Our Best Cheap Gaming PC Under $400 in 2023

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If you’re looking to build a gaming PC to rival the likes of the Xbox One and PS4 then look no further. This cheap gaming PC will compete with those systems and more, giving you potentially higher FPS and overall performance capabilities. Of course, there are limitations of a budget build so we’ll be cutting some corners to keep the price as low as possible, but the components that we’ve chosen are by no means lacking in terms of value for money and power. However, as always, the components we’re detailing today can be swapped out, so if you do want to improve the performance at all with a little extra cash, you can, with ease. Unfortunately, due to various factors, the prices of the hardware listed fluctuate daily. We aim to update all of our builds as much as we can to ensure they are as close to the specified build price as possible.

CPU

With this CPU we’ve gone for a bit of a hybrid. By that, we mean that this AMD CPU is actually an APU, and comes with Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics on the chip itself so there is no need to go out and buy a pricey external graphics card. The Ryzen 5 3400G is also no slouch with a 4 core and 8 thread count coupled with overclocking support up to 4.2Ghz.

MOBO

This MSI B450M motherboard is exactly what is required for this build, it’s not got all the bells and whistles but functionality wise, there’s no complaining. It supports Ryzen’s 3rd generation processors straight out the box and has core boost technology to get the most out of your components. Additionally, it has isolated audio capacitors providing the purest audio signal for all your gaming needs.

RAM

While we’re building a budget gaming PC, we don’t want to have lackluster performance, thus, 16gb of RAM is a must. The Adata XPG Z1 range is a fantastic choice at a very reasonable price while not compromising on quality. With 3000MHz memory speeds two 8GB sticks are a great pairing with our AMD Ryzen 5 3400G APU.

COOLER
GPU
STORAGE

An SSD is almost essential in today’s PC world due to faster read and writes times over the more traditional HDDs. They might cost more but it is well worth it for the vast difference in performance. The Sandisk Plus 240GB SSD is perfect for this build, it’s exceptional value for money providing a decent amount of storage and read/write speeds of up to 530/s/440/s.

CASE

Due to the budget limitations in this build we’ve had to dial back on the fancy RGB lights and opt for pure functionality. That’s why we’ve chosen this Thermaltake Versa H22 case to house our components. It provides everything we’re looking for; adequate space, a tool-free system, and enhanced airflow through perforated metal at a very affordable price.

PSU

The power supply in any PC build is something you should never compromise on in terms of quality. We’ve gone with the EVGA 450 BR for this gaming rig as it is of bronze standard, guaranteeing great reliability and with it being made by EVGA, you know it’s going to be a quality product. The 450 watts should be more than enough for this PC due to the lack of an external graphics card there is no power hogging components to justify anymore.

Conclusion

Overall, this PC provides a real bang for your buck. It has everything you need to get gaming on decent resolutions while also having good, stable fps levels. Of course, there are improvements that could be made if you stretch your budget just a little further, but if you’re a PC building rookie, this entry-level rig should appease your requirements. If you did end up building this rig, enjoy your new PC! Be sure to check out our other articles if you have any issues or want to explore different options!

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Jacob was exposed to a variety of gaming consoles and tech from an early age and has expanded his knowledge to become well-versed in all things PC. He is now a keen technology tinkerer and gaming enthusiast, making him an expert in the overall field.

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6 thoughts on “Our Best Cheap Gaming PC Under $400 in 2023”

  1. Does it matter what pc case i use? I managed to find all the parts I need for less than $400 and want a case a little fancer.

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