How to Build Gaming PC Under Budget – 101 Guide

Whether you are a full-time gamer or gaming is just your hobby, every gamer deserves a budget gaming PC of their liking. But you can either find a budget PC that has a decent graphic card of your liking or the 1440p you need; there just isn’t the balance YOU need in your PC.

And so here you are, on a how to guide to build gaming PC under a Budget.

Now, building a PC from scratch (especially for the first time) might get frustrating, probably very much so, but trust us, it’s worth the great sense of achievement you will get.

It can honestly be very straigth forward!

Here’s how-

 

Step 1: Decide what’s important to you.

The key is balancing your components for maximum performance per rupee.

For building gaming PCs the GPU is obviously the highest priority since modern games are very GPU-intensive, so a stronger GPU yields a higher frame rate.

Now what’s your second-highest priority? Is it higher resolution or better storage? Where do you feel most comfortable compromising?

Map it out, strategize, and draw from experience with your older PCs.

We believe it’s better to go for a balanced approach. Go for decent equipment and build a holistically performing PC.

Step 2: Get your tools!

Find a screwdriver and long-nose pliers! That’s it; that’s the step! Easy enough, eh?

 

Step 3: The checklist

Let’s start off with a list of everything that you’re going to need to build gaming PC:

• CPU
• Thermal paste
• Motherboard
• CPU cooler
• Case
• Power supply
• RAM
• Storage
• GPU 
• An operating system
• The accessories
• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Speakers
• Webcam

 

The guide to build gaming PC in your custom-price

 

Component	Entry-Level (~₹50k)	Mid-Range (~₹100k)	High-End (~₹180k)
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 5600 – 6C/12T 3.5–4.4 GHz (₹9,699)	Intel Core i5-13400 – 10C/16T 2.5–4.6 GHz (₹13,990)	AMD Ryzen 7 7700X – 8C/16T 4.5–5.4 GHz (₹29,199)
GPU	Zotac GTX 1650 AMP 4GB(₹14,299)	Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 6600 8GB (₹19,399)	MSI RTX 4070 Super 12GB(₹64,199)
Motherboard	Gigabyte B450M DS3H V2 (AM4, mATX) – ₹6,199	MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi (LGA1700, ATX) – ₹22,799	MSI Pro X670-P WiFi (AM5, ATX) ~₹28,399
RAM	TeamGroup Vulcan Z 16GB DDR4-3200 (1×16GB, ₹3,799)	ADATA XPG Lancer 16GB DDR5-6000 (1×16GB, ₹4,320)	32GB (2×16GB) DDR5-6000 (e.g. ADATA XPG kit, ~₹8k)
Storage	WD Blue SN580 500GB NVMe SSD ~ ₹2,999	WD Blue SN580 1TB NVMe SSD -₹5,335	WD Blue SN580 1TB NVMe SSD-₹5,335
Power Supply	Cooler Master MWE Bronze 550W ~ ₹3,799	Cooler Master MWE Gold 750W ~ ₹8,699	Cooler Master MWE Gold 750W – ₹8,699
Case	Budget ATX mid-tower (₹2-3k) with good airflow – e.g. Draco ATX	Mid-tower case (₹40-5k) with mesh front and cable management	Full-tower or large ATX case (₹5-7k) with max airflow and dust filters

Each entry-level build above costs roughly ₹50,000~55,000 (before peripherals/OS). The mid-range builds come in around ₹100,000, and the high-end around ₹170,000. Prices fluctuate, so check Mostech for current deals!

 

STEP 4: Attention, stand at ease! AKA Start the Assembly!

 

1. Safety first:

Use a clean and flat surface when working.Ground yourself by touching a metal part of the case or you could also use an anti-static wrist strap. so you don’t fry components with static.

2. Installing the CPU:

Release the locking mechanism of the CPU socket on the motherboard. Put the Vienna notch on the golden triangle of the CPU together with the socket mark and put it in by gently dropping it in. Lower the lever to lock it.

3. Install M.2 SSD (where applicable):

If you have an M.2 NVMe SSD and have a motherboard with an M.2 connector, insert it now. Place the drive at approximately a 30-degree angle in the hole, and then it needs to be flattened down and held with its minuscule screw.

4. Install RAM:

Align the notch on each of the RAM sticks with the motherboard slot and push down straight into it until the side clips snap. Ensure that the ends of the sticks have been driven home.

5. Install CPU Cooler:

A standard cooler will probably already have thermal paste applied, so there’s no need to apply any. Other than that, use a pea-sized drop of paste on the CPU. Put the cooler at the CPU/socket and screw it at the appropriate place or clip it. Insert the fan of the cooler into the CPU fan point of the motherboard.

6. Install the Motherboard in the Case:

Insert the motherboard into the case, making sure to align it with the standoffs (the screws that have been raised on the case). Screw it firmly in place, though not too hard.

7. Fit Power Supply:

Undo the power supply (PSU) heatsink screws and insert the PSU into the computer (most often the bottom of the case). Plug the motherboard with the 24-pin ATX main power cable and the 8-pin (4+4) CPU cable into the upper corner of the board.

8. Install GPU:

Remove the suitable expansion slot covers of the case. Install your graphics card as forcibly as possible in the largest PCIe x16 connector of the motherboard, which will start clicking. The next step is to screw it on the case. Lastly, attach the PCIe power cable(s) of the PSU to the GPU in case of necessity.

9. Insert Front-Panel Cables:

Insert connectors on the front panel of the case: power switch, reset switch, power LED, HDD LED, USB, and audio headers, and plug them into the corresponding holes on the motherboard. Pinout is the same as the mobo manual. These are tiny cables that govern the buttons and the front ports of the case.

10. Cable Management:

Cleanly route cables: tie them either to the back of the motherboard tray or to case edges. There should not be any cables obstructing fans and air. Proper cable routing enhances cooling and makes it look clean.

 

The insertion of a graphics card into a PCIe port. Upon attaching all the cables, take a final run of all the loose ends, close the case, and attach your monitor, keyboard, and power cord. Boot up and check the BIOS to see that the drives, RAM, and CPU are recognized.

 

These are the steps to remember, and by focusing on getting quality parts (specifically, a good GPU and SSD), you will get a stable and high-performance gaming rig. Higher build tiers are associated with clear expectations: using the entry build, one can play popular games at 1080p around 4040 and 60 FPS (more so in esports titles), the mid-range rig can play at ~ 60+ FPS at 1080p (even new AAA games), and the high-end one flies through 1440p games (e.g: -141 FPS in Outer Worlds).

 

We hope this guide helped you build gaming PC for yourself; if you have any questions, leave them in the comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image source: Flicker