10 Best Gaming PCs: Builds for Every Budget

Are you long overdue for a setup upgrade? Have you finally saved up enough to get your dream rig? Do you want a PC but need help figuring out where to start?  Whatever your answers are, we can help — we’ve put together a top 10 list so you can find the best gaming PC without sorting through through millions of options. 

Everything You Need to Know About PC Specs

If you don’t already know how to understand PC specs, you’ll need to learn. Here’s a quick breakdown of the basics:

• Operating system (OS): Every PC needs one — it’s how your PC manages resources. 

• Graphics processing unit (GPU): It renders graphics and images. Generally, the newer yours is, the better your games will look.

• Central processing unit (CPU): This is your PC’s main processor — it’s your PC’s brain. It interprets and executes instructions. The better it is, the faster all processes are.

• Random access memory (RAM): It provides temporary storage for current processes and helps run programs. The more you have, the faster your PC will be.  

• Solid state drive (SSD): SSD is storage. It stores data on flash memory chips, making it faster and more reliable than HDD.

• Hard disk drive (HDD): HDD is storage. It stores data on magnetic disks, making it slightly more prone to error, corruption and slow speeds than SSD.

• Power supply unit (PSU): It distributes power to PC components. It needs enough watts (W) to work. The 80 Plus rating ranges from Bronze to Platinum — higher is better.

• Motherboard (MOBO): The MOBO lets components communicate with one another — it’s like the heart of your computer. 

Knowing the basics about components will help you pick a PC that meets your needs. Without further ado, here are 10 of the best gaming PCs on the market today. 

1. Alienware Aurora R16: Best Gaming PC Overall 

• OS: Windows 11 Home

• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (12 GB VRAM)

• CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i9-013900F

• RAM: 64 GB DDR5

• SSD: 1 TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD

• PSU: 500W 80 Plus Platinum

• MOBO: Alienware 0RF96M (Intel Z690)

The liquid-cooled Alienware Aurora R16 costs slightly over $2,000 at full price. You’ll pay more if you upgrade the CPU, GPU, RAM or SSD. However, you probably don’t need to — this build quality is well-rounded and will have no problem meeting the average gamer’s needs.

3. CyberPower Championship Special II: Best Customization

• OS: Windows 11 Home

• GPU: AMD Radeon RX 7600 (8GB GDDR6 VRAM)

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600

• RAM: 16 GB DDR5

• SSD: 1 TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD

• PSU: 600W 80 Plus Gold 

• MOBO: Asus Prime B650M-A AX II 

You can get this PC for just over $1,000. Every component is swappable, so feel free to tweak things. You can also customize the case, fans, lighting and coolant color. There are even options to add a video capture card or peripherals. CyberPowerPC’s website tells you exactly how much each change will add or subtract from the total price.

2. MSI Aegis SE 12th: Best Budget Gaming PC 

• OS: Windows 11 Home 

• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 (6GB GDDR6 VRAM)

• CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F

• RAM: 16 GB DDR5

• SSD: 500 GB M.2 SSD

• PSU: 650W 80 Plus Gold

• MOBO: MSI MicroATX 

The MSI Aegis SE 12th is the best gaming PC if you’re on a budget since it’s only $750. As budget PCs go, it’s a good deal for great quality. Unlike other similarly-priced models, it has RGB LEDs and comes with peripherals.

4. MainGear Custom ZERO: Best Build Simplicity

• OS: Windows 11 Home

• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 (8GB GDDR6 VRAM)

• CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F

• RAM: 16 GB RGB DDR5

• SSD: 512 GB M.2 NVM3 SSD

• PSU: 650W 80 Plus Gold

• MOBO: MSI B760M Project ZERO

The main issue many people have with prebuilt PCs is the lack of choice. On the other hand, building a PC from the ground up is complex. This MainGear PC solves those issues by providing a simple selection screen. While it’s just over $1,400 for the starting specs, you might pay more if you change your components.

5. Corsair Vengeance i8200 iCUE Link: Best High-End PC

• OS: Windows 11 Pro

• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 (24 GB GDDR6X VRAM) 

• CPU: Intel Core i9-14900KF

• RAM: 64GB RGB DDR5

• SSD: 4TB NVMe SSD

• PSU: 1000W 80 Plus Gold

• MOBO: Intel Z790

The Corsair Vengeance i8200 iCUE Link is the best gaming PC for pro gamers. On top of having top-of-the-line components, a ton of storage and liquid cooling, its fans, water block and RAM have customizable RGB. This beast of a machine is well worth the $4,799.99 price tag.

6. Thermaltake View i460 R4: Best Presentation

• OS: Windows 11 Home

• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 (8 GB GDDR6 VRAM)

• CPU: Intel Core i7-13700F

• RAM: 16GB RGB DDR4

• SSD: 1 TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 

• PSU: 600W 80 Plus Gold

• MOBO: Intel B660 

If you value presentation just as much as performance, this the best gaming PC for you. Its AIO water block, ARGB fans and RAM have syncing and customizable colors. Its specs are nothing to scoff at, either. You can get this beauty for about $1,299.99 new. 

7. MSI Codex R 13th: Best Mid-Range Gaming PC

• OS: Windows 11 Pro

• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 (8 GB GDDR6 VRAM)

• CPU: Intel Core i5-13400F

• RAM: 32GB DDR5

• SSD: 2 TB M.2 PCIe SSD

• PSU: 650W 80 Plus Gold

• MOBO: PRO B760-VC

Priced at slightly over $1,000 — the lower end of the price range for mid-range PCs — the MSI Codex R 13th is the best gaming PC for casual or competitive gamers. It offers top-of-the-line components, over 60 lighting effects and an easily upgradable setup. 

8. Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8: Best Performance

• OS: Windows 11 Home 

• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 (16 GB GDDR6X VRAM)

• CPU: Intel Core i7-13700KF

• RAM: 16 GB DDR5

• SSD: 512 GB M.2 PCIe SSD

• PSU: 850W

• MOBO: Intel Z790 ATX

While you sacrifice some storage and RAM for a high-end GPU, CPU and PSU with this PC, those components are usually the cheapest to upgrade. For $2,299.99, you can have ARGB internals, Lenovo peripherals and a whisper-quiet cooling system.

9. EK-Fluid 135 Battle: Best Liquid Cooled Gaming PC

• OS: Windows 11 Home 

• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060Ti

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

• RAM: 32GB DDR5

• SSD: 2TB M.2 PCIe SSD

• PSU: 750W 80 Plus Gold

• MOBO: Asus TUF B650M

This PC boasts a fully customizable aluminum EK AIO 360mm with a D-RGB CPU block and display. It also has 120mm D-RGB fans and RGB memory. Of course, you also get the 40-series card and an impressive amount of memory for only $1,749.99. It really is the best gaming PC if liquid cooling is your priority.

10. CyberPower Hyper Liquid Core: Best Value

• OS: Windows 11 Home

• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (12 GB GDDR6X)

• CPU: Intel Core i7-14700K

• RAM: 16GB DDR5

• SSD: 1 TB PCIe NVMe SSD

• HDD: 2 TB HDD

• PSU: 800W 80 Plus Gold

• MOBO: Asus Prime Z790

The Hyper Liquid Core is the best gaming PC for value — most of its components are high-end. While 16GB is the minimum amount of RAM for many modern games, you can easily add more without breaking the bank. For $2,645, this liquid-cooled beauty can be yours.

One of These Is the Best Gaming PC for You

Whether you’re on a strict budget or want to treat yourself, plenty of fantastic options are on this list. Even the low and mid-range options compensate for low storage space or RAM by providing top-of-the-line GPUs and CPUs.