11 Best Gaming PCs Reviewed for 2023

The best gaming PC setup promises an enthralling boost to your gameplay experience owing to fast, seamless processors and powerful graphic cards. However, given the oversaturation in the PC market, choosing one can be highly painstaking.

To make your work easier, we’ve found and reviewed the best gaming PCs based on criteria like affordability, processing speeds, graphic memory, and battery life. Read on to learn why you can trust brands like iBUYPOWER and ZOTAC when it comes to gaming.

11 Top-Rated Gamer PCs Ranked

The iBUYPOWER SlateHako AD420N is the best Gaming PC you can get, thanks to its latest Nvidia 30 and 40 series graphic cards and a sizeable memory of ‎500 GB, and a huge 16GB RAM capacity. Here’s how it fares against others on our list:

1. iBUYPOWER SlateHako AD420N — The best gaming PC overall with great graphics and tons of processing power.
2. ZOTAC Gaming MEK Hero G1 — Impressive model that supports real-time ray tracing and comes with liquid cooling.
3. Skytech Archangel — A great choice for beginner gamers that delivers superior gaming performance.
4. CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme — A powerful computer that’s ready for VR games and comes with customizable RGB lights.
5. Skytech Shiva — Machine comes with strong CPU and GPU and delivers excellent gameplay, even at high settings.
6. HP Omen 30L — High-end model that delivers an excellent, lag-free 4k gaming experience.
7. HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop — An affordable option that can handle 4k visuals for an immersive gaming experience.
8. Acer Nitro 50 — Great compact budget gaming PC with a solid processor and bundled accessories.
9. Alienware Aurora R10 — One of the most powerful gaming systems you can buy and great for high-end games.
10. Acer Predator Orion 7000 — Acer’s best-selling gaming system, which comes with powerful processors, great graphics, and multiple cooling options.
11. Lenovo Legion Tower 5 — Run games at lightning speed, with a high-performing 12 GB graphic card and lots of options for upgrades.
    

Top 11 PC Computers for Gaming Reviewed

Eager to start gaming with the best gaming PC setup? Dig in as we’ll now discuss our top recommendations in detail, including their best features, pros, cons, and pricing. Let’s dive right in.

1. iBUYPOWER SlateHako AD420N — The Best Overall Gaming PC

iBUYPOWER SlateHako AD420N offers the best-in-class processing and graphics. Whether you’re looking to use it for gaming, movies, or other entertainment, this PC’s fast-speed function and vibrant visuals will certainly improve everything.

The PC comes with an in-built 8GB graphics card which processes your gaming assets at rocket speed so that you get more frames per second, improving the overall visual quality of the game.

In fact, most standard gaming PCs come with a 4GB graphic card which is enough to enjoy a high-end game on medium to high-quality resolution. So you can only imagine the difference an 8GB card will make.

A special add-on of the iBUYPOWER SlateHako AD420N is the RGB gaming case made of tempered glass. Since tempered glass is stronger than regular glass, your PC will be better protected against physical damage. Moreover, the RGB lighting will add a hint of gaming aesthetics to your total set-up.

Along with the PC, you’ll also find an RGB gaming mouse and keyboard in the same package, which is a little cheaper than buying all three pieces individually. Beyond this, the PC comes with the Windows 11 version pre-installed.

This way, you can set up your PC within minutes, download/transfer your favorite games, and get started as soon as possible — no extra time wasted on setting up the operating system. Another benefit of using this PC is that it comes with a 1-year warranty on parts and labor. On top of that, each user gets free lifetime tech support for all types of technical issues.

Pros

• Available in Nvidia 30 and 40 series
• Top-notch motherboard and GPU quality
• An affordable option
• Comes with Windows 11 pre-installed

Cons

• Occasional slow customer service

2. ZOTAC Gaming MEK Hero G1 — Great Gaming Experience with a Liquid Cooling Solution

The ZOTAC Gaming MEK Hero G1 PC is best known for its crystal clear triple display ready monitor with 4K resolution. This feature will let you plug in up to two extra monitors whenever you’re ready to truly be immersed in the best gaming experience.

What makes it different from traditional gaming PCs is that while most use air cooling to prevent the system from heating up, the ZOTAC Gaming MEK Hero G1 PC is an EKWB liquid cooling solution. This cooling formula is poured into the 240 mm radiator at the top of the PC case.

On top of that, the PC has a series of fans and vents to manage the airflow within the system, which further helps the PC stay at optimum temperature. During our evaluation, we found this unique cooling method much more efficient. The PC remained cool as usual despite gaming for hours at a stretch.

That said, the best thing about this PC’s design is its accessibility. If you ever need to see the insides for repair or maintenance purposes, all that you have to do is swing open the glass panels just as you do with a door — no additional tools or skill required.

On opening the glass panels, you’ll get direct access to the motherboard with two RAM slots, both of which are upgradeable in case you switch to more demanding games.

Another benefit of using the Zotac Hero gaming PC is that it comes with plenty of rear and front ports. Since gamers often plug in a lot of additional equipment to the main system, the more ports a PC can offer, the better it is.

Pros

• Superior cooling mechanism
• Offers real-time ray tracing
• Comes with a compact, anti-dust chassis
• Easy to access internal parts

Cons

• Outdated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

3. Skytech Archangel — Superior Performance and Great for Beginner Gamers

The Skytech Archangel is the perfect beginner-level gaming system built for superior gaming performance. The pre-installed graphics card has 4GB of space, enough for most regular games to run efficiently. The frames will load smoothly so that you never miss any visual shots of the game.

Another amazing perk of using the Skytech Archangel is the outer case that’s sturdy and offers excellent cooling, ensuring that your system remains comfortable enough to play on even after long hours of gaming.

The front and side panels of the gaming system feature small cut-outs that give you a glimpse into the system’s internal hardware. This feature further adds to the system’s cooling efficiency and aesthetic value. In case you don’t like the default case, the good news is it can be easily upgraded.

Beyond this, along with the microphone and gaming headset connections, the system comes with four other USB ports for connecting external devices. This is a blessing for gamers that want a completely immersive gaming experience by plugging in all their favorite accessories.

Speaking of the specifications, the Skytech Archangel comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 1200 processor (3.4 GHz turbo) and 8GB DDR4 RAM, which processes every game smoothly and within seconds. While testing games like Fortnite and Assassin’s Creed, we were pleased to see no lag or delay in loading the game.

On top of that, this gaming PC features a robust 1 TB 7200rpm hard drive, further reducing loading time and improving the system’s overall performance.

Pros

• An excellent performing graphic card
• Has plenty of ports for connectivity
• Fans work perfectly to cool the system
• Comes with a lifetime free technical support

Cons

• The internal storage is less

4. CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme — VR-Ready and Comes with Customizable RGB Lights

The CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme is the perfect system for people who want to enjoy lag-free gaming without spending too much. The design is pretty simple yet stylish. It comes with vibrant RGB lights, a must-have for most gamers who value aesthetics and the look of their gaming equipment. Beyond this, it comes with its own software that lets you manage and customize these RGB lights.

It also comes with an in-built WiFi that lets you connect to the nearby local networks without needing additional hardware. Besides this, the side panels are easy to access and transparent, giving you a clear view of the internal hardware.

You can easily remove these side panels if you ever want to access the internal components for repair and maintenance. The system also has four internal cooling fans that prevent your PC from heating up too much despite constantly gaming.

That said, its biggest USP is that it’s ready for VR games. So if you want to play games like No Man’s Sky or Resident Evil, this PC will be ready by default; there’s no need for any add-on. Speaking of the performance, CyberpowerPC hardly leaves any scope for complaint.

It has a 9th generation Intel Core i5-9400F processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB hard drive. Together, these ensure your games load fast and without lagging. Especially for demanding VR games, you need a PC with specifications good enough to handle its massive assets.

On top of this, the gaming PC also comes with a system memory of 240GB SSD. This means that even after downloading all your favorite games and other necessary software, you’ll have enough free space to help the system function smoothly.

Pros

• Aesthetic and modern RGB lighting
• Comes with an excellent-quality gaming keyboard and mouse
• Ready for you to play VR games
• A high-performing graphics card

Cons

• No latest Windows support

5. Skytech Shiva —  Solid CPU + GPU Combo and Top Performance

The Skytech Shiva Gaming PC continues to win the hearts of gamers worldwide with its transparent approach, and it’s one of the best gaming PC deals around. Unlike other reputed companies, they don’t hide any detail about their hardware and specifications, helping you make informed decisions.

To provide each gamer with the best-in-class experience, Skytech uses the latest generation of high-resolution video cards from Nvidia. The RTX 3060 8GB card can give you a crystal clear resolution of up to 1080 p and super-fast frame rates that maintain the gameplay’s natural pace and reduce lag.

Speaking of the CPU, Skytech uses AMD Ryzen 5 5600x, which is one of their best performers and newest innovations. Although AMD has already released the 3000 series, the 2600 series works just as well. And if you’re still worried about not getting the latest CPU model, here’s good news — Skytech uses a 6-core processor with a 3.7GHz speed.

This is a killer combination for handling mid to high-range games that are often demanding on the system. Since these processors were actually developed to handle demanding tasks such as 3D game development, it’s quite natural that it’s also adept at handling games, no matter how heavy they are on the system.

Beyond this, the RGB fan lights are a unique feature of the Skytech Shiva Gaming PC. There are three fans in total — two in the front and one in the back for adequate airflow and temperature maintenance. And each fan comes with RGB lights that can be controlled with a remote. So, in short, you get two benefits in one PC component.

And, on a final note, another benefit of buying the Skytech Shiva Gaming PC is its super-friendly, responsive customer support team.

Pros

• Comes with attractive RGB fan lights
• Offers lifetime free technical support
• Excellent gameplay, even at high settings
• Comes with a free gaming keyboard and mouse

Cons

• Slightly on the expensive side

6. HP Omen 30L — Excellent, Lag-Free 4k Gaming

The HP Omen 30L gaming PC is the system every winner needs. Sure, skills and knowledge are essential, but sometimes, no matter how good you are at a game, your ranking will suffer if the PC isn’t made for top-grade performance. But with this gaming PC, nothing else stands in the way of your victory.

With world-class cooling fans that keep the system comfortable to play on, lifelike graphics, and a super-fast processor, the experience brought to you is surreal. That said, the best thing about using HP Omen PCs is the wide range of customizations and upgrade options.

All the hardware is easy to upgrade, and you’ll find an ever-growing list of customization and upgrade options under the OMEN Command Center so that you can transform the PC just how you want it. It also offers one of the highest storage capacities in the industry — thanks to its dual storage system.

You get a 1 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive that supports the operative system and its assets and a 2 TB 7200RPM SATA hard drive for the other files and software on your system. Together, they make this PC fast, responsive, and lag-free.

To further boost its speed and performance, the HP Omen 30L gaming PC comes with 32GB RAM, which is much higher than industry standards. So even if you have multiple windows open — such as your game, music in the background, and a few chrome tabs — the system will remain the same and function at undeterred speed.

And just like the CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme gaming PC, this one is, by default, ready for VR games. All you have to do is download your favorite game, set it up, and play — no additional steps or hassle.

Pros

• Offers dual storage
• One of the highest RAM in the industry
• Excellent lag-free 4k gaming experience
• EMI protective coating for electrical security

Cons

• Not an affordable option

7. HP Pavilion — An Affordable Option with Easy Upgrade Options  

The wide range of upgrade options makes the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop an interesting pick among gamers. For instance, the system comes with an inbuilt power of 310 watts which is enough to power it up like a beast. But if your games are more demanding, you can easily upgrade it to 400 Watts.

Also, the machine is energy-efficient, which means its components use energy judiciously, minimizing excessive heating. On top of that, the system uses an advanced thermal solution to maintain an optimum temperature system that’s comfortable for the PC and you.

The PC also provides superior game graphics with HD resolution and vibrant colors for an immersive gaming experience. The credit goes to the NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5 dedicated graphics card.

The PC also features the 10th Generation Intel® Core™ i3 10100 processor for faster performance and 8GB of DDR4-2666 SDRAM. Together, these specs help the system process massive amounts of data and assets that usually come with demanding games within seconds so that you can enjoy an uninterrupted gaming experience.

Another benefit of using this PC is you get a free Windows 11 update whenever available. This would be a fantastic add-on for players who always want to have the latest tech on the market. Beyond this, another benefit of using the HP Pavilion gaming PC is that it offers tons of storage.

The default system comes with 256 GB of PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive storage that helps the system operate 10x faster than regular gaming PCs. So, even if you have multiple tabs open with the game, it’ll run at the same speed.

Pros

• An affordable option for newbies
• Comes with the latest Windows 11 support
• Offers immersive multimedia entertainment with 4K visuals
• Comes with customizable LED lights

Cons

• Hard disk storage may not be enough for large games

8. Acer Nitro 50 — A Great Budget Gaming PC with a Solid Processor

Acer Nitro 50 is ideal for gamers looking for a decent gaming PC under $1000. Sure, it might have the mind-blowing specifications or performance that the other options on the list can offer, but it’s definitely a great catch for those on a budget.

Despite the affordable price, Acer Nitro 50 offers a beast of a processor. The Intel Core i5-12400F processor is a 6-core, 12-thread CPU known for efficient processing, power saving, and commendable longevity. Beyond this, the best part about this PC is its tiny size.

Measuring only 14×6 inches and weighing only 17 pounds, it’s easier to transport and set up. So, it’ll fit snuggly in smaller spaces, making it the perfect gaming system for LAN parties and small gaming desk setups. That said, the only thing that we didn’t like about the PC was the Nvidia GTX 1650 video card.

While other gaming devices are going for powerful video cards, Acer Nitro 50’s video card seems to be from the past, which isn’t the best for the system’s performance. However, on the brighter side, it doesn’t need too much power. In fact, the motherboard alone would be enough to suffice its energy requirements.

Pros

• Plenty of ports
• Comes with a USB mouse and keyboard
• Has the latest Windows 10 installed
• A modern-looking, red-oriented outlook

Cons

• The graphic card is outdated

9. Alienware Aurora R10 — Great for Running High-End Games 

The Alienware Aurora R10 gaming PC is regarded as one of the most powerful gaming systems one can buy. The best thing about this PC is its robust processor. Featuring the strong and efficient AMD Ryzen 9 processor, games on this system load at unfathomable speeds.

You never have to worry about the size of the game or its asset slowing down the system — this power-packed processor can handle almost all mid to high-range games.

On top of that, at a time when most PCs of this range offer 8 or 16 GB RAM, the Alienware Aurora R10 gaming PC boasts a whopping 32GB RAM, which further increases the processing and loading speed of your games.

For better performance, the PC also offers a 2TB boot drive capacity so that there’s sufficient free system memory for optimum functioning. Overall, the Alienware Aurora R10 is quite a catch, and we didn’t find many things to complain about during our testing.

However, we did find two minor shortcomings. First is the poor quality of the PC’s plastic body, which won’t be of much help against physical impact. And secondly, the cooling fans are too noisy. They’re efficient and help keep the system cool, but the noise they make in the process might interfere with the game’s audio.

But to make up for these minor hiccups, Alienware offers a one-year warranty on the hardware. If there’s any technical issue with the system, you’ll have a team of experts at your service.

Pros

• A different modern-looking design
• Comes with the latest Windows 11 installed
• A huge internal memory of 2 TB
• Can be purchased in a lower variant if you’re on a budget

Cons

• Not a budget PC option

10. Acer Predator Orion 7000 — Sleek Gaming PC with Multiple Cooling Options

Currently, the Acer Predator Orio 7000 PC is Acer’s best-selling gaming system. Since it’s a top-tier gaming PC, the price is naturally higher. But don’t worry, the features and performance make up for every cent.

Speaking of the design, the PC measures 19.9 x 19.1 x 8.6 inches and is quite heavy, making it suitable as a permanent desktop gaming set-up. Made with a combination of black plastic and metal, the PC brings in a classy look. Plus, you have the option to retain the plain aesthetics or switch to an RGB-lit look.

The first RGB-lit component you’ll see is the 5.5-inch cooling fans, which do an excellent job of preventing the system from overheating. For better cooling, two other fans are at the back, each measuring 4.7 inches and stacked one over the other.

If this doesn’t suffice, you can switch the top fan to a 9.45-inch one for faster cooling. That said, these fans are super quiet. But if you game for hours at a stretch and really heat the system or switch the fans to “Gaming Mode,” they can get quite loud.

That said, another benefit of using the Acer Predator Orio 7000 system is that it uses the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Graphics with 10GB of GDDR6X Video Memory. The more visual memory you have, the more resolution you’ll get for the game.

The minimum requirement for 4K rendering is 8 VRAM; in this system, you get 10 VRAM. This means all your games can easily be rendered in 4K resolution.

Pros

• Uses the liquid cooling technology
• A transparent, tool-less design
• Offers signal protection and multi-band compression
• Customizable ARGB LEDs with 16 million color options

Cons

• Not the best mouse and keyboard

11. Lenovo Legion Tower 5 — A Popular Gaming Setup with RGB Lighting and Expandable RAM

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5 gaming PC is one of the best models under $1000. While most regular PCs have the same old combination of a 4GB graphics card and a quad-core processor, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5 features 12th Generation Intel Core processors and NVIDIA 2nd Gen GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs. Together, they make your games operate at lightning speed and with crystal clear 1080p resolution.

For memory and storage, this PC has a killer combo of a hard drive and a solid-state drive, which guarantees extra storage capacity. While the hard drive will offer easier data recovery, the SSD will be quieter, faster, more durable, and more compact.

You might not be happy with the 16 GB RAM available in the default setup. But the good news is you can easily upgrade it later on.

Besides this, the case is see-through and gives you a clear view of the internal components, making it easier to look for external damage. You can also amp up the style quotient of your system by turning on the RGB lights available in the four internal zones.

Pros

• Customizable ARGB settings
• A high-performing 12 GB graphic card
• Fast frame rates at over 4K resolution
• RGB lights and liquid cooling

Cons

• On the heavier side

Best Gaming Computers Compared

The table below aims to highlight the differences between of our top picks so that you can make an informed decision on the one best suited to your needs and budget:

Should I Build a Custom or Pre-Built PC for Gaming?

When it comes to gaming, having a PC that can handle the demands of modern games is crucial. However, choosing between a pre-built or custom PC can take time and effort. Here, we’ll compare the important factors of pre-built and custom PCs and help you decide which is better for your gaming needs.

Overall, when deciding between a pre-built and custom PC, it’s all about personal preference. Those prioritizing convenience over selecting specific components should opt for pre-built systems, while those who want more control over the hardware should consider custom-built PCs.

It’s helpful to have a general idea of what you’re looking for, such as your preferred CPU and GPU, to ensure you get the right PC for your needs. If you want more customization options and the ability to upgrade your hardware in the future, a custom-built PC from a reputable company may be worth considering.

How to Choose the Best Gaming PC for You 

If you’re looking to buy a gaming PC, several important factors must be considered to ensure you get the best possible experience. Here are five things to keep in mind when making your decision.

Processor

The processor is the most crucial component when selecting a gaming PC since it determines the computer’s performance. One should consider the core count when choosing a processor, with a range of 4-16 cores suitable for most applications.

Choosing a CPU with fewer than four cores may cause modern games and software issues. Six-core processors are a good choice, with 10th and 11th-generation Intel i5 or i7 CPUs being great options. A 12th-generation CPU is the best choice for future-proofing the computer, but it might be challenging to find.

Regarding AMD CPUs, the Ryzen 5 5600X is a solid option, while the Ryzen 9 5900X, a 12-core CPU, is ideal for those who do more than gaming, such as streaming. That said, a 16-core AMD CPU like the Ryzen 9 5950X is perfect if your game streams simultaneously.

Case Aesthetics and Design

Although the components inside a PC are generally considered more important than the case, it’s still worth considering the case’s design and aesthetics, particularly its size. Small cases are great for gamers with limited desk space as they take up less room. However, one drawback of small instances is that they can get hot due to the limited space for air to circulate, resulting in higher internal and component temperatures.

Midsize towers are the most versatile as they can be placed on or under a desk alongside your gaming chair and usually provide adequate airflow for most PC components. Large PC cases are pricier but offer excellent airflow, making them ideal for custom builds since they’re easier to work in.

Consider the size of the case, as well as the design and aesthetics. Do you want a case with RGB lighting? Do you want a compact or larger case with more room for expansion? Think about your preferences and choose a case that matches your style.

GPU – The Prime Factor

The GPU, also known as the graphics card, is a critical component that determines the quality of your gaming experience. The two major manufacturers of GPUs are Nvidia and AMD. Regarding GPUs, the middle number of a higher generation typically indicates better performance.

For instance, the RTC 3080 outperforms the 3060. If you’re okay with older generations, the AMD RX 570 and the Nvidia 1650 are excellent performers that won’t break the bank. Be sure to check the VRAM of the graphics card you’re considering. Although a minimum of 3 GB is required for modern games, it’s preferable to start with 4 GB.

Nvidia GPUs provide better support for ray tracing and include more productivity features than AMD GPUs. Select a GPU with at least 4 GB of VRAM and a high clock speed for the best performance. Furthermore, consider the resolution at which you’ll be gaming. A mid-range GPU is suitable for 1080p gaming, but a high-end GPU is required for higher resolutions such as 1440p or 4K.

Memory and Storage

Memory and storage are important components to consider when building or buying a gaming PC. For memory, it’s recommended to have at least 8 GB of RAM. But for optimal performance, it’s better to have 16 GB of fast RAM with speeds over 3200MHz, especially for an AMD system. If you plan on using your PC for more than gaming, consider getting 32 GB of RAM, although it may be unnecessary for most games.

When it comes to storage, Solid State Drives (SSDs) are the better option as they’re faster than mechanical drives due to the absence of moving disks. SSDs are becoming more affordable and are a must-have for the fast performance they provide. For SSDs, at least 500 GB of storage is recommended, and if you need more space, upgrading to 1 TB is a good option. For mechanical drives, starting at 2 TB is ideal.

Cost

Regarding the cost of building a gaming PC, the options are vast. Depending on your budget and preferences, you could spend as little as $500 for a budget gaming PC or as much as $5,000 for a high-end setup.

Investing in top-quality components can increase the lifespan of your gaming PC, so if you can afford it, it’s a wise choice to go for pricier components. However, if your budget is limited, there are still plenty of options available to build or buy a good gaming PC that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

Gaming PC FAQs