Buying Guide
The Best Budget PCs for PC Gamers
Five budget gaming PCs with Intel processors, from RX 6600 to RTX 5050, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
If you prefer Intel, the budget listings that name every part use Core i5 or Core i7 chips from the 10th to 14th generation. These five are the lowest-priced of them.
Our comparison uses what each seller states, not hands-on testing. Listings without a named CPU, a GPU with its VRAM, a RAM figure or an SSD size were dropped, as were renewed units and outlier prices.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
RX 6600 Pick
STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB)
An RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Our take Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
RTX 3050 Pick
STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i5-13400F, RTX 3050 6GB)
An RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Our take Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i5-13400F, RTX 3050 6GB) (opens in a new tab)
RTX 4060 Pick
MXZ Gaming PC (Core i5-12400F, RTX 4060)
An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Our take Check price for MXZ Gaming PC (Core i5-12400F, RTX 4060) (opens in a new tab)
Largest Listed PSU
STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060)
A 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold.
Best for: A bigger graphics card later.
Our take Check price for STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060) (opens in a new tab)
RTX 5050 Pick
iBUYPOWER Element SE (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5050 8GB)
An RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Our take Check price for iBUYPOWER Element SE (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5050 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
RX 6600 Pick1 of 5
STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- 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
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. It matches the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060, the STORMCRAFT Sirius and the Element SE RTX 5050 on VRAM (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 6600 graphics card; compare the STORMCRAFT Sirius, which has an RTX 5060 graphics card.
No other pick in this guide offers a core i7-10700F processor; compare the STORMCRAFT Sirius, which has a core i5-14400F processor. Like the STGAubron 13400F and STORMCRAFT Sirius, it has a DDR4 memory type, while the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 uses a DDR4-3200 memory type. 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. The maker doesn't give its power supply wattage; if that figure matters, the STORMCRAFT Sirius offers 650W.
Key dimensions & 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 STGAubron 13400F
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the STGAubron 13400F
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
RTX 3050 Pick2 of 5
STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i5-13400F, RTX 3050 6GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The STGAubron 13400F build pairs a Core i5-13400F, an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR4 and a 512GB SSD.
Best for
- 1080p gaming.
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
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. Its 6GB VRAM is the least in this group; the STGAubron RX 6600 leads at 8GB. Its 512GB SSD capacity ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the STGAubron RX 6600 (1TB) and ahead of the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 (500GB).
No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 3050 graphics card; compare the STORMCRAFT Sirius, which has an RTX 5060 graphics card. No other pick in this guide offers a core i5-13400F processor; compare the STORMCRAFT Sirius, which has a core i5-14400F processor. Like the STGAubron RX 6600 and STORMCRAFT Sirius, it has a DDR4 memory type, while the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 uses a DDR4-3200 memory type.
Check the STGAubron 13400F'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 dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Processor: Core i5-13400F
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR4
- SSD: 512GB
Pros
- A RTX 3050 graphics card
- 10-core Core i5-13400F
- SSD capacity of 512GB, ahead of the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060
- An RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM
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
RTX 4060 Pick3 of 5
MXZ Gaming PC (Core i5-12400F, RTX 4060) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 pairs a Core i5-12400F with an RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4-3200 and a 500GB SSD.
Best for
- 1080p gaming.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also comes with six RGB fans. The power supply is rated at 550W. On VRAM it ties with the STGAubron RX 6600, the STORMCRAFT Sirius and the Element SE RTX 5050 at 8GB.
On SSD capacity it trails the group at 500GB, while the STGAubron RX 6600 is rated for 1TB. An RTX 4060 graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the STGAubron 13400F uses an RTX 3050 graphics card. A core i5-12400F processor is unique to it among these picks, while the STGAubron 13400F uses a core i5-13400F processor.
You get a DDR4-3200 memory type here, which sets it apart from the Element SE RTX 5050 and its a DDR5-5200 memory type. When we checked, only the STGAubron 13400F and cheaper picks cost less, and the STORMCRAFT Sirius cost more. SSD capacity is its weakest area, and the STGAubron RX 6600 covers it better at 1TB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 4060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Processor: Core i5-12400F
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR4-3200
- SSD: 500GB
- Power supply: 550W
Pros
- A RTX 4060 graphics card
- A 550W power supply
- Six RGB fans
- VRAM of 8GB, ahead of the STGAubron 13400F
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
- A 500GB SSD fills quickly with modern games
Largest Listed PSU4 of 5
STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
STORMCRAFT Sirius pairs a Core i5-14400F with an RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR4 and a 1TB SSD.
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 a current RTX 5060 near $1,100 at the time of writing. The power supply is rated at 650W (80 Plus Gold). It matches the STGAubron RX 6600, the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 and the Element SE RTX 5050 on VRAM (8GB).
It is the only pick here with an RTX 5060 graphics card; the STGAubron RX 6600 has an RX 6600 graphics card instead. Like the Element SE RTX 5050, it has a core i5-14400F processor, while the STGAubron 13400F uses a core i5-13400F processor. Like the STGAubron RX 6600 and STGAubron 13400F, it has a DDR4 memory type, while the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 uses a DDR4-3200 memory type.
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. Its price falls between the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 and the Element SE RTX 5050, based on our last check.
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
- Costs more than the STGAubron RX 6600 at the time of writing
RTX 5050 Pick5 of 5
iBUYPOWER Element SE (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5050 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Element SE RTX 5050 pairs a Core i5-14400F with an RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM, plus 16GB of DDR5-5200 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- 1080p gaming.
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. On VRAM it ties with the STGAubron RX 6600, the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 and the STORMCRAFT Sirius at 8GB. You get an RTX 5050 graphics card here, which sets it apart from the STORMCRAFT Sirius and its an RTX 5060 graphics card.
It shares a core i5-14400F processor with the STORMCRAFT Sirius; the STGAubron RX 6600 goes with a core i7-10700F processor. A DDR5-5200 memory type is unique to it among these picks, while the STGAubron 13400F uses a DDR4 memory type. It also offers a 1TB SSD.
Check the Element SE RTX 5050'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. It gives ground on memory, where the STGAubron RX 6600 offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5050
- VRAM: 8GB
- Processor: Core i5-14400F
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR5-5200
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 5050 graphics card
- RTX 5050 on DDR5
- 1TB SSD
- VRAM of 8GB, ahead of the STGAubron 13400F
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 STGAubron RX 6600 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Budget PCs for PC Gamers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Power and upgrades
- We recorded PSU wattage and rating where listed, which decides later GPU upgrades.
- Price and warranty
- We compared prices at the time of writing and the warranty terms each listing states.
- Stated parts
- We included only listings that name the CPU, the GPU with its VRAM, the RAM and the SSD capacity.
- Balance
- We compared how the CPU, memory and storage match the graphics card's class.
What to Look for in a Budget PC for PC Gamers
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Check memory and storage
16GB of RAM runs games; 32GB leaves room for streaming, browsers and editing. A 1TB SSD holds a handful of large games, so plan for a second drive if you keep a big library.
Read the warranty terms
Prebuilt warranties vary from one year of parts and labor to three years. Check who handles repairs and whether shipping is covered.
Start with the graphics card
The GPU decides gaming performance more than any other part. Match it to your monitor: an RTX 5060 class card suits 1080p, an RTX 5070 suits 1440p, and 4K high-refresh play needs an RTX 5080 or above.
Check the VRAM figure too; 8GB cards can need lower texture settings in newer games.
Look for a named power supply
A listing that states wattage and an 80 Plus rating is easier to trust and to upgrade later. When a listing is silent, ask before buying.
Trust specific listings
Prefer listings that name every part: CPU model, GPU model and VRAM, RAM, SSD and PSU. Vague terms like "Core i7" or "brand may vary" leave room for weaker parts.
Pair a sensible processor
A current six- or eight-core CPU is enough for most games. X3D chips with extra cache help at high frame rates, while older or unnamed CPUs are a warning sign in a listing.
How to Choose a Budget PC for PC Gamers
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p gaming | STGAubron RX 6600 | An RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM |
| 1080p gaming | STGAubron 13400F | An RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM |
| 1080p gaming | MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 | An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM |
| A bigger graphics card later | STORMCRAFT Sirius | A 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold |
| 1080p gaming | Element SE RTX 5050 | An RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STGAubron RX 6600 | RX 6600 | 8GB | Core i7-10700F | 16GB |
| STGAubron 13400F | RTX 3050 | 6GB | Core i5-13400F | 16GB |
| MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 | RTX 4060 | 8GB | Core i5-12400F | 16GB |
| STORMCRAFT Sirius | RTX 5060 | 8GB | Core i5-14400F | 16GB |
| Element SE RTX 5050 | RTX 5050 | 8GB | Core i5-14400F | 16GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Prebuilt PCs |
|---|---|
| About $500 to $1000 | STGAubron RX 6600, STGAubron 13400F, MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 |
| About $1000 to $1500 | STORMCRAFT Sirius, Element SE RTX 5050 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 16GB of RAM enough for gaming?
For most games, yes. 32GB helps when you stream, keep many browser tabs open or edit video alongside gaming.
Is a prebuilt cheaper than building a PC?
Sometimes. Prebuilts include Windows, assembly and a system warranty; building yourself can cost less but you handle part choices and support.
Do prebuilt PCs come with extra software?
Some do. Check the product page for trial software, and remove what you do not need after setup.
What does "brand may vary" mean in a listing?
The builder may ship an equivalent part from a different maker. The model and capacity should match; ask the seller if it matters to you.
Can I upgrade a prebuilt later?
Usually. Check the power supply wattage and connectors, the case's GPU clearance and free RAM slots before buying a part.
How much VRAM do I need?
8GB works at 1080p with some texture compromises in newer games; 12GB to 16GB is more comfortable at 1440p and 4K.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the STGAubron RX 6600, chosen for an RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM. Look at the STGAubron 13400F for an RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM, the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 for an RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM, the STORMCRAFT Sirius for a 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold and the Element SE RTX 5050 for an RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM if those matter more to you.
The Core i7-10700F system has the most cores here, which helps if you stream.