For those that don't want to go through the hassle involved in building their own powerful gaming computer, buying a pre-built gaming PC from a reputable manufacturer is a solid alternative. While the most exotic gaming PCs cost as much as $10,000 or more, you can buy an excellent gaming experience for a small fraction of that cost. Almost all the gaming PCs on this list are below $1500, which means you won't be forced to break the bank for a system that will be obsolete in a couple years anyway.
Why it's best: The Origin Genesis is anything that you want it to be. It is the only model that Origin offers, and unlike them models offered from other companies, the Genesis isn't set in stone. It is the beginning of your gaming experience, and can unfold in any way you'd liked.
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Whatever you do end up picking, however, you're sure to be impressed. Origin isn't the only company that offers you the chance to heavily customize your system, including such details as the case and motherboard, but Origin does a great job of making sure the components available to you are of the absolute highest quality.
A low end Origin Genesis runs around $1400. For that price you'll receive a Core i3 processor mounted on an ASUS gaming motherboard as well as a Radeon 5670. There are less expensive options on the market, but the top-to-bottom quality and customization available with the Origin Genesis makes it the clear favorite if you don't mind spending a little extra dough. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: Although rarely placed into the spotlight, Maingear is a PC manufacturer that's been around for eight years and has spent each of them building excellent machines. Although Maingear doesn't offer as many customization options as other companies, you don't lose much. All Maingear systems use excellent cases, reliable power supplies and brand name motherboards from companies like Gigabyte and ASUS.
The F131 is actually the company's second fastest system, but it is adequate for gaming even in its most basic form. The AMD version comes with a 2.8 GHz quad-core processor and ATI Radeon 5670 graphics for just $1225.Throwing in an extreme high-end video card and processor will set you back another $500 dollars and transform the F131 into an absolute monster.
Yet the F131's mundane position on Maingear's lineup as its own advantages – the F131 has a subtle appearance and is only 20 inches tall, so you won't have trouble finding space on or in your desk for your new gaming PC. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: Falcon Northwest is among the oldest and most experienced boutique gaming PC companies in the world – they've been around since 1992. Although PC hardware has changed a great deal since then, Falcon Northwest's quality-first approach hasn't.
The Fragbox is a small gaming PC that is designed with portability in mind. Falcon Northwest calls it "the size of a shoebox," and while this is a slight exaggeration there is no disputing that the Fragbox is among the smallest gaming PCs money can buy. It also has a convenient carrying handle on the top of the PC that makes it easy to take to LAN parties.
You might expect to pay a premium for a small gaming PC, but you'd be wrong. The Fragbox is actually an amazing value. The basic model has a Core i5 processor, Nvidia GTS 450 graphics and 4GB of RAM – all for under $1300. I highly recommend choosing the $100 upgrade to the Nvidia GTX 460, as the Fragbox should be capable of playing any modern game at high detail settings when equipped with this upgrade. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: Although Alienware products are sometimes over-priced, the Aurora shows why it is never a good idea to make generalization about any brand of products. The base Alienware Aurora is priced at just $999 – a bargain, really – and comes with a Core i3 processor Radeon HD 5670 graphics card. While this combination is only adequate for many modern games, it is a good starting point.
There are plenty of upgrades available, as well. Switching to a Core i5 quad-core processor and a Radeon HD 5870 graphics card, for example, bumps the price up to a relatively modest $1499. Indeed, it's hard to see why Alienware even needs to offer the Area-51, as the Aurora seems to be a much better value overall.
However, the Aurora isn't perfect. Alienware's customization options are very restrictive compared to competitors, and Alienware's refusal to use brand-name motherboards rand power supplies remains an issue. That's not to say these components are bad, but it would be more comforting if they were known to be from companies with solid reputations for performance and reliability. This flaw knocks down our rating of the Aurora, but you should still consider the system if price is a major concern. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: It might be inaccurate to label iBuyPower as a gaming PC manufacturer. Unlike every other company mentioned so far, iBuyPower doesn't seem to go great lengths to design a specific computer. Everything on an iBuyPower system can be customized, from the case to the power supply to the motherboard.
This has its pros and cons. The upside to this approach is that you can purchase exactly what you want. While the Gamer Paladin F725 system is the basis for our recommendation you can effectively turn the F725 into anything you'd like, from $1000 budget box to a $3000 monster.
However, iBuyPower does not seem to police the configurations the offer nearly as well as Origin. Many of the case options look cool, but are functionally terrible, and the wide variety of motherboard and power supply choices – some of which are good, and some of which aren't – is more confusing than helpful. Still, iBuyPower offers outstanding prices, so the F725 can be a good choice if you know what you want and you're looking for the lowest price possible. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
I just purchased a new gaming computer called the cyber killer...its an all-in-one gaming computer but its an i7 and does everything I need. might want to consider that.
http://www.gamingpc.net/page/all-in-one-gaming
I have been doing a lot of research in preparation for a purchase of a gaming pc.
These brands are all I hear about on the internet! Is there no other Custom Gaming PC company that makes quality Gaming PC's that is worth your review?
Of course there are! And, except for DELL/Alienware, they offer the same or similar customization options, components, better customer reviews, better prices and perhaps better warranties.
I can name at least two right now...Centaurus Computers is the first and Magic Micro Computers, which, I believe, are the #1 seller of custom computers on EBAY!
I don't work for either of these companies, but I am looking for options to buy the best Gaming PC, and I have already ruled out all of the companies you have listed, because of price, warranties, or customer reviews.
Thanks!
R. Hagan