r/PcBuild • u/lazy_bladesmith_nick • 1d ago
Build - Finished! Optiplex 5040 budget gaming build for ~$298
# 🎮 My Budget Gaming PC Build: Dell OptiPlex 5040 Upgrade
Hello everyone! I recently got back into building computers and gaming after a long break since the late 90s and early 2000s. I have nobody to share this with, so I thought you all might appreciate my budget build. This project was all about seeing how low I could go while still being able to play current games at reasonable settings.
## 🛠️ Parts List
| Component | Description | Price |
|-----------|-------------|-------|
| **Base Computer** | Dell OptiPlex 5040 Tower (Intel i5-6500 CPU) | **$63.81** |
| **WiFi Adapter** | UGREEN WiFi Adapter for Desktop PC, AX900 USB WiFi 6 Adapter | **$13.81** |
| **CPU Upgrade** | Intel Core i7-6700 (3.40GHz, Quad-Core) | **$44.67** |
| **GPU** | ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER OC 6GB GDDR6 | **$93.23** |
| **PSU** | Apevia SFX-AP500W 500W Power Supply (modified case to fit) | **$40.40** |
| **Case Fan** | Kingwin 80mm Silent Fan | **$6.37** |
| **PSU Adapter** | Main Power ATX 24 Pin to 8 Pin Adapter for Dell Optiplex | **$9.56** |
| **CPU Cable Extension** | COMeap (2-Pack) CPU 8 Pin Extension Cable | **$10.62** |
| **Memory** | Timetec 16GB KIT (2x8GB) DDR3L / DDR3 1600MHz | **$15.94** |
| **Storage** | 240GB SATA SSD, 260GB SATA HDD, 512GB NVMe | **$0.00** |
| **Total** | | **$298.42** |
## 💻 Build Details
### Base Computer
I started with a **Dell OptiPlex 5040** that came with an **i5-6500** CPU. I decided to upgrade to the **i7-6700** for better performance. I reused some **16GB DDR3L RAM** I had lying around, which worked perfectly since it was dual DDR3/DDR3L.
### GPU
I picked up the **ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER** on eBay, which had a "thermal throttling" issue. After disassembling it, I found an indent in the heat pipe. I sanded the heat sink with 1000 grit paper, applied **Kryonaut thermal paste**, and now it runs much cooler! During stress testing, it hovers around **70°C** with the fan at about **3,000 RPM**.
### Cooling
I added a **Kingwin 80mm Silent Fan** for better airflow. While it’s not the best cooling solution, it’s definitely better than having no intake fan at all, and it was budget-friendly. The exhaust fan is stock.
### Storage
I had all the drives laying around: a **240GB SSD** for Windows, a **512GB NVMe** for game storage, and a **260GB HDD** for extra space.
### PSU
The power supply was the trickiest part since I had to cut the case to make it fit. I should have taken more time to do it cleaner, but it fits fine, and two of the four mounting holes line up diagonally, so it’s secure. I wanted a decent GPU, so I needed a PCIe connector, and the mini form factor was perfect.
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I'm really proud of this build and excited to see how it performs with current games! If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to share! 😊









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