The Best Gaming PC Build For $700 in 2022

Written by Branton

Last updated Mar 23, 2022

PC build for 700
Looking to build the best gaming PC for $700? It just so happens that this particular build delivers everything you could hope for and more; without completely destroying your wallet.

This $700 DIY build features the 6-core/12-thread AMD R5 2600, a 6GB GTX 1660, 16GB of 3000MHz DDR4 RAM, and 500GB of SSD storage.

A build like this one will easily run any AAA title that you can throw at it on high-ultra settings at 60fps (or better) without an issue. This build can also handle light-duty streaming and can become even more capable with 1 minor adjustment – but we’ll talk more about that in the build details. Before we move onto the DIY build, we’ll offer a pre-built option for those who want something a little more convenient.

Have a question? Ask me in the comment section or look at our PC build FAQ.

prebuilt budget gaming pc

$700 Prebuilt Gaming PC Option

CYBERPOWERPC GXiVR8060A8 – Black

Before we dive into the custom DIY build, why not consider a prebuilt alternative with similar specs? If you’d rather skip the whole build process and jump right into gaming, you can easily do that with a prebuilt gaming desktop. They come completely assembled with Windows already installed, the only thing for you to do is plug it in, turn it on, and update some drivers.

Here’s an option with similar specs and pricing (considering the cost of Windows) as the DIY build on this page.

  • CPU: Intel i5 9400f
  • GPU: 6GB GTX 1660
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4 RAM
  • Storage: 1TB HDD + 240GB SSD
  • Connectivity: WiFi + Ethernet | 7.1 channel audio | 6x USB 3.1 + 2x USB 2.0
  • Comes with Windows 10 Home (64-bit) installed
  • Comes with a keyboard + mouse

 

The Best $700 Gaming PC Build

Updated: October 24th, 2021
masterbox q300l computer case

Case

Thermaltake Versa H18

mATX tower with a tempered glass side panel. Comes with 1x 120mm fan, 1x front USB 3.0 + 2x USB 2.0 + 3.5mm audio jacks.

amd ryzen computer processor

CPU

AMD R5 3600

6-core/12-thread 3.9GHz 2nd generation AMD Ryzen CPU. Comes with a Wraith Stealth CPU cooler.

gigabyte computer motherboard

Motherboard

ASRock B450M PRO4

AM4 socket/B450 chipset mATX motherboard. Equipped with 8x USB and 4x SATA + 1x M.2, built in audio and integrated ethernet.

amd gaming graphics card

GPU

MSI GTX 1660 Ventus XS 6G OC

6GB 192-bit GDDR5 VRAM, 3x DisplayPort 1.4 and 1x HDMI 2.0b display outputs. Great 1080p gaming performance!

patriot signature computer memory

RAM

Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB

2x8GB sticks of 3000MHz DDR4 RAM. Adding more ram is completely possible!

computer power supply

PSU

EVGA 500 BR 80+ Bronze

500W 80+ Bronze power supply. Comes with a 3-year warranty.

250gb solid state drive

Storage

Kingston A400 480GB SSD

480GB SSD with 500MB/s read and 450MB/s write speeds.

The tools you need:

That’s really all you need to assemble your new desktop. All of the mounting hardware and cables will come with the parts listed above. The only time you might need something extra is if you’re modifying the build on this page.

HOW TO BUILD YOUR PC…

Super Simplified Build Steps:

  1. Install the power supply into the case
  2. Install the processor (CPU)
  3. Seat RAM in the motherboard
  4. Mount the CPU cooler (don’t forget thermal paste if you’re not using a stock cooler!)
  5. Insert the motherboard’s rear I/O plate into the case’s rear I/O slot
  6. Mount the motherboard in the case (get your i/o ports through and use the middle standoff as a guide)
  7. Plug your graphics card into the motherboard
  8. Install storage drives
  9. Plug all power and data cables in where they’re required (storage, case, motherboard, graphics card, etc)
  10. Turn your PC on
  11. Install your OS
  12. Install and update ALL drivers
  13. DONE!

Complete Build Breakdown

If you’ve never built a computer before, then you probably want to take some time to learn the basics before getting ahead of yourself. To do that you have a couple of options you can choose from.

The first, and probably the easiest way for most people to learn is finding a walkthrough on YouTube from a reputable tech channel. Here’s one by BitWit as an example.

Alternatively, I’ve put together an in-depth guide on how to build a PC as well as a FAQ to address the most common questions and problems. I’ve also put together a short post covering 10 of the most common mistakes people make when building.

PC gaming can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to completely empty your bank account. For around $700, you can build a gaming PC that completely blows away consoles, and will consistently deliver great performance. Keep in mind that prices change daily, and this build could be cheaper or more expensive depending on when you’re looking at it.


Case: Holding everything together is the Thermaltake Versa H18 micro-ATX case. It gives you lots of options for expansion in terms of added storage, or a more intensive cooling profile.

The H18 comes with a total of 3x front USB ports as well as 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks. It’s also boasting a tempered glass side panel and a full PSU shroud. The compromise being it only comes with 1x 120mm fan – 1 is pretty much good enough for this build, but you might want to add 1 more.

There are A LOT of other cases that would work for this build, I really suggest that you take a look at some other options just in case you can find one that you like more! If you need some suggestions, check out what I consider the 5 best mATX cases!


CPU & Cooler: AMD’s R5 3600 is a complete beast when it comes to gaming, streaming, and pretty much anything else. With a sub-$200 price tag, the R5 2600 simply cannot be beaten in terms of price vs performance.

It’s loaded with 6 cores and 12 threads that’ll operate at a modest 4.2GHz by default. Since the R5 3600 fully supports overclocking, you could easily squeeze out even more performance if you don’t mind spending some time testing.

The R5 3600 comes with a good CPU cooler if you’re not pushing your CPU too much or overclocking. Upgrading to a larger air cooler would be recommended if you’re going to overclock. 


Motherboard: The default motherboard, ASRock’s B450M Pro4, is an awesome mATX option for a Ryzen-based build. It gives you support for all of the features we need with room to expand down the line, including 4x SATA3 ports, multiple case fan headers, 8x USB ports, 4 slots for DDR4 RAM, integrated audio, a built-in ethernet controller, and even M.2 NVMe SSD support.

If you’re going to be running Windows 11, it will be compatible with this motherboard as it’s loaded with a TPM module as all modern motherboards are.


Graphics Card: For the GPU, we’re going with a 6GB GTX 1660 from MSI that offers up some of the best price vs performance out of any currently released card of the same tier.

MSI’s GTX 1660 Ventus XS 6G OC is one of the best options right now and it’s definitely the one to go for if you’re trying to save as much as you can on your build. It’s capable of 60fps+ on ultra settings in pretty much any AAA game and significantly higher frames in less intensive games like CS:GO, LoL, Overwatch, Fortnite, etc.


RAM:16GB of RAM is the perfect amount for a gaming PC at this level. With that in mind, this build is running 2x8GB sticks of Corsair Vengeance LPX at 3000MHz. This leaves you with lots of room for future expansion and if you wanted to run more than 16GB that’s completely possible – when you do upgrade try to stick to the same speed as your RAM will automatically change its speed to match your slowest stick.


Power Supply: EVGA’s 500 BR power supply is a good, reliable, power supply. It’s rated to 80+ bronze and comes with a 3-year warranty + 24/7 technical support from EVGA. As the 500 BR is a non-modular unit, all cables are permanently attached. If you’d prefer a semi-modular supply, I’d suggest checking out the 500 BQ instead – it’s a little more expensive but objectively much better.


Storage: When it comes to storage, there’s a Kingston A400 480GB SSD in this build by default. Beyond that, you can easily add up to 3 more drives based on what the motherboard will support. All you’ll need are extra SATA data cables and the additional drives themselves.

Peripherals

If this is the very first PC you’ve ever owned, chances are you’re going to need almost everything on the following list. If that’s you, put aside another few hundred for these peripherals to make sure you’re not coming up short.

In any event, I’ve hand-picked the following components to match this particular level of gaming PC build, but that doesn’t mean they’re all you can use. There are plenty of choices for each peripheral you might like others more than my suggestions.

Picking a good display is one of the most important parts of ensuring you get a good experience, because of that I’ve put together an in-depth guide on how to pick the best monitor for gaming.

Picking a comfortable chair is equally important as your monitor, if not more important. To fully enjoy your gaming sessions, you have to be comfortable. To be comfortable, you need a good gaming chair. That’s why I’ve put together this buyers guide containing 16 gaming chairs out there! 

gaming keyboard

Monitor

ASUS VS247H-P 23.6″

23.6″, 1080p 60Hz, 2ms response time – Great for gaming

gaming keyboard

Keyboard

Redragon K556 RGB

A good full sized mechanical keyboard with RGB backlighting and a very attractive price point. 

gaming mouse

Mouse

Logitech G502 Hero

One of the absolute best gaming mice you could buy. The G502 is a tried and true platform that’s only been improved to where it’s at now with the HERO. 

gaming headset

Headphones

HyperX Cloud 2

The HyperX Cloud 2 headset is undeniably one of the best you could own. They use audiophile-grade headphones with a high-quality detachable microphone. 

Operating System

When it comes to picking an operating system, you have quite a few options laid out before you. But, the best / easiest two are either Windows or something Linux-based.

If you’re really strapped for cash, or you really just don’t like Windows, Ubuntu is a great option because it’s entirely free, and it’s really solid/secure. It’s a Linux-based OS and can play any game that supports Linux. More and more games are adding Linux support, but it definitely sucks when a game you’ve been waiting forever for ends up being Windows only…

The more expensive option is buying a copy of Windows. With DirectX 12 becoming more common and the Skylake-based processors basically demanding Windows 10, you might want to consider jumping on that right away, but it’s ultimately your call.

Installing your operating system can be done in a couple of different ways, either by DVD or a USB flash drive that you either create yourself or buy.

window 10

Windows

Windows 10

The most recent version of Microsoft’s operating system, Windows 10 is your best bet for across-the-board compatibility. 

ubuntu linux

Linux

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a great, open source operating system rooted in Linux. It’s known as one of the most user-friendly and easiest to learn. 

WiFi

Because the vast majority of motherboards do not include WiFi – like the one used in this build – if you have to use WiFi then you’re also going to need a WiFi adapter.

There’re a plethora of options available when it comes to picking WiFi adapters and it can be a relatively confusing process without first knowing what you need… Which is often just as confusing as picking the adapter in the first place.

To make it simple, you pretty much want an adapter on the AC protocol – it’s backward compatible with the previous protocols and will pretty much work regardless what kind of router you’re running. The speed you should get is based on both the speed of your internet connection and the capabilities of your router; somewhere around AC1300 is usually a safe bet.

Keep in mind that your router and WiFi adapter won’t speed up your internet connection and going for the highest numbers won’t mean the lowest ping. Even N900 (basic) WiFi adapters and routers are capable of transferring data at much higher rates than the average internet connection requires.

internal wifi adapter

Internal WiFi Adapter

TP-Link Archer T6E

A good internally mounted (PCIe) AC1300 WiFi adapter. Make sure your build has enough room!

external USB wifi adapter

External WiFi Adapter

Netgear A6210-100PAS

A reliable AC1300 USB WiFi adapter. Capable of operating on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

Conclusion

If you’re here looking to find the best gaming PC build for around $700 then I’m confident you’ve found exactly what you were looking for! When you take into consideration price vs performance, this build simply cannot be beaten without putting up more dough for better hardware.

All of the components are going to be 100% compatible with one another and everything you need is included above. Unless you’re adding more hardware than what’s listed above, you won’t need any extra cables, screws, or anything like that.

At the end of the day, this build is packing more than enough power to handle all of your favorite AAA games in 1080p at 60fps on around high-very high settings depending on the exact game. It’s also capable of putting out well above 100fps in games like CS:GO where high frame rates are crucial.

Have any questions about this list of parts to use in a good 1080p 60fps gaming PC build? Or, maybe you’ve picked it up for yourself and are blown away by the performance? Either way, let me know in the comment section!

If you have any questions or comments about this build, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments!

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Branton
Branton
September 8, 2021 9:19 pm

Just beware, graphic cards are really expensive right now, so your PC will cost way more than posted above. If you don’t want to spend lots of cash on a graphics card, I would recommend to just wait for prices to drop. We are working on finding alternative graphic cards.

junais
junais
February 28, 2023 3:31 am
Reply to  Branton

here you can find all gpu alternative

Anonymous
Anonymous
July 28, 2021 6:24 am

I get if this build used to be $700 but now it’s 1,082, and yes I live in the US

David Gianna
David Gianna
January 19, 2021 1:45 pm

How? the graphics card alone is more than $400 and the Mobo is listed at over $225; so please tell me how this gaming rig would be built for even close to $700. Break it down for me.

Kneeger
Kneeger
May 5, 2021 9:42 am
Reply to  David Gianna

now the gpu is 760

Anonymous
Anonymous
July 31, 2021 8:27 pm
Reply to  David Gianna

Because this website is trash now. The old owner sold it and the new people have destroyed it.

Anonymous
Anonymous
January 19, 2021 10:15 am

Need A Gaming PC Around 750$ thats very powerful and con dominate gaming

Anonymous
Anonymous
October 13, 2020 5:10 pm

I need a gaming about 700 really powerfully and good for gaming

Anonymous
Anonymous
September 20, 2020 2:13 am

can you connect ethernet or do you have to buy a wifi adapter

Karen
Karen
July 25, 2020 11:30 am

I want to build a PC, budget is $700, need a CPU 2.5 GHz dual core, motherboard, case, graphics card, RAM 4 GB, hard drive 250 GB, power supply, optical drive DVD-RW

Anonymous
Anonymous
August 6, 2020 12:45 pm
Reply to  Karen

Why wouldn’t you build a better one if your budget is 700? This is about twice these specs and about 700.

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