Building a gaming PC on a budget can be challenging, especially when trying to get the best performance without breaking the bank. In Guatemala, it's important to find reliable stores, save on shipping costs, and avoid extra fees. Here’s a guide on how to build a budget-friendly gaming PC, plus recommendations on where to shop.

Before diving into the hardware, set a realistic budget for your PC. If you're aiming for a gaming rig that can handle modern games at decent settings, a budget of around Q6,000 to Q8,000 should cover your needs. This will include all essential components: CPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, storage, power supply, case, and possibly peripherals if needed.

For this guide we will use a budget of Q6,500 as an example. Keep that in mind

These tips also apply if your budget is higher. Following this guide myself I ended up with an RTX 3070 instead of a RTX 3060 (The 3070 being a 50% more powerful card), all while staying within my budget.

When working on a budget, focus on getting the most value from key components. Here’s a breakdown:

1. CPU (Processor): Aim for a mid-range processor like the AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5. These CPUs offer a balance of price and performance.
2. GPU (Graphics Card): Your graphics card will determine how well your PC handles games. We'll later discuss the best options for a budget build. A good rule of thumb is to spend around 30-40% of your budget on the GPU, just a bit under half of your budget.
3. RAM: 16GB of RAM is the sweet spot for gaming. It provides enough memory to run modern games and multitask without issues. I wouldn't recommend going below 16GB since you might run into performance issues in various modern titles.
4. Storage: SSD prices have dropped significantly, making them a better choice than traditional hard drives. A 500GB SSD should be sufficient for your OS and a few games. You can always add more storage later. I wouldn't recommend the small SSD + HDD combo since the performance of the HDD will be a bottleneck for some games and the price difference isn't that big.
5. Motherboard: Choose a motherboard compatible with your CPU, GPU and RAM. Don’t go for fancy features unless necessary.
6. Power Supply (PSU): Don’t skimp on the PSU. A 550W to 600W unit from a reputable brand will be sufficient for most budget builds. Check for the 80+ Bronze or higher certification. This ensures efficiency and reliability of the PSU.
7. Case: If this is your first build, I know it's tempting to go for a fancy Q2,000 case. However, a simple case with good airflow will do the job just fine. You can always upgrade later and enjoy the raw performance of your components first.

The best tip is buying a used GPU if possible. This component is the most expensive and can be found in good condition for a fraction of the price.

Don't sweat these factors when buying a used GPU:

• Performance degradation. GPUs are built to last for years and most sellers will let you test them before buying.
• Don't be afraid of buying a GPU used for mining cryptocurrency. These cards are usually well maintained and can be found at a lower price. Just make sure to test them thoroughly before buying.

Facebook Marketplace is your best bet for used graphics cards. You can find sellers in Guatemala City, Mixco, Villa Nueva, and other areas. Just make sure to meet in a public place and test the GPU before buying. Checking the seller's reputation beforehand is also a good idea.

Price comparison between new and used GPUs:

The price difference is crazy, right? You can save a lot of money by buying used GPUs. I bought my used MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio for Q3,000 and it's been working perfectly for months now.

This tip isn't exclusive to GPUs. You can also find used CPUs, RAM, and other components on Facebook Marketplace. Although there isn't that much of a price difference between new and used components for these parts.

Facebook Marketplace doesn't limit itself to used components, you can also find new components at a lower price than in most stores. Try joining groups like Pc Gamers Guatemala Oficial to find the best deals.

Here is a list of top stores in Guatemala where you can buy new components:

• Kemik (this one also let's you quote Amazon products)
• Macrosistemas
• Intelaf
• Click
• Spirit Computación
• Rech Gamer
• Centro Tecnológico Panda Security
• Proinfo Accesorios
• Intertech
• Computers Sale Jalapa
• Imeqmo

This is a non-exhaustive list, but it should give you a good starting point.

The next key tip is to compare prices across stores and, if possible, purchase everything from one place. This helps you save on shipping costs. The average shipping cost in Guatemala is around Q50 to Q100, so buying from multiple stores can add up quickly.

Most stores in Guatemala offer a discount if you pay in cash. This can be up to 10% of the total price. If you're buying from a physical store, always ask if they offer a discount for cash payments.

Here's a rough breakdown of how you can allocate your budget:

This is just a good rule of thumb. You can adjust the percentages based on your needs. For example, if you need more storage, you can allocate more budget to that component.

When searching for a GPU, you'll find a wide range of options from both NVIDIA and AMD. Many of them with similar prices. A good resource is to check it's relative performance on TechPowerUp. This will give you an idea of how well the GPU performs in games and clear up any doubts you might have.

For example, if you are in a situation where you can't decide between a RTX 4060 and a RTX 3060 Ti, you can check the relative performance on TechPowerUp and see that the RTX 3060 Ti is around 8% faster in most games.

I recommend starting with the GPU. This is the most expensive component and will determine the performance of your PC. Once you have the GPU, you can build the rest of the PC around it.

I found this RTX 3060Ti on Facebook Marketplace for Q2,000. It's a great deal considering the price of a new one is around Q4,000.

I'll try to buy the rest of my components from Kemik since they offer great prices, have a wide selection of components, and offer a wide range of payment methods.

For the CPU I'll go with the Intel Core i5-12400 (Q1,481) It's a great CPU for gaming and productivity. It's also cheaper than the Ryzen 5 5600X and offers similar performance.

Next, I'll find a motherboard that's compatible with the CPU and GPU. Make sure the socket (LGA1700 for the i5-12400) is compatible with the CPU and the PCIe slot is compatible with the GPU.

I'll go with this MSI Gaming Pro H610M-G DDR4 (Q775). It's a budget motherboard that offers all the features I need.

For RAM I'll go 2x Kingston Fury Beast 8GB DDR4 3200 MHz (Q428). This will give me 16GB of RAM, which is enough for gaming and multitasking.

For storage I'll go with a 2.5" Mushkin Element 512GB SSD (Q331). It's a great value option for storage.

For the Case I'll go with the Cougar Archon 2 Mesh (Q604). It's a budget case with good airflow and cable management.

I couldn't find a budget PSU on Kemik, so I had to search elsewhere. Remember to change stores only if you can't find the component you're looking for. This will help you save on shipping costs.

I found this XPG 550W 80+ Bronze (Q429) in Rech Gamer.

And there you have it! We've successfully built a gaming PC with an RTX 3060Ti, all for under Q6,500.

You can always upgrade the components later if needed. Since our order is over Q300 we get free shipping from Kemik.

Here is a video benckmarking the RTX 3060Ti paired with an Intel Core i5-12400F (The non-integrated graphics version of the i5-12400) across various games:

Building a budget gaming PC in Guatemala requires careful planning and smart shopping. By prioritizing key components like the GPU and CPU, considering used parts, and buying from the right stores, you can build a powerful machine without breaking the bank. Remember to compare prices across stores, take advantage of cash discounts, and focus on value rather than brand names. With the right strategy, you can achieve great gaming performance while staying within your budget. Happy building!