The Best $600 Home Office PC Build – September 2025
Maximum Office Productivity for the Minimum Price!
Looking to build the best possible home office PC for around $600? No problem! This guide lists all the parts you’ll need to put together a balanced computer that has the power to handle any office task. And luckily, while low-cost video cards are nearly extinct, this office PC’s built-in video means you can get your system up and running without wasting a dime!
This Month’s Build, Powered by AMD
We’ve been publishing this guide for over a dozen years, and it’s finally time for us to change the budget, because the original $500 pricepoint that we set way back in 2013 is no longer viable in 2025 due to inflation and other factors. Thus, for September 2025, we’re increasing the budget to $600 for the Home Office PC, and the good news is for that extra $100, you are getting a vastly superior PC, more modern and capable in every way.
It starts with the AMD Ryzen 5 7600, a powerful and efficient six-core, 12-thread processor that is the perfect pick for home users on a budget, but who still want cutting-edge performance. And adding to its value is its built-in graphics, allowing you to run this system without the added expense of a video card. With regard to other components, you’re getting gear that will keep your system running for years. This includes 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 500GB PCIe Gen 4-based solid-state drive. Both of these are far better investments than DDR4 RAM and Gen 3-based SSDs, which might save a few dollars but severely compromise performance and longevity.
To allow expandability, the $600 Home Office PC Build is powered by a 500W power supply and housed in a compact yet roomy micro-ATX Case. These are industry-standard components, meaning you can upgrade for years to come. We’ve listed some of our top recommendations for accessories and upgrades, including a gaming-grade video card, later in this guide!
The DIY vs. Pre-Built Question
In addition to the DIY PC build we profile in this guide, you may wish to consider the pre-built mini PC we list as an alternative. It offers similar performance and takes up just a fraction of the space. The tradeoff is that it can’t be upgraded with new CPUs or video cards, but for home office use, it’s actually quite amazing, and honestly our top pick unless you’re a hobbyist.
Parting Thoughts
Need to accessorize your new Home Office PC? Just scroll down to the end of this guide for our top picks, or check out our dedicated Monitor Buyer’s Guide, Speaker/Headset Buyer’s Guide, and Wireless Networking Buyer’s Guide!
Note that this guide provides direct links to Amazon and Newegg in the US, and our Amazon links will auto-convert for readers in the UK, Canada, and the EU. with automated substitutions where required. If you decide to purchase any of the products we list, please use the links provided, which helps support continued development of these guides.
The Pre-Built Option
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The Ultra-Compact Small Office PC –GEEKOM A8 Max 8745HS
$529The Guru’s TipTake everything you want in a modern PC and then scale it down, and you get the A8 Max. It offers a slim and sleek design that allows it to be hidden away or shown off (it’s 135 × 132 × 45.9mm, or about 5.25″ square and 1.8″ thick). Despite these trim proportions, it’s equipped with the ultra-fast AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS 8-core, 16-thread CPU with boost to 5.1GHz, a Radeon 780M graphics, 32GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, a 1TB Gen 4 solid-state drive, and built-in WiFi 6E. It has a very impressive 8 USB ports in total (including dual USB 4 Type-C in back), and it can simultaneously support four monitors, at up to 4K/60Hz on the dual HDMI 2.1 outputs, or 8K/60Hz on the USB 4 outputs. To top it off, Windows 11 Pro is pre-installed and included in the price!We want to make clear that this tiny PC performs on par with the more expensive and much larger DIY PC spec'd out below. And it's faster than other larger pre-built desktops that you'd buy for the same price. So it's actually our top recommendation unless you want the experience of building your first PC, or want to be able to upgrade it over time, for example for gaming.
The DIY Option
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CPU –AMD Ryzen 5 7600
$185 The Guru’s TipThis CPU includes a cooler in the box, which adds significantly to its value.
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Motherboard –ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi
$120 The Guru’s TipThis motherboard's HDMI 2.1 port and DisplayPort support monitors with resolutions up to 4K.
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Memory –TeamGroup 2x8GB DDR5-5600 C46
$40 The Guru’s TipThis DDR5 kit is matched to the motherboard we recommend. Make sure not to buy DDR4 memory.
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Solid-State Drive –KLEVV CRAS C910 500GB
$35 The Guru’s TipThis drive comes in a number of sizes, but 500GB is the perfect starter size for a home office PC!
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Case –Cooler Master Q300L
$40 The Guru’s TipThis is by far the lowest-priced case on the market from a reputable manufacturer - we hope Cooler Master never stops offering this loss leader!
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Power Supply –Thermaltake Smart 500W 80+
$40 The Guru’s TipThis is an exceptional deal coming from a major, trusted manufacturer!
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Operating System –Windows 11 Home (USB) @Newegg
$139 The Guru’s TipWindows 11 is the OS you want on your new system!
Optional Products
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Video Card –XFX Radeon RX 9060 XT Swift 8GB
$300 The Guru’s TipEquip your office system to game with this compact yet powerful graphics card - it will fit perfectly in this system!
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The Basic Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Combo –Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
$28 The Guru’s TipThis combo uses a single tiny USB receiver to connect both peripherals!
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The 24-inch Small Office Monitor –AOC 24B2H2
$100 The Guru’s TipTo use the built-in speakers, connect the monitor to your PC with an HDMI cable - it will carry both video and audio!
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The Basic PC Speakers –Creative Pebble 2.0
$24 The Guru’s TipTo connect these, you'll use a 3.5mm cable for audio and USB for power, both to your PC. No connection to the wall required!
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Webcam –Logitech C920x Pro HD Webcam
$69 The Guru’s TipWe advise you not to buy any Logitech webcams from third-party sellers. They are likely to be used or counterfeit.
Total Cost: $599
The Pre-Built Option
The DIY Option
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 5 7600 ($185)
- Motherboard – ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi ($120)
- Memory – TeamGroup 2x8GB DDR5-5600 C46 ($40)
- Solid-State Drive – KLEVV CRAS C910 500GB ($35)
- Case – Cooler Master Q300L ($40)
- Power Supply – Thermaltake Smart 500W 80+ ($40)
- Operating System – Windows 11 Home (USB) @Newegg ($139)
Optional Products
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The TBG DIY PC Build Guides
View all of TBG’s DIY PC Build Guides! This is where you’ll find all the best PC builds on the ‘net, from ultra-compact home office PCs to massive gaming towers.
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The Monitor Buyer's Guide
Upgrade the view for your PC with a new monitor - we list the best in our buyer's guide!
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The Headset/Speaker Buyer's Guide
Upgrade your audio experience with one of our top-rated speakers or headsets!
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The Wireless Networking Buyer's Guide
Don't bog down your new PC with an old network... check out our recommended wireless gear to give your PC a boost!