Not only are they significantly cheaper, but the best budget gaming PCs are more than enough to cover the computing needs of most users. Not everyone needs a fully loaded machine with flagship GPUs and CPUs, and saving some money while getting a capable computer is more important to many people.
There are some who will gravitate towards a gaming PC with unrivaled performance or a powerful all-in-one , but most people don’t need something that can speed up creative workloads or play the best PC games in 4k resolution on settings . highest. Most people just need something that can handle their daily productivity tasks, let them binge-watch Disney+ , Zoom in with people around the world, and immerse themselves in the best cheap PC games .
Most users will be happy with a modest but capable PC. If that sounds like you, take a look at our top picks for the best budget computers of 2021. These more reasonably priced machines even come with decent hardware like AMD Navi , Ryzen 3rd Gen , and Intel Comet Lake , so it’ll follow. having plenty of power, even if you’re looking for the best PC deals out there.
1. Acer Predator Orion 3000
Affordable gaming at its finest
Price:$1,999.00
Specifications:
CPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660
Graphics: 10th Gen Intel Core i5
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Although the highest configurations of the Acer Predator Orion 3000 are outside the price range of most budget gamers, its base configuration is very affordable, under $1,000. There’s still a lot to love here though, the GTX 1660 graphics card is still an excellent contender for 1080p gaming even in the RTX 3000 world. Its RGB lighting and cooling solution only adds to its value.
2. Omen 25L
For AMD fans
Price:$1,949.99
Specifications
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500, 7 3700X or 9 3900
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5500 – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
RAM: 16GB DDR4 at 32B
Storage: 256GB SSD: 1TB + 2TB + 2TB
The Omen 25L’s rectangular black metal design isn’t going to turn heads any time soon. That’s at least offset by its glass panel, but just barely. However, if you’re not too concerned with looks, this is one of the best budget gaming PCs hitting shelves in 2021 that won’t put a hefty dent in your bank account. With AMD configurations at hand, it’s perfect for AMD-leaning gamers. But those loyal to Nvidia’s RTX lineup can also get in on it, as you can configure it to have up to an RTX 2070 Super GPU. Still, it’s the price we can’t get here: equipped, the Omen 25L costs as much as many of premium gaming PCs in their mid-range configuration. Only this one has more memory and much more storage capacity.
3.MSI Trident 3 9th
A great performer
Price:$1399
Specifications
CPU: up to 9th generation Intel Core i7
Graphics: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super
RAM: up to 16GB
Storage: up to 1TB
If good looks matter to you as much as power, then you might love the MSI Trident 3 9th, especially if you’re a fan of a gaming-inclined aesthetic. Not everything is appearance either. This little gaming PC packs a lot of power under the hood for less than its rivals, with 9th Gen Intel Core processors and the best Nvidia RTX and GTX graphics. It’s even cheaper than many of the gaming PCs on this list, with its Intel Core i7 + RTX 2060 Super + 16GB RAM configuration setting it back far less than an equivalently specced HP Omen 25L. If you’re trying to maximize your limited space and budget, this is the best budget gaming PC for you.
4. HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop
Great for work and play
Price:$1299
Specifications
CPU: up to AMD Ryzen 7
Graphics: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Super
RAM: up to 16GB
Storage: up to 1TB HDD + 512GB SSD
Cutting that gamer aesthetic to a minimum, the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop is as equally at home in any office as it is in someone’s game room. So, if you’re looking for a machine you can both play and work on, this is just the ticket, bringing you even more savings. It’s not going to be an equipped machine, though if you spend a bit more on the higher settings you can get one with an RTX 3060. Its lower settings should be capable enough to see you through 1080p gaming though.
5. Dell G5
Budget PC gaming at its finest
Price:$1199
Specifications
CPU: 9th Gen Intel Core i3-9100 – i9 9900K
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 – RTX 2070
RAM: 8GB – 64GB
Storage: 1TBSSD – 1TB SSD + 2TB HDD
A unique chassis coupled with a price to beat, the latest of Dell’s G-series gaming PCs is a solid contender as one of the best budget gaming PCs out there. The Dell G5 features 9th-generation Intel chips as well as Nvidia’s most powerful GTX and RTX gaming graphics cards, starting with an i3 processor and the GTX 1650 to handle plenty of powerful games without burning a hole in your pocket. Of course, if you have more case to spare, their VR-ready configurations are also available, though even those are absolutely affordable.
NOTE: These all are under $2000