In today’s digital world, building a budget-friendly PC is a smart choice for both casual users and gamers on a tight budget. With the right parts, you can assemble a powerful system that handles day-to-day tasks, moderate gaming, and productivity workloads without breaking the bank. This guide will walk you through a PC build that costs up to 600 euros, focusing on balancing performance and value.
Key Goals for This Build:
- Balanced Performance: Capable of handling 1080p gaming and light productivity.
- Upgradeability: A platform that allows for future upgrades like better GPUs, RAM, or storage.
- Cost-Effective: Stay within the 600 euros budget while using high-quality components.
1. Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 5 5600G – ~130-150 Euros
For a budget build, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is an excellent choice. It’s a 6-core, 12-thread CPU with integrated Radeon Vega graphics, which means it can handle light gaming without needing a dedicated GPU right away. This CPU is strong in multitasking and will serve well in productivity tasks like video editing or general work.
- Why Choose It?
- Great performance for the price.
- Integrated graphics good for gaming at 720p or light 1080p.
- Solid upgrade path with the AM4 platform.
2. Motherboard: MSI B550M PRO-VDH – ~90 Euros
To complement the Ryzen 5 5600G, you’ll need a solid B550 motherboard. The MSI B550M PRO-VDH is affordable but comes with important features like PCIe 4.0 support, future-proofing for faster storage and GPU upgrades, and plenty of connectivity options.
- Why Choose It?
- PCIe 4.0 ready for future upgrades.
- Good VRM cooling and power delivery for a budget board.
- Supports overclocking for both the CPU and RAM.
3. Memory (RAM): Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 – ~50-60 Euros
For a smooth experience in gaming and multitasking, 16GB of RAM is now the standard. The Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) kit is a great choice for this build. Running at 3200 MHz, it’s perfectly suited to the Ryzen processor, ensuring you get the most out of it.
- Why Choose It?
- 16GB is ideal for gaming and productivity.
- Dual-channel memory for faster performance.
- Reliable brand with lifetime warranty.
4. Storage: Kingston NV2 500GB NVMe SSD – ~30-40 Euros
Fast storage is essential for quick boot times and game load times. The Kingston NV2 500GB NVMe SSD offers excellent performance for the price. With read/write speeds significantly faster than traditional HDDs and even SATA SSDs, this SSD will give you a noticeable performance boost in both gaming and general tasks.
- Why Choose It?
- Fast NVMe speeds at an affordable price.
- 500GB is enough for the operating system and a few large games.
- More storage can be added later as needed.
5. Graphics Card (GPU): AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT – ~150-190 Euros
For budget gaming at 1080p, the AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT is a fantastic option. It offers decent performance in modern games at medium to high settings. With this card, you can play titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and GTA V at solid frame rates without having to spend a fortune.
- Why Choose It?
- Good 1080p performance for the price.
- Low power consumption.
- Future support for AMD technologies like FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution).
6. Power Supply Unit (PSU): Cooler Master MWE 650W 80+ Bronze – ~50-60 Euros
The power supply is one of the most important components, and you should never skimp on it. The Cooler Master MWE 650W 80+ Bronze PSU provides reliable power delivery with enough headroom for future upgrades. At 650W, it’s perfect for this build and supports more powerful components later if you upgrade.
- Why Choose It?
- Reliable and efficient power delivery.
- 80+ Bronze efficiency certification.
- Sufficient wattage for this build and future upgrades.
7. Case: Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L V2 – ~50 Euros
A budget case doesn’t have to be boring. The Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L offers a stylish design with great airflow, and it’s easy to work with. It also provides space for future upgrades and better cable management.
- Why Choose It?
- Good airflow and compact size.
- Modern design with a transparent side panel.
- Sufficient room for future hardware expansion.
Total Cost Estimate
- CPU: 130-150 Euros
- Motherboard: 90 Euros
- RAM: 50-60 Euros
- Storage: 30-40 Euros
- GPU: 150-190 Euros
- PSU: 40-60 Euros
- Case: 50 Euros
Total: ~530-600 Euros
Performance Expectations
With this build, you can expect solid performance across various tasks:
- Gaming: 1080p gaming at medium to high settings on most AAA titles, with smooth gameplay in esports titles.
- Productivity: Great for everyday tasks, multitasking, and even light video editing or programming.
- Future Upgrades: The B550 platform allows you to easily upgrade your CPU or GPU in the future if your performance needs increase.
The newley released 7-series AMD CPUS are monsters on AM4. This build has an upgradeable life cycle of about 3-5 years due to the extended AMD support on the AM4 platform. If it wasn’t for this then I would have gone AM5 for sure. - Technological Half-Life: This is a budget build, it will not fail to deliver but it is based on previous generation components. There is nothing wrong with this but that does not mean, it will remain relevant more than 5 years into the future. It will still deliver, but it will be technologically deficient.
Final Tips
- Monitor Prices: PC component prices can fluctuate, especially for GPUs. Watch for sales and deals to save some money. This is a 1080p up to 144Mhz, so don’t spend too much on a monitor you can’t utilize.
- Future Upgrades: You can start with integrated graphics from the Ryzen 5 5600G if the GPU is out of budget initially, and add one later when prices are more favorable. The new Ryzen 5700X3D is a monster at around 210-230 Euros and is an absolute beast. Mind the lack of cooler on 5700X3D box set.
- Build Flexibility: Consider scaling up storage or improving the cooling system depending on your specific needs.
By following this guide, you can build a powerful and efficient PC for under 600 euros, ensuring a great balance between gaming performance, productivity, and upgrade potential!
