Contrary to popular belief, a quality gaming PC does not have to be ridiculously expensive. Even with a total budget under $1000, gamers can easily find the perfect gaming PC to properly elevate their experience and bring their gaming to the next level.

In this guide, Game ZXC presents the best options for gaming PCs for around $1000 or less, shedding light on machines that deliver both high-quality performance and wallet-friendly value. Regardless of the power and spec needs of the individual user, the PCs below offer a wide array of options tailored to different needs and budgets.

  • MSI Codex R Gaming Desktop
    MSI Codex R Gaming Desktop
    Best Overall Gaming PC Under $1000
    $999 at Newegg
  • Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC
    Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC
    Best Value Gaming PC Under $1000
    $800 at Best Buy
  • Acer Predator Orion 3000 PO3-650-UB91
    Acer Predator Orion 3000 PO3-650-UB91
    Best Multi-Purpose Gaming PC Under $1000
    $700 at Newegg
  • MXZ Gaming Desktop Computer
    MXZ Gaming Desktop Computer
    Best Budget Gaming PC Under $1000
    $689 at Newegg
  • Acemagic Mini PC AM08PRO
     Acemagic Mini PC AM08PRO
    Best Compact Gaming PC Under $1000
    $606 at Newegg
  • MXZ Gaming PC with RX 7600
    MXZ Gaming PC with RX 7600
    Best Mid-Range Gaming PC Under $1000
    $879 at Newegg
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Here are some of the best gaming PCs that should handle the latest and greatest games with relative ease.

For a more in-depth look into the components that power these systems, the Guide to the Best Budget Gaming GPUs offers valuable insights worth exploring.

Things To Consider When Buying a Gaming PC under $1000

Before detailing the best options available, there are a few important considerations players should factor into their final decision:

  • Planned Usage: It is vital for players to first determine their needs and to set proper expectations of what the PC will be used for. Gaining an understanding of the desired quality of gameplay, smoothness of frames, and all additional uses the PC will have will allow users to define their budget. Those only interested in running casual games or older titles will have much lower power requirements and access to greater budget options versus those seeking a competitive and high-end machine.
  • Budget & Value: Setting a realistic budget allows players to formally detail and categorize their buying options in order to make a final decision. Understand that when shopping for PCs under $1000, some sacrifices in visual performance or speed may be necessary. However, many of the latest budget GPU options offer a variety of AI-powered technology, such as Nvidia's DLSS and Frame Gen, which allow for AI upscaling and increased quality of performance while maintaining a budget list price.
  • Performance: Seek systems with a strong balance of mid-range CPU and GPU power to ensure smooth gameplay across a variety of titles. Opt for a powerful budget processor like AMD's Ryzen 5 or Intel's i5, in combination with a current-generation, budget graphics card, or a high-end GPU of a previous generation for the best price-to-performance ratio. Consider systems with both SSD and HDD options. An SSD ensures faster boot times and quicker game loading, while an HDD provides ample, cheaper storage for larger game libraries.
  • Upgradability: Generally, a standardized tower PC offers the easiest components to maintain and upgrade, even for beginners. When shopping for PCs under $1000, systems that come with current-generation technology and support tend to offer better longevity and a wider range of future upgrades, such as a motherboard that supports DDR5 RAM. Whether it's adding more RAM or upgrading the graphics card, expandability extends the system's longevity, offering better value in the long run.

Don't forget an extremely important part of the gaming PC set-up: the desk! Game ZXC offers top-tier guidance when choosing the best gaming desk.

Game ZXC's Picks For The Best Gaming PCs Under $1000

This MSI-branded gaming build comes under $1000 while offering features that are mostly absent in other alternatives. Whether users look at its specifications or the path to upgradability, it exceeds every expectation and delivers more than that. The PC is powered using a premium 650W Gold-Rated power supply that can provide up to 90% power efficiency on typical loads and generates less heat. It should be adequate even when upgrading to a higher-end GPU unless users are looking to get something like a 4090.

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Building a gaming PC individually just became easier as Game ZXC showcases three of the best and most balanced PC builds.

The Core i5 13400F is what users get to complete their CPU-intensive operations and an RTX 4060 from the latest ADA family not only excels in Ray Tracing compared to its predecessor but is also compatible with DLSS 3 Frame Generation. A custom air cooler is installed on the CPU for faster heat dissipation and all of this hardware is hosted inside the excellent mid-tower that comes with pre-installed RGB fans and a full-length PSU shroud to hide the PSU, storage drives, and cable clutter. Moreover, a dedicated MSI gaming keyboard and mouse are bundled with the PC, featuring RGB backlighting.

For a price range of $800-$900, there is a fantastic gaming build that is ready to take on the MSI Codex R with similar specifications. There are some minor changes to the specs, but the core configuration remains the same. Featuring the Core i5 13400F and RTX 4060, it will be as good as the MSI Codex R for a lower price. However, users will get half the VRAM and storage capacity, which may or may not be a dealbreaker for many. Users who are more into gaming can opt for the Skytech Gaming Nebula PC as it helps save some cash, but on the other hand, users who want higher productivity can opt for the MSI one.

As for this PC, it is pretty much capable of maxing out most games at 1080p resolution, and with the DLSS 3.0 Frame Generation support, it will be easier to hit the 60 fps mark in many games even after turning on Ray Tracing. The mid-tower used is a spacious one that comes with 4x 120mm RGB fans for high airflow from the fully ventilated panel. The components are powered by a 600W Gold rated power supply which should be plenty to swap the RTX 4060 with a mid-range GPU in the future.

Generally, most pre-built systems that feature the latest processors are costlier, which may limit upgradeability. The Acer Predator Orion 3000 defies that norm and brings the Core i5 13400F processor for $700. This processor has now become the most popular mid-range chip in pre-built systems, particularly budget gaming PCs. Not only is it excellent at crunching numbers, but it also doesn't require any aftermarket CPU cooler. For gaming, users can leverage the power of RTX 3050 which is sufficient to play games on high settings and also supports Ray Tracing.

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The Orion 3000 provides users with a compact yet beautiful chassis that features an RGB fan on the front panel and a Predator logo on top. There is also a full-side tempered glass panel to take a glance at the hardware. The only problem with this chassis is that it is not as sturdy as some of the best mid-towers on the market. It's also micro-ATX in form factor that won't allow installation of an ATX motherboard. But that's expected as it is much cheaper than PCs with similar specifications. Moreover, it also comes with a keyboard-mouse combo, 1TB PCI-E Gen 4 SSD, and 16GB DDR5 memory, which indicates it uses the latest platform.

MXZ offers a lot of pre-built systems for under $1000 and after going through several of them, Game ZXC found this model that offers satisfactory hardware for gaming at 1080p. While many PCs compromise on either the CPU or the GPU, the MXZ computer brings one of the best budget AM4 CPUs to gamers' rescue and a highly capable budget GPU, the GTX 1660 Super as well. This system can provide consistent performance across different titles on high settings and won't have any bottlenecking issues.

Even though the Turing-based GTX 1660S doesn't have the Ray Tracing capability, it does bring 6GB GDDR6 VRAM for taking care of intensive graphics properties. All the hardware is hosted inside a generous mid-tower that has a full-length PSU shroud with a 450W PSU installed inside and can take care of the cable clutter. There is plenty of room to install large-sized components in this case, but it is recommended to check for the total power consumption before users attempt to do such as 450W may limit the upgradeability.

Nonetheless, the PC build not only has appreciable specifications but also looks gorgeous with the help of those RGB fans installed at the front, rear, and top of the case.

The way Acemagic constructed a compact build without sacrificing good specifications is the reason why the AM08PRO can be a wonderful option for gamers who want the best for both gaming and work. Despite not featuring any dedicated GPU, it is still capable of playing most games at 1080p resolution. This is due to the powerful Rembrandt mobile APU that boasts the Radeon 680M iGPU, which is equivalent to the GTX 1050 Ti. Moreover, 8 cores/16 threads are available for the users to get the job done quickly regardless of the application being in use.

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The only con is that it can't be upgraded due to the compact chassis and the use of a mobile CPU, but that's something users should acknowledge, as this is a mini-gaming PC that is designed to save space on the desk. It will surely be sufficient for quite a while, letting users play all of their favorite games on medium to high settings. Apart from that, the system RAM is more than adequate and the existence of WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 makes it easier to connect wirelessly to the internet and peripherals out of the box.

Coming to the mid-range category, most builds out there can be pretty confusing as the norm of using older-generation components is still rampant among manufacturers. Thankfully, MXZ has an affordable yet marvelous option for AMD lovers. Powered by the Ryzen 5 5500 CPU and 16GB of system RAM, it is on par with most budget gaming builds. However, the real exception here is its GPU, which is the Radeon RX 7600 from the latest RDNA-3 lineup, doing the most intensive work in gaming. It can't be beaten by the older gen RX 6600 or even the RTX 3060 and, therefore, makes a fantastic option for pre-builts.

Other specs include a fast 1TB NVMe SSD, a 550W 80+ rated power supply, and a mid-tower which is also being used by several other MXZ PC builds. With 550 wattage capacity, users can switch to the AM5 platform anytime and upgrade to an RTX 4070, but it is not advised to go higher than that. Apart from the spacious mid-tower with dedicated cable management, it also provides 6x RGB fans and a WiFi adapter for wireless internet connectivity.

How to Choose an Exceptional Gaming PC Under $1000

Selecting an optimal gaming PC for a budget under $1000 involves understanding both gaming aspirations and hardware necessities. Keep an eye on these critical components:

  • CPU and GPU Harmony: In the realm of gaming, a balanced approach between processor and graphics card is crucial. Aim for a machine where neither bottlenecks the other, ensuring fluid gameplay and vivid visuals.
  • Storage Solutions: While SSDs offer rapid load times, they often come with limited space. A combo of SSD for system and frequently played games, and HDD for bulk storage, strikes an ideal balance.
  • Future-Proofing: Consider a system's upgradeability. A gaming PC might be on a budget now, but having room for future hardware upgrades can extend its usefulness and make it a smarter long-term investment.

MORE: The Best 4 Gaming PC Builds for Under $500

FAQ

Q: Is $1000 enough to build a gaming PC?

Certainly, a $1000 budget is ample for crafting a reliable gaming PC. This range allows for a balanced setup, offering both performance and graphical prowess for a majority of modern games.

Q: Is a $1000 dollar PC good?

Absolutely, a gaming PC in the $1000 ballpark can deliver solid performance and visuals. Such systems often feature mid-range CPUs and GPUs that make them well-suited for most gaming and multitasking needs.

Q: What PC can I get for $1000?

For $1000, expect to find gaming PCs featuring mid-range processors like AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5, coupled with a capable graphics card such as NVIDIA GTX 1660 or AMD RX 6600. These systems should also include SSD storage for fast load times and at least 16GB RAM for smooth multitasking.