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4 Best gaming PC for 500 dollars 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

CyberPowerPC Gamer Master Gaming PC, AMD Ryzen 5 5500 3.6GHz, Radeon RX 6400 4GB, 16GB DDR4, 500GB PCIe Gen4 SSD, WiFi Ready & Windows 11 Home (GMA3100A)

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,307
Processor (CPU)
Graphics Card (GPU)
Memory (RAM)

Most important from
907 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The RX 6400 and Ryzen 5 5500 work like a charm together.
Graphics Card (GPU)
Runs games at 1080p ultra, 1440p high, and even 4k low to medium settings.
Memory (RAM)
The 16GB of RAM is lovely and easily upgradable.
Case
Nice LED lights, keyboard, mouse, and a lavish PC case.

The CyberPowerPC Gamer Master Gaming PC is an impressive choice for a budget-friendly gaming setup. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 processor with 6 cores running at 3.6GHz ensures smooth performance for most modern games and multitasking. Paired with the Radeon RX 6400 4GB graphics card, this setup can handle popular games at medium to high settings, although it might struggle with the most demanding AAA titles at ultra settings.

The 16GB of DDR4 RAM is a strong point, providing ample memory for gaming and other tasks, which is more than sufficient for most users in this price range. The 500GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD offers fast load times and quick access to your games and files, although some users may find the storage capacity a bit limited if they plan to install numerous large games and media files.

Connectivity options are solid with multiple USB ports, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, and wired LAN, ensuring you stay connected whether gaming online or transferring data. The inclusion of a tempered side case panel and custom RGB lighting adds a nice aesthetic touch. While the power supply unit (PSU) isn't specifically detailed, it should be adequate for the components listed. The AMD B550 chipset motherboard supports future upgrades, which is a bonus for extending the PC's lifespan. The warranty coverage and lifetime tech support are valuable, providing peace of mind for any hardware issues or setup inquiries. However, the weight of 36.8 pounds means it’s not very portable. This gaming PC is best suited for entry-level to mid-range gamers who want a capable machine without breaking the bank.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,307
Processor (CPU)
Graphics Card (GPU)
Memory (RAM)

Most important from
907 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The RX 6400 and Ryzen 5 5500 work like a charm together.
Graphics Card (GPU)
Runs games at 1080p ultra, 1440p high, and even 4k low to medium settings.
Memory (RAM)
The 16GB of RAM is lovely and easily upgradable.
Case
Nice LED lights, keyboard, mouse, and a lavish PC case.
#2

iBUYPOWER Scale Orange Gaming PC Desktop Computer (AMD Ryzen 5 5500 CPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB GPU, 16GB DDR4 Non-RGB 3200MHz RAM (8x2), 500GB NVMe SSD, WiFi Ready, Windows 11 Home) - SCA5N3501

Rating
8.5
Storage
Case

Most important from
3966 reviews

Storage
The 2TB SSD provides fast load times and ample storage, significantly enhancing overall performance.
Case
Setup instructions are misleading; the case uses magnetic panels rather than screws, so it's worth checking YouTube for guides.

The iBUYPOWER Scale Orange Gaming PC is a robust option for gamers looking for a budget-friendly system around $500. Its AMD Ryzen 5 5500 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB graphics card ensure smooth performance for a variety of games, from casual to more demanding titles. The inclusion of 16GB of DDR4 RAM enhances multitasking capabilities, making it suitable not just for gaming but also for everyday use and business tasks.

The 500GB NVMe SSD offers quick load times and ample storage for games and applications, which is a significant advantage over traditional hard drives. The computer also comes equipped with WiFi capability, ensuring online connectivity without the need for additional hardware. Plus, the tempered glass RGB case adds a stylish touch, appealing to gamers who value aesthetics in their setups.

The weight of the system at 35.2 pounds could make it less portable if you plan to move it frequently. Lastly, though it comes with a gaming keyboard and mouse, these peripherals might not meet the expectations of more serious gamers who prefer higher-end devices.

Rating
8.5
Storage
Case

Most important from
3966 reviews

Storage
The 2TB SSD provides fast load times and ample storage, significantly enhancing overall performance.
Case
Setup instructions are misleading; the case uses magnetic panels rather than screws, so it's worth checking YouTube for guides.
#3

CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Master Gaming PC, AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8GHz, GeForce RTX 4060 8GB, 16GB DDR5, 500GB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi Ready & Windows 11 Home (GMA2700A)

Rating
7.3
Processor (CPU)
Graphics Card (GPU)
Memory (RAM)

Most important from
524 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The Ryzen 5 5500 and RX 6400 work seamlessly together, and the 16GB of RAM is a great feature that can be upgraded if needed.
Graphics Card (GPU)
The Ryzen 5 5500 and RX 6400 work seamlessly together, and the 16GB of RAM is a great feature that can be upgraded if needed.
Memory (RAM)
The Ryzen 5 5500 and RX 6400 work seamlessly together, and the 16GB of RAM is a great feature that can be upgraded if needed.
Case
The PC case has a clean, modern look, likened to a multi-hued glowing fish tank.

The CyberpowerPC Gamer Master Gaming PC is a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers seeking good performance without breaking the bank. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 7600 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, this machine is designed to handle modern games reasonably well, especially at 1080p resolution. With 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 500GB NVMe SSD, it offers ample speed and storage for smooth gameplay and quick load times, which is a major plus for gamers.

One of its strengths is the modern hardware combination, which is quite rare at this price point. The inclusion of Windows 11 is also a nice touch, making it ready to use right out of the box. Additionally, the system features RGB lighting and a tempered glass side panel, appealing to gamers who appreciate a visually appealing setup.

The build quality may not be as robust as higher-end gaming PCs, and some users might find the pre-installed software somewhat cluttered. Moreover, being a pre-built system, it might be a bit more challenging to upgrade components compared to custom-built PCs, which can limit future enhancements. For casual gamers or those new to PC gaming, the CyberpowerPC Gamer Master offers an excellent entry point into the gaming world without exceeding a budget of $500.

Rating
7.3
Processor (CPU)
Graphics Card (GPU)
Memory (RAM)

Most important from
524 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The Ryzen 5 5500 and RX 6400 work seamlessly together, and the 16GB of RAM is a great feature that can be upgraded if needed.
Graphics Card (GPU)
The Ryzen 5 5500 and RX 6400 work seamlessly together, and the 16GB of RAM is a great feature that can be upgraded if needed.
Memory (RAM)
The Ryzen 5 5500 and RX 6400 work seamlessly together, and the 16GB of RAM is a great feature that can be upgraded if needed.
Case
The PC case has a clean, modern look, likened to a multi-hued glowing fish tank.

Buying Guide for the Best gaming PC for 500 dollars

When choosing a gaming PC, it's important to consider the components that will give you the best performance for your budget. A gaming PC needs to be powerful enough to handle modern games smoothly, but you also want to ensure that it has a good balance of components so that no single part bottlenecks the system. Here are the key specifications to consider when picking a gaming PC, along with explanations to help you understand their importance and how to choose the right one for your needs.
Processor (CPU)The CPU is the brain of your computer and is crucial for overall performance. For gaming, you want a CPU that can handle the demands of modern games. CPUs are typically divided into entry-level, mid-range, and high-end. Entry-level CPUs are suitable for less demanding games and basic tasks, mid-range CPUs offer a good balance for most games, and high-end CPUs are for those who want the best performance for the most demanding games. For a $500 gaming PC, aim for a mid-range CPU that offers good performance without breaking the bank.
Graphics Card (GPU)The GPU is responsible for rendering images, videos, and animations, making it one of the most important components for gaming. GPUs are categorized into entry-level, mid-range, and high-end. Entry-level GPUs can handle older or less demanding games, mid-range GPUs are suitable for most modern games at medium to high settings, and high-end GPUs are for the latest games at the highest settings. For a $500 gaming PC, a mid-range GPU will provide a good balance of performance and cost, allowing you to enjoy most games at decent settings.
Memory (RAM)RAM is where your computer stores data that it needs to access quickly. More RAM allows your computer to handle more tasks simultaneously and can improve gaming performance. RAM is typically measured in gigabytes (GB). For gaming, 8GB is the minimum, 16GB is ideal for most users, and 32GB is for those who need to run multiple demanding applications at once. For a $500 gaming PC, 8GB of RAM should be sufficient, but if you can find a deal on 16GB, it will provide a smoother experience.
StorageStorage is where your games, applications, and files are kept. There are two main types: Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) and Solid State Drives (SSDs). HDDs are cheaper and offer more storage space, but SSDs are much faster, which can significantly reduce load times in games. For a gaming PC, a combination of a smaller SSD for your operating system and most-played games, along with a larger HDD for additional storage, is ideal. For a $500 gaming PC, a 240GB SSD paired with a 1TB HDD is a good balance.
Power Supply Unit (PSU)The PSU provides power to all the components in your PC. It's important to have a reliable PSU that can supply enough power for your system. PSUs are rated by wattage, and it's crucial to choose one that meets or exceeds the power requirements of your components. For a $500 gaming PC, a 450W to 550W PSU from a reputable brand should be sufficient, ensuring stable and reliable power delivery.
MotherboardThe motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all the components of your PC. It needs to be compatible with your CPU and have enough slots for your RAM, GPU, and other peripherals. Motherboards come in different sizes, with ATX being the most common for gaming PCs. For a $500 gaming PC, look for a motherboard that supports your chosen CPU and has room for future upgrades, such as additional RAM or storage.
CaseThe case houses all your PC components and provides airflow to keep them cool. Cases come in various sizes and designs, from compact to full-tower. It's important to choose a case that fits your components and has good ventilation. For a $500 gaming PC, a mid-tower case with good airflow and enough space for your components is a practical choice.

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