A branded gaming PC build for under $350.
This build is an entry-level gaming PC which utilizes a 3rd-generation Ryzen APU for both CPU and graphics duties. While you can’t expect it to run AAA-titles at the highest settings, you can expect acceptable 1080p performance in many less demanding games at medium settings.
| Component | Manufacturer | Product | Price (US) |
| CPU: | AMD | Ryzen 3 3200G | $99 |
| Motherboard: | GIGABYTE | B450 AORUS M | $69 |
| Memory: | Corsair | Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x 8GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 | $63 |
| Storage: | ADATA | SU635 240GB SSD | $25 |
| Case | Thermaltake | Versa H17 | $45 |
| Power Supply | EVGA | 500 BR – Bronze 500W | $39 |
| CPU Cooler: | AMD | Wraith Stealth Boxed Cooler | Included |
This build is a good starting point for those on a budget as it does have plenty of room for upgrades. You can easily slot in a discrete graphics card such as the Radeon RX 570 or GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER, which would increase gaming performance by quite a lot. Additionally, the motherboard is solid, and should be able to accommodate a much beefier CPU such as the Ryzen 7 3700X. You can also add additional storage, as the 240GB SSD included in the build will likely reach capacity fairly quickly.
The build can also be modified, say for example to replace the CPU with a Ryzen 5 3400G if a good deal shows up. Storage capacity can also be increased as desired, and there are many other options for cases. Any other modifications though, like RAM for example, you’ll possibly want to go directly for a slightly higher end build right away.
A suitable monitor to go with this system is the Acer SB220Q – a 21.5″ 1080p monitor for up to 75 Hz. It has an IPS display, which is generally the best choice for image quality, and it supports AMD FreeSync, which is of particular importance for a budget build, and makes low frame rates far more acceptable. It currently sells for $89.99.