Best prebuilt gaming PC under $1000 in 2023
We scour the web to find only the best gaming PCs under $1000 for a silky-smooth 1080p gaming experience
A common price point for a lot of budding gamers to save up is around $1000. The best prebuilt gaming PC for under $1000, in some cases, features better graphics cards than those under $800 but not always. A gaming PC under 1000 may have similar spec GPUs but often feature stronger CPUs, more storage, and better RAM.
A $1000 is a lot of money and is an ideal amount for those looking at playing games in glorious detail, with some capable of 1440p performance. We would all love a premium $2000 prebuilt gaming PC but these affordable prebuilt options below might surprise you.
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Our Top Picks
How We Choose
We scoured popular and reputable prebuilt gaming PC manufacturers such as Dell, HP, iBuyPower, CyberPowerPC, and even the latest prebuilt gaming desktop PCs from companies that specialize in upgrades and customizations such as CUK (Computer Upgrade King).
After an extensive search, we came up with a long list of potential candidates, we then: examined the specs, compared them, and came up with the five best gaming PCs under $1,000.
How We Test
To give you an idea of how well these prebuilt gaming PCs performed, tests were made and benchmark results were recorded across a number of different games and platforms. We specifically picked popular games to give you an up-to-date reference.
NOTE: Due to the ongoing effects of the global coronavirus pandemic, some retailers are experiencing stock issues. WePC constantly updates our pages to reflect current availability, so if the PC or part you want shows as out of stock, check back later or check out these alternatives.
Things To Consider
We understand that not everyone can find the time to build their own custom PC but when buying a prebuilt gaming PC there are just as many things to consider before making that final purchase. While these prebuilt computers for under $1000 are highly capable, we still need to make sure you walk away with the right PC for your needs.
What to expect from a prebuilt gaming PC under $1000
When it comes to a prebuilt gaming PC for under $1000, you would be forgiven for thinking that there are no compromises. well, despite being considered “high-end”, there is only so much room in the budget for a GPU. This means you will often find the older components but usually this is just the previous generation, however, some include the entry-level GPUs to the latest ranges. In any case, a gaming PC under $1000 is going to smash 1080p gaming and offer plenty of performance in 1440p too!
Graphics Card
Whether it’s a prebuilt or a custom-built gaming computer, the graphics card is the most important component. It’s the powerhouse of any gaming computer.
Prebuilt gaming computers around the $1000 mark are technically on the high-end side of things but still have a couple of compromises here and there, one of which is the GPU. Graphics cards in these systems are going to be able to play anything in any setting when gaming in 1080p, with some of the PCs able to take on 1440p too.
Processor
When buying a prebuilt computer in this bracket, you are likely to be getting older processors. Don’t worry though, the good news is that while these may not be the latest and greatest CPUs, they are often just the previous gen, with high speeds, and solid for gaming.
RAM
$1000 prebuilt gaming PCs is where we start to see 16GB of fast RAM included. This is great news for gamers as 16GB is becoming more and more optimal, plus it will future proof your setup a while longer than 8GB. How much RAM do you need for gaming? this depends on what you are going to be using the PC for but considering how affordable a 16GB kit of RAM is, try to always opt for this over 8GB.
Storage
Storage solutions in $1000 prebuilt gaming PCs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, with some offering dual-storage and others large 1TB SSDs. In any case, you are likely to end up with more than enough storage to get you going but you can expect anything between 500GB and 1TB.
Best gaming PC under $1000 vs custom
We always recommend that you build your own computer here at WePC and that is for one simple reason – value. It is no secret that you can squeeze in better hardware for your cash when building your own system, with the markup on prebuilt computers usually costing the same amount as an entire component ($100-$300).
Performance
While the performance of these $1000 gaming PCs is solid, when building your own you could in theory include a better CPU or GPU into your computer without spending more. This means you could get even better performance for your hard-earned cash, get better in-game results, and future-proof your investment for longer.
Convenience
The main selling point behind a prebuilt gaming PC is it saves you the hassle. We understand that not everyone knows how to build a computer and may not even have the time to learn this new skill, so the convenience of a prebuilt makes a lot of sense. Of course, there are many more benefits to buying a prebuilt gaming PC from manufacturers, obviously, it takes the stresses away from finding all the compatible components, while also preventing damage to said components when the time comes to build it.
With one of these gaming PCs, you are going to be able to send it back to the manufacturer if anything goes wrong. Furthermore, if you feel you need an upgrade, suppliers will often do this for you or at least insist you send it to them for an upgrade. Manufacturers will also dish out a warranty, usually covering parts and labor for around a year but some companies offer impressive warranties and you can always spend extra on insurance, giving you a lengthy/ lifetime warranty.
These computers are from the biggest manufacturers around the world and aren’t just packaged nicely for you either, they normally stress test the system to ensure the components are working before shipping and that it performs as it should. You will also receive your system with software, usually with Windows and drivers pre-installed, so you can simply plug it in and start downloading games.
The The Best 5 Prebuilt Gaming PCs Under $1000
In-depth Review
- Modern graphics card
- Excellent for gaming at 1080p
- Excellent aesthetics
- Case doesn't have the best airflow
- 8GB of RAM
When picking out a new PC, we all want to make sure we’re putting our money towards something great. Budget or high-end, most computers tend to make a dent in our savings. It’s easier to find overpriced models than to score a good computer for cheap, but Skytech brings you a reasonable 1080p gaming experience here for a fair price.
Everything is housed in a good quality PC case, featuring RGB fans, RGB lighting, and a tempered glass side panel. Inside, we have the Intel i5-10400F CPU running at a base clock speed of 2.9GHz. The CPU is solid for gaming and is backed up by the recent Nvidia Geforce RTX 3050 graphics card. This card is going to serve you well when playing games in 1080p and comes with the latest features. Unfortunately, you only get an 8GB DDR4 RAM kit but it will still hold its own, even when playing high-end games.
No hard drive in this prebuilt but you do get a massive 1TB NVMe SSD, giving you plenty of room for your OS, games, and media.
- Current gen graphics card
- Excellent for gaming at 1080p
- Fast storage
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Only 500GB of space
This prebuilt gaming PC for under 1000 is a tidy effort from AVGPC. While you would never get the ‘best’ components in a PC for this price, you are still getting some of the latest generation inside. Games in 1080p are no problem for this prebuilt.
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is an odd SKU to see in a prebuilt with a dedicated GPU but still performs well for gaming all the same. The processor comes with 6 cores and 12 threads that run at a base clock speed of 3.9GHz. The CPU is paired with the Nvidia RTX 3050 which provides a relatively decent experience when playing at 1080p, with the odd exception in 1440p. Alongside 16GB of RAM and a 500GB SSD, you have everything you need to start enjoying most games.
The case is sleek and brings RGB, plus a viewing window to the table, giving you an out-of-the-box stylish setup.
- Excellent 1080p gaming performance
- Fast storage
- Older gen GPU
- only 8GB RAM
The CYBERPOWERPC Gaming PC is more than capable of taking care of all your gaming needs for the foreseeable future. The performance is excellent for the price and you can be sure that has something to do with the powerful CPU/GPU combination inside.
This PC features a powerful 11th Gen Intel processor – the Core i5-11400F. Alongside the highly capable CPU, we see the GeForce RTX 2060, a surprising GPU that can tackle most games with ease.
his build also offers 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 500GB SSD drive which, although not the biggest, is still capable of holding your operating system. You may want to add extra storage space down the line but this is enough to get you started.
This would make an excellent PC for beginners and hardcore gamers alike, with strong gaming features at the heart of this build.
- Fantastic gaming performance
- RTX 3060 GPU
- Compact
- Only 256GB of space
- Poor airflow
- Cant be upgraded like other selections
This HP Pavilion Gaming PC offers some decent value, giving those who seek a solid gaming experience an RTX 3060 GPU for a reasonable price. The major downside is the fact this is not really going to be upgradeable down the line.
This build comes with the Intel Core i5-10400, a perfectly fine CPU for gaming, shipping with six cores and 12 threads that run at a base clock speed of 2.9GHz. Behind that, is the RTX 3060 GPU, a card that will provide high frames in 1080p and can handle some titles when playing in 1440p too.
Unfortunately, you are only getting 8GB of RAM and a small 256GB SSD (no HDD) with this gaming PC, so you may need to upgrade the RAM and increase your storage sooner than you would with some of the other options. You will also receive a free mouse and keyboard with this prebuilt but you should definitely get yourself some higher quality peripherals when you can.
- Reasonable performance for the price
- Great CPU for gaming and light work loads
- Great aesthetics
- Wi-fi
- Entry-level GPU
Coming way under budget is the Archangel Gaming Computer from Skytech. This prebuilt costs less than the magic 1000 dollars simply because of the card onboard.
Inside we have AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 CPU, a previous budget champion that provides excellent power for the price. The processor features 6 cores and 12 threads running at a base clock speed of 3.6GHz. The graphics card – the Nvidia Geforce GTX 1650 – is considered entry-level – but when combined with the CPU, 3200MHz RAM, and 500 GB SSD, you are still going to be able to play anything in 1080p.
Visually a great PC with an RGB case but we advise you only pick this over the others if you are on a strict budget. The top selections in this round-up offer supreme value in comparison.
Build A Gaming PC By Price
Check out some of our price-focused custom PC build guides below.
- Best Custom Gaming PC under $300
- Best Custom Gaming PC under $400
- Best Custom Gaming PC under $500
- Best Custom Gaming PC under $600
- Best Custom Gaming PC under $700
- Best Custom Gaming PC under $800
- Best Custom Gaming PC under $1000
- Best Custom Gaming PC under $1500
- Best Custom Gaming PC under $2000
- Best Custom Gaming PC under $3000
- Best Custom Gaming PC under $5000
Other Related Custom PC Guides:
- Best Gaming PC
- The Best Silent PC Gaming Build
- The Best Streaming PC Build
- The Best Mini ITX Build For Gaming
Build A Gaming PC For Specific Games
Check out some of our game-focused custom PC build guides below.
- The Best Gaming PC For Valorant
- The Best Custom Built Gaming PC For CS:GO
- The Best Custom Built Gaming PC For Fortnite
- The Best Custom Gaming PC For Cyberpunk 2077
- The Best Custom Built PC For Emulation
Related Prebuilt Gaming PC Guides
Check out some of our related prebuilt PC guides below.
- Best Prebuilt Gaming PC
- Best Mini Gaming PC
- Best RTX 3080 Prebuilt Gaming PC
- Best RTX 3070 Prebuilt Gaming PC
- Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $2000
- Best Prebuilt Gaming PC under $1500
- Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $800
- Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $500
Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Brands
Every recommended prebuilt gaming PC in this article is from a reputable manufacturer. You are probably wondering how we know what the best gaming PC brands are? Well, we have done our research and purchased PCs from these brands.
Most notable brands:
Alienware
Corsair
CyberPowerPC
SkyTech
iBUYPOWER
Thermaltake
MSI
Scan 3XS
Overclockers UK
Final Word
There you have it, the best prebuilt gaming PC under $1000. All five prebuilts offer excellent gaming performance, whether you are playing games in 1080p or 1440p. While some may prefer slightly more storage, the combination of the powerful CPU, GPU, and RAM is going to give you some impressive results.
With these selections, you can rest assured that each one is of high quality and is manufactured by some of the biggest names in the business, meaning all you have to worry about is picking up the right spec for your gaming needs.
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