Buying Guide
The Best Gaming PCs for 500 Dollars
Three gaming PCs for 500 dollars with integrated graphics, from Radeon 680M to Radeon 760M, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
No listing we found under $500 pairs a tower with a separate graphics card and names every part, so every pick here is a mini PC that games on Radeon integrated graphics. These three keep a 1TB SSD, which matters more than usual on a small machine with one drive slot.
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
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Glorlin Mini PC (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M)
The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Glorlin Mini PC (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M) (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
Trycoo Mini PC (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M, 1TB)
The Trycoo 1TB build pairs a Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M integrated graphics, 16GB of DDR5-5600 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for: Buyers who want a radeon 760m (integrated) graphics card.
Our take Check price for Trycoo Mini PC (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M, 1TB) (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
GMKtec M6 Ultra (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M)
The GMKtec M6 Ultra build pairs a Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M integrated graphics, 16GB of DDR5-4800 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for: Buyers who want a radeon 760m (integrated) graphics card.
Our take Check price for GMKtec M6 Ultra (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M) (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 Glorlin Mini PC (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M) (opens in a new tab) |
| The Trycoo 1TB build pairs a Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M integrated graphics, 16GB of DDR5-5600 and a 1TB SSD. | Buyers who want a radeon 760m (integrated) graphics card. | Check price for Trycoo Mini PC (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M, 1TB) (opens in a new tab) |
| The GMKtec M6 Ultra build pairs a Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M integrated graphics, 16GB of DDR5-4800 and a 1TB SSD. | Buyers who want a radeon 760m (integrated) graphics card. | Check price for GMKtec M6 Ultra (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Glorlin Mini PC (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Glorlin 6800H build pairs a Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M integrated graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing.
Why we like it
There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. It is the only pick here with a ryzen 7 6800H processor; the Trycoo 1TB has a ryzen 5 7640HS processor instead. No other pick in this guide offers an LPDDR5 memory type; compare the Trycoo 1TB, which has a DDR5-5600 memory type.
Check the Glorlin 6800H's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The Glorlin 6800H's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. With 16GB installed, check for free memory slots before adding more. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Trycoo 1TB was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: Radeon 680M (integrated)
- Processor: Ryzen 7 6800H
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: LPDDR5
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A Radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card
- 1TB SSD with a Ryzen 7 6800H
- Eight-core Ryzen 7 6800H
- Ryzen 7 6800H processor, the only one here
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
Solid Alternative2 of 3
Trycoo Mini PC (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M, 1TB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Trycoo 1TB build pairs a Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M integrated graphics, 16GB of DDR5-5600 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want a radeon 760m (integrated) graphics card.
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 a 1TB SSD with room to expand. There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. Like the GMKtec M6 Ultra, it has a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card, while the Glorlin 6800H uses a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card.
Like the GMKtec M6 Ultra, it has a ryzen 5 7640HS processor, while the Glorlin 6800H uses a ryzen 7 6800H processor. No other pick in this guide offers a DDR5-5600 memory type; compare the Glorlin 6800H, which has an LPDDR5 memory type. Check the Trycoo 1TB's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
The Trycoo 1TB's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. Its price falls between the Glorlin 6800H and the GMKtec M6 Ultra, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: Radeon 760M (integrated)
- Processor: Ryzen 5 7640HS
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR5-5600
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A Radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card
- 1TB SSD with room to expand
- 16GB of DDR5-5600 memory
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Costs more than the Glorlin 6800H at the time of writing
Worth Considering3 of 3
GMKtec M6 Ultra (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The GMKtec M6 Ultra build pairs a Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M integrated graphics, 16GB of DDR5-4800 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want a radeon 760m (integrated) graphics card.
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
There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. It shares a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card with the Trycoo 1TB; the Glorlin 6800H goes with a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card. It shares a ryzen 5 7640HS processor with the Trycoo 1TB; the Glorlin 6800H goes with a ryzen 7 6800H processor.
You get a DDR5-4800 memory type here, which sets it apart from the Trycoo 1TB and its a DDR5-5600 memory type. Check the GMKtec M6 Ultra's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The GMKtec M6 Ultra's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the Trycoo 1TB the nearest cheaper option. Memory is its weakest area, and the Glorlin 6800H covers it better at 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: Radeon 760M (integrated)
- Processor: Ryzen 5 7640HS
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR5-4800
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A Radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card
- 1TB SSD at about $500
- 16GB of DDR5-4800 memory
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Costs more than the Glorlin 6800H at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming PCs for 500 Dollars
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- 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.
- 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.
What to Look for in a Gaming PC for 500 Dollars
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose a Gaming PC for 500 Dollars
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | Glorlin 6800H | The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | Processor | Memory | Memory type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glorlin 6800H | Radeon 680M (integrated) | Ryzen 7 6800H | 16GB | LPDDR5 |
| Trycoo 1TB | Radeon 760M (integrated) | Ryzen 5 7640HS | 16GB | DDR5-5600 |
| GMKtec M6 Ultra | Radeon 760M (integrated) | Ryzen 5 7640HS | 16GB | DDR5-4800 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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 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.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Glorlin 6800H, chosen for the lowest price among these picks at the time of writing.
Check whether a second M.2 slot is free before buying a larger drive.