If you’re looking to build a PC on a budget, knowing where to spend money and where to cut costs will help bring down the overall price. While we don’t recommend buying the cheapest hardware available, you can save in certain areas, such as the PC case and cooler, without sacrificing performance. Below are some of the cheapest PC parts you can buy for a powerful, budget-friendly gaming rig.
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How to save money on PC parts when building a PC
It’s easy to overspend on PC parts that have little to no impact on performance when you’re trying to get high frame rates while gaming. Of course, a visually appealing build can make your setup stand out, but if you’re on a budget, you can forgo these things to still build a PC that can run most games without breaking the bank. Unless you’re building an enthusiast PC or money is no object, you don’t need the latest, most powerful PC hardware most of the time.
If you’re building a PC for gaming, you can skimp on the CPU and invest the savings in a more powerful GPU to do the bulk of the work. Most mid-range CPUs are great for gaming, and some, like the $193 Ryzen 5 7600, come with a cooler included. You also don’t need a high-end motherboard unless you plan on overclocking. The PC case is where most people overspend these days, as the sleek RGB and panoramic designs show off your components, but if you can get by without all that, you can end up saving over $50 and still get a case with good airflow.
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AIO coolers are Coolbut if you’re on a budget, use the stock cooler that came with it or an affordable air cooler, especially if you have a mid-range CPU. If you want to build a powerful PC on a budget, prioritize the GPU and PSU and spend as little as possible on the rest of the components.
Best overall rating
Montech AIR 903 BASE
The Montech AIR 903 BASE is an excellent PC case for just $65. It’s not the most stylish option, but it offers excellent airflow, allows for easy cable management, and comes with pre-installed fans, which is more than you can expect from a budget case. It has room for all motherboards, powerful RTX 4090 GPUs, and 360mm radiators. A front mesh panel allows more air to enter the case, and you still get a glass side panel to show off your components.
Best budget
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler
Noctua recently released its next-generation cooler, the NH-D15 G2, which is one of the best air coolers available. However, it also comes with a hefty price tag of $150. For under $40, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE offers comparable performance to the NH-D15 G2, except when cooling extremely high-end CPUs like the Core i9-14900K. If you’re using a mid-range CPU, you can save significantly by opting for affordable coolers like the affordable Peerless Assassin 120 SE.
While the Peerless Assassin 120 SE isn’t the cheapest air cooler on the market, it’s significantly cheaper than premium air coolers and AIO liquid coolers. It offers excellent cooling with its two 120mm fans and runs quieter than cheaper options. If you have a lower-end CPU like a Core i3, you can opt for an even cheaper model like the ID-Cooling SE-214-XT ARGB.
Premium selection
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
AMD has taken a top spot in the mid-range, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is one of their best offerings. Priced at around $200, it offers excellent value for mainstream gaming with its six cores and up to 5.1GHz clock speed. If your main concern is saving money without sacrificing much performance, you can’t go wrong with this CPU. It even comes with a CPU cooler, so you don’t have to buy one. If you’re leaning more towards Intel, the Intel Core i5-13400F is a good alternative with excellent multi-core performance and an included cooler.
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FAQ
Q: Where can I save money on PC parts?
You can save on PC parts by buying a cheap case, using a stock or cheaper air cooler, opting for a mid-range motherboard and CPU, and choosing a non-modular power supply.
Q: Is it cheaper to buy PC parts myself?
Buying your own PC parts and building it yourself can be cheaper than using pre-built components because you can take advantage of special offers, spread the cost gradually, and choose only the components you need.
