5 best prebuilt gaming PCs under $1000 in 2024

Getting a prebuilt PC is great for anyone who wants to try their own rig without the trail and error of custom builds, but the best picks in this list will take you a step further by setting you up with the right specs without breaking your wallet. 

Whether it's the most budget-friendly hardware available or you're willing to splash a bit extra on a more powerful GPU, I'll take you through the best prebuilt desktops you can buy right now for under a grand. 

Whilst narrowing down the many prebuilt PCs myself, every pick in this list has had to meet a variety of key conditions; these include of course being under $1000, at minimum coming with everything you need from a gaming PC outside from the box (apart from peripherals), and is powerful enough to play the latest popular games like Fortnite, Warzone, Elden Ring, Counter-Strike 2 and Overwatch 2. 

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Plus, I've also made sure each PC is easily upgradable as well. So, whilst you might only want to spend so much to dip your toes into PC gaming to start, the option to add higher specs like a better graphics card or larger SSD is there if you wish to spend a bit more cash and be ready for the next triple-A releases.

Cheapest gaming PC under $1000

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Image via Dell

Dell RGB Gaming PC details

• Price: $292.99 
• Key features: 
  • GeForce GTX graphics card
  • Intel i5 CPU up to 3.6GHz
  • 16GB GDDR6 RAM memory
  • 256GB SSD & 3TB HDD
  • RGB lighting

For anyone starting out with PC gaming, a more affordable prebuilt bundle is a great jumping-off point, and this Dell RGB gaming PC certainly boasts impressive stats for such an affordable machine - it even comes with a mouse and keyboard to get you started.

More importantly, it comes with a respectable GTX 1660 and an Intel i5 processor, meaning that it's equipped with more than enough horsepower for games like Fortnite and Rocket League.

While this is by no means a PC that will have you putting your PS5 in a cupboard, for newer players, or anyone who just wants to dip their toe in PC gaming, it's a surefire way to do so without spending a huge amount of money on a pricier unit.

RTX 2060 gaming PC under $1000

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Image via STGAubron

STGAubron Gaming Desktop details:

• Price: $579.99
• Key features: 
  • GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card
  • Intel i7 CPU up to 3.9GHz
  • 16GB GDDR6 RAM
  • 512GB SSD
  • RGB lighting

A step up from our previous offering, this STGAubron gaming PC bundle is also a great entry point when looking for a pre-built bit of kit under $1,000 - especially for anyone who is more confident that PC gaming is their thing.  It includes a mouse, keyboard, and sound bar, - all in RGB -so you really only need to provide the monitor to complete this package.

As for specs, this machine comes with an Intel i7 CPU and an RTX 2060 GPU. That's not all, though, as you'll also get a 512 GB SSD for storing your games and built-in WiFi. If you have the extra cash and are looking for a good starting set, this bundle from STGAubron is a great option.

RTX 3050 gaming PC under $1000

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Image via Skytech

Skytech Archangel Gaming Desktop details 

• Price: $824.99
• Features: 
  • GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card
  • AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU to 3.9GHz
  • 8GB DDR4 RAM
  • 500GB SSD
  • 4 x RGB fans RGB

For just under $830, this prebuilt Skytech gaming PC offers a lot of bang for your buck. With an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU and an RTX 3050, you'll be able to run most modern games flawlessly at 1080p. 

The 500GB SSD and 8GB DDR4 RAM are the biggest downsides in the build, but also the cheapest and easiest to expand and improve in the future if you want to get more out of your machine. All the while, in the included RGB fans pair beautiful lighting and optimal cooling for your system. 

It's a really strong starting point for anyone looking to enter PC gaming, and provides a solid foundation that you can upgrade, while also remaining strong out of the box for all the games you'll want to play.

RTX 3060 gaming PC under $1000

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Image via STGAubron

STGAubron Gaming Desktop details:

• Price: $888.99
• Features: 
  • GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card
  • Intel Core i7-10700KF CPU to 5.1GHz
  • 16GB DDR4 RAM
  • 1TB SSD
  • 7 x RGB fans

This offering from STGAubron is a strong one, for under $900, you get an Intel Core i7 processor, a 12GB RTX 3060 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB solid state drive.

That's not all, though, as you'll also be getting a mouse, keyboard, sound bar, and headset included in the bundle.

Overall, it's a unit with a massive amount of power for a pretty reasonable price in the grand scheme of things. For anyone who is seriously considering getting into PC gaming, or is already onboard and wants to upgrade to a more serious machine, this is a great shout.

What is the best gaming PC under $1000?

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Image via Skytech

Skytech Shiva II Gaming Desktop (RTX 3060) details: 

• Price: $899.99
• Features: 
  • GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card
  • Intel Core i5-12400F CPU to 4.4GHz
  • 16GB DDR4 RAM
  • 500GB SSD
  • RGB fan & RGB tempered glass case

Our top pick for the best gaming PC is the Skytech Shiva II desktop, which is packed with powerful hardware. With an Intel Core i5 12400F, an RTX 3060, and 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, this is more than enough to run the latest games at a high framerate - all for under $1000.

If the aesthetic of your set-up is also important to you, the lighting strips across the front and the fan inside provide customisable RGB colouring that will bathe your setup in some lovely neon.

It's a very powerful rig and more than enough for most people, making it a great starter choice for high-end PC gaming.

To complete the rest of your PC gaming set-up, check out the best budget mechanical keyboards, wireless headsets, 1440p monitors, and mouse for claw grip. 

Alternatively, take a dive into our hardware guides homepage for even more gaming must-buys right here at GGRecon. 

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