Building a budget gaming PC under $500 in 2025 is more achievable than ever. Thanks to affordable yet powerful components, you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy AAA games smoothly. In this guide, we’ll recommend the best parts that balance price and performance, helping you create a reliable gaming PC without breaking the bank.
Recommendation Components
| Komponen | Recommendation | Cost Predictions | Link |
| Processor (CPU) | AMD Ryzen 5 5600G | $160 | |
| Motherboard | ASRock B550M-HDV | $80 | |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 3200MHz (2x8GB) | $35 | |
| Storage | Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 1TB | $75 | |
| Power Supply | Thermaltake SMART 600W | $40 | |
| Casing | Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L Micro-ATX Tower | $40 | |
| Fan Casing | DS RGB Fans, 120mm 6 Pack Case Cooling LED Fans | $20 | |
| Total | $450 |
Why this Build is highly recommended
Before we begin, let’s discuss what is necessary for building this gaming PC. Some of you may be curious why this build is highly recommended. We will answer that question clearly and concisely.
Excellent Upgrade Path
This setup is a great starting point. Thanks to the AM4 platform and the B550 chipset, you’ll be able to add a powerful graphics card later without changing any other components. It’s perfect for gamers who want to start small and expand over time.
Efficient Power Usage
Without a discrete GPU, this PC runs cool and sips electricity—ideal for those mindful of energy costs. The Ryzen 5 5600G’s integrated graphics let you play light and mid-tier AAA games out of the box.
Performance
Even without a GPU, the Ryzen 5 5600G delivers surprisingly good performance. In competitive games like Valorant or Fortnite, you can expect frame rates of around 120 FPS at 1080p, and even higher if you lower resolution to 720p.
While demanding AAA titles might need reduced settings, this APU can still handle many of them reasonably well—making it a solid base for budget builds.
Upgrade Recommendations for Budget Gaming PC under $500 in 2025
Once your budget allows, the first thing to upgrade is the graphics card. Here’s why and what to choose:
1. Graphic CARD (VGA)
Why should I upgrade the VGA first? because this PC does not have a VGA, so of course adding a VGA is the main option. With the addition of VGA, of course the FPS game and the editing process will be faster and smoother. And by adding a VGA, the ability of this PC can increase by a percentage of about 50%.
Here are some suggestions for choosing a good VGA.
1. Best Performance Option: RTX 3060
If you’re aiming for ultra settings in modern games and dabble in video editing, the RTX 3060 is a perfect match. It pairs well with the Ryzen 5 5600G and avoids bottlenecks. With this card, your PC becomes a true 1080p or even 1440p gaming machine.
2.RTX 2060
Still a strong performer in 2025, the RTX 2060 is a smart alternative if you want to save money. It can run most AAA games at 1080p medium to high settings, and it’s great for content creation, too. Given that many gamers still use 1080p monitors, this card offers great value for money.
Conclusion of this PC build
Building a gaming PC for under $500 in 2025 is no longer a dream. This setup offers excellent value, a clear upgrade path, and solid out-of-the-box performance. Whether you’re just getting started or planning to upgrade over time, this build has you covered.
So let’s start assembling the PC, the first step to trying to assemble the PC of your dreams.