Introduction

For some, there is no greater joy in life than to build a computer from scratch. To feel the circuitry in your hands… To smell it… To taste, er…test it and bask in its glory, as if you had just created fire! Unfortunately, technology can be intimidating and some of you won’t know where to begin. Luckily, the only thing easier than choosing parts for a gaming rig is putting it together; I’m here to show you how affordable it can be.

Hard drive space has never been cheaper. Dual-core CPUs can be had for under $100, as can 2GB of DDR2 memory. You just have to know what to buy and where to look for it. These days, the latter is definitely on the internet, where shelf space is unlimited and all transactions are electronic. Plus, you can shop in your underwear without getting dirty looks from annoying sales representatives. The future is now, my friend. Embrace it.

In this guide, you will find complete gaming rig setups for varying budgets, starting at $500. I do not own each and every component listed, so I cannot personally verify their performance and/or perfect compatibility. What I can do is promise you that I have meticulously devised and revised this list to the best of my ability as a gaming enthusiast. At the end of the day, I cannot be held responsible for anything you do of your own accord.

Technology grows and changes quickly, so guides like this need to grow and change, as well. Heck, by Christmas, this whole thing will be out of date. Have no fear, as this will be a regular feature here at FiringSquad. The prices in this first set of builds come from Newegg.com, but tax and shipping are not included, nor is an operating system. If you would prefer future editions to incorporate them, or if you have any other suggestions, please let your voice be heard.