In this blog, I will show you how to build a PC for $500 in 2016. It’s a powerful machine that can run the latest games on high settings at 1080p with 60 FPS.
The Build the best $500 Gaming PC for money 2016 is a great article that will help you build a computer that can play games at a low cost.
It’s 2020, and there are some promising components on the market. The components are less expensive and offer greater value for money than in past years. People used to struggle to obtain comparable performance to consoles for $500, but today $500 is all you need to play virtually any game at 60 frames per second without breaking a sweat.
This year, there are a few more choices to select from, which may provide some challenges owing to comparable price and minor performance differences across components in the same category. But we’ve done the legwork for you and compiled a list of just the components that will guarantee you get the most bang for your buck.
Because of its capacity to destroy consoles at this price, I dubbed this PC “THE KILLER.” Make sure you read everything carefully, and if you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments area.
If you want to learn how to construct a gaming PC from the ground up, check out our step-by-step guide.
LIST OF PARTS
The CPU
Intel Core i3 9100F processor
Specs in a Nutshell:
Coffee Lake is an architectural marvel. Threads: 6 Cores: 6 3.60GHz base clock, 4.20GHz turbo clock 6MB cache TDP: 65 watts
The Intel Core i3 9100F is a high price Intel processor in the Core i3 9th generation series that used to cost about $120 but is now just $80-$90. It is based on the 14nm manufacturing technology and offers much higher performance than the previous generation while using just 65W of power. Because it has two more actual cores than the previous i3 generation CPUs, it gives you a lot more bang for your buck. Although it has lost hyperthreading, it now performs more like a 7th generation i5. It easily outperforms AMD’s Ryzen 3 2200G or Ryzen 3200G equivalents, which are priced similarly, making it the ideal option for this setup.
It contains four strong cores, comparable to the Core i5, and 6MB cache capacity, which is more than the previous-generation i3 CPUs. To cool the processor, I suggest the DarkFlash Shadow CPU cooler, which is a budget-friendly RGB cooler that will outperform the standard Intel heatsink. Because the i3 9100F doesn’t come with a factory heatsink, you’ll need to purchase one separately, but don’t worry about the additional cost; it’ll be well worth it.
The Display Card
In terms of performance, Intel’s Coffee Lake CPUs have significantly improved over previous generations, and when coupled with a GTX 1650 Super, this processor will offer the greatest value for money. Both of these components are excellent entry-level items that will not interfere with one another.
The GTX 1650 Super features 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM, which is sufficient for extreme settings at 1080p and should provide at least 60 frames per second in most games, with 60+ frames per second in eSports titles. When compared to the previous GTX 1650, which had a slower memory, the GTX 1650 made a significant improvement. It is easily 20% quicker than the GTX 1650, which is a significant improvement for the same price.
You don’t believe the GTX 1650 Super is right for you? Why not have a look at some more low-cost graphics cards that are even better?
The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
G310M Pro-M2 Plus from MSI
Specs in a Nutshell:
LGA 1151 is the socket type. 4+2 power phases VRM 2 DIMM slots, 32GB DDR4 memory 1x PCI-E x16, 2x PCI-E x1 expansion slots 4 SATA ports, 1 M.2 port
With the introduction of Intel’s Coffee Lake CPUs, the company also released a variety of chipset motherboards. I selected the H310 chipset motherboard for this reason since we are attempting to get the most bang for our buck without paying too much. The MSI H310M PRO-M2 Plus is an excellent motherboard with two DIMM slots that can accommodate up to 32GB of RAM.
Although this motherboard is not designed for overclocking, it is not necessary in this construction since the i3 9100F is not an overclockable CPU. However, this motherboard includes all of the necessary ports and slots to allow you to add all of the components you want. You will also be able to install sound and wifi cards. You’ll be able to update your storage devices and, since it includes an RGB header, you’ll also be able to add an RGB LED strip.
The RAM
8GB Viper Elite
Specs in a Nutshell:
Dimensions: 2 x 4GB 2666MHz is the frequency of the clock. Timings for the base: 15-15-15-36
Lower-capacity memory is usually a bad idea for a gaming PC since it limits the whole system. It doesn’t matter how powerful your CPU and graphics card are if you don’t have enough RAM. I selected the Viper Elite 4GB twin sticks clocked at 2666MHz to eliminate any potential bottlenecks at 1080p resolution, resulting in a total of 8GB that should last a couple of years.
The Storage Area
I went with Silicon Power’s 512GB SSD storage for storage. In comparison to the previous year, SSD costs are now extremely low. You can buy a 500GB SSD for the price of a 1TB hard drive, which is far quicker than a conventional HDD and will start up your system much faster. It will also decrease game loading times, and you will have a highly fast system that you will prefer to a system with a conventional hard drive.
Do you want your devices to transmit data at a quicker rate? Take a look at the best USB C cables! .
The Power Source
500 W1 EVGA
Specs in a Nutshell:
500 Watts of output power Rating for efficiency: 80+ Non-Modular (Non-Modular) 3 year warranty
The EVGA 500 Watt power supply, which is rated at 80% efficiency, is used to power the whole system. It produces less heat and ensures that your components get enough power. Because all of the components in this design are power efficient, you may add additional devices in the future without worrying about running out of power.
The Vehicle Chassis
MATREXX 50 DEEPCOOL
Specs in a Nutshell:
Mid-Tower is the shape of the building. 6 x 120mm fans are supported. Support for graphics cards is 370mm, while support for coolers is 168mm. 2 x 3.5′′ Drive Bays, 4 x 2.5′′ Drive Bays are available for storage.
Finally, we have a gorgeous chassis from DeepCool to house everything. It has excellent cable management and enough of room to attach the components without difficulty.
This case is around $50 and, in my view, is one of the finest mid-tower cases available for the money. It features a tempered glass panel on the side and front, enough cable routing space, and a dust filter on the front. It’s ideal for this particular construction. Because of its cheap pricing and design, which includes a full-length PSU shroud with many cutouts, I would suggest it above the Corsair Spec series cases. Now all you have to do is put all of these pieces together to get your system up and running. If you wish to speed up the process, I’ve included a link to my computer construction instructions at the start.
510 in total (As of May 1st, 2020)
What are the best peripherals to use with this build?
Asus VG278QR monitor
The Asus VG278QR is a great 144Hz monitor that can be overclocked to 165Hz for very smooth gaming performance. While the GTX 1650 Super won’t provide 144+ frames per second in AAA games, it will in eSports games like Overwatch and CSGO. Furthermore, this display supports GSync, which is ideal for the GTX 1650 Super since it eliminates tearing in games.
This monitor has a 27-inch TN panel with 1080p resolution and a super-fast 0.5ms reaction time, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming. Due to GSync, this monitor is more costly than the other 144Hz displays, costing almost $250. So, if you’re looking for a less expensive alternative, consider the Sceptre C248B-144RN, which costs about $150.
Cooler Master MS110 Keyboard and Mouse
I wouldn’t suggest purchasing an expensive keyboard and mouse for a $500 PC. A keyboard/mouse isn’t like a monitor, which can’t be updated as often as a monitor. However, you should still invest in a good keyboard and mouse to maximize your gaming performance. The Cooler Master MS110 is a $60 keyboard mouse combination with RGB illumination on the keyboard in six zones and three zones on the mouse, all of which can be adjusted through software.
The keyboard isn’t mechanical, but it does have floating keycaps with an ergonomic design, and the mouse is adequate, having a DPI button and four DPI settings, as well as two thumb buttons for extra functionality.
Razer Kraken Headset
As essential as having excellent targeting abilities is being able to hear and comprehend where the opponents are coming from. Speakers are useless in allowing you to comprehend the noises and their directions, therefore I don’t suggest utilizing them in games. Cheap gaming headphones, on the other hand, are useless. You’ll need 7.1 surround sound, which the Razer Kraken provides. This headset is extremely popular because of its performance, and it comes in six distinct color options.
Do you want to watch the stream?
Gaming and streaming/recording is the newest on-going trend that many gamers, including me, have embraced, and you don’t need a high-end PC to accomplish it, but the peripherals and extras will add to your cost. You may upgrade to the following extra equipment for the greatest experience, but if you don’t have the funds right now, the peripherals listed above will suffice.
I suggest utilizing a camera, although not every renowned YouTube gamer does, and the same can be said for a high-quality microphone, which may be substituted with a headset that can listen to and record your speech.
Amcrest AWC201-B webcam
There are several excellent full HD webcams accessible online, and the Amcrest AWC201-B is a low-cost alternative with an integrated microphone that you should not use. This camera will simply fit on top of your display and will not obscure any of your screen’s contents.
Microphone: Yeti USB Microphone in Blue
The Blue Yeti USB Mic is a powerful, feature-rich microphone that is among the best-selling microphones worldwide, with thousands of favorable customer ratings on Amazon.com alone. The mic has several excellent sound-control options that make your voice in the comments extremely clear.
It includes three condensers and a volume, mute, and gain control on the exterior so you can adjust how your voice sounds without having to fiddle with the settings in recording software.
OBS Studio is a recording software.
You’ll need excellent software to simultaneously record your games, yourself, and your comments. The OBS editor offers you complete control over your gameplay. You may put anything you want on top of your gameplay. With the aid of a green sheet, you may alter the backdrop of your room or completely eliminate it.
This program offers a variety of options for recording and broadcasting straight to YouTube and Twitch, and I haven’t seen a more user-friendly tool.
Editor of video
You will need software to edit your videos in order to remove bloopers and other unwanted elements. The hilarious and spectacular gameplays aren’t all captured in one sitting. To chop out clips and add transitions, animations, and text to your movies, you’ll need something. There is software that can help you with this. Adobe Premiere Pro, Corel VideoStudio (which I use), Filmora, Cyberlink Powerdirector, and Pinnacle are the finest.
Do you want to improve your situation?
Although this setup will suffice for a few years, if you don’t want to make sacrifices with future games that need better specifications, you should update anytime you feel you are falling behind in terms of performance.
I usually don’t suggest updating before a year or two, and that’s for every component; but, increasing your graphics card or CPU on a regular basis can assist a lot without replacing everything. This PC build will most likely be able to play most games at 1080p resolution on medium-high settings after 2 years, but there is no guarantee as technology can change at any time, and with new gaming technologies like Ray Tracing and DLSS being introduced in recent titles, you will most likely need to upgrade your graphics card at least after 2 years.
Upgraded CPU
Intel Core i5 9400F processor
The i3 9100F is a fantastic quad-core CPU, but some of the newest AAA games require up to 6 cores to optimum performance, and more cores are always better when multitasking. If you don’t care about multitasking and prefer to focus on one task at a time, such as gaming, the i3 9100F is ideal. However, if you want to get the most out of every game currently available, consider upgrading to the i5 9400F instead of the i3 9100F, which is a 6 core CPU that performs similarly to the i5 9600K in terms of gaming performance.
You can upgrade to an i7 9700 or 9700K in a year or two, but I would suggest getting a new motherboard instead for an unlocked CPU. The only issue you may have after 1 or 2 years is that Intel’s 9th generation CPUs may be phased out, although these processors will continue to be available for a few years after the new-generation processors are released.
Upgrade to the motherboard
MSI Z390-A Pro is a gaming laptop by MSI.
While the H310 motherboard can work with any other 9th generation Intel CPU, you need upgrade to the Z390 chipset if you want extra features like overclocking, more M.2 slots, integrated wifi adapter, more DIMM slots for more RAM, multiple GPU setup, and so on.
There are a few excellent cheap Z390 motherboards, such as the Asus Prime Z390-A and MSI Z390-A Pro, that are not expensive yet will suffice for most workloads.
Upgraded memory
Vengeance LPX 16GB Corsair
For 1080p gaming, 8GB RAM is adequate, and no game requires more than 8GB at this resolution. However, certain applications on your PC need a lot of RAM, and if you use them all at the same time, your system may slow down. Chrome is a fantastic illustration of what I’m talking about. It is suggested that you update to 16GB of RAM to solve this issue, which will be plenty even for 4K gaming.
Upgrade your graphics card
Super GTX 1660
The GTX 1650 Super graphics card is a strong graphics card that allows you to play any games at 1080p with at least high settings and 60 frames per second. When it comes to extreme settings, though, you’ll need to upgrade to a GTX 1660 Super or RX 5700 for 1080p gaming without sacrifice. Even at 1440p resolution, the RX 5700 will perform well, but it is suggested that you first upgrade from the i3 9100F to something more powerful, such as the i5 9400F.
Upgraded storage
3D NAND SSD from WD Blue
The current storage capacity of 512GB is enough for a few games and essential data, but not for a large number of large games. I suggest adding another SSD with a minimum capacity of 1TB. You can now obtain twice or treble the size with a hard drive, but they are very sluggish, and as SSDs become more cheap, you should choose for a smaller capacity storage drive with several times the speed over a very slow large mechanical hard drive that takes up more room.
Upgrade your power supply
Toughpower Grand 750W by Thermaltake
Unless you update your graphics card to something like an RTX 2080, you won’t need to replace your power supply. The 500 watt PSU I selected for this setup is more than enough for future upgrades like as extra fans, storage drives, and peripherals. If you want something more efficient and modular, the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 750W PSU, which has an 80+ Gold certification and a completely modular design with RGB lighting, is a good option.
Upgrade to the chassis
Simply said, unless you need integrated RGB lighting, a large number of hard drives, or bespoke water cooling with very thick radiators, don’t change your chassis. The Deepcool Matrexx 50 is ideal for any mid-range to high-end setup.
System software
Windows 10 is the latest version of Microsoft’s operating
If you don’t want your PC’s gaming and productivity to be restricted, choose Windows 10, which is the best suitable operating system for both gaming and non-gaming tasks. While it costs about $100, you can still get it for free, albeit certain functions are disabled. You’ll be able to play all of your Steam, Origin, Battle.net, and other gaming platforms far more easily than you could on Mac OS or Linux.
What should you do once you’ve finished constructing your PC?
For optimum performance, I suggest installing certain essential applications and tools after constructing your PC. Check out these 15 important pieces of software to install right after you finish your build.
Install overclocking and monitoring tools as well for benchmarking and testing your CPU and graphics card. Check out the list below to see what the best tools are for this:-
- The best CPU overclocking software
- The best graphics card benchmarking software
Do you need recommendations?
Feel free to ask any questions in the comments area if you need any help with the construction process or component selection!
The ryzen build is a PC that can be built for $500. It has an AMD Ryzen CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a GTX 1060 graphics card. Reference: $500 dollar ryzen build.
