The Budget Build for Work and Gaming

Written by @Lambdaben

Building a budget PC can be a great way to get the performance you need without breaking the bank. Whether you're a student, gamer, or just looking to save some money, building your own PC can be a rewarding and cost-effective experience. In this article, we'll explore the best components for a budget PC build and provide some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your investment.

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Vermeer 3.5GHz 6-Core AM4 - Wraith Stealth Cooler Included

Just because we’re on a budget, doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice higher performance and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is a powerful processor that offers excellent performance and value for a budget PC build. With its 6 cores and 12 threads, it's perfect for multitasking and demanding applications like gaming and video editing.

Motherboard: Gigabyte B550M K AMD AM4 microATX Motherboard

The Gigabyte B550M-K is an affordable and reliable motherboard that's perfect for a budget PC build. It supports AMD Ryzen processors, including the Ryzen 5 5600, and features PCIe 4.0 support for fast data transfer speeds. With its compact Micro-ATX form factor, the B550M-K is also a great choice for small form factor builds or those with limited space.

Video Card: ASRock AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT Challenger D Overclocked Dual Fan 8GB GDDR6 PCIe 4.0 Graphics Card

For the budget PC build, ASRock AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT Challenger D Overclocked Dual Fan 8GB GDDR6 PCIe 4.0 Graphics Card is a great choice for any budget-conscious build. With its overclocked core clock speed and 8GB of GDDR6 memory, it can handle demanding games and applications with ease. The dual fan design helps to keep the card cool under heavy loads, ensuring that it delivers stable and reliable performance.

Ram: TeamGroup T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit - Gray

The TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan-Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 RAM kit offers high clock speed and low latency at a reasonable price. The 16GB capacity is also enough for most users, providing ample space for multitasking and running multiple applications simultaneously.

Power Supply: PowerSpec 650 Watt 80 Plus Bronze ATX Power Supply

PowerSpec’s 650W Bronze ATX fixed power supply is a great budget option. With its 80+ Bronze efficiency rating, it delivers efficient and stable power to your components. The fixed cables make cable management easier, while the fully sleeved cables add a neat and clean look to your build.

SSD: Intel 670p Series 1TB QLC 3D NAND M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe SSD

The Intel 670p 1TB QLC NVMe SSD is a great storage option for a budget PC build. It provides fast read and write speeds, thanks to a PCIe Gen3 x4 interface and 3D NAND technology, ensuring that your system boots up quickly and applications load fast. The 1TB capacity provides plenty of storage space for your operating system, applications, and files. It also leaves plenty of room for future storage upgrades, if needed.

Case: ASUS Prime AP201 microATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Black

The Asus AP21O is an affordable Micro-ATX case that isn't just a great budget case, it's a great case, hands down. With its sleek and minimalistic design, it fits well in any workspace or gaming setup. It features a 90-degree motherboard mounting design that helps to improve airflow and cooling, ensuring that your components stay cool under heavy loads. The case also has a tempered glass side panel that showcases your build and adds a touch of style.

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home 32/64-Bit USB

With its modern design and improved performance, Microsoft’s Windows 11 USB installer provides a smooth and efficient user experience. The USB installation method makes it easy to install on your new PC, and the 32/64-bit compatibility ensures that it's compatible with a wide range of applications and software. 

The full parts list can be found on our Custom PC Builder: