Whatever games occupy your wishlist, investing in the best gaming PC you can afford is crucial. Getting one of the best gaming PCs as your main machine not only helps take your gaming experience to a new level, but also gives you many years of use. It might even win you a multiplayer games or two.
With exciting new titles out there and on the way, like Doom Eternal and the Outer Worlds, it’s even more critical than ever to get one of the best gaming PCs that are equipped with the latest and greatest components. Now that Nvidia’s Super RTX graphic cards as well as AMD’s Navi cards and Ryzen 3rd generation chips are making their presence and power known in the computing world, there are even more options for you, regardless of whether you want to splurge or save.
And, it doesn’t matter whether you favor Intel, AMD or Nvidia as most PC manufacturers will let you personalize and choose the best processors and best graphics card for your preferences and budget anyway.
To help you out, we assembled the best gaming PCs available, all of which we tested and reviewed ourselves. From popular manufacturers like Alienware to more exotic brands like Origin, this list covers a wide gamut of use cases.
These are the best gaming PCs money can buy right now. You’ll definitely find one to match your gaming needs and budget.
1. Corsair One i160
The best gaming PC of 2019
CPU: Intel Core i9-9900K | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | RAM: 16GB – 32GB | Storage: 480GB SSD + 2TB HDD
Extremely powerful
Beautiful design
Very expensive
The Corsair One has been among the best gaming PCs ever since it came on the scene a few years ago, and the Corsair One i160 only takes things to the next level with Nvidia Turing graphics and Intel Coffee Lake Refresh processors. This gaming PC can handle 4K gaming in a chassis that’s not much bigger than your average gaming console. It’s pricey – that much power kind of has to be – yet it’s certainly worth it if you’re looking for a small form factor machine without compromises.
Read the full review: Corsair One i160
2. Alienware Aurora R7
Ease of use meets a pretty chassis
CPU: Intel Core i5-9400 – i9-9900K | Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 560X – Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | RAM: up to 64GB | Storage: 1TB HDD – 2TB SSD, 2TB HDD
Plays games smooth as butter
Attractive, not over the top design
Chassis lid a bit finicky
Noticeable fan sound
The Alienware Aurora R7 is a wonder of engineering, cramming full-sized PC components into a chassis that’s more compact than your typical mid-tower PC case. At the same time, it still succeeds in being easily upgradeable, and it looks darn good. When you’re dropping this much money on a gaming PC, you’d expect at least one of these things to be true, but the Alienware Aurora R7 does them all. And that’s why it’s not hard to see why this is one of the best gaming PCs on the market in 2019.
Read the full review: Alienware Aurora R7
- This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the MSI Aegis 3
3. Corsair Vengeance Gaming PC
The ultimate pre-built gaming PC for upgraders
CPU: Intel Core i7-8700 – i7-9700K | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 | RAM: 16GB – 32GB | Storage: 480GB SSD, 2TB HDD – 960GB SSD
4K gaming at its best
Easy, tool-less upgrade
Reasonably priced
Wi-Fi requires included USB adapter
Touting one of the best Micro ATX cases we’ve come across so far is hardly The Corsair Vengeance’s only accolade. This beautiful machine has a lot more going for it that makes it not just the best gaming PC, but also one of the best PCs to hit the streets. Among its list of incredible features are its easily upgradeable and highly customizable chassis – thanks in large part to its tool-less design – and its spectacular performance. This best gaming PC definitely stands its ground against the most powerful gaming machines on the market. Need we say more? How about that gorgeous RGB lighting?
Read the full review: Corsair Vengeance Gaming PC
- This product is only available in the US at the time of writing. Australian and UK readers: check out a fine alternative in the Overclockers 8Pack Asteroid
(Image credit: Michelle Rae Uy)
4. HP Omen Desktop PC
Gaming PC powerhouse that’s worth the price
CPU: Intel Core i7-8700 – i7-9700K | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti – RTX 2080 Ti | RAM: Up to 64GB | Storage: 1TB HDD – 512GB SSD + 2TB HDD
High powered
Highly upgradable
Up to 165Hz refresh rates
Not the best looking PC
While the Decepticon look this gaming PC sports might only be for some, there’s definitely something for everybody as far as configurations go – whether you’re a casual gamer on a budget or a hardcore one willing to drop a lot of dough for a souped up rig. At less than $1,500 (about £1,180, AU$2,170), you’re getting more than enough power to get you through AAA games, albeit probably not on Ultra. At $2,335 (about £1,835, AU$3,235) or more, you’re getting a considerable amount of power and storage. Plus, HP Omen Desktop PC comes in a tool-less design, making it upgradeable. There isn’t any doubt that this one belongs on our best gaming PCs list.
Read the full review: HP Omen Desktop PC
5. Intel Hades Canyon NUC
The best small form factor gaming PC
CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Radeon RX Vega M GL – GH | RAM: up to 64GB | Storage: up to 2TB SSD, 2TB SSD
Lots of ports
Easy to upgrade
Expensive
If you’re looking for the best gaming PC under $1,000, the Intel Hades Canyon NUC may just be your dream machine. This teeny gaming PC isn’t just cost-effective, but space-saving as well. In fact, it resembles a set-top box more than a gaming PC. Don’t let its size fool you, however – it houses all the power that the best gaming laptops should to handle the best laptop games, with an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and discrete AMD Radeon graphics. You’ll have to provide your own RAM, storage and your own OS, but if you have extra PC hardware lying around, there are still plenty of savings to be had.
Read the full review: Intel Hades Canyon NUC
6. HP Omen Obelisk
Tricked out stunner for the hardcore gamer
CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 – i5-9600K | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti – RTX 2080Ti | RAM: up to 64GB | Storage: 1TB HDD – 1TB SSD, 3TB+3TB HDD
Lots of power
Appealing, tool-less design
Highly upgradeable
Base model hardly future-proof
This rectangular monster is definitely worthy of its moniker as it boasts lots of power… more than enough, in fact, for most gamers’ needs. When you’ve the funds for an upper-tier configuration, you’ll get a behemoth. Unfortunately, budget minded buyers will have to be satisfied with gameplay at medium settings, since the lower end models don’t pack the same firepower. Still, because of its high upgradability and tool-less design, such buyers are only an upgrade or two from the best gaming experience on Ultra or Max settings either. Plus, we’ve honestly seen more expensive machines for those specs.
Read the full review: HP Omen Obelisk review
7. Dell XPS Tower Special Edition
It doesn’t look the part, but plays it well
CPU: Intel Core i5 9400– i9-9900K | Graphics: up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 | RAM: 8GB – 64GB | Storage: up to 2TB SSD + 2TB HDD
Compact, minimalistic design
Affordably priced
Non-K, locked processor
Much like the excellent Dell XPS 13, the Dell XPS Tower is a lesson in cramming beefy specs into a slender design. This modest gaming PC looks a lot like the computer that’s been collecting dust in your dad’s office, rather than something that could burn through the latest and most demanding PC games. Beneath that unassuming exterior however, the Dell XPS Tower is one of the best gaming PCs on the market, fitted with an 8th-generation Intel Coffee Lake processors and Nvidia GTX 10-series graphics cards. With the Dell XPS Tower Special Edition, you’re getting one of the best gaming PCs money can buy, all without the off-putting ‘gamer aesthetic’.
Read the full review: Dell XPS Tower Special Edition
- This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Corsair One.
8. Origin Millennium
The best gaming PC for configuration options
CPU: Intel Core i5 9600K – AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 – Hydro X Cooled NVIDIA GeForce RTX Titan | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 250GB – 4TB SSD
Sharp and solid new design
Stealthy PC case elements
More expensive than a DIY PC
When you grab a new machine from Origin, it’s almost like you’ve built it yourself. But, you do have to be acquainted with PC components to decide for yourself what goes into the rig and how much money you’re willing to spend. So, our only real criticism of the Origin Millennium is that you can put together a similar gaming PC yourself and save hundreds of dollars. On the other hand, because of its svelte design and flexible specs – not to mention, the convenience, we bet you won’t even want to.
Read the full review: Origin Millennium
- This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Overclockers 8Pack Asteroid.
9. Alienware Area 51 Threadripper Edition
Top-notch power comes at a cost
CPU: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X – 2950X | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti – Dual Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | RAM: 8GB – 64GB | Storage: 2TB HDD – 2TB SSD; 2TB HDD
So much space for activities
Record-breaking benchmark results
Absolutely massive
Absurdly expensive
In true Alienware fashion, the Area 51 Threadripper Edition pushes the boundaries of both technology and your bank account. It’s extremely powerful, distinctly boasting the latest AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X across all of its configurations. The Area 51’s triad-design hasn’t altered much since its release back in 2014, but the inside of this desktop is basically tool-less to upgrade, not that you would even need to consider it’s already one of the best gaming PCs of 2019.
Read the full review: Alienware Area 51 Threadripper Edition
- This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Corsair One
10. MSI Trident X
Out of this world performance
CPU: Intel Core i7-9700K – i9-9900K | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 – 2080 Ti | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD – 512GB SSD, 2TB HDD
Insane gaming performance
Nice aesthetics
Questionable build quality
It was only a matter of time before the best gaming PCs started rolling out with the newest Coffee Lake Refresh and Nvidia Turing parts, and the MSI Trident X was the one to lead the charge. This small chassis PC doesn’t pull any punches, and will absolutely demolish any game you throw at it, at any resolution. Just remember that the thin metal build is a little flimsy for travel, and its price tag is a bit hefty. However, if you’re seeking no-holds-barred power that will fit right in your living room, you can’t do much better than this.
Read the full review: MSI Trident
Welcome to TechRadar’s PC Gaming Week 2019. We’re celebrating the most powerful gaming platform on Earth with in-depth articles, exclusive interviews and essential buying guides that showcase everything PC gaming has to offer. Visit our PC Gaming Week 2019 page to see all our coverage in one place.
Bill Thomas, Gabe Carey and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article