Budget PC Builder
Drag the slider to your budget and get a complete, balanced PC build in real time - CPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, storage, PSU, case, and cooler. Every part is picked for performance-per-dollar and checked against our bottleneck engine so nothing holds the rest back.
Prices are approximate street prices, so confirm the current price at each buy link. Your build gets a shareable link - send it to a friend or come back to it later.
Use case
Graphics card brand
$1,257
Target $1,200 (+5%)
Complete your setup
Add peripherals and extra storage to your build. Add as many as you like - each one drops into the list above.
Storage
Storage
Crucial P3 Plus 2TB
2000GB NVMe Gen4
Headset
Headset
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless
Wireless 2.4GHz + Bluetooth
Microphone
Microphone
Elgato Wave:3
USB condenser · capacitive mute
Webcam
Webcam
Logitech Brio 500
1080p60 · auto-framing
Speakers
Speakers
Edifier R1280T
Powered bookshelf · RCA
Keyboard
Keyboard
Keychron K8 Pro
Wireless · hot-swap mechanical
Mouse
Mouse
Logitech G502 X
Wired · 13-button
Controller
Controller
Xbox Wireless Controller
Wireless · the safe default
Mousepad
Mousepad
Corsair MM300 Extended
Extended cloth · anti-fray
Prices are approximate street prices - confirm current pricing at the buy links. Core parts are chosen for performance-per-dollar and checked for balance so nothing bottlenecks the rest. Peripherals are optional picks, not part of the balance check. Share links pin every part by ID, so a shared build stays exactly what you sent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on a gaming PC in 2026?
For 1080p gaming at 60+ FPS, budget around $700-1000. For 1440p at high refresh rates, $1000-1500 is the sweet spot. For 4K gaming, expect to spend $2000-2500+. RAM and GPU prices are significantly higher in 2026 due to the GDDR7 shortage and DDR5 demand.
What percentage of my PC budget should go to the GPU?
For a gaming PC, roughly 35-40% of your total budget should go to the GPU. The CPU should get about 15-20%, with the rest split between RAM (10%), motherboard (12%), storage (8%), power supply (8%), and case (9%). The GPU is the single most important component for gaming performance.
Should I buy DDR4 or DDR5 RAM in 2026?
DDR5 is actually cheaper than DDR4 for 16GB kits in 2026 because DDR4 is end-of-life with limited production. A 16GB DDR5-5200 kit runs about $65 vs $159 for DDR4-3200. The only reason to go DDR4 is if you already own an AM4 motherboard or are pairing with a very cheap CPU like the Ryzen 5 5500.
What is the best budget gaming PC build in 2026?
The best budget gaming build in 2026 pairs an AMD Ryzen 5 5500 with an RX 6600 GPU, 16GB DDR4-3200 RAM, a B450M motherboard, and a 500GB NVMe SSD for around $700. For about $1000, you can step up to a Ryzen 5 7600X with an RTX 5060 on AM5 with DDR5, which gives you a much better upgrade path.