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 Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
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)
RTX 3050 Build
STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i5-13400F, RTX 3050 6GB)An RTX 3050 with 6GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i5-13400F, RTX 3050 6GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RTX 4060 Build
MXZ Gaming PC (Core i5-12400F, RTX 4060)An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for MXZ Gaming PC (Core i5-12400F, RTX 4060) on Amazon (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.
Check price for STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RTX 5050 Build
iBUYPOWER Element SE (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5050 8GB)An RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for iBUYPOWER Element SE (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5050 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
RX 6600 Build1 of 5
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
- 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. At 8GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games.
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 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
The catch
The maker doesn't give its power supply wattage; if that figure matters, the STORMCRAFT Sirius offers 650W.
RTX 3050 Build2 of 5
STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i5-13400F, RTX 3050 6GB)
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 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 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
The catch
The trade-off is VRAM; for more, the STGAubron RX 6600 offers 8GB.
RTX 4060 Build3 of 5
MXZ Gaming PC (Core i5-12400F, RTX 4060)
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 1440p 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.
Key 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
The catch
SSD capacity is its weakest area, and the STGAubron RX 6600 covers it better at 1TB.
Largest Listed PSU4 of 5
STORMCRAFT Sirius Gaming PC (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5060)
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 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 Build5 of 5
iBUYPOWER Element SE (Core i5-14400F, RTX 5050 8GB)
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. At 8GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games.
Key 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
The catch
It gives ground on memory, where the STGAubron RX 6600 offers 16GB.
How We Chose These Budget PCs for PC Gamers
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 lined up five prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out power supply wattage.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the STGAubron RX 6600 to the Element SE RTX 5050, state graphics card, VRAM and processor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The STGAubron RX 6600, the STGAubron 13400F and the Element SE RTX 5050 give no power supply wattage.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the STGAubron RX 6600 ($500 to $1000) to the Element SE RTX 5050 ($1000 to $1500).
What to Look for in a Budget PC for PC Gamers
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
VRAM across these picks
Across these 5 picks VRAM spans 6GB (the STGAubron 13400F) to 8GB (the STGAubron RX 6600). Start with the STGAubron RX 6600 if VRAM decides it.
SSD capacity
Here SSD capacity runs from 500GB on the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 to 1TB on the STGAubron RX 6600, a 100% spread. The STGAubron RX 6600 is the pick for SSD capacity.
A white desktop PC beside a monitor on a bright home-office desk How much power supply wattage you need
Here power supply wattage runs from 550W on the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 to 650W on the STORMCRAFT Sirius, an 18% spread. If power supply wattage is your first filter, the STORMCRAFT Sirius sets the ceiling at 650W. The STGAubron RX 6600, the STGAubron 13400F and the Element SE RTX 5050 give no power supply wattage figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Processor
The STGAubron RX 6600 lists Core i7-10700F; the STGAubron 13400F lists Core i5-13400F; the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 lists Core i5-12400F; the STORMCRAFT Sirius and the Element SE RTX 5050 list Core i5-14400F. Sort out processor before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 2, 1, 1 and 1.
A desktop PC beside a monitor on a corner gaming desk Memory type
The STGAubron RX 6600, the STGAubron 13400F and the STORMCRAFT Sirius list DDR4; the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 lists DDR4-3200; the Element SE RTX 5050 lists DDR5-5200. Sort out memory type before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 3, 1 and 1.
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
The STGAubron RX 6600 leads on VRAM at 8GB, ahead of the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 at 8GB.
| 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
At our last check the cheapest pick, the STGAubron RX 6600, sat in the $500 to $1000 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Element SE RTX 5050 at $1000 to $1500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| 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
Which has the largest power supply wattage: the STORMCRAFT Sirius or the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060?
Between the top two, it is 650W on the STORMCRAFT Sirius against 550W on the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060, an 18% difference. The STGAubron RX 6600, the STGAubron 13400F and the Element SE RTX 5050 are left out of this ranking because their power supply wattage isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What makes the Element SE RTX 5050 the RTX 5050 Build?
The label rests on an RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM. The STGAubron RX 6600, the cheapest pick, sat in the $500 to $1000 tier against $1000 to $1500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at 1080p gaming.
Do the STGAubron RX 6600 and the STGAubron 13400F differ on graphics card?
The STGAubron RX 6600 uses RX 6600; the STGAubron 13400F uses RTX 3050; the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 uses RTX 4060; the STORMCRAFT Sirius uses RTX 5060; the Element SE RTX 5050 uses RTX 5050.
What should I check before buying the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060?
Check the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060'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 third of 5, as our RTX 4060 Build pick, and second of 5 on VRAM (8GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the STGAubron RX 6600 and the STGAubron 13400F apart?
The STGAubron RX 6600: a desktop RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM. The STGAubron 13400F: a 10-core i5-13400F. The MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060: six RGB fans.
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.
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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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