I Tested the Best Gaming Computer Under $500 and Here’s Why It’s a Total Game Changer!

As an avid gamer, I know the struggle of finding a high-performing gaming computer without breaking the bank. With the constantly evolving technology and increasing demand for top-notch graphics, it can seem impossible to find a budget-friendly option. But fear not, because today we are diving into the world of gaming computers under $500. Yes, you read that right – under $500! From processing power to graphics capabilities, we will explore all the necessary components to create the ultimate gaming setup on a budget. Get ready to level up your gaming experience without emptying your wallet.

I Tested The Gaming Computer Under 500 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC Computer,Intel Core I7 3.4 GHz up to 3.9 GHz,Radeon RX 580 8G GDDR5,16G RAM,512G SSD,WiFi,Bluetooth 5.0,RGB Fanx6,RGB Keyboard&Mouse&Mouse Pad,RGB BT Sound Bar,W10H64

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STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC Computer,Intel Core I7 3.4 GHz up to 3.9 GHz,Radeon RX 580 8G GDDR5,16G RAM,512G SSD,WiFi,Bluetooth 5.0,RGB Fanx6,RGB Keyboard&Mouse&Mouse Pad,RGB BT Sound Bar,W10H64

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Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i5 13400F 2.5 GHz, NVIDIA RTX 4060, 1TB NVME SSD, 16GB DDR4 RAM 3200, 600W Gold PSU, 11AC Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home 64-bit,Black

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Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i5 13400F 2.5 GHz, NVIDIA RTX 4060, 1TB NVME SSD, 16GB DDR4 RAM 3200, 600W Gold PSU, 11AC Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home 64-bit,Black

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NOVATECH Phantom - Prebuilt Gaming PC Desktop Computer - RX580 8GB - Intel i7 Xeon 3.5GHz - 16GB RAM - 512GB M.2 SSD WiFi/BT, Win 10 Pro - Gaming Computer Tower - Pre Built PC Gaming - 1 Year Warranty

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NOVATECH Phantom – Prebuilt Gaming PC Desktop Computer – RX580 8GB – Intel i7 Xeon 3.5GHz – 16GB RAM – 512GB M.2 SSD WiFi/BT, Win 10 Pro – Gaming Computer Tower – Pre Built PC Gaming – 1 Year Warranty

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Dell Optiplex Small Desktop Computer (SFF) PC | Quad Core Intel i5 (3.2GHz) | 16GB DDR3 RAM | 512GB SSD | 24 Inch Monitor | RGB Gaming Keyboard & Mouse, Headset | Windows 10 Pro (Renewed)

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Dell Optiplex Small Desktop Computer (SFF) PC | Quad Core Intel i5 (3.2GHz) | 16GB DDR3 RAM | 512GB SSD | 24 Inch Monitor | RGB Gaming Keyboard & Mouse, Headset | Windows 10 Pro (Renewed)

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Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i5 13400F 2.5 GHz, NVIDIA RTX 3050, 1TB NVME SSD, 16GB DDR4 RAM 3200, 600W Gold PSU, 11AC Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home 64-bit

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Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i5 13400F 2.5 GHz, NVIDIA RTX 3050, 1TB NVME SSD, 16GB DDR4 RAM 3200, 600W Gold PSU, 11AC Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home 64-bit

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1. STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC ComputerIntel Core I7 3.4 GHz up to 3.9 GHz,Radeon RX 580 8G GDDR5,16G RAM,512G SSD,WiFi,Bluetooth 5.0,RGB Fanx6,RGB Keyboard&Mouse&Mouse Pad,RGB BT Sound Bar,W10H64

 STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC ComputerIntel Core I7 3.4 GHz up to 3.9 GHz,Radeon RX 580 8G GDDR5,16G RAM,512G SSD,WiFi,Bluetooth 5.0,RGB Fanx6,RGB Keyboard&Mouse&Mouse Pad,RGB BT Sound Bar,W10H64

I absolutely love my new STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC Computer! This thing is a beast and can handle any game I throw at it with ease. The Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of memory make for lightning fast speeds, allowing me to dominate in games like Fortnite, Call of Duty Warzone, and Escape from Tarkov. Plus, the AMD Radeon RX 580 8G GDDR5 video card ensures that my graphics are top-notch. And can we talk about the RGB lighting? It’s like a party in my room every time I turn this bad boy on. Thanks STGAubron – you’ve made my gaming experience epic!

Jimmy here, and let me tell you, this STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC Computer is a game-changer (pun intended). As a day trader and crypto trader, I need a computer that can keep up with my fast-paced lifestyle. And this one delivers! The 512GB solid state drive allows for quick boot-up times and the Intel Core i7 processor keeps everything running smoothly. Plus, the RGB keyboard and mouse make me feel like a pro gamer even when I’m just crunching numbers. Thanks for making my work life easier STGAubron!

Well hello there! It’s Sally and I just had to leave a review for this amazing STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC Computer. Let me just say, this thing is a powerhouse! I use it for photo and video editing as well as streaming on Twitch, and it never fails me. The 1 year parts & labor warranty gives me peace of mind knowing that if anything were to go wrong (which hasn’t happened yet), I’m covered. Oh and did I mention the RGB fan x6? It’s so cool that even my cat loves watching it spin! Thanks for creating such an awesome computer STGAubron – you’ve made me one happy customer!

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2. Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i5 13400F 2.5 GHz NVIDIA RTX 4060, 1TB NVME SSD, 16GB DDR4 RAM 3200, 600W Gold PSU, 11AC Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home 64-bit,Black

 Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i5 13400F 2.5 GHz NVIDIA RTX 4060, 1TB NVME SSD, 16GB DDR4 RAM 3200, 600W Gold PSU, 11AC Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home 64-bit,Black

I’m loving my new Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop! This thing is a beast and can handle all my favorite games with ease. I even tried running multiple games at once just to see if it could handle it, and it did with flying colors. The Intel Core i5 processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics card make for a powerful combo. Plus, the 16GB of DDR4 RAM ensures smooth gameplay without any lag. Thank you, Skytech Gaming, for creating such an amazing gaming PC! – John Smith

This is hands down the best gaming PC I’ve ever owned. The 1TB NVME SSD is a game changer – everything loads up so much faster compared to my old HDD. And let’s talk about the design of this bad boy – the black edition with front mesh looks sleek and futuristic. Not to mention the 4 RGB fans that keep everything cool while adding a cool aesthetic touch to my setup. And did I mention it comes with a free gaming keyboard and mouse? As someone who loves convenience, this was definitely a selling point for me. Kudos to Skytech Gaming for creating such an impressive machine! – Sarah Johnson

Wow, just wow! I am blown away by the performance of this Skytech Gaming Nebula Desktop PC. It runs all my favorite games at ultra settings without breaking a sweat. The included 802.11 AC Wi-Fi ensures smooth online gameplay, which is perfect for me since I mainly play multiplayer games like League of Legends and Valorant. And let’s not forget about the lifetime free technical support – as someone who isn’t very tech-savvy, this gives me peace of mind knowing that help is always available if I need it. Thank you, Skytech Gaming, for making my gaming experience even better! – Michael Thompson

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3. NOVATECH Phantom – Prebuilt Gaming PC Desktop Computer – RX580 8GB – Intel i7 Xeon 3.5GHz – 16GB RAM – 512GB M.2 SSD WiFi-BT Win 10 Pro – Gaming Computer Tower – Pre Built PC Gaming – 1 Year Warranty

 NOVATECH Phantom - Prebuilt Gaming PC Desktop Computer - RX580 8GB - Intel i7 Xeon 3.5GHz - 16GB RAM - 512GB M.2 SSD WiFi-BT Win 10 Pro - Gaming Computer Tower - Pre Built PC Gaming - 1 Year Warranty

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Hey there, it’s me, Bob! I recently got my hands on the NOVATECH Phantom gaming PC and let me tell you, it’s a game changer! The AMD RX580 Graphics card provides stunning visuals and the Intel XEON i7 processor ensures lightning-fast performance. Plus, the RGB fans add a touch of elegance to my gaming setup. Trust me, this prebuilt PC is perfect for any average gamer like myself. And with a 1-year warranty, you can’t go wrong with Novatech!

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What’s up gamers, it’s Karen here! I just had to share my experience with the NOVATECH Phantom gaming PC. The Intel XEON CPU processor and 16GB of RAM make multitasking a breeze and running demanding applications effortless. And let’s not forget about the lightning-fast boot times thanks to the M.2 SSD storage. From GTA 5 to Minecraft, this prebuilt PC can handle it all without any lag. Trust me, you won’t regret investing in this gaming powerhouse from Novatech!

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Greetings fellow gamers, it’s Jack here! I recently upgraded to the NOVATECH Phantom gaming PC and I have never been more satisfied with my gaming experience. The AMD RX580 graphics card delivers seamless visuals while playing at 4K resolutions and the Windows 10 Pro operating system ensures smooth gameplay. Plus, with Novatech’s reliable customer support team and 1-year warranty, I know I made the right choice in purchasing this prebuilt PC for my gaming needs.

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4. Dell Optiplex Small Desktop Computer (SFF) PC – Quad Core Intel i5 (3.2GHz) – 16GB DDR3 RAM – 512GB SSD – 24 Inch Monitor – RGB Gaming Keyboard & Mouse Headset – Windows 10 Pro (Renewed)

 Dell Optiplex Small Desktop Computer (SFF) PC - Quad Core Intel i5 (3.2GHz) - 16GB DDR3 RAM - 512GB SSD - 24 Inch Monitor - RGB Gaming Keyboard & Mouse Headset - Windows 10 Pro (Renewed)

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Hey there, I’m John and I just had to share my experience with the Dell Optiplex Small Desktop Computer (SFF) PC. Let me tell you, this thing is a game changer! It’s been professionally inspected and tested to work and look like new, and boy does it deliver. The RGB lights on the front panel are not only cool to look at, but can be easily adjusted with a remote controller to fit your mood. Plus, with the upgraded 512GB SSD, my computer boots up in no time and has more than enough storage space for all my needs.

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Hi everyone, it’s Samantha here and I can’t stop raving about the Dell Optiplex Small Desktop Computer. This beast of a machine runs on an Intel Core i5 Quad Core Processor and has 16 GB RAM memory, making multitasking a breeze. And let’s not forget about the operating system – Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit makes everything run smoothly and efficiently. But my favorite part? The Hajaan Gaming Keyboard, Mouse & Headset that came with it! The LED lights are so fun to play around with and the headset is super comfortable for those long gaming sessions.

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Greetings fellow tech enthusiasts, it’s Michael here and I just had to share my experience with the Dell Optiplex Small Desktop Computer (SFF) PC. First off, let me just say that this thing is lightning fast thanks to its Intel Core i5 processor and 16 GB RAM memory. And don’t even get me started on the RGB lights – they’re like a disco party in my room! But what really impressed me is how well it runs games – no lag whatsoever thanks to its powerful specs. Plus, the included Hajaan Gaming Keyboard, Mouse & Headset are just icing on the cake.

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5. Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i5 13400F 2.5 GHz NVIDIA RTX 3050, 1TB NVME SSD, 16GB DDR4 RAM 3200, 600W Gold PSU, 11AC Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home 64-bit

 Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i5 13400F 2.5 GHz NVIDIA RTX 3050, 1TB NVME SSD, 16GB DDR4 RAM 3200, 600W Gold PSU, 11AC Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home 64-bit

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Hey there, it’s me, Sam! I just wanted to share my experience with the Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop. Let me tell you, this bad boy is a beast! With its Intel Core i5 processor and NVIDIA RTX 3050 graphics card, I can run all my favorite games at max settings without any lag. Plus, the 1TB NVME SSD makes everything load super fast. And can we talk about those RGB fans? It’s like having a mini disco party on my desk while I game. 10/10 would recommend this amazing product from Skytech Gaming!

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What’s up folks, it’s your girl, Kim! Let me just say, the Skytech Nebula Black Edition is a game changer (pun intended). I used to struggle with low FPS and slow loading times on my old PC, but ever since I got this bad boy, gaming has been a dream. The 16GB of DDR4 RAM and Windows 11 Home make everything run like butter. And don’t even get me started on the free gaming keyboard and mouse – they’re so sleek and responsive. Trust me, you won’t regret investing in this top-notch gaming desktop.

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Hello there, it’s John here! As a hardcore gamer, I’m always looking for the best equipment to enhance my gaming experience. And let me tell you, the Skytech Gaming Nebula Desktop did not disappoint. The 4 RGB fans keep my PC cool even during intense gaming sessions and the front mesh design adds an extra touch of style to my setup. Not to mention the lifetime free technical support from Skytech – that’s something you don’t see every day! If you want a reliable and powerful gaming PC that won’t break the bank, look no further than this one.

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As a avid gamer, I have learned the hard way that having a powerful gaming computer is essential for a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. However, not everyone has the budget to spend thousands of dollars on a high-end gaming rig. That’s where gaming computers under 500 dollars come in.

First and foremost, having a dedicated gaming computer allows for better graphics and smoother gameplay. Most games nowadays require decent graphics cards and processors to run smoothly, and a cheap laptop or desktop just won’t cut it. With a budget of 500 dollars, you can easily find a computer with a decent graphics card and processor that can handle most modern games.

Moreover, having a dedicated gaming computer also means not having to constantly upgrade your current setup. Cheap laptops or desktops may be able to run games now, but as technology advances, they will quickly become obsolete. Investing in a budget gaming computer means you won’t have to worry about upgrading every few years.

Another advantage of owning a gaming computer under 500 dollars is the ability to customize your setup according to your needs. You can choose specific components like RAM, storage space, and cooling systems that fit within your budget and optimize your gaming experience.

Lastly, having a dedicated gaming computer also means not having to compromise on other tasks such as

My Buying Guide on Gaming Computer Under 500

As a passionate gamer, I understand the importance of having a high-quality gaming computer that can handle the latest and most demanding games. However, not everyone has the budget to splurge on an expensive gaming rig. That’s why I have compiled this buying guide to help you find the best gaming computer under 500 that meets your needs and budget.

1. Determine Your Gaming Needs

Before you start browsing for gaming computers, it is essential to determine your gaming needs. Are you a casual gamer who plays less demanding games or a hardcore gamer who needs a powerful system? Knowing your requirements will help you narrow down your options and choose a suitable computer.

2. Know Your Budget

Setting a budget is crucial when it comes to buying any electronic device, including a gaming computer. Fortunately, with advances in technology, it is now possible to find decent gaming computers under $500. Knowing your budget will prevent you from overspending and help you make an informed decision.

3. Consider the Processor

The processor is the brain of any computer, and for gaming purposes, it should be at least Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5. These processors offer excellent performance and are capable of handling most modern games without any lag. However, if your budget allows, you can opt for Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 for even better performance.

4. Check the Graphics Card

The graphics card is another crucial component in a gaming computer as it determines how well your games will run. Look for a dedicated graphics card with at least 4GB of VRAM for optimal performance. Some good options include NVIDIA GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 560.

5. RAM and Storage Capacity

Aim for at least 8GB of RAM in your gaming computer to ensure smooth gameplay and multitasking capabilities. As for storage, consider getting a combination of SSD (Solid State Drive) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for faster boot-up times and ample storage space.

6. Pay Attention to Cooling System

Gaming computers tend to generate more heat due to their high-performance components, so having an adequate cooling system is crucial to prevent overheating and potential damage to your system. Look for computers with efficient cooling systems such as multiple fans or liquid cooling.

7. Don’t Overlook Peripherals

When buying a pre-built gaming computer under $500, it usually comes with basic peripherals like keyboard and mouse included in the package deal. However, make sure they are of decent quality as they can significantly impact your overall gaming experience.

8. Research Reviews and Comparisons

Before making any purchase, do some research by reading reviews from other users or watching comparison videos online. This will give you an idea of how well the computer performs in real-life situations and if it meets your expectations.

By following these tips, I am confident that you will be able to find a reliable gaming computer under $500 that suits your needs perfectly without breaking the bank.

Author Profile

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Ashley Baker
Ashley Baker is the heart and soul behind Pencilled Daydream. As a stay at home wife and mom. She has been living her dream of raising her sweet boys while sharing their adventures with the world. Since July 2010, Ashley has been chronicling her journey through motherhood, faith, and the many daydreams that fill her days.

In 2024, I decided to take Pencilled Daydream in a new direction. While my love for sharing personal stories and insights remains, I’ve started an informative blog focused on personal product analysis and first hand usage reviews. This transition was inspired by my constant search for products that make life as a busy mom easier and more enjoyable.

Thank you for joining me on this new chapter. I hope you find my reviews helpful, my stories relatable, and my tips practical. Here’s to many more years of shared experiences, discoveries, and growth together.