5 Best PC Setups Under $500 for 2024: Build the Ultimate Budget-Friendly Rig
Building a powerful and efficient PC on a budget can seem challenging, but it’s entirely possible with the right components. For gaming, content creation, or just an all-around solid machine, there are plenty of budget components that deliver excellent performance. In this guide, we’ll explore the 5 best PC setups under $500, each designed to give you the most value for your money without compromising on performance.
Whether you’re a casual gamer, a student, or someone who needs a reliable PC for work, these builds will offer a good balance of power and affordability. Let’s dive into the best PC setups you can build for under $500 in 2024!
PC Build #1: Budget Gaming Beast
This first build is designed for gamers who want to enjoy popular titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and CS
on a budget. It focuses on delivering solid 1080p gaming performance without breaking the bank.
Key Components:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G ($130)
- GPU: Integrated Radeon Vega 7 Graphics
- Motherboard: MSI B450M PRO-VDH Max ($80)
- RAM: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3200MHz ($45)
- Storage: Kingston A2000 500GB NVMe SSD ($40)
- Power Supply: EVGA 500 W1, 80+ WHITE 500W ($40)
- Case: Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L ($50)
Total Cost: $385
Performance:
- With the Ryzen 5 5600G, you’re getting one of the best budget CPUs with integrated graphics. Its Radeon Vega 7 iGPU delivers solid 1080p gaming performance in titles that don’t require dedicated graphics, such as League of Legends, Valorant, and Dota 2.
- This build is also upgradeable. As your budget allows, you can easily add a discrete GPU like the NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super for an even better gaming experience.
PC Build #2: All-Purpose Workstation
If your primary use case is productivity, video editing, or even light gaming, this setup balances CPU and RAM performance with reliable storage options. It’s ideal for multitasking, office work, and occasional creative work.
Key Components:
- CPU: Intel Core i3-12100F ($110)
- GPU: GT 1030 2GB GDDR5 ($75)
- Motherboard: ASRock H610M-HDV/M.2 ($70)
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz ($45)
- Storage: Crucial P2 500GB NVMe SSD ($40)
- Power Supply: Thermaltake Smart 500W 80+ White ($40)
- Case: NZXT H510 ($70)
Total Cost: $450
Performance:
- The Intel Core i3-12100F is one of the best budget CPUs for productivity tasks, and when paired with the GT 1030, this build can handle photo editing, light video editing, and multitasking.
- With 16GB of RAM, you’ll have enough memory to smoothly run multiple applications simultaneously. The fast NVMe SSD ensures snappy performance and quick boot times.
PC Build #3: Entry-Level Content Creation Machine
For content creators who are on a tight budget but need a PC that can handle light video editing, graphic design, and photo manipulation, this build will do the job. It focuses on a powerful CPU and plenty of RAM, along with enough storage for large media files.
Key Components:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 ($100)
- GPU: Integrated Radeon Graphics
- Motherboard: ASUS Prime A320M-K ($60)
- RAM: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3200MHz ($45)
- Storage: Western Digital 1TB NVMe SSD ($55)
- Power Supply: Corsair CV550, 80+ Bronze ($45)
- Case: Phanteks Eclipse P300A ($60)
Total Cost: $415
Performance:
- The Ryzen 5 5500 is a strong 6-core, 12-thread CPU that provides excellent performance for content creation tasks such as video rendering, Photoshop, and other creative software.
- With 1TB of SSD storage, you’ll have plenty of space for large video and project files, and the 16GB of RAM ensures smooth performance in RAM-intensive applications like Adobe Premiere and After Effects.
PC Build #4: Compact HTPC (Home Theater PC)
If you’re looking for a compact PC to serve as a home theater setup, this build is perfect for streaming, light gaming, and basic home office tasks. It’s small, energy-efficient, and can handle 4K video playback with ease.
Key Components:
- CPU: AMD Athlon 3000G ($55)
- GPU: Integrated Radeon Vega 3 Graphics
- Motherboard: ASRock B450M-HDV ($65)
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 2666MHz ($25)
- Storage: Kingston 240GB SSD ($20)
- Power Supply: EVGA 400 W1, 80+ WHITE ($35)
- Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX ($50)
Total Cost: $250
Performance:
- The Athlon 3000G with Vega 3 graphics is perfect for media consumption and light gaming. It can handle 4K video playback and works well as a streaming device.
- The compact Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX case keeps your setup small and efficient, making it an excellent choice for a living room PC.
PC Build #5: Budget-Friendly 1080p Gaming Setup
For gamers who are looking to maximize gaming performance at 1080p, this build includes a dedicated graphics card while staying under the $500 limit. It’s designed for those who want to enjoy smooth gameplay in AAA games without sacrificing too much in terms of performance.
Key Components:
- CPU: Intel Core i3-10100F ($80)
- GPU: AMD RX 6500 XT 4GB ($130)
- Motherboard: MSI H510M-A PRO ($70)
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 3000MHz ($25)
- Storage: ADATA 480GB SSD ($25)
- Power Supply: Thermaltake Smart 600W 80+ White ($45)
- Case: Cougar MG120-G Compact Micro-ATX ($55)
Total Cost: $430
Performance:
- The Intel Core i3-10100F is a great budget processor that can pair well with the RX 6500 XT to deliver excellent 1080p gaming performance.
- Titles like Call of Duty: Warzone, GTA V, and Red Dead Redemption 2 will run smoothly at medium to high settings at 1080p.
- The 8GB of RAM is enough for most gaming purposes, though upgrading to 16GB in the future will provide a performance boost.
How to Build a PC: Step-by-Step Guide
Once you’ve chosen your parts, it’s time to build your PC. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Make sure you have a clean, static-free workspace to avoid damaging your components.
- Install the CPU: Open the CPU socket on the motherboard, carefully place the CPU in the socket, and close the latch.
- Install the CPU Cooler: If you’re using a stock cooler, it should come with thermal paste pre-applied. Mount the cooler over the CPU and secure it.
- Install RAM: Insert your RAM sticks into the appropriate DIMM slots. Press them down until they click into place.
- Install the Motherboard: Place the motherboard into the case and secure it with screws.
- Install the Storage: Mount your SSD or HDD into the appropriate drive bay or M.2 slot on the motherboard.
- Install the Power Supply: Place the power supply into the case and screw it into place.
- Install the GPU (if applicable): Insert your GPU into the PCIe slot on the motherboard and secure it with screws.
- Connect the Cables: Connect the power supply cables to the motherboard, CPU, GPU, and storage drives. Make sure everything is connected properly.
- Test the Build: Before closing the case, power on the system to make sure everything works. If you see the BIOS screen, the build is complete!
- Install an Operating System: Once the build is successful, install your operating system (e.g., Windows or Linux) using a USB drive.
Conclusion
Building a PC on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice performance or quality. With these five PC setups under $500, you can enjoy smooth gaming, multitasking, content creation, and entertainment without spending a fortune. These builds are designed to be easily upgradeable as your budget increases, allowing you to enhance your rig over time.
Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or just need a reliable workstation, there’s a budget-friendly option here that will suit your needs.
