What defines the ultimate gaming PC? It truly boils down to your personal preferences and budget. Whether you’re dreaming of a system that pushes every boundary for an unparalleled gaming experience, or you’re seeking an affordable setup to enjoy smooth frame rates in your favorite esports titles, we have a recommendation tailored for you.
Our top pick for the best gaming PC is the Acer Predator Orion 5000, lauded for its powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 Super and excellent value. For those prioritizing a compact setup, the Corsair One i500 stands out. If you’re working with a tighter budget, the Cyberpower Esports Essential is our go-to choice for an affordable gaming experience. Explore our comprehensive list below for more options across various price points, and don’t miss our sections covering additional tested PCs, guidance on choosing your perfect system, and answers to frequently asked questions about gaming PCs.
Our Top Gaming PC Picks for 2025:
- 1. Acer Predator Orion 5000 – Best overall
- 2. Cyberpower Esports Essential – Best for esports and 1080p gaming
- 3. Alienware Aurora – Best mid-range option
- 4. Corsair One i500 – The ultimate compact choice
- 5. NZXT Streaming Pro PC – Ideal for streaming
- 6. MSI MEG Trident X2 14th – The best for 4K gaming
- 7. Cyberpower PC Hyper Liquid – Top water-cooled system
- 8. Acer Predator Orion 7000 – Best RTX 5080 PC
Acer Predator Orion 5000: Best Overall Gaming PC
The Acer Predator Orion 5000 stands out as an exceptional gaming PC, striking a superb balance of powerful components at highly competitive price points. While some rival systems might boast a flashier aesthetic or more advanced features, the Orion 5000 delivers on core performance—complete with ample RGB lighting—for an attractive cost.
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7 14700F
- GPU / graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
- Motherboard: Acer micro-ATX B760
- RAM: 32GB (2 x 16GB) 4,500MHz DDR5
- Storage: 1TB SK Hynix PCIe 4.0 SSD
- Power supply: 800W LiteOn 80 Plus Gold
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Strong 1440p gaming performance
- Impressive 1080p gaming speeds
Cons:
- Basic motherboard
- Slightly slower DDR5 memory
- Limited RGB customization
Its 20-core Intel Core i7 14700F CPU is a powerhouse for both gaming and content creation, complemented by a generous 32GB of DDR5 RAM. The Nvidia RTX 4070 Super graphics card tore through our benchmark suite, showcasing an ideal component balance for a current-gen gaming PC.
In our tests, this machine ran Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with Ultra ray tracing settings at a smooth 71 frames per second, which nearly doubled to 114fps with DLSS 3 frame generation activated. It comfortably achieved an average of 72fps at 1440p in the same game, and effortlessly handled F1 2023 at Ultra High settings, delivering 75fps at 1440p and 102fps at 1080p. Our testing methodology for gaming PCs is detailed further in this guide.
This level of gaming prowess is typically found at a higher price point, but the Orion 5000 can often be found discounted, making its already reasonable cost even more appealing. While Acer has made some compromises—such as a basic micro-ATX motherboard, slower DDR5 RAM, and a blower-style cooler on the GPU—these are minor drawbacks for an otherwise robust mid-range gaming system offering excellent value.
Cyberpower Esports Essential: Best 1080p Gaming PC
Cyberpower PC offers an extensive array of gaming PC configurations, from budget-friendly to high-end. The Esports Essential, true to its name, provides solid mid-range performance, perfect for those seeking consistently fast frame rates at 1080p.
Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8700F
- GPU / graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
- Motherboard: Gigabyte B850 Gaming WiFi 6
- RAM: Up to 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 6,000MHz
- Storage: 1TB M.2 SSD
- Power supply: 600W 80 Plus Gold
- Case: CyberPower PC-branded Phanteks NV5s
- Warranty: Two-year limited hardware
Pros:
- Good balance of price and performance
- Plenty of upgrade potential
- Stylish case and build
Cons:
- Default configuration often includes only 1 x 16GB stick of RAM
Equipped with an Nvidia RTX 4060 and an eight-core AMD Ryzen 8000 CPU, this PC lays a very strong foundation for performance. Its CPU offers ample speed for a variety of tasks and can even be upgraded later to a more powerful gaming CPU. Similarly, the GPU provides access to modern Nvidia features like DLSS 3 frame generation, and its standard-sized case makes future upgrades straightforward. Keep in mind that the 600W power supply will accommodate graphics cards up to the RTX 5070 range, but not the very highest-end models.
Beyond its performance, this PC boasts a stunning aesthetic in its Cyberpower-branded Phanteks NV5s case. Its double glass panels offer an impressive view of the interior, illuminated by numerous RGB fans. At just over $1,100, it represents a fantastic purchase.
Alienware Aurora: Best Mid-Range Gaming PC
The latest Alienware Aurora gaming PC has many appealing qualities, including a fantastic case design that is both stylish and effective at keeping the system cool, all while maintaining a surprisingly compact footprint. It also operates impressively quietly, even when under heavy load.
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- GPU / graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
- Motherboard: Alienware 01CVX5 Intel Z890
- RAM: 32GB (2 x 16GB) Kingston Fury 6,400MT/s 44-40-40-80
- Storage: 1TB Micron OEM M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- Power Supply: Alienware 1,000W 80 Plus Platinum
- Case: HP Omen 40L
- Warranty: One-year parts and labor
- Dimensions: 7.75 x 18.05 x 16.46 inches / 197 x 458.4 x 418mm
- Weight: 33.89lb / 15.37kg
Pros:
- Superb GPU performance
- Attractive RGB lighting
- Small desktop footprint
- Easy-access interior
Cons:
- Limited storage space
- Could benefit from a better CPU
- Internal wiring can be less tidy
The configuration we tested, priced at $2,349.99, was powered by an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, offering excellent 1440p gaming performance and even stretching to 4K gaming in many titles. This powerful GPU is complemented by a generous 32GB of RAM.
However, the chosen CPU slightly hinders overall performance. Dell (Alienware’s parent company) currently partners exclusively with Intel for CPUs, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF used here was up to 13% slower compared to an RTX 5070 Ti paired with an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D. The modest 1TB SSD storage also feels a bit constrained for a machine in this price range.
Despite these points, it remains a strong gaming PC option. The CPU’s impact on performance diminishes at higher resolutions and graphics settings (where the GPU becomes the primary limiting factor), and it’s still a very capable processor for non-gaming tasks. Furthermore, Dell frequently offers discounts on its systems, making an already reasonably priced PC an even better deal if you can catch it on sale.
Corsair One i500: Best Mini Gaming PC
Corsair has truly surpassed expectations with the exquisite design of the super-compact One i500. With a minimal footprint of just 187 x 300mm, this machine is visually stunning, featuring elegant wooden panels accented by RGB lighting and impeccable build quality. Beneath its sophisticated exterior lies a serious gaming PC, boasting an Intel Core i9 14900K CPU and your choice of either an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super or RTX 4090 GPU. These specifications represent the pinnacle of current gaming hardware, and Corsair has ingeniously managed to water-cool both the CPU and GPU within this remarkably small case.
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i9 14900K
- GPU / graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super or RTX 4090
- Motherboard: MSI B760M Mortar WiFi
- RAM: 32GB (2 x 16GB) Corsair Vengeance 6,000MHz DDR5
- Storage: 2TB Samsung PM9A1 SSD
- Power supply: 1,000W Corsair SF1000L
- Warranty: Two years parts and labor return to base
Pros:
- Beautiful design and excellent build quality
- Incredibly small footprint
- Superb gaming performance
Cons:
- CPU can run hot under heavy load
- Very high price point
- Fans can be noisy during gaming
This mini PC unequivocally proves that you don’t need to sacrifice gaming performance to save desk space. We tested the RTX 4080 Super version, which comfortably ran Cyberpunk 2077 at 2,560 x 1,440 with Ultra ray tracing settings at a blistering 106 frames per second, thanks to Nvidia DLSS 3 frame generation technology. You can even enjoy F1 23 at 4K with Ultra High settings on this rig, averaging an impressive 94fps in our tests.
There are a couple of points to consider: The 120mm AIO cooler for the CPU struggles to allow the Core i9 14900K to reach its absolute peak boost speeds, though it still performs more than adequately for gaming. Additionally, the fans can generate noticeable noise when running games. Despite these minor issues, the Corsair One i500 is a phenomenal mini machine, delivering astounding gaming performance within its elegant, wood-paneled exterior.
NZXT Streaming Pro PC: Best Gaming PC for Streaming
While you don’t necessarily need the absolute bleeding edge of technology to be a successful streamer, it certainly provides a significant advantage. The NZXT Streaming Pro PC is engineered with this in mind, packing an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, which features eight capable and powerful cores. This makes it an outstanding CPU for simultaneously playing games and managing a live stream.
Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- GPU / graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080
- Motherboard: AMD B550
- RAM: 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 3,200MHz
- Storage: 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD
- Power supply: NZXT C750 750W 80 Plus Bronze
- Case: NZXT H510 Flow
- Warranty: Two years
Pros:
- Brilliant performance for streaming
- Numerous convenient connection options
Cons:
- Can be quite pricey
It also includes a top-tier graphics card, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080, which allows you to leverage advanced features such as Nvidia DLSS, NVENC encoding, and Nvidia Broadcast to elevate the quality and polish of your streams.
MSI MEG Trident X2 14th: Best 4K Gaming PC
While many gaming PCs can be configured with high-end hardware, the MSI MEG Trident X2 boasts the most powerful components we’ve tested in a PC to date. Its Intel Core i9-14900KF processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card position it as one of the fastest gaming PCs available at the time of review. You also benefit from a massive 64GB of RAM and a total of 4TB of storage, though the latter could be considered a slight drawback given the overall price; however, adding more storage later is simple.
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i9-14900KF
- GPU / graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 (24GB)
- RAM: 64GB DDR5 RAM
- Storage: 2TB SSD, 2TB hard drive
- Case: MSI Trident X2
- Warranty: One year parts and labor
Pros:
- Incredible gaming performance
- Convenient touchscreen on the front of the case
- Highly efficient cooling system
Cons:
- No glass panels or internal RGB lighting
- Touchscreen has limited practical uses
- Limited configuration options at checkout
The surprisingly compact case features an intriguing angular design but eschews glass or transparent panels. Instead, this gaming PC focuses on delivering immense performance through a clever and efficient cooling system that directs cool air to the GPU and utilizes just three other primary system fans. When set to Silent mode, the PC remains remarkably quiet. The integrated touchscreen allows for adjusting volume, controlling multimedia, and switching between Silent, Balanced, and Extreme cooling modes, though we found this addition to be only moderately useful.
Despite including a CPU and GPU alone valued at over $2,000, this PC is priced around $4,000, which offers decent value for the components provided. It consistently delivers over 150fps in most games at 1440p and comfortably surpasses 60fps at 4K even in the most demanding titles. This is the machine to acquire if you need the fastest system that will remain competitive for years to come.
Cyberpower PC Hyper Liquid: Best Water-Cooled Gaming PC
If your aim is to make a truly bold statement with your gaming PC, and budget is not a primary concern, then a custom water-cooled gaming PC is the way to go. The Cyberpower PC Hyper Liquid range is an exceptional choice for this. With a vast selection of custom options—from cases and CPUs to graphics cards and, of course, water-cooling components—you can have the Cyberpower team craft a stunning system tailored to your desires.
Specifications:
- CPU: Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K
- GPU / graphics card: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
- Motherboard: Intel: Z690, AMD: X570
- RAM: Up to 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5 6,400MHz
- Storage: Up to 4TB Samsung 990 Pro or 8TB WD SN850X SSD
- Power supply: Up to 1,350W
- Case: Lian Li O11 Dynamic Evo RGB
- Warranty: Three-year full-coverage
Pros:
- Powerful water cooling for optimal performance
- Stunning, customizable design
- Remarkably quiet operation
Cons:
- High price point
- Water cooling systems can be prone to shipping damage
These systems are available with Intel CPUs, and you can choose between AMD or Nvidia graphics cards, including options up to an RTX 5090. You also have the flexibility to opt for water cooling for just the CPU or for both the CPU and GPU.
While these systems come with a premium price tag, starting at just under $3,000, you receive an incredibly aesthetic system without the hassle of cutting, fitting, and leak-testing a water-cooling loop yourself. Additionally, Cyberpower provides a generous three-year full-coverage warranty, offering peace of mind for significantly longer than typically found with gaming PCs.
Acer Predator Orion 7000: Best RTX 5080 Gaming PC
The Acer Orion 7000 is a high-quality gaming PC featuring a robust chassis, a tidy interior, and a sleek design. Acer has expertly balanced airflow and cooling, resulting in a system that runs quietly and avoids overheating. This PC might appear as a massive, glowing monolith, but it combines attractive aesthetics with solid construction.
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- GPU / graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080
- Motherboard: Acer Predator PO7-660 Z890
- RAM: 32GB (2 x 16GB) Adata 6,000MT/s DDR5 40-40-40-76
- Storage: 2TB SK Hynix OEM PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD
- Power supply: Acer Predator 1,200W
- Warranty: One-year parts and labor carry-in
- Dimensions: 8.62 x 18.05 x 19.88 inches / 219 x 505 x 485mm
- Weight: 35.62lb / 16.16kg
Pros:
- Strong gaming performance
- Thoughtful case and cooling design
- Well-built with a clean interior
Cons:
- High price point
- Better gaming CPUs are available from competitors
- Large physical footprint
Its specifications are equally impressive, featuring a powerful GPU capable of delivering reliable 4K gaming. The memory configuration is solid, and you get ample storage space. The inclusion of a very powerful AIO CPU cooler is a welcome sight, and the 1,200W PSU provides significant headroom for future upgrades to even more powerful graphics cards.
However, two main issues are worth noting: The CPU choice, while fine for an all-purpose PC geared towards productivity, isn’t the absolute best for gaming compared to current AMD options. The other factor is the price, which is notably higher than similar-spec PCs from brands like Alienware or independent system builders. Crucially, these systems are often discounted. For example, at the time of writing, this PC is significantly reduced on Acer’s store, making it a truly competitive option at that price.
Also Tested: Other Gaming PC Reviews
We’ve also put a spotlight on other notable gaming PCs, including the HP Omen 40L. With its suitably striking look, this dark and moody PC, featuring eerily glowing RGB rings on the front, packs a serious performance punch. Available in a wide range of specifications, it consistently delivers reliable performance from its compact, stylish chassis. While it might not be the most flashy or customizable option, these systems are frequently available with substantial discounts, making them well worth considering.
How to Choose the Best Gaming PC
Before diving into a new gaming PC, you might first consider two key questions: whether to opt for a console or a gaming PC (we naturally lean towards PC!), and then whether to build a PC yourself or purchase one of the pre-built systems highlighted in this guide.
Building a PC is surprisingly accessible, and many resources can guide you through the process step-by-step. However, it undeniable requires extra time and effort, and there’s a slight risk of incompatible components or accidental damage. Conversely, buying a pre-built PC offers the reassurance of a system that’s ready to go, often with a warranty typically ranging from one to three years. You generally pay a small premium for this convenience, usually around 5-10% more than purchasing components separately.
Once you’ve made those initial decisions, your next choice is between a custom-built system and a completely off-the-shelf model. Custom-built systems allow you to meticulously select your components, ensuring you get precisely the style and performance you desire. Many companies offer extensive customization options, letting you choose almost every part of your build.
The drawback of custom builds is a slightly higher cost, a potential wait of several weeks for assembly, and the possibility of selecting unbalanced components. Off-the-shelf options, however, often come with significant discounts (especially on slightly older models) and can typically be delivered within a few days or even next day.
Next, consider whether you prefer a traditional large PC tower or a very compact system. Options like the Corsair One i500 deliver stunning looks and powerful performance within a tiny footprint. However, upgrading such systems later can be more challenging compared to traditional case designs like those found in the Cyberpower Esports Essentials or Acer Predator Orion 5000. Meanwhile, mini gaming PCs, some hardly larger than a hardback book, are extremely restricted in their upgradeability but offer incredible space-saving benefits.
Finally, we come to the specifics of choosing a gaming PC: finding the right components for your budget and needs. For gaming, the graphics card (GPU) is the most critical component. Many more affordable and older gaming PCs can still deliver playable frame rates (60fps or higher) at 1080p in older or less graphically demanding games. Even some integrated graphics solutions (GPUs built directly into CPUs) can be powerful enough, meaning you might avoid needing a dedicated graphics card entirely, securing a PC for well under $600.
However, if you aim to maximize detail in the latest games and play at 1440p or higher resolutions, a modern, powerful graphics card is essential. We recommend an Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti 16GB or AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT or above to achieve high frame rates at 1080p in most games and playable frame rates in less demanding titles at 1440p.
For consistently high frame rates in modern games at 1440p, expect to invest significantly more in a graphics card alone and around $1,200 – $1,500 for a complete PC. The Nvidia RTX 5070 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 are top choices in this price bracket. If 4K gaming is your goal, you’ll be looking at PCs over $2,000, featuring cards such as the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, Nvidia RTX 5080, or RTX 5090.
Gaming PC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Console or gaming PC?
Modern game consoles and gaming PCs are increasingly similar in their core gaming experience. If you primarily play controller-based games rather than using a mouse and keyboard, a console might be the more affordable option initially, though console games often carry a higher price tag.
However, the sheer volume of games accessible easily and affordably on PC far surpasses what’s available on consoles. Moreover, if you value the ability to use your gaming PC for other tasks like web browsing, video watching, work, and much more, then a gaming PC is an excellent choice. They are incredibly powerful and endlessly versatile, especially if you select one that allows for easy upgrades.
Furthermore, after the initial investment in a PC, future upgrades can be significantly more cost-effective than buying new consoles. Components like power supplies and PC cases, along with fans and coolers, can last for many years.
Buy or build a gaming PC?
If you’re new to the world of gaming PCs, purchasing a pre-built system, like those featured in this guide, often makes the most sense. They arrive ready to use and come with a warranty to cover any issues for at least the first year. However, building a PC isn’t as difficult as you might imagine, and many guides demonstrate how relatively simple it can be.
Why buy a prebuilt gaming PC?
Prebuilt PCs offer unparalleled convenience and peace of mind compared to building a system yourself. Since all components are pre-assembled before delivery, your new rig will be operational as soon as it arrives. You’ll also typically benefit from additional warranties and potential technical support should any problems arise.
Is $1,000 enough for a gaming PC?
Yes, typically any budget from $600 upwards is sufficient to begin your PC gaming journey. This budget will generally get you an entry-level PC that uses integrated graphics found on a CPU, such as the AMD 5600G. While the performance of such a machine will be somewhat limited—expect to play games at 1080p or lower with medium or lower graphics settings—it still provides access to a playable experience in thousands of games.
Spending around $800-$1,000 allows you to include a more powerful, dedicated graphics card, ensuring more consistently high frame rates across a broader range of games.
Gaming PC or gaming laptop?
A desktop PC isn’t the right fit for everyone. If portability is a must, a gaming laptop is the obvious alternative. However, if your primary concern is a compact gaming setup due to limited space, or you mostly game at home and only occasionally need to travel with your setup, a small form factor gaming PC could be ideal. Some tiny PCs are barely larger than a hardback book. Paired with a portable monitor, keyboard, and mouse, you can achieve similar portability to a laptop, often with far greater upgrade potential.
That said, there’s no denying that top gaming laptop options provide a diverse array of ways to get a complete gaming PC setup in one convenient device. Just be aware that the main drawback of gaming laptops, aside from generally being less powerful overall, is their significantly limited upgradeability. Once your CPU, GPU, or RAM becomes a bottleneck, you typically cannot simply swap out that single component, unlike with most desktop PCs. Instead, you’ll need to purchase an entirely new laptop.
How We Test Gaming PCs
When evaluating the best gaming PCs, our process involves rigorous benchmarking alongside a thorough assessment of the system’s design, build quality, components, and noise levels. A quality PC should present a clean and attractive appearance both externally and internally, with cables neatly managed and out of sight, and easy access to key components. We appreciate innovative designs that enhance cooling, aesthetics, and component accessibility. While some fan noise is expected under full load, we anticipate it to be well-managed in relation to temperatures. A well-constructed PC will feature a carefully designed airflow system to keep components cool during intense use while remaining quiet at other times.
Our primary benchmarks for gaming PCs are, naturally, games themselves. We run Cyberpunk 2077, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and F1 24 to gauge each PC’s performance with the latest graphics features at high settings, including ray tracing, DLSS, FSR, and frame generation. We also test Cyberpunk 2077 without ray tracing to assess non-ray traced performance. For lower-end PCs, we may also test these games at reduced settings to provide a realistic understanding of achievable performance when not aiming for the absolute highest visual fidelity.
Each test is conducted at least three times, with any unusual results discarded before calculating the average. We report both the average and minimum frame rates and operate on the principle that a game is smoothly playable if the PC can maintain a 60fps average and at least a 45fps minimum in these titles.
Additionally, we run 3DMark, a synthetic benchmark, to provide a comparative performance score. You can run 3DMark on your own system and compare your scores with those found in our reviews.
Recognizing that no one buys a PC solely for gaming, we also use Cinebench to offer insight into the CPU’s performance within each system. This provides a multi-threaded result, illustrating how a CPU with numerous cores performs in demanding content creation tasks like video encoding and 3D rendering. A single-threaded result represents single-core CPU usage, which is crucial for most basic Windows software and many games.
Our final score and conclusion synthesize the benchmark performance with overall design and build quality, upgrade potential, pricing, and warranty package when compared to competing systems.
To maximize your gaming PC experience, ensure you equip it with the right peripherals for your needs. We highly recommend exploring guides for the best gaming monitor, best gaming mouse, and best gaming keyboard, as these three components are vital for truly tailoring your PC to deliver the experience you desire.