Buying Guide
The Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $1,000
Three prebuilt gaming PCs under $1,000 with newer GPUs, from RTX 4060 to RX 6600, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Many sub-$1,000 prebuilts still use an RTX 3050. These three step up to an RTX 4060, RTX 5050 or RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM.
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 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
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
ZOTAC MEK (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5050 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 5050 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB)The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM. | 1080p gaming. | Check price for MXZ Gaming PC (Core i5-12400F, RTX 4060) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold. | A bigger graphics card later. | Check price for ZOTAC MEK (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5050 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for STGAubron Gaming PC (Core i7-10700F, RX 6600 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
RTX 4060 Build1 of 3
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 SSD capacity it trails the group at 500GB, while the MEK RTX 5050 is rated for 1TB.
An RTX 4060 graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the STGAubron RX 6600 uses an RX 6600 graphics card. A core i5-12400F processor is unique to it among these picks, while the STGAubron RX 6600 uses a core i7-10700F processor. It shares a DDR4-3200 memory type with the MEK RTX 5050; the STGAubron RX 6600 goes with a DDR4 memory type.
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. The 550W power supply is the stated figure; check its connectors before a later GPU upgrade. At our last price check it topped the group, with the MEK RTX 5050 the nearest cheaper option.
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
- Core i5-12400F processor, the only one here
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 MEK RTX 5050 covers it better at 1TB.
Largest Listed PSU2 of 3
ZOTAC MEK (Ryzen 5 5500, RTX 5050 8GB)
The MEK RTX 5050 build pairs a Ryzen 5 5500, an RTX 5050 with 8GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR4-3200 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 650W Gold PSU under $900 at the time of writing. It matches the STGAubron RX 6600 on SSD capacity (1TB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 5050 graphics card; the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 has an RTX 4060 graphics card instead.
Like the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060, it has a DDR4-3200 memory type, while the STGAubron RX 6600 uses a DDR4 memory type. Check the MEK RTX 5050'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 STGAubron RX 6600 and the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 5050
- 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 5050 graphics card
- A 650W power supply
- An 80 Plus Gold power supply
- 650W Gold PSU under $900 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
Lowest Price Here3 of 3
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
- Keeping the budget tight.
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. It matches the MEK RTX 5050 on SSD capacity (1TB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 6600 graphics card; compare the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060, which has an RTX 4060 graphics card.
It is the only pick here with a DDR4 memory type; the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 has a DDR4-3200 memory type 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.
At 8GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games. It undercut the MEK RTX 5050 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
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
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060
- Core i7-10700F processor, the only one here
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
- No published power supply wattage
The catch
The trade-off is VRAM; for more, the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 offers 8GB.
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared three prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 6 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while power supply wattage has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 to the STGAubron RX 6600, state graphics card, VRAM and processor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The STGAubron RX 6600 gives no power supply wattage.
- Price range
- From the STGAubron RX 6600 to the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $1,000
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
SSD capacity
Here SSD capacity runs from 500GB on the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 to 1TB on the MEK RTX 5050, a 100% spread. For less, the STGAubron RX 6600 is the runner-up at 1TB.
How much power supply wattage you need
The MEK RTX 5050 tops power supply wattage at 650W and the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 sits lowest at 550W. The MEK RTX 5050 is the pick for power supply wattage. The STGAubron RX 6600 gives no power supply wattage figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
A desktop PC beside a monitor on a corner gaming desk Processor
The MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 lists Core i5-12400F; the MEK RTX 5050 lists ryzen 5 5500; the STGAubron RX 6600 lists Core i7-10700F. Settling processor first narrows 3 picks to 1 or 1 or 1.
Memory type
The MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 and the MEK RTX 5050 list DDR4-3200; the STGAubron RX 6600 lists DDR4.
A desktop PC and monitor on a desk lit with red and blue lighting Setup checks
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.
How to Choose a Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $1,000
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p gaming | MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 | An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM |
| A bigger graphics card later | MEK RTX 5050 | A 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold |
| Keeping the budget tight | STGAubron RX 6600 | The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MEK RTX 5050 leads on SSD capacity at 1TB, ahead of the STGAubron RX 6600 at 1TB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 | RTX 4060 | 8GB | Core i5-12400F | 16GB |
| MEK RTX 5050 | RTX 5050 | 8GB | Ryzen 5 5500 | 16GB |
| STGAubron RX 6600 | RX 6600 | 8GB | Core i7-10700F | 16GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest power supply wattage: the MEK RTX 5050 or the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060?
The MEK RTX 5050 tops power supply wattage at 650W; the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 follows at 550W, 18% apart. The STGAubron RX 6600 is left out of this ranking because its power supply wattage isn't stated; 2 of 3 picks are ranked.
Is the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 worth paying more than the STGAubron RX 6600?
The MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 matches or trails the STGAubron RX 6600 on SSD capacity. The STGAubron RX 6600 leads on SSD capacity (1TB). Both sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
What makes the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 the RTX 4060 Build?
It carries the badge for an RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM. It gives up SSD capacity (500GB against 1TB) to the STGAubron RX 6600, the cheapest pick. It makes sense for 1080p gaming.
Do the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 and the MEK RTX 5050 differ on graphics card?
The MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 uses RTX 4060; the MEK RTX 5050 uses RTX 5050; the STGAubron RX 6600 uses RX 6600.
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 first of 3, as our RTX 4060 Build pick, and third of 3 on SSD capacity (500GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060 and the MEK RTX 5050 apart?
The MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060: six RGB fans. The MEK RTX 5050: a 650W Gold PSU under $900 at the time of writing. The STGAubron RX 6600: a desktop RX 6600 with 8GB of VRAM.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MXZ i5-12400F RTX 4060, chosen for an RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM. Look at the MEK RTX 5050 for a 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold and the STGAubron RX 6600 for the lowest price among these picks at the time of writing if those matter more to you.
An 8GB card is the sensible floor for new 1080p games; these three meet it.
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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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