Best Budget Gaming PC 2024 - IGN (2024)

Finding a budget gaming PC doesn’t have to be a minefield. In fact, some of the best gaming PCs can be affordable if you aren’t looking for the latest and greatest GPUs, CPUs, and motherboards. Just look at our top pick, the Victus by HP 15L, which packs solid specs and costs under $800.

Jump to a detailed look at the best budget gaming PCs, or check the list below:

TL;DR Best Budget Gaming PCs

1. Victus by HP 15L
2. CLX Set
3. OMEN 25L Gaming Desktop
4. CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming Desktop
5. Skytech Shadow
6. iBUYPOWER SlateMR281Av2
7. ASUS ROG Strix G16
8. Acer Predator Orion 3000 Desktop
9. Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 8

Rather than opting for the latest processors or faster RAM, save money by investing in a budget gaming PC that’s still ready to take on plenty of the games you intend to throw at it. You could save a few hundred dollars and still have the gaming experience you want. Plus, be sure to check out the best gaming PC deals for even more savings.

You can also see our guide on the differences between gaming PCs and laptops.

The Best Budget Gaming PCs

1. HP Victus 15L

Budget AMD power

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, 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.

2. CLX Set

Esports capability in an affordable package

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.

3. HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop

If a powerful GPU is important

For under $900, the Omen 25L comes with respectable system specs. The rig comes with a 6-core Intel i5, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 8 GB DDR4 and 256 GB SSD. For around $200 more, you can bump the RAM up to 16GB and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. Regardless of the configuration, the Omen 25L is upgradable as well. Like many desktops from Omen, the Gaming Hub grants gamers multiple performance and RGB lighting options as well.

4. CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR

Entry level VR budget gaming PC

The $1,100 CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR features a configuration that’s built for low-mid tier VR and is perfect for pairing with one of the best VR headsets. On its own, it works as a respectable gaming PC. This setup features a 6-core Intel i5, 8GB DDR4 RAM, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super and 500GB SSD storage. There are also some extras like an included mouse and keyboard. Featuring a one year warranty on parts and labor, the gaming desktop also comes with free lifetime tech support.

5. Skytech Shadow

A well rounded gaming PC for beginners

If you’re looking for an entry-level machine that still packs a powerful punch, the Skytech Shadow offers some respectable specs for those looking to enter the PC gaming landscape. There’s a 6-core Intel i5 12th gen processor matched with Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060 Ti graphics, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 1 TB SSD storage. This alone should allow for some mid-to-high settings gaming and high refresh rates at 1080p. You’ll also find four RGB fans to keep things frosty and a tempered glass side panel to show off components, while the case is roomy for easy upgrades.

6. iBUYPOWER SlateMR281Av2

Best budget 1080p gaming PC

At $1,000, the iBUYPOWER SlateMR281Av2 features some respectable specs including a 6-core AMD Ryzen 5, GeForce RTX 3060, 16GB DDR4 RAM and 500GB storage. The case itself has tempered glass with RGB lighting alongside an additional gaming keyboard and mouse. There are also other configurations available for more that can spruce up the power for several hundreds dollars more. Meanwhile, there’s also a one year warranty on parts and labor.

7. Asus ROG Strix G16

A feature rich Intel and Nvidia combo

Aside from its undeniably stylish look, which really is eye poppingly awesome, the Asus ROG Strix G16 comes packed full of decent hardware that won’t stretch your budget too much. For $1,200, you’re getting a 13th-Gen i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, Windows 11 Home pre-installed, and an RTX 3060. This will allow you to play the latest games on max settings, offering a solid build that you can upgrade later down the line.

The SSD storage is the perfect companion for gaming performance, allowing you to run apps and games quickly. You might need to increase the size in the future, but it’s a great starting point where you can install several large games and other files. And thanks to the case you’re getting in this purchase, there’s plenty of room to expand and upgrade when your budget allows for it.

8. Acer Predator Orion 3000

Best Nvidia RTX 3060 gaming PC under $1,250

• See it on Target

Acer’s 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.

9. Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 8

Best budget gaming PC with a large SSD

Lenovo’s Legion Tower series has earned a reputation for being some of the best entry-level gaming desktops available. Although this pick is at the higher end of the budget market, the Legion Tower 5i Gen 8 comes packing some impressive specs that may just be worth the splurge. From its 16-core 13th-gen Intel i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics to the fast 16 GB DDR5 memory and 1TB SSD storage, you’ll be good to play pretty much every title at its highest settings in 1080p with respectable frame rates in 1440p as well.

All that performance prowess is maintained thanks to a healthy dose of cooling, including a mesh panel on the chassis and three 120mm fans. Lenovo doesn’t forget style with the Legion Tower 5i Gen 8, so you can customize the RGB lighting through the Lenovo Vantage app, which also allows you to personalize performance settings.

What to Look For in a Budget Gaming PC

The best gaming PCs will invariably be pricey, especially if you plan to play graphically-intensive games at high or ultra settings, but finding a decent and affordable gaming rig isn’t impossible.

Just take our picks above as an example, it’s entirely possible to find desktops to help you get started with PC gaming without having to spend more than $1,000. The most important thing is you need to find configurations with a strong enough processor and graphics cards to meet your needs. We’ll break down what to look for on a per-component basis.

Discrete GPU

Thanks to the renewed competition between AMD and Nvidia, graphics cards have never been more powerful and affordable. The downside to this is that there are a lot of options out there, and it can get pretty overwhelming to choose when you’re not familiar with them.

On the budget spectrum, the Nvidia RTX 3060 has become the defacto graphics card for most people. Of course, you can shoot a little lower with the Nvidia RTX 3050 for a bit more savings, but this GPU is best for competitive like CS:GO and League of Legends. Some slightly more affordable Nvidia RTX 40 series cards are also available, like the RTX 4060.

As for AMD, the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT and AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT — or their slightly updated successors — often come with even lower-priced rigs. You'll also find some affordable Radeon RX 7000 line of GPUs, like the Radeon RX 7600 on newer budget builds. If you’re looking for something dirt-cheap, the AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT is a solid bargain-basem*nt performer.

Processor

The second thing you should consider about your gaming PC is the processor. While the CPU doesn’t directly drive how your games will look, they do determine how well they will run.

Having the latest processor is less important than having the latest graphics cards, however, Intel’s 12th Generation and AMD’s 5th Generation CPUs represent the largest CPU improvements we’ve seen in years past. Intel's 13th and 14th gen chips also offer a solid upgrade in perfromance. So it’s worth seeking out the newest chips you can find if you can afford them.

With that said, you should ideally find a gaming PC with either an Intel Core i5-12400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. While shopping for a budget gaming PC you also might also come across configurations with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G or Ryzen 7 5700G. These are essentially AMD’s APUs that offer great performance, amazing integrated graphics, and often extra savings, so there’s no reason to avoid options with these CPUs. See our guide to AMD vs. Intel CPUs for more info.

RAM

The speed and amount of RAM you have in your gaming PC is the third most important factor. At the very least you want to have a minimum of 8GB of DDR4 RAM, but most gaming PCs these days come with at least 16GB of memory. Also keep in mind that it’s usually cheaper to upgrade your RAM then to do it at check out, so you might find it more economical to pick a configuration with less memory and buy a separate kit to install.

Gaming PC vs Console

When comparing a gaming PC vs a console, there appear to be more similarities than differences these days, but one still comes out on top—the gaming PC.

Not every aspect of a gaming PC beats consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Consoles are much easier to use, as you need to worry less about the system internals playing nicely, and game launches are quicker and simpler. You’ll also find that even the most expensive consoles are cheap compared to a quality gaming PC with a good graphics card. There are some great handheld gaming PCs and mini-PCs that are more affordable, but they’re better for indie games or older cross-platform console titles.

Where a gaming PC pulls ahead is in its gaming library, peripherals, and overall performance. There’s no denying that there are a massive amount of PC games, and of course, a gaming PC has cross-platform compatibility with popular console titles. Beyond the best gaming keyboards and gaming mice, you’ll find a wealth of other peripherals, from racing wheels to controllers, all of which work seamlessly with a PC. You also get better visuals and a higher performance ceiling, making a well-equipped PC the clear winner.

Budget Gaming PC FAQ

Can You Buy a Good Gaming PC Under $500?

Buying a decent gaming PC for under $500 is possible, but you must manage your expectations. Don’t expect to find the latest and greatest GPUs or CPUs, while your RAM and Storage may be more limited. Still, you should be able to play indie games and esports titles in 1080p at a respectable frame rates. Sure, these ultra-cheap rigs won’t be running all the top, demanding games, like Cyberpunk 2077 and Diablo 4, at their highest settings. But when you lower those settings, you should still experience some enjoyable gameplay.

Is It Cheaper to Build Your Own Gaming PC?

Building a gaming PC can be cheaper, but it isn’t always, especially when in the midrange to budget market. PC manufacturers can score better deals on OS and pay far less for components by ordering in bulk, and all those savings get reflected in the price tag. However, you won’t be able to tailor the system to your specific needs, so you might be paying for more than you need or settling for less than you want. It’s also often harder to upgrade pre-built PCs down the road, which could end up costing you.