Best Gaming PCs Review Guide For 2020-2021

Best Gaming PCs Review Guide For 2023-2024

February 15, 2023

Best Gaming PCs Review Guide For 2023-2024 – The best gaming PCs are the most powerful tool at your disposal for both video games and productivity software. Blasting through hordes of foes at rapid frame rates and high resolutions is fun, but you can just as easily use a gaming rig for graphic design, animation or simply streaming movies and TV in beautiful 4K.

While the PS5 and Xbox Series X will deliver more power than console gamers currently enjoy, they’re still no match for one of the best gaming PCs. If you want fast-loading SSDs, gorgeous ray tracing, massive quantities of RAM, 4K resolution and 60+ fps frame rate, you don’t have to wait until holiday 2020; you can have them right now. And, unlike a console, you can upgrade PCs as better tech becomes available.

We test new PCs regularly to see if they pass muster for this list, and update the page as systems become available. Keep reading our Best Gaming PCs Review Guide For 2023-2024, and we’ll help you find your next great gaming machine.

Best Gaming PCs Buyers Guide For 2023-2024:

How to choose the best gaming PC for you:

Price:

If affordability is your concern, most decent gaming PCs start around $700 to $1,000. For that price, you’re looking at specs such as Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors, Nvidia 1660 and 1660 Ti GPUs and 8GB to 16GB of RAM.

Performance:

Think about the type of gaming experience you’re after. If its solid 1080p/60fps gaming you want, a machine with a decent Core i5 processor and GeForce 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 GPU will get you there. Cards such as the Radeon RX 5700 and GeForce 2080 hit a nice sweet spot for dependable 1440p gaming. Going 4K? You’ll want to spring for hardware such as an RTX 2080 Ti or AMD Radeon VII.

Upgradability:

Gaming PC components are always evolving, and the best gaming PCs can be easily upgraded with new parts over time. Machines such as the Alienware Aurora and Dell G5 are easy to open up and tinker with, even for the less tech-savvy. Compact machines, such as the Corsair One, can be a bit harder to open up. So if you plan on upgrading your investment over time, keep this in mind.

VR-readiness:

Want to game in VR? Requirements for headsets such as the Oculus Rift S and HTC Vive start at an Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 470 GPU, an Intel Core i3 or Ryzen 3 processor, 8GB of RAM and a DisplayPort 1.2 or mini DisplayPort. Make sure your machine meets this requirements before you plunk down cash for one.

How we test the best gaming PCs

In our search to find the best gaming PC, we run every model we review through a standardized gauntlet of real-world and benchmark tests, in order to measure how each desktop stacks up as both a gaming machine and as an everyday computer.

As far as hard numbers go, we currently run the framerate benchmark utilities for Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Far Cry: New Dawn, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Middle-earth: Shadow of War at 1920 x 1080 with graphics maxed out, as well as at 2560 x 1440 and 4K if a system allows for it. On top of that, we play tons of graphics-intensive games in order to give you a sense of how these gaming desktops hold up anecdotally.

In terms of synthetic tests, we run a gamut of benchmarks that include 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra (for graphics) and Geekbench 4 and 5 (for processor performance). We also run the SteamVR Performance Test on all of our machines to evaluate how ready they are for virtual reality. To test a system’s hard drive, we measure how fast each PC can copy 4.97GB worth of multimedia files.

Alienware Aurora R10 -The best gaming PC overall

The Alienware Aurora R10 delivers big on every front: it’s stylish; it’s powerful; it’s customizable and it’s easy to upgrade regardless of whether or not you’re a PC enthusiast. The R10 model sports Alienware’s latest Legend design language, delivering a sleek, curvy chassis that looks great in both white and black and sports three fully customizable RGB zones.

But the real magic lies inside, where you can outfit the Aurora R10 with up to an Intel Core i9 or Ryzen 9 processor and multiple Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti graphics cards for handling the best VR games without a sweat. And even if you start small, the Aurora’s smartly designed chassis lets you open the machine up and swap out the GPU and RAM without the need for any tools. No matter how you configure it, the Aurora is the best gaming PC you can buy.

Product Details:

The new Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition desktop gives you the power to develop and explore new worlds with up to 16-core 3rd generation AMD Ryzen processor
The Aurora Ryzen Edition is the first Alienware machine to feature PCI-Express 4. 0 Technology, which doubles the bandwidth available to graphics cards for enhanced overall gaming performance. Additionally, any component on your PCI-Express bus is given more bandwidth so you can experience higher performance while creating, streaming or recording.
he new Aurora features our Legend Industrial Design with an improved airflow pattern. The Legend ID ensures airflow moves more fluidly and efficiently to reduce CPU temperatures. Lower temperatures mean performance with more stability and higher overclocking which results in higher frames per second while gaming. Additionally, the Legend Industrial Design lowers temperatures by up to 8% at the voltage regulator heatsink over its predecessor.

Pros:

Attractive design
Very easy to upgrade graphics
Sleek,customizable RGB lighting
Blistering gaming and CPU performance

Cons:

None

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CyberPowerPC Gamer Extreme VR – killer value

The CyberPower Gamer Xtreme VR is one of the best gaming PCs for folks who want to spend $800 without sacrificing much in the way of power. Packing a Core i5 processor and an Nvidia GTX 1660 graphics card, this desktop can run mainstream games at high settings and even handle virtual reality without much of a sweat. Better yet, the Gamer Xtreme VR is very easy to open up, making it a great starting point for gamers who eventually want to upgrade to more powerful parts.

The Gamer Xtreme VR has long been a favorite at top online retailers, and for good reason. On top of its strong performance and low starting price, this machine has a fairly sleek and flashy design, complete with custom RGB lighting both on the fans and within the case. You also get a CyberPower keyboard and mouse right out of the box, so you can spend less time fetching extra accessories and more time fragging your friends online.

Product Details:

System: Intel Core i7-9700F 3.0GHz 6-Core | Intel B360 Chipset | 16GB DDR4 | 120GB SSD | 1TB HDD | Genuine Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 6GB Video Card | 1x HDMI | 1x DisplayPort
Connectivity: 6 x USB 3.1 | 2 x USB 2.0 | 1x RJ-45 Network Ethernet 10/100/1000 | 802.11AC Wi-Fi | Audio: 7.1 Channel | Gaming keyboard and mouse
1 year parts & labor | Free lifetime tech support
Special feature: Window side case panel | Custom RGB case lighting | RGB 7 colors gaming mouse

Pros:

Great performance for price
Upgradable
Included accessories

Cons:

Bulky design

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Dell G5 Gaming Desktop 5090 – Entry-level and easy to upgrade

The Dell G5 5090 is one of the best gaming PCs for folks who want a solid entry level machine that’s very easy to upgrade. This fairy affordable desktop starts with a modest Core i3 processor and Nvidia GTX 1650 card, but can be outfitted with up to a Core i7 CPU and RTX 2080 GPU for more intensive gaming.

One of the G5’s biggest selling points is its sleek, foolproof chassis, which is incredibly easy to open up should you want to swap out components over time. We found Dell’s desktop to be reliable for playing AAA games at 1080p and 60 frames per second, and like that the machine comes mostly free of bloatware. Overall, if you need a good, affordable desktop that you can make more powerful over time, the Dell G5 5090 is a great choice.

Product Details:

Tool-less upgrade-ability the side panel can easily be removed to access internal components and upgrade CPU, GPU, RAM, or hard drives
Vr-capable Graphics supports NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card to ensures powerful gameplay.
Killer speed killer Gigabit Ethernet + Killer Wireless ensure Blazing-fast speed and smooth network traffic
Keep your coolant G5 stays cool during intense gaming sessions Thanks to optimal airflow powered by 360W PSU fans.
Windows 10 Home 64bit English
Intel Core i7-9700 [8-Core/8-thread 12M Cache, 4. 7GHz processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology]
Windows 10 1 x HDMI, 2 x USB 2. 0 (front), 2 x USB 2. 0 (rear), 1 x USB 3. 1 (front), 4 x USB 3. 1 (rear), 1 x USB 3. 1 Type C (front)64bit English
1 x HDMI, 2 x 1 x Audio in/microphone (front), 1 x Audio in/ microphone (rear), 1 x center/subwoofer line out (rear), 1 x headset jack (front), 1 x L/R Surround line out (rear)usb 2. 0 (front), 2 x USB 2. 0 (rear), 1 x USB 3. 1 (front), 4 x USB 3. 1 (rear), 1 x USB 3. 1 Type C (front)

Pros:

Good productivity and gaming performance
Reasonably priced
Great chassis

Cons:

Preinstalled software can be a pain
Not ideal for QHD/UHD gaming

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Corsair One i160 – Big power in a compact chassis

Who says you need a gigantic tower for high-end gaming PC power? The Corsair One i160 hones the compact gaming PC concept to near perfection, cramming an Intel Core i9 processor and Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti GPU into a stunningly sleek chassis that can blend into offices and command centers equally well.

The Corsair One’s slick RGB lighting offers a ton of customization options, and its liquid-cooled internal design keeps this small machine quiet even during heated 4K showdowns. It’s worth noting that the Corsair One isn’t the most upgrade-friendly machine, so you’ll need to pick a configuration you’ll want to stick with or have some decent technical know-how to swap out parts. But if you’re limited on space but don’t want to sacrifice performance, the Corsair One is one of the best gaming PCs for fans of compact machines.

Product Details:

None

Pros:

Wonderfully compact design
Slick, customizable RGB lighting
Strong overall performance

Cons:

Still-limited upgradability

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iBuyPower Snowblind – One of a kind design

There’s no gaming PC that quite catches the eye like the iBuyPower Snowblind. The best gaming PC design we’ve seen, this desktop’s side panel is a translucent, fully-functioning LCD display. You can use this panel to show off cool animated wallpapers, monitor your PC performance, or even play games (though we don’t recommend that last part).

It’s also simply a great gaming machine, with lots of reasonably priced configuration options that support such high-end components as an Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti GPU. If you’re the type of gaming PC enthusiast who values aesthetics as much as strong performance, the iBuyPower Snowblind is one of the most unique and impressive desktops out there.

Product Details:

System: Intel Core i7-9700F 8-Core 3. 0GHz (4. 70 GHz Max Turbo) | 16GB DDR4-2666 RAM | 1TB HDD | 240GB SSD | Genuine Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB Dedicated Gaming Video Card | VR Ready | 1x DVI | 1x HDMI | 1x Display Port
Connectivity: 4 x USB 3. 0 | 2 x USB 2. 0 | 1x RJ-45 Network Ethernet 10/100/1000 | Audio: 7. 1 Channel
Special Add-Ons: Tempered Glass RGB Gaming Case | 802. 11AC Wi-Fi Included | 16 Color RGB Lighting Case | Free Gaming Keyboard & RGB Gaming Mouse | No Bloatware
: 1 Year Parts & Labor + Free Lifetime US Tech Support | Assembled in the U. S. A

Pros:

Unique LCD side panel
Impressive overall performance
Reasonable price

Cons:

Relatively slow SSD

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Maingear F131 – High-end greatness for a premium price

Maingear has a knack for crafting extravagant, customizable showpieces for folks willing to shed a few thousand bucks, and the F131 is no exception. This stunning tower packs Maingear’s new APEX liquid cooling system, which is expertly crafted to keep your system from overheating while also being a marvel to look at.

Factor in a ton of droolworthy paint and lighting options and support for up to two Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti cards, and you’ve got one of the best gaming PCs for players looking to go all-out. Naturally, the Maingear F131’s high price tag means it’s more ideal for hardcore enthusiasts than gamers looking for something basic to get started with. But if you have the cash to spend and want to be able to customize every single aspect of your battle station, few manufacturers do it better than Maingear.

Product Details:

NEW Intel i9 7920X 12-core Processor, GTX 1080 Ti – 60fps gameplay at 1440p and 4K! VR-Ready – Oculus Rift & HTC Vive
12-core CPU, GTX 1080 Ti, RGB Lighting, 64GB RAM, 512GB M.2 SSD, 2TB HDD, Wi-Fi
Perfect for Battlefield One, Call of Duty, Overwatch, LoL, Dota 2, PUBG, Skyrim, GTA V, Fallout 4, and more!