What Components are Required to Build a 3rd Generation PC?

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January 26, 2026

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The Best Components for Assembling a Cheap 3rd Gen PC

If you want to build the best 3rd generation PC at the lowest price, then this article can help you. Here, all the components of building a PC are detailed, making it easy to build a perfect 3rd generation PC. Recently, the latest generation PCs have become very expensive. If you only need a PC for productivity tasks like online work, online study (Word and PowerPoint), or cyber cafes, then it is worth going for the old generation.

All the 3rd generation PC components mentioned here are equipped with new upgraded technology, designed to provide durable and fast performance.

Most of these 3rd generation PC accessories are easily available on online platforms.

Each accessory has been listed here, taking into account its full specifications and compatibility.

You can see a list of all the components needed to build a 3rd Generation PC below.

List of components for 3rd generation PC

PC Cabinet
Latest H61 Motherboard
Processor with LGA 1155 Socket
DDR3 RAM
NVMe/SSD
CPU Fan
SMPS Power Supply Unit
Monitor

Using the listed components, you can easily build a low-budget PC under Rs 10,000. This PC can complete all your productivity tasks. Below is a detailed analysis of all the components required to build a 3rd generation PC.

PC Cabinet

You probably already know about most of the components that go into assembling a PC, but let me briefly tell you that this 3rd generation PC cabinet is known as a computer case or chassis.

This 3rd generation pc component holds and secures all other accessories, manages airflow, and plays a vital role in enhancing the overall performance and appearance of the PC.

Choosing the right PC cabinet can have a significant impact on system efficiency, cooling, and future upgrade possibilities.

Cooling and airflow management are the main functions of a cabinet. Good airflow helps keep internal components cool, prevents overheating, and is responsible for good system performance.

A typical 3rd generation PC cabinet has USB 2.0, audio jack, LED indicator, power button, and restart button, etc. But new modern PC cabinets have additional features like USB 3.0 or USB-C ports, audio jack, RGB lighting control, dust filters, and tool-less drive bays.

5 Best PC Cabinet List

H61 Motherboard

Building a 3rd generation PC requires an H61 motherboard that supports second and third-generation Core processors. This motherboard is budget-friendly, so it is mainly used for study, office, home use, or small business.

The old H61 motherboard used to have slow processing speeds, but the current upgraded motherboards use new technology components, so they offer much faster processing speeds.

This H61 motherboard is compatible with Intel LGA 1155 socket processors, so it can use Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 3rd generation processors.

In terms of memory support, H61 motherboards generally support DDR3 RAM. The board offers two DIMM slots for RAM, supporting speeds of 1066 MHz or 1333 MHz. Many motherboards support RAM speeds up to 1600 MHz, with a maximum capacity of up to 16 GB.

All the motherboards listed below are upgraded to include all the necessary ports, such as 2 RAM slots, 4 SATA slots, 1 graphics card slot, 2.0 NVMe, USB, HDMI, VGA, and Ethernet. Which makes all the necessary connectivity compatible.

5 Best H61 Motherboard List (1155 Socket)

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3rd Generation Processor LGA 1155 Socket

Some of the popular 3rd generation PC processor series from Intel include Core i3, i5, i7, Pentium, and Celeron. Among them, Intel Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors are very popular CPU series that are capable of meeting various performance needs, from normal tasks to advanced multitasking and professional workloads.

Core i3 3rd Generation Processor

Core i3 processors can be perfect for basic tasks like web browsing, email, online classes, and office applications. The i3 processor comes with fewer cores and threads than higher-end models but offers better clock speeds and power efficiency. For home users and students, the Core i3 3rd generation pc offers smooth performance at an affordable price.

Get Deal: Core i3 3rd Gen Processor

The model number of this 3rd generation processor is Core i3 3220.

This processor is compatible with the LGA 1155 Socket.

This processor has a clock speed of 2.8 GHz.

This processor is dual-core and feature Hyper-Threading, allowing it to handle four threads.

Cache Memory size is 3 MB.

The Core i3 processor is low-power consumption, perfect for basic tasks, and affordable.

Core i5 3rd Generation Processor

The performance of this Core i5 processor is slightly increased compared to the Core i3 processor. As performance increases, the cost of this Core i5 3rd generation PC processor also increases slightly. The i5 is perfect for multitasking, gaming, and software tasks like photo editing or programming. With more cores, higher cache memory, and Turbo Boost technology, it can handle applications better.

Get Deal: Core i5 3rd Generation Processor

Processor model number is Core i5 3450.

Compatible with 1155 socket

Clock speed of 2.8 GHz to 3.4 GHz

This processor comes with 4 Cores and 4 Threads.

6 MB Cache Memory Size

Best for multitasking and professional workloads.

Core i7 3rd Generation Processor

The Core i7 processor is used for high-level performance. Upgrading from an i5 to an i7 processor offers high clock speeds, large cache memory, and advanced technologies. The Core i7 3rd generation PC processor can easily handle high workloads, high graphics, and heavily loaded applications. If there is any negativity to this processor, it is its high power consumption and its high cost.

Get Deal: Core i7-3770 3rd Generation Processor

The model number of this i7 processor is 3770.

This processor comes with an LGA 1155 socket and is compatible with H61 motherboards.

This 3rd-generation i7 processor has a clock speed of up to 3.4 GHz.

8MB cache memory provided

Amazing performance for multitasking and productivity

Best 3rd Generation PC Processor List

DDR3 RAM

RAM is an important component of computer parts. Most people probably know about it, but let us briefly explain that RAM (Random Access Memory) is the memory that temporarily stores data and instructions required by the processor for quick access. The performance and multitasking ability of a computer largely depend on the type and function of RAM.

RAM is known by different names or codes depending on the generation; some of the well-known RAMs are SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5. DDR4 and DDR5 are the latest generations of RAM, which, with their advanced technology, are responsible for better performance.

Here, we are going to look at information on Double Data Rate 3 Random Access Memory, which means DDR3 RAM.

DDR3 RAM is recommended for building 3rd generation PCs because most H61 motherboards support DDR3 RAM.

Despite the availability of DDR4 and DDR5 RAM in the market, DDR3 RAM is still found in most older PCs, mainly due to its lower cost and faster performance.

DDR3 RAM performs faster than DDR2 RAM because it offers higher clock speeds, allowing for faster data transfers between the processor and memory.

It usually operates at 1.5 volts, which is responsible for maintaining consistent performance while maintaining heat levels.

You can choose 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB RAM size according to your work, and it can also be increased or decreased later. Most H61 motherboards support up to 16GB of RAM, which is something to keep in mind when building a PC.

DDR3 RAM is available in speeds ranging from 1066MHz to 1600MHz, so it is important to select RAM that matches the RAM speed that your motherboard supports.

For best performance, it is necessary to use both RAM slots provided in the motherboard. If you need 8GB RAM, then use 4 + 4GB RAM, and if you require 16GB RAM, then choose 8+8GB (two) RAM.

Best DDR3 RAM List

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NVMe or SSD

Earlier, when building 3rd generation PCs, a hard disk drive (HDD) was used as internal storage, which had a slightly slower processing speed. But recently, you can make those 3rd generation PCs work faster by upgrading some of the components. 3rd generation PCs can be made faster by using NVMe or SSDs instead of hard drives.

NVMe M.2: It is capable of delivering high speeds, and is available in the market with capacities ranging from 128GB to 4TB or more.

NVMe M.2 typically has read speeds of up to 2,200 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,600 MB/s, which is much faster than a hard disk drive or SSD.

NVMe comes in a compact size so that it can be easily installed inside the motherboard, and connecting directly to the motherboard results in much better performance.

If you are going to buy a 500GB NVMe, you can get it for around Rs 4000 to 6000. For a 1TB NVMe, you may have to spend around Rs 10,000 to 12,000.

SSD (Solid-State Drive): It is a bit more efficient than a hard drive, and you can also find it in the market with storage capacities ranging from 128GB to 4TB or more.

Typically, these SSDs have read speeds of up to 550MB/s and write speeds of up to 500MB/s, which is much lower than NVMe. There is not a huge difference in the price of NVMe and SSD, so it makes more sense to go for NVMe.

Best NVMe or SSD List

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CPU Fan

A CPU fan is an important component designed to control the temperature of a computer’s processor. To build any 3rd generation PC, you need a CPU fan and cooling paste, which are easily available at a low price.

As soon as the computer is turned on, the CPU performs millions of calculations per second, generating a significant amount of heat. If this heat is not efficiently removed, the processor can overheat, which can lead to reduced performance, system instability, or permanent hardware damage. The CPU fan helps prevent these problems by constantly moving air over a heat sink attached to the processor.

The CPU fan increases the system’s efficiency, extends the processor’s lifespan, and ensures smooth and safe performance.

CPU fans are available in different sizes, designs, and airflow capacities to suit different processors and usage needs, so it is important to choose one based on its compatibility with the processor.

Best CPU Fan List

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SMPS Power Supply Unit

This power supply unit is also very important for building a third generation PC, this SMPS provides the necessary power to the other components to function.

The main function of an SMPS is to take AC power and convert it into low-voltage DC power required by computer components such as the motherboard, processor, hard drive, and graphics card.

It provides different voltage levels such as +12V, +5V, and +3.3V to meet the needs of different parts of the system.

One of the biggest advantages of an SMPS is its high efficiency. It wastes less energy in the form of heat, which helps reduce electricity consumption and keeps the system cooler. Most SMPS units also include built-in protection features such as overload protection, short-circuit protection, and voltage regulation, ensuring the safety of the connected hardware.

To build a 3rd generation PC, you need a 400-watt to 450-watt power supply unit, which you can easily get for between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000.

List of SMPS Power Supply Units

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PC Monitor

After assembling a complete PC, you need a monitor of suitable capacity to work on it and view the results. Modern PC monitors come in a variety of sizes, resolutions, and technologies to suit different needs such as office work, gaming, graphic designing, and video editing.

Today’s monitors use advanced display panels like LED, IPS, VA, and OLED, which offer better brightness, color accuracy, and viewing angles. A higher resolution provides sharper text and more detailed visuals, making long working hours easier on the eyes.

Here you are building an old-generation PC (3rd generation PC), so it is more appropriate to choose a monitor according to it. For this, we have selected some monitors and provided a list of them below.

PC Monitor List

Other Useful Components and Parts for PCs

After building a 3rd generation PC, you can do the necessary work through it. However, there are some additional components that you may also need, so let’s briefly discuss them, which include a printer, heat sink, UPS, WiFi adapter, and webcam.

Printer: One of the useful parts is the printer, which is an essential output device. The job of the printer is to convert digital information into physical documents. It allows users to print text, images, charts, and photographs directly from a computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Currently, there are various types of printers available, such as inkjet, ink tank, laser, and multifunction. From this, you can choose and install the printer according to your needs.

If you have any questions about the printer, you can tell us in the comment box, and we will try to guide you by writing a separate article on it.

Processor Cooling Paste: Processor cooling paste, also called thermal paste or thermal compound, plays an important role in keeping a computer’s CPU healthy and efficient. This cooling paste is applied evenly to the processor, reducing heat generated during operation and ensuring overall uniform performance.

WiFi Adapter: A WiFi adapter is a small yet powerful device that connects computers and other gadgets to wireless networks. If you have a laptop, you may have an inbuilt WiFi adapter. But you need to install it separately on a PC. It acts as a bridge between your device and the router, allowing data to travel via radio signals instead of cables. In short, to turn on the internet in your PC, you need to install a WiFi adapter.

UPS for PC: A UPS for a PC is an essential power backup device that protects computers from sudden power cuts and voltage fluctuations. It supplies temporary battery power when electricity fails, allowing users to save their work and shut down the system safely. This UPS provides a backup of 10 to 15 minutes so that in the event of a power outage, you can save your files and safely shut down the computer.

PC Webcam: If a PC or laptop does not have a built-in camera or the camera quality is not good, a separate webcam can be installed. This PC webcam is a compact digital camera that easily connects to a desktop or laptop computer and can capture live video and still images.

This webcam can be connected via a USB port, making tasks like video calls and virtual meetings easier. Some webcams also include a built-in mic to record your audio, so you can choose based on your needs.

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Conclusion

Building a PC based on the 3rd generation Intel platform is a smart and practical choice for users who want reliable performance at a reasonable price. This is an older-generation PC, but it can handle your productivity tasks with ease. When paired with a compatible motherboard, sufficient DDR3 memory, and a reliable storage solution, third-generation PCs offer smooth multitasking and stable performance.

I hope the above 3rd generation PC build article has been helpful for you. You can get such information by visiting our site Shoptoptrend.

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VIJAYKUMAR BAMANA

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