$800 Build Guide
The reason why $800 is listed as the least expensive “Nvidia Gaming PC” is because if you want to spend less than that, then you’ll have to use parts that I really don’t recommend. GPUs like the RTX 3050 are certainly possible, but at this level I’d rather you spend more money for an RTX 4060, or switch over to the Pure Performance Build Templates with an AMD GPU.
I’d recommend sticking with AM4 for this build so we can spend more money on the GPU. My preference would certainly be AM5, but pairing an AM5 CPU with an RTX 4060 for this price point isn’t practical. The Ryzen 5 5600 is still a solid option for an affordable gaming PC like this, and with the motherboard that I chose you can upgrade to a Ryzen 7 5700X3D in the future if you want to.
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I do not really consider any Intel CPUs at this point in time. Ryzen simply has too many better options for me to consider Intel right now. After the launch of the Core Ultra 200 series, I don’t think this will change anytime soon.
The Vetroo V5 is usually priced between $20-$30 and is a safe bet for almost any AM4 CPU. The 5600 is very easy to keep cool, so feel free to go with my other budget favorites such as the ID-Cooling FROZN A410, or the Thermaltake UX200 ARGB.
If you wanted to keep the costs down then you have the option to go with a B450, but for a build like this I like the B550 play a little better. This gives us slightly better future proofing options with the 5700X3D, and the pricing of B450 boards seems to be climbing a bit so B550 makes even more sense. The MSI B550-A Pro and Gigabyte B550 Gaming X V2 are also usually in stock for this same price point.
Any 2x16GB DDR4 kit clocked at 3200MHz or higher will work. I would recommend trying to find one with a CL rating of 16 if possible, but not required. (You can use this Amazon Search to help) 16GB of RAM will work, but I’d highly recommend 32GB in 2025. More and more games are starting to use more than 16GB by themselves, so having the extra headroom for other applications like a web browser and Discord is a good option. Plus, the price difference between 16GB and 32GB for DDR4 is shrinking as well. If the Ripjaws kit isn’t in stock, then I also like the Kingston Fury Beast as well.
I’d recommend starting with at least a PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD with 1TB. If you have more money to spend then feel free to creep your way up to a “High-Level NVMe” (Consult the SSD List), but sticking with a mid ranged SSD at this build price is perfectly fine. The Teamgroup MP44L has consistently been one of the most available and least expensive mid ranged drives, so it’s getting my top pick. If that’s not in stock, then the SIlicon Power UD90 probably is.
As somebody that values price to performance I have to provide the disclaimer that you have better options with an AMD GPU in terms of “FPS Per Dollar” value. However, I do understand that some people value ray tracing, DLSS, and/or Reflex more, which is why they go with Nvidia. If you prefer Nvidia, then for the $800 price point your best option is the RTX 4060. This can play any game in 1080p with respectable settings, and feel free to grab whichever one you find the best deal on or one with an aesthetic design that you like. There’s not a huge difference in the performance or cooling between the available options from the trusted manufacturers. If you can’t find the MSI Ventus RTX 4060 in stock, then I also like the Gigabyte Windforce OC, ASUS Dual, and the PNY Verto models as well.
For a Ryzen 5 5600 and RTX 4060 build, my search filter will be any Tier C, B, or A 550W+ unit. (Consult the PSU Tier List) The MSI MAG A550BN has been consistently available for $50-$60, and I’ve personally used this dozens of times without an issue. If you can’t find that in stock, then look for an MSI MAG A650BE or an A650BN. Both of those are still Tier C but with slightly more wattage.
The case selection is always personal preference, but for the Nvidia Gaming Build Templates I’m sticking with the Montech XR. This is a fish tank style of case that holds an ATX motherboard at a crazy good price under $70. It doesn’t pack all of the bells and whistles, but it’s still a high quality case that’s easy to build with. By spending this low amount of our budget on the case, it allows us to fill it with higher quality components. If you don’t like the Montech XR then feel free to go with any ATX compatible case that you personally like. Some of my other favorites are the Fractal Design Pop Air RGB, Okinos Oak Wood, Corsair 4000D Airflow, and the Fractal Design North.
Last updated: January 9, 2025