Gaming Without Breaking The Bank: The Best Prebuilt PC Under $800 FTW!
If you're a serious PC gamer but don't have $1,000+ to drop on a custom build, fear not! There are actually some surprisingly decent prebuilt gaming desktops you can get for under $800.
Sure, building your own PC will always offer the greatest performance per dollar. But prebuilt systems have come a long way in recent years, offering factory configurations that pack serious specs and features into mid-range price brackets. And for many of us, the convenience of just opening the box and being able to instantly game, rather than spending hours assembling parts, is well worth the modest premium.
In this article, we'll look at the highest-performing prebuilt gaming PCs currently available for under $800. From specs and processing power to upgradeability and overall value, we'll review some of the best factory-built options for budget-conscious gamers who still want a solid gaming experience.
Quick Comparison of Our Top Picks of Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $800
1. HP Pavilion - Best High Specs Prebuilt Gaming PC for Budget Gamers
Best High Specs Prebuilt Gaming PC for Budget Gamers
HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop, AMD Radeon RX 5500, AMD Ryzen 3 5300G Processor, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD
If you're looking for an affordable way to get into PC gaming without compromising too much on performance, the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop promises to deliver the goods.
For less than $800, this system offers some surprisingly capable specs that allow it to run many modern games surprisingly well - at least for a while. You get an AMD Ryzen 3 5300G processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, providing enough grunt for multitasking and handling less demanding titles. The integrated Radeon RX 5500 graphics with 4GB of dedicated video memory can manage most eSports games and even some AAA games on lower settings at 1080p.
Key Features
AMD Ryzen 3 5300G processor with 8 processing threads
AMD Radeon RX 5500 graphics with 4GB VRAM
8GB DDR4 RAM (user upgradeable via 2 RAM slots)
512GB SSD storage plus room for an additional hard drive
USB ports including USB-C for connecting peripherals
The compact, stylish tower design
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Strong specs for the price
Ability to upgrade RAM
Plenty of storage and USB ports
Stylish design fits most spaces
Cons:
The graphics card could be better
Processor and storage not upgradeable
2. MINISFORUM Venus Series UM690 - Powerful and Affordable Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $800
Powerful and Affordable Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $800
MINISFORUM Venus Series UM690 Mini PC AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX Windows 11 Pro
The MINISFORUM Venus Series UM690 is a potent yet affordable mini PC designed for productivity, content creation, home, and light gaming use.
For under $800, this mini PC punches way above its weight class by including components typically found in much pricier systems. You get an incredibly powerful AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, a generous 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM, and AMD Radeon graphics - all packed into a tiny, stylish chassis. The result is a productivity powerhouse that can also handle casual gaming, offered at an unexpectedly good value.
Additionally, this mini PC delivers the performance you'd expect from a much pricier system. The AMD Ryzen 9 processor provides massive processing muscle for multitasking between dozens of programs, while easily handling demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and more. Lastly, the 32GB of speedy DDR5 RAM and ultrarapid 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD provide a supremely responsive and fast computing experience for content creators, professionals, and casual gamers alike.
Key Features
AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX 8-core processor delivers exceptional performance for productivity tasks and content creation
32GB of fast DDR5-4800 RAM offers plenty of memory for multitasking
512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD provides ample and very fast storage
Integrated AMD Radeon 680M graphics can handle light/casual gaming
2.5Gbps LAN port and 8K-ready HDMI 2.1 output for connecting to monitors and displays
The compact and stylish mini PC form factor takes up minimal space on your desk
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Impressive performance from the AMD Ryzen processor
Exceptional productivity with 32GB RAM and fast SSD
Multiple ports and connectivity options
Light gaming performance from integrated graphics
Compact, fanless design
Cons:
Not designed for intensive gaming
3. SkyTech Chronos - Best High graphics Prebuilt Gaming PC under $800
Best High graphics Prebuilt Gaming PC under $800
SkyTech Chronos Mini Gaming Computer PC Desktop - Intel Core-i3 10100F 3.6GHz, GTX 1650 4G, 500GB SSD
The SkyTech Chronos Mini Gaming PC packs surprisingly powerful 1080p gaming performance into a compact, budget-friendly system. The star of the show is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, which can easily handle today's most popular games at 1080p resolutions with high graphics settings. The Core i3 processor, while basic, still provides plenty of power for multitasking and running demanding games without any serious bottlenecking.
Also, the SSD boot drive ensures fast load times and reasonable overall system speed. And the included 8GB of RAM, while modest, can be upgraded via the extra memory slot - a needed upgrade down the line to boost performance further.
Add in the tiny, efficient case design and Windows 11 OS, and you've got a complete 1080p gaming system at an unbeatable value. Gamers on a budget will appreciate the compact size that saves space, basic but more than capable specs, and surprisingly strong gaming performance in an affordable package.
Key Features
Intel Core i3-10100F 4-core processor provides solid performance for gaming and general use
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB graphics deliver silky smooth gaming at 1080p resolutions
8GB DDR4 RAM (single stick - upgradable) provides a decent multitasking ability
500GB SSD offers speedy storage and plenty of room for games
Windows 11 Home 64-bit operating system is optimized for gaming
The compact mini tower case stays cool and fits in small spaces
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Strong 1080p gaming performance
Small form factor saves space
Basic but capable specifications
Easy upgradeability
Includes Windows OS
Cons:
CPU could be more powerful
4. MTG Aurora 4T - Best Core i7 CPU Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $800
Best Core i7 CPU Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $800
MTG Aurora 4T Gaming Tower PC- Intel Core i7 4th Gen, AMD RX 580 GDDR5 8GB 256bits Graphic
The MTG Aurora 4T delivers a powerful and feature-packed gaming experience for well under $800, with specifications that typically cost much more. Also, the powerful 4th generation Intel Core i7 CPU provides more than enough horsepower for gaming, with its quad-core design and high clock speeds. The included AMD Radeon RX 580 graphics card is no slouch either, allowing you to max out settings in many 1080p games while maintaining high frame rates.
16GB of DDR3 RAM (likely upgradable to DDR4), a speedy NVMe SSD for fast loading, plus the included 27-inch 1080p gaming monitor combine to deliver a fully featured and smooth 1080p gaming experience right out of the box. And with the rest of the accessories included - RGB keyboard/mouse, webcam, and headset - you've got a complete gaming setup for under $800.
Key Features
Intel Core i7 4th generation quad-core processor provides plenty of horsepower for gaming
AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB GDDR5 graphics card allows smooth 1080p gaming in most titles
16GB of DDR3 RAM provides the good multitasking ability and performance headroom
512GB NVMe SSD offers fast loading times and storage for your game library
27-inch 1080p monitor with 1ms response time provides an immersive gaming experience
RGB keyboard and mouse, headphones, and webcam included for a complete setup
Windows 10 operating system is optimized for gaming
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Powerful Intel Core i7 CPU
Strong AMD RX 580 graphics for 1080p gaming
16GB of RAM and fast SSD storage
Includes monitor, keyboard, mouse, and accessories
RGB lighting adds flair
Cons:
DDR3 RAM (rather than DDR4)
5. iBUYPOWER Pro - Best WiFi-Ready Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $800
Best WiFi-Ready Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $800
iBUYPOWER Pro Gaming PC Computer Desktop SlateMR 2150V2 (Intel Core i5 12400F 2.5 GHz, GeForce GTX 1650 4GB, 8 GB DDR4 RAM,
For its price, this prebuilt desktop delivers surprisingly high-end specs that promise smooth 1080p gaming and swift overall performance. You get an Intel Core i5 processor, NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU, NVMe SSD storage, upgradable RAM, and built-in WiFi - a feature-packed package at an unexpectedly reasonable cost.
Additionally, the 12th-gen Intel Core i5-12400F CPU provides plenty of processing power for multitasking between demanding applications and squeezing high frame rates from games. Also, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card allows immersive 1080p gaming in many modern titles, especially with lower graphics settings.
The included 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 500GB NVMe SSD drive ensure fast boot times and reasonable initial speeds. Both can be upgraded down the line to further boost performance. Meanwhile, the built-in WiFi and Bluetooth ensure easy, wireless connectivity right out of the box.
Key Features
Intel Core i5-12400F 6-core CPU provides more than enough power for 1080p gaming and multitasking
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB graphics allows smooth gaming at 1080p with high settings
8GB DDR4 RAM (single stick - upgradable) provides decent initial performance
500GB NVMe SSD offers speedy storage and room for your games
Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth support for wireless connectivity
Windows 11 Home operating system is optimized for gaming
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Powerful Intel Core i5-12400F CPU
GTX 1650 provides solid 1080p gaming
SSD and RAM are user-upgradeable
WiFi and Bluetooth built-in
Includes keyboard, mouse, and Windows 11
Cons:
Basic single-channel 8GB RAM initially
Buyer guide: What to Look for When Buying the Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $800?
When looking for a prebuilt gaming PC under $800, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure that you get the best value for your money. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Graphics Card:
The graphics card is one of the most important components in a gaming PC, as it determines the quality of the visual output. Look for a gaming PC with a dedicated graphics card, as this will provide better performance than an integrated graphics card. The NVIDIA GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 570 are good options to consider in this price range.
Processor:
The processor is the brain of the computer and is responsible for processing data and running applications. A strong processor is important for gaming, so look for a gaming PC with at least a quad-core processor. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i5-9400F are solid options in this price range.
RAM:
The amount of RAM in a gaming PC will affect how many applications and processes can run simultaneously. Look for a gaming PC with at least 8GB of RAM, although 16GB is ideal for optimal performance.
Storage:
The storage capacity of a gaming PC will determine how many games and files can be stored on the computer. Look for a gaming PC with at least a 256GB solid-state drive (SSD), as this will provide fast load times for games and applications. If you need more storage space, consider getting a gaming PC with a secondary hard drive or upgrading the storage later.
Cooling System:
When playing games, a lot of heat is generated, which can cause damage to the components over time if not properly cooled. Look for a gaming PC with a good cooling system, such as multiple fans or liquid cooling, to ensure that the computer stays at a safe temperature.
Upgradeability:
Lastly, consider the upgradeability of the gaming PC. Even if you can't afford the best components now, you may be able to upgrade them in the future. Look for a gaming PC that has upgradeable components, such as a graphics card, processor, and RAM.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $800
Which processor is best for a budget gaming PC under $800?
A budget gaming PC needs at least a quad-core processor with decent clock speeds for smooth gameplay. An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor provides the best balance of performance and value under $800.
What graphics card should I get for gaming under $800?
An Nvidia GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 graphics card provides the best performance for the money under $800, allowing you to play most modern games at medium to high settings at 1080p resolutions.
Should I get 8GB or 16GB of RAM for a $800 gaming PC?
8GB of RAM will suffice for basic 1080p gaming under $800. However, 16GB is recommended to future-proof your system and ensure smoother performance in modern games that are using more memory.
Does SSD or HDD storage matter more for gaming PCs?
An SSD is much more important than an HDD for a gaming PC, as it provides drastically faster loading times and more responsiveness overall. Aim for at least a 256GB SSD for your $800 gaming rig.
Can I upgrade a sub $800 prebuilt gaming PC over time?
Yes! Many prebuilt gaming PCs under $800 feature upgradable components like RAM, storage, and even the power supply, allowing you to boost performance over time within the same chassis. Just check the upgrade path before buying.
Final Words
Finding a prebuilt gaming PC under $800 may seem overwhelming, but with the right knowledge, you can easily pick a great option that suits your gaming needs. When looking for a prebuilt gaming PC, pay attention to the graphics card, processor, RAM, storage, cooling system, and brand reputation. Don't forget to also think about the upgradeability of the PC, so that you can improve its performance over time. By keeping these factors in mind, you can confidently choose the best Prebuilt gaming PC under $800 that fits your budget and gaming preferences. Happy gaming!
