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As gaming continues to grow in popularity, finding a powerful yet affordable gaming PC can be a challenge. With so many options out there, gamers on a budget often wonder if they can get a good gaming PC for $600 without compromising on performance. The answer is yes—there are plenty of prebuilt gaming PCs under $600 that offer great value for their price, delivering smooth gameplay and solid performance for both entry-level and seasoned gamers alike.
In this guide, we’ll dive into five of the best gaming PCs under $600 that you can buy right now. Whether you're looking for a machine that can handle AAA titles or something to run esports games smoothly, these systems offer a mix of performance, upgradability, and affordability. Plus, we’ll explore how these prebuilt systems compare to building your own, and provide tips on which components you can upgrade in the future to extend your PC’s lifespan.
Prebuilt Gaming PCs vs. Building Your Own
When deciding between buying a prebuilt gaming PC under $600 or building your own, there are key factors to consider, including cost, performance, and upgradeability.
Cost & Performance
Prebuilt gaming PCs offer the convenience of being ready to use straight out of the box. For beginners or those without much technical knowledge, these systems are a good option. However, building your own PC often provides better specs for the same budget. If you're comfortable with assembling your own rig, a custom build can give you more control over component quality and performance. For instance, you can follow guides on how to build a gaming PC for under $500 or create a high-end setup using a gaming PC build for $1000, depending on your budget.
Customization & Upgradability
Building your own PC offers significant advantages in terms of long-term value and upgrades. You can choose a more robust power supply or motherboard, which will allow you to install future upgrades like better graphics cards or more RAM without major issues. Prebuilt PCs, while often upgradeable, sometimes use proprietary components or lower-end power supplies, which can limit future upgrade options. Learn more about overall gaming setup costs in this guide on how much a gaming setup costs.
Gaming Accessories & Setup Ideas
Whether you choose prebuilt or custom-built, your gaming experience can be enhanced by optimizing your setup. Essential gaming PC accessories such as high-quality headsets, mechanical keyboards, and gaming mice can make a big difference. Additionally, consider setting up your gaming desk with a dual-monitor system or an aesthetic layout for better gameplay. Check out these gaming PC setup ideas for inspiration.
Top 5 Prebuilt Gaming PCs Under $600
Finding a good gaming PC for 600 dollars can feel like a tall order, but the prebuilt market offers plenty of options for gamers on a budget. Whether you're new to PC gaming or simply looking for an affordable upgrade, these five prebuilt gaming PCs under $600 offer great performance at a reasonable price. Let’s dive into each option and explore the upgrade potential, build quality, and overall value.
1. Alarco Gaming PC Desktop
Specs:
- Intel 3.70GHz
- 16GB RAM
- AMD RX 580 8GB
- 512GB SSD
- Windows 11 Pro
Why it’s great:
The Alarco Gaming PC is one of the best budget gaming PCs under $600, offering solid 1080p performance with its RX 580 graphics card. This PC can handle popular titles like Fortnite, Valorant, and Minecraft without breaking a sweat. The 16GB RAM is ideal for multitasking and ensures you won't experience performance bottlenecks in games that demand more memory.
Drawbacks:
While the RX 580 is capable, the Intel Pentium processor is somewhat outdated, which might limit performance in more graphically intense games.
Upgrade potential:
This PC is fairly upgradeable. You can swap out the processor for a more powerful one (if compatible with the motherboard), and you can also add more storage through additional SSD or HDD.
Best for: Gamers focused on esports titles and less graphically demanding AAA games.
2. STGAubron Gaming PC Desktop
Specs:
- Intel i7-6700
- 32GB RAM
- GeForce RTX 2060 Super
- 1TB SSD
Why it’s great:
The STGAubron Gaming PC pushes the boundaries of what you can expect in a prebuilt gaming PC under $600. With an i7-6700 processor and RTX 2060 Super GPU, it offers high frame rates in AAA games like GTA V, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Cyberpunk 2077. Additionally, the 32GB of RAM is overkill for most gaming needs, but it provides excellent performance for streaming, content creation, or heavy multitasking.
Drawbacks:
Its price is close to $600, meaning you may need to stretch your budget slightly. However, given the RTX 2060 Super’s performance, it’s worth the extra investment.
Upgrade potential:
Already built to handle high-end gaming, the main upgrades you might consider would be a larger SSD or a more modern CPU, though the i7-6700 should be powerful for years to come.
Best for: Gamers looking for great performance in modern AAA titles and multitasking enthusiasts who want the best possible specs under $600.
3. NOVATECH Phantom Gaming PC
Specs:
- Intel Xeon i7
- 16GB RAM
- AMD RX 580 8GB
- 512GB SSD
Why it’s great:
This PC uses an Intel Xeon i7 processor, typically found in server-grade machines, paired with an AMD RX 580 GPU. This makes the NOVATECH Phantom a powerful option for gamers who want a durable and high-performing machine that excels at both gaming and multitasking. Its sleek design and RGB lighting add an aesthetic touch to your setup, while the 512GB SSD provides quick load times and smooth gameplay in games like Apex Legends and Rocket League.
Drawbacks:
The Xeon i7 processor is not optimized specifically for gaming, which may limit its performance compared to other CPUs like Ryzen or newer Intel models. However, it's still a powerful CPU, especially for multitasking and content creation.
Upgrade potential:
You can easily upgrade this PC by adding more RAM or expanding the storage. Additionally, you could replace the RX 580 GPU for something more modern when you're ready for an upgrade.
Best for: Gamers and streamers looking for a reliable, visually appealing system with strong multitasking capabilities.
4. Aura GC2 AMD 3100 Gaming PC
Specs:
- AMD Ryzen 3100
- 16GB RAM
- GTX 1660 Super
- 1TB SSD
Why it’s great:
Featuring the Ryzen 3100 CPU and GTX 1660 Super, the Aura GC2 is a beast for 1080p gaming. It handles games like The Witcher 3 and Far Cry 5 on medium to high settings with ease. The 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD offer fast load times and enough memory for most gaming applications, while the GTX 1660 Super is one of the best budget GPUs on the market.
Drawbacks:
The 450W power supply could be limiting for future upgrades, but the build is efficient for the components it houses.
Upgrade potential:
Upgrading the PSU to something more powerful would allow you to install higher-end GPUs in the future. RAM and storage can also be expanded as needed.
Best for: Esports gamers and entry-level AAA gamers who want solid 1080p performance without breaking the bank.
5. Skytech Chronos Mini Gaming PC
Specs:
- Intel Core i3-10100F
- GTX 1650
- 500GB SSD
- 8GB RAM
Why it’s great:
The Skytech Chronos Mini is an entry-level gaming PC under $600 designed for casual gamers. The GTX 1650 allows for 1080p gaming in popular titles like League of Legends, Fortnite, and Valorant. Its stylish RGB case is a bonus, offering aesthetic appeal without the need for extra customization.
Drawbacks:
With only 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i3 processor, it’s not designed for high-end AAA games, but it handles light-to-medium gaming perfectly.
Upgrade potential:
Upgrading to 16GB RAM would greatly improve multitasking and future-proof the system. A GPU upgrade might also be needed down the line to keep up with more demanding titles.
Best for: Casual gamers looking for style, budget, and decent 1080p gaming performance.
Upgrade Potential of Prebuilt PCs in This Price Range
While these prebuilt gaming PCs under $600 are excellent for starting your gaming journey, many of them offer significant upgrade potential:
- RAM: Most systems allow you to upgrade from 8GB to 16GB, greatly improving multitasking and future-proofing the system. For a deeper understanding of how RAM compares to storage upgrades like SSDs, check out this guide on RAM vs. SSD.
- Storage: Adding an additional SSD or HDD is a common upgrade for gamers who need more space for their game libraries. Learn more about the advantages of upgrading storage in this detailed breakdown of how much it costs to build a gaming PC, where storage is a key factor in performance.
- Graphics Cards: Some systems come with GPUs that are great for 1080p gaming but may struggle with 1440p or 4K. Upgrading to a better GPU, like the RTX 2060 or GTX 1660 Ti, can extend the PC’s lifespan.
- Power Supply: Many budget PCs include lower-wattage power supplies. Upgrading the PSU allows for future GPU upgrades and better overall system stability.
Upgrading your gaming setup can go beyond the internal components of your PC. Many gamers opt to enhance their experience by adding a second monitor for multitasking or immersive gameplay. A gaming dual monitor setup can drastically improve productivity during gaming and streaming sessions, providing extra screen real estate for better control over in-game actions and tasks. If you’re going for a clean aesthetic, take a look at ideas for creating the perfect white gaming setup or check out essential gaming stuff for your room to complete your ideal gaming space.
If you’re using a gaming laptop and want to connect it to a larger display, upgrading your monitor setup is essential for an immersive experience. Here’s a helpful guide on connecting a laptop to a monitor, which can walk you through the process step-by-step.
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FAQs
Can these PCs run AAA games?
Yes, most of these PCs can run AAA games at 1080p with medium to high settings, but performance will vary depending on the specific game and system specs.
Is 8GB of RAM enough for gaming?
While 8GB of RAM is sufficient for many esports titles, upgrading to 16GB is recommended for a smoother gaming experience and better multitasking.
Are these PCs good for future upgrades?
Yes, many of these systems are designed with upgrade potential in mind. You can upgrade components like RAM, storage, and even the GPU to extend the life of the PC.
For a detailed comparison, you can check out this guide on NVIDIA vs. AMD: Which is Better?.
Is a prebuilt gaming PC under $600 a good investment?
Absolutely! Prebuilt systems in this price range offer great value, especially for gamers who want to start playing right away without the hassle of building a system.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best budget gaming PC under $600, these prebuilt systems deliver strong performance at an affordable price. From the versatile STGAubron Gaming PC to the entry-level Skytech Chronos Mini, there’s an option for every type of gamer. Each PC offers unique advantages, and with the ability to upgrade components, you can future-proof your setup without breaking the bank.
Beyond just the PC, optimizing your entire gaming setup can make a huge difference in your gaming experience. This Black Friday, don't miss out on deals for upgrading your gaming station. Check out the latest Black Friday gaming desk deals to find ergonomic and spacious desks perfect for gaming, and pair it with a Black Friday gaming chair that provides comfort during long gaming sessions.
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