Buying Guide
The Best Gaming PCs Under $1,000
Six gaming PCs under $1,000, from RTX 3060 to RTX 3050, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
Under $1,000, a gaming PC is a 1080p machine. We ordered these six by how much graphics memory and RAM each listing gives for its price.
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 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Most VRAM
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB)12GB of VRAM on the RTX 3060.
Best for: High texture settings at 1440p and above.
Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RX 580 Build
Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB)An RX 580 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for Evounic Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RX 580 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RX 6600 Build
STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB)An RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Memory
SKYESEV Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5600, RTX 3050 6GB, 32GB)32GB of RAM.
Best for: Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing.
Check price for SKYESEV Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5600, RTX 3050 6GB, 32GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 512GB)STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 pairs a Ryzen 5 5500 with an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4 and a 512GB SSD.
Best for: Buyers who want a rtx 3050 graphics card.
Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 512GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 1TB)STGAubron 3050 1TB pairs a Ryzen 5 5500 with an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for: Buyers who want a rtx 3050 graphics card.
Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 1TB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Most VRAM1 of 6
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3060 12GB)
The STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 build pairs a Ryzen 5 5500, an RTX 3060 with 12GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR4 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- High texture settings at 1440p and above.
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 12GB of VRAM on an older RTX 3060 at a sub-$900 price at the time of writing. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. Nothing else here matches its 12GB VRAM; the Evounic RX 580 comes closest at 8GB.
It matches the Evounic RX 580, the STGAubron RX 6600, the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 and the STGAubron 3050 1TB on memory (16GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 3060 graphics card; the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 has an RTX 3050 graphics card instead. Check the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060'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. Its price falls between the STGAubron RX 6600 and the SKYESEV 5600, based on our last check.
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
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050
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
RX 580 Build2 of 6
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
- 1080p gaming.
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
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it ties with the STGAubron RX 6600 at 8GB. On memory it ties with the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, the STGAubron RX 6600, the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 and the STGAubron 3050 1TB at 16GB.
An RX 580 graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 uses an RTX 3060 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.
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
- VRAM of 8GB, ahead of the SKYESEV 5600
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the STGAubron 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
- VRAM of 8GB, behind the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 (12GB)
The catch
What it gives up: VRAM of 8GB, behind the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 (12GB); by contrast, the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 offers 12GB.
RX 6600 Build3 of 6
STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB)
The STGAubron RX 6600 build pairs a Core i7-10700F, an RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR4 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- 1080p gaming.
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. It matches the Evounic RX 580 on VRAM (8GB). It matches the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, the Evounic RX 580, the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 and the STGAubron 3050 1TB on memory (16GB).
It is the only pick here with an RX 6600 graphics card; the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 has an RTX 3060 graphics card instead. It is the only pick here with a core i7-10700F processor; the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 has a ryzen 5 5500 processor instead. Check the STGAubron RX 6600'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. Its price falls between the STGAubron 3050 1TB and the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RX 6600
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Processor
- Core i7-10700F
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR4
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A RX 6600 graphics card
- Desktop RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM
- VRAM of 8GB, ahead of the SKYESEV 5600
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the STGAubron 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 Evounic RX 580 at the time of writing
Most Memory4 of 6
SKYESEV Prebuilt Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5600, RTX 3050 6GB, 32GB)
SKYESEV 5600 pairs a Ryzen 5 5600 with an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, plus 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: 6GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
It also comes with 32GB of DDR4 under $1,000 at the time of writing. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. Nothing else here matches its 32GB memory; the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 comes closest at 16GB.
It matches the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, the Evounic RX 580, the STGAubron RX 6600 and the STGAubron 3050 1TB on SSD capacity (1TB). No other pick in this guide offers a ryzen 5 5600 processor; compare the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050, which has a ryzen 5 5500 processor. It is the only pick here with a DDR4-3200 memory type; the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 has a DDR4 memory type instead. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 and the rest.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 3050
- VRAM
- 6GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5600
- Memory
- 32GB
- Memory type
- DDR4-3200
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 3050 graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- 32GB of DDR4 under $1,000 at the time of writing
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- Costs more than the Evounic RX 580 at the time of writing
Worth Considering5 of 6
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 512GB)
STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 pairs a Ryzen 5 5500 with an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4 and a 512GB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want a rtx 3050 graphics card.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p is a problem.
Why we like it
It also comes with the lowest price among the listings we considered at the time of writing. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it ties with the SKYESEV 5600 and the STGAubron 3050 1TB at 6GB.
On memory it ties with the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, the Evounic RX 580, the STGAubron RX 6600 and the STGAubron 3050 1TB at 16GB. On SSD capacity it trails the group at 512GB, while the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 is rated for 1TB. It shares an RTX 3050 graphics card with the SKYESEV 5600 and STGAubron 3050 1TB; the STGAubron RX 6600 goes with an RX 6600 graphics card.
Check the STGAubron 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.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 3050
- VRAM
- 6GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR4
- SSD
- 512GB
Pros
- A RTX 3050 graphics card
- The lowest price among the listings we considered at the time of writing
- Ryzen 5 5500 six-core processor
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
- A 512GB SSD fills quickly with modern games
The catch
SSD capacity is its weakest area, and the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 covers it better at 1TB.
Well-Rounded Choice6 of 6
STGAubron Gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 3050 6GB, 1TB)
STGAubron 3050 1TB pairs a Ryzen 5 5500 with an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want a rtx 3050 graphics card.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
It also comes with an RTX 3050 and a 1TB SSD near $750 at the time of writing. Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On SSD capacity it ties with the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, the Evounic RX 580, the STGAubron RX 6600 and the SKYESEV 5600 at 1TB.
It shares an RTX 3050 graphics card with the SKYESEV 5600 and STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050; the STGAubron RX 6600 goes with an RX 6600 graphics card. Check the STGAubron 3050 1TB'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. When we checked, only the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 and cheaper picks cost less, and the STGAubron RX 6600 cost more.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 3050
- VRAM
- 6GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 5500
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR4
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 3050 graphics card
- RTX 3050 and a 1TB SSD near $750 at the time of writing
- Ryzen 5 5500 six-core processor
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050
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 STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 (12GB)
The catch
VRAM is its weakest area, and the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 covers it better at 12GB.
How We Chose These Gaming PCs Under $1,000
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 compared six prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 6 picks leave out memory type.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 to the STGAubron 3050 1TB, state graphics card, VRAM and processor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Evounic RX 580 gives no memory type.
- Price range
- From the Evounic RX 580 to the SKYESEV 5600, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming PC Under $1,000
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much VRAM you need
The STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 tops VRAM at 12GB and the STGAubron 3050 1TB sits lowest at 6GB. For less, the Evounic RX 580 is the runner-up at 8GB.
Memory across these picks
Across these 6 picks memory spans 16GB (the STGAubron 3050 1TB) to 32GB (the SKYESEV 5600). If memory is your first filter, the SKYESEV 5600 sets the ceiling at 32GB.
A white desktop PC beside a monitor on a bright home-office desk SSD capacity across these picks
Here SSD capacity runs from 512GB on the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 to 1TB on the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, a 95% spread. For less, the Evounic RX 580 is the runner-up at 1TB.
Processor
The STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, the Evounic RX 580, the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 and the STGAubron 3050 1TB list ryzen 5 5500; the STGAubron RX 6600 lists Core i7-10700F; the SKYESEV 5600 lists ryzen 5 5600.
A desktop PC beside a monitor on a corner gaming desk Memory type
The STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, the STGAubron RX 6600, the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 and the STGAubron 3050 1TB list DDR4; the SKYESEV 5600 lists DDR4-3200. Settling memory type first narrows 5 picks to 4 or 1.
How to Choose a Gaming PC Under $1,000
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High texture settings at 1440p and above | STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 | 12GB of VRAM on the RTX 3060 |
| 1080p gaming | Evounic RX 580 | An RX 580 with 8GB of VRAM |
| 1080p gaming | STGAubron RX 6600 | An RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM |
| Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing | SKYESEV 5600 | 32GB of RAM |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 leads on VRAM at 12GB, ahead of the Evounic RX 580 at 8GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 | RTX 3060 | 12GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| Evounic RX 580 | RX 580 | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| STGAubron RX 6600 | RX 6600 | 8GB | Core i7-10700F | 16GB |
| SKYESEV 5600 | RTX 3050 | 6GB | Ryzen 5 5600 | 32GB |
| STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 | RTX 3050 | 6GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| STGAubron 3050 1TB | RTX 3050 | 6GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Evounic RX 580 compare with the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 on VRAM?
The STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 leads at 12GB, with the Evounic RX 580 at 8GB. The spread runs down to the STGAubron 3050 1TB at 6GB.
Is the SKYESEV 5600 ahead of the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 on memory?
The SKYESEV 5600 tops memory at 32GB; the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 follows at 16GB, 100% apart.
Is the SKYESEV 5600 worth paying more than the Evounic RX 580?
On paper it adds memory (32GB against 16GB). It does not win everywhere: the Evounic RX 580 still leads on VRAM (8GB). Both sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, so the gains in memory cost little extra by tier.
What makes the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 the Most VRAM?
The label rests on 12GB of VRAM on the RTX 3060. The Evounic RX 580 is next on VRAM at 8GB, so this pick's 12GB is 50% further out. It suits high texture settings at 1440p and above.
Do the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 and the Evounic RX 580 differ on graphics card?
The STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060 uses RTX 3060; the Evounic RX 580 uses RX 580; the STGAubron RX 6600 uses RX 6600; the SKYESEV 5600, the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3050 and the STGAubron 3050 1TB use RTX 3050.
What should I check before buying the STGAubron 3050 1TB?
Check the STGAubron 3050 1TB's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The STGAubron 3050 1TB's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. In this guide it ranks sixth of 6, and sixth of 6 on VRAM (6GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the STGAubron R5 5500 RTX 3060, chosen for 12GB of VRAM on the RTX 3060. Look at the Evounic RX 580 for an RX 580 with 8GB of VRAM, the STGAubron RX 6600 for an RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM and the SKYESEV 5600 for 32GB of RAM if those matter more to you.
For 1440p, plan on spending more; our under-$1,500 guide covers the RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5070 tier.
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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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