by Aiden May 13,2025
If building your own gaming rig feels like too much hassle or simply isn't on your to-do list right now, consider opting for one of the best pre-built gaming PCs. While you might miss out on the pride of assembling your own machine from scratch, the time you save—skipping research, waiting for parts, and troubleshooting—can be better spent enjoying the best PC games.
Gone are the days of half-baked pre-built systems. Today's offerings cut fewer corners, providing durable, high-performance gaming PCs equipped with the latest and greatest graphics cards and processors. These can sometimes be more cost-effective than building your own, especially with rising component prices. Brands like Alienware, MSI, and HP offer excellent pre-built options, and many are designed with future upgrades in mind, like 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 a bit more complex than picking up a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S. It's crucial to consider the types of games you'll play and your desired performance level. Budget gaming PCs won't run demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 at the highest settings. Manufacturers often handle component compatibility, reducing the risk of bottlenecks, but understanding the right mix of processors, storage, memory, and cooling remains key.
The recent launch of Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs, announced at CES 2025, means that many pre-built PCs on our list will soon be available with these cutting-edge graphics cards. Additionally, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is set to launch in March 2025, promising even more options for high-performance gaming.
Whether you're after an affordable setup for indie games, a compact solution for your studio apartment, or a top-tier rig for 4K gaming, we've got you covered. One of our selected pre-built gaming PCs will meet your needs—click here to explore options available 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 offers powerful hardware and easy upgradeability, making it a top choice for gamers. See it at Lenovo.
**Product Specifications:**
**Pros:**
**Cons:**
Pre-built gaming PCs have historically struggled with proprietary hardware, but the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i breaks away from this trend. It uses standard industry components, making upgrades straightforward. While it may come with basic memory and motherboard, these can be easily replaced with better components, offering an entry point into customizing your system without the intimidation of a full build.
The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i stands out for its competitive pricing, offering high-end performance at a more affordable rate than similar systems from HP or Alienware. For gamers seeking a solid and customizable gaming experience, this pre-built PC is an excellent choice.
### HP Omen 45L
11The HP Omen 45L excels in performance and upgradeability, powered by an Intel Core i9 CPU and Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU. See it at HP.
**Product Specifications:**
**Pros:**
**Cons:**
The HP Omen 45L represents a significant shift in pre-built gaming PCs, moving away from proprietary cases to more open and upgradable designs. Its spacious case can support custom water cooling and large GPUs like the RTX 4090, making it an ideal choice for gamers looking to expand their system over time. Even the entry-level model, with its 512GB SSD and RTX 4060 Ti, is highly upgradable.
Starting at $2060, the HP Omen 45L offers premium performance with an Intel Core i7-14700K, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. While the initial cost is high, the quality of the case and the ease of future upgrades make it a worthwhile investment for gamers committed to long-term performance.
### iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop
8The iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop offers affordable performance for 1080p gaming, complete with high-bandwidth DDR5 RAM. See it at Amazon. See it at Best Buy.
**Product Specifications:**
**Pros:**
**Cons:**
The iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop proves that budget-friendly gaming PCs don't have to compromise on performance. With a 14th-generation Intel Core i7 and Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti, it's well-equipped for 1080p gaming and even capable of handling 1440p in non-ray-traced titles. Its 32GB of DDR5 RAM supports multitasking and game streaming, and a 1TB SSD ensures quick game loads.
Despite its budget-friendly nature, the system includes effective cooling with mesh panels and ARGB fans. It's also easy to upgrade, making it future-proof with the upcoming Nvidia RTX 5000 series and 15th gen Intel processors. At under $1,500, this gaming PC offers excellent value, especially with the included gaming keyboard and mouse.
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
### Alienware Aurora R16
5The Alienware Aurora R16 boasts powerful processors, robust cooling, and 32GB RAM for high frame rates in 4K. See it at Dell.
**Product Specifications:**
**Pros:**
**Cons:**
For gamers with a substantial budget, the Alienware Aurora R16 packs top-tier hardware in a more mainstream design. It features an Intel Core i9-14900KF and Nvidia RTX 4080 Super, ideal for 4K gaming and intensive tasks like video encoding. The system is equipped with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB NVMe SSD for rapid multitasking and game loading.
The Aurora R16's case is optimized for airflow with powerful fans and a 240mm liquid CPU cooler, ensuring whisper-quiet operation even under heavy loads. This high-end PC is perfect for gamers seeking the latest and greatest hardware without compromising on performance.
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### Asus ROG NUC
2The Asus ROG NUC is a compact powerhouse, equipped with a mobile-class RTX 4070 for solid 1080p gaming performance. See it at Amazon.
**Product Specifications:**
**Pros:**
**Cons:**
Choosing a mini gaming PC like the Asus ROG NUC involves balancing size and performance. Despite its compact size, the ROG NUC packs a mobile-class RTX 4070 and an Intel Core Ultra 9, delivering impressive 1080p gaming performance. It's perfect for a home theater setup, offering instant access to your media library while also capable of running PC games.
While it may not handle demanding games at higher resolutions, the Asus ROG NUC is an excellent choice for gamers who prioritize space-saving without sacrificing too much performance.
Purchasing a pre-built gaming PC can save time and hassle worldwide. Many options on our list are available for purchase and shipping to the UK, with Newegg offering excellent pre-builds at competitive prices. This ensures you can get a high-quality gaming PC without worrying about additional costs or delays.
### Best Mini Gaming PC MSI MEG Trident X2
0See it at Newegg
Pre-built gaming PCs are a convenient and often cost-effective way to enter the gaming world. They save time on component selection and assembly, ensuring your system works right out of the box. When choosing a pre-built PC, prioritize the graphics card to match 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 is adequate. Be cautious with system memory and storage, as these can be upgraded later if you start with a basic configuration. For more control over your build, consider boutique PC builders like Origin or Maingear, who allow you to specify components.
If the process seems overwhelming, services like NZXT's BLD or iBuyPower's Easy Builder can simplify the decision by recommending configurations based on the games you play and your budget.
Pre-built PCs often come with additional features like overclocking support and system monitoring software, enhancing your gaming experience.
Unless you need a portable solution, a gaming PC usually outperforms gaming laptops. Desktops are easier and cheaper to upgrade, offering longevity before becoming obsolete. For more details, see our guide on gaming PCs vs. gaming laptops.
Modern pre-built PCs have moved away from proprietary parts, using standard components that are easy to upgrade. Most systems allow you to swap out CPUs, GPUs, RAM, and storage with basic tools, and some even offer tool-less upgrades for added convenience.
While consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are user-friendly and cheaper, gaming PCs offer a larger game library, better peripherals, and superior upgradeability and performance. For more information, see our comparison of gaming PC vs. console.
Yes, it's possible to find a capable gaming PC for under $1,000, though performance may be limited to 1080p or 1440p gaming at respectable frame rates. Budget-friendly PCs can still handle many games well, offering significant savings.
Building your own gaming PC allows for customization and potential cost savings, but it requires knowledge and research. If you're not set on specific components and want a hassle-free solution, a pre-built PC offers professional assembly and warranty assurance.
Once you've secured your gaming PC, don't forget to equip it with the best gaming accessories for an ultimate PC battle station.
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