Best PC Build for Playing Minecraft Under $500

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Minecraftis a global sensation, and part of the appeal of this beautiful game is that it can run on pretty much anything with a processor. This is especially true for the Bedrock Edition, though the original Java Edition (only available on PC) also doesn’t require much horsepower under the hood. If you’re on a tight budget or just don’t want to overspend on a custom PC for the kids to enjoy Minecraft, we’ve put together a list of parts that will become a quality PC for less than $500.

CPU with integrated GPU

This quad-core budget processor (CPU) brings hyperthreading, boost clock up to 4.2GHz, and 11 GPU cores for its Vega integrated graphics. It can handle even high-end games on low settings, and it will absolutely crush Minecraft as long as you’re not getting involved with shaders. A stock cooler is included that will handle thermals.

RAM

You can always go for more RAM when budget allows, but starting with this 8GB DDR4-2400MHz stick from Corsair will get you started. It’s covered in an aluminum shroud that helps dissipate heat, and it has proven its reliability time and again.

Motherboard

The motherboard is what the rest of the PC is built onto, so it’s essential to get a quality product. This GIGABYTE B450M option works well with the Ryzen 5 3400G, includes RGB Fusion support, and has four slots for RAM. No Wi-Fi is included, but there is an Ethernet port for a wired connection. Have a look at our roundup of the best motherboards for more options.

M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD

Opting for a speedy M.2 PCIe NVMe solid-state drive (SSD) for Windows 10 is never a bad idea. The extra speed allows for fast boot times, and you’ll also have no issues fitting Minecraft on the drive, thanks to 256GB of space. You can always go for a larger boot drive, but the price is right for this one.

SATA Storage

Doubling up on storage is entirely optional, but if you foresee more than just Minecraft being played on this PC, a 256GB boot drive might not be enough. The SK hynix Gold S31 is an affordable, reliable, and speedy 2.5-inch SATA SSD available in sizes up to 1TB.

Case

All these parts have to go into something, and Phanteks makes some exceptional cases. The Eclipse P400 is affordable, it has a tempered-glass side panel for easy viewing, and it comes with some RGB lighting for extra style. Built-in fans in the front and back help move air through the system.

Power Supply Unit

Building even a budget PC and skimping on the power supply unit (PSU) can have dire consequences. Thankfully, Seasonic is a trusted brand that puts out quality PSUs at a competitive price. This 500W option will have more than enough juice to handle the power requirements of this build with plenty of overhead for future upgrades.

Building a Minecraft PC for less than $500

The parts above should have no issue working together — the motherboard should ship with the latest BIOS that works with theRyzen 5 3400GCPU — but there are some extra parts you might need to invest in. This will technically push the build past $500, and if that’s an issue, you might have better luck browsing our collection ofbest pre-built PCs for Minecraft.

An OS is required, and Windows 10 will addaround $140if you’re buying new. You can alsomove a Windows 10 license to a new PCto save money. If you don’t have a monitor, check out thesebudget PC monitorsthat will fare well with Minecraft.

You might also want to add a dedicated graphics card if you’re looking to play other games and have the budget. Be sure to check out our collection of the overallbest graphics cardsfor plenty of great options. As for keyboard and mouse, we also have some recommendations. Browse our roundup of thebest gaming keyboardsand thebest gaming micefor a ton of great hardware.

And finally, don’t forget about the game of choice. Minecraft Bedrock Edition costsabout $27, though might beeligible for a free copy of Minecraftif you’re a longtime owner of the Java Edition.

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Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than eight years of experience writing about laptops, PCs, accessories, games, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it.