$550 Build Guide
The reason why $550 is the price for our cheapest build template is because with the current market pricing, I don’t recommend any New Parts Builds below this price point. You could potentially dip down around a $500 build with an RTX 3050 6GB, but I’d rather not recommend that and instead go with an RX 6600 for way better value. If you want to build a PC for less than $550, then I’d strongly consider purchasing a used GPU, and potentially more used components.
The Ryzen 5 5500 is pretty much the single best option for a CPU at this build price range. It’s almost always available between $70-$90, and it’s almost as fast as the Ryzen 5 5600. If you can’t find it available, then I would first recommend buying on on Ali Express. If that’s not an option, then consider spending more money for a Ryzen 5 5600.
I do not really consider any Intel CPUs at this price point. The Intel i3 12100F isn’t a bad idea, but I like the 5500 more for this price range. Keep in mind that you’ll need a different motherboard if you go with Intel than what I have listed.
CPU Cooler: Go with the stock cooler that comes included with the Ryzen 5’s. It is good enough for the price range of this build.
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The price of B450 motherboards (and AM5 boards in general) have unfortunately started to increase as the supply starts to decline. There’s a good chance that AM4 based gaming PCs won’t be as relevant in the next 12 months or so, specifically because of the lack of motherboard options. My top pick if you can find it in the ASRock B450M/AC R2.0, but if you can’t find it, search for any AM4 motherboard that’s mATX, has 4 RAM slots, and ideally built-in WiFi. The ASUS Prime B450M-A II is an option if you don’t need WiFi.
Any 2x8GB DDR4 kit clocked at 3200MHz or higher will work. I would recommend trying to find one with a CL rating of 16 or less if possible, but not required. Also be sure to get one that includes a heat spreader, not the PCB-only type of sticks. T-Force Vulcan Z 2x8GB 3200MHz kit is usually the most affordable option, as well as the G.Skill Ripjaws V 2x8GB 3200MHz kit.
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Even though a B450 motherboard won’t take advantage of PCIe Gen 4 speeds, I’d still recommend getting a Gen 4 SSD because they’re the same price as Gen 3 drives these days. If you decide to upgrade your motherboard in the future, or especially upfront, you’ll appreciate the extra speeds of Gen 4. The Klevv Cras C910 is my favorite budget pick, because it comes with an option heat shield that you can install if your motherboard doesn’t have a built-in heatsink. The Silicon Power UD90 and the Teamgroup MP44L are also great options under $60.
Here you’re looking for the cheapest RX 6600 which delivers amazing 1080p gaming performance for the money, and you can’t go wrong with any of the models. The ASRock Challenger D is typically the cheapest model, followed by the PowerColor Fighter.
For a Ryzen 5 5500 and RX 6600, you don’t need a lot of wattage, so a 450W unit will do. You’re specifically looking for a model that’s ranked Tier C (or higher) on the PSU Tier List. If you think you’ll upgrade your components in the near future, it’s probably a better idea to buy a unit with higher wattage now though. The 2 models available the most often are the MSI MAG A550BN and the Apevia Prestige 600W.
The case selection is always personal preference, but one of the best models for a pure performance gaming PC in this price range is the Okinos Aqua 3 Air. It comes pre-installed with 3 black 120mm PWM fans, and it’s one of the cheapest cases available that’s full of fans. If you prefer a wood grain design, then I also like the Okinos Cypress 3 Wood. Both cases pack a ton of value around the $60 price range, and they include USB-C ports. (You’ll need a B550 motherboard to take advantage however)
Last updated: June 18, 2025