You are drawn to the world of gaming? How wonderful! With PCs that you can buy nowadays, the possibilities are endless. This is especially the case if you have a limitless budget.
However, if your budget is limited, you have to consider the best option for you. We made a list of the top PCs under $500 to prove that you do not have to spend a lot of money in order to enjoy the world of gaming.
Of course, the choice of gaming PC will greatly depend on your needs as a gamer. We know that you want to play games, but we don’t know exactly what games you are interested in. We will explain with examples why it’s important to set your gaming goals.
Top Picks for Gaming in 2023
In order to help you with your purchase, we present to you our top five choices.
1. Beelink U57 Mini PC with Intel Core i5-5257u Processor – Best Choice
We start with Beelink U57 Mini PC. These models are extremely convenient because they are compact and portable. You get a lot in a package that is quite small. Intel Core i5-5257U processor is not a joke. With a base frequency from 2.70 GHz, up to 3.10 GHz, you get a machine that will satisfy your gaming needs.
It’s amazing to get a Micro PC of 8GB and still have expansion options. You’d be pleased to hear that this machine has Intel Iris Graphics 6100. The HD video will make your gaming experience quite fulfilling and enjoyable. With Dual HDM, you can connect two monitors and double the fun.
2. CHUWI CoreBox Windows 10 Mini PC, Intel Core i5 Mini Desktop PC
You will not be disappointed with the next item on our list. This time we present to you the CHUWI CoreBox Windows 10 Mini PC. If you are in need of an affordable gaming machine, you can rely on the brand Chuwi. You will be offered some pretty sweet deals.
You can’t go wrong with Intel Core i5-5257U CPU with Dual Core. It is surprising that for an inexpensive machine, you get a dependable and solid performance. There are several reasons why you should give this model a chance.
You need excellent image quality in order to fully enjoy your gaming experience. Intel Iris Graphics6100 GPU will provide you with the ultimate visual adventure. And it’s not just ideal for gaming. Your photo editing skills will shine on a high-quality screen.
3. Dell Gaming PC Desktop Computer Tower, Intel i5
We continue our list with Dell Gaming PC Desktop Computer Tower. We all know that Dell’s products offer more than decent hardware and they’re visually appealing. You will be satisfied with Nvidia GT 1030 Graphics card. It’s suitable for gaming and so much more.
You will make the right choice if you choose this model with Intel’s i5 processor with upgraded DDR3 RAM. These specifications guarantee successful multitasking, as you can use this machine for work, school, and of course the ultimate gaming experience.
With this sweet machine, you get a whole set made out of: a gaming mouse 10,000 DPI, USB 7.1 surround gaming headset, RGB mechanical gaming keyboard, and a sleek mouse pad. You get this model with the latest version of the Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System, so you will be able to enjoy your PC experience thoroughly.
4. HP Desktop PC, Intel Pentium Gold G6400 Processor
Next on our list is HP Desktop PC, Intel Pentium Gold. HP brand is a famous manufacturer of desktop computers for decades. You know that their machines guarantee quality and satisfying performance.
Multitasking will not be an issue with this model. Intel Pentium Gold G6400 processor will simplify your tasks and you will enjoy the vibrancy of images with Intel UHD Graphics 630. If your focus is on gaming and streaming, you will be thrilled with its performance, and you can equally use it to finish any of the projects that require high-quality performance.
You will be satisfied with this PC’s storage capacity. This desktop’s execution is simplified due to 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of Solid State Drive. Save your game progress, and keep all your videos and documents safe and secured.
Your focus may predominantly be on the performance, but we are sure that you will appreciate the sleek design of solid construction that comes in a set with a USB black wired mouse and a keyboard. You will make a wise choice with this purchase.
5. GUZILA Mini Gaming PC with Intel Core i5-5275u
We end our list with GUZILA Mini Gaming PC. This mini model is extremely powerful, and you will be pleasantly surprised with the performance of the 5th gen Intel Core i5 processor. Whether you plan to use it for gaming or some other kind of entertainment, you won’t regret this purchase. With frequency from 2.70 GHz up to 3.10 GHz while performing you will learn to appreciate the meaning of speed.
Visuals are crucial for every gaming experience, and you will enjoy the high-quality video with Intel Iris Graphics 6100. You will easily follow the progress of your game in full-screen 4K UHD quality.
Storage is extremely important and with the expansion options, you won’t experience any troubles. You can expand it up to 2TB. Multitask across multiple screens by connecting up to three displays. Make the right choice and get this model before it’s sold out.
Buyer’s Guide
If you are buying your first gaming computer there are certain aspects that you need to be aware of. Let’s see what we need to focus on during purchases with a low budget.
Potential
Your PC will have limited potential when it comes to gaming. Streaming is not a possibility with a low-budget PC. The multitasking potential is limited, but something has to be sacrificed with budget restrictions.
AMD or Intel
The most professional and expensive gaming devices will give an advantage to AMD. However, having this in mind, we have to be aware that Intel is by no means an inferior processor. Even though AMD can contain up to 32 cores, Intel can have up to 18. Having in mind the budget restrictions, you will find that Intel will not be a lesser processor and you will not have issues with gaming quality or performance.
Performance
If you worry about performance, know that both Intel and AMD can handle 1080p/60FPS gaming. If your focus is video and picture editing, then AMD has a slight advantage when it comes to image quality. However, when we talk strictly about gaming, Intel does not fall behind and offers characteristics that allow multitasking.
Laptop or desktop?
Laptops are completely and utterly capable of following the performance of desktops, with exception of certain extremely demanding tasks. Having a portable machine is an advantage, however, it is important to decide whether it is important for the world of gaming or not. You don’t want to pay extra for a machine that has portability as the main advantage.
The focus is on performance. This does not mean that you should automatically reject the idea of getting a laptop. Balance the performance you need, budget restrictions, and portability as a factor.
Non-gaming PCs or gaming PCs?
Non-gaming and gaming PCs predominantly have the same components. The main difference is that gaming PCs focus on all aspects that will improve the quality of the game: speed and capacity. But mostly speed. However, depending on the kind of games you want to play, having a beast of a computer can be too much. If the elements you buy don’t improve your gaming experience there is no point in spending money unwisely.
Games
The games you play on low budget PC should not be complex and demanding because the PC will not be able to meet the requirements of the contemporary, intricate games. Choose less GPU-intensive games and those with decent or high graphics.
FAQ
How much money should I spend on my first gaming PC?
From $300-400 is plenty for basic games in 720p. A game in 1080p will go above $500.
Should I buy i5 or i7?
An i5 processor will be less expensive than an i7 processor. Obviously, i7 has an advantage when it comes to multitasking, media-editing, and high-end gaming. However, know that you don’t lose by buying an i5. Have in mind that you can always upgrade your computer later.
Is a $500 gaming PC worth it?
With a few useful upgrades, a $500 gaming PC can transform from a decent entry-level into a high-end state-of-the-art computer.
How important is GPU for gaming?
GPU is the component that has the strongest influence on the look of the game. It will define color quality, resolution, frame-rates, etc.
Which hard drive should I give advantage to SSD or HDD?
SSD launches apps in the blink of an eye. That speed is perfect for gamers, but the big price tag is usually an issue. We recommend that you bulk up your storage with traditional HDDs, to meet the needs of your budget. The performance will be decent, and it will meet your gaming needs.
Do I have to buy Windows for my Gaming Computer?
You do not have to buy Windows operating system, but it is the most adequate one for gaming. Most of the games are compatible with Windows, but that is not the case with Mac or Linux.
Are games graphically demanding?
The games that you want to play will play a role in choosing your gaming PC. If you are interested in playing games like World of Warcraft Classic, Half-Life, The Legend of Dragoon, Darkest Dungeon, Arkham City, or Stardew Valley, you don’t need a high-end, top of the quality gaming PC. However, if you plan to play complex games like Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, Final Fantasy XV, Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2, or The Witcher 3 you will have to reconsider your budget, because these games are quite graphically demanding, and a $500 PC will not do the trick.
Wrap Up
We presented to you our top picks of PCs under $500 dollars. We do hope you are aware that a PC bought on a budget can be of equal standard as a high-end beast of a PC if we choose it carefully and leave enough room for future upgrades.
We always leave room for upgrades as the world of computing changes drastically from year to year. When you want to buy a computer, look for the machine that will suit your needs, and if you plan to start with gaming, look for the info about the games that you are interested in.
Some games require certain specifications, so the machine will have to support them adequately. You will be surprised by the performance of computers that seem extremely cheap. Let’s not throw away the possibilities just because of the prices. Find the right PC for you and enjoy your gaming time!
Take a look at these a bit more expensive PCs that are available right now on Amazon:
- System: Intel Core i7-12700F 2.1GHz 8+4 Cores | Intel B660 Chipset | 16GB DDR4 | 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD | Genuine Windows 11 Home 64-bit
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB Video Card | 1x HDMI | 2x DisplayPort
- Connectivity: 6 x USB 3.1 | 2 x USB 2.0 | 1x RJ-45 Network Ethernet 10/100/1000 | 802.11AC Wi-Fi | Audio: 7.1 Channel | Keyboard and mouse
- Special feature: Tempered Glass Side Case Panel | Custom RGB Case Lighting | 7 Colors RGB Gaming Mouse
- 1 year parts & labor | Free lifetime tech support
- GET A FRESH PERSPECTIVE - From a rejuvenated Start menu, to new ways to connect to your favorite people, news, games and content—Windows 11 is the place to think, express, and create in a natural...
- OFFERING MORE THAN JUST A PERFORMANCE SCORE - The 13th Gen Intel Core Processor advances real-world computing and delivers more ultra-efficient multi-tasking
- FAST FOR GAMERS AND CREATORS - Experience lifelike virtual worlds, ultra-high FPS gaming, revolutionary new ways to create and unprecedented workflow acceleration
- DTS: X ULTRA TECHNOLOGY - By producing authentic, spatially accurate 3D sound through any headset, this technology offers specially tuned audio modes for different game types to provide immersion for...
- KINGSTON FURY DDR5 MEMORY - With its high performance, everything from multi-tasking to playing games gets a boost
- INTEL Core i5 10400F 2.9GHz (4.3GHz Max Boost) CPU Processor | 1TB NVME SSD – Up to 30x Faster Than Traditional HDD
- NVIDIA Geforce RTX 3050 8GB GDDR6 Graphics Card (Brand may vary) | 8GB DDR4 RAM 3200 Gaming Memory with Heat Spreader | Windows 11 Home 64-bit
- 802.11 AC | No Bloatware | Graphic output options include 1 x HDMI, and 1 x Display Port Guaranteed, Additional Ports may vary | USB Ports Including 2.0, 3.0, and 3.2 Gen1 Ports | HD Audio and Mic |...
- 3 x RGB RING Fans for Maximum Air Flow | Skytech Shadow Gaming Case with Tempered Glass, Black | 1 Year Warranty on Parts and Labor | Lifetime Free Technical Support | Assembled in the USA
- This powerful gaming PC is capable of running all your favorite games such as Call of Duty Warzone, Fornite, Escape from Tarkov, Grand Theft Auto V, Valorant, World of Warcraft, League of Legends,...
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 3.4GHz (4.6GHz Max Boost) CPU Processor | 1TB NVME SSD – Up to 30x Faster Than Traditional HDD | 240mm AIO
- NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4070 12GB GDDR6X Graphics Card (Brand may vary) | 16GB DDR4 RAM 3200 Gaming Memory with Heat Spreader | Windows 11 Home 64-bit
- 802.11 AC | No Bloatware | Graphic output options include 1 x HDMI, and 1 x Display Port Guaranteed, Additional Ports may vary | USB Ports Including 2.0, 3.0, and 3.2 Gen1 Ports | HD Audio and Mic |...
- 1 x RGB Fans | Shiva II ATX Mid-Tower Gaming Case with Tempered Glass – White | 1 Year Warranty on Parts and Labor | Lifetime Free Technical Support | Assembled in the USA
- This powerful gaming PC is capable of running all your favorite games such as Call of Duty Warzone, Fornite, Escape from Tarkov, Grand Theft Auto V, Valorant, World of Warcraft, League of Legends,...
- This computer is well-suited for a variety of tasks including gaming, study, home, business, photo and video editing, streaming, day trading, crypto trading, and more.
- This high-performance gaming PC is capable of running a wide range of popular games, including Fortnite, Call of Duty Warzone, Escape from Tarkov, GTA V, World of Warcraft, LOL, Valorant, Apex...
- System: Intel Core i7 up to 3.9GHz 4-Core | 16GB Memory | 512GB Solid State Drive | Genuine Windows 10 Home 64-bit
- Connectivity: 2x USB 3.0 | 6x USB 2.0 | 1x RJ-45 | 1x Serial | USB Wi-Fi | USB Bluetooth 5.0 | AMD Radeon RX 580 8G GDDR5 Video Card | 1x HDMI | 3x DisplayPort | 1x DVI
- Special feature: RGB BT Sound Bar | RGB Fan x 6 | RGB Mouse Pad | RGB Gaming Mouse & Keyboard | 1 Year parts & labor | Free lifetime tech support
- System: Intel Core i9-13900KF 3.0GHz (8+16) Cores | Intel Z690 Chipset | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD | Genuine Windows 11 Home 64-bit
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti 12GB Video Card | 1x HDMI | 2x DisplayPorts
- Connectivity: 6 x USB 3.1 | 2 x USB 2.0 | 1x RJ-45 Network Ethernet 10/100/1000 | 802.11AC Wi-Fi | Audio: 7.1 Channel | Keyboard and mouse
- Special feature: Liquid cool CPU | 3-Piece Panoramic Tempered Glass Front/Side Case Panel | Custom RGB Case Lighting | USB Gaming Keyboard | 7 Colors RGB Gaming Mouse
- 1 year parts & labor | Free lifetime tech support
- ✔ AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core 3.6 GHz (4.2 GHz Turbo) CPU Processor | 1TB SSD
- ✔ GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6 Graphics Card (Brand May Vary) | 16GB DDR4 3200MHz Gaming Memory with Heat Spreaders | Windows 11 Home 64-bit
- ✔ 802.11AC | No Bloatware | Graphic output options include 1 x HDMI, and 1 x Display Port Guranteed, Additional Ports may vary | USB Ports Including 2.0, 3.0, and 3.2 Gen1 Ports | HD Audio and Mic |...
- ✔ Heatsink & 3 x RGB Fans | Powered by 80 Plus Gold Certified 600 Watt Power Supply | Skytech Archangel 3.0 Gaming Case with Tempered Glass – White
- ✔ 1 Year Warranty on Parts and Labor | Lifetime Free Technical Support | Assembled in the USA | This powerful gaming PC is capable of running all your favorite games such as World of Warcraft,...
- INTEL Core i7 12700F 2.1GHz (4.9GHz Max Boost) CPU Processor | 1TB NVME SSD – Up to 30x Faster Than Traditional HDD | 240mm AIO
- NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4060 Ti 8GB GDDR6X Graphics Card (Brand may vary) | 16GB DDR4 RAM 3200 Gaming Memory with Heat Spreader | Windows 11 Home 64-bit
- 802.11 AC | No Bloatware | Graphic output options include 1 x HDMI, and 1 x Display Port Guaranteed, Additional Ports may vary | USB Ports Including 2.0, 3.0, and 3.2 Gen1 Ports | HD Audio and Mic |...
- 4 x RGB RING Fans for Maximum Air Flow | Skytech Archangel Gaming Case with Tempered Glass, White | 1 Year Warranty on Parts and Labor | Lifetime Free Technical Support | Assembled in the USA
- This powerful gaming PC is capable of running all your favorite games such as Call of Duty Warzone, Fornite, Escape from Tarkov, Grand Theft Auto V, Valorant, World of Warcraft, League of Legends,...
- Intel i9-13900KF 3.0 GHz, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 12GB, 32 GB 5200 MHz DDR5 RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, WiFi ready, Windows 11 Home
- Connectivity: 6 x USB 3.1 | 1x RJ-45 Network Ethernet 10/100/1000 | Audio: On board audio
- Special Add-Ons: Tempered Glass RGB Gaming Case | 802.11AC Wi-Fi Included | 16 Color RGB Lighting Case | Free iBuyPower Gaming Keyboard & RGB Gaming Mouse | No Bloatware
- Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labor + Free Lifetime US Tech Support | Assembled in the U.S.A
- INTEL Core i7 11700F 2.5GHz (4.9GHz Max Boost) CPU Processor | 1TB NVME SSD – Up to 30x Faster Than Traditional HDD | 240mm AIO.Power Supply : 650 Watt 80 Plus Gold.
- NVIDIA Geforce RTX 3060 Ti 8GB GDDR6 Graphics Card (Brand may vary) | 16GB DDR4 RAM 3200 Gaming Memory with Heat Spreader | Windows 11 Home 64-bit
- 802.11 AC | No Bloatware | Graphic output options include 1 x HDMI, and 1 x Display Port Guaranteed, Additional Ports may vary | USB Ports Including 2.0, 3.0, and 3.2 Gen1 Ports | HD Audio and Mic |...
- 3 x RGB Dual RING Fans for Maximum Air Flow | Phantek Metallic Gear Neo Air, Black Edition with Front Mesh Case | 1 Year Warranty on Parts and Labor | Lifetime Free Technical Support | Assembled in...
- This powerful gaming PC is capable of running all your favorite games such as Call of Duty Warzone, Fornite, Escape from Tarkov, Grand Theft Auto V, Valorant, World of Warcraft, League of Legends,...