Isn’t it exciting when you’re looking for the best prebuilt gaming PC? However, you need to be prepared when picking out the best one. You should consider a lot of things such as what kind of PC you want versus what kind of PC you need. There are also several factors like the price and specs.
But if you are after a beast machine that can drive the best resolution to partner with your gaming monitors, then you have different expectations than someone who’s eyeing a lower-end, budget prebuilt computer for good gaming. Whatever it is that you need for you to play all your games, you should look for the best you can get for your money, and you have come to the right place.
Best Prebuilt Gaming PCs Available Today
The ASUS ROG Strix GL12 features all the modern additional equipment you will see from a modern gaming PC such as an integrated RGB lighting, tempered glass side panel, and even a PSU shroud that will cover the power supply. One of the more unique features of this prebuilt gaming PC is a hot-swappable 2.5” drive so that you can easily add a new SSD or hard drive to expand this system’s storage.
Aside from its sleek design, this is a complete modern gaming PC boasting a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with an Nvidia RTX 2060. All the power inside this machine allows you to play any modern, ray-traced games for years to come. And thanks to a heavy discount, this prebuilt gaming PC is reasonably priced for all the hardware included.
Check out the ROG Strix GL12 today and play all the games you want without experiencing any performance issues.
Specifications
- Intel Core i7-9700K
- Nvidia RTX 2060 (6 GB GDDR6 VRAM)
- 16 GB RAM DDR4 (2,666MHz)
- 512 GB NVMe SSD, 1 TB HDD (7,200 rpm) Storage
- 24.25 lbs.
- In inches: 7 x 15.7 x 18 (W x D x H)
Looking for an upgradable prebuilt gaming PC? Then Alienware Aurora is the one for you. It is also one of the most unique and compact prebuilt PCs on the market. Dell offers a wide range of options so you can easily customize including Coffee Lake Refresh processors starting with a basic Intel Core i5-9400 to the newest released core i9-9900KS.
If you’re looking for more processor cores, Aurora offers a Ryzen edition version. For the graphics, the base model starts with an Nvidia GTX 1650, but you can get an Nvidia RTX 2080 or RTX 2080Ti.
Aside from the option to add on while in the cart, the Alienware Auror is very easy to upgrade on your own. If you’re looking to upgrade your cards, everything can be removed easily without the use of tools as they glide in on tool-less sleds. No wonder these features come in handy for those who like to fiddle inside their PCs.
Specifications
- Intel Core i7-9700K
- Nvidia RTX 2080 Super (8 GB GDDR6 VRAM)
- 16 GB RAM DDR4 (2,933MHz)
- 512 GB NVMe SSD, 1 TB HDD (7,200 rpm) Storage
- 39.2 lbs.
- In nches: 8.77 x 17 x 18.9 (W x D x H)
We understand that PC gaming can be expensive. Not everyone can afford high-end gaming computers and powerful rigs. However, some budget-friendly gaming PC options are decent and are available on the market now. Look at CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme; it’s one of the best ones for those who have a tough budget, boasting its six-core Intel Core i5-9400 CPU and Nvidia GTX 1660.
Although it won’t play everything maxed out on 4K, for 1080p gaming at medium to high settings, it will do a good job. It also comes with a gaming mouse and keyboard plus a small SSD included on the base model, which you can easily upgrade anytime. Alternatively, you can buy a more powerful version of the Gamer Xtreme VR that has a bigger drive. And since CyberPowerPC’s rigs tend to use a lot of off-the-shelf parts and tool-less methods, swapping in better parts alone is very easy.
Check out this gaming PC and experience top-tier performance without breaking your budget.
Specifications
- Intel Core i5-9600K
- Nvidia GTX 1660 (6 GB GDDR5 VRAM)
- 8 GB RAM DDR4 (2,400MHz)
- 240 GB SSD, 1 TB HDD (7,200 rpm)
- 32 lbs.
- In inches: 8.9 x 18.9 x 17.6 (W x D x H)
The Corsair One may not be the smallest PC on the market but its power-to-size ratio is as good as it gets for a desktop its size. Although it isn’t on the budget side, it is priced decently considering all the parts included and how compact it is.
Design-wise, this gaming PC is cool without being too flashy as it has some subtle lighting and small triangular vents on its sides. Performance-wise, the processor and graphics card are liquid-cooled for quiet and cool performance. It also comes with six USB ports, four of which are USB 3.1.
This gaming PC comes in three models and the lower-end one featured here comes with an Intel Core i7-9700K processor and Nvidia RTX 2080. If you are looking for more power, you should consider getting the One i160, which boasts a more powerful i9-9900K CPU and RTX 2080 Ti GPU. But if you are looking for the best performance coming from Corsair One, you might want to get the i180 model, which ups the power again with a 12-core Intel Core X CPU.
A testament to how good this PC is the fact that even in its low-end form, it can handle VR and 4K features. Plus, even though it isn’t upgradeable as a larger system, it is a solid competition for anyone looking for a quiet, compact, and powerful rig.
Check out the Corsair One i145 today and experience top-tier performance when you play your favorite game.
Specifications
- Intel Core i7-9700K
- Nvidia RTX 2080 (8 GB GDDR6 VRAM)
- 32 GB RAM DDR4 (2,666MHz)
- 960 GB NVMe SSD, 2 TB HDD (5,400 rpm) Storage
- 16.27 lbs.
- In inches: 7.87 x 6.79 x 14.96 (W x D x H)
If you aren’t a fan of a gaming PC that has a flashy design, then Dell XPS Tower Special Edition is the one you should look at. It has a very sleek design, so no one would know you’re using it for gaming. But don’t be fooled by its design. It is packed with powerful gaming hardware.
The base model comes with a six-core Intel i5-9400 CPU and Nvidia GTX 1660Ti. This will be able to handle basic gaming fine, but Dell allows customization of the rig so you can include up to an i9-9900K and RTX 2080. That high-end version might be too expensive for some but there’s a lot of options to choose in between, including 4K and VR-ready configurations.
Although the case looks compact, it still includes four USB 3.1 ports on the front and seven USB ports at the back. And you can also get the same tool-less design as the Alienware Aurora for easy upgrades. So if you are looking for a gaming PC that is discreet and doesn’t completely look like your typical gaming PC, the reserved Dell XPS Tower line is a great option for you.
Check out this computer from Dell if you want a sleek and minimalistic gaming PC.
Specifications
- Intel Core i5-9400
- Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti (6 GB GDDR6 VRAM)
- 8 GB RAM DDR4 (2,666MHz)
- 256 GB NVMe SSD, 1 TB HDD (7,200 rpm) Storage
- 22 lbs.
- In inches: 7.09 x 14.02 x 5.22 (W x D x H)
Nothing quite beats playing with a gamepad controller on your big-screen gaming TV, but let’s be real; consoles still can’t beat the PC’s gaming performance, high level of customization, or even cheap sale games. And this is where MSI Trident Mini PC comes in. It boasts its console-sized dimensions. You’ll be surprised it’s a gaming PC.
The prebuilt gaming PC is available in a few different versions depending on the CPU and GPU you choose. The one featured here is the highest-end model that comes with an Intel Core i7-9700F and GTX 1660Ti, making it a great system for 1080p and 1440p gameplay, plus a just playable 30fps experience at 4K. It is also VR-ready, so if you are looking at exploring virtual worlds from the confines of your home, then MSI Trident 3 is also great.
Check out the MSI Trident 3 and experience top-tier gaming performance.
Specifications
- Intel Core i7-9700F
- Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti (6 GB GDDR6 VRAM)
- 16 GB RAM DDR4 (2,666MHz)
- 512 GB SSD Storage
- 6.9 lbs.
- In inches: 2.83 x 9.15 x 13.63 (W x D x H)
If you aren’t really into the looks of gaming PCs so far, like the cube or the mini ones, then maybe a triangle-looking tower fits the bill. Omen Desktop is about as normal as any gaming PC you get from major brands but has incorporated a few tricks like its two top panels that open to reveal hot-swappable hard drive bays.
As for the system, it’s pretty well loaded as to how other gaming PCs can go. Users have the option to configure a system with up to an Intel Core i7-9700K processor and Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti graphics as seen above. It costs almost the same as others, but it is a solid system that will take anything on and is easy to upgrade without tools.
Check out the Omen desktop today and play all your favorite games without experiencing performance issues.
Specifications
- Intel Core i7-9700K
- Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti (11 GB GDDR6 VRAM)
- 16 GB RAM DDR4 (2,666MHz)
- 512 GB SSD, 2 TB HDD (7,200 rpm) Storage
- 38 lbs.
- In inches: 7.56 x 16.43 x 17.41 (W x D x H)
Saying ZOTAC’s Gaming MEK Ultra computer has a beastly performance is an understatement. This high-end prebuilt gaming PC has the option to come with either an Intel i7 or i9 processor. If you want a gaming PC that uses power efficiently, the Gaming MEK Ultra is the one for you. Featuring a 1000W power supply that has an 80+ gold rating, this gaming PC keeps power delivery at an efficient rate.
Check out the ZOTAC Gaming MEK Ultra computer today to play your games at an elite level.
Specifications
- Intel Core i7 & i9 on select models
- 3.7 GHz processor speed
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
- 2,000 GB mechanical hard drive storage
- 41.2 lbs.
- 4 USB 2.0 & 8 USB 3.0 ports
- In inches: 22.1 x 9.61 x 22.56 (W x D x H)
If you’re keen on how much space your gaming PC should occupy, then a cube desktop such as Lenovo Legion C730 is the one you’re looking for. Cube gaming PCs are shorter and fatter than your normal gaming desktop tower but still long and wide enough to have full-sized components, which makes them a nice middle ground between a standard desktop and a rig.
Like any other prebuilt gaming PC featured here, you have the option to customize Lenovo Legion C730 with up to Intel Core i9 CPUs and Nvidia RTX 2080 graphics. If you are looking for the mid-range option, it still is packed with good hardware such as Intel Core i7-9700K and Nvidia RTX 2070.
Check out the Lenovo C730 today and get a big performance from a small package.
Specifications
- Intel Core i7-9700K
- Nvidia RTX 2070 (8 GB GDDR6 VRAM)
- 16 GB RAM DDR4 (2,666MHz)
- 1 TB SSD Storage
- 19.8 lbs.
- In inches: 9.09 x 13.07 x 9.53 (W x D x H)
If you want a gaming PC that is compact but performs big, the Acer Predator Orion 3000 gaming desktop is for you. Featuring the latest hardware available in the market, this offering from Acer Predator is something you should check out. Aside from optimal specs, this gaming PC also has numerous USB 3.1 ports for your devices.
Scared of your PC overheating from hours of gaming? Well, the Orion 3000 makes use of LED fans and mesh to alleviate heat from your system. This PC also features the Sound BlasterX 720-degree audio engine. Customize your audio profiles to tailor your preferences.
Check out the Acer Predator Orion 3000 today and play your favorite sandbox games without your computer heating up.
Specifications
- Intel Core i7-8700
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- 16 GB RAM DDR4 2666MHz
- 2 TB Hard Drive
- 256 GB SSD
Prebuilt vs Custom-Built Gaming PCs
Photo by Jack B on UnsplashWhen it comes to the price of prebuilt gaming PCs, they’re not so expensive now compared with custom-built ones. Since the competition between the two is increasing, the quality and value for money are increasing too. The biggest advantage of buying a prebuilt one is very obvious: it saves you the potential headache and labor of the build plus you will be getting a retailer or a manufacturer warranty by default.
Another advantage of buying a prebuilt one is the benefits of their design solution that the DIY method might not be able to provide, like cable management, cooling solutions, or parts that aren’t available elsewhere. To top all of those advantages, you are allowed to not want to build your PC, despite what some people would say that the only way to enjoy PC gaming is by building it yourself. This is not true because buying a prebuilt one is just a slightly simpler route into PC gaming.
On the other hand, one of the most obvious advantages of building your PC rig is the ability to essentially hand-pick every single component in the system. This gives you the time to shop around for deals and find the perfect combination of parts to fit your budget and the performance you need. The downside for most inexperienced builders is that the whole process can take some time and can potentially cause headaches along the way especially if something goes wrong. This is where the prebuilt gaming PC comes in.
Prebuilt Gaming PC Buying Tips
The Size Isn’t That Important
Size has never been a factor when it comes to gaming PCs. Some mini gaming PCs house the performance specs that exceed those from bigger rigs. The only thing that you have to consider when it comes to size is ample room for future upgrades.
Choose an SSD Storage If Possible
An SSD will make your computer load faster than a traditional HDD and has no moving parts. Look for at least a 256 SSD boot drive, ideally paired with a larger hard drive for storage.
Intel or AMD Does Not Matter
As long as you opt for the current-generation chip, both companies offer comparable overall performance so it doesn’t matter what you choose. Intel’s CPU tends to perform a bit better when running games at lower resolutions (1080 and below), while AMD’s Ryzen processors can perform better when handling tasks such as video editing, thanks to their extra cores and threads.
Buy Only the RAM You Need
8 GB is okay, but 16 GB is ideal for most users. Serious game streamers and those doing high-end media creation working with large files will want more but will need to pay a lot more for options as high as 64GB.
Multi-Card Gaming Rig Is Not Necessary
If you are a serious gamer, you don’t need multiple cards. You can get a system with the best-performing single graphics card and you’re good. Many games don’t perform significantly better with two or more cards, while some perform worse, forcing you to disable an expensive piece of hardware to get the best experience possible.
Ports Are Also Important
Beyond the connections needed to plug in your monitor/s, you’ll want plenty of USB ports for plugging in other accessories and external storage. You’ll want accessible ports for flash drives, USB connectors, and other devices that you often choose. For additional future-proofing, look for a prebuilt gaming PC that has USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB-C ports.
