Best Budget RTX 3050 Gaming PC Build 2022! – Parts, Benchmarks & More!

Introduction

Building a Gaming PC can be a difficult undertaking when trying to pick out great components, while also balancing your budget. Today, we’ve put together a build that maximises performance at a lower price. This build features Nvidia’s latest budget graphics card, the RTX 3050, and an Intel 12th gen i3 processor.

This build is a brilliant option for those wanting great performance, but don’t want to break the bank with the cost of components.

This guide breaks down the individual components, and shows that you don’t need to spend a fortune for a great PC!

CPU: Intel Core i3 12100F

The i3 12100F is part of Intel’s newest range of 12th generation chips that remains on the cheaper side, but still packs a punch. The newest 12th gen chipset has some of the best consumer CPUs that offer great performance.

Buy the Intel Core i3 12100F on:

Key Facts:

Boost Clock Speed: 4.3GHz

Core Count: 4

Thread Count: 8

CPU Cooler: Intel RM1 Stock Cooler

Finding the right cooler on a budget can be difficult, especially when trying to minimise thermal output. For a more powerful chip you would need to prioritise better cooling, but for our choice of processor Intel’s RM1 stock cooler is great for thermals in this build!

Key Facts:

Max RPM: 3150

Connector Type: 4-Pin

RGB: No

Motherboard: ASUS Prime B660M-A D4

The ASUS Prime B660M is a budget option that supports Intel’s newest generation chips. With PCIe 4.0, 1Gb Ethernet, USB 3.2 and M.2 slots, this board is ideal for entry level builds with plenty of features! B660 is our favourite budget chipset on the market given its wide feature set and affordable price.

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Key Facts:

Form Factor: mATX

Built-in IO Shield: No

Max Memory: 128GB

RAM: Corsair Vengeance RS 16GB DDR4

A budget build still deserves to look good, even if you are watching the purse strings. Corsair‘s Vengeance RS RAM is a great pairing with our CPU choice, which also adds some flair with the RGB.

Buy the Corsair Vengeance RS 16GB DDR4 on:

Key Facts:

Capacity: 16GB

Clock Speed: 3200MHz

CAS Latency: 16-20-20-38

SSD: XPG Spectrix S20G 1TB

The XPG Spectrix SSD is an ideal NVMe storage option that has quick read and write speeds providing a nice addition to the build with some flashy RGB too! A Gen3 drive is more than adequate enough for a build within this price point – providing plenty of speed at a more affordable price point.

Buy the XPG Spectrix S20G 1TB on:

Check out the review we’ve done on this great SSD exploring the key features of the XPG Spectrix!

GPU: Zotac TwinEdge RTX 3050

Nvidia’s release of the RTX 3050 delivers the incredible Ampere architecture, but without breaking the bank. Combined with DLSS you’ll hit great performance with high fidelity. The GPU is always the most important component choice for a gaming-oriented build, and the Zotac TwinEdge card certainly does not disappoint!

Buy the Zotac TwinEdge RTX 3060 on:

Key Facts:

CUDA Cores: 10752

TDP: 130W

RT Cores: 20

You can also check out a more in-depth review on Zotac’s Twin Edge 3050!

Case: Tecware Nexus M2

Tecware’s Nexus M2 case offers a brushed metal finish and a sleek style that looks awesome for the price. With a tempered glass side panel, optimised airflow and plenty of choice for fan mounting. They also offer a mesh version of this frame, which might be considered a better choice for those more concerned about airflow and temperatures.

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Key Facts:

Form Factor: mATX

Fan Support: 5

Motherboard Support: mATX/ITX

PSU: Corsair CX750F RGB

This build has great metrics for power draw, meaning it doesn’t need a huge power supply. The CX750F PSU is a great choice to supply our components and with some wiggle room for upgrades in the long run. It also adds a nice edge to the build with the RGB fan and black or white colours available.

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Key Facts:

Wattage: 750W

Modular: Yes

Efficiency: 80+ Bronze

MSI GK50 Elite Keyboard

The GK50 Elite is an incredible choice. This keyboard has so many killer features that make it worthwhile in any budget build. With Kailh Box White switches this is great for trying or snappy feedback in games. The keycaps on this keyboard are also octagonal which proves for an awesome typing experience. United with MSI’s Dragon Centre, you’re given loads of appealing lighting options that activate when you type away!

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Logitech G203 Mouse

Fitting with the theme of RGB, Logitech’s G203 wired mouse is an exceptional choice on a budget. The G203 features a classic reprogrammable 6-button design with the ability to maximise your DPI to 8000. Using Logitech’s G Hub, you can customise the RGB to be reactive as you game away. This mouse is a worthy choice for fine-tuning controls and giving you the flair that will work well with the rest of the build.

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SteelSeries Arctis 1 Headset

An all-in-one headset design that is compatible with consoles as well as PC. Equipped with a detachable ClearCast noise cancelling bi-directional microphone, which is Discord-certified for clarity. Using the Arctis soundscape, this headset emphasizes critical sounds giving you the advantage against your competition. The SteelSeries Arctis 1 is a superior fit in the budget market!

Buy the SteelSeries Arctis 1 on: