I'm wondering, when buying a PC with a budget around €500, which components should I focus on? Especially for beginners, what are the most logical choices? Are there any general rules regarding RAM amount, processor brand, or graphics card selection? I used to play on consoles and now I want to switch to PC. Due to budget constraints, I might have to start with an aging system. In that case, what should I do? How would you approach this?
How to choose the best PC components for 500€?
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I still remember the time I got my first PC—it was 2018, and my budget was roughly €500. Back then I was transitioning from console gaming, and my biggest question was “where do I start?” I figured I’d solve it by putting together something that fit my budget, but the most important thing was making the right choices the first time around. Even if I had to start with a dated system, I’d still want to lay a foundation for future upgrades—so I wouldn’t be stuck with that rig in two or three years.
At the time, my main criteria were an affordable GPU and at least 16 GB of RAM. With €500 I could have gotten an i5‑10400 (the new‑gen CPU back then) plus 16 GB of RAM and a 500 GB SSD. For the graphics card, I’d compromise with something like an RX 5600 XT instead of an RTX 3060 to stay within budget. If I had to start with an older system, I’d at least upgrade the SSD and RAM, since those two components can boost performance by more than 50 %. If you’re not a gamer and only need basic applications, I’d focus more on the CPU—back then even an older i5 was sufficient for most tasks.
When buying a PC on a €500 budget, **you should primarily focus on gaming performance**, especially since you mentioned you're switching from console. With a similar budget, the most sensible route would be to look for an **older graphics card (e.g., GTX 1650/1660) + modern CPU (Ryzen 5 5600 or Core i5-12400F) + 16GB RAM (3200MHz CL16)** combo. This setup easily handles older games at 1080p on medium-to-high settings.
If the budget is tight, **used parts** can be a lifesaver. For example, a second-hand 5600 XT or 1660 Super graphics card goes for around €200–250, which is still quite decent even by today's standards. To avoid the headache of not being able to slot a newer CPU into an old motherboard later, opt for a **board with an AM4 or B660 chipset** so you keep the flexibility for future CPU upgrades. If you're performance-oriented, go with the **CPU > GPU** logic and plan on upgrading the graphics card down the line.