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If you have the budget for a $700 gaming PC build, you really are in for an awesome computer.
This build was put together after many hours of research and making sure that it was well optimized and we are pleased to say this gaming build will really impress anyone who decides to build it.
If you're interested in seeing what you can get with a change in budget, we have a full list of our other gaming PC builds here.
Now without further ado, it’s time to jump into this build and show you what really makes this build high-end.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 700 Dollar Gaming Pc Build
Why Build Your Own PC Instead of Buying a Pre-Built One?
Before we get into this build we are going to field a common question.
For most people, buying a prebuilt desktop is cool, but when you’re a gamer and buying a PC, you are really getting a much worse PC. These prebuilt PCs are usually way overpriced and the same PC can be built for much cheaper. If that’s what you want, that's fine, but most people want to get as much power for their gaming PC as possible for the money. That’s where building your own gaming PC comes into play.
Yes, you have to put in some hard work when making your own PC, but that just makes using the PC all the better because YOU put it together and made it. The process will be something that you will remember for a long time. Oh yeah, you will also officially be known as that computer person that can fix all tech-related issues by all of your non-tech friends who are astonished that anyone could somehow build a PC, so get ready for that.
Here are the supplies you will need in addition to your computer components:
- Screwdriver
- Guidance
- (Optional) Static Wrist-Band
A static wrist band isn't necessary unless you aren't using a hard surface such as a desk or hardwood floor to build your PC. If you are going to be building on carpet (why though?), then get one.
Building a PC can be difficult without any instructions, fortunately for you, with the dawn of the internet there are plenty of helpful videos and helpful people around who are more than willing to help. Below is a video that will help you build your first gaming computer. It’s short and concise, but if you would like a more in-depth video, check out our How To Build A PC Page.
Best $700 Gaming PC Build: The Big Leagues
The Build
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Build Breakdown
Case:
Fractal Design – Focus G (White) ATX Mid Tower
This case might not be for everyone and in response to that, we've included a link below that has similar cases that you can pick from and use in this build.
Power Supply:
Corsair – CXM 550 W 80+ Bronze
So what does a bronze power supply do differently than a regular one? Well, it's more efficient and uses less voltage over time. This PC will use more power and is especially useful if you are gaming long hours daily and it will save you money in the long run on electricity.
Video Card:
XFX RADEON RX 580
There's also very little noise, so if you're a fan of silent gaming rigs, this is definitely a plus, but what really sets this card apart is the amazing value for the performance. You are getting an awesome card that will easily last you for years before you even have to think about upgrading.
We really have nothing but praise for this graphics card.
Process:
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
The AMD 2600x has been featured in many of our more expensive builds. It is the best CPU you can get for under $200. It's just a complete beast for gaming and for processing tasks, in general. The 2600x will easily last you for a few years of intense gaming.
One hot topic is that processors need more cores to keep up with the processing demands of modern gaming and the RX 580 has six! However, AMD's threading makes this the equivalent to a 12-core processor, which is insane! The RX 580 is also very good at running multiple applications at once due its high core count and threading, making it ideal for people who love multi-tasking
This processor also comes with a fan and a heatsink, which will save you more money in the long run.
Motherboard:
ASRock B450M PRO4 Micro ATX
This is another amazing ATX motherboard by ASRock, the B450 motherboard. They are known for their high-quality motherboards and drivers at a great price.
The B450 is a little expensive for this build, but is required to support the new Ryzen 5 2600x. This board will allow you to add in any Ryzen 5 series CPU if you want to upgrade.
Where this motherboard really shines is with the BIOS. ASRock is a company that focuses on gamers and their BIOS totally reflects that. It allows you to easily modify your gaming experience.
RAM:
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4
For RAM, we present the Corsair LPX Vengeance 16 GB pack. Unlike our $400 PC build, at this price range, 16 GBs of RAM is vital or you will not be able to draw out the power of the rest of the components. It might even be better to get 32 GBs of RAM in the future (there's no real need for this at the moment).
Hard Drive:
WD Blue 1TB HD
Western Digital is a respected hard drive maker that makes quality products, which is the reason they are included in this build. Actually, we recommend getting another hard drive or SSD in the future, but at the moment, this will do.
(Optional) Optical Drive
Recommended Peripherals
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Recommended Monitor: Acer R240HY 23.8-Inch 1080p Monitor
If you are looking for a 1080p monitor on a budget, we wholeheartedly recommend the Acer 23.8-inch monitor. Yes, there are better monitors out there, but for the price, this is an amazing monitor with a lot of customizable features and also deep color contrasts.
One other thing that about this monitor is the brightness. This monitor is very vibrant and sharp compared to other monitors and is also a good option if you are looking to have a multiple-monitor set up.
Recommended Wi-Fi
We chose the third adapter from our top 10 wireless adapters list, as it is a little more budget friendly than the first or secnd choice. Check out our post if you have a different budget in mind!
Operating System Options
After building your gaming PC and getting all your peripherals in order, there is still one thing that needs to be done and that is installing your operating system. An operating system is a program that basically manages all your computer's specs and other applications installed onto your computer. There are many operating systems, but the most popular are Linux (Ubuntu) and Windows. These operating systems both have their pros and cons and below, we discuss why you should get one or the other.
Linux (Ubuntu)
Despite being popular among the tech-savvy crowd, Linux is still relatively unheard of. Linux does have its pros however, and to discount it without giving it a fair shot would be a shame.
One good thing about Linux is how customizable it is as an operating system. Linux was made more as a community project instead of something to sell. It was basically made by developers for developers and other like-minded individuals. So if you like getting down to the nitty-gritty aspects of computers, then you will love Linux. Another thing about Linux is that it's a free OS. Many people might not know that Windows costs money, but it does, so having the option to use Linux until for free is awesome.
Sadly, Linux also has major issues in that since it's more of a community project than an organization, there are many bugs that have yet to be fixed and it takes a great deal of time to get issues corrected due it not being run like a business. The biggest reason why Linux is still a little unappealing is that many games don't even support Linux. While this is slowly changing due to Steam actually making their own Linux-based OS called SteamOS, there are still major compatibility issues.
Windows
Windows is something probably everyone reading this is familiar with and that's no surprise, considering they have complete and utter dominance in the marketplace when it comes to PCs. Most people are going to go with Windows without a doubt and there's nothing wrong with that.
The biggest pro of Windows is that almost every PC developer makes their games specifically for Windows which means you don't have to worry about your OS not being supported. Another one is that since Windows is a major company, updates are quick and snappy compared to Linux.
The only real disadvantage of Windows is the price tag. Many people are simply not going to want to pay for it. If you buy a prebuilt, Windows is often included in the price.
What Version Of Windows Should I Get?
Windows 10 is our top recommendation as of now. Not only has Microsoft worked out all the major bugs with the OS, but games are actually starting to perform better with this OS, making this the choice for gamers looking to max out their PC's performance. Windows 7 and 8 are still ok, but we recommend switching over to Windows 10 as soon as possible.
Below, we have included both a USB version of Windows and also a disc version of Windows 10, depending on whether or not you have an optical drive.
Conclusion
PC gaming is evolving at an astonishing rate and having a build that can handle these awesome games is a must for any serious gamer. This $700 gaming PC build is easily comparable to a prebuilt computer in the thousands and anyone who makes this will be in for an awesome adventure. If you are ready to enter the big leagues, then this is the build that will do it.