Building your First Budget PC Setup
By: Anxkin
Building your first PC might feel intimidating (It was for me!), but it’s also one of the most rewarding projects you can take on as a gamer, content creator or PC lover. Not only do you get to choose every part to match your budget, needs and vibes, but you also gain a system you truly understand from the inside out. PS: I earn commission from links at no extra cost for you!
Here’s a simple beginner-friendly guide to help you pick the right parts and start your journey.
1. Processor (CPU)
The CPU is the “brain” of your computer and usually very important for competitive games. For a first build, you want something powerful but budget friendly.
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AMD Ryzen 5 5600X – One of the best bang-for-your-buck CPUs for gaming.
–> Priced at: $158.99
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Intel Core i5-12400F – Great performance for price, especially if you prefer Intel.
–> Priced at: $137.90
These are the best pieces for budget friendly and powerful builds but remember to stick to your needs and wants. To find more Processors (CPU’s) you can find them in Amazon. ——> https://amzn.to/4mIYpfF
Picture of AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
2. Graphics Card (GPU)
This is the heart of gaming performance. Without a decent GPU, you won’t be able to run modern or competitive titles smoothly.
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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 – Perfect for 1080p and 1440p gaming.
–> Priced at:
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT – Affordable alternative with solid performance.
–> Priced at:
These are the best pieces for budget friendly and powerful builds but remember to stick to your needs and wants. To find more Graphic Cards (GPU) you can find them in Amazon. ——> https://amzn.to/471ImoS
Picture of NVIDIA 3080
3. Motherboard
The motherboard connects everything together. Make sure it’s compatible with your CPU.
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MSI B550-A PRO (AM4) – Solid choice for Ryzen CPUs.
–> Right now, at 24% discount! Priced at:
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ASUS Prime B660M-A – Good for Intel 12th-gen processors.
–> Priced at: $134.99
These are the best pieces for budget friendly and powerful builds but remember to stick to your needs and wants. To find more Motherboards you can find them in Amazon. ——> https://amzn.to/3V4DjfU
4. Memory (RAM)
For gaming, 16GB is the sweet spot but new modern games could need up to 32GB to run smoothly.
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Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB, DDR4 3200MHz) – Reliable and fast.
–> Priced at: $47.99
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G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GB – Budget-friendly but high performance.
–> Priced at: $45.99
These are the best pieces for budget friendly and powerful builds but remember to stick to your needs and wants. To find more Memory (RAM) you can find them in Amazon. ——> https://amzn.to/45p0Dez
5. Storage (SSD)
SSDs are much faster than old hard drives. For a first build, get at least one SSD.
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Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB NVMe SSD – Super fast for games and Windows.
–> Priced at: $135.18
These are the best pieces for budget friendly and powerful builds but remember to stick to your needs and wants. To find more Storage (SSD) you can find them in Amazon. ——> https://amzn.to/4oCO9aR
6. Power Supply (PSU)
Never cheap out on this part. A stable PSU keeps your system safe from power outages.
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EVGA 600W 80+ Bronze – Affordable and reliable.
–> Priced at: $74.82
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Corsair RM650x 650W 80+ Gold – Premium option with better efficiency.
–> Priced at: $79.99
These are the best pieces for budget friendly and powerful builds but remember to stick to your needs and wants. To find more Power Supply’s (PSU) you can find them in Amazon. ——> https://amzn.to/4mNmEJO
7. Case
Your case is where it all comes together. Choose one that looks good and has good airflow.
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NZXT H510 – Sleek and minimalist design. Perfect for White Setups.
–> Priced at: $149.00
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Cooler Master MasterBox TD500 Mesh – Great airflow with RGB. Super important to keep the PC cooled.
–> Priced at: $107.99
These are the best pieces for budget friendly and powerful builds but remember to stick to your needs and wants. To find more Case you can find them in Amazon. ——> https://amzn.to/4oFUrpZ
8. Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse (Peripherals)
You’ll need these to actually use your PC. Always pick whatever you feel more comfortable and choosing the specs you want.
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Monitor: AOC 24G2 144Hz – Affordable and smooth for gaming.
–> Priced at: $119.99
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Keyboard: Redragon K552 Mechanical – Budget-friendly mechanical keyboard.
–> Priced at:
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Mouse: Logitech G502 Hero – Popular, customizable, and precise.
–> Priced at: $43.99
These are the best pieces for budget friendly and powerful builds but remember to stick to your needs and wants. To find more peripherals you can find them in Amazon.
✅ Wrapping Up
Your first PC setup doesn’t have to be overly expensive. Start with a balanced build, focus on the GPU + CPU for gaming, and upgrade over time as your needs grow.
If you follow the parts above, you’ll have a setup that’s ready for competitive gaming, streaming, and everyday use.