
How we pick our products
Nowadays, few people still dispute the fact that video game consoles cannot compete with a quality gaming computer. They outpace them in raw power, graphic quality, and even games available. Besides, a PC always gives you the possibility to modify or upgrade specific components.
And you don’t have to pay a monthly subscription to play online. Not to mention the fact that you can still carry out other tasks you usually do with a computer – from work to studies or entertainment. They are some of the most versatile electronic devices. This is why it hasn’t come as a surprise that many video game enthusiasts are now turning to gaming PCs.
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Key Facts
- Today, gaming PCs offer much more power and graphics performance than any console available on the market.
- Your current needs aren’t the only thing you should consider when buying one of these devices. You must also take into account future expansion or upgrade possibilities. This allows you to increase the life cycle of your computer while enjoying the latest video games.
- The main components of a PC include the motherboard, the processor, the RAM, and the graphics card. That being said, don’t neglect the cooling system, the case, or the power supply when you go to make your purchase.
Our Selection: The Best Gaming PCs on the U.S. Market
In the following section, you will discover our very own selection of the most popular gaming PCs currently available out there. We have tried and picked devices that fit different user profiles. That way, you can browse the options on the American market and figure out which model is the right one for you. Are you ready to embark on a quest to the top of the gaming world?
- Best Gaming PC Bundle
- Best Gaming PC With AMD Graphics
- Best Gaming PC for Avid Gamers
- Best Budget-Friendly Gaming PC
Best Gaming PC Bundle
This powerful computer is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a full set to start playing upon delivery. The Intel Core i5 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 graphics card, and 6GB of RAM will allow you to play video games in the best settings and resolution. It also features a 240GB SSD and 1TB HDD to store anything you want. Besides, you receive a quality keyboard and gaming mouse with this PC. 1-year warranty.
Best Gaming PC With AMD Graphics
Skytech Gaming is a leader in the industry, and the Archangel model is as powerful as it is stylish. Assembled right here in the United States and designed for eSport gamers, it incorporates a Ryzen 3 1200 4-Core processor, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB graphics card, and 8GB of DDR4 RAM to take your gaming experience to new heights. This model also comes with a free keyboard and mouse. 1-year warranty.
Best Gaming PC for Avid Gamers
The Element 9260 is undeniably the most powerful computer of our selection, with technical specs that will blow your mind. The combination of the Intel Core i7-9700F 8-Core processor and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB graphics card is a thing of beauty, designed to run the latest games in optimal conditions. This gaming PC also integrates 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 240GB SSD, and a 1TB HDD. In addition, it is VR-ready. 1-year warranty.
Best Budget-Friendly Gaming PC
The affordability of the Acer Aspire TC-885-UA92 isn’t the only beautiful thing about it. It’s also incredibly versatile. It may not offer technical specs that can match the Element 9260 above, but this Amazon’s Choice computer is an excellent choice for anyone looking to play less-demanding games and work or study. It integrates a 9th Generation Intel Core i5-9400 processor, 12GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. 1-year warranty.
Shopping Guide: Everything You Should Know About Gaming PCs
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What characterizes gaming PCs?
Their design is often attractive, with different light features that give them eye-catching aesthetics. Because these computers are so demanding, they generally include powerful cooling systems. Finally, no good gaming PC can exist without a power supply capable of supporting the needs of this type of equipment.
For whom are gaming PCs recommended?
Are you a big fan of strategy games? Well, computers are undoubtedly the best platform for this popular genre. Besides, unlike with a PS4 or Xbox One, you can play multiplayer games online without paying a yearly subscription.
What are the advantages of gaming PCs?
What gaming PC do I need to play in 4K resolution at 60 FPS?
In that regard, here are some general guidelines regarding minimum requirements: a 3.6 GHz i7 3820 processor or equivalent, an NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD RX 480 graphics card, and 8GB of RAM. Keep in mind that this can vary significantly from one game to the next. In any case, you will need a 4K monitor.
Why is cooling crucial in gaming PCs?
That being said, you should know that these components may require specific maintenance tasks that not all users can perform. Air cooling systems are the other alternative. They have the advantage of being more affordable, with very straightforward maintenance. But watch out for dust!
Can I assemble my gaming PC piece by piece?
Creating your own gaming PC isn’t necessarily the better option; in the end, it comes down to what is more comfortable for you. If you decide to assemble your new computer from scratch, make sure you check out all our articles on hardware. They will give you an idea of where to start.
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Buyer’s Guide
In order to purchase the best gaming PC for your needs, you will have to evaluate a number of different shopping criteria. We want to make your life easier so you can start gaming as soon as possible, which is why we have delved into the main aspects in the section below. Once you have read about these different technical specs, you should be ready to find the gaming PC you’ve always wanted.
Game Genres
Before you can choose which model suits you, it is essential that you consider the type of games you like and what their hardware requirements are. If you want to play games such as Metro Exodus, Crysis 3, or The Witcher III: Wild Hunt at the highest quality, you will need a really powerful computer.
If you’re a soccer fan and enjoy the realism of eFootball PES 2020 or FIFA 20, you’ll be glad to know that their requirements are much more modest. The same goes for stay-at-home strategists who prefer to play games like Hearts of Iron IV. In that regard, always check both the minimum and the recommended requirements of your favorite games beforehand.
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Computer Case
This part of the device can sometimes be like gift wrapping; a few models don’t go beyond looking aesthetically appealing. But, other than lights and other attractive design features, you need to look into the expansion options the case offers. Does it allow you to add new storage units, cooling systems, or graphics cards?
Motherboard
Unfortunately, this hardware component is too often left aside in gaming PCs. But the motherboard is a fundamental element on which the rest of the electronic parts depend. In that sense, you should make sure that it has enough PCIe x16 connectors; this will allow you to integrate a second graphics card to the computer if needed.
If the gaming PC you choose doesn’t come with an SSD, you may want to opt for a model with an M.2 storage connector on the motherboard. That way, you can install an SSD yourself in the future. Keep in mind that it can be challenging to find the motherboard that is preinstalled in the device, so don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer.
Processor
Along with the graphics card, the processor is perhaps the most important hardware component in a gaming PC. It’s quite simple: the more powerful it is, the better your experience will be. Remember that most of today’s video games require a high processing capacity.
When it comes to gaming, many believe that Intel’s chips guarantee better performance than AMD processors. However, the latter stand out for their fantastic value for money – not to mention the fact that the brand’s Zen microarchitecture is closing the gap with Intel.
RAM
Right now, 8 to 16GB of RAM is more than enough if you don’t plan on broadcasting your online gaming sessions in 4K resolution. When it comes to this hardware component, quality is often more important than quantity. You will have to pay attention to the frequency and latency of the RAM to measure its quality.
The higher the frequency, the faster the memory and, therefore, the better the performance. 2400MHz is a good reference value. Regarding the latency (often hidden behind the acronym CL), the lower the latency, the better. In addition, make sure to check the type of memory the component offers – DDR4 being the best available.
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Graphics Card
There’s no having a quality gaming PC without a good graphics card. For many years, NVIDIA has been at the forefront of the industry, providing the best gaming graphics out there. However, AMD is now marketing models that offer top-quality performance to match those of its main rivals.
Once again, you should consider the games you want to play and the resolution you’re expecting to enjoy. If you’re going to play Battlefield V at 4K and 144Hz, anything below an NVIDIA RTX 2080 or an AMD Radeon Vega VII simply won’t do. Other games are much less demanding.
Storage
As far as storage is concerned, three options are available to you. On the one hand, you can opt for a traditional hard drive; on the other hand, you can decide to install an SSD in your gaming PC. The third and best option, however, is to combine both.
- On the SSD, you can install the operating system and the games you play.
- The HDD is then dedicated to saving all your data.
The advantage of SSDs is that they are much faster, allowing you to load games in less time. So you might want to have a 256GB or 512GB SSD with an HDD of 1TB or more.
Summary
According to recent surveys, roughly 70% of Americans play video games today. While mobile devices (like smartphones and tablets) and consoles remain the top options for most users, more and more gamers are calling computers their preferred gaming platform.
Gaming PCs offer greater graphics power and an unrivaled catalog of games. Besides, you can always update any of their components to improve the device over the years. The processor, graphics card, and RAM are the most important hardware for your gaming experience.
Did you find our shopping guide on gaming PCs helpful and informative? We’d love to hear which model you decided to purchase, so feel free to let us know in the comments section below. You can also share this article on your social media so that your friends and family can find the computer they’ve always dreamed of.
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