Build the ultimate $800 gaming pc.
MY TOP Recommendations
Are you in the market for an affordable yet high-performing PC? Look no further than this budget-friendly gem, which I highly recommend. What's more, all the components can be conveniently purchased on Amazon, brand new.
Processor (CPU): Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600, equipped with 6 cores and 12 threads, still packs a punch, thanks to the Zen 3 architecture. Despite being a year old, it handles modern titles smoothly, especially with a capable GPU.
I recommend it over the Intel i5 12400F for two key reasons:
It's $20 cheaper while delivering similar gaming performance when paired with an entry-level GPU.
When you factor in the motherboard and memory costs, the Ryzen 5 5600 offers the best value for your $800 budget.
The Ryzen 5 5600, is cheaper than its X variant, provides practically the same performance, making it the perfect CPU for your $800 gaming build. If you're considering future-proofing with DDR5, the Intel i5 12400F is a solid option, but it comes with slightly higher costs for the motherboard and memory. For those interested, I'll also share a recommended motherboard and memory kit to pair with the 12400F.
Motherboard: Asus Prime A520M WiFi
The Asus Prime A520M WiFi motherboard provides a stable and reliable foundation for your system. comes with 4 dimm slots which is nice if you want to add 2 more sticks down the line and my favorite part is the 2 3pin ARGB headers to sync all your lights on the pc.
Ethernet cable is recommended for best internet connection, but this motherboard has Built-in Wi-Fi capability which I know sounds weird to say this is an extra feature you have to pay for which should just be a standard.
Memory (RAM): 16GB (2x8GB) Gloway
Your PC's RAM is essential for smooth multitasking. With 16GB of RAM clocked at 3200MHz, expect snappy responsiveness and the ability to handle multiple applications simultaneously.
Faster RAM speeds can also boost gaming performance, particularly in titles that benefit from higher memory bandwidth.
To unlock higher RAM speeds, follow these simple steps:
Access Your BIOS: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS settings by pressing the designated key (often spam Del or F2) during startup.
Enable XMP: In the BIOS, navigate to the overclock or tweaker tab and find the XMP option. Enable it.
Save and Restart: Save your changes (usually by pressing F10) and restart your computer.
Check RAM Speed: After rebooting, right-click on your taskbar to open Task Manager. Go to the Performance tab and click on Memory. If the speeds here match your memory's rated speeds, you're good to go.
That's it! By enabling XMP in your BIOS, you can maximize your RAM's performance potential.
Storage: 1TB Silicon Power Storage
The 1TB storage drive from Silicon Power offers ample space for all your files, games, and multimedia content.
A budget speedy storage drive with reads speeds up to 2,200MB/s and write speeds up to 1,600MB/s ensures swift loading times for applications and games, contributing to an overall responsive system.
Cooling: ID Cooling CPU Cooler Tower
Effective cooling is vital to maintain optimal CPU performance. The ID Cooling CPU cooler tower ensures your CPU stays at the right temperature under heavy workloads. After stress testing the cpu never went above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
A well-cooled CPU can maintain its peak performance and prevent throttling. The stock cooler is good enough but for and extra $20 not only it looks better but it will cool the cpu better.
Case: DIYPC Case or Bitfenix
DIYPC Case
Bitfenix Case
The choice of a case isn't just about aesthetics; it can also impact performance. For these budget builds i usually go with one of these choices. Both the DIYPC case and the Bitfenix offer functional designs and airflow options to keep your components cool. My personal favorit is the DIYPC.
Power Supply: Apevia Prestige 600W 80+ Gold
A reliable power supply unit (PSU) is crucial for system stability. The Apevia Prestige 600W 80+ Gold PSU provides efficient and consistent power delivery.
Having extra wattage headroom can be beneficial if you plan to upgrade your system in the future.
Graphics: XFX Radeon 6700
When it comes to the graphics card for your budget gaming PC, I opted for the XFX RX 6700 non-XT variant. It's a card that deserves more attention, and here's why.
Priced at $280, it outperforms its direct competitor, the RTX 3060, and can deliver additional FPS with a straightforward overclock.
If you have an extra $60 to spare, consider upgrading to the RX 6700 XT for even better 1080p gaming performance and more VRAM. Alternatively, if you prefer Nvidia's DLSS2 and the extra 2GB of VRAM, the RTX 3060 is an option, although it sacrifices some performance. There's also the RX 7600, priced $20 lower, offering slightly less VRAM and slightly lower performance in some games. It does come with DisplayPort 2.1 and AV1 encoding, catering to different preferences.
For this budget-focused build, the RX 6700 stands out, especially considering the extra 2GB of VRAM.
What are your thoughts on this pc parts list? What would you change or upgrade on this build? Do you prefer the DIYPC case or the Bitfenix?
