The phrase "cheap desktop PC" may evoke negative vibes, but it shouldn't. In our 40 years of testing and benchmarking desktops at PCMag, we've encountered plenty of quality budget computers that offer solid speed and feature sets. To identify the winners, our expert analysts and editors employ defined, repeatable testing methodologies to conduct quantitative benchmarks on every model we review. We assess machines based on design, features, connectivity, upgrade potential, and value. With all that in mind, the Acer Aspire TC-1775-UR11 is our current pick as the best cheap desktop PC for most buyers, thanks to its excellent mix of components for the money and feature-packed chassis. Beyond that Acer model, continue reading for several more recommended budget desktops for various use cases, along with a detailed buying guide and a helpful breakdown of our picks' specs in a selectable chart format.
Overview
-
Jump To Details
![Acer Aspire TC-1775-UR11]()
Best Budget Desktop for Most UsersAcer Aspire TC-1775-UR11
-
Jump To Details
![Dell 24 All-in-One (EC24250)]()
Best Budget All-in-One Desktop for Most UsersDell 24 All-in-One (EC24250)
-
Jump To Details
![Apple Mac Mini (2024)]()
Best Budget Mac DesktopApple Mac Mini (2024)
-
Jump To Details
![Geekom A6 Mini]()
Best Budget Mini DesktopGeekom A6 Mini
-
Jump To Details
![CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme]()
Best Budget Gaming DesktopCyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme
-
Jump To Details
![Asus NUC 15 Pro+]()
Best Budget Business DesktopAsus NUC 15 Pro+
-
Jump To Details
![Raspberry Pi 5]()
Best Raspberry Pi for Tinkerers, MakersRaspberry Pi 5
-
Jump To Details
![Framework Desktop]()
Best Modular Budget DesktopFramework Desktop
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
-
![Acer Aspire TC-1775-UR11]()
Best Budget Desktop for Most UsersAcer Aspire TC-1775-UR11
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The speed demons can complain that Acer's Aspire TC-1775-UR11 has a merely adequate Intel Core i5 processor with integrated graphics that can't play demanding games. Still, they'll have difficulty finding anything else to gripe about for the price. This successor to our previous top budget desktop continues to deliver reliable everyday performance, now featuring a 14th Gen Intel chip. It has two HDMI ports to boost productivity with a dual-monitor setup, a Wi-Fi 6E radio, and a front-facing card reader.
Who It's For
Casual computer users: If you consider yourself the head of an average mainstream family in need of a new PC, then this is the cheap desktop to buy. The Aspire TC-1775-UR11 is the best basic, everyday PC we've tested. The TC-1775 has enough speed for general use, handy front-mounted USB ports (both Type-A and Type-C), support for multiple monitors, Wi-Fi, and a useful media card reader. Its upgradability is limited, but the base performance and feature set represent a significant value.
Bargain shoppers: This affordable desktop PC is an excellent value choice for your limited budget. Not only is it a suitable fit for everyday use, but it's an inexpensive way to attain a capable desktop PC. The concessions that Acer has made are acceptable, and the parts and feature set represent an appealing deal, allowing you to spend as little as possible on a traditional tower.
Specs & Configurations
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class Mainstream Graphics Card Intel UHD Graphics 730 Operating System Windows 11 Home Processor Intel Core i5-14400 Processor Speed 1.8 RAM (as Tested) 8 Learn More Acer Aspire TC-1775-UR11 Review -
-
Credit: Joseph Maldonado
![Dell 24 All-in-One (EC24250)]()
Best Budget All-in-One Desktop for Most UsersDell 24 All-in-One (EC24250)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Sometimes simplicity is king, and the Dell 24 All-in-One nails that concept among budget AIO PCs. This system replaces the previous Inspiron model, as Dell discontinued that brand name (among others), but the idea remains the same. With a super-affordable starting price, this AIO is a sleek, compact, and capable-enough system featuring a large screen. It includes a better-than-average pop-up webcam and wireless peripherals, eliminating the need to buy them separately. The 24-inch screen isn't the sharpest at 1080p, and performance leans slightly on the underwhelming side; however, these are acceptable compromises for the price and intended use cases.
Who It's For
Plug-and-play shoppers: This is an ideal budget desktop if you don't want to shop for a monitor and accessories. The Dell 24 AIO delivers capable everyday performance and features a large screen, eliminating the need to purchase a separate monitor. It has everything you need in one package to set up a home office or living room PC, allowing you to browse the web, shop, watch videos, and perform other tasks with light processing demands.
Parents seeking a family PC: If you're shopping for a new home PC for everyone in your family to use, then this cheap desktop is excellent. This is a smart AIO choice if you want a plug-and-play PC for your kids to use for homework or entertainment in a living room, den, or home office. It's also fast enough for you to use in your own downtime.
Specs & Configurations
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution 1920 by 1080 All-in-One Screen Size 23.8 All-in-One Screen Type IPS touch screen Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class All-in-one Graphics Card Intel Graphics Operating System Windows 11 Home Processor Intel Core 5-120U RAM (as Tested) 16 Learn More Dell 24 All-in-One (EC24250) Review -
-
![Apple Mac Mini (2024)]()
Best Budget Mac DesktopApple Mac Mini (2024)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Apple Mac mini model with the M4 Pro CPU, as we tested it, is not a budget desktop. (If you look at our review of it, don't expect performance from Apple's base $599 model that measures up to those numbers.) That said, the $599 entry-level Mac mini is one of the genuine bargains among budget desktops, providing a robust everyday work computer at a price that rivals many less polished Windows machines. If you're looking for an easy on-ramp to your first desktop Mac, you'll find no better value. Plus, the new M4 Mac mini comes with double the memory (16GB) in its base model than the previous generation did.
Who It's For
Home-office shoppers: This cheap desktop is a perfect fit if you're an Apple fan looking to buy a home desktop. If you already own an iPhone or iPad, the Mac mini is a seamless and potentially affordable way to extend the Apple experience to an impressively potent desktop. Even if you're a total Apple newcomer, a Mac mini with the base M4 chip is an unbeatable budget option for a home-office desktop.
MacBook Air owners: If you already own a less-powerful Apple laptop, then this is the ultimate desktop companion. Especially with the M4 Pro chip, the Mac mini is configurable as your high-performance option at home, while your MacBook Air (or MacBook Neo) accompanies you on the road. The two systems will feel practically like one, thanks to Apple's cloud features.
Specs & Configurations
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class Small Form Factor (SFF) Graphics Card Apple M4 Pro (20-core) Operating System Apple macOS Sequoia Processor Apple M4 Pro (14-core) RAM (as Tested) 48 Learn More Apple Mac mini (2024, M4 Pro) Review -
-
![Geekom A6 Mini]()
Best Budget Mini DesktopGeekom A6 Mini
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Doing its best to emulate the Mac mini, the Geekom A6 Mini comes at an excellent price for what it packs inside. This compact desktop produces decent general productivity speeds, making it an excellent affordable home PC. The tiny PC provides a generous number of ports for its size, and its AMD Ryzen 7 6800H chip, paired with 32GB of memory, aces a wide range of everyday tasks, albeit not for demanding applications such as media editing, 3D rendering, or high-level spreadsheet crunching. For just about everything else, though, the A6 Mini will get it done.
Who It's For
Low-demand desktop shoppers: This cheap mini desktop is ideal if you're seeking a compact PC that can handle basic day-to-day tasks. If you're primarily interested in web browsing and entertainment, why spend more when less will suffice on this system? The Geekom A6 can even drive multiple monitors and make other useful connections, which is quite a lot of utility at this bargain price.
Independent professionals on a budget: If you're a contractor or an entrepreneur who doesn't require enterprise-level features, but you need a compact PC to meet your personal and professional needs, then this mini PC is a fine fit. The Geekom A6 is a capable home-office desktop, often faster than other like-priced space-saving PCs, making it a smart choice if you're a freelancer or entrepreneur looking to minimize business expenses.
Specs & Configurations
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class Small Form Factor (SFF) Graphics Card AMD Radeon 680M Operating System Windows 11 Pro Processor AMD Ryzen 7 6800H RAM (as Tested) 32 Learn More Geekom A6 Mini Review -
-
Credit: Joseph Maldonado
![CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme]()
Best Budget Gaming DesktopCyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
It's easy to create an expensive gaming desktop, but crafting an affordable tower is harder to achieve. The CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme tower succeeds by delivering capable mainstream gaming performance while sticking close to $1,000. Its Intel Core Ultra 5 225F CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU pump out potent performance for the price. This Costco-exclusive configuration provides more memory and storage than you often see in the budget tier, too, with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD. You'll come across some limitations, but that's normal for budget shopping, and this machine genuinely delivers on value.
Who It's For
Budget-strapped buyers: This is an affordable traditional gaming rig for your budget-bound PC gaming needs. Reliable 1080p performance and some 1440p capability (helped with DLSS) make this a smart pick for modern 60fps gaming while staying within a low price range.
Gamers who may upgrade later: The classic tower design means this system is open for you to swap in new parts in the future. Some cheap towers are compact or use proprietary parts, making upgrades difficult. If you're open to upgrading your power supply, motherboard, and other parts alongside new CPUs and GPUs down the line, then this PC case gives you the option.
Specs & Configurations
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 2 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class Gaming Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Operating System Windows 11 Home Processor Intel Core Ultra 5 225F Processor Speed 3.3 RAM (as Tested) 32 Learn More CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme Review -
-
Credit: Joseph Maldonado
![Asus NUC 15 Pro+]()
Best Budget Business DesktopAsus NUC 15 Pro+
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Small but capable, this mini PC could be your ideal budget fleet desktop. Asus, steward of the NUC brand, developed a hit mini desktop with the NUC 15 Pro+, particularly for professional or business use. This conservative puck conceals a wealth of performance, connectivity, and helpful features within. While it's tough to find in our reviewed configuration, you'll find barebones and other full configurations still readily available, starting at $615.
We tested a model with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor, 32GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD, a combination that proved entirely up to the task of professional workloads, but puts it out of budget pricing. Most casual users won't need as much performance punch as our configuration, but there's a lot to like with the system itself. Easily accessible memory and storage, a three-year warranty, Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7, and a bevy of ports make this a top mini-PC pick. Just opt for one of the base configurations or barebones models to get a good budget buy.
Who It's For
SMB IT buyers: This mini desktop is well-suited for you to equip a small office, call center, or retail establishment with as a compact yet powerful PC that can handle basic productivity tasks. Configured up like our test unit, the NUCs can be pricey, but you can find starter models under $800 with 16GB of memory, a Core Ultra 5 CPU, and 512GB of memory. Asus' three-year warranty helps seal the deal, giving businesses peace of mind with their hardware purchases.
Windows fans with Mac mini envy: If you're a PC person who wants a taste of the slimline Apple life, consider the Asus NUC Pro+ 15. This is an excellent mini desktop if you're a Windows user who appreciates Apple's compact Mac mini PC but prefers Microsoft's operating system.
Specs & Configurations
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class Small Form Factor (SFF) Graphics Card Intel Arc 140T Operating System Windows 11 Processor Intel Core Ultra 9 285H Processor Speed 2.9 RAM (as Tested) 32 Learn More Asus NUC 15 Pro+ Review -
-
![Raspberry Pi 5]()
Best Raspberry Pi for Tinkerers, MakersRaspberry Pi 5
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Is the Pi a desktop? Technically, it can be, if you put it in a proper third-party case. For years, PC tinkerers and beginning programmers have found the ultra-cheap Raspberry Pi circuit boards to be easy and fun paths to app development, robot building, and custom device control, among many other applications. All that the Pi 5 did was improve over the Pi 4 with faster processing, punchier graphics, and expanded storage support—simple, right? This product is a snappy, easy-to-set-up single-board computer with a generous price, making it the name to beat in this arena.
Who It's For
DIY hobbyists: If you're a hardware tinkerer or DIY lover, then this is the ultimate cheap desktop solution. To be sure, the Raspberry Pi remains strictly for you enthusiasts rather than civilian consumers. It's a cost-effective way to get a computer up and running, but if you're not interested in writing code to configure peripherals or installing the Linux-based Raspbian operating system, steer clear. Regardless, we have little doubt this generation is the tastiest Pi yet, and it remains the premier low-cost tinkerer's desktop.
Specs & Configurations
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 32 Boot Drive Type Flash storage Desktop Class Small Form Factor (SFF) Desktop Class Stick Computer Graphics Card Broadcom VideoCore VII Operating System Linux Processor Broadcom BCM2712 Processor Speed 2.4 RAM (as Tested) 8 Learn More Raspberry Pi 5 Review -
-
![Framework Desktop]()
Best Modular Budget DesktopFramework Desktop
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Starting around $1,000, this is the ultimate modular desktop for tinkerers, Linux users, DIY enthusiasts, and those seeking a more compact PC. You can order a Framework Desktop at various stages of completeness, including the bare minimum (a tower and mainboard), to which you can bring your own memory, storage, and even operating system. Our review loadout was significantly better equipped than the base model, but you can order it as you like: it's highly customizable in both function and appearance. While less relevant for budget shoppers, our model showed that the Ryzen processor with unified memory can deliver robust processing and graphics performance, despite its size, should you opt for that route.
Who It's For
Tinkerers and DIY enthusiasts: This small-form-factor desktop is ideal if you enjoy fiddling with or building PC systems. You can configure the Framework Desktop as a nearly bare-bones PC, fitting for tinkerers and bargain hunters. This benefit isn't all that different from building a regular PC from scratch, except for its petite size and some additional customization options, such as faceplate badges.
Cutting-edge computing professionals: If you're a professional in a hot and trendy computing field, such as AI development and software engineering, then this modular desktop is well-suited for that work. As a tech-savvy engineer, you'll have plenty to tinker with in this desktop, without sacrificing power, while also maximizing repairability and customization.
Specs & Configurations
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 2 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class Small Form Factor (SFF) Graphics Card AMD Radeon 8060S Operating System Windows 11 Pro Processor AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 RAM (as Tested) 128 Learn More Framework Desktop Review -
Compare Specs
Our Pick | |||||||||||
Rating |
4.0 Excellent |
3.5 Good |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
5.0 Exemplary |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
3.5 Good |
4.5 Outstanding |
Best For | Best Budget Desktop for Most Users | Best Budget All-in-One Desktop for Most Users | Best Budget Mac Desktop | Best Budget Mini Desktop | Best Budget Gaming Desktop | Best Budget Business Desktop | Best Raspberry Pi for Tinkerers, Makers | Best Modular Budget Desktop | Best Budget Desktop for Most Users | Best Budget All-in-One Desktop for Most Users | Best Budget Mac Desktop |
Desktop Class | Mainstream | All-in-one | Small Form Factor (SFF) | Small Form Factor (SFF) | Gaming | Small Form Factor (SFF) | Small Form Factor (SFF), Stick Computer | Small Form Factor (SFF) | Mainstream | All-in-one | Small Form Factor (SFF) |
Processor | Intel Core i5-14400 | Intel Core 5-120U | Apple M4 Pro (14-core) | AMD Ryzen 7 6800H | Intel Core Ultra 5 225F | Intel Core Ultra 9 285H | Broadcom BCM2712 | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 | Intel Core i5-14400 | Intel Core 5-120U | Apple M4 Pro (14-core) |
Processor Speed | 1.8 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 1.8 | ||||||
RAM (as Tested) | 8 | 16 | 48 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 8 | 128 | 8 | 16 | 48 |
Boot Drive Type | SSD | SSD | SSD | SSD | SSD | SSD | Flash storage | SSD | SSD | SSD | SSD |
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 512 | 512 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 32 | 2 | 512 | 512 | 1 |
Secondary Drive Type | |||||||||||
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |||||||||||
Optical Drive | |||||||||||
All-in-One Screen Size | 23.8 | 23.8 | |||||||||
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution | 1920 by 1080 | 1920 by 1080 | |||||||||
All-in-One Screen Type | IPS touch screen | IPS touch screen | |||||||||
Graphics Card | Intel UHD Graphics 730 | Intel Graphics | Apple M4 Pro (20-core) | AMD Radeon 680M | Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 | Intel Arc 140T | Broadcom VideoCore VII | AMD Radeon 8060S | Intel UHD Graphics 730 | Intel Graphics | Apple M4 Pro (20-core) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Apple macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 | Linux | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Apple macOS Sequoia |
Buying Guide: The Best Cheap Desktop PCs for 2026
Now, a handful of our chosen picks may not be what you normally picture when you imagine a desktop, but you'd be surprised at the capabilities of some of these small boxes. These PCs are certainly capable of surfing the web, streaming videos to a monitor or a large TV, operating a public display, or letting you work on simple documents and other everyday productivity tasks. They can even run web-based games, should you have the desire. They come in a few different shapes and sizes, most of which are small. The closer-to-full-size towers, meanwhile, can do just about everything you expect from a modern home PC.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Shopping for a budget desktop isn't too different from standard desktop-buying considerations, but there are some key things to know. If you're looking at a very small system, mini PCs tend to come in a limited set of models, carefully designed to excel at their specific tasks. We previously had many Intel Next Unit of Computing (NUC) mini-PCs among our picks, but, despite our appreciation, Intel ceased production in 2023. Their legacy will live on, however, as Asus now shepherds the NUC brand, and it's open to a handful of other mini PC makers, such as MSI.
Asus, Lenovo, and MSI, as well as compact-system specialists such as ECS and Geekom, are the main names in this area. Apple has an entry, as well: The Apple Mac mini sits toward the top of budget pricing, but even this model was recently subject to a starting price increase (now $799 from $599) that includes double the storage at 512GB.
Read on to learn what to look for in these systems and what components you can find inside. If you're specifically interested in tiny PCs but budget isn't a concern, also check out our favorite mini PCs overall. You'll find plenty of crossover between the two, but not every tiny PC is inexpensive.
Budget PC Form Factors: What Size Do You Need?
What's immediately obvious about most of these budget PCs? How they look. Modern components have made the PC performance baseline very solid, even on a $500 tower, versus what it used to be. This allows traditional small- and midsize-tower PCs to thrive in this price range. These remain among our favorites for the money, as time-tested solutions for home computing.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)You'll also see an assortment of (impressively) small boxes, bare boards, micro towers, and even some stick-shaped PCs to choose from. The smallest of these systems measure just a couple of inches tall and only a few more across, while several of our top picks are mini boxes just a few inches tall and wide—and it's hard not to marvel at these systems running full Windows 11. With their small size and dialed-down power, they save you not just money but space, which can be crucial in certain usage situations. If you want to just plug one in out of sight behind a monitor or TV, you'll hardly know it's there.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Despite their compact sizes, our favorite small models still offer a respectable number of ports. The best of these boxes offer plenty of physical connectivity and expansion options, making them versatile for different deployments. If you need to connect displays and peripherals or add storage, there's an option here. The larger towers, of course, provide a more comprehensive complement of ports, including some up-to-the-minute options like USB-C ports.
What Components Should You Look for in a Budget PC?
It should come as no shock that you'll find lower-power processors in these less-expensive desktops, but you may be surprised at how capable some of them are for the size and price. CPU advancements mean that the floor is higher than it used to be. Even modern budget systems have enough processing cores and sufficient baseline performance for light productivity beyond web browsing, and most boot up in just a few seconds.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Still, you'll find a wide range of capabilities in the budget tier. At the very least, have an idea of the most strenuous tasks you'll throw at this machine to determine if a budget desktop can fit the bill. A simple PC for your kid to browse the web and do homework has different power demands than even an entry-level gaming desktop.
As for the specific CPUs you'll see, the least powerful among these will be Core i3 or i5 processors on the Intel side and Ryzen 3 or 5 chips from AMD. Expect to see 14th Gen Intel processors in current budget machines, while AMD currently offers processors in the Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series. Depending on the category, the occasional Core i7 and Ryzen 7 processor may be available at budget pricing, too. Intel also launched its AI-ready "Arrow Lake" Core Ultra desktop chips (also known as Core Ultra 200S) in 2024; these still haven't appeared in many budget prebuilt systems, although we have seen them in some midrange options, such as the 2025 Alienware Aurora. They should filter down over time, but it might take another generation before Core Ultra chips really start to supplant the older Core i alternatives in budget desktops.
Note that mini PCs, like several of our picks here, and some all-in-one PCs will employ not conventional desktop CPUs but the mobile kind meant for laptops. You can suss these out by the letters at the end of their model numbers. An "H", "HS," or "HX" indicates a robust, high-powered (but laptop-grade) processor, while a "U" at the end indicates a lighter-hitting chip generally designed for a thin laptop. In particular, vendors are increasingly using laptop chips from the Core Ultra line in mini PCs and AIOs—mainly Meteor Lake (100 series) and Lunar Lake (200V series) chips, with Panther Lake (300 series) hitting systems through this year.
As for Apple, the Mac mini and iMac no longer use Intel CPUs, but Apple's own (impressively fast) "M" series chips. These simply go up sequentially, with M1 being the first and M4 being the latest (2024-2025) flavor, depending on the model's age. (The truly newest M5 chips have not made it into Apple desktops yet.) Apple also sells enhanced Pro, Max, and Ultra versions in each generation, but these won't be a factor for budget Mac desktops.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)In the current market, memory (or RAM) is the elephant in the room. More memory will help your processor move through tasks smoothly, but it's in high demand right now, mainly due to an explosion in AI data center investment. That means RAM is more expensive than ever, which is particularly concerning for budget-conscious shoppers.
How much do you need? 8GB is generally the minimum we see today, even in budget systems. Gaming and professional productivity machines will benefit from 16GB in particular, and while more memory is always helpful, most general-use budget PCs can get by with 8GB. Avoid any Windows model with just 4GB. We also have a more in-depth guide to memory needs by PC category. Since it's expensive to even acquire the minimum amount you need these days, carefully consider your use case.
Storage, like RAM, has seen its budget-model baseline rise. A desktop with a 256GB solid-state drive (SSD) is now on the small side, though you can expect this much (or less) in ChromeOS devices and the true basement-price desktops; everything else will include at least 512GB. Budget gaming systems are better off with at least 1TB of storage to accommodate today's sizable game installations. However, for storing your files and a modest collection of videos and photos, a 512GB drive should suffice.
Almost every system today uses a snappy solid-state drive rather than a traditional spinning-platter hard drive, though you will occasionally see old-school hard drives as secondary drives in tower-size models. External USB drives are always an option for storing large media libraries off the system. Additionally, if you're comfortable with hardware upgrades, a lot of these full-size towers will have a free bay or slot for an extra hard drive or SSD, which is a cheaper way to add storage down the line if needed.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Finally, we come to graphics. Whether big or small, budget desktops almost exclusively come with integrated graphics accelerators built into the CPU, rather than a discrete Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon graphics card. You need a dedicated video card for proper PC gaming at 1080p or higher, or for demanding 3D applications, which are several tiers above what these PCs offer. At best, integrated graphics can run some less-demanding games at low detail settings and resolutions or visually simple games. (Note our caveats around video card upgrades in budget PCs, though, below in the next section.)
Gaming desktops are the exception here. They have their own qualifying "budget" price range, and they will come equipped with Nvidia's and AMD's entry-level graphics cards. Enthusiast gamers concerned with performance need to look further upmarket (check out our overall favorite gaming desktops), but you could still get away with some light gaming on a budget model. Gaming models with dedicated graphics cards start at several hundred dollars higher than the $500 range, and we do see some good-value systems under $1,000.
Internal Upgrades: Can You Upgrade a Budget PC?
If you're remotely interested in upgrading your desktop down the line, traditional tower desktops will do the job, even at this price point. Niche small-form-factor desktops are less friendly to maintenance, but your go-to standard tower will easily accommodate at least some additions. In a traditional case, you should expect to be able to remove the side panel and add more storage (like, as mentioned, an additional drive or two) and more memory.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Towers can also allow you to add a discrete graphics card, but be mindful of several factors that may affect this future prospect. For one thing, limitations might be posed by the chassis size or the wattage of the internal power supply. Some budget tower models without video cards have power supplies with output ratings below 200 watts. Frustratingly, some manufacturers use proprietary power supply solutions that can't be easily swapped for a standard higher-wattage ATX unit.
You may be able to open up a case, and it may have the PCI Express x16 slot for a video card, but the power supply might not have the wattage oomph to push it, or the chassis might be cramped (or not designed to industry standard) and allow for the installation only of half-height cards or short-length cards, which would severely limit your upgrade options. It's easy to assume you'll be able to throw a better graphics card in a system after you buy, but you'll often find these limitations, especially in the least expensive models.
Your most likely upgrade options for these systems will be additional storage or memory. As a general rule, though, the smaller the chassis, the fewer your upgrade options, and that can even extend to memory and storage format. Some super-cheap systems use non-upgradable, soldered-down eMMC storage, for example, instead of an M.2 or 2.5-inch SSD. In some compact, inexpensive desktops, the CPU and RAM are not socketed and removable, but are instead integrated into the mainboard.
...And Then There Was Pi
Beyond budget Windows desktops, of course, is the ultimate cheap DIY machine: the inexpensive Raspberry Pi.
The Pi, in its various iterations, is no more than a canvas for a bare circuit board. (See our review of the latest, the capable Raspberry Pi 5.) However, this series of flexible "hobby board" systems enables you to create a lightweight computer tailored to your needs and assemble it from simple beginnings. A Pi can be a "desktop," in a sense, if you install it in a third-party case.
(Credit: Michael Justin Allen Sexton)The Pi computers themselves are quite inexpensive, most under $50. Configuring and using the Pi will require some experimentation, a few additional dongles, and a willingness to work with a form of Linux. You'll need to factor in the cost of some storage (such as a microSD card), a case for the PCB (which is usually a trivial expense), and cables, for starters.
Don't think of the Raspberry Pi as a replacement for a full-on working or productivity desktop, though. It lacks the level of power or user-friendliness required for general-usage situations like that. However, for certain use cases, it's just what you need to work as a media server, act as a light web server, and even power a robot or run a weather station. Its usefulness is limited only by your patience to learn the Linux-based lingo surrounding the various OSs, and your willingness to tweak and tinker. (See our guide to getting started with Raspberry Pi.)
Budget PCs: Accessories to Look For
One big caveat to your cheap desktop dreams, whether Windows-based, a Pi, or something else: You'll still need a monitor. To be fair, this is no different from buying a standard screen-free tower PC, unless you opt for an all-inclusive all-in-one desktop. In this instance, though, the added cost hurts extra, given you're trying to be thrifty.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Still, if you need to invest in a panel, don't fret. You can find decent, serviceable 1080p (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) displays starting under $100. That's for a just-fine, roomy 23-incher. Ideally, you may even have a monitor from a past system and key peripherals such as a keyboard and mouse to go with it. (We have you covered if you want to shop for a keyboard or mouse, too, by the way.) Even better, many tower-style budget PCs come with a basic keyboard and mouse included in the box.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Using a TV as a monitor is also an option for a system with an HDMI-out port if you're in a situation where you can display your PC on a TV that's already set up. This is especially useful for ultra-compact PCs, as they can be plugged directly into an HDMI port on the TV and require no major cable runs for setup in a living room, dorm room, lobby, or any other location where a PC may be unsightly. Indeed, small PCs like these make excellent solutions for powering a home theater, streaming, and playing files from a network drive, among other uses.
Ready to Buy the Right Budget PC for You?
We trust that our advice has equipped you with what you need to know. If you're replacing an older system that has become too slow or setting up a new workspace and need something simple, a budget desktop may be in your future. Check out our recommendations list here for some of our favorites. If you'd like a more traditional tower and can afford the extra cost, consider our top desktop picks or, alternatively, our favorite budget laptops.