BUDGET BUILD

Enjoy 1080p gaming without breaking the bank

B660M Pro RS ASRock $120

This is as cheap as we want to go while still offering room for expansion and upgrades down the line.

Core i5 12400F Intel $180

There’s no iGPU on this chip but it’s a little cheaper as a result, and will work great for this particular build.

GeForce RTX 3050 Nvidia $249

This GPU will deliver 1080p performance easily, and with 8GB of memory it’s built to last. Laminar RM1 (included with CPU) Intel $0

There’s room for an upgrade here, but on a budget the included CPU will work just fine.

Vengeance LPX 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Corsair $49

You could bump this to 16GB, but to save as much as possible we’ll stick to 8GB.

CV Series 550W Corsair $48

You could likely make do with less wattage, but Nvidia recommends a 550W PSU for the RTX 3050, so let’s be safe.

MX500 500GB Crucial $54

One of the best value SATA SSDs you can buy and plenty fast enough for a snappy OS.

WD Blue 1TB 7200rpm Western Digital $46

You don’t need a HDD, so feel free to cut this to save cash, but one sure helps if you’re a virtual hoarder.

Zauron

Aerocool $60

This Aerocool will let your components breathe and has space for further expansion and cooling.

GW2280 BenQ $113

A 1080p60 VA monitor will see you through in style and, once you upgrade, will make a superb second monitor.

G213 Logitech $60

It may be a membrane switch board, but it’s stylish, and well-built. Sometimes that’s worth more than cheap clicky switches.

G102 Logitech $31

A classic shape delivered in a sleek shell, this mouse fits all hand sizes and grips. A solid option for the money.

HS35 Corsair $51

This headset delivers in-game with its punchy drivers and clear microphone – perfect for video calls and multiplayer alike.