The best gaming PCs can save you money right now. Making the jump to a DDR5 machine has never been more tempting, especially since so many CPU options are now available. Buying parts separately though, and building from scratch would cost you a small fortune however, and depending on the rig of your dreams, you might actually save yourself some money by buying a prebuilt machine.
Whether you're looking for the latest and greatest Alienware gaming PC, or you're a seasoned pro looking for something to modify as you go, we'd just recommend that you think about futureproofing if you invest a large sum in a gaming PC. There are loads of viable GPUs and CPUs out there just now, and there's never been so many options for DDR5-compatible parts. More than that, PCIe Gen 5 SSDs are emerging, and while you might not need their lighting-quick speeds just yet, it might be worth thinking about compatibility if you don't want to buy again further down the line.
Just keep in mind that the latest graphics cards still aren't the cheapest to buy separately, so getting them in a prebuilt gaming PC can actually be surprisingly good value. Of course, there is the option to assemble newer components and build your own gaming PC from scratch. While there are definitely benefits to doing this, we'd recommend a prebuilt rig for folks who don't have the time and know-how to build. If you're looking for your first rig, a prebuild can definitely save you a lot of bother.
The Quick List
Best 13th Gen
The refreshed Acer Predator Orion 7000 is the beefiest modern build we've had our hands on. It isn't without flaws, but it's a monster of a gaming PC.
Best budget
iBUYPOWER gaming PCs are second-to-none in terms of getting you excellent builds for the least coin. The Element CL Pro is our current favorite, and even manages to squeeze custom liquid cooling into its cheaper price point.
Best lower-end
The HP Omen 25L is a great way to get into PC gaming. It's a slightly smaller ATX build that houses affordable but strong components. It doesn't look bad either!
Best handheld
Asus' debut handheld PC is a portable powerhouse that trumps the Steam Deck on performance, but it's pretty pricey.
Read more below
Best mid-range
The HP Omen 30L takes everything we love about the 25L version and cranks it up to pure mid-range 1440p power. If you're looking for a step up, this is it.
The best small form factor
The Origin Chronos V3 is a new-gen behemoth stuffed inside a mini-ITX case. If you want a gaming PC with a smaller footprint, this is what you should choose.
Best Alienware
The Alienware Aurora R15 is the best machine from Alienware that we've tested. It offers extreme futureproofing, and if you like the brand, this isn't to be missed.
Best for content creators
The Asus ROG GA15 is a superb gaming PC that comes in so many stellar configurations. For content creators, this is a great option thanks to plenty of storage options.
Best for upgrading
CyberPowerPC is another one of our top-budget brands, and the Gamer Xtreme is an amazing platform to build on if you want to upgrade to new components later.
The best 13th gen gaming PC
Our favorite configuration:
The Acer Predator Orion 7000 has been one of the top dogs of the prebuilt gaming PC market for a while now. With the Orion 7000 of 2022 releasing just before the launch of new-gen CPUs, GPUs, and more widespread adoption of DDR5 RAM, Acer made the wise decision to refresh its flagship gaming PC with a new motherboard that could handle the power of these 13th Gen Intel processors.
Now fully compatible with 13th Gen CPUs, DDR5, and wielding the Lovelace power of Nvidia's RTX 40 series, Acer has futureproofed its flagship's innards for the new generation.
There's barely any game you could throw at the refreshed Acer Predator Orion 7000 that it won't crunch up and spit out with ease.
Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) review
The version we tested was crammed full of power, housing an unlocked 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900KF CPU and an RTX 4090. Although that rig, in particular, is pricey, and probably one of the most powerful gaming PCs you can get your hands on at the moment, the Predator Orion 7000 can be found in more configurations than ever before, and we're sure as time goes on we'll begin to see a wider spread of builds up and down the price range.
Should you buy one of the priciest big-name pre-built gaming PCs on the market? On paper, and when it comes to in-game performances, the answer's a pretty simple yes. There's barely any game you could throw at the refreshed Acer Predator Orion 7000 that it won't crunch up and spit out with ease. If you have the money for it, this is a cracking PC to play games on.
Having said that, if you're going to buy this monster of a gaming PC, I would strongly, strongly urge you to take a look at the best PC headset for gaming, because by golly are you going to need it. The fans in this rig seem louder than they've ever been, and in all honesty, don't do a great job of keeping the components cool. 13th Gen CPUs are known to run hot, but no one should have to suffer this much noise pollution for temperatures that are still this high.
Finally, I'm a bit baffled by the fact that these newly refreshed motherboards don't have any XMP compatibility. Either way, as simple plug-and-play gaming PCs go, this is one of the very best you'll find.
The best budget brand gaming PC
iBUYPOWER is one of the best names in the biz for creating affordable gaming PCs without losing an ounce of quality in terms of components. The iBUYPOWER Element CL Pro deftly handles one of the more difficult challenges in the creation of the best gaming PCs: custom liquid-cooling. Normally reserved for only the priciest machines due to expensive shipping costs, the Element CL Pro offers a gorgeous, custom loop liquid-cooled rig at a reasonable price - you can get this beauty for less than $2K.
If you're looking for a pre-built, custom liquid-cooled desktop PC, you'd be hard-pressed to find anything better at the price point
iBuyPower Element CL Pro review
The Element CL Pro is a step above the previous Element CL Plus models because it can now support RTX 3070 cards, and the numbers it churns out prove it handles 4K gaming well. It can't quite hit 4K 60fps for Metro Exodus, but it can easily reach that with Red Dead Redemption 2 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider on the highest graphical settings. The rig reaches 60fps across multiple games at lower resolutions (1440p and 1080p). Simply put - it produces excellent and consistently amazing gameplay.
If you're someone who loves to tinker with your PCs, the Element CL Pro offers incredibly easy access for upgrades and maintenance. An all-glass side panel lets you get to the GPU and CPU with ease and refilling the liquid cooling system is a breeze as it's located outside of the system so there's no need to worry about accidental spillage. The iBUYPOWER Element CL Pro is a gorgeous machine that offers excellent performance at a price that won't hurt your wallet.
The best lower-end gaming PC
- Our favorite configuration:
The HP Omen 25L line is the most accessible price-wise of the entire Omen division, which currently features support for the latest Intel 12th gen and Ryzen 5000 CPUs. At around the $1,200 mark, and below, you can expect high performance for both 1080p and 1440p all built inside a sleek chassis. What's more, the HP Omen 25L is easy to upgrade making it easy to swap out parts, such as graphics cards and RAM in the near future.
The one negative that has circulated around the HP Omen 25L, and likely implemented as a cost-saving measure, are small issues with airflow due to the chassis' small size. This could be down to the fact that the Omen 25L lacks the same front intake fan of the larger Omen 30L. If you're aiming for modest components here then thermal throttling is unlikely to be a problem, but it's something to keep in mind all the same.
The best handheld gaming PC
The Asus ROG Ally is one of the best gaming handheld options out there for PC players, and while we love the Steam Deck, this rival packs more of a punch. Not only can it run more games since its a Windows 11 device, but its surprisingly capable at 1080p.
Equipped with a 7-inch 120Hz 1080p display, the ROG Ally provides visuals above and beyond the handheld norm. For context, the Steam Deck's built in display sticks to a lower 800p resolution, and the Nintendo Switch is still rocking a 720p screen (albeit an OLED one). Just like its rivals, it's kitted out with integrated controls, but you can also connect it to the best Steam Deck dock and turn it into a mini low spec desktop rig.
The ROG Ally doesn't look drastically different from other handheld PCs out there, but it certainly looks like an Asus product. Its white shell and RGB accents underneath its thumb sticks stand out compared to Valve's subtle handheld, not to mention its screen is 16:9 rather than 16:10. It's definitely a great looking handheld, and it's pretty comfortable to hold too thanks to its ergonomic shape and weight distribution.
Admittedly, the ROG Ally isn't the fastest handheld PC in the west, as that accolade currently belongs to the more expensive Ayaneo 2S. However, it's still a mean machine, and can run games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 60fps when using the same resolution and settings as the Steam Deck. If you fancy it, you can dial things up to 1080p to take advantage of the handheld's screen, but it fully depends on whether you prefer higher fps or fidelity.
Ultimately, the Asus ROG Ally is a portable for players looking for a proper on the go PC experience. That comes with some caveats, as Windows is less optimised for portable play than SteamOS. Nevertheless, if you want all the functionality of your rig within your palms, you'll want to consider this heroic handheld.
Read more: Asus ROG Ally review
The best mid-range gaming PC
Our favorite configuration:
If you’re not out to build your own PC (or you’ve had no luck with the current GPU market) but still want a powerhouse desktop for some next-gen gaming, check out HP’s Omen 30L line. Custom-built inside a slick Omen chassis, this PC offers a larger platform than the 25L (also on this list) to harness some larger components.
It’s hard to deny that this is an exceptional pre-built gaming system
HP Omen 30L
The HP Omen 30L we’ve reviewed came with some slick, understated RGB lighting, as well as a 10th-gen Intel processor and RTX 2080 Super GPU. This version cost $1,999 (with a year’s warranty included), but pricier models are available with RTX 3000-series cards (though be prepared for all kinds of stock fluctuation given it is the year 2023). The case has two tempered glass panels to showcase your system, with easy access for adjustments and excellent ventilation to prevent overheating.
While the interior isn’t the tidiest we’ve seen amongst the best gaming PCs, the performance speaks for itself. The RTX 2080 Super GPU is still a beast at 1440p and respectable in 4K, too, with its liquid-cooled processor never getting too hot even playing the most demanding titles. HP has proven that it is taking pre-built machines seriously, so the Omen 30L gets a thumbs up from us.
The best small form factor gaming PC
The Origin Chronos V3 is undeniably expensive, but it packs an RTX 4080 and Intel Core i9 CPU into a console-sized case. That means it's perfect for keeping in your living room or karting off to LAN events, and it's dinky design doesn't compromise gaming PC performance.
We put the Chronos V3 through our usual PC benchmark tests, and found that it can rip through demanding games at 4K with max settings enabled. Better still, it can pull of extraordinary frame rates thanks to Nvidia DLSS 3, and we even managed to achieve well over 100fps in Cyberpunk 2077 with everything cranked up high (although we didn't go anywhere near Psycho mode).
The downside to the Chronos V3 is naturally related to its size, as there's not much room inside that Corsair 2000D case. That might be an issue down the line when you decide to upgrade, especially if graphics cards grow larger than they currently are right now. However, it'll probably be a while before you have to swap out the premium components in this PC, as it's also rocking up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and pretty of storage.
You don't have to opt for the build featured in our review, as you can customise your own Chronos V3 rig to suit your specific needs. Just keep in mind that if you are looking for a budget build, there are cheaper options than this out there with roomier cases.
The best Alienware gaming PC
The Alienware Aurora R15 is an out-of-this-world powerhouse PC with exceptional gaming capabilities, and it builds upon what made the R13 and R14 so great. While it’s not a perfect system, and Dell’s dedication to using proprietary parts persists, the company’s rig is both reliable and sets itself apart with unique aesthetics. If you’re not into odd-looking PC cases, this system might not be for you, but you’ll want to read on if you’re looking for an eccentric boutique build.
Armed with a monstrous RTX 4090, an Intel Core i9-13600K, and 32GB DDR5 RAM, the Alienware Aurora R15 we reviewed didn't remotely skimp on specs. During benchmarking, the rig made short work of demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Total War: Warhammer 3, and it consistently rolled natural 20s while powering numerous Baldur’s Gate 3 settings. We’re taking frame rates that are consistently within the realm of triple digits, and even ray tracing can’t thwart this cosmic system’s ability to boost fps.
As much as we loved the R15’s cutting-edge performance, there are a few quirks to consider before investing in this interstellar system. For starters, its shell won’t be for everyone, as it uses a lot of plastic to give it an unconventional look. As a result, you’ll sometimes hear some weird noises occur as temperatures rise and drop, which is eerie if you’re expecting standard fan acoustics.
However, one of the R15’s biggest pitfalls is upgradability, as its motherboard isn’t standard. In fact, like a lot of ITX (small form factor) motherboards, it only features two DIMM slots, so your options are limited when it comes to RAM. There’s also not much room to work with inside the case, as Dell has carefully positioned its liquid cooling system amongst other tight-fitting parts. That aside, if you’re more likely to just buy an entirely different rig in the future rather than tinker with one, then the R15 will offer incredible performance long into the future.
Read more: Alienware Aurora R15 review
The best gaming PC for content creators
Our favorite configuration:
The Asus ROG GA15 is a tremendous machine and one that really harnesses great power to performance. It's a great design from ASUS and is a welcome addition to the pre-built gaming PC market. One of our former hardware editors used this rig as their personal machine and said "I use this PC every day so I am a bit biased perhaps. But I'd argue, it's a well-placed bias! It's a joy to use as a work PC that seamlessly changes to a gaming monster."
The components of their build, particularly, demonstrate the GA15's successful inhabiting of a place of balance between performance and value, and more recent configurations have definitely continued that trend. The reason we think this is an excellent machine for content creators is that it almost always comes with a hybrid storage setup of 1 or 2TB worth of SSD and HDD in equal amounts. It's got a sweet design, plenty of ports, runs quietly, and has some RGB on the front as well - with ASUS making so many great gaming laptops right now, it's no wonder they've come out with an excellent desktop range.
It's a reliable, very well-performing gaming PC from a reputable gaming tech name, and it deserves to be spoken about as one of the best pre-built gaming computers of the year
Asus ROG GA15 review
Just for clarity and to reassure you if you're following links, you might see this machine listed as a G15DH or G15 - do not worry, it's the same one as the GA15. Your options of specs might also slightly differ depending on your location: the above list is taken straight from ASUS itself in terms of what the machine can house, but I have seen some slightly different builds - including the odd Intel CPU build - crop up at some retailers.
Regardless, this is still a PC build that is extremely easy to recommend and each variant will have that ASUS stamp of quality that you can have confidence in. We have seen a newer model of this PC start to appear with newer-generation components inside, but we haven't tested that yet.
The best gaming PC for upgrading
Our favorite configuration:
The CyberPower Gamer Xtreme is a great PC to attack the latest games with. CyberPowerPC is another one of our favorite budget brands in the gaming PC space, and when it comes to Black Friday and Prime Day, it's one of the first of our go-to deals-prone ones.
The company has a plethora of great configurations these days, but we especially love the Gamer Xtreme in terms of value. It can now come with DDR5 and up to an Intel Core i7 out of the box. This is great futureproofing, although the highest GPU you'll get is an RTX 3060 Ti. While that might create a few bottlenecks, it's a fantastic springboard for upgrading and servicing later on. With the RTX 4060 now out on the shelves, there's room for upgrading inside. Even so, you're getting the most annoying components you'd need in this PC out of the box. A new mobo, processor and DDR5 can be a real pain to acquire and install, but no need for those here. Upgrading a GPU is as easy as pie.
The Xtreme is also great for anyone looking for a PC to match the capabilities of consoles and something that will complement a PS4/Xbox One or PS5/XSX setup. And the Gamer Xtreme is also modular and upgradeable enough to allow you to quickly adapt when specs for when you need to allow for solid upgradeability and future proof-ness. Again, all without breaking the bank.
Best gaming PCs - frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to build or buy a gaming PC?
A couple of years ago this question would have been far more straightforward to answer, as, before the pandemic hit, it was always cheaper to build with individual components than opt for a prebuilt. Nowadays it really depends on what PC you're looking to build. There's great value to be had in cheaper components at the moment, and it's possible to build an RTX gaming PC for under a grand. But in the higher-end, prices can skyrocket when you try to assemble the best components. It can save you a lot of fuss, and a lot of money to buy a prebuild.
Is it worth buying a PC for gaming?
Despite the fact that a gaming PC will cost you substantially more than the likes of an Xbox Series X and PS5, at least in the majority of cases, we think that the initial investment is justified by the expanse of what the platform offers over consoles. For example, PCs can be futureproofed a lot easier, since you can change out components if and when you need to. You have way more control over what your gaming hardware can do and how it can run games, you also have far more options regarding backwards compatibility, for far more expansive digital libraries. Perhaps the biggest advantage of a gaming PC is that it can used in a myriad more ways than a typical games console can for work, media production, coding, home server, etc.
Which PC brands are best for gaming?
While there are many gaming PC brands that certainly deserve your attention, we typically view the prebuilt market in two distinct categories - boutique built (ABS, Skytech, iBuyPower, etc.) and manufacturer made (Alienware, HP, Corsair, etc.). If you want something sleek that benefits from a manufacturer's guarantee and extended warranty then the latter is going to be preferable for you, however, should you want minimal bloatware and consumer-level components inside (instead of proprietary parts) then the former is the way to go.
How we test gaming PCs
Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.
While we've outlined how we test gaming PCs in our full hardware policy, it's worth giving the rundown here, too. We treat each gaming PC both as the sum of its parts and the unit together. This means that we're analyzing specific components, such as the speed of the processor, the prowess of the graphics card, the effectiveness of the RAM, and the sequential performance of the storage drives.
Any gaming PC that we have in for the review period generally replaces that of our daily driver unit, meaning that we test them thoroughly, sure, but also use them as PC gamers ourselves. This means that benchmarking is conducted as are regular play sessions, meaning you get a thorough, but also a faithful write-up of models we've had personal experience with.
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