Gaming on a Budget Has Never Been Better
In 2025, building a budget gaming PC is more accessible than ever. Thanks to older yet powerful components still holding strong and newer budget-friendly options on the market, gamers can enjoy smooth performance without draining their wallets.
Whether you’re into esports titles, casual gaming, or even dipping your toes into AAA experiences, we’ve compiled the best options based on performance, value, and upgradability.
Entry-Level Build – For Esports & Light Gaming
Ideal for: Games like Fortnite, Valorant, League of Legends, Minecraft, Rocket League
- CPU: Intel Core i3-12100F or AMD Ryzen 5 5500
- GPU: NVIDIA GT 1030 (GDDR5) or AMD Radeon RX 6400
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
- Storage: 500GB NVMe SSD
- Motherboard: B660 (Intel) or B450 (AMD)
- PSU: 450W 80+ Bronze
- Case: Budget airflow-focused mid-tower
Estimated Cost: R5,000–R7,000 (depending on used vs new parts)
Smooth 60–100+ FPS at 1080p in low/medium settings across most light titles.
Mid-Tier Build – Balanced Performance on a Budget
Ideal for: Competitive gaming, some AAA titles, content creation on the side
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5-12400F
- GPU: Radeon RX 580 or RTX 3050 Super
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 3600MHz
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Motherboard: B550 or B660
- PSU: 550W–600W 80+ Bronze
- Case: Tempered glass with good airflow
Estimated Cost: R8,000–R11,000
Expect 60–120 FPS in modern titles at medium/high settings in 1080p.
High-Value Build – Pushing the Most for Your Money
Ideal for: 1080p ultra or 1440p gaming, streaming, video editing
- CPU: Intel Core i5-13400F or Ryzen 7 5700X
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4060 or AMD RX 7600 XT
- RAM: 32GB DDR4 3600MHz
- Storage: 1TB NVMe + 1TB HDD for backup
- Motherboard: B660 / B550 with solid VRMs
- PSU: 650W–750W 80+ Bronze or Gold
- Case: Mid-tower with mesh front and good cable management
Estimated Cost: R13,000–R16,000
Ready for 1440p gaming, high frame rates, and future upgrades.
Tips to Save Even More
- Used Market: Check for refurbished parts or lightly used GPUs like the GTX 1080 Ti or RX 580
- Bundle Deals: Many stores offer combo discounts on CPUs + motherboards
- Wait for Sales: Big sales events often slash prices on SSDs, RAM, and cases
- DIY: Build it yourself — or bring the parts to Big Bang PCs and we’ll assemble it for you affordably
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a capable gaming PC in 2025. With the right balance of parts, even a modest build can deliver great performance. Whether you’re a casual player or a competitive gamer, there’s a build that fits your budget.
Need Help Choosing or Building? Reach out to Big Bang PCs — we’ll help you pick the best value parts and make sure your system is properly assembled, optimized, and tested.