With more people staying home due to Covid-19 and more people getting into gaming, having a decent gaming PC can go a very long way. Many PC gamers will automatically advise those new to PC gaming to build their own PC. But that’s not always a viable option, especially for those new to gamer tech. Not everyone wants to spend the time or effort to put together a PC, especially not for their first PC gaming experience. It always boils down to a person’s needs and time. And buying the right gaming desktop is very convenient.

So we’re going to focus on finding a cheap gaming PC, not laptops.

Why Pre-built Desktops Are Absolutely a Viable Option

It’s one thing to go out and buy a desktop for your work from home business, education, or other projects and uses. It’s quite another to buy a desktop for gaming. And if it’s your first time looking for a cheap gaming PC, one thing you will hear all across the gaming community is, “Build your own. It’s so much cheaper.” Having that hurled at you from all sides can be incredibly intimidating and you might rush to your nearest Best Buy or Walmart and just buy whatever’s cheapest. PLEASE DON’T DO THAT. Let us help you.

While building your own PC is the preference of a majority of PC gamers, there is very good reason to buy pre-built. The main reason to buy pre-built is because you just don’t feel like building a PC on your own. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Another reason to go with a pre-built gaming PC is that you get something extra with a pre-built—exclusive parts and components, pre-installed software, and warranty-safe overclocking. With tariffs placed on China, buying PC components can be a bit more difficult with supply chains running low on product as well as price increases. Not to mention, customer service, and quality assurance to properly test a PC before it goes out.

With building your own PC, there’s a lot of research involved in purchasing and assembling. And there are hundreds of YouTube videos to help you with the process. Building your own PC is also incredibly rewarding for those who do it. But if you don’t have the time or just don’t want to build a PC, you can build a custom PC with a service like NZXT BLD or buy a pre-built gaming desktop.

Specifications to Look for in a Gaming Desktop

When buying a pre-built gaming desktop, you need to understand the specifications that will allow you to play your games seamlessly. You need to consider how much memory you need, how many games it can store, and whether your gaming PC will be able to process the games you want to play. And of course, think about how you want your PC to look. So, you’re looking at RAM, Processor, GPU, Storage, and Chassis.

RAM

Most games recommend 8GB of RAM, but 16GB is preferred.

Processor

Processors determine how your computer will perform while executing software. Performance is determined by cores and range between 1 and 16 cores. The higher the core, the better. Also, there are two processing brands you will need to choose from: AMD or Intel. Intel is associated high performance, especially for gaming. When looking at computers, you’ll see i5, i7, i9, etc. Note that i5 is the absolute lowest you should consider when purchasing a new or even used gaming computer, desktop or laptop.

GPU

The standard entry level GPU is either an Nvidia GTX 1650 or AMD RX 570. If you want something with more power, look for a higher number GPU, ie RTX 2060 or AMD RX 5700. Remember, the higher the number, the more powerful the GPU. Keep in mind, however, a lower number that is super-clocked might be a better option.

Storage

You need plenty of storage. How else would access all of your games? Look for an SSD or solid state drive. Look for 512GB to 2TB. SSDs are a lot faster and not as expensive as they used to be. If you play a select few games, you could get away with a little less.

Chassis/Tower

This is all about visual preference and spatial needs. Do you want a clear tower that displays really cool internal lightning? Do you want a tower that takes minimal space? These are things to consider when looking for a case for your computer.

5 Desktop Computers Under $1500

When people new to PC gaming are looking for a gaming PC, they typically set their budget to $500 when inquiring in forums and groups. Here’s the thing: you will rarely find a decent gaming PC under $500. What’s also important to note is that you will rarely find a computer with an i7 processor for less than $1200. But an i5 processor is still great, especially as a starter gaming comp. But we found one. One.

A budget-friendly option with strong VR-ready performance, the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme is great for those looking to get into virtual reality gaming or AAA titles.

One of the cool things about buying an Alienware PC is the ability to customize your PC however you want it, with the exception of the chassis. If parts and components aren’t compatible while you are customizing your gaming PC, the customization process won’t let you continue until you adjust the components.

This PC is perfect for those who want solid gaming performance without spending a fortune. The GTX 1660 Super GPU handles modern games smoothly, and the ample storage ensures plenty of room for your growing library.

This desktop offers a beastly design with an impressive SSD for fast load times and a reliable GTX 1650 GPU, which provides good entry-level gaming performance.

This PC is ideal for gamers who want solid performance without going over budget. The GTX 1660 graphics card and Intel i5 processor ensure smooth gameplay, while the 500GB SSD offers fast storage for all your games.

Whether you are shopping for the holidays or just stepping into the world PC gaming, we know these desktops won’t break the bank. How did we find them? By researching what the computer experts were suggesting and narrowing it down to the least expensive desktops they all had in common.