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The world of gaming PCs is exciting, and we doubt it will ever lose its hype. Unlike traditional gaming consoles, shopping for a new gaming PC makes every year feel like the launch of new gaming hardware. Usually, you have to wait years to find out what Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo have planned for their latest consoles, but with gaming PCs, you’re the one in control. From ultra-portable gaming laptops to building your own tower PC, diving into the world of PC gaming is thrilling and nerve-wracking all at once. Of course, you don’t need to build your own hardware to get into gaming desktops. While many hardcore gamers will be quick to tell you that building your first desktop PC is exciting, it’s also not for everyone. Pre-built desktop PCs don’t cost much more than the sum of the parts you’ll need for a custom rig. For many gamers, the extra cost includes several benefits: labor, free software, and, most importantly, manufacturer warranties. We know looking at the specs of different options on the market can get confusing, but we’re more than happy to help. Here are some of the best gaming desktops money could buy in 2022.
If you’ve paid any attention to PC components in the last several years, you know that AMD has returned with a vengeance in their fight against Intel. After years of struggling to compete with Intel in raw performance, AMD’s Ryzen chips were released to critical acclaim in 2017, and each revised architecture release has gotten better and better. With Zen 3, AMD is finally overpowering Intel on price and performance, making Alienware’s new Aurora R10 Ryzen Edition a must-have for any gamer looking for a new desktop. With a high-end AMD Ryzen 9 5900 processor, multi-core performance shines. AMD has long outpaced Intel chips in terms of multi-core performance, so the Aurora R10 is suitable for graphics work and video editing. Paired with AMD’s own Radeon RX 6800 XT, there’s no doubt that this desktop is a gaming beast. While the R10 isn’t the most affordable option on the market, it gives you access to a powerful workstation, perfect for streaming, video editing, or any other intensive work. In an era where more work and studying is being done from home than ever before, that’s an essential addition. The rest of the internal specs also complement that excellent processor/graphics card combo. A 2TB M.2 NVMe card brings fast read and write speeds to the table, and you even get a standard 2TB HDD, so you will never run out of space for your games, videos, or any essential files. Its 32GB of DDR4 RAM from HyperX is a must for speedy multitasking while gaming, and a wide variety of ports and jacks on the front and the back of the tower make for a fantastic user experience. Alienware’s Aurora R10 Ryzen Edition is an excellent example of a computer that is perfect for budget-minded consumers who also want top-end performance. Alienware has upped its game with its computer designs, and there’s no doubt that the Aurora R10 Ryzen Edition is worth the price.
Powerful CPU and GPUWide variety of ports2TB SSD & 2TB HDD32GB RAMCool and modern design
PriceyNoisy operation
For those who prefer a desktop computer with an Intel chip rather than an AMD chip, your best option would be the Alienware Aurora R13. It guarantees the outstanding gaming performance and top-notch you’d expect from an Alienware desktop. Its unconventional and out-of-this-world design would appeal to those who want a unique gaming setup. The R13 has a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 12900KF processor with 16 cores and a maximum CPU speed of 5.2GHz. You can rest assured that its CPU will be powerful enough for heavy and demanding games. Users can also expect magnificent graphics when gaming because of the computer’s NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070Ti 8GB GDDR6 GPU. The computer features 32GB Dual Channel DDR5 RAM, and you have the option to expand it to as much as 128GB. You won’t be too impressed in the storage department because it only has a 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD. If you have been gaming for quite some time now, you’d know how hot your computer can get after hours of gaming. Fortunately, the R13 has liquid cooling capabilities and excellent air venting, so you can hop on a gaming marathon without any worries. The computer features a transparent side panel, so you can easily see its internal AlienFX lighting zones, which you can customize to your liking. In terms of connectivity, you will get enough USB Type-C and Type-A ports to connect external devices and accessories. The computer also has different inputs and outputs for you to connect to a speaker system that will give you the best gaming audio experience. The Alienware Aurora R13 already comes with a keyboard and mouse, so all you will need is a high-quality monitor.
Futuristic design with clear side panelPowerful performance from CPUGPU guarantees breathtaking visuals for 4K gaming32GB Dual Channel DDR5 RAM, which is expandable to 128GBLiquid cooling AlienFX lighting zonesLots of portsComes with a keyboard and mouse
ExpensiveDoesn't feel that premium because of its plastic caseCan get pretty noisyRivals have higher storage
When money isn’t a problem for you, the MSI MEG Aegis Ti5 would be a fantastic choice because, aside from its top-notch specs, it features a unique out-of-this-world design fresh from a Sci-Fi movie. You can trust that this computer can handle all the most demanding games on the market because it uses a powerful 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake Core i9-12900K. Its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 12GB GDDR6X graphics card ensures you get the best visuals no matter what type of game you’re playing. The computer is equipped with 64GB DDR5 4800MHz RAM, which will allow all your games and applications to run smoothly. Users won’t have any issue with storing files on this computer because you get a 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD and 2TB 3.5″ 7200 RPM HDD. The MSI MEG Aegis Ti5 undoubtedly packs a punch, and it will remain stable, safe, and consistent thanks to its advanced Dragon liquid cooling system. The computer is among the first models that are PCIe 5.0 ready, which will allow it to achieve outstanding bandwidth and transfer rate. At first glance, you will immediately notice the RGB lighting on the computer. The best part is that it can synchronize with the action of your games. You will also see a gaming dial in front of the computer with an LED panel. It isn’t only for show; you can use it for controls and checking real-time information. Regarding the computer’s ports, you will find a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port, two USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports, a mic input, and headphone output in front. In contrast, the rear of the computer has two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C ports, three USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, two RJ45 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI output, five audio jacks, an optical S/PDIF output, and a PS/2 combo port.
Unique and futuristic design with RGB lightingHigh-performance CPU and GPU64GB RAM2TB SSD and 2TB HDDAdvanced Dragon liquid cooling systemWide variety of portsPCIe 5.0 readyGaming dial with LED panel
Very expensiveDesign is not for everyoneCan't auto-overclock its CPUChallenging to upgrade components
It’s not hard to see why many people would love to have the Corsair One i300 because it has a premium look and small form factor aside from its impressive hardware. Its 12th Intel Core i9-12900K promises that you don’t need to make any compromises to experience smooth and snappy gaming or multitasking. Users will experience high frame rates and realistic real-time ray-traced graphics with this computer because of its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics. It can accommodate up to four 4K HDR displays, which is perfect for gamers who are creative professionals as well. The computer has no problems processing workload because of its built-in Intel Thread Director. There’s no doubt that it’s future-proof because it’s PCIe 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6E compatible. The variant with 32GB DDR5 memory is enough for first-time gamers, but those who are serious gamers might want to spend more for the model with 64GB RAM. You can expect quick load times and boot speeds since the computer has a 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD. The Corsair One i300 features a hyper-efficient convection cooling system that ensures your desktop won’t break down even when working overtime. You can quickly connect devices to the computer because its front panel has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Meanwhile, the computer’s rear I/O panel has an HDMI port, three DisplayPort connectors, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, six USB 3.2 Type-A ports, and a 2.5G Ethernet port.
Slim profileSatisfying performance from CPU and GPUBuilt-in Intel Thread DirectorPCIe 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6E compatible32GB RAM and 2TB SSDHyper-efficient convection cooling systemLots of ports
Hefty price tagCould use more RAMChallenging to upgrade
There’s no denying that many gaming desktops are expensive, but if you’re a beginner purchasing a computer for the first time, you might want to opt for a more budget-friendly option like the Acer Predator Orion 3000. You can expect to pay around $1,070 for the variant with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10400F 6-Core Processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER graphics, 12GB DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD. There are models with a better CPU and GPU, but you’ll have to pay a higher price. There’s no issue with getting the cheapest option available since it will still give you a smooth gaming experience with high frame rates. The computer will have proper airflow thanks to its dual Predator FrostBlade fans. Since this desktop is for gamers, it’s no surprise that it has customizable RGB lighting that will make it blend nicely into your gaming desk setup. It features a transparent side panel made from tempered glass that lets you take a peek at what’s happening inside your PC. Users will be pleased with the audio experience they get from this computer because it supports DTS X Ultra. The computer’s PredatorSense feature makes it easy for you to customize game profiles, lighting, overclocking, etc. Behind the desktop, you’ll find two USB 2.0 ports and four 3.2 Gen 1 ports. We know reaching for them could be a hassle, but you’d be glad to discover that it also has USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C/Type-A ports and two audio jacks in front.
Not too priceyOpening and upgrading it is easyQuiet operationDual Predator FrostBlade fansPerfect for 1080p gamingCool design
Limited RAM and storageCould use a better port selectionPerformance doesn't compare to rivals
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