ᐅ Basic pc configuration 【2020】 the best ✅

Our basic PC configuration is oriented to cover the most common day-to-day uses: office automation, internet, multimedia, etc. But we go a step further: we include decent quality components and SSDs, so you can enjoy stunning fluidity.

The article will be divided into four options: the first, for less than 320 euros, is from a computer with the above characteristics but not oriented to gaming, although it can be used for some sporadic game in low graphics. The second and the third climb a step in quality of components and performance, being better stopped in basic games (Fortnite, CS: GO, etc.) in low or medium qualities thanks to the AMD Ryzen APUs that they use. Ready to see them? Let's go there!

Index of contents

Configuration for less than 300 euros for office and multimedia

Approximate price (subject to variations): € 290 (AMD option), € 310 (Intel option)

Components	Model	Price
Box	Nox Coolbay MX2	29.24 EUR Buy on Amazon
Processor (AMD)	AMD Athlon 200GE (2 cores, 4 threads, integrated Vega 3)	45.99 EUR Buy on Amazon
Motherboard (AMD)	Gigabyte B450M DS3H	75.44 EUR Buy on Amazon
Processor (INTEL)	Intel Pentium Pentium Gold G5400 (2-core, 4-wire, integrated UHD Graphics 610)	56.99 EUR Buy on Amazon
Motherboard (INTEL)	Gigabyte B360M DS3H	71.19 EUR Buy on Amazon
RAM	Crucial Ballistix 2x4GB DDR4 (8GB)	86.58 EUR Buy on Amazon
CPU heatsink	Included in the processor
Graphic card	Integrated in the processor
HDD	None
SSD	WD Green 500GB SATA3	64.99 EUR Buy on Amazon
Power supply	Corsair VS450 80 Plus	39.90 EUR Buy on Amazon

Component Comments: Processor, Motherboard and RAM

We have opted in terms of processor for an AMD Athlon 200GE APU with 2 cores and 4 Zen threads, and which incorporates an integrated Vega 3 graphics card. The competitor of this CPU in Intel is the Pentium Gold G5400, another option of 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which to choose from both? Well, it depends on your intentions when it comes to graphics card. If you want to play sporadically some undemanding game, the Athlon's Vega 3 could do the job, while the Pentium's Intel HD would be shorter. However, if the use you will give it is pure office automation and multimedia or if you plan to add a dedicated graphics card in the near future, the G5400 would be a more competent option.

In both cases, the 8GB RAM used is a Crucial 2x4GB kit (the cheapest we have found), which runs Dual Channel. Why haven't we gone for something cheaper? Well simply because if we were to choose a single channel kit (1 × 8) it would weigh heavily on the performance of the integrated graphics, since there are various tests where a huge impact on the performance of the iGPU is observed when going from 2 × 4 to 1 × 8.

Do you need assembly? We recommend you to our friends in Aussar. For the purchase of a PC you can add a free 12 cm mat or fan.

Box, power supply and storage

For the box we have opted for one of the most basic options that exist, since we prefer to cut here than in other components. In any case, the chosen NOX Coolbay MX2 will do its job very well.

Where we have made a strong bet is in the power supply and storage. In the first case, we opted for a Corsair VS450 with 80 Plus efficiency certification, 3-year warranty and 450W of real power (keep in mind that most sources in this range barely exceed 200 or 300 despite the fact that they announce much more). We haven't included a € 15 one for the simple fact that this setup comes out at a price similar to that of many pre-assembled stores that use lower quality components. In addition, this way you will be prepared for the future.

Regarding storage, we have decided to bet only on a maximum performance SSD and dispense with the mechanical HDD, slower but with greater capacity. Why? Well, because today we can get a 500GB SSD at a price for which we would get a 1TB HDD and a 120GB SSD. Yes, capacity is sacrificed, but speed and sound are gained.

However, for those users who have significant mass storage needs, an HDD is an excellent idea.

Seagate ST1000DM010 - Internal Hard Drive SMB Resistance at 300 TB / a or Workload Limit (WRL); Accuracy designed for lowest TCO in boxes from 1 to 16 bays 41.30 EUR

Another option is to bet directly on an external HDD, to be able to take it where we want and connect it to the PC only when we need it (for example, for backups, sporadic use…), although if it is for backups only, we recommend that you buy a NAS.

WD Elements - 1TB Portable External Hard Drive with USB 3.0, Black Color 1TB Storage Capacity; USB 3.0 connection and backward compatibility of USB 2.2 devices EUR 49.82

Turning it into "gaming" for less than 400 euros (less than 370 without SSD)

Components	Model	Price
Box	NOX Hummer MC	Price not available Buy on Amazon
Processor	AMD Ryzen 3 3200G (4 cores, 4 threads, integrated Vega 8)	93.99 EUR Buy on Amazon
Motherboard	Gigabyte B450M Gaming	79.99 EUR Buy on Amazon
RAM	Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3000 CL15	72.68 EUR Buy on Amazon
CPU heatsink	Included in the processor
Graphic card	Integrated in the processor
HDD	None
SSD	WD Blue 500GB	64.99 EUR Buy on Amazon
Power supply	Corsair VS450 80 Plus	39.90 EUR Buy on Amazon

As we indicated, the internal budget is especially suitable for office applications, while it lags far behind in terms of games. In this option, we step forward on the APU used with the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G. Unlike the previous two, it is 4 cores and 4 threads, unlocked for OC (although it would have to be light), and uses a better integrated one (Vega 8).

We also updated the board with the Gigabyte B450M Gaming, a modest model but with a VRM prepared for future updates (although we would recommend investing in cooling in case of updating the processor), and the RAM with Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) at a frequency of 3000MHz.

Why so much RAM? The reason is simple: the price difference with the 8GB models is low at this time of year, and the possibilities it offers us are much greater. In addition, when using an APU type processor, this reserves 2GB for video memory, so in practice 8GB of RAM would be a bare 6GB for applications.

Another change we make is that of the box, with the NOX Hummer MC, a model that, apart from being larger and quality, places the source below which is a plus in refrigeration.

Preparing it for the future for less than 500 euros

Components	Model	Price
Box	NOX Hummer MC	Price not available Buy on Amazon
Processor	AMD Ryzen 5 3400G (4 cores, 8 threads, integrated Vega 11)	199.99 EUR Buy on Amazon
Motherboard	Gigabyte B450 Aorus M	89.99 EUR Buy on Amazon
RAM	Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3000 CL15	72.68 EUR Buy on Amazon
CPU heatsink	Included in the processor
Graphic card	Integrated in the processor
HDD	None
SSD	WD Blue 500GB	64.99 EUR Buy on Amazon
Power supply	Corsair CX550 80 Plus Bronze

In this last option, we give another step in the direction of the APUs, with the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 4-core and 8-wire, integrated Vega 11, and we improve the board to the Gigabyte B450 Aorus M and the power supply to the Corsair CX550. Both the board and the source are well prepared for major updates, even to a 6-core (or even 8) Ryzen and graphics like an RTX 2080.

This last budget is specially prepared for those who plan to add a graphics card in the future, and even a CPU cooler with the idea of ​​overclocking, since this board is prepared for it.

In all budgets, the storage recommendations we made in the first one remain the same.

How much do the Ryzen 3200G and 3400G perform in games?

If you want to see how good the performance of these last two APUs is in games, we recommend you take a look at our review:

AMD Ryzen 3 3200G and AMD Ryzen 5 3400G Review in Spanish (Full Review)

It is important to consult it since each user is a world and has specific requirements. For example, if your idea is to play 1080p in high qualities assiduously and demanding games, these settings are not for you. But if you are going to play LoL, CS: GO or Fortnite sporadically in medium or low qualities, they are very interesting.

AMD has recently launched the Ryzen 3200G and 3400G, but their predecessors remain for the moment as best value for money options. As soon as the prices of the new CPUs drop, we will update the budgets.

Final words and conclusion

We hope you liked our basic PC setup. We remind you that we have many more that may interest you:

• Advanced PC Configuration / Gaming Enthusiast PC Configuration Silent PC Configuration

Remember also that if you have any questions or suggestions, you can leave it in the comments and in our hardware forum. We also configure 100% customized equipment according to your needs. Thank you very much for reading us!