Buying Guide
The Best Gaming PCs Around $500
Six gaming PCs around $500 with integrated graphics, from Radeon 780M to Radeon 680M, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
Around $500 includes a few systems just above the line. Stretching to $550 or $580 moves you to Radeon 780M graphics, the strongest integrated chip in this group.
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 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Most Memory
PELADN HA-4 (Ryzen 7 7840HS, Radeon 780M)32GB of RAM.
Best for: Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing.
Check price for PELADN HA-4 (Ryzen 7 7840HS, Radeon 780M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Ryzen 7 H 255 Build
ACEMAGIC X3 (Ryzen 7 H 255, Radeon 780M)A Ryzen 7 H 255 processor.
Best for: Buyers who prefer this CPU platform.
Check price for ACEMAGIC X3 (Ryzen 7 H 255, Radeon 780M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Ryzen 9 7940HS Build
BOSGAME P3 Pro (Ryzen 9 7940HS, Radeon 780M)A Ryzen 9 7940HS processor.
Best for: Buyers who prefer this CPU platform.
Check price for BOSGAME P3 Pro (Ryzen 9 7940HS, Radeon 780M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Ryzen 5 7640HS Build
GMKtec M6 Ultra (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M)A Ryzen 5 7640HS processor.
Best for: Buyers who prefer this CPU platform.
Check price for GMKtec M6 Ultra (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
BOSGAME P3 (Ryzen 9 6900HX, Radeon 680M)Inside the BOSGAME P3 are a Ryzen 9 6900HX and Radeon 680M integrated graphics, backed by 16GB of DDR5 and 512GB of SSD storage.
Best for: Buyers who want a radeon 680m (integrated) graphics card.
Check price for BOSGAME P3 (Ryzen 9 6900HX, Radeon 680M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
MINISFORUM UM690L Slim (Ryzen 9 6900HX, Radeon 680M)The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Check price for MINISFORUM UM690L Slim (Ryzen 9 6900HX, Radeon 680M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Most Memory1 of 6
PELADN HA-4 (Ryzen 7 7840HS, Radeon 780M)
Inside the PELADN HA-4 are a Ryzen 7 7840HS and Radeon 780M integrated graphics, backed by 32GB of DDR5 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the UM690L Slim, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. Nothing else here matches its 32GB memory; the ACEMAGIC X3 comes closest at 16GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the ACEMAGIC X3, the BOSGAME P3 Pro and the GMKtec M6 Ultra at 1TB.
It shares a radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card with the ACEMAGIC X3 and BOSGAME P3 Pro; the UM690L Slim goes with a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card. A ryzen 7 7840HS processor is unique to it among these picks, while the ACEMAGIC X3 uses a ryzen 7 H 255 processor. It shares a DDR5 memory type with the BOSGAME P3 Pro and BOSGAME P3; the ACEMAGIC X3 goes with an LPDDR5-6400 memory type. At our last price check it topped the group, with the ACEMAGIC X3 the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- Radeon 780M (integrated)
- Processor
- Ryzen 7 7840HS
- Memory
- 32GB
- Memory type
- DDR5
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A Radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- 32GB of DDR5 and a 1TB SSD
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the BOSGAME P3
Cons
- Costs more than the UM690L Slim at the time of writing
Ryzen 7 H 255 Build2 of 6
ACEMAGIC X3 (Ryzen 7 H 255, Radeon 780M)
Inside the ACEMAGIC X3 are a Ryzen 7 H 255 and Radeon 780M integrated graphics, backed by 16GB of LPDDR5-6400 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers who prefer this CPU platform.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing.
Why we like it
It also comes with USB4 and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. It matches the BOSGAME P3 Pro, the GMKtec M6 Ultra, the BOSGAME P3 and the UM690L Slim on memory (16GB).
It matches the PELADN HA-4, the BOSGAME P3 Pro and the GMKtec M6 Ultra on SSD capacity (1TB). Like the PELADN HA-4 and BOSGAME P3 Pro, it has a radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card, while the BOSGAME P3 uses a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card. It is the only pick here with a ryzen 7 H 255 processor; the GMKtec M6 Ultra has a ryzen 5 7640HS processor instead.
No other pick in this guide offers an LPDDR5-6400 memory type; compare the PELADN HA-4, which has a DDR5 memory type. Its price falls between the BOSGAME P3 Pro and the PELADN HA-4, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- Radeon 780M (integrated)
- Processor
- Ryzen 7 H 255
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- LPDDR5-6400
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A Radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card
- USB4 and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the BOSGAME P3
- Ryzen 7 H 255 processor, the only one here
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Costs more than the UM690L Slim at the time of writing
Ryzen 9 7940HS Build3 of 6
BOSGAME P3 Pro (Ryzen 9 7940HS, Radeon 780M)
Inside the BOSGAME P3 Pro are a Ryzen 9 7940HS and Radeon 780M integrated graphics, backed by 16GB of DDR5 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers who prefer this CPU platform.
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 matches the ACEMAGIC X3, the GMKtec M6 Ultra, the BOSGAME P3 and the UM690L Slim on memory (16GB). It matches the PELADN HA-4, the ACEMAGIC X3 and the GMKtec M6 Ultra on SSD capacity (1TB).
Like the PELADN HA-4 and ACEMAGIC X3, it has a radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card, while the GMKtec M6 Ultra uses a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card. No other pick in this guide offers a ryzen 9 7940HS processor; compare the GMKtec M6 Ultra, which has a ryzen 5 7640HS processor. Like the PELADN HA-4 and BOSGAME P3, it has a DDR5 memory type, while the UM690L Slim uses an LPDDR5 memory type. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper GMKtec M6 Ultra and the pricier ACEMAGIC X3, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- Radeon 780M (integrated)
- Processor
- Ryzen 9 7940HS
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR5
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A Radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card
- Ryzen 9 7940HS near $550
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the BOSGAME P3
- Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, the only one here
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Costs more than the UM690L Slim at the time of writing
Ryzen 5 7640HS Build4 of 6
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 prefer this CPU platform.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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. On memory it ties with the ACEMAGIC X3, the BOSGAME P3 Pro, the BOSGAME P3 and the UM690L Slim at 16GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the PELADN HA-4, the ACEMAGIC X3 and the BOSGAME P3 Pro at 1TB.
You get a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card here, which sets it apart from the UM690L Slim and its a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card. You get a ryzen 5 7640HS processor here, which sets it apart from the BOSGAME P3 Pro and its a ryzen 9 7940HS processor. A DDR5-4800 memory type is unique to it among these picks, while the UM690L Slim uses an LPDDR5 memory type. It was priced above the BOSGAME P3 and below the BOSGAME P3 Pro at the time of writing.
Key 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
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the BOSGAME P3
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Costs more than the UM690L Slim at the time of writing
Solid Alternative5 of 6
BOSGAME P3 (Ryzen 9 6900HX, Radeon 680M)
Inside the BOSGAME P3 are a Ryzen 9 6900HX and Radeon 680M integrated graphics, backed by 16GB of DDR5 and 512GB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers who want a radeon 680m (integrated) graphics card.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. On memory it ties with the ACEMAGIC X3, the BOSGAME P3 Pro, the GMKtec M6 Ultra and the UM690L Slim at 16GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the UM690L Slim at 512GB.
It shares a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card with the UM690L Slim; the GMKtec M6 Ultra goes with a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card. It shares a ryzen 9 6900HX processor with the UM690L Slim; the GMKtec M6 Ultra goes with a ryzen 5 7640HS processor. It shares a DDR5 memory type with the PELADN HA-4 and BOSGAME P3 Pro; the GMKtec M6 Ultra goes with a DDR5-4800 memory type. It was priced above the UM690L Slim and below the GMKtec M6 Ultra at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- Radeon 680M (integrated)
- Processor
- Ryzen 9 6900HX
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR5
- SSD
- 512GB
Pros
- A Radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card
- Ryzen 9 6900HX with dual-channel DDR5
- 16GB of DDR5 memory in a mini PC
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- A 512GB SSD fills quickly with modern games
- Costs more than the UM690L Slim at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here6 of 6
MINISFORUM UM690L Slim (Ryzen 9 6900HX, Radeon 680M)
The UM690L Slim build pairs a Ryzen 9 6900HX, Radeon 680M integrated graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 and a 512GB 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
It also comes with a slim chassis with USB4. There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. On memory it ties with the ACEMAGIC X3, the BOSGAME P3 Pro, the GMKtec M6 Ultra and the BOSGAME P3 at 16GB.
On SSD capacity it ties with the BOSGAME P3 at 512GB. It shares a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card with the BOSGAME P3; the ACEMAGIC X3 goes with a radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card. It shares a ryzen 9 6900HX processor with the BOSGAME P3; the ACEMAGIC X3 goes with a ryzen 7 H 255 processor.
You get an LPDDR5 memory type here, which sets it apart from the GMKtec M6 Ultra and its a DDR5-4800 memory type. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the BOSGAME P3 was closest.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- Radeon 680M (integrated)
- Processor
- Ryzen 9 6900HX
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- LPDDR5
- SSD
- 512GB
Pros
- A Radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card
- Slim chassis with USB4
- 16GB of LPDDR5 memory
- LPDDR5 memory type, the only one here
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- A 512GB SSD fills quickly with modern games
- Memory trails the PELADN HA-4 (32GB)
The catch
Memory is its weakest area, and the PELADN HA-4 covers it better at 32GB.
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.
- What we compared
- We lined up six prebuilt PCs on graphics card, processor, memory and memory type as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results, and every compared field is stated for all 6 picks.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the PELADN HA-4 to the UM690L Slim, state graphics card, processor and memory.
- Who each pick suits
- The PELADN HA-4 for 32GB of RAM; the ACEMAGIC X3 for a Ryzen 7 H 255 processor; the BOSGAME P3 Pro for a Ryzen 9 7940HS processor.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the UM690L Slim ($250 to $500) to the PELADN HA-4 ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a Gaming PCs Around $500
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Memory across these picks
Here memory runs from 16GB on the UM690L Slim to 32GB on the PELADN HA-4, a 100% spread. Start with the PELADN HA-4 if memory decides it.
How much SSD capacity you need
Across these 6 picks SSD capacity spans 512GB (the UM690L Slim) to 1TB (the PELADN HA-4). For less, the ACEMAGIC X3 is the runner-up at 1TB.
A desktop PC beside a monitor on a corner gaming desk Processor
The PELADN HA-4 lists Ryzen 7 7840HS; the ACEMAGIC X3 lists Ryzen 7 H 255; the BOSGAME P3 Pro lists Ryzen 9 7940HS; the GMKtec M6 Ultra lists Ryzen 5 7640HS; the BOSGAME P3 and the UM690L Slim list Ryzen 9 6900HX. Settling processor first narrows 6 picks to 2, 1, 1 or 1 or 1.
Memory type
The PELADN HA-4, the BOSGAME P3 Pro and the BOSGAME P3 list DDR5; the ACEMAGIC X3 lists LPDDR5-6400; the GMKtec M6 Ultra lists DDR5-4800; the UM690L Slim lists LPDDR5.
A desktop PC and monitor on a desk lit with red and blue lighting Setup checks
Check the PELADN HA-4'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 a Gaming PCs Around $500
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing | PELADN HA-4 | 32GB of RAM |
| Buyers who prefer this CPU platform | ACEMAGIC X3 | A Ryzen 7 H 255 processor |
| Buyers who prefer this CPU platform | BOSGAME P3 Pro | A Ryzen 9 7940HS processor |
| Buyers who prefer this CPU platform | GMKtec M6 Ultra | A Ryzen 5 7640HS processor |
| Keeping the budget tight | UM690L Slim | The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The PELADN HA-4 leads on memory at 32GB, ahead of the ACEMAGIC X3 at 16GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | Processor | Memory | Memory type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PELADN HA-4 | Radeon 780M (integrated) | Ryzen 7 7840HS | 32GB | DDR5 |
| ACEMAGIC X3 | Radeon 780M (integrated) | Ryzen 7 H 255 | 16GB | LPDDR5-6400 |
| BOSGAME P3 Pro | Radeon 780M (integrated) | Ryzen 9 7940HS | 16GB | DDR5 |
| GMKtec M6 Ultra | Radeon 760M (integrated) | Ryzen 5 7640HS | 16GB | DDR5-4800 |
| BOSGAME P3 | Radeon 680M (integrated) | Ryzen 9 6900HX | 16GB | DDR5 |
| UM690L Slim | Radeon 680M (integrated) | Ryzen 9 6900HX | 16GB | LPDDR5 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The UM690L Slim was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the PELADN HA-4 the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Prebuilt PCs |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | UM690L Slim, BOSGAME P3, GMKtec M6 Ultra |
| About $500 to $1000 | BOSGAME P3 Pro, ACEMAGIC X3, PELADN HA-4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PELADN HA-4 ahead of the ACEMAGIC X3 on memory?
The PELADN HA-4 tops memory at 32GB; the ACEMAGIC X3 follows at 16GB, 100% apart.
What does the PELADN HA-4 add over the UM690L Slim?
What it brings is memory (32GB against 16GB) and SSD capacity (1TB against 512GB). On our last price check the UM690L Slim was in the $250 to $500 tier and the PELADN HA-4 in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if memory and SSD capacity decide your purchase.
Why is the GMKtec M6 Ultra our Ryzen 5 7640HS Build pick?
The label rests on a Ryzen 5 7640HS processor. It makes sense for anyone who prefers this CPU platform.
Do the PELADN HA-4 and the GMKtec M6 Ultra differ on graphics card?
The PELADN HA-4, the ACEMAGIC X3 and the BOSGAME P3 Pro use Radeon 780M (integrated); the GMKtec M6 Ultra uses Radeon 760M (integrated); the BOSGAME P3 and the UM690L Slim use Radeon 680M (integrated).
Will the BOSGAME P3 Pro work with my setup?
Check the BOSGAME P3 Pro's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The BOSGAME P3 Pro'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 Ryzen 9 7940HS Build pick, and third of 6 on memory (16GB).
What extras do the PELADN HA-4 and the ACEMAGIC X3 include?
The PELADN HA-4: 32GB of DDR5 and a 1TB SSD. The ACEMAGIC X3: USB4 and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The BOSGAME P3 Pro: a Ryzen 9 7940HS near $550.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the PELADN HA-4, chosen for 32GB of RAM. Look at the ACEMAGIC X3 for a Ryzen 7 H 255 processor, the BOSGAME P3 Pro for a Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, the GMKtec M6 Ultra for a Ryzen 5 7640HS processor and the UM690L Slim for the lowest price among these picks at the time of writing if those matter more to you.
If the budget allows, a Radeon 780M system is the step worth paying for; below it, 680M and 760M are close.
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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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