Quick answer: In November 2026 you can no longer build a brand-new PC for ₹20,000 in India. RAM and SSD prices have jumped so much this year that the cheapest sensible new build, based on the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G with built-in Vega 11 graphics, now costs around ₹27,000-35,000. You can still get close to ₹20,000 if you reuse RAM and an SSD from an old PC, or buy a few parts used. Below is our updated parts list, the real test results from our original build, and the smart ways to save money.
We built and tested this Ryzen 5 3400G PC for the video above in October 2024. This post updates the parts and prices for November 2026 and keeps our original test results.
Why ₹20,000 Is Hard in 2026
Memory makers have shifted a lot of their factory capacity to memory for AI data centres. That has pushed up prices of normal desktop RAM and SSDs all over the world, including in India.
- 8GB DDR4 RAM: about ₹2,500 when we first planned this build. Now most Indian stores sell an 8GB 3200MHz stick for around ₹5,000-7,000.
- 16GB DDR4: now around ₹10,000-14,000 at most stores, which alone is half of a ₹20k budget.
- SSDs: a basic 256GB NVMe drive is around ₹4,400-5,000.
The processor, motherboard, power supply and cabinet have not changed much. RAM and storage are what broke the ₹20,000 budget.
Parts List and Price (November 2026)
Prices are what Indian retailers and price trackers showed in early November 2026. They change almost every week this year, so use them as a guide and compare a few stores before you pay.
| Part | Our pick | Price now (around) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 3400G (box cooler included) | ₹8,000-9,000 |
| Motherboard | B450 board: MSI B450M-A PRO MAX II or Gigabyte B450M DS3H V2 | ₹5,800-7,600 |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 3200MHz (2x4GB kit if you can find one) | ₹5,000-7,000 |
| SSD | 256GB NVMe M.2 (e.g. Hikvision E3000) | ₹4,400-5,000 |
| Power supply | Cooler Master MWE 450 V2 Bronze (or a basic 450W unit) | ₹2,000-3,900 |
| Cabinet | Ant Esports / Ant Value budget mid-tower | ₹2,100-2,400 |
| Total | About ₹27,000-35,000 |
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3400G
The Ryzen 5 3400G is an older chip (launched in 2019), but it is still one of the cheapest ways to get a PC that can play games without a graphics card. It sells for around ₹8,000-9,000 at most Indian stores now, much less than when we bought it.
| Spec | Ryzen 5 3400G |
|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 cores / 8 threads (Zen+, 12nm) |
| Base / Boost clock | 3.7 GHz / up to 4.2 GHz |
| Cache | 2MB L2 + 4MB L3 |
| Integrated graphics | Radeon RX Vega 11, up to 1400 MHz |
| TDP | 65W |
| Socket / Memory | AM4, DDR4 |
| Cooler | AMD Wraith Spire included in the box |
Motherboard: pick a B450 board
This is the one change you must not miss. In our original build we used an MSI B550M board, but AMD does not officially support the 3400G on B550 or A520 motherboards. Some boards run it after a BIOS update and a few list it on their support page, but it is a gamble. The safe choice is a B450 board such as the MSI B450M-A PRO MAX II or Gigabyte B450M DS3H V2, which cost around ₹5,800-7,600. If you do buy a different board, check its CPU support list for the 3400G before ordering.
RAM: two sticks if possible
We used a single Kingston FURY 8GB DDR4 3200MHz stick. The Vega 11 graphics have no memory of their own and borrow system RAM, so two sticks (dual channel) give noticeably better gaming performance than one. If you find a 2x4GB kit for about the same price as one 8GB stick, take it. Add more RAM later when prices come down.
Storage: one NVMe SSD is enough
Our original build had a 240GB SATA SSD plus a 500GB NVMe drive. At today’s prices we suggest starting with a single 256GB NVMe SSD (around ₹4,400-5,000) for Windows and a few games. If you have an old hard disk or SATA SSD lying around, plug it in for extra space.
Power supply and cabinet
A 3400G system uses little power, so 450W is plenty. We used the Cooler Master MWE 450 Bronze, and its V2 model is still easy to find at around ₹3,300-3,900 with a 5-year warranty. A basic 450W unit costs around ₹2,000 if you are tight on money, but a certified Bronze unit is safer if you plan to add a graphics card later. Any budget mid-tower from Ant Esports or Ant Value at around ₹2,100-2,400 is fine for the cabinet.
Our Test Results (from the original build)
These results are from our own testing in October 2024, shown in the video above. The CPU and graphics are the same today, so they still apply.
3DMark CPU Profile
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| Max threads | 2,479 |
| 16 threads | 2,571 |
| 8 threads | 2,536 |
| 4 threads | 1,654 |
| 2 threads | 983 |
| 1 thread | 503 |
Tested with the Vega 11 graphics at 1920 x 1080 on 3DMark v2.29.
Gaming on Vega 11 (no graphics card, 1080p)
| Game | Settings | Average FPS | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTA V | Medium | 45-50 | Smooth, small dips in busy areas |
| Fortnite | Medium | 40-45 | Stable in battle royale |
| Valorant | High | 60+ | Easily playable |
| Counter-Strike | Medium | 60+ | Good for competitive play |
| Rocket League | High | 50-60 | Smooth in most matches |
Performance can vary with game updates, background apps and temperatures. Heavy new AAA games are not a good fit for this PC without a graphics card.
Better Option If You Can Stretch: Ryzen 5 5500GT
For about ₹4,000-5,000 more, the Ryzen 5 5500GT (around ₹12,300-13,900) gives you 6 newer Zen 3 cores, a much faster CPU for editing and multitasking, and works on cheaper A520 boards (around ₹5,000-5,800 for the Gigabyte A520M K V2 or MSI A520M-A PRO). Its integrated graphics are in a similar class to the 3400G’s. A full 5500GT build costs around ₹31,000-38,000 now. Read our Ryzen 5 5500GT review for our test results.
How to Get Close to ₹20,000
- Reuse RAM and storage. If you have DDR4 RAM or an SSD from an old PC or laptop (desktop RAM only), reusing them can cut ₹9,000-12,000 from the list above and bring the build near ₹20,000.
- Buy used RAM carefully. Used DDR4 is cheaper on OLX and local markets. Test it with Windows Memory Diagnostic before paying.
- Skip the Bronze PSU for now. A basic 450W unit from a known brand saves about ₹1,500 on an APU-only PC. Upgrade it when you add a graphics card.
- Watch sale prices. Store prices jump around a lot. Some stores list the 3400G under ₹7,000 on sale.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Plays esports games and GTA V without a graphics card | A new build now costs ₹27,000+, not ₹20,000 |
| Cheap CPU with box cooler included | Only 4 cores on an older Zen+ design |
| Low power use, a 450W PSU is plenty | Needs a B450 board, not B550 or A520 |
| Easy to add a graphics card later | Not suitable for heavy AAA games or serious 4K editing |
Who Should Build This PC?
Build it if you need a basic PC for study, office work, YouTube and light gaming like Valorant, Counter-Strike, Rocket League and GTA V, and especially if you already have some RAM or an SSD to reuse. Skip it if you mainly want new AAA games: in that case save for a build with a graphics card, and see our best GPU for gaming in India guide. If your budget is much bigger, our Ryzen 7 8700G PC build is the strongest option without a graphics card.
Verdict
The Ryzen 5 3400G is still a decent base for a cheap gaming PC, and our tests show it handles popular games at 1080p without a graphics card. But the “PC under ₹20,000” idea only works today if you reuse or buy used RAM and storage. Buying everything new, plan for around ₹27,000-35,000, use a B450 motherboard, and try to get two RAM sticks. If you can spend a little more, the Ryzen 5 5500GT is the better long-term buy.
FAQs
Can I build a gaming PC under ₹20,000 in 2026?
Not with all new parts. RAM and SSD prices have risen sharply in 2026, so the cheapest sensible new APU build costs around ₹27,000 or more. Reusing RAM and an SSD from an old PC can bring it close to ₹20,000.
Does the Ryzen 5 3400G work on B550 or A520 motherboards?
AMD does not officially support it on B550 or A520. Some boards list it after a BIOS update, but a B450 motherboard is the safe choice.
What is the Ryzen 5 3400G price in India now?
Around ₹8,000-9,000 at most Indian stores in November 2026, with occasional sale prices lower than that.
Can the Ryzen 5 3400G run GTA V without a graphics card?
Yes. In our testing it ran GTA V at 45-50 FPS on medium settings at 1080p using its Vega 11 graphics.
Is 8GB RAM enough for this PC?
8GB is enough for Windows, browsing and light games, but part of it is used by the integrated graphics. Use two sticks for dual channel, and move to 16GB when prices drop.
Should I buy the Ryzen 5 3400G or 5500GT?
The 3400G is cheaper. The 5500GT costs about ₹4,000-5,000 more but has 6 newer cores, works on cheaper A520 boards, and is the better buy if you can afford it.
Sources and Credits
- AMD: Ryzen 5 3400G specifications
- TechPowerUp and Tom’s Hardware: B550 support for older Ryzen CPUs
- DSOGaming: A520 CPU support and Gigabyte A520M K V2 CPU support list
- ModxComputers and GetPC: Ryzen 5 3400G prices
- Microcenter India and PrimeABGB: Ryzen 5 5500GT prices
- PC Prices India, RAMCompare and ModxComputers: DDR4 RAM prices
- MDComputers, PrimeABGB, Smartprix and Variety Infotech: motherboard prices
- ModxComputers and Amazon.in: SSD prices
- Smartprix and Microcenter India: PSU prices
- Variety Infotech: Ant Esports cabinet prices
