The Best Desktop PCs for Gaming

What to Look For

Comparing computers is a daunting task, so we used a few critical questions to narrow down our search: Does it have a powerful processor and graphics card? Does it have room for upgrades, such as extra RAM slots? Does it come with a reliable motherboard? Is the case well-ventilated to keep the processor cool during intensive games? How much memory does it come with, and what kind of hard drive is it? Finally, is the price worth it?

CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC

Competition ready

This pre-built computer boasts wicked specs that would please even the most hardcore gamers.

Best Overall

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This beauty from CyberPowerPC sets the bar for what a gaming desktop PC should be. Its wicked-fast processor, the legendary Intel Core i5-11600KF, uses six cores to achieve a speed of 3.9GHz. Combine that with the GeForce RTX 3060 video card and its 12Gb of onboard RAM, and you have yourself a machine capable of running most games at max settings. There’s also no need to upgrade the memory, as it comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM ready to go. Of course, the price isn’t nearly as affordable as that of most videogame consoles, but it’s a great value for those that want to enter the PC gaming world with a reliable machine.

Pros:

• It starts configuring Windows 11 as soon as you boot it up, so the entire setup process is a breeze.
• The included 1TB HDD hard drive and 500GB SDD offer plenty of space for storing a catalog of big games.
• The computer case keeps everything cool, and it looks awesome while doing so.

Cons:

• It’s pretty expensive, though you won’t likely find a computer with components of this caliber for a cheaper price.

HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop PC with GTX 1650 SUPER

Powerful yet practical

This sleek option has all the essential specs for PC gaming, and it offers amazing value for the price.

Runner Up

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Few people would consider this computer to be cheap, but it’s still affordable and powerful enough to help make PC gaming more accessible to those with tight budgets. In fact, it’s an amazing value for what it offers. It comes with an SSD for quick boot-up times, a GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER graphics card, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and an Intel Core i3-10100 processor. Most importantly, it’s possible to upgrade the RAM, graphics card, storage, and even the power supply as your gaming-gear funds grow in the future.

Pros:

• The sleek design of the case is enhanced by the convenient abundance of USB and display ports.
• This can run almost all of the latest video games as long as you tweak the graphics settings to optimize the performance.

Cons:

• The SSD is only 256GB, so it fills up pretty quickly. Fortunately, adding additional storage is easy and affordable.

Alienware Aurora R14 Liquid Cooled Gaming Desktop

Premium power, premium price

This tank of a computer sports top-shelf components across the board, so it's ready for the big leagues.

Best Professional

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If you’re ready to take your gaming to the next level, you’re going to need a machine that’s up to the task. This premium PC is packed with some of the best hardware on the market, from the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 processor to the GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card. Support that processing synergy with 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and you have yourself a computer capable of running basically anything you throw at it. And even if you can’t afford the price, it’s still a thing of beauty worth checking out.

Pros:

• It comes with a 1TB SSD and a 2TB HDD, so you can store a vast library of games and downloads without running out of space.
• It looks awesome, with a surprisingly compact and discreet design.
• The RTX 3080 graphics card is a beast that needs no upgrading, as it has 10GB of onboard RAM.

Cons:

• The fans and HDD can get pretty noisy if they build up dust, so you may have to give it a thorough clean every now and then.
• It’s undeniably expensive, even for hardcore gamers.

HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop with AMD Ryzen 3 Processor

The basics and then some

With a bargain price and an expandable build, this pick proves that you can get into the game without spending a fortune.

Best On A Budget

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If your budget is really tight, this gaming computer from HP might come to the rescue. It doesn’t have the processing power that a pro gamer would need, but it meets the minimum for running the vast majority of games smoothly. The AMD Radeon RX 5500 graphics card is an excellent piece of technology, with 4GB of onboard memory that can run 1080p graphics with ease. Plus, the AMD Ryzen 3 5300G processor is the pinnacle of budget-friendly computing, as it can operate at 4GHz. And if the 8GB of RAM isn’t enough, you can easily upgrade without spending a fortune.

Pros:

• Because it’s a solid-state drive, the 500GB hard drive helps speed up bootup times and file access.
• There’s plenty of room for upgrades, so you can easily add extra RAM and storage drives.
• It can run many games at max settings, which is surprising for a computer in this price range.

Cons:

• The Ryzen 3 processor is the weakest component, though it does meet the minimum for gaming.

AVGPC Q-Box Series Gaming PC

Customize your computing

This affordable PC can game right out of the box, but it's also the perfect baseline model for adding upgrades down the line.

Best For Upgrades

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Although this is our top choice for upgrades, the AVGPC Q-Box Series is actually ready to run video games without any modifications. It has an awesome processor (the AMD Ryzen 7), plenty of memory (16GB of DDR4 RAM), and a reliable solid-state drive for fast bootups (around 500GB of storage). The graphics processing is integrated into the CPU, so that’s probably the first place you’d want to upgrade. But add a graphics card of your choice, and this tank of a machine will run intensive games without breaking a sweat.

Pros:

• There are extra slots for upgrading the RAM and storage, so you don’t have to remove the pre-installed components to upgrade.
• The case is liquid-cooled and spacious, letting you add power-hungry upgrades without overheating.

Cons:

• The integrated graphics processing runs surprisingly well, though competitive gamers will almost certainly have to add a dedicated graphics card.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much RAM do I need to play PC games?

For the majority of PC games, 8GB is enough. However, the latest releases generally require more. Some games may not even run with 8GB of RAM. If your computer comes with less than 12GB of RAM, we recommend installing more. Fortunately, installing RAM is a super easy process, and the vast majority of computers have free memory slots.

What is more important, the processor or the graphics card?

To run a game, a computer uses both the processor and graphics card in conjunction. However, the graphics card will likely have the biggest impact on your gaming experience. Fortunately, graphics cards are typically easier to upgrade than processors since certain motherboards only accept specific processors. We recommend doing a little research to find the best combination for your gaming demands.

About the Author

If you're a console gamer, Dani won't hold that against you. Although he plays on the PC, he grew up with an Xbox controller in his hand. He's also a filmmaker and musician, so he's figured out the importance of quality gear. He hopes to use his expertise to help people make informed decisions in their search for tech that works.

Why Trust Us

With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.