best pc under $500 That Can Run Any Game

7 Best Gaming PC under $500 2024 – Prebuild That Can Run Any Game

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.

Our Best Pick
Beelink GK Mini 4 Core Mini PC Intel J4125(up to 2.7GHz), 8G LPDDR4/256G SSD Business Mini...
Best Value
CHUWI CoreBox Mini PC, Windows 10 Mini Desktop Computers with Core i5-8259U Processors,16GB DDR4 RAM...
Don't Miss
HP Desktop PC, Intel Pentium Gold G6400 Processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD Storage, Windows 10 Home,...
Also Consider
Dell Gaming PC Tower, Intel i5, 16GB RAM, 128GB SSD 500GB HDD, Windows 10, Nvidia GT 730 2GB, New...
Beelink GK Mini 4 Core Mini PC Intel J4125(up to 2.7GHz), 8G LPDDR4/256G SSD Business Mini...
CHUWI CoreBox Mini PC, Windows 10 Mini Desktop Computers with Core i5-8259U Processors,16GB DDR4 RAM...
HP Desktop PC, Intel Pentium Gold G6400 Processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD Storage, Windows 10 Home,...
Dell Gaming PC Tower, Intel i5, 16GB RAM, 128GB SSD 500GB HDD, Windows 10, Nvidia GT 730 2GB, New...
Our Best Pick
Beelink GK Mini 4 Core Mini PC Intel J4125(up to 2.7GHz), 8G LPDDR4/256G SSD Business Mini...
Beelink GK Mini 4 Core Mini PC Intel J4125(up to 2.7GHz), 8G LPDDR4/256G SSD Business Mini...
Best Value
CHUWI CoreBox Mini PC, Windows 10 Mini Desktop Computers with Core i5-8259U Processors,16GB DDR4 RAM...
CHUWI CoreBox Mini PC, Windows 10 Mini Desktop Computers with Core i5-8259U Processors,16GB DDR4 RAM...
Don't Miss
HP Desktop PC, Intel Pentium Gold G6400 Processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD Storage, Windows 10 Home,...
HP Desktop PC, Intel Pentium Gold G6400 Processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD Storage, Windows 10 Home,...
Also Consider
Dell Gaming PC Tower, Intel i5, 16GB RAM, 128GB SSD 500GB HDD, Windows 10, Nvidia GT 730 2GB, New...
Dell Gaming PC Tower, Intel i5, 16GB RAM, 128GB SSD 500GB HDD, Windows 10, Nvidia GT 730 2GB, New...

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 2024

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

Beelink U57 Mini PC with Intel Core

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.

This amazing Mini PC provides 1 TF card port, 2 HDMI ports, 1 Type-C port, 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 2 HDMI cables, 1 VESA Mount, and 1 power adapter. This compact model will make your gaming days memorable.

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.

Multitasking will be easy with 8GB DDR3 RAM memory that allows speed and quality performance, and with 256GB SSD Storage Capacity you can easily run your games and save game progress.

3. Dell Gaming PC Desktop Computer Tower, Intel i5

Dell Gaming PC Desktop Computer Tower

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

GUZILA Mini Gaming PC

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

pc under $500 buying 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

budget gaming pc 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:

Bestseller No. 1
Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i5 13400F 2.5 GHz, NVIDIA RTX 4060, 1TB NVME...
  • INTEL Core i5 13400F 2.5GHz (4.6GHz Max Boost) CPU Processor | 1TB NVME SSD – Up to 30x Faster Than Traditional HDD
  • NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4060 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 RGB Fans for Maximum Air Flow | Skytech Nebula Black Edition with Front Mesh | 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, Fortnite, Escape from Tarkov, Grand Theft Auto V, Valorant, World of Warcraft, League of Legends,...
Bestseller No. 2
CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC, Intel Core i7-13700F 2.1GHz, GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB, 16GB...
  • System: Intel Core i7-13700F 2.1GHz 8+8 Cores | Intel B760 Chipset | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | Genuine Windows 11 Home 64-bit
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB 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 gaming mouse
  • 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Free Lifetime Tech Support
Bestseller No. 3
iBUYPOWER Y60 Black Gaming PC Computer Desktop Y60BI9N4702 (Intel Core i9 14900KF, RTX 4070 12GB,...
  • i9 14900KF, RTX 4070 12GB, 32GB DDR5 5600 RGB (16x2), 2TB NVMe, 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
Bestseller No. 4
CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC, Intel Core i9-13900KF 3.0GHz, GeForce RTX 4070 12GB, 16GB...
  • System: Intel Core i9-13900KF 3.0GHz 8+16 Cores | Intel Z790 Chipset | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | Genuine Windows 11 Home 64-bit
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 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: Liquid Cool CPU | Tempered glass side case panel | Custom RGB case lighting | 7 colors gaming mouse
  • 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Free Lifetime Tech Support
Bestseller No. 5
Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i5 13400F 2.5 GHz, NVIDIA RTX 3050, 1TB NVME...
  • INTEL Core i5 13400F 2.5GHz (4.6GHz Max Boost) CPU Processor | 1TB NVME SSD – Up to 30x Faster Than Traditional HDD
  • NVIDIA Geforce RTX 3050 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 |...
  • 4 RGB Fans for Maximum Air Flow | Skytech Nebula Black Edition with Front Mesh | 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, Fortnite, Escape from Tarkov, Grand Theft Auto V, Valorant, World of Warcraft, League of Legends,...
Bestseller No. 6
Corsair Vengeance i7500 Series Gaming PC - Liquid Cooled Intel Core i9 14900KF CPU - NVIDIA GeForce...
  • Liquid-Cooled 14th Gen Intel Core CPU: The latest in dynamic CPU architecture so you can game and multitask without compromise, cooled by a CORSAIR iCUE H100i RGB ELITE liquid CPU cooler.
  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-Series Graphics: Experience lifelike virtual worlds with ray tracing and ultra-high FPS gaming with the lowest latency.
  • CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 Memory: High-performance memory, optimized for Intel and lined with stylish RGB LEDs.
  • Show Off Your System: Brilliant system-wide RGB lighting lets you create synchronized light shows with pre-installed signature lighting profiles, your own custom-created profiles, or integrated...
  • Unite Your Setup: Powerful CORSAIR iCUE software allows you to monitor your system’s performance and instantly sync RGB lighting across all your iCUE-compatible CORSAIR RGB products, including fans,...
SaleBestseller No. 7
STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC Computer,Intel Core I7 3.4 GHz up to 3.9 GHz,Radeon RX 580 8G GDDR5,16G...
  • 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 | 1x 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
Bestseller No. 8
STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC,Intel Core I5 3.3Ghz up to 3.7Ghz,GeForce RTX 2060 6G GDDR6,16G RAM,512G...
  • 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 i5 up to 3.7GHz 4-Core | 16GB Memory | 512GB Solid State Drive | Genuine Windows 10 Home 64-bit
  • Connectivity: RGB Fan x 3 | 1x RJ-45 | 1x Serial | USB Wi-Fi | USB Bluetooth 5.0 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6G GDDR6 Video Card | HDMI | DisplayPort
  • Special feature: RGB BlueTooth Sound Bar | RGB Gaming Mouse & Keyboard | RGB Mouse Pad | 1 Year parts & labor | Free lifetime tech support
Bestseller No. 9
Skytech Gaming Archangel Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i7 12700F 2.1 GHz, NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti, 1TB...
  • 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, Fortnite, Escape from Tarkov, Grand Theft Auto V, Valorant, World of Warcraft, League of Legends,...
Bestseller No. 10
STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC, Intel Core I5 3.3Ghz up to 3.7Ghz, AMD Radeon RX 550 4G GDDR5, 16G Ram,...
  • System: Intel Core i5 up to 3.7GHz 4-Core | 16GB Memory | 512GB Solid State Drive | Genuine Windows 10 Home 64-bit
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 550 4G GDDR5 Video Card | 1x HDMI | 1x DisplayPort | 1x DVI
  • Connectivity: RGB Fan x 3 | 1x RJ-45 | 1x Serial | USB Wi-Fi | USB Bluetooth 5.0
  • Special feature: RGB Gaming Mouse & Keyboard | RGB Mouse Pad
  • 1 Year parts & labor | Free lifetime tech support