Best Gaming PC Under $300 – (Cheapest) 2023 Edition

Did you know that building your Gaming PC has many benefits, and you could build a decent entry-level gaming computer for below $300? It’s way more fun, allows you to upgrade easily in the future, saves you money, makes fixing things in the future simple, and girls love guys who build their gaming PCs. Okay, that last one was a lie, but everything else I wrote is true!

Opting for a cheap gaming PC below $300 means it won’t be the high-end desktops that can maximize top games, but you can pull a system capable of running most modern games on low and with some games using medium settings. This custom gaming PC is not bad for a low budget, and it will only deliver solid performance, but most of them are set up in ways that can be easily upgraded in the future.

No money, No Honey

If you are reading this, I’m going to take a wild guess that you’re broke or don’t have a lot of cash to part with. That’s fine; I understand people in that position because I used to be there myself growing up. That’s why I have written this guide. But the truth is that building a gaming pc for under $300 isn’t going to give you a super amazing great build (something other guides won’t tell you). If you ask some people if it’s possible to build a gaming pc for 300 dollars, then they might even start laughing uncontrollably in your face. But, those people can suck it; this build will let you play games like PubG, Fortnite, Dota and League. Just make sure to turn your in-game settings down to about 720p or 60 FPS, and you’ll be good to go.

Which is the best 300 dollar gaming pc?

Best Gaming PC Under $300

1. GIGABYTE B450M DS3H V2- Best Motherboard

Our motherboard choice is entry-level but will still give you the best performance and the most economical price possible, considering our budget for gaming. In addition, the manufacturing company MSI sells motherboards and offers after-sale services and technical support in case anyone has issues with their tech.

The Gigabyte B450M motherboard design allows for upgrades (M.2 Slot) and can support other processors if you want to install them in future upgrades. A good place to start your cheaper builds.

Gigabyte B450M motherboard also comes with RGB lighting, compatible with the GIGABYTE RGB Fusion technology. This means you can synchronize the RGB lighting of your motherboard with other components that support RGB Fusion.

2. AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Processor-Best APU

Considering the 300$ budget, AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Processor is the most ideal and best value money component to power our graphics. It is an excellent graphics card equipped with a Vega 8 integrated graphics meaning you can run low-intensive AAA games at 50+FPS in low or medium settings. On a positive note, for its performance, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Processor is one of the best (if not the best) processors in its price-point compared to others in the market.

AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Processor offers excellent value for money and is one of the biggest competitors in the price bracket of gaming PC under $300. The true quad-core architecture of this model is unlocked for overclocking, and this gives you the most efficient gameplay without having to pay a lot of money. You can also get one of the best RAM performances without spending a lot thanks to the Accelerated APU’s (Accelerated Processing Unit) Dual Channel RAM.

Keep in mind, though, that to get optimum functionality on these budget graphic cards, you might need to lower the settings to maximize the performance. However, you might be able to play lower in-depth games at average Frame rates(40-50Fps). To cut down on costs, you might also consider acquiring a second-hand Ryzen 3 3200G since it will give you the same level of performance. Nevertheless, this is the best gaming PC under $300 for any entry-level PC build.

3. EVGA 450 BR (Non-Modular)- Best Power Supply

A power supply is an important part of any gaming computer for long-term usage and efficiency. The EVGA’s 450W power supply packs some serious power under the hood. We can only incorporate basic modularity features for a device with such excellent craftsmanship and our budget. Due to the basic modularity features, the power supply isn’t recommended for anyone planning to run a dedicated Graphics Card. But, all in all, the EVGA 450 BR will do the job. It also is easy to install for new builders. Be sure to check it out.

Compared to other companies, the EVGA 450 is a cheaper alternative. The low price is, however, not an indicator of inferior quality. Over the years, the company has built a reputation for manufacturing powerful and durable GPU and PSUs. The component also comes with a Bronze (85%)certified power supply unit under either regular or high workloads.

It is always advisable to opt for a branded power supply unit with an 80+ rating when choosing the best gaming PC under $300, just like with this EVGA 450 BR, because a faulty power supply may damage your computer components. In addition, the 300 dollar gaming PC comes with a quiet fan that will run for a long lifespan, and it has an easy and impeccable on-the-go installation that you can easily plug and play wherever you go.

4. Patriot Viper Steel Series DDR4 8GB-Best RAM

I intentionally settled for a basic Patriot Viper Steel Series DDR4 RAM and a motherboard with enough room to allow for a future upgrade. The basic 8 GB RAM with the device is sufficient for basic multitasking tasks but will fall short on a 4k gaming performance.

Patriot Viper Steel Series DDR4 RAM has great specifications for low-profile gaming, and you can advance it by getting a 16GB or higher in the future. However, when you get an integrated graphics card, you should be aware that a GPU doesn’t come with a VRAM, and it will take off your computer system’s RAM to slow your computer performance.

Here is a tip: you could add to the RAM to improve the overall performance by purchasing extra RAM sticks. Even with the slight dip in performance when using a single RAM stick, the Patriot Viper DDR4 RAM is quite reliable and comes at a very low price which, as you have guessed by now, is a huge factor with this build.

5. Crucial BX500 240GB-Best SSD Storage

When coming up with the CPU, the storage cost was way cheaper than when I planned an upgrade. With the pricing in mind, a smaller 240 GB hard drive was the ideal storage capacity to settle for, but if you want something cheaper, you can go for an HDD. HDDs are cheaper, with prices having a far range, but you will get the best value when you choose to use an SSD when it comes to performance.

Such storage capacity is sufficient and gives you enough space to store games and other media you may have. It may fall short of the newer ones on quality but is based on the budget, and it will be sufficient to start with. In addition, Crucial BX500 240GB is 300% faster than a regular hard drive, so there is nothing not to love.

6. Zalman S2 ATX Mid Tower- Best PC Case

This ATX Mid Tower case is not the most flashy or expensive, but there is a lot to like as it is a budget-friendly case with a lot to offer, especially to a newer PC gamer. It has a very efficient cooling mechanism that relies on airflow (though its front mechanism) and a silent pre-installed 120mm fan that helps control the cooling system’s intake and exhaust.

Zalman S2 ATX, Mid Tower Case, is unique because it is compact and firm with a full Acrylic Sine Panel aluminum front. With this Mid-tower case, you also get 7 PCI Expansion slots with bottom and top magnetic filters. If you are still here reading this, thank you. If you get stuck building your PC with the components in this guide, you can let me know in the comments.

This build features an AMD processor, MSI motherboard and sexy glass panel AeroCool case to wrap around your budget hardware. Also, keep in mind that since you’re building your build, you can easily take out parts in the future and sell them on eBay, for example. When you’ve got a bit more spending money, then you can buy more powerful components to replace them, which is a beautiful thing. If you are an individual who is extremely fat, lazy or technologically inept, then I would suggest scrolling to the bottom of this page and checking out the refurbished pre-built PC. If you are none of these things, then keep on reading, we are about to go on an epic journey together, and I’m going to be more serious about things.

BONUS: Pre Built HP Option

Allied Gaming Home Office Desktop PC

If you aren’t interested in building your Gaming PC, due to the complexities or length of time it takes, that is entirely understandable, and you should know that you are not alone. Sometimes, one-time payment and receiving a plug-and-play PC is the best option for many people. I have decided to include the Allied Gaming Desktop PC here in this guide due to the massive quality you get for the price. It is AMD RadeonVega, has 8GB of DDR4 Ram, warranty and even comes with a mouse and keyboard.

Allied Gaming Home Office Desktop PC uses the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB GDDR5 version by Zotac. It allows you to play games at ultra settings in a 1080p resolution without any problems while it gives you a smooth game experience. The PC also includes a 240GB SSD storage device and a 1TB HDD additional storage. This PC also has a 240GB SSD alongside. This will allow you to have your operating system and essential games on the faster drive, whereas other games can be stored on the slower hard drive for it has 7200rpm, so it’s an upgrade from their previous model.

I will be upfront about it because it is a refurbished PC. Don’t let that put you off, however, because the fact is that for this budget, it is going to be hard, if not impossible, to find a pre-built gaming PC with better specs for the price. Be quick though, the stock is limited, and with Christmas around the corner, this PC will be gone in no time.

Operating System & Peripherals

Once you have gotten all the other computer parts together, there may be a few things you will need to get to get the most out of your custom build if you don’t already have them. The extras include:

1. Windows 10 Home USB

There is no point in the PC gaming building if you don’t have anything to run on the machine when you are done. If you don’t have an OS license, you should choose Windows 10 as it’s the most popular operating system. Not only is it user-friendly, but this operating system will deliver a more stable performance when gaming, working or creating.

Windows 10 can be your best friend when it comes to an impressive performance when playing your favorite games. Not only is it compatible with any computer, but also you can optimize your Windows 10 using Game Mode to get the best experience every single time.

If you purchase your Windows 10 from a store, you can always have the flexibility to transfer your installation to another computer with no issues. On the other hand, if you get any issues while transferring, you will end up needing a new installation of Windows 10.

You should choose the USB option as it makes installation easier, and the OEM option will not be at the same price, but it will be slightly reduced. However, remember that when trying to get an affordable PC build, you can only install it once.

Its benefits include easy 3D production, comprehensive protection, Password-free Windows Hello sign-in and 4K gaming, mixer game broadcasting.

2. Razer DeathAdder V2

If you don’t own a gaming mouse and are still on the budget-friendly shopping that won’t need for you to take a loan, opt for this Razer DeathAdder V2 gaming mouse. While it is an affordable gaming mouse, it has a decent grip and an accurate sensor for your price.

Razer DeathAdder V2 gaming mouse is suitable for right-handed people who need a gaming mouse with an amazing performance, thanks to the sleek design it comes in. It has a low click latency, a customizable CPI range, and a high maximum polling rate. In addition, it is comfortable enough to use for long-gaming marathons, and it’s comfortable enough to use where all its buttons can be reprogrammed.

3. Redragon K556 RGB Mechanical Keyboard

When it comes to a gaming keyboard, you should consider this Redragon K556 RGB Mechanical Keyboard. It is an entry-level mechanical gaming keyboard with tactile brown switched that makes it easy to hit the right keys during high-intensity gaming moments. In addition, a bright adjustable red LED backlighting, a splash-resistant design and a gold-plated USB connector and its perfect for whatever battle you might face.

It comes with RGB, which will assist a gamer to look like a true gamer in most games when your friends come over to see your new gaming rig. It will allow you to compete at the high settings for most games as it’s the fastest mechanical keyboard there is. Redragon K556 RGB is not your average gaming keyboard. It comes with plenty of features, including an ABS construction and heavy-duty metal, high-end switches with mechanical ultra-springs, double-shot injection molded keycaps.

4. SteelSeries QcK Gaming Surface

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If you run games on a decent gaming PC, you will need a decent gaming surface to place your keyboard and mouse on. The SteelSeries QcK Gaming Surface usually comes in different sizes ranging from a simple mouse mat to something that covers most of your desktop.

It is better to choose a surface on the larger side to protect your desk to ensure your keyboard is not slipping all over the place.

5. Creative Inspire T12 Multimedia Speaker System

Creative Inspire T12 is a must-have accessory that you need if you want to hear, as well as you will be seeing your modern games. These have a relatively low cost and a great sound quality no matter what you use them for.

6. LG UltraGear 24GL600F-B Gaming Monitor

LG UltraGear 24GL600F-B is worth essential for your $300 gaming PC, and it’s very important if you will be playing a lot of high-quality games. It is an affordable yet decent option with a 144Hz refresh rate that guarantees you will enjoy high frame rates if you upgrade this build.

7. HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset

For a $300 gaming PC, you will need a set of speakers or headsets to chat with your online teammates and listen comfortably. HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset has a great sound quality and uses a nice and clear microphone that will ensure no crossed wires while you are on the battlefield.

8. Xbox One Controller

A controller is not major gaming peripheral because you can still play your games without it. However, most games nowadays are designed with a controller in mind, and it shows in some modern AAA titles hence including it in the list even though it’s not essential.

If you don’t plan to use a controller, then don’t use it by all means, but if you do, you should go for the Xbox One Controller that has been tried, and it has good reviews. Even though this is quite costly, if you consider what a nightmare some cheap controllers are, you are better off making a one-time investment than having to repurchase severally within a year because they suddenly stopped working for no go reason.

How Do you Build a Gaming PC?

Everyone who wants to build their gaming PC might be frustrated as getting the price of each part will be quite expensive. Most people think it’s not possible to build a cheap gaming PC, and one will have to use over 700 dollars, which is very far from the truth.

However, this is a wrong idea as there are good parts available in compress that will make an impressive but cheap gaming PC. Instead, you should focus on aspects, and we have listed them below and where each part will go.

a). CPU or Processor

The CPU (central processing unit) is what runs your computer more than any other component. The CPU will route instructions from a single system from your computer to another.

The better the processor is, the faster it successfully transmits information for hardware and software functions. This part goes into the motherboard socket present in the middle of the board.

b). Motherboard

This is where all the hardware in your computer lives and the most important thing about a motherboard is how compatible it is with the parts you choose. However, motherboards can also have Wi-Fi systems, integrated graphics cards and many more.

c). RAM or Memory

RAM (random access memory) determines how much data your computer will process at any given moment. RAM is where your computer will store information it will need to access immediately to simplify things. Therefore, the more RAM you have, the more efficient your computer will process plenty of information, which is helpful for maximum productivity, essential for games.

These memory modules are meant to be inserted in the DIMM slots on the right side.

d). Graphics Card or GPU

This is arguably the most essential component in a setup where the GPU (graphics processing unit) will provide images from your PC and put them on your monitor. The most powerful GPUs will facilitate better in-game graphics and settings.

These graphic cards will use the PCI-e x16 slot of your motherboard, and it is found below the CPU socket and the widest slot you will have on your motherboard.

e). Hard drive or SSD

PC storage usually comes in two flavors: Solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs), where either way, your files will stay when they are not being used. Bigger drives will mean extra storage space, which means room to accommodate games, files, media etc.

These drives are not installed directly on your motherboard but are connected through a cable. The SSD ports are on the right side of your motherboard.

f). Power Supply

The power supply is what it sounds like, and it directs electricity to individual systems in your computer from a power outlet. It can be challenging to pick the right one, but you will never need to worry about it again once you do.

This is a component with cables that supply power to your motherboard, and they have several connectors you will need to connect:

24 pin ATX power cord- This is a connector inserted on the 24-pin port on the motherboard4 or 8 pin EPS power cord- This is a connector meant for supplying power to the CPU, which is found at the top left side of your PCB6 or 8 pin PCI power cord- This is a connector that powers up your graphics card, and a GPU may have or lack a port for using external power. It ranges from a 6 pin port up to 2x 8 pin ports if it does.

g). Case

The computer case is an aesthetic choice for the most part, even though some models usually include fans to help with additional cooling. Even though it’s possible to have an “open-air” build, a case is the best choice to keep all your components sheltered and keep dust out.

h). CPU Cooler

The cooler is installed directly on the CPU, and each cooler has a different installation method that will be seen in the cooler manual.

Why Should You Build your PC by Yourself?

This is an important question because you don’t want to waste $300 on a prebuilt gaming PC or purchase terrible parts without your knowledge which you will regret for a long time. Of course, a $300 gaming PC is a low-budget gaming setup, but it is still some hard-earned money that you may lose if you are not careful.

There are some benefits of building your own PC, and they include:

You get to learn more about computersYou avoid wasting money on expensive parts that perform poorlyYou develop knowledge on how to build your gaming computer, and it helps you save a lot of money by not going to shop for a prebuilt gaming PC.You understand the kind of components you are using on your PCYou get absolute value for your money because you invest in only good parts.You stay updated with the latest trends in the computer industry.

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a 300 Dollar Gaming PC

Custom pc builds are the center of PC gaming. Most gamers will prefer purchasing a custom PC instead of buying the pre-built ones for the sake of some factors, including upgradeability, overclocking support and peace of mind. Nevertheless, custom builds are more expensive than their pre-built counterparts, but some high-end gaming PCs will cost more than custom builds.

There are some factors you should consider when in a $300 gaming pc build, and they include:

1. Building Ease

As a first-timer in the gaming PC build, it is always challenging to physically build your gaming rig, especially if the case is not builder-friendly. Therefore, when researching and shopping for the best gaming PC under $300, research your case properly and ensure it’s the correct size for your components and it can accommodate all of them inside.

You can choose to use a PC building toolkit during your PC gaming build to help make your whole process smooth. In addition, you can also consider getting an anti-static wristband which can be purchased at no additional cost. These two ensure you have everything you may need to get your custom PC together, and you will be sure you will not likely zap yourself while working on the cheap PC build.

2. Performance

The performance is a major factor to consider, and even with a limited budget of $300 gaming PC, you can still come up with a good quality PC build. Of course, most gamers will opt for a computer that can play and work well simultaneously, and luckily, we have created the same computer perfect for gaming and handling simple everyday tasks.

However, for a 300 dollar gaming PC, you shouldn’t expect this budget gaming build to run the hottest PC games in high graphics modes with a high frame count. Nevertheless, you will successfully squeeze a fair share of power out of this setup over the years if you keep upgrading and adding new pieces here and there.

3. Overclocking

For gaming, we all want our PC to feel snappier than normal, and that’s where overclocking usually comes in. However, if you are new to PC gaming, you may not be sure what overclocking is, but you can be guaranteed that it’s seen as a right of passage for many PC gamers. Overclocking is simply the practice of increasing the speeds of your components but also increasing their heat production and power usage.

The hardware quality has become more extensive, making overclocking easier for most computers nowadays. However, before you think of overclocking, you should be aware of the potential risks it could pose to your components, where in most cases, it’s not worth trying to overclock when you are at the risk of burning your components.

In other words, overclocking can give your computer faster and better application processing without having to pay more for the same performance. However, you will need to be careful not to overdo it since there have been cases of motherboards flaring up when you try overclocking.

For a $300 gaming PC build, it is important to note that you might only manage to get light overclocking. Still, even then, you will not need plenty of overclocking for AMD Ryzen chips because they are super-efficient, especially when it comes to performance.

4. Upgradability

Having an upgradeable gaming PC is an important concern for most PC gamers, and that’s why it’s important to choose a 300 dollar gaming PC with an extensive upgrade path. Your gaming PC will not last you forever, and you will need to upgrade some of its components at some point, and in reality, gamers don’t stick to one hardware, and they are always aiming for better upgrades.

It is crucial to consider this when building your own PC, where you can later upgrade your processor to a high-end one and update your graphics card. Notably, a major part of the hardware selection process is limiting the number of products that will need updating when the day comes, and you should prioritize which hardware needs an upgrade the most.

Before building your gaming rig, you should ensure your machine is ready for the upgrades. The $300 gaming PC build we have come up with uses the latest motherboard, which is open to future upgrades.

5. Overclocking

Overclocking has become more achievable in the last ten years thanks to the quality of hardware becoming more overclocking friendly. It is an excellent way of getting additional performance from your custom gaming PC at no extra cost.

6. Design and Aesthetics

Aesthetics and design are crucial for gaming PC build because you will want your best gaming PC under $300 to look the best it can. After all, who doesn’t want an eye-catching computer?!

However, just like with performance, great designs and aesthetics usually directly impact the cost of the gaming PC build, and they don’t come cheap.

7. Non-Gaming Performance

Even if your main purpose with a budget build is getting a reliable gaming machine, it is still good to know that it can handle non-gaming tasks also. Even though you won’t be crypto mining or rendering many videos using this build, it should be simple to create images, making them pretty and surfing the internet.

If you plan on doing any more extensive, it would be best to think of a slightly high-end PC build. Fortunately, this would come with additional benefits of improving gaming performance.

Frequently Asked Questions on the 300 Dollar Gaming PC

1. Why choose a single 8GB stick of RAM in the $300 gaming PC?

For RAM, you should opt for the 8GB stick of DDR4 memory instead of choosing the 2x4GB kit to utilize dual-channel memory for some reasons, including successfully.

It is way cheaper than the cheapest 2x4GB of the DDR4 memory kitIt makes adding an additional storage stick of RAM easier

Even though you may not know, running your RAM with a dual-channel configuration gives you more performance than running a single RAM stick. For gaming, dual-channel configurations usually don’t offer a significant advantage in terms of performance when compared to single-channel configurations.

In addition, since the micro-ATX motherboard has two DIMM slots, this means that you can start with the 2x4GB kit of memory, and you won’t be able to upgrade to 16GB of memory in the near future without needing to replace your current kit. Using a single 8GB memory stick, all you will need to do is add an 8GB identical Corsair Vengeance stick of memory.

2. Is it better to build a gaming PC or buy a gaming PC?

When it comes to deciding between building or buying a prebuilt gaming PC, there is no wrong answer. Sometimes custom building your PC can be cheaper, may offer additional customization, and be more rewarding. On the other hand, purchasing a prebuilt gaming PC could be quicker, easier and more reliable and therefore

The choice depends on your situation, but if you are looking to save money, there is no definite answer since some $300 gaming PC builds are quite expensive while some are not. On the other hand, if you are more of a DIY person, building your own computer for gaming will be an easy choice, but the safe bets are prebuilt gaming PCs so long as you don’t mind spending a bit more for direct customer service and a decent warranty.

3. What are Some Problems you may experience with a pre-built gaming pc?

Some problems come with owning a pre-built gaming PC under $300, and they include:

The PC may hangAfter playing your favorite games for a little while, the gaming PC under $300 may get hot.It may suddenly recede and never turn on againThe gaming PC’s cooler fan doesn’t work

If you have played your favorite games using a pre-built gaming PC, you have at one point experienced the above problems. Therefore, by creating your own gaming computer for under $300, you will play your games without experiencing such problems.

4. How much power supply is enough for upgrades?

Power supply units of between 400-500W are mostly used in such a custom build, and it is fine for several upgrades such as additional fans, a storage device, a mid-tier GPU, or a CPU cooler. However, if you want a better motherboard, high-end GPU, storage devices and a cooling solution altogether, you should upgrade your power supply.

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