The 10 Best Budget Gaming PCs to Buy in 2023

Buying the best budget gaming PC can help you step into the gaming world and play popular titles without breaking the bank. Besides their affordability, these cheap computers require no technical expertise as they are already set up and come pre-installed with Windows.

However, finding a cheap gaming PC that effortlessly runs newer games can be challenging. That’s why we’ve created a list of affordable PCs that we’ve ranked based on their components, performance, and value for money. Read on to discover why the CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme i7 is the best-prebuilt budget gaming PC this year and what the competition looks like.

The 10 Best Budget-Friendly Gaming PCs Ranked

We’ve prepared this list of the best budget gaming PCs to help you make an informed purchase:

1. CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme i7 — Overall, the best budget gaming PC this year, which costs $1,169.99 but easily outperforms more expensive builds thanks to its RTX 3060 card and 12th-gen i7 Intel processor.
2. Skytech Azure Gaming i5 — Exceptional 1440p gaming performance for just $999.99. Comes with a gold-certified power supply unit and a powerful RTX 3060 graphics card.
3. CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme i5 — Experience VR gaming for just $949.99 with this machine, which is compatible with HTC VIVE and Oculus Rift and comes with a powerful i5 Intel Core processor and RTX 3050 card.
4. Skytech Archangel — Perfect optimization for 1080p gaming with a blazing fast 3rd-generation Ryzen CPU, 3,000Mhz clock speeds, and a budget-friendly price of $899.99.
5. HP Pavilion i5 — Superb connectivity and security, with numerous USB ports and Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. It also has an Intel Core i5 processor and high-speed SSD storage.
6. Acer Nitro 50 — The ideal balance of performance and affordability, including a 12th-gen Intel Core i5 processor and a GTX 1650 GPU for as little as $663.99.
7. iBuyPower SlateMR — Get a vibrant case RGB for just $769.99 and reliable performance for 1080p gaming with an Intel Core i5-12400F CPU and a GTX 1650 GPU.
8. Zotac MEK Hero G1 — Excellent value for money with its 11th-gen Intel Core CPU and GTX 1650 combination, priced at just $683.99.
9. HP Victus 15L — Cheap entry-level solution with a low-profile case and a powerful GTX 1660 Super graphics card, combined with a 12th-gen Intel Core i3 processor for just $649.99.
10. HP Pavilion Ryzen 5 — Affordable solution for beginners, running modern FPS, MOBA, and RTS games at 100+ frames per second in 1080p.

How Much Are PCs for Gamers?

With the 2020 graphics card shortage slowly receding, the prices of pre-built computers and their components are gradually returning to normal. The cost of PCs suitable for gaming can range from $500 to several thousand dollars, depending on your needs and preferences. For example, if you want to play popular FPS and MOBA games on a 1080p monitor, you’ll likely need to spend around $800.

However, finding a decent and affordable gaming rig isn’t impossible, and gaming on a PC means you can always upgrade its parts in the future. While our top pick – like most budget gaming PCs – can’t deliver high refresh rates on a 4K monitor, it’s perfectly suitable for 1440p gaming on the highest settings.

Buying a pre-built gaming PC lets you pick between budget-friendly and high-end options. Here’s a quick breakdown of the price categories for these systems:

• Entry-level PC: A low-cost PC gaming computer can cost between $500 and $800 and handle basic gaming needs and less demanding tasks. These computers are ideal for gaming on monitors with 1080p resolution.
• Mid-range PCs: A mid-range PC offers better performance and can handle newer games at higher settings. A budget mid-range PC can cost up to $1,200 and is ideal for gaming on monitors with 1440p resolution, while more expensive models go up to $1,500.
• High-end PCs: A high-end PC is powerful enough to handle the latest titles on the highest settings, including VR (virtual reality) gaming. These gaming rigs can cost anywhere from $1,500 to several thousand dollars and are suitable for 4K UHD gaming.

However, besides buying a pre-built PC, you can also purchase the components individually and build it yourself.

What’s Cheaper — Building or Buying a Pre-Built PC?

Buying a pre-built gaming PC accounts for the cost of someone connecting all of its parts, setting up proper in-case airflow, and ensuring it works properly. It also gives you peace of mind knowing a team of professionals assembled your PC, which reduces the risks of human error and incompatibility.

So, how much are PCs worth without those costs? An experienced builder could easily save money by combining parts that fit their budget and needs, but it would still take some time to devise a good gaming setup and shop for each component individually. However, an inexperienced builder would likely have to hire a computer technician to avoid making common mistakes leading to irreversible damage to delicate computer parts.

While building a PC requires basic knowledge of computer hardware and assembly and time and effort for research and troubleshooting, it’s often cheaper than buying a pre-built PC. That means whether to do so ultimately depends on your individual circumstances and priorities.

How to Choose the Best Gaming PC if You’re on a Budget

Choosing the best budget gaming PC requires careful consideration of crucial components that offer the best value for money. However, it also depends on what games you want to run on your new PC and if you intend to upgrade its parts later.

Here’s what you need to look for while shopping for a gaming PC on a budget:

Graphics Card (GPU)

With AMD and Nvidia competing more than ever, they’ve filled the market with excellent high and low-end graphics cards. Although the number of options can be overwhelming, there are a few graphics cards to look for while shopping for a budget gaming PC.

The best budget graphics card you can get this year is the Nvidia RTX 3060, included with our top two picks. It offers exceptional value for its price, thanks to its 12 GB of onboard VRAM and excellent base clock (MHz) speeds, which determine a card’s performance.

Besides the impressive out-of-the-box performance, the Nvidia RTX 3060 is compatible with the newest Nvidia RTX DLSS technology. This cutting-edge technology makes 1440p and 4K gaming more accessible than ever since it can boost your frame rates by more than 50% on some titles.

While less powerful than the Nvidia RTX 3060, other popular Nvidia graphics cards include the RTX 3050, GTX 1650, and GTX 1660 Super. Although their base clock speeds and overall performance can’t match the RTX 3060, these graphics cards won’t disappoint any gamer playing light titles on a 1440p monitor or demanding games on a 1080p display.

As for AMD, you’ll often find the AMD Radeon RX 5500 and RX 6600 XT on low-priced gaming rigs. As the low-end Nvidia picks mentioned above, these GPUs will effortlessly provide enough power to play popular titles in 1920 x 1080p resolution.

Processor (CPU)

Just like a good GPU makes your games look good, a powerful processor determines how well they run. While seeking out the newest (and most expensive) CPUs can boost your performance, it’s less important than having the latest graphics card. That means you should look for more budget-friendly options, including Intel’s 11th and 12th-generation and AMD’s 3rd-generation chips.

Identifying the generation of an Intel CPU is simple. For example, our top pick offers the Intel Core i7-12700F, and we can see it’s a 12th-generation chip based on the first two numbers that come after “i7.” However, our third option offers the Intel Core i5-12400F, a 12th-generation chip but an i5 model. While the i7 models perform better than the i5 models, the difference is only visible while rendering videos or 3D models on your PC.

AMD’s 3rd-generation chips included in our list are the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 5 3500. These are often cheaper than their Intel Core competitors, which allows for excellent price reductions. But don’t let their pricing fool you, the AMD 3rd-gen processors offer excellent performance and value for money.

We suggest opting for a budget PC with an Intel Core 12th-gen processor for 1440p gaming, while the other picks on our list are ideal for gaming in 1080p resolution.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

The third most important component to pay attention to is RAM. This component serves as short-term memory, which your PC requires to access file data. For example, launching your favorite game stored on your SSD wouldn’t be possible without RAM. You couldn’t even start up your PC if it had no RAM installed.

The more RAM you have, the more smoothly your PC will work. Opening dozens of browser tabs while simultaneously playing a video game on your second monitor is much smoother if your PC has 16 GB of memory instead of 4.

While most gaming PCs come with at least 16 GB of RAM, you can also get away with the bare minimum of 8 GB on a budget PC. It’s worth noting that RAM is one of the cheapest PC components, which means you can always upgrade or entirely replace the memory sticks that arrive with your PC.

Storage 

Video games can take up anywhere from a few gigabytes to over a hundred gigabytes of your storage. That’s why you should ensure your new PC has enough storage for your games, documents, music, and other files.

The PCs on our list offer two types of storage drives, SSD and NVMe SSD. The storage drive type determines how fast your PC starts up and the time it takes to load or copy files, especially if they are large, like video games.

Solid State Drives (SSD) hit speeds of up to 500MB per second, making them vastly superior to the outdated Hard Disk Drives (HDD) that top out at around 160MB per second. However, an NVMe SSD can hit up to 7,500MB per second, making them the best choice for performance.

Look for a budget gaming PC with NVMe SSD storage if you want your PC to start up and open files in seconds. You can purchase SSD and NVMe SSD storage for $40 to $200 if you ever need additional room for your files and games, and they don’t require any technical expertise to connect.

Case 

The case is more than just an aesthetic component of a pre-built PC. It plays a significant role in its performance, functionality, and longevity. A well-designed case will flawlessly fulfill its primary purpose: protecting and storing your PC’s components. The best budget gaming PC will have proper ventilation, dust filters, and cable management options. These ensure good airflow and prevent overheating.

However, PC gamers are likely to upgrade their systems with new components. That means you should look for a case with enough room to accommodate additional storage drives, wide graphics cards, and cooling solutions. Investing in a budget PC with a large case can save you from future compatibility issues and unplanned expenses.

Besides performance and storage, the case can also affect the noise level of the PC and your RGB ambiance. A poorly designed case may have badly placed fans, resulting in loud noise during intensive gaming sessions. It might also have low-quality RGB lights or provide no way to change its color patterns and brightness. Since you can’t ensure the quality of a pre-built PC’s case before it arrives at your doorstep, we suggest thoroughly reading user reviews to get an idea of its features.

User Reviews

Reading user reviews can give you crucial information about the PC you plan to buy, especially if you and the other users have similar interests. For example, user reviews might describe how the PC performs while running your favorite games or if it has good internal cooling and case airflow.

Reviews of the Top-Rated Budget PCs for Gamers

Let’s dive into the details and see what makes each of these budget gaming PCs a good choice.

1. CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme i7 — Overall, the Best Budget Gaming PC

We rate the CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme i7 as the best budget gaming PC since it outperforms every other low-cost to mid-range PC thanks to its powerful processor and graphics card. Besides its impressive performance, it arrives in an aesthetically pleasing Onyxia 2 gaming case with a tempered glass window and exceptional airflow.

The first thing you’ll notice when you unpack this gaming PC is how professionally it handles cable management. That means no cables are dangling inside the case, ensuring maximum airflow and easy access for tinkering. It also gives you a clear view of its beautiful RGB configuration, which you can dim, brighten, and turn on and off using a remote.

It offers an impressive selection of components for its price, including the powerful but budget-friendly RTX 3060 GPU. Combined with the Intel Core i7-12700F, it lets you run some of the most demanding games without issues, including titles like Cyberpunk 2077, the Witcher 3 with next-gen graphics, and Hogwarts Legacy.

Although you won’t experience lag, stuttering, or low fps with the best gaming monitors at 1440p resolution, we suggest upgrading the CPU cooler to avoid overheating problems.

The CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme i7 has 1 TB of NVMe SSD storage, meaning you’ll get some of the fastest data transfer speeds available and have enough room for all your games and documents. However, if you need more than 1 TB of storage, you can always add additional drives as its case offers enough space.

2. Skytech Azure Gaming i5 — Exceptional 1440p Gaming Performance

The Skytech Azure Gaming i5 is capable of running popular titles, such as Overwatch 2, Call of Duty Warzone, and Elden Ring, at 60+ frames per second on 1440p QHD monitors – making it the best gaming PC under $1,000.

In addition, it offers exceptional service, thanks to its 80+ 650W Gold-rated power supply unit. An 80+ Gold rating means your computer will draw less power from the wall, resulting in a slightly smaller energy bill and less heat in your PC case.

Although its processor is one generation older than the one included with our top pick, this model offers the same RTX 3060 graphics card. That means you’ll have access to Nvidia’s DLSS technology that can boost your FPS by more than 50%, even with the most popular titles.

With that kind of power, you’ll also have an easy time streaming without lag or drops in quality. In addition, the Skytech Azure Gaming i5 is well-rounded for content creation, meaning professionals can use this budget computer to edit photos and videos without issues.

However, it comes with only 500 GB of storage, which may not be enough for some gamers, especially since modern games can take up more than 100 GB each. Thankfully, its mid-tower InWin 103 case has space for additional storage drives.

The Skytech Azure Gaming i5 is a great gaming PC pick for users with their own gaming desks and multi-monitor setups, as its mid-tower doesn’t take up much space, and the RTX 3060 offers three DisplayPorts and one HDMI port for monitors.

3. CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme i5 — Experience VR Gaming for Just $949.99

The CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme i5 is an entry-level solution for Virtual Reality (VR) gaming, and its excellent combination of a 12th-gen Intel Core processor and 16 GB of RAM allows you to perform other resource-intensive tasks, including video and photo editing and gaming.

It arrives with an RGB mouse with seven color profiles, which complements its beautiful RGB case. You’ll also get a keyboard, and although it’s not the best gaming keyboard out there, it’s definitely a good stand-in.

Although there are some downgrades in comparison to our top pick, such as an i5 processor instead of an i7 and an RTX 3050 instead of an RTX 3060, this budget gaming PC can still run games like GTA V on ultra settings and deliver more than 100 FPS.

The CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme i5 is an ideal budget PC for beginners, as its out-of-the-box setup requires no changes. That means you won’t have to adjust its fans or cables, as their placement provides superb airflow that keeps the components at low temperatures, even in intense gaming sessions.

What we like about its configuration is how future-proof it is. You have enough room to add several storage drives if 500 GB isn’t enough for you, and its NR640 case allows you to place up to three more fans or a water-cooling solution if you upgrade your system in the future.

While it may not perform as well as our top two picks, the CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme i5 offers excellent value for money and is an ideal way to get into PC gaming without spending more than $1,000.

4. Skytech Archangel — Perfect Optimization for 1080p Gaming

The Skytech Archangel is an ideal pre-built gaming PC for users who prefer to play on 1080p monitors, and you can expect flawless performance in most FPS, MOBA, and RPG games, including Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Warzone, and others.

In addition, if you are willing to turn the settings down to medium and high instead of ultra, its GTX 1660 Super and AMD Ryzen 5 3600 will also perform well on 1440p resolution.

This model arrives in a premium-looking white case with a tempered glass panel that works on a hinge and magnet system. That means you won’t have trouble accessing its interior to clean or upgrade its components.

While it has decent cable management, we prefer how CyberpowerPC organizes the cables inside their cases, as this model has its hard disk bays blocked by the cables. That means you’ll have to reorganize them if you want more storage than the 500 GB it offers by default.

The Skytech Archangel comes with 16 GB of RAM that runs at 3,000 MHz, which, in combination with its high-speed SSD storage, allows you to start up your computer and launch games at excellent speeds. It also helps with multitasking, something professionals and freelancers will appreciate.

This budget PC is set up for Wi-Fi 5 and comes with the newest Windows 11 OS pre-installed.

5. HP Pavilion i5 — Superb Connectivity and Security

The HP Pavilion i5 provides excellent performance in and out of video games, as its high-speed PCIe SSD and 16 GB of RAM ensure a smooth experience. In addition, it has two DisplayPorts and nine USB ports, ensuring you can connect all your peripherals and more than one monitor.

This HP gaming PC uses an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 to enhance the visuals of your favorite video games and deliver optimal performance for 1080p gaming. Combined with a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, this PC setup offers an energy-efficient and reliable solution for gaming and multitasking.

The HP Pavilion i5 stands out from its competition on our list with its pre-installed Windows 11 Pro OS. This Windows version includes new security features that protect you from emerging cyber threats and ensure a stress-free gaming experience. That’s especially helpful if you like playing MMORPGs and other multiplayer games where hackers thrive by stealing accounts.

However, unlike our previous picks, this HP gaming PC features a small case that doesn’t leave much room for upgrades. While you won’t have issues fitting additional storage inside, replacing its GTX 1650 with a larger graphics card would be challenging.

But you won’t have to upgrade your graphics card if you plan on playing at 1080p resolution since this model runs even the newest games at steady 60+ FPS.

6. Acer Nitro 50 — Ideal Balance of Performance and Affordability

The Acer Nitro 50 lets you enjoy high frame rates and lag-free gaming sessions for just $663.99 without sacrificing build quality. Although it has no RGB or flashy front fans, you’ll find its components inside an expertly crafted PC case with burning red LED lights that give it a premium look.

This Acer budget gaming PC is an excellent choice if you play over a Wi-Fi connection, as it supports the advanced Wi-Fi 6E 6 GHz bands that keep your pings and latency as low as possible.

Although it has the same graphics card as our previous pick, and an even better processor, the Acer Nitro 50 comes with just 8 GB of RAM, meaning it won’t run the newest games as efficiently. However, its motherboard supports up to 32 GB of RAM, which allows you to upgrade it in the future.

It also offers a 512 GB NVMe SSD that lets you transfer or open files at impressive speeds, especially if you connect a device to this PC using its USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port. These ports allow up to 20Gbps of data transfer speeds and support older devices, meaning you can transfer files from your old PC to the Acer Nitro 50 in seconds.

Having the best Wi-Fi connection and blazing-fast file transfer speeds make this gaming computer an excellent business solution, meaning this is one of the best picks for freelancers and students.

7. iBuyPower SlateMR — Vibrant Case RGB

The iBuyPower SlateMR is an excellent entry-level gaming PC for e-sports titles and popular RPGs. Thanks to its Intel Core i5-12400F CPU and GTX 1650 GPU, you can expect reliable 1080p gaming performance and consistent 60+ FPS even on resource-heavy AAA titles.

Just like the Acer Nitro 50, this gaming PC only has 8 GB of RAM and 500 GB of storage, and both models offer the same CPU and GPU.

However, this model offers far better case RGB with beautiful tempered glass panels on the front and a tempered glass side window. In addition, it arrives with a gaming keyboard and an RGB gaming mouse, which justify its higher price.

While the iBuyPower SlateMR is an excellent choice for a full RGB gaming PC setup under $1,000, the Acer Nitro 50 costs $100 less, which leaves you with enough money to upgrade its RAM and storage.

Besides its good looks, the case included with iBuyPower SlateMR offers six USB 3.1 ports, allowing you to connect all your peripherals and transfer files at high speeds.

8. Zotac MEK Hero G1 — Excellent Value for Money 

The Zotac MEK Hero G1 has a sleek and compact design that makes it suitable for everyone, even if your desk space is limited. Its combination of a GTX 1650 and an 11th-gen Intel Core processor makes it an excellent pick for casual and new gamers that want to play the latest titles at medium to high settings in 1080p resolution.

While the Zotac MEK Hero G1 doesn’t have the highest specs around, it’s one of the best picks for users on a tight budget. Although it has only 8 GB of RAM, its memory runs at 3,200 MHz, which lets you open files and launch games in seconds.

Besides its built-in Wi-Fi, the Zotac MEK Hero G1 includes Bluetooth support, allowing easy wireless connectivity to networks and peripherals. Bluetooth support can be a decisive factor if you prefer wireless setups, especially since some of the best gaming headsets require it.

It also comes with a 500W 80+ Gold-certified power supply unit, which provides more than enough power for its low-power-usage CPU and GPU. However, you’ll likely need more than 500W if you decide to upgrade from the GTX 1650 to a more advanced GPU after some time.

9. HP Victus 15L — Cheap Entry-Level Solution

The HP Victus 15L gaming desktop lets you enjoy fluid gameplay at 1080p resolutions and provides fast storage and lighting-fast boot times.

While its GTX 1660 Super GPU deserves a higher spot on our list, the HP Victus 15L combines it with just 256GB of storage, 8 GB of RAM, and an i3 Intel Core processor, which bottlenecks its performance.

That means you’ll likely need to add more storage to provide enough room for all your games, especially since new AAA titles sometimes require over 150 GB of disk space. We also suggest upgrading its RAM to at least 16 GB, but its i3 processor won’t be a problem unless you need to edit 4K videos or render 3D objects.

The HP Victus 15L offers excellent value for money, as its Bluetooth connectivity and the inclusion of Windows 11 Home ensure a modern and intuitive experience.

10. HP Pavilion Ryzen 5 — Affordable Solution for Beginners

The HP Pavilion Ryzen 5 offers responsive and smooth gameplay at 1080p resolutions, providing more than 100 FPS on games like Rust, Apex Legends, and GTA V.

The AMD Radeon RX 5500 is a capable mid-range graphics card that delivers reliable 1080p performance and decent visuals. With 4 GB of onboard RAM, it handles modern games with no issues, but it wouldn’t be suitable for gaming on a 4K UHD monitor.

The HP Pavilion Ryzen 5 is an affordable option and runs on Windows 10 Home OS. That makes it a versatile choice for work and gaming, as its OS supports a wide range of software and older games.

While its AMD Ryzen 5 3500 and Radeon RX 5500 meet the minimum requirements of some VR headsets, we suggest you look into our top three picks instead, as the HP Pavilion Ryzen 5 won’t provide the best VR gaming experience.

Comparison of the Best Gaming PCs Under $1,200

To help you compare these budget gaming PCs head-to-head, we’ve prepared a master table that provides a quick overview of their components, pricing, OS, and size:

Conclusion – What’s the Best Budget Gaming PC You Can Buy in 2023?

After thorough research and analysis, we’re confident the CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme i7 is the best PC money can buy if you are on a budget. It offers performance that borders on the high-end at a very affordable price considering how expensive new CPUs and GPUs are.

From its well-lit RGB case and excellent cable management to its powerful components, this model is reliable and a welcome aesthetic addition to any room. You can expect it to deliver flawless performance when you launch the latest AAA titles, including Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Diablo 4, and more.

In addition, it meets the recommended requirements for hot new titles like Starfield and Baldur’s Gate 3. And you’ll have enough room for all these games and more, thanks to its 1TB NVMe SSD storage, which helps you transfer and open files in seconds.

Cheap Gamer PC FAQs

Ilijia Miljkovac

Ilijia Miljkovac

Ilija Miljkovac is a Technopedia writer with 7 years of experience covering all things tech. He writes about everything from cybersecurity to ISPs, ensuring businesses and customers are educated about the latest products and services. He's written for publications such as Business2Community, TheTechReport, Comparitech, and more. When he's not maniacally hacking away at his keyboard, Ilija spends his time either hiking in nature or holed up in his apartment gaming.

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