It’s tempting to make your own streaming PC because you can choose which components you’ll use for the best performance. However, since making your own PC can be a bit tricky and finding all the components you need takes time, it’s a good idea to consider getting a prebuilt streaming PC.
My top pick for a streaming PC under 1000$ is SkyTech Blaze II – it has powerful CPU and GPU, with plenty of storage and RAM, just what you need for streaming.
In this article, I will also showcase other best streaming PCs under $1000, so you can make an informed decision.
QUICK OVERVIEW: Best Pre-Built PC Under 1000$
 | Top Choice SkyTech Blaze II
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 | iBUYPOWER Trace 4
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 | iBUYPOWER Element Mini 9300
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Table of Contents
Best Pre-Built Streaming PC Under $1000
Reviewed & Tested
In this list, I’ll talk about our top 7 picks for PCs under 1000$, and yes, it is possible to get away with a good PC for streaming for less than what most streaming laptops cost.
So if you need a great streaming PC but don’t want to hassle with building your own, and you also aren’t planning on cashing out your whole paycheck, then you should definitely continue reading.
Let’s check out these amazing PCs!
1. SkyTech Blaze II
Best overall
Stefan’s Take:
Considering all specs and the price point, the winner in my books is SkyTech Blaze II. I believe this is the PC for both amateurs who have just begun streaming and pros.
It has an excellent CPU and GPU to support you in your streaming tasks and 500 GB of storage, which is more than enough for all software, videos, and other files you have to store. I also like that I could expand RAM, but 8 GB seemed more than enough.
| Graphics card | 10 |
|---|---|
| CPU | 10 |
| Storage | 10 |
| For Streaming | 9 |
I’ll start off the list with the first, and the most expensive PC, because why not. The SkyTech Blaze II costs right around 1000$ and is an excellent choice for gamers wanting to start their streaming career.
Why do I think SkyTech Blaze II is the best among these?
Sure, spending so much money on a prebuilt PC might seem like a gamble, but with the SkyTech Blaze II, it’s practically a steal as you won’t get a PC or laptop with such specs at this price point: high-end components, excellent storage, and expandable RAM.
Speaking of specs, let’s see what you get for a 1000$ PC.
Who is it best for?
As this is a gaming PC, you can expect that it has high-end components which allow you to play demanding video games. For streaming needs, this PC is all you need, and more.
Good graphics, amazing speed, and lots of storage that this PC holds are going to make your streaming experience much more pleasant and for the price, you can’t really go wrong, but of course, if you’re planning to game on it, you’ll certainly make the most out of this computer.
So I have to put this PC in the gamer/streamer market as not all streamers need such a powerful PC and they also don’t want to spend so much money.
Key Features
The SkyTech Blaze II features a Ryzen 5 2600 CPU that has 6 cores and 3.4 GHz which can be maxed out to 3.9 GHz so it cuts down operating time significantly.
Next, this PC has a top-of-the-line NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card which has 4GB of GDDR, ideal for all gaming and streaming needs, as well as graphics design.
The RAM memory is also solid as the PC has 8 GB of RAM DDR4, and it also has lots of storage with the 500 GB SSD hard disc. What I really liked was the option to expand this RAM if needed.
Other features include a Windows 10 OS which operates on 64-bit, RGB lighting system, and the PC also includes a keyboard and mouse in the set.
Overall, it’s an amazing deal for anyone who needs the best-prebuilt gaming pc under 1000$.
Pros
- Excellent CPU
- Amazing graphics
- Lots of storage capacity
- Expendable RAM
Cons
- Expensive
2. iBUYPOWER Trace 4
Best PC for Streaming
Stefan’s Take:
When it comes to streaming, not just gaming, my recommendation is Trace 4 by iBUYPOWER. While I understand why you might not feel so sure whether to purchase a PC from a less-known brand, I assure you that this one is worth it!
However, the CPU is even better than in the previous model, with a bit less storage space – “only” 240 GB. However, it is expandable, so if you need more, you can upgrade it. I had a problem with the cooling, as it simply wasn’t working as well as I expected.
| Graphics Card | 9 |
|---|---|
| CPU | 10 |
| Storage | 9 |
| For Streaming | 10 |
The next PC on my list is a bit cheaper than the previous one, and it’s the iBUYPOWER Trace 4. Even though this brand isn’t as popular as the others, they still make the top-of-the-line PCs most users will appreciate.
For a good price this pre-built PC is practically a steal, so let’s check out its specs.
Who is it best for?
The Trace 4 is still a gaming PC, but as these kinds of computers have all the components ideal for streaming, you’re still looking at a good streaming PC even if you’re aren’t into gaming.
It’s hard to say that you can build your own PC for this price point, it is possible, but you need to know exactly what you need from each PC component.
That’s why the Trace 4 is a great choice if you don’t want to hassle with making your own PC. It has excellent speed, decent graphics, and storage, so what more could you want?
It’s a good choice for gaming and a brilliant one for streaming.
Key Features
Starting off with the CPU, the Trace 4 features an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 with 3.6 GHz, which can be maxed out at 4.3 GHz so it’s quite fast.
The graphics are fairly decent as the PC has an NVIDIA GT730 which features 2 GB of graphics RAM and offers full HD video support.
The PC has 8 GB DDR4 RAM, and 240 GB SSD hard disc storage, which can be expended by using SATA ports or open M.2.
The casing is semi-closed and features RGB lights on the front and on the coolers which can all be customized.
It runs on Windows 10 64-bit OS and comes with a keyboard and a mouse in the bundle.
Pros
- 4.3 GHz CPU capacity
- Outstanding full HD graphics support
- Solid expandable storage
- Includes mouse and keyboard
Cons
- Not the best cooling
3. iBUYPOWER Element Mini 167A
Best PC for beginners
Stefan’s Take:
I have tested several games on iBUYPOWER Element Mini 167A and here is my take: Fortnite works quite well, but you do need to adjust the settings. The same goes for Rocket League, WoW, and LoL. It’s not the best choice for those that like to play high-frame-rate games, but for others, it will work fine.
The CPU is good, GPU is a bit outdated, but you could upgrade it, as well as RAM and storage. For a beginner, this is quite a powerful PC. Pros might need to look for something with better storage and GPU.
| Graphics card | 9 |
|---|---|
| CPU | 9 |
| Storage | 10 |
| For Streaming | 9 |
Another pre-built PC by iBUYPOWER I have on my list is the iBUYPOWER Element Mini 167A which is quite a cute specimen as it’s quite compact and small but holds a lot of power.
This PC costs around 900$ and considering all the components and features, it’s definitely worth the price. It’s marketed as a starter and gaming PC, but it can’t quite hold up to some high-end games requirements. But it’s still amazing for streaming.
Let’s see the specs!
Who is it best for?
As this PC isn’t quite the most high-end one when it comes to gaming, you can’t really expect gamers to fall in love with it.
You can still play games that don’t require much power such as League of Legends and World of Warcraft if you’re into that kind of stuff.
As far as streaming is concerned it’s quite amazing to have a good and compact PC with this kind of specs as your streaming PC.
Because for streaming purposes you don’t really need a monster of a PC, this one is definitely a solid choice for the price.
Key Features
Of course, I’ll start off by talking about the CPU, and this PC has a Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz CPU which can be maxed out at 4.2 GHz and is great for multitasking.
It also has fairly decent graphics with the NVIDIA GT 730 2GB of RAM graphics card that supports Full HD video streaming.
As far as RAM is concerned, the PC features the standard 8 GB of DDR4 RAM which can be expanded to 16 GB if needed.
It also has solid storage with a 240 GB SSD hard disc which can also be expended if needed.
Overall, it’s nothing fancy but still a solid pick.
Pros
- Excellent speed
- Amazing Radeon graphics
- Solid storage
- Expendable RAM
Cons
- It doesn’t have the most power
4. HP Pavilion TP01-1160
PC with the best CPU
Stefan’s Take:
I tested this model on several games and settings to see how it would work, and with medium settings, there’s nothing you can’t play.
The graphics and CPU are amazing, maybe even the best you can get for that price. However, you should keep in mind that you can’t expand storage. So when you run out of 512 GB, you need to delete files or get a new PC.
| Graphics Card | 9 |
|---|---|
| CPU | 10 |
| Storage | 8 |
| For Streaming | 9 |
If you’re looking for a monster of a PC, then you’re sure going to love this one. I’m talking about the HP Pavilion TP01-1160 which is a PC built practically for most user applications such as gaming, streaming, studying, and so on.
And, what’s even more shocking is the price. It only costs around 860$, which we can all agree is far below 1000$.
Let’s see what this amazing PC brings to the table!
Who is it best for?
The HP Pavilion truly is one of the best budget streaming PC on the market and it will surely suit anyone’s purpose if they’re looking for an excellent pre-built computer.
Sure it isn’t the most high-end gaming PC you can buy, but it still can play most games on medium settings. For streaming, it’s quite ideal because it has a fast processor, good graphics, and lots of storage.
That being said, this PC is definitely going to be great for a vast majority of people, and for 860$ you really can’t go wrong with buying it.
Key Features
As always, let’s start with the CPU. The PC features a Ryzen 7 4700 CPU with 3.9 GHz which can be maxed out at 4.1 GHz.
It features an AMD Radeon graphics card that supports full HD and 16:9 video streaming and offers high performance for all points and purposes.
The PC also has 16 GB of RAM which can be upgraded to 32 GB with a designated DDR4 3200 slot.
It also has plenty of storage with 512 GB SSD but it can’t be expended.
The PC runs on a Windows 10 64-bit OS, has Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 5 connectivity, and also comes with a keyboard and a mouse in the package.
All in all, it’s an excellent choice for everyone.
Pros
- The best CPU on the list
- Amazing storage capacity
- 16 GB of RAM
- Outstanding graphics
Cons
- Storage can’t be expanded
5. Allied Gaming Stinger Desktop PC
Best PC for $600
Stefan’s Take:
I would say that this PC is for anyone who doesn’t want to spend much money on a PC but still wants a good gaming/streaming experience.
It has a solid GPU and good CPU that will allow you to play all of the popular video games and run a stream simultaneously, and the storage is expandable, which is always a big plus, in my opinion. Still, keep in mind that it’s quite cheap for a gaming PC and not as powerful as some other models I have tested.
| Graphics Card | 9 |
|---|---|
| CPU | 9 |
| Storage | 8 |
| For Streaming | 9 |
Next in line, I have the Allied Gaming Stinger, a PC with a futuristic build that’s great for gaming/streaming and that won’t burn a hole in your bank account.
If you want a cheap prebuilt PC that’s good for gaming and excellent for streaming then you’re in the right spot.
So gamers and streamers, you’re going to enjoy this cheap prebuilt gaming PC by just looking at the specs below.
Who is it best for?
Knowing that this PC is just 600$ doesn’t really offer too much space for complaints as most custom PCs for streaming are going to cost around this price point.
Even though it’s a mid-range gaming computer, you can still use it to play a lot of popular games that don’t require much performance.
For streaming, it’s quite a standard PC that has solid speed and storage and it also has excellent graphics, basically, everything you need for a good streaming setup.
Key Features
The PC features a Intel i5-10400 which can clock out at 4.3 GHz, so it’s quite solid in terms of speed and performance.
It uses the Integrated UHD Graphics 630 graphics card that offers excellent video quality at full HD resolution.
Next, the PC also has 240 GB of storage which can be expanded to 512 GB using a SATA port, and has a solid 8 GB of DDR4 RAM which is also expandable to double the amount.
The PC runs on a Windows 10 64-bit OS, has an RGB cooler and case lighting system, and a futuristic design that really attracts attention.
Pros
- Amazing graphics
- Solid expandable storage
- Good performance CPU
- Affordable
Cons
- Doesn’t have the most power
6. Alarco Intel 5 3.1 GHz
Best budget PC
Stefan’s Take:
If you’re trying to spend as little money as possible, Alarco is probably the best you’ll find on the market, in my opinion. I was quite surprised by what a PC worth $500 could do.
The GPU is solid. It uses an Intel Core i5 CPU, which performs well even playing more demanding games. 240 GB of storage is a bit too low if you ask me, but you can add more which is great. Keep in mind that RAM is outdated (it uses DDR3), but I guess that’s what you get for $500.
| Graphics Card | 8 |
|---|---|
| CPU | 9 |
| Storage | 8 |
| For Streaming | 9 |
The next computer I have on the list is the Alarco Intel 5 3.1 GHz.
Even though the naming of the model already says everything you need to know about this PC, you still need to see the specs before you make your judgment.
Considering that this PC is around 500$, it’s the best budget gaming and streaming PC I have on the list, and really, for this price, you can’t go wrong.
So, let’s check out the specs and see what this PC is all about.
Who is it best for?
Because this is a budget PC, it’s for any streamer that is still starting out his streaming career.
For 500$ it’s really impossible to build a PC on your own with these specs, and still, the PC isn’t anything fancy so it won’t be that big of a deal just to replace it once you want to upgrade.
For gaming needs, it’s solid, but you won’t be able to play the latest games, however, for basic streaming needs there’s really nothing more you need.
So if you want a fast solution and don’t want to spend a lot of money, then this PC is for you.
Key Features
The PC uses an Intel Core i5 CPU which has 3.1 GHz which can be maxed out at 3.4 GHz so it’s still better speed than an average laptop at this price point.
It uses an NVIDIA Gforce GTX 650 graphics card that has 1 GB of RAM which offers solid graphics and full HD video streaming.
It has 240 GB of SSD storage capacity and has 8 GB of expandable DDR3 RAM which might be a bit outdated for today’s standards, however, we’re talking about a 500$ PC.
The PC runs on a Windows 10 64-bit OS has RGB lighting for the case and coolers and even comes with an RGB light remote controller.
Pros
- Affordable
- Solid graphics
- Great storage capacity
- Good CPU performance
Cons
- Uses the outdated DDR3 RAM
7. Dell Inspiron 3880
Best PC for professional streamers
Stefan’s Take:
The model I would suggest to professionals is this Dell one. At first, I wasn’t too impressed by the CPU, but when I learned that it could max out to 4.2 GHz, my opinion of this PC changed entirely.
Besides a great CPU, you’ll also get a great GPU that works well even with high-demanding, high-frame-rate games. It also has plenty of storage and 8 GB of RAM, but you can upgrade it if needed. This is another model with a keyboard and a mouse, but it would be better if they included internal fans to improve the cooling.
| Graphics Card | 8 |
|---|---|
| CPU | 8 |
| Storage | 8 |
| For Streaming | 9 |
Last, but not least I have the Dell Inspirion 3880.
The PC also costs around 600$ so it’s quite a steal in that regard, but we need to see the specs so that we can talk more about it.
Who is it best for?
Honestly, it’s great to take a break from all the gaming PCs I’ve reviewed, and even though they’re all great for streaming, the Inspirion is simply the proper streaming PC for pros.
You can game and stream on it, and have $600 laying around, you can’t really do better than the Dell Inspirion 3880.
Key Features
The PC has an Intel Core i5 CPU with 2.9 GHz, but what’s impressive is that it can be maxed out to 4.2 GHz.
It uses an Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics card with shared memory which does lift some weight from the CPU and also has amazing full HD graphics.
The PC has 8 GB of DDR4 RAM which can be expanded to 16 GB and has 512 GB of expandable storage.
It runs on a Windows 10 64-bit, and no it doesn’t have an RGB lighting system but comes with a keyboard and mouse in the set.
Pros
- Great price
- Excellent CPU performance
- Amazing graphics support
- Lots of RAM and expandable storage
Cons
- No internal fans
Things to Consider Before Buying a Pre Built Streaming PC
Because buying a streaming PC is going to be your biggest investment when you’re starting out your streaming career, it’s important to know what PC best suits your needs. Good graphics, solid speed, and lots of storage are what you need to aim at.
Some PCs are going to seem like they’re a bargain, but if they don’t have the components needed for streaming purposes then they’re not really worth your money.
That’s why you should figure out how high is your budget and try and get the best PC possible at that price point.
Knowing this, I’ve compiled a list of few things you need to know before heading out to buy your streaming PC so you end up satisfied with your purchase.
1. Budget
As I already mentioned, the price of a prebuilt PC must match your budget and you should always get the most expensive one as it means that it’s the best quality PC.
Making your own custom PC isn’t as budget-friendly as people think as you’ll need well over a 1000$ to make a custom streaming PC.
Components such as the motherboard, graphics card, CPU, and hard drives are quite expensive, so going pre-built is definitely a great option.
Of course, when you build your own custom PC, you decide which components will work best for you, unlike with pre-built PCs where most parts are integrated so you can’t change them.
However, as you’ve seen from our list, there are some amazing PCs you can get for under 1000$ which will suit your streaming purposes quite well and you also don’t need to go through the hassle of ordering parts, installing them all, and making sure that the whole system runs smoothly.
If you think that some prebuilt PCs aren’t worth the price, just know that laptops with similar specs will cost you a lot more, so if you look at it that way, prebuilt PCs are the most budget-friendly option out there.
2. Price Doesn’t Always Mean Quality
When buying a cheap prebuilt PC you need to know your brands and a little bit about PC components. Even though you can find PCs that have amazing specs but cost a lot less than they should, it’s often too good to be true and you should avoid getting them.
Instead, you should buy PCs from trusted brands that have been on the market for some time, as they have a huge consumer range and they can’t afford to have unhappy customers.
These brands often use the most high-end components and that’s why they’re a trusted source for computers.
However, just because a computer is pricey doesn’t mean that it’s worth the money. You see this a lot in gaming PCs as with this kind of computers you’re aren’t just paying for the good graphics and speed, but also for the RGB lighting computer case, water cooling, and so on.
For streaming purposes, you don’t really need this stuff, so instead, you should focus on getting an excellent streaming PC in a reasonable price range.
Related: Best CPU for Streaming on Twitch
3. Integrated Parts
You should know that when you go the route of buying a prebuilt PC some components are going to be integrated. These components often include the graphics card and the hard disc.
This means that you’re basically stuck with what you get.
However, some things such as storage and RAM memory you can expend if there is a designated slot for it. You can also change the CPU if needed.
As far as the streaming motherboard is concerned, this is a tricky question because if some of the components are integrated onto the motherboard, you need to change them as well which will cost you a lot of money.
So keep this in mind when getting a prebuilt streaming PC as you don’t want to end up unsatisfied when the time comes to upgrade.
It’s better to purchase a new PC than to try to upgrade each individual part of your old one.
Conclusion
Considering storage, graphics, CPU, and price, my top three PCs are:
- SkyTech Blaze II as the best overall,
- iBUYPOWER Trace 4 as the best for streaming,
- iBUYPOWER Element Mini 167A as the best for beginners.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my PC review and wish that you find the best PC that suits your needs.
So good luck with the streams, I’ll make sure to stop by!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1000$ good for a gaming PC?
Gaming PCs typically cost more than other types of PCs because they come with powerful components that meet gaming system requirements. However, you can still find excellent gaming PCs for under 1000$ if you search hard enough and know what you need for your gaming setup.
How much does a pre-built PC cost?
It all depends on your needs and what you’re going to use it for. If you’re planning to use the PC just for streaming, you can pick up a solid PC for around 600 – 700$, while if you’re planning to also game on it, the price will go around 1000$.
Is it bad to buy a pre-built PC?
There is nothing wrong with buying a pre-built PC as long as you know what you’re looking for and not overpay for a PC that won’t suit your purposes. There are many benefits of buying a pre-built PC, one being that you don’t have to hassle with constructing the PC yourself.
