Best Pre-Built Gaming PCs In 2022

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K | Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti | RAM: 16GB DDR4 3,733MHz | Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD

Best for: Gamers who want to balance performance with price.

The HP Omen 40L continues the Omen line’s tradition of clean design coupled with powerful components. This configuration is a boost over a prior pick, and upgrades the processor to a Core i7-12700K and includes a GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics card. (HP has other configurations up to the more powerful RTX 3080 graphics card at its site.)  This component matchup gives you all the power you need for high frame rate gaming at 1080p or 1440p, with ray tracing and every other setting enabled. You can dabble in 4K, but you’ll need to lower some settings (or enable DLSS) to get comfortable frame rates in AAA games.

The redesigned cooling system is much more effective, leading to overall lower component temperatures and a much quieter system. No more gaming with headphones on as a necessity. Just because this PC is ultra powerful, doesn’t mean it’s not upgradeable, though. With an Intel 12th generation CPU and 600 series motherboard, you can upgrade to a Raptor Lake CPU later this year when they debut, and there’s always the option of switching up to DDR5 memory if you want to really push it.

Pros:

• Great gaming performance at 1080p and 1440p
• Some 4K gaming ability in lighter titles
• Much improved cooling for quieter gaming

Cons:

• Not quite a full 4K gaming PC
• No DDR5

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700F | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 | RAM: 16GB DDR4 3,200MHz | Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD

Best for: Gamers who want PC performance in a compact, console-like chassis.

Gaming PCs don’t only come in massive towers. The MSI MPG Trident AS proves that as the flagship of MSI’s console-styled PC range, and it is absolutely the best of both worlds. The MPG Trident AS has a stylish, narrow design whose compact shape easily fits among your living room electronics. Inside sits the kind of performance that only a high-end gaming PC can provide. This PC’s combination of fast CPU and upper tier Nvidia graphics card make it capable of playing any game at any settings (though you’ll need to juggle some settings if you enable ray tracing, or play at 4K, to maintain steady frame rates). And with 1TB of fast NVMe SSD storage, you get plenty of space to store your game adventures.

The system stays quiet with a well-tuned air cooling system that keeps the hot air flowing out at a respectable rate without ramping up the fans. It also currently comes with a free gaming mouse and keyboard, which while not stellar, does help bring down the overall price for getting going with a fully operational gaming system. The step-up model, the MSI MEG Trident X is worth a look as well, but is currently in and out of stock. That model is pricier, but has faster DDR5 memory, double the storage and better graphics.

Pros:

• High-performance components let you play anything
• Impressive cooling for quiet operation
• Compact chassis fits in anywhere

Cons:

• Expensive
• Only has DDR4 memory

CPU: Intel Core i9-12900K | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 | RAM: 32GB DDR5 4,800MHz | Storage: 2TB NVMe SSD

Best for: Gamers who want the best of the best available today, and are willing to pay for it.

If you want a gaming PC that lets you turn everything up to 11 without compromise, then you need to pay for it. What you get for your money though, is truly special in the gaming space: This Corsair PC combines cutting-edge components with an airy and quiet-chassis, a potent combination that delivers high-powered gaming performance without any of the usual drawbacks.

Inside you also get pleasing lighting effects on all of your RGB fans and a quiet CPU watercooling system, all visible through your a clear, tempered glass side panel. This model has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for attaching all of your favorite wireless accessories and peripherals.

Worried about spending this kind of money? Don’t be. This model carries a two year warranty for a replacement or refund, as well as lifetime 24/7 technical support from Corsair’s team of specialists.

Pros:

• Flagship-level gaming performance
• Quiet operation with a great looking case
• Access to 24/7 support team for life

Cons:

• Very expensive
• Lacks Wi-Fi 6E support

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5600G | Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6600 | RAM: 8GB DDR4 3,000MHz | Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD

Best for: Gamers who want current-gen performance at an affordable price.

As graphics card prices normalize again after previous shortages, you can suddenly get a lot more gaming power for your money at around the $1,000 mark. This CyberPowerPC Gamer Master Gaming Desktop has an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G six core processor and the stellar AMD Radeon RX 6600XT graphics card—a potent combination for 1080p gaming at any detail setting. It’s great for playing esports games at high frame rates, but it also has more than enough power to deliver strong frame rates in AAA games, too. Just don’t expect to run games with every setting maxed out.

The 8GB of RAM is a little weak and that would be a good place to focus your attentions for a first upgrade, but this model has half a terabyte of SSD storage for fast boot times and even faster game loading. Another weakness is its integrated Wi-Fi, which only supports the older 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 standard. It even comes with its own mouse and keyboard, so you can jump into a game as soon as you’ve opened the box. Want to tweak how it looks? There’s plenty of RGB lighting in the chassis and on the CPU cooler, so you can customize your color accents to make it stand out from the crowd.

Pros:

• Solid performance at an affordable price
• Bundled mouse and keyboard

Cons:

• Only 8GB of RAM
• Wi-Fi is 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5

CPU: Intel Core i9-12900KF | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 | RAM: 32GB DDR5 4,800MHz | Storage: 2TB NVMe SSD

Best for: Gamers who want the fastest PC possible in 2022.

This gaming PC really does have it all. High-end processor, check; high-end graphics card, check; high-end DDR5 memory, check; 2TB high-speed NVMe SSD storage, check. With these components, you get all the space for all your games, and all of the hardware to turn all the settings all the way up. Inside MSI’s styled RS 12 chassis, you get heaps of personalization with subtle RGB lighting on all the fans and coolers and tasteful mesh cabling to improves airflow boot. This model has plenty of space for upgrades and tinkering, if you care to do so.

You get a good selection of ports for plugging in your controllers and accessories, access to fast 2.5 Gigabit ethernet and Wi-Fi 6 wireless networking for fast downloads and file transfers, and the out-of-the box cable management gives the system a refined and tidy look. This system is pricey, but it’s well worth it for what you get. It even comes with a pair of decent gaming peripherals, and a free copy of Dying Light 2.

Pros :

• It’s as fast as a gaming PC can be in 2022
• Plenty of memory and storage
• Unique look with excellent system cooling

Cons:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6700XT | RAM: 16GB DDR4 3,200MHz | Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD

Best for: Gamers who want to target 1440p (2K) gaming on a modest budget.

With GPU prices crashing, you can now get this amazing all-AMD gaming PC with an eight core CPU and graphics card that together can easily deliver excellent 1440p (2K) gaming performance across a wide breadth of games. The processor is considered mid-grade, meaning it falls below AMD’s highest performing option, but strikes a good balance for high frame rates per second gaming and everyday tasks. The graphics card, though, is among AMD’s high-end options and a great choice for intense gaming sessions. The combination of these two components makes this PC stand out, since it can be a gaming performer without hitting the same price heights as other models.

The case has an attractive design with heaps of RGB lighting, and the inside is roomy enough that upgrades and tinkering are a breeze. The AMD system doesn’t have quite the same upgrade paths as an Intel 12th gen design, but it will be fully compatible with next-generation graphics cards, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D offers a modest CPU performance bump if you want to go down that route in the future.

Pros:

• Very affordable with recent price cuts
• Solid cooling in a great-looking case
• Bundled peripherals add additional value

Cons:

CPU: Intel Core i5-11400 | Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1660 Super | RAM: 8GB DDR4 3,200MHz | Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD, 1TB HDD

Best for: Gamers who want a capable and reliable first gaming PC.

The best beginner friendly PC will always be one that has good but not top-tier components, and doesn’t need much tinkering or upgrading. The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i achieves that balance, even with its last-generation Intel CPU—which still holds its own compared to the latest and greatest. This model also has what is arguably the best 16-series Nvidia GPU, the GeForce GTX 1660 Super, which packs plenty of frame rates for gaming and esports, and can run at high enough frames per second for an enjoyable experience (though the newer GeForce RTX 3060 cards provide even faster frame rates, plus better 3D performance and real-world speed). You may need to fuss with the settings in AAA games if you’re playing at resolutions outside of 1080p, but such games can still look good at more modest frame rates. Also inside are four USB 3.1 ports, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 wireless and a 256GB SSD paired with a roomy but not-as-fast hard disk drive.

The system has an understated design overall, with a mesh front for improved airflow, and a side window so you can get a look at all your fancy new components. The cooling mechanisms keep the system relatively quiet, and a range of lighting options can be customized to give your Legion Tower a unique look. While there are some corners cut on the CPU cooler’s design, older CPU and the limited memory, those are easily upgradeable when you find them to be a limitation, and the system is open and accessible when you do want to replace components. This is a great PC for getting started with gaming, and it can grow with your changing needs.

Pros:

• Affordable price with good performance
• Case has roomy interior

Cons:

• Previous-generation CPU and graphics card
• Basic complement of RAM

CPU: Intel Core i5-10400F | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Super | RAM: 8GB DDR4 2,666MHz | Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD

Best for: Gamers who want the absolute best bang for their buck.

This HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop PC does one thing very well: It gets you a powerful graphics card at a very affordable price. The CPU is a little long in the tooth, two generations behind Intel’s current crop; but it’s still plenty capable of playing the latest games. HP makes other compromises to achieve this terrific price: The Pavilion has an underwhelming 8GB of RAM; its 256GB SSD isn’t much when it comes to modern games; it supports Wi-Fi 5, and only has USB 3.0 connectivity.

With GPU prices continuing to fall thanks to the cryptocurrency crash and miners subsequently dumping their GPUs into the secondhand market, new build systems like this have become all the more affordable, and that’s good news for gamers. This combination of hardware has all the power it needs for high frame rate esports games, and it even has enough performance to deliver playable frame rates in the latest AAA games. It remains a good budget gaming PC to get you playing right away.

Pros:

• Super low price for this graphics card
• Able to play any esports games at high FPS

Cons:

• Limited storage space
• 8GB of RAM suboptimal for the latest games