1 week ago
7
While building a gaming PC can be a great way to save money, brands like HP and Lenovo offer budget-friendly prebuilt rigs that don't force you to choose between price and performance. Many budget gaming rigs still offer great components like RTX 30 or 40 series graphics cards, 13th-generation Intel Core processors, and high-capacity storage drives for large game files or entire Steam libraries. And while "cheap" is a relative term, especially with tariffs looming and throwing electronics prices in limbo, you can still find great gaming rigs for less than $1,500 if you keep a sharp eye out for discounts and sales.
Also: The best gaming PCs you can buy: Expert tested
What is the best cheap gaming PC right now?
As an avid gamer myself, I rounded up the best gaming PC models on the market that won't cost you an arm and a leg, with my pick for the best cheap gaming PC overall going to the HP Omen 35L, thanks to its affordable price tag, Intel and AMD-based configurations, support for up to 64GB of RAM, and RTX 4070 Super graphics card. Read to see which other budget gaming PC models match your CPU, GPU, gaming, and budget preferences.
The best cheap gaming PCs of 2025
HP has refreshed their gaming desktop lineup with a renewed version of the Omen 35L. This desktop is available in both Intel and AMD-based builds, letting you choose the best components for your budget and gaming needs. You can choose from budget-friendly, preconfigured builds or tweak components for a customized rig to tackle graphically intensive game titles and office productivity; though you should note that certain components like graphics cards and secondary storage drives will add a significant amount to the final price depending on what you choose.
The Omen 35L supports up to 64GB of RAM and has enough space to expand your storage with additional SSDs or HDDs for downloading large digital games and backing up save files. You can also choose between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 support for ultra-fast wireless internet and more reliable connectivity for online matches. And Bluetooth 5.3 support allows you to connect wireless peripherals like headsets and gamepads to round out your setup.
HP Omen 35L specs: CPU: Up to Intel Ultra Core 7/Intel Core i7 14th gen or AMD Ryzen 5 8500G | GPU: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super or AMD Radeon RX 7600 | RAM: Up to 64GB | Storage: Up to 2TB SSD and 2TB HDD
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
The CyberPowerPC Gamer Master is an excellent AMD-based gaming rig that's also easy on your wallet. You can buy one preconfigured for around $900 or customize your build on CyberPowerPC's website to get the best value for your budget. You can choose up to a Ryzen 5 8600G processor, either an RTX 4090 or RX 7900XT graphics card, up to 64GB of RAM, and up to 10TB of storage across two SSDs -- though do note that more powerful configurations will quickly run up final costs.
The mid-tower case features a clear window panel to show off the internal components and RGB lighting from case fans and LED strips. It comes packaged with a basic mouse and keyboard, so you can start setting up your PC and playing your favorite games right out of the box. The Gamer Master also uses 7.1CH audio for a more immersive gaming experience without a headset or expensive speaker system.
CyberPowerPC Gamer Master specs: CPU: Up to Ryzen 5 8600G | GPU: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT | RAM: Up to 64GB | Storage: Up to 10TB
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
The MSI Codex R2 is a fairly affordable and reasonably powerful gaming PC that's built with Intel's 14th generation Raptor Lake i5 processor for better multitasking and power efficiency over previous iterations. It's also outfitted with 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD for storage, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card. That's more than enough graphics processing power to handle just about any game in your library or on your wishlist with fairly high settings. With Wi-Fi 7 support, you'll get faster, more reliable wireless internet speeds, which are critical for online multiplayer games, as well as keeping your current library up-to-date with automatic updates and patch fixes.
Bluetooth connectivity lets you set up wireless peripherals like keyboards, mice, and headsets for a cleaner, more organized space. The front of the tower gives you easy access to USB 3.0, USB-C, headset, and microphone ports for hot-swapping external storage and connecting peripherals for team chat and private gaming. The back of the tower features another USB-C port, 6 USB Type A inputs, Ethernet, PS/2, 3.5mm AUX, 3 DisplayPort inputs, and an HDMI output for connecting up to four monitors.
MSI Codex R2 specs: CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
If you have a younger child or teen who is interested in playing PC games, the Acer Nitro 50 is an excellent choice for a starter gaming PC. With a 14th generation Intel Core i5 processor, Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, you'll get all the power and storage you need for playing popular games both on- and offline.
The Acer Nitro 50 supports up to 32GB of RAM so you can drop in new memory sticks as your needs change, but there is only one SSD slot. So if you need more storage, you'll either have to swap out the drive entirely or I suggest picking up an external hard drive with a decent amount of storage for offloading large game files.
Acer Nitro 50 specs: CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
HP has introduced their newest budget-friendly gaming rig, the Omen 16L. Unlike the Victus 15L, this tower is only available in Intel-based builds, but still offers a great balance between price and performance. It normally retails for around $1,000, but can often be found on sale for much less.
Along with a 14th gen Intel Core i5 processor, you'll also get an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD for plenty of power and perfomance for playing popular games, and even graphics intensive titles. And if you ever need to expand your capabilities, the Omen 16L supports up to 32GB of RAM and features three M.2 SSD slots for adding more storage space for larger game titles and other important files and programs.
HP Victus specs: CPU: 14th generation Intel Core i5 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
What are the tariffs in the US?
The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.
CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We're Watching 11 Products You Might Need to Buy
Laptops and PCs are also hit hard by the new US tariffs, with import duties potentially increasing prices by up to 35%. Many major brands still rely on Chinese and Vietnamese factories for assembly, meaning consumers could soon pay significantly more for everything from budget Chromebooks to high-end gaming rigs.
These tariffs may accelerate efforts to move production to regions like Mexico or India, but shoppers can expect higher costs and fewer discounts in the short term.
Overall, consumers should brace for higher prices and potential shifts in product availability within the home entertainment market.
Right now, it looks like some tech may be exempt from the issued tariffs, but since it's always changing and developing, we are keeping an eye on it and will update you on the latest.
Also: Tariff exemptions for electronics offer a break for tech - but not for long
Latest news on budget gaming PCs
HP has introduced their newest budget gaming rig, the Omen 16L, which is only available with Intel-based builds.
My pick for the best cheap gaming PC is the HP Omen 35L. While technically the flagship model for HP's line of Omen gaming desktops, base configurations have a somewhat budget-friendly price point and can often be found on sale with decent discounts. The Omen 35L can be built with either Intel or AMD-based configurations (and AMD builds run a bit cheaper for even more savings) and feature dual SSD and HDD storage support, Nvidia RTX 4000 series or AMD Radeon RX 7000 series graphics cards, and support for up to 64GB of RAM.
Cheap gaming PC | Price | CPU | GPU |
HP Omen 35L | $1,250 | Up to 14th Gen Intel Core i5, Intel Core Ultra 7, or AMD Ryzen 5 8500G | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super or AMD Radeon RX 7600 |
CyberPowerPC Gamer Master | $650 | Up to AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | Up to RTX 4090 or Radeon RX 7900 XT |
MSI Codex R2 | $850 | Intel Core i5-1440F | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 |
Acer Nitro 50 | $1,000 | Intel Core i5-14400F | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 |
HP Omen 16L | $850 | 14th gen Intel Core i5 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 |
*MSRP at time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on retailer as well as available deals and promotions.
Once you've finalized your budget, you'll want to choose a gaming PC that has enough storage space for a small library of your favorite games as well as plenty of RAM for smooth gameplay.
You'll also want to make sure that the included GPU is powerful enough to handle most popular games, and that the power supply can keep up with your needs as you swap out components or add things like secondary storage drives or more RAM sticks.
Choose this cheap gaming PC... | If you need... |
HP Omen 35L | A well-rounded and budget-friendly gaming PC. It's available in both Intel and AMD configurations and starts at around $1,250 for the base AMD configuration. |
CyberPowerPC Gamer Master | A budget AMD-based gaming PC. You can configure this gaming PC with up to a Ryzen 9 5900X processor and your choice of RTX 4090 or Radeon RX 7900 XT GPU. |
MSI Codex R2 | An affordable Intel-based gaming PC. With a 14th generation Intel Core i5 CPU, RTX 4060 GPU, and 16GB of RAM, you'll have plenty of processing power for your favorite games. |
Acer Nitro 50 | An entry-level gaming PC for kids and teens. This Intel-based desktop gives you 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for plenty of power and storage for popular games like Fortnite. |
HP Omen 16L | An ultra budget-friendly gaming PC. If your budget is so tight it squeaks, the HP Victus can be yours for about $850 if you catch it on sale or around $1,000 at regular retail price. |
If you're in the market for a budget gaming PC, there are several factors to consider besides a lower price tag. That includes the following:
- CPU: You'll want a CPU released within the last five years to ensure your PC can play just about anything in your library.
- GPU: If you're working with a tight budget, opt for an older GPU like an RTX 16 series or Radeon RX 5000 series. You'll still be able to play almost anything while saving a bit of money.
- Connectivity: Make sure that the gaming PC you want has enough USB, HDMI, and DisplayPort inputs to support all of your displays, peripherals, and storage devices.
- Upgrade options: As preferences change, you may want to upgrade your gaming PC, which can also cost you. We included options with components that make for a swift, budget-friendly upgrade.
While researching each budget-friendly gaming PC option on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:
- Brand integrity: While it's tempting to spring for one of those ultra-cheap desktops or laptops from a brand you've never heard of, you'll end up spending more in the long run to replace low-quality components or the entire computer. Unknown and smaller brands may also not have the greatest customer service experience for returns, exchanges, and refunds.
- Multi-purpose: Not everyone has the luxury of being able to maintain separate PCs for gaming and work. Each PC on this list has been ensured to be compatible with most Windows and/or Linux-based programs for work and school.
- Tower size: It's important to note what type of tower your gaming PC is housed in, as some components, like motherboards and GPUs, have to be specifically sized for micro-ATX cases. Mid-size towers are some of the most popular options and can house all but the very largest of graphics cards. Full-size towers won't have any issue housing any components, but the trade-off is that your PC will be fairly large (at least 2 feet tall).
While you can find some affordable prebuilt gaming PCs, you can also save yourself a bit more cash by building your own PC. By building your own, you can take advantage of sales and deals on components in order to get the best parts for the cheapest prices. The trade-off is taking the time to put everything together yourself, so you'll have to decide if you're comfortable enough building your own PC, and whether or not you have the time and energy to do so.
Unfortunately, a laptop designed for gaming is going to cost more than a PC tower. Laptops use the same powerful processors and graphics cards as towers (which contribute to the cost) and pack in premium features that have a higher production cost, like OLED and 4K touchscreens. These "extras" are reflected in the final price.
While there are some great budget gaming laptops, don't expect them to be much cheaper than a traditional PC tower.
Even before the chip shortages, you couldn't find that many prebuilt gaming PCs under $1,000. Now, with GPUs harder and harder to come by, a prebuilt PC is about the only way to get your hands on one, even older ones like the GTX 1660 Super; and they definitely come with a cost. You can still get a decent build for around $1,000, or even less if you put in the work to find them, but you may want to build out your budget to around $1,200 to account for rising component costs.
How much RAM you need depends on what you're looking to get out of your gaming experience. You can get a lot of games with just 8GB of RAM, and 16GB is just about perfect for handling even the most technically demanding titles and programs. You can find configurations with 32GB or even up to 128GB of RAM, but not only does this considerably increase the cost of the build, it's also overkill. Higher RAM configurations are best used by creative professionals rendering 3D art and animation, and for gaming, you start to see diminishing returns after 32GB.
Yes. Many new CPU chips have some sort of integrated graphics processing unit. Still, it's best used for casual home use, like streaming Netflix or looking at your aunt's vacation photo album on Facebook. To launch the most popular game titles, you need a dedicated GPU, but it doesn't have to be a fancy, expensive one. You can use an older card like a GTX 1650 or Radeon RX 5500 and still get a lot of mileage out of your build.
Whether you're looking to get a computer strictly for school work or a rig that can handle gaming and class projects, it's important to know what your child wants out of their PC and what will work with your budget and house rules.
ZDNET's Jason Cipriani wrote up a handy guide for how to choose a computer for your child if you want a more in-depth explanation.
A more budget-friendly gaming PC will not use high-end parts, which means the components will be less powerful or power-hungry. If you want to spend less than $1500 on a new gaming PC, you can expect it to have a power supply between 500 and 750 watts.
This size PSU is plenty for most entry-level and mid-range gaming PCs, but if you're planning on dropping in more powerful components (like graphics cards) down the line, you'll also want to upgrade your power supply to help prevent electrical issues or damage to delicate components.
Fortnite has some pretty forgiving baseline PC spec requirements for running the game, needing just 2GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM, and featuring support older, DirectX 11-supported GPUs as well as 7th gen Intel and 3rd gen AMD Ryzen processors.
With this in mind, you can scope out some truly cheap gaming rigs if you're willing to work with older hardware. And older hardware is a great way to go if you're looking for a starter gaming PC for younger kids and teens.
Latest updates
- ZDNET replaced the HP Victus 15L with the HP Omen 16L as our pick for one of the best budget gaming PCs you can buy.
- ZNDET replaced the Lenovo Legion Tower 5 Gen 8 with the Acer Nitro 50, as the Tower 5 has been discontinued.
- ZDNET replaced the HP Omen 40L with the HP Omen 35L, as the Omen 40L has been discontinued.
English (US) ·