Best budget gaming PC 2022: top gaming desktops for less
Getting a gaming PC for cheap, however, is only a smart decision if that PC is actually good enough to use. And, that is where we come in. We’re here to help you find the best budget gaming PC for your needs and budget so you don’t end up with a lemon. Paired with an excellent gaming monitor, and you’ll be glad to have saved those bucks. And, the price comparison tool we included should help you find the best deals available.
OUR TOP PICKS FOR BEST BUDGET GAMING PC OF 2022
Best Budget Gaming PCs of 2022
1. Acer Predator Orion 3000
Affordable gaming at its best
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660
- Graphics: 10th-gen Inte Core i5
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
REASONS TO BUY
- Cool gamer aesthetic
- Great cooling solution
REASONS TO AVOID
- Higher configurations are pricey
Although the Acer Predator Orion 3000’s higher configurations are out of most budget gamers’ price range, its base configuration is very much accessible, sitting at under R16000. There’s still very much to love here, however, that GTX 1660 graphics card is still an excellent 1080p gaming contender even in the RTX 3000 world. Its RGB lighting and cooling solution only add to its value
2. Omen 25L
For AMD fans
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500, 7 3700X or 9 3900
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5500 – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
- RAM: 16GB – 32B DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SSD – 1TB + 2TB + 2TB
REASONS TO BUY
- Pretty cheap
- Tool-less access
- Great cooling
REASONS TO AVOID
- Unimaginative design
The Omen 25L’s rectangular black metal design isn’t going to turn heads anytime soon. That’s at least offset by its glass panel, but only barely. However, if you’re not too concerned about looks, this is among the best budget gaming PCs to hit the shelves in 2022 that won’t make a sizable dent in your bank account. With AMD configurations on hand, it’s perfect for AMD-leaning gamers. But, those that are loyal to Nvidia’s RTX line can partake as well, as you can configure it to have up to an RTX 2070 Super GPU. Still, it’s the price we can’t get over here – kitted out, the Omen 25L costs as much as many of the premium gaming PCs in their mid-range configuration. Only, this one’s got more memory and a lot more storage capacity.
3. MSI Trident 3 9th
A great performer
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: up to 9th-generation Intel Core i7
- Graphics: up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super
- RAM: up to 16GB
- Storage: up to 1TB
REASONS TO BUY
- Lots of power
- Compact
REASONS TO AVOID
- Come with bloated software
If looking good matters to you as much as power, then you might love the MSI Trident 3 9th, especially if you’re partial to a gaming-leaning aesthetic. It’s not all looks either. This small gaming PC touts plenty of power under the hood for less than its rivals, with 9th-generation Intel Core processors and the best Nvidia RTX and GTX graphics. It’s even cheaper than many of the gaming PCs on this list, with its Intel Core i7 + RTX 2060 Super +16GB RAM configuration setting you back much less than an HP Omen 25L with equivalent specs. If you’re trying to maximize your limited space and budget, this is the best budget gaming PC for you.
4. HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop
Great for work and play
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: up to AMD Ryzen 7
- Graphics: up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Super
- RAM: up to 16GB
- Storage: up to 1TB HDD + 512GB SSD
REASONS TO BUY
- Excellent value
- Productivity-friendly aesthetic
REASONS TO AVOID
- Specs aren’t future-proof
Trimming that gamer aesthetic look to the barest minimum, the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop fits just at home in any office as it does in someone’s game room. So, if you’re looking for a machine on which you can both play and work, this is just the ticket – giving you even more savings. It isn’t going to be a kitted-out machine, although if you shell out a little more for the higher configurations, you can score one with an RTX 3060. However, its lower configurations should be capable enough to see you through 1080p gaming.
5. Dell G5
Budget PC gaming at its best
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: 9th Gen Intel Core i3-9100 – i9 9900K
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 – RTX 2070
- RAM: 8GB – 64GB
- Storage: 1TBSSD – 1TB SSD + 2TB HDD
REASONS TO BUY
- Very affordable
- VR-ready configurations
REASONS TO AVOID
- Base models won’t get you through the most demanding games
A unique chassis coupled with a price to beat, Dell’s latest in its G series gaming PCs is a solid contender as among the best budget gaming PCs out there. The Dell G5 boasts 9th-generation Intel chips as well as Nvidia’s most powerful gaming GTX and RTX graphics cards, starting with an i3 processor and the GTX 1650 to handle many powerful games without burning a whole in your pocket. Of course, if you’ve got more case to spare, its VR ready configurations are also on hand, though even those are absolutely affordable.
6. Intel Ghost Canyon NUC
Small, but dangerous
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: 9th-generation Intel Core i5 – i9
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630
- RAM: 8GB – 64B DDR4
- Storage: 128GB SSD – 2TB + 2TB
REASONS TO BUY
- Affordable at its low configurations
- Highly upgradeable
- Great performance
REASONS TO AVOID
- Can get pretty pricey at the highest configurations
Intel’s NUC has come a long way from its humble beginnings. For example, while the previous Hades Canyon didn’t come with a RAM or storage, the newer Ghost Canyon has both. In fact, not only does it have more offerings now in terms of specs, but it’s also highly configurable so you can personalize it to your liking before hitting that buy button. With 9th-generation Intel Core chips, up to 64GB of memory and up to 4TB dual storage, we’re all for it. The only catch is that it’s pricier now as well. The lower configurations are still quite affordable, however, and among the best budget gaming PCs for the budget-conscious.
