A super-cheap sub-$500 gaming PC can let you play modern games at 1080p or higher resolution. I’ve tested gaming PCs from trusted brands like HP, MXZ, STGAubron, PELADN, and Skytech to help you get your dream gaming machine under $500. With these budget-friendly gaming PCs, you can play popular games like CyberPunk 2077, Fortnite, GTA V, League of Legends, Call of Duty Warzone, and PUBG.
Modern $500 prebuilt gaming PCs come with a mid-range CPU and graphics card that you can upgrade later on if you want. Moreover, you’ll find at least 16GB of RAM and 512GB of NVMe storage space when searching for cheap gaming PCs.
I’ve narrowed down the cheapest $500 gaming PCs that you can easily upgrade later by adding more RAM, a dual-slot GPU, a high-wattage PSU, or a CPU cooler to these gaming PCs.
The Best Gaming PCs Under $500
Below are the gaming PCs we have tested extensively while playing famous games like Fortnite, League of Legends, PUBG, and Call of Duty Modern Warfare.
| Gaming PCs | Reason to Buy | Prices |
| HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop | Editor’s Pick | $493 on Amazon |
| HP Victus 15L Desktop PC | Best Value Gaming PC Under $500 | $492 on Amazon |
| PELADN HA-4 | Best Sub $500 Mini Gaming PC | $489 on Amazon |
| Skytech Gaming Mini PC X1 | Best $500 Gaming PC for eSports/Online Games | $499 on Amazon |
| MXZ Gaming Desktop | Best Affordable Gaming PC Under $450 | $450 to $500 on Amazon |
| STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC | Cheapest Pick | $489 on Amazon |
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1: HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop – Editor’s Pick
Brand: HP | Processor Type: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G | Graphics: AMD Radeon RX5500 4 GB | RAM: 8GB DDR4 | Drive Capacity: 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 10 Home
The HP Pavilion Gaming PC offers solid 1080p gaming performance backed by the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G six-core processor and Radeon RX5500 graphics card.
Reason to Buy:
HP is the most reliable brand in the world of PC gaming when looking for a gaming PC on a budget. You’ll find a lot of prebuilt gaming computers in the HP lineup.
I liked the minimalistic design on this HP gaming PC without flashing RGB lights at the front or side glass panels. Though HP has cut down on the aesthetics, the quality of internal hardware makes this PC a good choice for budget geeks.
HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop is powered by an old AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor, which doesn’t offer a lot of bells and whistles. But this is a six-core CPU with a base clock speed of 3.9 GHz, and the higher clock speed makes it a good contender for gaming even today.
And that’s not all, the AMD RX5500 graphics card with 4GB of VRAM accompanies the mid-range Ryzen 5 5600G on your gaming journey. The hardware compatibility makes this gaming PC great for playing modern games at 1080p settings.
Though the RX5500 is an entry-level graphics card, it would easily catch up with the Ryzen 5 5600G to deliver decent performance in eSports or AAA games. This gaming setup can allow you to play any intensive game like CyberPunk 2077 or Metro Exodus if you tweak a bit with the in-game settings.
I was concerned about the storage capacity of this gaming machine. This PC comes with a 256GB NVMe SSD drive, which isn’t enough if you plan to install heavy games. I recommend you spend a few more bucks to replace the 256GB with a 1TB NVMe device.
2: HP Victus 15L Desktop PC – Best Gaming Value Under $500 Budget
Brand: HP | Processor Type: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G | Graphics: AMD Radeon AMD RX6400 4GB | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Drive Capacity: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11 Home
HP Victus 15L holds a lot of gaming juice, thanks to the Ryzen 5 5600G APU, RX 6400 4GB graphics card, and 16GB DDR4 RAM.
Reason to Buy:
The HP Victus Gaming Series holds the gaming performance and affordability at one spot. The HP Victus lineup is for budget-oriented gamers looking for a gaming computer to run any modern game.
The HP Victus 15L looks like a workstation, but the Ryzen 5 5600G and RX 6400 GPU make a solid entry-level gaming machine. There’s enough (16GB) RAM on this PC, making it great for gaming and multitasking at the same time.
What I liked most about this prebuilt gaming PC is the AMD RX 6400 video card. Although the RX 5500 found on the older HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop outperforms the RX 6400, the latter is built on the AMD RDNA 2 architecture for improved performance.
This gaming PC has enough 512GB NVMe space to install many modern games. Again, for storing hundreds of games, you might need to replace the 512GB SSD with a 1TB or 2TB SSD in the future. For casual gamers, 512GB storage is a lot of space.
I’ve played many games on the HP Victus 15L at 1080p settings. In games like Call of Duty War Zone, PUBG, CyberPunk 2077, and Metro Exodus, this gaming setup yields up to 60fps on average.
You can hardly find a prebuilt gaming PC under $500 with a decent graphics card and processor. Moreover, you are getting one from HP that offers 1 Year warranty, so you should go for it.
3: PELADN HA-4 – Best Sub $500 Mini Gaming PC
Brand: Peladn | Processor Type: AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | Graphics: Radeon 780M | RAM: 16GB DDR5 | Drive Capacity: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Silver Grey | Style: Ultra SFF | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Peladn Desktop Mini PC HA4 grinds the toughest workloads with its Zen 4-based 8-core CPU and Radeon 780M iGPU.
Reason to Buy:
There was a time when mini-computers were restricted to office-based tasks only. With improvements in technology, computer hardware has become more powerful and smaller. This is why you’ll find powerful hardware inside a mini gaming PC like the PELADN HA-4.
Don’t go at the looks and small form factor size of the PELADN HA-4. This mini gaming PC comes with one of the most powerful Zen 4 architecture CPUs, the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, with 8 might cores and 16 threads.
With a boost clock speed of 4.75 GHz, the Ryzen 7 7840HS can take care of any CPU-intensive tasks without slowing down your machine. The Radeon 780M iGPU backs the CPU on this tiny gaming machine for managing the graphical workload.
The Radeon 780M iGPU is an integrated GPU that is closer in performance to Nvidia’s GTX 1650 graphics card. As the 780M is an integrated GPU, it shares the memory resources from the physical 16GB DDR5 RAM available on this PC.
Without a discrete GPU, I recommend you to go with this PC only if you are interested in playing eSports titles like PUBG, Fortnite, Volarant, etc. The absence of a dedicated GPU on this PC makes it a weak contender for AAA titles that feed on a lot of VRAM.
It’s a reliable $500 gaming PC with built-in Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and a 2.5G LAN port. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade this mini PC with a dedicated GPU or other beefy parts. Apart from that, it’s a good choice if you are a casual gamer with limited space on your desk for a regular-size desktop.
4: Skytech Gaming Mini PC X1 – Best Prebuilt Cheap Gaming PC for eSports/Online Multiplayer Games
Brand: Skytech | Processor Type: AMD Ryzen 5600G | Graphics: Radeon Integrated Graphics | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Drive Capacity: 500GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Mini-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 10 Home
The Skytech Gaming Mini PC X1 is optimized for playing online multiplayer titles from the comfort of your home. The Ryzen 5 5600, a six-core CPU clocked at 3.9 GHz, takes your gaming experience to the next level.
Reason to Buy:
The Skytech X1 Mini PC is tailored for eSports and online gamers with limited space and budget. With smaller footprints, you can carry or place this mini gaming PC anywhere on your desk.
Backed by the Ryzen 5 5600G processor, built-in AMD graphics, and 16GB DDR4 RAM, the Skytech X1 Mini PC meets the requirements of any modern game. The integrated GPU limits the performance of this PC in intensive AAA games, but for playing eSports titles like Fortnite, CS: GO, PUBG, etc, this is the cheapest option.
I was impressed by the gigantic intake of RGB fans on the Skytech X1 Mini PC. The presence of intake fans is something that many mini gaming PCs lack under the $500 budget. The giant fans at the front of the case pull in a lot of fresh air to cool down the hardware.
Skytech X1 Mini PC is a wallet-friendly prebuilt gaming PC for playing your favorite games in medium to high settings. Upgrading this mini PC would be difficult, but for a deal-breaking price, anyone can live with it.
5: MXZ Gaming Desktop – Best Affordable Gaming PC Under $450
Brand: MXZ | Processor Type: AMD Ryzen 5600G | Graphics: Radeon Integrated Graphics | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Drive Capacity: 500GB NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Micro-ATX | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
The MXZ Gaming Desktop is graced by the best mid-range APU, the Ryzen 5 5600G clocked at 3.9 GHz. Moreover, the killing aesthetic makes it a go-to option if you prefer looks over anything else.
Reason to Buy:
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G has been the fate of many low-budget gaming builds. MXZ has followed the same tradition by opting for this Zen 3 chip to handle eSports and AAA games in 2024.
This MXZ gaming PC comes with an integrated graphics card instead of a dedicated one. Therefore, you cannot expect to play GPU-intensive games on this system; however, it’ll be possible to play Fortnite, PUBG, and any other eSports game in lower settings.
With 16GB of DDR4 memory, this gaming PC meets the memory demands of modern games. Again, what might limit the gaming performance would be the integrated graphics. I recommend installing a mid-range graphics card on this PC for better performance.
The reason that surprised me the most is the eye-catching aesthetics of this gaming machine. There are 6 RGB fans installed on this gaming PC, x2 at the front, x2 at the top, and x2 at the back of the chassis. Installation of multiple fans ensures optimal airflow performance on this low-budget gaming computer.
In the storage department, the MXZ has opted for 500GB NVMe SSD space on this machine. As I’ve said earlier, the amount of storage you need for a gaming PC depends on how many games you intend to install.
Modern games swap as much as 100GB or more disk space, so a 500GB NVMe cannot store heavy games. I recommend swapping the 500GB drive with a 1TB NVMe later or buying a higher capacity HDD for the same price.
Another downside to this gaming PC is the 450W PSU which might limit you upgrading to a power-hungry graphics card. So, choose a GPU that is compatible with a 450W PSU.
Overall, this MXZ Gaming Desktop PC shows a great deal for budget gamers. This computer has downsides like low-wattage PSU, integrated GPU, and limited storage space, but these can easily be upgraded over time.
“MXZ Gaming Desktop and Skytech Gaming Mini PC X1 show similar gaming performance as both share similar specs.“
6: STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC – Cheapest Option
Brand: STGAubron | Processor Type: Intel Core i7-4770 | Graphics: AMD RX 550 | RAM: 16GB DDR3 | Drive Capacity: 512GB NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Micro-ATX | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
The STGAubron is the cheapest PC under the $500 budget range. With Intel Core i7 and RX 550 GPU, this gaming machine can let you play most games at low-medium settings.
Reason to Buy:
When searching for “cheap gaming computers” on Amazon or any other marketplace, you’ll see listings popping up from STGAubron. This STGAubron Gaming Desktop has a decade-old Core i7 processor, but it still handles modern games like AC: Valhalla, Fortnite, League of Legends, and GTA V at 1080p medium settings.
The quad-core Intel Core i7-4770 CPU clocked at 3.2, manages a handsome amount of FPS when paired with an AMD RX 580 (4GB) graphics card. Even with several years old parts, the STGAubron Gaming Desktop lets you enjoy your favorite games in playable settings.
With 16GB of RAM, the STGAubron allows you to switch between different applications without lags. However, there’s a downside: the RAM used in building this PC is DDR3, which is slower than DDR4 or DDR5 DIMMs used in other gaming setups on this list.
Like the MXZ Gaming PC, the STGAubron Gaming PC trades for eye-catching aesthetics and RGB fans. STGAubron goes one step further by enveloping the hardware inside a glass panel chassis.
Furthermore, the STGAubron has selected a 512GB NVMe SSD for storing games and other important files on this gaming computer. This is usually the minimum storage space you get with most low-budget gaming PCs. If you need more space, swap the 512GB stick with a higher one.
The STGAubron Gaming PC is the best choice if you want to spend less than $450 to buy a gaming PC. This gaming PC uses outdated hardware, so you might face compatibility issues and limitations when playing modern games or running resource-intensive programs.
I liked the cable management on this gaming PC, which is way better than many high-end prebuilt gaming PCs. Cleaning your gaming PC can boost its longevity and performance, so this PC is much easier to clean and maintain due to its better cable management.
Gaming Performance Graph of All PCs
Among the $500 gaming PCs shown in the above graph, the PELADN HA-4 shows promise in overall gaming performance. Here’s why:
- Higher Average FPS: The PELADN HA-4 consistently delivers the highest average FPS (over 60fps) in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Call of Duty: Warzone at 1080p resolution.
- Balanced Configuration: Its CPU and GPU (AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS + Radeon 780M) combination, likely with efficient cooling and optimized performance, helps PELADN HA-4 maintain higher frame rates even in graphically intensive games.
- Tailored for 1080p Gaming: While all $500 gaming PCs on this list are tested at 1080p resolution (except for Skytech Gaming Mini PC X1), the PELADN HA-4 performs best under these conditions, making it the ideal choice for solid 1080p gaming, where many AAA games are typically played.
FAQs
Can a $500 PC run Fortnite?
It is easier to run Fortnite on a $500 gaming PC. Modern gaming PCs come with multi-core CPUs, fast GPUs, and enough RAM to let you play Fortnite at low, medium, or higher settings.
Is a $500 PC good for gaming?
Yes, a $500 gaming computer can let you play modern AAA and eSports games at 1080p or higher resolution.
Which marketplace is best for buying gaming PCs on a budget?
From my personal experience, there are a lot of cheap gaming pc deals on Amazon when looking for a low-cost gaming PC. Usually, Amazon’s prices are lower than those of Newegg, eBay, or Walmart.
Editor’s Recommendation
Need a more powerful gaming PC? Check out the articles below:
Mosaab Jamal Ahmed is a seasoned technology enthusiast with a passion for gaming and PC upgrades. His journey began in 1998 with a Pentium 1 PC, igniting his lifelong fascination with computer hardware.
Over the years, Mosaab has honed his skills in upgrading and optimizing PCs with the latest components, ensuring peak performance for gaming and other demanding applications.
Through his insightful articles, Mosaab shares his extensive knowledge on building and enhancing gaming PCs.