Cheap gaming PC deals: powerful pre-built rigs for under $1,000/£1,000
Cheap gaming PC deals are the best way of breaking through the barriers of console gaming and experiencing the freedom and liberties of endless backward compatibility and superior visuals and performance overall.
Unfortunately, given the way things stand worldwide at the moment, getting your hands on crucial components - such as graphics cards and processors - has become a serious challenge. Many of us that wanted to wait for a 30-series card have been met with disappointment as stock continues to be as elusive as ever.
The best cheap gaming PC retailers:
US: Best Buy | Dell | Amazon | Walmart | Newegg | B&H Photo | Adorama
UK: Amazon UK | Currys | Overclockers UK | LaptopsDirect | Argos
As new graphics cards continue to launch year-on-year - such as the RTX 3070 Ti and RTX 3080 Ti - PC gaming hardware should become cheaper as parts are replaced by their superior versions. What this means for the end consumer, in most cases, is that the price of the high-end gear becomes cheaper, which means you can save money on building - or buying - a machine that lasts a long time to come.
Now, the old rule still stands even in 2021, you can't really build or buy a gaming PC for the same price as an Xbox Series X or PS5, but that doesn't mean that budget options can't offer up their own perks and power at a good price point, as you'll see below; there's plenty that can be done for well under $1,000/£1,000.
With all this talk of cutting edge graphics cards, it would be amiss of us to neglect the still very capable RTX 20-series and even the wallet-friendly GTX 1650 and 1660 cards that you will find in this price range. Whether you're a hardcore gamer or looking for something more casual, these towers will suit your budget and usage requirements well.
We'll be updating this page regularly, so be sure to come back often for new and exciting deals if the ones below don't light your fire. And if you're after something perfect for portable gaming, these cheap gaming laptop deals are sure to be more your speed.
Cheap gaming PC deals under $1000 - US
HP Pavilion Desktop | $718 at Amazon
It might not set the world alight with its modest tech specs but if you're after a cheap gaming computer for casual use, there's a lot to like. Obviously, the biggest cost saver here is the implementation of an i3 as opposed to a more powerful i5, yet -with its 1650 Super - you can expect to game with the settings tweaked in 1080p with few issues. Features: Intel Core i3-10100, GTX 1650 Super, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD.
iBUYPOWER Slate MR | Starting at $849.99 at Best Buy
With the lowest end of specs available, you can expect to game comfortably in 1080p in mid-high settings for most modern games. Bump up those options, however, the RTX 3070 upgrade makes this pre-built a legitimate monster. Features: Ryzen 5/ up to i9 11th gen, up to RTX 3070, 8-16GB RAM, Up to 500GB SSD + 1TB HDD.
Lenovo Legion Tower 5i | Starting at $949.99 at Best Buy
You can be sure that the build quality of the company's laptop range is alive and well in the brand's gaming desktops, too. With starting respectable starting specs, and going up to an RTX 3060, there's plenty of options for a great computer at a solid price. Features: Up to Ryzen 7 5000 series/ 11th gen i7, up to RTX 3060, RAM: 8-16GB, 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD
HP Omen GT13 | $999.99 at Best Buy
Coming in at just under $1,000, this mid-tier gaming tower features all the muscle needed to game well in Full HD and that's because of the surprisingly versatile 1660 Super - with its 6GB VRAM allowing for some impressive solid performance in the latest games - just don't expect next-gen ray-tracing. Features: Ryzen 5 3600, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD.
Cheap gaming PC deals over $1,000 - US
Alienware Aurora R10 (Ryzen) | Starting at $1,053.53 from Dell
The full Ryzen-powered range of super sleek gaming laptops starts off with a respectable Ryzen 5 5600x processor - paired with the solid RX 5300 GPU and 8GB RAM. At the minimum price point here, you can expect some solid Full HD gaming, though if your wallet stretches further, there's a whole breadth of absurd customizations to make you absolutely untouchable. Features: Ryzen 5000 series CPUs, up to an Nvidia RTX 3090 / AMD RX 6800 XT, 8-128GB RAM, 2TB SSD + 2TB HDD.
Alienware Aurora R12 (Intel) | Starting at $1,077.99 at Dell
If you're not sold on AMD chipsets just yet, 11-generation Intel processors can hold their own all the same. The starting build features an i5 processor coupled with the GTX 1650 and 8GB RAM alongside a 1TB HDD for your games. Features: Intel Core 11th-gen CPUs, up to an Nvidia RTX 3090, 8-128GB RAM, 1TB SSD + 1TB HDD.
Skytech Shadow 3.0 | $1,500 $1,399.99 at Amazon
It's not only incredibly stylish but its performance is just as good as its looks with specs that are ray-tracing ready and sure to run games in 1080p and 1440p for many years, with good capacity for upgrades. Features: Intel Core i7 9700KF, RTX 2060, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD
CyberPowerPC Extreme (RTX 3060) | $1,449.99 at Best Buy
If you want something that's truly a next-gen experience at a decent price - the 11th generation i7 and powerful ray-tracing ready RTX 3060 will make quick work of the latest games in resolutions of 1440p and 4K with ease for years. Features: Intel Core i7-11700F, RTX 3060, 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD + 1TB HDD.
It isn't just Americans who get to have all the offers, there's plenty for our UK-based readers to sink their teeth into, too.
Cheap gaming PC deals under £1,000 - UK
ADMI Gaming PC | £749.95.95 at Amazon
For the asking price, there's not only decent room to upgrade the unit, but solid enough mid-tier specs to game comfortably with the latest games, too. Features: Intel Core i5-9400F, GTX 1650, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD
CyberpowerPC Wyvern | £954 at Amazon
This is great value and bags you a ray-tracing-capable machine without too many compromises elsewhere. What's more, CyberpowerPC is a trusted manufacturer so you know it's going to be quality. Features: Intel Core i5-9400F, RTX 2060, 16GB RAM, 240GB SSD + 1TB HDD
Fierce RGB | £999.95 at Amazon
The highlight of this gaming PC is its RTX 3060 - which is more powerful than the previously top-of-the-line RTX 2080 - especially impressive for an entry-level card. A great pick for under a grand! Features: Intel Core i5 9400F 4.1Ghz, RTX 3060, 16GB RAM, 240GB SSD, 1TB
Cheap gaming PC deals over £1,000 - UK
Acer Predator Orion 3000 (RTX 3070) | £1,499 at Currys
Bump your budget up a bit and get this seriously impressive-looking bit of gaming kit - complete with a speedy i7 chipset and the incredible RTX 3070 graphics card. You can game in style with a futureproofed rig for a competitively priced chunk of change. Features: Intel Core i7-10700, RTX 3070, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD.
Asus ROG Strix G15DK (RTX 3070) | £1,600 at Currys
If you're more of a Ryzen fan, Asus has you covered. Let's not mince words, for the money, this build is absolutely stellar, especially considering the going rate for the cards alone at the moment - if you can find them. A futureproofed rig for years! Features: Ryzen 7 5800X, RTX 3070, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD + 2TB HDD
If you've realized you've got a little more in your wallet, then the best gaming PCs are likely to be your speed at a more premium price. All that power is useless without the best gaming monitors so you can make the most out of the potential of these machines.
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