Best Cheap Prebuilt Gaming PCs Under $500 – 5 Budget Desktops in 2020
After spending nearly 100 hours testing 8 popular prebuilt gaming desktops, we’ve concluded that the CUK Continuum Micro Gaming PC is the best budget prebuilt gaming computer currently on the market for around $500. This PC packs a punch with it's AMD Ryzen 2700 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and RX 580 GPU. This prebuilt machine will allow you to run most of today's AAA titles on medium-high settings with very little compromise. If you want to learn more about what makes the best-prebuilt gaming PC for $500 then continue reading below.
If you are feeling a little more adventurous and you are up to the task of building your own gaming computer, then why not check out our guide right here: how to build your own custom PC with less than $500.
Be aware, the builds do fluctuate in price depending on stock levels. We check the builds regularly to make sure the builds are within the budget. However, if a build showcases excellent value for money and isn't too over budget, we might leave it in.
Anyway, all being said, here at the best-prebuilt gaming PCs under $500:
CUK has been offering excellent prebuilt recommendations for over 10 years now. This, their Continuum micro gamer PC not only comes with a great aesthetic but also comes to us at an excellent price point.
IBUYPOWER are no strangers when it comes to building excellent PCs for gamers. This build is another great example of their ability to offer up affordable, high-performing, builds.
OUR PICK
HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop Computer
A powerful prebuilt gaming PC
Not only does the HP Pavilion Prebuilt PC feature a great AMD APU, but it also has an RX 580 graphics card to boot. With the included 1TB of HDD, you’ll have enough storage for all your games and additional backup as well. For a budget prebuilt machine, you can't look anywhere else.
Elegant and compact - this is what the HP Pavilion series is all about.
Housing the ever-popular AMD Ryzen 5 2400 CPU, the HP is the perfect choice for gamers on a budget. This machine is capable of running most AAA titles at medium settings and absolutely smashes Intel's 8th generation integrated CPUs out of the park.
A great prebuilt thanks to a powerful mix of processing power and graphical processing.
You may not be familiar with SkyTech, but rest assured, they know a thing or two about great pre-built PC's.
This one comes to you with everything you're going to need to tackle some of the latest AAA game titles at 60FPS.
Not only does it have great off-the-shelf performance, but it also allows for future upgradability when you deem necessary.
MINI FORM FACTOR
CUK AsRock DeskMini
A powerful mini gaming rig
Many will be surprised with the power this small gaming rig has within. Thanks to technological advancements over the past 10 years, developers have been able to squeeze more power into much smaller form factors. Thus we have the Deskmini.
To touch on hardware briefly, the deskmini comes equipped with the Ryzen 3 2200G processor, widely considered the greatest value for money CPU available. Paired with this, the build has been armed with 8GB 2,666Mhz RAM which helps boost performance exponentially.
There is no real downside to this build, however if you are thinking about expansion down the line you are severley limited due to the size of the case.
If you want to upgrade the GPU then you would have to buy a mini GPU as well, no surprises there. However they are usually a bit cheaper so it's win win.
How We Choose What to Test
When choosing which prebuilt desktops to test, we first checked the most recent releases by Acer, iBuyPower, CyberPowerPC, Dell, HP, CUKUSA, Lenovo, and other big manufacturers of gaming PCs.
From there, we scoured the internet to see which prebuilt gaming computers gamers have actually been using. We didn’t just read the top results from Google; instead, we went to forums to get real information from real consumers.
We checked hundreds of actual customer reviews from Amazon, NewEgg, eBay, and other well-known eCommerce websites to gather real-world experiences. We also checked in-depth video reviews and comparisons.
After spending several hours gathering and comparing customer reviews, we finally came up with our 8 initial candidates that showcased different features as to best meet a variety of gaming needs. From that 8 we decided upon 5 top picks which meet our criteria of solid gaming performance at around $500.
Things to Consider
For $500, you aren’t aiming to get the best computer on the market, you are trying to get an entry-level gaming computer that requires the least amount of upgrades to experience the newest releases with a 1080p resolution at 60FPS. Still, it’s surprising just how far the best gaming computer under $500 can take you nowadays.
In the process, there are several factors that need to be considered.
Processor
First and foremost, you want a powerful processor. Why? Because a processor is the key to future-proofing or ensuring that you don’t have to upgrade your computer anytime soon.
Here’s why…
A graphics card can be plugged into just about any motherboard as long as the right amount of voltage is supplied from the power supply.
The processor, however, has to be compatible with the motherboard. So if you want to upgrade your CPU, it’s likely that you will also have to upgrade your motherboard, which is more costly.
That’s why our list favors rigs that come with powerful processors rather than graphics cards.
Graphics Card
Based on our above logic, the graphics card is likely the first thing you’ll want to upgrade on one of these rigs to get it from being merely good to being great.
As stated, the processors on the list are capable of handling average AAA games. However, a GPU upgrade should make a tremendous difference. A 3GB GTX 1060 should be enough to experience 1080p gaming with a 60 FPS average.
RAM
Having 8GB of RAM is the common threshold for modern gaming. In fact, that’s why all of the desktops on our list boasts at least that much.
This means a RAM upgrade isn’t really necessary with any of these builds.
Storage Space
When it comes to storage space you have two options: SSD or HDD. For the purpose of this review, you don’t need to know much more than this: SSD is fast but expensive while HDD is slow but cheap.
Ultimately, it is less about which type of storage you’ll use and more about how much you’ll make use of each since it’s advisable to go with a hybrid storage system -- 120GB SSD for system files and 1TB HDD for games and personal files.
Chassis/Case
Never forget, airflow is one of the most vital factors in keeping your computer’s temperatures down. Whenever possible, you want to choose a computer whose case has enough room for future upgrades. Broadly speaking, the bigger the better.
LED lights and other aesthetics may benefit your eyes but if this doesn’t provide enough airflow to keep the system cool, you’re better off shopping for another one that does.
How (and What) We Tested
Testing the prebuilt gaming PCs is pretty much straightforward. We installed the following games and recorded benchmark results:
- PUBG
- Fortnite
- Overwatch
- GTA V
- Rocket League
- Battlefield 1
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- The Witcher III
Note: Some of the recent games such as Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Devil May Cry 5, Anthem, and Resident Evil 2 may need more power that what’s inside the most powerful one on the list. But can still be played with huge sacrifices in the graphics department.
We spent hours playing games just so we could test and see what each rig is really capable of. (Obviously, we have very hard lives.)
After playing hours of games and benchmarking the results, we confirmed that the Syber Domono can handle games in 1080p with a few adjustments to the game’s graphics settings.
The syber is currently the only build in this list that makes use of an Intel chip, but make no mistake,the Ryzen 3 2200G and Ryzen 5 2400g which the IBuyPower Enthusiast Gaming PC, the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop Computer, and the CLX Set Gaming PC use are powerful processors. They don't necessarily need a standalone GPU to be efficient thanks to AMD's VEGA graphics which is miles ahead of anything Intel have to offer.
Instead of stopping there, we decided to do some further testing... we hooked a GTX 1060 graphics card up to some of the picks in the list to see what kind of performance improvement we would achieve. To our surprise, the performance increase that was achieved turned out to be much greater than our initial forecast. Great news for those wanting to upgrade down the road.
Further to this, we decided to upgrade the RAM to 3,000Mhz in all the builds, the performance boost we saw from the Ryzen chips was massive. We can't recommend upgrading the RAM enough, the Ryzen chips are built to enjoy quicker memory and once you upgrade, you'll understand why.
Disclaimer: The prebuilt gaming desktops we tested were purchased and were not sent or sponsored to make biased opinions or feedback.
5 Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $500
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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CUK Continuum Micro Gamer PC
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iBUYPOWER Enthusiast Gaming PC
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HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop Computer
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SkyTech Blaze VR Ready Gaming Computer
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CUK AsRock DeskMini
| CHECK CURRENT PRICE |
#1
CUK Continuum Micro Gamer PC
TECH SPECS
- CPUAMD Ryzen 3 3200g
- GPURadeon Vega 8 Graphics
- RAM16GB DDR4-3000RAM
- Storage256GB SSD
PROS
- 3rd Gen AMD technology
- 16GB of super fast DDR4 RAM
- Rapid 256GB solid state drive
- Comes with keyboard and mice
CONS
- Case could be better
- Only has a small hard drive
CUK's Continuum Micro Gamer PC gets our number pick for best prebuilt for under $500 and for good reason.
It comes to shelves boasting AMD's latest entry-level APU - a processor we have been extremely impressed with since its release back in July 2019. The APU comes with VEGA 8 graphics which outperforms any similarly priced alternative from Intel. It has a base clock speed of 3.6GHz and a boost of 4GHz, perfect for gamers wanting to play lower-intensive AAA game titles.
CUK has decided to equip the Continuum with 16GB of DDR4 3000MHz. That's great for a number of different reasons. Being 3000MHz is going to impact the APU a lot as the integrated graphics it comes equipped with will be more effective under faster RAM. Furthermore, 16GB is going to allow users to carry out much more intensive workflow scenarios as well.
The SSD is on the small side, but the speed benefits you're going to get from the SSD is going to outshine the additional space you get with a hard disk drive.
Overall, a fantastic little prebuilt for entry-level gaming.
#2
iBUYPOWER Enthusiast Gaming PC
TECH SPECS
- CPURyzen 3 3200G
- GPUGT 710
- RAM8GB DDR4
- Storage1TB HDD
PROS
- Good value for money
- Budget 1080p gaming
- Large HDD storage
- Includes Windows
CONS
- Not great when it comes to more demanding games
This prebuilt from iBUYPOWER is a budget build that delivers some impressive results. The gaming performance in this machine is excellent for the price and it owes that to the CPU and GPU combination. The Ryzen 3 3200G is one of AMD's latest APUs which runs at a base clock of 3.6 GHz and can be boosted to 4GHz if required.
This machine doesn't feature an SSD unfortunately, however, it does offer a larger than expected 1TB HDD instead. More than enough to store your games, OS, and some media library too.
This would make a superb starter PC for any gamer as it already features entry-level components that will enable you to play a lot of AAA titles. The Chip is a solid one for general tasks and the build quality of the PC, as a whole, offers more than what you would expect at this price range.
#3
HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop Computer
TECH SPECS
- CPURyzen 3 2200G 3.5Ghz
- GPURadeon RX 580
- RAM8GB DDR4
- Storage1TB HDD
PROS
- Fantastic CPU Tailored For Gaming
- Solid GPU From AMD
- 8GB of 2,666Mhz RAM
- Sleek And Stylish Case
CONS
- Doesn't Have An SSD
- Doesn't Come With Keyboard & Mouse
- Performance Will Struggle If You Try To Play High Demanding Games
The HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop might be one of the more expensive picks in this guide, but the components and overall gaming performance make up for that extra boost in price point.
Let's not take anything away from this build though, with a strong CPU/GPU pairing, this PC is going to be able to handle more demanding titles that others in this list simply wouldn't.
The Ryzen 5 2400G is on of AMDs last-gen entry-level APUs which came equipped with impressive VEGA 11 integrated graphics. That being said, you won't have to make use of the onboard GPU, as this PC offers a powerful standalone GPU for additional performance.
Another great aspect of this gaming rig is how they decided to boost the RAM speed to 2,666Mhz. You might be asking yourself how that makes a difference, and in short, Ryzen's APU chips thrive when paired with faster RAM. The performance increase you will see by pairing the APU with this speed RAM is more than welcome in this PC. Very handy when you are working with a budget such as this.
The HP comes with 1TB of 7200RPM HDD storage space which is more than adequate for storing all your games, OS and additional media content. It doesn't have an SSD so overall boot times are going to be a little slower than our top AMD pick, however it has a much bigger overall storage capacity meaning you'll have enough time to save for an SSD and not run out of room in the process.
This is our Runner up pick for $500 pre builds, solid performance at a reasonable price, what more could you want at this price range?
#4
SkyTech Blaze VR Ready Gaming Computer
TECH SPECS
- CPUAMD RYZEN 3 1200 3.1Ghz
- GPUAMD Radeon RX 580 4GB Video Card
- RAM8GB DDR4 2400 RAM
- Storage1TB HDD
PROS
- Entry-Level AMD Ryzen 1st Generation CPU
- Decent GPU which will handle lower end VR gaming
- Decent sized 1TB HDD
- Good aesthetic appeal
- Affordable price tag
- RGB inclusive fans
CONS
- No solid state drive
- Can only perform lower end VR games
This build from SkyTech takes a different approach to many others on this list. Instead of putting the latest hardware into their build, they've decided to use a 1st gen CPU instead.
Focusing on this builds good points, the Ryzen 1200 is paired with a Radeon RX 580 GPU. This graphics card is a 4GB GPU and takes care of your gaming easily in 1080p. Playing games like CS:GO and Apex Legends was definitely achievable on this build.
We get 8GB DDR4 RAM in this build which is again, entry-level for a gaming build. It does the job though if you're only looking to play some of the lesser demanding game titles.
iBuyPower wasn't able to squeeze an SSD into this build and instead decided to prioritize the GPU over it. For a starter PC though, I feel this gaming desktop is an excellent starting place.
#5
CUK AsRock DeskMini
TECH SPECS
- CPURyzen 3 2200G 3.5Ghz
- GPUVega 8 Integrated Graphics
- RAM8GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM
- Storage256GB NVME SSD
PROS
- Mini Form Factor For Minimal Footprint
- Solid CPU Tailored Towards Gaming
- Very Efficient Onboard Graphics Geared Towards Gaming
- 256Gb Solid State Drive
CONS
- Very Limited Room For Expansion
- No Standalone GPU
We come to something a little different, literally. The CUK AsRock Deskmini is pretty much what it says on the tin, a mini desktop gaming rig. Don't be fooled however with it's small form factor, this thing packs a serious punch.
It comes to the table with the classic Ryzen 3 2200G chips, which is currently in 3 of our best of $500 pre-build list. You really can't go wrong with the 2200G when you're working with a budget, its simply the most powerful, efficient APU in it's price range. It will handle AAA game titles wonderfully, granted at lower settings. This machine doesn't come with a standalone GPU so it has to make use of AMD's VEGA 8 graphics which, in all honesty, is a very good graphics substitute. It handles Fornite, CS:GO and LOL very well if you tweak the settings just right. The 8GB of 2,666Mhz RAM are a perfect pairing for the 2200G and provide a healthy performance boost whilst still remaining within budget.
Further to this, the Deskmini comes with 256GB of SSD making it the largest SSD solution out of all the builds on this list. We all know the benefits of SSD, Super fast boot and load times, so being able to put as many games on here as possible is hugely advantageous to the consumer. However with the Mini's small form factor you're probably going to have to use an external HDD when it inevitably comes to it.
Overall, the CUK AsRock Deskmini is an acquired taste and you really need to be in the market solely for mini form factor if you go for this one. It does have it's pro's but it certainly has it's con's as well. As far as mini form builds go though, this is a fantastic option.
Related Pages
If you are still unsure, then check out some of our related prebuilt guides below.
Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $400
So that's our list of best pre built gaming PC's for $500, but what if $500 is just out of reach?
Luckily, a number of manufacturers now provide decent gaming builds for around the $400 mark. However, for this price, you're theoretically scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of performance levels and won't be able to play the latest games.
This being said, if you're looking for a build that's going to handle older games, simulators and general usage, maybe these $400 builds will be right up your street.
BEST AMD $400 PRE BUILD
Gaming Desktop Custom System Ryzen 3 2200G
As far as gaming rigs for $400 are concerned, you can't go wrong with this little build. At it's centre is the superb Ryzen 2200G clocked at 3.5Ghz which is considered pound for pound one of the best Price/performance value APU's available.
It has Vega 8 integrated graphics and a rapid 240GB SSD which make this much faster than it's cheaper competition above.
A nice little build but again, do not be expecting to smash out PUB:G on ultra anytime soon.
Conclusion
Honestly, spending only $500 for a killer gaming computer means your final product is going to inevitably fall a little short -- but it is enough to give you a solid foundation for future upgrades.
- If all you want is the best prebuilt gaming PC under $500 to play AAA title games, you can’t go wrong with the Dell Inspiron Gaming PC. The iBuyPower Enthusiast Gaming PC is a close second to the Inspiron.
- Get the IBUYPOWER Enthusiast Gaming PC or the Skytech Blaze VR Ready Gaming Computer if you wish to invest in a prebuilt gaming desktop that you can use right away at the expense of sacrificing graphics for performance.
- For something a little smaller, the CUK AsRock Deskmini is the only option in this list which has been built with Mini form in mind. This being said it still packs a mighty punch and is arguably one of the most powerful rigs in this list. Size doesn't always translate to power.
So that's the rundown of our best $500 Pre-builds, which one are you going for?
Comment below letting us know how you got on and whether or not they lived up to their reviews.
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