Back in the day, building your own rig was the dream, but these days the best gaming PCs are often the ones you buy in one package. Not only have PC components like graphics cards and processors become extremely expensive, but prebuilt gaming PCs are much more premium and cut less corners than they have in the past. Sure, an Alienware PC isn't going to match the same quality and reliability as a tower that's been lovingly crafted in your bedroom, but if you don't have the time and patience to build yourself, you don't have to compromise on a half-baked system anymore.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming PCs
- HP Omen 45L – Best gaming PC
- iBuyPower TraceMesh Gaming Desktop – Best budget gaming PC
- Alienware Aurora R16 – Best high-end gaming PC
- MSI MPG Trident AS – Best mini gaming PC
- MSI Vision Elite RS 14NUI9-679US – Best current-gen gaming PC
Deciding on the best gaming PC is more involved than grabbing the PS5 or Xbox Series X, you’ll need to determine the processors, memory, storage, and other components that best suit how you want to play and work well together. Whether you want the best budget gaming PC to play indie games, something more compact to fit in your smaller apartment, or a machine ready to take on all the action in 4K, one of the five pre-built gaming PCs we’ve selected will work perfectly for you – and click here to find them in the UK.
Looking for additional savings? Check out the best gaming PC deals happening right now.
1. HP Omen 45L
Best Gaming PC
For the longest time, the best gaming PCs were cursed with weird proprietary cases that required bespoke motherboards and power supplies that were nearly impossible to replace. HP used to be one of the biggest offenders here, but recently, its Omen gaming PCs have drastically changed how it makes its gaming towers. The HP Omen 45L isn't just my favorite gaming PC, but I've even built a complete custom PC in its case myself, and that's not something I'd even attempt in most prebuilt gaming PC chassis. It's a spacious gaming rig with a ton of space for upgrades, even able to support custom water cooling loops and giant graphics cards like the RTX 4090 without even beginning to worry about it bumping into anything important.
This makes the HP Omen 45L a gaming PC that I'd even recommend buying the entry-level model of, even if it comes with a paltry 512GB SSD and an RTX 4060 Ti. This is one of the easiest prebuilts to tinker with, and upgrading to a bigger SSD and a more beefy graphics card later down the line when you can afford it is going to be a breeze.
That being said, this is a premium gaming PC with a premium price, starting at $2060 before discounts (there are always discounts, don't worry). That price nets you an Intel Core i7-14700K, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti. That config isn't bad, easily able to power through pretty much any AAA PC game without breaking a sweat, but you can get a comparable HP Victus build for $1369, albeit with a much worse chassis and being limited to the non-Ti RTX 4060.
It's a high sticker price, but it's absolutely worth it if you want a PC case that isn't complete trash. You'll be using the same case for years, building up war stories from upgrading your rig like any PC gamer that's built their own PC. My own PC case is a Cooler Master HAF 500P Mesh, and I've been maintaining and upgrading that PC for more than five years now. The HP Omen 45L Chassis is one of the only times I've thought about swapping PC cases, and that should tell you something.
2. iBuyPower TraceMesh Gaming Desktop
Best Budget Gaming PC
Get gaming with this affordable PC that offers some mighty powerful hardware for less than expected. With the iBuyPower TraceMesh Gaming Desktop, you’ll enjoy a 13th gen Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 4060, which is a budget GPU that'll provide all the processing headroom to sail through games in 1080p at high frame rates. Heck, you may even get to enjoy 1440p gaming when you disable some graphical effects.
Those processors are paired with 16GB of high-bandwidth DDR5 RAM, ensuring this PC is ready to run multiple programs simultaneously—the TraceMesh Gaming Desktop could even be a viable option for those getting into game streaming. We can’t forget to mention the 1TB of SSD storage for some speedy launches and saves of all those applications while the case and fans keep all the PC’s hardware running smoothly. Of course, if you want to upgrade components down the road, iBuyPower makes that easy. An RGB mouse and keyboard are even included, so you can grab some other great gaming accessories with the savings.
3. Alienware Aurora R16
Best High-End Gaming PC
For those seeking the latest and greatest who also happen to have a healthy budget, this model of the Alienware Aurora R16 is packing some serious hardware. Rather than the futuristic look of the Aurora R15, Alienware steps slightly back to the mainstream with the boxy R16, though you still get plenty of RGB lighting. This case is designed for optimal airflow and fitted with powerful fans and a 240mm liquid CPU cooler while running whisper-quiet. And robust cooling is a must, given the beefy components inside this rig.
Running the show is an Intel Core i9-14900KF processor paired with RTX 4080 Super graphics – part of Nvidia’s mid-series refresh. Those processors provide plenty of muscle to handle whatever kind of PC games thrown their way. Whether you’re targeting high framerates at 4K or encoding videos in mere minutes, this rig is ready. It doesn’t stop there, as the Alienware Aurora R16 is fitted with 32GB of DDR5 memory running at 5,600 MHz, so it’s a multitasking maven. Plus, the wild 2TB of high-speed NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD storarge makes for lightning-fast game loads.
4. MSI MPG Trident AS
Best Mini Gaming PC
If you want to get gaming but are short on space, grabbing one of the best mini PCs for gaming, the MSI MPG Trident AS, is the way to go. Measuring just 5.40 x 15.61 x 16.16 inches and weighing under 13 pounds, this compact PC fits on almost any gaming desk. But just because it’s compact doesn’t mean it’s lacking power. So, it’s ready to take on all the best game deals you scored with its 14th-gen Intel Core i7 processor paired with RTX 4060 Ti graphics. That’s plenty of oomph to take on games at moderate settings. Add in the 16GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD, and you’re all but guaranteed to have games run smoothly and load quickly.
This mini PC packs some powerful hardware in a smaller-than-usual form factor, making cooling a top priority. MSI has special tech that utilizes independent air chambers to dissipate heat to different components, though things may get noisy. Beyond the compact size, the case looks sleek with some touches of RGB lighting, including an RGB fan, while the I/O is rich with ports to connect all the best gaming accessories. However, it already comes with a mouse and keyboard, adding to its value.
5. MSI Vision Elite RS 14NUI9-679US
Best Current Gen Gaming PC
From the stunning case to the beastly components housed within, the MSI Vision Elite RS 14NUI9-679US is the perfect PC to tackle even the most demanding games in 4K at high frame rates – once you get past the eye-watering price tag. The latest 14th-generation Intel Core i9 processor provides class-leading single-threaded and multi-threaded performance alongside a high boost clock for even better performance. Paired with an RTX 4090 graphics card, it’ll cruise through AAA games at speedy FPS in 4K with ray tracing.
That’s just the start of what’s on offer, as a hefty 64GB of DDR5 memory and a healthy 2TB of SSD storage ensures breezy multitasking and quick loads. Given all that power, a solid cooling system is in place, including a 360mm liquid CPU cooler, to keep things frosty, while a seamless panoramic glass panel shows off the cooler and other components’ flashy RGBs. Clearly, this rig is already future-proof, sporting cutting-edge processors, but we’d be remiss not to mention the Wi-Fi 7 support and impressive I/O adding to its value for years to come.
Where to Get the Best Gaming PC in the UK
Getting your gaming PC prebuilt can save a lot of time and hassle for you, and this is still the case no matter where you are in the world. We've cheated a little bit with this, as plenty of the options on our list are available to purchase and shipped to the UK. Newegg, for example, will ship several brilliant pre-builds, all the way from the US to the UK. Costs for shipping, and the PCs in general, are low, so you shouldn't have any worries going forward.
How to Choose a Gaming PC
Prebuilts are the most surefire way of getting into gaming and arguably the most cost-effective hardware you can buy. When buying a system, you’re not only getting the hardware inside but time savings of having to track down the best processor to best RAM for your system and putting it all together yourself and praying it actually boots up correctly.
That said, just like building your own PC you want to make sure you’re spending your money where it’s needed most. Firstly, you should prioritize getting the graphics card you need for the gaming monitor or the gaming TV you’re gaming on. There’s no need for anything better than an Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti if you’re just playing games on a 1080p display.
Likewise, you should only need an Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor with at least four cores to play most modern games comfortably at any resolution.
System memory and solid-state drives can be the biggest money sink for any system. Those comfortable with upgrading their system after it arrives should choose a configuration with the smallest storage and RAM capacities possible, as buying these components yourself can often be more cost-effective.
If that last suggestion resonates, perhaps a barebones system is what you seek. Barebones PCs can be much cheaper since they come with all the major hardware – such as the CPU, GPU, and power supply – installed, but they usually lack storage, memory, and an operating system as a trade-off.
Lastly, if you want more control over what exactly is going into your build, go with a boutique PC builder. Origin, Maingear, DigitalStorm, Falcon Northwest, PC Specialist, and many more companies offer excellent PC building services that let you pick exactly which components go into your gaming PC. From there, they build your system with the sort of cable management some can only dream of while ensuring it all works properly out of the box.
In case this all sounds a little overwhelming to you, NZXT has its own PC building service called BLD. Instead of picking every part that will go into your PC, you chose the games you’ll actually play and the service gives you several configuration options that will be able to run the games for a smooth experience.
Similarly, iBuyPower offers an Easy Builder service that operates in very much the same fashion. Users can select games that they play from a small pool that includes Fortnite, GTA V, Apex Legends, WoW, League of Legends, Overwatch, and Battlefield V. From there, users can select whether they play at a 1080p or 1440p resolution, as well as their budget and the system, will spit back a few configurations to choose from.
Beyond choosing the components you need, prebuilt PC's come with several features and pieces of software you might find convenient. Many gaming PCs in this category come with some sort of overclocking support and even a one-click button to boost your system's performance. Of course, it's easy enough to download a piece of overclocking software like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X. Additionally, your machine may come with system monitoring software that makes downloading and updating drivers a breeze.
Gaming PC FAQ
Should you buy a gaming PC or a gaming laptop?
Unless you’re looking for an all-in-one, portable package, a gaming PC is usually better than even the best gaming laptops. With a desktop, it’s much easier and less expensive to upgrade parts, and they tend to last longer before going obsolete. For more on gaming PCs vs. gaming laptops, check out our guide.
Is it easy to upgrade your prebuilt gaming PC?
Another important thing you'll want to keep in mind when buying a prebuilt desktop is how easy is it to upgrade down the line.
Most PC manufacturers have figured out users absolutely hate proprietary parts. While you might still find no-name motherboards installed into the hearth of your PC, they should all at least fall in line with the standard size and layout of Mini ITX or Micro ATX motherboards. The best gaming PCs should allow you to easily swap out the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage on your system with just a few simple tools or just a screwdriver.
Better yet, systems that tout tool-less upgradability don't require you to undo screws or anything to replace any of the major components. One of the things you'll likely find on most modern chassis are thumbscrews, which can be removed after a few quick twists with your fingers rather than a screwdriver. Additionally, tool-less SSD and hard drive caddies make expanding and replacing your storage just a little bit easier.
Should you buy a gaming PC or a console?
When comparing a gaming PC vs. console, there appear to be more similarities than differences these days, but one still comes out on top – the gaming PC.
Not every aspect of a gaming PC beats consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Consoles are much easier to use. You’ll also find that even the most expensive consoles are cheap compared to a quality gaming PC with a good graphics card, although there are good budget GPUs. There are some great handheld gaming PCs and mini PCs that are more affordable, but they’re better for indie games or older cross-platform console titles.
Where a gaming PC pulls ahead is in its gaming library, peripherals, upgradeability, and overall performance. There’s no denying that there are a massive amount of PC games, and of course, a gaming PC has cross-platform compatibility with popular console titles. Beyond the best gaming keyboards and gaming mice, you’ll find a wealth of other peripherals, from racing wheels to controllers, all of which work seamlessly with a PC. You can also enjoy better visuals and a higher performance ceiling, and it’s easy to upgrade components. That makes a well-equipped PC the clear winner.
Can you find a good gaming PC for under $1,000?
Yes, it’s absolutely possible to find a great gaming PC for under 1,000; you just need to manage your expectations. Less powerful hardware will usually come in these budget-friendly desktops, meaning gaming performance is more limited. Even still, you should have no problem running many of your favorite games in 1080p or sometimes even 1440p at respectable frame rates. Sure, your PC may struggle during more graphically intensive games running at their top settings, but the savings you enjoy might be worth the trade-off.
Should you build your own gaming PC?
Building your own gaming PC has many benefits. First and foremost, you get to customize your PC to your own specifications, including only the components you want and need. Rather than purchasing a pre-built desktop that may not be tailored to your requirements, you can select all of the individual parts that make up a gaming PC.
However, you will need some knowledge of how to build PCs, or at least be able to closely follow an in-depth YouTube video. This is where things get a little tricky. If you’ve never built a custom gaming PC before, you will need to do some research before getting stuck in. From understanding how each component interacts with each other, to how to hold a stick of RAM or a CPU so you don’t damage it, there’s quite a large learning curve.
If you do decide to build your own gaming PC, you will likely find that you can save some money compared to buying a pre-built machine. Choosing your own parts means you can keep an eye on sales and offers to get the best deal possible.
But, building a gaming PC isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t rigid on the specifics and don’t have a particular build in mind, it can be less troublesome to allow someone else to do it for you. You also get the added reassurance that the PC will be professionally built, and there’s no chance your warranty can be void.
After you've scored an awesome gaming PC, be sure to grab the best gaming accessories for the ultimate PC battle station.
Jacqueline Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN. When she's not helping her friends and family buy computers, you can usually find her tinkering with her own PC.
Image Credit: Annalee Tsujino is a multi disciplinary designer and illustrator. Check them out on Instagram @antsu_illustrations.
