Yeah that's a good suggestion - but I would up the GPU. And why are cases more expensive in the UK in sterling than dollars in the USA - that's annoying.
New budget gaming computer
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JimOfAllTrades
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And why do many cases have transparent side? Who want to see the fans spin around? And I see cases that have LEDs on the cables (and other places?). This makes no sense to me. I want the box to be quiet and as unobtrusive as possible. In operation I'm interested in what's on the screen, not flashing lights in box.
Why not just get a console? What games do you want to play?
You will absolutely not be able to build any kind of gaming PC that would compete with the newest PS5 or Xbox for that price.
You can get a PS5 where I live for $400-500 and you will not be able to build a gaming PC that will outperform it or even be on par with it for that price.
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TragicMonkey
Poisoned Waffles
One reason is so you can see when the fans aren't spinning, and can take corrective action immediately. I had some problem fans in my previous computer and being able to keep an eye on them was extremely helpful.
JimOfAllTrades
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My son has a PS4, and he has mentioned a couple of times he has been wanting to switch to a gaming PC. He seems to think it gives more options, such as playing a game with someone else if they don't have the same console.
So I'm just looking at what he mentioned as a preferred choice. But I'm beginning to think it's going to be closer to $800 to get something in a performance range that won't be obsolete very quickly. However some of the suggestions here, along with some second-hand parts are looking very interesting.
JimOfAllTrades
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Ok I'll buy that, I guess. But still it seems very distracting. I guess being an old IBM guy, I'm used to the beige or black box.
Andy_Ross
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My don has a largely transparent case filled with glowing fans, leds on cables, illuminated ram and other such delights.
It sits on his desktop so everyone can see it.
His mouse and keyboard also have flashing snd swirling LED arrays.
Mongrel
Begging for Scraps
You can still buy cases without a window, most of the good manufacturers will offer both options so if you find a cases you like just have a poke to see if there's a windowless option.
Yep - just like the onion in its day, this is what is fashionable these days with the youngsters. I took the piss so much about my nephews new PC because every component, water cooler, fans, memory modules you name it had LEDs that he's switched them all off.
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Mongrel
Begging for Scraps
It's fine for the components listed and while there's some upgrade paths AM4 is a, mostly, dead platform.
If Jim can dig up the extra cash then a higher rated PSU would be something to grab but it's one of the issues with working on a tight budget
Mongrel
Begging for Scraps
Ehhh, they can look good if you take the time to set them up properly but most people just seem to leave them on the "Unicorn vomit" setting.
commandlinegamer
Philosopher
Easier to see the dirt inside.
Wudang
BOFH
Search "gaming pc" on Amazon. Look at all the glitz trying to attract your eyeballs. It's like cars that have low profile tyres, booming exhausts, cool airfoils etc hiding the fact the engine design goes back to 1950.
Wudang
BOFH
Thanks for the clarification. With the avatar with the dark suit and the shades I did wonder. 
I'd rather not know - my cat spends a lot of her time when I'm on my PC laying on the top of my case that's under my desk!
(I'm quite surprised to be honest how good the very thin bits of foam that are over the intakes and other holes are at keeping her hairs out of the case.)
theprestige
Penultimate Amazing
This is my "budget gaming computer":
It's a standard Dell desktop, not one of their specialized gaming systems. But the CPU is water-cooled, and I sprung for a higher-end graphics card. It's fast. It runs quietly, except when I'm playing anything with modern high-end graphics. Then its fans start howling like jet engines. Total cost ~$2k.
In my mind, this represents probably the minimum viable configuration for a modern gaming PC. I paid a premium to have the vendor source and assemble all the components for me, rather than spend my time tracking down discounts on each of them. If your discount-fu is strong, and your time is free, you can probably get something close to this for less than I paid.
However, I'm not sure building a budget gaming PC for someone else is a great idea. If it's not up to snuff, then it's just a white elephant they can't actually use but have to pretend to appreciate because it's a gift. The only way I see it working is if you were in a PC repair or assembly business, and had a lot of high-end components lying around at wholesale or used prices. Then you could consider eating the parts cost and donating your labor, as a gift, but still give your son a high-end gaming system.
I think going the budget DIY route is much more satisfying when it's your own project for yourself. When you know how much PC you want, and you know whether you'll be satisfied with however much PC you can assemble on your budget. Since this is for someone else, I think a better gift would be to work with them to build a PC that fits their specs and their budget - gifting some parts from your budget to round out or level up the build.
Dell Tower Plus Desktop PC | Dell USA
Shop the Dell Tower Plus featuring powerful performance for creation, multi-tasking and gaming with expandability in an elegant design.
www.dell.com
It's a standard Dell desktop, not one of their specialized gaming systems. But the CPU is water-cooled, and I sprung for a higher-end graphics card. It's fast. It runs quietly, except when I'm playing anything with modern high-end graphics. Then its fans start howling like jet engines. Total cost ~$2k.
In my mind, this represents probably the minimum viable configuration for a modern gaming PC. I paid a premium to have the vendor source and assemble all the components for me, rather than spend my time tracking down discounts on each of them. If your discount-fu is strong, and your time is free, you can probably get something close to this for less than I paid.
However, I'm not sure building a budget gaming PC for someone else is a great idea. If it's not up to snuff, then it's just a white elephant they can't actually use but have to pretend to appreciate because it's a gift. The only way I see it working is if you were in a PC repair or assembly business, and had a lot of high-end components lying around at wholesale or used prices. Then you could consider eating the parts cost and donating your labor, as a gift, but still give your son a high-end gaming system.
I think going the budget DIY route is much more satisfying when it's your own project for yourself. When you know how much PC you want, and you know whether you'll be satisfied with however much PC you can assemble on your budget. Since this is for someone else, I think a better gift would be to work with them to build a PC that fits their specs and their budget - gifting some parts from your budget to round out or level up the build.
theprestige
Penultimate Amazing
1.5k less, according to the OP.
I think we've all got a pretty good idea of what "budget" means. The trouble seems to be the definition of "gaming computer".
Modern AAA games aren't designed to run on budget rigs. And sweet rigs *cost*, in any industry.
JimOfAllTrades
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I know, I've seen some real carnival rigs. I don't have any problem pulling the covers off few months to check for dust bunnies so I may look for a case that is just black.
I am looking at stepping up the video card depending on what I can find, probably used. ATM I'm still looking at a bunch of the stuff linked in the thread, it's been very helpful. Thanks, all other suggestions appreciated!
