The term “gaming pc” has never been for the faint of hearts, for it has been widely known to cost more than any other personal technologies when it comes to desktop entertainments, or even work (such as designing softwares, movie editors, ect…). Or sometimes there’s just a boundary between you and all the techies stuff and numbers that makes you scratch your heads in confusion, leaving you there without solutions, or even a question to look for answers, and that’s why I’m here for you today. To question, and to answer.
Yes, you can trust me when I say I also started off like you, into pc gaming, love the classics, but also want to take a peek into the new world of coded magics, but never intended to chase after the evolution of pc technologies (which basically costs a fortune), meanwhile still have enough resources to learn what we might come across that peaks our interests, without investing more than what we might have actually asked for.
But there’s a small gap where we can fit in, that’s the line between cost-effective, and work-efficiency, now that, my friend is exactly the destination I’m taking you for a ride to. Without further ado, let’s buckle up, buckaroo, for this ride might get a bit bumpy.
I, First of all, let us start with some questions:
1, What is a “Prebuilt PC”:
For you to understand it the quickest, imagine a motorbike, which was composed of various components, but let’s keep it simple such as: the chassis, the frame, the engine, the fuel tank, the wheels, the chains, and the battery. The same goes with a pc, it is a composition of the same things: the chassis is the case, the frame is the mainboard, the engine and chains are the essentials same as the CPU (main chip) and the GPU (video cards), fuel tank works as the PSU (power source), wheels are the mouses and keyboards, and the battery is the RAM (data housing cards)
Now let’s dig deeper into this:
So basically a prebuilt pc are builds that have all the required components installed and ready to use, while maxing out the compatibility without wasting up any bit of any and every component’s efficiency to created a PC as a whole without requiring your time nerding around working and struggling with all the numbers and differences in a sea of choices, keeping it simple, and effective, just how we want it. But remember one thing, that these are still technical hardwares, which means the compatibility of each is different and different combinations will put out different functional efficiency.
2, What is a “budget gaming pc”, and why?
Hearing of the words “gaming pc” already tires you down, is it not? For as far as you know it must be composed of high-end, dedicated, advanced technologies that cost almost as much as your furnitures for each component there is. I have to say, it is true, a gaming pc should be considered as “capable of handling the most complex and heavy-dutied games and software that normal workplace pc’s just simply cannot, in a way as if it’s carrying a baby”, but for sure that’s not what we’re here for.
Let me remind you that I’m here to blur the line between cost and efficiency for you, as well as showing you just how simple gaming can be when we don’t ask for that state-of-the-art machine for 120 frame per second gaming or more zeroes on your electricity bill. What we’re all here for, is to “game”, not “gaming”, when entertainment is all you’re looking for, or just a sight upgrade to work and lay off steam on one device conveniently, as I said, keeping it “simple”, and “effective”.
3, What makes a good “budget gaming pc”?
Let’s be honest, when we came here we already know we can’t keep up with the constant stream of new products with their flashy price tags, nope. For sure looking for gaming but the price to pay for a whisper-quiet, good-looking, flashing-lights rig is just simply over-the-top for our needs. Same as we love noodles but Japanese Black Ramen with Squid Soup? Let’s pass that. Keeping in at ground level is more like it for users like us, and I’m not here to judge, I’m here to lead.
A saving build should consist of a few elements:
Meet your requirements of working and personal entertaining, not too much, not too little, on point. One that is able to work faster, more effective than your old one, while also can be used as a gaming device that can run most of the modern games with such ease (on lower settings, of course)
Does not cost more than it should for future upgrades when the time is right, as I said above,nothing is more expensive than compatibilities, such as changing your CPU might require a new mainboard with a suitable socket, and changing mainboards sometimes would result in changing your RAM also, all linked together makes upgrading your rig difficult most of the time, here we look to minimize the cost of upgrading, while also going for hardwares that will keep up to the modernization of PC hardwares.
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II, Now that’s just too much talking, let’s get into business:
Here we have a few of the best prebuilt PC’s in 2020 that have considerably good prices compared to their power and capability, with astounding amounts of good reviews and user feedbacks:
1, HP Pavilion 590-p0020
Specs
- Processor: AMD Ryzen(TM) 3 2200G Processor, Quad-Core, 3.50GHz.
- Memory: 4 GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM (upgradable to 32 GB).
- Hard drive: 1 TB 7200RPM SATA.
- Ports: Headphone/Microphone Combo, 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 (front), 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C(TM) (front), 2 USB 2.0 (rear), 4 USB 3.1 Gen 1 (rear), HDMI Out (rear), VGA (rear), 10/100/1000 Base-T Network, and an HP 3-in-1 Media Card Reader.
- Addons: HP black wired keyboard with volume control and wired optical.
- Amazingly good price.
- Great hard drive capacity, upgradable.
- Sleek design.
- Comes with keyboard and mouse.
- 4GB of RAM (upgradable).
- Small range of upgrades available due to small case.
What makes this little guy stands out from the rest is probably that good-smelling price and it’s practicality. This build is basically everything you would ask for given the very cheap price when it comes to a prebuilt pc: speed, power, compaction.
It comes with a Ryzen 3 2200G with a clock speed up to 3.50GHz, an integrated graphic coprocessor AMD Vega 8, which is more than enough for your daily usage such as surfing the webs, stacking up those tabs with no visible speed loss,working with multiple softwares at once, ect… Keeping your experience at it’s very best.
Talk about gaming, definitely this minivan can handle most modern titles just fine, even though I’m not talking about those state-of-the-art AAA’s like The Witcher, GTA 4 or 5, Dishonored, but when it comes to more light-weighted, widely known and participated ones like LoL (League of Legends) or DotA, or even CSGO, this is your guy.
The Pavilion 590 is the very prime of prebuilt PC on budget, for it with exceed your requirements for daily usage, simple entertaining, hyper-speed working, and last but not least, for your wallet.
2, IBUYPOWER Enthusiast Gaming PC
Specs
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3200G 4-Core 3. 6GHz (4. 0GHz Max Boost).
- Memory: 8GB DDR4-2666.
- Hard drive: 1TB HDD.
- Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce GT 710 1GB Dedicated Gaming Video Card | VR Ready | 1x DVI | 1x HDMI | 1x Display Port.
- Ports: 4 x USB 3. 0 | 2 x USB 2. 0 | 1x RJ-45 Network Ethernet 10/100/1000.
- Audio: 7. 1 Channel.
- Addons: Tempered Glass RGB Gaming Case | 802. 11AC Wi-Fi Included | 16 Color RGB Lighting Case | Free iBuyPower Gaming Keyboard & RGB Gaming Mouse | No Bloatwares.
- Stunningly beautiful.
- Top-notch processor with a dedicated video card.
- 8GB of RAM.
- Comes with gaming mouse and keyboard.
- Plenty of storage.
- Not so “under 500$”.
- No SSD.
- No DVD drives.
This beauty here is what you’d like to show to every single friend you have when you got it under your desk, stunning lighting effects, smooth classy design with glass cover on the side, looky set of mouse and keyboard that makes the whole thing mix into a power pack that scares off those normies, hot damn…
But it doesn’t stop just there, the iBUYPOWER Gaming PC has been installed with a Ryzen 3 3200G 3.6GHz, which can be overclocked even further up to 4.0GHz, running side-by-side with an NVIDIA Geforce GT 710 1GB, and 8GB of RAM is just that sweet, juicy cherry on top. Altogether makes this lesser beast even more powerful than how cool it looks.
With this prebuild in hand, there’s no more hesitation when it comes to higher level of gaming,it can handle much more demanding modern titles like Fortnite, Assassin’s Creed series, Dark Souls, Far Cry 3 and 4, all with such ease. I’m not saying it can run them on higher level of settings, but one thing for sure is with the same settings on the Pavilion 590, this guy can give you a much better performance overall. The build was mainly focused on heavy-duty gaming with much better experiences over it’s acceptable price, without having to invest on anymore than the electricity it may consume.
This little beast is exactly where you need to look at when you have a bit more extra to spend, while also demanding a bit more from the gaming experience it brings without worrying too much about performance issues, the troubles of building a PC yourself, or just in it for the games. Furthermore having that look of a beast that will swallow up those high-grade games like pieces of cake.
3, CUK Stratos Micro Gaming PC
Specs
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Quad Core Processor (4MB Cache, 3.6GHz-4.0GHz) 65W.
- Memory: 16GB (2x8GB) 3000MHz with 14GB available after 2GB reserved for Vega graphics vRAM.
- Hard drive: 256GB SSD.
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8 Coprocessor.
- Addons: AC Wifi Adapter + Wired LED Backlit USB Gaming Keyboard and Mouse | 6 High Airflow and Pressure Addressable through Controller RGB Fans.
- Cool-looking exterior and interior design.
- Sturdy and professionally-constructed protection layers.
- Various purchasing options for your considerations.
- Great potential for future upgrades that may save up more than other prebuilts.
- Comes with 16GB of DDR4(no you didn’t misread).
- Well-performing integrated graphic processor.
- Superb cooling system.
- A bit more expensive than others on the list.
- Low capacity preinstalled drive.
- No DVD drives.
- Does not come with mouse or keyboard.
The one prebuilt PC that has all the users leave reviews with smiles on their faces, simply because what you can get for just a 60$ more than our destined price is just worth the investment.
As we went through the Ryzen 3 3200G above, this state-of-the-art chipset has amazing power when it comes to gaming, especially coped with the integrated Vega 8 coprocessor which enhances the gaming experience to it’s fullest, but this time we have 16GB of DDR4, SIXTEEN !!! That’s not anywhere close to little, as far as we know, more RAM means more complex tasks can be done at once, meaning you can work AND play at the same time, regardless of how resource-consuming your tasks might be, with that amount of RAM, you can even play games WHILE playing more games! So that’s how it feels to become a god…
Into the techies stuff,this machine here packs a gigantic PSU (Power Source Unit) which means it can give it a go at any and every upgrades you can get into your rig, big or small, it simply says “yes”. Furthermore, with solid steel construction, 3 metal blade vent front panels, a tempered glass side door (3-5 times stronger than ordinary glass) that swings open, convenient top panel USB 3.0 and audio ports, interior case lighting by 6 RGB fans, the Stratos Micro looks as good as it performs.
Superior airflow and cooling is provided by 6 pre-installed high airflow and pressure 600-1800rpm, remote controllable RGB fans with unique triple metal fin design for maximizing airflow, 3 front mounted intake fans along with 2 top and 1 rear mounted exhaust fans allowing for extreme cooling system. With that in mind, don’t even think about heat when you push this rig to the limit, it doesn’t mind some warm breezes.
But there’s one thing that should be concerned about, is the 256GB SSD. That much of space can only get you some games installed, not to mention installing the Operating System alone can already take up to 40gb,so now you’re left with 200gb of drive. What can you even do with 200gb??!! But lucky you, the distributor already have a plan for you. With a vast space inside the case, you can either chose to purchase an extra HDD for superior drive space, or you can order directly for an extra NVME for some extra speed for your SDD (to compensate for the little space, of course)
The Stratos Micro is the best choice out there when it comes to present and future investments. With the Ryzen 3 3200G integrated with Vega 8 graphic coprocessor, adding 16GB of DDR4, this giant beast is in for some sports. The build has great potential to save up when the time is right to upgrade, you’d have no problem like not enough source power, chip is not powerful enough that might bottleneck your new video card, or RAM is too little for both of them. This machine will help you save up in the present and the future while still giving you the best experience for your every moments.
4, Apevia Desktop Gaming PC
Specs
- Processor : Intel Core i5-2400 3.10 Ghz.
- Memory : 8GB DDR3.
- Hard drive : 1TB HDD.
- Graphics : NVIDIA Geforce GTX 650 1GB | DVI, VGA and HDMI Ports.
- Ports : Ethernet port + WiFi | 3x USB3.0 | 4x USB2.0.
- Addons : Tempered Glass Side panel | 4 RGB 120mm Fans.
- High quality dedicated gaming video card.
- Great performance at a lower price.
- Great air-conditioning system.
- Awesome disk space.
- Flimsy, low quality case design.
- No DVD drives.
- Does not come with mouse or keyboard.
This is one of the best prebuilt PC we have out there for a surprisingly good price, greater performance, greater gaming potential, less paid, I mean…why not?
The Apevia PC is more focused on the graphic processing power. As you can see it comes with a preinstalled NVIDIA Geforce GTX 650 with 1GB of dedicated video RAM, which is, I have to say not half bad. The GTX 650 has been widely known by PC users all around the world for it’s amazing performance and it’s lovely price. Nowadays many people still prefer the GTX 650 over many modern products for it’s phenomenal performance that still catches up in 2020, combined with 8GB of RAM, this humble guy’s afraid of nothing.
That said, the processor of this build is not anything to brag about. The i5-2400 with 3.10GHz clock speed is just enough for the power it possesses, not too much, not too little, just on point.
Though it might not be your daily-working kind of device, for the i5-2400 is not that fast when it comes to processing CPU-based tasks, like writing on disk, installing softwares or games, surfing multiple softwares at once, ect… But when it comes to gaming, it doesn’t hear your complains, for it does exactly what it was put in this build for: to lift your PC gaming experience sky-high.
With this prebuilt PC running beside you, don’t even think,just go straight for those hardcore high-demanding games that you always afraid to download, for it’s performance on most games will be just as you wished for. Stop watching them on Youtube and drool all over your shirts, let’s go get ‘em and enjoy it for yourself.
The Apevia Gaming PC is the perfect choice for those who only wants a PC that serves the sole purpose of High-end Gaming, no more, no less. This build can give you the performance you’ve been long wishing for with the price that blows your mind away, and change your perceptions about the price of PC Gaming forever (until you decided to go pro, that is).
5, Alarco Gaming PC
Specs
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2400 3.10 Ghz.
- Memory: 8GB DDR3.
- Hard drive: 1TB HDD.
- Graphic: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 650 1GB | DVI, VGA and HDMI Ports.
- Ports: Ethernet port + WiFi | 3x USB3.0 | 4x USB2.0.
- Addons: Tempered Glass Side panel | 4 RGB 120mm Fans.
- High quality dedicated gaming video card.
- Great performance at a lower price.
- Overwhelmingly beautiful appearance.
- Remotely controllable LED color and fans.
- Awesome disk space.
- Might be energy-consuming.
- No DVD drives.
- Does not come with mouse or keyboard.
The same as the Apevia, this rig came with an i5 2400 3.10GHz with a GTX 650 1GB and 8GB of RAM which is more than we can ever bargained for with the price so smooth. With that much it will be able to handle most modern games like Fortnite, CSGO, DotA with the number of fps higher than Wiz Khalifa. No, I’m serious.
The difference here is this machine was built absolutely face-melting beautiful, with sleek outlines and vibrant and well-mixed LEDs installed inside, topped up with grass cover on the side, you’d always have to take a while staring and admiring it, no matter how long you have been using it for, i mean…I certainly would. Just look at it, man…
With not much differences about the interiors from the previous, the Alarco Gaming PC stands out to be the most beautiful case ever seen with professionally aligned fanning system, remotely controllable LEDs, and smooth, sleek exterior design, makes you want to keep it as new and shiny as it gets.
III, Worth mentioning
The CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme
Specs
- Processor: Intel Core i5-9400F 2.9GHz 6-Core.
- Memory: 8GB DDR4.
- Hard drives: 240GB SSD | 1TB HDD.
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 6GB Video Card | 1x HDMI | 1x DisplayPort.
- Ports: 6 x USB 3. 1 | 2 x USB 2. 0 | 1x RJ-45 Network Ethernet 10/100/1000 | 802. 11AC Wi-Fi | Audio: 7. 1 Channel.
- Addons: Custom ARGB case Lighting | RGB 7 Colors Gaming mouse with keyboard.
- The perfect specs for gaming.
- Very powerful dedicated video card.
- Gigantic hard drive space with extra SSD to work with.
- Shiny, modern case and lighting design that catches all the attention.
- More expensive than others.
- No DVD drives.
With the price tag that might’ve caught you off-guard, this monster is worth mentioning, for both it’s power, and appearance.
Equipped with one of the best video card in this era, the NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1660 6GB doesn’t even flinch to the most demanding, hard-core gaming run you can ever think of. To put it simply, you can’t faze this guy no matter how many ideas of the heaviest AAA games you can come up with, one of the best VGA that remains on top of the food chain more than a year straight. GeForce GTX 16-series graphics cards are powered by the all new Turing Architecture to deliver up to 3x the performance of previous-generation graphics cards, plus innovative new gaming technologies and breakthrough gaming experiences. The combination of GeForce GTX GPUs and NVIDIA Game Ready Drivers deliver the fast performance and low latency required for an amazing gaming experience. Yes, keep imagining……..now stop, here’s some more to keep you up at night..
With faster, intelligent, multi-core technology that applies processing power where it’s needed most, Intel Core i5 processors deliver an incredible breakthrough in PC performance. You’ll multitask applications faster and unleash incredible digital media creation. And you’ll experience maximum performance for everything you do. Now combine that with 8GB of DDR4, you’ll get an absolute beast that’s afraid of nothing, no task is too much, no game is too much.
The Gamer Xtreme is one hell of a powerful Prebuilt Gaming PC that the industry has to offer. It is consisted of power, speed, and the look. This is the best build there could ever be with an acceptable high price compared to it’s exceptional performance in both information processing, and graphic processing, meaning this rig can complete installing a game before you can get the annoying sneeze out, or load up a game before you reached the mouse, so might as well keep this one in mind, you never know when your friend might get one before you can even think about it.
IV, The conclusion
So there it is, the list for a few hand-picked, manually filtered, practically tested Prebuilt PC that is under 500$ for you to keep in your bookmarks. The list included all the best possible pc builds that ranges around 500$, fit for most starter’s budgets and personal requirements.
I do wish you enjoyed your journey here on the land of the nerds, and found out for yourself some important informations that you’ve been wondering.
I hope that I’ve managed to give you a general idea of what you can expect to get for the money these days and that you’ll soon find yourself enjoying your favorite video games on one of the PCs from this list.
If you like this article, or find it useful, don’t mind spreading the love and share around for the people that asked the same question you did today. Or contact us for further questions.
Thank you!
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