Looking for the best gaming PC build under $800 that can handle 1080p and 1440p gaming with ultra settings? Whether you’re a competitive gamer or someone who enjoys playing GPU-intensive titles, this budget gaming PC build is the perfect fit for you. In this article, we’ll walk you through an amazing gaming PC build for under $800 that offers high frame rates and smooth performance while keeping your wallet intact.
Why Choose This Budget Gaming PC Build?
Building a gaming PC with a budget of around $800 doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice performance. With this build, you can enjoy playing 1080p games on ultra settings and even tackle 1440p gaming with playable frame rates. Designed for competitive gaming with an eye toward future-proofing, this build offers a perfect balance between cost and performance. Plus, I’ll show you a few alternatives to make it even better, depending on your budget.
Parts Breakdown: The Best Budget Gaming PC Build for 2024
Let’s dive into the specific parts we used for this gaming PC under $800 and why they were chosen for optimal performance and value.
1. CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X (6 Cores, 12 Threads)
The Ryzen 5 5600X is the heart of this build. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it delivers excellent performance for both gaming and productivity. It can boost up to 4.6 GHz, ensuring smooth gameplay even in more demanding titles. The Ryzen 5 5600X is a great choice for budget gaming PCs that need solid multithreading capabilities without breaking the bank.
- Performance: Ideal for 1080p and 1440p gaming, this CPU handles games well while leaving room for other tasks like streaming or multitasking.
2. GPU: KFA2 RTX 3060 (12GB)
The RTX 3060 is the standout GPU for this budget build. With 12GB of VRAM, the RTX 3060 can easily handle 1080p gaming at ultra settings and even perform well at 1440p. This NVIDIA GPU supports ray tracing, providing more realistic lighting and shadows, which enhances visual quality in supported games.
- Performance: The RTX 3060 is more than enough for competitive gaming. Plus, it is priced well, offering a balance between performance and budget.
3. Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 AORUS Elite
For the motherboard, we opted for the Gigabyte X570 AORUS Elite, featuring the X570 chipset. This chipset supports PCIe 4.0, which allows for faster data transfer and greater bandwidth, future-proofing your build. While more affordable options like the B550 motherboard exist, the X570 offers more features, especially if you plan on expanding your system later.
- Why the X570?: PCIe 4.0 is great for faster NVMe storage and future upgrades like adding multiple PCIe Gen 4 NVMe drives.
4. RAM: Kingston HyperX 32GB (3600 MHz)
To ensure smooth multitasking and high performance in competitive gaming, we went with 32GB of Kingston HyperX RAM at 3600 MHz. This is the sweet spot for the Ryzen 5 5600X and gives you plenty of headroom for future upgrades.
- Why 32GB RAM?: While 16GB is sufficient for most gamers, 32GB ensures optimal performance for future-proofing and heavy multitasking.
5. Storage: Kingston NVMe SSD (1TB)
We’ve chosen the Kingston 1TB NVMe SSD, which provides faster load times and ensures that your system remains responsive, even when handling large game files and applications. This SSD significantly reduces system boot times and game loading times compared to traditional HDDs.
- Why NVMe?: NVMe storage is much faster than SATA SSDs, improving overall performance by reducing latency.
6. Power Supply: Be Quiet! 600W 80+ Gold
A reliable 600W PSU is the perfect match for this build. The Be Quiet! 600W 80+ Gold-rated PSU provides efficient power delivery while maintaining low temperatures and reducing noise. This power supply also supports future upgrades or potential overclocking if needed.
- Why this PSU?: A solid 80+ Gold rating means efficient power use, which is especially important when you plan on overclocking or upgrading components in the future.
7. Case: Endorphy Signum 300 ARGB Mid Tower
For the PC case, we went with the Endorphy Signum 300 ARGB, which comes with four pre-installed ARGB fans for better airflow and a sleek, stylish look. This case provides excellent cooling performance to ensure your components stay cool during intense gaming sessions.
- Why this case?: Great airflow and stylish ARGB lighting make this mid-range case an excellent choice for gamers who value aesthetics and performance.
8. Cooling: Endorphy Farrah 5 Air Cooler
The Endorphy Farrah 5 is a 220W air cooler that matches the case aesthetically and provides great cooling performance. This cooler is more than enough to keep your Ryzen 5 5600X running at optimal temperatures, even during long gaming sessions.
- Why this cooler?: 220W TDP is enough to keep the Ryzen 5 5600X cool, even if you decide to overclock in the future.
Performance: Benchmarks and Gaming Results
After assembling the build, we tested it on 1080p and 1440p settings. Here’s a quick overview of the results:
- 1080p Gaming: This build delivers smooth frame rates even on ultra settings in popular games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Apex Legends. Expect high FPS and minimal stutter.
- 1440p Gaming: The RTX 3060 holds up well at 1440p as well. While it doesn’t reach the same ultra-high frame rates as it does at 1080p, it still delivers playable frame rates for most AAA titles, ensuring an enjoyable gaming experience.
Temperature Performance
Both the Ryzen 5 5600X and RTX 3060 stayed cool during stress tests. The Endorphy Farrah 5 cooler kept the CPU at optimal temperatures, while the Endorphy Signum 300 case provided excellent airflow to maintain low GPU temperatures.
Should You Build This PC Right Now?
If your budget is around $800 and you want a gaming PC that delivers high performance for both competitive gaming and more demanding titles, this build is perfect for you. With a solid foundation of Ryzen 5 5600X, RTX 3060, and high-quality components, this build will handle 1080p and 1440p gaming with ease.
Upgrade Options:
- GPU: If you have a higher budget, consider stepping up to an RTX 3060 Ti or RTX 3070 for better performance at 1440p and 4K.
- Storage: Add a 2TB NVMe SSD for more storage space and faster load times.
Conclusion: The Best Budget Gaming PC Build Under $800
This gaming PC build under $800 is the ultimate solution for gamers looking for performance without overspending. Whether you’re gaming at 1080p or tackling 1440p, this build offers the performance and future-proofing needed for an immersive experience.
Remember, you can always tweak the build depending on your preferences and budget. However, as it stands, this is one of the best budget gaming PC builds available.
