News How to Build a Gaming PC for Under $500 with GPU

[Admin]

With the right low-cost components, you can build a 1080p gaming rig with a graphics card for less than $500 or a sub-$400 system with integrated graphics.

How to Build a Gaming PC for Under $500 with GPU : Read more

 

[vinay2070]

It probably makes more sense to buy used parts/PC if budget was that low. You get a much better system.

 

[srimasis]

Spend $20 more for a Rx6500xt which is miles better than 6400. Rx6400 is even slower than 1650 and it would be rather wise to buy an used card such as 1660.

 

[dfflick]

It probably makes more sense to buy used parts/PC if budget was that low. You get a much better system.

Well, put your money where your mouth is and show us, then! I think you're underestimating the market for used parts.

 

[KyaraM]

Well, put your money where your mouth is and show us, then! I think you're underestimating the market for used parts.

Well, at least for the GPU he's not necessarily wrong:

https://www.ebay.com/b/NVIDIA-GeFor...55-0&campid=5337590781&customid=&toolid=10001

For 1080p gaming and some 1440p, even, that card is more than fine and a 12100 is enough to not limit the card. I would have to look up on other components to see if you could also do new GPU and used everything else, but I feel chances for that are rather low.

Edit:
Or one of those
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=27386&_nkw=gtx+1070&_trksid=p2499334.m4084.l1313

 

[Hella_D]

It probably makes more sense to buy used parts/PC if budget was that low. You get a much better system.

Im a sort of an "expert" on getting "most for your budget", I agree somewhat, but a Mix of new/used is the best way to build a PC in that price bracket, best performance/currentness/price solution I have found by experiance. I could set you up a nice example cretique if youd like.

 

[DRagor]

It probably makes more sense to buy used parts/PC if budget was that low. You get a much better system.

Until something breaks.
It sounds like fine idea, but only as long as you use used components only for non-essential parts. If you buy used GPU for 100 and it dies after month you find yourself in situation where you spent all your money on a rig that does not work anymore. And at that budget range you usually do not have extra money to replace parts that failed. Because of that I always advise buying new: you end up with lower specs but more reliable.

 

[salgado18]

What bothers me in these low-cost builds is that upgradeability is not considered. If you intend to purchase the system, and slowly improve it, then it is better to start with a more solid foundation. For example, a slightly larger PSU (550W minimum), a motherboard with 4 slots of RAM, and a well ventilated case, and that's three things you don't need to replace in the future. Suddenly you want to fit an RTX 3070 in there, and the case is hot/small and the PSU is weak. Yes, the base PC starts worse (the 5600G as a $500 build, for example), but you save money on the longer term.

 

[Devlin Waurker]

There is one used part that you can use that is totally safe. That's the case. You might even pay 0 money for it. Either an old one from your old pc or a friends old case. Ans you will need a 4 memory slot MB for sure. Even a 16GB system today might need 32 in a 2-3 year time.

 

[spentshells]

the cooling in the suggested case is really as bad as it gets
its quaint and had much in the way of build quality issues when I built with it
front usb screwed in incorrectly making them unusable
loudish exhaust fan

it is however perfect for this build

 

[Jsn_E]

Followed your guidance and 2 separate Intel machines are enroute, totaling $548 CAD each. As it has been 2 months, I was unable to find the same deal on a GPU. Instead have bought 2 used GTX1650 for the same price, unsure how closely this compares to SWFT105. The extra $62 was put towards a 600w power supply and 2tb hard drive. Will follow Toms guide to get a cheap copy of Windows, not included in the build and let you know how things work out.