For gamers who prefer a ready-to-play system, pre-built gaming PCs offer a compelling alternative to building your own. While you miss the DIY satisfaction, you gain valuable time—time better spent gaming! Gone are the days of subpar pre-built systems; today's options deliver long-lasting performance, often at a cost savings compared to sourcing individual components, especially given the rising prices of high-end graphics cards and processors. Brands like Alienware, MSI, and HP offer excellent choices, many easily upgradeable down the line, such as the spacious HP Omen 45L.
In short: Here are 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 Amazon See 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 console. Consider your gaming preferences and desired performance levels; budget systems won't run Cyberpunk 2077 at maximum settings. Finding the right balance of processor, storage, memory, and cooling is crucial. Fortunately, many manufacturers handle the complexities, preventing bottlenecks. The recent release of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, and the upcoming AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, will soon be reflected in updated pre-built options.
Whether you need an affordable PC for indie games, a space-saving mini-PC, or a top-tier 4K rig, one of these five options should fit your needs. 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
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1. Lenovo Legion Tower 7i
Best Gaming PC
The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i boasts powerful hardware and easy upgradability. 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: Excellent performance for the price; Easy to upgrade.
Cons: Ships with basic memory and motherboard.
The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i stands out due to its use of standard components, simplifying upgrades and repairs. While the initial memory and motherboard are basic, upgrading is straightforward. Its competitive price makes it a standout choice.
2. HP Omen 45L
Best Current-Gen PC
Power through tasks and games with the HP Omen 45L's Intel Core i9 CPU, Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, and robust cooling. 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: Excellent cooling; Spacious, upgrade-friendly case.
Cons: Very heavy.
The HP Omen 45L's exceptional case design makes it a standout. Its spacious interior allows for easy upgrades and even supports custom water cooling. While the entry-level configuration is good, upgrading is simple and rewarding.
3. iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop
Best Budget Gaming PC
This affordable PC offers excellent 1080p gaming performance with a current-gen processor and high-bandwidth 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 great value, providing strong 1080p gaming performance with included peripherals. Its upgradeable components make it a future-proof option.
4. Alienware Aurora R16
Best High-End Gaming PC
Push your gaming limits with the Alienware Aurora R16's powerful processor, impressive cooling, and high-speed RAM for 4K gaming. 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 for demanding gamers and content creators. Its robust cooling system ensures stability under heavy loads.
5. Asus ROG NUC
Best Mini Gaming PC
The Asus ROG NUC packs surprising power in a compact form factor. 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 proves that small size doesn't mean compromised performance. Ideal for space-conscious gamers, it delivers excellent 1080p gaming.
Where to Get the Best Gaming PC in the UK
Many of the PCs listed are available for purchase and shipping to the UK through retailers like Newegg.
MSI MEG Trident X2
See it at Newegg
How to Choose a Gaming PC
Prioritize the graphics card based on your monitor's resolution. An RTX 3060 Ti is sufficient for 1080p. A Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor with at least four cores handles most modern games. Consider upgradability when choosing storage and RAM; buying these components separately can be more cost-effective. Barebones systems offer savings but lack storage and OS. Boutique builders provide customized options, while services like NZXT BLD and iBuyPower's Easy Builder simplify the process.
Gaming PC FAQ
Should you buy a gaming PC or a gaming laptop? Gaming PCs generally offer better upgradability, longevity, and performance.
Is it easy to upgrade a pre-built gaming PC? Most modern pre-builts use standard components, making upgrades relatively easy. Look for tool-less designs for simpler upgrades.
Should you buy a gaming PC or a console? Gaming PCs offer a wider game library, superior upgradability, and better performance, but consoles are simpler to use.
Can you find a good gaming PC for under $1,000? Yes, but expect limitations in performance at higher settings.
Should you build your own gaming PC? Building your own offers customization and potential cost savings, but requires technical knowledge.
After securing your gaming PC, don't forget essential gaming accessories!
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The best gaming PC deals are listed below:
- Lenovo Legion Tower 5 AMD Ryzen 7 7700 RTX 4070 Ti Super Gaming PC with 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD (Use Code: EXTRAFIVE)- $1,527.49
- Acer Predator Orion RTX 4070 Ti SUPER Gaming Desktop- $1,749.99
- HP OMEN 35L RTX 4060 Ti Gaming Desktop- $1,219.99
- Dell XPS Intel Core i7-14700 RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PC- $1,349.99
- Dell XPS Intel Core i7-14700 RTX 4060 Gaming PC- $1,099.99
