You don’t need a rig rocking the latest and greatest CPU and graphics card to make the most of the best PC games. Plenty of cheap gaming PCs with slightly older or downgraded hardware will cruise through action like a champ, albeit at lower settings than higher-end machines.
Jump to a detailed look at the best budget gaming PCs, or check the list below:
TL;DR Best Budget Gaming PCs
- OMEN 25L Gaming Desktop – The Best Budget Gaming PC
- CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming Desktop – Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1200
- Victus by HP 15L – The Best Budget Gaming PC Under $500
- CLX Set – Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1000
- Acer Predator Orion 3000 – Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1500
- Asus Rog Ally Z1 – Best Budget Handheld Gaming PC
The best gaming PCs don’t always need to empty your wallet. Sure, by going with a budget option, you probably won’t be playing in 4K. But if you just want a capable rig that offers a great balance of price and performance, there’s no reason to spend a fortune.
You can also see our guide on the differences between gaming PCs and laptops.
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1. HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop
The Best Budget Gaming PC
Let's get one thing out of the way right off the bat: The HP Omen 25L with current-generation hardware is going to cost you about $1200 just to get in the door, and that's with a GPU that's technically two generations old. That might seem like too much to be considered a 'budget' gaming PC, but gaming rigs have gone through some huge price jumps over the last couple of years, especially if they're using current-gen CPUs and GPUs. What you get here is a solid little gaming PC with an Intel Core i5-14400F and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super, which should be more than capable of running any game at 1080p, although without ray tracing or DLSS.
It is kind of a bummer that this gaming PC is using what is essentially a 4-year-old graphics card, but it's because there's not really another choice for a budget GPU in 2024. Nvidia didn't release a single budget card to follow it up in the RTX 3000 generation and now that the RTX 5080 is likely coming out this fall, it's increasingly looking like we won't get one in this generation, either. Don't despair! If you don't care about gimmicky features like ray tracing, you won't actually lose out on much, and the GTX 1660 Super is still an excellent graphics card for 1080p casual gaming.
What helps elevate the rest of this package is the premium chassis. HP has come a long way in the last few years and this 25 liter (that's where the L comes from) PC case allows for a ton of airflow, keeping your components nice and cool. Plus, unlike older gaming PCs, this PC case uses standard mounts for the motherboard and power supply, which means you can easily keep it upgraded over the years – once you pay that up-front cost, at least.
2. CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR
Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1200
Looking to grab a VR headset for PC? Be sure you have a rig ready to keep up, like the Gamer Xtreme VR from CyberpowerPC. It’s optimized for mid-tier VR performance, letting you make the most of games like Half-Life: Alyx and Star Wars Squadrons. Even if you just want to use the Gamer Xtreme VR for everyday gaming, the i5-13400F, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and massive 2TB of SSD storage will keep you cruising at high settings in 1080p and even 1440p in certain games.
Beyond some impressive hardware to ensure top performance with the best VR headsets, the Gamer Xtreme VR is rocking ample cooling, including fans and liquid cooling packed into a PC case for airflow, keeping your machine running smoothly. Plus, as a nice little bonus, a gaming mouse and keyboard are even included, saving you even more money on this already great budget gaming PC.
3. HP Victus 15L
The Best Budget Gaming PC Under $500
Available in two colors, silver and white, the cheapest configuration for the Victus by HP 15L has a configuration that starts somewhere around $700. This configuration gets you an 8-core AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, a budget GPU in the AMD RX 6400, 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256 GB SSD storage. This is good enough to run popular esports games like Warzone and Rocket League at respectable frame rates.
There are other options to push the specs up a bit more including a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER and 16GB RAM for under $800. The case also has enough room to be upgradeable as well.
4. CLX Set
Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1000
One of the most helpful things about CLX’s online store is that the configuration tool will give potential buyers an estimated frame rate average at 1080p. For the $600 CLX Set, comes with an impressive package. This includes a 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, AMD Radeon RX Vega 7, 16GB DDR4 and 1 TB SSD storage.
According to the configuration tool, this setup can provide 80 frames per second at 1080p on Fortnite. Meanwhile, Apex Legends can get up to 45 fps at the same resolution. Like many CLX builds, the Set comes with a lifetime labor warranty and lifetime support.
5. Acer Predator Orion 3000
Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1500
The Acer Predator Orion 3000 comes with a lot packed in. Performance wise, the gaming desktop comes with a beefy 12-core Intel i7, GeForce RTX 3060, 16GB DDR4 and 512GB SSD for storage.
The Predator Orion 3000 also comes with an additional keyboard and mouse. Through the included PredatorSense app, you’ll be able to make changes to performance to RGB lighting. All of that is backed by a one year warranty with free tech support.
6. Asus Rog Ally Z1
Best Budget Handheld Gaming PC
Versatile, easy to use, and portable, the Asus Rog Ally hands-down has to be the best handheld gaming PC. No, it’s not a desktop PC, but it seriously packs a punch when it comes down to gaming performance, more than even some mini PCs for gaming. Running on Windows 11, the Ally is capable of running your favorite games from different platforms, like Steam, GOG, Xbox Game Pass, and more.
The 120Hz 1080p touchscreen uses AMD FreeSync technology to reduce screen tearing. Games run buttery smooth thanks to the console’s Ryzen Z1 CPU and LPDDR5 RAM. If you want a portable gaming PC that’s not really a PC, but works like one, the Asus Rog Ally is a great alternative.
How to Pick the Best Budget Gaming PC
If you’re wondering how to choose the best budget gaming PC, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure you get the most bang for your buck. Being on a limited budget means you’ll need to prioritize the components that matter most for gaming performance. While it's easy to get caught up in latest and greatest hardware, remember that you don't always need top-of-the-line specs to enjoy a decent gaming PC.
Start by focusing on the graphics card, as it plays a crucial role in determining the visual quality of your gaming experience. Look for a graphics card that offers a good balance between performance and price, such as an NVIDIA GTX or AMD Radeon series card. While you may not be able to run games at ultra-high settings, the best budget graphics cards should be more than capable of handling most titles at decent frame rates.
Next, think about the CPU and RAM. A decent quad-core processor from Intel or AMD paired with at least 8GB of RAM should be sufficient for most gaming needs. If you can squeeze a little extra budget into upgrading either of these components, it will be well worth it in the long run.
Storage is another important consideration when choosing a budget gaming PC. However, as long as your motherboard supports multiple storage slots, then you can upgrade your storage more down the line. As long as you have enough space for the games you want to play initially, you can get away with lower storage to start with. Make sure you opt for a gaming PC with SSD storage, ideally M.2, as this will reduce boot and load times.
Lastly, don't overlook the importance of a good power supply and cooling system. A reliable PSU will ensure stable and efficient power delivery to your components, while adequate cooling will help prevent overheating and extend the lifespan of your hardware. This means your gaming PC will last for years to come, allowing you to upgrade it, rather than replace it.
Finding a well-balanced system that offers good gaming performance without unnecessary frills is essential when picking the best budget gaming PC.
FAQs
What Is a Reasonable Budget for a Gaming PC?
Gaming PCs can range in price, anywhere between $600 to $2,000+. However, if you’re on a tighter budget, you can get a decent gaming PC for around, or under, the $1,000 mark.
Is a Gaming PC Worth It for a Casual Gamer?
If you’re a casual gamer, you might not want to spend a lot on your first gaming PC. However, bear in mind that the specs required for a gaming PC will be plenty for everyday tasks too. If you use your PC for work or creative projects, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the performance you get compared to say, a laptop.
Is It Better To Buy a PC or Build One?
Buying a pre-built PC is an easier option if you don’t want to build one. Building a PC can often be cheaper in the long-run, however, if you’re not comfortable researching how to build one, it could be more hassle than it’s worth. Similarly, if you touch a component in the wrong way, or install it incorrectly, you could end up wasting a lot of money.
If you do have the technical know-how and feel comfortable building a PC, however, you’ll have much more control over the components, allowing you to fully customize it to your liking.
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