How to Build a Budget Gaming PC Without AMD?

Author: Category: Blog

For whatever reason, there are still PC builders out there that refuse to use AMD hardware. Despite AMD GPUs objectively delivering the most FPS for your dollar with every single RX 7000 series card, some people prefer to deal with Intel's 13th and 14th gen instability issues and lack of upgradeability. Even though AMD CPUs run more efficiently, cooler, and with the AM5 socket scheduled to last through 2027, some builders just want an Intel CPU and an Nvidia GPU. If you're one of those builders, this guide is for you. Let's dive into how to build a budget gaming PC without relying on AMD components.

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Budget Build Overview

The goal of this build is to show what's possible on a budget without AMD hardware. Do I recommend doing this? Honestly, not really. However, if you still don't want to run AMD, this build is better than a $1,000 pre-built from a bigger manufacturer like iBUYPOWER or CyberPowerPC.

CPU: Intel i5-13400F

The heart of this build is the Intel i5-13400F, priced at around $172. It's a solid value CPU for budget builds, despite the limited upgrade path. If you want to min-max your FPS per dollar with Intel, consider the i5-12600KF, which is a bit faster and similarly priced.

Motherboard: MSI Pro B760M-P

We're using the MSI Pro B760M-P, a DDR4 board. This is a budget-friendly option, priced around $100. It's important to note that budget Intel motherboards can be limiting, which is why AMD is often recommended.

RAM: T-Force Vulcan Z 16GB (2x8GB) 3200MHz

For RAM, we're going with a basic but effective 16GB kit. Any 2x8GB kit clocked at 3200MHz or higher will suffice, and you can find these for around $32.

SSD: Kingston NV2 1TB Gen4

The Kingston NV2 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD is a solid choice for storage, often available for about $30 on sale. It's one of the cheapest Gen4 drives on the market and offers decent performance.

Power Supply: MSI MAG A550BN

The MSI MAG A550BN is a reliable 550W power supply, rated Tier C on the PSU tier list. It's suitable for budget builds and typically costs around $50.

Case: SAR01 RGB

For the case, we're using the SAR01 RGB, which offers a unique design and decent value at $87. It includes RGB fans and has a "fish tank" look, making it a popular choice for aesthetic builds.

Cooler: DeepCool AG400

We're using the DeepCool AG400 cooler, but please note that due to recent sanctions, availability might be affected. Any sub-$30 all-black cooler with ARGB will work as a replacement.

Graphics Card: Nvidia RTX 4060

Finally, the graphics card. We're using the RTX 4060. While it has only 8GB of VRAM, it offers reasonable performance for the price, which is around $300. Alternatives include the RTX 3060 12GB, which can be found at a similar or lower price point.

Performance and Benchmarking

Let's see how this build performs:

  1. Cinebench 2024: Stress tests showed the CPU and GPU temperatures stayed well below the 70s.

  2. 3DMark Time Spy: Achieved a score of 10,687.

  3. 3DMark Steel Nomad: Scored 2,224.

  4. F1 2024: At 1080p High settings, averaged 151 FPS.

  5. Helldivers 2: At 1080p High settings, averaged 93 FPS.

  6. Cyberpunk 2077: At 1080p settings, averaged 91 FPS.

  7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3: At 1080p Ultra settings, averaged 152 FPS.

Comparison with AMD Builds

For comparison, a $600 AMD build with a Ryzen 5 5600 and RX 7600 performed similarly in benchmarks but cost $200 less. An AMD build with a Ryzen 5 5600 and RX 7700 XT would significantly outperform this Intel-Nvidia build for a similar price.

While this Intel-Nvidia budget build offers decent performance, it doesn't provide the same value as an AMD-based system. However, if you prefer Intel and Nvidia, this guide shows you how to build a capable gaming PC without breaking the bank.

For the best value, consider an AMD build, but ultimately, the choice is yours. The beauty of PC building is the freedom to create what you want.