Top 7 Best Gaming PCs Under $600 in 2023

Due to pandemic restrictions, most people spend their time in their own house working or studying online. They could sit in front of a computer for a long time or maybe for a whole day. When they are done with their activities, they could spend their time playing games.  

In this modern era, PC games are one of the favorites for most people in the world. PC Games become one of the greatest activities for teens and adults to spend their time after finishing their tasks.

To make or buy a gaming PC can be said to be difficult for some people and for others can be easy too because there are so many kinds of well-known brands and maybe for some people, they don’t know the specifications needed to buy the PC. 

You may want to consider what components you will buy from graphic cards, processors, motherboard, RAM, cooling system, memory, and storage. In this article, we will try to help you determine the best gaming PC you can buy. 

In a hurry? Here are our top 3 favorite picks when it comes to the best gaming PCs under $600 in 2023!

Name

Best Overall

HP Pavilion Desktop PC

Runner Up

Acer Aspire TC-885-UA91

Budget Pick

Acer Aspire XC-895-UR11

Preview

Star Ratings

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Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Best Overall

Name

HP Pavilion Desktop PC

Preview

Star Ratings

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Prime Features

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Price

Buy on Amazon

Runner Up

Name

Acer Aspire TC-885-UA91

Preview

Star Ratings

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Prime Features

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Price

Buy on Amazon

Budget Pick

Name

Acer Aspire XC-895-UR11

Preview

Star Ratings

–

Prime Features

–

Price

Buy on Amazon

Is a Gaming PC Worth It?

The answer is yes. A gaming PC is worth buying because apart from being able to be used as a regular PC, you can also use it to work or play games. 

PC Gaming can help you edit photos or videos because of the high processor requirements and the need for video rendering that has been edited to help this work. 

In addition, PC gaming can also be used for multitasking, such as if you have schoolwork and want to do research on the task and open songs while studying, with a gaming PC you can do that very easily.

What To Look For In a Gaming PC?

To answer this, we need to categorize the budget that you can allocate to buy a gaming PC.

In this article, we will provide a list of PC Gaming with the best specs issued by several brands. The gaming PCs that we will provide will be under $600. You can still upgrade more if you are not satisfied with certain specs. 

Before that, you have to know a few things that need to be considered before buying a gaming PC.

1. Graphics Card

Graphics card is an expansion card that generates a feed of output images to a monitor. Most graphics cards are not limited to simple display output. They can perform additional processing and remove unnecessary tasks from the central processor of the computer. 

The graphics card is made in the form of a printed circuit board and can be inserted into an expansion slot. Some people have been made using integrated graphics which are connected to the computer. Unfortunately, integrated graphics are less powerful and oriented for more general working, like office use and streaming video. 

In processing power, graphic cards demand electrical power. High-performance graphic cards tend to consume large amounts of electricity. Computers with multiple graphics cards may require a very high amount of power supplies.

2. Processors

A processor is an integrated electronic circuit that performs the calculations that run a computer. It is accountable for interpreting most computer commands. It will execute most basic arithmetic, logical, and I/O operations and allocate commands and instructions for other chips and components found in a computer. 

The performance or speed of the processor depends on the benchmarks which are used to measure the real effective performance in applications. 

Processing capacity of computers is enhanced by using multi-core processors which allow for some people to put two or more individual processors. 

Increasing the number of cores in processors will increase the amount of work that can be handled. 

That means the processor can easily handle multiple asynchronous events, interruptions, etc. It is easier to say like this, the computer can handle a few simultaneous events like opening a few tabs on google chrome, opening ms office, or other apps.

3. Motherboard

A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in general-purpose computers and other expandable systems. It holds and allows communication between many of the crucial electronic components systems, such as the central processing unit (CPU), and memory and provides connectors for other peripherals. 

A motherboard provides the electrical connections by which the other components of the system communicate, it also contains the central processing unit and hosts other subsystems and devices. 

A motherboard is very important to be connected with the main memory, other essential components, and external storage for controllers, video, sound, and so on.

Motherboard’s main component is the microprocessor’s supporting chipset, which provides the interface between the CPU and external devices. This chipset determines to an extent, the features and capabilities of the motherboard.

4. RAM

Random Access Memory (RAM) is the hardware in a computing device where the operating system is located. RAM is one of the most crucial components in affecting your system’s performance. 

RAM provides your applications a place to save and access information on a short-term basis. It stores the information your computer is actively using so it can be accessed quickly.

The speed and performance of your computer are correlated with the amount of RAM you have installed. If your computer has little RAM, it can become very slow and lagging. 

But if you have huge size RAM, it does not matter if you are not using it for high-performance gaming or multitasking. So, buy according to your needs. 

RAM allows your computer to perform many various tasks, such as loading a few applications, surfing the internet, creating or writing in a spreadsheet, or trying your latest game. 

Memory is used to load and run many applications. If your system is slow or sometimes unresponsive, maybe you have to upgrade your RAM.

5. Cooling System

Cooling system is required to maintain and remove waste heat that is produced by computer components. Computer components are very susceptible to malfunction or permanent failure due to overheating. 

Components are often designed to generate as little heat as possible and computers and operating systems are designed to reduce power consumption and consequent heating due to workload. 

There are three types of cooling systems:

6. Fan

Fan is an active form of the cooling system. It usually runs when you turn on your computer. It enables the air to circulate inside the tower of your computer. It works to push the hot air out of your PCS through their case. 

7. Heat sinks

Heat sinks can be applied to many components inside the tower. They work to dissipate the heat from the components. 

8. Liquid cooling

The new advanced technology in the cooling system. Liquid cooling is one of the methods used to cool processors. Liquid cooling uses a special water block to conduct heat away from the processor. Water is circulated through this block to a radiator through the pump. The advantage to using this is it does not produce noise and it is so quiet. 

Well, you already know the basic components to buy a gaming PC. Let’s take a look at the best gaming PCs under $600.

1. HP Pavilion Desktop PC – Best Overall

HP Pavilion Desktop PC 2021 uses AMD 6-core Ryzen 5 with 5600G Processor, AMD Radeon RX 5500 graphics card which is capable of producing images up to 1080p.

The HP Pavilion is arguably one of the most capable desktop PCs so far with the presence of a powerful Processor and the presence of a Graphics card from AMD Radeon RX5500 which is able to provide visuals in HD.

The memory provided by the 256GB SSD is not too pronounced and tends to be small and 8GB of RAM is felt to be lacking if you want to play games with high-end specs.

However, the HP Pavilion Gaming 2021 is already very capable to play games with low – mid-end specs.

Why Is This The Best Gaming PC Under $600 in 2023?

• Ryzen 5 is capable enough to play heavy online or offline games with medium resolution.
• AMD Radeon RX 5500 will provide speed, smoothness, and efficient power from the performance side to provide elegant and clear images.
• RAM 8GB is enough to surf the internet and play games on medium-high settings in certain games.
• Memory 256GB SSD Storage will provide speed in performance in opening the applications you want instead of using traditional storage such as HDD.
• HP Pavilion Gaming is also equipped with slots for connecting headphones, mice, keyboards, and various other equipment with USB 3.1 Gen 1 and reinforced with Realtek Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2.
• In addition, HP Pavilion Gaming also included Windows 10 as the computer operating system.

2. Acer Aspire TC-885-UA91 – Runner Up

The Acer Aspire TC-885-UA91 is a compact and efficient CPU with pretty good for productivity. With a great design, it is possible to upgrade the RAM or storage later. The performance of Acer Aspire TC-885-UA91 is quite handy with 8GB of memory and 512 GB of SSD RAM. It can process multiple applications very quickly.

It can be said that the Acer Aspire is capable of running various applications as well as playing some casual games with low and medium frame rates.

But, with a little upgrade, you can enjoy this PC gaming for some modern games later.

3. Acer Aspire XC-895-UR11 – Budget Pick

Acer Aspire XC-895-UR11 almost has the same specifications as the previous Acer Aspire. Acer Aspire XC-895-UR11 has a slightly better processor and memory tends to be slower than before.

For design, Acer Aspire has similarities with the previous compact and small form so that it is quite fitting to fit your desk if it is small too. Memory limitations can cause slight lagging and delays in processing or opening applications.

For gaming, the process of opening game applications will be a little slow especially for mid-spec games while for low-spec, Acer Aspire should still work well. 

4. Dell Inspiron 2019 Desktop PC

Dell Inspiron 2019 Desktop PC is reinforced with an Intel Core i5-9400 and 256GB SSD memory with a 1TB HDD then there is 12GB of RAM which makes applications open easily.

Even though it has a good processor, memory, and RAM, the use of gaming in this Desktop PC is not very effective because the graphics card is still not capable of playing mid and high specs games.

Delay or stutter may be felt a little if you force playing games with mid or high specs.

5. MSI PRO DP20Z 5M 035US Desktop Computer

MSI PRO DP20Z is supported by AMD Ryzen 3 5300G which can be used for playing games. 256GB of memory and 8GB of RAM are indeed not the best for playing at the high-end level, but for low-mid games, the memory and RAM of the MSI DP20Z are considered quite capable.

The problem with this MSI DP20Z is that the integrated graphics card and the graphics card provided are not very good for playing games. Maybe the delay will be felt a little when enjoying your favorite game, especially mid-game specs.

6. Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92

Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92 has the same problem with other Acer Aspire, namely in the Graphics Card. The graphics card provided is an integrated Intel UHD 630 which is not very capable of playing mid-high games.

This Acer Aspire is supported by a 512GB SSD which can process data and applications very quickly and the 12GB of RAM that is so spacious that it will help to run several applications at once.

Maybe a little upgrade from the Graphics Card can help this Desktop PC to play PC games in the mid-end.

7. PC Custom with Ryzen7 4700G

And lastly, there is a bit of custom from a PC that we found.

Custom PC powered by the old Ryzen7 4700G accompanied by AMD Radeon RX 550 as a Graphics Card. This PC is also supported by 512GB of memory and 16GB of RAM which provides relief and smoothness in opening applications.

On paper, this PC can play quite heavy games, but from the reviews we got, this Custom PC has several problems, such as turning itself off or being hard to turn on. This may be due to the old model on the graphics card and too long a period of use can cause problems like this.

How To Choose The Best Gaming PC Under $600? – Full Tabel Comparison

Acer Aspire TC-885-UA91 vs Acer Aspire XC-895-UR11

From this table, we can see that these two Acer aspires use processors that are almost similar in performance levels, it’s just that the graphics cards from both are still not too capable to play games at the mid-end game level. So, both are not recommended.

Dell Inspiron Desktop PC 2019 vs HP Pavilion Desktop PC 2021

Both use the same processor that is good in its class. The memory provided is also very good with a 256 GB SSD and Dell has an advantage in a 1TB HDD. Not to mention, Dell has 12GB of RAM as support that will help multitask at the same time.

However, the Graphics card used by the Dell Inspiron is not optimal for playing games, so the HP Pavilion Gaming is still much better for playing games.

HP Pavilion Desktop PC 2021 vs MSI PRO 035US Desktop Computer

The comparison of the two is quite clear from the Graphic Card which is quite important as an important component in playing games. So, it can be said that HP Pavilion Gaming is still better than MSI Pro.

HP Pavilion Desktop PC 2021 vs Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92

This comparison is also the same with other Acer Aspire Products. The graphics card is the main factor in differentiating the specifications on this PC.

HP Gaming Desktop PC 2021 vs PC Custom with Ryzen7 4700G

Looking at the comparison of these two, it looks like the processor from a custom PC uses the Ryzen 7 with the 4700G series which is an old model. Then, the graphics card used is also an old model graphics card, namely the RX 550, so it is not very supportive for long-term game use.

Some reviews and feedback also show that there are some problems with this custom PC model.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaming PCs

What Is A Gaming Pc?

A gaming PC is a personal computer designed to focus on performance and provide a pleasant gaming experience. Gaming PC with mid – high-end specifications is enough to play your favorite games. Even PCs with low specs are also capable of displaying a simple gaming experience. 

A gaming PC can help to play video games at very high standards. Gaming PCs typically differ from regular PCs by using high graphic cards, and high processor units with outstanding performance. 

Sometimes gaming PCs can be used for video editing because the performance is very good and processing the video very fast. 

A gaming PC sometimes added an overclock to gain extra performance. The addition of this power makes you add another cooling system to maintain the temperature inside the tower. 

Which Is Better, A Gaming Pc Or A Regular PC?

A regular PC is a computer with the capabilities to do general office or schoolwork, such as writing documents, internet research, watching videos, opening social media, or creating presentations. 

Gaming PCs are intended for gamers and are typically superior to regular PCs since the parts inside the tower PC are better than regular PCs including the graphics card, RAM, motherboard, storage, and cooling system. If you want to play games for a long time or have high specifications, I recommend you to buy a gaming PC instead of a regular PC. 

While enjoying the superior performance of a gaming PC, it’s also crucial to protect your investment. This is where a surge protector designed specifically for gaming PCs comes in. The best surge protector for gaming PCs that we recommend for 2023 is Surge Protector TLP1208SAT. It delivers robust protection against power surges, ensuring your gaming PC and peripherals are safe from unexpected voltage spikes. It also features multiple outlets to cater to all your devices, without compromising the aesthetics of your gaming setup.

Conclusion

HP Pavilion Gaming 2021 is the best of the other seven Desktop PCs here. HP Pavilion Gaming is outperforming from processing data, and high visual images also it has the standard for memory even though it is not really good on RAM. 

With little tweaks, on the memory and RAM, HP Pavilion Gaming 2021 can give you the best experience to play video games. 

The HP Pavilion Gaming 2021 beats all other candidates with the Ryzen5 5600G and RX 5500 as graphics cards. It’s far superior to other processors and graphic cards. From various reviews out there, they also agree that the HP Pavilion Gaming 2021 is capable of producing good and bright images up to 1080p. 

This is also with minor adjustments in some sectors such as RAM or Memory, the HP Pavilion is able to play high and low-end games. Even though the memory and RAM are not that great, you can upgrade the memory and RAM so you may be able to play mid to high-end games.

For more tips on how to improve your PC gaming experience, here are the best windows versions for gaming.