If building your own gaming rig feels like too much work or isn't a priority, opting for one of the best pre-built gaming PCs is a smart move. While you might miss out on the satisfaction of assembling your PC from scratch, the time saved from researching components, waiting for them to arrive, and troubleshooting any issues can be better spent diving into the best PC games.
Gone are the days of half-baked pre-built systems. Today's pre-built gaming PCs are designed with longevity in mind, equipped with the latest and greatest graphics cards and processors. With rising component prices, choosing a pre-built from brands like Alienware, MSI, or HP might even save you money. Plus, many of these systems are easy to upgrade, including our top pick, the spacious HP Omen 45L.
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 selecting a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S. You need to consider the types of games you want to play and your preferred settings, as best budget gaming PCs might not handle Cyberpunk 2077 at the highest settings. Ensuring compatibility among processors, storage, memory, cooling, and other hardware is crucial. Fortunately, many manufacturers handle this for you, preventing system bottlenecks.
Keep in mind that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 have been launched following their announcement at CES 2025. While I haven't reviewed prebuilts with these new Nvidia graphics cards yet, expect most PCs on this list to offer versions with these GPUs or be updated soon with the latest hardware. Additionally, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is set to launch in March 2025.
Whether you're after an affordable option for indie games, a compact setup for a small space, or a high-end 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.*
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Our Top Pick### LenovoLegion Tower 7i
6The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i is packed with extremely powerful hardware and is easy to open up and upgrade. See it at Lenovo
**Product Specifications**
**PROS**
**CONS**
Prebuilt gaming PCs used to be plagued by proprietary hardware, but the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i demonstrates that those days are behind us. Previously, buying a gaming PC from Lenovo or Dell meant getting a powerful tower with limited upgrade options due to bespoke components. However, my review of the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i revealed a refreshing change. It's a straightforward mid-tower case with industry-standard hardware, making it easy to fix or upgrade. While it does come with basic memory and motherboard, these can be easily swapped out for better components when you're ready.
This makes the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i not just a great gaming PC, but also an excellent entry point for customizing your own system. Upgrading one or two parts is far less daunting than building an entire system from scratch. With its competitive pricing, the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i stands out as the best pre-built option for a solid gaming experience.
### HP Omen 45L
11Breeze through every task and game thanks to an Intel Core i9 CPU, Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, and 16GB RAM that a robust cooling system helps keep frosty. See it at HP
**Product Specifications**
**PROS**
**CONS**
The best gaming PCs used to suffer from proprietary cases that were difficult to upgrade. HP, once a major offender, has transformed its Omen gaming PCs. The HP Omen 45L is not only my favorite gaming PC but also a chassis I've used to build a custom PC. Its spacious design supports upgrades, including custom water cooling loops and large graphics cards like the RTX 4090.
Even the entry-level model, with a 512GB SSD and RTX 4060 Ti, is easy to upgrade. Starting at $2060 (with frequent discounts), it offers an Intel Core i7-14700K, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. While a comparable HP Victus build is cheaper, it lacks the Omen's superior chassis. The HP Omen 45L's case is built to last, making it a worthwhile investment for long-term gaming.
### iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop
8Affordable gaming PC offering processors ready to handle some 1080p gaming and high-bandwidth DDR5 RAM. See it at AmazonSee it at Best Buy
**Product Specifications**
**PROS**
**CONS**
The iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop proves that budget gaming PCs can be both affordable and powerful. With a 14th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia’s RTX 4060 Ti, it's well-equipped for 1080p gaming at high frame rates. It's also suitable for 1440p gaming with non-ray-traced titles like Total War: Warhammer 3.
This PC is ideal for those interested in game streaming, thanks to its current-gen processors and 32GB of high-bandwidth DDR5 RAM. A 1TB SSD ensures quick app launches and saves. While it may get hot, the case's mesh design and ARGB fans provide good airflow. Upgrading is straightforward, making it future-proof with upcoming hardware like Nvidia’s RTX 5000 series and 15th gen Intel Arrow Lake processors.
Priced under $1,500, the iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop offers great value, especially with the included gaming keyboard and mouse, perfect for gaming newcomers.
### Alienware Aurora R16
5Take this gaming rig to the limit with its powerful processors, impressive cooling, and 32GB RAM ready to hit high frame rates in 4K. See it at Dell
**Product Specifications**
**PROS**
**CONS**
For those with a healthy budget seeking the latest and greatest, the Alienware Aurora R16 is a powerhouse. It features a more mainstream design than its predecessor but retains ample RGB lighting. The case is optimized for airflow with powerful fans and a 240mm liquid CPU cooler, ensuring quiet operation.
Powered by an Intel Core i9-14900KF and Nvidia’s RTX 4080 Super, this rig excels at 4K gaming and video encoding. With 32GB of DDR5 memory at 5,600 MHz, it's a multitasking beast. The 2TB of high-speed NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD storage ensures lightning-fast game loads.
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### Asus ROG NUC
2The Asus ROG NUC is about as mini as a mini gaming PC can get. Plus, it's surprisingly strapped with a mobile-class RTX 4070. See it at Amazon
**Product Specifications**
**PROS**
**CONS**
Choosing a mini gaming PC often involves compromise. The Asus ROG NUC, while extremely compact, uses mobile-class hardware like the RTX 4070 and Intel Core Ultra 9. This setup is perfect for 1080p gaming, delivering smooth performance at max settings. However, it struggles at higher resolutions, especially with demanding games like Black Myth: Wukong.
Despite its size, the Asus ROG NUC impressed me with its 1080p gaming capabilities. It's an excellent choice for a home theater PC that can also handle PC games. With some tweaks to graphics settings, it can pair well with a 4K TV, serving as a media hub and gaming station. Keep in mind, though, that similar performance can often be achieved with a gaming laptop.
Purchasing a pre-built gaming PC can save time and hassle, regardless of your location. Many of the options listed here are available for purchase and shipping to the UK. For instance, Newegg offers several excellent pre-built options with low shipping costs from the US to the UK.
### Best Mini Gaming PC MSI MEG Trident X2
0See it at Newegg
Pre-built PCs are a surefire way to get into gaming and often the most cost-effective option. They save you the time and effort of selecting and assembling components. However, it's crucial to spend your money wisely. Prioritize the graphics card based on your gaming monitor or TV. For 1080p gaming, an Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti is sufficient.
For most modern games, an Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor with at least four cores is adequate. System memory and storage can be significant expenses, so consider starting with smaller capacities and upgrading later, as it can be more cost-effective.
If you're comfortable with future upgrades, consider a barebones system, which includes major hardware but lacks storage, memory, and an operating system. For more control over your build, boutique PC builders like Origin, Maingear, DigitalStorm, Falcon Northwest, and PC Specialist offer customizable services with excellent cable management and professional assembly.
If the process seems overwhelming, NZXT's BLD service allows you to choose games you play, and it suggests configurations for a smooth experience. Similarly, iBuyPower's Easy Builder service lets you select games and resolutions, then offers tailored configurations within your budget.
Pre-built PCs often come with convenient features like overclocking support and system monitoring software, making driver updates and performance boosts easy.
Unless you need a portable solution, a gaming PC is generally better than a gaming laptop. Desktops are easier and cheaper to upgrade and tend to last longer before becoming obsolete. For more details, check out our guide on gaming PCs vs. gaming laptops.
When buying a pre-built desktop, consider how easy it is to upgrade later. Most manufacturers now use standard-sized components, making it simple to swap out CPUs, GPUs, RAM, and storage with basic tools. Systems with tool-less upgradability are even more convenient, using thumbscrews and tool-less SSD caddies.
While gaming PCs and consoles share many similarities, PCs have the edge in gaming library, peripherals, upgradeability, and performance. Consoles are easier to use and more affordable, but PCs offer better visuals, a higher performance ceiling, and the ability to upgrade components. For more on this, see our guide on gaming PC vs. console.
Yes, it's possible to find a great gaming PC for under $1,000, though you'll need to manage your expectations. Budget-friendly desktops may have less powerful hardware, but they can still run many games at 1080p or even 1440p with respectable frame rates. They might struggle with graphically intensive games at top settings, but the savings can be worth it.
Building your own gaming PC offers customization and potential cost savings. However, it requires knowledge or the ability to follow detailed guides. If you're not set on specific components and prefer a hassle-free experience, a pre-built PC might be better, offering professional assembly and warranty protection.
After securing your gaming PC, enhance your setup with the best gaming accessories for the ultimate battle station.
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