Pick your platform, where you play and how far you want to go. This free gaming setup builder fills every slot with the top pick from our buying guides, and on PC it can match the gear to the games you play.
Your PC setup
How the Gaming Setup Builder Works
The builder starts from the platform, because a PS5 on a couch needs different gear than a PC on a desk. Choose where you play and a tier, and it lists the pieces that setup needs, from the must-haves up to the whole space.
On PC you can also pick the games you play: Valorant, CS2, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Marvel Rivals, Arc Raiders, Escape from Tarkov and WARDOGS. The mouse, mousepad, headset, keyboard and monitor then come from our guides for those games. Pick several and each slot shows the product our guides recommend for the most of them, with a note naming which ones, because most players do not stick to one game. Budget picks swaps in the cheaper options from the same guides.
Every slot pulls the current top pick from the matching Budget Loadout buying guide, so when a guide swaps a pick after an availability check, the builder shows the new one too. Nothing here shows a price, since those change daily. The button on each card opens today’s price, and the guide link lets you compare the other picks for that slot.
Each result also ends with a setup tip that points to the official help for that platform: Microsoft on Windows game settings, PlayStation on adding an M.2 drive, Xbox on the storage expansion card, Nintendo on connecting Switch 2 to a TV and Valve on docking the Steam Deck.
For the bigger picture, our budget gaming setup guide walks through what to buy first, and gaming monitor vs TV helps with the display choice for consoles. The copy link button saves your setup so you can send it to a friend or come back to it later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about building a gaming setup on a budget.
What should a budget gaming setup include first?
Start with the pieces you touch every session: the display, a headset, and a controller or a mouse and keyboard. Comfort items like a chair and desk come next, and extras like a light bar or monitor arm come last. The builder’s Essentials tier follows that order.
Is a monitor or a TV better for a PS5 or Xbox?
A monitor suits a desk and fast games, with lower input lag and higher refresh rates at smaller sizes. A TV suits a couch and shared viewing. Pick Desk or Couch in the builder to get the matching display.
How does the gaming setup builder choose its picks?
Each slot uses the top pick from the matching Budget Loadout buying guide, which explains the reasons and covers the alternatives. When a guide updates its picks, the builder updates with it.
Can I build a setup for the games I play?
Yes, on PC. Pick one game or several, and each slot shows the gear our game guides recommend, favoring products that suit all of the games you chose. Switch to Budget picks for the cheaper options from the same guides.
Why doesn’t the builder show prices?
Prices change daily, so any number here would go stale fast. The button on each card shows today’s price, and the tiers give you a sense of how far each list goes, from the must-haves to the whole space.
Can I save or share my setup?
Yes. The copy link button creates a link that reopens the same platform, place, tier and games, which is handy for sending a setup to a friend or planning purchases over time.
Looking for more budget gaming gear? Check out Budget Loadout for the latest reviews and recommendations.