Buying Guide
The Best Gaming PC for Esports
From the Evounic RX 580 to the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT: five gaming PCs ranked on VRAM and memory, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Esports titles run at high frame rates on mid-range hardware, so the budget is better spent on a fast monitor. Every pick is a tower under $1,500.
We sorted these picks by graphics card, VRAM and processor, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips memory type, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Most VRAM
HOENGAGER Panorama (Ryzen 7 5700X, Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB)The most VRAM here (16GB).
Best for: Buyers who put VRAM first.
Check price for HOENGAGER Panorama (Ryzen 7 5700X, Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB)12GB of VRAM on an older RTX 3060 at a sub-$900 price at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who want 12GB of VRAM on an older RTX 3060 at a sub-$900 price at the time of writing.
Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
iBUYPOWER Slate (Core Ultra 5 225F, Intel Arc B570 10GB)An Intel Arc B570 with 10GB of VRAM.
Best for: Buyers who want Intel Arc B570 with 10GB of VRAM.
Check price for iBUYPOWER Slate (Core Ultra 5 225F, Intel Arc B570 10GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB)The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $1000.
Check price for Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ZOTAC MEK (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 8GB)An RTX 5060 with a 650W Gold PSU.
Best for: Buyers who want RTX 5060 with a 650W Gold PSU.
Check price for ZOTAC MEK (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Most VRAM1 of 5
HOENGAGER Panorama (Ryzen 7 5700X, Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB)
Inside the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT are a Ryzen 7 5700X and an RX 9060 XT with 16GB of VRAM, backed by 32GB of DDR4 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers who put VRAM first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Evounic RX 580, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also comes with a 16GB RX 9060 XT under $1,500 at the time of writing. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. Its 16GB VRAM is the most here; the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 comes next at 12GB.
You get an RX 9060 XT graphics card here, which sets it apart from the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and its an RTX 5060 graphics card. You get a ryzen 7 5700X processor here, which sets it apart from the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and its a ryzen 5 5500 processor. It shares a DDR4 memory type with the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060; the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 goes with a DDR4-3200 memory type. Only the Slate Arc B570 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 7 5700X
- Memory
- 32GB
- Memory type
- DDR4
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A RX 9060 XT graphics card
- 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 32GB of RAM
- 16GB RX 9060 XT under $1,500 at the time of writing
Cons
- Costs more than the Evounic RX 580 at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB)
STGAubron pairs a six-core Ryzen 5 5500 with an RTX 3060 that carries 12GB of VRAM, more memory than any RTX 3050 or RX 6500 XT system near its price.
Best for
- Buyers who want 12GB of VRAM on an older RTX 3060 at a sub-$900 price at the time of writing.
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 ships with 16GB of DDR4 and a 1TB SSD. Its 12GB VRAM ranks second of 5 here, behind the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT (16GB) and ahead of the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 (8GB). It matches the Slate Arc B570, the Evounic RX 580 and the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 on memory (16GB).
No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 3060 graphics card; compare the Evounic RX 580, which has an RX 580 graphics card. Like the Evounic RX 580 and MEK 5500 RTX 5060, it has a ryzen 5 5500 processor, while the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT uses a ryzen 7 5700X processor. Like the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT, it has a DDR4 memory type, while the Slate Arc B570 uses a DDR5-4800 memory type. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Evounic RX 580 and the pricier MEK 5500 RTX 5060, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 3060
- VRAM
- 12GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR4
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 3060 graphics card
- 12GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 12GB of VRAM on an older RTX 3060 at a sub-$900 price at the time of writing
Cons
- 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
Strong Alternative3 of 5
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
- Buyers who want Intel Arc B570 with 10GB of VRAM.
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
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it sits mid-pack at 10GB: the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT offers 16GB, and the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 comes in at 8GB. On memory it ties with the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, the Evounic RX 580 and the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 at 16GB.
You get an arc B570 graphics card here, which sets it apart from the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and its an RTX 5060 graphics card. You get a core Ultra 5 225F processor here, which sets it apart from the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and its a ryzen 5 5500 processor. A DDR5-4800 memory type is unique to it among these picks, while the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT uses a DDR4 memory type. It was priced above the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and below the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT at the time of writing.
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
- VRAM of 10GB, ahead of the Evounic RX 580
- 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 Evounic RX 580 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB)
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
- Keeping the cost under $1000.
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. On VRAM it ties with the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 at 8GB. On memory it ties with the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, the Slate Arc B570 and the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 at 16GB.
You get an RX 580 graphics card here, which sets it apart from the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and its an RTX 5060 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 5 picks at the time of writing, with the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 the next step up.
Key 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
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
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 HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT (16GB)
The catch
What it gives up: VRAM of 8GB, behind the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT (16GB); by contrast, the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT offers 16GB.
Worth a Look5 of 5
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
- Buyers who want RTX 5060 with a 650W Gold PSU.
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 an RTX 5060 with a 650W Gold PSU. On VRAM it ties with the Evounic RX 580 at 8GB. On memory it ties with the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, the Slate Arc B570 and the Evounic RX 580 at 16GB.
You get an RTX 5060 graphics card here, which sets it apart from the Evounic RX 580 and its an RX 580 graphics card. A DDR4-3200 memory type is unique to it among these picks, while the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 uses a DDR4 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. At 8GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games.
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 trails the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT (16GB)
The catch
It gives ground on VRAM, where the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT offers 16GB.
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while memory type has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT to the MEK 5500 RTX 5060, state graphics card, VRAM and processor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Evounic RX 580 gives no memory type.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Evounic RX 580 ($500 to $1000) to the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT ($1000 to $1500).
What to Look for in a Gaming PC for Esports
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much VRAM you need
Here VRAM runs from 8GB on the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 to 16GB on the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT, a 100% spread. For less, the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 is the runner-up at 12GB ($500 to $1000 tier).
Memory across these picks
The HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT tops memory at 32GB and the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 sits lowest at 16GB. The HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT is the pick for memory.
A white desktop PC beside a monitor on a bright home-office desk Processor
The HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT lists Ryzen 7 5700X; the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, the Evounic RX 580 and the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 list ryzen 5 5500; the Slate Arc B570 lists Core Ultra 5 225F. Sort out processor before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 3, 1 and 1.
Memory type
The HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT and the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 list DDR4; the Slate Arc B570 lists DDR5-4800; the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 lists DDR4-3200. Settling memory type first narrows 4 picks to 2 or 1 or 1.
A desktop PC beside a monitor on a corner gaming desk Fit and compatibility
Check the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT'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 PC for Esports
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put VRAM first | HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT | The most VRAM here (16GB) |
| Buyers who want 12GB of VRAM on an older RTX 3060 at a sub-$900 price at the time of writing | STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 | 12GB of VRAM on an older RTX 3060 at a sub-$900 price at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want Intel Arc B570 with 10GB of VRAM | Slate Arc B570 | An Intel Arc B570 with 10GB of VRAM |
| Keeping the cost under $1000 | Evounic RX 580 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want RTX 5060 with a 650W Gold PSU | MEK 5500 RTX 5060 | An RTX 5060 with a 650W Gold PSU |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT leads on VRAM at 16GB, ahead of the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 at 12GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | Ryzen 7 5700X | 32GB |
| STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 | RTX 3060 | 12GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| Slate Arc B570 | Arc B570 | 10GB | Core Ultra 5 225F | 16GB |
| Evounic RX 580 | RX 580 | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| MEK 5500 RTX 5060 | RTX 5060 | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Evounic RX 580, sat in the $500 to $1000 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT at $1000 to $1500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Prebuilt PCs |
|---|---|
| About $500 to $1000 | Evounic RX 580, STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 |
| About $1000 to $1500 | MEK 5500 RTX 5060, Slate Arc B570, HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 compare with the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT on VRAM?
The HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT leads at 16GB, with the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 at 12GB. The spread runs down to the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 at 8GB.
Is the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT ahead of the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 on memory?
The HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT tops memory at 32GB; the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 follows at 16GB, 100% apart.
Is the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT worth paying more than the Evounic RX 580?
What it brings is VRAM (16GB against 8GB) and memory (32GB against 16GB). The Evounic RX 580 sat in the $500 to $1000 tier and the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT in the $1000 to $1500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if VRAM and memory decide your purchase.
What makes the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT the Most VRAM?
It earns the label for the most VRAM here (16GB). The STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 is next on VRAM at 12GB, so this pick's 16GB is 33% further out. The Evounic RX 580, the cheapest pick, sat in the $500 to $1000 tier against $1000 to $1500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts VRAM first.
Do the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT and the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 differ on graphics card?
The HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT uses RX 9060 XT; the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 uses RTX 3060; the Slate Arc B570 uses Arc B570; the Evounic RX 580 uses RX 580; the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 uses RTX 5060.
What should I check before buying the MEK 5500 RTX 5060?
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. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, and fifth of 5 on VRAM (8GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the HOENGAGER RX 9060 XT, chosen for the most VRAM here (16GB). Look at the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 for 12GB of VRAM on an older RTX 3060 at a sub-$900 price at the time of writing, the Slate Arc B570 for an Intel Arc B570 with 10GB of VRAM and the Evounic RX 580 for the lowest price of the group at our last check if those matter more to you.
Pair it with a 240Hz or faster monitor to see the frame rate.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Prebuilt Gaming PCs
- Related guideThe Best Prebuilt Gaming PCs Under $1,000
- Related guideThe Best Mini PCs for Gaming
- Lower budgetThe Best Gaming PCs on a Budget
- Higher budgetThe Best High-End Gaming Desktops
- ExplainerWhat a Prebuilt PC Product Page Leaves Out: PSU, Motherboard and RAM Layout
- ExplainerHow to Choose an All-in-One PC Without Overpaying
- Check compatibility: graphics cardsHow to Choose a Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming PCs for Esports
- Topic hubAll prebuilt gaming pcs guides
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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