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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
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.
Our take Check price for Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB) (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.
Our take Check price for HELLOLAND King White Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 6500 XT 4GB) (opens in a new tab)
RTX 3050 Pick
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 1TB)
An RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Our take Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 1TB) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | 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) (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) (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) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Most VRAM1 of 3
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
- 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 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
- 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) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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. VRAM is its weakest area, and the Evounic RX 580 covers it better at 8GB.
Key dimensions & 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)
RTX 3050 Pick3 of 3
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 1TB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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. It gives ground on memory, where the Evounic RX 580 offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & 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
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Stated parts
- We included only listings that name the CPU, the GPU with its VRAM, the RAM and the SSD capacity.
- Price and warranty
- We compared prices at the time of writing and the warranty terms each listing states.
- Power and upgrades
- We recorded PSU wattage and rating where listed, which decides later GPU upgrades.
- Balance
- We compared how the CPU, memory and storage match the graphics card's class.
What to Look For
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.