The Best Prebuilt Gaming PCs Under 500 USD (2022 Reviews)

If you’re looking for a new prebuilt gaming PC, you’ve probably already realized how tough it is to make the final decision. First-time PC buyers especially may be intimidated by all the different specifications, and even experienced builders can have trouble handling their expectations.

Not that long ago, a decent gaming PC could have cost you thousands of dollars and it would have become obsolete within a year or two. These days, however, computers cost less than ever.

You don’t have to spend $1,000 or more on a new gaming PC!

That’s right! You can buy a prebuilt gaming PC for around $500, or even less.

We have chosen five popular $500 PCs to review, and we are going to take a good look at each of them to determine what exactly it is that makes them the best in this price range.

Now, these systems are certainly not state of the art on the saturated market. You won’t be playing Anthem on them. But you’ll be able to run many games at lower settings.

Best of all, you can upgrade most of these PCs later and create a custom rig.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick overview of our candidates for the best prebuilt gaming PC under $500.

Our first contestant is the Acer Aspire TC-875-UR11.

While the PCs on this list are in no particular order, this one is the weakest of the bunch, but it’s also the cheapest.

It comes with the Intel Core i3-10100 processor that has 4 cores, 8 threads, and a base clock speed of 3.6GHz.

Unfortunately, like all other entries on this list, it doesn’t have a dedicated GPU, but the processor is equipped with Intel’s UHD 630 integrated graphics.

The specs are nothing to write home about, and you’d have to settle for a 720p gaming experience, but the integrated GPU is good enough to let you play many of the currently popular AAA titles at around 30 FPS on low settings.

Related:How Much Does RAM Affect Gaming?

As for the other components, this PC has 8GB of RAM clocked at 2666MHz, which is not ideal, but it’s not bad either, and a 1TB HDD.

Aside from this, the Acer Aspire TC-875-UR11 boasts plenty of USB ports, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, Windows 10 Home, and its own keyboard and mouse, all protected by a 1-year warranty.

Our Thoughts

We mentioned at the beginning that this PC is the weakest of the bunch, but don’t let that fool you. This is a decent system, especially considering its price and it contains objectively good features and components.

First and maybe most important of all, it has a decent processor. The specs are quite good, but most of all we’re glad that it’s a 10^th-gen Intel processor. This is not only because this is the latest generation, but also because it’s the first generation of processors where Intel decided to implement hyper-threading in their lower-end units. This fact alone makes this processor miles better than its 9^th-gen counterpart.

Hyper-threading means that the CPU can emulate a unit with more cores than it actually has. In this case, the Intel Core i3-10100 has 4 cores and 8 threads meaning that it can emulate an 8-core processor.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that it’ll perform as well as an actual 8-core processor, but it has its advantages, mainly in CPU-intensive games and productivity-related tasks where increasing the number of tasks the CPU can perform makes a big difference. And it even comes with its own UHD 630 integrated graphics that can run most modern games on low to medium settings, albeit at 720p.

Nothing mind-blowing, but nothing too shabby either for a PC priced this low.

When it comes to RAM 8GB was exactly what we expected to get. Like we said above, this isn’t ideal, but it’s not unbearable. The thing to note here is that prebuilt PCs usually come with only one RAM stick on the motherboard which means that you won’t be able to reap the benefits of dual-channel memory.

This can be fixed by simply adding another 8GB stick to your system. It’s relatively cheap, easy, and you’d be killing two birds with one stone by both making use of dual-channel memory and doubling your RAM. This is the best thing you could do to improve your PC’s performance short of getting a dedicated GPU.

Related:How Much RAM Do I Need For Gaming?

Overall, this is a decent system, but we wouldn’t recommend it to people who plan to buy a prebuilt and be done with it. Rather, we would recommend it to those who plan to upgrade their PC over time.

We say this because, at the time of writing, this PC costs under $400. All of its existing components are of good quality and don’t have to be replaced which means that, to get this system to be a 1080p gaming beast you’d need roughly about $200 more – $200 that you can invest in it over time, whenever you are in the position to do so.

In the end, the total price of this PC after improvements would be about $600, not that much more expensive than some of the PCs on this list, but much, much more powerful.

Of course, as we said, this only works if you’re interested in upgrading. If not, then keep scrolling because some real gems are waiting for you further down the page!

Next up is the Acer Aspire TC-895-UA91.

This one also comes equipped with Intel’s latest-gen processor, the Intel Core i3-10100 with 4 cores, 8 threads, a base frequency of 3.6GHz, and a max boost frequency of 4.3GHz.

Unfortunately, Intel is still holding onto their UHD Graphics 630, just like with their previous three generations. At this point, this is a grossly outdated GPU and we hope Intel will finally upgrade it to something more viable with their next generation.

Nevertheless, it’s still able to let you play most modern games at 720p for an extremely low price, so we suppose we shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

Related:Dedicated vs. Integrated Graphics Cards – Which Should You Choose?

In terms of specs, the difference between this PC and the PC from the previous entry is very small. In fact, the only real differences are the price and the amount of storage, but it’s good to have more options if one of the PCs ends up unavailable.

Once again, the PC offers plenty of connectivity options, and it even has an optical drive, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6, and comes with Windows 10 Home, a keyboard, and a mouse. 

There is an option to buy it in a bundle with a monitor, in which case the price jumps to $530, but there are so many great options when it comes to monitors that aren’t too expensive, that you might be better off buying them separately.

Related:The Best Gaming Monitors (2022 Reviews)

The only possible downside of this PC is that it only has a 300W PSU.

This is enough for it to run smoothly with its current components, but if you ever decide to add a dedicated graphics card, keep in mind that you will have to get a stronger power supply as well.

Our Thoughts

In terms of processing power, this is a great PC.

While 4 cores and 8 threads may not be mind-blowing, it’s perfectly acceptable for any modern-day budget PC.

Hyper-threading will allow your CPU to work faster and be more efficient than any other quad-core processor that doesn’t have this feature, and it will significantly decrease lag when running multiple programs at once.

It also helps that the PC has 8GB of RAM instead of say, 4GB. Of course, 16GB is still the optimal amount, but that’s for much more expensive builds. In this case, 8GB is great.

The more RAM you have, the smoother your PC will function. You’ll be able to run multiple processes at the same time without any stuttering or lag, your programs won’t crash randomly, you’ll be able to have more tabs open in your browser, etc.

Naturally, RAM will also have a play in how well your games run, or if they run at all. All the more so if you have integrated graphics, which this PC does. 

Dedicated GPUs have their own onboard VRAM (video RAM) that’s used by the graphics card only. Integrated GPUs don’t have this, so they have to use your system’s RAM. This is why it’s important to have as much RAM as possible when running integrated graphics.

As we said, 8GB is great and it won’t pose any problem when you’re browsing the Internet for instance, but it will hold you back to an extent while gaming.

For anyone gaming on an integrated graphics card with less than 16GB of RAM, we recommend turning off as many programs and processes unrelated to the game so as to free up as much RAM as possible. This still won’t allow you to play games that require much more RAM than you have to begin with, but it might make the situation slightly better for the games that you can run.

When it comes to storage 512GB is, once again, not ideal, but it’s not too cramped either. And considering it’s an NVMe SSD we’re talking about, even if you’re mad about the volume, you won’t be complaining about the speed.

Related:The Best SSDs For Gaming (2022 Reviews)

When looked at objectively, this is a very good PC. Granted, it will function better as a budget workstation than a gaming PC, but you will still be able to play many games on it, both old and new, so long as you don’t mind gaming at 720p most of the time.

The best thing about this PC is that it contains a 10^th-gen Intel processor. This means that you’ll be able to cram even an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti in the system without experiencing any bottlenecking thanks to the strength of this CPU.

The only thing that will likely pose a problem if you add a dedicated graphics card is the power supply but think about crossing that bridge when you get to it.

Overall, the Acer Aspire TC-895-UA91 is a decent PC. It’s also an especially great deal if you’re planning on getting a dedicated GPU soon, and you want to spend as little money as possible with the best possible outcome.

If, on the other hand, you want to find the best PC that you can use for gaming right out of the box, without any tinkering or upgrades, then read on.

This is another Acer Aspire TC model, in this case, the Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92, and it’s a step up compared to the first two entries on this list.

Not only does it come with 12GB of DDR4 RAM, but also the Intel Core i5-10400 processor. However, all of this comes at a slightly greater price.

The CPU has 6 cores, 12 threads, a base frequency of 2.9GHz, and a maximum boost frequency of 4.3GHz.

It may not seem like much of an improvement when it comes to gaming mainly because the integrated GPU is still the same as in both of the PCs mentioned above, but the i5-10400 will be able to squeeze a few extra FPS out of that GPU.

On top of that, the extra RAM compared to the previous model is sure to exponentially improve your overall experience.

That said it still won’t be enough to see any major enhancements in gaming. You will be able to play some older games like the original Civilization VI in 1080p at around 40-45 FPS, but for the most part, you’ll have to stick to 720p gaming until you decide to add a dedicated graphics card.

Like the previous model, the Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92 comes with a 512GB SSD which is amazing, a pre-installed Windows 10 Home, USB keyboard and mouse, a DVD writer, a 300W PSU that will, unfortunately, have to be replaced with a more powerful one if you decide to add a dedicated graphics card, and a 1-year warranty.

Our Thoughts

Just like with our previous option we once again have a 10^th-gen Intel processor with some fantastic specs.

True, the integrated GPU is still the same Intel UHD Graphics 630, and just as we said above, there won’t be a huge difference in your gaming, but when it comes to everything else a massive performance boost is guaranteed.

Most prebuilt budget systems come with 8GB of RAM which isn’t terrible, but it’s not impressive either, especially considering that most of these systems run an integrated GPU. That said we were thrilled to stumble upon a PC with 12GB of RAM. This still falls short of the optimal 16GB, but we’d take it over 8GB anytime.

These two things – the processor and the RAM – are the only improvements compared to the previous entry.

But are these improvements worth the $110 price difference?

We think they are.

First of all, while the difference between 130 and 135 FPS may not make any difference whatsoever in your gameplay, the difference between 30 and 35 FPS is much more noticeable, and it can significantly improve your gaming experience.

Related:What Is The Best FPS For Gaming?

Second, it’s always wise to think ahead. If you plan on one day getting a dedicated graphics card, you’ll want a CPU that will be able to support it and won’t cause bottlenecking, which is why it’s never a bad idea to go for the better processor if you can afford it.

After all, the processor is the heart of a PC, and not only do your games depend on it but everything else will also.

There is not much to say about the RAM. The more, the better! And the 12GB this PC comes with is plenty of memory to allow you to both play games and run several background processes at a time without much trouble.

Once again, the 512GB SSD is a welcome element. HDDs may offer more storage for the same price, but the superb speeds of SSDs are worth a little sacrifice. Plus, if you ever need more storage, investing another $40 in a regular HDD shouldn’t be a problem, and can be done at any moment should you choose to do so.

Related:The Best Hard Drives For Gaming (2022 Reviews)

As with our previous entries, this PC comes with its own keyboard and mouse, which is great if you need it, but we would have liked an option to order just the PC as it would lower the price for those who already have extra peripherals lying around from an older rig.

Other than that, the only thing we can complain about is the price. This PC costs a whopping $550. Nevertheless, with this PC you are one upgrade away from a gaming beast.

In case this PC is unavailable, we’d like to mention an alternative, and that’s the HP M01-F1024.

For the same price this PC has the Ryzen 7 4700G with better integrated graphics, but less RAM and less storage than the Acer Aspire. This means that upgrades will be necessary which will make it cost more in the long run. Nevertheless, it’s worth a mention.

Next up is the Acer Aspire TC-390-UA91 Desktop PC.

This is the first Ryzen build on this list, and currently the best gaming system for under $500.

The reason?

It has Vega 8 graphics and it’s upgradable.

The Vega 8 integrated graphics is by no means a state-of-the-art GPU. After all, it is integrated, so no matter how good it is it won’t be able to give you the level of performance a dedicated graphics card would. You’ll have to stick to 720p most of the time, especially in AAA titles, but it’s still a significant improvement compared to Intel’s UHD 630 integrated graphics.

Now, this GPU is integrated into the Ryzen 5 3200G APU. The processor here has 4 cores, 4 threads, 3.6GHz base clock speed, and 4.0GHz max boost clock speed. These are not ideal stats, but they are decent, especially for a budget PC.

Related:The Best AMD Ryzen CPUs (2022 Reviews)

Other than that, the TC-390-UA91 is equipped with 8GB of RAM running at 2666MHz, a pre-installed Windows 10 Home, Wi-Fi 5, and the usual keyboard and mouse. It could use more storage, but seeing as the 512GB it has is NVMe SSD storage, that can be overlooked.

And lastly, the PC looks great. It comes in a sleek, minimalistic black case. It doesn’t have any transparent panels, RGB, or any other bells and whistles of the sort, but it’s stylish and subdued enough to fit any space or setup. Regardless of your preferred color scheme black is always in and it goes well with anything.

Our Thoughts

The Acer Aspire TC-390-UA91 has the best GPU on this list. Add to that that it’s priced closer to $400 than $500, and none of its shortcomings matter any longer since improving the RAM and storage, the only two things that need improving will still allow you to stay within your $500 budget.

Ryzen processors are a rarity with prebuilt budget PCs, which is why we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show you this gem, not because this CPU is better than the ones mentioned in the previous entries, but because AMD’s integrated graphics cards are so much better than Intel’s, and that’s all that matters in a gaming PC.

Despite having excellent processors, Intel simply can’t compete with Ryzen when it comes to integrated graphics. After all, Intel only manufactures CPUs while AMD has conquered both the CPU and GPU market.

Now, while the Vega 8 is the best integrated graphics in this article and it will give you the best performance out of all of the PCs listed here it is still a far cry from a dedicated GPU, so you should temper your expectations when it comes to the numbers.

Like we mentioned in the section above this GPU will allow you to play most modern AAA titles without any issues. You will have to settle for mostly low settings at 720p, but by keeping the graphics and the resolution low you’ll be able to get between 30 and 70 FPS in these games, which are pretty decent numbers.

But the GPU is not the only excellent thing about this PC. As we mentioned at the beginning, this PC is phenomenally priced. While more than 512GB of storage is desirable, it’s not necessary, at least not right away, but the 8GB of RAM this PC is equipped with is definitely not optimal, especially considering that it sports an integrated GPU.

As you probably already know integrated graphics mooches off of your system RAM, so in systems like these it’s even more important than usual to have as much RAM as you possibly can to make sure your PC can run smoothly. However, in the case of the Acer Aspire TC-390-UA91, you could boost your RAM up to 16GB without an issue, and still be left with money to spare.

As for the other components, we’re happy to see a 512GB NVMe SSD, instead of an old, slow HDD, but depending on what kind of a user you are you might prefer the opposite. That said, HDDs are pretty cheap, so if you ever wish for more storage it shouldn’t set you back by much, and 512GB is plenty for starters.

So, to conclude, the Acer Aspire TC-390-UA91 is the best PC that you can get if you if you’re on a budget, and don’t mind making a few small upgrades along the way. It’s the perfect system to help you dip your toes into gaming waters and still leave you room for improvements if you decide to invest a little more into it.

Related:AMD Ryzen vs Intel – Which CPU Brand To Pick For Gaming

And in the end, we have something a little different.

The CUK ASRock DeskMini A300W is truly a mini PC. Because of this, it doesn’t leave much room for upgrades. But if what you want is a budget PC for gaming that will do its job for a while, and then be replaced with another machine, this is a pretty good deal.

This Mini PC comes with the Ryzen 3 3200G. You also get 16GB of DDR4 RAM running at 2666MHz, an NVMe SSD with 512GB of storage, and a 3-year warranty!

This is one of the best PCs on this list just because of the type of integrated graphics it has, but it comes with some major drawbacks.

Unlike the other PCs on this list, this one has none of the additional features (no optical drive, no Windows, no keyboard or mouse) except for Wi-Fi. And also, due to its size, a dedicated GPU or an HDD just won’t fit, so you’re basically stuck with what you get.

Related:The Best Gaming Mice Under 50 USD (2022 Reviews)

Our Thoughts

Considering its size, this little one is a real beast.

The DeskMini A300W has a great APU that can run most of the newer games at a minimum of 30FPS at low settings, but what surprised us the most was the RAM.

This is the first and unfortunately, the only PC on this list with 16GB of RAM. While 8GB and 12GB of RAM is acceptable, these days 16 is the ideal number when it comes to memory, and especially when it comes to memory meant for a PC with an integrated GPU. 

What’s more, AMD’s processors rely heavily on RAM, so the more you have, the better the CPU’s performance (although any more than 16GB would be overkill for gaming).

However, as if to balance it out, this rig has a bunch of other things we aren’t crazy about.

For example, as we mentioned above, it can’t really be upgraded as there is simply no room for a dedicated graphics card or an additional HDD. But there are other options for the latter, like getting a 2.5 SSD, M.2 drive, or even external storage if you really need more space.

It also comes without an operating system, any kind of peripherals, and has only one USB 3.0 port in the front of the case, so you’ll probably have to spend a bit more to complete this PC unless you have some spare peripherals lying around.

Related:The Best Gaming Keyboards (2022 Reviews)

The DeskMini A300W is a really good budget PC, but it’s not for everyone.

The only ones we’d recommend it to are those who only need a quick and portable solution for casual gaming and everyday use. If your goal is to gradually improve your rig over the years and keep up with the current trends, this PC will not allow you to do that.

Do You Need A $500 Prebuilt Gaming PC?

Let’s take a good, honest look at what $500 can get you in terms of PC hardware.

Generally speaking, you’re going to end up with a PC that’s missing some features. 

Whether you’ll need to buy an operating system, add a hard drive, upgrade the graphics card, or add more RAM you’re not going to play any current games with amazing graphics without investing a little bit more time and money. 

That said these PCs are quite good for prebuilt machines compared to a lot of what’s being offered at the moment. In fact, they would have been state-of-the-art just a few years ago. They’re great for getting you started, and you can play a lot of cool games on them.

If you’re looking to play older games or spend some time upgrading your system, a $500 prebuilt gaming PC is a good choice for you.

Of course, if you’re looking to play newer games, there are better ways to spend $500. You can buy an Xbox One X or PlayStation 4 Pro for less, or even the new Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 for about the same price, and you’ll be able to play new releases with fantastic graphics from the moment you open the box.

Related:Playstation 5 vs. Xbox Series X – Which Should You Get?

On the other hand, there’s no way to upgrade a console. Once the next generation of consoles comes out, the only way to play newer games is to buy a whole new device.

With a PC, you can make upgrades over time, as you can afford them. This is easier on your wallet, and it also means you aren’t paying to replace parts that are working perfectly fine, like your case, fans, storage, or even the CPU for example.

However, if none of the options we’ve suggested so far work for you, the final option is to build your own PC, and in our honest opinion, that’s also the best option.

Why?

Related:Prebuilt vs Custom PC – Which Is Best?

Because for $500, you can put together a system that blows all these prebuilt rigs out of the water.

Of course, this requires some expertise, so keep in mind that this is only if you know how to put a PC together or are willing to tinker with it or follow one of the numerous tutorials on Youtube.

Leaving it to the professionals is probably the best decision if you’re not confident in your skills.

However, if you are, we urge you to take a look at our ultimate PC build for the Best Budget $500 Gaming PC.

Conclusion: The Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $500

So, you’ve seen the best $500 prebuilt gaming PCs, you’ve read all their pros and cons, but you still can’t decide which one to get?

We’ll help you.

Out of the five systems listed above, one stands an inch above the others, and that’s the Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92.

Why?

Because it has the best combination of components and doesn’t demand any immediate upgrades to be called a great PC.

There are many reasons why some of you may choose to go with one of the other four builds.

You might want to spend as little money as possible. You might be planning to buy a specific dedicated graphics card, so you want something that you can be sure can support it, or perhaps you’ll be using your PC for both gaming and work, so you also need it to be able to function properly as a workstation.

Different systems will work better for different people, and your final choice will ultimately depend solely on your plans for the future and the way you mean to use your PC.

However, since this is a list of the best prebuilt budget computers for gaming, we’ll go ahead and assume that you’re not too keen on tinkering with your rig, and you just want something decent, usable right out of the box, and hassle-free, which is why the Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92 is the best choice.

First of all, it has a fantastic processor that’s perfect for both gaming and work-oriented tasks, and best of all, it’s powerful enough to support some of the beefiest dedicated graphics cards without bottlenecking them.

And second, it has 12GB of RAM. This is still 4GB short of the optimal 16GB, but it’s enough to be called decent and not require an immediate upgrade.

Yes, it has a slightly weaker GPU than some of the other entries which might give you fewer FPS, but it is a better deal in the long run assuming that you plan on getting a dedicated graphics card at some point as any serious gamer should.

The one other entry we would like to highlight here is entry No4, or the Acer Aspire TC-390-UA91 which technically has the best GPU on the list besides the CUK Mini PC, but it requires a few upgrades to realize its full gaming potential and has a processor with only four cores and no hyper-threading.

That said, if you don’t plan on getting a dedicated graphics card anytime soon and you don’t mind making a few small upgrades here and there, then perhaps this PC is the right option for you due to its excellent beginner GPU and extremely low price. Keep in mind, though, that the 4-core, 4-thread processor will likely bottleneck your future dedicated GPU, so we’d recommend this PC only to those who don’t plan on getting on in the first place.