If you want to play the latest PC games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in high settings and 4K resolution, you’ll need a gaming computer that can handle their graphics requirements. The best gaming computers have high-performance GPUs to handle modern graphics requirements, and they’re backed up by powerful CPUs and high-capacity RAM to handle the background processing.
While it’s always possible to build a gaming PC, prebuilt models often come with warranties, and there’s no worrying about assembly or parts compatibility. Many prebuilts use standard components like motherboards and cooling systems, so it’s possible to upgrade them later if they get damaged or obsolete. (And you can always add bells and whistles to your personal setup in the form of great gaming mics, high-end desks, and the comfiest of chairs.)
Over the last couple of years, there’s also been a shortage of certain components. Getting a prebuilt gaming computer might be the best way to avoid paying exorbitant prices to scalpers or waiting for availability.
There are countless gaming PCs on the market, and it can be challenging to choose the right one and make sense of all the specs. We’ve made it easy to decide with our list of the best gaming computers of 2022, so sit back, get comfortable, and check it out.
The Cyber CyberPowerPC is a lower-midrange PC offering decent performance for a reasonable price. It has a unique black-and-white case to help it stand out, and it brings out the vivid RGB lighting on the fans.
This gaming computer uses the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X CPU, released in 2019, with eight cores, 16 threads, and a 3.6 GHz base clock speed. The GPU is an AMD RX 6700 XT with 12 GB of GDDR6 RAM and a 2.58 GHz boost clock speed. It’s a mid-range GPU comparable to NVIDIA’s RTX 3070. While it offers decent 1080p and 1440p performance, it’s not the best if you’re looking to play in 4K.
The 16GB of DDR4 RAM might be lower than many of the higher-tier options on this list, but it’s still acceptable and should run most games without a hitch. There’s also a 1TB NVMe drive and a 1TB HDD, which will be enough for casual gamers but won’t be enough for players with massive libraries.
When you buy the CyberPowerPC, you get great price to performance value in a stunning case. It should run most modern games, but its average storage capacity might not be enough for some people.
- AMD Ryzen 7 3700X CPU
- 16GB RAM
- AMD RX 6700 XT GPU
- Processor Type: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 2TB
- Included Accessories: mouse and keyboard
- VR Compatible?: Yes
- Brand: Cyber
- Eye-catching case
- Excellent value
- Vivid RGB lighting
CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming
The 2022 MSI Infinite RS 13NUI-419US is a powerhouse PC with the latest components and the best performance. It will effortlessly run any game and should last at least a few years before it needs upgrading.
One of the best features of this PC is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. It packs a 2.53 GHz boost clock and 24GB of GDDR6X memory to make it the most powerful gaming GPU in the world, capable of 8K resolution at 60 fps. Apart from the graphics card, the Infinite RS also has an Intel Raptor Lake i7-13700KF processor and a whopping 64 GB of RAM.
The 2TB NVMe should be more than enough for apps and games, while the additional 2TB HDD is perfect as a storage drive for large game libraries.
When it comes to the exterior, the MSI Infinite RS has a black case with a tempered glass panel on the side. The front has a mesh cover over three RGB fans, and the top panel houses the power and reset buttons, two USB-A ports, and a single USB-C port. There’s also a pair of 3.5 millimeter ports to connect a headset or speakers.
MSI’s Infinite RS 13NUI-419US is the PC many buyers would choose if they had unlimited funds. It’s powerful enough to run the most demanding games, and has adequate storage space for massive media libraries. It may be expensive, but you might save money in the long run because you won’t need to upgrade it anytime soon.
- 64 GB RAM
- 4TB storage capacity
- RTX 4090 GPU
- Processor Type: Intel Raptor Lake i7-13700KF
- Memory: 64GB
- Storage: 4TB
- Included Accessories: None
- VR Compatible?: Yes
- Brand: MSI
- World’s most powerful gaming GPU can handle any game at highest settings
- Ample storage
- Doesn’t need upgrading soon
- High-end so best for more serious buyers
2022 MSI Infinite RS 13NUI-419US
Budget-conscious buyers looking for a good deal can check out the ROG Strix G10 Gaming Desktop PC. It’s often marked down and offers entry-level gaming performance at a price anyone can afford.
It has an Intel i5-11400F CPU with six cores, 12 threads, and a 2.6GHZ base frequency. It’s part of Intel’s 11-Gen Rocket Lake processors designed as a budget gaming CPU. On this computer, it’s paired with an acceptable 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, which will get the job done. However, the 512 GB SSD is quite small and will only be able to store a handful of games at the most.
The NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU features 8GB of GDDR6 RAM and a 1.78 GHz boost clock. It’s the company’s entry-level card in the Ampere range and offers modern graphics features like ray-tracing and Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS). While it’s more than capable of 1080p resolution at high frame rates, it might not be able to hit 1440p on certain games.
For budget offering, the ROG Strix G10 has an elegant gray case with minimalist RGB light strips on the front and the option to have a solid or tempered glass side panel, depending on what you prefer. It makes gaming accessible to everyone with its affordable price tag, although it could benefit from a bigger storage capacity.
- Intel i5-11400F CPU
- 16GB RAM
- NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU
- Processor Type: Intel i5-11400F
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Included Accessories: None
- VR Compatible?: Yes
- Brand: ASUS ROG
- Affordable price
- Stylish case
- Decent CPU
- 512 GB storage capacity too low for some users
ROG Strix G10 Gaming Desktop
Savvy buyers looking for high specs can check out the Velztorm Aciex 12th Gen CTO Gaming Desktop. It uses the best last-gen components to deliver excellent all-around capabilities and won’t need upgrading soon.
This PC comes with an Intel i9 12900K, formerly the fastest gaming CPU in the world, paired with a whopping 64GB of DDR 5 RAM. It also has a decent 1TB PCIe SSD to run the operating system and other software and a 2TB HDD for extra storage.
The NVIDIA RTX 3090 GPU features 24GB of GDDR6X memory, a 1.70 GHz boost clock, and was until recently one of the most powerful GPUs ever made. There’s a 1,000-watt power supply to keep everything running smoothly and a 360 millimeter AIO liquid cooler to keep the temperature at the optimal level.
Velztorm’s Aciex 12th Gen CTO Gaming Desktop doesn’t come cheap, but it has high specs in all departments, and there’s no need to upgrade the GPU, RAM, or memory anytime soon. The CPU and GPU might be last-gen, but they still have enough oomph to match some of the latest competitors.
- NVIDIA RTX 3090 GPU
- Intel i9 12900K CPU
- 64 GB RAM
- Processor Type: Intel i9 12900K
- Memory: 64GB
- Storage: 3TB
- Included Accessories: None
- VR Compatible?: Yes
- Brand: Velztorm
- Liquid cooling
- Fast GPU
- Decent storage capacity
- Uses some last-gen components
Velztorm Aciex 12th Gen CTO Gaming Desktop
Alienware’s Aurora R14 Liquid Cooled Gaming Desktop features the company’s stylish Legend design language with flowing lines and a futuristic look compared to its competitors. It combines an AMD processor with an NVIDIA to deliver great performance.
Powering this gaming PC is an AMD Ryzen 9 5900 CPU with 12 cores and 24 threads, known for its performance and efficiency. It’s paired with 32GB of DDR4 RAM and an AM4 socket motherboard. Like many gaming PCs in its price range, there’s a 1TB SSD and a 2TB HDD providing storage, which should be enough for most buyers.
The Aurora R14 includes a last-gen NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU with 10GB of GDDR6X memory and a 1.71 boost clock. It was the second-best GPU in the company’s range until recently and still offers up to 4K resolution at high frame rates.
This gaming PC has a unique case that stands out and is unmistakable as an Alienware product. It also comes with a matching mouse and keyboard for added value, and they look stunning when combined with the PC.
The Aurora R14 might be a bit pricey considering its specs, but it is still worth it for its eye-catching design and Alienware quality.
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900 CPU
- 3TB storage
- 32GB RAM
- Processor Type: AMD Ryzen 9 5900 CPU
- Memory: 32GB
- Storage: 3TB
- Included Accessories: keyboard and mouse
- VR Compatible?: Yes
- Brand: Alienware
- Futuristic look
- Alienware quality
- Includes a mouse and keyboard
- May get more for money, as far as specs, with other machines
Alienware Aurora R14 Liquid Cooled Gaming Desktop
The CUK Prebuilt Gaming Desktop has a decent storage capacity and an innovative HP case. It’s one of the most affordable ways to get an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, although it compromises in other areas.
This computer uses the new HP Omen 45L case with the Cryo Chamber design. It splits the case into two parts. The lower part houses the motherboard, CPU, and GPU, and the Cryo Chamber at the top houses the cooling system. This design is quieter and more efficient than regular cases because the heat generated by the performance parts doesn’t interfere with the cooling components.
Most people will buy the CUK Prebuilt Gaming Desktop for its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. It’s currently the world’s most powerful gaming GPU and will play any game on the highest settings. One of the ways CUK keeps the price reasonable is with the AMD Ryzen 5700X paired with a B550M motherboard. The combination isn’t the fastest, but it works well and makes sense considering its pricing.
This computer’s 32GB of DDR4 RAM is excellent for gaming and other tasks. The 1TB NVMe SSD is adequate for the operating system, and the massive 3TB HDD is unlikely to get filled by average buyers.
CUK’s Prebuilt Gaming Desktop offers the best graphics for a reasonable price. Its storage capacity is also fantastic, and its case will ensure no overheating.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU
- 4TB storage
- 32GB RAM
- Processor Type: AMD Ryzen 5700X
- Memory: 32GB
- Storage: 4TB
- VR Compatible?: Yes
- Brand: CUK
- Innovative case
- Powerful GPU
- High RAM
- Could have a better motherboard
CUK Prebuilt Gaming Desktop
Cobratype’s Scorpion Hero Desktop Gaming PC combines performance and cooling for one of the best all-around gaming PCs.
It has the latest-gen Intel Core i7-13700KF paired with 16GB of DDR4 memory. The memory isn’t as fast as the newer DDR5 type, but it’s easier to upgrade because it’s lower in price and more readily available than its newer counterpart.
Graphics are courtesy of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080. It has a 2.51 GHz boost clock and 16GB of GDDR6X memory, making it the second most powerful GPU in the company’s lineup. The 1TB NVMe storage capacity is adequate for most users, but those with massive libraries might need to upgrade or look elsewhere.
Where the Scorpion Hero stands out is its cooling system. It has a 240-millimeter AIO liquid cooler mounted to the top of the case. Three RGB fans on the front suck in cool air, and the one at the back gets rid of the hot air in the system.
It’s easy to show off the internals with the tempered glass side panel, and Cobratype also throws in a keyboard. This gaming PC will also run all the latest games with its powerful graphics card, and there’s no worrying about it overheating.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
- 1TB
- 16GB RAM
- Processor Type: Intel Core i7-13700KF
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB
- Included Accessories: Keyboard
- VR Compatible?: Yes
- Brand: Cobratype
- Liquid cooling
- Powerful GPU
- Decent RAM
- 1TB storage won’t be enough for some gamers
Cobratype Scorpion Hero Desktop Gaming PC
Corsair’s Vengeance a7200 Series Gaming PC offers decent mid-range performance and quality components. Corsair is known for making some of the best RAM modules, cooling systems, and storage memory, and buyers can have some peace of mind that its gaming PCs contain premium parts that will last through heavy everyday use.
Inside the Vengeance a7200 Series is an all-AMD affair with a Ryzen 9 5900X CPU and an RX 6800 XT GPU. The Ryzen 9 5900X CPU has been eclipsed by some of the company’s newer offerings, but it can still hold its own with most games. The RX 6800 XT GPU has 16 GB of GDDR6 memory and a 2.10 GHz boost clock. It’s one of AMD’s upmarket GPUs comparable to NVIDIA’s RTX 3080 in terms of performance, delivering 4K and 1440p graphics.
Corsair makes most of the components, including the 32GB of DDR4 RAM, the 240 millimeter H100i AIO liquid cooler, and the case and RGB fans. The 1TB NVMe is part of the company’s MP600 range, and there’s also a 2TB SATA HDD for additional storage. All the Corsair components link with the company’s iCUE software, making it easy to monitor and change settings on a single interface.
The Vengeance a7200 isn’t the fanciest gaming PC, but it has decent performance and just works. Its AMD CPU and GPU offer impressive performance for the price, and there’s no worrying about the other components dying anytime soon because they are all premium Corsair products.
- AMD RX 6800 XT GPU
- 3TB storage
- 32GB RAM
- Processor Type: Ryzen 9 5900X
- Memory: 32GB
- Storage: 3TB
- Included Accessories: None
- VR Compatible?: Yes
- Brand: Corsair
- Premium Corsair components
- Excellent value
- Easy to configure with iCUE software
Corsair Vengeance a7200 Series Gaming PC
As its name suggests, the ASUS ROG Gaming & Entertainment Desktop PC is meant to be an all-around multimedia device capable of high-resolution streaming and superb gaming performance.
It’s one of the best options if you have a massive game or multimedia library because it comes with a 1TB NVMe SSD and a massive 6TB HDD. The 128GB of DDR4 RAM is also higher than any other PC on this list, making it perfect for gaming, video-editing software, and other resource-hungry apps.
The Intel i7-11700KF CPU has eight cores, 16 threads, and a 3.60 GHz base frequency. It offers impressive performance considering its age but might come up short against newer and more powerful offerings. For a mid-tier gaming PC, it still has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, which can still handle most games in 4K despite being part of the previous-gen lineup.
For a gaming computer, the Gaming & Entertainment Desktop PC has a subtle design with a single RGB strip breaking up the all-black design and a tempered glass side panel to view the internals. It offers some of the best value considering its price tag and has the highest storage capacity and RAM of any option on this list.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU
- 7TB storage
- 128GB RAM
- Processor Type: Intel i7-11700KF CPU
- Memory: 128GB RAM
- Storage: 7TB
- Included Accessories: None
- VR Compatible?: Yes
- Brand: ASUS ROG
- Massive storage
- High RAM
- Great GPU
- Somewhat lackluster design
ASUS ROG Gaming & Entertainment Desktop PC
MSI makes some of the best motherboards and other components, and its gaming PCs contain premium parts. The MSI Trident X (SFF) Gaming Desktop offers outstanding value and gives gamers mid-range performance at an entry-level price.
It uses an Intel Core i7-12700KF processor with eight performance cores, four efficiency cores, and 20 threads with a 2.4/3.4 GHz base frequency. It might be part of the previous-gen Alder Lake series, but it still has excellent gaming performance. The 16GB of DDR 5 memory and 1TB NVMe storage is the standard at this price point and should be enough for most day-to-day tasks.
Powering the graphics on the Trident X (SFF) is an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti with 8GB GDDR6X RAM and a 1.77GHz boost clock. It’s the mid-tier card in NVIDIA’s 30-Series with fantastic performance, although it might struggle to hit 60fps at 4K resolution on certain games.
MSI’s Trident X (SFF) has a slim profile compared to most gaming PCs, making it ideal for smaller desks and working areas. Its components are all top-notch, and it has a GPU capable of running most games. This gaming PC punches above its weight, considering its price, and is a worthwhile option if you have a limited budget.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU
- 16GB RAM
- Intel Core i7-12700KF CPU
- Processor Type: Intel Core i7-12700KF
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB
- Included Accessories: None
- VR Compatible?: Yes
- Brand: MSI
- MSI premium parts
- Slimline design
- Outstanding value
- Questionable thermal efficiency
MSI Trident X (SFF) Gaming Desktop
It’s always advisable to get the best gaming PC possible, but the reality is that we all have budgets and need something we can afford. The very best gaming PCs feature the newest and most powerful parts, but they go for thousands of dollars and might be out of reach for many buyers.
It can be worth compromising because many entry-level and mid-range gaming PCs have decent performance and lower prices. Many of them use standard components, and upgrading them over time is possible to get the performance you want.
Compatibility
It’s worth checking the type of CPU, motherboard, and other components before buying a PC to see what else they’re compatible with and if they are upgradeable. With technology advancements coming at a rapid pace, equipment becomes obsolete fast, and it’s not worth getting a computer with older parts if you’re planning on upgrading soon.
GPU
The graphics card is arguably the most crucial part of any gaming PC because it’s the part that renders the complex 3D imagery onscreen. Many GPUs are available on the market, but only the best (and most expensive) can handle things like 4K or 8K resolution.
It might be worth checking up on the graphics requirements of your favorite games to see which GPU is appropriate for your needs. Remember that buying a GPU above your requirements adds a degree of future-proofing, so you won’t have to upgrade when a new game is released, and it could save you money in the long run.