Ultimate Gaming PCs for Budget-Conscious Enthusiasts in 2025

This guide helps you choose the best budget gaming PC, avoiding the complexities of building your own. While building can save money, component costs quickly escalate. Fortunately, excellent pre-built options exist without breaking the bank. Budget choices might lack top-tier components like an RTX 5090, but high-end specs are often unnecessary for most gamers. Our experts have rigorously tested numerous PCs, selecting five affordable and capable choices (four desktops and one handheld).

TL;DR: Top Budget Gaming PCs

### Alienware Aurora R16

3See it at Dell### HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop

4See it at HP### MSI Codex R2

5See it at AmazonSee it at Best Buy### CLX Set

5See it at CLX### Asus Rog Ally Z1

1See it at AmazonBudget PCs compromise on peak performance. However, GPUs like the RTX 4060, Intel Arc B580, and AMD Radeon RX 7600 offer solid performance at affordable prices, sufficient for most gamers. An RTX 4070 is feasible, paired with an Intel Core i5. All selected PCs deliver high frame rates at 1080p, with some handling 1440p. The advantage of affordable PCs is the potential for future upgrades.

See our guide comparing gaming PCs and laptops.

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Most Crucial Component in a Budget Gaming PC?

CPUGraphics CardMemoryStorageOtherAnswerSee ResultsContributions by Ural Garrett, Danielle Abraham, Georgie Peru

(Detailed PC Reviews follow, retaining original image placement and formatting. Due to length constraints, only summaries are provided below. Full details are available in the original text.)

1. Alienware Aurora R16: A compact, high-performing PC under $2000 with an Intel Core i7 and RTX 4070 Super. Proprietary components may limit future upgrades.

2. HP Omen 25L Gaming Desktop: A 1080p gaming PC under $1500 with an Intel Core i5 and GTX 1660 Super. Upgradable due to standard components.

3. MSI Codex R2: A 1080p gaming PC under $1000 featuring an Intel Core i5 and RTX 4060. Upgradable chassis, but basic CPU cooler.

4. CLX Set: A 1080p gaming PC under $800 with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G and integrated Radeon RX Vega 7 graphics. Roomy, easily upgradable chassis and lifetime labor warranty.

5. Asus ROG Ally Z1: A handheld gaming PC under $500 running Windows 11. Not a desktop, but a strong portable option.

(Additional sections on pricing, component considerations, FAQs, and UK options are omitted for brevity but are present in the original text.)