How much should I spend on a gaming PC in 2026?

A solid 1080p gaming PC costs $500–$700, a 1440p high-settings build runs $800–$1,200, and a 4K ultra rig requires $1,500–$2,000+. Use the Budget PC Builder above to get an exact parts list for your target games and resolution.

What PC parts do I need for a $800 gaming PC?

A $800 gaming PC typically uses a Ryzen 5 7600 CPU ($190), RTX 4060 GPU ($300), 16GB DDR5 RAM ($50), 1TB NVMe SSD ($60), B650 motherboard ($130), 650W PSU ($70), and mid-tower case ($50). This configuration can run most 2025–2026 titles at 1080p High settings at 60–100 FPS.

What is CPU-GPU bottleneck and how do I avoid it?

A bottleneck occurs when one component (CPU or GPU) is significantly faster than the other, leaving performance on the table. For example, pairing an RTX 4090 with a budget CPU wastes GPU power. A balanced build keeps the bottleneck percentage below 10%. Our calculator automatically finds the optimal CPU-GPU pairing for your budget.

Can a $500 PC run modern games like Cyberpunk 2077 or GTA 6?

Yes, at 1080p Medium settings. A $500 build with a Ryzen 5 5600 and RX 6600 can achieve 45–60 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p Medium with FSR upscaling, and similar performance in GTA 6 once released. Select these games in the builder above to see the exact recommended parts.

How do I use the Budget PC Builder tool?

Step 1: Select your target games from the game grid. Step 2: Choose your target resolution (1080p/1440p/4K) and quality preset (Medium/High/Ultra). Step 3: Set your total budget using the slider. The engine instantly calculates the best CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, PSU, and case combination for your selections. Click "Buy on Amazon" to add the entire build to your cart in one click.

Does the Budget PC Builder show Amazon prices?

Yes. The tool loads live Amazon prices from our regularly updated catalog. Part prices are shown in USD (US), EUR (EU/DE/FR/ES/NL), or JPY (Japan) based on your region. Clicking any component or the "1-Click Amazon Cart" button links directly to the correct Amazon storefront for your region.

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Smart Game-Driven Budget PC Builder

Select your target games and cash budget. Our engine calculates the mathematically optimal CPU & GPU pairing with zero bottlenecks.

Select Target Games

Multi-select enabled

Target Resolution & Quality

Display Resolution

In-Game Graphics

Your Maximum Budget

Target Spend

Projected Average FPS

137 FPS

@ 1080P high

Hardware Balance

10% balanced

Resolution-aware matrix

🛠️ Bill of Materials (BOM)

Mathematically balanced build for zero bottlenecks on amazon.com (United States)

Retail Price Baseline Active

Store: amazon.com

Part	Component Model & Customizer	Specifications & Architecture	Amazon Price	Product Page
Graphics Card (GPU) Most Important	Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT 12GB	RDNA 3, 12GB GDDR6, 1440p Ultra Beast, DisplayPort 2.1	$399	Buy on Amazon ↗
Processor (CPU) Engine Core	AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (6C/12T AM5)	Zen 4, 5.1 GHz Boost, DDR5 Platform, Future-Proof AM5	$189	Buy on Amazon ↗
Motherboard Platform	ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2 Micro-ATX	DDR5, PCIe 5.0 M.2, 8+2+1 Phase Dr.MOS VRM (Supports Ryzen 9000)	$119	Buy on Amazon ↗
Memory (RAM) Dual Channel	TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5-6000 CL30	AMD EXPO / Intel XMP 3.0, Sweet-Spot 6000MHz Low Latency CL30	$99	Buy on Amazon ↗
Storage (NVMe) DirectStorage	Crucial P3 Plus 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD	PCIe Gen 4x4, DirectStorage Ready, Fast 5,000MB/s Game Boot Times	$59	Buy on Amazon ↗
Power Supply (PSU) ATX 3.1 Headroom	MSI MAG A550BN 550W 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply	80+ Bronze, 120mm Quiet Fan, Active PFC, 5-Year Protection	$49	Buy on Amazon ↗
Chassis / Case High Airflow	Montech AIR 100 ARGB Micro-ATX Case w/ 4 Fans	Full Fine-Mesh Front Panel, Tempered Glass Door, Pre-Installed ARGB Fans	$54	Buy on Amazon ↗

⚠️

Budget Exceeded Notice Your customized parts total $968, which is $118 above your target budget of $850.

Fast-Track Amazon Cart Add

Add All 7 Compatible Parts to Your Amazon Cart

1-Click adds all customized hardware parts directly into your cart on amazon.com with active affiliate tracking.

🛒 Add Complete Build to Amazon Basket ($968)

Game-Specific Budget PC Build Guides

Explore dedicated hardware analysis, static budget tier breakdowns, and verified FPS benchmarks for today's most demanding PC games.