The Best Budget Gaming PCs of 2025

Building your own gaming PC can be a real headache, and even if you're trying to save money, component costs can quickly spiral. Fortunately, you don't need to break the bank to get a great gaming experience. Many excellent pre-built gaming PCs offer incredible value without sacrificing performance. While budget options might not include top-of-the-line graphics cards like an RTX 5090 or the highest-end CPUs, most gamers will find that kind of power overkill anyway. Our experts have rigorously tested and researched numerous gaming PCs, selecting five (four desktops and one handheld) affordable yet capable machines.

TL;DR: Top Budget Gaming PCs

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Alienware Aurora R16 See it at Dell

HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop See it at HP

MSI Codex R2 See it at Amazon See it at Best Buy

CLX Set See it at CLX

Asus Rog Ally Z1 See it at Amazon

Budget gaming PCs naturally compromise on some performance aspects. However, GPUs like the RTX 4060, Intel Arc B580, and AMD Radeon RX 7600 are solid, affordable options perfectly suitable for the average gamer. You could even consider a powerful RTX 4070 paired with an Intel Core i5 processor. Even with mid-range components, all the PCs we've chosen deliver high frame rates at 1080p in most games, and some even handle 1440p smoothly. Plus, the beauty of an affordable gaming PC is the potential for future upgrades.

Also check out our guide comparing gaming PCs and laptops.

Looking for more 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

The Best Budget Gaming PC Under $2000

Compact yet powerful gaming rig capable of handling 1440p gaming. See it at Dell

Pros: Stunning aesthetic, Unique cooling design

Cons: Slightly harder to upgrade and maintain than some other gaming PCs.

Alienware sits just below high-end boutique builders. This configuration offers an Intel Core i7 CPU and an RTX 4070 Super for under $2000. While similar configurations might be cheaper elsewhere, this is a compelling option within this budget.

The Alienware Aurora R16 is Dell's flagship, but it's surprisingly compact. However, this compact design utilizes a proprietary motherboard and power supply, which is something to consider if you plan on frequent upgrades.

With a 14th-gen Intel processor and an RTX 4070 Super, upgrades might not be needed soon. It easily maxes out most games at 1440p. However, the 12GB VRAM might limit 4K gaming in demanding titles.

2. HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop

The Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1500

With an Intel Core i5 processor and Nvidia GTX 1660 Super graphics, this PC excels at 1080p gaming and is easily upgradeable. See it at HP

Pros: Great for 1080p gaming, Beautiful white chassis with excellent airflow.

Cons: Older generation GPU.

The HP Omen 25L, while using a slightly older generation GPU, provides a solid gaming experience at 1080p. The premium chassis offers excellent airflow, and the use of standard motherboard and power supply mounts allows for easy future upgrades.

3. MSI Codex R2

Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1000

Great 1080p gaming PC with a spacious chassis for future upgrades. See it at Amazon See it at Best Buy

Pros: Attractive chassis design, Ample room for upgrades.

Cons: Very basic CPU cooler.

The MSI Codex R2's biggest compromise is its basic CPU cooler. However, its easily upgradable chassis makes it ideal for beginners wanting a starter system. The RTX 4060 is perfect for 1080p gaming.

4. CLX Set

Best Budget Gaming PC Under $800

Powerful internals including a 6-core processor, respectable graphics, 16GB RAM, and 1TB storage. See it at CLX

Pros: Lifetime labor warranty, Solid gaming performance despite integrated GPU.

Cons: Only suitable for 1080p.

The CLX Set offers excellent value with its 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor and AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 integrated graphics. While not suitable for high-end gaming, it delivers smooth performance at 1080p in many titles. The roomy case allows for easy future upgrades, and it comes with a lifetime labor warranty.

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

5. Asus ROG Ally Z1

Best Budget Handheld Gaming PC Under $500

Excellent Steam Deck alternative running Windows 11. See it at Amazon

Pros: Portable, Stunning display.

Cons: Technically not a desktop PC.

While not a traditional desktop PC, the Asus ROG Ally offers a fantastic portable gaming experience under $500. Its AMD Z1 chip handles most games at 1080p (at medium-to-low settings).

How Much Should I Spend on a Gaming PC?

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For most, $1000-$1500 is ideal for a balanced budget gaming PC. However, even lower budgets can yield solid results, especially if you consider last-generation graphics cards like the RTX 3050.

Prioritize the graphics card, followed by the CPU and RAM. Sufficient storage (SSD preferred) is also crucial, but upgradable later. Finally, ensure a reliable power supply and adequate cooling.

Budget Gaming PC FAQs

What is a reasonable budget for a gaming PC? $600-$2000+, but a decent PC can be found under $1000.

Is a gaming PC worth it for a casual gamer? Even casual gamers benefit from the performance, especially if they also use their PC for work or creative 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 lacking technical expertise.

Best Budget Gaming PC UK

Budget Power Victus by HP 15L Gaming Desktop See it

Powerful GPU HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop See it