The Best Budget Gaming PCs of 2025

Building your own gaming PC can be a complex and potentially costly undertaking. Even if you're aiming to save money, component prices can quickly escalate. Fortunately, several excellent pre-built gaming PCs offer impressive performance without breaking the bank. While budget options may not include top-of-the-line graphics cards like the RTX 5090 or high-end CPUs, most gamers will find such specs unnecessary. Our experts have rigorously tested and researched numerous gaming PCs, selecting five affordable yet capable choices (four desktops and one handheld).

TL;DR: Top Budget Gaming PC Picks

Alienware Aurora R16

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HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop

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MSI Codex R2

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CLX Set

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Asus Rog Ally Z1

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Budget gaming PCs naturally compromise on some performance aspects. However, GPUs like the RTX 4060, Intel Arc B580, and AMD Radeon RX 7600 provide solid performance for the average gamer. A powerful RTX 4070 is even feasible if paired with an Intel Core i5. All our chosen rigs deliver high frame rates at 1080p, with some handling 1440p smoothly. Furthermore, the affordability of these PCs allows for future upgrades to enhance performance.

See our guide comparing gaming PCs and laptops. Looking for extra savings? Check out the best current gaming PC deals.

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Contributions by Ural Garrett, Danielle Abraham, Georgie Peru

1. Alienware Aurora R16: Best Budget Gaming PC Under $2000

A compact yet powerful gaming rig capable of handling 1440p gaming. This configuration offers an Intel Core i7 CPU and an RTX 4070 Super for under $2000. While similar configurations may be cheaper from other manufacturers, the Alienware R16 provides excellent value within its price range.

Product Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7-14700F
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
RAM: 16GB DDR5 5,600MHz
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Weight: 33.89 pounds
Size: 16.56 x 7.75 x 18.05 inches (H x W x D)

Pros: Stunning aesthetic, unique cooling design
Cons: Slightly harder to upgrade and maintain than some competitors.

2. HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop: Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1500

Equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor and Nvidia GTX 1660 Super graphics, this PC excels at 1080p gaming and offers easy upgradability. While the GPU is a previous generation, it still delivers solid 1080p performance and the premium chassis ensures excellent airflow and easy component access for future upgrades.

Product Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F
GPU: Nvidia GTX 1660 Super
RAM: Kingston FURY 16GB DDR5
Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Weight: 30.45 lbs
Size: 6.50 x 15.59 x 17.64 inches

Pros: Great for 1080p gaming, attractive white chassis with good airflow.
Cons: Older generation GPU.

3. MSI Codex R2: Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1000

A great 1080p gaming PC with a spacious chassis for future upgrades. The included CPU cooler is basic, but the roomy case facilitates easy component upgrades. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 provides ample performance for 1080p gaming.

Product Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
RAM: 16GB DDR5 5,600MHz
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD (Gen 3)
Weight: 21.3 pounds
Size: 16 x 19 x 8.38 inches (H x D x W)

Pros: Attractive chassis design, plenty of room for upgrades.
Cons: Very basic CPU cooler.

4. CLX Set: Best Budget Gaming PC Under $800

This PC offers powerful internals, including a 6-core processor, respectable integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. While using integrated graphics, it delivers smooth performance in many 1080p games. The roomy case allows for easy future upgrades, and it comes with a lifetime labor warranty.

Product Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G 3.9GHz Hexa-Core
GPU: AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 integrated graphics
RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200
Storage: 1TB NV2 NVMe SSD
Weight: 27 lbs
Size: 14.37 x 7.48 x 14.37 inches

Pros: Lifetime labor warranty, solid gaming performance despite integrated GPU.
Cons: Only suitable for 1080p.

5. Asus ROG Ally Z1: Best Budget Handheld Gaming PC Under $500

A great Steam Deck alternative running Windows 11. While not a traditional desktop PC, it offers excellent portability and the ability to play PC games at 1080p (at medium-to-low settings) for under $500.

Product Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1
GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM: 16GB DDR5
Storage: 512GB SSD M.2
Weight: 608g
Size: 11.02 x 4.37 x 0.83 inches

Pros: Portable, stunning display.
Cons: Technically not a desktop PC.

Best Gaming PC Deals

Lenovo Legion Tower 5 AMD Ryzen 7 7700 RTX 4070 Ti Super Gaming PC with 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD (Use Code: EXTRAFIVE)- $1,527.49
Acer Predator Orion RTX 4070 Ti SUPER Gaming Desktop- $1,749.99
HP OMEN 35L RTX 4060 Ti Gaming Desktop- $1,219.99
Dell XPS Intel Core i7-14700 RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PC- $1,349.99
Dell XPS Intel Core i7-14700 RTX 4060 Gaming PC- $1,099.99

How Much Should I Spend on a Gaming PC?

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A budget of $1,000-$1,500 is ideal for a balanced budget gaming PC. However, even lower budgets can yield excellent results by prioritizing components and considering last-generation graphics cards.

Prioritize the graphics card, followed by the CPU and RAM. Sufficient storage (SSD recommended) is crucial, but can be upgraded later. A reliable power supply and cooling system are also vital for long-term performance.

Budget Gaming PC FAQs

What is a reasonable budget for a gaming PC? Prices range from $600 to $2,000+, but a decent PC can be found for under $1,000.

Is a gaming PC worth it for a casual gamer? Even casual gamers benefit from the performance and versatility of a gaming PC, which is also suitable for everyday tasks.

Is it cheaper to buy a PC or build one? Building can be cheaper, but buying pre-built is easier and less risky for those without technical expertise.

Best Budget Gaming PC UK

Budget Power Victus by HP 15L Gaming Desktop

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Powerful GPU HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop

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