Buying Guide
The Best Prebuilt Gaming PCs Under $500
Three gaming PCs compared, from the origimagic N2 Pro to the GMKtec M6 Ultra, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Under $500, most gaming PCs are mini PCs with integrated or laptop-class graphics rather than towers with a desktop card. Every pick was $500 or less at the time of writing.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: graphics card, processor and memory come from each maker's published specs; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Most Memory
origimagic N2 Pro (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M)The most memory here (32GB).
Best for: Buyers who put memory first.
Check price for origimagic N2 Pro (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
BOSGAME P6 Neo (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M)24GB of LPDDR5X memory.
Best for: Buyers who want 24GB of LPDDR5X memory.
Check price for BOSGAME P6 Neo (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest SSD Capacity
GMKtec M6 Ultra (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M)The largest SSD capacity here (1TB).
Best for: Buyers who put SSD capacity first.
Check price for GMKtec M6 Ultra (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The most memory here (32GB). | Buyers who put memory first. | Check price for origimagic N2 Pro (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 24GB of LPDDR5X memory. | Buyers who want 24GB of LPDDR5X memory. | Check price for BOSGAME P6 Neo (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest SSD capacity here (1TB). | Buyers who put SSD capacity first. | Check price for GMKtec M6 Ultra (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Most Memory1 of 3
origimagic N2 Pro (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M)
origimagic N2 Pro pairs a Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M integrated graphics, plus 32GB of DDR5-4800 and a 512GB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who put memory first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a 512GB SSD fills quickly with modern games.
Why we like it
There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. On memory it leads this guide at 32GB, ahead of the BOSGAME P6 Neo (24GB). On SSD capacity it ties with the BOSGAME P6 Neo at 512GB.
It shares a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card with the BOSGAME P6 Neo; the GMKtec M6 Ultra goes with a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card. It shares a ryzen 7 6800H processor with the BOSGAME P6 Neo; the GMKtec M6 Ultra goes with a ryzen 5 7640HS processor. It shares a DDR5-4800 memory type with the GMKtec M6 Ultra; the BOSGAME P6 Neo goes with an LPDDR5X memory type.
Check the origimagic N2 Pro's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the BOSGAME P6 Neo was closest.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- Radeon 680M (integrated)
- Processor
- Ryzen 7 6800H
- Memory
- 32GB
- Memory type
- DDR5-4800
- SSD
- 512GB
Pros
- A Radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- 32GB of dual-channel DDR5
- The most memory here (32GB)
Cons
- A 512GB SSD fills quickly with modern games
- SSD capacity of 512GB, behind the GMKtec M6 Ultra (1TB)
The catch
What it gives up: SSD capacity of 512GB, behind the GMKtec M6 Ultra (1TB); by contrast, the GMKtec M6 Ultra is rated for 1TB.
Also Consider2 of 3
BOSGAME P6 Neo (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M)
Inside the BOSGAME P6 Neo are a Ryzen 7 6800H and Radeon 680M integrated graphics, backed by 24GB of LPDDR5X and 512GB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers who want 24GB of LPDDR5X memory.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a 512GB SSD fills quickly with modern games.
Why we like it
There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. On memory it sits mid-pack at 24GB: the origimagic N2 Pro offers 32GB, and the GMKtec M6 Ultra comes in at 16GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the origimagic N2 Pro at 512GB.
It shares a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card with the origimagic N2 Pro; the GMKtec M6 Ultra goes with a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card. It shares a ryzen 7 6800H processor with the origimagic N2 Pro; the GMKtec M6 Ultra goes with a ryzen 5 7640HS processor. An LPDDR5X memory type is unique to it among these picks, while the GMKtec M6 Ultra uses a DDR5-4800 memory type. It was priced above the origimagic N2 Pro and below the GMKtec M6 Ultra at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- Radeon 680M (integrated)
- Processor
- Ryzen 7 6800H
- Memory
- 24GB
- Memory type
- LPDDR5X
- SSD
- 512GB
- Warranty
- 1 year unit
Pros
- A Radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card
- 24GB of LPDDR5X memory
- Memory of 24GB, ahead of the GMKtec M6 Ultra
- LPDDR5X memory type, the only one here
Cons
- A 512GB SSD fills quickly with modern games
- SSD capacity trails the GMKtec M6 Ultra (1TB)
- Costs more than the origimagic N2 Pro at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on SSD capacity, where the GMKtec M6 Ultra is rated for 1TB.
Largest SSD Capacity3 of 3
GMKtec M6 Ultra (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M)
The GMKtec M6 Ultra build pairs a Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M integrated graphics, 16GB of DDR5-4800 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who put SSD capacity first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing.
Why we like it
There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. Its 16GB memory is the least in this group; the origimagic N2 Pro leads at 32GB. Its 1TB SSD capacity is the largest here; the origimagic N2 Pro comes next at 512GB.
No other pick in this guide offers a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card; compare the origimagic N2 Pro, which has a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card. No other pick in this guide offers a ryzen 5 7640HS processor; compare the origimagic N2 Pro, which has a ryzen 7 6800H processor. Like the origimagic N2 Pro, it has a DDR5-4800 memory type, while the BOSGAME P6 Neo uses an LPDDR5X memory type. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the BOSGAME P6 Neo and the rest.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- Radeon 760M (integrated)
- Processor
- Ryzen 5 7640HS
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR5-4800
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A Radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card
- 1TB SSD at about $500
- 16GB of DDR5-4800 memory
- Largest SSD capacity of the picks (1TB)
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Memory trails the origimagic N2 Pro (32GB)
- Costs more than the origimagic N2 Pro at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is memory; for more, the origimagic N2 Pro offers 32GB.
How We Chose These Prebuilt Gaming PCs Under $500
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up three prebuilt PCs on graphics card, processor, memory and memory type, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results, and every compared field is stated for all 3 picks.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the origimagic N2 Pro to the GMKtec M6 Ultra, state graphics card, processor and memory.
- Who each pick suits
- The origimagic N2 Pro for the most memory here (32GB); the BOSGAME P6 Neo for 24GB of LPDDR5X memory; the GMKtec M6 Ultra for the largest SSD capacity here (1TB).
- Price range
- From the origimagic N2 Pro to the GMKtec M6 Ultra, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $500
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Memory
Across these 3 picks memory spans 16GB (the GMKtec M6 Ultra) to 32GB (the origimagic N2 Pro). If memory is your first filter, the origimagic N2 Pro sets the ceiling at 32GB.
How much SSD capacity you need
Here SSD capacity runs from 512GB on the BOSGAME P6 Neo to 1TB on the GMKtec M6 Ultra, a 95% spread. Start with the GMKtec M6 Ultra if SSD capacity decides it.
A desktop PC and monitor on a desk lit with red and blue lighting Processor
The origimagic N2 Pro and the BOSGAME P6 Neo list Ryzen 7 6800H; the GMKtec M6 Ultra lists Ryzen 5 7640HS.
Memory type
The origimagic N2 Pro and the GMKtec M6 Ultra list DDR5-4800; the BOSGAME P6 Neo lists LPDDR5X.
A white desktop PC beside a monitor on a bright home-office desk Fit and compatibility
Check the origimagic N2 Pro'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 $500
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put memory first | origimagic N2 Pro | The most memory here (32GB) |
| Buyers who want 24GB of LPDDR5X memory | BOSGAME P6 Neo | 24GB of LPDDR5X memory |
| Buyers who put SSD capacity first | GMKtec M6 Ultra | The largest SSD capacity here (1TB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The origimagic N2 Pro leads on memory at 32GB, ahead of the BOSGAME P6 Neo at 24GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | Processor | Memory | Memory type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| origimagic N2 Pro | Radeon 680M (integrated) | Ryzen 7 6800H | 32GB | DDR5-4800 |
| BOSGAME P6 Neo | Radeon 680M (integrated) | Ryzen 7 6800H | 24GB | LPDDR5X |
| GMKtec M6 Ultra | Radeon 760M (integrated) | Ryzen 5 7640HS | 16GB | DDR5-4800 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the origimagic N2 Pro ahead of the BOSGAME P6 Neo on memory?
The origimagic N2 Pro tops memory at 32GB; the BOSGAME P6 Neo follows at 24GB, 33% apart. The GMKtec M6 Ultra closes the ranking at 16GB.
Which has the largest SSD capacity: the GMKtec M6 Ultra or the origimagic N2 Pro?
Between the top two, it is 1TB on the GMKtec M6 Ultra against 512GB on the origimagic N2 Pro, a 95% difference.
Is the GMKtec M6 Ultra worth paying more than the origimagic N2 Pro?
On paper it adds SSD capacity (1TB against 512GB). It does not win everywhere: the origimagic N2 Pro still leads on memory (32GB). Both sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, so the gains in SSD capacity cost little extra by tier.
What makes the origimagic N2 Pro the Most Memory?
The label rests on the most memory here (32GB). The BOSGAME P6 Neo is next on memory at 24GB, so this pick's 32GB is 33% further out. It is aimed at anyone who puts memory first.
Do the origimagic N2 Pro and the GMKtec M6 Ultra differ on graphics card?
The origimagic N2 Pro and the BOSGAME P6 Neo use Radeon 680M (integrated); the GMKtec M6 Ultra uses Radeon 760M (integrated).
What should I check before buying the GMKtec M6 Ultra?
Check the GMKtec M6 Ultra's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The GMKtec M6 Ultra's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. In this guide it ranks third of 3, as our Largest SSD Capacity pick, and third of 3 on memory (16GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the origimagic N2 Pro, chosen for the most memory here (32GB). Look at the BOSGAME P6 Neo for 24GB of LPDDR5X memory and the GMKtec M6 Ultra for the largest SSD capacity here (1TB) if those matter more to you.
At this price, expect lighter games and esports titles at modest settings.
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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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