This is my blueprint for the best $500 PC. I update this about once a month so you you can be assured that you’re getting the best components at the latest prices.
The blueprint does not include a monitor or operating system.
Also listed with the blueprint are Other Items which include optional items like a keyboard (you don’t need to buy one if you already have one) or an optical drive (which isn’t essential for operation).
Feel free to use this list to save time shopping for components. Or use it as a baseline and make changes to it to suit your particular needs. Either way, it should help save you time vs. starting from scratch.
Special note – this blueprint does not include a dedicated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Instead, it uses a CPU with an integrated graphics processor which is show by the “G” at the end of the part number (e.g., AMD Ryzen 3 2200G). If this CPU is out of stock, make sure the substitute CPU has a “G” in the part number.
| Component | Part | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD RYZEN 3 2200G | $175.89 | Newegg |
| Motherboard | ASUS PRIME A520M-A/CSM | $79.99 | Newegg |
| Memory | Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 8GB 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) | $39.99 | Newegg |
| Storage | Western Digital WD Blue SN550 NVMe M.2 2280 500GB PCI-Express 3.0 | $54.99 | Newegg |
| Power Supply | CORSAIR CV Series CV450 CP-9020209-NA 450W | $44.99 | Newegg |
| Case | Fractal Design Focus G Gunmetal Gray ATX Mid Tower Computer Case | $54.99 | Newegg |
| TOTAL | $450.84 | ||
| OTHER ITEMS | |||
| Optical Drive | Lite-On EBAU108 External DVD-Writer | $25.99 | Newegg |
| Wifi Adapter | TP-Link Mini – AC600 USB 2.0 Wifi Adapter | 2.4G/5G Dual Band | $12.99 | Newegg |
| Keyboard and Mouse | Logitech MK120 Wired USB Keyboard and Mouse | $14.85 | Newegg |
