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 the ultimate graphics power, are just some of the reasons these PCs are here to stay. If you’re looking to upgrade your Battle Royale station with a gaming PC, the best pre-built gaming PC is your best bet.
But with the problem of pre-built gaming PCs in the consumer space, how can you tell the good from the bad and the ugly? Also, aren’t custom PCs a better, more cost-effective option? If these are some of the questions that come to mind whenever you think about gaming PCs, then you’re in great company. Below, we’ve not only covered them, but we’ve also listed some of the best pre-built gaming PCs you’ll find in 2021. So read and review each product and compare its specs with its prices. When you’re done, you’ll have a good idea of which of the best pre-built gaming PCs is perfect for you.
No. | Model |
1 | Dell G5 i5000-5378BLK-PUS |
2 | Skytech Legacy Mini |
3 | Skytech Archangel Gaming PC |
4 | Skytech Shiva gaming PC |
5 | Skytech Blaze II PC for games |
1. Dell G5 i5000-5378BLK-PUS
- CPU: Intel Core i5-10400
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD
Latest XNUMXth generation Intel Core i5-10400 CPU. This is the first time Intel has provided us with hyper-processing on low-end and mid-range processors.
This particular CPU has 6 cores, 12 threads, a base clock of 2.9 GHz, and a maximum turbo clock of 4.3 GHz and, thanks to hyper-threading, it’s now as good as multitasking and handling workloads like that. Ryzen i5-10400.
A quick warning though, this CPU is not unlocked. The 4.3GHz turbo frequency is simply the maximum frequency under heavy loads. Despite this, the i5-10400 is a great processor on par with the AMD Ryzen 5 3600, the only difference is that, unlike Intel, all Ryzen CPUs are overclockable.
Like the previous entry, this PC contains the GTX 1660 Super which, as we said before, is a great GPU. It will allow you to play most modern AAA titles at 50FPS or higher with maximum settings of 1080p and, with less demanding titles, it will even allow you to play 1440p games.
Just a little warning if you go to Amazon’s page you’ll notice that it says this PC contains a GTX 1660 Super with 4GB of VRAM. It was probably a typo, as the GTX 1660 Super only comes in the 6GB variant.
Since every other PC on this list has more RAM than storage, it’s safe to assume that Dell had to make a decision: add more storage or more RAM. They couldn’t do both. And they made the wrong decision.
Although you get a 256GB SSD and a 1TB hard drive, which is an amazing combination because you get the speed and volume so you don’t have to worry about storage anymore, you only get 8GB of RAM because of that.
That’s not to say having a lot of storage is bad, but between the two, upgrading RAM would have been better, especially since it’s marketed as a gaming PC.
Storage has no impact on games, except to limit the number of games you can install at the same time. RAM, on the other hand, plays a big role when it comes to gaming, and having only 8GB on a $1000 gaming PC is very disappointing.
That said, the Dell G5 is one of the cheapest systems on the list. That doesn’t excuse the amount of RAM, but it does give you room to buy another 8GB device without breaking your budget.
Our thoughts
Although it has an equally powerful processor and graphics card as the previous model, we still think this is by far the weakest PC on this list just because of the amount of RAM.
There is another complaint we have with him and that is the fact that there is not enough information on the subject on the seller’s website. There’s nothing about the type of motherboard you use, whether it’s a mini or ATX system, if it comes with peripherals, etc.
But the information there looks pretty decent (all except RAM, of course, which we recommend updating as soon as possible if you want a smooth user experience).
Although the processor isn’t unlocked, the i5-10400 makes a great CPU and while this may annoy the chronic overclockers among you, it won’t make much difference to the average gamer who just wants to unpack their new PC and play video games.
As for the GPU, it’s the same as the previous entry, so it doesn’t require any special attention, but the storage is much better, and some might even choose this PC based solely on that fact.
And one last thing.
In the pros and cons section, we mentioned that the cooling solution is not the best. That’s because the case comes with only two fans and the standard Intel cooler, which needs to be updated as soon as the opportunity arises.
Overall this is a decent PC, but we would definitely give it the lowest rating of all systems on this list simply because it would require a lot of attention after purchase. In the end, we found that most people would rather pay more right away for a problem-free PC than fiddle with updates.
Pros
- excellent CPU
- Great GPU
- Lots of storage space
Cons
- insufficient RAM
- Weak cooling solution
2. Skytech Legacy Mini
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 2700
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 500GB SSD
Skytech Legacy Mini presents the middle ground between Skytech Shiva and Skytech Archangel due to its CPU / GPU combination.
The Skytech Legacy Mini is equipped with AMD Ryzen 7 2700 and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti.
The Ryzen 7 2700 is an 8-core, 16-thread CPU with a base and maximum clock speed of 3.2 GHz and 4.1 GHz, respectively. As this is a Zen+ processor, it loses to the Ryzen 5 3600, but not much. It will even let you play all CPU-intensive games without the slightest problem.
Not to mention that the CPU comes with AMD’s standard mid-range cooler, the Wraith Spire, which will come in handy if you want to experiment with overclocking. And yes, as the Legacy Mini comes equipped with a B450 motherboard, overclocking is a viable option, although we recommend using it sparingly.
When it comes to the GPU, the GTX 1660 Ti is pretty impressive. There won’t be a significant increase in FPS compared to the GTX 1660 Super, but the Ti version is definitely more powerful, although still insignificant compared to the RTX 2060.
Furthermore, the Legacy Mini brings the ideal 16 GB of RAM, albeit clocked at 2400 MHz, and a 500 GB SSD that should be enough to get you started. As usual, Windows 10, a mouse and a keyboard are included in the price.
Our thoughts
As we said, this PC is a happy medium between Shiva and the Archangel.
Shiva is definitely the best dog because it contains the RTX 2060, but it’s a tough choice between Archangel and Legacy Mini.
Normally, we would say that the Legacy Mini is the best choice when it comes to gaming simply because it has a better GPU, and that’s true. However, the point is that not everyone will like it to be a mini.
As we said before, the difference between the GTX 1660 Super and the GTX 1660 Ti is only a few FPS, and you should also take into account the performance improvement that comes with a better CPU.
The Legacy Mini will still perform a little better in-game, but not so much that you can buy it at any price, even if you don’t like it visually or don’t want to restrict your upgrade options with the small format.
So choose what you think is best for you, but be aware that any PC you choose will be able to master 1080p resolution. All PCs will be able to run even the newest AAA titles, and most of them will also be at maximum settings. Of course, in some extremely demanding titles, you’ll have to settle for medium graphics presets, but even so your gaming experience should be more than satisfying.
Pros
- well balanced
- Great GPU
- a lot of RAM
Cons
- Limited upgradeability due to small form factor
3. Skytech Archangel Gaming PC
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 500GB SSD
The SkyTech Archangel is another AMD system, this time it contains the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU. This is a significant improvement over the previous entry, but it comes at a price. In other words, the GPU on this system is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super.
Now, this is by no means a bad GPU, but it pales in comparison to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060. However, this processor is a welcome improvement over the previous version for anyone planning to use this PC as a workstation. In addition to games or prefer CPU intensive games.
What’s also a big improvement is the motherboard. Skytech Archangel houses a B450 mobo, so any motherboard-related issues mentioned in the previous two posts won’t be a problem here. It will have an adequate number of PCIe slots, decent connectivity options, four RAM slots compared to two on the A320 boards, and CPU overclocking capability.
Now that’s cool and all, but don’t overdo it! This PC even comes with the Wraith Stealth cooler. This cooler can support some overclocking, but if you intend to make it all out, we recommend buying an aftermarket cooler.
When it comes to RAM, we’re very happy that this PC has at least 16GB to match the big processor, so you won’t have to worry about delays when multitasking or having multiple Chrome tabs open. And unless you’re doing heavy editing, graphic design or something like that, in addition to gaming, you won’t have to upgrade your RAM anytime soon.
That said, we prefer it to be dual channel, but unfortunately, you only get one 16GB device instead of two 8GB ones. Unfortunately, however, that’s the case with pre-built PCs – you’ll never get exactly what you want.
And finally, there is the 500GB SSD storage.
Having SSDs for storage has become the norm these days, and for good reason. Still, having only 500GB is likely to become an issue in the future, and you may have to spend more money on additional storage, but that’s an issue for the future.
Like most other systems on this list, this PC also comes with a gaming keyboard and mouse, as well as a pre-installed Windows 10, and you also get a 1-year warranty in case of unexpected failures.
Our thoughts
Skytech Archangel is a great PC that strikes a good balance between gaming and productivity.
It has a fantastic 6-core, 12-thread processor that lets you work, play and have multiple programs running at the same time without affecting the game, and an excellent graphics card perfect for stress-free 1080p gaming.
This GPU will allow you to play Assassin’s Creed Odyssey at a solid 55 FPS, Witcher III at 60, Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 70, Battlefield V at 85, Fortnite at 100 solids and Overwatch at 130 FPS at maximum settings. These are just a few examples, but you get the point.
All of these games have been tested at 1080p, but with less demanding titles, you can even play at 1440p without any problems if your monitor supports it.
If you are someone who intends to use your PC for games and work, this PC is a great option that will do both perfectly, without requiring any additional expense.
Not to mention that Ryzen 5 3600 is an unlocked processor that is paired with a B450 motherboard, meaning you can overclock it without any problems if you need to. Make sure you have a cooling solution suitable for the type of overclocking you are doing.
Pros
- Fantastic CPU / GPU combination
- a lot of RAM
- Look great
Cons
- will require more storage
4. Skytech Shiva gaming PC
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 500GB SSD
Then there’s the SkyTech Shiva gaming PC, and right away we can say this is the best gaming PC on the list, period.
If you know anything about gaming, you know that the FPS, and therefore the gaming experience, is dictated by the GPU. SkyTech Shiva is equipped with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060. This graphics card is the first of the RTX models, meaning it allows real-time ray tracking for a hyper-realistic representation of light and shadow.
After the recent release of Nvidia 3000 series, this video card may not look so good anymore, but that’s just a comparison. The RTX 2060 is still an amazing GPU that will take your gaming experience to a whole new level.
When it comes to CPUs, what we have here is the 5 5600X. It’s nothing special, but it’s a decent processor that can handle the RTX 2060 with no problems. With 6 cores, 12 threads and clock speeds of 3.4GHz-3.9GHz, this processor will be able to handle even games that require more CPU.
Unfortunately, even if it’s unlocked, you won’t be able to overclock it because, like the Skytech Blaze II gaming PC before it, it’s on an A320 motherboard.
As for the rest of the components, the Skytech Shiva has 16GB of RAM and 500GB of SSD storage. It’s a shame you don’t have an extra hard drive, but at least hard drives are cheap these days, so adding one in the future, if you need one, shouldn’t be a problem.
And finally, it shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the SkyTech Shiva is a real eye-catcher with its sleek design, transparent side panel and RGB fans that no one will fail to admire.
Our thoughts
The SkyTech Shiva is an amazing machine that offers a good quality/price ratio, with the RTX 2060 being the centerpiece of this PC and the most important factor influencing the gaming experience.
As for the Ryzen 5 2600, as we’ve said, it’s nothing out of this world, it’s not even a Zen 2 processor, but it’s a decent CPU that’s more than capable of handling the graphics card without bottling it up, the that says something. whereas we’re talking about the RTX 2060.
When it comes to RAM and storage, this PC is well equipped, but as we said above, it could use an additional hard drive. Fortunately, storage is cheap and easy to add at any time.
We’ve already expressed our opinion about the images, but what we haven’t mentioned is the power supply, which is a power supply with 500W 80+ certification. Although it’s decent, we would have preferred a 550-600W power supply just to make sure you won’t have to get a new power supply if you do big updates in the future, but it’s nothing to stop us. to recommend this PC.
However, disappointing enough is the A320M motherboard. This is quite an old series in terms of PC hardware (so much so that it only has two RAM slots) and quite weak compared to even the B350 series.
We talked about this in the previous post, so we won’t repeat ourselves here, but suffice it to say that while it doesn’t significantly affect your gaming experience, you’d still be much better off with a B450 motherboard, and we recommend that you switch to a .B450 model when I get the chance.
All that aside, the Skytech Shiva is the absolute winner when it comes to gaming, thanks to its graphics card, and everything it has against it is largely overshadowed by its many advantages, so it’s highly recommended to buy it while it’s still there. is available.
Pros
- awesome graphics card
- No need for updates
- 16 GB RAM
Cons
- Motherboard dated
5. Skytech Blaze II PC for games
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 500GB SSD
This system is equipped with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super with 6GB of VRAM and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600, which is a 12-core 6-thread CPU with a base clock of 3.4 GHz and a maximum boost clock of 3.9 GHz.
This is an excellent combination that will allow you to make the most of 1080p resolution and up to 1440p if you have the monitor to do that.
The processor is built on Zen+ architecture, so it doesn’t have all the benefits of Zen 2, like higher clock rates, better IPC, higher power efficiency and single-thread performance, to name a few. However, even without these updates, second- gen Ryzen processors are great for gaming, especially if that’s all you plan to use.
If you intend to use it strictly as a gaming PC, you won’t need a beastly CPU. You just need it to be powerful enough to support your graphics card without blocking it, because that’s what will determine how well your games will run.
Speaking of graphics cards, the Nvidia GeForce 1660 Super is an excellent GPU that will let you play any game you can imagine without worrying too much about settings or frame rate.
There won’t be a single game you can’t play, and most of them will deliver a solid 60FPS or more at maximum settings. There are some particularly demanding titles where you’ll have to make small adjustments to the graphics sliders, but even so, “low” graphics will be a thing of the past.
Now, remember we’re talking 1080p here. You’ll be able to run games at 1440p, but in that case, you’ll have to sacrifice some FPS or lower graphics settings, not to mention having a monitor that supports this resolution.
One of the reasons this GPU can work so well is because this Skytech Blaze II system is equipped with 16GB of RAM.
This amount of RAM is considered great for gaming as it will allow you to play games and perform daily tasks without the slightest problem. With 32GB of RAM, you wouldn’t notice a big improvement, and with 8GB, your PC’s performance would drop dramatically.
Of course, if you’re doing video editing, content creation or streaming, 32GB would be more than welcome, but when it comes to gaming, 16GB is the sweet spot.
When it comes to other components, this PC has 500GB of SSD storage, which is enough to get you started. We would have preferred an additional 1TB hard drive, or at least 1TB in total, but suppose you can’t have it all.
The only thing that disappoints us is the motherboard, as it is a rather old-fashioned model (A320). It won’t mess up your game too much, but you won’t be able to overclock the CPU, which can be a disappointment for some people.
Our thoughts
This is a very good PC and of course, it is, otherwise it wouldn’t be on this list.
It has a good processor, a powerful graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and a decent amount of storage. This means that you won’t have any additional expenses after you buy it, which is probably exactly what you’re looking for since you’re thinking about buying a pre-made system.
The only thing you need to find out now is if you need this PC just for gaming or if you will be using it for some kind of work or content creation beyond that.
As we mentioned earlier, if you just want games, this PC is perfectly fine, but if it’s some kind of work, you might want to read on and find a PC with a better processor.
The Ryzen 5 2600 is not only the weakest of all the processors on this list, it is also installed on an A320 motherboard.
That is, Ryzen CPUs are designed to make the most of RAM speeds, the more the better. However, although many of the A320 models support 3000 MHz or 3200 MHz DDR4 memory, some do not support or only support 3200 MHz overclocking.
This means that with some models you may not be able to extract as much performance from your Ryzen processor as you would if you had a better motherboard. Basically, if you have 3000 MHz of RAM, but your motherboard doesn’t support it and you’re running at, say, 2666 MHz, your Ryzen processor might be a little slower as a result.
That said, this is the worst case, so there’s probably nothing to worry about, but we can’t say for sure due to the motherboard model not showing up on the seller page, so we think it was worth it. the mention.
Fortunately, even if problems arise, memory overclocking is feasible on A320 motherboards, so you can still get a little more performance out of your RAM in just a few clicks.
Pros
- Excellent CPU / GPU combination
- a lot of RAM
- visually stunning
Cons
- Motherboard dated
Conclusion
Now you have most of the idea on which prebuild PC is best for you but still, it is hard to choose one. I would recommend Skytech Legacy Mini is the best budget-friendly for you Dell G5 and Skytech Shiva are a good options for powerful gaming.
What should I look for in a pre-built gaming PC?
These days, pre-built gaming PCs take on different shapes and specifications. This makes choosing the best pre-built gaming PC a bit difficult. To facilitate your selection process, you should prioritize CPU and GPU. Start by checking your CPU specs because it’s the heart of your system and will influence every facet of your gaming experience. Then check the GPU. A dedicated GPU is generally ideal for a variety of modern games, but you must ensure that it matches the performance of your CPUs. Other important specs to consider include RAM and storage, ports and connectivity, as well as design and the aesthetics of the cabinet.
Is a pre-built gaming PC better than a custom gaming PC
This is a matter of preferences and game requirements. Pre-made gaming PCs are affordable and, because they are ready-to-use, save you the time you would spend waiting for components from different vendors to arrive. Also, they usually offer a warranty, so should a problem arise, you can always have it repaired by a professional at the manufacturer’s expense. What’s more, the best pre-built gaming PCs have excellent technical support. Therefore, a pre-built gaming PC is generally better and the best way to go if you want to avoid the hassle of having to build one yourself.
Can you modify a pre-built gaming PC?
Yes, you can modify a pre-built gaming PC, but how much you modify or update depends on the degree of ownership of the specific parts or model. For example, pre-built gaming PCs from companies like IBUYPOWER use relatively standard parts, meaning they are easy to modify, while pre-built PCs from vendors like Cyberpower use strictly proprietary parts to avoid modifications and upgrades. Pre-built PCs are often difficult to upgrade. Sure, you can swap RAM or switch from HDD to SDD, but you won’t have as much freedom to modify and upgrade a pre-built PC as you would with a custom PC.
How long does a pre-built gaming PC last?
Typically, the life of a PC comes down to individual components, starting with the CPU, which is one of the most important parts of any PC. In most cases, pre-built CPUs for PC gaming have a useful life of 5 to 10 years. This is significantly affected by heat. A properly cooled CPU chip will last a long time, but a CPU operating at high temperatures degrades over time. On the other hand, the best pre-built gaming PCs have CPUs with built-in protection features that prevent overheating. This means that, with careful selection and proper care, a pre-built PC will easily last ten years.
Can you overclock a pre-built gaming PC?
Increasing a PC’s clock rate allows it to run more cycles per second and is a good way to get extra performance out of your PC. However, most if not all pre-built PCs cannot be overclocked. This is basically because they have a locked BIOS, which means you can’t change any settings, let alone overclock. But if your pre-built gaming PC is among the lucky few that can be overclocked, make sure it has adequate cooling. This is critical because while overclocking improves performance, it causes the system to produce additional heat. If your budget allows, it would be better to invest in a water-based soda.
Who makes the best pre-built gaming PCs?
There is really no right or wrong answer to this question as it is a matter of preferences and gaming requirements. However, you can compare the specs to see which manufacturer offers the best. Start with the CPU specs. Look for a CPU with a high core count, check clock speed as well as overclocking capabilities. Also check the GPU. Most pre-built gaming PCs usually come with either a dedicated or built-in GPU. This avoids the hassle of having to buy one separately. Also check the RAM. The best pre-built gaming PC makers generally offer at least 16GB. Comparing pre-built gaming PC specs from different manufacturers will help you identify who does the best.
Affiliate disclosure:
If you make a purchase through the links on this page, I may receive a small commission. I wrote this review based on my honest experience and my vision of the company. I only write reviews about services and products that I personally use, like and believe in. I usually try to see good things rather than wasting my time thinking about the drawbacks. I strongly believe that if you take action and dedicate some time and effort, you will get your money worth and change your life for the better. Although I always list “cons” and strive to be as objective as possible, I also think that focusing too much on negative aspects can lead to procrastination and having a negative experience.