Best Gaming PCs Under $1,000 In 2024

These gaming PCs won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

​These gaming PCs won’t cost you an arm and a leg.  Read More Gaming

Building a killer gaming PC for under $1,000 is totally doable, even easy. With the way graphics cards and processors have evolved in performance per dollar over the last couple of years, you can piece together a rig for this budget that really would’ve gone for two or three grand not that long ago. For your hard-earned grand, you’ll be able to play the latest triple-A titles at high, if not max, graphical settings in 1440p or even 4k resolution while enjoying a smooth 60+ performance.

In this 2024 budget gaming PC build guide, we’ll show you the best component configuration to get the most frames per dollar. With the right combination of new GPUs like Nvidia’s RTX 4060, AMD’s latest Ryzen CPUs, fast DDR5 RAM kits, quality power supplies and blazing-fast SSD storage, you’ll be able to assemble a beast of a gaming desktop made for tackling immersive worlds in GTA 6 and Elder Scrolls VI. Getting into high-fps PC gaming has never been more affordable! Let’s jump into the parts you should consider as we lay out different builds to fit your needs and budget.

Best Gaming PCs Under $1,000 In 2024

Best Overall
Skytech Gaming Nebula

Light Up Your Game

The Skytech Gaming Nebula strikes an artful balance between form and function. Its sleek black tower conceals potent hardware for serious gaming, including AMD or Intel processors and NVIDIA graphics. Optimized cooling keeps high speeds smooth and quiet, while the refined design adds subtle beauty to dominated landscapes.

ProsPowerful Performance: High-end processors and graphicsAesthetic Appeal: Customizable RGB lightingEfficient Cooling: Optimal airflow with multiple fansReady to Use: Pre-built for immediate gaming
ConsLimited Upgrades: Chassis restricts future enhancementsNoise Levels: Fans can be loud under loadPrice Point: Higher cost than DIY optionsCable Management: Internal organization may be lacking

Skytech aims to impress gamers on both performance and aesthetics with the Gaming Nebula pre-built PC. One glimpse at its tempered glass mid-tower chassis reveals customizable RGB lighting that sets the mood. Multiple USB ports dot the front metal mesh panel, ensuring connectivity for your gaming peripherals and accessories. The ample cooling inside keeps your rig humming during intense gaming marathons.

Matching its bold aesthetics, the Nebula packs an Intel Core i5 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3050 graphics that breeze through demanding games at fluid 1080p frame rates – power complementing the style. Frame rates stay high even on more demanding titles. The 1TB NVMe SSD offers lightning quick load times, so you spend more time playing. With 16GB of RAM, you can game, chat with friends, and live stream your gameplay simultaneously without slowing down. AMD Ryzen configurations are also available for those wanting team red. If you desire strong 1080p gaming performance wrapped in an RGB-lit package, the Nebula delivers where it counts at a reasonable price.

Best Value
CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR

Power Up Your Playtime!

Behind the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR’s sophisticated glass exterior lies a powerhouse for next-gen gaming. Intel and NVIDIA components team up to drive high frame rates across vivid landscapes, while an NVMe SSD loads expansive worlds in seconds. Ambient lighting sets the mood as you dive into silky smooth virtual realities.

ProsStrong 1080p Performance: Smooth gameplay at high settingsVR Ready: Compatible with major VR headsetsGood Value: Affordable entry-level gaming PCEasy Setup: User-friendly installation process
ConsLimited Upgrades: Few options for future enhancementsBuild Quality: Plastic components feel cheapFan Noise: Can be loud under heavy loadBasic Cooling: Cooling system could be improved

Game on and light up the room with CyberPowerPC’s flashy Gamer Xtreme VR! This rainbow-hued PC brings some serious performance for playing the latest games and powering immersive virtual worlds. Peering through the tempered glass side panel is like gazing into a sci-fi future, with colorful beams radiating from five sparkling RGB fans. It’s a veritable light show in there! The vivid lighting is visible through the transparent case, adding some extraterrestrial ambience to your gaming lair.

But this interstellar-styled machine isn’t just about the looks. An Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics blast pixels at warp speed to tackle today’s most resource-intensive titles. There’s enough horsepower here to traverse expansive game worlds in VR without breaking a sweat. So charge up your blasters and equip your mech suit, with the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR providing backup, you’re ready to battle on alien planets or illuminate the night in a neon-lit metropolis. This desktop is a shiny gaming sidekick!

Best Performance
MSI Codex R

Compact Power, Customizable Flair

The MSI Codex R gaming desktop packs potent performance in a stylish small-form package. Its 12th or 13th Gen Intel processor and Nvidia RTX graphics blaze through games, while customizable RGB lighting makes a statement. Strategic cooling with three fans keeps noise low and frame rates high during extended marathons.

ProsHigh Performance: Strong Intel and NVIDIA components for gamingRGB Customization: Eye-catching customizable lightingEffective Cooling: Three fans for optimal airflowEasy Upgrades: Standard parts for simple upgrades
ConsNot Portable: Desktop design limits mobilityFan Noise: Cooling fans can be loud under loadCostly: Higher configurations may be priceyBasic Design: Limited unique aesthetic options

This pint-sized machine packs a punch! MSI’s Codex R gaming PC proves you don’t need a towering monolith to play the latest games. Its smartly designed compact case makes it perfect for gamers tight on space. Yet inside, it’s a beast, supporting next-gen Intel processors and NVIDIA’s blazing-fast RTX graphics. This hardware can tackle demanding new titles with slick frame rates and ray tracing for incredible realism. Even better, the Codex R uses standardized parts, so you can easily upgrade components down the road.

It runs cool and quiet too, thanks to ample cooling from three pre-installed fans. And it’s no plain Jane, customizable RGB lighting bathes the sleek chassis in your choice of colors. The Codex R also streamlines gaming with MSI’s Center software to monitor performance and optimize settings with one click. For new gamers seeking power that won’t dominate their desktop, the Codex R checks all the boxes. It crams premium performance into a convenient size, while keeping future upgrades and fancy lighting effects in mind. This entry-level system proves you don’t need a hulking tower to play like a pro. Just don’t be fooled by its modest stature. The Codex R means business!

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Best Budget
iBuyPower TraceMesh Gaming Desktop

Cool Design, Hot Performance!

$899 $1200 Save $301

The iBUYPOWER TraceMesh gaming desktop strikes a perfect balance between sleek aesthetics and powerful performance. Its tempered glass case highlights customizable RGB lighting, while the Intel Core i3 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics breeze through games and multitasking with ease. This capable yet stylish machine is built both for show and for go.

ProsStrong Performance: Handles gaming and multitasking wellAesthetic Design: Attractive tempered glass and RGB lightingGood Cooling: Effective airflow from the mesh front panelUpgradable: Easy access for future upgrades
ConsLimited CPU Power: May struggle with high-end tasksBasic Accessories: Included peripherals are not advancedNoisy Fans: Can be loud under loadLimited Storage: 500GB SSD may fill up quickly

The iBuyPower TraceMesh gaming desktop packs a punch with its sleek tempered glass case highlighting flashy RGB interior lighting. Its unique mesh front panel enables superb airflow to prevent overheating during intense gaming marathons. Despite the emphasis on aesthetics, functionality still takes priority in its smart design. Inside, it doesn’t disappoint with the fast Intel Core i3 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, and quick DDR5 RAM working in tandem to deliver smooth, high-resolution gameplay.

Multitasking is a breeze with swift SSD storage and ample 16GB RAM. Connectivity is versatile with Wi-Fi capability, multiple USB ports, and includes keyboard and mouse accessories. The preinstalled Windows 11 Home ties everything together for a streamlined out-of-box experience. For an optimal price-to-performance ratio, the TraceMesh checks all the boxes. With excellent cooling and easy future upgrades, it’s built to last through many hardcore gaming sessions. Overall, a well-rounded prebuilt desktop is perfect for gamers.

Best Compact Mainstream
Asus ROG G22CH

Power in a Tiny Package!

The Asus ROG G22CH packs formidable gaming power into a space-saving 11.3″ tall and 12.7″ deep chassis. Its all-black build highlights vibrant RGB lighting. Equipped with an Intel Core i7 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU, it delivers elite performance perfect for hardcore gamers with a limited desktop area.

ProsCompact Design: Space-efficient for small setupsStrong Performance: Excellent for gaming and multitaskingRGB Lighting: Customizable aesthetic appealEasy Maintenance: Tool-free internal access
ConsLimited Upgrades: Tight layout restricts hardware changesHigher Price: Premium cost for compact sizeNoise Levels: Can be loud under loadFewer Ports: Limited connectivity options.

Move over giant, clunky gaming PCs, the svelte and sexy Asus ROG G22CH is here to game hard while fitting neatly on your desk. This micro machine makes no compromises, packing an Intel Core i9 beast and NVIDIA’s latest RTX 4070 GPU into a trim ten liter frame. RGB lights pulse hypnotically through its sleek black mesh skin as the ROG chews through pixels at 1440p. Sure, the tight spacing means future upgrades are limited, but who cares about tomorrow when today it devours triple-A titles for breakfast.

Foes weep and teammates cheer as you dominate battlegrounds and scoreboards thanks to blazing speeds from PCIe Gen4 SSDs and DDR5 RAM. So bid farewell to lumbering towers plaguing gamers with backaches and girlfriend complaints. Make room for the ROG G22CH, a mighty mite ready to meet all your gaming needs while cosplaying as an office staple. Small never looked so savage! Let this stylish speed demon into your life and prepare for portable power.

Best Compact
ACEMAGIC Mini Gaming PC

Mighty Mini

Unleash gaming power with the ACEMAGIC Mini PC. This compact dynamo packs an Intel Core i9-11900H, blazing to 4.9 GHz, alongside 16GB RAM and a swift 512GB NVMe SSD. Enjoy 4K UHD visuals across multiple displays, all wrapped in a sleek, RGB-illuminated design that redefines desktop aesthetics.

ProsCompact Design: Space-efficient for small areasPowerful Performance: High-end processor optionsVersatile Connectivity: Multiple ports and multi-monitor supportRGB Aesthetics: Modern lighting enhances style
ConsLimited Upgradeability: Hard to upgrade componentsBulky Charger: Power supply is inconveniently largeIntegrated Graphics: May not satisfy hardcore gamersCooling Noise: Fans can be loud under load

Who said powerful gaming rigs need to be bulky beasts dominating your desk space? Acemagic flips the script with its shockingly petite and portable Mini Gaming PC. Behind the sleek and modern RGB-lit exterior lies an Intel processing punch packing a wallop. Whether you’re fragging foes in your favorite first-person shooter or juggling intensive work projects, this mini-machine handles it all with ease. The hexacore CPU and next-gen Arc graphics blast through AAA games without breaking a sweat.

With the AceMagic Mini Gaming PC, packing a punch in a pint-sized package! With 32 gigs of lightning-fast RAM and a terabyte of solid state drive space, this mini-machine multitasks magnificently. Hook up multiple monitors and all your rad peripherals to optimize your gaming ops center. Sure, the power brick’s a bit bulky, but that’s a tiny tradeoff for tower-crushing power condensed into a computer cute as a cupcake. If maximum firepower in minimum space flips your trigger, the ACEMAGIC Mini brings mega fun in micro form!

FAQ

What’s the typical budget for a good gaming PC in 2024?

A $1,000 should get you a powerful gaming PC capable of running the latest games at high settings.

Are pre-built gaming PCs a good option for beginners?

Yes, pre-built PCs offer convenience and immediate use, but they are usually pricier than building your own.

What should I look for in a gaming PC’s processor and graphics card?

Look for recent Intel or AMD processors and NVIDIA RTX series graphics cards for smooth gaming performance.

How important is cooling on a gaming PC?

Very important. Good cooling keeps your PC running smoothly and quietly during intense gaming sessions.

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