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How to Build a Budget Gaming PC in 2026

BottleneckPC Team·

You Don't Need to Spend a Fortune

The gaming PC market in 2026 is better than ever for budget builders. Thanks to fierce competition between AMD, NVIDIA, and Intel, you can build a capable 1080p gaming machine for around $500-750, or a solid 1440p rig for $1000-1500.

Here's how to do it right.

Step 1: Set Your Budget and Expectations

Before buying anything, decide what you want your PC to do:

  • $500: Plays most games at 1080p on medium-high settings at 60 FPS
  • $750: 1080p high settings at 60+ FPS, entry-level 1440p
  • $1,000: 1080p ultra at 100+ FPS, 1440p high at 60+ FPS
  • $1,500: 1440p ultra at 100+ FPS, entry-level 4K
  • $2,000: 4K gaming, no compromises

Our budget PC builder tool can generate a complete parts list for any of these tiers.

Step 2: Choose Your CPU and GPU First

These two components determine 80% of your gaming performance. Pick them first, then build around them.

Budget rule of thumb: Spend about 35-40% of your total budget on the GPU, 15-20% on the CPU, and spread the rest across other components.

Best Value CPUs for Gaming in 2026

  • Under $150: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 — Still incredible value on the AM4 platform
  • $200-300: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X or Intel Core i5-14400F
  • $300-500: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D — Best gaming CPU under $500

Best Value GPUs for Gaming in 2026

  • Under $300: AMD RX 7600 or NVIDIA RTX 4060
  • $300-500: AMD RX 9070 or NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti
  • $500-800: NVIDIA RTX 5070 or AMD RX 9070 XT

Step 3: Pick Your Other Components

RAM

  • 16GB DDR4-3200 for budget AM4 builds (~$35)
  • 32GB DDR5-5600 for AM5/LGA1700 builds (~$75)
  • Always get dual-channel (two sticks)

Motherboard

Match your CPU socket. Don't overspend here unless you need specific features like WiFi or extra M.2 slots.

  • AM4: B550 boards starting at ~$70
  • AM5: B650 boards starting at ~$130
  • LGA1700: B660/B760 boards starting at ~$100

Storage

Get an NVMe SSD. They're fast and affordable in 2026.

  • 500GB NVMe: ~$40 (minimum for gaming)
  • 1TB NVMe: ~$65 (recommended)
  • 2TB NVMe: ~$110 (for large game libraries)

Power Supply

Don't cheap out on the PSU. A bad power supply can damage your entire system.

  • 450-550W 80+ Bronze: Fine for budget builds (~$40-50)
  • 650W 80+ Gold: Recommended for mid-range (~$80)
  • 750W+ 80+ Gold: For high-end GPUs (~$100+)

Case

Pick something with good airflow. Mesh front panels are ideal.

  • $40-60: Thermaltake Versa H18, Cougar MX330
  • $60-80: NZXT H5 Flow, Fractal Pop Mini Air
  • $80-120: Lian Li Lancool III, Fractal Design North

Step 4: Assembly Tips

  1. Install the CPU first — Drop it into the socket carefully, then secure the retention arm
  2. Add RAM — Push firmly until both clips snap into place
  3. Mount the M.2 SSD — One screw holds it down at an angle
  4. Install the motherboard — Don't forget the IO shield and standoffs
  5. Mount the GPU — It goes in the top PCIe x16 slot
  6. Connect all power cables — 24-pin motherboard, 8-pin CPU, GPU power
  7. Cable management — Route cables behind the motherboard tray

Step 5: Check for Bottlenecks

After choosing your components, run them through our bottleneck checker to make sure your CPU and GPU are well-matched. This can save you from spending money on a component that won't reach its potential.

Ready to Build?

Head over to our Budget PC Builder to get a complete, optimized parts list for your budget and use case. Every component is hand-picked for the best performance per dollar.