Buying Guide
The Best Affordable Gaming Desktops
Six affordable gaming desktops, from Arc B570 to RTX 4060, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
Affordable here means roughly $1,000 to $1,300 at the time of writing. That range buys an RTX 5050, RTX 5060, RX 9060 or Arc B570 with a 1TB SSD.
Our comparison uses what each seller states, not hands-on testing. Listings without a named CPU, a GPU with its VRAM, a RAM figure or an SSD size were dropped, as were renewed units and outlier prices.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Most VRAM
iBUYPOWER Slate (Core Ultra 5 225F, Intel Arc B570 10GB)10GB of VRAM on the Arc B570.
Best for: High texture settings at 1440p and above.
Check price for iBUYPOWER Slate (Core Ultra 5 225F, Intel Arc B570 10GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060)STORMCRAFT Sirius pairs a Core i5-14400F with an RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for: Buyers who want a rtx 5060 graphics card.
Check price for STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RTX 5050 Build
iBUYPOWER Element SE (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5050 8GB)An RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for iBUYPOWER Element SE (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5050 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Longest Warranty
ZOTAC MEK (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 8GB)A 1 year system, 3 years GPU warranty.
Best for: Long-term ownership.
Check price for ZOTAC MEK (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Memory
Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, Radeon RX 9060 8GB)32GB of RAM.
Best for: Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing.
Check price for Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, Radeon RX 9060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RTX 4060 Build
iBUYPOWER Scale (Core i5-14400F, RTX 4060 8GB)An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for iBUYPOWER Scale (Core i5-14400F, RTX 4060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Most VRAM1 of 6
iBUYPOWER Slate (Core Ultra 5 225F, Intel Arc B570 10GB)
The Slate Arc B570 build pairs a Core Ultra 5 225F, an Arc B570 with 10GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR5-4800 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- High texture settings at 1440p and above.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing is a problem.
Why we like it
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. Nothing else here matches its 10GB VRAM; the STORMCRAFT Sirius comes closest at 8GB. It matches the STORMCRAFT Sirius, the Element SE RTX 5050, the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and the iBUYPOWER Scale on memory (16GB).
It is the only pick here with an arc B570 graphics card; the Skytech RX 9060 has an RX 9060 graphics card instead. It is the only pick here with a core Ultra 5 225F processor; the STORMCRAFT Sirius has a core i5-14400F processor instead. No other pick in this guide offers a DDR5-4800 memory type; compare the STORMCRAFT Sirius, which has a DDR4 memory type.
Check the Slate Arc B570's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the iBUYPOWER Scale.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- Arc B570
- VRAM
- 10GB
- Processor
- Core Ultra 5 225F
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR5-4800
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A Arc B570 graphics card
- Intel Arc B570 with 10GB of VRAM
- Most VRAM of the picks (10GB)
- Core Ultra 5 225F processor, the only one here
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Costs more than the STORMCRAFT Sirius at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed power supply wattage should compare it with the STORMCRAFT Sirius, which offers 650W.
Worth Considering2 of 6
STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060)
STORMCRAFT Sirius pairs a Core i5-14400F with an RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want a rtx 5060 graphics card.
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
It also comes with a current RTX 5060 near $1,100 at the time of writing. The power supply is rated at 650W (80 Plus Gold). On VRAM it ties with the Element SE RTX 5050, the MEK 5500 RTX 5060, the Skytech RX 9060 and the iBUYPOWER Scale at 8GB.
It shares an RTX 5060 graphics card with the MEK 5500 RTX 5060; the iBUYPOWER Scale goes with an RTX 4060 graphics card. It shares a core i5-14400F processor with the Element SE RTX 5050 and iBUYPOWER Scale; the Slate Arc B570 goes with a core Ultra 5 225F processor. A DDR4 memory type is unique to it among these picks, while the Slate Arc B570 uses a DDR5-4800 memory type. Check the STORMCRAFT Sirius's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 5060
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Processor
- Core i5-14400F
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR4
- SSD
- 1TB
- Power supply
- 650W
- PSU rating
- 80 Plus Gold
Pros
- A RTX 5060 graphics card
- A 650W power supply
- An 80 Plus Gold power supply
- Current RTX 5060 near $1,100 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 Slate Arc B570 (10GB)
The catch
What it gives up: VRAM of 8GB, behind the Slate Arc B570 (10GB); by contrast, the Slate Arc B570 offers 10GB.
RTX 5050 Build3 of 6
iBUYPOWER Element SE (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5050 8GB)
Element SE RTX 5050 pairs a Core i5-14400F with an RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR5-5200 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 STORMCRAFT Sirius, the MEK 5500 RTX 5060, the Skytech RX 9060 and the iBUYPOWER Scale on VRAM (8GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 5050 graphics card; the Skytech RX 9060 has an RX 9060 graphics card instead.
Like the STORMCRAFT Sirius and iBUYPOWER Scale, it has a core i5-14400F processor, while the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 uses a ryzen 5 5500 processor. Like the iBUYPOWER Scale, it has a DDR5-5200 memory type, while the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 uses a DDR4-3200 memory type. Check the Element SE RTX 5050'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.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 5050
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Processor
- Core i5-14400F
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR5-5200
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 5050 graphics card
- RTX 5050 on DDR5
- 1TB SSD
- An RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM
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 Slate Arc B570 (10GB)
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed power supply wattage should compare it with the STORMCRAFT Sirius, which offers 650W.
Longest Warranty4 of 6
ZOTAC MEK (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 8GB)
Inside the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 are a Ryzen 5 5500 and an RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM, backed by 16GB of DDR4-3200 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Long-term ownership.
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 an RTX 5060 with a 650W Gold PSU. It matches the STORMCRAFT Sirius, the Element SE RTX 5050, the Skytech RX 9060 and the iBUYPOWER Scale on VRAM (8GB). Like the STORMCRAFT Sirius, it has an RTX 5060 graphics card, while the Slate Arc B570 uses an arc B570 graphics card.
Like the Skytech RX 9060, it has a ryzen 5 5500 processor, while the Slate Arc B570 uses a core Ultra 5 225F processor. Like the Skytech RX 9060, it has a DDR4-3200 memory type, while the Element SE RTX 5050 uses a DDR5-5200 memory type. Check the MEK 5500 RTX 5060's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
The 650W power supply is the stated figure; check its connectors before a later GPU upgrade. With 16GB installed, check for free memory slots before adding more.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 5060
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR4-3200
- SSD
- 1TB
- Power supply
- 650W
- PSU rating
- 80 Plus Gold
- Warranty
- 1 year system, 3 years GPU
Pros
- A RTX 5060 graphics card
- A 650W power supply
- An 80 Plus Gold power supply
- RTX 5060 with a 650W Gold PSU
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 Slate Arc B570 (10GB)
The catch
The main gap: VRAM of 8GB, behind the Slate Arc B570 (10GB). If that matters, the Slate Arc B570 offers 10GB.
Most Memory5 of 6
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
- Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing.
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
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 STORMCRAFT Sirius, the Element SE RTX 5050, the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and the iBUYPOWER Scale at 8GB.
Its 32GB memory is the most here; the Slate Arc B570 comes next at 16GB. You get an RX 9060 graphics card here, which sets it apart from the STORMCRAFT Sirius and its an RTX 5060 graphics card. It shares a ryzen 5 5500 processor with the MEK 5500 RTX 5060; the iBUYPOWER Scale goes with a core i5-14400F processor.
It shares a DDR4-3200 memory type with the MEK 5500 RTX 5060; the STORMCRAFT Sirius goes with a DDR4 memory type. It was priced above the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and below the iBUYPOWER Scale at the time of writing.
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
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- Costs more than the STORMCRAFT Sirius at the time of writing
The catch
There is no published power supply wattage figure, whereas the STORMCRAFT Sirius offers 650W.
RTX 4060 Build6 of 6
iBUYPOWER Scale (Core i5-14400F, RTX 4060 8GB)
The iBUYPOWER Scale build pairs a Core i5-14400F, an RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR5-5200 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- 1080p gaming.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p is a problem.
Why we like it
It also comes with DDR5 memory with RGB. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it ties with the STORMCRAFT Sirius, the Element SE RTX 5050, the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and the Skytech RX 9060 at 8GB.
An RTX 4060 graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 uses an RTX 5060 graphics card. It shares a core i5-14400F processor with the STORMCRAFT Sirius and Element SE RTX 5050; the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 goes with a ryzen 5 5500 processor. It shares a DDR5-5200 memory type with the Element SE RTX 5050; the Skytech RX 9060 goes with a DDR4-3200 memory type. When we checked, only the Skytech RX 9060 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Slate Arc B570 cost more.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 4060
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Processor
- Core i5-14400F
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR5-5200
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 4060 graphics card
- DDR5 memory with RGB
- 1TB SSD
- An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM
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 trails the Slate Arc B570 (10GB)
The catch
VRAM is its weakest area, and the Slate Arc B570 covers it better at 10GB.
How We Chose These Affordable Gaming Desktops
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 six prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and power supply wattage and PSU rating are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the Slate Arc B570 to the iBUYPOWER Scale, state graphics card, VRAM and processor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Slate Arc B570, the Element SE RTX 5050, the Skytech RX 9060 and the iBUYPOWER Scale give no power supply wattage; the Slate Arc B570, the Element SE RTX 5050, the Skytech RX 9060 and the iBUYPOWER Scale give no PSU rating.
- Price range
- From the STORMCRAFT Sirius to the Slate Arc B570, all sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in an Affordable Gaming Desktop
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much VRAM you need
Here VRAM runs from 8GB on the iBUYPOWER Scale to 10GB on the Slate Arc B570, a 25% spread. If VRAM is your first filter, the Slate Arc B570 sets the ceiling at 10GB.
Memory
Across these 6 picks memory spans 16GB (the iBUYPOWER Scale) to 32GB (the Skytech RX 9060). The Skytech RX 9060 is the pick for memory.
A desktop PC beside a monitor on a corner gaming desk Processor
The Slate Arc B570 lists Core Ultra 5 225F; the STORMCRAFT Sirius, the Element SE RTX 5050 and the iBUYPOWER Scale list Core i5-14400F; the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and the Skytech RX 9060 list ryzen 5 5500.
Memory type
The Slate Arc B570 lists DDR5-4800; the STORMCRAFT Sirius lists DDR4; the Element SE RTX 5050 and the iBUYPOWER Scale list DDR5-5200; the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and the Skytech RX 9060 list DDR4-3200.
A desktop PC and monitor on a desk lit with red and blue lighting Setup checks
Check the Slate Arc B570's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
How to Choose an Affordable Gaming Desktop
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High texture settings at 1440p and above | Slate Arc B570 | 10GB of VRAM on the Arc B570 |
| 1080p gaming | Element SE RTX 5050 | An RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM |
| Long-term ownership | MEK 5500 RTX 5060 | A 1 year system, 3 years GPU warranty |
| Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing | Skytech RX 9060 | 32GB of RAM |
| 1080p gaming | iBUYPOWER Scale | An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Slate Arc B570 leads on VRAM at 10GB, ahead of the STORMCRAFT Sirius at 8GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slate Arc B570 | Arc B570 | 10GB | Core Ultra 5 225F | 16GB |
| STORMCRAFT Sirius | RTX 5060 | 8GB | Core i5-14400F | 16GB |
| Element SE RTX 5050 | RTX 5050 | 8GB | Core i5-14400F | 16GB |
| MEK 5500 RTX 5060 | RTX 5060 | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| Skytech RX 9060 | RX 9060 | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 32GB |
| iBUYPOWER Scale | RTX 4060 | 8GB | Core i5-14400F | 16GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Slate Arc B570 ahead of the STORMCRAFT Sirius on VRAM?
The Slate Arc B570 tops VRAM at 10GB; the STORMCRAFT Sirius follows at 8GB, 25% apart.
How does the Slate Arc B570 compare with the Skytech RX 9060 on memory?
The Skytech RX 9060 leads at 32GB, with the Slate Arc B570 at 16GB.
What does the Slate Arc B570 add over the STORMCRAFT Sirius?
What it brings is VRAM (10GB against 8GB). Both sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier when we checked, so the gains in VRAM cost little extra by tier.
Why is the Skytech RX 9060 our Most Memory pick?
It earns the label for 32GB of RAM. It suits gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing.
Do the Slate Arc B570 and the STORMCRAFT Sirius differ on graphics card?
The Slate Arc B570 uses Arc B570; the STORMCRAFT Sirius and the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 use RTX 5060; the Element SE RTX 5050 uses RTX 5050; the Skytech RX 9060 uses RX 9060; the iBUYPOWER Scale uses RTX 4060.
Will the Element SE RTX 5050 work with my setup?
Check the Element SE RTX 5050's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The Element SE RTX 5050's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. In this guide it ranks third of 6, as our RTX 5050 Build pick, and third of 6 on VRAM (8GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Slate Arc B570, chosen for 10GB of VRAM on the Arc B570. Look at the Element SE RTX 5050 for an RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM, the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 for a 1 year system, 3 years GPU warranty, the Skytech RX 9060 for 32GB of RAM and the iBUYPOWER Scale for an RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM if those matter more to you.
In this range, a stated PSU and warranty are good tie-breakers between similar cards.
Related Guides
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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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