When it comes to the world of gaming, there are two options. You can build a computer from scratch, researching which cards and processors and rams are best, which work together, and how to physically assemble all the pieces, of you can opt for a computer that comes fully equipped with all the tech you need to start gaming right away. We’re fans of the ‘gaming right away’ option.
Buying a gaming computer comes with a huge learning curve, so we’ve broken down what to look for when preparing to make your big purchase.
Some computers offer the option to upgrade parts of the system, allowing for lower entry price points that are ideal for starting in the gaming world and adding on with additional memory or graphics cards as you become more advanced in your skill set and gameplay. Computers and games are continually be improved, which is also why we like being able to upgrade our units in pieces rather than having to buy a new system every year.
When researching gaming computers, we opted for computer packages that came as a set, with our top picks all including a gaming keyboard and mouse. While these are both items that can be added on in the future, we found that it was fiscally efficient to buy the items as a set. If you already own a gaming mouse and keyboard, having a backup means you can use multiplayer settings or try out a model different from the one you’re used to using. These can also be sold privately to help offset the cost of your new computer system.
To ensure your system can handle any graphics and deliver them smoothly, we recommend computers with NVIDIA GeForce or an AMD Radeon RX graphics coprocessor. We also included two computers that are VR-compatible, as they can ensure you’re ready for the next generation of games, even if you’re not currently using Oculus Rift.
Ready to get your game on and splurge (smartly) on a new gaming computer? We have three options that will give you a second life.
1. CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme VR
Featuring Ultra High game settings and high resolution, including an Intel Core i5-9400F 2.9GHz 6-Core, a 6GB video card and a HDMI port, DisplayPort, agaming keyboard and 7-color gaming mouse, and a 7.1 audio channel, the CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme VR comes with everything you need to take your gaming to the next level.
The computer also features a fully addressable RGB ring fan to keep your computer cool after hours of gaming, with NVIDIA GeForce GTX Graphics ensuring the graphics in your games look as sharp and crisp as they were designed to appear. The computer has a long list of pros, including the ability to easily upgrade parts, like memory cards and graphics cards, and its ease of setup and use.
2. iBUYPOWER Gaming PC Desktop
The iBUYPOWER has all the bells and whistles you could ever want to make your gaming dreams come true. The computers runs on the superfast Intel Core i7-8700K Six-Core Processor 3.7 GHz and features a 1TB hard drive like the Gamer Xtreme Desktop Gaming PC, but with the added power of a 16GB ram. Graphics are seamless thanks to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 and 8GB dedicated video gaming card, with the iBUYPOWER equipped for VR play.
Pros: You can play for hours on end thanks to the liquid cooling system and magnetic dust filter that keeps your tower cool and clean.
Cons: The RGB LED remote control sometimes isn’t included in packaging.
3. CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC
If you like a powerful computer but don’t need VR tech, we recommend the Gamer Xtreme Desktop Gaming PC. For the price, it also has an Intel Core i5-9400F 2.9GHz 6-Core and 8GB ram size but features an upgraded 6GB video card, 1TB hard-drive and an AMD Radeon RX 580 graphics co-processor. The Gamer Xtreme Desktop Gaming PC also comes with a gaming keyboard and mouse and works with Windows 10.
Pros: Comes with 1 year warranty and free lifetime tech support
Cons: There’s a long setup time for downloads and other software related things.