Are you looking for a new desktop, or trying to find just the right powerhouse PC as a gift for that gamer on your list this holiday season? I know there are lots of choices out there, and it can be a bit daunting to sort through and compare all the specs to find the ideal computer, but don’t worry – I’m here to give you my list of the top five gaming PC desktops. To make sure you’re getting a wide range of gaming PC options, my top five are all popular or highly rated on the Best Buy website by customers, and come in a range of prices, and from different manufacturers.

HP Omen Gaming PC 

HP is a pretty trusted name in the world of computers, and the company’s HP Omen Gaming PC is all about delivering unbeatable performance to your gaming experience. The rig comes with a 3.6GHz Intel Core i7 processor and 12GB of RAM, as well as a 1TB hard drive. Gaming is powered by a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 video card with 3GB of dedicated video memory. This beast supports 4K Ultra HD and it is also VR-ready, so you can truly get inside the gaming action. The HP Omen sports Bluetooth 4.2, so you can wirelessly pair it with speakers, headphones and other devices. The desktop also features two USB 2.0 ports, four USB 3.0, plus a USB 3.1 Type-C port for faster data transfer. It also comes with a HP keyboard and mouse, and is pre-installed with Windows 10.

ASUS ROG Strix Gaming PC

Best Gaming PCsThe ASUS ROG Strix Gaming PC kind of looks like a Stormtrooper from Star Wars, and it will definitely help you blast away your gaming competition with its solid power and performance. It offers a 7th gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB hard drive. Graphics are powered by a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 card with 3GB of dedicated video memory, enabling you to enjoy super-fast gaming at the highest settings, plus VR experiences. Connecting all your devices to the ROG Strix is pretty easy too, as it sports a whopping 11 USB ports (four conveniently in front, and seven in the back). The Strix motherboard is also equipped with ASUS AURA RGB lighting and features two PCIe x16 slots, two M.2 connectors, and four DDR4 slots. It also comes with an ASUS keyboard and mouse, plus it is preloaded with Windows 10.

CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Ultra GUA520 PC

Best Desktop Gaming PCsGaming performance at a super reasonable and budget-friendly price is what’s in store for you with the CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Ultra GUA520 PC. It’s powered by an AMD FX-4300 processor and 8GB of RAM, and offers plenty of digital storage space on a 1TB hard drive. The powerful NVIDIA GeForce GT730 graphics card with 2GB of video memory offers a smooth gaming experience, and high-quality video. It also offers a 24x DVD±RW Dual-Layer Super-Multi drive, so you can watch DVDs and play CDs to your heart’s content. The rig also offers eight USB ports (two in front and four in back) so you can connect all your devices easily. The Gamer Ultra PC comes packed with a USB gaming keyboard, optical mouse, and Windows 10 Home.

Dell AlienWare Aurora Gaming PC

Best Desktop Gaming PCsThe Dell AlienWare Aurora Gaming PC is a beast of a computer, packing a powerful 3.6GHz Intel Core i7 processor, a whopping 16GB DDR4 RAM, and a hefty 1TB hard drive. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card sports 8GB of dedicated video memory, so you can expect this PC to deliver exceptionally smooth graphics and high-quality video. It’s also a “VR-Ready” PC, meaning you can buy an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive and step into fully immersive virtual reality experiences. It also offers plenty of connection options, with seven SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports, six high-speed USB 2.0 ports, a SuperSpeed 10Gbps USB 3.1 Type-A port, and a SuperSpeed 10Gbps USB 3.1 Type C port. The Aurora also helps you squeeze every little bit out of your internet and Wi-Fi, with the Killer Wireless 802.11ac card with ExtremeRange tech to maximize Wi-Fi range and signal. It also looks really cool, with an Area 51-inspired design that your gamer friends will instantly recognize as an AlienWare – a top and highly coveted name in PC gaming.

Dell Inspiron Desktop PC 

The Dell Inspiron Desktop PC is an ideal PC for both multi-media and gaming. It comes in at a budget-friendly price point, but still delivers solid performance with its Intel Core i7 processor, 12GB RAM, and 1TB hard drive. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card offers 2GB of video memory and great visuals, while the six USB ports let you connect all your various peripherals with ease. You’ll also get immersive sound coming from this gaming PC with integrated 5.1-channel audio professionally tuned by Waves MaxxAudio Pro. The Inspiron desktop also offers integrated 4.0 Bluetooth connectivity, so you can pair things like smartphones, headphones and printers easily.

All five would make any gamer pretty happy this holiday season, or serve as the ideal upgrade to your old clunker of a gaming rig. Which one is the perfect PC depends on budget, and if you have a particular choice or preference for manufacturer. Do any of these five top gaming pc desktops appeal to you, or is there another rig you would recommend to a friend? Let me know in the comment section below, and don’t forget to check out what other gaming PCs are available on the Best Buy web site.

Steven Hill
I am an award-winning writer, freelance journalist and blogger who is a self-confessed geek and tech lover. When not playing the latest video games or salivating over the newest gadgets, I enjoy cooking for my family, mountain biking or snowboarding the deep powder on Whistler Mountain.