• Gaming PCs are the best way to play video games at the highest level, so we’ve rounded up the best gaming PCs you can buy.
  • Although it’s expensive, the Corsair One i200 computer’s uncompromising performance and small form factor make it easily the best gaming PC around.

If you’re a gamer, you’re always looking to play your games on the next best system. While Xbox One and PS4 are most gamers’ preferred gaming consoles, PCs bring a bit more competition in showcasing games at their fullest potential. A gaming PC allows you to experience the graphics of your games on a whole new level beyond consoles. Additionally, PC games are often much cheaper compared to retail packaged games at your nearest gaming store.

Like most things in life, to have a gaming PC, you definitely have to put in the work. You need to know which parts do what, which graphics card is top notch, what’s the latest processor, and how everything is put together. The barrier for entry into PC gaming is high. Thankfully, the number of companies now making ready-to-play gaming PCs has grown substantially, allowing you to get in on the action without the hassle.

A “gaming” PC may not seem as special as regular gaming consoles. It’s still a normal computer, except it has faster internal components. The key concern for gaming computers is the graphics card, which is the processing unit that’s responsible for translating all of the data that your computer is processing into images on your screen.

Faster graphics cards allow the computer to render the complex 3D models and other visual effects in video games more quickly, so gaming PCs always come with a dedicated graphics chip. In order to balance the system, gaming PCs will generally have faster processors, too.

With all that said, let’s get to our list of the best gaming PCs you can buy. We have five picks, each of which fill a different need, so make sure to read through all of the options to find the best one for you.

Here are the gaming PCs you can buy in 2020:

The best gaming PC overall

The Corsair One i200 leaves no stone unturned with the absolute best in hardware and an attractive design to boot.

Corsair has pushed the limits of gaming PCs by combining powerful components and compacting them into a small form without sacrificing thermals. At around twice the size of a gaming console and a third of the size of a mid tower gaming PC, the Corsair One i200 is the ideal gaming computer for most.

Don't let the size of this little guy fool you. The i200 comes outfitted with an Intel Core i9-10940X processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti graphics card, 64GB of memory (RAM), and a 2TB hard drive. To put it short, all these are the top-of-the-line components you can get for your gaming PC in 2020. You don't have to worry about upgrading your computer at all for quite some time.

The graphics card in this bad boy will make your gaming specs look as realistic as it can get. The storage space is enough to support numerous games, files, music, videos, and more. Truly, the Corsair One i200 is a gamer's paradise in a small package. Also for video creators, graphic designers, and other creative folks, this computer can handle the programs you require for your work without a problem.

Of course, since the Corsair One i200 offers all of this, it's definitely on the expensive side. As mentioned before, you won't be able to really upgrade your computer that much since everything is already built-in. If you want to upgrade anything further, you would definitely have to pay extra.

If that maybe is a bit too much for your taste, or if you want to choose a different version of a Corsair One PC, you can always browse on here.

The Corsair One i200 was given a 4 out of 5 stars on PCMag. Writer Charles Jefferies compliments the PC for its sleek design, astounding compact footprint, and its incredible quality frames per second (fps) for high performance games. He also agrees that the i200 has limited upgradability options, due to there being no guarantee that the upgraded components would be compatible with the i200's hardware.

Pros: Top of the line hardware, attractive case, RGB lighting, great graphics card

Cons: Expensive

The best gaming PC with upgradability

Foto: Source: Dell

The Alienware Aurora R8 has a standard PC layout, making it a perfect entry point for those who want to upgrade their PC in the future.

While the Corsair One i200 offers limited upgradability, that doesn't mean you can't find a computer to explore the world of custom PCs. If you're interested in learning how to customize your PC, then the Alienware Aurora R8 is the better choice for you.

Like many gaming PCs, the Alienware comes in more than one build. The Alienware Aurora R8 comes with an outfitted Intel Core i5-9400 processor, 8GB of 2666MHz RAM, and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super graphics card.

So, you still manage to get most of the top-of-the-line components. Unlike Corsair One, Alienware has a standard internal layout, which is easier for you to handle should you decide to upgrade your PC further. Not to mention, it is much cheaper compared to the Corsair One i200.

While the motherboard supports dual graphics cards, none of Alienware's pre-built configurations come with two GPUs. It's easier to upgrade to dual graphics cards using Alienware's configurator, though. Considering it's cheaper to add dual graphics cards than to buy a second graphics card off the shelf, we recommend you configure your build that way if you want two GPUs.

Receiving a 4.5 out of 5 on Tom's Guide, the Aurora R8 has received positive feedback for its easy upgradability. Whereas some pre-built gaming PCs may make it more complicated to get into the world of building your own computer, the Aurora R8 actually makes it easier and more convenient to access your configured components.

Pros: Standard layout, solid specs, support for dual graphics cards

Cons: Dell's customer service isn't the best, slightly expensive

The best gaming PC under $800

Foto: Source: Best Buy

On a budget, it's hard to beat this CyberPowerPC Gamer Master for the parts (and accessories) it offers for the price.

Similar to the other options in this guide, the CyberPowerPC Gamer Master has a configurator that will allow you to customize the PC to your liking. Especially, if you have an ideal budget you need to maintain.

While the specs aren't considered to be as top-notch as our top two picks, the CyberPowerPC Gamer Master still offers some great components. It sports an AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a AMD Radeon RX 580 graphics card, a 2TB hard drive, and a few other components. Again, it may not seem like much for hardcore gamers, but you can easily upgrade it as you go.

The pricing for this PC is definitely on the cheaper side compared to our top two. CyberPower has more than one build of PC you can choose from. Just keep in mind, depending on which build you're interested in, the value price for the PC goes up.

As an introduction into PC gaming, the CyberPowerPC Gamer Master is a solid choice, receiving a 4 out of 5 on Tom's Guide. The build is balanced across processor, graphics card, and memory, and it comes in a case with RGB fans and a tempered glass side panel. It has built-in Wi-Fi, too, which is an important but often forgotten feature in enthusiast desktops.

Pros: Inexpensive, RGB lighting, built-in Wi-Fi, VR compatible

Cons: Could use more RAM options, barely decent specs

The best gaming PC for small spaces

Foto: Source: Adorama

The MSI Trident X Plus proves that you don't need to sacrifice space for power.

The Corsair One is already small at only 12 liters, but the MSI Trident X Plus is even smaller. With an internal volume of only 10 liters, the Trident X Plus is one of the smallest gaming PCs on the market, making for a suitable console replacement or high-powered media center. It's cheaper than the One too, at around $2,279.99.

It has a long, slender chassis, outfitted with RGB accent lighting. On the front, there are three light bars with individual controls that you can adjust using MSI's software. There's also an RGB light strip internally that shows off the graphics card, as well as an RGB ring around the CPU fan. All of that lighting is shown off, too. MSI has a vented side panel that slightly exposes the graphics card, as well as a tempered glass side panel for the CPU cooler.

Because of that design, the thermals are quite good. The power supply, graphics card, and CPU all have vented grilles directly above them, allowing air to move throughout the system. The tempered glass side panel is slightly raised, too, allowing air to freely move into the case and cool your components.

The specs aren't as high end as the Corsair One i200, but for half the price, the trade-off is worth it. With an Intel Core i7-9700K, Nvidia RTX 2080Ti, and 16GB of RAM, the Trident X Plus can easily handle modern titles, including any VR gaming or 4K gaming that you might want to do.

Furthermore, most of the components are the same parts you could buy off the shelf. The motherboard and graphics card are both retail versions of MSI boards, meaning you can always upgrade the Trident X Plus down the line.

Pros: Compact, solid specs, beautiful case, can be upgraded

Cons: Expensive

The best gaming PC for water cooling

Foto: Source: Corsair

The Corsair Vengeance 5181 compromises nothing both in terms of performance and aesthetics.

Liquid cooling has become significantly easier in the last few years, with all-in-one systems gaining popularity for cooling a processor. For both thermals and aesthetics, though, there's no suitable replacement for hardline liquid cooling.

Instead of using air, liquid cooling continually passes fluid through small pipes that takes the heat from the components and transfers it to a radiator, which disperses it out into your room. Since the fluid is in constant motion and takes more heat than normal air CPU's, liquid CPUs usually run cooler and quieter.

Corsair is coming back onto our list with their Vengeance 5181 PC. This small sized, RGB highlighted computer offers a lot of great components, along with a smooth liquid cooling system.

Unlike the Corsair One i200, the Vengeance 5181 is relatively cheaper at just $1,799.99. Not to mention it is already outfitted with an Intel Core i7-9700, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super graphics card, 960GB SSD hard drive, and 16GB of RAM.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on TechRadar, this PC, while still relatively small in size, offers not just a beautiful outer appearance but can be easy to upgrade as well. The storage space and its processor may not be as updated as the latest processor. But, you can configure your Vengeance 5181 to have more high-performance components, you can. Just keep in mind that it will cost more money.

Pros: Unique water cooling system, high-end components, gorgeous design

Cons: Slightly expensive