Building your own custom gaming rig can be an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. 🖥️ 💸
It’s particularly hard for novices and beginners. Do you start with the chassis or the motherboard? What’s the best hard drive for gaming? Is Intel better than AMD? So many questions need to be answered (these are just some of the simplest ones) before you can start building your own custom unit – effectively.
That’s why it’s advisable for new users to start off with a fresh pre-built rig. Doing this will not completely eliminate all the questions but it will minimize and simplify them.
You don’t need to break the bank to join the ranks of the very upper echelons of PC gaming. All you need is the right information and a discerning eye. Since knowing is half the battle, we’re here to give you 50% of what you’ll need to win the war.
For over the last decade, Virtual Reality has embedded itself in the very zeitgeist of the PC gaming community. It’s important to note that a majority of the PCs discussed on this list are VR-Ready.
While they may not be the very best pre-built PCs that money can buy, it’s also significant to note that the majority of them are upgradeable. This means that while they provide a decent gaming experience right now, it would not be hard to replace or add an additional graphics card or hard drive. Having your wallet in mind, you really can find the best budget gaming PCs, if you know where to look.
Top 5 Pre-Built PCs for Gaming Under $800
To decide which rigs were worth your hard-earned money, we reviewed their specs, their upgradeability, warranty, and even their aesthetics.
The specs were the most important aspect because they helped us determine each PC’s performance per dollar. You want to ensure that you’re stretching your money as far as possible while you have the best components under the hood.
Since $800 can only take you so far, another crucial element that helped us decide is how easy the PC is to upgrade. Upgradeability is one of the advantages of PC gaming.
While console gamers have to basically discard their older systems for the next generation, PC gamers can simply upgrade key components and keep it moving.
Speaking of consoles, the PCs listed here won’t just compete with them, they’ll demolish them. What more could you ask for?
Best Choice: SkyTech ArchAngel Gaming Computer
Pros & Cons
- Excellent 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 Computer Review
The SkyTech Archangel’s design is very reminiscent of The Night King from Game of Thrones. It has a cool white sharp-edged exterior and a cold blue interior. Much like The Night King, it’s also pretty silent.
Under its solid shell, the Archangel packs a GTX 1080 graphics card which we’ve rated as one of the best graphics cards for gaming. It’s a great mid-range card that will deliver high definition graphics. Like most modern rigs, the ArchAngel comes with built-in Wi-Fi.
While it doesn’t come with an SD card reader, it does come with a DVD drive that can be replaced or upgraded. It uses a 1 TB 7200 RPM hard drive which will give you decent load times and performance but you might require more space in the future.
We suggest that you upgrade it or add an additional drive as soon as you can. Outside of gaming, this machine has great multitasking capabilities. It uses 8GB of RAM and an AMD Ryzen 3 CPU to achieve this. The computer uses a lower-end motherboard. While it’s serviceable, it may not be ideal for gamers looking to overclock the CPU. The SkyTech Archangel is a good budget PC for beginner gamers.
With a stylish outer-case, a decent PSU and a quiet cooling system, this PC has excellent upgradeability. But I predict that you can hold off on upgrading its key parts for the next three years.
Premium Pick: CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR GXiVR8060A7
Pros & Cons
- Comes with a gaming keyboard and mouse
- Hassle-free upgradability
- It comes with 6x 3.1 USB Ports
- Well organized Port Layout
- Has a PS2 keyboard and mouse connection
- Fully Addressable RGB Ring Fans
- Uses a 9th generation Intel Core Processor
- VR-Ready
- The case is a bit bulky
- No slot/frame for an optical drive
Key Features
- Intel i5- 9400F 2.9GHz
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 6GB
- 120GB SSD
- 1TB HDD
- 8 GB DDR4 RAM
CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR GXiVR8060A7 Review
CyberPowerPC is the industry standard for gaming PCs. It’s budget offering, the GXiVR8060A7 is a truly beautiful machine. The case is largely translucent which makes it easier to see its front three RGB ring fans. Yes, the case is gorgeous but its true beauty lies in its internal components.
It uses one of the best i5 processors for gaming from Intel’s 9th gen series that will give you the ability to multitask faster and get the best performance from everything you do on your PC. The Gamer Xtreme is VR-Ready and optimized for the HTC VIVE and Oculus Rift.
Also present is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 graphics which is powered to deliver up to 3x the performance of previous-gen graphics cards. It’s fully optimized and will support the mid-to-high settings of most games without overheating. It’s also VR-Ready
This rig comes with a gaming mouse and keyboard. It also has PS/2 ports for mice and keyboards. The computer port layout is well devised. It has six 3.1 USB ports, two of them are situated on the front of the computer. In addition to its 120GB SSD, it has a 1TB HDD. So there should be no issues in performance or space.
Ultimately, this is a solid buy for both beginners and seasoned gaming veterans with a limited budget. Although it’s very easy to upgrade, you could run this computer for years without needing to upgrade it.
Best Value: CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Ultra GUA883
Pros & Cons
- Comes with a gaming keyboard and mouse
- Decent upgradeability
- It comes with 6x 2.0 USB Ports
- Uses a 9th generation Intel Core Processor
- Affordable
- Well organized port-layout
- Has a great looking case
- The case is a bit bulky
- No slot/frame for an optical drive
- No space for an SD-card reader
- Uses a low-end 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
The Gamer Ultra is the second CyberPowerPC rig on this list. It should be no surprise since CyperPowerPC’s chief specialty is producing low-cost hardware for gamers.
Both visually and performance-wise, this rig is the complete antithesis to the SkyTech ArchAngel. It’s the Ying to its Yang. Sharp edges are replaced with a more pragmatic rectangular design. Where the ArchAngel is white and blue, the GUA883 is black and red.
You could basically call the GUA883 the demon to SkyTech’s ArchAngel. The GUA883 also isn’t as powerful as the ArchAngel but it’s more affordable and almost as quiet. It uses an AMD Radeon R7 240 2GB Video Card, which is more suited to streaming than it is to playing high-end games.
Not to worry though, you can play games like Fortnite and Apex Legends without breaking a sweat. You can also play older like GTA V on medium settings. The GUA883’s case looks truly exceptional and I’d recommend this PC for the case alone (as well as the price).
It also comes with a remarkable gaming mouse and keyboard combo. While it doesn’t have a bay for an optical drive, it has plenty of space inside for an additional hard drive. This PC should be purchased to be upgraded. It should not be a permanent solution for any serious gamer.
Best Portable: MSI Trident 3 8RC-005US
Pros & Cons
- Comes with a front access VR Port
- Compact and portable
- Its proprietary cooling system is remarkably silent
- Comes with a gaming keyboard and mouse
- Harder to upgrade than its competitors
- A little pricier than its competitors
- Lacks any space for an optical drive
Key Features
- Core i5-8400 6 core 2.8 GHz 9M Cache
- GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
- 8GB (8GB x 1) DDR4 SO-DIMM DDR5
- 1 TB Hard Drive
- VR Ready
- Nahimic Sound System
MSI Trident 3 8RC-005US Review
Micro-Star International (MSI) primarily built its reputation from producing and manufacturing motherboards and graphics cards. Now, it provides a variety of products from gaming laptops to servers.
The MSI Trident 3 utilizes a Mid Tower Form Factor design that makes its aesthetics reminiscent to the original Sony PlayStation 2. This means it will fit better into your living room, games room or bedroom than it will in your office.
This is not to say that it won’t work as a simple desktop computer. It has 8GB RAM and an 8th generation i5 processor which means not even Google Chrome can make it sweat.
In conjunction with the GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card, it promises to deliver high-range graphics settings for older games and medium settings for new ones. It will have no qualms in running Fortnite at 60 FPS or delivering true HD graphics.
It will do this while remaining remarkably cool and quiet. MSI’s proprietary cooling system ensures this. The computer’s tower can be set vertically or horizontally and comes in two color schemes: black and white.
In terms of upgradeability, it comes with two slots for RAM and a frame/slot for an additional 2.5-inch hard drive. The unit doesn’t come with an internal optical drive or space for any. Unfortunately, it uses a laptop-style power supply that may limit its upgradeability.
In terms of accessories, the MSI Trident 3 comes with a keyboard and mouse. Its Nahimic delivers an immersive virtual 7.1 channel sound experience.
While it looks like a console, it gives you a lot more. It’s definitely worth the buy (if you can afford it).
Best Looking: SkyTech Venus Desktop Gaming Computer PC
Pros & Cons
- Includes 3 x 120mm In Win Polaris RGB Quiet
- Comes with free keyboard and mouse
- High Upgradeability
- Comes pre-installed with Windows 10 Home
- No frame or slot for an internal optical drive
Key Features
- AMD RYZEN 3 1200 4-Core 3.1 GHz (3.4 GHz Turbo)
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Video Card
- 8GB DDR4 2400 Gaming Memory
- 1TB HDD
- 120 GB SSD
- A320 Motherboard
SkyTech Venus Desktop Gaming Computer PC Review
SkyTech is another recognizable name among the gaming community. Their Venus desktop gaming computer offers a great gaming experience at an affordable price.
Don’t let its quiet barebones exterior fool you. It has a pretty nondescript and minimalistic cabinet design. As a matter of fact, the front face of its case is completely blank. It has two USB ports on the top and a port for a microphone and earphones/speakers.
It’s one of the few pre-built models on this list that use a great AMD processor for gaming with an NVidia graphics card. It’s believed that AMD Ryzen processors are optimized to work with AMD graphics cards.
But still, the Ryzen processor co-operates well enough with the graphics cards to deliver ultra-settings for older games and mid-high settings for newer ones. The Ryzen processor uses wraith stealth cooling to prevent it from overheating. Plus an SSD ensures that your operating system and games load faster.
While it doesn’t have a frame to hold an internal optical drive, most gamers won’t be bothered by this information. Despite this, the computer has decent upgradeability. You won’t need to upgrade it any time soon though.
While its slightly effeminate design may put some gamers off, this rig’s affordability and power is why it’s worth checking out.
Best Gaming PCs Under $800: Buying Guide
Whether you’re a casual gamer or seasoned veteran, when you’re looking for a budget computer, you want to strike a balance between speed, performance, and upgradeability.
While you can get yourself a mid-tier pre-built rig at this price, you need to ensure that it has decent upgradability. When you buy a computer, you need to think about the next five years.
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 unit.
These features can help you decide whether a PC is worth the purchase or not.
The CPU: Supports Your Gaming PC’s Performance
The CPU (central processing unit) or the main central processor is your computer’s nucleus.
Intel and AMD are the two primary CPU manufacturers. Both utilize different specifications but very similar architecture. While Intel is more trusted and remains on the cusp of innovation, AMD provides great value for money.
For gaming, the key features you would be concerned with most are the clocking speeds and cache sizes.
RAM: Impacts Load Time
While hard drive space can be thought of as long term memory, RAM (Random Access Memory) can be thought of as short term memory. In terms of gaming, the size of the RAM is a vital element for speed and loading times on a gaming PC.
Although, choosing RAM for gaming isn’t as difficult as it used to be, getting an extra edge on the opposition can come down to the components you select.
Our guide on the best RAM for gaming can help you decide which manufacturers and types to choose.
Graphics Card: Crucial To Your Gaming Experience
The quality of the graphics affects how you’ll experience and play the game. For many, the GPU is understood to be the most important component of PC gaming. After all, your GPU is what renders the scenes, animations, and images that you see while gaming.
The biggest game card manufacturers are AMD and NVidia. Although NVidia graphics cards are slightly more popular and supported, AMD has a decent offering GPUs in their own right.
Storage: You Need Enough Space to Store Your Games
Your gaming PC’s storage is likely to come in the form of either an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). It can also come as both.
SSDs once held a reputation for being 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.
Gaming PCs Under $800: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few questions you should consider when buying a gaming PC under $800.
Is It Easier to Build or Buy a Gaming PC?
While building a gaming PC may be less expensive than buying one, it’s far easier to buy one. Building one can be compared to cooking a meal while buying one can be compared to ordering food at a restaurant.
You don’t have to find the right ingredients or cook it, you can simply order what you need from the menu according to your budget and specifications.
How Much Does a Decent Gaming PC Cost?
A decent gaming computer can cost you anywhere between $500 and $1000. This depends on a number of factors. For instance, if you require a PC that has VR support.
However, becoming a PC gamer doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. The best part about it is you can build your rig over time, beginning with the most fundamental parts. It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing enterprise.
You can start off with an inexpensive computer as a foundation and upgrade it bit by bit over time.
Is it Cheaper to Build or Buy a PC?
If you know where to look, in most cases building a PC can be slightly cheaper than buying one. It takes more time to build a PC though and if you take into account the time it takes to build one compared to the time it takes to buy one, buying one would seem slightly cheaper than building one.
The real answer depends on your skills and abilities.
Conclusion
If your budget is just under $800 dollars and you need a great gaming PC, the computers listed in this guide should provide you with all the information you need.
Now, you have to decide if an SSD is necessary or if you plan on actually upgrading it in the future. We suggest you match the units in this guide to your own specifications, expectations, and needs.
It’s also good to remember that with a good gaming PC, you’ll need the very best gaming monitor as well. You shouldn’t waste all that power on a screen with a low refresh rate. The latency can actually affect your performance, especially on online games.
Additionally, it’s important to note that no one uses gaming PCs just for gaming. I can almost guarantee that you’ll be using it to stream/watch videos, browse the internet or run non-game related applications and programs. You just have to ensure that your PC adheres and conforms to all of your requirements and desires.