The Ultimate Guide to the Best Prebuilt Gaming PC
Have you outgrown that old, hand-me-down PC you’ve been using the past few years? Are you tired of games lagging because your computer can’t handle modern games?
If so, it’s time for an upgrade. With so many incredible gaming PC options available today, there’s no reason to be playing on outdated technology. Or worse, playing old games because your PC can’t handle the latest releases.
Wondering what the best prebuilt gaming PC is? There are tons of options. Buying a prebuilt computer is way easier than trying to build out your own.
Why spend time researching components and trying to create the perfect PC when there is no such thing? Instead, just pick up a PC built exclusively for modern gaming and spend your time playing, not researching.
Ready to buy a gaming PC so you can stop sitting around on your hands all day? Here’s what you need to know.
Gaming PC Options
When it comes to gaming PCs, you have three options; play on a used, outdated computer you got for free, buy a new, prebuilt gaming PC, or build your own.
We’ve already ruled out the first option. And no, that laptop your grandma bought you for college isn’t going to work either.
If you want to play modern games, you need something with a powerful processor, a supreme graphics card, high-definition, and tons of memory. The games coming out in 2020 and 2021 require the best gaming hardware in order to process the fast action and ultra-detailed graphics.
When it comes to computers built specifically to handle the demand of modern games, you can either buy from a reputable company or you can build your own (or select the components, and have it built for you).
Why Choose a Prebuilt Gaming PC
Many gaming gurus preach that you should build your own gaming PC. That you should understand each component, choosing it with care, and owning a unique machine. But why?
It takes too much time and is unnecessary. It causes users to get trapped in analysis paralysis. There are multiple companies that exist to produce the fastest, most powerful, and most convenient gaming PCs they can.
I’d rather trust engineers who are way smarter than me to build a computer. It would require hours and hours of research to select the components, processors, graphics cards, storage options, and so forth.
Wouldn’t you rather buy a computer crafted to handle the games you want to play, and spend time actually playing? I would.
I’m not trying to become an engineer, a scientist, or a tinkerer. Quite honestly, I want to play video games. I don’t need to know the details of how my processer works. I just want to know my computer will let me play Fortnite, Call of Duty, or Apex Legends with my friends.
What a Gaming PC Needs to Have
So if you don’t feel the burning desire to handcraft your own computer, there are only a few things you need to know. Rather than determining which components work together, and how they work to create a functional computer, you just need to know what to look for in a prebuilt PC.
First off, you need to be aware of the CPU, or your computer’s processing unit. The processor is the most important part of your computer. It’s like the brain, controlling every other function.
Choose a computer with multiple cores, such as 6 or more. This ensures your computer is powerful enough to handle the demands of modern games.
Next, consider the GPU, which is your computer’s graphics card. The better your graphics card, the better your graphics are going to look, and the faster they will change. An older graphics card will lag when playing newer games.
You’re typically going to see computers with a graphics card from one of two companies; AMD or Nvidia. If you see the terms Nvidia GeForce RX or AMD Radeon RX, you know you’re getting quality graphics. Make sure the computer you choose has an HD screen for crisp visuals.
And you need a computer with a lot of RAM, or memory. Eight GB is the minimum for a gaming PC, but ideally, you’ll choose a computer with 16 GB or more.
Other than that, everything else comes down to personal preference. Many gamers opt for heavier computers as they don’t need to transport them very often. If you need something more lightweight, you may have to sacrifice a little power and speed.
Best Prebuilt Gaming PC
So which gaming PC is the best option for you? The bad news is that there are a lot of really good options.
The good news, however, is that once you choose one, you’ll be enjoying the latest games in no time. Without further ado, here are the ultimate prebuilt gaming PCs you should consider.
1. Lenovo Legion Series
The Legion series of PCs from Lenovo is built for gaming. To put it simply, when you buy a prebuilt Lenovo Legion computer, you’re going to be good to go regarding your gaming aspirations.
You can choose either a laptop or desktop equipped with a 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10300H Processor housing 6 cores, capable of meeting all your power needs. Plus, the Nvidia GeForce graphics will keep look amazing and move quickly.
Lenovo computers run on Windows 10, which gives you the ability to download and play games directly on your computer. A 1 TB SSD hard drive and 32 GB of RAM make these computers work efficiently.
The crisp, wide displays boast up to 2 million pixels refreshing at a rate of 144 Hz. And with up to 144 frames per second, you can finally compete with the big dogs.
Updated internal tech keeps your computer running quietly, while also staying cool. So even during your longest sessions, you can be confident your hardware isn’t overheating.
The Legion 7i, Legion 5i, and Yoga C940 are gaming-specific laptops that are ready to play right out of the box. No configuring, upgrading, or adding on necessary. Though if you do want to customize and upgrade, you are able to do that with ease when ordering from Lenovo.com.
When you opt for Legion laptops, you can be confident knowing that you have a gaming PC that looks good. If you need to use it for work or school, it won’t look tacky or nerdy. These laptops are sleek and modern and will cause all those Macbook-toting hipsters to envy you.
2. Razer Blade 15
The Razer Blade 15 is a favorite among gaming-ready laptops. These share many of the same specs as the Lenovo Legions, such as the 10th Generation Intel Core Processor, keeping it as robust as possible.
But the Razer Blade comes with the Nvidia RTX 30-series graphics card for smooth, seamless visuals without lag. Get up to 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage to make gaming and personal use convenient.
What most people love about the Razer Blade 15 are the quality of the build and the aesthetics. It’s sleek, modern, and you’ll be proud to tote this thing around.
Built-up with a CNC-milled aluminum chassis, this computer is durable and feels good in your hands. It’s not as light as more portable gaming laptops, but given the processing and graphics power, it’s a trade-off worth making.
The base model is ready to play right out of the box for those looking for a solid prebuilt option. But there are also many configurations to choose from if you want to upgrade memory or other aspects.
3. Dell G3 15
The two options above cost a pretty penny but are worth every cent. If you don’t have too much extra cash lying around or are just venturing into the world of PC gaming, check out the Dell G3.
It has everything you need for functional, enjoyable gaming without all the bells and whistles that drive the price up. You’ll still get pretty good gaming with 1080p gaming and frame rates with the Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti or GTX 1650 Ti GPU.
And the Intel Core i5 processor gets the job done. But the display, color range, and crispness leave something to be desired.
The best part of this budget-friendly laptop is that it’s pretty slim and lightweight compared to most other gaming laptops. It’s easy to lug around in your backpack.
And with a simple, modern look, you won’t be too embarrassed pulling this out at the coffee shop to get some work done.
Choosing the Best Prebuilt Gaming PC
When it comes to upgrading your gaming setup, the more you can spend, the happier you’ll be. Premium gaming PCs cost more than a grand, with the best ones closer to two or more.
If you’ve been gaming for a while and need something that can handle all the newest games, it’s worth the money. Or if you plan to get more competitive, you need a more powerful, faster computer.
If you are new to gaming, or just need a replacement for your old laptop, there’s no shame in buying a budget-friendly laptop. Whatever you can afford in order to keep playing is worth it.
But don’t forget that the computer itself isn’t the only piece of gear worth upgrading. Think about everything else you use while gaming; chair, desk, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and so forth. These are all just as crucial to enjoying gaming and may be worth some of your money as well.
Game On
Whatever you go with, it’s better to make a decision sooner rather than later. Agonizing over the specs and trying to decide exactly which is the best prebuilt gaming PC is a waste of time.
Just get your computer so you can keep playing your favorite games. You’ll be glad you did.
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