A few years ago, buying a prebuilt gaming PC would have been scoffed at by die-hard enthusiasts; but these days with the inflation and the ever-rising cost of PC components, a current-gen prebuilt gaming PC is starting to look more and more appealing.
While custom-built PCs are still cheaper and more modular, prebuilt gaming PCs come with their own advantages, like how they’re more beginner-friendly.
In any case, if you’re looking to buy a prebuilt gaming PC, you’re more likely a beginner to the hobby and might be thus confused as to which ones are the best. So here’s a juicy recommendation for current-gen prebuilt gaming PC models to get you started in PC gaming.
By current-gen, we’re referring to the following specs:
- 13th-gen Intel CPU (iX-13XXX) or AMD Ryzen 7000-series CPU (Ryzen X 7XXX)
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4000-series or AMD Radeon RX 7000-series
- DDR5 RAM
Also, do note that monitors, mice and keyboards, and other peripherals typically aren’t part of the package unless the brand specifies otherwise or declares some freebies.
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CyberPowerPC - Gamer Master Gaming Desktop
PROS
- AM5 platform, good for future-proofing
- Stylish white PC case
- Comes with five fans
- Reasonable price
- Best value
- Free mouse and keyboard (depending on availability)
CONS
- Unsightly GPU power cable
- Black interior with poor contrast and blending
- Stock CPU cooler
Specs:
- CPU / Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
- GPU / Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti
- RAM / Memory: 16 GB DDR5 4800 MHz
- Storage: 1TB SSD
If you can forgive that try-hard gamer naming scheme, you’ll find a compelling setup in this prebuilt gaming PC. We chose AM5 as a socket and platform because it’s new and will remain relevant for a long time while Intel’s current-gen LGA 1700 is an outgoing socket.
That means this PC has good upgrade potential. Meanwhile, the GPU is an RTX 4070 Ti despite the community’s current displeasure with NVIDIA’s aggressive pricing; DLSS 3.0 and the new ray tracing tech are just hard to beat right now. With this combination, you’re looking at an overkill 1440p machine or a good 4K rig all for under $2,000.
CyberPowerPC - Gamer Master Gaming Desktop
CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC
PROS
- Beautiful case
- Top-end Intel i9 CPU
- Comes with a liquid cooler
- Side-mounted GPU for aesthetics
- Lots of fans, RGB fans
- Free mouse and keyboard (depending on availability)
CONS
- Outgoing Intel platform, not great for upgrade potential
- Pricey
- GPU power cable could be better
Specs:
- CPU / Processor: Intel Core i9-13900KF
- GPU / Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti
- RAM / Memory: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD
The specs are similar to the best overall pick, but this one comes with a more robust CPU which won’t really matter much past 1440p. It’s thus more expensive, owing to the Intel brand, but the real show-stealer here is the case. It’s one of those trendy aquarium-style cases for gaming PCs like the Hyte Y60.
CyberpowerPC was even kind enough to build the GPU with a side mount and include a liquid CPU cooler (as they should since it’s an i9). You’ll also find no shortage of fans for optimal cooling and the motherboard is impressive for a prebuilt gaming PC. Whether the style and the added goodies are worth the price premium is up to you.
CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC
Corsair - VENGEANCE a7300 Gaming Desktop
PROS
- Minimalist and shrouded build
- Gorgeous cable management and component blending
- Pretty PC overall
- Comes with lots of RGB fans
- RTX 4090 is reference design, meaning it's tough
- Components are reputable and give confidence
- Uses the Corsair 4000D Airflow case, good ventilation
- Generous RAM with high speed
- AM5 platform, good for future-proofing
- Top-end CPU and GPU
- Black PSU cables
CONS
- Expensive
Specs:
- CPU / Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- GPU / Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
- RAM / Memory: 64GB DDR5 5600 MHz
- Storage: 2TB SSD
Here’s a more familiar brand to quell your skepticism. Corsair is quite reputable for its supposedly high-quality gaming products. The Corsair Vengeance a7300 is a subtle beauty, mostly thanks to Corsair’s mixing of its own components starting with the 4000D Airflow case.
The Ryzen 9 7900X also came equipped with a Corsair liquid cooler while the RTX 4090 appears to be of reference design. Meanwhile, the generous amount of RAM is also Corsair while the motherboard is a reputable model from MSI. As an added bonus, they were thoughtful enough to use black PSU cables instead of those mustard and ketchup eyesores.
Overall, it’s a pretty minimalist build that would impress even the most diehard enthusiasts.
Corsair - VENGEANCE a7300 Gaming Desktop
CyberPowerPC - Gamer Supreme Gaming Desktop
PROS
- Ryzen 9 CPU
- Reasonably-priced
- Minimalist monochrome setup
- Lots of RGB fans
- Free mouse and keyboard (depends on availability)
- Neat cable management
- Beefy components
- AM5 platform, good for future-proofing
CONS
- Can't keep up with ray tracing against NVIDIA
- Likely sacrificed a bit of ventilation for aesthetics
Specs:
- CPU / Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- GPU / Graphics Card: AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT
- RAM / Memory: 16 GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB SSD
This PC build is more than a budget-oriented setup– it’s also a statement for some, one that announces disdain for NVIDIA and Intel’s monopolistic transgressions to the PC community. And you know what? It still competes well with higher-priced prebuilt PCs (until you enable ray tracing and DLSS).
This pure AMD machine will still run your games at 4K on ultra or be an overkill 1440p gaming rig. And the style is not too shabby, it’s a minimalist black-and-white setup with some rainbow fans on the side and good cable management.
CyberPowerPC - Gamer Supreme Gaming Desktop
Alienware - Aurora R15 Gaming Desktop
PROS
- Beautiful case
- Impressive cable management
- Dreamy lighting
- Comes with liquid cooling
- Tidy internals
- Surprisingly cool GPU temps
CONS
- High CPU temps
- Loud fans
- Questionable front intake and ventilation
- Expensive
Specs:
- CPU / Processor: Intel Core i7 13700KF
- GPU / Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
- RAM / Memory: 16GB DDR5 4800 MHz
- Storage: 1TB SSD
Sometimes you just have to let go of logic and thriftiness and treat yourself to a novel gift, like the Alienware Aurora R15. They’ve always been beautiful devices– considered the iMacs of gaming PCs due to the well, “alien” design.
This generation’s R15 is no exception. That case paired with the liquid cooling and dreamy Lunar Light makes it the star of any room. All this comes at a premium and some annoying restrictions were put in place by Dell such as the lack of CPU undervolting and the higher CPU temps along with the louder fans.
But again, for the looks and the brand, you’re still getting a solid deal.
Alienware - Aurora R15 Gaming Desktop
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Are prebuilt gaming PCs more expensive?
Yes. Some of those being sold by big brands tend to run a few hundred dollars more expensive compared to custom builds. -
Are prebuilt gaming PCs bad?
Not necessarily. They do their job and you get what you paid for and more. It's just that custom PCs are simply better due to their more versatile potential for upgrades and savings.