5 Best Gaming PCs for Beginners: The Best Cheap Gaming PCs

The prospects of building a gaming PC can often be difficult. With the enormous range of customization that is available, it can be daunting to new buyers.

It is becoming commonplace for home computers to be upgraded to fulfill the gaming needs that consoles once did, but the idea of building a machine yourself from scratch can be confusing and time-consuming.

Whether it’s choosing a graphics card for your ideal resolution, figuring out how much RAM you need to play the latest Call Of Duty, or just making sure your central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) are compatible.

The tech jargon can seem complex, and there are a hundred and one different tutorials on how to build a PC, which can make it hard to figure out exactly the right specifications that are right for you.

That is why we’re breaking down our 5 best gaming PCs for Beginners. Throughout this list, we will look at pre-built PCs made specifically for gaming, that you will be able to use straight out of the box. 

We will also include a buyer’s guide, with some useful tips for things to look out for when making your purchase.

There will also be a frequently asked questions section, in case you still feel that we haven’t resolved all your confusion about buying a gaming PC.

AVGPC Q-Box Gaming Computer PC

The Q-Box gaming PC from AVGPC provides a ready-to-go gaming experience, utilizing a discreet design that is made to blend into a home setup.

Running Windows 10, this PC build will be able to run with minimal setup time, which means more time for getting into the gaming.

It also comes ready with 8 GB of Ram, which should serve you well when playing the games of your choice, although it features a second open slot for further RAM cards to be added.

It also sports a 500 GB solid-state drive (SSD) memory system and has a gaming mouse and keyboard included.

Pros:

  • High Processor Count: This PC build features 6 processors, to allow the CPU to run a higher number of operations at a single time.
  • 3.60 GHz CPU Speed: This also allows for the CPU to operate at higher speeds, to create a more fluid gaming experience for the user.
  • RGB Mouse and Keyboard: These come included with the PC upon purchase, meaning you save money and time where you would have to source these yourself.

Cons:

  • Side Control Panel: Power buttons, USB ports, and the 3.5mm jacks are all found on the side of the build, which could affect the placement of the build in your setup.

Alarco Intel i5

This PC build from Alarco offers a sleek, black design with RGB fans and accents, which can be controlled and customized via remote control.

It runs an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 graphics card, and sports an Intel Core i5 processor, that runs at 3.10 GHz speed.

The Alarco has a 1 TB storage capacity, and 3 RGB 120mm fans within a tempered glass side panel. This allows the user to set the fans to different colors and speeds, to completely customize the aesthetic of this PC build.

Pros:

  • Multiple RAM slots: This build comes with 8 GB of RAM included, but has a second open slot for additional RAM cards to be installed.
  • Remote Controlled RGB Fans: This allows the user to easily customize the look of the PC build, making it accessible to a wide range of setups.
  • A large Number of USB Slots: This build comes with 3 USB3.0 slots and 4 USB2.0 slots, allowing for a large range of accessories to be integrated into your PC setup.

Cons:

  • Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Storage: Although this is not a problem with the build itself, SSDs are more typical with PC builds designed for gaming.

Genesis Design i5 2500

The Genesis i5 gaming computer from Kepler Systems is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to show off their PC with luxurious RGB fans that can be programmed to run in parallel or individually.

The Genesis i5 has a space gray bezel with a glass casing, making it an eye-catching new addition to your home setup.

It runs with a Core i5 CPU, and 8 GB of RAM, as well as a dedicated GeForce GTX 750 graphics card, to ensure a smooth graphics quality that will be perfect for gaming.

It also comes with a 1 TB SSD hard drive storage system, meaning you should be able to store a library of games in it, with minimal impact on the performance of the PC.

Pros:

  • Windows 10 Pro: This comes pre-installed as the computer’s operating system, saving you set-up time when unboxing.
  • Large SSD Hard Drive: 1TB memory allows for a large amount of storage on this PC.
  • Stylish Design: This build comes with several built-in RGB fans and a glass case that adds to the luxurious design of the PC.

Cons:

  • No Disc Drive: This means you won’t be able to insert discs into the PC without some modifications to the build.

CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme Gaming PC

The Gamer Xtreme PC from CYBERPOWERPC stands tall and proud, with a spacious case that is a great starting point for those who want to invest in a gaming PC that can grow with them.

It comes fitted with an Intel Iris Xe 4 GB video card, and 8 GB of RAM, which will allow you to run modern games with a smooth performance. It also supports 4K HDR displays, so you can immerse yourself in the game of your choice.

The PC includes a gaming keyboard with an ergonomic design, and 8 unique multimedia keys, to ensure you have a comfortable experience when playing.

The Gamer Xtreme also comes with a 3-button gaming mouse with 7 RGB colors LED backlights, to accompany the RGB lights installed within the PC itself.

Pros:

  • 3.70 GHz CPU Speed: This means the CPU operates at higher speeds than most other PC builds on this list, making your gaming experience all the better.
  • Includes Ergonomic Gaming Keyboard and Mouse: This means not only do you save money on buying accessories, but they are stylish and are comfortable to use.
  • Supports 4K HDR Displays: Meaning the money you save on a keyboard and mouse can allow you to invest more into a higher resolution monitor.

Cons:

  • Heavy Build: At 29.9 pounds, this gaming PC is one of the heaviest on this list and while this should not impact performance, it is something to take into consideration when being incorporated into your setup.

CHUWI CoreBox Windows 10 Mini PC

For the most discreet option of PCs on this list, the CoreBox Mini PC by CHUWI offers a surprisingly powerful punch, despite its small stature.

With 16 GB of RAM, the Mini PC offers multitasking at a high speed, meaning you can run apps like Discord or Spotify easily during gameplay.

With a unique design, the Mini PC will suit any kind of setup, without taking up an entire side of your desk to allow you to lose yourself in the gaming experience.

It also features an Intel Core i5 CPU and a built-in heat-dissipating cooling fan, that’s made to be energy-saving with low power consumption.

Pros:

  • 16 GB of RAM: This allows for advanced multitasking, for a PC that runs at high speeds.
  • Sleek and Compact Design: The Mini PC saves space, and looks good while doing it.
  • HTPC 4K Hard-Decoding: This means you’ll be able to watch videos and play games in high resolution to give you the best experience possible.

Cons:

  • Small Storage Capacity: The Mini PC comes with a 256 GB SSD storage, which may not be enough to play larger modern games, however, it does offer storage expansion of up to 1 TB SSD and 2 TB HDD capacity so this can be remedied fairly easily.

Buyer’s Guide

When looking to make your first investment into a gaming PC, the most important thing for gamers is to be aware of the specifications of the games they wish to play.

This can be crucial in making a decision on which gaming PC is best for you, as some games will require a certain level of graphics quality to be played at a decent quality, or they may require a certain amount of RAM to get started.

This can also be the case when considering the core elements of the PC, such as the CPU and GPU.

These components will control how smooth your gaming experience is, and how effective your PC will be at running the apps and programs you want it to run.

It should be noted that your CPU and GPU are comparable in their performance levels so that they work as effectively together as possible.

This information should be readily available on whichever platform you wish to run the game through, or will most likely be found via a simple Google search.

It is also important to make sure your display will be compatible with the PC you decide to invest in, so don’t go out and buy a brand new 4K monitor for a PC that can only run games in 1080p resolution.

The main benefit of investing in a gaming PC is the opportunity to develop it as your knowledge expands, as you will often be able to buy new hardware to upgrade your build.

As such, it is recommended that you look into how many open slots the PC you want to buy has. More slots in a PC means more things you can put in it.

One of the more commonly overlooked features of a gaming PC is the cooling system, but it can be one of the most important aspects of a PC’s maintenance that you will encounter.

Having a PC with a good cooling system is imperative as it prevents your PC from overheating, which can be common during gaming sessions if you’re running other apps or programs alongside your games.

Liquid cooling systems, while very visually appealing, can be hard to maintain and more of a luxury item and so, for beginners, it is more likely that you will need a PC with a fan-based cooling system.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many GB Of RAM Do I Need For Gaming?

The majority of gaming PCs for beginners on the market right now will come with 8 GB of RAM as standard, but there is always the option to buy additional RAM to develop your PC to suit your needs.

How Long Will A PC Build Last?

The benefit of using a gaming PC, rather than a console, is the level of customization and longevity it provides to the user.

Whilst a less costly gaming PC for beginners may not have the same capabilities as a high-end console, there is potential for the user to upgrade it as they see fit, and so they can often outlast consoles in terms of both lifespan and relevancy.

It is, of course, important to preserve your PC’s lifespan through regular maintenance checks. This, however, is more up to the responsibility of the user, rather than the quality of the PC build.

Is A $500 Gaming PC Worth It?

When it comes to gaming PCs for beginners, $500 to $600 will be the typical entry point that one might be looking at when making a purchase.

While this does not mean there is anything intrinsically bad about the machines at this price, if you’re looking for something with a higher processing capability or higher graphical performance, you may want to consider increasing your budget.

This can mean either looking into pre-built gaming PCs with higher specifications than those at this price point or by looking into buying additional graphics cards or RAM for the PC you already have.