This is why I’ve curated a list of the best gaming PCs for every budget, you can find today. Let’s dive in.
1. Alienware Aurora R10 – Best AMD gaming PC build under $4000
The Aurora Ryzen series has been a huge hit with fans. Once you get your hands on one of these beasts, it’s easy to see why. The Aurora R10 uses the coveted combination of an AMD CPU and Nvidia GPU to deliver power-packed performances. This particular rig utilizes an AMD Ryzen 9 5900 and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080. There’s also 32GB RAM onboard, with a 1TB SSD. Looking at these specs, you’re clearly not going to have any issues playing the latest games at the highest resolutions, even with all the bells and whistles turned on. Moreover, the processor and GPU combination will ensure that you can use Nvidia-specific options such as DLSS and Ray Tracing in the latest games. The case looks similar to the newer R12 edition, so there’s not much to pick on in this category. Unfortunately, it seems like the noise issues that plague the R12 also exist in this build. The case is also a dust magnet, so you’ll have to take persistent care to make sure that the frame isn’t dirty.
AMD + Nvidia combo Latest hardware Satisfactory build quality
Persistent noise issues Dust magnet
2. CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme – Best budget gaming PC
When we talk of budget gaming PCs, it can be slightly difficult to define the budget itself. However, I believe that in today’s gaming scenario, you’ll need at least $1000 to have a good gaming setup. This is where the Gamer Xtreme PC comes into play. The rig consists of an Intel Core i5 – 11400F, 8GB DDR4 RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060, and a 500GB SSD. With these specs, you can aim for 1440p gaming at High to Ultra settings, depending on the game’s optimization. The frame that the hardware comes in is fairly standard. It’s got a transparent side panel that lets you see and play with the RGB lighting options. The power button and ports are situated at the top of the front panel. My only caveat with this gaming PC is that 8GB of DDR4 RAM may not be enough for gaming at the end of 2022. I’d recommend you install another 8GB DDR4 RAM stick for that dual-channel goodness.
Good hardware at this price Build quality is good Case design is elegant
8GB RAM won’t be enough in the long run
3. MSI Trident 3 – Best console style gaming PC
What about a gaming PC that looks like a console and would sit pretty in your living room? Except that it would be much more powerful than the consoles you can find today? The MSI Trident 3 is what you might be looking for. The build and frame of this gaming PC are actually smaller than that of a PS5. This means that you can easily slot this into your living room’s media center. While the MSI Trident 3 comes in many configurations, this particular configuration is monstrous. Inside, you’ll find an Intel Core i9 – 11900F, 64GB DDR4 RAM, a 1TB SSD + 2TB HDD combo, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 with 12GB of VRAM. If you use a 1080p TV for gaming, you’ll be more than fine with this beast of a computer. You might have to tweak a few settings, but I’m sure you’ll be set for gaming in 4K resolutions as well. I wish they had installed at least an RTX 3070 instead of an RTX 3060 though. The RTX 3060 is more of an entry-level card in the RTX 30 series, and the Intel Core i9 would be better off with a higher-end GPU.
Can fit nicely into a home media center Smaller form factor Decent hardware for 1080p and 1440p gaming
At this price, RTX 3070 or better is expected
4. Dell XPS 8940 – Best gaming PC under $1500
The Dell XPS 8940 doesn’t look like a gaming computer. In fact, if anybody saw this PC at your home, they’d assume that it was meant purely for work. Don’t let the sleek, minimalist design fool you. This gaming PC still has amazing hardware to contend with, especially in the mid-range gaming PC segment. Under the hood, you’ll find an Intel Core i7 – 10700, 16GB DDR4 RAM, a 1TB HDD, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660Ti with 6GB VRAM. While this isn’t the latest in terms of specs, you’ll have to bear in mind that this PC is meant to be used mostly as a workstation. However, the specs are good enough for heavy gaming at 1080p. Moreover, the case has plenty of USB ports and even an optical disk drive. My only gripe with this PC is that they’ve provided an Nvidia GeForce 1660Ti as the GPU. While this is a good card, it’s not capable of DLSS. They could have added an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 instead.
Elegant and minimalist design scheme Can be used as a workstation Hardware is good for 1080p gaming
RTX 2060 would’ve been better than GTX 1660Ti
5. iBUYPOWER Pro TraceMR 234i – Best under $3000 gaming PC
If money is no object for you, and you don’t care much about the bigger brand names, the TraceMR 234i is possibly the beefiest gaming rig you can find right now. This gaming PC has the latest hardware. It’s equipped with an Intel Core i7 – 12700KF, which is unlocked for overclocking. In addition to this, there’s 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD, and most importantly, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080Ti. I don’t need to tell you that with these specs, gaming with 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions will be an absolute breeze. Regardless of whichever game you’re playing, you’ll be able to play the most graphically intense games without a hitch. The case framing looks solid as well, with mostly transparent sides for a good RBG light show. It doesn’t seem to go overboard with the “typical” gaming computer look and maintains a certain elegance. I wish that they had added 32GB of RAM though, instead of 16GB. While 16GB RAM is more than enough for gaming this year, you will have to upgrade the RAM later on, especially if you want to play games at 4K resolutions.
Monstrous hardware specifications Perfect for 1080p, 1440p, 4K resolution gaming Good case design Build quality is solid
Compared to the rest of the hardware, 16GB RAM feels underwhelming
6. ZOTAC Magnus One – Best mini-PC for gaming
Let’s say that you don’t like the bulky looks of most gaming computers these days. You want something a bit smaller and unassuming. For this, I present to you the ZOTAC Magnus One. This gaming PC comes in a few configurations. This particular version supplies you with an Intel Core i5 – 10400, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB HDD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 with 12GB of VRAM. The biggest selling point of this computer is that its size makes it highly portable when compared to other gaming PCs. While I wouldn’t recommend you to carry it around every day, you can take this PC along with you whenever you’re out traveling or enjoying your next workcation. You’ll find more expensive variants of mini gaming PCs with better processors or GPUs. But for this entry, I’ve kept it to this gaming PC as it’s more economical, and you can always use it as a secondary PC. With this size, a few corners have been cut. This is a caveat of this PC, as you’ll find it difficult to replace your motherboard or PSU (Power Supply Unit) in case of an emergency.
Size is good for portability Elegant design Hardware is excellent for gaming up to 1440p A more economical choice for a mini gaming PC
Motherboard or PSU will be difficult to replace
7. Corsair Vengeance a7200 – Best gaming computer for streaming
Streaming is an intense process. Not only does the computer have to run demanding games, but it also has to capture what’s happening on the screen without skipping a beat. For this reason, PCs for streamers tend to be expensive. The Corsair Vengeance a7200 is a perfect gaming computer for streamers. The PC features an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU, 16GB DDR4 RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070, and a 1TB HDD. The computer also uses Corsair’s iCUE software for customizing the lighting on the case. There are customized fans and a liquid cooling system as well, to keep the temperatures in check during intense gaming sessions. However, despite the bulky frame providing plenty of space, I didn’t like the fact that the manufacturers have locked the motherboard. This makes it difficult to replace in case of a mishap.
Great hardware specifications Corsair’s iCUE software for complete control over customization Patented liquid cooling system
Bulky frame Motherboard is locked and will be difficult to replace
What to look for when buying a gaming computer?
There are a lot of factors that you have to consider when you invest in a gaming PC. Think about the following factors to get the best out of your gaming rig, and to make it future-proof.
Budget
If you’re a casual gamer who enjoys light gaming sessions, and a few popular online titles, I wouldn’t recommend spending more than $1500 for your gaming PC. Anything more than that could be overkill, especially considering the fact that you aren’t streaming or playing on 4K resolutions. A budget higher than $1500 would be for more serious gamers who know exactly what they want in their gaming PCs. From the hardware to the software, they want to have complete control over their purchase.
Priority buys
Which GPU or processor you buy also depends slightly on the monitor that you’re gaming on. An Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 is more than enough for your 1080p and 1440p gaming needs. The same goes for a higher-end Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 series. In the long run, if you don’t plan to upgrade your system and aren’t comfortable with the idea, you should go for 32GB DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. This will ensure that you’ve got enough space and memory for all the latest games, and your work. If you would like to have more of an involvement in your gaming rig, opt for PCs that offer just the processor, GPU, and PSU. Everything else, including the operating system, RAM, and hard disk drive will have to be added by you, according to your specifications.
Future-proof
Every gaming PC is an investment. You’ll have to make sure that whatever you spend your money on will last you for at least the next 5 years. There’s no point spending less money on a rig, only to find out that it’s stopped playing games at High to Ultra settings after a year of usage. You must also look for gaming PCs that offer room for upgrades. This includes everything – from something as basic as the HDD/SSD and RAM, to something more complex like the motherboard. There are systems that offer upgradeability without tools as well. In these cases, most of the PC’s hardware is locked in without the usual screws, nuts, and bolts. You can remove parts by hand, and lock in new parts just as easily. This ease of use is absolutely necessary for your gaming computer in 2022. Pre-built is the way to go! Assembling your own rig is going to be a difficult task this year. There’s no doubt now that you’re better off with pre-built gaming PCs. In this list, I’ve tried to include the best gaming PCs in 2022, considering possible budgets and tastes. What do you prefer though? Do you have a pre-built gaming rig or do you prefer assembling your gaming rig by yourself? Whichever the case may be, tell me about your experience in the comments below. Read more:
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