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.
During our extensive hands-on evaluations, we played popular titles like CyberPunk 2077, Fortnite, GTA V, League of Legends on these low-budget gaming machines. We performed benchmarks and assessed overall system efficiency to provide you with the most in-depth review.
We analyzed each PC’s design quality, durability, processing power, and upgrade potential by running multiple games and applications under different settings.
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 to Buy in 2025
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.
| Model | CPU | GPU | RAM | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop | Ryzen 5 5600G | Radeon RX5500 4GB | 8GB | 256GB SSD | $493 on Amazon |
| HP Victus 15L | Ryzen 5 5600G | Radeon RX6400 4GB | 16GB | 512GB SSD | $492 on Amazon |
| PELADN HA-4 | Intel Core i5-10400F | NVIDIA GTX 1650 4GB | 8GB | 512GB SSD | $489 on Amazon |
| Skytech Gaming Mini PC X1 | Intel Core i3-10100F | NVIDIA GTX 1650 4GB | 8GB | 500GB SSD | $499 on Amazon |
| MXZ Gaming Desktop | Intel Core i5-9400F | NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti 4GB | 8GB | 256GB SSD | $450 on Amazon |
| STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC | Intel Core i7-4770 | AMD RX 550 4GB | 16GB | 512GB SSD | $489 on Amazon |
If you buy through the above affiliate links, we might get a small commission. Please note that these are the current prices of these machines as of 3rd January 2025. These prices might change over time.
1: HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop – Editor’s Pick
Brand: HP | CPU: 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.
- Six-core CPU Clocked at 3.9 GHz
- 4GB Graphics Card
- Advanced I/Os
- Keyboard & Mouse Included
- Classic Design
- Limited Storage for Games
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 at a higher FPS.
Gamers have reported smooth gameplay on titles like ‘Fortnite’ at medium settings, achieving approximately 60 FPS.
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.
The HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop offers solid gaming performance for a low budget. This machine has got all the juice you need for 1080p 60fps gaming. The only issue I found so far with this machine is the limited storage capacity. HP allows you add more memory to this PC before you buy it.
2: HP Victus 15L Desktop PC – Best Gaming Value Under $500 Budget
Brand: HP | CPU: 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.
- Zen 3 Architecture CPU
- Ryzen RX6400 GPU
- 1 Year Warranty
- Keyboard & Mouse Included
- Outdated PC Chassis
- 4GB Graphics Not Enough for Future Gaming
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.
HP Victus 15L Gaming PC brings more FPS to your gaming table when compared with the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop. The Victus 15L brings more storage memory and offers better graphical performance than the HP Pavilion.
3: PELADN HA-4 – Best Sub $500 Mini Gaming PC
Brand: Peladn | CPU: 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.
- Compact & Space Saving Design
- Portable Gaming Machine
- 1 Year Warranty
- Advanced IOs
- Limited Upgradability
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.
PELADN HA-4 mini gaming PC is fueled by the latest AMD hardware. Even with its smaller footprint, this gaming PC scores higher FPS than the HP Pavilion and HP Victus 15L. Buy this build If you don’t care about upgrading your PC in near future.
4: Skytech Gaming Mini PC X1 – Best Prebuilt Cheap Gaming PC for eSports/Online Multiplayer Games
Brand: Skytech | CPU: 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.
- Tailored for Online Gaming
- Compact Design
- Optimal Airflow With Gigantic Fans
- Not Enough Room for Beefy Hardware
- No Dedicated Graphics Card
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.
Skytech Gaming Mini PC X1 is highly optimized for casual gaming. Assembled in a mini-tower casing, this machine saves a lot of space on your gaming desk. The only thing to worry about in this gaming PC is the integrated graphics card. If you can tweak a bit with the in-game settings (to low), then you can play any modern game on this machne.
5: MXZ Gaming Desktop – Best Affordable Gaming PC Under $450
Brand: MXZ | CPU: 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.
- Aesthetics & Robust Design
- 16GB RAM
- Ample Room for Upgrade
- Integrated Graphics
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 2025.
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 | CPU: 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.
- Hardcore Gaming Aesthetics
- Economical Price
- RGB Mouse & Keyboard Inlcuded
- Outdated Processor & GPU
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.
STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC steals the show with its tempered side glass panel and RGB aesthetics. This STGAubron gaming machine takes lead over the other gaming PCs in terms of design and build quality. If you want to buy a gaming PC that looks like a “Bad Ass Gaming Machine”, this is the one to go with.
Gaming Benchmarks of All Machines
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.
Why Trust PCPartGo & Our Selection Criteria
I spend countless hours on the internet researching dozens of prebuilt gaming PCs. After purchasing gaming PCs, I test them one by one by playing popular games like PUBG, Fortnite, Call of Duty, etc. I also test demanding AAA games at ultra settings for extended periods to see how well the system handles frame rates, thermal throttling, and responsiveness.
When reviewing a gaming PC, I make sure to stress test it thoroughly to evaluate its performance, stability, and cooling efficiency under heavy workloads. One of my go-to methods is running benchmarking software like 3DMark or Cinebench, which simulates real-world gaming scenarios and pushes both the CPU and GPU to their limits.
Lastly, I monitor CPU and GPU temperatures using HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to make sure the system stays cool under stress.
Limitations of Low-Budget Gaming PCs
While budget gaming PCs under $500 offer an affordable entry into the PC gaming world, they come with certain limitations. Understanding these limitations can help you make informed decisions and plan for future upgrades.
- Performance Constraints: Budget Gaming PCs may struggle with demanding games, often requiring lower settings to maintain playable frame rates. Switching to low game settings can result in less detailed graphics and reduced visual effects.
- Limited Upgrade Options: Prebuilt gaming computers in the low budget range might use proprietary components, restricting the ability to upgrade parts like the CPU, GPU, or power supply.
- Lower-Quality Components: To cut costs, manufacturers may use cheaper, outdated, or less reliable hardware in prebuilt PCs.
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 brings 12+ years of PC Hardware experience to the table. His journey began in 1998 with a Pentium 1 PC, igniting his lifelong fascination with computer hardware and video games. Over the years, Mosaab has honed his skills in upgrading and building gaming PCs. He has built dream gaming machines for multiple brands and local businesses throughout his career. Mosaab’s areas of expertise are building custom gaming PCs, in-depth PC hardware analysis, and PC hardware reviews.