Looking to getting into PC gaming

$600 Gaming PC

New build or upgrade? (New build)

Existing parts/monitors to reuse? (No)

PC purpose? Just want to be able to play games with my friends, AAA titles, dont need 4k

Purchase country? Near Micro Center? (USA, near a microcenter)

• Monitors needed? (1 to start out, not to picky about frame rate and resolution, I'm used to the Xbox series s)

Budget range? ($500-600)

• WiFi or wired connection? Will need wired

Size/noise constraints? (No)

• Color/lighting preferences? (none)

• Any other specific needs? (No

Hi everyone,

A few days ago, I made a post about wanting to learn about building a PC, as I've always dreamed of having one but never had the chance. I received some great replies, which I truly appreciate. Initially, I mentioned having a $400 budget, but I've recently been able to secure more funds.

Now, I'm looking for advice on what would be the best budget for a solid gaming PC. I want to find a balance where the build isn't too expensive but also not so cheap that I'd need to replace parts frequently in the future.

Here are a few specifics:

1.I’d like a build that can handle modern games smoothly, including titles like Call of Duty: Warzone, at high settings with good FPS. 2. Longevity: I aim for components that will last a few years without needing constant upgrades or replacements. 3. Storage: I plan to use DDR5 RAM and have an Intel i5 12400f, but I'm open to suggestions for the best storage options, especially for fast load times in games. 4. Future-proofing: If there are any components worth investing a bit more in now to avoid headaches later, I'd appreciate those recommendations too.

What budget range should I be looking at to achieve this balance between cost and performance?

Thank you in advance!

Also if someone could make a list of exactly I would need I would really appreciate it so much!

my daily computer is a mac and i can’t play a lot of games on it, so i was thinking of getting a second pc. i don’t know anything about computers. obviously, i’m a casual gamer. the kinds of games i’m interested in playing are task management games, farming sims, shop simulator games, and some puzzle games. what kinds of specs are necessary for those types of games?

edit: located in USA, budget: as low as possible - but could save up $500-$600

I am not an adult yet so (me is broke) And im relying on my father to get me a pc and a monitor.But a pc is like more than 1000 dollars and there is no way my dad is going to buy that..It obviously isnt going to be the fastest but i need a pc that is not over 450 bucks.I also need to be able to record while playing on the pc.I was going to buy the a stg auborn pc bundle but the bad reviews were a deal breaker for me.The whole point of me getting this pc is so i can make gaming content on youtube,but im on a tight budget.The games i wanna play and record are fortnight, apex,and maybe some roblox.If its not possible its fine ill live without it.

Hello everyone,

PC Build: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bMQmC8

Im building a low budget gaming pc, i put together what it think could be the best options for me.

I also would like to future proof it as much as possible to avoid wasting money later on.

I will be using the pc for mostly games, these are the games i usually play(Halo infinite, COD, The finals, modded minecraft and GTA) i don't need these games to run on max settings, medium to low settings is more than enough for me.

For this build i am also trying to learn as much as i can about all the parts that go into a computer and why they are better or worse than other parts. Computer building is something i always wanted to learn become familiar so im looking forward to this build!

Hey y’all, I’m finally looking to build (or maybe buy?) a budget gaming PC, but honestly I’m getting lost with all the options and opinions out there. I’m not trying to go ultra 4K or anything, I just want something that can run most modern games at 1080p decently well without costing a fortune. I’ve been doing a ton of Googling but I figured I’d ask actual people with real setups:

Update: After reading through everyone’s input and doing some more digging, I realized that a prebuilt gaming PC might actually be the best route for me right now. I still love the idea of building my own someday, but with current prices and time constraints, I just want something that works out of the box and plays modern games at 1080p smoothly.

So for anyone else in the same boat, here are some of the best budget prebuilt gaming PCs for 2025 that I found during my research. These should all run modern games (think Cyberpunk 2077, Warzone, Elden Ring, Valorant, Apex Legends, etc.) at solid settings without emptying your wallet.

Top Budget Prebuilt Gaming PC Recommendations

1. Skytech Blaze II

• CPU: Ryzen 5 5600G

• GPU: GTX 1660 Super or RX 6600

• RAM: 16GB DDR4

• Storage: 500GB SSD

• Price: ~$699

• Why It’s Good: Excellent bang for your buck. Perfect for 1080p gaming, solid build quality, and ready to upgrade later if needed.

2. HP Victus 15L

• CPU: Intel Core i5-13400F

• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3050 or Radeon RX 6600

• RAM: 16GB DDR4

• Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD

• Price: ~$749–799

• Why It’s Good: Strong CPU, clean design, runs cool and quiet. Great for anyone who wants a no-fuss setup with solid performance.

iBUYPOWER SlateMesh Gaming Desktop

• CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F

• GPU: RTX 3060

• RAM: 16GB DDR4

• Storage: 1TB SSD

• Price: ~$849 (often on sale below $800)

• Why It’s Good: A little more expensive, but great value if you want to push some games on high/ultra at 1080p. Comes with nice airflow and RGB aesthetics too.

4. Acer Nitro 50

• CPU: Intel Core i5-13400

• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1650 (entry-level), upgradeable

• RAM: 8GB (upgrade to 16GB recommended)

• Storage: 512GB SSD

• Price: ~$599–649

• Why It’s Good: Basic but dependable. Great entry point if you're okay upgrading RAM or GPU later.

Final Thoughts

If you're like me and want solid 1080p gaming without the stress of part-picking, one of these prebuilts can get you in the game fast. A few quick tips I’ve learned:

• Always check reviews on sites like Reddit, YouTube, and PCPartPicker before buying.

• Upgrade RAM or SSD if needed—many prebuilts are upgradeable and it's usually easy.

• Watch for sales on sites like Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, or Micro Center—prices change fast!

If you’ve recently bought a cheap gaming PC and love it, drop your specs in the comments! I’m still open to other suggestions and would love to see your setups.

Thanks again, and good luck to everyone else building (or buying) their first rig!

Introduction

Hello, people of the PCMR, or people wishing to join the PCMR. It's been a while since I last made a parts guide, but not really much has changed in the PC world; everything's still overpriced, and generational gains are still underwhelming. However, as it's the holiday season, lots of people are getting new builds, or looking into upgrading their old build, so I figured I'll help some folks out.

This time around, I've made parametric lists. What this means is that I've given PCPartPicker a bunch of specific filters to choose each part from, and it chooses the most competitively priced part accordingly. This way, if something's out of stock, it's replaced with an equivalent part.

Another change from last time is that I've now separated the builds using the CPU/GPU brand combo they use, instead of whether they're designed for productivity or gaming. However, just as a rule of thumb, AMD offers better value for your money in games, but loses out in productivity based apps. Nvidia GPUs dominate the high-end market, and that's reflected here as well.

This time, the builds are approximately 100-150$ apart, alternating between an AMD CPU and GPU combo, and an Intel CPU and Nvidia GPU combo. You'll see what I mean. As always, other builders who have more experience with this than me are welcome to drop in their suggestions for improvements; feedback is much appreciated.

Also, please note that I haven't mentioned any peripherals, like monitors, keyboards, or mice. Those are almost always down to personal preference, so if I recommend something and you end up not liking it, the blame falls to me. I'm happy to give recommendations for monitors if you ask me to, but don't come to me for keyboard or mouse advice. Another point I'd like to note is that I will not help in troubleshooting after you've built the PC. For that, you can head over to r/buildapc, or r/computerhelp.

With that rather long intro, let's get into the builds.

450$ - 5700g

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ZrnsKX

At this budget, I never recommend buying new. You're always going to get better value buying a used PC, or perhaps a laptop. However, this build is a perfectly capable daily use/office machine, with a 8 core CPU, 16gb of RAM, and 500gb of storage. It also has a decent power supply, so you can drop in a graphics card later to make it a solid gaming machine.

550$ - 12600k

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/sYndGP

Kinda similar to the AMD build above, except this uses a more modern CPU from Intel, that's both better in games and more efficient overall. If you can stretch your budget a little from the previous build, get this one instead. Adding in a GPU later will make it a very capable gaming machine.

750$ - 5600x / RX 6700

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/KzxWrv

This is a proper gaming PC, except it uses all last-gen parts. That's not to say they're bad, quite the opposite. The 5600x is still a very good gaming CPU, and is more than capable of running games well at 1080p. The 6700 is the budget king for gaming GPUs, with it's 12gb of VRAM. This build gets 32gb of RAM and 1TB of storage space.

850$ - 12400f / RTX 4060

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/m6KXVW

This build uses a last-gen CPU, but a current gen GPU, though in the case of the 4060, that may not be a good thing. It's still a decent card, just maybe not for the price. A 6700 is much faster in any game, but the 4060 does have the benefit of DLSS 3. If you want a decent PC that can handle both gaming and productivity tasks, this works.

1000$ - 7600 / RX 6800

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/cyTbpB

The opposite of the last build, as this uses a current gen CPU, in the 7600, which is a really good value for money unit, and a last gen GPU, the RX6800, which is the best value for money right now. 16gb of VRAM at just 400$ is too good of an offer, and this card will age very well, as games get more demanding. This build also gets DDR5 RAM, which none of the previous ones did.

1150$ - 13400f / RTX 4070

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/dwCdGP

All current gen parts here, with the 13400f and the 4070. This build is very capable in both games and for productivity applications, as it has the benefits of Intel's efficiency cores, and Nvidia's DLSS 3. If you want a mix of, say, gaming and video editing, this is the best value for the price.

1250$ -7600x / RX 7800xt

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/8Cj3gB

A slightly better CPU, in the 7600x, but at the cost of a higher power draw. However, the RX7800xt is a really good GPU for the price, as although it's only a meagre improvement over the 6800xt, it still costs the same. Do keep in mind that as this is an AMD GPU, it will probably get faster over time, as they roll out more driver updates. This is good value, current gen gaming.

1400$ - 12600k / RTX 4070ti

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/26mDQP

This one's interesting, as you get a CPU downgrade, to the 12600k, but a big GPU upgrade, to the 4070ti. The 12600k is still a very capable CPU, and will support the 4070ti at any resolution just fine. The 4070ti is arguably the best value card of this generation, giving good performance and really good efficiency at a still-too-high-but-not-that-high price.

1500$ - 7600x / RX 7900xt

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/cYywyg

Another big GPU upgrade, going to the 7900xt, with it's massive 20gb of VRAM. This is the first build so far that I'd say is capable of 4K gaming, and will give you a really good experience at 4k as well. You also get a slightly better quality motherboard, faster RAM, and 2TB of storage space.

1600$ - 13600k / RTX 4070ti

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/fQBLdH

Not really a major upgrade here, just a generation newer CPU in the 13600k. It's not even that much better than the 12600k. However, for the extra money, you do get a better motherboard, 2TB of storage, and a better case and power supply.

1700$ - 7800X3D / RX 7900xt

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/vHk4YN

A big CPU upgrade, going up to the 7800X3D, which is the fastest gaming CPU you can buy right now. For 1440p 240hz, this is definitely the ideal build. You also start to get some RGB in the system, with 6 fans all lit up.

1800$ - 14700k / RTX 4070ti

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/hQgBz6

Another big CPU upgrade, going to the 14700k, Intel's second fastest CPU. This thing is a productivity beast, due to its 20 cores. It does however, run really hot, which is why it's the first liquid cooled build so far. Keep in mind that a liquid cooler will not last as long as an air cooler.

2000$ - 7800X3D / RX 7900xtx

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3HgqbL

The big daddy of AMD GPUs, the 7900xtx. 24gb of VRAM, and a very capable card, at any resolution and refresh rate. It's faster than the 4080 in some games, but does lose out in productivity applications, or when RTX is enabled. This is the fastest all-AMD build you can buy for gaming.

2250$ - 14700k / RTX 4080

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/TsxHqR

Another big GPU upgrade, going to the 4080. It's still a terrible value for money item, but that doesn't make it any worse of a card. It will handle any app, any game you throw at it with ease. A few other changes for this build include a bigger liquid cooler, going up to 360mm, and a better quality case.

2250$ - 7800X3D / RTX 4080

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/M7k4YN

Virtually identical to the above build, just that this uses an AMD CPU instead. Also, this one is air-cooled, not liquid, so there's one part less likely to fail in the future.

2450$ - 14900k / RTX 4080

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/BnFsVW

Again, minor changes from the last build, just a CPU upgrade, to the 14900k, which is arguably overkill for just about anything, but hey, it's your money. Also, you get a 1000W PSU.

2650$ - 7800X3D / RTX 4090

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/hmywyg

Finally, the big daddy of all GPUs, the 4090. Nothing is faster in games than this build. Other than the GPU though, not much else changes.

2900$ - all black aesthetic

AMD 7800X3D - https://pcpartpicker.com/list/JwwTpB

Intel 14700k - https://pcpartpicker.com/list/w39cgB

This is around the price where I see people start caring about how their system looks, and I got quite a few requests for all-black or classy builds last time, so here. This build uses the Fractal Design North case, and has absolutely no RGB whatsoever. I've included absolute top-tier parts all around, with one of the highest quality AIO, motherboard, RAM and SSD.

4500$ - whiteout with RGB insanity

AMD 7950X3D - https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ZNjvDZ

Intel 14900k - https://pcpartpicker.com/list/dts889

This build is straight up insane. If money is absolutely no object, and you want a centerpiece for your setup, this is the way to go. Both builds use absolute top of the line components, and any part of the PC that you can see is white, or has RGB. I've also listed the most pointless case on the market, the Hyte Y70 touch. I couldn't list RGB cables, but be sure to get some of those if you're actually considering one of these.

Conclusion

Well, that's everything. If you have any doubts, feel free to ask me below, but please don't ask me to make individual builds, or ask me for builds in different countries. Also, don't ask for help troubleshooting. Other PC builders, please do give me feedback and improvements that I can make.

Happy building!

Hey folks, I'm in the market for a budget gaming PC and I'm hoping to get your input. I'm looking for something under $900 that can handle games like Apex Legends or Valorant without too much hassle. Any recommendations for specific models or builds you’ve had good experiences with? I’d really appreciate any insights! Here are some I'm considering:

• Skytech Nebula Gaming PC

• STGAubron Gaming PC

• CyberPowerPC Gamer Master

I really need a better computer because I just recorded a video with my friend and when I checked the recording it was nothing but still images for minutes at a time, and it was completely unsalvageable, does anybody recommend any good PCs that are affordable but can at least run games decently, I'm certain this is my computer's fault as it was because OBS works perfectly fine on smaller sized games

I already have a keyboard and mouse, I just need a monitor and the PC itself, because my computer is a desk top and I have a keyboard already I got as a gift

been looking around and i think this is the right place to ask this? apologies if it isn't.

i've been interested in getting a pc for gaming. my laptop is tiny and old and slow and at this point i mostly want to invest a little in something that will serve me well for a while. that being said i am on a very tight budget (and when i say tight i mean i've been looking at mini pcs on Amazon for <$200...) and i'm struggling to figure out whether the pcs i think i can afford will actually be able to do what i want them to.

i'd rather buy a prebuilt, but i am open to building one if it ends up being significantly cheaper. i mostly want to play games like skyrim se, sims 4, stardew valley, etc. and i also want to be able to run heroforge and talespire fairly well. i've tried to make sense of the different processor types and all that but it's all greek to me. any suggestions for cheap pcs that will let me run things like skyrim and heroforge/talespire?

I was going to ask for a computer for my birthday, and I’m curious if there are any good affordable ones? I don’t know if I could build one at all so I was just making sure if there were any good premade ones?

Edit: I was thinking about 700-800 dollars for my price range and I was mostly looking at games like baldurs gate 3 and MMOs, along with some games that already run fine in my crappy laptop.

What will you be doing with this PC? Be as specific as possible, and include specific games or programs you will be using.

I will mainly be gaming with this pc. Also using it for general personal use like watching youtube and watching twitch. I've never had a pc before and only ever had laptops. I'd like to be able to play all the big name games comfortably like gta 5/6, helldivers, elden ring, etc. I'd also like to be able to store many many games on the pc. And it would be quite cool to be able to have youtube videos or twtich streams im watching run in the background while also being able to smoothly run a game. I want to be able to play games on medium-high settings. I get i wont be able to play on ultra or max with my budget, but I would like to be able to play games at a resolution that looks nice and will be highly enjoyable for someone who's never had anything but a basic laptop before.

What is your maximum budget before rebates/shipping/taxes?

$600 is my budget for the pc. I can add on an extra $100 if it's not possible to get a good pc plus a good monitor for that price. So $700 max but i would prefer $600.

When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Note: beyond a week or two from today means any build you receive will be out of date when you want to buy.

I am running out of space on my laptop and desperately need a new one so I'm willing to buy within a 2-3 weeks.

What, exactly, do you need included in the budget? (Tower/OS/monitor/keyboard/mouse/etc\)

I need the whole pc and everything that includes+ a monitor. I can use a mouse and keyboard i already have and upgrade those later one day. I currently have a windows laptop so if i can transfer that os then ill be fine for that. Otherwise ill need the budget for a windows os.

Which country (and state/province) will you be purchasing the parts in? If you're in US, do you have access to a Microcenter location?

I will be purchasing the parts in the US. I do have access to a microcenter location.

If reusing any parts (including monitor(s)/keyboard/mouse/etc), what parts will you be reusing? Brands and models are appreciated.

None. Ive got a keyboard and mouse though.

Will you be overclocking? If yes, are you interested in overclocking right away, or down the line? CPU and/or GPU?

No bc idk how and that's probably a bit advanced for me atm.

Are there any specific features or items you want/need in the build? (ex: SSD, large amount of storage or a RAID setup, CUDA or OpenCL support, etc)

I'd like to have a ton of storage. I only need it for gaming, but since ive never gotten to play many pc games before i think ill want enough storage to download and play any and every triple a game i could want. I think I'll need 2TBs of storage to do that? I assume that will last me 2-3 years of triple a gaming and that in that time ill be able to afford an upgrade if I end up really gaming that hard.

What type of network connectivity do you need? (Wired and/or WiFi) If WiFi is needed and you would like to find the fastest match for your wireless router, please list any specifics.

I would like to be able to do either wifi or ethernet. Atm I dont have a reliable ethernet connection but one day soon I think I will. Still, being able to run off wifi as well would be important to me.

Do you have any specific case preferences (Size like ITX/microATX/mid-tower/full-tower, styles, colors, window or not, LED lighting, etc), or a particular color theme preference for the components?

It would be cool to have those little light up color toggleable fans in some towers I've seen but if that would increase the price and cut into the computing power for my budget then it's not necessary. Otherwise im not picky. whatever would work best for my situation, budget, and build.

Do you need a copy of Windows included in the budget? If you do need one included, do you have a preference?

I probably will yeah.

Extra info or particulars:

Idk a lot about pcs but i know the best way to get the most for your money is to do a build yourself. So that's why im here today. If there are any additional ways to get the most computing power out of my budget like using things like microcenter please let me know!

Can someone please recommend a good budget gaming PC for under $1,000?

I’m operating with this laptop(pictured here) that I like quite a lot, and it does well for most games I play given that I love classic/retro FPS games. It has a GTX 1050 and 8gb ram, only 256 gb storage. It gets me about as far as doom 2016 and some modern titles with FSR enabled, but I’m ready for something new. I need suggestions for parts for a build, or a formidable laptop (I prefer a PC but am open to anything) that will keep me around the 900 and below mark. I don’t need a showboat by any means, but I need to be covered for at least a couple years until I can really pour some money into a rig.

I want to build a budget gaming PC. I haven't had a PC in ~15 years and haven't been gaming lately at all, but want to get back into it.

The stores around me are poorly stocked and the prices are higher than what i am seeing online in other countries.

My plan is to wait till Black Friday or Christmas to go to a neighbouring country or to order in a different country and have a friend bring the parts to me.

I want to prepare well in advance and have everything planned out, as returning parts might not be possible.

My build is probably going to look something like this, unless you manage to change my mind:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/HcQBL9

I want to do some 1080p gaming. Titles that come to mind are CSGO and Cyberpunk 2077 and possibly other single player games like Horizon: Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarok, etc.

• For the GPU i have been stuck on the RX 6600. The max price i'd go on a CPU is 300$ and that's even debatable. Maybe if i catch a good deal on a 6650xt or even 6700 10GB.

I know i am supposed to invest the most in the GPU, but is the extra investment really worth it for my needs and won't i then also going to need to get a rx5600 or i5-12400f as well?

• For the CPU i was debating between the 5 5500 and the i3-12100f and honestly i am still unsure what to choose. Any help, advice or explanation is much appreciated.

• For the motherboard i plan on getting any B550 that's around 90-110$. I think that's fair for a budget build?

• For RAM imma get whatever DDR4, 3200, 2x8GB, ~CL16?, deal i can find. Preferably with a heatsink. Should not be more than 50$.

• For the PSU i plan on getting whatever 600W, C tier, broze?, decently reviewed power supply i can find. Any advice is welcome!

• For storage a 1tb SSD should be great.

• For the case i wanna get whatever ~50$ case i can find, that will suit my build, has decent airflow, some fans and is decently looking.

My budget is probably going to be important to your replies. I don't actually have a hard set budget, but i definitely don't want to overspend and 600$ is my plan at this moment unless i can be convinced of investing more.

The purpose of my post is to ask for your judgement, help, advice, knowledge and everything you are willing to offer really. It might seem as if i know something about building PCs, and while i did do some research, treat me as if i know absolutely nothing.

Thank you in advance!

This is the first time I wanna buy a pc and I've played console my whole life, I mostly play cod and Fortnite, and I'm not satisfied, that's why I wanna buy a pc, idk how much I should spend to play 4k with high frame rates, I have currently 3000 dollars to spend and I don't think it'll be enough. What's your thoughts?.

basically comparing between three pcs, two are pre-builds and one is pcpartpicker's amd entry level pc, for a budget pc around £500.

AWD-IT 120A Ryzen 5 4500 Six Core AMD Radeon 6650 XT Desktop PC for Gaming

AWD-IT Level Up AMD Ryzen 5 4500 Six Core RTX 3050 6GB Desktop PC for Gaming

Entry Level AMD Gaming Build (AMD Ryzen 5 5600 6-Core RX 6600 8 GB)

our previous pc was this (amd ryzen 5 3600 6 core 5600xt 6gb), how do the pcs above compare to our old one? all i wanna be able to do is play games like i used to at 1080p with 60fps like elden ring, halo infinite, skyrim, minecraft, etc. don't need super fancy graphics at all, low level settings for elden ring and infinite is absolutely fine. obviously being able to play new games like ff7 remake and horizon forbidden west would be good but not as essential.

i also wanna stream to friends on discord, doesn't need to be twitch level stuff, just basic 720p/1080p 60fps, which on our old pc was manageable just fine. we also do video edits for youtube but honestly even our basic laptop can handle it so not so fussed about that.

obviously will look at upgrades in future but for now just as close to our old pc and/or what we wanna achieve is perfectly fine, especially if it's within budget (~£500). can build a pc just fine ourselves and/or with help but a pre-build if it's got better parts for a similar price is fine for me too.

any advice appreciated, cheers.

With Christmas coming up, my son wants a gaming computer. I am not computer savvy and don’t understand the difference in products.

I’ve googled, looked around and VenoScorp pops up as the cheapest bundle. Does anyone have any recommended cheap computer company suggestion?

Christmas guilt / fear of disappointing starting early.