The best gaming PC 2023 - take the pre-built route to greatness
The 2023 is
promising to be an incredible year for the best gaming PCs. Not only are 30
series machines now readily available and more affordable than ever, but the 40
series and AMD 7000 series GPUs that are mid-release are going to provide quite
the shakeup. SSDs and DDR4 RAM have been exceedingly cheap lately as well, and
this is projected to continue into 2023. Although keep in mind that as DDR5
continues to creep its way into the market, it may become the more viable
option, if you can afford it.
With
40-series graphics cards releasing at the moment, we're already starting to see
retailers offer up the first pre-builds that house these next-gen GPUs. Be
warned, though, even if they offer a lot more value over last gen cards,
they're definitely not the cheapest option. However, the silver lining is that
PCs containing the previously elusive 30 series are now a lot more affordable.
Of course, there is the option to assemble the components and build your own
gaming PC. While there are definitely benefits to doing this for enthusiasts,
we'd say there are a lot of benefits to our fuss-free prebuilt recommendations,
particularly if you're looking to get your first gaming PC.
PC gaming
presents a lot of learning when you first get into it - more than is needed for
console gaming, we'd say. Whether you're looking for the latest and greatest
Alienware gaming PC, or you're a seasoned pro looking for a something you can
modify later on, one of our picks below will definitely set you on the right
track. We'd just recommend that you think about futureproofing if you're about
to invest a large sum. For example, try to make sure the gaming PC you go for
has one of the best CPUs, and something resembling the best RAM for gaming
inside it.
Do keep in
mind as you peruse our list below, that each build will be slightly different -
we've tried to consider the case, futureproofing capabilities, ease of access,
and potential for power in each one. Configurations we've tested may have
contained different components than you'll get, so be sure to brush up on the
various parts of a gaming PC if you're looking for your first. Without further
ado, here are the best gaming PCs on the market in 2023.
The best gaming PCs in 2023
Why you
can trust Games Radar+ Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing
products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about
how we test.
#1: Alienware Aurora R13 gaming PC
The best gaming PC
Specifications
CPU: Up to
Intel Core i9-12900KF
GPU: Up to
RTX 3090
RAM: Up to
128GB DDR5
Storage:
2TB NVMe Gen 4 + 2TB HDD
Reasons to buy+
Effectively
futureproofed
+
Support
for PCIe 5.0
+
Powerful
hardware for 4K
Reasons to
avoid-
Gets both
hot and loud under stress
-
Love it or
hate it design
Our
favorite configuration:
The Alienware Aurora R13 is the
latest in the long-standing line of Dell's gamer-centric machines, it also
happens to be the best gaming PC of the lot, too. With support for PCIe 5.0 and
DDR5 RAM, combined with the prowess of both the RTX 30-series and RX 6000 line,
the R13 is purpose-built for tomorrow's games with no compromises.
In our
testing, we found that the Alienware Aurora R13 made short work of our
benchmarking tools and the games that we use to stress test higher-end models.
Our review unit came powered by the Intel Core i9-12900KF CPU, with 64GB DDR5
RAM, and an RTX 3080, so naturally 4K60 and above was absolutely no problem
here.
Perhaps
the greatest strength of the Alienware Aurora R13 is in its customization
options though, and while it is decidedly difficult to open up and work on the
insides yourself, the manufacturer does give you specific hardware options when
purchasing. This means that the R13 line can be as affordable, or as premium,
as to suit your needs. Almost everything can be swapped out from graphics cards
to the amount of available storage, and RAM too.
Gaming on
the Alienware Aurora R13 was a very pleasant experience
Alienware Aurora R13 review
Something
that doesn't change regardless of configuration is the aesthetics of the
machine. For the first time since its inception, the Alienware Aurora R13
features a vast overhaul to the visual language, with a transparent panel
revealing the impressive lighting and hardware at the helm. Now visible is a
small AIO water cooler, complete with a 120mm radiator, as well as your GPU and
RAM sticks. It's a touch of transparency that's greatly appreciated in our
opinion. The Alienware Aurora R13's main drawback, though, is in how that
little water cooler has to work pretty hard to keep those core temperatures
down.
#2: HP Omen 25L
The budget
gaming PC under $1,200
Specifications
CPU: Up to
Intel Core i5-12400 / AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
GPU: Up to
RTX 3060
Memory:
8GB DDR4
Storage:
256GB NVMe SSD
Reasons to
buy+
Affordably
priced configurations
+
Benefits
from stellar build quality
+
Easy
enough to upgrade in the future
Reasons to
avoid-
Can get
hot under stress
Our favorite configuration:
The HP
Omen 25L line is the most accessible price-wise of the entire Omen division,
which currently features support for the latest Intel 12th gen and Ryzen 5000
CPUs. At around the $1,200 mark, and below, you can expect high performance for
both 1080p and 1440p all built inside a sleek chassis. What's more, the HP Omen
25L is easy to upgrade making it easy to swap out parts, such as graphics cards
and RAM in the near future.
The one
negative that has circulated around the HP Omen 25L, and likely implemented as
a cost-saving measure, are small issues with airflow due to the chassis' small
size. This could be down to the fact that the Omen 25L lacks the same front
intake fan of the larger Omen 30L. If you're aiming for modest components here
then thermal throttling is unlikely to be a problem, but it's something to keep
in mind all the same.
The best
budget brand gaming PC
Specifications
CPU: up to
Intel Core i7-12700KF
GPU: up to
RTX 3070
Memory: up
to 32GB DDR4-3600 RAM
Storage:
up to 1TB NVMe SSD
Reasons to
buy+
Eye-catching,
RGB and liquid-cooled design
+
Incredible
pre-built, pre-cooled system for price
+
Simple
access for making adjustments
+
Excellent
performance
Reasons to
avoid-
May be
hard to find specific models
#3: Element CL Pro review
The
Element CL Pro is a step above the previous Element CL Plus models because it
can now support RTX 3070 cards, and the numbers it churns out prove it handles
4K gaming well. It can't quite hit 4K 60fps for Metro Exodus, but it can easily
reach that with Red Dead Redemption 2 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider on the
highest graphical settings. The rig reaches 60fps across multiple games at
lower resolutions (1440p and 1080p). Simply put - it produces excellent and
consistently amazing gameplay.
If you're
someone who loves to tinker with your PCs, the Element CL Pro offers incredibly
easy access for upgrades and maintenance. An all-glass side panel lets you get
to the GPU and CPU with ease and refilling the liquid cooling system is a
breeze as it's located outside of the system so there's no need to worry about
accidental spillage. The Element CL Pro is a gorgeous machine that offers
excellent performance at a price that won't hurt your wallet.
The best
premium gaming PC
Specifications
CPU: Up to
Intel Core i9-12900K
GPU: Up to
Nvidia RTX 3090
RAM: Up to
64GB DDR5
Storage:
Up to 2x 1TB NVMe Gen 4 SSDs; 2x 3TB HDD
Reasons to
buy+
Exceptional
build quality
+
Futureproofed
+
Easy to
upgrade
Reasons to
avoid-
Availability
is limited right now
-
Can get
loud under stress
Our
favorite configuration:
#4: Acer Predator Orion 7000
The Acer
Predator Orion 7000 is our number one pick for the best gaming PC that you can
buy in the UK for its thoughtful design, PCIe 5.0 compatibility, and powerful
hardware that's sure to be futureproofed for many years to come. In our
testing, we found that there was nothing we could throw at this machine that it
couldn't handle, including frame rates in the 100+ FPS range in a whole suite
of demanding titles in 4K, and even higher in the likes of 1440p.
This
gaming PC has been thoughtfully re-engineered to replace the old plastic panels
of the previous model, instead opting for an all-glass and metal finish.
Perhaps most important with the Acer Predator Orion 7000 is how its design
philosophy mimics that of a traditional home-built PC without any proprietary
manufactured pieces inhibiting tinkering, meaning it's easy to upgrade in the
future.
The Acer
Predator Orion 7000's performance is nothing short of exceptional
Acer
Predator Orion 7000 review
The bump
up to DDR5 RAM is a sure-fire noticeable one if you're coming from a machine
running a similar frequency DDR4. We had dual-channel 4000 MHz kit inside our
machine and found the difference to be light and day, made especially snappy by
the lightning-fast, though admittedly hot, Intel Core i9-12900K.
Whether
you want lengthy gaming sessions or lightning-fast response times in your
productivity tasks, the Acer Predator Orion 7000 is easily the most
feature-rich, and most capable, gaming PC on the market right now. By
minimizing the bloatware, and being far more consumer-friendly than some other
gaming PCs you can get your hands on, we can recommend this model to anyone
wanting the best of the best in 2022.
The best
mid-range gaming PC
Specifications
CPU:: Up
to Intel Core i9 10th-gen
GPU: : Up
to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090
Memory::
Up to 64GB
Storage: :
Up to 2TB SSD + 2TB HDD
Reasons to
buy+
Available
in many different configurations
+
Reasonable
pricing for a pre-built system
+
Fantastic
aesthetic
Our
favorite configuration:
If you’re
not out to build your own PC (or you’ve had no luck with the current GPU
lottery) but still want a powerhouse desktop for some next-gen gaming, check
out HP’s Omen 30L line. Custom-built inside a slick Omen chassis, they offer
solid hardware with plenty of customization options and the potential for easy
future upgrades.
It’s hard
to deny that this is an exceptional pre-built gaming system
#5: HP Omen 30L
The HP
Omen 30L we’ve reviewed comes with some slick, understated RGB lighting, as
well as a 10th-gen Intel processor and RTX 2080 Super GPU. This version costs
$1,999 (with a year’s warranty included), but pricier models are available with
RTX 3000-series cards (though be prepared for all kinds of stock fluctuation
given it is the year 2022). The case has two tempered glass panels to showcase
your system, with easy access for adjustments and excellent ventilation to
prevent overheating.
While the
interior isn’t the tidiest we’ve seen amongst the best gaming PCs, the
performance speaks for itself. The RTX 2080 Super GPU is still a beast at 1440p
and respectable in 4K, too, with its liquid-cooled processor never getting too
hot even playing the most demanding titles. HP has proven that it is taking
pre-built machines seriously, so the Omen 30L gets a thumbs up from us.
The best
compact gaming PC
Specifications
CPU: Up to
Intel i9-12900K or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
GPU:
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 or RTX 3080 Ti
Memory: Up
to 64GB of DDR5 RAM @ 4,800MHz
Storage:
1TB or 2TB NVMe SSD
Reasons to
buy+
RTX 3080
Ti performs incredibly at all resolutions
+
Incredibly
compact chassis
+
Sleek and
stylish appearance
Reasons to
avoid-
One of the
most expensive pre-built PCs on the market
Our
favorite configuration:
While this
particular line of prebuilt machines has a reputation for being expensive, we
believe the costs associated with the latest Corsair One i300 are justified
when analyzing the specs and performance on show here. Our review unit featured
the latest 12th gen i9 CPU, an RTX 3080 Ti GPU, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB Gen 4
NVMe SSD for $4,999 - as far as the cutting-edge goes, you can't really expect
to cram much more into a machine with such a compact form factor.
All that
fancy hardware and the brand's signature style of system would be for nothing
if the Corsair One i300 didn't have the guts to back it up, of course.
Fortunately, our review unit absolutely excelled in both our industry-standard
tests and made short work of our go-to games pushed to their absolute limits.
Everything inside the unit is absolutely top-shelf, so particular mention goes
to that stellar Gen 4 drive which serves as both boot OS and your storage, as
we clocked figures of 7,061 MB/s read and 5,145 MB/s write, far more any game
demands right now.
Its
intelligent internal design and brilliantly small footprint are even more
impressive considering that it can put many of the best gaming PCs to shame
with its performance
#6: Corsair One i300 gaming
Speaking
of the games, the Corsair One i300 steamrolls graphically demanding titles when
running titles in 4K Ultra, this includes well above 60 FPS in Red Dead
Redemption II and Metro Exodus when maxed out, and just shy of 200 FPS in the
likes of Shadow of the Tomb Raider and The Divison 2. The only real
drawback we experienced in our time with the Corsair One i300 was the thermal
performance.
The best
Ryzen gaming PC
Specifications
CPU: up to
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
GPU: up to
Nvidia RTX 3090
RAM: up to
64GB DDR4
Storage:
up to 2TB M.2 SSD & 2TB HDD
Reasons to
buy+
Fantastic
performance
+
The case
is easy to open up
+
Many
customization options
Reasons to
avoid-
Love it or
hate it design
-
Loud under
stress
#7: Aurora Ryzen R10 review:
Our
favorite configuration:
The
Alienware Aurora R10 continues to impress as the best Ryzen gaming PC you can
get at the moment. This is due to the expanse of options available to you, with
the system being available in many different setups at competitive price
points. Our test system utilized a Ryzen 7 CPU and an RTX 2070 Super, however,
newer iterations are running all the latest Ampere video cards (RTX 30
series).
As for the
performance you can expect from the Alienware Aurora R10, we found in our
testing that this rig performed at its best when playing titles in both Full HD
and 1440p. The mid-tier Turing card delivered frame rates far above 60 FPS in
both resolutions in games such as Metro Exodus, Red Dead Redemption II, and
Shadow of the Tomb Raider just to name a few.
There's no
doubting the machine's performance, however, so you can't really go wrong with
this gaming PC from a capability perspective
Aurora
Ryzen R10 review
The
main downsides are that it can get somewhat loud, almost as if it is a
spaceship engine trying to take off, and accessing the components within isn't
an easy task thanks to the placement of the PSU cage. You can definitely do
much worse when buying a pre-built PC though, and that Ryzen / Nvidia combo is
a brilliant one that offers exquisite performance even in 2022.
#8: Alienware Aurora R12
The best
mid-range Alienware gaming PC
Specifications
CPU: Up to
Intel Core i9 (11th gens)
GPU: Up to
RTX 3090
RAM: Up to
128GB
Storage:
Up to 2TB SSD + 2TB HDD
Reasons to
buy+
Stellar
aesthetics
+
Supported
for the Ampere GPU line
+
Still
technologically relevant
Reasons to
avoid-
Superseded
by the Aurora R13
Our
favorite configuration:
Alienware's
Aurora R12 is leading Alienware into the next generation of gaming; as well as
10th-gen Intel processors and the possibility of liquid-cooled graphics cards,
it offers a variety of builds to suit most budgets. If you want to get into PC
gaming for the first time or would like to upgrade your existing setup then
this is the most cost-effective way to do it.
Ranging
from affordable starter rigs to pimped-out super PCs, the Aurora R12 strikes a
good balance of choice. Better still, these desktops can be easily opened and
upgraded with different parts as and when you see fit. Want more RAM or a
larger SSD? No problem. Because the power supply unit swings out on a metal
arm, you get more room to fiddle with the PC's insides.
The R12's
design is of a similar form for the last few years and is attractive enough -
and unique if nothing else. Although it sticks with the distinctive case and
scooped-out front of its predecessor, this update enriches that formula with
new lighting around the central strip in some cases. It's an addition that
turns heads and makes the design feel even more futuristic than it did before.
Specifications
CPU: Ryzen
5 3600X / 7 3700X / 3800X
GPU:
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 to RTX 3080
RAM: 8GB
to 32GB DDR4-2666
Storage:
Up to 512GB SSD + 2TB HDD
Reasons to
buy+
Excellent
value for money and bang-to-buck performance
+
Great
design
+
Superb use
of Ryzen and Nvidia components
Reasons to
avoid-
Specific
models may be harder to come by
Our
favorite configuration:
#9: Asus ROG GA15 review:
The Asus
ROG GA15 is a tremendous machine and one that really harnesses a great power to
performance to price balance. It's a great new design from ASUS and is a
welcome addition to the pre-built gaming PC market. I use this PC every day so
I am a bit biased perhaps, I'd argue, it's a well-placed bias! It's a joy to
use as a work PC that seamlessly changes to a monster.
The
components of my build, particularly, demonstrate the GA15's successful
inhabiting of a place of balance between performance and value. Inside is a
3700X processor, a 2060 Super graphics card (itself probably the best bang for
buck GPU in the ray-tracing category), 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD + 2TB HDD
combo. It's got a sweet design, plenty of ports, runs quiet, and has some RGB
fun too on the front - with ASUS making so many great gaming laptops right now,
it's no wonder they've come out with an excellent new desktop range.
It's a
reliable, very well-performing gaming PC from a reputable gaming tech name, and
it deserves to be spoken about as one of the best pre-built gaming computers of
the year
Asus ROG
GA15 review
Just for
clarity and to reassure you if you're following links, you might see this
machine listed as a G15DH or G15 - do not worry, it's the same one as the GA15.
Your options of specs might also slightly differ depending on your location:
the above list is taken straight from ASUS itself in terms of what the machine
can house, but I have seen some slightly different builds - including the odd
Intel CPU build - crop up at some retailers.
Regardless,
this is still a PC build that is extremely easy to recommend and each variant
will have that ASUS stamp of quality and pedigree within that you can have
confidence in. What's more, with the 30-series graphics cards now being firmly
here (we know), this PC can offer a more budget-perspective and level, often
being one of the best gaming PCs for under $1,000.
The best
mid-range gaming PC
Specifications
CPU: Intel
Core i7-10700
GPU:
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070
Memory:
16GB DDR4 HyperX Fury @ 2,666MHz
Storage:
512GB SSD (Boot) + 1TB HDD
Weight:
9kg / 19.8lbs
Reasons to
buy+
Fantastic
1440p performance, 4K capable
+
The price
is very reasonable
+
Easy to
upgrade
Reasons to
avoid-
Some
elements are on the cheaper side
Our
favorite configuration:
#10: Acer Predator Orion 3000 review:
The Acer
Predator Orion 3000 is our number one pick for the best gaming PC that you can
buy at the moment and it comes down to one important factor - the value for
money. Our review unit featured the powerful a 10th gen i7 CPU RTX 3070 GPU,
and 16GB RAM, which retails for $1,500 / £1,500.
Our
testing found that these specs made the Orion 3000 a true powerhouse for both
1440p and 4K gaming, with impressive figures in our suite of benchmark games
and software, such as Metro Exodus, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and The Division
2, where all titles easily smashed 1080p and 1440p at well above 100FPS and
managing that more-than-playable numbers in 2160p, too, with many titles
averaging 4K60 or above. We've found though that this configuration was far
more comfortable in QHD at higher frame rates than when you doubled the
resolution, you may need to be crafty with those settings sliders to keep
things rock solid when in Ultra HD.
Acer has
done a great job when it comes to matching the internal components at play in
this PC. No one part of this build is going to bottleneck you, or hold you back
when you’re contemplating upgrades a few years down the road.
Acer
Predator Orion 3000 review
There's
only really one aspect at where the cost-saving measures come into the fold for
the Acer Predator Orion 3000, and that's in the onboard SSD's sequential
performance. Our review unit was running a PCIe 3.0, with our test figures
reporting 2,477 MB/s read and 1,812 MB/s write, which is fairly average especially
compared to what's possible with the best SSDs around right now.
Image 1 of
2
(Image
credit: CyberPowerPC)(Image credit: CyberPowerPC)
#11:CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme:
The best
gaming PC for upgrading
Specifications
CPU: Up to
Intel Core i7 11th-gen
GPU: Up to
Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti
RAM: Up to
16GB
Storage:
Up to 1TB HDD + 500GB SSD
Reasons to
buy+
Fantastic
performance per dollar
+
Runs very
cool out of the box
+
Decent
range of low-to-midrange builds
Reasons to
avoid-
Lower-end
capabilities may not appeal
Our
favorite configuration:
#11: Cyberpower Gamer Xtreme
The
Cyberpower Gamer Xtreme is a great PC to rock the current generation of games
and do it all as one of the best gaming PCs under $1,000, too. Even beyond that
and branching into the increasingly large world of VR, this machine will get
you there on a shoestring: it's VR-ready right out of the box (just) and will
be easy to upgrade when newer, more fancy headsets become more available.
The Xtreme
is also great for anyone looking for a PC to match the capabilities of
consoles, and something that will complement a PS4/Xbox One or PS5/XSX setup.
And the Gamer Xtreme is also modular and upgradeable enough to allow you to
quickly adapt when specs for when you need to allow for solid upgradeability
and future proof-ness. Again, all without breaking the bank.
Best
gaming PCs - frequently asked questionsIs it worth buying a PC for gaming?
Despite
the fact that a gaming PC will cost you substantially more than the likes of an
Xbox Series X and PS5, at least in the majority of cases, we think that the
initial investment is justified by the expanse of what the platform offers over
consoles. For example, PCs can be futureproofed a lot easier, since you can
change out components if and when you need to. You have way more control over
what your gaming hardware can do and how it can run games, you also have far
more options regarding backwards compatibility, for far more expansive digital
libraries. Perhaps the biggest advantage of a gaming PC is that it can used in
a myriad more ways than a typical games console can for work, media production,
coding, home server, etc.
Which PC brands are best for gaming?
While
there are many gaming PC brands that certainly deserve your attention, we
typically view the prebuilt market in two distinct categories - boutique built
(ABS, Skytech, iBuyPower, etc.) and manufacturer made (Alienware, HP, Corsair,
etc.). If you want something sleek that benefits from a manufacturer's
guarantee and extended warranty then the latter is going to be preferable for
you, however, should you want minimal bloatware and consumer-level components
inside (instead of proprietary parts) then the former is the way to go.
Is it cheaper to build or buy a gaming PC?
A couple
of years ago this question would have been far more straightforward to answer,
as, before the pandemic hit, it was always cheaper to build with individual
components than opt for a prebuilt. In 2022, however, even with the graphics
card shortage coming to an end, graphics card prices haven't quite returned to
normal just yet, so you're still paying more to assemble a full system
piece-by-piece. It may be cheaper in certain instances to build with each part,
though, depending on which GPU you intend to slot into your system, going for a
prebuilt rig could save you in the long run.
How we test gaming PCs
While
we've outlined how we test gaming PCs in our full hardware policy, it's worth
giving the rundown here, too. We treat each gaming PC both as the sum of its
parts and the unit together. This means that we're analyzing specific
components, such as the speed of the processor, the prowess of the graphics
card, the effectiveness of the RAM, and the sequential performance of the
storage drives.
Any gaming
PC that we have in for the review period generally replaces that of our daily
driver unit, meaning that we test them thoroughly, sure, but also use them as
PC gamers ourselves. This means that benchmarking is conducted as are regular
play sessions, meaning you get a thorough, but also a faithful write-up of
models we've had personal experience with.
Make the
most of the best gaming PCs with the best gaming keyboards, best gaming mouse,
and best gaming monitors.
And for
audio upgrades, check out the best computer speakers and best gaming headsets
going.
