The Best Budget Gaming PCs of 2025

Building your own gaming PC can be a complex and potentially costly undertaking. Even if you're aiming to save money, component prices can quickly escalate. Fortunately, there are excellent pre-built gaming PCs available at reasonable prices. While budget options may not include top-of-the-line components like an RTX 5090 or a high-end CPU, most gamers will find that such powerful specs are unnecessary. Our experts have rigorously tested and researched numerous gaming PCs, selecting five (four desktops and one handheld) affordable yet capable options.

TL;DR: Top Budget Gaming PC Picks

Alienware Aurora R16

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HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop

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MSI Codex R2

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CLX Set

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Asus Rog Ally Z1

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Budget gaming PCs naturally compromise on some performance aspects. However, GPUs like the RTX 4060, Intel Arc B580, and AMD Radeon RX 7600 provide solid performance for the average gamer. It's even possible to opt for a more powerful RTX 4070, paired with an Intel Core i5 processor. All the PCs we've chosen deliver high frame rates at 1080p resolution in most games, with some capable of handling 1440p. Furthermore, these desktops offer excellent upgrade potential, allowing you to enhance their performance over time.

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Contributions by Ural Garrett, Danielle Abraham, Georgie Peru

1. Alienware Aurora R16: Best Budget Gaming PC Under $2000

A compact yet powerful gaming rig capable of handling 1440p gaming.

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Product Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core i7-14700F
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
• RAM: 16GB DDR5 5,600MHz
• Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
• Weight: 33.89 pounds
• Size: 16.56 x 7.75 x 18.05 inches (H x W x D)

Pros: Stunning aesthetic, unique cooling design

Cons: Slightly harder to upgrade and maintain than some alternatives.

Alienware offers high-end systems, but this configuration provides an Intel Core i7 CPU and an RTX 4070 Super for under $2000. While similar configurations might be cheaper from other manufacturers, this option delivers excellent value.

The Alienware Aurora R16's compact design is a key feature, but its proprietary motherboard and power supply should be considered if you plan on frequent upgrades.

The powerful 14th-gen Intel processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super provide ample performance for most gamers at 1440p. While the 12GB VRAM might limit 4K gaming in demanding titles, it's a solid option for most users.

2. HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop: Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1500

Equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor and Nvidia GTX 1660 Super graphics, this PC excels at 1080p gaming and offers easy upgradability.

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Product Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F
• GPU: Nvidia GTX 1660 Super
• RAM: Kingston FURY 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Weight: 30.45 lbs
• Size: 6.50 x 15.59 x 17.64 inches

Pros: Excellent for 1080p gaming, attractive white chassis with good airflow.

Cons: Older generation GPU.

The HP Omen 25L's price reflects current market trends. While using a slightly older GTX 1660 Super GPU, it offers a solid gaming experience at 1080p, especially for those who don't require ray tracing or DLSS. The premium chassis design ensures excellent airflow and easy upgradability due to standard motherboard and power supply mounts.

3. MSI Codex R2: Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1000

A great 1080p gaming PC with a spacious chassis for future upgrades.

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Product Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
• RAM: 16GB DDR5 5,600MHz
• Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD (Gen 3)
• Weight: 21.3 pounds
• Size: 16 x 19 x 8.38 inches (H x D x W)

Pros: Attractive chassis, ample room for upgrades.

Cons: Basic CPU cooler.

The MSI Codex R2's main compromise is its basic CPU cooler. While sufficient for the included processor, an upgrade might be needed with a more powerful CPU. The spacious chassis makes it ideal for future component upgrades, making it a great starter system for those new to PC building.

4. CLX Set: Best Budget Gaming PC Under $800

This gaming PC boasts powerful internals, including a 6-core processor, respectable graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB storage.

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Product Specifications:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G 3.9GHz Hexa-Core
• GPU: AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 integrated graphics
• RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200
• Storage: 1TB NV2 NVMe SSD
• Weight: 27 lbs
• Size: 14.37 x 7.48 x 14.37 inches

Pros: Lifetime labor warranty, solid gaming performance despite integrated GPU.

Cons: Only suitable for 1080p.

The CLX Set offers exceptional value at its price point. While using integrated graphics, it delivers smooth gameplay in many titles at 1080p. The roomy case allows for easy upgrades, and the lifetime labor warranty provides peace of mind.

5. Asus ROG Ally Z1: Best Budget Handheld Gaming PC Under $500

An excellent Steam Deck alternative running Windows 11.

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Product Specifications:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1
• GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SSD M.2
• Weight: 608g
• Size: 11.02 x 4.37 x 0.83 inches

Pros: Portable, stunning display.

Cons: Technically not a desktop PC.

The Asus ROG Ally is a compelling option for portable PC gaming. While not a traditional desktop, it offers a solid gaming experience at 1080p (at medium-to-low settings) and the portability is a significant advantage.

How Much Should I Spend on a Gaming PC?

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A budget of $1000-$1500 is ideal for a balanced budget gaming PC. However, even with less, you can find a solid system. Consider last-generation graphics cards like the RTX 3050 for cost savings.

Prioritize the graphics card, followed by the CPU and RAM. 8GB of RAM and a quad-core processor are sufficient for many games. SSD storage is recommended for faster load times. A reliable power supply and cooling system are crucial for longevity.

Budget Gaming PC FAQs

What is a reasonable budget for a gaming PC? $600-$2000+, but a decent PC can be found for under $1000.

Is a gaming PC worth it for a casual gamer? Even casual gamers benefit from a PC's versatility beyond gaming.

Is it cheaper to buy a PC or build one? Building can be cheaper, but buying pre-built is easier and less risky.

Best Budget Gaming PC UK

Budget Power Victus by HP 15L Gaming Desktop

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Powerful GPU HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop

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