CS2 is relatively easy to run compared to other competitive shooters, with modest system requirements. While a high-end system can enhance performance, it’s not necessary to enjoy the game. You can achieve competitive-level performance on a budget PC by choosing the right parts and optimizing for high frame rates. Here are three budget CS2 builds priced at $500, $1000, and $1200.
If you want to save money on any PC build, consider buying used parts.
Best $500 PC for CS2
CPU: Intel Core i5 10400f
Motherboard: Gigabyte H410M H V2
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
Storage: Crucial P3 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME SSD
Graphics Card: ASRock Intel Arc A380 Challenger ITX Arc A380 6 GB Video Card
Case: CoolerMaster MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair CX650M 650Watts 80+ Bronze
Investing $500 is a good entry point for CS2. This build focuses on performance over aesthetics, hence the lack of a flashy case or RGB components. The Intel Arc A380 GPU and Core i5 10400f processor are chosen as the main components. The i5 10400f, with its six cores and 4.3GHz maximum clock speed, is more than adequate for CS2. The GPU, with 6 GB VRAM, comfortably exceeds the game’s 1 GB VRAM requirement.
The Gigabyte H410M H V2 motherboard is basic but functional. We recommend upgrading it in the future for better performance. The 16 GB of 3200 MHz RAM is sufficient for CS2 and most other games. With CS2 requiring only 8 GB of RAM, 16 GB will work just fine.
For storage, 1TB should be ample, but if you need more space for other games, consider adding an HDD for cost-effective extra storage. The CoolerMaster MasterBox Q300L V2 case, although not high-end, is a solid choice and should fit well in any gaming setup. The Corsair 650M power supply provides enough power with room for future upgrades or overclocking.
Best $1000 PC for CS2
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI PRO B650M-P Micro ATX AM5
RAM: Kingston FURY Beast RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Black SN770 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
Graphics Card: Asus DUAL OC GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB
Case: Lian Li LANCOOL II-W ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 – V2 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX
With a $1000 budget, this build is more future-proof and won’t require upgrades for a while. The Ryzen 5 7600 CPU and RTX 4060 GPU are excellent for their price-to-performance ratio, easily delivering consistent 300+ fps. The 16GB RGB DDR5 RAM looks great and offers excellent performance, making it a long-term investment.
The Western Digital Black SN770 1TB SSD provides superior performance, and the Lian Li LANCOOL II-W case offers both aesthetics and functionality with its design for optimal airflow. The 850-watt 80+ Gold rated PSU is fully modular, reducing cable clutter and allowing for future upgrades.
Best $1200 PC for CS2
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5
RAM: Kingston FURY Beast RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory
Storage: Patriot Viper VPR400 RGB 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
Graphics Card: Gigabyte GAMING OC Radeon RX 7800 XT 16 GB
Case: Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair RM750e (2023) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX
For $1200, you can see significant performance improvements. The Ryzen 5 7600 remains a high-end choice, while the upgraded Radeon RX 7800 XT GPU boosts performance considerably. The Kingston RGB DDR5 RAM continues to offer impressive performance, and the Patriot Viper VPR400 RGB SSD adds both functionality and style.
The Fractal Design Meshify C case combines good looks with excellent airflow. Although the PSU is downgraded to 750 watts to stay within budget, the Corsair RM750e still provides ample power for this build.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re on a tight budget or have a bit more to spend, these builds will help you enjoy CS2 without breaking the bank. By carefully selecting and optimizing your components, you can achieve competitive-level performance even on a budget.
