature of the components themselves.
We tested our AMD builds against their Intel counterparts and found that these CPU’s performed better across the board, and for a lower price. This is why we only recommend an AMD version.
We know how much some of our readers enjoy overclocking their PC’s, so we made sure to test that out too. So, you can feel safe knowing that these machines can be pushed beyond their basic capabilities. But, please make sure you know how to overclock before trying to over-task your builds.
NOTE: Due to the ongoing effects of the global coronavirus pandemic, some retailers are experiencing stock issues. WePC constantly updates our pages to reflect current availability, so if the PC or part you want shows as out of stock, check back later or check out these alternatives.
The Best Budget $500 Gaming PC Update:
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
The Ryzen 5 1600 provides great all-around performance at a fair price. It also avoids bottlenecking the strong GPU in this build.
XFX Radeon RX 560
The RX 560 is one of the best budget gaming GPU in today's market which still provides fantastic performance.
XPG GAMMIX D20 3200MHz 16GB (2x8GB)
With a full 16GB of fast RAM, this powerful $500 build has the ability to multitask and game at the highest level for its price range.
ADATA SU635 240GB
This 240GB of SSD storage should be a great starting point, loading games, and applications ultra fast.
Thermaltake Smart 500W
We've gone for a non-modular 500W PSU for this build, with the build quality that comes from Thermaltake.
ASRock B450M PRO4
A fantastic, reliable motherboard at an affordable price with plenty of features.
Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L
An astonishingly cool (aesthetically and literally) budget case that dominates other value options in the same price range.
Build Details
If you want a good cheap $500 dollar gaming pc, you’re in the right place. Now, let’s hop into the belly of this beast.
AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 is a solid budget CPU. Thanks to the introduction of their Ryzen 3000 Zen 2 CPU’s, you can now get even better value for your money. I know, god bless the processor war.
This processor comes to shelves boasting 6 cores and 12 threads clocked at a base speed of 3.2GHz, more than enough to handle the most popular AAA game titles out there. That being said, it can be boosted to 3.6GHz with AMD’s precision boost. It has been custom designed for gamers and has superb single-core performance, perfect for games. The multi-threaded nature of this CPU also makes it a stand out performer when it comes to multi-tasking, giving you a better experience with heavy workload tasks on a budget. All-in-all, a fantastic CPU at an affordable price tag.
The RX 560 might not be the best card on the market, but it’s still considered one of the top budget GPU in this price range – coming equipped with all the punching power of its master, the RX 570. This GPU can easily provide 1080p 60fps in most modern games on max settings following our benchmark stress tests and will easily max out older games as well. One thing worth mentioning, however, is how the RX 570 isn’t quite ready for VR gaming or higher resolutions. It can handle some lesser intensive VR titles but doesn’t provide you with that immersive experience you would want. Certainly forgivable for a budget card under $200 though. Its performance is far above that of the PS4, and around that of the PS4 Pro. If you’re looking for the best graphical performance you can get for around $150 then look no further. The XFX RADEON RX 560 offers superb aesthetics, excellent performance power, and an efficient cooling solution to boot.
XPG GAMMIX RAM kit offers 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which should be more than enough for most gaming and multitasking scenarios. It displays solid value for money and the slight bump in clock speed naturally makes it better than a lot of entry-level DDR4 RAM kits you’ll find out there. As many will likely know, Patriot has a proven track record of providing products with fantastic performance and reliability, their RAM is no different and is one of a few go-to brands that we use here at WePC.
As with most budget builds, compromises have to be made to ensure the performance power is up to scratch. With our $500 custom build, the storage capacity has taken a slight hit. We had to opt for the 240GB Adata SSD to make sure we have enough room in the budget for the bolstered RX 570 GPU. That being said, it’s still an SSD that offers rapid load/boot times. Furthermore, as a first-time gamer, 240GB is going to be enough for your operating system and primary games so I wouldn’t worry too much. All being said, you will need to upgrade your capacity at some stage. Luckily you can pick up an HDD for around $50 which should serve you well as a backup library.
For a custom build at this price range, the ASRock B450M PRO4 motherboard is pretty much perfect. It might not be a premium motherboard but it still offers a bunch of features and is ready for upgrades when the time comes. Furthermore, you don’t yet have the budget to get the components to justify something more expensive at this price range anyway. Motherboards also don’t really affect gaming performance at all, so it fits into this build nicely.
The Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L PC Case is a brilliant example of quality on a budget. It comes to shelves offering great airflow, a clean and user-friendly design, and a bunch of build-friendly features as well. It’s a pretty rock solid case that should last you for the foreseeable future too with a 120mm rear case fan pre-installed. It may not be one of our best PC cases, but it certainly offers everything you’d need for this build at an affordable price tag.
Things To Consider
At this stage in the article, you should have a pretty good idea of whether or not this build suits your needs. We've discussed exactly what this build offers in terms of performance, and have gone into more detail on how each of the hardware choices impacts this build. Now, let's go over the areas which need to be considered before buying this build.
Below, we have listed the most important areas of a prebuild. Let's waste no further time and get straight into it.
Budget
One of the most important areas to consider before any PC purchase is the budget. By that, we mean will you be able to build a PC that meets your performance requirements with that budget. Some people think $500 is going to buy you the ultimate gaming computer that smashes VR and 4k gaming at 100FPS. Unfortunately, that isn't the case.
That being said, we've custom-designed these PCs to be able to handle AAA game titles in 1080p. FPS will vary as some games are more taxing than others, but for the most part, playable FPS is achievable if you have the settings optimized just right.
Upgradability and Future-proofing
Another major player in a custom PC build is how easy you can upgrade it down the line. As most will already know, technology is moving quicker than ever and games are now increasing in both computational demand and size. For that reason, we've built this PC with both upgrades and future-proofing in mind.
Both builds have CPUs that should serve you well for the next couple of years straight off the bat. However, the motherboards have been chosen as they can accommodate a number of extra storage drives, more powerful GPUs, better CPUs, and additional RAM if you feel the need to increase.
Overclocking
We all understand what overclocking is, it's a way of increasing the performance of your build by manually boosting the clock speed, voltage, and timings of your hardware (all at no extra cost might I add). However, what many don't know is that not all hardware is geared towards overclocking. Just ask our friendly video guy that pushed an entry-level motherboard too far recently.
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, you need to be careful when overclocking your hardware. Our build is geared towards light overclocking and will respond to manual overclocking if a better CPU cooler is fitted. That being said, both these chips have been pretty well optimized so extracting any real-world performance gains might be a little tricky.
Ease of building
As a first-time builder, you always want to consider how difficult the build might be to put together. We've opted for the Thermaltake Versa H22 as it offers nice build quality and it helps simplify the build process. Cable management was, to our surprise, fairly easy to tidy up and pre-installed standoff screws made the entire process move along much quicker.
We used an iFixit PC building toolkit to help with the assembling of this build. It's also worth mentioning that an anti-static wristband is advised for first-time builders as it completely eradicates any possibility of static damage.
Non-Gaming Performance
Remember, this build isn't solely designed for gaming, even though that is its main purpose. We've also taken into consideration its ability to handle stressful workstation tasking and multi-tasking processes. Thanks to the impressive CPU and RAM pairing this build should be able to handle tasks such as live streaming and video editing with no problem what so ever.
Of course, browsing and media tasks don't phase this build, however, where you will start to see diminishing performance is when rendering large video files. If you plan on doing that sort of thing, I would recommend upgrading the processor to something a little beefier. Maybe the 9600K for example.
Aesthetics
Finally, we have the aesthetics of the build. Aesthetics are usually one of the first things to be sacrificed in a budget build as stylish designs usually come with a premium price tag. Unfortunately, this build comes with the Thermaltake Versa H22 which, if truth be told, isn't the most attractive looking case we've ever seen. That being said, where it falls short on aesthetics, it makes up for in its user-friendly design.
Calculating The PSU Wattage
Making sure your PSU provides the correct amount of wattage to your custom build PC is an essential part of the build process. For that reason, we've created a handy PSU calculator which will work out exactly what PSU wattage your components require - no matter how many changes you make.
What games can this PC run?
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive - 1920x1080 Low 135FPS average
- Dota 2 - 1920x1080 High 105FPS average
- Fortnite - 1920x1080 High 100FPS average
- Rocket League - 1920x1080 High Quality 140FPS average
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege - 1920x1080 High 80FPS average
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds - 1920x1080 High 75FPS average
- Overwatch - 1920x1080 Epic 110FPS average
- Warframe - 1920x1080 High 120FPS average
- GTA V - 1920x1080 Very High 70FPS average
- Forza Horizon 4 - 1920x1080 Ultra 75FPS average
- Monster Hunter: World - 1920x1080 High 60FPS averag
- Hitman 2 - 1920x1080 High 60FPS average
- The Witcher 3 - 1920x1080 High 70FPS averag
- Total War: Warhammer II - 1920x1080 High 50FPS average
Achieving 60FPS in nearly all single-player games at a resolution of 1920x1080 and high graphical settings, our $500 build is capable of playing some of the most demanding games. Total War: Warhammer II is too much for the RX 570 in this title, so if you’re looking for that 60FPS sweet spot in this highly demanding RTS game, you’d be better served with our $600 build.
The more expensive build will also allow for higher framerates or let you crank the resolution or graphical settings higher for a more immersive experience. Online competitive games obviously pose no issue this custom build, at worst producing 75FPS on average in the poorly optimized PUBG. Our $500 build is a massive step-up from the $400 build thanks to the dedicated graphics card and six-core Ryzen processor pairing.
Prebuilt Gaming PC Under 500 dollars
So, you've got this far and you're now thinking, all this PC building malarky seems like a big ask, would it not be easier to buy a ready-made PC? And the simple answer is yes, probably.
The issue with a prebuilt, as many will already know, is you pay a premium for the luxury of not having to assemble the parts yourself. So, ideally, you’d want to build a cheap gaming PC yourself and save money in the process (or get better value for your budget). However, some people aren’t comfortable even trying to build their own gaming PC, and for those folks, here are our best-prebuilt options for the $500 budget.
If that’s the case for you, then don’t worry. Here are some options for you:
Upgrade Path
Our best budget gaming PC in the $500 price range is already a potent machine on its own, but what if by making a few tweaks and pushing your budget ever so slightly you could improve the performance considerably.
Rhetorical question. This is PC gaming. Of course, you want to do that.
NOTE: These will raise the price of the build!
For a graphical punch that will surpass that of the PS4 Pro, bump up your GPU to a GeForce GTX 1660 Super. The 1660 Super is more than enough to thrash games at 1080p High/Max, and is a worthy upgrade for this build and shouldn’t be bottlenecked by the 8100 CPU. If you’d like even more graphical power, I’d recommend taking a look at the RTX 2060 and the $800 Gaming PC. However, note that such a massive leap in performance will come with a similarly massive leap in price.
The build features some fast SSD storage but you may need some extra HDD space for all your other files. This 2TB barraCuda will certainly do the trick, giving you plenty of storage to load the majority of your media files and possibly some games on too. If you’re just getting into PC gaming, chances are you don’t have a large enough Steam library to stuff this full of games. By the time you’ve built that library, you should have the money to get another HDD as a storage upgrade. MORE: Best Gaming Hard Drives
If you want to reach the Thermaltake’s full potential we recommend kitting it out with 2 of these, relatively cheap, additional fans. With all 5 fans installed you will reap the rewards of Thermaltake’s brilliant design which has been engineered to enhance cooling. MORE: Best Case Fans
Operating System & Peripherals
Ideally, you’d already have some or all of these things before buying the best gaming computer under $500. Unfortunately, we don’t always live in an ideal world, so we’ve provided this section just in case you need it.
Operating System
While your computer is a very powerful machine, it’s unfortunately capable of very little without an operating system. Operating systems, such as Windows are used by the PC to provide a standard environment for applications and user interactions. So, make sure you buy a Windows 10 license. Alternatively, if you would prefer a Windows copy on DVD then you can purchase this from Amazon. If you want to do PC gaming, Windows is your best option. If you’ve purchased a retail Windows license for one of your previous PCs, you should be able to transfer that license to your new build.
Windows 10
For the best gaming performance and general compatibility, Windows 10 is your best option. If you already have a retail-bought Windows license on another PC, you should be able to transfer over your installation with little-to-no issues. If you don’t, however, you’re probably going to have to fork out for the cost of a brand new Windows 10 installation. If that is the case we recommend using the Windows 10 USB Flash Drive. It allows you to install Windows directly from a Flash Drive, rather than needing a DVD drive. If you are looking to protect your system you may want to include an antivirus program too.
Mouse and Keyboard
In the competitive community, the difference between winning and losing can literally come down to the peripherals you have chosen. For that reason, the team has put together a list of peripherals that suit this builds price range.
Let’s take a look at what’s going to give you the edge over your competition.
Razer Deathadder v2
The Razer Deathadder V2 is insanely good value and for that price, you will be getting one of the best shapes on offer for gaming. This ergonomic mouse has been designed with comfort in mind, it features more than enough DPI for anyone and boasts a seriously good optical sensor. If you would prefer to cut the cord and go wireless then take a look at some of our wireless recommendations here. Alternatively, you can view some of our more budget mice picks here. MORE: Best Gaming Mice
Redragon K556 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The Redragon K556 is an entry-level mechanical gaming keyboard. If you’re serious about writing or gaming, a mechanical keyboard is a necessity. A nice mechanical keyboard under the $50 price range with some impressive features too! The board features RGB, Macro customization, quick clicky Blue switches, and simple yet stylish design. This is a TKL board so there is no number pad and if you think you would prefer a number pad then maybe consider some premium alternatives.
SteelSeries QcK Gaming Surface
The Steelseries Qck gaming surface is largely considered to be one of the best and most comfortable pad’s available in today’s market. The QcK has been specifically designed with gamer’s in mind and the tightly woven fabric has been optimized for control and speed. A great pick. MORE: Best mousepads of 2019
Razer Gaming Bungee V2
The Razer Gaming Bungee V2 is a solid bungee from Razer, It eliminates drag from your mouse cable which enhances your gaming experience. MORE: Best Gaming Bungee’s
Monitor
No one wants to be in a situation where they’ve invested in a great gaming PC and discover they have no way to actually play the video games they paid for. If you don’t have an old monitor or HDTV sitting around, here’s our monitor recommendations.
They have been custom selected to match the performance power of the custom build.
ASUS VG278Q 27"
The ASUS VG278Q is a 144Hz monitor with a very generous 27″display. This is the largest display in the Nitro range and we have already had good things to say about the smaller 24″ version so with this having more features for gamers it should stack up fairly well. It currently features in our best gaming monitors for under $300 article and for good reason. It has everything a gamer would want and comes at an affordable price point, what more could you ask for?
Sound Options
Another important part of your gaming experience is your audio! A lot of work goes into soundtracks and sound design in video games and if you want to enjoy that side of things, you’ll need good enough sound hardware to do it. Here are a few recommendations to start you off!
Creative Inspire T12 2.0 Multimedia Speaker System
Some great speakers to start out with are the Creative Inspire T12 Speakers. At just under $45, these provide a high-quality audio experience without breaking the bank. While you’ll still need to buy better speakers for things like surround-sound and a subwoofer, the T12 set will be perfectly fine for getting you started listening to music and watching your films. MORE: Best Speakers
HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset
A good gaming headset to start with is the HyperX Cloud Stinger! With great build quality, directional audio and a built-in mic, you’ll be ready to communicate with your teammates in-game and destroy rivals. This is a solid headset from HyperX but if you are after a more premium audio experience then check out some of its competitors.
Getting Online
Last but not least, let’s talk about actually getting online. You have two options: Wi-Fi or Wired.
ASUS PCE-AC56 PCI Wireless Express Adapter
For WIFI go with the Asus AC56 PCI Adapter. It supports all the latest Wi-Fi standards, has good reviews, and comes at a great price!
Wired (Ethernet Cable)
With Wired, you’ll want to invest in an ethernet cable. A high-quality 25 foot ethernet cable off Amazon will only run you $8, and for your trouble with wires, you’ll enjoy much more stable network performance in your games.
Building Tips
So, finally, you've arrived at the section in this article which hosts a whole bunch of helpful building tips if you're a beginner builder.
We know there's a lot of common mistakes that rookies make when PC building (it’s just part of the learning process) and that’s why we wrote a guide to nip that in the bud. For you to successfully build your $500 gaming PC, you need the right guide to do it correctly and efficiently.
Before you even get there, though, we know you’ll have a lot of questions. And, well, we’ve already answered a lot of commonly asked PC building questions here.
Install OS Via USB
We’ve already recommended which OS you should use, but now let’s talk about installation. Don’t spend extra on having a disc shipped to you or buying a disc drive when you can just install your operating system via USB.
To install Windows 10 over USB, download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool onto a 4GB+ USB stick. For Linux distributions, use UNetbootin or Rufus instead.
Invest In Anti-static Equipment
Alright, time to get serious about Static Shock (+20 internet nostalgia points if you remember this cartoon).
If you electric discharge while assembling your rig, you could ruin your components! While this is a rare occurrence that can be avoided with the right grounding practices, you can save yourself a lot of stress by just investing in some cheap equipment.
An anti-static mat or an anti-static wristband will help you avoid tragically frying your electronics while assembling them. If you only buy one, we recommend the wristband. It may cost a little extra, but that is worth the peace of mind while building your gaming PC.
Be sure to check out our how to correctly use an anti-static wristband guide if this is your first time using it.
Watch Our PC Building Guide
Our WePC budget PC build video guide will walk you through every step of the PC building process. From installing your CPU and thermal paste to installing the motherboard and doing the cable management, we have you covered.
If you supplement it by paying close attention to the instruction manuals included with your new components, then everything should go right.
You’ll find that most of the difficulty involved in PC building is being careful and being patient. In other words, it’s pretty much the same skillset involved in making great Lego creations. Good luck with the standoff screws, though. Those suck.
If you’re still overwhelmed by the entire process, then you might find our comprehensive guide on How to Build a Gaming PC useful. This guide covers everything from planning a budget to long-term computer maintenance.
Closing Thoughts
So, there you have it, our comprehensive guide to the best custom gaming PC for under $500. If you’re looking for a PC that’s geared up towards 1080p gaming and gives an immersive experience then look no further, this PC does it all. Even though some compromises were made along the way, we think you’ll be more than happy with the performance power of this console killer.
Why not leave us a comment letting us know what you think of this build, or, better yet, jump on over to our community page and start a thread of your own!
I was wondering if this pc can handle minecraft well ?
Hey,
Should have picked up the 3 3100 befor Black Friday, now they’re sold out everywhere. 🙁 kid wants to play fortnite, maybe call of duty. Found a used Ryzen 7 1700 for cheap, do you think it would work for his needs? Thanks for any help you can give!
I can’t get some of these things in my country for instance the case isn’t in my country so i was wondering If i order it from UK or USA would there be anything different?
Hi Charlie,
I’m thinking about buying this 600$ pc build. I noticed that this build recommends a 240gb SDD, just wondering how easy it is to upgrade storage later if needed?
Extremely easy. You’ll be able to install numerous other SSD’s or a 3.5″ HDD if you want some more budget-oriented.
Just bought this ($500) build for my sons 11th birthday. He is super excited to get started. Stay tuned…
Thanks Troy, will do!
Hey Charlie, I was wondering what overclocking and how to do it but was also wondering if the 500 dollar build can support games like cod warzone. Thanks.
In the future, we’ll be adding overclocking potential to each of the builds. However, to answer your second question, when we tested Modern Warfare we found it could run at 70FPS average on 1080p high settings. That’ll translate to pretty similar FPS when playing warzone – with some FPS dips here and there.
The build went perfectly (11 year old birthday gift) He says he is averaging 170fps on fortnite. he loves it and is now using it as a school pc as well.
I am buying another $500 build for my 14 year old (who was jealous) for Christmas. Thank you! (I have 5 kids so you’ll be hearing from me again…
Hello, first time pc builder here. i decided to remove the Gpu, since its not in my price range and i later found out that the Ryzen could make up for the graphic without needing to have the gpu. is that a wise thing to do? and when it comes to the motherboard im a little worried because i went into pcpicker and put everything together but it kep saying that the bios needed some update and all that, did you guys think about this when you decided to put this build together?
Hi Sam, hope you’re well. When the Ryzen chips first came out back in July of 2019, motherboards like the ASRock B450 did require a BIOS update to enable support for the latest 3000 series CPUs. However, since then, over a year later, all the B450s roll out BIOS versions that support this CPU lineup. So to answer your question, you will not need a BIOS update for this motherboard and CPU to be compatible :]
Can I replace the chip amd ryzen 5 2600 instead of ryzen 5 3400g?
You certainly could my friend
Can I downgrade the board to an A320 and the RAM to 2x4gb 2666mhz with this build to further save me money? Can the CPU and GPU still perform its best with those? Thanks.
I dont think the A320 supports this CPU. So, no. I would not advise doing that.
can this run warthunder at 60fps?
You’ll be able to get the game running, yes. It won’t push amazing frames and you’ll probably have to reduce the settings though.
Is the pre-installed fan in the thermaltake versa h15 case enough or do I need to buy more fans?
You’ll get away with just using the preinstalled fan. However, adding a secondary exhaust will create better airflow, so it’s really up to you. A second fan is not essential though.
Thanks!!
Anytime buddy.
Hello, everywhere I look it says that the motherboard might need a bios flash. Using the ryzen 3 3100. Is that something you had to do or is there another motherboard that I wouldn’t have to flash?
Please could you update the list of components, whenever i try and buy them on amazon it puts everything in the cart except for the PSU and the MOBO, i then tried searching them and still nothing, please help
Hi Sebastian, Check my previous reply :]
Hello when I click order on Amazon it doesnt show the GAME MAX power supply 650w and the ASRockB450M pro 4, should I just wait until the next update of this page or what should I do?
Please help me when i click order on amazon it only shows 5 of the things i need to buy. what do i do?
Does this mean that they are out of stock and that i should just wait until you update the list
Hi Sebastian, We update the builds on a daily basis to make sure all the hardware is in stock. If you look now, everything should be in stock :]
Hi Charlie. I feel like this couldn’t have happened this time around. It says this was updated yesterday at the top and the parts list says today, yet I can’t find the 3100 for its normal non-scalper price anywhere. The RX 570 is $209 and hasn’t been anywhere near $150 since Sept (at least on AMZ). All parts minus the processor come to $484 already. This puts the build well over $500. Can someone take a look at this and suggest changes? Thanks!
Any suggestions for an alternative motherboard? The B450M PRO4 is currently sold out on Amazon. Thanks!
Check stock levels now Emilio, we have recently changed some components!
Hi!
A first time builder here and I used this build and am very happy with it; however, I’m looking to upgrade this PC build. What would be the first two pieces you would recommend upgrading to enhance performance? I already have upgraded the SSD but I’m not sure what I should upgrade and to keep everything compatible.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Hi Dylan, if you want better gaming performance, I would definitely start with a new GPU. This will undoubtedly improve your gaming experience the most. However, if you want to improve workstation type performance, you probably want to look at a new CPU with a higher core/thread count.
May I know if this mobo and CPU can handle 3200mhz ram? How can I maximise the ram speed? I’m looking to buy mobo as I have 2x8gb 3200mhz ram and ryzen 5 2600.
The new line of B550s which are now in the builds allow for up to 4733MHz OC+ RAM. So, you’re good to go my friend :]
Oh, I didn’t notice the mobo has changed. Last I checked this page it was MSI b450m pro-m2 max. So will the MSI board able to maximize the 3200mhz ram with the 2600 cpu? Appreciate the reply
Yea the new motherboard supports up to 4733mhz RAM! Hope this helps buddy.
Hello, so I build my first pc. Everything is fine but the GPU. I bought the rx570 card and it has some problems. First time I installed the latest AMD driver, I can’t even run a single game without crashing (black screen, multicolor screen, frozen screen). Other tasks seems fine except for gaming.
So after many read online, I had to install the older version of the driver. So the games are working but, whenever I open my web browser, it keep on crashing. I turned off the hardware acceleration on my browser and still the problem remains. It’s so frustrating as this is my 1st build but I can’t seem to make it work. Do you have any advice on how to fix my issue? Thanks.
Mobo: Asrock B450m pro4
CPU: R5 2600
GPU: RX570 4GB
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 2x8gb 3200mhz
SSD: Adata SU635 480GB
PSU: Corsair CV Series 550W
hmmmm not really heard of that one before. Are you sure it’s a GPU issue? I’d try removing the RAM and replacing it first. That can cause those types of problems. Next, it might be worth sending the GPU back as it may be faulty. If you get another and the problems still occur, then you know there’s an issue with the system.
I borrowed a GPU from a friend and I don’t have any issue. So it’s the GPU. There are a lot of people having the same issue with RX570 from what I read online.
I’d recommend just sending it back and either getting a different RX 570 or the RX580 instead :]
Can I use an SYX MLX2 mid tower case? 7 expansions slots, a verticle motherboard slot above that?
As long as its Micro-ATX compatible, it should be fine!
I already have an empty X Blade case, from what I can find online it should work with these components, will it?
As long as it isn’t mini-ITX then you should be good to go!
are there any motherboard alternatives? This particular one is becoming rare to find online.
Yea stock levels are pretty bleak on motherboards right now. You could always use the B450 Tomahawk Max instead?
I was wondering if this build would be good for a game like Green Hell?
what is the cheapest cast this build will fit with.
cast? do you mean Case? the Thermaltake versa h15 is one of the cheapest cases you can buy.
does the h17 work, that is the cheapest one i can find
Hi Dave, the h17 will work fine with the rest of this build.
do all Thermaltake Versa H models work
They certainly should, yes!
I bought all the parts on amazon on April 22 but somehow I don’t think I ended up with the right ones. I see that the parts going into the build have been changed again so I wanted to know if what I have is compatible and would still work. The CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD and MOBO are the same as what is currently listed. The PSU is FSP Hyper M 85+ 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified Semi Modular Active PFC Power Supply (HA550). Case is AeroCool DS230 Window Black Cases. Thanks!
Hi Thomas, yes all those parts are completely compatible. We’d never change the build in such a dramatic way that previous part recommendations were no longer compatible! Good question none the less. I hope your build goes well!
does this motheboard do 32gb ram, also are there any upgrades that will be not much more and will save me lots in the long term (other than ram)
Hi tim, the motherboard does cater for 32GB of ram, yes. If you want a decent boost in performance, you’d probably be better getting an RX 5700Xt. However, that may add 140 to the overall price of this build.
yes, i have to buy from amazon aus so i cant afford an extra au$400 (about 250usd) for that, are there any other places where it is a bit cheaper to aus?
Hi tim, You’d have to check with your local retailers, I can’t remember any off the top of my head from my short time in Aus!
can I change out the case out for a DEEPCOOL MATRIXX 55. would that work?
You sure can Dane, a fine choice for this mid-range PC build.
just wondering, what upgrades would i need to run beamNG
This PC should run BeamNG just fine!
I am interested in doing this build. I clicked on the Amazon link to look at the parts and the pricing. I noticed here in the comments others have done the same and have the same issue. As of right now all the parts are available but the motherboard and chasis. With out those the pricing for the parts that are available come in around $462. With the prices I found for the mother board and chasis you guys recommended it bumps this build up to almost $700. And thats just for the hardware, no mouse, keyboard, monitor or OS. Which is going to jack the price up another couple hundred bucks. Im willing to go a little over $500 but not alot. Specially when I will need a monitor and OS.
Is there other parts for less that will do the same job as the ones u list? Or is it possible to get some of the parts a little less powerful without sacrificing alot of performance? For example maybe going down on the ram from 16gb to 12 or even 8gb?
Hi Brandon, we check our builds daily to make sure they’re not only up to date, but within the specific price point we state. With COVID currently affecting a lot of pricing, it’s hard to keep everything as low as we’d like. That said, we always try to keep the builds within 20% of the stated price. If you have a look today, I’m sure the builds will be within the 10-20% range I spoke of.
Dear Wepc,
You may remember me from my previous comments. I would like to say thank you. You have taken the time to put together a comprehensive guide that even people new to PCs can understand. This was my first pc build and I am proud to say that I a, very satisfied with it! I am playing overwatch and valorant (I have a key) at well over 100 FPS. During this quarantine, there is not much to do but I challenged myself to build a pc for the first time. When I searched up “500 dollar gaming pc”, I found that many of the builds were outdated and the parts were sold out. However, Wepc takes the time to update their guide almost everyday! I look forward to upgrading this build in the future, and now that I have the confidence, never look back on prebuilt again!
Keep up the great work,
Anton
Ps.
I changed the Aerocool case for the Coolermaster pro 5 rgb because I liked the look more. Since the motherboard doesn’t support rgb, I had to buy an additional controller, which is coming soon.
Hi Anton, glad we could be of service, my friend! Gaming is a great way of passing the time right now. I feel I’m spending far too much time on CS:GO though, need to give Valorant a try for myself!
Would a 3600 (3rd gen) work in this build with this MB and would it be worth the additional $20?
Yes it would, and yes it would! We’d normally put the 3600 in this build, but it doesn’t fall into the specific budgetary requirements.
Could this build run apex legends? What about Valorant, the new FPS coming out? Thanks so much.
How I’ll this build handle apex legends? What about riots new shooter valorant? Thank you so much.
Hi Anton,
You’ll be looking at 70-100FPS in Apex if pushed. Not had chance to try Valorant yet, but stayed tuned, more is coming on that one!
Can you guys update the building Guide. The case is very different and you don’t install a gpu. I don’t want to mess anything up.
Does this Aerocool case(in the build) have space for an optical drive?
If so, which one would you recommend?
It does not my friend.
Hi, idk if my first comment came through so im writing again. The ram can’t be delivered to my address do you know of a different place where i can get them? Or a substitute? Its my first time building a pc and im pretty nervous
Hi Yasir, Ok, so if you’re struggling with that kit, why not check this one out:http://amzn.to/2IZ3YG1
Let me know if you have any issues with that!
Hi,
I hope you are well.
I am a newbie and I would like to build a basic PC only for normal internet usage (send emails, browse the web, and stream videos but I don’t know which parts I should buy. I am able to spend $300 but if it can be less than that, that would be great.
Could you possibly provide the parts list necessary to make this happen?
Thanks and looking forward to hear from you.
Best Regards,
Fonseca
Just wondering if you can play Red Dead Redemption 2 on the pc?
If not then what would be the next best build to play it, or how to upgrade it so that you can.
Technically speaking, this PC would run RDR 2. Because the game is quite demanding though, you’d struggle to push decent FPS in anything above low. I’d probably recommend the 800 as a minimum for that game. Hope this helps.
Thanks!
Hey as I was trying to put my GPU into the PCI-E slots I realized it doesn’t fit into the case and the notches won’t even line up. Am I doing something wrong or do I buy another case?
So I ordered all of the parts, and now I’m installing my gpu, however it doesn’t fit. I’m putting it into the correct PCI-E slot and in the right configuration, but the case is just to small. Is there a reason, am I putting it in wrong, maybe I should try putting the mobo into different standoffs, or fo I have to order another case?
I have never had an issue using this GPU with this case. If the motherboard is correctly positioned in the case, you should have no issues. How exactly does it not fit??
would the XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS Black Edition be good for this build
I also wanted to add some extra lighting. Is the CORSAIR iCUE Lighting Node PRO RGB Lighting Controller compatible with this motherboard?
Adding the NZXT and the ICUE might be a struggle. If you’re looking to do this then I would recommend getting a slightly better motherboard.
I was also wondering if I could use the NZXT Internal USB Hub to hook up extra fans and such since this motherboard only comes with 2 usb slots. Would this work?
Hi Brady, yes, this will work fine with the motherboard. Just be aware though, as this is an entry-level motherboard, you are limited to headers.
What is a good WiFi card I can use, the one provided got very bad reviews. Do you have a better, more modern alternative?
http://amzn.to/36rPVSz
Hi Brady, have a look at the above recommendation, should be a sound replacement.
The EVGA 450 Bronze is currently out of stock, can you suggest a compatible replacement? I’m very new to PC building. Thanks.
Hi blake, this is a fine replacement http://amzn.to/37lKMgi
The wattage of the cpu for this build is 65 watts, but for the 7 it is 105. Do I need to get a 500 watt PSU instead of the 450?
Will the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X Processor with Wraith Prism LED Cooler fit in this build. I would like a stronger proccesser but don’t want to have to risk it not fitting then trying to return it.
Hi Brady, Nice choice of CPU for this build. Yea you’ll be fine upgrading to the 2700X. The RAM will be a tight fit, but it should be fine.
ok, What about the wattage, the cpu for this build has a wattage of 65, but the ryzen 7 2700x takes 105, I need to get about 50 more watts, right?
hi Brady, the PSU we recommended is more than enough to run our recommended build and upgrades as well. Upgrading the CPU will no require an upgrade :] If you want to be safe, of course, go for a 500W, but it isn’t necessary.
Is this build still good for january 2020? I’m not sure how outdated it is.
Hi Brady, the builds get looked at daily, so to answer your question. Yes, they are :]
so I’m looking at benchmarks for Vega 8 vs the low power GT1030 that I threw into my Dell T20… and they look the same…?
What am I doing wrong?
Can you be more specific? From what I understand, the performance between Vega 8 and the GT 1030 is quite minimal.
Not sure if my comment was posted… the build you suggested is that better than the prebuilt Computer Upgrade King
CUK Continuum Micro Gamer PC (AMD Ryzen 3 3200G with Radeon Vega 8 Graphics, 16GB 3000MHz RAM, 256GB SATA SSD, 500W PSU, AC WiFi, No OS) Gaming Desktop Computer? Trying to see which one would be better to run WOW on high to medium quality. Thank you
They’re about the same in specs. See my comment above for average FPS figures :]
The build you have listed is it better than the prebuilt one you suggested, CUK continuum ryzen 3200g? Do you know if the prebuilt one would be able to run WOW on high or medium quality with ease?
Hi Tony, you’d probably struggle to play the new WOW on high settings with a 3200G. You’d be looking at around 50FPS on medium in 1080p though.
Hi All-
I’m new to building a PC and my son asked that I attempt it so here I am. I have installed all parts and am now wondering how do I manage Bluetooth devices. My son has a wireless keyboard and mouse. The mouse comes with a USB adapter which makes sense; but, the keyboard does not. How do I install a Bluetooth driver on this build? AMD website?
Thanks!
Hi David, I hope the build is going well!
Usually, you will go to the manufacturer website of the keyboard, find the model you have, and download the supported drivers that way. What keyboard have you got out of interest?
is there any case that looks cool maybe with a window that would work with this build for around the same price.
is the motherboard micro atx size and would that fit in the case?
Hi Alexander, thanks for the comment. Yes this will fit, the case supports Mini ITX, Micro ATX, and ATX.
Would it be okay if i bought this hard drive together with the ssd that was shown in the guide to get some more memory.
Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM008 2 TB 3.5″ Internal Hard Drive – SATA
Hi Ville, that would be absolutely fine!
Hey great guide thanks but I have a few issues I was hoping you could help me with. I FOLLOWED YOUR GUIDE EXACTLY EXCEPT I SPENT 5 MORE FOR THE MSI B450M PRO VDH MAX MOTHERBOARD INSTEAD AND ADDED 3 FANS. 2 TO THE FRONT AND ONE ON THE TOP. ANYWAY the system is working great except one issue I’m having. Why did we get ddr4 3200mhz ram chips when it’s only giving me like 2133mhz ram speed in the bios and with msi software? I tried messing with the ram overclocking but nothing I do changes the speed. I’m using the A2 and B2 ram slots on the board and individually one is saying 3200mhz the other is 2133mhz and overall together only running at 2133mhz. Can you give me some advice on this issue. Also one other thing should I run all my fans on 100% manual mode or just use smart mode. Thanks!
Hi Patrick, did you manage to get this sorted? RAM usually doesn’t come at its full speed so you need to overclock it. If you cant see “XMP” profiles, try updating your BIOS. You can manually overclock the RAM but its best to just use the XMP.
No I didn’t get it sorted but I’ll look into the xmp profiles in the bios. I did a bios update when I completed the build in late November. Regardless the performance and reliability of this build for under 600 is great for sure. And the ram speed hasnt effected anything i can notice but I’d like it to be running at the fastest it can since I payed for 3200mhz. Anyways if u have any links or more detailed info on overclocking the ram with the xmp profiles or manually on this built it would be greatly appreciated. I’m compTIA A+ certified so I’m sure I’ll figure it out. Just havnt dealt with modern gaming hardware for over 5 years till now. Thanks agaib.
Oh and what about the fans? Manual mode on 100% or just use smart mode on the fan software?
Would this build be able to run minecraft and no lagging?
Thanks for popping by James, yes it can.
Hey, when you click the link to Amazon, the total price is ~$590 BEFORE tax. Same stuff, but the prices are higher now. I swapped the GPU and Ryzen 5 2600 CPU for the Ryzen 5 3400g APU, and that gave me room to upgrade the SSD to 480gb and the case to the Phanteks Eclipse. Now the build is ~$495 AFTERtax. If you upgrade the power supply, it adds like $15 to the total.
I like this idea and is it fully upgradable?
Hey, when I clicked the button that takes me to Amazon, the $500 build became a $600 build. Same stuff, just higher prices. I swapped the Ryzen 5 2600 and graphics card for the 3400g, which let me upgrade the SSD to 480Gb and upgrade the case. All that for under $500 by combining the $400 and $500 builds y’all have. Would that still work together?
Hi Chris, thanks for the comment. Prices can fluctuate and for me, the build comes up $559. You are not going to get the same results if you change the parts and i would advise keeping this CPUO/GPU combination for a better gaming experience.
Would this pc be able to run arma 3?
Hi Riley, thanks for the comment. It would be able to handle Arma, giving you 40+fps in very high settings but with a few tweaks 100+fps.
Hello, just ordered these exact parts from amazon, you said the case comes with 3 off the shelf fans, the case page on amazon says only one rear exhaust fan is included, which is right?
Hi Alex, the case comes with one fan pre-installed. If you think you would need any additional fans this case can fit 2 x extra 120mm fans
Hello, thanks for the reply. I noticed in a comment above that this motherboard only has slots for 2 fans and suggested a splitter. I purchased 2 of the noctua ones linked and the splitter, but will I need a 3 in 1 rather than a 2 in 1 splitter for the fan that comes with the case? or does that connect somewhere else? sorry this is my first pc i’m building myself, kinda nervous 😀
Hi Alex, don’t worry about it, friend.
As far as the fans are concerned, you would need a 3 in 1 splitter, yes. You’d have to make sure you get one that can accommodate both the rear and front fans .What i mean is, cable length, and how you’re going to manage the cabling.
What might be a better option, is a fan controller. The controller plugs into the fan controller, you then reroute the controller to the rear of the case and attach all the fans to it. It also gets power direct from the PSU.
This could be a good backup plan if everything else fails.
Thanks for your time I appreciate it. I noticed upon looking at more pictures of the motherboard there is a header for cpu fan, and 2 system fan headers, one by the pci-e slot labeled system fan 1 and another on the side of the board labeled system fan 2. Shouldn’t then the 2 in one splitter be enough for the 2 additional fans I ordered? Splitter with 2 fans into system fan 1 and the fan that comes with the case into system fan 2 or vice versa? Thanks!
Not a problem, Alex.
After reading your comment, I had a look around the office to see if we have that board here, which unfortunately, we don’t. However, you are indeed correct about the SYS FAN 2 header. That being said, you would indeed only need the 2-in-1 splitter. Just make sure it’s long enough so you can cable manage it behind the motherboard.
Anyway. We have the case in house. I had a look to see how easy it would be to cable manage, and yea, it should be a relatively easy task. Where the system fan 2 header is, you can push the splitter around the PSU to the back of the case.
If you need any help with that feel free to message me back!
Will I be able to do online gaming with this build?
Hi Austin, thanks for the comment. Yes, the build features a decent CPU/GPU combo meaning you’ll be able to play most games you fancy online. What games did you have in mind?
Hi, does the build have an optical drive and if it doesn’t have one but I can install one, which one would I use?
Hi Sean, thanks for the comment. We have included a case that has space for 2 x optical drives just in case anyone would like to install one. As most use people USB drives and downloading to obtain software, we left out a 5.25″ option to keep closer to the budget.
You can install one if you wish, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0033Z2BAQ?tag=wepcus-20
Hi! So the power supply isn’t currently in stock. What can I use to substitute the currently listed 500 w power supply? I don’t mind if I have to spend 10-20 more dollars.
Hi Andrew.
Any EVGA or Corsair bronze rated or better PSU at 500W would suffice, I usually recommend the EVGA BR or BT as it’s an affordable option, if you can stretch your budget slightly further then a semi-modular PSU will help with the build and cable management.
Umm this might be a weird question but can “computer upgrade king” ship internationally? Because I want to buy the computer which they sell on amazon but I can’t because they don’t ship to turkey, could you please like do something about it? Or maybe do an agreement with amazon (talking about FBA ,Fulfillment by amazon)
And yeah that’s all ,hope you respond
P.S I really like the build
Hi Paladin, did you manage to resolve this issue?> I’ll look into alternative solutions for you and see what we can muster up.
Hey does the case have a optical drive?
This isn’t 1995 John. You can purchase optical drives if you need to though! :]
Hey, love the build! I was just wondering if I’d missed something, as I did not see a graphics card or storage on here. I couls just be blind and missing it, but would anyone mind pointing it out to me?
Hey John, glad you like the build! There is a GPU and storage solution in the list. Click- http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJOASTQRBLOVVPUQA&AssociateTag=wepcus-20&ASIN.1=B07B41WS48&Quantity.1=1&ASIN.2=B06ZY21842&Quantity.2=1&ASIN.3=B0143UM4TC&Quantity.3=1&ASIN.4=B07G3KRZBX&Quantity.4=1&ASIN.5=B07QWNQQKQ&Quantity.5=1&ASIN.6=B07NH4H5X8&Quantity.6=1&ASIN.7=B07VGJDDHF&Quantity.7=1 You should see them if you follow that link through.
Sorry I meant to say I was considering buying a Oculus Rift S and if this PC is powerful enough to run games like Job Simulator and Espire 1
Hi Cody. This PC is powerful enough but you may want to consider an upgrade with the GPU to future proof the build.
Hi I’m hoping to get into PC gaming (I play Xbox) I was wondering if this PC is good for the following games: Fortnite, Minecraft, and various FPS games on steam. And I’m considering buying a Oculus Rift S. One more thing what kind of desk do you recommend (I have a small room) Thank You
Hi Cody, Another Xbox gamer looking to convert, join the party!
We have a great article on desks that I would recommend looking at here. http://dayaxa.com/reviews/best-gaming-desks/.
The games that you stated would run fine on this build as well. Virtual reality would be abit of a push even if it doesn meet the minimum PC requirements.
How well would this build run world of Warcraft
Hi Jerd,
You’ll be fine running World of Warcraft on this PC.
This isn’t under $500. My math has it at ~575. Am I doing it wrong?
Hi FalconGK81,
The build is subject to price increase/decrease depending on the amazon pricing. If you check in a couple of days the price will have changed.
Hi, This is my first build. I have a question about the fan recommendations. You say to get 2 more 120mm fans but the MSI B450M PRO-VDH Plus motherboard only has 2 connections for system fans. How do I get that many fans to work with this motherboard?
Hi Jackal,
You can purchase a fan splitter which allows you to connect multiple fans to one connector. Good question.
http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Technology-Sleeved-Splitter-CPF01/dp/B00B46XKKQ?tag=wepcus-20
I’m saving up to get a new computer/art set up, hopefully by next February. I’m thinking if I build my own PC and get an Cintiq-esque drawing monitor I can have higher quality workspace with more bang for my buck than if I invested in a surface pro similar laptop. (I was originally saving up for a new laptop, but was dissatisfied with the specs in comparison to the prices.) Using this build as a starting point, I created this parts list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/YCQ6cY
Does this seem decent for the price/intended use. Of course this doesn’t include the monitor (I’m thinking Huion), keyboard, mouse, or speakers, but it should still end up being more affordable than a surface pro with decent specs, and it can be upgraded in the future.
Hi Anna,
Yeah, that’s not a bad build for the price. It would certainly achieve what you wanted from it.
I would maybe recommend getting a Seagate Barracuda over the WD, if you can squeeze it into the budget. If you can manage to get 3600Mhz RAM that would also improve performance quite a lot.
I suppose you have to weigh up the pros and cons of both sides. A laptop gives you portability and freedom. That being said, you would definitely get more performance from a custom build.
All-in-all, not a bad little PC!
Thanks so much for your feedback! I’ll definitely take that advice into consideration once I see how much I have saved up 😊
Glad we could be of service Anna.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask away!
Hey I have questions: Does this build come with USB slots? Do you recommend a disk drive? And how do I download Windows 10 for the rig if I dont have an OS to begin with? And lastly, for the wifi do I NEED a wifi adapter or can I just use the ethernet cable and box I have from Xfinity or At&t?
Thanks.
Hi Robbie,
Yes, the build comes with a number of USB ports.
I personally haven’t used a Disk drive in years. All games and software can be downloaded directly from their website or via Steam.
Windows can be purchased from Amazon on a USB stick.
You can use a wifi adapter, however, I personally prefer to plug my ethernet cable straight into the motherboard for a more secure connection.
Hope this helped.
I put all of these items in my card and they were over $600 and that is without a monitor or keyboard. The monitor recommended is over $250 the keyboard over $50. Is there a reliable one that is cheaper?
Hi Sam,
Are you asking for a cheaper monitor or keyboard, or both?
A good reliable gaming monitor is this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D377Q6D?tag=wepcus-20
As for keyboards, you will be fairly hard-pressed to get anything reliable for under $50. That being said, the Redragon is fully mechanical and is currently on sale for $30 I believe.
we have built this computer as listed with a slightly better case but when we turn it on we can not get any signal to our monitor. We’ve tried to use VGA and HDMI cables. We’ve removed the graphics card and tried to plug it directly into the motherboard and still no signal to our monitor. help……
Hi Anna,
Does the PC switch on?
Have you tried plugging a peripheral into the motherboard to see if it (the peripheral) gets power?
I see you recommended some fans to buy and put into the case. I am looking to buy these fans but I am at a loss of where to put them. Am I supposed to replace the fan in there already or is there a spot that these fans can go. Please let me know if I am just dumb lol.
Hi David, Hope you’re having a great Monday.
The fans we recommend are ADDITIONAL fans, so they will be used with the fans that are already there. You should be able to see the fan mounting holes in the roof of the case. Let me know if you’re still struggling :]
Alright perfect. I noticed that there were holes on the top of the case but I thought it was for something else for some reason. I am going to get the additional fans and try to install them there on the top of the case.
Thank you! I will get those additional fans and add them at the top. One other question is when I built this build I had the intel not the AMU GPU. What would be a good option for upgrading from the stock fan.
CPU* no GPU oops
So you didn’t go for the AMD 2600? What CPU and Motherboard do you have?
The CPU is a Intel Core i5-9400F Desktop Processor 6 Cores 4.1 GHz and the motherboard is the
MSI Model B360APRO Intel Chipset Socket H4 LGA-1151 B360-A PRO Desktop Motherboard
Hi David, I would recommend – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005O65JXI?tag=wepcus-20 . This cooler performs well and is a bargain!
This may or may not be a dumb question, that being, would this build be compatible with Windows 8.1? If it’s a necessity, I can go with 10, but I already have a license for 8.1 that I could use for this and would need to wait to afford one for 10.
Hi Adam, that should be absolutely fine.
Awesome. Thanks for the confirmation.
No problem Adam, enjoy the PC!
Will it still work well with the thermaltake versa n21 snow edition with the side window
Hi anonymous, great question.
The Versa N21 snow edition would be a fine replacement for this build.
All in all the products cost more than 600$. Why is this so????
The prices of the different components are constantly going up and Down. Try waiting until they are low and then buy your parts
Also, you can get the gpu for 60$ less form Newegg.com
Prices fluctuate on a daily basis. Most of the time we try to stick to a 10% buffer either above or below the target budget.
I am comparing this to another 400 Dollar build here: http://dayaxa.com/builds/best-gaming-pc-under-400/
I just want to know which of these PC’s is better for streaming or if I would be just fine with the 400 dollar build.
Hi David.
If you are streaming, I’d recommend going for this $500 build and then potentially upgrading the storage to an SSD and upgrading the RAM to 16GB.
So basically I would buy the parts you recommend for upgrades in the 16GB RAM and the SSD instead of the HDD
Exactly David 🙂 You could also purchase a HDD, if you expect to use a lot of storage, but you could always add that later on.
Thank you!
Anytime David.
I can’t figure out how to connect the cable for the Radeon RX 570 graphics card to the MSI B360-A Pro Motherboard. Specs for the motherboard say they are compatible. Where do I connect the cable?
Hi Dylan.
The cable for the GPU will be connected directly to the PSU, not to the motherboard, this should be a six pin connector.
I like this build guide would I be able to use a i5 8600k with integrated graphics instead of the gpu
Could you passably use a i5 8400
Hi Darien.
You could use an 8th generation Intel CPU if you wanted, just make sure the motherboard is 8th generation Intel compatible (LGA1151).
If you were looking to reduce the build cost then I’d recommend going for AMD’s APU build such as the AMD 2400G which is what we recommend in our $400 build here: http://dayaxa.com/builds/best-gaming-pc-under-400/
Just curious (as I’m very new to this–first time builder), how well could this rig run a very rendering-demanding game, such as Skyrim or Fallout?
Hi Sam. You could play both games successfully, at 1080P or 1440P on medium settings.
thank you!
Can I use a hard drive from a computer thats been sitting around unused for a few years? My mom gave me an old (like 2012) desktop from her work that didn’t see much use to replace my desktop thats on like life support basicly. Its pretty bad but wasnt used to much so I don’t think there’s much wear on the hard drive.
Hi Nick.
I think this should be OK, it might not perform as good as we would expect though as the HDD may slow down the entire PC performance. Ideally, we would recommend a cheap HDD or cheap SSD to run the operating system, and utilise the additional HDD you have for less demanding storage use.
From what I have seen, this motherboard will likely need a bios upgrade, to work with the 9th gen processor listed, for this, I heard you would need to buy an 8th gen processer as well. Is this true, and if so are there other similar motherboards?
Hi Otto,
You are correct, an update would be required. If you wanted to get this board you could take it to any local PC shop and they would do the upgrade for little to no cost.
alternatively, you could potentially look at getting a more expensive board that has BIOS flashback.
Hope this helps
Do you have any prebuilds that can handle VR games such as VRchat that around 570 dollers?
Hi Michael, brilliant question.
To get the best VR experience you really want to be looking towards the $800 build as a minimum. The $500 range is just short of what you would need to perform VR gaming.
http://dayaxa.com/reviews/best-prebuilt-gaming-pc-under-500/
What changes need to be made for the PC to be Oculus-ready? Specifically, the Oculus Rift S
Hi Colin,
You’d really want to upgrade the GPU to a minimum of a 1060. The CPU would be quite fine. Potentially look at investing in a cheap SSD for quicker load times. A kingston 240Gb wouild work and be good value for money. Hope this helps
Should I buy a Gigabyte B450M DS3H and ryzen 3 2200g instead of the one you suggested? Also I can’t seem to find a very cheap WiFi adapter do you have any recommendations please and thank you?
Hi Peter.
You could purchase one of AMDs APUs either the 2200G or the 2400G both are fantastic value for money and offer solid performance.
As for the Wifi Adapter, you could try TP Link, we have a few in the office and they work well such as this one: http://amzn.to/2XC3crp
Would it be better to buy a mobo with integrated WiFi than buying the WiFi adapter?
Hi Adam.
You can do, but typically speaking motherboards that include wifi are significantly more expensive, we recommend this affordable wifi adapter: http://amzn.to/2XC3crp
What drives would have to be installed?
Drives or Drivers?
Hi, I had a few questions about this build.
1. The case suggested in this list is out-of-stock in most pages I visited (Amazon and Newegg), necessitating that I replace it with a CORSAIR Carbide 270R. You may want to update the list to reflect the availability of the case.
2. I’ve read that the Gigabyte H310M A has some BIOS errors and needs to be updated to F3 from F2, which is difficult because its BIOS prevents an OS from being installed. Any pointers? I’m very new at building PCs, and I’m quite scared at having to go through a rigmarole just to get my OS installed.
3. Can this rig still run Windows 8.1, and would the bios still run off of that OS? I insist upon 8.1.
Thanks!
Hi Jean-Karlo,
Since your comment, the builds have been updated and we have new practices in place to make sure that hardware recommendations are always in stock.
The new hardware consists of the 2600 and a B450 which are both compatible without a BIOS update needed.
Why do you need 8.1 out of interest??
Hope this helps :]
can it be upgraded to an i5?
Yes. You can upgrade the CPU to a i5 or an i7.
Is the Thermaltake Versa N21 Snow compatible with the rest of the build, and what are some good LED fans should i buy with it?
Hi Alex. Yes it is, that PC case is a mid tower which is suitable for motherboard sizes up to ATX. As for RGB fans, the best we’ve tested are the Corsair LL120s however they are quite pricey, these are an affordable option: http://amzn.to/2XbiTGJ
why not use a samsung 860 evo
It simply comes down to the budget – for an Intel build it’s very difficult to make a build which has an SSD at this price point and the GPU is more of a priority. Having said that, would we recommend having an SSD, of course – we all use the 960 EVO in the office, they are great but expensive.
Hey I used this website and built the PC with your guide, everything seems to be running but my monitor, a Acer, says no signal when I turn it on and plug it in to my PC, any words of advice?
Which cable are you using to connect your monitor to your computer? Secondly, which port are you using on the computer tower (are you connecting to your motherboard or GPU)?
will this computer run the game sea of thieves?
Yes, this game would comfortably run Sea of Thieves.
Is there a slot for a SD card? If not, do you have any ideas for cheap options? Thanks for the recommended steup
There isn’t but you can easily purchase an external SD card reader that connects via USB.
Is thier a slot for a SD card?
No, but you can purchase an external SD card reader for very little, such as this one: http://amzn.to/2Xkl62R
when i buy all the parts does it come with all the cords and screws and wifi how do i connect it to wifi??
You need to get your own wifi.
Hi Jaden. As Max mentions, you will need to purchase a wifi adapter as many motherboards still do not come with WiFi. As an affordable Wifi adapter, I would recommend this: http://amzn.to/2XC3crp
Will this build be able to carry the new anthem game coming out?
Hi Sam.
Yes, this build will be able to play Anthem at 40-50 FPS obviously depending on graphics settings and what monitor you are using.
Why isn’t Radeon RX 570 4GB recommended when it’s significantly faster than the Geforce GTX 1050 Ti, yet cheaper?
We’ve updated the build with the RX570 🙂
Question, what happens if I upgrade to i5? What components need to get changed?
Hi Brandon,
Please have a look at the new component list. The builds are much improved since your comment :]
Hey I built the pc build from last year with a Ryzen 3 and a gtx 1050 and it won’t turn on. I was hoping for some help? Thanks.
Can you elaborate on wont turn on? Have you ever built a PC beforE?>
can you choose a cheaper case, it is way more then 500
Yes, just be sure to choose a case that is at least a mid tower, which means it supports ATX motherboards.
Hi,are you sure this good for gaming and would u deliver it to any country?
Hi AlexEIRoz,
This Pc has been customed designed for gaming.
You would have to check with the retailer my friend :]
This may sound like a stupid question, but how many gigs of VRAM does this PC have?
Hi Jonathan,
The GPU in this build has 4GB of VRAM.
Hope this helps :]
Are you able you use a larger dimensioned ram in this build being 4.3cm high vs what you have in the build at 3.1cm?
Hi Nolan,
That should be quite ok:]
Hello. I am wonder if this build would be good for League of Legends
Hi Anthony.
Yes, this build would be perfect for LOL.
Wouldn’t this rig be wayyy better if it had the rx 570 which basically is a gtx 1060 3gb for the cost of a 1050ti?????
Yes.
Hi Shaheer, yes we have updated our build recommendations and we are also going to be releasing video guides and step by step guides very soon as well as benchmarking results for our builds.
Hello I recently had some friends help me build my pc. They claim that the power supply is not compatible with the mother board it says it is a 4 point not a 6 point plug?
Your friends are morons. Maybe they mean the GPU instead, in which case a PSU’s PCI-e power cable is gonna support both 4 and 6 pin.
In any case, the 1050 Ti is far outclassed by the AMD RX 570, which is available for similar or lower prices. This list is outdated as far as their GPU recommendation goes.
Hi, i was wondering if this build would be good for photoshop/digital art, casual video editing?
Hi Jaz.
Yes, this computer would be fine, you may want to increase the RAM and also upgrade the storage space to an SSD, but it would be sufficient for light video editing and photoshop.
Can I use a 240 hz monitor with this
Yes, you could use a 240hz monitor with this PC, however it wouldn’t be the best use of funds. The reason I say this is because a 240hz monitor would be best suited with a high powered PC with a GPU such as a 2080 or a 1080TI which would have the capacity to hit high FPS in game.
This build is more for 60 – 120hz gaming monitors running in 1080 or 1440p.
Can the case get a DVD player instaled
Hi Tayghan,
The case can house 2 CD Roms, however, I’d advise against it if you can.
Can u put in a DVD tray cuz I’m still have old stuff and I will need it
Second question: wouldn’t we need a CPU cooler? The i3-8100 doesn’t seem to include one.
Hi Oscar,
You were absolutely correct in both your questions. Since your comment, however, we have updated the builds and I think you’ll find the new $500 build to be much more rounded and better performing.
I’ve read that the AMD Ryzen
5-2600 would be an all-around better cpu than the Intel i3-8100, so why are you using the i3 for this build? Is it for compatibility or upgradeability reasons?
If you are using the H310M A motherboard how many fans can you add?
The motherboard has been changed since your comment.
Hi, great guide btw, I was wondering if I could switch the case for a corsair carbide spec omega?
Hi Gabriel, you could absolutely change the case for a Carbide, yes.
Will the Deepcool TESSERACT SW ATX mid tower case work with this build instead of the case you have featured?
Hi Jackson, The builds have all been updated since your post. Please have a look and let us know your thoughts
Any replacements for the seagate 1TB? It is currently sold out.
Hi Kevin, Did you manage to purchase a Seagate 1TB?
Will my msi bazooka b350 m motherboard work with this build?
no. the b350 motherboard is compatible with only amd processors
Thanks Shaheer
I have enough money to upgrade the RAM to 16 gbs of ram total instead of 8, is there any other things you suggest I upgrade with it in order to get the most efficiency out of it? Thank you and have a wonderful day.
Hi Diego, Since your comment, all builds have been updated. Please check the new builds and let us know what you think
can you use the EVGA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti SC Gaming, 4GB GDDR5 on this build?
Hi Dylan,
All builds have been updated since your comment, please have a look and let us know your thoughts
This will be my first PC build, i was wondering if there where any specifically BAD places to put it in. Such as on a desk by the monitor, on the ground, layed on its side and turned around? And if there where any build tutorials along with can this run JC3 and Heroes and Generals ok? Thank you so much!
Hi David, It would be best to stand up your build and not lay it down on the floor. Try and put the computer where there is less dust build-up too! This will run both JC3 and Heroes and Generals.
I notice you make no mention of having to buy a new operating system… Your system just gained another $140 if you’re using Windows 10. All the hardware in the world is useless without the operating system… If I upgrade my current computer with swapping out the motherboard and CPU what are the odds the current operating system will still work?
Hi, Jeff, we mention the operating system just below the build list. Your operating system is on your HDD so I wouldn’t worry about that pal.
It says the CPU is only available for Amazon Prime members. What do I do?
Hi Matthew, thanks for the comment. We have recently upgraded the build and the CPU is not only for prime members.
Can I substitute an i5 for the i3?
Hi Jason,
The builds have been updated since your comment, please have a look and let us know your thoughts
Nice setup but the case is not available anymore
Hi JC, we’ve updated the build!
Liked the guide a lot. I was planning on buying this setup but then I remembered that I live in Italy and these products are shipped from US, will the final price be higher?
I built this pc but the build didnt call for an optical drive and I need one to install bios. Is there any way I can take what’s on the disc and move it to a USB stick?
Hi CJ, thanks for the comment. You can install a BIOS update onto a flash drive and then go into your BIOS menu and update it!
Hey I’m new to pc builds but I have a general idea any vids or tips in how to build this model
Hi Rylan, good to hear you are considering building your own! visit -http://dayaxa.com/how-to/build-a-gaming-pc/ for some help in regards to building and i hope things go well for you. If you have any specific build issues then contact us with your question here- http://dayaxa.com/contact-us/
Is there any motherboard similar to this on this price range with the ability to detect WiFi??
Hey, I was wondering if the case came with an optical drive or somewhere because I don’t see it on the list. Will I have to buy on or is it included in one of the parts?
Hi, Ian, this doesn’t come with an optical drive. but the case does accommodate for one if you need to install.
The Best Budget $500 Gaming PC
Part List
$114.99 Intel Core i3-8100 Quad-Core Processor
$ 45.99 Gigabyte H310M Micro ATX Motherboard
$ 59.98 Patriot Signature Line 8GB (2x4GB) DDR4-2400
$ 42.15 Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM
$169.99 Zotac GTX 1050 Ti Mini
$ 39.99 Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L
$ 31.89 EVGA BR 450W 80+ Bronze-Certified PSU
$504.98
My version:
$114.99 Intel Core i3-8100 Quad-Core Processor
$ 45.99 Gigabyte H310M Micro ATX Motherboard
$ 99.99 G.Skill – Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory
$ 39.85 Hitachi – 1 TB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
$154.99 MSI GTX 1050 Ti AERO ITX 4G OC
$ 49.99 Raidmax – Vortex V4 ATX Mid Tower Case w/450 W PSU $505.80
You have twice the ram now and it’s DDR4 3000 and you have the same vid card for $15.00 less. I would have left the HD alone, but I was doing my damndest to get it down to $500! Comments welcome!
Congratulations! You just made a web page talking about spending its time looking for the best parts be showed up by a the wizard that is you find better priced components completing the same task as the original
Bravo Greg, Bravo
Good work Greg
Took your design and gave it a few tweeks:
Part List
cpuIntel Core i3-8100 Quad-Core Processor
gpuZotac GTX 1050 Ti Mini
ramPatriot Signature Line 8GB DDR4-2400
hddSeagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM
psuEVGA BR 450W 80+ Bronze-Certified PSU
moboGigabyte H310M Micro ATX Motherboard
caseCooler Master MasterBox Q300L
Hi Greg, thanks for the input.
Since your comment, the builds have all been updated, have a look and let us know what you think!
How well use on ranbow 6 and fotnyte?
1080p and ~100 frame?
Absolutely friendo. Absolutely.
No, but seriously, if you’re asking if you can achieve 100FPS on Fortnite and Rainbow 6 at 1080, then my answer is yes, you can.
Awesome post was looking for a new computer, this inspired me to give a go at building one, I do have a question though would the Intel Core i3-8350K function in place of the Intel Core i3-8100 Quad-Core Processor? I need a little more (not much) power for GHz, and from what I have found the i3-8350k should work but just want to ask some pros before making a purchase.
Would it bottleneck? It is more powerful, and with a slightly more expensive mobo, you can overclock. This would be some 100-150 dollars more tho.
Does this case fit double fan gpus, if it does should i get the rx 580 instead of the zotac 1050ti?
HI MATE was wondering if you could try and build one under $400
We have a page for PC’s under $400. see link http://dayaxa.com/builds/best-gaming-pc-under-400/
Hi there! Would getting a second stick of RAM make a significant difference to performance, or would the SSD be a better upgrade from the basic list you present?
Good question,
If you’re going from HDD to SSD then the SSD would make a huge difference in loading times. The RAM would be much better for gaming purposes.
Hello i was wondering if there is a motherboard with built in wifi that would be compatable if so could you leave link.
All the builds have been updated since your comment to incorporate the latest hardware offerings.
Hey! Since I’ve never built a gaming pc before I have a few questions:
– Would this PC be good for streaming?
– How do I install the fans for cooling?
– Do you recommend any cheap internal wifi card?
– Is this PC difficult to build?
– How would I know were to connect all the parts?
Thanks
It would work as a streaming pc, yes.
Fans are mostly powered by the board. some fans have other features that require them to be plugged directly into the PSU. It all depends on what case you have, but it’s a very simple process. Just make sure the case will accommodate the fans you wish to install.
There is a WIFI adapter at the bottom of this build page.
It is an easy build, just make sure to follow the steps in this guide: http://dayaxa.com/how-to/build-a-gaming-pc/
You’d have to follow a guide if you were unsure. See link above.
Hey I scrolled through a good amount of comments but not all and was wondering just to clarify that this pc does run fortnite? And like what I would need to install for like a game installer like steam or something? and sorry if I sound like a noob im new with this stuff lol. I am asking because I use an xbox one x and want to switch.
Every build we have ever recommended plays Fortnite.
Fortnite is not very taxing on your PC and most will be able to play it at 60+FPS
I’m thinking about upgrading my CPU to a Ryzen 5 but don’t know which Ryzen 5 to buy any Tips ?
Did you ever get the upgrade you wanted Nicolas?