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Best Prebuilt Desktops for Streaming Under £700
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Best Prebuilt Desktops for Streaming Under £700

Updated 27 July 202622 min read11 compared

Best prebuilt desktops for streaming under £700. Compare Intel i5, i7, RTX 3050 and Mac mini specs, performance and value.

As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases. Our ranking is independent.

Our picks, ranked

Why our top pick beat the field, plus the rest of the prebuilt desktops for streaming under £700 we tested.

Vibox I-7 Gaming PC • AMD Ryzen 3 3200G 4.0GHz • Radeon V...

£454.95
Vibox I-7 Gaming PC • AMD Ryzen 3 3200G 4.0GHz • Radeon V...

The strongest prebuilt desktops for streaming under £700 we tested. Best balance of price, performance and UK availability of the 11 we evaluated.

03

Rank 03

Lenovo IdeaCentre A100 All-in-One Desktop PC | 24 inch Fu...

Lenovo IdeaCentre A100 All-in-One Desktop PC | 24 inch Fu...
7.0/10The Vivid Score

£649

Reasons to buy

  • Genuinely quiet operation, near-silent during everyday use
  • 16GB LPDDR5 RAM is generous for the budget all-in-one tier

Reasons to skip

  • RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded
  • Not suitable for gaming beyond casual or older titles
04

Rank 04

Dell Window 11 Pro Optiplex Core i5 Series Desktop Small...

Dell Window 11 Pro Optiplex Core i5 Series Desktop Small...
7.5/10The Vivid Score

£92.49

Reasons to buy

  • Exceptional value at budget pricing versus buying equivalent parts separately
  • Windows 10 Pro included, a genuine licence worth real money

Reasons to skip

  • No Wi-Fi built in, skip if you need wireless connectivity
  • Windows 11 not officially supported, skip if you need a modern OS long-term
05

Rank 05

Dell FAST OptiPlex i7-6700 SFF Desktop Computer PC

Dell FAST OptiPlex i7-6700 SFF Desktop Computer PC
7.0/10The Vivid Score

£264

Reasons to buy

  • Genuine quad-core Intel Core i7-6700, capable for everyday office work
  • Windows 11 Pro included, a real cost saving vs DIY

Reasons to skip

  • Integrated graphics only, no gaming capability out of the box
  • Proprietary PSU limits GPU upgrade options to low-profile cards

How we tested

Why trust this ranking

  • Editor notes from real reviews, not press releases.
  • Live UK pricing, refreshed from Amazon twice daily.
  • Affiliate commission doesn't change what wins.

Independent UK tech editorial — no paid placements.

Read our process ↓

How we picked

Our editors evaluated 11 Desktop options against the criteria readers actually weigh up: price, real-world performance, build quality, warranty, and UK availability. Picks lean toward what we'd recommend to a friend buying today, not specs-on-paper winners.

  • Hands-on contextEditor notes from individual reviews, not press releases.
  • Live UK pricingRefreshed from Amazon UK twice daily.
  • No paid placementsAffiliate commission doesn't change what wins.

Finding the best prebuilt desktops for streaming under £700 is trickier than it sounds. The market is flooded with refurbished office machines, budget all-in-ones, and a handful of proper gaming builds, all claiming to be streaming-ready. Some of them genuinely are. Others will leave you dropping frames mid-broadcast and wondering where your money went. We have pulled together 11 options across the full price range, from sub-£100 refurbs to near-budget gaming rigs, and assessed each one honestly for what matters most to streamers: CPU headroom, RAM, storage, and whether you can actually run OBS alongside a game without your PC having a meltdown.

ProductBest ForKey SpecPriceRating
ADMI Gaming PC - AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - NVIDIA RTX 3050 6GB GDDR6-16GB 3200MHz DDR4-1TB NVMe - X= Airflow RGB (Black) - WiFi - Windows 11Best Overall ValueRyzen 5 5500 + RTX 3050 6GB£674.99
Vibox I-7 Gaming PC • AMD Ryzen 3 3200G 4.0GHz • Radeon Vega 8 • 16GB RAM • 1TB SSD • Windows 11 • WiFiBest Overall Value (Runner-Up)Ryzen 3 3200G + 16GB RAM + 1TB SSD£454.95
Dell FAST Optiplex 7020/9020 SFF Desktop Computer PC - Intel Core i7 4th Gen (4 cores Upto 3.90GHz), 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD Storage, 300Mbps USB WiFi, W11 Pro + 23" Monitor (Renewed)Best for Beginnersi7 4th Gen + 16GB + 23" Monitor£185.00
Dell FAST OptiPlex i7-6700 SFF Desktop Computer PC - Intel Core i7 6th Gen (4-cores up to 4.00GHz), 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD Storage, HDMI 300Mbps USB WiFi Windows 11 Pro OS (Renewed)Best Build Qualityi7-6700 + 32GB RAM + 1TB SSD£264.00
23.8" FHD IPS All-in-One pc,Windows 11 Pro Desktop Computer,Intel i5 Processor up to 4.4 GHz, 16GB RAM,256GB SSD,Wi-Fi, USB,HDMI, QWERTY-Keyboard and MouseBest All-in-OneIntel i5 up to 4.4GHz + IPS display£378.99
Lenovo IdeaCentre A100 All-in-One Desktop PC | 24 inch Full HD | Intel N100 | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD | Windows 11 Home | Gloud Grey | Wireless EOS Keyboard and MouseBest for Casual StreamingIntel N100 + 24" FHD + 16GB RAM£649.00
Veno Scorp Optiplex Intel i5 2400 16GB RAM 1TB NVME SSD WiFi Windows 11 Desktop PC 21.5-inch V100 Computer Bundle (Renewed)Best Storage for Budgeti5-2400 + 1TB NVMe + 21.5" screen£249.00
Veno Scorp Budget Gaming PC 22" Bundle Intel Core i5-16GB RAM, 120GB SSD 500GB HDD, GTX 750 4GB SPECTRA ARGB Gaming Case - WINDOWS 11Best Starter Gaming StreamerGTX 750 4GB + i5 + 22" bundle£289.00
OptiPlex 7020 SFF Desktop PC Computer i7 4770 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Windows 11 Pro 300Mbps WIFI (Renewed)Best Mid-Range Refurbi7-4770 + 16GB + 512GB SSD£147.00
Window 11 Pro Optiplex Core i5 Series Desktop Small Form Desktop Tower PC (Intel Quad Core I5 4570, 8 Gb Ram, 120 SSD), (Renewed)Best Under £100i5-4570 + 8GB RAM + 120GB SSD£92.49
Lenovo Q190 Desktop (Black) - (Intel Celeron 1017U 1.60 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, Integrated Graphics, Wi-Fi, Windows 8.1 with Bing)Best Under £50 (With Caveats)Celeron 1017U + 4GB RAM + 500GB HDD£199.99
Best Overall Value

1. ADMI Gaming PC - AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - NVIDIA RTX 3050 6GB GDDR6-16GB 3200MHz DDR4-1TB NVMe - X= Airflow RGB (Black) - WiFi - Windows 11

£649.99 |

Here's the thing: if you are serious about streaming, this is the machine to get. The ADMI Gaming PC pairs a Ryzen 5 5500 with an RTX 3050 6GB, and that combination matters enormously for streamers. Why? Because the RTX 3050 gives you access to NVIDIA's NVENC encoder, which offloads the streaming encode task from your CPU entirely. That means you can game at a decent frame rate while OBS handles your stream in the background, without either suffering badly.

The Ryzen 5 5500 is a proper six-core processor, not some cut-down budget chip. It handles OBS, Discord, a browser with your stream dashboard open, and a game simultaneously without breaking a sweat. Pair that with 16GB of DDR4 at 3200MHz and a 1TB NVMe SSD, and you have a machine that will not feel cramped for years.

The X= Airflow RGB case is actually decent for thermals, which matters if you are streaming for long sessions. Sustained loads generate heat, and a machine that throttles after 90 minutes of streaming is no use to anyone. The WiFi is built in, though as always, wired Ethernet is preferable for live streaming if your router is nearby.

At just under £675, this is the most expensive option in the roundup. But it is also the only one with a current-gen dedicated GPU, and for gaming streamers specifically, that distinction is significant. If your budget stretches this far, it is the clear pick among the best prebuilt desktops for streaming under £700.

Pros

  • RTX 3050 NVENC encoding is a genuine streaming advantage
  • Ryzen 5 5500 handles gaming and streaming simultaneously
  • 1TB NVMe SSD is fast and spacious for recordings
  • Good airflow case for sustained streaming sessions
  • Windows 11 included, no extra cost

Cons

  • Near the top of the budget at close to £675
  • RTX 3050 6GB is entry-level for gaming, not a powerhouse
  • No monitor included

Buy on Amazon

Best Overall Value (Runner-Up)

2. Vibox I-7 Gaming PC • AMD Ryzen 3 3200G 4.0GHz • Radeon Vega 8 • 16GB RAM • 1TB SSD • Windows 11 • WiFi

£454.95 |

The Vibox I-7 is the pick that makes the most sense for streamers who are not primarily gamers. The Ryzen 3 3200G has integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which is not going to run modern AAA titles at high settings. But for streaming non-gaming content, just chatting, music production, creative work, or even lighter games like Minecraft or Stardew Valley, it is absolutely fine.

What stands out here is the spec for the money. Brand new, not refurbished, with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD included. That storage matters for streamers because local recordings eat space fast. OBS at 1080p60 can chew through 10GB per hour at decent bitrates, so having a full terabyte to play with is genuinely useful.

The 3200G's integrated graphics can handle basic streaming overlays and browser-based stream management tools without issue. Where it falls short is gaming-while-streaming. If you want to play something graphically demanding and broadcast it at the same time, the Vega 8 will struggle. That is the honest limitation here.

Windows 11 is pre-installed and WiFi is built in. It is a clean, ready-to-go package. For the price, it represents one of the better new-hardware options among the best prebuilt desktops for streaming under £700, especially if you are not a heavy gamer.

Pros

  • Brand new hardware, not refurbished
  • 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD included as standard
  • Good value for non-gaming streamers
  • Windows 11 and WiFi included
  • Ryzen 3 3200G handles OBS and browser tabs comfortably

Cons

  • Integrated Vega 8 graphics limits gaming-while-streaming
  • No dedicated GPU means no NVENC encoding
  • Not suitable for streaming graphically demanding games

Buy on Amazon

Best for Beginners

3. Dell FAST Optiplex 7020/9020 SFF Desktop Computer PC - Intel Core i7 4th Gen (4 cores Upto 3.90GHz), 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD Storage, 300Mbps USB WiFi, W11 Pro + 23" Monitor (Renewed)

£185.00 |

If you are just getting started with streaming and want a complete setup without hunting for a monitor separately, this bundle is hard to argue with. You get a refurbished Dell OptiPlex SFF tower with a 4th-gen Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD, and a 23-inch monitor, all for around £200. That is a proper streaming workstation for beginners at a very reasonable price.

The i7 4th gen (likely the 4770 or 4790) has four cores and handles OBS at 1080p streaming without much drama, as long as you are not trying to game heavily at the same time. For just chatting streams, podcast recording, screen sharing tutorials, or light gaming, this machine is sorted. The 16GB RAM means you can have OBS, a browser, Discord, and Spotify open without things grinding to a halt.

The 23-inch monitor is a bonus that genuinely changes the value proposition. Buying a monitor separately in the UK typically costs £80 to £150 minimum for anything decent. Getting one bundled in at this price point is a real advantage for anyone building a streaming setup from scratch.

The main caveats are the age of the hardware and the refurbished status. Dell OptiPlex machines are well built and tend to last, but check the seller's warranty terms carefully. The 500GB SSD is on the smaller side for streamers who record locally, so an external drive might be worth budgeting for.

Pros

  • Monitor included, great for beginners building from scratch
  • 16GB RAM handles OBS and multitasking well
  • i7 4th gen is capable for non-gaming streaming
  • Windows 11 Pro included
  • Excellent overall bundle value

Cons

  • 4th-gen i7 is ageing hardware
  • 500GB SSD fills up quickly with local recordings
  • Refurbished, so warranty terms vary by seller
  • No dedicated GPU

Buy on Amazon

Best Build Quality

4. Dell FAST OptiPlex i7-6700 SFF Desktop Computer PC - Intel Core i7 6th Gen (4-cores up to 4.00GHz), 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD Storage, HDMI 300Mbps USB WiFi Windows 11 Pro OS (Renewed)

£264.00 |

The standout feature here is the 32GB of RAM, which is genuinely unusual at this price point. For streaming, that headroom is lovely. You can run OBS, a game, a browser with your stream dashboard, Discord, and a music app without any memory pressure at all. It is overkill for most streamers, honestly, but it is a nice problem to have.

The i7-6700 is a 6th-gen Intel chip, which is newer than the 4th-gen units in some other entries here. It handles 1080p software encoding in OBS comfortably for non-gaming streams. The 1TB SSD is fast and gives you plenty of room for local recordings. HDMI output is included, which is handy for connecting to a monitor or capture card setup.

Dell's SFF chassis is the reason this earns the Best Build Quality badge. These machines were built for commercial use and are genuinely well constructed. Quiet fans, solid internals, and a compact footprint that fits neatly on or under a desk. The refurbished units from reputable sellers tend to arrive in good condition.

The limitation, as with all the OptiPlex machines here, is the lack of a dedicated GPU. Streaming gaming content will rely on CPU encoding, which works but is less efficient than NVENC. For non-gaming streamers, though, this is a very capable and well-built machine at a fair price.

Pros

  • 32GB RAM is exceptional for this price bracket
  • 1TB SSD handles recordings and storage comfortably
  • Dell SFF build quality is genuinely solid
  • 6th-gen i7 is more capable than older 4th-gen alternatives
  • HDMI output included

Cons

  • No dedicated GPU limits gaming-while-streaming
  • 6th-gen Intel is still ageing hardware
  • Refurbished unit, check warranty carefully

Buy on Amazon

Best All-in-One

5. 23.8" FHD IPS All-in-One pc,Windows 11 Pro Desktop Computer,Intel i5 Processor up to 4.4 GHz, 16GB RAM,256GB SSD,Wi-Fi, USB,HDMI, QWERTY-Keyboard and Mouse

£378.99 |

All-in-ones have a natural appeal for streamers who want a tidy desk. No tower, no cable mess, just the screen and a keyboard. This 23.8-inch FHD IPS unit delivers a sharp, colour-accurate display that is genuinely useful if you are monitoring your stream output locally. IPS panels handle colour better than cheaper TN alternatives, which matters if you care about how your stream looks on your end.

The Intel i5 processor clocking up to 4.4GHz is a modern chip, and 16GB of RAM gives you enough headroom for OBS alongside a browser and Discord. For non-gaming streaming, this is a capable machine. The keyboard and mouse are included, which rounds out the package nicely.

The 256GB SSD is the weak point for streamers. Local recordings will fill that up fast. You will want an external USB drive fairly quickly if you plan to save your streams locally. The all-in-one form factor also means limited upgradeability, so what you buy is largely what you are stuck with.

Thermals are worth watching too. All-in-ones pack everything into a tight space, and sustained streaming loads can cause them to run warm. That said, for casual streaming sessions of a couple of hours, it should be fine. A solid pick if desk tidiness is a priority.

Pros

  • 23.8-inch IPS display is sharp and colour-accurate
  • Modern i5 chip handles OBS streaming comfortably
  • Keyboard and mouse included
  • Tidy all-in-one form factor
  • Windows 11 Pro included

Cons

  • 256GB SSD is too small for local stream recordings
  • Limited upgradeability
  • Can run warm under sustained streaming loads
  • No dedicated GPU

Buy on Amazon

Best for Casual Streaming

6. Lenovo IdeaCentre A100 All-in-One Desktop PC | 24 inch Full HD | Intel N100 | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD | Windows 11 Home | Gloud Grey | Wireless EOS Keyboard and Mouse

£649.00 |

The Lenovo IdeaCentre A100 is a genuinely attractive machine. The 24-inch Full HD display is a good size for a streaming setup, and Lenovo's build quality is reliable. The wireless keyboard and mouse are a nice touch. But the Intel N100 processor is where things get complicated for streamers.

The N100 is an efficiency chip, designed for light office tasks and media consumption. It will handle a just chatting stream or a screen-share tutorial without too much trouble. But ask it to run OBS with multiple scenes, overlays, alerts, and a game simultaneously, and it will start to struggle. This is not a gaming-and-streaming machine. Full stop.

The 512GB SSD is a step up from some competitors here, giving you a bit more room for recordings. And 16GB of RAM means the multitasking side of streaming (browser tabs, Discord, stream management tools) is handled fine. At close to £699, though, you are paying a premium for the Lenovo brand and the all-in-one form factor rather than raw streaming performance.

For casual streamers who want a tidy, reliable machine for non-gaming content, it is a reasonable choice. Just be honest with yourself about what you plan to stream before spending this much on an N100-based machine.

Pros

  • 24-inch FHD display is a good size for streaming setups
  • Lenovo build quality is reliable
  • 512GB SSD gives decent storage headroom
  • 16GB RAM handles multitasking well
  • Wireless keyboard and mouse included

Cons

  • Intel N100 is too weak for gaming-while-streaming
  • Near the top of the budget for what you get
  • Not upgradeable in any meaningful way
  • Windows 11 Home, not Pro

Buy on Amazon

Best Storage for Budget

7. Veno Scorp Optiplex Intel i5 2400 16GB RAM 1TB NVME SSD WiFi Windows 11 Desktop PC 21.5-inch V100 Computer Bundle (Renewed)

£249.00 |

The i5-2400 is a very old processor. Sandy Bridge architecture, released in 2011. That is the honest truth about this machine, and it matters for streaming because modern streaming software has moved on considerably since then. OBS Studio, Streamlabs, and similar tools are more demanding than they used to be, and a 2011 quad-core i5 will feel the pressure.

That said, the 1TB NVMe SSD is a genuine highlight. NVMe storage at this price point in a bundle that also includes a 21.5-inch monitor is unusual. For streamers who record locally and need storage space, that 1TB goes a long way. The 16GB of RAM also helps, giving the ageing CPU as much breathing room as possible.

For very light streaming, just chatting, screen sharing, or retro gaming, this machine can get the job done. But if you plan to stream anything graphically demanding or run a complex OBS scene setup with multiple sources, you will hit the CPU ceiling fairly quickly. The bundle price makes it tempting, but the hardware age is a real limitation.

Pros

  • 1TB NVMe SSD is excellent for local recordings
  • 21.5-inch monitor included in the bundle
  • 16GB RAM gives the old CPU some headroom
  • Windows 11 included

Cons

  • i5-2400 is very old hardware from 2011
  • Will struggle with complex OBS setups
  • No dedicated GPU
  • Refurbished with potentially limited warranty

Buy on Amazon

Best Starter Gaming Streamer

8. Veno Scorp Budget Gaming PC 22" Bundle Intel Core i5-16GB RAM, 120GB SSD 500GB HDD, GTX 750 4GB SPECTRA ARGB Gaming Case - WINDOWS 11

£289.00 |

The GTX 750 is a decade-old GPU. Let's be clear about that. It will not run modern AAA games at playable frame rates, and it does not support NVENC in any useful modern form. But it does exist as a dedicated GPU, which means it takes some load off the CPU for display output and basic graphics tasks.

For streaming older games, indie titles, or retro content, this bundle has some appeal. The 22-inch monitor is included, the ARGB case looks the part on camera (which matters if you have a face cam pointed at your setup), and 16GB of RAM is a reasonable foundation. The 120GB SSD is genuinely too small though. You will be installing Windows and OBS and already wondering where the space went. The 500GB HDD helps, but HDDs are slow for recording.

At around £289, it sits in an awkward spot. The Dell OptiPlex bundles nearby offer more capable CPUs for similar or less money. The GTX 750 is the differentiator, but it is such old hardware that the advantage is minimal for streaming purposes. Worth considering only if the gaming aesthetics of the ARGB case matter to you and your stream's visual identity.

Pros

  • 22-inch monitor included
  • ARGB case looks good on camera
  • 16GB RAM is a solid foundation
  • Dedicated GPU (even if old)

Cons

  • GTX 750 is very old and limited for modern gaming
  • 120GB SSD is far too small for streaming use
  • Awkward price point versus the OptiPlex alternatives
  • HDD recording is slower than SSD

Buy on Amazon

Best Mid-Range Refurb

9. OptiPlex 7020 SFF Desktop PC Computer i7 4770 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Windows 11 Pro 300Mbps WIFI (Renewed)

£147.00 |

The OptiPlex 7020 with an i7-4770 sits in a reasonable middle ground. The 4770 is a 4th-gen Intel chip with four cores and Hyper-Threading, giving you eight logical threads to work with. For streaming non-gaming content in 1080p via OBS, it handles the job without too much complaint. The 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD are sensible specs for a streaming machine.

At around £148, it is priced fairly for what it offers. Not as cheap as the i5-4570 entry below, but noticeably more capable. The 7020 chassis is a proper Dell business machine, quiet and compact. The 300Mbps USB WiFi adapter is a bit of a bodge compared to built-in WiFi, but it works.

The honest limitation is the same as all the OptiPlex machines: no dedicated GPU, and 4th-gen hardware that is starting to feel its age. For streamers on a tight budget who need something reliable for non-gaming content, it is a decent option. But if you can stretch to the i7-6700 model above, the newer architecture is worth the extra spend.

Pros

  • i7-4770 with Hyper-Threading handles OBS well
  • 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD are solid specs
  • Good price for the hardware level
  • Dell build quality is reliable

Cons

  • 4th-gen Intel is ageing
  • No dedicated GPU
  • USB WiFi adapter rather than built-in
  • 512GB SSD fills up with recordings

Buy on Amazon

Best Under £100

10. Window 11 Pro Optiplex Core i5 Series Desktop Small Form Desktop Tower PC (Intel Quad Core I5 4570, 8 Gb Ram, 120 SSD), (Renewed)

£92.49 |

At around £94, this is the cheapest option in the roundup that can technically run modern streaming software. The i5-4570 is a quad-core 4th-gen Intel chip, and it will run OBS. Just. For very basic streaming, think just chatting or simple screen shares, it scrapes by.

But the 8GB of RAM and 120GB SSD are the real problems. 8GB is below the recommended minimum for comfortable streaming in 2026. With OBS, a browser, and Discord open, you will be bumping against the memory ceiling regularly. And 120GB of storage means you cannot record locally at all, really. You are streaming direct to platform only, with no local backup.

Look, if this is genuinely all you can spend right now, it is a functional starting point. But budget for a RAM upgrade (another 8GB of DDR3 is cheap) and an external drive almost immediately. Without those additions, the streaming experience will be frustrating. It earns the Best Under £100 badge by default, but manage your expectations accordingly.

Pros

  • Under £100 is genuinely accessible
  • i5-4570 can run OBS for basic streaming
  • Windows 11 Pro included
  • Small form factor is compact

Cons

  • 8GB RAM is below comfortable streaming minimum
  • 120GB SSD leaves no room for local recordings
  • 4th-gen hardware is old
  • Will need RAM and storage upgrades to be practical

Buy on Amazon

Best Under £50 (With Caveats)

11. Lenovo Q190 Desktop (Black) - (Intel Celeron 1017U 1.60 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, Integrated Graphics, Wi-Fi, Windows 8.1 with Bing)

£199.99 |

Honest review: this machine should not be on a streaming list in 2026. The Intel Celeron 1017U runs at 1.6GHz with two cores and no Hyper-Threading. It has 4GB of RAM. It ships with Windows 8.1 with Bing, which Microsoft stopped supporting years ago. And OBS Studio's minimum requirements will make this machine sweat.

For streaming, it is not a realistic option. Modern streaming software, browser-based stream management tools, and even Discord together will push this chip to its limits. You might get a very basic, low-resolution stream working with significant effort and compromises, but the experience will be poor.

It earns the Best Under £50 badge because it is the cheapest machine in the roundup and there is no other candidate for that slot. But the badge comes with a strong caveat: do not buy this for streaming. If you need a machine purely for very light web browsing or word processing and streaming is not the goal, it might serve a purpose. For the topic of this roundup, it does not.

Pros

  • Very cheap entry price
  • Compact and quiet
  • WiFi included

Cons

  • Celeron 1017U cannot handle modern streaming software
  • 4GB RAM is completely insufficient for OBS
  • Windows 8.1 is unsupported and insecure
  • 500GB HDD is slow
  • Not a viable streaming machine in any practical sense

Buy on Amazon

Buying Guide: What to Look For in the Best Prebuilt Desktops for Streaming Under £700

Streaming puts a specific set of demands on a desktop PC that general-purpose computing does not. Here is what actually matters and what you can safely ignore at this price point.

CPU: The Most Important Component for Streaming

Your processor handles the encoding workload if you do not have a dedicated GPU with hardware encoding. For software encoding in OBS, you want at least a quad-core CPU with a clock speed above 3.0GHz. Intel i7 4th gen and above, or AMD Ryzen 3 3200G and above, are the practical minimums for comfortable 1080p streaming. Anything older or weaker (Celeron, Atom, older dual-core chips) will struggle with modern streaming software.

RAM: 16GB is the Target

8GB will technically run OBS, but you will feel the squeeze with a browser, Discord, and your game all open simultaneously. 16GB is the comfortable minimum for streaming in 2026. 32GB (as found in the Dell i7-6700 model) is a bonus but not necessary. Avoid anything with less than 8GB for streaming use.

Storage: SSD Over HDD, Bigger is Better

If you plan to record your streams locally (which you should, as a backup), you need space. OBS at 1080p60 can use 8 to 12GB per hour depending on your bitrate settings. A 256GB SSD will fill up fast. Aim for 512GB minimum, or 1TB if possible. NVMe SSDs are faster than SATA SSDs for writing large files, which helps during recording.

GPU: Nice to Have, Not Essential for Non-Gamers

A dedicated GPU with NVENC (NVIDIA) or AMF (AMD) hardware encoding takes the streaming encode workload off your CPU entirely. This is transformative if you want to game and stream simultaneously. The RTX 3050 in the ADMI Gaming PC is the only modern dedicated GPU in this roundup. For non-gaming streamers, integrated graphics are fine.

New vs Refurbished

Refurbished Dell OptiPlex machines offer excellent value but come with older hardware and variable warranty terms. New machines like the Vibox and ADMI Gaming PC cost more but give you modern components and proper manufacturer support. Check the seller's return policy and warranty length before buying any refurbished unit. Dell's UK refurbished store is worth checking for certified units with better warranty terms.

WiFi vs Wired

Most machines here include WiFi, but for live streaming, a wired Ethernet connection is always preferable. A dropped WiFi packet mid-stream can cause buffering or disconnection. If your router is nearby, run a cable. If not, a powerline adapter is a good middle ground. For more on streaming hardware requirements, Tom's Hardware's streaming PC guide covers the technical side in detail.

How We Tested

Each machine in this roundup was assessed against the specific demands of streaming. We looked at CPU generation and core count, RAM capacity, storage speed and size, GPU presence and capability, and the overall value proposition for streamers at each price point. We cross-referenced real owner feedback from UK buyers, checked seller warranty terms, and compared specs against OBS Studio's recommended system requirements. Refurbished units were assessed for seller reputation and return policy quality alongside raw hardware specs.

Best Overall

ADMI Gaming PC Ryzen 5 5500 RTX 3050

The only machine in this roundup with a modern dedicated GPU and NVENC encoding. The best choice for gaming streamers under £700.

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Best Value

Vibox I-7 Gaming PC Ryzen 3 3200G

Brand new hardware with 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD at a genuinely fair price. The best new-build option for non-gaming streamers.

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Final Verdict: Best Prebuilt Desktops for Streaming Under £700

The best prebuilt desktops for streaming under £700 cover a wide range of use cases and budgets, and the right choice depends entirely on what you plan to stream. If gaming-while-streaming is the goal, the ADMI Gaming PC with its Ryzen 5 5500 and RTX 3050 is the clear winner and the only machine here with a genuinely modern GPU. For non-gaming streamers who want new hardware without the premium, the Vibox I-7 Gaming PC delivers solid specs at a fair price. Beginners building a setup from scratch should look seriously at the Dell OptiPlex bundle with the 23-inch monitor included. And if your budget is very tight, the refurbished Dell i7-6700 SFF offers the best build quality and 32GB of RAM for well under £300. Whatever you choose, prioritise 16GB of RAM and an SSD over 256GB, and you will have a machine that handles streaming without constant frustration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but only with the ADMI RTX 3050 or standard ADMI GTX 1650 variants. The RTX 3050 handles demanding games at 1080p60 whilst maintaining clean encoding; the GTX 1650 requires some quality compromise. Budget Dell machines lack dedicated graphics and cannot stream AAA games at acceptable quality. The DAHONGYUN all-in-one and Mac mini are unsuitable for competitive game streaming.

No. The Mac mini has access to fewer games than Windows machines, and streaming Windows-exclusive titles is not possible. Choose Mac mini if you stream creative work, indie games, cloud games, or non-gaming content. Game streamers should choose Windows machines like the ADMI options.

Yes, both Dell OptiPlex machines include manufacturer warranty. However, as refurbished corporate stock, components are older and more prone to eventual failure. Warranty typically covers hardware defects. Support quality is standard Dell: phone lines and online resources available, though response times may be slower than new product support.

The RTX 3050 is worth the extra cost if you stream games regularly or plan years of streaming growth. The GTX 1650 is sufficient for casual gaming streams and talk content. If budget is tight, the GTX 1650 variant at the same price as the RTX option provides good value, though encoding efficiency is noticeably lower.

Yes, with exceptions. The ADMI machines and Dell OptiPlex have standard desktop RAM and SSD slots, so upgrades are straightforward. The Mac mini is difficult to upgrade: RAM and storage are soldered, making expansion impossible after purchase. The DAHONGYUN all-in-one has limited upgradability due to integrated design. Budget for upgrades before purchase if expansion might be needed.

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