A $1000 budget can get you a decent gaming PC to play most games at 1080p or 1440p settings. This guide includes sub-$1000 gaming PCs from brands like CyberPowerPC, iBuyPower, Skytech, and MSI that offer decent performance in AAA and eSports games.
Modern gaming desktops under $1000 come with a multi-core CPU and powerful graphics card. These wallet-friendly gaming PCs can play most games at 1080p and even 1440p resolution.
Here at PC Part Go, we bring you the best-performing gaming PCs for a budget of between $700 and $1000. These gaming desktops are equipped with the latest hardware to deliver the best value in PC gaming.
Best Gaming PCs Under $1000 Picked by PC Part Go
| Gaming PCs | Reason to Buy | Prices |
| Skytech Gaming Nebula | Editor’s Pick | $849 on Amazon |
| CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR | Best Value Gaming PC Under $1000 | $929 on Amazon |
| MSI Codex R | Best Budget Gaming PC | $949 on Amazon |
| iBUYPOWER TraceMesh | Best AMD Ryzen Desktop Gaming PC Under $700 | $700 on Amazon |
| SUEVERY | Best 32GB RAM Gaming PC Under $1K | $745 on Amazon |
| ACEMAGIC Mini Gaming | Best Compact Mini Gaming PC Under $600 | $549 on Amazon |
Need a more powerful gaming PC? Check out the best gaming PCs under $1500
Want to save more? Check out these Black Friday Gaming PC Discounts.
1: Skytech Gaming Nebula – Editor’s Pick
Brand: Skytech | Processor Type: Intel Core i5 13400F | Graphics: Nvidia RTX 4060 8GB | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Drive Capacity: 1TB NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11
Skytech Gaming Nebula is powered by Intel’s Raptor Lake Core i5 13400F (10 Core/16 Threads) CPU clocked at 2.5 GHz and Nvidia’s RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6X for unbeatable gaming performance.
Reason to Buy:
Skytech is well-known for building low-budget gaming computers under the 1000-dollar range. With the Skytech Nebula Gaming PC, the company continues its tradition of packing decent-performing hardware inside a fancy PC chassis.
You’ll find different forums on LinusTechTips and Tomshardware about the Core i5 13400F being the best mid-range processor.
By opting for the Raptor Lake Intel Core i5 13400F in Nebula Gaming PC, Skytech has opened the doors for low-budget gamers to crush any game that demands more than six cores these days.
There are 10 cores ( 6 Performance & 4 Efficient) on Core i5 13400F which are enough to chew any complex gaming workload you throw on it. On top of all, the Core i5 13400F processor only has a 65W TDP rating, which means it will produce less heat while yielding more performance.
And that’s not all, Skytech gives you more gaming freedom by installing an RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6X GPU on this machine. The RTX 4060 natively supports Nvidia’s ray-tracing and DLSS 3.0 Frame Generation technology.
Having DlSS 3.0 means you will get higher frame rates (FPS) in AAA titles without stutters or lags during the gameplay. You can play popular games like Call of Duty Warzone, Fortnite, Escape from Tarkov, Grand Theft Auto V, Valorant, and World of Warcraft on this PC at 1080p 60fps settings.
What I liked the most about the Skytech Nebula Gaming PC is the airflow management. It has three (RGB intake fans) at the front and one (RGB exhaust fan) at the back to pull heat out of the case.
Lastly, the Skytech Nebula packs a handsome amount of advanced I/Os like USB 2.0, 3.0, and 3.2 Gen1 Ports to get the best performance out of your peripherals. Furthermore, there are a lot of other features like the Windows 11 operating system and VR compatibility that make this machine future-proof for gaming.
The only downside of the Skytech Nebula Gaming PC is its compatibility with the DDR4 platform. Though it comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM (enough for any gaming or productivity task), it could have been better if Skytech had included a DDR5-compatible motherboard for building this PC.
Pros
- Affordable gaming under $1000
- Intel Core i5 13400F processor
- RTX 4060 with Ray-Tracing/DLSS for immersive gaming
- 1080p 60fps in AAA titles
- Effective airflow management
- Multiple advanced I/O ports
Cons
- Uses DDR4 RAM, not DDR5
2: CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR – Best Value Prebuilt Gaming Computer Under $1000
Brand: CyberPowerPC | Processor Type: Core i5-14400F | Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3050 6GB | RAM: 16GB DDR5 | Drive Capacity: 1TB NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11
CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR grinds any complex gaming workload as it is backed by Intel’s Raptor Lake Core i5 14400F (10 Core/16 Threads) CPU clocked at 2.5 GHz and Nvidia’s RTX 3050 6GB GDDR6.
Reason to Buy:
CyberPowerPC is one of my favorite gaming PC brands in the market. The CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR sneaks into our $1000 gaming PC guide because of the latest 14th generation Intel Core i5 CPU and DDR5 compatible motherboard. All of this means solid gaming performance in a single chassis.
The CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR gaming PC takes one step further than the Skytech Nebula in the CPU department. Both of these machines use the processor built on the same Raptor Lake architecture, however, the Core i5 14400F gets a little more Turbo Boost of 4.7 GHz than the Core i5 13400F (with a Turbo Boost up to 4.5 GHz) on Performance Cores.
Moving on to the graphics card department, I don’t know why CyberPowerPC has opted for the RTX 3050 instead of the RTX 4060. The Skytech Nebula Gaming PC has a more powerful GPU than the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR when it boils down to the graphical performance.
However, the use of RTX 3050 doesn’t kick you out of the gaming competition at all. The RTX 3050 installed in the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR is a 6GB variant that can handle most games at 1080p settings. But don’t expect the performance you can get from a card like RTX 4060 or RTX 4070.
Maybe CyberPowerPC has opted for an outdated GPU like RTX 3050 to keep the price of this gaming PC under $1000. It’s better to update to a better graphics card later on like the RTX 3060 or RTX 4070 for a better gaming experience.
CyberPowerPC compensates you for a weak GPU by offering 16GB DDR5 RAM in this gaming PC. This leaves you with plenty of room for adding more RAM to this machine.
The DDR5-compatible motherboard also brings other useful I/Os to the table. There’s a built-in Wi-Fi 5 adapter, 6 x USB 3.1, and 2 x USB 2.0 ports for faster data transfer.
Furthermore, if you like gaming PCs with side glass panels, then CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR gives you a nice peek into what’s inside your PC. You can watch all the internal components in full glory with the customized RGB lights.
I consistently prioritize optimizing airflow in gaming PCs. By strategically placing intake and exhaust fans, we can ensure superior airflow, safeguarding your hardware from overheating.
The CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR follows the same airflow norms I found on the Skytech Nebula gaming PC. There are three powerful intake RGB fans at the front to pull in fresh air and one exhaust fan at the back to pull out hot air.
Pros
- Affordable under $1000
- 14th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU
- DDR5 RAM
- Wi-Fi 5 and multiple USB ports
- Glass side panel with RGB lights
- Effective airflow management
Cons
- Uses RTX 3050 instead of 4060, this might limit you to play some games at 1440p or 4K settings.
3: MSI Codex R – Best Low-Price Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $999 With RTX 4060 Graphics Card
Brand: MSI | Processor Type: Intel Core i5 13400F | Graphics: Nvidia RTX 4060 8GB | RAM: 16GB DDR5 | Drive Capacity: 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Step up your gaming performance with the MSI Codes R fueled by the best mid-range Intel chip, the Core i5 13400F, and Nvidia’s RTX 4060 AI-powered graphics card.
Reason to Buy:
The MSI Codex R defies all the norms one would have about cheap gaming computers. Whether it’s about playing your favorite AAA game titles or producing high-quality content, the MSI Codex R has your back.
MSI Codex R comes with the same Raptor Lake Core i5 13400F (10 Core CPU found on the Skytech Gaming Nebula and CyberPower’s Xtreme VR gaming machine. Moreover, MSI has opted for the same RTX 4060 8GB graphics, this is to balance the pace of both the CPU and GPU to avoid any bottlenecking issues.
Though this PC uses the same specs found on the previous gaming machines, the only reason to include this was the “Brand Trust”. MSI is well-known for making quality gaming hardware. So this was one of the reasons why I went with the MSI Codex R gaming machine.
Besides a powerful mid-range processor and graphics card, the MSI Codex R opts for a faster 16GB DDR5 module. So you will notice a lot of difference when switching between multiple apps or playing memory-intensive games on this PC.
To be on the safe side, MSI has included a 650W 80+ Gold Rated PSU in this gaming PC. This gives you a sense of security when it comes to pushing the limits of your hardware. With such a highly-rated power supply, you can sway the RTX 4060 with a powerful GPU like the RTX 4090.
To take care of thermals, MSI has installed three powerful fans at the front to circulate fresh air inside the chassis. A big exhaust fan at the back blows out the hot air to keep your components cool.
For faster connectivity, there are some handy ports like USB 2.0 Type A, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C. Moreover, there’s built-in Wi-Fi in this gaming PC to connect to your gaming network.
The MSI Codex R is shipped with an MSI mouse (with OMROM switches) and keyboard to supplement your gaming experience.
Pros
- Trusted MSI gaming brand
- Raptor Lake Core i5 13400F CPU
- RTX 4060 8GB graphics card
- 16GB DDR5 RAM
- 650W 80+ Gold PSU
- Effective cooling system
Cons
- Not found so far
4: iBUYPOWER TraceMesh – Best AMD Ryzen Gaming PC Under $700
Brand: iBUYPOWER | Processor Type: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U | Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1650 4GB | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Drive Capacity: 1TB NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11
iBUYPOWER TraceMesh is a decent PC for gaming and productivity tasks. Featuring an AMD Ryzen 5 4500U CPU and Nvidia GTX 1650 4GB graphics card, this PC can easily handle any game at 720p/1080p settings.
Reason to Buy:
The iBUYPOWER TraceMesh is a gaming computer for casual gamers and content creators with a budget between $600 to $800. Even with a several-year-old processor and graphics card, the iBUYPOWER TraceMesh lets you play most games at 720p settings.
Although, the AMD Ryzen 5 4500 processor in this gaming PC only has six cores and threads, the 3.6 GHz default clock speed makes it powerful enough for handling CPU-intensive applications.
A higher clock count makes the Ryzen 5 4500 one of the best processors in single-core performance. I’ve written a guide on the single vs multicore performance, so read it to learn more about this concept.
To boost the performance of the CPU, there’s 16GB of DDR4 memory, which I believe is plenty to meet the memory demands of games and content-creation apps.
The only downside of the iBUYPOWER TraceMesh gaming PC is the Nvidia GTX 1650 4GB graphics card. But like I’ve said earlier, users have different perspectives when searching for a gaming PC on a budget. Even a GTX 1650 4GB would be enough for causal gaming or editing video content for some users.
One of the most eye-catching features of iBUYPOWER TraceMesh is the black chassis. It has a well-ventilated case with three intake fans and one exhaust fan. Moreover, the PC case gives you a peak inside through a tinted side glass panel.
Moving on, you get a built-in Wi-Fi on board and some useful I/O ports to connect your gaming hardware. Like the CyberPower Gamer Xtreme VR, the iBUYPOWER TraceMesh gaming PC ships with a mouse and a keyboard. You can upgrade this PC later on with a high-end CPU and graphics card to squeeze more performance out of it.
Pros
- Ryzen 5 4500 CPU with 6 cores
- 3.6 GHz default clock speed
- 16GB DDR4 memory
- Well-ventilated black chassis
- Tinted side glass panel
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Multiple useful I/O ports
Cons
- Old GTX 1650 4GB graphics card
5: SUEVERY – Best 32GB RAM $1000 Gaming PC
Brand: SUEVERY | Processor Type: Intel 12th I5-12400F | Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3050 6GB | RAM: 32GB DDR4 | Drive Capacity: 1TB NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: White | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11
The SUEVERY Gaming PC delivers unbeatable power, stunning graphics, and seamless multitasking all for under $1K budget.
Reason to Buy:
The SUEVERY Gaming PC offers an affordable solution for gamers looking to get the most power under $1000. Equipped with the 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12400F, this PC brings 12 threads and a clock speed up to 4.4 GHz, giving it plenty of muscle for gaming, streaming, and even some video editing.
A key feature of the SUEVERY Gaming PC is the 32GB of DDR4 RAM, which provides more than enough memory for multitasking. Running graphics-heavy games, editing videos, and keeping dozens of tabs open are no problems for this setup.
The addition of a 1TB NVMe SSD means fast load times, and the blend of speed and storage capacity is perfect for gamers who need space for game libraries and quick startup times.
On the graphics side, the RTX 3050 6GB GPU allows you to play modern games at 1080p settings comfortably. It may not offer ultra-level performance in the latest AAA games, but for most users, it provides a good balance between visual quality and frame rates, especially at a budget price. For gamers on a tighter budget, it offers the right mix of power and value.
The SUEVERY PC also comes with a well-designed cooling system, featuring RGB fans inside a sleek, tempered-glass chassis. Cooling isn’t just about looks—keeping the components cool ensures smooth performance without throttling, and it extends the lifespan of the hardware. With the spacious layout and optimized airflow, this PC stays quiet while handling demanding tasks.
This prebuilt gaming PC ships with a 650W power supply unit (PSU), providing the juice needed for potential future upgrades. Whether you want to upgrade the GPU or add more storage down the line, the expandable design of this setup makes it ready for future improvements.
For under $1000, the SUEVERY Gaming PC is a well-rounded choice. It’s powerful enough for gamers seeking solid 1080p gaming and versatile enough to handle content creation. Its expandability gives users peace of mind that they can enhance their setup when needed without starting from scratch.
Pros
- High RAM Capacity
- Powerful CPU
- Great Graphics at 1080p
- Storage Capacity
- Good Cooling Solution
- Upgradeable Design
Cons
- Limited Graphics Power for AAA Titles
- Mid-Tier Processor for Hardcore Gaming
- No Included Peripherals
6: ACEMAGIC – Best Compact Mini Gaming PC Under $600
Brand: Acemagic | Processor Type: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX | Graphics: AMD Radeon 680M | RAM: 32GB DDR5 | Drive Capacity: 1TB M.2 SSD | Chassis Color: Grey | Style: Mini PC | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows
ACEMAGIC Mini Gaming though has tiny footprints, it is backed by a powerful AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX 8 core processor and a gigantic 32GB of RAM to crush the toughest workloads.
Reason to Buy:
The Acemagic mini gaming PC is the best option if you are looking for an SFF prebuilt gaming PC. You can put this $800 gaming PC in a small bag and carry it anywhere.
Powered by AMD’s Ryzen 9 6900HX APU and 32GB GDDR5 memory, this gaming PC delivers seamless performance in causal gaming and productivity tasks.
Although this mini gaming PC lacks a dedicated graphics card, it can play less intensive titles at 1080p settings. All you need to do is to optimize your in-game settings to the desired results.
The integrated GPU on this PC, the AMD Radeon 680M shared the memory from your RAM to produce images. And this is the reason why Acemagic has allocated a physical 32GB DDR5 to this gaming machine.
The Ryzen 9 6900HX has 8 cores and 16 threads to handle any task. This mini $1000 gaming PC has all the necessary I/O ports to connect the gaming hardware.
The only downside of this gaming PC is limited room for upgradability. You cannot upgrade the processor or graphics card on this PC. Fortunately, features like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth make it worth buying especially if you want to connect it with local home devices.
With Acemagic mini gaming PC, you can play most games in medium to high settings. This is a compact and space-saving gaming PC meant for casual gamers only.
Pros
- Space-saving design
- Ryzen 9 6900HX APU
- 32GB DDR5 memory
- Integrated Radeon 680M GPU
- Suitable for 1080p gaming
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth
Cons
- No dedicated graphics card
- Limited upgradability
Verdict
Now comes the main part, which one of the above gaming PCs to go for? Well, the answer entirely depends upon your gaming preferences. Skytech Nebula, CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme, or MSI Codex R are good gaming computers under $1K. These machines have the latest-gen CPU and GPU to handle most games at 1080p 60fps settings.
I always recommend newbies go with a well-known gaming PC brand. Just don’t lose your $1000 budget running after fancy RGB lights and aesthetics; after all, gaming performance matters the most. This is only possible if you choose a gaming build with the most compatible hardware.
Buying Guide for Choosing the Best Gaming PC Under $1000
Future-Proofing:
There’s no sense in buying a gaming PC if you cannot upgrade it in the future. The first thing to verify is whether the prebuilt gaming PC you are buying is upgradable.
If yes, then how much headroom does that PC leave you installing new parts?
Do not compromise on the upgradability option even if you spend a fraction of the money on buying a gaming PC. Most gaming PC brands design their machine leaving a limited space for upgrade
CPU & GPU Selection:
No matter which gaming PC you go with, it’s vital to find the harmony between the CPU and GPU in that machine.
If your CPU is slower than your GPU or your GPU is slower than your CPU, you may end up with bottlenecking. A mid-range CPU will work perfectly with a mid-range graphics card.
Choose Faster Storage:
Always look for gaming PCs that offer a combo of SSD and HDD. An SSD would reduce the loading times while playing games, whereas an HDD would leave you plenty of space to install your favorite games.
OS & Software:
Pre-built gaming PCs feature pre-installed operating systems and useful apps to enhance your gaming experience. Famous gaming PC brands like MSI, Corsair, SkyTech, CyberPower, etc equip their gaming PC with utilities and programs to fine-tune their hardware.
Modern gaming computers come with pre-installed Windows 10 or Windows 11 OS. Choosing the latest operating system ensures that you meet the recommended requirements of modern games.
Additional Accessories:
Some prebuilt gaming PC brands offer additional accessories such as a mouse, keyboard, or headset to enhance your gaming experience. While these are essential if you do not own peripherals, getting these accessories can add more value to your gaming setup.
How We Test Prebuilt Gaming PCs
To choose the best entry-level gaming PCs between $500 to $1000, we play games or get help from benchmark tools like 3DMark, UserBenchmark, Cinebench, Geekbench, and FurMark to learn about the performance of a gaming PC. It becomes easier to gauge the performance of your desktop by comparing different benchmark results.
For instance, 3DMark is one of the most popular benchmark tools for measuring the gaming performance of your PC. Within the package are utilities like 3DMark Fire Strike (DX11) and Time Spy (DX12) that you can run to know how many FPS you’ll get from your machine on a said resolution and graphical settings.
We also trust the hardware benchmark results shared by gamers on the UserBenchmark website. For example, the Skytech Gaming Nebula has the best mid-range CPU Core i5 12600K and RTX 4060 8GB graphics card. On UserBenchmark, both of these components show higher compatibility as shown in the image below:
FAQs
Can you buy a good gaming PC for $1000?
Yes, you can get a decent gaming PC for $1000 to play modern AAA or eSports games. The Skytech Gaming Nebula is one the best $1000 prebuilt gaming PCs with the latest-gen CPU and RTX 4060 graphics card to crush the toughest gaming workloads.
What type of gaming PC can I get for $1000?
A $1000 budget can usually get a gaming computer with mid-range hardware. You’ll likely buy a Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 CPU with an Nvidia RTX or Ryzen RX 6000 Series GPU.
Can a $1000 gaming PC handle streaming while gaming?
Yes, most sub-$1000 gaming computers come with powerful hardware that allows you to game and stream in real-time.
Is the $1000 gaming PC good for high FPS competitive gaming?
Yes, you can easily play competitive games like PUBG, DOTA 2, League of Legends, Fortnite, CS: Go, Apex Legends, etc at 1080p 60fps settings on a $1000 gaming PC.
Editor’s Recommendations:
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.