Buying Guide
Cheapest Gaming Desktop PCs, Compared
Three of the cheapest gaming desktop PCs with a 1TB SSD, from RX 580 to RTX 3050, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Some of the cheapest desktops save money with a 512GB or 500GB SSD. These three keep a 1TB drive, which holds more than a couple of modern games.
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
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Most VRAM
Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB)8GB of VRAM on the RX 580.
Best for: High texture settings at 1440p and above.
Check price for Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
White Build
HELLOLAND King White Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 6500 XT 4GB)A white case.
Best for: Matching a white desk setup.
Check price for HELLOLAND King White Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 6500 XT 4GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RTX 3050 Build
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 1TB)An RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 1TB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8GB of VRAM on the RX 580. | High texture settings at 1440p and above. | Check price for Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A white case. | Matching a white desk setup. | Check price for HELLOLAND King White Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 6500 XT 4GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM. | 1080p gaming. | Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 1TB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Most VRAM1 of 3
Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB)
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
- High texture settings at 1440p and above.
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. Nothing else here matches its 8GB VRAM; the STGAubron 3050 1TB comes closest at 6GB. You get an RX 580 graphics card here, which sets it apart from the STGAubron 3050 1TB and its an RTX 3050 graphics card.
Check the Evounic RX 580'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. At 8GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the HELLOLAND King White the next step up.
Key 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
- Most VRAM of the picks (8GB)
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
White Build2 of 3
HELLOLAND King White Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 6500 XT 4GB)
Inside the HELLOLAND King White are a Ryzen 5 5500 and an RX 6500 XT with 4GB of VRAM, backed by 16GB of DDR4-3200 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Matching a white desk setup.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 4GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
It also comes with a white case with five RGB fans. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it trails the group at 4GB, while the Evounic RX 580 offers 8GB.
An RX 6500 XT graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the STGAubron 3050 1TB uses an RTX 3050 graphics card. It also comes with a one-year parts and labor warranty. Check the HELLOLAND King White'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. At 4GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games. When we checked, only the Evounic RX 580 cost less, and the STGAubron 3050 1TB cost more.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RX 6500 XT
- VRAM
- 4GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR4-3200
- SSD
- 1TB
- Warranty
- 1 year parts and labor
- Case colour
- White
Pros
- A RX 6500 XT graphics card
- White case with five RGB fans
- One-year parts and labor warranty
Cons
- 4GB 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 trails the Evounic RX 580 (8GB)
The catch
VRAM is its weakest area, and the Evounic RX 580 covers it better at 8GB.
RTX 3050 Build3 of 3
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 1TB)
STGAubron 3050 1TB pairs a Ryzen 5 5500 with an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- 1080p gaming.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
It also comes with an RTX 3050 and a 1TB SSD near $750 at the time of writing. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it sits mid-pack at 6GB: the Evounic RX 580 offers 8GB, and the HELLOLAND King White comes in at 4GB.
You get an RTX 3050 graphics card here, which sets it apart from the HELLOLAND King White and its an RX 6500 XT graphics card. Check the STGAubron 3050 1TB'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. At 6GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 3050
- VRAM
- 6GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR4
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 3050 graphics card
- RTX 3050 and a 1TB SSD near $750 at the time of writing
- Ryzen 5 5500 six-core processor
- VRAM of 6GB, ahead of the HELLOLAND King White
Cons
- 6GB 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
The catch
It gives ground on memory, where the Evounic RX 580 offers 16GB.
How We Chose
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up three prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 3 picks leave out memory type.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Evounic RX 580 to the STGAubron 3050 1TB, state graphics card, VRAM and processor and share Ryzen 5 5500 processor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Evounic RX 580 gives no memory type.
- Price range
- From the Evounic RX 580 to the STGAubron 3050 1TB, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look For
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
VRAM across these picks
Across these 3 picks VRAM spans 4GB (the HELLOLAND King White) to 8GB (the Evounic RX 580). If VRAM is your first filter, the Evounic RX 580 sets the ceiling at 8GB.
Memory type
The HELLOLAND King White lists DDR4-3200; the STGAubron 3050 1TB lists DDR4.
A desktop PC and monitor on a desk lit with red and blue lighting Fit and compatibility
Check the Evounic RX 580's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
Features beyond the spec table
The Evounic RX 580: an older RX 580 with 8GB of VRAM. The HELLOLAND King White: a one-year parts and labor warranty. The STGAubron 3050 1TB: a Ryzen 5 5500 six-core processor.
A white desktop PC beside a monitor on a bright home-office desk How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 3: the Evounic RX 580 through the STGAubron 3050 1TB all landed in the $500 to $1000 tier, which leaves VRAM to decide it.
How to Choose
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High texture settings at 1440p and above | Evounic RX 580 | 8GB of VRAM on the RX 580 |
| Matching a white desk setup | HELLOLAND King White | A white case |
| 1080p gaming | STGAubron 3050 1TB | An RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Evounic RX 580 leads on VRAM at 8GB, ahead of the STGAubron 3050 1TB at 6GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evounic RX 580 | RX 580 | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| HELLOLAND King White | RX 6500 XT | 4GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| STGAubron 3050 1TB | RTX 3050 | 6GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Evounic RX 580 ahead of the STGAubron 3050 1TB on VRAM?
The Evounic RX 580 tops VRAM at 8GB; the STGAubron 3050 1TB follows at 6GB, 33% apart. The spread runs down to the HELLOLAND King White at 4GB.
Is the STGAubron 3050 1TB worth paying more than the Evounic RX 580?
The STGAubron 3050 1TB matches or trails the Evounic RX 580 on VRAM. The Evounic RX 580 leads on VRAM (8GB). Both sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
What makes the Evounic RX 580 the Most VRAM?
It earns the label for 8GB of VRAM on the RX 580. The STGAubron 3050 1TB is next on VRAM at 6GB, so this pick's 8GB is 33% further out. It suits high texture settings at 1440p and above.
Do the Evounic RX 580 and the HELLOLAND King White differ on graphics card?
The Evounic RX 580 uses RX 580; the HELLOLAND King White uses RX 6500 XT; the STGAubron 3050 1TB uses RTX 3050.
What should I check before buying the Evounic RX 580?
Check the Evounic RX 580's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The Evounic RX 580's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. In this guide it ranks first of 3, as our Most VRAM pick, and first of 3 on VRAM (8GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the Evounic RX 580 and the HELLOLAND King White apart?
The Evounic RX 580: an older RX 580 with 8GB of VRAM. The HELLOLAND King White: a white case with five RGB fans. The STGAubron 3050 1TB: an RTX 3050 and a 1TB SSD near $750 at the time of writing.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Evounic RX 580, chosen for 8GB of VRAM on the RX 580. Look at the HELLOLAND King White for a white case and the STGAubron 3050 1TB for an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM if those matter more to you.
A 1TB SSD is the sensible floor for a gaming PC; these three meet it at the lowest prices we found.
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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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