Best Gaming PC Build Under $400 for 2024
Are you looking for a budget-friendly gaming PC that can handle most games at 1080P resolution? Do you want to build your own PC and save money on pre-built systems? If yes, then this $400 PC build for you.
In this article, we will show you how to build a gaming PC under $400 that can run games like Minecraft, League of Legends, Valorant, and more. We will also explain why we chose each component and how they work together to deliver a smooth gaming experience. Plus, we will recommend a monitor that matches the performance of this PC build.
Table of Contents
Components List: PC Build Under $400
Before we dive into the details of each component, here is a quick overview of the parts we will use for this PC build:
- CPU with integrated GPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
- RAM: Corsair 8GB 3000MHz DDR4 RAM
- Motherboard: MSI B450 Pro Max 2
- Storage: Kingston 250GB NVMe SSD
- PC Case: Montech X3 mesh
- Power Supply: Cooler Master 450 watt 80+bronze power supply unit
Note: These parts will cost you around $370-$430, depending on the availability and prices of the components.
Now, let’s take a closer look at each component and why we chose it for this PC build.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
The CPU, or the central processing unit, is the brain of your PC. It handles all the calculations and instructions that your PC needs to run. For gaming, you want a CPU that can handle multiple tasks at once, such as running the game, streaming, recording, browsing, etc.
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is a great choice for a budget gaming PC because it offers six cores and 12 threads, which means it can handle multiple tasks at once without slowing down. It also has a base clock speed of 3.9 GHz and a boost clock speed of 4.4 GHz, which means it can run fast and efficiently.
But the best feature of the Ryzen 5 5600G is that it has an integrated graphics card, or an APU (accelerated processing unit). This means that you don’t need to buy a separate graphics card for this PC build, which saves you money and space. The integrated graphics card of the Ryzen 5 5600G is the Radeon RX Vega 7, which can run most games at 1080P resolution on low to medium settings.
Of course, the integrated graphics card is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card, and you won’t be able to play the latest AAA games on high settings. But for casual gaming, the Ryzen 5 5600G is more than enough. And if you want to upgrade your PC in the future, you can always add a dedicated graphics card later.
Also Read: Best 800 Dollar Gaming PC Build
RAM: Corsair 8GB 3000MHz DDR4 RAM
The RAM, or the random access memory, is the short-term memory of your PC. It stores the data and programs that your PC is currently using, such as the game you are playing, the browser you are using, the music you are listening to, etc. The more RAM you have, the more data and programs you can run at the same time without slowing down your PC.
For gaming, you want to have at least 8GB of RAM, which is the minimum requirement for most games. However, some games may require more RAM, especially if you are running other programs in the background. Therefore, it is recommended to have 16GB of RAM for optimal gaming performance.
However, since we are on a tight budget, we will stick to 8GB of RAM for this PC build. We chose the Corsair 8GB 3000MHz DDR4 RAM because it is a reliable and affordable RAM that can work well with the Ryzen 5 5600G. It has a speed of 3000MHz, which means it can transfer data quickly and efficiently. It also has a low latency of 16-20-20-38, which means it can respond to requests faster and reduce lag.
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Motherboard: MSI b450 pro Max 2
The motherboard, or the main board, is the backbone of your PC. It connects all the components of your PC and allows them to communicate with each other. It also provides slots and ports for adding more components and peripherals, such as the CPU, the RAM, the storage, the graphics card, the keyboard, the mouse, etc.
For this PC build, we chose the MSI b450 pro Max 2 motherboard because it is compatible with the Ryzen 5 5600G and has all the features we need for a budget gaming PC. It has an AM4 socket, which is the socket type of the Ryzen 5 5600G. It also has four DIMM slots, which can support up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM. It has one M.2 slot, which can support a fast NVMe SSD.
It has one PCIe x16 slot, which can support a dedicated graphics card. It has six SATA ports, which can support more storage devices. It has four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, one HDMI port, one DVI-D port, one VGA port, one LAN port, and three audio jacks.
The MSI b450 pro Max 2 motherboard also has some gaming features, such as the Audio Boost, which enhances the sound quality of your games. It also has the Core Boost, which optimizes the power delivery to the CPU. It also has the EZ Debug LED, which helps you troubleshoot any problems with your PC.
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Storage: Kingston 250GB NVMe SSD
The storage, or the hard drive, is the long-term memory of your PC. It stores all the data and programs that your PC needs, such as the operating system, the games, the files, the photos, the videos, etc. The more storage you have, the more data and programs you can store on your PC.
For gaming, you want to have a fast and reliable storage device that can load your games quickly and smoothly. The best type of storage device for gaming is an SSD, or a solid state drive. An SSD is faster than a traditional HDD, or a hard disk drive, because it has no moving parts and uses flash memory to store data. An SSD can also reduce noise, heat, and power consumption.
However, not all SSDs are the same. There are different types of SSDs, such as SATA SSDs and NVMe SSDs. SATA SSDs use the SATA interface, which is the same interface used by HDDs. NVMe SSDs use the PCIe interface, which is the same interface used by graphics cards. NVMe SSDs are faster than SATA SSDs because they have more bandwidth and lower latency.
For this PC build, we chose the Kingston 250GB NVMe SSD because it is a fast and affordable NVMe SSD that can fit in the M.2 slot of the motherboard. It has a read speed of up to 2000MB/s and a write speed of up to 1100MB/s, which means it can load games and programs in seconds. It also has a capacity of 250GB, which is enough to store the operating system and some games. However, if you need more storage space, you can always add more SSDs or HDDs later.
Case: Montech X3 mesh
The case, or the chassis, is the shell of your PC. It houses all the components of your PC and protects them from dust, damage, and overheating. It also provides ventilation, cable management, and aesthetics for your PC.
For this PC build, we chose the Montech X3 mesh case because it is a compact and stylish case that can fit all the components of this PC build. It has a mesh front panel, which allows for better airflow and cooling. It also has a tempered glass side panel, which showcases the internal components of your PC. It also has four pre-installed RGB fans, which add some color and lighting effects to your PC.
The Montech X3 mesh case also has some features that make it easy to build and maintain your PC. It has a tool-less design, which means you can install and remove components without using any tools. It also has a removable dust filter, which helps you keep your PC clean and dust-free. It also has a spacious interior, which gives you enough room to work with and manage your cables.
Power Supply: Cooler Master 450 watt bronze psu
The power supply, or the PSU, is the heart of your PC. It converts the AC power from the wall outlet to the DC power that your PC components need. It also regulates the voltage and current of the power to prevent any damage or instability.
For gaming, you want to have a reliable and efficient power supply that can deliver enough power to your PC components without overheating or making noise. You also want to have a power supply that has a high efficiency rating, such as 80 Plus Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Titanium. The higher the efficiency rating, the less power is wasted as heat and the more power is saved on your electricity bill.
reliable and efficient power supply that can deliver enough power to your PC components without overheating or making noise. It has a power output of 450 watts, which is enough to power this PC build. It also has an 80 Plus Bronze efficiency rating, which means it can save up to 85% of the power as compared to a standard power supply. It also has a 120mm fan, which keeps the power supply cool and quiet.
The Cooler Master 450watt bronze psu also has some features that make it easy to connect and protect your PC components. It has a semi-modular design, which means you can use only the cables you need and avoid cluttering your case with unnecessary cables. It also has a single +12V rail, which means it can deliver stable and consistent power to your PC components.
It also has over-voltage, over-current, over-power, and short-circuit protection, which means it can prevent any damage or malfunction due to power surges or fluctuations.
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Recommended Monitor: ASUS TUF Gaming Monitor 23.8” FHD IPs Gaming Monitor
To complete your gaming PC setup, you will also need a good monitor that can display your games in high quality and smoothness. The monitor, or the display, is the device that shows the images and videos from your PC on a screen. For gaming, you want to have a monitor that has a high resolution, a high refresh rate, a low response time, and a good panel type.
- The resolution is the number of pixels that the monitor can display on the screen.
- The refresh rate is the number of times that the monitor can update the images and videos on the screen per second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more fluid the images and videos. The most common refresh rate for gaming is 60Hz, which means the monitor can update the screen 60 times per second. However, some monitors can go up to 144Hz, 165Hz, or even 240Hz, which can provide a more responsive and immersive gaming experience.
- The response time is the time that the monitor takes to change the color of a pixel from one state to another. The lower the response time, the faster and more accurate the monitor can display the images and videos. The most common response time for gaming is 5ms, which means the monitor can change the color of a pixel in 5 milliseconds. However, some monitors can go down to 1ms, which can reduce ghosting and blurring effects.
- The panel type is the technology that the monitor uses to display the colors and contrast of the images and videos. The most common panel types for gaming are TN, IPS, and VA. TN panels are cheap with less color accuracy. IPS panels are the most balanced and accurate, but they have slower response times and higher prices. VA panels are the best for contrast and blacks, but they have slower response times and lower color accuracy.
For this PC build, we recommend the ASUS TUF Gaming Monitor because it is a great monitor that can match the performance of this PC build. It has a resolution of 1920×1080, which means it can display your games in Full HD quality. It has a refresh rate of 165Hz, which means it can display your games in ultra-smooth motion. It has a response time of 1ms, which means it can display your games in fast and accurate response. It has an IPS panel, which means it can display your games in vivid and accurate colors.
The ASUS TUF Gaming Monitor also has some features that enhance your gaming experience. It has a FreeSync technology, which means it can synchronize the refresh rate of the monitor with the frame rate of the PC, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering. It also has a GamePlus mode, which means it can provide you with some gaming tools, such as a crosshair, a timer, a FPS counter, and a display alignment. It also has a GameVisual mode, which means it can provide you with some preset modes, such as Racing, RTS/RPG, FPS, sRGB, Cinema, and Scenery, to optimize the color and contrast of your games.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to build a gaming PC under $400 that can run most games at 1080P resolution on low to medium settings. We have also explained why we chose each component and how they work together to deliver a smooth gaming experience. Plus, we have recommended a monitor that matches the performance of this PC build.
Can I play games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield on this PC build?
No, this PC build is not designed to run the latest AAA games on high settings. These games are very demanding and require a powerful graphics card and CPU, which are not available in this budget range. However, you can still play some older or less demanding games on this PC build, such as Minecraft, League of Legends, Valorant, and more.
Can I upgrade this PC build in the future?
Yes, you can upgrade this PC build in the future by adding or replacing some components. For example, you can add a dedicated graphics card, a new CPU, more RAM, a better motherboard, more storage, etc. However, you will need to make sure that the new components are compatible with the existing ones and that your power supply can handle the increased power consumption.
Do I need to buy a separate cooler for the CPU?
No, you don’t need to buy a separate cooler for the CPU. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G comes with a Wraith Spire cooler, which is a decent stock cooler that can keep the CPU cool and quiet. However, if you want to overclock the CPU or improve the cooling performance, you can buy a better aftermarket cooler later.
Do I need to buy a Windows license for this PC build?
No, you don’t need to buy a Windows license for this PC build. You can install Windows for free and it will work indefinitely without activating it. However, you will see a watermark at the bottom left of your desktop asking you to activate it. If you want to remove the watermark and access some features, you can buy a Windows license later.