Buying Guide
The Best Gaming PCs for Cheap
Four cheap gaming PCs with 32GB of RAM, from RTX 3050 to RTX 3060 Ti, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
The part that makes a cheap PC feel better than its price is often memory. These four list 32GB of RAM while staying under $1,300.
We compared the parts each listing names: CPU, graphics card and VRAM, memory, storage and, where stated, the power supply and warranty. We did not test these systems, and we skipped listings that leave a core part vague.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
SKYESEV Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5600, RTX 3050 6GB, 32GB)The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Check price for SKYESEV Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5600, RTX 3050 6GB, 32GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RX 9060 Build
Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, Radeon RX 9060 8GB)An RX 9060 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, Radeon RX 9060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RTX 5060 Build
Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700, RTX 5060, 32GB)An RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700, RTX 5060, 32GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RTX 3060 Ti Build
Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700X, RTX 3060 Ti 8GB)An RTX 3060 Ti with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700X, RTX 3060 Ti 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for SKYESEV Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5600, RTX 3050 6GB, 32GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An RX 9060 with 8GB of VRAM. | 1080p gaming. | Check price for Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, Radeon RX 9060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM. | 1080p gaming. | Check price for Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700, RTX 5060, 32GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An RTX 3060 Ti with 8GB of VRAM. | 1080p gaming. | Check price for Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700X, RTX 3060 Ti 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
SKYESEV Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5600, RTX 3050 6GB, 32GB)
SKYESEV 5600 pairs a Ryzen 5 5600 with an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of DDR4-3200 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
It also comes with 32GB of DDR4 under $1,000 at the time of writing. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it trails the group at 6GB, while the Skytech RX 9060 offers 8GB.
An RTX 3050 graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB uses an RTX 5060 graphics card. A ryzen 5 5600 processor is unique to it among these picks, while the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB uses a ryzen 7 5700 processor. Check the SKYESEV 5600's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
At 6GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Skytech RX 9060 was closest.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 3050
- VRAM
- 6GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5600
- Memory
- 32GB
- Memory type
- DDR4-3200
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 3050 graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- 32GB of DDR4 under $1,000 at the time of writing
- Ryzen 5 5600 processor, the only one here
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- VRAM trails the Skytech RX 9060 (8GB)
The catch
VRAM is its weakest area, and the Skytech RX 9060 covers it better at 8GB.
RX 9060 Build2 of 4
Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, Radeon RX 9060 8GB)
The Skytech RX 9060 build pairs a Ryzen 5 5500, an RX 9060 with 8GB of VRAM, 32GB of DDR4-3200 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- 1080p gaming.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
It also comes with 32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it ties with the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB and the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti at 8GB.
An RX 9060 graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB uses an RTX 5060 graphics card. A ryzen 5 5500 processor is unique to it among these picks, while the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti uses a ryzen 7 5700X processor. Check the Skytech RX 9060's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
At 8GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games. When we checked, only the SKYESEV 5600 cost less, and the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB cost more.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RX 9060
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory
- 32GB
- Memory type
- DDR4-3200
- SSD
- 1TB
- Warranty
- 1 year parts and labor
Pros
- A RX 9060 graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- 32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060
- VRAM of 8GB, ahead of the SKYESEV 5600
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- Costs more than the SKYESEV 5600 at the time of writing
RTX 5060 Build3 of 4
Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700, RTX 5060, 32GB)
The Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB build pairs a Ryzen 7 5700, an RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- 1080p gaming.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. It ships in a triple-glass case with an ARGB air cooler, and the parts and labour warranty runs for a year. It is the only pick here with an RTX 5060 graphics card; the SKYESEV 5600 has an RTX 3050 graphics card instead.
Check the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. At 8GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games. Its price falls between the Skytech RX 9060 and the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 5060
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 7 5700
- Memory
- 32GB
- SSD
- 1TB
- Warranty
- 1 year parts and labor
Pros
- A RTX 5060 graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- 32GB of RAM at an RTX 5060 price
- VRAM of 8GB, ahead of the SKYESEV 5600
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- Costs more than the SKYESEV 5600 at the time of writing
RTX 3060 Ti Build4 of 4
Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700X, RTX 3060 Ti 8GB)
5700X RTX 3060 Ti pairs a Ryzen 7 5700X with an RTX 3060 Ti with 8GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- 1080p gaming.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. It matches the Skytech RX 9060 and the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB on VRAM (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 3060 Ti graphics card; compare the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB, which has an RTX 5060 graphics card.
No other pick in this guide offers a ryzen 7 5700X processor; compare the Skytech RX 9060, which has a ryzen 5 5500 processor. Check the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. At 8GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 3060 Ti
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 7 5700X
- Memory
- 32GB
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 3060 Ti graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- RTX 3060 Ti with 32GB of RAM
- VRAM of 8GB, ahead of the SKYESEV 5600
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- Costs more than the SKYESEV 5600 at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is memory; for more, the SKYESEV 5600 offers 32GB.
How We Chose These Gaming PCs for Cheap
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We lined up four prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 4 picks leave out memory type.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the SKYESEV 5600 to the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti, state graphics card, VRAM and processor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB and the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti give no memory type; the SKYESEV 5600 and the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti give no warranty.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the SKYESEV 5600 ($500 to $1000) to the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti ($1000 to $1500).
What to Look for in a Gaming PC for Cheap
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much VRAM you need
Across these 4 picks VRAM spans 6GB (the SKYESEV 5600) to 8GB (the Skytech RX 9060). The Skytech RX 9060 is the pick for VRAM.
Processor
The SKYESEV 5600 lists ryzen 5 5600; the Skytech RX 9060 lists ryzen 5 5500; the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB lists ryzen 7 5700; the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti lists Ryzen 7 5700X. Settling processor first narrows 4 picks to 1, 1 or 1 or 1.
A desktop PC and monitor on a desk lit with red and blue lighting Fit and compatibility
Check the SKYESEV 5600's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
Extras that separate them
The Skytech RX 9060: 32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060. The Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB: 32GB of RAM at an RTX 5060 price. The 5700X RTX 3060 Ti: an RTX 3060 Ti with 32GB of RAM.
A white desktop PC beside a monitor on a bright home-office desk How much to spend
$500 to $1000 buys the SKYESEV 5600; $1000 to $1500 buys the Skytech RX 9060, the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB and the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti at our last check.
How to Choose a Gaming PC for Cheap
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | SKYESEV 5600 | The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing |
| 1080p gaming | Skytech RX 9060 | An RX 9060 with 8GB of VRAM |
| 1080p gaming | Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB | An RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM |
| 1080p gaming | 5700X RTX 3060 Ti | An RTX 3060 Ti with 8GB of VRAM |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Skytech RX 9060 leads on VRAM at 8GB, ahead of the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB at 8GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKYESEV 5600 | RTX 3050 | 6GB | Ryzen 5 5600 | 32GB |
| Skytech RX 9060 | RX 9060 | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 32GB |
| Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB | RTX 5060 | 8GB | Ryzen 7 5700 | 32GB |
| 5700X RTX 3060 Ti | RTX 3060 Ti | 8GB | Ryzen 7 5700X | 32GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The SKYESEV 5600 was the lowest-priced pick ($500 to $1000) and the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti the highest ($1000 to $1500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Prebuilt PCs |
|---|---|
| About $500 to $1000 | SKYESEV 5600 |
| About $1000 to $1500 | Skytech RX 9060, Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB, 5700X RTX 3060 Ti |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti add over the SKYESEV 5600?
On paper it adds VRAM (8GB against 6GB). On our last price check the SKYESEV 5600 was in the $500 to $1000 tier and the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti in the $1000 to $1500 tier, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if VRAM decides your purchase.
Why is the Skytech RX 9060 our RX 9060 Build pick?
It carries the badge for an RX 9060 with 8GB of VRAM. The SKYESEV 5600, the cheapest pick, sat in the $500 to $1000 tier against $1000 to $1500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits 1080p gaming.
Do the SKYESEV 5600 and the Skytech RX 9060 differ on graphics card?
The SKYESEV 5600 uses RTX 3050; the Skytech RX 9060 uses RX 9060; the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB uses RTX 5060; the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti uses RTX 3060 Ti.
Will the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB work with my setup?
Check the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. In this guide it ranks third of 4, as our RTX 5060 Build pick, and second of 4 on VRAM (8GB).
What extras do the SKYESEV 5600 and the Skytech RX 9060 include?
The SKYESEV 5600: 32GB of DDR4 under $1,000 at the time of writing. The Skytech RX 9060: 32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060. The Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB: 32GB of RAM at an RTX 5060 price.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the SKYESEV 5600, chosen for the lowest price among these picks at the time of writing. Look at the Skytech RX 9060 for an RX 9060 with 8GB of VRAM, the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB for an RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM and the 5700X RTX 3060 Ti for an RTX 3060 Ti with 8GB of VRAM if those matter more to you.
More memory does not add frames on its own, but it keeps games smooth when other apps are open.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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