The 7 Best Gaming PCs Under $600

2. Lenovo 510A Desktop

The best gaming PC under $600 runner-up

View on Amazon

Manufacturer: Lenovo | OS: Windows 10 | CPU: AMD 3rd Generation Ryzen 3 3200G | Memory: 8GB DDR4 | Storage: 256GB SSD | Price: 💰💰

The Lenovo 510A serves as another fantastic budget PC option. Its 3rd generation Ryzen core processor matches the power of the TC-885, and the Radeon Vega 8 graphics card gives it a slight edge in visual performance. All of this excellence is compiled in a sleek and modern-looking case that will fit in well with any PC setup.

Unfortunately, while the potential of the 510A is impressive, the actual starting setup is somewhat lacking. The smaller SSD drive will likely fill up rather quickly, and the internal cooling system is known to do a less-than-stellar job. Both of these components are replaceable, but unlike our top pick, you’ll probably want to do so immediately for peak performance.

One last benefit worth mentioning is the decent keyboard, mouse, and mousepad bundle you get with the PC. They may not be top tier, but they’re great for backups or starting gaming peripherals at the price point.

3. Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92

The most powerful prebuilt gaming PC under $600

View on Amazon

Manufacturer: Acer | OS: Windows 10 | CPU: Intel Core i5-10400 | Memory: 12GB DDR4 | Storage: 512GB SSD | Price: 💰💰💰

Acer seemed to knock it out of the park with the Aspire series, providing multiple options for a very reasonable price. The 895-UA92 is actually the more powerful of the two we’ve included on this list, but we don’t find the performance boost worth the uptick in price.

Sure, the UA92’s upgraded i5 core processor and additional memory let you squeeze a few more frames out of your PC, but it’s such a minimal performance boost that you likely wouldn’t even notice a difference. And really, that’s where the differences between the two models end.

The SSD is still generous, the components still play nicely with each other, and the power supply unit is still weirdly weak and will eventually need replacing. All of this considered, we’d normally say that the extra cost makes the UA92 less attractive, but it currently costs only $30 more than the other Acer model on our list (which isn’t too expensive considering the improvements).

We definitely recommend the UA92 at its current price point. Should the cost go back up to its original $599, it’s up to you whether or not the extra juice is worth it.

4. Dell Inspiron 3668

The best multitasking PC under $600

View on Amazon

Manufacturer: Dell | OS: Windows 10 | CPU: Intel Core i3-7100 | Memory: 8GB DDR4 | Storage: 1TB 7200 RPM | Price: 💰💰

While this is a slightly older model, the Dell Inspiron 3668 is still worth looking at, especially if you need a PC for both work and gaming. Thanks to the i3-7100 processor and 8GB of RAM, it’s still a fairly powerful unit despite the basic build and lack of a graphics card or fancy cooling unit. It even lets you dip your toes into 4k visuals!

Just know that there are limitations to the visual fidelity you’ll be able to achieve. While the internal 1TB of storage is great, the lack of SSD storage and the inability to overclock or boost the CPU means you’ll quickly run into stuttering. This issue outlines the real drawback of this PC — it’s not built for gaming.

That doesn’t necessarily mean this build isn’t worth purchasing. In its current state, the components provide a solid balance between a working and a gaming PC. Additionally, thanks to the open frame with available internal slots, it makes for a great starter unit for a lower price.

5. iBUYPOWER PRO Element Mini 9300

The best GPU in a gaming PC under $600

View on Amazon

Manufacturer: iBUYPOWER | OS: Windows 10 | CPU: Ryzen 3 3100 | Memory: 8GB DDR4 | Storage: 240GB SSD | Price: 💰💰💰

The iBUYPOWER PRO may be the first PC on this list to actually look like a custom build. The open glass case, RGB units, and well-organized interior all work to make it look anything but prebuilt. On top of that, the Element Mini backs up its impressive shell with the makings of a strong starter PC.

The reason we say “makings of” is that the components here are somewhat mismatched. The CPU is decently powerful and complimented by the 8GB of memory, but don’t get any ideas about hitting 60 fps at 4k. The real appeal is the GPU (in this case, the dedicated graphics card) included with this build.

The choice to opt for a graphics card rather than an integrated GPU is somewhat puzzling. Sure, the Radeon RX 550 is a reasonable option with plenty of potential for a starter build, but combining it with a less powerful CPU severely hampers the overall performance. Add in the lesser SSD storage for a price point that’s similar to the top picks on this list, and this build seems less appealing than before.

6. HP Pavilion 590-p0033w

The best memory in a gaming PC under $600

View on Amazon

Manufacturer: HP | OS: Windows 10 | CPU: Intel Core i5 10400F | Memory: 4GB DDR4, 16GB Optane Memory | Storage: 1TB Sata | Price: 💰💰

If you can find one of the HP Pavilion models for a reasonable price, it’s worth jumping on immediately. These PCs are powerhouses built for performance and stacked with an incredible amount of memory. While this model isn’t the best of the bunch, it is the one that consistently falls below $400, which by itself is already a benefit.

The low price is a good thing because the CPU and UHD 630 graphics card aren’t all that impressive. Sure, they’re powerful enough to run AAA titles reasonably well, but they’re not going to blow you away like some of the other models on this list. That has more to do with the severe lack of RAM and dedicated SSD storage than the CPU.

However, the 1TB of storage and Optane memory somewhat alleviates these limitations. The Optane specifically helps you optimize programs that conserve power and mimic the appearance of an SSD system. That alone kind of makes this PC worth the cost of admission, and leaves plenty of room for future improvements.

7. CUK AsRock DeskMini A300W

The best mini PC under $600

View on Amazon

Manufacturer: Computer Upgrade King | OS: None | CPU: Ryzen 3 2200G | Memory: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 512GB SSD | Price: 💰💰

If you’re looking for a compact and portable PC that won’t break the bank, the CUK AsRock DeskMini is an excellent option. This PC may have the beset RAM and storage combination on this list, meaning that you’re not sacrificing performance for the sake of minimal design.

First, 16GB of RAM is impressive. Add in a massive 512GB SSD, and you’re set for playing and storing plenty of games. It’s a good thing, too, because the compact nature of this PC prevents you from adding memory or easily changing out components.

This is what brings the CUK AsRock DeskMini down to the bottom of our list. It’s one of the best-performing options you’ll find under $600, but the inability to upgrade makes its lifespan incredibly short, and the lack of a pre-downloaded OS means you’ll be shelling out more money upfront to get it up and running.

Whether or not you’ll choose this option depends on how much you care about upgrading and having a compact design. If either of those moves the needle, the limitations may be worth it.

Buyer’s Guide: Best Gaming PCs Under $600

Even though they’re on the inexpensive side, $600 is still a hefty investment to drop on a piece of hardware. With budget PCs, it can be incredibly challenging to decide which option is worth the cash and which ones are simply a cheap hunk of plastic. So, as you walk through our list or start doing your own research, be sure you compare the following categories before making a decision.

1. Component Quality and Compatibility

PC manufacturers are notorious for including cheap components and touting performance specs that don’t actually matter. Or, they include premium components that can’t reach their potential due to restrictions from the other hardware. It’s an unfortunate duality that can make researching a grind to even the most discerning PC gamer.

The best thing you can do is look past the marketing speak and research each component separately. It may take a bit of extra time, but you’ll be doing yourself a favor by fully understanding what’s in your PC before you buy.

2. Upgrade Potential

Part of going through each component that can be beneficial to you in the long-run is knowing the upgrade potential of your PC. When you’re starting from a lower price point, the hope should be that you can slowly replace elements of your build over time. This may not be possible if your hard drive, OS, or CPU isn’t powerful or modern enough.

Having lesser versions of those components can limit your ability to switch out auxiliary drives, your cooling system, and even your GPU. In some cases, you’ll need to switch out everything at once when you’re ready to upgrade, which kind of defeats the purpose of buying an inexpensive PC to begin with.

3. Price

This last part somewhat goes without saying, but the price of your PC really matters. Like we said before, plenty of PC companies try to overemphasize the quality, which can mean you’re paying far more for something that isn’t all that good in the long run.

Determine your budget upfront and decide what features you’re willing to pay more or less for, then take the research you’ve done so far to determine if a given build is actually worth its price. This should make it easier for you to determine if a build is lousy and walk away if the price is too steep for the quality.

Our Process

For this guide on the best PCs for gaming under $600, our writers spent 4 hours researching over 45 of the most popular options from brands big and small. After comparing this data, we then read over 135 user reviews and narrowed our list down to the top 7 gaming PCs under $600 on the market. All of this research adds up to recommendations you can trust.

Further Reading

We hope this list has helped you find an introductory gaming PC that fits your budget. If you know of others looking for an inexpensive prebuilt PC, feel free to share this article to your favorite social platform. Also, consider signing up for our newsletter to receive up-to-date info on the gaming industry.

And, if you’re looking to build out the rest of your gaming setup, be sure to check out our other low-cost roundups below. Happy gaming!