Pros

• Excellent 4K gaming performance
• Fantastic for creative work

Cons

• Luxury price tag

Sometimes all you want to do is play games at the highest possible settings, and Corsair’s Vengeance i7500 Series has the power to take advantage of a big 4K monitor (or a TV if you want to set it up in your living room.) This top-flight configuration packs an Intel Core i9 chip and GeForce RTX 4090, allowing you to enjoy your favorite games like God of War Ragnarök in stunning 4K. You haven’t truly experienced gaming until you’ve seen Kratos dispatch mythical creatures with his Leviathan ax.

In addition to delivering excellent gaming performance, the Vengeance i7500 Series is also great for creative work, balancing powerful processing capabilities and high-end graphics to handle demanding tasks such as video editing and graphic design. It also features a stealthy design, with a grated front panel and side glass that allows you to admire the components. Of course, you can customize the RGB lights, but even then it still has a more understated look compared to more ostentatious gaming options.

It’s a pricey machine, but you get a premium gaming experience in return with smooth performance and stunning graphics on even the most demanding games.

Key Specs

CPU	Intel Core i9-14900K
GPU	GeForce RTX 4090
RAM	64GB
Storage	2TB SSD
Size	17.8 x 9.1 x 18.3 in.

Pros

• Liquid cooling with 240mm radiator
• Great value

Cons

• Heavy

When considering your PC’s long-term health, a strong cooling system goes a long way. When you play a game that pushes your PC, it gets hot. Any well-made PC has enough cooling to keep it running for a few years, but having a great cooling system and a case that efficiently removes heat from your system prevents thermal wear and tear so your computer runs smoothly for years to come.

The Thermaltake Glacier 360 is a hidden gem of a budget PC. Its Ryzen 5 5600X processor and RTX 3060 are just okay, but you get a liquid cooling system, which is a rarity among prebuilt PCs at this price range. If you’re on a tight budget and you want a PC that lasts, and/or are prepared to swap out some parts sooner rather than later, this is an interesting pick.

Key Specs

CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
GPU	Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
RAM	16GB
Storage	1TB NVMe
Size	9.05 x 20 x 19.4 in.

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Pros

• Lots of internal RGB
• Solid entry-level specs and price
• Keyboard and mouse included

Cons

• Loud fans
• Low on storage

If you’re working with a tight budget, but do not want to build, this desktop from CyberpowerPC provides solid entry-level performance for around $1,000. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 7600 CPU, a GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card and 16GB of RAM, it has solid specs for those who don’t need to run everything on ultra settings.

The PC case features a sleek design, with a tempered glass side panel to show off the RGBs inside. It has a few useful top-facing front ports–two USB-A 3.0 ports, plus audio in and out for headphones. As a helpful bonus for first-timer desktop buyers, this PC comes with a keyboard and mouse, so everything you need to start playing comes with the package.

Key Specs

CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 7600
GPU	Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
RAM	16GB
Storage	500GB NVMe
Size	13.43 x 23.23 x 22.09 in.

Pros

• Powerful CPU and GPU
• Subtle design
• Runs quiet
• Ample storage

Cons

• No low-end configurations

Don’t let the Alienware Aurora R16’s understated design fool you; this is an elite gaming PC for serious players with big budgets. Alienware is generally known for making very flashy, UFO-inspired machines, but the Aurora R16 goes stealth, with a compact case, matte black finish and only partially see-through side panel. Dell also claims that the Aurora R16 is quieter than its predecessor, which is no small feat considering what’s inside.

There are a few different configurations of the Aurora R16, but all of them are heavy-duty. The configuration we recommend features an Intel Core i9-13900F CPU, Nividia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, a whopping 32 GB of RAM and two hard drives–a 1TB SSD and a 1TB HDD. Plus, it has liquid cooling to prevent the desktop from getting warm while gaming. It’s an expensive PC for players who are serious about performance and want their PC to reflect that.

Key Specs

CPU	Intel Core i9-13900F
GPU	Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
RAM	32GB
Storage	1TB NVMe, 2TB HDD
Size	7.75 x 16.46 x 18.05 in.

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What to Consider When Buying a Gaming Desktop

A new computer is always a serious investment, and shopping for a powerful gaming PC can get complicated quickly, especially for newcomers. There’s a lot of technical jargon to navigate–even with a pre-built PC where all the components are guaranteed to work together, understanding the parts and what they do matters. As a shopper, understanding the difference between a CPU and a GPU can help assess whether a specific PC delivers good performance and value. Once you’ve brought your PC home, understanding its capabilities help you fine-tune settings and troubleshoot problems.

Graphics Card (GPU)

The graphics processing unit (GPU), or graphics card, is arguably the most important part of your gaming rig. This secondary processor is responsible for rendering graphics and other visuals-related processing. Having a discrete GPU, rather than relying on the integrated graphics chip in your PC’s CPU, is the primary difference between gaming PCs and “productivity” machines designed for other tasks.

Two companies, Nvidia and AMD, are responsible for the vast majority of consumer GPUs. Both brands make a wide range of graphics cards, which offer a sliding scale of performance and price. Each rung you climb on the GPU power ladder increases the cost of your gaming PC, often by hundreds of dollars, but opens the door to sharper, smoother gameplay.

New gaming desktops should feature the last generation of graphics cards. From Nvidia, that means the RTX 40 Series, which ranges from the budget-tier RTX 4050 to the immensely powerful 4090. Depending on your budget, we recommend looking for somewhere between RTX 4060 and 4080.

AMD’s current gaming graphics line is the Radeon RX 7000 Series, which runs from the RX 7600 through the RX 7900 XTX. As with Nvidia’s cards, we think that mid-range options like the RX 7700 XT and RX 7800 XT often offer the best balance of performance and value.

You’ll also likely find older machines out there with configurations that include older graphics cards. We recommend buying a machine with a current-generation graphics card, as that ensure your system offers strong performance for a longer time. That said, going back a generation, such as an Nvidia 30-series card, causes the price of your PC to drop and while still offering strong performance on most games in the short-term. Remember: Even with a pre-built machine, you can always swap out the card for something more powerful in a few years if certain games start to feel sluggish.

Processor (CPU)

The central processing unit (CPU) is the brain of your computer. It performs all the calculations that occur every time you interact with it. In a gaming PC, the CPU and GPU work hand-in-hand to run your games: While many people exclusively equate GPU power with gaming performance, having an equally powerful CPU is crucial, too. And outside of games, a strong CPU increases the speed and performance of everything else you do on your computer, from browsing the web and using productivity apps like Microsoft Office.

As with GPUs, most desktop CPUs come from two companies–Intel and AMD–both of whom release many models each generation to meet different sets of budgetary and performance needs. Current gaming desktops with Intel CPUs should feature 13th- and 14th-generation Intel Core processors, which run from the entry-level Core i3 to the powerful Core i9. AMD’s Ryzen processors are a bit more all over the place: Each one features two numbers: A single-digit number–3, 5, 7 or 9–to indicate performance level, and a four-digit number to indicate the generation and specific style.

We recommend looking for a 7000-series Ryzen 5 or 7 processor, which roughly correspond to Intel’s i5 and i7 CPUs, and delivers strong performance with most graphics cards. It’s worth keeping in mind that AMD 9000-series CPUs are going to hit stores soon, however, you likely won’t see them widely used in pre-built gaming desktops until 2025.

You should look at a gaming desktop’s CPU and GPU together, because they work as a pair. Ideally, you want a CPU that can match and enhance your graphics card’s performance, without overspending. For example, if you’re targeting models with an Nvidia RTX 4070, pairing that with an Intel Core i7 CPU provides the best possible performance. That said, desktops with a less powerful Core i5 processor would work well, too, and should cost less. What you should avoid, in this case, is an underpowered Intel Core i3, which may cap your GPU’s capacity to perform, or overspend on a PC with a powerful Intel Core i9.

Memory

Random Access Memory, or RAM, allows your applications to temporarily store and quickly access data. Having more memory makes your computer run faster, because it can quickly access more data. For games, specifically, a faster computer translates to smoother gameplay, faster loading times, higher frame rates, and better performance while running additional programs in the background like Discord for chat or streaming software.

For most gaming PCs, 16GB of RAM is the sweet spot. More is always better, but 16GB should be enough to help your system hit peak performance. Plus, adding or replacing RAM is the easiest upgrade you can do yourself, and it’s relatively affordable.

Storage

We recommend looking for at least 1TB of storage, and preferably 2TB to 3TB. In addition to the amount, it’s important to check out what kind of hard drive (or drives) is under the hood. A modern gaming desktop should have a NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) drive, which works substantially faster than traditional Solid State (SSD) and hard disk (HDD) drives. High-end configurations often have two hard drives–a relatively small NVMe SSD as the primary or “boot” drive, where you should put your games, and a larger secondary SSD or HDD for files and programs that don’t dramatically benefit from a speed boost.

Keep in mind that, as with memory, buying additional storage is fairly affordable and installing an extra drive, especially an SSD or HDD, is fairly straightforward. Compromising a bit on storage and upgrading later is an easy compromise that can keep the cost of your new PC down.

Port Selection

Gaming can lead you to add a lot of peripherals to your PC, from basics like a keyboard and mouse, to a controller, streaming equipment, external storage and more. Look for a variety of USB ports, including at least 1-2 USB-C ports, so you can connect all your core peripherals without buying a USB hub. (As your setup expands, you may find that you need one and that’s fine, but let’s not start with a deficit, here.) Also, don’t forget to double-check that the PC includes Bluetooth support–not all PC motherboards come with a built-in receiver. If it doesn’t, you can purchase a separate Bluetooth adapter to connect your wireless peripherals.

In addition, pay attention to the ports for your monitors. We recommend looking for at least two HDMI ports and two DisplayPorts. Ideally, they’ll feature current standards, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, which allow you to play games in 4K resolution at high refresh rates (assuming your system and gaming monitor can handle it.) HDMI version 2.1 supports 4K resolution at 120Hz refresh rate, and DisplayPort version 1.4 supports 4K at 144Hz.

Lastly, consider online connectivity. Most gaming desktops feature an Ethernet port to support a wired connection, which is still the best way to ensure your connection stays stable while playing online.The bottom line is that port variety and selection is not a given. Make sure the desktop you’re looking at has what you need ahead of time so you aren’t scrambling to buy extra accessories on day one.

Brandon Russell is a freelance writer covering gear and technology. He started his journey as a news writer at a small newspaper and later began reviewing smartphones, movies, and video games. In his free time, he enjoys the slower, more intentional experience of using a 35mm film camera and making short videos about movies he grew up watching.

Harry Rabinowitz is a writer, editor, and columnist covering the latest and greatest products in the gaming industry. He also works to tell educational and entertaining stories about tech, entertainment, home goods, and more. When he’s not learning or writing something new, he’s probably heading to the library for a new graphic novel to read.