Best budget PC build for upcoming AAA games
We look at creating the best AAA gaming PC on a budget.
Share this article...
WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
With so many great games to enjoy, you may want to get yourself a good gaming rig for it. In that case, the best budget PC build for upcoming AAA games is key to good value performance. Compared to buying a ready-made prebuilt PC, this way you’re in control of the whole system.
We’ve compiled a short guide to help you choose the best parts that can handle the upcoming new releases. Never built a PC before? Check out our comprehensive guide to building a gaming PC for step-by-step instructions. It’s worth noting that not all PC components are compatible with each other. If you’re new to building your own gaming rig, we have a handy guide on choosing the right components so that you’re fully informed on what parts fit together seamlessly.
With that said, let’s explore the best budget PC options so you’re equipped for the upcoming AAA games you’re dying to play!
CPU
An important factor in building a PC that makes light work of running games smoothly is choosing your processor wisely. Luckily, there are several options from AMD and Intel that won’t break the bank, yet offer smooth performance and squeeze as much FPS as you need from games. With plenty of the best CPUs around, you’re spoilt for choice no matter which brand you want to go for.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Cores
6
Threads
12
Base speed
4.7GHz
Boost speed
5.3GHz
Cache
L3 32MB
Socket
AM5
The Ryzen 5 7600X provides great value when it comes to your processor. With the entry-level AM5 processor, it gives you access to the latest generation of tech without the highest cost necessary for it. Although the platform it requires might come at a higher cost it certainly has come down in price. So that gives you a good platform to start on. It also meets to minimum requirements of plenty of games, including the likes of Starfield.
GPU
Your graphics card teams up with your processor to form a duo that when done right, helps your favorite games run like a dream. You don’t need a god-tier graphics card to enjoy gaming even though it might help. But now with every generation performance improvements keep coming and so even the lower tier cards will provide you with a good framerate in your games.
MSI Gaming Radeon RX 7600 Mech 2X
Core Clock Speed
1,720MHz base, 2,695 MHz OC boost, 2,280 MHz game
Stream processors
2,048
Memory Size
8GB GDDR6
Dimensions
235 x 125 x 47 mm
PSU Required
500W
TBP
165W
For a great budget GPU option, the RX 7600 is the one to go for. The RDNA 3 card brings plenty of power and performance with it in one small package. Although the low-power card is a great choice for 1080p gaming primarily, AMD Radeon cards are the ones that provide great value. If you did want something more powerful the RX 7800 XT is a great step up if you’re after 1440p or above.
RAM
You can’t afford to skimp on the amount of RAM you choose for your build – most AAA games coming out will need at least 8GB of RAM to run at a minimum, although that is slowly becoming too little for most uses. Considering it is recommended to use at a minimum of 16GB especially if you enjoy multitasking while gaming, that would enable you to keep the performance more stable.
CORSAIR VENGEANCE DDR5 RAM 16GB
Capacity
16GB (2x8GB)
Memory Technology
DDR5
Memory Speed
5200 MHz
CAS Latency
CL40
Since you’re on the AM5 platform, you do need to utilize DDR5 memory as well. With speed improvements, it is a rather rapid technology to base it on, but there are still some budget choices to be made. With only 16GB (even though 32 might be more common) and a 5200MHz speed (even with much faster available), the Corsair Vengeance is a great choice to go for.
Motherboard
Your choice in MOBO is fairly important, as it makes sure that all of your components slot together and work as they should, with some offering overclocking if that’s your thing. While the motherboard doesn’t directly affect game performance, it’s critical that it gives you enough RAM slots, is the right size for your case, and is manufactured by a reputable brand to avoid problems later on down the line.
MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi Gaming Motherboard
Now for the best motherboard for the build, there are a surprisingly lot of expensive choices when it comes to picking out an AM5 motherboard. The MSI B650 gaming plus is one of the cheaper choices to go for, with the chipset not as extreme and expensive as the X670 platform. However, it still is a great choice although it might cut out the PCIe gen 5 connectivity, it’s not required for the current generation of hardware.
PSU
Supplying power to your new gaming PC is pretty simple as long as you remember to buy a unit that delivers enough juice to your components to operate properly. If you choose to overclock your hardware, that also uses more power. Primarily coming from the GPU and CPU, you can find their requirements and get a PSU to match.
EVGA BQ 80+ Bronze 500W Semi Modular PSU
Wattage
500W
Certification
80+ Bronze
Modular?
Semi modular
With just a 500W wattage, the EVGA BQ provides plenty of power to the PC you need as long as you don’t upgrade the power too much. The semi-modularity of the power supply does allow some customizability and ease of use of it.
Storage
There are two kinds of storage you can buy – SSD and HDD. For the sake of loading your favorite titles quickly and avoiding the frustration of loading screens that take forever, we’d suggest getting both.
SSDs are quicker and therefore load faster, and HDDs are slower, yet less expensive. You could go for an SSD on its own, but because they’re much pricier, splitting the work between two will save you money without a noticeable performance difference. NVMes are another step up and are great for boot drives and some storage. However bulk is better to go for the cheaper per GB option.
Sabrent 1TB Rocket NVMe 4.0
Case & Fans
No doubt you’ve been drooling over some dreamy cases in your quest to build your next PC, and happily, there are some beautiful options that come with a modest price tag! Whether you want something minimal or showstopping, it’s important to measure up and make sure it fits your motherboard and components, with room left for intake and exhaust fans.
Unless you’re stepping into extreme build territory (which on a budget, you’re most likely not), then a mid-sized tower should suit you just fine. For a cool, quiet gaming PC setup, invest in fans that will provide enough air intake and exhaust so your parts don’t overheat – we break down airflow and static pressure fans in our guide, but don’t get too caught up on this!
Corsair 4000D Airflow Black
Type
Mid-tower
Motherboard Support
ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX
Dimensions
17.83 x 9.06 x 18.35 inches
Included Fans
2 x 120mm AirGuide fans
The 4000D Airflow is the option to go for and is a popular choice. We like it for its ease of build, good value, and great design with provided fans.
Monitor
Now when it comes to picking out your best gaming monitor there is a lot to think about. With different resolutions, refresh rates, and sizes there is a lot to decide on. For this system, you want a 1080p monitor with at least 144Hz for a better gaming experience. Although if the budget is tighter even 90Hz is better than 60.
Operating System
You’ll need to get your own copy of whichever operating system you decide on, as it needs to be installed separately. We’d strongly recommend Windows 11 as most of the AAA titles coming out this year are made for it. Thankfully, it’s super simple to install once you’ve built your PC!
Windows 11 Home
