For gamers who prefer a ready-to-play setup without the DIY hassle, a pre-built gaming PC is the perfect choice. While you miss the satisfaction of a custom build, you gain valuable time—time better spent gaming! Gone are the days of subpar pre-built systems; today's options deliver lasting performance and tackle demanding games with ease. With high-end graphics cards and processors commanding premium prices, a pre-built PC from reputable brands like Alienware, MSI, or HP can even be more cost-effective. Many are easily upgradeable, like the spacious HP Omen 45L, allowing future component swaps.

TL;DR – Top Gaming PCs

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Our Top Pick: 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 PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. Consider your gaming style and preferences; a budget PC won't max out Cyberpunk 2077 settings. Matching processors, storage, memory, cooling, and other hardware is crucial for optimal performance. Fortunately, many manufacturers handle this, preventing bottlenecks. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, launched at CES 2025, and the upcoming AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT (March 2025), will soon upgrade many of these systems.

Whether you need a budget-friendly option for indie games, a space-saving mini-PC, or a top-tier rig for 4K gaming, our five selections offer something for everyone. 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: Excellent performance, easy upgrades.

Cons: Basic memory and motherboard.

The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i stands out for its use of standard components, simplifying upgrades and repairs. While the initial memory and motherboard are basic, this makes it a great entry point to PC customization. Its competitive price further enhances its value.

2. HP Omen 45L

Best Current-Gen PC

The HP Omen 45L excels with its powerful Intel Core i9 CPU, Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, and robust cooling 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: Excellent cooling, upgrade-friendly case.

Cons: Very heavy.

The HP Omen 45L's spacious case makes it exceptionally easy to upgrade, even supporting custom water cooling. While pricey, the superior case alone justifies the cost for long-term users.

3. iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop

Best Budget Gaming PC

This affordable PC offers strong 1080p gaming performance with a 14th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and high-bandwidth DDR5 RAM. See it at Amazon See it at 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 performance, includes keyboard and mouse.

Cons: Not ideal for 4K gaming.

The iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh offers great value, delivering strong 1080p performance at a reasonable price, even including a keyboard and mouse.

4. Alienware Aurora R16

Best High-End Gaming PC

This high-end rig boasts powerful processors, impressive cooling, and 32GB RAM for high frame rates in 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, making it ideal for demanding 4K gaming and multitasking.

5. Asus ROG NUC

Best Mini Gaming PC

The Asus ROG NUC is surprisingly powerful for its compact size, offering solid 1080p gaming performance. 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.

Despite its small size, the Asus ROG NUC delivers impressive 1080p gaming performance, making it a great option for space-conscious gamers.

UK Availability: Many PCs on this list are available in the UK via retailers like Newegg. MSI MEG Trident X2 See it at Newegg

Choosing a Gaming PC

Pre-built PCs offer convenience and often cost-effectiveness. Prioritize the graphics card based on your monitor's resolution (e.g., RTX 3060 Ti for 1080p). An Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor is usually sufficient. Consider upgrading storage and RAM yourself later to save money. Barebones systems offer more control while saving on unnecessary components. Boutique builders provide custom configurations, while services like NZXT BLD and iBuyPower's Easy Builder simplify component selection based on your games and budget.

Gaming PC FAQ

Gaming PC vs. Gaming Laptop: Desktops generally offer better performance, upgradeability, and longevity.

Pre-built PC Upgradeability: Most modern pre-builts use standard components for easy upgrades.

Gaming PC vs. Console: PCs offer a larger game library, better upgradeability, and superior performance, but consoles are more user-friendly and affordable.

Sub-$1000 Gaming PCs: Possible, but expect limitations in performance at higher settings.

Building Your Own PC: Offers complete customization but requires technical knowledge.