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Unless you need a portable machine, there’s no reason to skimp out on power and performance when you game. While gaming laptops offer versatility, even the best options fall just short of a quality desktop gaming PC. While many gamers prefer to customize their rigs one component at a time, a pre-built PC is a more convenient, less time-intensive alternative—and you can just open it, set it up, and get gaming in a few minutes.
A good pre-built gaming PC comes with a cutting-edge graphics card, and, most importantly, doesn’t cost exorbitantly more than the equivalent parts. While you’ve heard our recommendations on tons of gear from mice to keyboards to gaming consoles, many Reddit users have taken to the forums to share their own thoughts.
After poring over comments across tons of subreddits, we found the pre-built gaming PCs that casual gamers and esports vets alike enjoy the most, and made sure to vet each option ourselves, too.
The Best Pre-Built Gaming PCs
- Best Overall: Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 8 Gaming Desktop Computer
- Best Value: iBUYPOWER SlateMesh Gaming PC Computer Desktop
- Best Hardware Longevity: Skytech Gaming Azure Gaming PC Desktop
- Best Power for Price: Corsair Vengeance i7400 Series Gaming PC
- Quietest Operation: Alienware Aurora R16 Gaming Desktop
What to Consider
Why Buy a Pre-Built Gaming PC?
While you will see comments from all across Reddit urging you to build your own PC from scratch, the key point in choosing a pre-built option is forgoing the extra labor to start gaming right away. Pre-built gaming PCs usually cost slightly more than assembling your own piece by piece, however that added cost is essentially the value of your time and labor.
Building a PC part by part is not as difficult as it has been in the past—these days, most parts are relatively easy to install and snap into place. That being said, the accessibility of doing so is not the major issue. For most people, choosing a pre-built gaming PC is more about reducing the time, energy, and work involved with PC gaming. Building your own PC involves making a choice on every major piece of hardware in the computer, and spending at least a few hours assembling it on your own time. If you've got the gaming bug but don't want to tinker, stick to a pre-built option.
Like Reddit user MarshWFT says, “If you just want to play video games or do intensive work on a PC, don’t feel pressured to build one yourself, especially given that with current market conditions, the money saved is not as much as it usually is.”
While the chip shortages of the last few years may have played a role in this comment, the sentiment remains true, as many pre-built gaming PCs are only marginally more expensive than the built-by-hand alternative. This is further backed up when factoring in the cost of your time and labor in building a PC by hand.
Processing Power
The processing power of a computer is determined by several key points including the number of cores, thread count, clock speed, and thermal design power. While you can learn more about each one of these specs, in a practical sense, you can choose a CPU based on the brand of processor and the model that’s been installed.
The two major brands in this space are Intel and AMD. Intel Core Processors start at i3, and continue to i5, i7, i9, and X. Getting down to brass tacks, i5 and above should run high load games relatively smoothly without lagging, and i9 upwards will ensure powerful performance while playing nearly any game.
AMD’s line has a three key models to consider: AMD Ryzen 5, 7, and 9. All three of these processors will run your games without any lag or reduction in performance. The Ryzen 9 in particular is touted as one of the best money can buy.
Graphics Cards
Graphics cards, or graphics processing units (GPUs), are a main determination in the resolution and frames per second you experience in-game. Screen resolution is partly determined by your GPU and partly by your monitor. If you have a monitor that is only capable of 1080p, that’s the highest resolution you’ll be able to see even if your GPU can do more. If you have a 4K monitor, choose a graphics card that can run games smoothly and beautifully at that resolution.
Frames per second refers to exactly what it sounds like—the number of frames that are displayed on screen each second. This determines how fluid and smooth the movement on screen looks when you game. The higher the number of frames, the smoother gameplay looks. This is key for fast-paced games that require rapid action and movement on screen, like first-person shooters.
AMD’s RX 7900 XTX is its most capable model, though all GPUs in the RX XT line with a number higher than 6700 can handle 144 frames per second in 1080p, which is plenty for most gamers. That said, most pre-built gaming PCs use industry-leading Nvidia GPUs instead.
Nvidia’s GeForce RTX line has some of the highest performing GPUs available today including the RTX 4090, which consistently provides over 140 fps in 1080p and more than 100 fps in 4K. You can expect over 140 fps among any models from Nvidia’s RTX line with a label of 3000 or higher.
Internal Storage and RAM
Storage and memory on your gaming PC are broken down into two key pieces: random access memory (RAM) and storage. RAM is an indicator of short-term usage. The more RAM your computer has, the more tasks your computer can run simultaneously.
More RAM smooths out your computer’s performance and reduces the strain on your main software and storage. While you may be able to run most of your games on just 8 gigabytes of RAM, faster performing PCs offer 16 gigabytes or more, which should ensure smooth runs of any program or video game.
Internal storage is where the majority of your files, programs, and game save states will be saved. This is your traditional idea of what can be saved “on the computer.” Many desktop gaming PCs in particular come with a large amount of internal storage, with several surpassing one terabyte.
How We Selected
We made our selections for this list based on the comments and reviews of thousands of Reddit users across dozens of different subreddits. These selections account for a diverse price range, differing performance requirements, and of course, personal taste.
This is combined with the approval of other Reddit users. These comments are upvoted and many sparked detailed discourse with other users. We have also vetted each pick ourselves to ensure that we, alongside Reddit, recommend these gaming PCs. We spent hours diving deep into each thread and comment chain to ensure that the opinions of the many aren’t based on little information.
We looked at key specs, price points in comparison to other options, brand reputation, reviews, and computer performance metrics to ensure each pick on this list is more than just a Reddit darling, but also a verified, high performing machine you can use to game in your home.
Pros
Two year warranty- Top of the line specs
Cons
- Pricier than other options with similar specs
If you have a few extra bucks to spend, this pre-built gaming PC from Lenovo comes fully loaded for optimal performance. Built with powerful specs including an Intel i9 Core processor and a 4080 RTX graphics card, this desktop has the internal power to put out a smooth, lagless, and beautiful experience even for more hardware intensive games.
While the high price (in comparison to other options with slightly lesser specs or less name recognition) is certainly worth keeping in mind, Reddit user Undergrad26 says, “Well, now that I’ve owned it for a month plus...man, it’s incredible! Can’t believe I quibbled over, like, $200 to finally pull the trigger.”
Key Specs
| Processor | Intel Core i9 |
|---|---|
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 |
| Storage | 128 GB RAM, 8 TB Solid State Drive |
Pros
- Customizable specs
- Comes with free keyboard and mouse
Cons
- Very low base storage capacity
At a cheaper price point than many gaming laptops, this gaming desktop is an incredibly affordable option that still stands up to the best AAA games.
Beyond the simple specs, this option from iBuyPower is a cost effective choice. Alongside the computer, each purchase comes with an iBuyPower gaming mouse and keyboard.
Another key point with this brand is customizability. If you want to spend a bit extra and upgrade your CPU or graphics card, you can buy the same base model with upgraded hardware built in.
When speaking on the quality of the brand, Reddit users Ghostspider1989 and TheGirthyOne both touted it as a go-to company for gaming PCs built to last and perform over time.
Key Specs
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 7600 |
|---|---|
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 |
| Storage | 16 GB RAM, 500 GB Storage |
Pros
- One year parts warranty
- Great internal thermals
Cons
- Some users had trouble with tech support
A gaming PC that offers power and long-term performance, the Azure from Skytech Gaming is a great choice for powerful hardware that lasts.
This desktop comes with an internal heat-spreading mechanism that disperses hot spots using cool air circulation to prevent overheating. This is key when playing games that demand high energy levels from your PC. Beyond this, the Nvidia deep learning program uses AI to render your screen, maximizing frames per second without compromising gameplay.
Like the iBuyPower computer, this purchase also comes with a free keyboard and mouse for a fully integrated, out-of-the-box gaming experience. While they may not be on par with options you’d buy on your own, they are a great combo for gamers just starting their journey.
Reddit user Away-Solution7781 spoke highly of both its performance as a gaming PC, and more specifically, its performance over time, with the Azure continuing to function well even after more than a year of use.
Key Specs
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 5800X |
|---|---|
| Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti |
| Storage | 16 GB RAM, 1 TB storage |
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Pros
- Quiet internal operation
- Optimized cable management for better internal airflow
Cons
- Many users report to finding PCs with better specs for less
While Alienware may have a controversial reputation with some Redditors who report subpar cooling mechanisms, this Aurora R16 is a particularly popular model among Alienware fans for its chic design, powerful specs, and low noise levels.
Many users found the setup to be incredibly easy and intuitive. Dell runs an automatic diagnostic when powering on for the first time to ensure your device is ready to game.
As for internal specs, the terabyte of internal storage is great for long-term use without an external hard drive, and you can expect the i7 processor from Intel to power through the newest generation of games without issue.
It was also lauded for its sound levels—Reddit user John_Wang says, “I received my R16...last Thursday. Booted up great and have had no issues at all. Upgraded from a PC I built 20 years ago and it is absurd how quiet the R16 is compared to that.”
Key Specs
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13700F |
|---|---|
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 |
| Storage | 16 GB RAM, 1 TB storage |
Pros
- Powerful cooling system to keep temps down
- Comes with HP wired keyboard and mouse
Cons
- Many users have issues with the customer support and tech lines
Another brand with a controversial relationship among Redditors, with many users complaining about HP’s customer service and tech support, this HP Omen 45L has proven to be a shining spot for many. With an easy-to-assemble construction and quality specs across the board, this option has won over many skeptics.
What makes this option a great choice for many is the cooling system designed by HP. It’s built using a liquid cooler radiator which channels in cool air to areas that need it most. This is different than cool air circulation, which disperses heat away from high temperature areas as opposed to bringing cool air in.
When talking about the PC, Reddit user peeshivers243 says, “I just recently got the HP Omen 45L with a 4070 TI. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it (upgraded from a 1650 To laptop).”
Reddit user Detharon555 also heaped praise on this Omen, saying that the computer “doesn’t give me any issues on high graphic games.”
Key Specs
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13700KF |
|---|---|
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti |
| Storage | 16 GB RAM, 1 TB storage |
Pros
- Synchronized RGB lighting
- Higher than average RAM
Cons
- Temps noticeably rise after long hours of gaming
For close to the same level of power without paying the same prices as a Lenovo Legion model, this Vengeance i7400 from Corsair offers a lot of horsepower for a few thousand dollars less.
The 32 gigabytes of RAM on this PC are more than double many of the options on this list. This added memory takes a lot of pressure off the rest of the computer when it is multitasking.
If you are gaming, but want to listen to some music, or have an added screen that’s playing a TV show in the background, have no fear—that added RAM handles all of these tasks and then some without slowing down your game.
In a mini review, Reddit user Peterpotamus says, “The price tag ends up being a bit more than I could have built on my own by maybe a couple hundred dollars, but the convenience/warranty/tech support is worth it given how my life is these days.”
While we won’t speak to the many troubles of the multi-faceted life of Peterpotamus, it’s clear this a great option for those of us who want to spend precious time gaming rather than tinkering with a PC.
Key Specs
| Processor | Intel® Core i7 13700K |
|---|---|
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 4070 |
| Storage | 32 GB RAM, 1 TB storage |
Tom Price
Associate Reviews Editor
Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
