The Best Gaming PC of 2025: Top Prebuilt Desktops

Building your own gaming rig might seem daunting, but thankfully, excellent pre-built gaming PCs offer a fantastic alternative. While you miss the DIY satisfaction, you gain valuable time—time better spent gaming! Forget the research, component waits, assembly, and troubleshooting; jump straight into the best PC games.

Gone are the days of subpar pre-built systems. Today's options deliver long-lasting performance, rivaling custom builds. With high-end graphics cards and processors commanding premium prices, pre-built PCs from brands like Alienware, MSI, or HP can even save you money. Most allow for future component upgrades, including our favorite, the spacious HP Omen 45L.

TL;DR – Top Gaming PCs

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Lenovo Legion Tower 7i
See it at Lenovo

HP Omen 45L
See it at HP

iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop
See it at AmazonSee it at Best Buy

Alienware Aurora R16
See it at Dell

Asus ROG NUC
See it at Amazon

Choosing a gaming PC is more involved than selecting a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S. Consider your gaming preferences and desired performance level; budget gaming PCs won't max out Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K. Careful component selection—processor, storage, memory, cooling—is crucial to avoid bottlenecks. Fortunately, many manufacturers handle this optimization for you.

Note: The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, launched at CES 2025, and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT (March 2025 release) will soon power many of these PCs or their updated versions.

Whether you need a budget-friendly system for indie games, a space-saving mini-PC, or a top-tier rig for 4K gaming, our five selections cater to diverse needs. Click here for UK options.

Contributions by Danielle Abraham and Georgie Peru

For additional savings, explore the best current gaming PC deals.

Lenovo Legion Tower 7i – Images

7 Images

1. Lenovo Legion Tower 7i

Best Gaming PC

The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i boasts incredibly powerful hardware and easy upgradeability. See it at Lenovo.

The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i exemplifies the evolution of pre-built PCs. Its standard components—a welcome change from proprietary parts—simplify repairs and upgrades. While Lenovo economizes on initial memory and motherboard choices, the standard sizing makes future improvements straightforward. This makes it not just a great gaming PC, but a stepping stone to PC customization. Upgrading individual parts is far more accessible than a complete build.

The Legion Tower 7i’s competitive pricing, significantly lower than similarly specced HP or Alienware systems, further solidifies its value. While lacking the flashy aesthetics of some competitors, it delivers a powerful gaming experience.

2. HP Omen 45L

Best Current-Gen PC

Experience seamless performance with the HP Omen 45L's Intel Core i9 CPU, Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, and 16GB RAM, all kept cool by a robust cooling system. See it at HP.

The HP Omen 45L stands out with its exceptional case design. Unlike many pre-built PCs with proprietary components, the Omen 45L utilizes a standard case, facilitating easy upgrades and even custom water cooling. Even the entry-level model, while featuring a smaller SSD and less powerful GPU, is easily upgradable. While pricey, starting at $2060, the superior case alone justifies the cost for long-term PC enthusiasts.

3. iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop

Best Budget Gaming PC

This affordable gaming PC delivers 1080p gaming performance with its powerful processor and high-bandwidth DDR5 RAM. See it at Amazon and Best Buy.

The iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop proves that budget-friendly doesn't mean compromised performance. Its 14th-gen Intel Core i7 processor and RTX 4060 Ti GPU provide excellent 1080p gaming, and even handle 1440p for less demanding titles. The inclusion of 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD further enhances its value. While not ideal for 4K gaming, its upgradeability makes it a future-proof option. The bundled keyboard and mouse add extra value for beginners.

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

Experience peak performance with the Alienware Aurora R16's powerful processors, impressive cooling, and 32GB RAM, ready for high frame rates in 4K. See it at Dell.

For those seeking top-tier performance and willing to invest accordingly, the Alienware Aurora R16 delivers. Its Intel Core i9-14900KF processor and RTX 4080 Super graphics card ensure smooth 4K gaming and effortless multitasking. The robust cooling system keeps temperatures under control, even under heavy load. The generous RAM and fast SSD storage further enhance the overall experience.

Asus ROG NUC – Images

7 Images

5. Asus ROG NUC

Best Mini Gaming PC

The Asus ROG NUC is surprisingly powerful for its compact size, featuring a mobile-class RTX 4070. See it at Amazon.

The Asus ROG NUC showcases the impressive power packed into a miniaturized form factor. While utilizing mobile-class components, it delivers surprisingly capable 1080p gaming performance. Its small footprint makes it ideal as a home theater PC, seamlessly blending media consumption and gaming. While not a replacement for a full-sized gaming PC, its compact size and functionality make it a unique option.

Where to Get the Best Gaming PC in the UK

Pre-built PCs offer convenience regardless of location. Many of the listed options ship to the UK, with sites like Newegg offering competitive pricing and shipping costs.

MSI MEG Trident X2
See it at Newegg

How to Choose a Gaming PC

Pre-built PCs provide convenience and often cost-effectiveness. Prioritize the graphics card based on your monitor's resolution (an RTX 3060 Ti suffices for 1080p), and choose a processor with at least four cores (Core i5 or Ryzen 5). Consider upgrading RAM and storage yourself for potential cost savings. Barebones systems offer a compromise, providing key hardware but lacking storage, memory, and an OS. Boutique builders offer custom configurations, while services like NZXT BLD and iBuyPower's Easy Builder simplify the selection process based on your gaming preferences.

Gaming PC FAQ

Should you buy a gaming PC or a gaming laptop?

Gaming PCs generally outperform laptops, offering easier and cheaper upgrades and longer lifespans.

Is it easy to upgrade your prebuilt gaming PC?

Modern pre-built PCs largely avoid proprietary parts, making upgrades (CPU, GPU, RAM, storage) relatively straightforward. Look for tool-less designs for even easier upgrades.

Should you buy a gaming PC or a console?

Gaming PCs offer a larger game library, greater peripheral compatibility, upgradeability, and superior performance, outweighing the ease of use and lower initial cost of consoles.

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

Yes, but expect limitations in performance, particularly with graphically demanding games at high settings.

Should you build your own gaming PC?

Building your own PC offers customization and potential cost savings but requires technical knowledge and time. Pre-built options offer convenience and warranty assurance.