Buying Guide
The Best Cheap but Good Gaming PCs
Four cheap gaming PCs with 8GB or more of VRAM, from RX 580 to RTX 4060, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Cheap and good usually means avoiding the smallest graphics cards. Every pick here has at least 8GB of VRAM and costs $1,100 or less at the time of writing.
Every pick names its CPU model, graphics, memory and SSD capacity in the listing; we left out renewed units and listings that hide a part behind "brand may vary". We researched the listings and did not test the machines.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB)
The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
RX 6600 Pick
STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB)
An RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Our take Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
Most VRAM
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB)
12GB of VRAM on the RTX 3060.
Best for: High texture settings at 1440p and above.
Our take Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB) (opens in a new tab)
Largest Listed PSU
MXZ Gaming PC (Core i5-12400F, RTX 4060)
A 550W power supply.
Best for: A bigger graphics card later.
Our take Check price for MXZ Gaming PC (Core i5-12400F, RTX 4060) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB) (opens in a new tab) |
| An RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM. | 1080p gaming. | Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB) (opens in a new tab) |
| 12GB of VRAM on the RTX 3060. | High texture settings at 1440p and above. | Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB) (opens in a new tab) |
| A 550W power supply. | A bigger graphics card later. | Check price for MXZ Gaming PC (Core i5-12400F, RTX 4060) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Inside the Evounic RX 580 are a Ryzen 5 5500 and an RX 580 with 8GB of VRAM, backed by 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 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 matches the STGAubron RX 6600 and the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 on VRAM (8GB). It matches the STGAubron RX 6600 and the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 on SSD capacity (1TB).
It is the only pick here with an RX 580 graphics card; the STGAubron RX 6600 has an RX 6600 graphics card instead. Like the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, it has a ryzen 5 5500 processor, while the STGAubron RX 6600 uses a core i7-10700F processor. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the STGAubron RX 6600 was the next step up. The main gap: VRAM of 8GB, behind the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 (12GB). If that matters, the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 offers 12GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RX 580
- VRAM: 8GB
- Processor: Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory: 16GB
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RX 580 graphics card
- Older RX 580 with 8GB of VRAM
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060
- The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- VRAM of 8GB, behind the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 (12GB)
RX 6600 Pick2 of 4
STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The STGAubron RX 6600 build pairs a Core i7-10700F, an RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR4 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
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it ties with the Evounic RX 580 and the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 at 8GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the Evounic RX 580 and the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 at 1TB.
An RX 6600 graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the Evounic RX 580 uses an RX 580 graphics card. A core i7-10700F processor is unique to it among these picks, while the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 uses a core i5-12400F processor. It shares a DDR4 memory type with the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060; the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 goes with a DDR4-3200 memory type.
Check the STGAubron RX 6600's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. With 16GB installed, check for free memory slots before adding more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RX 6600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Processor: Core i7-10700F
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR4
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RX 6600 graphics card
- Desktop RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060
- Core i7-10700F processor, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Costs more than the Evounic RX 580 at the time of writing
Most VRAM3 of 4
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 build pairs a Ryzen 5 5500, an RTX 3060 with 12GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR4 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- High texture settings at 1440p and above.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing.
Why we like it
It also comes with 12GB of VRAM on an older RTX 3060 at a sub-$900 price at the time of writing. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. Nothing else here matches its 12GB VRAM; the Evounic RX 580 comes closest at 8GB.
On SSD capacity it ties with the Evounic RX 580 and the STGAubron RX 6600 at 1TB. An RTX 3060 graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the Evounic RX 580 uses an RX 580 graphics card. It shares a ryzen 5 5500 processor with the Evounic RX 580; the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 goes with a core i5-12400F processor.
It shares a DDR4 memory type with the STGAubron RX 6600; the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 goes with a DDR4-3200 memory type. When we checked, only the STGAubron RX 6600 and cheaper picks cost less, and the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 3060
- VRAM: 12GB
- Processor: Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR4
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 3060 graphics card
- 12GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 12GB of VRAM on an older RTX 3060 at a sub-$900 price at the time of writing
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Costs more than the Evounic RX 580 at the time of writing
Largest Listed PSU4 of 4
MXZ Gaming PC (Core i5-12400F, RTX 4060) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 pairs a Core i5-12400F with an RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4-3200 and a 500GB SSD.
Best for
- A bigger graphics card later.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also comes with six RGB fans. The power supply is rated at 550W. It matches the Evounic RX 580 and the STGAubron RX 6600 on VRAM (8GB).
Its 500GB SSD capacity is the smallest in this group; the Evounic RX 580 leads at 1TB. No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 4060 graphics card; compare the STGAubron RX 6600, which has an RX 6600 graphics card. No other pick in this guide offers a core i5-12400F processor; compare the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, which has a ryzen 5 5500 processor.
It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 and the rest. The trade-off is VRAM; for more, the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 offers 12GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 4060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Processor: Core i5-12400F
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR4-3200
- SSD: 500GB
- Power supply: 550W
Pros
- A RTX 4060 graphics card
- A 550W power supply
- Six RGB fans
- Core i5-12400F processor, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- A 500GB SSD fills quickly with modern games
How We Chose These Cheap but Good Gaming PCs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Price and warranty
- We compared prices at the time of writing and the warranty terms each listing states.
- Stated parts
- We included only listings that name the CPU, the GPU with its VRAM, the RAM and the SSD capacity.
- Balance
- We compared how the CPU, memory and storage match the graphics card's class.
- Power and upgrades
- We recorded PSU wattage and rating where listed, which decides later GPU upgrades.
What to Look for in a Cheap but Good Gaming PC
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Start with the graphics card
The GPU decides gaming performance more than any other part. Match it to your monitor: an RTX 5060 class card suits 1080p, an RTX 5070 suits 1440p, and 4K high-refresh play needs an RTX 5080 or above.
Check the VRAM figure too; 8GB cards can need lower texture settings in newer games.
Pair a sensible processor
A current six- or eight-core CPU is enough for most games. X3D chips with extra cache help at high frame rates, while older or unnamed CPUs are a warning sign in a listing.
Look for a named power supply
A listing that states wattage and an 80 Plus rating is easier to trust and to upgrade later. When a listing is silent, ask before buying.
Read the warranty terms
Prebuilt warranties vary from one year of parts and labor to three years. Check who handles repairs and whether shipping is covered.
Check memory and storage
16GB of RAM runs games; 32GB leaves room for streaming, browsers and editing. A 1TB SSD holds a handful of large games, so plan for a second drive if you keep a big library.
Trust specific listings
Prefer listings that name every part: CPU model, GPU model and VRAM, RAM, SSD and PSU. Vague terms like "Core i7" or "brand may vary" leave room for weaker parts.
How to Choose a Cheap but Good Gaming PC
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | Evounic RX 580 | The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing |
| 1080p gaming | STGAubron RX 6600 | An RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM |
| High texture settings at 1440p and above | STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 | 12GB of VRAM on the RTX 3060 |
| A bigger graphics card later | MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 | A 550W power supply |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evounic RX 580 | RX 580 | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| STGAubron RX 6600 | RX 6600 | 8GB | Core i7-10700F | 16GB |
| STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 | RTX 3060 | 12GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 | RTX 4060 | 8GB | Core i5-12400F | 16GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a prebuilt cheaper than building a PC?
Sometimes. Prebuilts include Windows, assembly and a system warranty; building yourself can cost less but you handle part choices and support.
Do prebuilt PCs come with extra software?
Some do. Check the product page for trial software, and remove what you do not need after setup.
How much VRAM do I need?
8GB works at 1080p with some texture compromises in newer games; 12GB to 16GB is more comfortable at 1440p and 4K.
Is 16GB of RAM enough for gaming?
For most games, yes. 32GB helps when you stream, keep many browser tabs open or edit video alongside gaming.
What does "brand may vary" mean in a listing?
The builder may ship an equivalent part from a different maker. The model and capacity should match; ask the seller if it matters to you.
Can I upgrade a prebuilt later?
Usually. Check the power supply wattage and connectors, the case's GPU clearance and free RAM slots before buying a part.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Evounic RX 580, chosen for the lowest price among these picks at the time of writing. Look at the STGAubron RX 6600 for an RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM, the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 for 12GB of VRAM on the RTX 3060 and the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 for a 550W power supply if those matter more to you.
Skip anything with 4GB of VRAM for new games; these four clear that bar.