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Beginner Gaming PC Setup👾

24 items

V Glo

Hey y’all! I’ve been deep in PC research for months and built my first gaming PC from scratch — so I know how overwhelming it can be as a beginner. This list has everything you need to get up and running without breaking the bank or buying incompatib...

Sections

CPU (Processor)

GPU (Graphics Card)

Motherboard

RAM (Memory)

Storage (SSD)

Power Supply (PSU)

CPU (Processor)

The brain of your entire build — everything runs through here. I went with AMD Ryzen for this list because you get great performance for the price, which matters a lot when you’re building on a budget. Well known brands you should know about: - AMD ...

At $145.99 retail this is the most affordable way to get the same great Ryzen 5 5600 chip with a 3 year warranty still included. A great pick if you want to save a few extra dollars on your build.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600 - Ryzen 5 5000 Series Vermeer (Zen 3) 6-Core 3.5 GHz Socket AM4 65W None Integrated Graphics Desktop Processor - 100-100000927CBX - International Version With Warranty Of Three Years - Newegg.com

Currently $149.99 down from $159.99 retail — a strong Intel alternative that holds its own against the Ryzen 5 5600 in gaming performance. If you prefer Intel or find it on sale, this is a solid choice that won’t let you down.

INTEL Core i5-12400F 6C/12T 2.5GHz BX8071512400F

GPU (Graphics Card)

This is the most important part for gaming — it’s what makes your games actually look and run great. I focused on cards that can handle games like Warzone and Marvel Rivals at solid frame rates without spending a fortune. Best brands: - XFX - Sapphi...

At $289.99 retail this is one of the best budget cards you can buy — it handles games like Warzone and Marvel Rivals at high settings without breaking the bank. The 8GB VRAM gives you enough headroom for modern games without overspending.

XFX SPEEDSTER SWFT210 Radeon RX 6650 XT Graphics Card RX-665X8DFDY - Newegg.com

At $397.22 retail the RTX 3060 is a step up in price but also a step up in performance, making it worth it if you want more power for future games. The 12GB VRAM makes it one of the best value cards in its class.

MSI GeForce RTX 3060 12GB OC Graphics Card

At $299.99 retail this sits right in the middle of the GPU options on this list and delivers solid frame rates in most popular titles. Sapphire makes some of the most reliable AMD cards out there and this one is no exception.

Sapphire Pulse AMD RX 6600 8GB GDDR6 GPU

Motherboard

This connects everything together and determines what CPU and RAM you can use, so compatibility matters here. I picked boards with built-in WiFi so you don’t have to buy a separate card. Best brands: - MSI - ASRock - Gigabyte

Currently $102.99 down from $135.99 retail — this is the board I’d recommend for most beginner builds with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth so you don’t need extra cards. Compatible with AMD Ryzen 5000 series and has everything you need to get started.

MSI B550M PRO-VDH WiFi AM4 Micro-ATX

At $115.74 retail this is a reliable and affordable motherboard that pairs well with AMD Ryzen processors. Great option if you want to save a bit on your board and put that money toward your GPU.

ASRock B550M PRO4 AMD AM4 Ryzen™ Motherboard

Currently $102.99 down from $109.99 retail, making this one of the best value motherboards on the list. Built-in WiFi 6 and solid AMD Ryzen compatibility make it a no-brainer for a beginner build.

MSI B550M PRO VDH WIFI (Socket AM4) AMD B550 MATX DDR4 ...

Currently $94.99 down from $129.99 retail — one of the best deals on this entire list. Comes with WiFi 5 built in and supports PCIe 4.0 which keeps you future-proofed for faster storage.

GIGABYTE B550M DS3H AC R2 AMD AM4 mATX MB

RAM (Memory)

More RAM means smoother multitasking and less stuttering mid-game. 16GB is the sweet spot for budget builds, and 32GB if you want more headroom. Best brands: - Corsair - G.Skill - Kingston

At $172.99 retail this is the premium RAM option on this list, running at a fast 3600MHz which pairs great with AMD Ryzen. The RGB lighting is a nice bonus if you want your build to look clean.

VENGEANCE® RGB PRO 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3600MHz C18 Memory Kit — Black

At $154.99 retail this is a staple for budget builds from one of the most trusted RAM brands in PC building. Runs at 3200MHz and is compatible with both Intel and AMD platforms.

G.SKILL RipjawsV DDR4 16GB (2x8GB) 3200MT/s CL16

At $178.42 retail this is the most expensive RAM option on the list but Kingston is a brand that has been around forever and delivers consistent reliability. A straightforward 3200MHz kit that gets the job done without any fuss.

Kingston 16GB 3200MHz DDR4 CL16 DIMM Kit

Storage (SSD)

An SSD makes a huge difference — games load way faster compared to old hard drives. All the picks here are reliable brands I trust and used in my own research. Best brands: - Crucial - Kingston - Western Digital

At $164 retail for 1TB this drive reads up to 6000MB/s which means blazing fast load times for your games. If you’re on a tighter budget the 500GB version is also available for $115 and is a great starting point.

Kingston NV3 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0

At $209.99 retail this is the pricier storage option but Crucial is one of the most recommended brands for budget builds and the reliability is worth it. A great pick if the Kingston is out of stock or you find this one on sale.

Crucial P3 1TB PCIe 3.0 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 3500MB/s - CT1000P3SSD8 - Newegg.com

Power Supply (PSU)

Don’t cheap out here — a bad PSU can damage your whole build. Everything on this list is reliable, properly rated, and won’t cause you headaches down the road. Best brands: - Corsair - EVGA - Thermaltake

At $69.99 retail this is a dependable 600W unit from one of the most trusted PSU brands on the market. The 80+ Bronze rating means it runs efficiently and won’t drive up your electricity bill.

EVGA 600 BR, 80+ BRONZE 600W, 3 Year Warranty, Power Supply 100-BR-0600-K1

Currently $69.99 down from $89.99 retail — a semi-modular PSU which means you only plug in the cables you actually need, keeping your build cleaner and airflow better. Corsair is a brand you can trust and 650W gives you a little extra headroom.

CORSAIR CX650M 650W 80 Plus Bronze PSU

Currently $44.99 down from $54.99 retail making it the most budget friendly PSU on this list. Reliable enough for a beginner build and gets the job done without cutting corners on safety.

Thermaltake SMART 600W 80 Plus PSU

PC Case

A mesh front panel is a must for airflow so your parts stay cool and last longer. These cases also look clean and have enough room to work in during your build. Best brands: - Phanteks - Cooler Master - Fractal Design

Currently $39.99 down from $44.99 retail making it one of the most affordable cases on this list while still including a transparent side panel to show off your build. The ventilated airflow design keeps temperatures low which is important for long g...

Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L Micro-ATX Case

At $89.99 retail this is the premium case option on the list and worth every penny — Fractal Design cases are known for being well built and easy to work inside. The tempered glass side panel looks clean and the high airflow design keeps everything r...

Fractal Design Pop Air Black TG ATX High Airflow Clear Tempered ...

CPU Cooler

Your CPU comes with a stock cooler but upgrading it keeps temps lower and your PC quieter. These are beginner-friendly options that are easy to install. Best brands: - DeepCool - Cooler Master - ID-Cooling

Currently $25.99 down from $29.98 retail — the Hyper 212 is basically the go-to recommendation for budget CPU coolers and has been trusted by builders for years. Keeps your CPU running cool and quiet and is compatible with both AMD and Intel sockets.

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black CPU Cooler, SickleFlow 120 Fan, 4 Copper Heat Pipes

At $29.99 retail this is a great alternative to the Hyper 212 at basically the same price point with solid cooling performance. Easy to install for beginners and works with both AMD AM4/AM5 and Intel sockets.

ID-COOLING SE-224-XTS CPU Cooler 120mm Fan

Monitor

144Hz makes a massive difference in fast games like Warzone — motion looks smooth and you’ll actually feel the advantage. I’d add a couple more options here at different price points so people have choices. Best brands: - Acer - AOC - ViewSonic

At $99.99 retail this is a clean 1080p IPS display that works great for gaming and everyday use at an unbeatable price. FreeSync pairs well with AMD GPUs to reduce screen tearing and keep gameplay smooth.

LG 24 Inch Full HD IPS Monitor with FreeSync™

Currently around $149 and available on Amazon — 144Hz makes fast games like Warzone feel incredibly smooth compared to a standard 60Hz display. FreeSync Premium pairs perfectly with AMD GPUs to eliminate screen tearing and keep gameplay buttery smoot...

Samsung Odyssey G3 24" FHD 144Hz Gaming Monitor

The upgraded version of the G3 with an even faster 180Hz refresh rate, currently available on Amazon and Best Buy. If you want to future proof your monitor and squeeze every bit of smoothness out of your games this is the one to grab.

Samsung 24" Odyssey G3 (G30D) FHD 180Hz 1ms Gaming Monitor with Ergonomic Stand