This $500 Budget Gaming PC Is AWESOME
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Visit squarespace.com and use offer code LTT for 10% off Save 10% and Free Worldwide Shipping at Ridge Wallet by using offer code LINUS at ridge.com Budget builds are BACK now that crypto winter is here! New GPUs are in stock at MSRP, and used graphics cards are showing up on Ebay and Marketplace for some downright affordable prices. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Buy an Asus Prime H610M-E: geni.us Buy a TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan 2x8GB 3200MHz: geni.us Buy a Crucial P2 500GB NVMe SSD: geni.us Buy a Rosewill FBM-X1 Case: geni.us Buy a Corsair CV 650W 80+ Bronze: geni.us Buy an RTX 2060 6GB: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg FOLLOW US --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 1:21 Motherboard 2:15 CPU 3:45 RAM 4:10 Storage 4:50 Case 7:20 Power Supply 8:30 GPU 11:00 Boot It Up 12:10 Performance 14:29 Thermals 16:00 Outro
This video builds a complete gaming PC for around 500 using largely budget parts and secondhand market finds, aiming to prove that a capable gaming PC doesn’t require flagship parts. The host starts by highlighting the current environment where used GPUs have become widely available at lower prices due to crypto downturn, and explains that this enables a new breed of budget builds. The motherboard choice is the H610M E-D4, noted for its price and basic feature set, paired with a 12th generation Intel CPU that offers PCIe Gen 5 and DDR5 support while remaining affordable. RAM is selected for its balance of price and performance, with a 16 GB kit at 3200 MT/s, and the boot SSD is a Crucial P2 500 GB to keep costs down while maintaining reasonable boot and load times. The build also includes a Rosewill FBM-X1 case and a Corsair CV650W PSU, chosen for compatibility with the budget goals and overall aesthetics, including color coordination where possible. The GPU is the star of the show, with the team discussing RTX 2060 pricing in the mid-range for around 160-200 USD and comparing with similar options like the 5600 XT, to maximize performance per dollar. Once assembled, the video shows the system booting with RAM and NVMe detected, and proceeds to test gaming performance, streaming capabilities, and thermals, all while discussing tradeoffs such as potential used-hardware risks and the need for some cable management hacks in a cheaper case. The concluding results highlight strong frame rates in contemporary games at 1080p, generally quiet operation, and temperatures that stay well within safe limits, underscoring that a solid budget build is not only possible but also enjoyable to assemble and use, with room for future upgrades as prices stabilize. The host teases additional budget-friendly options and directs viewers to links for purchasing components, sponsorships, and for joining a community discussion, while reinforcing the nostalgia of budget builds and the reemergence of affordable, capable gaming PCs. Finally, the video encourages viewers to explore similar budget challenges and acknowledges the evolving market, inviting further experimentation and comparisons in future installments.
Topics · technology · pc_hardware · budget_builds · gaming_hardware · consumer_electronics
Questions answered
- What CPU was used in the budget build, and what are its key features?
- The build uses the Core i3-12100 (i312-100) with four performance cores, eight threads, up to 4.3 GHz, PCIe Gen 5 support, and DDR5 compatibility within the 12th generation lineup.
- What GPU options were considered for the $500 budget build, and what was the price range?
- The video centers on the RTX 2060, with prices discussed around $160 to $200 for non–Founder’s Edition variants, and mentions comparable options like the RX 5600 XT in a similar price range.