Best custom assembled gaming PCs of all time: In the gaming landscape, building a custom-assembled gaming PC can be quite expensive. Especially for those with a budget of $500 or less.

Building your own gaming PC can save you money while also fulfilling your passion. In today’s post, we will showcase the 10 best custom gaming PC builds for $500 or less.

Along with that, we will also detail the PC’s performance, pros, and cons. Along with the recommended PC, we will also list the games that the PC can run.

Also read: Best Budget Gaming PCs You Can Buy

Listings – Best Custom Assembled Gaming PCs

Building a custom gaming PC allows you to choose the best combination of hardware while maximizing performance while staying within your budget.

Let’s dive into the best custom-built gaming PCs. These PCs will elevate your gaming experience without breaking the bank.

1. Gaming Mini Beast Price Range: $480

Performance & Features: Offers decent performance for eSports titles and casual gaming. Moreover, the integrated graphics provide enough power to run games at lower settings while maintaining respectable frame rates.

• Games You Can Play:
  • Fortnite (1080p, 60 FPS on Low settings)
  • Valorant (1080p, 60 FPS on Medium settings)
  • League of Legends (1080p, 75 FPS)
  • Minecraft (1080p, 100 FPS)
  • CS:GO (1080p, 50 FPS on Low settings)
• Pros:
  • Affordable entry-level build
  • Compact case for smaller setups
  • Easy upgradability
• Cons:
  • Limited gaming performance
  • No dedicated GPU
  • Less storage space
• Why You Should Build It: Best for casual gamers who want a reliable setup without big investment.

2. Affordable Gamer’s Dream Price Range: $495

Performance & Features: Great for gaming and multitasking. The GTX 1650 allows for solid performance in most games and VR.

• Games You Can Play:
  • GTA V (1080p, 60 FPS on Medium settings)
  • Fortnite (1080p, 60 FPS on Medium settings)
  • Apex Legends (1080p, 45 FPS on Medium settings)
  • Valorant (1080p, 120 FPS)
  • Rocket League (1080p, 60 FPS on High settings)
• Pros:
  • Good performance for the price
  • Future upgrade potential
  • Reliable power supply
• Cons:
  • Limited storage (though it can be upgraded)
  • Basic cooling solution
  • Can be noisy under load
• Why You Should Build It: Great balance between gaming performance and budget constraints.

3. Budget Prodigy Price Range: $480

Performance & Features: Solid performance due to the power of Ryzen5 and the attached Vega graphics makes it capable of light gaming and productivity tasks.

• Games You Can Play:
  • Fortnite (1080p, 60 FPS on Low settings)
  • Valorant (1080p, 60 FPS on High settings)
  • League of Legends (1080p, 60 FPS)
  • CS:GO (1080p, 75 FPS)
  • Overwatch (1080p, 60 FPS on Low settings)
• Pros:
  • Great value for integrated graphics
  • Fast SSD improves loading times
  • Good upgrade path with availability of better GPUs
• Cons:
  • Restricted gaming performance compared to dedicated GPU
  • Limited RAM speed
  • No copy of Windows included
• Why You Should Build It: Efficient for both gaming and general tasks, suitable for budget-minded gamers.

4. Entry-level eSports Price Range: $500

Performance & Features: This build achieves smooth frame rates at competitive settings while still remaining affordable for gamers seeking serious performance.

• Games You Can Play:
  • Valorant (1080p, 144 FPS)
  • CS:GO (1080p, 100 FPS)
  • Dota 2 (1080p, 70 FPS)
  • Fortnite (1080p, 60 FPS on Medium settings)
  • PUBG (720p, 30 FPS on Low settings)
• Pros:
  • Decent performance for eSports titles
  • Good expansion capacity
  • A solid power supply for stability
• Cons:
  • Limited to entry-level gaming
  • Requires Windows for better compatibility
  • Basic internal cooling
• Why You Should Build It: Ideal for competitive gamers seeking reliable performance without overspending.

5. Gamer’s Delight Price Range: $490

Performance & Features: High performance for price, easily tackles modern titles while being upgrade-ready in the future.

• Games You Can Play:
  • Fortnite (1080p, 60 FPS on Medium settings)
  • Skyrim (1080p, 60 FPS on High settings)
  • Call of Duty: Warzone (720p, 30 FPS on Low settings)
  • Minecraft (1080p, 80 FPS)
  • Cyberpunk 2077 (720p, 30 FPS on Lowest settings)
• Pros:
  • Capable GPU performance
  • Balances gaming and efficiency
  • Compact design
• Cons:
  • SSD space could be limiting
  • Not the latest technology
  • Limited cooling options without upgrades
• Why You Should Build It: Perfect balance of casual and serious gaming focus.

6. Future-Proof Fighter Price Range: $500

Performance & Features: With a strong CPU and a capable GPU, this PC is very useful for gaming and also productivity, with plenty of storage options.

• Games You Can Play:
  • GTA V (1080p, 50 FPS on Medium settings)
  • Warframe (1080p, 70 FPS on High settings)
  • Overwatch (1080p, 60 FPS on High settings)
  • Destiny 2 (720p, 30 FPS on Low settings)
  • Valorant (1080p, 144 FPS)
• Pros:
  • Strong processor for multitasking
  • Ample storage space
  • Good upgrade paths
• Cons:
  • Higher total costs might cut into budget elsewhere
  • Adequate but not quiet cooling
  • Limited high-end gaming performance
• Why You Should Build It: Suited for gamers who also multitask and want a future-proof investment.

7. Freestyle Gamer Price Range: $490

Performance & Features: This PC delivers great performance within this budget and also offers potential for future enhancement and upgrades.

• Games You Can Play:
  • Rocket League (1080p, 60 FPS)
  • Fortnite (1080p, 60 FPS on High settings)
  • PUBG (1080p, 45 FPS on Low settings)
  • Apex Legends (1080p, 50 FPS on Medium settings)
  • GTA V (1080p, 45 FPS)
• Pros:
  • Excellent gaming performance
  • Good storage options
  • Room for upgrades later
• Cons:
  • Slightly higher than average power draw
  • Requires OS installation
  • Basic cooling
• Why You Should Build It: A solid build that doesn’t compromise capabilities for casual to fairly demanding gamers.

8. Elite Economy Builder Price Range: $450

Performance & Features: Good for daily tasks and light gaming while being stylish in appearance and easy to assemble.

• Performance & Features: Good for daily tasks and light gaming while being stylish in appearance and easy to assemble.
• Games You Can Play:
  • League of Legends (1080p, 60 FPS)
  • Dota 2 (1080p, 45 FPS)
  • Rocket League (720p, 30 FPS)
  • Fortnite (720p, 30 FPS on Low settings)
  • CS:GO (720p, 50 FPS)
• Pros:
  • Excellent for basic gaming and daily tasks
  • Stylish and compact design
  • Budget-friendly
• Cons:
  • Limited gaming performance
  • Lacks dedicated GPU
  • Low upgrade potential for gaming aspects
• Why You Should Build It: Best for entry-level gamers focused on non-intensive games and general use.

9. Value-Vanguard Price Range: $499

Performance & Features: Affordable and efficient for casual gaming and additionally for web browsing and simple applications.

• Games You Can Play:
  • Fortnite (720p, 30 FPS on Low settings)
  • Minecraft (720p, 50 FPS)
  • Apothercary (720p, 40 FPS)
  • CS:GO (720p, 50 FPS on Low settings)
  • League of Legends (720p, 60 FPS)
• Pros:
  • Entry-friendly pricing
  • Simple and efficient for light tasks
  • Energy efficient
• Cons:
  • Limited gaming abilities
  • No future proofing
  • Requires external graphics for demanding games
• Why You Should Build It: Ideal for very casual gamers or those starting out.

10. Versatile VR Gamers PC Price Range: $500

Performance & Features: This build offers a powerful experience across popular VR and gaming titles, ensuring smooth gameplay and graphics.

• Games You Can Play:
  • VR Games (low settings)
  • Fortnite (1080p, 60 FPS on Medium settings)
  • GTA V (1080p, 50 FPS on Medium settings)
  • Apex Legends (1080p, 45 FPS on Medium settings)
  • Rocket League (1080p, 60 FPS)
• Pros:
  • Strong overall performance
  • Well-suited for VR experiences
  • Good graphics card integration
• Cons:
  • Near budget limit
  • Basic cooling solutions may be insufficient
  • Requires Windows for optimal performance
• Why You Should Build It: Perfect for gamers looking for solid gaming performance with future upgrade possibilities.

Conclusion – Custom Assembled Gaming PCs

Explore custom built gaming PCs under $500 that meet all your needs, from casual play to competitive eSports. Moreover, the featured builds prove that affordability doesn’t compromise quality or performance.

Tips for Building a Custom PC:

• Shop Smart: Look for deals on reputable online and local stores to find affordable parts.
• Thorough Research: Understanding the compatibility of parts before purchasing ensures a smoother build process.
• Follow Safety Guidelines: Ensure static-free environments while handling components to avoid damage.

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