Despite the ease of use and popularity of gaming consoles, gaming PCs still reign supreme. Excellent frame rates, superior processors, more than enough RAM, and flash storage, not to mention supreme graphic power, are just some of the reasons why these PCs are here to stay. If you are thinking of upgrading your Battle Royale station with a gaming PC, then the best prebuilt gaming PC is your best bet.

But with the sheer number of prebuilt gaming PCs in the consumer space, how do you even tell the good from the bad and the ugly? Besides, aren't custom-built PCs a better and more cost-effective option? If these are some of the questions that run in your mind whenever you think of gaming PCs, then you happen to be in great company. Below, we not only address them but also list out some of the best prebuilt gaming PCs you will come across in 2021. So, read on and review each product and compare their specs to their price points. When you're done, you'll have a good idea of which of the best prebuilt gaming PCs are perfect for you.

If you prefer AMD processors over Intel, then you should take a look at SkyTech Gaming PCs. This unit, in particular, is designed to appeal to both entry-level and expert gamers who play CPU-intensive games like Rainbow Six Siege and Fortnite 2.

It powers through high-demanding games at excellent frame rates regardless of the resolution without any noticeable interference, thanks to the NVIDIA Geforce 1050 GPU. The SkyTech Archangel Gaming PC is powered by an AMD Ryzen 3-1200 processor, which has a base speed of about 3.1GHz, and a maximum turbo clock speed of up to 3.40GHz. Although it only has four cores and four threads, the Ryzen 3-1200 CPU delivers much better performance than can be said with the previous versions of the Archangel Gaming PC.

This is further aided by 6GB of RAM and 1TB of hard drive storage. It is equipped with the ASRock A320M AM4 motherboard, which is a pretty basic unit. It is, nonetheless, not much of a deal-breaker given that AMD's CPUs have the easily modifiable, and future-proof AM4 motherboard sockets.

As far as design is concerned, SkyTech Gaming did an incredibly awesome job. The Archangel GTX 1050 gaming PC is both sleek and stylish and is one of the most attractive PCs cases you'll lay your eyes on. It boasts a snow-white, rectangular with rounded edges chassis with a pair of tinted glass panes on the side panels and the back, through which blue LED-lights are positioned throughout the interior and the exterior. When it comes to connectivity, the Archangel GTX 1050 PC has more port options than most units. It has up to seven USB 2.0 ports, a pair of USB 3.0 ports, seven, a 7-in-1 audio jack, an Ethernet port, and an optical drive. It, however, lacks a Type-C port.

Key Features
  • NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1050 GPU
  • Windows 10 OS
  • 1TB HDD
  • 4 USB 2.0Ports, 5 USB 3.0 Ports
Pros
  • Comes with a free gaming mouse and keyboard
  • An array of connectivity options for enhanced versatility
  • A sleek and stylish case
  • Powerful GPU
Cons
  • Lacks Type-C port
  • Has no SSD
Buy This Product
SkyTech Archangel Gaming Computer Desktop PC

Are you looking for a customized PC but don’t have the time or skill to build one? 2020 Latest ELUK OMEN Obelisk Gaming Desktop PC will not disappoint you. The PC is easy to upgrade to your requirements, bridging the gap between customized PCs and readymade ones. Its compact design with a black, metallic monolith holds the micro ATX motherboard perfectly along with other parts. On the side is a transparent glass that is pretty easy to remove and fitted with a daughterboard to regulate RGB lighting.

What stands about this PC is its purpose-built Z390 motherboard designed to work with the 9th generation of Coffee Lake processors. Since they are the most powerful motherboards, they provide interconnectivity between GPU/CPU/RAM and storage hardware without lagging. What’s more, if planning to upgrade the PC later, gamers will love the variety of ports on this motherboard. It has four USB 3.1 generation 1 Type-A ports, an Ethernet jack, two USB 3.1 gen ports in types A and C, and the S/PDIF port.

The PC also comes fitted with a GeForce RTX graphics card, which has been supported by Turing GPU architecture. It enhances performance six times compared with previous generations of graphic cards introducing features such as AI and ray tracing to games. Besides the advanced GPU, the gaming desktop has a liquid cooling solution that keeps the CPU cool. Liquid cooling is more efficient than air cooling as it uses water to transfer heat, thus ensuring your PC operates quietly.

Key Features
  • 8GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
  • Z390 Motherboard
  • Windows 10
  • 256 GB-2TB of SSD
Pros
  • High frame rate
  • Upgradable
  • Easy to control using any tool
Cons
  • Only one fan for ventilation
Buy This Product
2020 Latest ELUK OMEN Obelisk Gaming Desktop PC

If you are looking for reliable performance at 1080p without breaking a bank, then the Skytech Shadow Gaming Computer fits the bill. Weighing about 26.3 pounds, this Skytech Shadow Gaming PC is a twin to the earlier highlighted Archangel unit in terms of the design, and in some instances, even performance.

To begin with, it has that same futuristic yet sleek design of the Archangel, only that instead of a snow-white case, it sports a black tone. This means it has the same beautiful see-through cutouts on the side panels and the back, which breathe out LED light throughout the interior as well as the exterior. It also has the same nearly-rectangular shape with rounded edges, which makes it an aesthetically-pleasing unit.

With this prebuilt PC, you can expect to see excellent graphics even on AAA games without as much as a single lag or any noticeable interference thanks to the powerful NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1060 GPU. It is an entry-level prebuilt PC equipped with the AMD Ryzen 4-core processor with clock speeds of up to 3.4 GHz and 8GB RAM. Even though this is not the most powerful Ryzen processor out there, it delivers excellent gaming performance. It is also great at casual but not intensive tasks such as web-browsing.

The Skytech Shadow Prebuilt Gaming PC is also equipped with a 500 Watt PSU, which further enhances the overall gaming and user performance. We also like that it has free lifetime support, and comes with a free gaming mouse and a monitor.

Key Features
  • NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1060
  • 1 TB HDD
  • A powerful GPU
Pros
  • Solid gaming performance
  • Features free accessories
  • A powerful GPU
  • Attractive build
Cons
  • Lacks solid-state drives
Buy This Product
Skytech Shadow Gaming Computer Desktop PC

The iBuyPower PC is among the best prebuilt PCs you will find in the manufacturer's top-shelf line of gaming units, yet it costs relatively less than other gaming PCs in the market.

In regards to design, this prebuilt gaming unit mirrors what we saw in the Cyberpower Gamer Xtreme unit above. It embraces a tempered glass-panel design, and as with Cyberpower, sports three RGB rings, which provide backlighting all through the case, making it a pretty attractive unit, especially in a dark man-cave. It also embraces a tool-less design, hence upgrading or accessing the internal components is a pretty straightforward process.

We also like that it features a ton of connectivity options. On the back panel, you find a pair of USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, as well as an Ethernet port. The top panel, on the other hand, houses two USB-A ports, a detachable dust filter, the power and reset buttons, as well as an audio and headphone jack. You may, however, be disappointed by the fact that it lacks a flash-card reader port.

Design aside, the iBuyPower Gaming PC is also a beast. It runs on an Intel Core i7 processor with a base clock speed of 3.0GHz and a maximum boost clock speed of up to 4.70GHz. This and the fact that it has 16GB RAM and is equipped with both SSD and HDD for storage make it a pretty powerful unit.

It can tackle high-speed and CPU-intensive games pretty well, and when you're not playing, anyone in your household can quickly turn to it for heavy-productivity tasks. The image and video quality are impeccable, which is no surprise given that it is equipped with the NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1660 graphics card.

Key Features
  • NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1660 GPU
  • 240GB SSD, 1TB HDD
  • 3.0GHz clock speed
  • 4 USB 3.0, 2 USB 2.0
Pros
  • Multiple port and connectivity choices
  • The dust-filter is detachable
  • VR ready
  • High-performance GPU
Cons
  • Lacks flash-card reader
  • Poor cable management
Buy This Product
iBuyPOWER Gaming PC

If you are on a budget and looking for a prebuilt gaming PC with exemplary specs, the Cyberpower PC Gamer extreme unit is your best fit. This unit is equipped with an Intel Core i5-9400 processor, which boasts a clock speed of 2.9GHz. Add in 8GB of RAM, and you no longer have to worry about lagging while in the middle of Witcher 3 or Fortnite.

It also handles daily productive tasks pretty well. You can have up to ten tabs open with a few of them streaming Youtube videos in the background, and it won't hang.  As far as graphics are concerned, you need not worry because although the Cybepower Gamer Extreme PC doesn't have the latest GPU, it runs on the NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1660, which is a powerful graphics card by its right. This prebuilt gaming PC also has more than enough connectivity options. It is equipped with six of the latest USB-A 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, an audio jack, as well as an Ethernet port.

The Cyberpower Gaming PC isn't just great in terms of performance but also design. Weighing around 26.9pounds, it isn't the lightest unit around, but it sure makes up for this with its elegance. All its components are housed in a tower chassis measuring 17.5 by 7.9 by 17.9, which features a beautiful, glass-tinted front panel with RGB lighting. The airflow vents are distributed throughout the entire case, which helps keep temperatures at optimum. If the need ever arises, the Cyberpower gaming PC is incredibly easy to upgrade as all you need to do, is remove the glass panel.

Key Features
  • NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1660 GPU
  • 240 GB SSD, 1TB HDD
  • Windows 10 Home OS
  • 2 USB 2.0 Ports, 6 USB 3.0 Ports
Pros
  • Powerful GPU
  • An array of connectivity options
  • Attractive design
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Lacks optical drive
Buy This Product
CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Extreme VR Gaming PC

The Skytech Blaze II is one of Skytech's best-selling, as well as the most powerful of its gaming PCs. As with all Skytech's PCs on our list, it also has an incredibly elegant and futuristic design. It comes in a dark-colored aluminum chassis, with a tempered glass panel on one side, so you get to see all of your PC's components without having to open it up.

It has three RGB rings; two are on the front, glass-cased grill, while the other one is on the rear end of the chassis. These RGB rings aren't just attractive but also functional because they double up as fans. Their strategic position on the frame enhance airflow, and keep temperatures at optimum, significantly improving performance and facilitating quiet operations.

Compatibility with your existing gaming rig is guaranteed thanks to the pair of USB 2.0 ports, up to four USB 3.1 ports, and an HDMI port. You also have the added advantage of a free gaming keyboard and a mouse.

In regards to performance, the Skytech Blaze II packs specs that automatically make it one of the most powerful prebuilt gaming PCs in the market. It runs on a Ryzen 5, 2600 processor, with six-cores and 12-threads, as well as a maximum clockable rate of up to 3.4GHz. This, paired with 8GB of RAM and a 500GB solid-state drive, gives it superior speed and, consequently, stellar performance.

It also boasts the GTX 1050 Graphics card, which is one of the best GPUs in the market. You can, therefore, expect excellent graphics on your AAA titles even with your resolution and graphic settings set at medium. The downside? The Skytech Blaze II Gaming PC does not support overclocking.

Key Features
  • NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1660
  • 500GB SSD
  • Windows 10 Home OS
  • 2 USB 2.0 Ports, 4 USB 3.0Ports
Pros
  • Quiet operations
  • Powerful processor
  • Excellent graphic delivery
  • Lifetime technical support
Cons
  • Does not support overclocking
Buy This Product
Skytech Blaze II Gaming Computer PC Desktop

Equipping yourself with this powerful gaming PC gives you the autonomy to play the most demanding games in the market. With AMD’s newest Ryzen processor and NVIDIA GPU, the PC delivers impeccable image quality and high frame rates. Other integrated features include six USB 3.1 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, one RJ-45 Network Ethernet, keyboard, and mouse so you can get started immediately.

What stands out about this gaming PC is its incredibly fast AMD Ryzen 5 processor. The processor has been equipped with SenseMI technology that enhances the speed and the overall performance of the PC. When coupled with its six cores and 12 threads, you can play and stream games simultaneously without lagging. Besides the powerful processor, its GeForce GTX 16-series graphics card delivers up to three times the performance of traditional GPUs as it is supported by the new Turing architecture. Combined with CyberPower’s new gaming capabilities, the device provides an epic gaming experience.

In addition, those streaming multi-player games will find the PC pretty handy. It has a built-in 802.11 AC dual-band for connecting the PC to your office or home internet to stream the best games. Since it is compatible with Windows 10 API, you are sure to enjoy richer graphics, a higher FPS, and minimal power consumption for longer playtime.

Key Features
  • AMD Ryzen 5 Processors
  • VR ready
  • Wireless 802.11 AC Wi-Fi
  • RGB Color Mouse and Gaming Keyboard combo
Pros
  • Comes with keyboard and mouse
  • Supports wireless connectivity
  • Compatible with Oculus Rift and HTC VIVE
Cons
  • May need upgrading when gaming
Buy This Product
CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Master Gaming PC

Step up your gaming experience with iBUYPower’s Enthusiast Gaming PC. Powered by AMD’s Ryzen 3 3200G processor and stacked with NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 1GB, the PC supports various gaming operations, including playing HD-quality games and video editing as well as basic productivity tasks like MS Office word processing, media creation, and spreadsheets.

Its dedicated GeForce GT 710 graphics card is considerably faster than many integrated graphics solutions from Intel. As such, you are confident about playing games like Fortnite at 37.7fps, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt at 42.8 fps, and the Grand Theft Auto V at 31 fps at 720p resolution.

Apart from its impressive video streaming quality, its size is another feature that makes the iBUYPower Enthusiast Gaming PC stand out. Measuring 17.9 by 18.5 by 7.9 inches, it has a relatively small footprint allowing you to fit it under a hutch or on top of a desk.

When it comes to its aesthetics, it looks like a typical gaming desktop, thanks to the black glass front panel. The manufacturer also includes a trio of RGB circles on the front panel creating an understated look that appeals to minimalist gamers. What’s more, the side panel has a tool-less design making it relatively easy to remove when you want to access the GPU, fan coolers, or the cable work.

Key Features
  • 3.6 GHz CPU speed
  • NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 GPU
  • 1TB Hard Disk Size
  • Windows 10 Home
Pros
  • Can be upgraded
  • Tool-less design case
  • Small footprint
Cons
  • Can’t stream AAA video games
Buy This Product
iBUYPOWER Enthusiast Gaming PC

Gamers who have a flair for well-designed gaming PCs will find Skytech’s unique construction satisfying. The glass side panel shows off the interior of the device, while the front and the rear panels have a metallic grill with the company’s logo engraved on the upper part. Beyond the design, the device comes fitted with a range of ports for connecting different peripherals. You will find five USB 3.0 ports, two Display ports, two HDMI, and three USB 2.0 ports.

When it comes to performance, Skytech Chronos Gaming Desktop takes your gaming experience to another level. Its powerful 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 2700X processor can handle the most demanding gaming activities. It has a frequency of 3.7GHz and comes paired with a B450 motherboard, which is more than enough for multi-threaded gaming applications. It is this powerful processor that makes the desktop suitable for gamers who multi-task and professional creatives alike. With a storage capacity of 16GB RAM and 1TB, you have adequate space for storing and downloading games.

Apart from the powerful processor, the desktop is fitted with Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card that delivers top-tier gaming performance. With the card, you can watch games with demanding gaming settings, including ray tracing. Being an upgrade from Nvidia’s RTX 2070 GOU, it delivers smoother frame rates when playing modern games like the Metro Exodus, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Hitman 2, and the Grand Theft Auto V.

Key Features
  • B540 motherboard
  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU
  • 16GB DDR4 Memory
  • HDMI and 3 Display Ports
Pros
  • Powerful processor
  • Good design
  • Neat assembly
Cons
  • Extremely loud
Buy This Product
Skytech Chronos Gaming PC Desktop

Whether you are engaging in intense gaming, editing videos, streaming games, or creating content, this gaming PC will not disappoint you. Equipped with the latest graphics and powerful processor, you can take on multiple tasks and run different programs without lag. Its design is equally attractive. The front is fitted with beautiful RGB lighting, while the side has a glass opening that reveals the RGB-enabled fans and liquid cooling system.

Its immersive graphics are a result of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 2060 6GB graphics card. Being one of the latest AMD offerings enhances the gamer’s experience, whether you are playing professionally or part-time. The GPU is also VR-ready and can display real-time ray tracing in supporting games. This feature explains this model’s 1TB hard drive and 240 GB SSD that comes with the laptop. They not only support real-time ray tracing but also enhance storage allowing you to store your favorite games. What’s more, with its 16GB DDR4 RAM, the PC delivers incredibly fast speed even when playing AAA video games with high fps.

iBuyPower also comes equipped with accessible headphone and USB ports; a pretty handy feature for any gamer. The ports are fitted atop the case while the HDMI, Display Port, the three USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports are at the back.

Key Features
  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB GPU
  • 802.11 AC Wi-Fi
  • 16 GB RGB Lighting
  • 1 TB Hard Drive
Pros
  • It is VR-ready
  • Removable case
  • Large storage capacity
Cons
  • Delicate USB ports
Buy This Product
iBUYPOWER Pro Gaming PC

At its price range, the HP Pavilion gaming PC desktop computer packs quite a punch. It weighs a little over eleven pounds, measures 10.9 by 6.7 by 13.3 inches, and although simple, features all excellent aspects of gaming.

On its front panel you will find a sleek DVD burner slot on the left, and a power button, SD Card reader, a pair of USB Type A ports, a USB Type-C 3.1 port, and an audio combo pair. Add in Bluetooth connectivity and you will never have to complain because you can pair it up with pretty much any necessary device.

The ports are green light themed, and when powered on, the HP Pavilion gaming computer displays a green light strip which vertically divides it, and adds unique flair to an otherwise sober-looking prebuilt gaming PC tower.

Design aside, the HP pavilion gaming PC does rather well when it comes to performance specs. It ships with a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti dedicated graphics card, which when combined with an Intel Core i5 CPU and 8GB RAM, delivers exemplary performance during gaming, and minimizes the chances of lag and irritating screen tears while you play.

It is equipped with a 256GB hard disk drive, and runs on Windows 10. You don’t have to stress about overheating because the 80mm exhaust fan does a pretty incredible job at keeping it cool during demanding tasks. However, it can get pretty noisy during these processes. 

But what we liked most about this prebuilt gaming PC is that it is upgradable. That makes it a rare find considering that most prebuilt gaming PCs offer little to no room for upgrades.

Key Features
  • Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • 256GB HDD
Pros
  • Sufficient yet upgradable RAM
  • Multiple connectivity options
  • Compact design
  • Excellent features at an affordable price point
Cons
  • Lacks SSD
  • Noisy exhaust fan during demanding gameplay
Buy This Product
VR Ready HP Pavilion Gaming PC Desktop Computer

The Dell i568 Inspiron is one good-looking gaming PC. It does not scream “gaming” like other prebuilt gaming PCs, but at the same time, it’s not too sober. Its design hits a sweet spot between style and functionality, as it can easily pass from gaming, to casual, everyday tasks. 

That said, the Dell i5680 gaming PC is divided into two design zones. One zone features a smooth, stunning, matte silver finish, while the other has a black finish with ventilation grilles. When you power it on, the grilles display a stunning blue light which is a unique charm given that most gaming rigs often feature either flashy RGB lighting or a red light simmering theme.

The components are housed in a plastic mold chassis, and an all-metal frame means you never have to worry about durability. But the Dell i5680 isn’t just good-looking, it’s also a high performer and one of the best prebuilt gaming PCs you’ll come across. 

It is equipped with a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, which is among the most powerful GPUs in the market. Add in its core i7 CPU and 16GB RAM, and you don’t have to worry about demanding gaming titles. As far as connectivity is concerned, Dell sure outdid themselves because this gaming rig features seven USB 3.0 ports, and as if not enough, 4 more 2.0 ports. 

It’s not as compact as some of the models on our list, but that’s not much of a concern because it makes up for its large footprint through its incredible design, and performance specs. 

Key Features
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
  • 4 USB 2.0 Ports
  • 7 USB 3.0 Ports
  • 128 GB, 2TB HDD
Pros
  • Stunning design
  • A whole plethora of ports and connectivity options
  • Delivers a smooth gaming experience
  • Equipped with plenty of storage
Cons
  • Quite large
Buy This Product
Dell i5680—7813BLU-PUS Inspiron Gaming PC Desktop 5680

13. 2022 HP Pavilion

9.00 / 10
Key Features
  • Has one HDMI port
  • Used primarily for gaming
  • Uses Windows 11 Home OS
  • Uses DDR4 RAM memory technology
Specifications
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • CPU Speed: 2.6 GHz
  • Brand: HP
  • CPU: Intel Core i5
Pros
  • Very fast
  • Sleek
  • Sports a colorful green aesthetic
  • Can support a lot of tasks at once
Cons
  • A bit pricey

Building your gaming PC from scratch is exciting and immensely fulfilling, but let's face it, it is also a pretty stressful process. Not everyone has the technical proficiency or the time to go about scouring the internet for individual parts, and then later figure out how to assemble them. Besides, within an ever-expanding gaming realm, prebuilt gaming PCs are becoming affordable by the day, and a custom-built PC isn't just as cost-effective as it was before.

So, while you can always opt for a custom-built PC, a prebuilt one is the way to go. Keep in mind that the best prebuilt gaming PCs are designed and tested by pro-gamers who know just what parts to pair together to deliver an unrivaled gaming performance. Also, there is always a perfect fit for everyone, be it that entry-level gamer, or the top-shelf competitive gamer who's been at it for the past decade.

Form Factor And Processor

But before you whip out your credit card, what exactly should you look for to get the best prebuilt gaming PC? Well, the first thing you ought to consider is the form factor. Why? Well, nowadays, gaming PCs aren't just available in desktop form; they also come in the form of ultra-portable laptops, which can then be transported in the best laptop bags. Each of these form factors has advantages, but also bring with them a few definite disadvantages. For instance, with a laptop, you get guaranteed portability, but pay a higher price.

Form factor aside, the processor is the next most crucial factor to take into account while shopping for a pre-built gaming PC. It is the thin line between excellent, unbeatable performance, and slow, irritating gaming performance. Usually, when assessing a processor's power, the number of cores should be a priority. The more the cores, the better the overall gaming performance.

With that said, go for a processor with at least a six-core chip, and if you're working on an extremely tight budget, don't go lower than four. Be sure to check out the RAM too. The higher it is, the better. Therefore, opt for a pre-built gaming PC with at least 8GB, and while at it, don't forget the storage. You can either go for a gaming PC with an internal HDD, an SSD, or both. SSD has faster load times hence, enhances your gaming performance.

Other essential features to check out include the GPU, the number of ports, and connectivity options, the size, as well as the budget. With such specs in mind, check out our top picks for the best prebuilt gaming PCs. Now that you've read to the end, you're ready to pick which prebuilt gaming PC is the best fit for you.

FAQ

Q: What should I look for in a Prebuilt gaming PC?

Nowadays, prebuilt gaming PCs take different forms and specs. This makes choosing the best prebuilt gaming PC a tad hard. To make your selection process easier, you should prioritize the CPU and GPU. Start by checking out CPU specs because it is the heart of your system, and will influence every facet of your gaming experience. Next, check out the GPU. A dedicated GPU is often ideal for a variety of modern games, but you ought to ensure it’s up to par with your CPUs performance. Other important specs to consider include the RAM and storage, ports and connectivity, as well as case design and aesthetics. 

Q: Is a Prebuilt gaming PC better than a custom gaming PC?

This is an issue of preferences and gaming requirements. Prebuilt gaming PCs are affordable, and because they come ready to use out of the box, they save you the time you would have wasted waiting for PC components to arrive from different vendors. Also, they often feature a warranty, so should any problem arise, you can always have it repaired professionally at the manufacturer’s expense. What’s more, the best prebuilt gaming PCs feature excellent technical support. So, a prebuilt gaming PC is often better and the way to go if you are looking to skip the hassle of having to build one yourself.  

Q: Can you modify a prebuilt gaming pc?

Yes, you can modify a prebuilt gaming PC, but how much you modify or upgrade it comes down to how proprietary the parts are, or on the specific model. For instance, prebuilt gaming PCs from the likes of IBUYPOWER use relatively standard parts, which means they’re easy to modify, while prebuilt PCs from vendors like Cyberpower use strictly proprietary parts to prevent modifications and upgrades. Generally, prebuilt PCs are difficult to upgrade. Sure, you can swap the RAM or switch from HDD to SDD, but you won’t have as much freedom modifying and upgrading a prebuilt PC as you would have with a custom PC. 

Q: How long does a prebuilt gaming PC last?

Usually how long a PC lasts comes down to individual components, starting with the CPU, which is one of the most important parts of any PC. In most cases, prebuilt gaming PC CPUs have a lifespan of between 5 and 10 years. This is significantly affected by heat. A properly cooled CPU chip will last long, but a CPU operating at high temperatures degrades over time. On the bright side, the best prebuilt gaming PCs have CPUs with built-in protection features that prevent overheating. That means with careful selection and proper care, a prebuilt PC will easily last you ten years. 

Q: Can you overclock a prebuilt gaming PC?

Increasing a PC’s clock rate allows it to perform more cycles per second, and it’s a good way to squeeze extra performance from your PC. Nonetheless, most if not all prebuilt PCs cannot be overclocked. This is essentially because they feature a locked BIOS, which means you cannot tinker with any settings, let alone overclocking. But if your prebuilt gaming PC is among the lucky few which can be overclocked, ensure it features proper cooling. This is critical because while overclocking enhances performance, it causes your system to produce additional heat. If your budget allows, it would be best to invest in a water-based coolant. 

Q: Who makes the best prebuilt gaming PCs?

There’s really no right or wrong answer to this question since it’s a matter of preferences and gaming requirements. However, you could compare specs to see which manufacturer offers the best. Start by CPU specs. Look for a CPU with a high core count, check the clock speed, and overclocking capabilities too. Also, check the GPU. Most prebuilt gaming PCs usually ship with a dedicated, or integrated GPU. This saves you the hassle of having to buy one separately. Check the RAM too. The best prebuilt gaming PC manufacturers often offer at least 16GB. Comparing prebuilt gaming PC specs from different manufacturers will help you identify who makes the best.