Whether you want to play Fortnite, Valorant, Call of Duty, Overwatch, or other popular games, having a desktop PC is the best way to game, as well as the most affordable way. PC gaming offers a wider range of games. PC gaming lets gamers play Xbox, some PlayStation Games, online only games, and even small indie games on the same platform.
Getting a good PC replaces all other consoles. Below is why it's smart to make the switch to a desktop PC, and all the best pre-built gaming PCs you can get for a reasonable price.
Table of Contents:
Why you should make the switch to a pre-built gaming PC
All the different uses for a desktop PC
The difference between a $2000 PC and a $500 PC
A list of the most affordable pre-built gaming PCs
A summary chart of cheap gaming PCs and prices/links
Why should you make the switch to PC gaming?
PC gaming saves you money in the long run. Although even the best cheap gaming PC will cost around $500, more than a PS5, Nintendo Switch, or Xbox, it saves you and your family money in the long run. Gaming consoles are notoriously hard to repair, and also become quickly outdated.
When new computer hardware is released, you can simply open the case and replace the internal components. When the PS5 released and PlayStation started releasing PS5 exclusive games, you had no choice but to eventually upgrade to a PS5. Even computers with parts from the previous generation will provide impressive performance for a low price.
I bought my PS5 during the shortage and paid almost double the retail price from a scalper. This doesn't happen when new gaming PC parts release. While it's possible to replace the parts in a gaming console, it's usually more expensive than the console itself, and the console isn't compatible with newer high-performance parts.
Pre-built gaming PCs let you replace the parts whenever you want to, and it doesn't take an expert.
The most expensive part of PC gaming is buying the initial setup, since a gaming PC requires the PC itself, at least one monitor, a keyboard and mouse, and a headset. Afterwards, only internal components will eventually need to be replaced. Therefore, a good gaming PC can last you 10+ years, whereas consoles get a new updated version every 3-4 years.
Since you only need to replace parts instead of the entire computer, PC gaming is cheaper than consoles like PlayStation or Xbox in the long run!
Many gaming PC bundles listed below also include the peripherals like a keyboard and mouse, giving you a good value when you're on a tight budget!
Everything you can do with a gaming PC
A common misconception is that pre-built gaming PCs are only gaming. In reality, you can use a gaming PC for all the other usual computer tasks, with the added benefit of high-performance gaming.
A pre-built gaming PC can also be used for all of the following:
Video editing
Photo editing
Content creation
Professional use (working from home)
Tasks that use Microsoft Office (writing, emails, spreadsheets, presentations)
Investing in a pre-built gaming PC will give you a computer for AAA gaming, homework, professional work, and all kinds of content editing for 10+ years!
The difference between an expensive gaming PC and a cheap gaming PC
Although it's possible to get a good gaming PC on a tight budget, there are of course going to be differences between a cheap gaming PC and a high-end gaming PC. A high-end gaming PC would have a newer graphics card and an integrated GPU, as well as well as more GB of RAM and a newer power supply.
A budget gaming PC will be able to run almost all online games that younger gamers are playing - games like Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, and some FPS games. However, a cheap gaming PC will likely have a hard time running complex games made on Unreal Engine 5 - games with very complicated graphics like Black Myth: Wukong.
If you're looking for a beginner gaming PC that can run Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, and RPGs like Dark Souls, Elden Ring, and Fallout, you can easily find what you're looking for a cheap gaming PC under $500!
Best Pre-Built Gaming PCs Under $500
The STGAubron Gaming PC Desktop comes with an Intel Core i7 processor and a Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics card. Out of the 6 computers on this list, this computer has the best graphics card. The Nvidia RTX is a great graphics card for playing demanding games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Elden Ring and more.
If you're wanting to find a gaming PC under $500 to play Fortnite on, this STGAubron is an excellent choice as it can run much more demanding games. This gaming PC comes with a keyboard, mouse, mousepad, and an RBG light bar to add even more color to your desk!
The STGAubron Gaming PC is currently on sale for $494. STGAubron has a wide price range for different gaming PCs, and an even less expensive one is next on the list.
Here are the full specs for this gaming PC: STGAubron Gaming PC Desktop, GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6G GDDR6, Intel Core i7 3.4G up to 3.9G, 16G RAM, 512G SSD, 600M WiFi, BT 5.0, RGB Fan x 6, RGB Mouse Pad, RGB BT Sound Bar, Windows 10 Home
This STGAubron Prebuilt Gaming PC Desktop comes with an Intel Core I5 Processor, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 512GB SSD, making it probably the best prebuilt gaming PC with the best value.
This cheap gaming PC is only $369 full price and is currently on sale on Amazon. This gaming PC comes with the current RAM, DDR5. DDR5 ram by itself can be well over $100. The Intel Core processor, AMD Radeon, and Windows 10 are from the previous generation, but are current parts that won't need to be replaced for years.
This computer also comes with a built-in wi-fi, keyboard, mouse, and mousepad. The only additional piece you would need to buy is a monitor, and that can easily be bought for under $150, letting you keep the $500 budget for a prebuilt gaming PC that can play Fortnite and other modern games! This is the best gaming PC to play Fortnite on for under $500.
Here are the complete specs for this computer: STGAubron Prebuilt Gaming PC Desktop, AMD Radeon RX 550 4G GDDR5, Intel Core I5 3.3Ghz up to 3.7Ghz, 16G Ram, 512G SSD, WiFi, BT 5.0, RGB Fan x 3, RGB Mouse Pad, Windows 10 Home
The HP Victus Gaming Desktop PC is one of the most popular budget gaming PCs, with a sweet spot price of $530. The HP Victus features some newer components like a Ryzen 5 processor and Windows 11 instead of Windows 10. This PC also comes with a mouse and keyboard, and also an HDMI cord. This computer also has a larger storage capacity with a 1 TB SSD.
Reviews on Amazon say the HP Victus is a great option for both PC gaming and working from home or working on homework. Another review says that the computer runs Minecraft perfectly. The only downside to this computer is that it only has 1 HDMI port, meaning you can only have one monitor max.
Here are complete specs for the HP Victus: HP 2023 Victus 15L Gaming Desktop PC, AMD 6-Core Ryzen 5600G Processor (Up to 4.4 GHz), 16GB RAM, 1TB NVMe, AMD Radeon RX6400, Mouse and Keyboard, Win 11 Home, Mica Silver, with HDMI Accessory
The Beelink S12 Pro Mini PC is another inexpensive option. A mini PC is a smaller version of a desktop PC that can still provide almost all the same functions as a regular gaming PC. The Beelink S12 still has an Intel Core processor, 500GB SSD, built-in wi-fi and supports 4k graphics.
The Beelink S12 has a 4.5 star rating on Amazon with almost a thousand reviews, and is currently the #1 Best Seller in Mini Computers on Amazon! Best of all, this mini PC is only $209.
The downside is that this mini PC only comes with the computer. You'll have to buy a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and mousepad separately. Reviews say the Beelink S12 runs multiple programs perfectly fine and can run large games like the Sims 4!
Here are the full specs for the Beelink S12: Beelink S12 Pro Mini PC, Intel 12th Gen Alder Lake- N100(up to 3.4GHz), 16GB DDR4 RAM 500GB M.2 SSD, Desktop Computer Support 4K Dual Display/USB3.2/WiFi 6/BT5.2/Gigabit Ethernet for Home/Office
If you want to get everything you need in one order, some companies even offer gaming PC bundles that include a monitor! SAAV offers a Gaming PC Bundle for $549 that includes the gaming PC, a 22-inch monitor, and a keyboard and mouse.
This SAAV PC bundle can play all the latest games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, Escape from Tarkov, GTA, World of Warcraft, League of Legends, and more. This bundle also comes with a 1-year warranty.
This PC bundle is also assembled in the USA and supports 4k graphics quality for streaming your favorite shows and movies while you play.
Here are the full specs for the SAAV x1: SAAV X1 Prebuilt Gaming PC Bundle with Monitor 22in, Intel i5 3.4GHz, 8GB RAM, GEFORCE GTX750 GDDR5, 512GB NVME, WiFi 5, Bluetooth, Win 10, Mouse Keyboard, Gaming PC Setup, PC Gaming Computer Desktop
If you want to invest in better performance, this budget build PC bundle also includes a 27-inch monitor: The MTG Aurora 4T Gaming Tower PC. This PC bundle includes an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and includes a 27-inch monitor, keyboard, mouse, headphones, webcam, and Windows 10, making this the best gaming PC bundle!
This bundle is slightly over the budget at $628 but includes newer internal components and a 27-inch monitor. If you already have a monitor, there are different bundles that are less expensive and don't include the monitor. This bundle includes everything you need to start PC gaming on a budget!
Here are the full specs for this budget PC build: MTG Aurora 4T Gaming Tower PC- Intel Core i7 4th Gen, AMD RX 580 GDDR5 8GB 256bits Graphic, 16GB Ram, 512GB Nvme, New MTG 27 Inch Monitor, RGB Keyboard Mouse, Headphone, Webcam, Win 10.
The 27-inch monitor is also mountable with built-in tilt options for a customized gaming PC setup. This setup would be the best gaming PC to play Fortnite on for around $500!
Best Budget Build Gaming PCs for $500:
STGAubron Gaming PC Desktop with GeForce - $494, includes keyboard, mouse, mousepad, light bar, and high-end graphics card
STGAubron Prebuilt Gaming PC Desktop - $369, includes keyboard, mouse and mousepad
HP Victus Gaming Desktop PC - $530, includes keyboard and mouse
Beelink S12 Pro Mini PC - $209
SAAV X1 Prebuilt Gaming PC Bundle - $549, includes 22-inch monitor, mouse, keyboard
The MTG Aurora 4T Gaming Tower PC - $628, includes 27-inch monitor, mouse, keyboard, headset, and webcam
These are the best gaming PCs under $500 to play Fortnite on, as well as all the other latest games like World of Warcraft, Overwatch, League of Legends, and more!
If you or someone you know wants to start PC gaming, investing in a budget PC build will save you money in the long run! Whereas gaming consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation quickly become outdated and can be expensive to repair, internal components in a gaming PC can be replaced easily.
The most expensive part of PC gaming is buying the initial setup, since a gaming PC requires the PC itself, at least one monitor, a keyboard and mouse, and a headset. Afterwards, only internal components will eventually need to be replaced. Therefore, a good gaming PC can last you 10+ years, whereas consoles get a new updated version every 3-4 years.
Saving money on your gaming PC setup also means you'll have more room for aesthetic gaming peripherals. If you're looking for gifts for young men or young women that love video games, but already have everything they need for a PC setup, peripherals are a great affordable gift option!
These Govee RBGIC Light Bars are an affordable dupe of the Samsung light bar. These 15 inch light bars can be mounted to the back of your monitor to create an ambient back light, or you can stick them under your desk or on top of your desk to use as a lamp.
These Govee Light Bars can be synced with Alexa and Google Assistant so they can be turned on with just your voice! Govee also has a phone app that lets you control all Govee products in your home.
These light bars also have over 8 different music modes. Turn on your music to have the light bars automatically sync to the beat. These also come with mounting tape and don't require any hardware to mount. These light bars are perfect for adding ambient lighting to dark rooms without casting a glare or adding eye strain.
Divoom also makes aesthetic gaming lights and bluetooth speakers that make for the perfect gift. The Divoom Ditoo Retro Pixel Art Game Bluetooth Speaker has a pixel display that can be customized to match any PC setup, and also functions as a Bluetooth Speaker.
The Divoom Pixel Art Speaker functions provides all of these functions: use it as an online radio, get notifications, record voice memos, use as a sleep aid, time planner, ambient light, and speaker!
The Divoom Ditoo Retro Pixel Art Game Bluetooth Speaker with 16X16 LED App Controlled Front Screen is the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one that has a PC gaming setup. It comes in multiple colors and can be customized with the app and Divoom Pixel Art Gallery.
This article covered why you should make the switch to a pre-built gaming PC, all the different uses for a desktop PC, the difference between a $2000 PC and a $500 PC, a list of the most affordable pre-built gaming PCs, and a summary chart of cheap gaming PCs and prices/links. If you're interested in PC gaming, you may also be interested in the related articles below!
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