Introduction
Do you want to get into PC gaming, but you’re unsure about building your first PC? If so, the natural course of action is to go for a pre-built gaming PC. With so many pre-built vendors out there, it can be tricky to know which ones to trust.
From budget options, to more mid-range and high-end we’ve found some great PCs that will give you the most bang for your buck. We’ve looked at multiple retailers to find the best prebuilt systems that provide the most value to you as a gamer.
Suggested Article: How to Pick the Best Gaming Monitor for your PC Build
What is a Prebuilt PC?
Quite simply, a prebuilt is a gaming or workstation system that has already been built for you. You won’t have to go through any of the hassle of putting together parts on your own, to the point where these retailers will even install your operating system.
You’ll also likely find strong warranties and customer care policies to back up your purchase, and unsure that if anything goes wrong you are catered for. Regardless of who you buy a PC from, make sure they have strong customer support and warranty policies. The idea of buying a pre-built is to take the hassle out of the process, so ensure you cover this off before buying.
Historically the prebuilt market has been a secondary choice to building your own PC based on component costs and servicing. This has meant that retailers would often charge a large premium to buy and have the PC built. This is the main reason why building a system yourself has historically been the cheaper choice. During the Covid-19 pandemic this changed in a big way. As component shortages, caused by GPU mining and supply-chain constraints, gripped the market, the only reasonable way to get a hold of the latest and greatest GPUs was to buy a prebuilt.
This led to a step change in the pre-built market that seems here to stay. With more builders than ever entering the market, systems integrators, as they are known, are being forced to be more competitive. Even with GPU prices plummeting back towards MSRP, buying a pre built can still be cheaper than assembling one yourself – that is how far the market has come.
Prebuilt PC Builders & Retailers
There are a wide range of retailers across the board that provide consumers with prebuilt PCs and customisation options. These are all of the retailers that we’ve looked at and would recommend considering when picking up a prebuilt PC.
Best Prebuilt Gaming PCs Under $1000
These systems are the best for those looking at getting into PC gaming, without spending the earth. The systems are ordered by price lowest-highest at the time of writing, allowing you to evaluate whether or not spending that ‘bit more’ is worthwhile.
Note: Images are taken from manufacturer sites, and may change based on any configuration changes you choose to make with system builders. Check with the manufacturer or reseller before buying.
Skytech: Archangel 3.0
For under $1000, this Skytech PC is excellently priced with an RTX 3000 series GPU and one of AMDs powerful budget CPUs.
The Archangel 3.0 will get you started off well with some PC gaming at 1080p. The RTX 3050 is an absolutely brilliant card, and combined with Nvidia’s DLSS it will make your gameplay buttery smooth.
Specs List:
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- RAM – 8GB DDR4 3000MHz
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 3050
- Storage – 500GB SSD
- Motherboard – B550
- PSU – 600W 80+ Gold
- CPU Cooler – Stock Ryzen Cooler
- Case – ThermalTake H200 TG RGB
- OS – Windows 10 Home
- Price – $879.99
Buy the Archangel 3.0 on:
To top it all off, this PC also comes in ThermalTake’s H200 TG case with has some awesome looking RGB situated on the outer front panel. This build is definitely worth grabbing if you’re getting into PC gaming for the first time!
CyberPowerPC: GM 9388
CyberPower’s GM9388 is another brilliant budget prebuilt. Sporting one of AMD’s latest CPUs a Ryzen 5 5600G, and a speedy M.2 SSD.
For the GPU, Cyberpower have included an RX 6600 which is an excellent graphics card that compares well to Nvidia’s RTX 3060, while (arguably) coming in at a more competitive price.
Specs List:
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
- RAM – 8GB DDR4 3200MHz
- GPU – AMD RX 6600
- Storage – 500GB M.2 SSD
- Motherboard – B550 M-ATX
- PSU – 600W 80+ Gold
- CPU Cooler – Stock Ryzen Cooler
- Case – Black Eclipse P418R
- OS – Windows 11 Home
- Price – $999
Buy the GM 9388 on:
Aesthetically, the case has a more simplistic look, but it comes with 3 ARGB fans which add some nice flair. This prebuilt also comes with a keyboard and mouse, so this will save you some money on the peripherals front.
Digital Storm: Lynx
Digital Storm’s Lynx comes built in an excellent looking, custom Digital Storm case. Retailer branding can be annoying with pre-builts, but it definitely works on this case. Spanning the side you have a tempered glass panel which is easy to remove with thumb screws.
The cooling you’re given is somewhat different to the other prebuilts we’ve chosen. Instead of a stock cooler, Digital Storm have included their own cooler which is set to provide good thermal efficiency.
Specs List:
- CPU – Intel Core i3 12100F
- RAM – 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 3050
- Storage – 500GB M.2 SSD
- Motherboard – B660 M-ATX
- PSU – 700W
- CPU Cooler – Digital Storm Tower Cooler
- Case – Digital Storm Lynx
- OS – Windows 11 Home
- Price – $999
Buy the Digital Storm Lynx on:
Digital Storm have paired one of our favourite CPUs, the i3 12100F, with a brilliant budget GPU – the RTX 3050. This is a combination we’ve recommended a number of times in our own budget RTX 3050 gaming PC builds.
Best Prebuilt Gaming PCs Under $1500
Skytech: Chronos
Utilising a front mesh design with multiple RGB fans and an RGB AIO, this prebuilt from Skyech has a truly awesome aesthetic.
Skytech have included a powerful RTX 3060 12GB into this build, an excellent GPU geared towards the mid-range market. Combined with the Core i5 12600K, you’ll be able to get some prime overclocking underway for some extra performance. Overall this is an excellent build with plenty of room to upgrade in the future too.
Specs List:
- CPU – Intel Core i5 12600K
- RAM – 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 3060 12GB
- Storage – 1TB M.2 SSD
- Motherboard – B660
- PSU – 650W 80+ Gold
- CPU Cooler – 240MM AIO
- Case – Skytech Chronos
- OS – Windows 10 Home
- Price – $1399.99
Buy the Skytech Chronos on:
CyberPowerPC: GLX 99150
The GLX 99150 is an awesome mid-range option, equipped with DDR5 memory for an extra performance boost in the overclocking and gaming departments.
With a 240mm liquid cooled AIO, and some included RGB fans you’ll have have a quiet system and optimal thermal output. CyberPower have included a mouse and keyboard with this system saving you some money for a great gaming monitor to pair with this build!
Specs List:
- CPU – Intel Core i5 12600KF
- RAM – 16GB DDR5 4800MHz
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 3060 12GB
- Storage – 1TB M.2 SSD
- Motherboard – Z690-P DDR5
- PSU – 600W 80+ Gold
- CPU Cooler – 240MM AIO
- Case – P418X Mid-Tower Black
- OS – Windows 11 Home
- Price – $1399
Buy the GLX 99150 on:
iBuyPower: Gaming RDY EMRRG211
The next system on our list is an interesting one. While it includes a weaker CPU and memory than some of our cheaper options, it does come included with a staggering RTX 3060Ti graphics card.
This GPU is an absolute powerhouse and has incredible legs at 1080p and 1440p. For those purely motivated by FPS, this is a solid bet.
To top things off, iBuyPower have included an RGB mouse and keyboard which will synergise well with the beautiful RGB fans shining through the glass front panel on this case.
Specs List:
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- RAM – 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 3060Ti
- Storage – 1TB M.2 SSD
- Motherboard – B550
- PSU – 600W 80+ Gold
- CPU Cooler – 120MM AIO
- Case – iBUYPOWER Element MR Mirror
- OS – Windows 11 Home
- Price – $1419
Buy the Gaming RDY EMRRG211 on:
Best Prebuilt Gaming PCs Under $2000
Skytech: Azure
This build is ideal for users that want to get a high-end experience, but without the hassle of having to build a PC themselves.
Skytech has installed some powerful components into the awesome special edition InWin 103 case. For the GPU, you’ve got an RTX 3070 which is a great graphics card for 4K and 1440p gaming, at high settings. There’s also plenty of room for upgrades later down the line with space for a better cooler or some more storage!
Specs List:
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- RAM – 16GB DDR4 3000MHz
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 3070 8GB
- Storage – 1TB M.2 SSD
- Motherboard – B550
- PSU – 650W 80+ Gold
- CPU Cooler – Ryzen Stock Cooler
- Case – Skytech SE InWin 103
- OS – Windows 10 Home
- Price – $1799.99
Buy the Skytech Azure on:
CyberPowerPC: EVO Mini I 100
CyberPower’s EVO Mini is an ITX build that features some extremely powerful hardware. Although this system comes with a slightly older 11th Gen Intel CPU, its 11700K will still give you some excellent performance both within gaming and workstation-esk applications.
This build is also one of the most affordable options to feature an Nvidia RTX 3070Ti. If you’re worried about cooling, you needn’t be too concerned, because CyberPower has you covered with a DeepCool 240EX liquid AIO.
Specs List:
- CPU – Intel Core i7 11700K
- RAM – 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 3070Ti 8GB
- Storage – WD Blue SN570 1TB
- Motherboard – Gigabyte Z590I AORUS Ultra
- PSU – 800W 80+ Gold
- CPU Cooler – DeepCool Castle 240EX AIO
- Case – Eclipse P200A
- OS – Windows 11 Home
- Price – $1869
Buy the EVO Mini I 100 on:
CyberPowerPC: Gamer XTREME 3000
The Gamer XTREME 3000 is a high performer when it comes to gaming and workstation applications. The i7 12700KF is an overclockable beast of a CPU, making any system run smoothly. Paired with this awesome processor is AMD’s RX 6700XT, a GPU that rivals Nvidia’s power hungry RTX 3070.
CyberPower’s choice of case is ideal for this build, with the tempered glass that spans the side allowing you to see the internal gubbins of your build.
Specs List:
- CPU – Intel Core i7 12700KF
- RAM – 16GB DDR5 4800MHz
- GPU – AMD RX 6700XT
- Storage – WD Blue SN570 1TB
- Motherboard – Gigabyte Z690 UD AC DDR5
- PSU – 800W 80+ Gold
- CPU Cooler – DeepCool Castle 240EX
- Case – Alumalight 241V
- OS – Windows 11 Home
- Price – $1975
Buy the Gamer XTREME 3000 on:
Skytech: Chronos
This system will look familiar to one of the systems our earlier, budget recommendations. Skytech has a second variant of their Chronos prebuilt that is an absolute powerhouse. With an i5 12600KF, 32GB of DDR5 memory, and an RTX 3070Ti, this PC will not disappoint.
Whether you’re jumping into some 4K games, or some rendering work in Cinebench this PC will definitely suit you. A DDR5 system under $2000 is definitely worth considering!
Specs List:
- CPU – Intel Core i5 12600KF
- RAM – 32GB DDR5
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 3070Ti
- Storage – 1TB Gen4 M.2 SSD
- Motherboard – Z690 DDR5
- PSU – 750W 80+ Gold
- CPU Cooler – 240MM AIO
- Case – Skytech Chronos
- OS – Windows 10 Home
- Price – $1979.99
Buy the Skytech Chronos on:
