5 Best Pre-built Gaming PC Under $500

Pre-built gaming PCs are just as good as custom ones and performance-wise, these branded and non-branded offer the best bang for the buck.

Finding the best-prebuilt gaming PCs under $500 can be a bit of a headache and since the pandemic, the price of PC components has skyrocketed through the roof. 

You can even get a better deal with prebuilt systems compared to when you build a custom one. Thankfully we’ve found some of the best pre-built gaming PCs under $500 in the market right now. 

If you’re looking to buy the best gaming desktop that won’t cost you a fortune then you’re at the right place because today, we’ll be counting down our top picks for the 5 best pre-built gaming desktops under $500 you can buy.

10 Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $500

1. iBUYPOWER Pro Gaming PC 

Winner – Best Gaming PC under $500

We’ve had some pretty amazing pre-builds from iBUYPOWER over the last couple of years. They are even considered some of the best gaming desktops you can get. 

Some of them were budget-friendly options while others were high-end rigs. iBUYPOWER Pro Gaming PC is also one of the budget-oriented options and probably the best cheap gaming PC in the market.

This machine is certainly one of the best-prebuilt gaming PCs you can get for your money. It features a Ryzen 3100 processor with a core speed of up to 3.9GHz coupled with AMD’s RX550 2GB graphics card that could handle 1080p gaming with ease. 

You will also get 8 gigs of DDR4 RAM, a 240GB SSD, and a proper mid-tower gaming case that features tempered glass on the side along with 4x USB3.0 ports. Performance-wise, this Ryzen build can offer solid performance and can easily handle medium-settings gaming on 1080p. 

AMD Ryzen 3100 is a pretty good processor and it alone could handle some of the latest titles without an integrated GPU but when it is backed with RX550, it could out-perform many expensive high-end desktops.

Titles like Warzone and Fortnite will be smooth as butter on a 1080p display but if you’re aiming for a 60fps lock then I should tell you that this rig is not powerful enough to handle that kind of gaming.  

Furthermore, 240GB SSD is surely not enough considering that almost 60GB storage will be covered by the windows alone but for this price, you couldn’t find a better option.

Also, this pre-built PC has more than enough slots to add additional hard drives and SSDs. Magnetic dust filters and RGB-lit fans are an added bonus and also, you will be getting a mouse and a gaming keyboard combo. 

If you’re looking for a gaming PC under $500, this is the gaming rig to have. The iBUYPOWER Pro is the best of the bunch for a cheap prebuilt gaming PC. This is the best you can get since it’s one of the best budget gaming PCs you can get.

Tech Specs 

• Processor – AMD Ryzen 3 3100 
• Graphics Card – AMD Radeon RX550 2GB
• RAM – 8GB DDR4
• Storage – 240GB (SSD) 

2. Dell Optiplex 990  

Runner Up 

Optiplex desktops are not advertised as gaming PCs but they are fully capable of handling modern-day gaming if you throw in a worthy graphics card. This Dell Optiplex 990 is equipped with an Intel Core i7 chip backed with an Nvidia GT710 graphics card and 16 gigs of DDR3 RAM.

This PC case might not give you those ‘gaming PC’ vibe but it is surely a performer. Even the latest and most demanding titles could be played on this one with at least 60 fps on high settings. 

Although, the combination of GT710 and Intel Core i7 is not that great and there are some chances of bottlenecking, but it’s quite slim. Furthermore, a 1TB hard drive is also included in the package along with a 250GB SSD.

Dell Optiplex is extremely cheap and if you’re looking for a beast of a PC under $500 then Dell Optiplex is the best that you’re going to get. 

This one will cost you around $450 but there are a few things that you should know about before getting your hands on this gaming PC. Firstly, there’s no Wifi option with this one but you could use a Wifi USB adapter.

Secondly, these cases are very compact and there aren’t any additional fans in there to keep the temps on the down low.

After a few hours of continuous gaming, things will heat up inside the hood which could result in shortening the lifespan of the PC. 

Moving on, Dell Optiplex is the runner-up here even though it is equipped with a 7th gen processor, our expectations from this one are quite high. We’d really recommend this one if you’re looking to buy a cheap pre-built gaming PC. 

When it comes to gaming PCs under $500, this is a surprise since it’s not your usual gaming build. However, its components do provide enough power and match the performance of other gaming PCs.

Tech Specs 

• Processor – Intel Core i7
• Graphics Card – Nvidia GeForce GT710
• RAM – 16GB DDR3
• Storage – 250GB (SSD) + 1TB HDD

3. Mega Gaming PC 

Best Ryzen Build under $500 

This gaming PC comes laden with an AMD Ryzen 3200g processor with Vega 8 integrated graphics card and 8GB DDR4 memory.

For modern-day gaming, the Mega gaming PC could hold up its end of the bargain if you’re planning to play games on low settings.

Entry-level gamers who enjoy AAA titles could easily get solid fps in well-optimized games. The integrated graphics card will smooth things up and offer 30fps gameplay but 60fps is beyond its capabilities. 

8 gigs of DDR4 RAM would be more than enough but when it is backed with a super-fast 512GB SSD, you won’t have to sit around much longer in front of loading screens.

Aside from its performance, this gaming PC comes with a Cooler Master mini-ITX gaming case that features 2x RGB fans on the front panel.

Two fans inside a mini-ITX case are usually more than enough but Ryzen chips tend to heat up a lot so you might have to spend some bucks on a premium quality thermal paste as well. 

The Mega Gaming PC is upgradable which makes it very futureproof and in case you’re thinking about adding more storage devices or throwing in a proper graphics card like RX570 down the line, you could easily do that with this PC.

Equipped with an AMD Ryzen processor, this is a gaming PC under $500 that offers a whole lot of value. It might not be the fastest cheap gaming PC in the market but for low-end gaming, Mega Gaming PC could offer a flawless experience. 

You’ll be able to enjoy playing on your own PC and doing a bit of work at the same time.

Tech Specs 

• Processor – AMD Ryzen 3200g
• Graphics Card – AMD Vega 8
• RAM – 8GB DDR4
• Storage – 512GB (SSD) 

If you have a budget of $1000, you can check out our article on Best Prebuilt Gaming PC under $1000.

4. Alarco Gaming PC 

Best Looking Gaming Desktop under $500

Looking for an awesome looking gaming PC? Alarco got you covered with their low-end gaming PC that features Intel Core i5-2400 coupled with GeForce GTX 650(1GB).

Additionally, it also comes with 8GB DDR3 RAM, a 1TB hard drive, and a 500w power supply. However, the main highlight of this PC is the beautiful-looking gaming case that is loaded with RGB fans and strong metallic chassis.

See also

• The 7 Best Mini PCs for Gaming In 2022

When it comes to performance, this gaming PC could barely maintain 30fps gameplay in games like GTA V, Fortnite, and PUBG. To be honest, this isn’t the most powerful gaming PC on the market.

It is more suited for those who are looking to play some old games and the chances of this one handling newer titles are quite slim. Even with everything overclocked, this one might maintain 30fps on low settings on a 1080p display.

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 isn’t that bad, it could handle games like CSGO, Fortnite, and The Witcher 3 on low settings with playable fps. 

The airflow inside the case is pretty good and those 3x RGB fans could really make a difference and we hardly think that this PC will have any overheating issues. A Wifi card is also pre-installed in the PC so you won’t have to drill holes in your walls for ethernet cables. 

Alarco Gaming PC isn’t the most ideal rig out there but for something under $500, it packs a punch. Although it might not be the fastest PC around, thanks to its 500w PSU and mid-tower case, you could easily upgrade it later on.

A combo of Intel’s 3rd-gen processor and GTX 1050Ti would treat you really well and they’re very cheap as well, and if you’re tight on a budget then this is the best that you are going to get. 

In conclusion, Alarco Gaming PC is a decent option if you’re looking for a low-end PC for some casual gaming on the weekends and we would really recommend it.

Tech Specs 

• Processor – Intel Core i5-2400
• Graphics Card – Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 1GB
• RAM – 8GB DDR3
• Storage – 1TB 

5. Dell Premium Desktop 

Best Branded Build Under $500 

For a gaming PC under $500, this is a definite steal as you can have your own system with the Dell mark on it. It also doubles up as a gaming rig since it comes with chips that are decent enough to handle low-end games. 

Dell Premium is another excellent option in the market and the specs that this one has to offer will meet your gaming requirements.

This PC is powered by an Intel Core i5-7400 processor which features 4c/4t and a maximum boost of up to 3.5Ghz.

The processor also comes with an Intel HD 630 integrated graphics card that will allow you to enjoy games like Minecraft, Fortnite, League of Legends, and a lot more.

Ideally, pre-built branded desktops like Dell Premium are more suitable for office use but in this scenario, you are getting a very powerful CPU backed with 12 gigs of DDR4 RAM and 1TB hard disk with a spin rate of 7200RPM. 

Performance-wise, the Dell Premium desktop will not disappoint you because it could handle games from 2018-to 2019 and you can even get playable fps on low settings. 

Multi-tasking and browsing the internet will be very fast and those 12 gigs of RAM will let you open a handful of Chrome tabs without freezing the whole thing. 

This much amount of memory is surely an overkill in gaming but because the graphics card isn’t very powerful, you’d still get inconsistent frame rates.

It’s a shame that this one is not equipped with an SSD but for this price, we think that it is a very reasonable deal. 

If you’re looking for better performance then we suggest spending at least $150 more on a proper graphics card such as RX560. You can couple it with a 7th gen processor to play some high-end games. 

Additionally, buying a cheap $20 SSD will also make a difference because this one runs on Win10 and things could get very slow at times. 

If you’re in the market looking for an entry-level gaming desktop then Dell Premium is not going to disappoint you. 

It might not have the most powerful GPU but if you could just add a decent graphics card down the line then you will have a beast that could easily handle the latest AAA titles.

Tech Specs 

• Processor – Intel Core i5-7400
• Graphics Card – Intel HD 630 Graphics (Integrated) 
• RAM – 12GB DDR4
• Storage – 1TB 

6. Allied Home Desktop PC

Most Efficient Gaming Computer

The Allied Home Desktop PC is more than just a gaming PC under $500. It’s an all-around machine that is capable of just about anything you throw at it.

It comes with decent specs that will certainly allow you to do some proper PC gaming. Powered by an AMD Athlon 3000G with two cores and four threads, with clock speeds of 3.5GHz, sufficient for some gaming.

One advantage of using this chip for this gaming desktop build is AMD Radeon Vega graphics that are built into the CPU.

It’s not going to give you the optimum performance on the most demanding games. However, it is certainly one of the most efficient chips out there.

Although this is not the most powerful build of all the systems here, it is one of the best budget gaming PCs that you can get for well under $500.

Coupled with the CPU is 8 gigs of DDR4 RAM, giving you the leeway to do some multitasking. You’ll also get to enjoy some high-speed storage with its 240GB SSD.

On the outside, the PC looks impressive. The RGB fans give it that gaming vibe that you’ll surely enjoy. The airflow is excellent, and there is enough room to add in an extra graphics card in the future.

When it comes to performance, the Allied Home Desktop PC does not disappoint. Although it may not be the best with AAA games, you could always spend a little more and choose one of the budget graphics cards like an RX 560 or even a GTX 1050Ti.

If you’re looking for a good gaming PC, this is the one for you. It does not have the graphics potential built-in, but the great thing is that you can always upgrade it with a decent graphics card, depending on your gaming needs. 

The 550W power supply that it comes with has the extra room that will allow you to get the upgrades you want.

Tech Specs 

• Processor – AMD Athlon 3000G
• Graphics Card – AMD Radeon Vega 3 Graphics
• RAM – 8GB DDR4
• Storage – 240GB SSD 

7. MXZ Desktop Gaming PC

All-Round Best Gaming PC

If you’re looking for a gaming PC that can do everything else too, this MXZ Desktop prebuilt gaming PC can be your top choice. It’s a gaming PC under $500 that’s meant for gamers who are yet to hit the big league, hustling for it!

This gaming computer comes with an AMD Athlon 3000G – two cores and four threads of processing power. You might think that it’s not enough, but with clock speeds of up to 3.5GHz, it’s enough to let you enjoy your favorite games and let you do some decent work on it.

It may not have a dedicated graphics card, but the built-in Vega graphics proves it’s enough for casual titles like CS: Go, Fortnite, Valorant, and everything in between. Hitting close to 60fps on these games should not be a problem with this machine.

Of course, if you want to play AAA games, this machine might fall a bit short, but it does give you a good foundation for future upgrades path, making it one of the more versatile gaming PCs on the list. 

8GB of RAM is undoubtedly enough. Couple that with a 500GB of NVMe SSD, loading screens and operating system boot times will not leave you much room for complaint.

The MXZ will give you that gaming vibe thanks to its side window panel that gives you the full view of all your exact hardware components and the 5 RGB fans, so you’ll be able to enjoy all their glory. 

The best part about this pre-built gaming PC is that it’s upgradeable. The A320 ATX motherboard offers enough room to get a dedicated graphics card, so you’ll be able to upgrade your gaming experience.

On its own, the Athlon 3000G and Vega 3 graphics combo are decent enough for less resource-hungry games. You’ll also be able to enjoy the smooth performance on day-to-day workloads like browsing the internet, sending emails, and watching videos.

The MXZ will not be the best gaming PC out of the box, but with a few upgrades here and there, you’ll be able to enjoy AAA games at respectable settings and fps.

Tech Specs 

• Processor – AMD Athlon 3000G
• Graphics Card – AMD Radeon Vega 3 Graphics
• RAM – 8GB DDR4
• Storage – 500GB SSD 

8. Periphio Green Gaming Desktop PC

Best Gaming PC with Extra Storage

 

You can consider the Periphio as a budget gaming PC, but it sure does pack a punch. Powered by an Intel Core i5, it surely does have a lot more oomph than other gaming computers below $500.

Pair that up with 16GB DDR4 RAM, and you’ve got yourself a nice entry-level gaming PC that’s up to the task of running your favorite games.

It’s also got a solid storage solution setup with 240GB SSD and 1TB HDD giving gaming enthusiasts enough space.

Specs on the Periphio gaming desktop will allow you to play eSports titles like League of Legends, CS: Go, Fortnite, Valorant, and others at close to 1080p resolutions, medium settings. 

Even though it does not have a graphics card, the built-in HD 530 iGPU should be enough to give you a smooth experience on these popular gaming titles.

One of the upsides of getting the Periphio is its upgradability. It’s a barebones package and grants you many options to turn your prebuilt gaming PC into a beast of a machine. 

The gaming case is large enough to cater to a dedicated triple-fan video card, so you can slap in a more powerful one so you’ll be able to enjoy the ultimate power allowing you to play high-end games at higher graphics settings.

You don’t have to worry about excess heat, though, as the case comes with built-in fans that glow green to give you that hardcore gamer vibe while ensuring your powerful hardware components don’t get fried.

If you’re an avid gamer and want your own computer that can game and at the same time do multi-tasking, the Periphio is an excellent choice. It offers decent processing performance for gaming or hustle. 

You can also do productivity work with its Core i5, and RAM can give you the processing power you need.

Tech Specs 

• Processor – Intel Core i5 6500
• Graphics Card – Intel HD Graphics
• RAM – 16GB DDR4
• Storage – 240GB SSD + 1TB HDD

9. BeeLink Mini Prebuilt Gaming PC

At first glance, the BeeLink Mini PC does not look like your average gaming computer. It’s significantly smaller and more compact than most gaming PCs out there. But, don’t let the size fool you.

It’s a top prebuilt gaming PC under $500 equipped with the latest Intel 10th gen CPU. It’s fast, with clock speeds capable of reaching up to 4.1GHz, allowing you to play games and multitask effortlessly. 

Since it uses the latest Intel chip, it’s also incredibly efficient, so you don’t have to worry about your machine wearing out when it’s time to performance.

Together with the latest CPU, its built-in graphics are also one of the best, allowing you to do some lower intensive gaming with eSports titles like Fortnite, League of Legends, Dota 2, and a lot more. 

Since it does not have a dedicated video card, playing the latest games might not be the best of experiences. However, if you’re fine with the low settings and 30fps, you should still be able to enjoy them.

One of the things that the latest Intel UHD graphics support is 4K. You can watch your favorite content and movies in ultra-high definition, so you’ll be able to pick out even the smallest detail.

Even though it’s a mini desktop, it comes with enough connectivity ports so you can hook up multiple monitors and even have space for a gaming keyboard and gaming mouse. It even has Bluetooth connectivity so that you can go wireless for some of your peripherals. 

The BeeLink Mini PC is not a machine that will give you the most satisfying gaming experience. Its size won’t allow you to provide it with a video card upgrade. But, its hardware components are surely enough to let you play some less intensive games. 

If that’s something you’re after, the 4K playback is a definite plus. It’s a small gaming rig with the right amount of power while staying around $500.

Tech Specs 

• Processor – Intel Core i3 10110U
• Graphics Card – Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM – 8GB DDR4
• Storage – 256GB NVMe SSD

Things to Consider When Getting a Gaming PC Under $500

Best Gaming PCs

Finding the best gaming PC on the low end of the budget is possible. It’s just that you’ll need to look a lot harder for the right one that fits your needs. 

These prebuilt gaming PCs will surely have a hard time running the latest AAA. But if all you’re after is to play some less intense games, these are the perfect gaming computers for you.

CPU and GPU

Gaming PCs under $500 will not have the top-of-the-line chips in the gaming world. Although, playing games on them is still possible. You just have to match the gaming performance that you want to the specs.

Processors like AMD Ryzen or Athlon are excellent components here. Chips like an Intel Core i3 or i5 also work well too. So you’ll be able to save money on your prebuilt gaming PC, get those with integrated graphics since you can always upgrade later on.

Nvidia GeForce GTX cards are excellent cards for upgrading your PC’s graphics capabilities. There are also cheap AMD Radeons that you can consider.

RAM

Memory is also a crucial component in gaming desktops. 8 gigs of RAM is not ideal, but it should be enough for most games. For a PC under $500, you should have a decent experience with this much RAM. 

However, if you can get one that’s 16 gigs or more, making it more responsive when you’re working on multiple tasks.

Storage

When it comes to storage solutions for a PC under $500, you’ll be lucky if you get an SSD and an HDD together. However, for most of these gaming desktops, you’ll be able to get an SSD, which will give you fast loading times for your operating systems and games. 

Upgradability

The best-prebuilt gaming PC under $500 will surely have a decent upgrade path. Most of these come in an ATX case which will give you enough room to do a lot of upgrades.

The first one that you want to look out for is enough space for a dedicated graphics card, as that will instantly bump your gaming performance. Then you should check out extra slots for storage to add in a high-capacity HDD so you can store all your games and files.

Conclusion 

Buying a budget prebuilt gaming PC can be a bit of a pain since there are a lot of things to consider before getting your hands on them. Features like CPU, GPU, Ram size, and storage capacity come in. 

If you’re not familiar with them then you might end up getting ripped off but we took it upon ourselves to find the best pre-built gaming PC under $500 and these are the best that we could find. 

Starting out your gaming career with a prebuilt gaming rig is surely possible. Anyway, most eSports titles are not that resource-intensive, and a budget gaming PC build can run it without any issues. PC gaming is possible, and you don’t have to spend a fortune on it.

Building a custom gaming PC is the ideal choice for gamers but for those newcomers who are afraid of putting together the wrong cables, pre-built gaming desktops are the next best thing. 

If you’re not sure about putting together a custom build and afraid that you might screw it up then we suggest getting your hands on a pre-built gaming desktop. 

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