Buying Guide
The Best Gaming PCs on a Budget
Five gaming PCs on a budget built on the Ryzen 5 5500, from RTX 5060 Ti to RTX 3050, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
The six-core Ryzen 5 5500 anchors most budget listings. Since the CPU is the same, these five differ in graphics card, memory and warranty.
We compared the parts each listing names: CPU, graphics card and VRAM, memory, storage and, where stated, the power supply and warranty. We did not test these systems, and we skipped listings that leave a core part vague.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
White Build
Skytech Storm (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, White)A white case.
Best for: Matching a white desk setup.
Check price for Skytech Storm (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, White) 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)
Largest Listed PSU
ZOTAC MEK (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 8GB)A 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold.
Best for: A bigger graphics card later.
Check price for ZOTAC MEK (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050)The Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 build pairs a Ryzen 5 5500, an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Best for: Buyers who want a rtx 3050 graphics card.
Check price for Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
Skytech Chronos 3 (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB)Chronos 3 RTX 3050 pairs a Ryzen 5 5500 with an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4-3200 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for: Buyers who want a rtx 3050 graphics card.
Check price for Skytech Chronos 3 (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
White Build1 of 5
Skytech Storm (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, White)
Skytech Storm pairs a Ryzen 5 5500 with an RTX 5060 Ti with 8GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4-3200 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Matching a white desk setup.
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 a white mesh-front Storm case. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. It matches the MEK 5500 RTX 5060, the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 and the Chronos 3 RTX 3050 on memory (16GB).
No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5060 Ti graphics card; compare the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050, which has an RTX 3050 graphics card. Check the Skytech Storm'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 was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Skytech RX 9060 and the rest.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR4-3200
- SSD
- 1TB
- Warranty
- 1 year parts and labor
- Case colour
- White
Pros
- A RTX 5060 Ti graphics card
- White mesh-front Storm case
- VRAM of 8GB, ahead of the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050
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
- Costs more than the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 at the time of writing
Most Memory2 of 5
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
- 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 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 Skytech Storm and the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 at 8GB.
Its 32GB memory is the most here; the Skytech Storm comes next at 16GB. You get an RX 9060 graphics card here, which sets it apart from the Chronos 3 RTX 3050 and its an RTX 3050 graphics card. 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.
At 8GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games. It was priced above the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and below the Skytech Storm 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
- VRAM of 8GB, ahead of the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- Costs more than the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 at the time of writing
Largest Listed PSU3 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
- A bigger graphics card later.
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 Skytech Storm and the Skytech RX 9060 on VRAM (8GB). It matches the Skytech Storm, the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 and the Chronos 3 RTX 3050 on memory (16GB).
It is the only pick here with an RTX 5060 graphics card; the Skytech Storm has an RTX 5060 Ti graphics card instead. 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. Its price falls between the Chronos 3 RTX 3050 and the Skytech RX 9060, based on our last check.
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
- Costs more than the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 at the time of writing
Well-Rounded Choice4 of 5
Skytech Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050)
The Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 build pairs a Ryzen 5 5500, an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want a rtx 3050 graphics card.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
It also comes with a one-year parts and labor warranty from Skytech. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it ties with the Chronos 3 RTX 3050 at 6GB.
On memory it ties with the Skytech Storm, the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and the Chronos 3 RTX 3050 at 16GB. It shares an RTX 3050 graphics card with the Chronos 3 RTX 3050; the Skytech RX 9060 goes with an RX 9060 graphics card. It also offers a 1TB SSD.
Check the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050'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 6GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 3050
- VRAM
- 6GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory
- 16GB
- SSD
- 1TB
- Warranty
- 1 year parts and labor
Pros
- A RTX 3050 graphics card
- One-year parts and labor warranty from Skytech
- 1TB SSD
Cons
- 6GB 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 6GB, behind the Skytech Storm (8GB)
The catch
What it gives up: VRAM of 6GB, behind the Skytech Storm (8GB); by contrast, the Skytech Storm offers 8GB.
Solid Alternative5 of 5
Skytech Chronos 3 (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB)
Chronos 3 RTX 3050 pairs a Ryzen 5 5500 with an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4-3200 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want a rtx 3050 graphics card.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
It also comes with a one-year parts and labor warranty under $1,000. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. It matches the Skytech Storm, the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 and the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 on memory (16GB).
It also comes with a 1TB SSD. Check the Chronos 3 RTX 3050'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 6GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games. If VRAM is your priority, the Skytech Storm (8GB) is the stronger choice.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 3050
- VRAM
- 6GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR4-3200
- SSD
- 1TB
- Warranty
- 1 year parts and labor
Pros
- A RTX 3050 graphics card
- One-year parts and labor warranty under $1,000
- 1TB SSD
Cons
- 6GB 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 Skytech Storm (8GB)
How We Chose These Gaming PCs on a Budget
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 set side by side five prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 6 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while memory type has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Skytech Storm to the Chronos 3 RTX 3050, state graphics card, VRAM and processor and share Ryzen 5 5500 processor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 gives no memory type.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 ($500 to $1000) to the Skytech Storm ($1000 to $1500).
What to Look for in a Gaming PC on a Budget
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
VRAM
The Skytech Storm tops VRAM at 8GB and the Chronos 3 RTX 3050 sits lowest at 6GB; 3 picks share the top figure. The Skytech RX 9060 comes second at 8GB, in the same price tier as the Skytech Storm.
Memory across these picks
Here memory runs from 16GB on the Chronos 3 RTX 3050 to 32GB on the Skytech RX 9060, a 100% spread. Start with the Skytech RX 9060 if memory decides it.
A white desktop PC beside a monitor on a bright home-office desk What to check at home
Check the Skytech Storm's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
Extras that separate them
The Skytech RX 9060: 32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060. The MEK 5500 RTX 5060: an RTX 5060 with a 650W Gold PSU. The Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050: a 1TB SSD.
A desktop PC beside a monitor on a corner gaming desk Where your budget lands
$500 to $1000 buys the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 and the Chronos 3 RTX 3050; $1000 to $1500 buys the MEK 5500 RTX 5060, the Skytech RX 9060 and the Skytech Storm at our last check.
How to Choose a Gaming PC on a Budget
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Matching a white desk setup | Skytech Storm | A white case |
| Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing | Skytech RX 9060 | 32GB of RAM |
| A bigger graphics card later | MEK 5500 RTX 5060 | A 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Skytech Storm leads on VRAM at 8GB, ahead of the Skytech RX 9060 at 8GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skytech Storm | RTX 5060 Ti | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| Skytech RX 9060 | RX 9060 | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 32GB |
| MEK 5500 RTX 5060 | RTX 5060 | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 | RTX 3050 | 6GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| Chronos 3 RTX 3050 | RTX 3050 | 6GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 was the lowest-priced pick ($500 to $1000) and the Skytech Storm the highest ($1000 to $1500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Prebuilt PCs |
|---|---|
| About $500 to $1000 | Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050, Chronos 3 RTX 3050 |
| About $1000 to $1500 | MEK 5500 RTX 5060, Skytech RX 9060, Skytech Storm |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Skytech RX 9060 ahead of the Skytech Storm on memory?
The Skytech RX 9060 tops memory at 32GB; the Skytech Storm follows at 16GB, 100% apart.
What does the Skytech Storm add over the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050?
The spec sheets show VRAM (8GB against 6GB) in its favour. On our last price check the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 was in the $500 to $1000 tier and the Skytech Storm in the $1000 to $1500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if VRAM decides your purchase.
Why is the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 our Largest Listed PSU pick?
It carries the badge for a 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold. The Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050, the cheapest pick, sat in the $500 to $1000 tier against $1000 to $1500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for A bigger graphics card later.
Do the Skytech Storm and the Skytech RX 9060 differ on graphics card?
The Skytech Storm uses RTX 5060 Ti; the Skytech RX 9060 uses RX 9060; the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 uses RTX 5060; the Skytech R5 5500 RTX 3050 and the Chronos 3 RTX 3050 use RTX 3050.
Will the Skytech RX 9060 work with my setup?
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. The Skytech RX 9060's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. In this guide it ranks second of 5, as our Most Memory pick, and second of 5 on VRAM (8GB).
What extras do the Skytech Storm and the Skytech RX 9060 include?
The Skytech Storm: a white mesh-front Storm case. The Skytech RX 9060: 32GB of RAM with a Radeon RX 9060. The MEK 5500 RTX 5060: an RTX 5060 with a 650W Gold PSU.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Skytech Storm, chosen for a white case. Look at the Skytech RX 9060 for 32GB of RAM and the MEK 5500 RTX 5060 for a 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold if those matter more to you.
With the CPU held equal, compare the graphics card first and the warranty second.
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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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