PC Gaming on a Budget: How to Build a Powerful Rig for Under $800
The world of PC gaming can seem intimidating, with high-end graphics cards that cost more than a used car and custom builds that look like science-fiction movie props. But the truth is, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get a fantastic gaming experience.
Building a PC yourself is not only a fun and rewarding project, but it’s also the best way to maximize your performance for every dollar spent. In 2025, the components available in the budget space are more powerful than ever, making it possible to build a rig that can handle the latest games at 1080p with high frame rates, all for under $800.
Here is our step-by-step guide and parts list for the best budget gaming PC you can build right now.
The Philosophy: Balance is Everything
The key to a great budget build is balance. There’s no point in pairing a powerful graphics card with a slow CPU that will hold it back. This build focuses on the “sweet spot”—components that offer the absolute best price-to-performance ratio.
(Note: Prices are estimates based on the current market in mid-2025 and can fluctuate.)
The Parts List: An $800 Gaming Powerhouse
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (~$190) For years, AMD has been the king of budget gaming CPUs, and the Ryzen 5 7600 continues that legacy. With 6 cores, 12 threads, and access to the modern AM5 platform, it provides incredible gaming performance that won’t bottleneck your graphics card. It’s more than enough power for today’s games and has a great upgrade path for the future.
Graphics Card (GPU): Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 8GB (~$280) This is the heart of your gaming rig. The RTX 4060 is the undisputed champion of 1080p gaming. It’s incredibly power-efficient and, most importantly, it gives you access to Nvidia’s game-changing DLSS technology. This AI-powered feature allows the card to deliver frame rates far above its weight class, ensuring you can play even the most demanding new titles with smooth performance.
Motherboard: A Solid B650 Motherboard (~$120) You don’t need the most expensive motherboard. A quality B650 board from a reputable brand like MSI, Gigabyte, or ASRock will provide everything you need. It supports the latest AMD CPUs, gives you access to fast DDR5 memory, and includes a crucial M.2 slot for your primary storage.
Memory (RAM): 16GB (2x8GB) DDR5 6000MHz CL30 (~$60) 16GB is the sweet spot for modern gaming, and with this build, we can afford fast DDR5 RAM. Getting a kit rated at 6000MHz with a low CAS Latency (CL30) is the ideal pairing for an AMD Ryzen 7000-series CPU, maximizing its performance.
Storage (SSD): 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD (~$50) Do not build a PC in 2025 with a mechanical hard drive. A fast NVMe M.2 Solid-State Drive is essential. A 1TB drive provides enough space for your operating system and a good handful of your favorite games. The difference in loading times and overall system responsiveness compared to an old hard drive is staggering.
Power Supply (PSU): 650W 80+ Bronze (~$60) Never cheap out on your power supply. While this build is very power-efficient, a quality 650W unit with an 80+ Bronze rating will provide clean, reliable power with plenty of headroom for future upgrades. Look for models from trusted brands like Corsair, SeaSonic, or EVGA.
Case: A High-Airflow Budget Case (~$40) You can save a lot of money on the case. You don’t need a giant glass box with a dozen RGB fans. Choose a simple, well-reviewed budget case from a brand like Phanteks, Fractal Design, or Lian Li that has a mesh front panel for good airflow.
Total Estimated Cost: ~$800
The Result
This sub-$800 build represents a true sweet spot for PC gaming. It’s a system that will deliver a high-frame-rate, 1080p gaming experience that can rival consoles, with the added flexibility and upgradeability of the PC platform. Building a great gaming PC is more accessible and affordable than ever—all it takes is a little research and a willingness to build it yourself.
