On the fence on whether or not to get a console or a new cheap gaming PC? This console-killing $500 gaming PC will have you playing any game on medium settings and most esports titles on max settings.
One of the common myths about PC gaming is that it is too expensive to get into. Yes, a high-end gaming PC will cost you a bit more upfront than a console. However, you can do more with a PC than you can with a console. And, the reality is that a gaming PC doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In this guide, we’re going to present you with a console-killing $500 gaming PC build and go over what it is capable of.
Yes, you heard me correctly…
You can get a $500 gaming PC that is better than either an XBox One or a PS4.
The affordable gaming PC listed below is perfect for gamers who are working with a tight budget, but who want to be able to play their favorite games on at least medium settings on a 1080p monitor.
*URGENT: Due to extreme hardware shortages caused by the pandemic, it is currently very difficult to find new graphics cards (and other hardware) at reasonable prices. As of right now, if you want to buil a new gaming PC, your best bet is to check the used market for a video card, or you can look at a pre-built gaming PC (see our recommendation below) instead of building your own system.
Table of Contents
I. Overview of this Cheap Console-Killing $500 Gaming PC
For starters, you’re typically going to get the best bang for your buck if you build your own computer rather than buying one pre-built.
And, fortunately, building a PC really isn’t that difficult to do.
However, if you don’t feel up for building your own computer, I’ve also linked to a similarly-priced pre-built gaming PC for ~$500. It won’t quite have the same performance, but if you absolutely do not want to build your own system, it will serve well as an entry-level gaming PC.
This $500 gaming PC build comes with an Intel Core i3-10100f quad-core (eight-thread) processor, a GTX 1650 Super graphics card, 8GB of DDR4 memory, and a 480GB SSD. This combination will allow you to play most games on higher settings on a 1080P monitor. For non-demanding popular titles like Fortnite, League of Legends, Valorant, Rocket League, or older games like Skyrim, etc. this PC will max them out with a high framerate with no problems.
And, it will also provide ~60+ FPS or higher on more-demanding titles as well.
It’s the perfect cheap gaming PC for gamers who don’t have a ton of money to spend, but who want a solid entry-level machine that will allow them to play their favorite games.
This $500 PC build also comes with a 650W power supply, which will allow you to upgrade to a higher-end GPU in the future with no problems.
Ultimately, if you’re looking to get into PC gaming without dropping thousands of dollars on a new machine, the part list below will get the job done for you…
Part List for $500 PC Build
CPU | Intel Core i3-10100f | |
MOBO | ASRock H410M | |
GPU | MSI GTX 1650 Super | |
RAM | Patriot Signature 8GB | |
SSD | ADATA 480GB | |
CASE | Zalman T7 | |
PSU | EVGA 550W | |
ODD | Install O.S. from USB | |
OS | Windows 10 |
Grand Total: $470-$530
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click here to check current pricing.
**Price includes the parts that make up the tower only. You’ll need an operating system and Windows 10 costs ~$100 for an activation key. However, you can still install Windows 10 for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it with no problems—there will just be a watermark at the bottom left of your desktop asking you to activate it.
Watch Me Build This PC
*Note: Due to changing prices and components going out of stock, we update the part list in this guide on a regular basis to reflect the current trends. However, it is much easier to update the components to match current trends than it is to rebuild the system every time a component goes out of stock. So, since the video below is a bit older, the current list of parts posted above is quite different than the $500 gaming PC build that we posted a video on a few months ago. The video will still give you a good idea on what the building process looks like as well as how the $500 list of components will perform.
Benchmarks
II. FAQ on this $500 Gaming Computer
Here are some common questions that people ask before they purchase this build…
1. Why Not Go With an APU?
AMD’s Ryzen APUs are a popular processor option for many budget gamers. Their integrated graphics are good enough to run most games on at least lower settings. However, while AMD’s new APUs are solid alternatives to a budget GPU/CPU combo, at the $500 price point, an Intel Core i3-10100f paired with a GTX 1650 Super will be more powerful than AMD’s most powerful APU, the Ryzen 5 3400G.
I’ve put together a more thorough write-up on the battle of APUs vs CPUs and that should help clear up when the new APUs make sense over a traditional CPU/GPU combo. As of right now, we use the Ryzen 3200G in our $300 PC build. We’ve also used the older 2400G in our $400 gaming PC in the past, too, but that’s another budget-range where it makes more sense to go with a CPU and dedicated graphics card.
2. Intel Core i3-10100f vs Ryzen 3 3100?
It’s a tough decision in choosing the Intel Core i3-10100f over the Ryzen 3 3100.
What it really all comes down to at the moment is total price involved and availability. Currently, the Intel Core i3-10100f is easier to find, it’s cheaper, and it has plenty of affordable motherboard options available.
The Ryzen 3 3100 goes in and out of stock frequently and is currently ~$20 more expensive than the i3-10100f. So, while both of these processors will serve you well, at the moment, the i3-10100f is the option we prefer due to its availability.
3. RX 580 vs GTX 1650 Super vs GTX 1650 ?
While we’ve used the GTX 1650 and RX 580 in this build in the past, you can currently find a GTX 1650 Super graphics card at a pricepoint that makes it the best option for this system. The GTX 1650 Super trades blows with the RX 580 in most games and outperforms the GTX 1650. So, as long as the GTX 1650 Super stays at a lower pricepoint than the RX 580 and not too much more expensive than the GTX 1650, it makes sense to put in this build.
Of course, either of the other two options are good. If you want to save some money (but sacrifice some performance), the GTX 1650 is a worthy option. Or, for a similar price you can opt for the RX 580 instead.
4. Why Is the Price Higher Than $500?
Even when cryptocurrency miners aren’t driving up graphics card prices and memory doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to buy, individual PC hardware prices fluctuate on a daily basis.
So, if I update this guide one day and the total price is under $500, it’s possible that the next day—or even within just a couple of hours—the price could be higher (or lower.)
If you see the prices on this guide go over $500 and you can’t afford to go over that budget, you’ll need to alter the build a bit in order to keep the price down.
As of right now, the easiest way to do that would be to drop down from a GTX 1650 Super to a GTX 1650, RX 570, or RX 560.
While I do try to update this guide on a regular basis, if you want to see a version of this build that gets updated more frequently, check out our Affordable PC Build guide that I linked to at the top of this page.
5. Why Isn’t Windows 10 Included in the Price?
Yes, it’s true…
We didn’t include Windows 10 in the price of this build.
But, we do have a few of reasons for that. You will need an operating system for your new build. And, while your best bet is to just pay ~$90 for a Windows 10 license, there are ways to get around paying that much.
Below, I’ve listed three different ways you can either forego purchasing Windows 10, or get it at a discounted price.
You Could Always Go With Linux!
First, Windows 10 isn’t 100% necessary in order to build a gaming PC. You could, instead, go with a free Linux-based system.
However, the downside of Linux is that it doesn’t support nearly as many games as Windows.
But, if you’re strapped for cash, you could always go the Linux route to start with. And, then when you have some more money, you can purchase a Windows 10 key and switch over.
Windows 10 on the Cheap!
The second reason why we did not include the cost of Windows 10 in the build is that there are ways to get it for less than the full retail price (~$90-$100).
Sites like Kinguin.net and G2A.com have Windows 10 keys for as low as $30. And, I have purchased a copy of Windows 10 from Kinguin with no problems.
However, there is some risk in dealing with Kinguin or G2A. For more information on that matter, check out our guides on whether or not Kinguin is legit and whether or not G2A is legit.
The short answer is that Kinguin and G2A should probably be avoided for Windows keys, but if you don’t mind the somewhat blackhat nature of it all, it is an option that a lot of people choose. (And, if you do purchase a Windows 10 key from Kinguin, make sure you add the Kinguin Buyer’s Protection.)
Also, if you’re a college student or you serve in the military, you can get Windows 10 for 10% off through the Microsoft store.
Windows 10 for Free?!
Finally, it is actually incredibly easy to get Windows 10 for free. In fact, you can go straight to Microsoft’s Windows download page and download the Windows 10 media creation tool to a USB drive, boot from that drive on your new computer, and install Windows with no key necessary.
And, you’ll actually get a working copy of Windows.
The problem is that the free version of Windows 10 won’t be licensed unless you register it with a legit key.
However, a lot of people have reported that you don’t really lose much if you never end up registering your copy of Windows.
And, you could always build your system now, install the free copy of Windows 10, and use that until you can afford to purchase a full license. That would give you an extra $100 to spend on your CPU/GPU combo now, and that could potentially give you a lot more performance to start out.
III. Peripherals & Accessories to Go With Your New Gaming PC
Along with your new gaming PC, you’ll also need a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse (if you don’t have them already.)
The good news is that there are quite a few budget-friendly 1080P gaming monitors available that will work well with the $500 PC build listed above.
And, the same goes for an affordable gaming keyboard and mouse.
Below is a list of our top picks for budget-friendly monitors, keyboards, and mice.
Budget Gaming Monitor Picks
No, your cheap $500 gaming PC isn’t suited for 4K gaming and it can’t push a 144Hz 1440P monitor. But, to be honest, 1080P gaming is still more than satisfying for the majority of gamers.
And, your $500 budget build is more than capable of handling games at 1080P.
As I mentioned above, there are plenty of affordable 1080P monitors on the market. And, so if you don’t already have a monitor you can use for your setup, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to get one.
You can even pair this build with a monitor that has a 144Hz refresh rate and is compatible with AMD’s FreeSync technology. The higher refresh rate and AMD’s variable refresh rate technology will allow for an exceptionally smooth in-game experience.
Taking price into consideration, we’ve listed three solid 1080P monitors below at a few different price points to suit your needs.
Sceptre C248B |
|
/10 |
ViewSonic VX2276 |
|
/10 |
Acer G226HQL |
|
/10 |
Budget Gaming Keyboard Picks
Your keyboard and mouse are incredibly important to your gaming experience. You cannot game without either. (For some games, you can game with a controller. Check out our guide on the best controllers for PC gaming.)
And, while “gaming” keyboards (and mice) were luxury items for gamers in the past, nowadays there are a lot of budget options out there.
In this section, we’ve picked out a few different budget keyboard options.
If you’re looking for a solid keyboard to pair with your new $500 gaming computer, these are worthy options that won’t cost you a ton of money.
Logitech G213 |
|
/10 |
Redragon K552 KUMARA |
|
/10 |
Thermaltake Tt eSPORTS |
|
/10 |
Budget Gaming Mouse Picks
The mouse is to the gamer what the sword is to the warrior. If you can’t properly handle your mouse, you likely won’t have success in your favorite games.
That is why it’s important to have a decent-quality mouse.
And, more specifically, one that has a decent range of DPI adjustments and multiple programmable buttons. These will help you fine-tune your mouse so that you can dominate your favorite games.
In the section below, we’ve chosen three different options for budget-oriented gamers who are looking for a decent-quality gaming mouse.
Logitech G402 |
|
/10 |
Logitech G203 |
|
/10 |
Redragon M711 |
|
/10 |
Conclusion: A $500 PC Build Can Give You A Lot More Than You Think
The $500 gaming PC build listed in this guide is capable of playing any game on a 1080p monitor. And, through a few different upgrades, it can transform from a decent entry-level gaming PC, into a high-end beast of a computer.
And, really, that is one of the main advantages of going with a gaming computer over a console. Whereas a console’s hardware can’t be upgraded, a computer can be upgraded and added to as your demands as a gamer grow.
Ultimately, this cheap gaming PC build will serve any budget-oriented gamer well as a starter system that they can grow into.
jhanelle says
if i dont get the same mid tower but everything else from the build listed will it work
if not can you suggest another mid tower
Kendall says
I am soon to be building my own system and was wondering with the budget setup list, would this system support the usual ODD drives, and to what extent the size (storage) would the limit be? Also, can one add any additional SSD’s without issues? Remember, that later this year Windows 11 comes out…
alex says
so help full ty
Angleet says
The graphics card you have listed is $500 by itself used, not available new. I went looking to see if I could match the steamdeck for the price, but the state of GPUs right now makes it ridiculous.
bro chill says
lol
Daniel says
I’ve looked over for the GTX 1650 and yes just like you mentioned …. the graphic card itself cost $500+ so no there is no way to make this a $500 budget pc
Zak says
How well would this work with Warzone? I’ve never had a pc before and I’m wanting to get into it really bad just for Warzone. Does it come with browsers to download it? Lol I know I probably sound dumb
Harry says
What is the name of this pc?
YoungBoyProdigy says
CUSTOM
Ella says
This was very helpful!
Thank you!!
Sam says
What about 1 TB HDD that come with pre builds can you reply with some good budget ones
Ultra says
try to go to a store in person, or on a different website like microcenter
Greg McDowell says
Can I run this on my Sony Bravia in 1080 the way I would a console?
Lincoln Rieger says
Are there any budget pc $400-500 run Minecraft shaders well and space engineers low graphics?
Fang says
This could probably do those well im 99% sure it would run space engineers on medium-high graphics but minecraft shaders, you will have to look more into that yourself but im sure it would run it 🙂
Garrett Yarrow says
This is great and all but when I looked at the prices of it, a single component was over the price they said this would be. either I missed something, or this has gotten more pricy over time.
James says
the price of the gpu is like two thirds of the budget already.
Nathan says
Im finally done with console never playing it again i have a 400 to 500 dollars Budget i need help getting any gaming pc that run 144 fps
Shawn says
It’s not likely to be possible, especially right now. Good luck with your hunt (try to avoid wish, trust me)
Nico says
Yeah don’t do wish it’s pretty bad
Seth says
Hello i am Seth (age 15) and i chose to build this pc but i have run into a problem, at the time of writing this the mother board included on this site is either not available from the seller linked above on amazon or more expensive from a different seller. Is there a different motherboard that would work the same but less pricey but also be compadable with all of these components?
thanks Seth
James says
lol the GPU is now selling for almost 500 itself. Best go with an integrated, like the AMD Athlon 3000g. Yeah, it’s not as powerful, but it’s selling for 100 on Amazon. I managed to get a pretty ok starter M-ATX build together on Amazon for only 350. Uses most of the same components. Found a monitor for 95, so I got a full setup (minus keyboard and mouse, but they’re like 15 bucks) for less than the price of the unit here. Again, not as powerful, but I plan to wait till GPU prices go down to upgrade.
Dougle Hankins says
I am looking to build a computer from start to finish complete with monitor. This computer will be used for email, photo storage, internet, school stuff (I am a teacher), a VERY LITTLE gaming. I am looking to build one between $500-$600 or lower. Thanks.
Rayan S says
maybe you just need to get a cheaper GPU, like the 750ti