If building your own gaming PC seems daunting or isn't a priority, opting for a pre-built gaming PC is a smart move. While you won't experience the thrill of assembling your machine from scratch, the time you save on research, waiting for parts, and troubleshooting can be better spent diving into the best PC games. Today's pre-built systems are far superior to those of the past, offering robust, long-lasting gaming PCs equipped with the latest and greatest graphics cards and processors. Brands like Alienware, MSI, and HP not only provide powerful setups but also allow for easy upgrades. Our top pick for a versatile and upgrade-friendly option is the spacious HP Omen 45L.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming PCs
Our Top Pick### LenovoLegion Tower 7i
6See it at Lenovo
### HP Omen 45L
11See it at HP
### iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop
8See it at AmazonSee it at Best Buy
### Alienware Aurora R16
5See it at Dell
### Asus ROG NUC
2See it at Amazon
Choosing a gaming PC is more complex than picking up a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S. You need to consider the types of games you enjoy and your preferred settings, as best budget gaming PCs might not handle Cyberpunk 2077 at top settings. The right mix of processors, storage, memory, cooling, and other hardware is crucial, and fortunately, many manufacturers do the heavy lifting to ensure your system runs smoothly.
Keep in mind the recent launch of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, announced at CES 2025. Although I haven't reviewed any prebuilts with these yet, expect to see versions of these PCs upgraded with the new GPUs soon. Also, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is set to launch in March 2025.
Whether you're after an affordable setup for indie games, a compact solution for small spaces, or a top-tier rig for 4K gaming, we've got you covered. One of the five pre-built gaming PCs we've selected will meet your needs perfectly – and click here to find them in the UK.
Contributions by Danielle Abraham and Georgie Peru
Looking for additional savings? Check out the best gaming PC deals happening right now.
Lenovo Legion Tower 7i – Photos
7 Images
1. Lenovo Legion Tower 7i
Best Gaming PC
Our Top Pick### LenovoLegion Tower 7i
6The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i comes packed with powerful hardware and is easy to upgrade. It's a game-changer for those looking for a high-performance PC without the hassle of custom building. 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 basic memory and motherboard
The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i breaks away from the era of proprietary hardware, offering a straightforward mid-tower case with industry-standard components. This makes it not just a powerful gaming PC but also an excellent entry point for those wanting to customize their system later. Despite some cost-saving measures on memory and the motherboard, the ease of upgrading these parts makes it a great investment.
HP Omen 45L
Best Current-Gen PC
### HP Omen 45L
11The HP Omen 45L offers top-tier performance with an 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
- Great cooling system
- One of the best cases in a pre-built gaming PC
Cons
- It is very heavy; team lifting is recommended
The HP Omen 45L stands out with its spacious design, allowing for easy upgrades and even custom water cooling. It's a premium choice that justifies its price with excellent performance and future-proofing capabilities.
iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop
Best Budget Gaming PC
### iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop
8The iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh is an affordable option perfect for 1080p gaming, featuring a 14th-gen Intel Core i7 and Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti. See it at AmazonSee 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
- Ready to run games in 1080p at high frame rates
- Includes mouse and keyboard
Cons
- Not suitable for 4K gaming
The iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop is a cost-effective solution for gamers looking to enjoy high frame rates in 1080p without breaking the bank. It's also equipped for game streaming and offers easy upgrade paths.
The Best Gaming PC Deals
- 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
Alienware Aurora R16
Best High-End Gaming PC
### Alienware Aurora R16
5The Alienware Aurora R16 is designed for those who demand the best, featuring an Intel Core i9-14900KF and Nvidia RTX 4080 Super. 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
- Wildly powerful processors
- Multitasking maven
Cons
- More mainstream design
The Alienware Aurora R16 is a powerhouse for high-end gaming, offering robust cooling and top-tier performance. It's ideal for those who want to push their games to the limit.
Asus ROG NUC – Photos
7 Images
5. Asus ROG NUC
Best Mini Gaming PC
### Asus ROG NUC
2The Asus ROG NUC is a compact powerhouse, perfect for 1080p gaming 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
- The same size as a cable box
- Solid 1080p gaming performance
Cons
- Uses mobile-class hardware
The Asus ROG NUC offers impressive performance for its size, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a mini gaming PC that can handle most games at 1080p.
Where to Get the Best Gaming PC in the UK
For UK gamers, purchasing a pre-built gaming PC is just as convenient, with many options available for shipping from the US. Newegg, for example, offers excellent pre-builds with affordable shipping to the UK.
### Best Mini Gaming PC MSI MEG Trident X2
0See it at Newegg
How to Choose a Gaming PC
Choosing a pre-built gaming PC is a straightforward way to get into gaming without the hassle of building your own. Focus on getting the right graphics card for your gaming setup, whether it's a monitor or TV. For 1080p gaming, an Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti is sufficient, and you should aim for at least an Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor.
When it comes to memory and storage, consider starting with the minimum and upgrading later, as it can be more cost-effective. If you want even more control over your build, consider boutique builders like Origin or Maingear, or services like NZXT's BLD and iBuyPower's Easy Builder, which tailor your PC to your gaming needs.
Beyond hardware, many pre-built PCs come with useful software features like overclocking support and driver management, enhancing your gaming experience.
Gaming PC FAQ
Should you buy a gaming PC or a gaming laptop?
A gaming PC generally outperforms even the best gaming laptops in terms of upgradeability and longevity. For a detailed comparison, check out our guide on gaming PCs vs. gaming laptops.
Is it easy to upgrade your prebuilt gaming PC?
Most modern pre-built PCs are designed with easy upgrades in mind, using standard components and often featuring tool-less designs for quick and simple part replacements.
Should you buy a gaming PC or a console?
While consoles are user-friendly and more affordable, gaming PCs offer a larger game library, better performance, and greater upgradeability, making them the superior choice for many gamers.
Can you find a good gaming PC for under $1,000?
Yes, it's possible to find a capable gaming PC for under $1,000, though you'll need to manage your expectations on performance and graphical settings.
Should you build your own gaming PC?
Building your own PC offers customization and potential cost savings but requires knowledge and time. Pre-built PCs provide a hassle-free solution with professional assembly and warranty coverage.
After securing your gaming PC, enhance your setup with the best gaming accessories to create the ultimate battle station.
