How to build the cheapest PC build for great performance
Many people often wonder about how to get the cheapest PC assembly. In fact, making this decision may be a bit complicated for some people due to the large number of parts that can be chosen from, as well as the main purpose of the purchase. When you assemble computer parts for the purpose of using them in graphic design, this is completely different from choosing an assembly for games. In this article, we will learn together how to choose the cheapest PC assembly to get great performance that suits your needs.
After you have made your decision to get the cheapest PC build, you must know the individual components of that build. With the abundance of components, you will find yourself faced with endless options and you may become confused, but do not worry, we will simplify things for you to help you get a PC build that suits your needs and is at a reasonable cost at the same time.
How to get the cheapest PC build
In addition to the tremendous superiority of hardware parts for devices in recent years, they are characterized by their ability to be continuously updated and move from one generation to another with ease, as long as the new parts are compatible with the available specifications. Every year, many updates are issued for games and programs that require stronger capabilities than the previous year. In order to get the cheapest PC assembly with good performance, you must first decide what this assembly will be used for, so let us first review the hardware components and then the most appropriate PC assembly for each purpose.
1. Processor (CPU – Central Processing Unit)
The processor is the mastermind of any computer, as it performs all the arithmetic and logical operations that the system needs to operate efficiently. It is considered one of the most important parts when assembling the cheapest PC assembly.
The processor processes data and executes instructions stored in the computer's memory.
The processor consists of several cores, and each core is capable of executing a set of instructions simultaneously, which increases the speed and efficiency of processing.
The processor speed is measured in GHz (gigahertz), and the higher the processor speed and the number of cores, the better the performance.
Modern processors also contain technologies such as Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost, which improve the system's performance in multiple tasks.
2. Graphics Card
The graphics card is responsible for displaying images and videos on the screen, and when it comes to performance, it is considered one of the most important parts in the cheapest PC assembly. The graphics card comes in two main types: integrated and dedicated.
The integrated card comes integrated into the motherboard or processor and is often called the internal card, and shares the random access memory with the system during operation. As for the dedicated card, it contains its own memory (VRAM) and is usually more powerful and performant, especially in games and video editing, and is known as the external graphics card.
Advanced graphics cards use graphics processors (GPUs) that can process huge amounts of data much faster than ever before, allowing them to run modern games at higher resolutions and better quality, edit videos quickly, and even perform complex tasks like Deep Learning.
3. Motherboard
The motherboard is the main board that connects all the components of the computer together, so it is considered the most important piece of hardware in the cheapest PC assembly. The motherboard contains a socket for the processor, slots for random access memory (RAM), slots for connecting the graphics card and other cards, and ports for connecting storage devices such as hard disks and SSDs.
All the important chips and parts are located on the motherboard, which plays a role in communicating between the different parts of the device and identifying each part with the other. In a previous article, we talked in detail about the motherboard, the features of the motherboard, and everything you need to know about it. You can read What is a motherboard and what are its most important components? on our website for full details.
4. Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is the temporary memory that your computer uses to store data that the processor needs to access quickly. It is an important piece of information when you are thinking about buying the cheapest PC build. When you open a program or file, the necessary data is loaded into RAM so that the processor can access it more quickly compared to accessing data from the hard disk. RAM is available in different capacities and speeds. The higher the memory capacity and speed, the better the system performance, especially when running multiple applications at once. Modern types of memory such as DDR4 and DDR5 provide higher speeds and lower power consumption compared to previous generations.
5. Hard Disk
A hard disk is the main storage unit in a computer and is used to store operating system files, programs, personal files such as photos, videos, and all other data. There are two main types of storage units: mechanical hard disk (HDD) and solid-state hard disk (SSD). Mechanical hard disks rely on spinning platters to read and write data and provide large storage capacities at reasonable prices, but they are slower in terms of performance.
In contrast, solid-state drives use flash memory to store data and do not rely on rotating disks like the other type, which makes them much faster in reading and writing data, but they are usually more expensive in terms of price and less in storage capacity. This type is the best when buying the cheapest PC assembly to provide fast performance without problems.
6. Power Supply
The power supply is the component that converts electrical energy from the electrical outlet into electrical currents and voltages that the various components of the computer can use. The power supply is very important because it must provide enough power to all components of the computer without reducing performance or causing system instability. The power supply must be of high quality and have enough capacity to operate all components stably, especially if you are overclocking the processor.
Power supplies are classified according to their efficiency, and there is a very important certificate, which is the 80 Plus Gold certificate, which indicates its energy efficiency, to maintain the rest of the hardware connected to the motherboard with high efficiency without problems, so when you assemble the cheapest PC assembly, you must make sure when purchasing the power supply that it has obtained this certificate.
7. Case
The case is the outer shell that houses all the components of the computer and can give an aesthetic look to the cheapest PC assembly after purchasing it. The case is available in different sizes and designs to meet the needs of the user. Some cases come with built-in cooling systems while others have ports to install additional fans or water cooling systems. The case should be equipped with a design that allows good air flow to cool the internal components and maintain their optimal performance. The case also contains ports to connect other devices such as USB and a place to install storage units and disk drives.
These components together form the basis of any computer. Carefully selecting the components and their compatibility with each other is a crucial step to obtain the best and cheapest PC assembly to ensure great performance for various tasks at a reasonable cost. Now that we have learned about the basic components of hardware when assembling the cheapest PC assembly, it is time to take a look at the parts suitable for various tasks such as graphics and games.
The right pieces for different tasks
Computer assemblies vary depending on the purposes for which they will be used. For example, assembling the cheapest PC assembly for graphics programs is different from assembling the cheapest PC assembly for games. Therefore, there are different types of assemblies that can be prepared based on the user’s needs. Here are some different purposes for computer assemblies:
1. Gaming PC
The purpose of this build is to get the cheapest PC build dedicated to gaming, so that it is designed to run modern games at the highest graphic settings and high resolution. Games depend heavily on the power of the graphics card and the performance of the processor, so you have to give them priority. Here is the best build for games:
- Processor (CPU): Quad-core or higher processor such as Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 is preferred.
- Graphics Card (GPU): You must use a powerful graphics card such as NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or higher or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT.
- RAM: 16GB to 32GB.
- Storage: SSD at least 500GB to speed up game loading plus HDD to store large games.
- Power Supply (PSU): It should be of a good type with enough power to run the computer components, around 600-750 watts.
- Cooling: It is preferable to use water cooling systems or additional fans to keep the temperature of the components low.
2. Video Editing & Graphic Design PC
Graphic design assembly requires a powerful processor and a graphics card suitable for handling video and photo editing programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop. To get the cheapest PC assembly dedicated to graphic design, choose from the following hardware pieces:
- Processor (CPU): Multi-core processor like Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9 or even processors like AMD Threadripper.
- Graphics Card (GPU): A powerful graphics card with a large VRAM such as an NVIDIA Quadro or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070.
- RAM: 32GB to 64GB to handle large video files.
- Storage: Fast NVMe SSD for saving projects and fast file access.
- Power Supply (PSU): 750W or more depending on the number of components in the assembly.
- Cooling: An effective cooling system especially if the processor is powerful and generates a lot of heat.
When it comes to graphic design, this field has many different specializations, and each specialization requires a different set. For example, if you use video editing programs, you will need higher sets. On the contrary, if you deal with image designs only, you will need less capabilities.
3. Home & Office PC
This package is designed to handle everyday tasks such as browsing the web, checking emails, playing videos, and other programs such as Microsoft Office. These tasks do not require high capabilities:
- Processor (CPU): Dual or quad-core processor such as Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3.
- Graphics Card (GPU): Integrated card such as Intel UHD Graphics or a simple card such as NVIDIA GT 1030 if a separate card is needed.
- RAM: 8GB to 16GB.
- Storage: 256GB or 512GB SSD for improved system speed.
- Power Supply (PSU): About 400-500 watts is sufficient for these builds.
- Cooling: No need for a complex cooling system just a basic cooling fan will do.
Basic components of the cheapest pc build
Cooling: After you finish assembling the cheapest PC assembly, you must make sure that there is a good cooling system that ensures that the hardware components are kept from overheating. We mentioned in detail in a previous article all the cooling systems that you can use to get the best performance. You can view them here: Explanation of the different computer cooling methods and the best of them
80 Plus Certification: 80 Plus certification specifies that a power supply must be able to achieve a certain level of conversion efficiency at different load levels. Essentially, high efficiency means that the power supply uses less electrical energy to produce the same amount of power required by the components, resulting in less waste and improved overall computer performance.