The Best Gaming PC of 2025: Top Prebuilt Desktops

If building your own gaming rig feels like too much work or isn't a priority right now, 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, featuring the latest and greatest graphics cards and processors. With prices for these components soaring, choosing a pre-built from brands like Alienware, MSI, or HP might even save you money. Plus, many of these systems are designed for easy upgrades, including our top pick, the spacious HP Omen 45L.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming PCs

Our Top Pick### Lenovo Legion 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 picking up 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 games like Cyberpunk 2077 at the highest settings. Ensuring that all components work well together is crucial to avoid bottlenecks, but many manufacturers now handle this for you.

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 any prebuilts with these new Nvidia graphics cards yet, expect most PCs on this list to offer versions with these GPUs or to 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 PC for your studio apartment, 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.*

Lenovo Legion Tower 7i – Photos

7 Images

1. Lenovo Legion Tower 7i

Best Gaming PC

Our Top Pick### Lenovo Legion Tower 7i

6The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i is packed with powerful hardware and is easy to upgrade. See it at Lenovo

**Product Specifications**

• **CPU**: Intel Core i9-14900KF
• **GPU**: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti – RTX 4080 Super
• **RAM**: Up to 32GB DDR5 @ 4,000MHz
• **Storage**: Up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD
• **Weight**: 37.48 lbs
• **Size**: 19.37 x 8.31 x 18.27 inches (H x W x D)

**Pros**

• Extremely solid performance for the money
• Easy to upgrade

**Cons**

• Ships with very basic memory and motherboard

Prebuilt gaming PCs used to be plagued by proprietary hardware, but the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i shows we've moved past those challenges. In the past, buying a gaming PC from Lenovo or Dell meant getting a powerful system at the time, but with limited upgrade options due to custom components. However, my review of the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i revealed it's a standard gaming PC, using industry-standard hardware in a straightforward mid-tower case. This makes it easy to fix or upgrade when new hardware becomes available. While it does have some typical prebuilt drawbacks, like basic memory and motherboard, these can be easily swapped out for better components when you're ready.

This PC not only performs well but also serves as an excellent entry point for customizing your own system. Upgrading one or two parts is much less daunting than building an entire system from scratch. The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i stands out due to its competitive pricing, offering a high-end experience at a lower cost than similar systems from HP or Alienware. If you're looking for a solid gaming experience without the flashiness, this is the prebuilt to get right now.

2. HP Omen 45L

Best Current-Gen PC

### HP Omen 45L

11Breeze through every task and game with an Intel Core i9 CPU, Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, and 16GB RAM, all kept cool by a robust cooling system. See it at HP

**Product Specifications**

• **CPU**: Intel Core i7-14700K – Intel Core i9-14900K
• **GPU**: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti – RTX 4090
• **RAM**: 16GB DDR5 – 64GB DDR5
• **Storage**: 512GB – 2TB SSD (System); 1TB – 2TB 7200 rpm hard disk (Secondary)
• **Weight**: 49.82 pounds
• **Size**: 8.03 x 18.5 x 21.85 inches (W x D x H)

**Pros**

• Great cooling system
• One of the best cases in a pre-built gaming PC

**Cons**

• It is VERY heavy. Team lifting definitely recommended.

For a long time, the best gaming PCs were hindered by proprietary cases that made upgrades difficult. HP, once a major offender, has transformed its Omen gaming PCs, and the HP Omen 45L is my favorite. Its spacious design supports custom water cooling loops and large graphics cards like the RTX 4090 without any issues. This makes it an excellent choice even at the entry-level, as upgrading components later is straightforward.

While the HP Omen 45L comes with a premium price tag, starting at $2060 before discounts, it's worth it for the quality of the case. The entry-level model includes an Intel Core i7-14700K, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, which can handle most AAA PC games effortlessly. For a more budget-friendly option, consider the HP Victus, though it has a less impressive chassis and a non-Ti RTX 4060.

The HP Omen 45L's case is so good that I've considered swapping my own PC case for it, a testament to its quality. It's a long-term investment, allowing you to upgrade and maintain your rig over the years, much like any PC gamer who builds their own system.

3. iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop

Best Budget Gaming PC

### iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop

8Affordable gaming PC with processors ready to handle 1080p gaming and high-bandwidth DDR5 RAM. See it at AmazonSee it at Best Buy

**Product Specifications**

• **CPU**: Intel Core i7-14700F
• **GPU**: Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti
• **RAM**: 32GB DDR5 5,600MHz
• **Storage**: 1TB SSD
• **Weight**: 35 pounds
• **Size**: 19.3" x 8.66" x 18.9"

**Pros**

• Ready to run games in 1080p at high frame rates
• Includes mouse and keyboard

**Cons**

• Not good for 4K gaming

The iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop proves that gaming PCs don't have to be expensive or outdated. It features the latest 14th-generation Intel Core i7 processor for speedy performance in everyday tasks and games. Paired with the best budget GPU, Nvidia’s RTX 4060 Ti, this rig can handle games at 1080p with high frame rates and even 1440p for non-ray-traced titles like Total War: Warhammer 3.

It's also suitable for 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 not as powerful as premium options, the case's mesh design and ARGB fans provide good airflow and cooling. iBuyPower makes upgrading easy, which is great with upcoming hardware like Nvidia’s RTX 5000 series and 15th gen Intel Arrow Lake processors.

For less than $1,500, the iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop offers great value, especially with the included gaming keyboard and mouse, perfect for those starting their gaming journey.

The Best Gaming PC Deals

• Lenovo Legion Tower 5 AMD Ryzen 7 7700 RTX 4070 Ti Super Gaming PC with 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD (Use Code: EXTRAFIVE)- $1,527.49
• Acer Predator Orion RTX 4070 Ti SUPER Gaming Desktop- $1,749.99
• HP OMEN 35L RTX 4060 Ti Gaming Desktop- $1,219.99
• Dell XPS Intel Core i7-14700 RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PC- $1,349.99
• Dell XPS Intel Core i7-14700 RTX 4060 Gaming PC- $1,099.99

4. Alienware Aurora R16

Best High-End Gaming PC

### 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**

• **CPU**: Intel Core i9-14900KF
• **GPU**: Nvidia RTX 4080 Super
• **RAM**: 32GB DDR5 5,600MHz
• **Storage**: 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD
• **Weight**: 33.9 pounds
• **Size**: 16.46" x 7.75" x 18.05"

**Pros**

• Wildly powerful processors
• Multitasking maven

**Cons**

• More mainstream design

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, the Aurora R15, but still includes plenty of RGB lighting. The case is designed for optimal airflow with powerful fans and a 240mm liquid CPU cooler, ensuring quiet operation despite the beefy components inside.

The Intel Core i9-14900KF processor and RTX 4080 Super graphics card provide ample power for high framerates at 4K and quick video encoding. With 32GB of DDR5 memory at 5,600 MHz, it's a multitasking beast, and the 2TB of high-speed NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD storage ensures lightning-fast game loads.

Asus ROG NUC – Photos

7 Images

5. Asus ROG NUC

Best Mini Gaming PC

### Asus ROG NUC

2The Asus ROG NUC is as mini as a gaming PC can get, yet it's equipped with a mobile-class RTX 4070. See it at Amazon

**Product Specifications**

• **CPU**: Intel Core Ultra 7 – Intel Core Ultra 9
• **GPU**: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 – Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (Mobile)
• **RAM**: 16GB – 32GB DDR5
• **Storage**: 512GB – 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD
• **Weight**: 5.73 pounds
• **Size**: 10.62 x 7.09 x 2.36 inches (W x D x H)

**Pros**

• The same size as a cable box
• Solid 1080p gaming performance

**Cons**

• Uses mobile-class hardware

Choosing a mini gaming PC often involves compromise. The Asus ROG NUC, while extremely small, uses mobile-class hardware like the RTX 4070 and Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, typically found in Ultrabooks. This setup is sufficient for 1080p gaming but may struggle at higher resolutions, especially with demanding games like Black Myth: Wukong.

Despite these limitations, the Asus ROG NUC impressed me with its 1080p performance, running games at max settings while maintaining 60 fps. Its compact size makes it an excellent home theater PC that can also play PC games. If you're comfortable tweaking graphics settings, it's a great companion for a 4K TV, offering instant access to your media library and gaming capabilities. However, similar performance can often be achieved with a gaming laptop.

Where to Get the Best Gaming PC in the UK

Getting a pre-built gaming PC can save time and hassle, no matter where you are. Many of the options on our list are available for purchase and shipping to the UK. For instance, Newegg ships several excellent pre-builds from the US to the UK at low costs, ensuring you won't have any issues.

### Best Mini Gaming PC MSI MEG Trident X2

0See it at Newegg

How to Choose a Gaming PC

Pre-built PCs are a surefire way to get into gaming and often the most cost-effective option. When buying a system, you're not just getting the hardware but also saving time on research and assembly. However, it's crucial to spend your money wisely.

First, prioritize the graphics card based on your gaming monitor or TV. An Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti is sufficient for 1080p gaming. For most modern games, an Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor with at least four cores should suffice.

Memory and storage can be significant expenses. If you're comfortable upgrading later, opt for the smallest capacities initially, as buying these components separately can be more cost-effective. Consider a barebones system if you want to save money, as they come with major hardware installed but lack storage, memory, and an operating system.

For more control over your build, consider boutique PC builders like Origin, Maingear, DigitalStorm, Falcon Northwest, or PC Specialist. They allow you to select specific components, ensuring professional assembly and cable management.

If the process seems overwhelming, NZXT's BLD service lets you choose games you play, and it suggests configurations for a smooth experience. Similarly, iBuyPower's Easy Builder service helps you select games and resolutions, then offers 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 easier.

Gaming PC FAQ

Should you buy a gaming PC or a gaming laptop?

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.

Is it easy to upgrade your prebuilt gaming PC?

When buying a pre-built desktop, consider how easy it will be to upgrade later. Most manufacturers now use standard components, making it easier to swap out CPUs, GPUs, RAM, and storage with just a few tools or a screwdriver. Systems with tool-less upgradability are even more convenient, using thumbscrews and tool-less SSD and hard drive caddies.

Should you buy a gaming PC or a console?

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.

Can you find a good gaming PC for under $1,000?

Yes, it's possible to find a great gaming PC for under $1,000, though you'll need to manage your expectations. These 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 could be worth it.

Should you build your own gaming PC?

Building your own gaming PC offers customization and potential cost savings. You can select components tailored to your needs and take advantage of sales. However, it requires some knowledge or willingness to learn, as there's a learning curve involved. If you're not particular about specifics, a pre-built PC can be less troublesome and comes with a professional build and warranty.

After securing your gaming PC, don't forget to enhance your setup with the best gaming accessories for the ultimate battle station.