Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall Gaming PC under $700 is the HP Victus 15L, a stylish PC with a 12th gen processor.
- Desktop and gaming laptops are both options in this price range.
- Consider accessories and extras when setting your final budget.
- Game selection, the GPU, RAM, and processing power are key with gaming PCs.
Gaming on a budget is tough, especially when you’re shopping for the best gaming PCs under $700. Your options are limited from a performance standpoint, but you may be surprised by some of the options available. Whether you’re an AMD fan or want a system with an RTX, there is a system for you. Out of dozens of options, here are our choices for the best gaming PCs under $700:
- Best Overall: HP Victus 15L Premium Gaming Desktop
- Runner-Up: Acer Nitro 50 N50-640-UA91 Gaming Desktop
- Best Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Laptop
- Best RGB: SkyTech Chronos Mini Gaming PC
- Best on a Budget: HP Victus 15.6″ Gaming Laptop
- Best Mini PC: CTONE Mini Gaming PC
#1 Best Overall: HP Victus 15L Premium Gaming Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12400 2.50GHz processor
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super
- Comes with Windows 11 Home
The HP Victus 15L Premium Gaming Desktop is the #1 Best Overall gaming PC under $700 for consumers in need of a desktop system. This stylish PC is available in several configurations, including this upgraded model with a GTX 1660 Super GPU.
It’s not uncommon to find upgraded PCs online, and the Victus series has been a favorite for builders. This configuration comes with an Intel Core i5-12400F processor and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. The 12th Gen chip has plenty of pop, and so does the GPU. The GeForce GTX 1660 Super has 6GB of VRAM, which makes it perfect for FHD gaming.
Storage is light on this model at 512GB, although it’s a speedy solid-state drive. The case is compact at around six inches wide and it only weighs 19.9 pounds. It would look great mounted on a wall, and the ports are easy to access. The Victus 15L has standard ports along with one USB 3.2 Type-C port and an Intel 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 module with Bluetooth.
At $699, this system is right on the bubble, but the 8GB variant is a bit cheaper. The Victus 15L feels like a premium system, and while the card won’t let you play Jedi Outcast on Ultra, it will get the job done. The “bones” are solid thanks to the 12th gen chip, and the build allows you to upgrade the GPU at a later date.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The compact case has easy-to-access ports. | There’s only one USB Type-C port. |
| It has a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM. | Storage is limited to 512GB. |
| There is a dedicated GeForce 1660 Super GPU. | |
| It’s very easy to use and set up. |
Check out the HP Victus 15L Premium Gaming Desktop on Amazon.
Runner-Up: Acer Nitro 50 N50-640-UA91 Gaming Desktop
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12400F processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- 8GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM
- 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD
- Supports Wi-Fi 6E AX211
- Comes with Windows 11 Home
When you want a gaming PC with a bit of flair but aren’t partial to neon RGBs, the Acer Nitro 50 N50-640-UA91 Gaming Desktop is the best choice. This desktop system isn’t quite as powerful as the Victus, but it has a dedicated card along with features geared toward gamers.
Acer’s Nitro line is a great way for gamers to get in on the ground floor cheaply. In this case, that’s through the same processor that powers our top pick plus the GeForce 1650. You can upgrade the GPU when your budget allows, and the same goes for the 8GB of RAM under the hood. Acer includes a standard 512GB SSD on the base model.
One advantage of this system is the FrostBlade cooling system. The large fans keep your system cool and they are adjustable through NitroSense. From here, you can monitor your system’s temperature and adjust speed and power accordingly. Other features to note include DTS X: Ultra Audio, 3.2 ports on the front, a DVI port, and Wi-Fi 6E.
The Acer Nitro is easy on the eyes as long as you like red lighting. This well-built system allows you to show off the inside of your rig and it has enough power to play many popular games, from Fortnite to Witcher 3 and WoW. This gaming PC is available in a variety of configurations, including one with the RTX 3050 if you have a few hundred more dollars to spare.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a 12th Gen Core i5-12400F processor. | You can’t change the colors from red. |
| The stylish case has RGB lighting. | There’s only 8GB of RAM with this configuration. |
| There is fan control and monitoring through NitroSense. | |
| It has an NVIDIA GTX 1060 graphics card. |
Check out the Acer Nitro 50 N50-640-UA91 Gaming Desktop on Amazon.
Best Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Laptop
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB PCIe SSD
- 120Hz Refresh Rate
- FHD IPS display
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Laptop is the best gaming PC for under $700 for gamers on the go. This portable system has more power than many desktop models in the same class and provides impressive performance for the price.
With an NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti, you won’t have any problem playing current AAA titles. Action is responsive thanks to the 120Hz display, which has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080. You won’t find an Intel chip in this system, however. Lenovo went with the Ryzen 5 6600H in this laptop, alongside 8GB of DDR5 memory with a speed of 4,800Mhz.
The hardware is just as responsive as the display on the IdeaPad Gaming 3 laptop. A USB 3.2 Type-C port is located on the back with a DisplayPort, HDMI port, and power outlet. There are USB-A ports on either side as well. The webcam has a privacy shutter for peace of mind, and there’s 256GB of storage to work with out of the box.
Lenovo’s IdeaPads aren’t the first choice to come to mind with gaming laptops, but they are among the cheapest. The IdeaPad Gaming 3 is one of a handful of laptops in this price range with a dedicated card, and the RAM isn’t soldered, so it’s upgradeable. The build quality isn’t the best, but the battery life is solid, and so is the price.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The laptop features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti. | The build quality isn’t the best. |
| It has a responsive 120Hz FHD display. | It has a basic, somewhat bland design. |
| You can upgrade the RAM and storage. | |
| There is a wide range of ports. |
Check out the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Laptop on Amazon.
Best RGB: SkyTech Chronos Mini Gaming PC
- Intel Core-i3 10100F 3.6GHz processor
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650
- 500GB SSD
- 3x RGB Fans
If you’re a gamer who digs a colorful rig, the best gaming PC under $700 is the SkyTech Chronos Mini Gaming PC. This gaming machine is vibrant, easy to upgrade, and has the best cooling out of the box of any system on our list.
SkyTech’s system makes a statement with a large front grill and two front RGB fans. There’s an additional RGB fan in the rear that’s visible through the glass pane on the side. There’s no port access on the front, but the case leaves a small footprint behind and has a variety of ports on the rear. The design ensures upgrades are a breeze — as long as you keep the dimensions in mind.
With a GTX 1660 and 4GB of VRAM, this PC is ideal for games like CS: GO, Rocket League, Minecraft, and Roblox. This budget-friendly gaming PC comes with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and gets its power from an Intel Core i3-10100F with a speed of 3.7GHz. There’s a 500GB solid-state drive for storage, and the SkyTech Chronos runs Windows 10.
While the specifications may seem underwhelming compared to other systems, the SkyTech Chronos delivers a lot of bang for the buck. The case is well-built, and the GeForce GTX 1060 is still a very capable card. If you’re happy with the card but want a bit more power, there’s a slightly larger version of this PC with double the RAM and an AMD chip.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| There are three large RGB fans and a see-through side panel. | The i3 processor paired with 8GB of RAM may be a little underpowered for some. |
| The desktop has an NVIDIA GTX 1060 with 4GB of VRAM. | There are no front-facing ports. |
| It has a 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor. |
Check out the SkyTech Chronos Mini Gaming PC on Amazon.
Best on a Budget: HP Victus 15.6″ Gaming Laptop
- 15.6-inch FHD display
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H
- NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU
- 512GB SSD
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
HP is known for producing affordable laptops, and the HP Victus 15.6″ Gaming Laptop is the best gaming PC with an Intel chip that you can take on the road for under $700. Whether you want a system for gaming and school or something you can update down the line, the Victus is an excellent choice.
HP designed the Victus with upgrades in mind. This configuration comes with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB hard drive, but the memory is upgradable to 64GB. It can also handle a 2TB hard drive. There’s no need to worry about the processor or GPU, however. It has a GTX 1650 and a 12th Gen Core i5 with a Max Turbo speed of 4.4GHz.
The 15.6-inch 144Hz display is spacious and has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080. The response time is listed at 9ms on this IPS panel. Audio is impressive thanks to dual Bang & Olufsen speakers, and there’s an HDMI 2.1 port alongside two USB-A ports and a single USB Type-C port. It also supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, dual array mics, and a 720p webcam.
This sturdy PC stays cool during long gaming sessions and allows gamers to significantly increase performance with extra RAM. Some users felt the screen was a bit washed out and it’s light on ports, but it’s well worth your time if you want an upgradable laptop for around $600 bucks.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| There is a spacious 15.6-inch FHD display. | There are only three USB ports. |
| It can handle large RAM and storage upgrades. | The display could be better. |
| It has a solid audio system. | |
| The laptop has a 12th Gen Core i5 and the GTX 1650. |
Check out the HP Victus 15.6″ Gaming Laptop on Amazon.
Best Mini PC: CTONE Mini Gaming PC
- Ryzen 7 5800U processor
- AMD Radeon Vega7 2000MHz GPU
- 32GB of DDR4 RAM
- 512GB SSD
- It comes with Windows 11 Pro
Mini PCs can be an acquired taste, but the CTONE Mini Gaming PC is the best mini gaming PC under $700. While this system is small with an integrated GPU, it has a surprising amount of power for the price.
CTONE’s mini PC has a unique design and a small form factor. It weighs less than four pounds and certainly stands out with the RGB status indicator and front-facing ports. There are two USB-A ports and a USB Type-C port on the front along with a 3.5mm audio jack. There are dual HDMI 2.0 ports on the rear, two more USB-A ports, an RJ45 jack, and a display port rated for 4K at 60Hz.
This small PC has more ports than systems twice its size, and excellent specifications. There’s Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6, and a hexacore processor from AMD with the Ryzen 7 5800U. It has 512GB of RAM, which is expandable up to 5TB, and 32GB of DDR4 RAM. That’s impressive, and so is the ability to quadruple that number to 128GB.
If you’re wondering why a gaming PC with 32GB of RAM isn’t ranked at the top of our list, it’s due to the graphics card. This system has an integrated Radeon Vega 7, which puts it a step behind PCs with GTX cards. It’s still a very capable gaming rig, just don’t expect to play many new AAA titles unless you rely on the cloud.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s powerful with a Ryzen 7 processor and 32GB of RAM. | It has an integrated GPU. |
| There is a wide range of ports on the front and back. | The design won’t be for everyone. |
| The motherboard can handle 128GB of RAM. | |
| It leaves a small footprint behind. |
Check out the CTONE Mini Gaming PC on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Gaming PC Under $700: Step by Step
People looking for the best gaming PC under $700 need to consider the type of games they want to play. This is the first step to finding the right machine for your needs, even before considering a graphics card or other hardware in the system.
- Game Selection
- The Graphics Card
- RAM and Processing Power
Game Selection
Are you a casual gamer who spends hours matching gems, or do you prefer FPS games? The types of games you play now, and the ones you intend to play in the future, have a major impact on choosing a gaming PC.
Web-based games don’t require a lot of horsepower. If you want to run Jedi Outcast at 60 frames per second, that’s a different story. Every PC game has system requirements, which quickly allow users to see if their PC can run certain games. Knowing your tastes beforehand is half the battle and it can help you focus on upcoming titles.
As a rule of thumb, indie games aren’t going to require as much processing power or a high-end GPU. Want to run Starfield? Well, you’ll need at least a GTX 1070Ti to limp through that game. That’s tough to find in a PC under $700 unless you’re willing to take a hit with the RAM and processor.
The Graphics Card
With PCs under $700, the options are limited when it comes to GPUs. You’ll need to make a hard decision between a system with a dedicated graphics card or integrated graphics. There are integrated chips that can play thousands of older and newer games with low system requirements, but they pale in comparison to a dedicated card.
The price of a new graphics card for a desktop PC can be half the price or considerably more than your $700 system. Used graphics cards still command a premium, and some systems don’t allow you to upgrade the GPU at all. That’s the case with 99% of laptops outside of a few modular systems.
If there’s a certain game you want to check on, you can take the PC’s specifications and reference those against the system requirements. If you want to learn more about system requirements and how to find them, this guide has you covered.
RAM and Processing Power
The RAM and the processor are two other areas that should be high on your priority list. Both impact how well games and applications perform on any PC, but one of these components is much easier to upgrade than the other.
The processor acts as the heart of your PC. Choosing between Intel or AMD in this price range isn’t as important as the generation and number of cores. A 12th Gen Intel Core-i3 can beat a dated i5 that’s six years old, so age makes a difference. Newer processors have better optimization, which is a bonus for gamers.
Memory is tricky, considering there are thousands of games that will work just fine with 8GB of RAM. 16GB of RAM makes a huge difference in performance and the types of games you can play, however. While you can usually replace RAM, it’s not an option in laptops where it’s been soldered to the motherboard.
What to Know Before Buying a Gaming PC Under $700
You may have a budget set for $700 on a new gaming laptop, but will it come with everything you need? If you’re buying a gaming laptop, you’re good to go unless you need headphones or a controller. If you’re purchasing a desktop PC, you’ll want to see what’s included.
If you don’t already have a monitor, you’re not going to find one bundled with a gaming PC under $700 unless it’s used. If it’s not part of your budget, it’s not a problem, but a new monitor can run between $150-$500 or more.
Keyboards and mice are relatively cheap but they’re still an additional expense if they aren’t included. When you’re budget is tight, it’s best to take stock of your peripherals when purchasing a new gaming PC under $700.
Using a $700 Gaming PC: What It’s Like
If you’ve been gaming from a Chromebook or an old desktop that’s been passed down, you’ll be thrilled with a new gaming PC, even if it’s only $700. Alternatively, if you have been playing Cyberpunk 2077 on a friend’s gaming rig and expect the same results, you’ll be thoroughly disappointed.
Your experience using a $700 gaming PC will be pleasant as long as you keep your expectations in line with your new PC’s performance. That means understanding what the computer can run and what it can’t so you’re never disappointed by how it handles your favorite games.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©JJFarq/Shutterstock.com.
