Building your own gaming rig might seem daunting, but thankfully, excellent pre-built gaming PCs offer a fantastic alternative. While you miss the DIY satisfaction, you gain valuable time—time better spent gaming! Forget endless research, component waits, and troubleshooting; pre-built systems deliver a ready-to-play experience. With high-end graphics cards and processors becoming increasingly expensive, pre-built options from brands like Alienware, MSI, and HP can even save you money. Many are easily upgradeable, like our favorite, the spacious HP Omen 45L.
TL;DR – The Best Gaming PCs
Lenovo Legion Tower 7i
See it at Lenovo
HP Omen 45L
See it at HP
iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop
See it at AmazonSee it at Best Buy
Alienware Aurora R16
See it at Dell
Asus ROG NUC
See it at Amazon
Choosing a gaming PC involves more than selecting a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. Consider your gaming style and desired performance; budget PCs won't max out Cyberpunk 2077. Finding the right processor, storage, memory, and cooling is crucial. Fortunately, many manufacturers simplify this process, preventing bottlenecks.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 have launched, and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is coming in March 2025. Many PCs on this list will soon feature these GPUs or receive updates. Whether you need a budget PC for indie games, a compact option, or a top-tier 4K rig, we have a recommendation. Click here for UK options.
Contributions by Danielle Abraham and Georgie Peru
For additional savings, check out the best gaming PC deals.
Lenovo Legion Tower 7i – Photos
7 Images
1. Lenovo Legion Tower 7i – Best Gaming PC
The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i boasts powerful hardware and easy upgradeability. See it at Lenovo.
Product Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i9-14900KF
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti – RTX 4080 Super
RAM: Up to 32GB DDR5 @ 4,000MHz
Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD
Weight: 37.48 lbs
Size: 19.37 x 8.31 x 18.27 inches (H x W x D)
PROS: Extremely solid performance for the money; Easy to upgrade.
CONS: Ships with very basic memory and motherboard.
The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i represents a significant step forward for pre-built PCs. Its use of standard components makes upgrades and repairs straightforward. While Lenovo economizes on some parts, the ease of upgrading offsets this. Its competitive price makes it a standout choice.
2. HP Omen 45L – Best Current-Gen PC
Breeze through tasks and games with an Intel Core i9 CPU, Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, and 16GB RAM, all kept cool by a robust system. See it at HP.
Product Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i7-14700K – Intel Core i9-14900K
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti – RTX 4090
RAM: 16GB DDR5 – 64GB DDR5
Storage: 512GB – 2TB SSD (System); 1TB – 2TB 7200 rpm hard disk (Secondary)
Weight: 49.82 pounds
Size: 8.03 x 18.5 x 21.85 inches (W x D x H)
PROS: Great cooling system; Excellent case for upgrades.
CONS: Very heavy.
The HP Omen 45L stands out with its exceptional case design, allowing for easy upgrades and customization. While pricey, the spacious chassis and upgrade potential make it a long-term investment. Even the entry-level model is worthwhile due to its upgradeability.
3. iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop – Best Budget Gaming PC
An affordable PC offering 1080p gaming performance with a 14th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and high-bandwidth DDR5 RAM. See it at Amazon and Best Buy.
Product Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i7-14700F
GPU: Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti
RAM: 32GB DDR5 5,600MHz
Storage: 1TB SSD
Weight: 35 pounds
Size: 19.3" x 8.66" x 18.9"
PROS: Excellent 1080p gaming; Includes keyboard and mouse.
CONS: Not ideal for 4K gaming.
The iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh offers strong 1080p performance at an affordable price, including a keyboard and mouse. Its upgradeable components ensure longevity. The included peripherals add value for budget-conscious gamers.
4. Alienware Aurora R16 – Best High-End Gaming PC
A high-end rig with powerful processors, impressive cooling, and 32GB RAM for high frame rates at 4K. See it at Dell.
Product Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i9-14900KF
GPU: Nvidia RTX 4080 Super
RAM: 32GB DDR5 5,600MHz
Storage: 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
Weight: 33.9 pounds
Size: 16.46" x 7.75" x 18.05"
PROS: Extremely powerful; Excellent multitasking.
CONS: More mainstream design.
The Alienware Aurora R16 delivers top-tier performance with its powerful components and robust cooling. It's a premium option for gamers demanding the highest frame rates and resolutions.
5. Asus ROG NUC – Best Mini Gaming PC
The Asus ROG NUC is remarkably compact, surprisingly powerful with a mobile-class RTX 4070. See it at Amazon.
Product Specifications
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 – Intel Core Ultra 9
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 – Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (Mobile)
RAM: 16GB – 32GB DDR5
Storage: 512GB – 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD
Weight: 5.73 pounds
Size: 10.62 x 7.09 x 2.36 inches (W x D x H)
PROS: Compact size; Solid 1080p performance.
CONS: Uses mobile-class hardware.
The Asus ROG NUC prioritizes size and portability without sacrificing gaming capability. It excels at 1080p gaming and is ideal as a compact home theater PC.
UK Purchases: Many PCs on this list are available in the UK via retailers like Newegg.
MSI MEG Trident X2
See it at Newegg
Choosing Your Gaming PC
Pre-built PCs offer convenience and cost-effectiveness. Prioritize the graphics card based on your monitor's resolution (an RTX 3060 Ti suffices for 1080p). An Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor is usually adequate. Consider upgrading RAM and storage yourself for potential savings. Barebones systems offer cost savings but require self-assembly. Boutique builders provide customization options. Services like NZXT BLD and iBuyPower's Easy Builder simplify component selection.
Gaming PC FAQ
Gaming PC vs. Gaming Laptop: Desktops generally offer better performance, upgradeability, and longevity.
Upgrading Pre-built PCs: Most modern pre-built PCs use standard components, simplifying upgrades. Look for tool-less designs for easier access.
Gaming PC vs. Console: PCs offer a wider game library, superior upgradeability, better performance, and diverse peripheral options.
Gaming PCs Under $1000: Possible, but expect limitations in performance, especially at higher resolutions.
Building Your Own PC: Offers customization but requires technical knowledge. Pre-built systems offer a hassle-free alternative.
