Buying a gaming PC for the first time can be intimidating. With so many different systems and specs out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert or even a seasoned gamer to make the right choice. All you need is the right information and an idea of what you want from your rig.
Entering the world of PC gaming is an exciting adventure filled with countless hours of immersive gameplay, stunning graphics, and a vibrant community of fellow gamers. However, the journey begins with a crucial decision: choosing the right gaming PC for beginners. Choosing a complicated system can lead to frustration, wasted money, and a setup that doesn’t actually meet your needs. If you don’t choose the right setup, you might not be able to play the games you love, upgrade your system, or enjoy the features you need for high-performance gaming.
It’s easy to get pulled in by flashy specs or fancy buzzwords. This guide will help you understand what to look for when buying your first gaming PC and recommend some of our favorite starter options.
Quick List
| AMD Ryzen 5 3050 Configurator Gaming PC The AMD Ryzen 5 3050 Configurator Gaming PC is loaded with beginner-friendly features and delivers incredible performance for various titles. Great for anyone getting into PC gaming for the first time. Learn more | Prebuilt Gaming PC GX 99662 The Prebuilt Gaming PC GX 99662 is great for high-performance gaming, thanks to its powerful hardware and cutting-edge graphics. The ideal choice for gamers and streamers alike. Learn more | Prebuilt Gaming PC GXL 8732 Enjoy peak gaming performance with the Prebuilt Gaming PC GXL 8732, featuring high-speed processing, advanced graphics, and efficient cooling for immersive, lag-free experiences. Learn more |
| Esports Essential Gaming PC The Esports Essential Gaming PC is designed for competitive gaming and delivers high FPS, low latency, and reliable performance to give you the ultimate edge in every game. Learn more | CyberPower Z890 Ultra 7 Configurator Gaming PC The CyberPower Z890 Ultra 7 Configurator Gaming PC is a powerhouse PC, offering top-tier performance and customization to meet the demands of beginners and professionals alike. Learn more | Prebuilt Gaming PC GX 99663 The Prebuilt Gaming PC GX 99663 is a powerful system designed for efficiency, smooth gameplay, and multitasking. Great for new gamers who want a little something of everything. Learn more |
Specifications
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- GPU: GeForce RTX 3050
- Memory: 32GB (16GBx2) DDR5
- Storage: 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD
Reasons to Buy
- Great gaming performance
- High-speed DDR5 memory
- Integrated Wi-Fi 6
- Customizable RGB lighting
If you’re in the market for a good beginner gaming PC, the AMD Ryzen 5 3050 Configurator ranks at the top of many lists. This PC’s foundation is built on a powerful AMD Ryzen 5 7600 CPU with 6 cores and 12 threads. It provides enough power to play a variety of titles and you can enjoy fantastic visuals, thanks to the NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card.
When you’re just entering the gaming scene, performance hiccups like freezing, slowdowns, input lag, and stutters can be all it takes to discourage you from playing. This beginner gaming PC has 32GB of DDR5 memory, so your system can enable you to run games without annoying setbacks. The 1TB NVMe SSD offers ample storage and reduces load times.
Another reason we added this dedicated gaming PC to our list is its GIGABYTE B850 motherboard with Wi-Fi 6 support for fast internet connectivity. The high air-flow case, which is equipped with multiple ARGB fans, promises optimal cooling. That said, the mid-tower chassis may be somewhat large and bulky if you’re working with limited space.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i5-14400F
- GPU: Intel Arc B580 12GB GDDR6
- Memory: 16GB DDR5-6000MHz
- Storage: 2TB PCIe NVMe Gen4 M.2 SSD
Reasons to Buy
- Ideal for 1080p gaming
- Prebuilt and ready to use
- Affordable
- Includes a 3-year free service plan
The GX 99662 is a well-rounded gaming computer for beginners looking for great gaming experiences without the hassle of building a system from scratch. Compared to many of its rivals, it’s budget-friendly so you can save money — allowing you to venture into the world of PC gaming without investing in premium hardware.
This quality gaming PC is equipped with an Intel Core i5-14400F processor, offering top-tier gaming performance and excelling in other areas, such as video editing. This beginner gaming PC comes with 16 GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB NVMe SSD, which means you can expect blazing-fast load times and minimal stuttering.
However, the Intel Arc B580 GPU may not be the best option for advanced 4K gaming, though it works well for 1080p and light 1440p gaming.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i7-14700F
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
- Memory: 16GB of DDR5 RAM
- Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe GEN4 M.2 SSD
Reasons to Buy
- Fast SSD
- Powerful CPU for gaming
- Prebuilt system
- Attractive case design
Like the GX-99662, the GXL-8732 is among the best prebuilt gaming PCs in our collection. This beginner gaming computer is packed with user-friendly features designed for a seamless gaming experience. The Intel Core i7-14700F processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 translate into smooth and immersive gaming with high-quality graphics and ray tracing.
Aesthetics can be an important part of creating your gaming space, and the PHANTEKS NV5s mid-tower case is sure to impress with its tempered glass view and ARGB fans. But it doesn’t just look good — this setup ensures proper airflow to help maintain optimal system temperatures for better performance.
As a newcomer, this prebuilt gaming rig doesn’t need to be assembled so you can start gaming as soon as it arrives. The GXL-8732 is also on our list of the best gaming PCs for beginners because it includes 16GB of DDR5 memory and the PCIe NVMe SSD can achieve read and write speeds of 7,000 MB/s or more.
Specifications
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8700F
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
- Memory: 16GB DDR5-6000MHz
- Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe Gen4 SSD
Reasons to Buy
- Comes with a gaming keyboard
- Ready to use
- Has built-in Wi-Fi
- Has a 2-year parts warranty
The Esports Essential Gaming PC is built for the competitive gamer. This desktop PC boasts the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, perfect for fast-paced, competitive gaming. The Wi-Fi-enabled B650 motherboard guarantees reliable online connectivity and eliminates the need to buy additional accessories.
Another great thing about this gaming computer for beginners is that you get one of our USB gaming keyboards included in the price. Designed to deliver faster response times and better precision, it might give you an edge when playing fast-paced titles where response time can make or break the game.
The PHANTEKS gaming chassis features a see-through glass view and white ARGB fans for a setup that’s as cool as it is functional. However, this beginner’s gaming PC features a single-channel RAM, which means it only has half as much bandwidth as a dual-channel option.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
- Memory: 32GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD
Reasons to Buy
- High-performance PC components
- Plenty of storage
- Pre-built design
- Customizable RGB lighting
With 32GB of DDR5 RAM, our Z890 Ultra 7 Configurator is one of the best gaming computers for beginners. With this level of memory, you can play the most demanding games, including AAA titles, without any performance issues. Most new players kick things off with 16GB, which means you won’t have to upgrade your system later.
The Ultra 7 265K processor is also a major plus for beginner and experienced gamers alike, ensuring responsiveness across various gaming applications. Combined with the GeForce RTX™ 4060 Ti graphics card, you’ll unlock powerful performance and high-quality visuals — even during extended gaming sessions.
The 1TB NVMe SSD offers sufficient storage and features a Wi-Fi-enabled motherboard. The sleek ARGB case is hard to ignore, with tempered glass and customizable lighting that boosts your setup’s visual appeal. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that this beginner gaming PC’s prebuilt design could make upgrading it tricky since it can be difficult to find compatible replacements.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
- GPU: Intel Arc B580 12GB
- Memory: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 2TB PCIe NVMe Gen4 M.2 SSD
Reasons to Buy
- No assembly required
- Reliable 1080p gaming
- Enough storage
- Good cooling system
With CyberPowerPC GX 99663’s wealth of convenient features, we couldn’t leave this one off the list of the best starter PCs for gaming. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225F, with 10-core architecture and up to 4.9 GHz boost clock, is a top-tier gaming CPU. It improves gaming performance and efficiency while boasting impressive multitasking capabilities.
The Intel Arc B580 GPU delivers solid 1080p gameplay, although it may require updates for certain games. Another thing we love about this PC is the Montech HS01 case, which offers stylish RGB lighting. It also has 5 ARGB fans for enhanced cooling performance.
How to Choose the Best Gaming PC for Beginners
So, what is a good gaming PC for beginners? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer because it depends on your gaming requirements. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best starter gaming PC for your needs:
Understand Your Needs
Before diving into specific recommendations, it’s important to assess your needs and preferences. Ask yourself the following questions:
What types of games do you want to play?
Are you interested in AAA titles with high-end graphics like “Cyberpunk 2077” or “Red Dead Redemption 2”? Or maybe you like competitive e-sports titles like “League of Legends”, “Fortnite”, or “Counter Strike 2”. Or maybe none of those interest you and you want to dive into complex sims or strategy games like “Flight Sim” or “Civilization”.
The types of games you enjoy playing can help you determine how much to spend on a PC. More demanding games will require more powerful hardware, which can raise the price of the desktop substantially. On the other hand, indie and esports games will require less powerful hardware to run well, which translates to a more affordable desktop.
What is your budget?
- Entry-level gaming PCs typically range from $600 to $1,000.
- Mid-range gaming PCs range from $1,000 to $1,500.
- More High-end gaming PCs start at $1,500 and can go well beyond $3,000.
If you’re looking for affordable setups, check out our list of the best gaming PCs under $1000.
Do you need a pre-built PC or are you open to building your own?
- Pre-built PCs are convenient and ship out in 2 business days. Just unbox, plug in, and play!
- Building your own or customizing one on our website is a great way to get exactly what you want and need. Learn more about how much it costs to build a gaming PC.
Key Components to Consider
When choosing the best starter PC for gaming, you’ll want to consider the following components.
Processor (CPU):
For beginners, an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor is a great starting point. These provide strong performance for most games without breaking the bank. Consider Intel Core i7s or Ryzen 7s if you need a bit more processing power. If you want the most powerful CPUs available, the Intel Core i9s and AMD Ryzen 9 processors are great options
Graphics Card (GPU):
The GPU is crucial for gaming performance. For 1080p gaming, the NVIDIA RTX 4060 or AMD RX 7600 are excellent choices. If you want to future-proof your setup or play at higher resolutions, consider the NVIDIA RTX 4070 and above or the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT and above.
Memory (RAM):
Gaming computers for beginners with at least 16GB of RAM are recommended for a smooth gaming experience in 2025. This ensures your system can handle modern games and multitasking without issues. Consider 32GB or 64+GB if you want a bit more power that future proofs your system.
Storage:
A combination of SSD and HDD is ideal. An NVMe SSD (at least 500GB) for faster load times and system responsiveness, and an HDD (1TB or more) for storing larger files and games. When you’re ready to play the games you’ve downloaded, simply move them over to the SSD to enjoy faster load times.
Power Supply Unit (PSU):
A reliable PSU with sufficient wattage (around 600W to 850W) ensures stability and longevity of your components. Our website’s system configurator makes things easy by filtering power supplies by the power requirements of your currently selected components. That way you’ll always get a power supply that fits your system.
Motherboard:
Ensure compatibility with your chosen CPU. Higher end motherboards come with more advanced features like built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, more connectivity like USB-C or more ports, and improved overclocking stability.
Level Up Your Game with CyberPowerPC
Choosing the best gaming PC as a beginner involves balancing performance, budget, and future needs. Understanding the key components and what to look for in a gaming system can simplify the decision-making process. Our recommended gaming PCs and prebuilt gaming PCs offer a range of options to suit different budgets and gaming styles. Looking to save? Discover our latest PC deals!
Not sure which PC is right for you? Check out EZPC to find the perfect setup. Have fun out there!