The 6 Best Gaming PC Under $600

A key reason as to why gamers choose consoles over PCs is because they’re cheaper and less complicated to manage. For instance, the price of a regular PlayStation is $299.

Both Microsoft and Sony sell their consoles at a loss with the intention to offset the cost using the sales from games, accessories, and services like Xbox Live. In the long run (depending on your spending and gaming habits) console gaming can cost you as much or even more than PC gaming.

The advantages of buying a desktop and becoming a part of the PC master race are well documented. Playing multiplayer online is free (for the most part), it’s upgradeable and a basic PC can do far more than a console can.

However, choosing a console is far simpler than picking a gaming PC. If you don’t take the time to do the proper research before purchasing a computer, you’re in greater danger of overspending and suffering through a bad case of buyer’s remorse.

Once again, we’re here to save the day and make your research efforts far easier. If you’re operating with a tight budget and a busy schedule, all the gaming PCs listed in this guide should give you a pretty decent gaming experience for a reasonable price.

The gaming PCs in this list are low to mid-tier. Since VR is a hot topic at the moment, it’s important to note that a lot of the PCs in this price range are not VR-ready.

You might find better gaming PCs that cost a lot more but we ensured that the PCs listed in this guide are the very best in their price range, so you know which one’s are the best budget gaming PCs.

6 Best Pre-Built Gaming PCs Under $600

When purchasing a PC, whether it’s for gaming or work, you have to think about the long term implications. A good PC should be able to last you for the next five years.

So a key criterion we used to decide which PCs would make the cut is their upgradeability. This criterion is only second to a PC’s performance per dollar. While performance per dollar is basically what you can get from the PC at the moment, upgradeability is what you can get from it in the future – its potential.

The computers on this list are good starting points for beginners on a budget. While they won’t allow you to play with ultra-settings on the latest games, most of them are just one upgrade away (mostly graphics card) from becoming real monsters. You don’t need to worry though, ’cause today you can even find the best graphics card under $300 that’ll more than meet your needs.

View At Amazon

Pros & Cons

• Decent upgradeability
• Comes with Windows 10 Pre-installed
• Affordable
• Comes with gaming Keyboard and Mouse
• 120MM fan ensures that it runs quietly
• Comes with an SSD

• Comes with an entry level graphics card
• Chassis has no frame or slots for an optical drive
• Impractical placement of power buttons (They’re on top)

Key Features

• AMD fx-8350 8-Core 4.0 GHz
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 2GB
• 8 GB DDR3 Ram
• 240 GB SSD

iBUYPOWER Enthusiast ARCB 074A Review

The Enthusiast Gaming PC from iBuyPower doesn’t have the same flashiness of modern gaming PCs. This is because iBuyPower makes PCs for both professionals and gamers.

In terms of aesthetics, it has a simple but great looking RGB exterior. It’s not unique, so some might say it’s devoid of personality but I think it blends in well with any gaming setup. It’s there to be used and played with, not to be seen.

It uses an AMD fx-8350 and 8 GB of RAM. If you plan on running Chrome with twenty extensions, it will handle it. However, you’re not buying this computer to browse the internet, you’re buying it for some serious gaming. Unfortunately, its graphics card will not provide you with an optimal gaming experience. It uses an NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 2GB which will allow you to play newer games in lower or medium settings.

It should be able to handle games like PUBG, Apex Legends, and Fortnite. If you plan on buying this PC, we recommend that you replace the Graphics card as soon as you can afford to.

It comes with 240 GB SSD. This means faster game loading times but very little space for modern games and programs. We recommend that you add an additional hard drive if and when you can. The computer also comes packaged with a gaming mouse and keyboard. It comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows 10 Home.

It has a 1-year warranty which includes parts and labor and also has free lifetime tech support. It’s a great starter gaming PC at an affordable price.

View At Amazon

Pros & Cons

• Decent upgradeability
• Comes pre-installed with Windows 10
• Comes with a gaming keyboard and mouse
• Quiet
• Sleek and clean design

• Not VR-Ready
• Does not come with a card reader or slot

Key Features:

• AMD RYZEN 3 1200 4-Core 3.1 GHz
•  Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Video Card
• 128 GB PCIe NVMe TLC M.2 Solid State Drive
• 1 TB 7200 RPM HDD
• 8GB DDR4 2400 Gaming Memory
• 80 Plus Certified 500 Watt Power Supply

SkyTech Archangel Gaming PC Review

The SkyTech ArchAngel reminds me of the Blue-Eyes white dragon from Yu-Gi-Oh, both in terms of how it looks and how it handles as a gaming PC. It’s one of the most powerful PCs you can get at this price range. This version of the ArchAngel is equipped with a Ryzen 3 CPU and GTX 1050 TI graphics card, which is one of the best yet most affordable graphics cards on the market. While it isn’t VR-Ready, it will work on most current-gen games and produce 1080p graphics.

What I like most about this PC is how quiet it is. Even on start-up, when all the fans come on, this computer’s cooling system barely makes a peep.

This PC comes with decent upgradeability – even though we feel that you don’t need to upgrade it, you can. It comes with a DVD drive that can be replaced or upgraded. There’s also enough space for an internal card reader.

All in all, this PC looks great and works great. Even though it seems cheap, it’s a good long term gaming PC. It even comes with a free gaming mouse and keyboard.

View At Amazon

Pros & Cons

• Comes with a gaming keyboard and mouse
• Affordable
• Well organized port-layout
• Well designed case
• Comes with an abundance of USB ports ( 6 x USB 2.0 + 2 x USB 3.0)
• Comes with Wi-Fi connectivity

• Uses an outdated graphics card

Key Features

• AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6 Core
• AMD Radeon R7 240 2GB Video Card
• 120GB SSD
• 1TB HDD
• 8 GB DDR3 RAM

CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Ultra GUA883 Review

CyberPowerPC is a California based company that was established in 1998. They specialize in supplying affordable hardware, particularly for gaming.

The GUA883 design is striking. It has a practical square-rectangle case with a black and red color scheme. Some users may dislike where the front USB-ports and audio jack are situated. They’re located on top of the rig, near the face’s edge.
From the side, you can see all four of the computer’s fans.

While they’re large, they’re also remarkably quiet. The interior of the PC is as well organized as the exterior. While there is no space for an optical drive or internal memory card reader, there is enough space for an additional hard drive or two.

Don’t expect VR or ultra-high-definition graphics. It runs a fairly outdated AMD R7 240 2GB graphics card that was pretty on low to mid-range upon release. It’s great for running older games but may struggle with current titles (except for most F2P games like Fortnite and PUBG).

The PC comes with a copy of Windows 10 pre-installed and a great gaming keyboard and mouse combo. Is this the best gaming PC that money can buy? No. However, it has potential. All it really needs (for the most part) is another graphics card.

With a well-designed case and plenty of value, it’s a great starting point for gamers on a student budget.

View At Amazon

Pros & Cons

• Comes with a keyboard and mouse
• Comes with an optical drive
• Has decent Upgradeability (1 x External 5.25″ Expansion Bays, 1 x PCI-E x1 Slots, 1 x PCI-E x16 Slots)

• A little over budget
• A little bulky
• Doesn’t come with an SSD
• Not VR-Ready
• Utilizes a vertical optical drive (as opposed to a horizontal one)
• The power button is on the top of the case

Key Features

• AMD Ryzen 5 1400 Quad-Core processor
• AMD Radeon R5 GDDR5 Graphics Card
• DVD +/-RW
• 16GB DDR4 Ram
• 1 TB HDD

Lenovo IdeaCentre 720 Flagship Premium Home & Business Desktop Review

Lenovo has come a long way since it acquired IBM’s PC manufacturing division back in 2005. Since then it’s been producing some of the most affordable desktop computers and laptops.

Lenovo’s IdeaCentre 720 is no different. While it’s not exclusively geared towards gaming, it uses an AMD Radeon R5 to deliver a pretty decent gaming experience. While it won’t deliver top-tier performance, games like Apex Legends and Overwatch will play well on it.

It works better as a desktop and a workstation than it does as a gaming PC. It has 16GB of RAM (which can be upgraded to 32GB) and AMD Ryzen 5 1400 Quad-Core processor that will give you an effortless process multi-tasking on your computer.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with an SSD. The IdeaCentre has excellent upgradeability. It has a 5.25-inch external expansion bay, a PCI-E x1 slot, and an empty PCI-E x16 slot.

The computer comes packaged with a gaming mouse and keyboard. It also comes pre-installed with an authentic version Windows 10 Home.

The Lenovo Idea Centre is an above-average workstation that can handle most games at their lower to medium settings. If you want to fully actualize it as a gaming PC, you’d have to upgrade its graphics card.

Either way, it’s a worthy alternative to the other entries on this guide.

View At Amazon

Pros & Cons

• Compact and light
• Comes with a 3-year warranty
• Affordable price

• Does not come with an optical drive
• Is not VR-Ready
• Has limited upgradeability
• Does not come with a keyboard and mouse

Key Features

• AMD Ryzen 5 2400G Quad-Core Processor
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB SSD
• AMD Radeon RX Vega 11

CUK Axiom TS Tiny Desktop Review

One of the first computers people were able to buy with AMD’s Raven Ridge APUs on board was the Axiom TS Mini from Computer Upgrade King (CUK).

The case weighs just 4 pounds (1,8 kg) which means you’ll be able to throw it out the window with ease when you rage quit.

Underneath the hood, it packs a Micro-ATX motherboard. Attached to it is a 256 GB SSD, 8GB RAM, an AMD Ryzen 5 processor as well as an AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics card.

Together they work to produce a more than an acceptable gaming experience. Older games can be played on high while newer games will require you to play on either low or medium if you want to get good frame rates.

Because of its size and power supply, it has very limited upgradeability. If you plan on adding a 3.5 inch HDD or internal optical drive, you can cast those notions aside because it just doesn’t have space or power to handle them.

It doesn’t come with a keyboard and mouse. Fortunately, it’s very easy to find and buy a high-quality gaming keyboard and the best gaming mouse for your needs.

If you want a PC that looks a lot like a console but can do a lot more, you should definitely give the Axiom TS Mini a try.

View At Amazon

Pros & Cons

• Well designed and compact case
• Comes with an optical drive
• Decent upgradeability
• Comes with wired mouse and keyboard
• Well organized port layout

• Uses Intel integrated graphics
• The optical drive is vertical

Key Features

• Intel Core i5-7400 Processor
• 12GB DDR4 RAM
• 1TB HDD
• Intel Integrated 630 Graphics
• DVD-RW

Dell Inspiron 3668 Desktop PC Review

While Dell’s Inspiron 3668 isn’t strictly a gaming PC, it has enough power to allow you to watch videos, get work done and play a little PUBG.

In terms of design and aesthetics, not a lot of manufacturers and vendors can compete with Dell. The Dell is designed in such a way that it can fit in anywhere. It will complement your office, study, living room or even bedroom.

It uses a 7th generation Intel Core i5 processor. While the processor is a little outdated, it still handles well. The computer comes with 12GB of Ram and a 1TB hard drive. To be honest, this makes it a little slower than we would like.

The weakest link in this computer’s spec list is its lack of a dedicated graphics card. Instead, it uses Intel HD Graphics 630, which is great for watching videos but not particularly good for gaming.

However, you can still play older games. You’ll also be able to play Overwatch, PUBG, and World of Warcraft on their lowest settings.

Despite all its flaws and because of its extensive storage, upgradeability, and great design, the Dell Inspiron 3668 is still worth buying. Just make sure you add a dedicated graphics card to it, sooner than later.

Best Gaming PCs under $600: Buying Guide

When you’re looking for a good budget gaming PC, you need to ensure that you have a good balance between price, performance, and upgradeability. Since the value of a computer is in the sum of its parts, picking the right gaming PC means understanding the different components that go into it.

This includes the Processor (CPU), RAM, graphics card, storage, and the power supply. These features can help you decide whether a PC is worth the purchase or not.

The CPU: Powers Your Gaming PC’s Performance

The CPU (central processing unit) or the main central processor is your computer’s brain. It basically does all the computing for you.

Intel and AMD are two of the most popular CPU vendors. Both utilize different specifications but very similar architecture. While Intel is more trusted and stays on the cutting edge of innovation, AMD provides great value for money.

In terms of gaming, what you need to look out for when you’re picking a processor is the clocking speed and cache size.

RAM: Crucial for Load Times

RAM (Random Access Memory) can be compared to short term memory. The size of the RAM is essential for speed and loading times on a gaming PC.

While choosing RAM isn’t as difficult as it used to be, picking the right RAM can give you an edge over your gaming rivals and opponents.

Our guide on the best RAM for gaming can assist you in deciding which manufacturers and types will suit you best.

Graphics Card: The Heart of the Gaming PC

It’s not hard to see why the graphics card is so important. The graphics card does all the rendering and of course, the quality of the graphics affects how you’ll experience and play the game.

For many, the GPU is considered to be the most vital component of PC gaming. You can have the very best CPU along with bucket loads of RAM but if you don’t’ have a good graphics card, you can forget about playing that GTA V or The Witcher 3.

Your video/graphics card does all the rendering. From the scenery to the cut scenes and images, your game is brought to life by the power of your GPU.

The biggest graphics card manufacturers are AMD and NVidia. Although NVidia graphics cards are slightly more popular and supported, AMD is a more than a decent alternative.

Storage: Where Your Games Live

For a long time, games came in external media like floppy disks and CDs. You would install them and run them from the external media source. Some games could simply be copied over to your hard drive.

Because of the internet, there’s less of a reason to use external media and have an internal optical drive installed on your computer.

So most of your games will be installed and run directly from your hard drive. Modern hard drives come in two flavors: SSDs (Solid State Drives) and HDD (Hard Disk Drives).

When SSDs were first introduced, they were unreliable and prone to failure. Today’s SSDs are faster and offer more space. A key advantage that SSDs hold over HDDs is their fast loading times. They’re also a lot quieter. If SSD is what meets your needs, it’s important for you to pick the best SSD for gaming, so everything runs smoothly.

HDDs provide more space and are more economical. When looking at the storage of the gaming desktop you’re interested in, try to find gaming PCs that have an SSD and preferably a high-capacity HDD.  Just as SSD, you should know which one is the best HDD for gaming, so you can play your games without any trouble.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few questions you should consider when buying a gaming PC under $600.

What is a Good Gaming PC for a beginner?

There are many options out there. While beginners may be tempted to build their own PC, we recommend that you start by purchasing a good pre-built gaming PC as a foundation.

From there you can learn more about your PC and gradually upgrade it. If you’re working with a budget under $600, we recommend that you choose the ASRock DeskMini A300 Tiny Desktop. It’s a great all-rounder.

How Much Does a Decent Gaming PC Cost?

This is a hard question to answer objectively. It all depends on what you’re looking for in a gaming PC. For instance, it’s hard to find a VR-Ready PC that will cost you under $600.

A decent gaming computer can cost you anywhere between $500 and $1000. A key advantage of buying a PC instead of building one is buying can be less time-consuming.

Is it Cheaper to Build or Buy a PC?

Building a computer is slightly cheaper than buying one. You just need to know where to get the best parts for a reasonable price. However, once again, we wouldn’t recommend building a PC for beginners unless you have time to perform thorough research.

Conclusion

If you’re working with a budget that’s just under $600 dollars and you’re in need of a good gaming PC, the computers listed in this guide should provide you with ample options.

When you budget for your new PC, make sure that you also leave room for peripherals and accessories. For instance, you need to find the best gaming monitor or a mouse and keyboard for you.

Another advantage that PCs have over consoles is their range of usability. For instance, no one is buying consoles to perform office work on. While your computer is great for playing games, it can do a whole lot more so make sure that it’s optimized for work as well.

We hope you’ve found this guide helpful. Thank you for reading and happy gaming.