Building a Gaming Computer on a Budget

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Putting together a computer is a satisfying yet rigorous task to complete. Here is a guide that will teach you how to build a gaming computer on a budget.

The first thing you should focus on is finding a processor that is cheap and fast. The CPU is extremely important for the PC because it processes everything that goes on in the game and handles the environment and simulations in the game. Some companies that have processors that fit these requirements are Intel and Ryzen.

The next thing to focus on is buying the video/graphics card. These allow the computer to produce high quality images and graphics much faster. This is vital for newer games to operate to their full potential. The price of your graphics card should be roughly one third of your total budget. Good companies that provide video/graphics cards are GTX, AMD, and NVIDIA.

Next you should buy a case for the computer. The larger the case, the better. It is good to have a lot of space to make it easier to put all the parts together and to allow air ventilation to prevent your computer from overheating. A NZXT case is a popular option for high quality computer cases.  The case physically protects the computer and allows for easier transportation of the computer. The price can range from under $50 to a few hundred dollars depending on what you want out of your case.

Now, you are going to have to buy a storage drive, This is important for storing all of your games, software, and data that you use on the computer. There are two types of storage units to consider: HDD and SSD. The HDD is cheaper and has a longer lasting life while the SDD is more expensive and performs better. For a budgeted computer, you should look for a 1 TB HDD which is not very expensive and will work fine for the computer.

The next item to buy is the motherboard. The function of the motherboard is the hub for all of the other devices for the computer to connect to and communicate through. There are many different motherboards to choose from ranging from ASUS to EVGA. It is important to ensure that the motherboard you are choosing is compatible with both the processor and video/graphics card that you are buying. The motherboard does not do much in changing the computer’s performance so a cheaper motherboard functions well. You should aim for one that is $75 or below.

Now you should get enough RAM on your computer for the games you are going to be playing. 8 GB should be the minimum amount because certain games require excessive amounts fo RAM. RAM acts as the short term memory for your computer and stores certain information. Your budget for RAM should be $35 if you are getting an 8 GB and $65 for a 16 GB RAM or higher.

Next, you should focus on a speaker that works for you. The speaker is not a vital part of the function of your computer so an expensive speaker is not at all necessary. Computer speakers are very cheap so you can find a good working one for under $30.

Now, you should buy a monitor. The monitor is the display screen where everything is shown. A good ground rule is to get a 24 inch 1080p monitor. Certain games have much better gameplay with a higher refresh rate. You should find a good balance of refresh rate and price. Depending on your budget, a $75 to $150 monitor should do the job successfully.

The next thing to buy is a mouse and a keyboard. These are the cheapest items on the list that have the smallest effect on the gameplay. You can use any mouse and keyboard that you may have at your house. If not, you can get high quality ones online. Mouse and keyboard combos are generally cheaper and have products that are complimentary to each other. You can get a good combo for under $30 that will serve well.

The final item to buy for your computer is the power supply. You should get a power supple that meets your gaming needs and also fits within your budget. They are not too expensive with an average cost of $50. 500 watts or above performs well for almost all games. 

So there you have it. Follow all of these steps and you will have yourself a fine working gaming computer for a fraction of the price of a normal one. Hopefully, this guide has helped you to get the computer of your dreams while not destroying your bank account.