For gaming on a low budget, the following are some simple PC specs to consider
Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3200G or Intel Pentium G5400
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 560
Memory: 8 GB RAM (DDR4)
Storage: 256 GB SSD
Motherboard: B450M/B350M or
Power supply : 300W
Operating System: Windows 10
Keep in mind that with a low budget, you may have to compromise on performance and features. It is also important to compare prices and read reviews before making a purchase. Additionally, you may also want to consider a pre-built budget gaming PC, which can be found for around $500 or less.
It's important to keep in mind that these are just basic guidelines and the actual specs needed for a specific game may vary. To have the best gaming experience, it's recommended to have a look at the games you want to play and check the recommended specs for them, then you can decide what PC specs you can afford.
The above components will give you a good base to build a budget gaming PC. However, you may need to make some compromises on some component to keep the cost low.
It's important to keep in mind that these are just basic guidelines, and the actual specs needed for a specific game may vary. It's recommended to have a look at the games you want to play and check the recommended specs for them, then you can decide which component you want to upgrade.
Tools
You also want to make sure you have all the necessary tools and equipment like screwdrivers, thermal paste, and additional power cables. Additionally, it's always good to read up on how to build a PC and watch some videos tutorials to make sure you're comfortable with the process before beginning.
Good and Cheap $150 Gaming Computer Build
My goal was to create a budget-friendly gaming PC that could play popular games such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Hearthstone, Minecraft, Counter-Strike GO, and WoW in 1080p and some graphically intense games in 720p. With a budget of only $150, this may be considered impossible by some, but with the right components and strategy, it can be achieved.
I wanted to create a gaming PC that was affordable for everyone, especially those who live in countries where hardware costs are much higher. Consoles, while popular, can be very expensive and do not offer the same level of gaming options as a PC.
To build this budget gaming PC, I suggest using multiple retailers and being flexible with the components. Prices and rebates change monthly, so it's important to be aware of different options and alternatives. Additionally, I suggest keeping a close eye on the APU, as this is the most important component and should not be compromised on.
Overall, building a budget gaming PC for $150 may seem impossible, but with the right strategy and components, it can be done. With this build, you'll be able to enjoy playing your favorite games without breaking the bank.
The goal of this budget gaming PC build is to provide an affordable option for playing popular games at 720p resolution, with some limitations for more graphically intense games. The small form factor of the PC also allows it to function as a home theater PC, Steam machine, or emulator rig.
I had to carefully consider the CPU and GPU options in order to stay within the budget of $150, and found that the best combination was an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 with a Radeon HD 6450 for around $48, although there are other options such as the Ryzen 3 1200, A4 7300 APU, A6 6400k, A6 7400k and Athlon 5350 with R3 graphics.
It's important to keep in mind that this build is not intended for playing the most demanding games at high resolutions, but rather for providing an affordable option for playing games at 720p resolution. Your feedback is welcome to improve this build.
Cheap and Good mATX Case
For this budget gaming PC build, a cheap and good Micro ATX case was chosen, specifically the Xion mATX case for $20. It was found to be sturdy and came with a 1x120mm Blue LED fan, however, the power supply was top-mounted and the drive bays did not have an easy-to-install solution. Alternatives such as the Rosewill FBM-01 can also be considered.
The budget for the motherboard was $30, and the Gigabyte GA-FD2A68HM-H was chosen for its USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and HDMI ports. However, there were issues with getting the RAM to go above 1600MHz. Alternatives such as the Biostar Hi-Fi A70U3P or Asus A68HM-E can also be considered.
For storage, a 250GB Caviar Blue drive from Western Digital was used, costing $15. Dual kit Ram options around $25, such as a 1x4GB or 2x2GB configuration, were used to take advantage of the dual-channel memory which makes a big difference for APUs.
For the power supply, an 80 PLUS certified EVGA power supply was found for $25 after rebate, however, alternatives such as the 430W version of the EVGA PSU can also be considered to trim down the budget.
