Are you a gamer in search of the best gaming computer with the perfect specifications for your needs? Do you love to play PC games, but don’t have the time to build your own gaming PC?
There is a number of high-quality gaming computers on the market for both high-end and smaller budgets. This guide will show you what to look for when shopping for a new gaming pc and we’ll also provide you with a list of the best gaming desktops currently available.
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Last update on 2023-10-05 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon
Why Buy A Prebuilt PC?
While building your own gaming PC can leave you with lots of customization options, choosing to buy a prebuilt PC is also a great way to enjoy PC gaming with much less hassle. Here are a few reasons why you might consider buying a prebuilt gaming computer:
- You simply don’t have the time or space to put together a custom PC.
- You’d like the peace of mind that your computer is coming from one source so you know where to turn if something goes wrong.
- You’re just starting out in the PC gaming world and you’d like to test out a prebuilt PC before going ahead and building your own.
- You don’t care too much about the specifics – you just want something that works for your budget and gaming needs.
If you’re interested in buying a prebuilt PC but you’d also like customization, there are several systems available where you can pick certain parts so you can purchase what you want and avoid paying for what you don’t need.
Things to Know for Buying the Best Prebuilt Gaming PC
Just because you’re buying a prebuilt PC doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take some time to understand the different components that go into a gaming desktop. The parts of a gaming PC, including the CPU, motherboard, RAM, graphics card, storage, PSU, case and cooling are all features that can help you determine whether or not a certain computer is worth your money and interest.
CPU
CPU (“central processing unit”) is the brain of a computer and arguably one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a gaming PC. The CPU is where the demands from other components are interpreted and performed. Without the CPU, your computer wouldn’t be able to process the calculations that allow you to run programs and play games. If you’re looking to buy the best computer for gaming, it’s absolutely essential that the CPU is fast and powerful. Specifically, it should have a high frequency and a lot of processing power with multiple cores.
The two primary CPU manufacturers are Intel and AMD; both have different specifications that determine the speed and power of specific CPU types. Intel processors are still regarded as a bit more powerful while AMD provides outstanding value for money. Also for gaming, the actual number of cores a CPU has may not be as important as features like clock speed and cache size.
Motherboard
The motherboard of a computer is frequently referred to as the “backbone” of a gaming PC because it connects all of the other components together. The RAM, CPU, power supply and graphics cards are a few of the major components that are plugged into the motherboard, with certain form factors only compatible with certain types of motherboards.
If you’re building your own PC, you’ll need to get a motherboard with the proper socket type for your chosen CPU. However, if you buy a prebuilt PC, the components will already be compatible and in place. Instead, you’ll mainly need to worry about the upgradability of the components on the motherboard within the PC you’re looking at. The motherboard should be thoroughly futureproofed, meaning that it should have room to support more hard drives, RAM sticks and other components that you’d like to add depending on your preferences.
RAM
RAM (“random access memory”) is the form of memory in a computer that’s “randomly accessed” to store data on a short-term basis. For gamers, RAM is an important component for increasing the speed and loading time on a PC.
You’ll find that all high-end gaming desktops will have a DDR4 RAM, but not all of them have the same RAM capacity (you’ll mainly see 8GB on the lower and 32GB on the higher end; how much you need will depend on the type and number of games and programs you intend to use).
Graphics Card
Most people would agree that a PC game just isn’t as enjoyable if the graphics are poor. Next to CPU, choosing a graphics card for your gaming PC is the most important thing you need to consider if you want the best gaming experience possible.
Unless you plan on using multiple high-definition monitors for your gaming setup, memory is generally less important than bandwidth when it comes to graphics cards. Additionally, having multiple graphics cards isn’t always necessary if you’re a casual gamer.
You should also make sure you know the minimum system requirements for the games you wish to play, although most high-end gaming PCs will be able to play most new and tending games by default. Graphics cards will most commonly come from either AMD or NVIDIA.
Storage
Your computer’s storage will come in the form of an SSD (“solid-state drive”), HDD (“hard disk drive”) or both. SSDs find and store data with blocks while HDDs use moving disks or platters. SSDs are generally more ideal for gamers because they have a faster loading time and produce less noise. However, HDDs have a longer lifespan and are cheaper, so some desktops come with a combination of the two. When checking storage for the gaming desktop you’re interested in, look for PCs with an SSD preferably NVMe one, and a high-capacity HDD.
PSU
The PSU (“power supply unit”) of a computer provides the necessary power that allows the computer to function at its very best. Gaming computers will need to have a high-quality PSU with lots of wattage and high efficiency in order to enhance performance and manage heat production. Similar to motherboards, you likely won’t see a lot about the PSU when reading product descriptions for prebuilt gaming computers. Don’t forget to check wattage numbers and information regarding power usage.
Case
The case of your gaming computer will play an important role for not only how your computer looks, but also how it accommodates space and airflow for all of the components within. Cases come from a variety of different manufacturers, with some having power supply attachments, lighting and other features depending on the make and model. In regards to buying the best PC cases, it all comes down to choosing the right form factor and your personal preferences.
Cooling
If you plan on buying a high-end gaming PC, it’s going to need an excellent cooling, including CPU coolers and case fans. If you plan on heavy gaming and overclocking, a PC with liquid cooling is a great option. If you’re shopping on a budget, air CPU cooler will suffice.
The Best Prebuilt Gaming Computers
MSI Aegis RS
Insane Gaming Ability
The MSI Aegis RS retails currently for over $2k, yet it’s a great gaming system for the price asked. How is that, you asked? Here’s the deal: this particular version runs on an 8-core Intel Core i7-10700K CPU; the gaming department is taken care of by a GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, and there’s also 16 GB of RAM available, plus a 1TB SSD + 2TB HDD combo for all your storage needs.
Moreover, you’ll get liquid cooling, Wi-Fi 6, USB Type C ports, VR technology, Windows 10 preinstalled, not to mention a cool aftermarket vibe, even if the Aegis RS actually uses off the shelf stuff which can be bought from any major electronics retailer.
The point being, you could build such a system yourself, but why do it since MSI puts it together so well and offers comprehensive system warranty?
At the core of the system you’ll find a MSI Z490 motherboard, which has been specifically designed for gaming, while the RTX 30 series graphics brings together artificial intelligence, real time ray tracing and programmable shading for the ultimate gaming experience.
The liquid cooling system is very special, and we’re talking about Dragon Liquid Cooling that uses MSI’s in-house made 120 mm Dragon CPU liquid cooler, that allows for the maximum amount of heat dissipation and can handle with ease the most hardware intensive games with zero issues.
Bottom line, with the current market for GPUs, buying a prebuilt is probably the best way to get a RTX 3070, and it’d be hard to find a better deal for the money than this one. The point being, with many pre-builts you don’t quite know what you’re going to get for internals, yet here you know everything possible in this baby will be the excellent MSI brand.
- Runs quietly
- Great value
- Removable dust filters
- Upgradeable
- Runs like a beast
- Top notch tech support
- LED lights are cool
- Solid connectivity
- Some cooling issues
SkyTech Blaze 3
Professionally Assembled High Value Gaming PC
The SkyTech Blaze 3.0 is a mid-tier gaming PC that retails for a little bit over $1000. What makes the Blaze 3 relatively unique is that it runs on an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 @3.6GHz CPU, i.e. it breaks out from the Intel ghetto so to speak, and that’s always nice.
The GPU is also mid-range, i.e. you’ll get an Nvidia GeForce RTX 1660 Super 6GB Graphics Card, as well as 16GB DDR4 @3000MHz, a 1TB SSD and a 80 Plus Certified 600 Watt Gold Power Supply.
For the price asked, these are pretty solid specs, and on top of that, the Blaze 3 comes with Windows 10 Home preinstalled, and features 3 x RGB Dual RING Fans for Maximum Air Flow (they also look pretty cool), with everything housed in a Phantek Metallic Gear Neo Air Black Edition with Front Mesh case.
The cherry on top is that the Blaze 3 is assembled in the USA, which is kind of rare nowadays. To give you an idea about what one thousand bucks will buy you, here’s the deal: this mid-range gaming PC can run the following games at high-ultra settings in 1080p resolution: Call of Duty Warzone, Fortnite, Escape from Tarkov, Grand Theft Auto V, World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Apex Legends, Roblox, PLAYERUNKNOWN’s Battlegrounds, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Battlefield V, Minecraft, The Division 2, and more, in smooth 60+ FPS.
- Solid gaming performance
- Amazing value for money
- Dead quiet
- Free Gaming Keyboard and Mouse
- No bloatware
- Lifetime tech support
- None really at this price
Alienware R12
Affordable Gaming PC from Alienware
Alienware is a name synonymous with high gaming performance and high price, but shockingly enough, this particular model offers incredible value for money, all things considered.
Mind you, this is not the high-end R12, but more like a “value proposition” from Dell, the company that owns the Alienware brand.
To begin with, this Aurora R12 comes packed with decent hardware, wrapped in an awesome alien-starship-looking case; to be more specific, you’ll get an Intel 11400F CPU, which is Intel’s 11th gen hexa-core I5, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super GPU, 32 GB of RAM, and a 2 GB PCIe SSD.
In terms of hardware, this model of Alienware R12 is a mid-tier gaming system, yet it’s fast enough and looks great on the desktop. We must mention the relatively affordable GTX 1650 super GPU, which is a mainstream graphics card capable of full HD gaming and eSports, but lacks assist ray-tracing.
The I5 processor is pretty good and does a great job performance wise, as it works in tandem with the GTX 1650 super GPU for delivering superb full HD and 2K gaming, or everyday multi-tasking, like running Office applications and/or tons of browser tabs open at the same time.
The case is huge, heavy and sturdy, looks fantastic if you’re into alien design, and it offers double USB-type C ports and 12 full-size USB sockets alongside loads of audio jacks.
- Extravagant design
- Rock solid case
- Superb connectivity
- Upgradable
- Good value for money
- Impressive support
- Industry-leading warranty
- None really
CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme VR GXiVR8480A10
Solid Performer and Great Price
The CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme VR is a gaming PC that somehow manages to put together an interesting combination of parts at an incredible price. The thing is, high-end graphics cards are really hard to come by nowadays, due to crypto miners driving the prices up. The point being, for significantly less than $2k you’ll end up with an Intel Core i5-11600KF @3.9GHz, 16 GB of RAM, a solid GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GPU, and, in terms of storage, you’ll get a 500GB NVMe SSD/ 1TB HDD combo.
Basically, if you’re looking for the latest-gen hardware (high-performance Intel Core processors and ultra-quick DDR RAM), that is fully compatible with VR gaming for both the HTC VIVE with Steam VR and the Oculus Rift VR, the CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme VR comes highly recommended.
The design is minimalist yet appealing, as the case features an easy access transparent side panel, RGB lighting, is VR ready and incorporates four cooling fans.
The transparent side panel is very easy to remove, in case you want to upgrade it (with a bigger SSD for example), and the RGB thing can be controlled using the provided software. In terms of connectivity, you’ll get 2 x USB 3.0 external inputs, plus headphone and microphone jacks, which is pretty standard.
Bottom line, the CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme VR is a solid system for the money; the GPU is towards the top of the spectrum (runs almost every game with high graphics from 100-150 fps) and there is more than enough options to later upgrade or build upon what Cyberpower has packed this monster with.
- Top components
- Solid gaming performance
- Cool design
- Amazing value for money
- None at this price
HP OMEN 30L
Sleek and Powerful Gaming Machine
The HP Omen 30L will drain more than $2k from your bank account, but if you’re a gaming aficionado, it would worth the stretch. To begin with, the 30L comes with an RTX 3060 Ti GPU, which is respectable. This time, HP ditched Intel and went all-in with AMD, i.e. there’s an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X under the hood, taking care of business. Mind you, this CPU is better than an i7-10700F.
Other specs include 1TB SSD + 2TB HDD for storage, and 16 GB of RAM, which is enough for starters. It’s important to mention the fact that it comes with a solid-liquid cooling system, for all your OC needs, and RGB lighting.
And here’s the best thing: if you’re going to DIY a similar rig with similar specs, you may end up spending more! And that’s due to GPU availability, which makes it hard to build your own comparable rig for less.
Design-wise, the Omen 30L is stylish, featuring a semi-transparent tempered glass panel on the front, that boasts the HP Omen logo and a
single ring light on the front intake fan near the bottom. The interior features RGB lighting, which is as good as it gets.
The removable glass side panel offers tool less access, which makes the system highly customizable, and bottom line, if an with an RTX 3060 Ti GPU is enough for your gaming needs, it doesn’t get any better than the Omen 30L.
- Top notch components
- Smart design
- Good build quality
- Liquid cooling
- Standardized parts
- Good value for money
- Lacks front USB C
ROG Strix GA15DK
Solid Performer in a Smaller Tower
ROG stands for Republic of Gamers, and the Strix can be best described as a great value for money gaming machine by Asus. Checking out the price tax, which is ample at $2500 (give or take), may beg the question: what do you mean by great value for money? I had less expensive cars!
Well, here’s what you get for your money, noob: an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU with ROG B550 board and chipset, a GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM, a 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD combo, and all the connectivity that kind of money can buy, i.e. front I/O: 1x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Type-C, 1x Headphone, 1x Microphone, as well as Rear I/O: 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1x Mic, 1x Line Out, 1x Line In, 1x Ethernet, 1x HDMI-out.
On top of that, the Strix comes with ASUS Aura Sync RGB chassis lighting and EMI-reducing transparent side panel, which means your rig is fully customizable when it comes to optics, and while we’re talking optics, we must tell you that the case is nothing short of exquisite due to its RGB light streak.
Looking at the specs, it becomes obvious that the Strix GA15DK has all the DNA of a competitive gaming machine, being a powerhouse that can be used for literally anything.
Since we’re talking gaming rigs, you must know that the Nvidia RTX 3070 with 8GB of GDDR6 is an absolute beast, being perfectly capable of tearing through games, and to give you an examples, you can play Call of Duty: Black Ops’ battle royale mode, Cold War, in 4K with all settings on high, at between 50.2 and 56 fps.
- Excellent gaming machine
- Top notch performance
- Quiet operation
- Plentiful I/O ports
- RTX magic
- Underpowered PSU
Acer Aspire TC-1660-UA92
Best Buy for Home Office Tasks
Acer Aspire is synonymous with performance on a budget, and the TC-1660-UA92 is proof of concept: retailing for just a bit over $500, the Acer Aspire features a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10400 (hexa core), 12GB of 2666MHz DDR4, and a 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD.
It’s pretty obvious that you don’t get a dedicated GPU for that kind of money, but the integrated graphics can still provide you with a little bit of gaming thrills if you don’t get your hopes too high. Anyway, you can always upgrade, i.e. you can buy a dedicated GPU later, as the unit is easily upgradable due to its tools-free design.
Also, the hardware inside will allow you to literally zip through your daily home tasks quickly with zero issues, and the stylish case will make it blend into any home office setup.
Keep in mind that the PSU has only 300W, so if you intend to buy a dedicated GPU, also budget some money for a new (more powerful) PSU.
Bottom line: as long as you’re using this PC (stock) for web browsing, streaming, and productivity, it’s pretty good. For gaming purposes, you’ll definitely require a dedicated GPU and a new PSU.
- Good value for money
- USB C port
- Solid performance
- Small footprint
- Sleek design
- Gaming performance issues
HP Pavilion TG01-1022
Gaming on a Budget
With a retail price of less than $1000, the HP Pavilion is the weapon of choice for people on a tight budget. Just like the Acer Aspire reviewed previously, the HP Pavilion comes with an integrated graphics card, an AMD Radeon RX 5500. However, as far as integrated GPUs go, this one runs with the best in the business, but more on that later.
As expected, this machine runs on AMD juice and features a 6-Core Ryzen 5600G CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD.
Even if the Radeon RX 5500 is nothing to write home about compared to RTX stuff, it’s still strong enough to run most games out there at minimal/medium settings.
What’s not so great about this Pavilion is that basically, every component on this PC is proprietary, things like the power supply, motherboard, CPU cooler, CPU cooler mounting pattern, etc., which means it’s pretty hard to upgrade anything.
So, if you’re not a hardcore gamer, and you don’t want to spend more than $1000 on a gaming rig, the HP Pavilion TG01-1022 may very well fit the bill.
To give you an idea, the RX 5500 is similar in terms of performance to a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 GPU, i.e. you’ll be able to play 2020 games in 1080p and high settings, which is not bad.
- Decent gaming performance
- Excellent value
- Small form factor
- Limited upgradability
How to Buy the Best Prebuilt Gaming PC for Your Needs
Have you been asking “What is the best gaming computer that I can trust to buy prebuilt?” If you’d like the convenience and security of purchasing a prebuilt PC for gaming, you likely won’t be disappointed in the wide range of system options for both budget and high-end models.
If you’re looking to purchase a maximum performance, high-end gaming desktop, look for:
- A desktop with the highest-tier graphics cards, such as NVIDIA GeForce RTX series (note that newer versions of graphics cards are constantly becoming available – stay current!).
- A desktop with the highest-tier CPU, such as an Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 7.
- A desktop with a high quality power supply with 600 watts or greater.
- A desktop with an advanced, high-powered cooling system, an extended warranty and user-friendly instruction manuals.
- A desktop with plenty of extra features, such as a keyboard, mouse and lots of room for adding more components and upgrades.
Are you on a budget but still looking for something mid-range and suitable for gaming? Look for:
- A desktop with high/mid-range graphics, such as NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or similar.
- A desktop with a fairly new CPU, such as an Intel Core i5-i7 or AMD 3-5.
- A desktop with a decent power supply (at least 400 watts).
- A desktop with a good warranty and positive product reviews that matches your needs and preferences while fitting within your desired price range.
If you want to find the best gaming desktop and get the best value for the money you pay, you’ll need to collectively look at the specifications for graphics quality, storage capacity, CPU power, wattage, upgradability and overall aesthetics.
There’s a system out there for any type of gamer, it’s just a matter of reading product reviews and breaking down the pros and cons of each system so you can find something perfect for your gaming preferences.
so many choices
where can i go and tell them what i want and then they point me toward the appropriate computer system weather its prebuilt or totally custom
There are various custom pc builders you can contact and tell your requirements.
https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/
https://www.ibuypower.com/
https://www.pugetsystems.com/