Buying Guide

The Best Gaming PCs for Beginners

We weighed five gaming PCs on VRAM and memory, and the AVGPC Mini-X costs the least.

By The PC Journal editorial team

12 min read5 products evaluated

A first gaming PC should run current games at 1080p or 1440p without upgrades and come ready to plug in. Every pick costs between $900 and $1,500 and has at least 16GB of memory and a 1TB SSD.

The order reflects graphics card, VRAM and processor from maker specifications; we did not test these gaming PCs ourselves, and a missing memory type is flagged, not filled in.

Quick Picks

Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.

  1. Also Consider

    Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, Radeon RX 9060 8GB)

    32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060.

    Best for: Buyers who want 32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060.

    Our take Check price for Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, Radeon RX 9060 8GB) (opens in a new tab)

  2. Strong Alternative

    Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700, RTX 5060, 32GB)

    32GB of RAM at an RTX 5060 price.

    Best for: Buyers who want 32GB of RAM at an RTX 5060 price.

    Our take Check price for Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700, RTX 5060, 32GB) (opens in a new tab)

  3. Premium Pick

    Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, 32GB)

    The top of this price range, adding 32GB of DDR4 with an RTX 5060 Ti.

    Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.

    Our take Check price for Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, 32GB) (opens in a new tab)

  4. Lowest Price Here

    AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB)

    The cheapest way into this group, below the STORMCRAFT Sirius.

    Best for: Keeping the budget tight.

    Our take Check price for AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB) (opens in a new tab)

  5. Worth a Look

    STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060)

    A current RTX 5060 near $1,100 at the time of writing.

    Best for: Buyers who want current RTX 5060 near $1,100 at the time of writing.

    Our take Check price for STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060) (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, Radeon RX 9060 8GB)

Also Consider1 of 5

Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, Radeon RX 9060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

Buyers who want 32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060.

Skip if

Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440 is a problem.

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 memory it ties with the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB and the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB at 32GB.

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 Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB; the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB goes with a ryzen 7 5700 processor. It shares a DDR4-3200 memory type with the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB and AVGPC Mini-X; the STORMCRAFT Sirius goes with a DDR4 memory type.

It was priced above the STORMCRAFT Sirius and below the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB at the time of writing. There is no published power supply wattage figure, whereas the AVGPC Mini-X offers 650W.

Key dimensions & 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 AVGPC Mini-X at the time of writing
Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700, RTX 5060, 32GB)

Strong Alternative2 of 5

Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 7 5700, RTX 5060, 32GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Skytech's Ryzen 7 5700 build doubles the usual memory to 32GB alongside an RTX 5060.

Best for

Buyers who want 32GB of RAM at an RTX 5060 price.

Skip if

Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440 is a problem.

Why we like it

That extra RAM helps when a game shares the PC with a stream or browser. It ships in a triple-glass case with an ARGB air cooler, and the parts and labour warranty runs for a year. Like the AVGPC Mini-X and STORMCRAFT Sirius, it has an RTX 5060 graphics card, while the Skytech RX 9060 uses an RX 9060 graphics card.

No other pick in this guide offers a ryzen 7 5700 processor; compare the AVGPC Mini-X, which has a core i5-11400F processor. Check the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Skytech RX 9060 and the pricier Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its power supply wattage; if that figure matters, the AVGPC Mini-X offers 650W.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Graphics card: RTX 5060
  • VRAM: 8GB
  • Processor: Ryzen 7 5700
  • Memory: 32GB
  • SSD: 1TB
  • Warranty: 1 year parts and labor

Pros

  • A RTX 5060 graphics card
  • 32GB of RAM
  • 32GB of RAM at an RTX 5060 price
  • Ryzen 7 5700 processor, the only one here

Cons

  • 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
  • Costs more than the AVGPC Mini-X at the time of writing
Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, 32GB)

Premium Pick3 of 5

Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, 32GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Inside the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB are a Ryzen 5 5500 and an RTX 5060 Ti with 8GB of VRAM, backed by 32GB of DDR4-3200 and 1TB of SSD storage.

Best for

Spending more for the fullest feature set.

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

Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. You get an RTX 5060 Ti 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 Skytech RX 9060; the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB goes with a ryzen 7 5700 processor.

It shares a DDR4-3200 memory type with the Skytech RX 9060 and AVGPC Mini-X; the STORMCRAFT Sirius goes with a DDR4 memory type. Check the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. Only the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published power supply wattage figure, whereas the AVGPC Mini-X offers 650W.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Graphics card: RTX 5060 Ti
  • VRAM: 8GB
  • Processor: Ryzen 5 5500
  • Memory: 32GB
  • Memory type: DDR4-3200
  • SSD: 1TB
  • Warranty: 1 year parts and labor

Pros

  • A RTX 5060 Ti graphics card
  • 32GB of RAM
  • 32GB of DDR4 with an RTX 5060 Ti
  • The top of this price range, adding 32GB of DDR4 with an RTX 5060 Ti

Cons

  • 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
  • Costs more than the AVGPC Mini-X at the time of writing
AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB)

Lowest Price Here4 of 5

AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Inside the AVGPC Mini-X are a Core i5-11400F and an RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM, backed by 16GB of DDR4-3200 and 1TB of SSD storage.

Best for

Keeping the budget tight.

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 desktop RTX 5060 in a small case. The power supply is rated at 650W (80 Plus Gold). It matches the STORMCRAFT Sirius on memory (16GB).

Like the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB and STORMCRAFT Sirius, it has an RTX 5060 graphics card, while the Skytech RX 9060 uses an RX 9060 graphics card. It is the only pick here with a core i5-11400F processor; the Skytech RX 9060 has a ryzen 5 5500 processor instead. Like the Skytech RX 9060 and Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB, it has a DDR4-3200 memory type, while the STORMCRAFT Sirius uses a DDR4 memory type.

It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the STORMCRAFT Sirius was the next step up. The main gap: memory of 16GB, behind the Skytech RX 9060 (32GB). If that matters, the Skytech RX 9060 offers 32GB.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Graphics card: RTX 5060
  • VRAM: 8GB
  • Processor: Core i5-11400F
  • Memory: 16GB
  • Memory type: DDR4-3200
  • 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
  • Desktop RTX 5060 in a small case

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
  • Memory of 16GB, behind the Skytech RX 9060 (32GB)
STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060)

Worth a Look5 of 5

STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

STORMCRAFT's Sirius is one of few listings in this range to name its PSU: 650W with 80 Plus Gold.

Best for

Buyers who want current RTX 5060 near $1,100 at the time of writing.

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 pairs a Core i5-14400F with a current RTX 5060. On memory it ties with the AVGPC Mini-X at 16GB. It shares an RTX 5060 graphics card with the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB and AVGPC Mini-X; the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB goes with an RTX 5060 Ti graphics card.

You get a core i5-14400F processor here, which sets it apart from the AVGPC Mini-X and its a core i5-11400F processor. A DDR4 memory type is unique to it among these picks, while the Skytech RX 9060 uses a DDR4-3200 memory type. It also comes with a current RTX 5060 near $1,100 at the time of writing.

It was priced above the AVGPC Mini-X and below the Skytech RX 9060 at the time of writing. It gives ground on VRAM, where the Skytech RX 9060 offers 8GB.

Key dimensions & 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
  • Memory trails the Skytech RX 9060 (32GB)

How We Chose These Gaming PCs for Beginners

Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.

The figures behind the order
We compared five prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
What every pick has in common
All 5, from the Skytech RX 9060 to the STORMCRAFT Sirius, state graphics card, VRAM and processor.
Where the specs have gaps
The Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB gives no memory type; the Skytech RX 9060, the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB and the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB give no power supply wattage.
Price range
From the AVGPC Mini-X to the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB, all sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier when we checked.

What to Look for in a Gaming PC for Beginners

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. How much memory you need

    Here memory runs from 16GB on the STORMCRAFT Sirius to 32GB on the Skytech RX 9060. Start with the Skytech RX 9060 if memory decides it.

  2. Processor

    The Skytech RX 9060 and the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB list ryzen 5 5500; the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB lists ryzen 7 5700; the AVGPC Mini-X lists Core i5-11400F; the STORMCRAFT Sirius lists Core i5-14400F. Settle this first, then compare prices.

  3. Memory type

    The Skytech RX 9060, the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB and the AVGPC Mini-X list DDR4-3200; the STORMCRAFT Sirius lists DDR4. Settle this first, then compare prices.

  4. What to check at home

    Check the Skytech RX 9060's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.

  5. Extras that separate them

    The Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB: 32GB of DDR4 with an RTX 5060 Ti. The AVGPC Mini-X: a desktop RTX 5060 in a small case. The STORMCRAFT Sirius: a current RTX 5060 near $1,100 at the time of writing.

How to Choose a Gaming PC for Beginners

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Buyers who want 32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060Skytech RX 906032GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060
Buyers who want 32GB of RAM at an RTX 5060 priceSkytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB32GB of RAM at an RTX 5060 price
Spending more for the fullest feature setSkytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GBThe top of this price range, adding 32GB of DDR4 with an RTX 5060 Ti
Keeping the budget tightAVGPC Mini-XThe cheapest way into this group, below the STORMCRAFT Sirius
Buyers who want current RTX 5060 near $1,100 at the time of writingSTORMCRAFT SiriusA current RTX 5060 near $1,100 at the time of writing

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Key specs side by side

The Skytech RX 9060 leads on memory at 32GB, ahead of the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB at 32GB.

Prebuilt PCGraphics cardVRAMProcessorMemory
Skytech RX 9060RX 90608GBRyzen 5 550032GB
Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GBRTX 50608GBRyzen 7 570032GB
Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GBRTX 5060 Ti8GBRyzen 5 550032GB
AVGPC Mini-XRTX 50608GBCore i5-11400F16GB
STORMCRAFT SiriusRTX 50608GBCore i5-14400F16GB

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB add over the AVGPC Mini-X?

On paper it adds memory (32GB against 16GB). The AVGPC Mini-X was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.

Why is the AVGPC Mini-X our Lowest Price Here pick?

It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the STORMCRAFT Sirius. It suits keeping the budget tight.

Do the Skytech RX 9060 and the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB differ on graphics card?

The Skytech RX 9060 uses RX 9060; the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB, the AVGPC Mini-X and the STORMCRAFT Sirius use RTX 5060; the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB uses RTX 5060 Ti.

Will the STORMCRAFT Sirius work with my setup?

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. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5.

What extras do the Skytech RX 9060 and the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB include?

The Skytech RX 9060: 32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060. The Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB: 32GB of RAM at an RTX 5060 price. The Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB: 32GB of DDR4 with an RTX 5060 Ti.

Bottom Line

Our first pick is the Skytech RX 9060, chosen for 32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060. Look at the Skytech 5700 RTX 5060 32GB for 32GB of RAM at an RTX 5060 price, the Skytech 5500 5060 Ti 32GB for the top of this price range, adding 32GB of DDR4 with an RTX 5060 Ti and the AVGPC Mini-X for the cheapest way into this group, below the STORMCRAFT Sirius if those matter more to you.

Check the warranty length and who handles support before you buy.