When combined with a dedicated gaming monitor, the best gaming PCs provide powerful, AI-enhanced gameplay while staying whisper quiet and cool thanks to impressive internal cooling components. As an avid PC gamer and after extensive research and testing, I found the iBuyPower Slate Gaming Desktop PC to be the best gaming PC overall. It features a near-silent water cooling system and can handle any game you throw at it—and it also features fun programmable LED cooling fans.
We found the best gaming PCs to elevate gameplay on your desktop.
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
But there are other options available if you don’t feel that tower best suits your needs. The HP Omen 35L Gaming Desktop is a great value choice, with enough power to play most games with ease. There’s also the Asus ROG NUC, a compact gaming PC, if you need to keep the profile to a minimum. Here are the best gaming PCs you can add to your desktop today.
The iBuyPower Slate Gaming Desktop is a great choice for its balanced performance. The Intel Core i9 processor is designed to handle the heaviest of applications and games. During testing, I booted up some of the latest titles, including Horizon Forbidden West and Deathloop. While my gaming laptop sounds like an airplane engine when I play these games, this gaming desktop handled all of these games while staying near-silent. It’s a combination of a powerful processor and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card alongside the built-in liquid cooling system that keeps everything running smoothly and without worry of overheating. The fans light up with built-in LEDs, and you can use the included iBuyPower software to customize them.
On the back of the case, there are plenty of ports, including USB-A, DisplayPorts, USB-C and more to plug in all your peripherals. There are also a handful located on the top, which I appreciated when I needed temporary connections.
That said, there are some drawbacks: Namely, the graphics card isn’t the strongest on the market (that would be its sibling, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090.) The most dedicated of users will find that it can’t reliably run 4K graphics, but for those playing games at 1440p, or quad HD, resolution, it’s perfectly suitable. While there are reports that some components like the power supply and the liquid cooling system failed, I didn’t experience any problems during my month of testing this PC.
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Processor and graphics cards are suitable for most
Ideal for more casual and entry-level gamers
Tool-less access for upgrades and compact
Cons:
Memory is only 16GB
Gaming software feels borderline spammy
You don’t need to spend thousands to enjoy your favorite games. The HP Omen 35L is a great example of a powerful PC that costs less than $1,500. Its processor is good enough to run most titles in HD graphics. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card also displays graphics suitable for most needs. Keep in mind that it’s a lower-tier chip (again, the highest is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090), so you can’t expect to play games with the highest detail and refresh rates, but for most it represents a solid balance of price and performance. This PC is a great entry-level gaming PC or one for casual gamers.
Should you decide to upgrade the PC in the future, the tool-less access makes it easy to swap components. The tower itself is fairly compact, which is ideal for those short on space, and it offers multiple ports, including USB-A, USB-C, DisplayPorts and an HDMI. For those who prefer a wired gaming headset, the tower also includes a headphone jack. The fans feature built-in LED lights for extra fun flair, and they’re pretty quiet during gameplay. That said, some users report that the HP Gaming Hub feels chock-full of ads. But if you’re using Steam, Epic Games or EA to boot into your games, you can sidestep those ads with ease.
If you are truly short on space, the Asus ROG NUC can be placed horizontally or vertically for a versatile setup. This ultra-compact version of a PC measures 10 inches at its maximum. Still, it manages to house an impressive array of features, including an Intel Core 7 processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, which can run the latest games at decent frame rates and graphics. It won’t run at the highest frame rates in the long-term, so it’s not fully future-proof. The 1TB of storage is enough for downloading a small library of games, too. While I don’t recommend doing this, it’s small enough that you can take it with you if traveling.
Because it’s such a small build, it may be difficult, if not downright impossible, to upgrade components. There’s also the cooling to consider: While I didn’t note any complaints lodged about the Asus ROG specifically overheating, in general, compact PCs are more prone to overheating because everything is condensed into a smaller area. Processors and graphics chips do emit heat as you play games, and over time, that can, but isn’t guaranteed, to lead to component degradation. If you’re willing to risk this long-term, then it’s a great option to save on space in your home.
Best Plug-And-Play Gaming PC
Start Gaming In Under 30 Minutes
MOST POPULAR
Amazon
Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 10
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | Memory: 32GB | Storage: 1TB | Mouse and keyboard included: No
Pros:
Nice blend of processor and graphics card
Upgradeable memory and storage
Solid built-in cooling
Cons:
Processor isn’t the strongest
Spammy antiviral software
For those who need a plug-and-play gaming rig, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 10 fits the bill. The black case looks sleek on any desk and also features six programmable LED fan lights so you can customize your setup. The tower also uses liquid cooling to prevent your processor and graphics chips from overheating while playing demanding games. Additionally, while it features 32GB RAM and 1TB storage, both can be upgraded, which helps future-proof this build. What’s most impressive is that memory can be upgraded to 128GB, while the storage can support three 2TB cards for a total of 6TB, if necessary—but for now, those numbers are massively overkill.
The tower features plenty of ports for all your gaming peripherals, including USB-A, one USB-C, headphone jacks, HDMI and more. That said, users report that the tower comes with spammy antiviral software installed—and, while it sounds counterintuitive, I recommend that one of the first things you do is uninstall it. That way, you don’t have to contend with ad pop-ups, which feel constant. The processor, while it’s a top-tier chip also isn’t the absolute best, but it’s powerful to run your games with ease for long-term gameplay.
Top-notch components make for smooth, responsive gameplay
Upgradeable memory and storage
Whisper-quiet
Cons:
Overkill for most gamers
If you’re seeking to future-proof your gaming desktop by investing in the best components available, the Alienware Area-51 Gaming Desktop should be your top choice. It’s a powerful machine that uses the latest—and best—Intel Core Ultra 9 processor. Its Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is the top graphics chip on the market. Rounding out these impressive features is 64GB of memory and 4TB of SSD storage for multitasking and storing all of your files. Like others on this list, everything inside the tower is liquid-cooled, which helps to keep it running smoothly and whisper-quiet.
Because it features every premium component, this is a very pricey gaming desktop, and you can expect to pay a premium for it. Unless you are working with the most intensive market applications like 3D rendering and CAD work as your day job, it’s wasted power (and money) for most users.
Best Gaming PC For Mac Users
Built For Fans Of Apple
Apple
Apple Mac Mini
Processor: M4 Pro chip | Graphics card: Integrated 16-core GPU | Memory: 24GB | Storage: 512GB | Mouse and keyboard included: No
Pros:
Compact size
Ray tracing included for enhanced graphics
Speedy processor
Cons:
Not upgradeable
Limited port selection
To be transparent, I don’t typically recommend seeking out an Apple device for gaming. You may have to find workarounds to play your favorite games, which can be a frustrating experience. While many games are available on macOS, you will probably not be able to run them at the highest frame rates, which may make your games look choppy and less responsive. However, if you’re set on an Apple device, the Apple Mac Mini is a good option, especially if you plan to game stream. It features Apple’s speedy M4 Pro processor, which allows you to run heavy applications, including Apple’s AI software, called Apple Intelligence, with ease.
The Apple Mac Mini features one Ethernet port, one HDMI port and three USB-C ports on the back; two USB-C ports are additionally located on the front so you can easily connect your accessories. It’s also very compact, to the point that if you really needed to, you can pack the device in your bag. The graphics card also includes ray tracing so you can enjoy immersive lighting in your game’s graphics. That said, like other compact options on this list, it’s not upgradeable, and compared to Windows-based options, its port selection is more limited.
How I Chose The Best Gaming PCs
To compile a list of my top recommendations for the best gaming PCs, I combined hands-on testing, expert insights and extensive research. I also drew on my own real-world experience as an avid PC gamer.
I started by identifying leading brands in the gaming PC space, including iBuyPower, Alienware and more, based on their reputations for performance and reliability.
I considered my background gaming on the latest gaming PCS on the market as well as my first-hand testing of the latest and best desktop computer models. I also considered feedback from other members of the Forbes Vetted tech team.
I also regularly attend industry events and product showcases to stay informed about the latest innovations in computer technology, from enhanced AI in processors to new software features.
Each gaming desktop was evaluated based on critical components, including the CPU, graphics card, storage, memory and overall build quality, to ensure the best possible performance for a variety of users.
How To Choose A Gaming PC
No matter if you’re playing a cozy game or the newest release, your gaming PC needs to deliver a smooth performance. Here’s what to consider when selecting your next gaming PC.
Operating System
Most games operate using Windows software. It offers the widest compatibility for gaming platforms, including Steam, Epic Games and many more. You can game on a macOS, but it may have some limitations. If you’re fully invested in staying in the Apple ecosystem, then I recommend opting for a cloud gaming service like Nvidia GeForce Now, which will allow you to play your games on macOS without having to worry about the hardware. But if you’re a gamer, I recommend considering Windows systems.
Processor
Think of your processor as your PC’s brain. This chipset helps to multitask and keep performance smooth while you game. There are two major chipset brands on the market right now, AMD and Intel. For an AMD, you’ll want an AMD Ryzen 7 and up; Intel fans should consider an Intel Core 7 series and above. The higher those numbers go—both can go as high as a 7 or 9 series—the smoother multitasking will be. You’ll also get higher frame rates on your monitor during gameplay, which is important for the latest games. “A weak CPU can bottleneck even the most powerful graphics card, especially in open-world games, simulation titles and competitive eSports games where physics and AI calculations are constant,” says Jeremy Rambarran, a computer science professor at Touro Graduate School of Technology.
Graphics
Your graphics card, known as the GPU, helps to determine how your graphics look on your monitor. “The GPU drives the visual experience, determines the level of detail you can run in games, and directly affects frame rate at higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K,” says Rambarran. “Even casual players benefit from a capable GPU, because it allows games to load textures more smoothly and keeps animations fluid.” For gaming graphics, Nvidia is king, and after gaming on multiple Nvidia chipsets for years, I easily recommend them. For casual gamers, an Nvidia RTX 5060 is good enough. However, if you plan to use your monitor to showcase 4K graphics, or want to see every detail to pop on screen, look for an Nvidia RTX 5080 or higher.
Memory
Memory helps the computer address short-term multitasking and other tasks. The gold standard these days is 16GB of RAM. “While 32GB of RAM is becoming a common recommendation, most games still perform perfectly with 16GB,” says Rambarran. “Upgrading beyond that primarily benefits content creators or heavy multitaskers.” For those users, 32GB RAM is essential. It’s also worth noting that if you can, look for a DDR5 memory card, as that’s the latest model and presents the fastest response times.
Storage
Storage equals how many files your computer can hold, and the higher the number, the better. Game streamers should be fine with around 512GB of SSD storage. For everyone else, look for a minimum of 1TB of SSD storage. If you’d like to future-proof your PC, consider opting for 2TB or 4TB. At the moment, while some PCs offer up to 6TB, that’s just too much extra space unless you’re working with a library of video files.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
For years, we’ve been testing and reviewing computers of all types—and we have our robust library of tech and electronic guides to prove it. By leaning on our hands-on testing and in-depth research, we’ve written dozens of TV stories and compiled multiple gaming roundups, each focused on providing the most up-to-date advice for our readers.
Forbes Vetted consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs is the author of this guide. With more than six years of experience as a computer expert, she has authored many of our laptop guides, including recommending laptops for working from home and laptops for college students—and she is an avid and longtime gamer.
Forbes Vetted deputy editor Rose Gordon Sala, who reviewed this guide, is a veteran journalist with decades of experience in the field and she oversees our consumer tech, gear and baby and kids sections here.
To supplement our own expertise, we interviewed additional unbiased experts to get their insights on gaming PCs. In particular, we spoke with Jeremy Rambarran, a computer science professor at Touro Graduate School of Technology.
Which PC Brand Is Best For Gaming?
It depends on what games you wish to play. I believe the PC brand iBuyPower represents a balance of price and performance so much that I recently purchased the iBuyPower Y40 Pro as my main gaming machine. Heavy gamers will enjoy gaming PCs from brands like Alienware, Lenovo and Corsair which offer powerful, state-of-the-art components at a premium price. For those mindful of their budget or those who wish to play casual games, MSI and HP offer more budget-friendly gaming rigs that are good value.
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