8 PC Parts You Can Cheap Out On

If you want to build a PC on a budget, knowing where to spend and where to cut costs will help lower the overall price. While we don’t recommend buying the cheapest hardware available, you can find savings in certain areas, such as the PC case and cooler, without sacrificing performance. Below are some of the most affordable PC parts you can buy for a powerful, budget-friendly gaming rig.

How to Save Money on PC Parts When Building a PC

It’s easy to overspend on PC parts that add little to no performance impact when chasing high frame rates in gaming. Sure, having the most aesthetically pleasing build can make your setup stand out, but if you’re on a budget, these are things you can sacrifice to still build a PC that will run most games without breaking the bank. Unless you’re building an enthusiast PC or money is no object, most of the time you don’t need the latest and most powerful PC hardware.

If you’re building a PC for gaming, you can cheap out on the CPU and put the savings towards a more powerful GPU that will do most of the heavy lifting. Most mid-range CPUs are excellent for gaming, and some, like the $193 Ryzen 5 7600, come with a bundled cooler. You also do not need a high-end motherboard, unless you want to overclock. The PC case is where most people overspend these days because of the sleek RGB and panoramic designs that showcase your components, but if you can live without all that, you can end up saving over $50 and still get a case with good airflow.

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AIO coolers are cool, but if you’re on a budget, use the bundled stock cooler or an affordable air cooler, especially if you have a mid-range CPU. If you want to build a powerful PC on a budget, prioritize the GPU and PSU and spend as little as possible on the rest of the components.

Best Overall

Montech AIR 903 BASE

The Montech AIR 903 BASE is an excellent PC case for just $65. It’s not the most stylish option, but it has excellent airflow, allows for easy cable management, and comes with pre-installed fans, which is more than what you can expect from a budget case. It can fit all motherboards, beefy RTX 4090 GPUs, and 360mm radiators. A front mesh panel allows more air to enter the case, and you still get a glass side panel to showcase your components.

Best Budget

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler

Noctua recently released its next-generation NH-D15 G2 cooler, and it’s one of the best air coolers available. However, it comes with a hefty $150 price tag. For under $40, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE offers comparable performance to the NH-D15 G2, except for when cooling extremely high-end CPUs like the Core i9-14900K. If you’re using a mid-range CPU, you can save significantly by opting for affordable coolers like the affordable Peerless Assassin 120 SE.

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE isn’t the cheapest air cooler on the market, but it’s significantly more affordable than premium air coolers and AIO liquid coolers. It delivers excellent cooling with its dual 120mm fans and operates quieter than cheaper options. If you have a lower-end CPU, like a Core i3, you can opt for an even cheaper model like the ID-Cooling SE-214-XT ARGB.

Premium Pick

AMD Ryzen 5 7600

AMD has been killing it in the mid-range category, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is one of their finest offerings. Coming in for around $200, it offers excellent value for mainstream gaming with its six cores and up to 5.1GHz clock speeds. If your main priority is saving money without losing out on a lot of performance, you cannot go wrong with this CPU. It even comes with a CPU cooler, saving you from buying one. If you’re leaning towards Intel, the Intel Core i5-13400F is a good alternative with excellent multi-core performance and a bundled cooler.

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FAQ

Q: Where can I save money on PC parts?

You can save on PC parts by buying an affordable case, using a stock or cheaper air cooler, opting for a midrange motherboard and CPU, and choosing a non-modular power supply.

Q: Is it cheaper to buy your own PC parts?

Buying your own PC parts and building it yourself can be cheaper than pre-builts, as you can take advantage of deals, build gradually to spread costs, and choose only the components you need.