The Best $500 PC Build for January 2023

The Best $500 PC Build for January 2023

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The Best $500 PC Build for January 2023

The Best $500 PC Build for January 2023 Update:

Welcome to the best $500 PC Build for January 2023. This is a very viable and entry-level Gaming PC Builds of the Month and the staple in terms of entry-level gaming PC builds as it comes in at an extremely entry-level cost and is a simple setup utilizing integrated graphics (without the need for a separate graphics card). This gaming PC build will play any PC game on the market, it’s just a matter of what settings and presets.

This build uses the integrated graphics of the Ryzen 5 5600G, which not only allows you to economically game but leaves you with the option to add a powerful graphics card in the future — boosting your gaming performance significantly.

So if you’ve been in the market for a PC build that is economical and can still game decently, this $500 pc build is it. You could perhaps consider this the console killer, in the instance that it is more affordable and leaves you with the flexibility a PC gives you in terms of upgradeability and diverse options of gaming and the other benefits of having a custom pc.

Please keep in mind that every PC is and can be unique to its builder, so feel free to swap things like cases if you had your eye set on something more unique to you — and if you have any questions as per compatibility, please feel free to leave a comment.

Which January 2023 PC Build is right for you based on Your Gaming and Budget Needs?

The budgets included below should accommodate most PC gamers who play in many gaming settings, maxing games anywhere from 1080p to 1440p and playing really well into 4K.

If you are not sure which pc build is right for you based solely on your budget, then here is a quick breakdown of which build may be a right fit for you (*rough performance guidelines):


Bookmark our Best Gaming PC Builds for 2023 Page to Keep up to Date With the Monthly Gaming PC Builds, or subscribe here.


The 2023 Entry Level $500 Gaming PC Build of the Month

The Best $500 Gaming PC Build | January 2023

Capability: Game at 720p to 1080p resolutions in most games.

Powered by the Ryzen 5 5600G CPU with Integrated Radeon RX Graphics

1 CPU - Best $500 PC Build 2023

1. CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G

(*You don't need a graphics card with this CPU as it comes with Integrated Radeon Graphics for smooth 1080p gaming)
  • Features best-in-class graphics performance in a desktop processor for smooth 1080p gaming, no graphics card required
  • 6 Cores and 12 processing threads, bundled with the AMD Wraith Stealth cooler
  • 4.4 GHz Max Boost, unlocked for overclocking, 19 MB cache, DDR4-3200 support
  • For the advanced Socket AM4 platform

Amazon Price: $136.00

2 Cooler - Best $500  PC Build 2023

2. Cooler: AMD Wraith Stealth Cooler (Included)

This cooler is included with the AMD Ryzen 5600G CPU

3 Motherboard - Best $500 PC Build 2023

3. Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming A520M-PLUS (WiFi) AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen™) microATX Gaming Motherboard

This motherboard is a quality budget Micro ATX sized board, that features everything you'd need in a $500 PC, including:

  • AMD AM4 Socket: l Ready for Ryzen 5000 Series/ 4000 G-Series/ 3000 Series Desktop Processors
  • Comprehensive cooling: Large VRM heatsink, PCH heatsink and Fan Xpert 2+
  • Made for online gaming: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, TUF LANGuard and TurboLAN technology
  • Gaming Connectivity: BIOS FlashBack button, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 32Gb/s M.2 onboard, SATA 6Gb/s, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, DisplayPort/HDMI/D-Sub
  • Gaming Look and Feel: ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, including RGB headers and a Gen 2 addressable RGB header for greater customization

    Amazon Price: $98.99

    4 Graphics Card - Best $500 PC Build 2023

    4. Graphics Card: *Integrated Radeon RX Graphics Included

    The Ryzen 5 5600G comes with integrated Radeon Graphics at a graphics frequency of 1900 MHz and a graphics core count of 7.

    5 RAM - Best $500 PC Build 2023

    5. RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 X 8GB) DDR4 3600 MHz

    16GB is an upgrade to the $500 gaming PC build, and might even be more than you actually need. However, at the moment 16GB kits are close in cost to 8GB ones at the moment anyhow -- so it only makes sense.

    Amazon Price: $57.99

    6 SSD - Best $500 PC Build 2023

    6. SSD: Crucial P2 500GB 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD

    • Capacity: Up to 2TB with sequential reads or writes up to 2400MB/s/1900MB/s
    • NVMe PCIe interface, marking the next step in storage innovation
    • Includes SSD management software for performance optimization, data security, and firmware updates
    • Backed by a limited 5-year warranty or up to the max endurance rating of 150 TBW

    Amazon Price: $47.99

    7 Power Supply - Best $500 PC Build 2023

    7. Power Supply Unit: Thermaltake Smart 500W 80+ White Certified PSU, Continuous Power with 120mm Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan

    500W is plenty for this pc build and the Thermaltake Smart 500W RGB does the trick perfectly.

    • Delivers 500 Watt Continuous output at plus 40 degree. Compliance with Intel ATX 12 Volt 2.31 & EPS 12V 2.92 standards
    • 80 PLUS Certified, 80 percentage efficiency under typical load
    • Supports (2) PCI E 6+2pin Connectors. Active (PFC) Power Factor Correction, MTBF: 100,000 hours
    • Industry Grade Protections: (OPP) Over Power Protection, (OVP) Over Voltage Protection, (SCP) Short Circuit Protection
    • High Quality Components
    • Equipped with a powerful plus 12 Volt rail, superior performance under all types of system loading
    • 5 Year Warranty

    Amazon Price: $49.99

    8 PC Case - Best $500 PC Build 2023

    8. PC Case: Zalman S3 ATX Mid Tower Computer PC Case

    • Luxurious Hairline Front Panel Design & Dual Intake Design with Metal Finish
    • Full Acrylic windowed side-panel applied
    • Dual line front ventilation with metallic Decoration
    • Top & Bottom Dust Filter (smooth Air Circulation & Protect the case from dust)
    • Zalman's Optimized Cooling Solution (up to 8 fans can be installed)
    • Convenient Interface (USB 3.0, 2.0, Reset Button)
    • Front Radiator Max 120mm (VGA Card Max 330mm)

    Amazon Price: $54.99

    Estimated Price (January 2023): $445.95
    (*Using integrated graphics)

    Overview | Best Gaming PC Build for $500

    For the $500 gaming PC build of the month for January 2023, you will get HD 1080P resolutions with game settings scaled back for optimal FPS gameplay and it uses integrated graphics, which makes this the most accessible pc to game on out of all of the gaming pc builds of the month.

    The $500 gaming pc build is currently powered by the Ryzen 5 5600G CPU with integrated Radeon RX graphics. This means you do not need a graphics card to get up and start gaming, which is a plus since cards are really inflated with regard to cost at the moment. This also allows you to add a better graphics card for increased performance in the $500 gaming pc build of the month.

    This gaming PC build is a back-to-the-basics type build that focuses solely on getting as much performance as possible from each dollar spent. That means no bells and whistles, only pure performance and concentration on the necessities of our build.

    This could be considered the gateway PC for those breaking free of the gaming console and jumping into PC gaming – or for those who want an affordable gaming pc that can play any game out there with scaled settings.

    $500 Gaming PC Build of the Month Upgrades

    As with all of the gaming pc builds of the month, there are plenty of upgrades that you could consider if you had just a bit more to spend. You can check these out here:

    To read the full overview and for a list of hardware alternatives, please visit the FULL Best $500 Gaming PC Build Page

    The best $500 gaming pc build can be further upgraded — visit the full overview page for a full overview of this build including suggestions for hardware upgrades including a higher-performing CPU, or a high-performing graphics card.


    Operating Systems for Your Gaming PC

    Do keep in mind that you will also need an operating system, however, it’s not too difficult to find keys for windows 11 online, you will need to install it using something like a USB key or external drive.

      OS Link Price Image
    Windows 10 or 11

    Make a Windows 11 Installation Media

    OR

    View this video on the Easiest How to Make Your Own Windows Boot USB

    Download and install Windows on a USB (Need another PC)  Windows 11 PC Build - Newb Computer Build
    Ubuntu (Linux OS) Ubuntu – Desktop Free (open source) Ubuntu Logo
    SteamOS SteamOS – “Build your own Steam Machine” Free Steam Operating System OS

    The Best $500 PC Build for January 2023 Overview Video

    If you prefer to check out a video overview of the $500 PC build, then look no further. And please remember if you have any questions or comments on your build to leave them below and I’ll try my best to help you out. Best of luck building your next best PC build!

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