The Top 5 Gaming Computers
Considering the vehemence with which PC gamers discuss their hardware, it must take a lot of nerve to compile an authoritative list on the best gaming computers. As it turns out, we've got nerves to spare. Here, we've boldly compiled a list of our top five favorites in gaming computers. And to help quell the inevitable heated feedback, we've decided to focus mostly on specs and performance. After all, colorful LED lights and sleek cases might look cool, but they're not going to help with your frame rate. Thus, without further ado, read on to discover which picks made the list.
SkyTech Blaze II Gaming Computer PC Desktop – Ryzen 5 2600 6-Core 3.4 GHz, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 6G, 500G SSD, 8GB DDR4, RGB, AC WiFi, Windows 10 Home 64-bit
The Sky(Tech) is the limit
If your budget falls a bit below the thousand-dollar mark, we recommend the SkyTech Blaze II. This option is a powerhorse of a PC with the very best hardware that you can find at this price range. And don’t worry about the processor not hosting that coveted Intel logo. The Ryzen 5 2600 is a high-performance processor that sports a base speed of 3.4 GHz. In CPU benchmark tests, it continues to score “very good” and “excellent” and remains Intel’s top competitor. Plus, the graphics card is equally formidable. With 6GB of on-board RAM and Full HD capabilities, the GeForce GTX 1660 provides crisp visuals and high frame rates. That being said, the motherboard comes with only 8GB of RAM, so you might want to buy some more for the really graphics-intense games. Fortunately, RAM is super cheap and easy to install.
Pros
- Steal of a deal
- 6-Core processor
- Excellent graphics card
Cons
- Only 8GB of RAM
SkyTech Shadow Gaming Computer Desktop PC – Ryzen 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core, GTX 1050 Ti 4GB, 8GB DDR4 2400, 1TB HDD, 24X DVD Wi-Fi USB, Windows 10 Home 64-Bit (Ryzen & GTX 1050 Ti Edition)
Emerge from the Shadows
The SkyTech Shadow is a fairly affordable computer that packs a punch. Thanks to the 3.1GHz AMD processor and an Nvidia graphics card designed for gaming, the Shadow is a dream-come-true for gamers on a budget. This beauty can easily run most games at 60fps and higher. And although the quad-core processor isn’t great at handling multiple tasks at once, the Shadow still hosts a worthy CPU that can be overclocked to 3.4GHz. Better yet, for those that do choose to overclock, the fan speeds can be easily adjusted to tackle the extra heat. Quiet, cool, and super affordable, the SkyTech Shadow helps welcome tight-pocketed gamers into the fold.
Pros
- Great value for the price
- Adequate graphics card
- Runs most games at 60+ fps
Cons
- Hard drive is HDD, not SDD
- Not great at multi-tasking
CyberpowerPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cool Gaming PC, Intel Core i7-9700K 3.6GHz, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super 8GB, 16GB DDR4, 1TB PCI-E NVMe SSD, WiFi Ready & Win 10 Home
Unleash the power of CyberpowerPC
For those out there flush with cash and itching for a top-of-the-line PC, we recommend the Gamer Supreme from CyberpowerPC. Though the liquid coolers and LED-encrusted case may be mesmerizing, we were most impressed by the insane specs. First and foremost, the Intel Core i7-9700K isn’t just a great processor, it’s one of the best for gaming. Most mainstream games don’t benefit from more than six threads and this baby has eight. Pair that with the GeForce RTX 2070S graphics card, and you’ll be ready to game with the pros. Seriously, this PC is stacked with the latest-and-greatest hardware that money can buy. No wonder the price is so steep.
Pros
- Liquid cooling
- Lightning-fast 1TB Solid State Drive
- Top-tier processor and graphics card
Cons
- Super expensive
iBUYPOWER Gaming PC Computer Desktop Element 9260 (Intel Core i7-9700F 3.0Ghz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB DDR4, 240 SSD, 1 TB HDD, WiFi and Windows 10 Home) Black
Like a sleeping giant
A worthy contender for the top spot on our list, the iBUYPOWER Element 9260 only lost to our Best Overall pick due to the slight price difference. However, it’s still a great overall option and sports some serious specs. For starters, the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card is popular among gamers for its consistent performance and whopping 6GB of VRAM. Better yet, the Element includes a 240GB Solid State Drive, so you can access game files in an instant. Best of all, the included processor is an Intel Core i7-9700F. This beast sports 8 threads for seamless multitasking and can be overclocked up to 4.7GHz. At first we thought the name iBUYPOWER was a little on the nose, but on second thought, it’s an aptly-named PC.
Pros
- Great value for the price
- Powerful processor
- Excellent cooling
Cons
- Comes with hard-to-remove stickers
- WiFi card is USB, not PCI
Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer PC Desktop – RYZEN 5 2600 6-Core 3.4 GHz, GTX 1660 6GB, 500GB SSD, 16GB DDR4 3000MHz, RGB Fans, Windows 10 Home
The captivating Archangel of Gaming
Yeah, yeah. We promised to only judge computers based on the specs alone. But c’mon, did you see this thing? The Skytech Archangel is bejeweled in brilliant rainbow lights and hosts an opaque siding that lets you see your hardware in action. It’s a beautiful gaming companion that looks awesome in any setting. And don’t worry, the Skytech Archangel can hold its own without the extra points for aesthetics. Another great overall option, this beaut sports a 3.4GHz processor and a graphics card that can run most games at High and Ultra settings. It also comes with a 500GB Solid State Drive and 16GB of game-ready RAM. Stunning in looks and powerful in play, the Archangel is a sight for sore eyes.
Pros
- Powerful processor
- Good graphics card
- Beautiful aesthetic
Cons
- 500GB of storage isn’t enough
- Included keyboard is crummy
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get the best performance out of my gaming PC?
Since there are so many different factors that affect PC performance, it would take more than a couple articles to cover everything. That being said, we can offer a few simple tips that can help give your computer a boost.
For starters, you’re going to want to update your operating system to the latest version. This might seem like a no-brainer, but missing an update can lead to issues with drivers. Also, uninstall any bloatware that came pre-installed on your computer. That includes antivirus software, since the default Windows Defender will provide sufficient protection against malware. Unused program files take up space on the hard drive, which can encumber your processor with unnecessary work and your RAM with unnecessary storage.
One of the fastest ways to improve a computer’s performance is also one of the easiest. Using the Task Manager, navigate to the Startup tab and check which programs are automatically running when you boot the computer. A lot of times, these programs are running invisibly in the background from the moment you boot up. Right-click on each unneeded program and disable it from running at startup. This simple trick can greatly improve your computer’s performance.
Does the hard drive matter?
Sold State Drives, or SSDs, are vastly superior to Hard Disk Drives, or HDDs, when it comes to gaming. SSDs are faster and more efficient. Thus, an SSD shows markedly faster loading times and just runs games more smoothly. On the other hand, HDDs typically enjoy longer life spans than do SSDs and are cheaper.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.