Best Desktops under $800 for gaming

Best Pick

Dell OptiPlex 3060 Black

47.9 Gaming Score
Intel Pentium 850016GB RAM1.5TBNVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 2GB GDDR5sff
Why we recommend this

A customizable RGB front panel and included 22-inch monitor set this refurbished desktop apart, while the 6-core i5-8500 and 16GB RAM handle everyday multitasking reliably. The 512GB NVMe SSD and 1TB HDD provide both fast boot times and ample storage, with a GeForce GT 1030 enabling light 1080p gaming. This complete package is best for home office users or students who want a ready-to-go workstation with some entertainment capability right out of the box.

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Best Desktops under $1,500 for gaming

Best Pick

Dell Tower ECT1250 Black 2025

67.3 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 7 265F32GB RAM1TBNVIDIA Intel UHDtower
Why we recommend this

The 20-core Intel Core Ultra 7 processor combined with 64GB of DDR5 RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB GPU makes this a capable tower for AI-assisted productivity and 1080p content creation. Its EPEAT Silver certification and construction from recycled materials offer a sustainable, office-ready design without sacrificing the connectivity of eight total USB ports and Wi-Fi 6. This desktop is best for business users who need a powerful, quiet workstation for multitasking, data analysis, and light creative work in a professional environment.

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Dell Pro QCS1255 2025

62.8 Gaming Score
AMD Ryzen 5 PRO16GB RAM512GBAMD Graphicssff
Why we recommend this ▼

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500G with integrated Radeon 740M graphics delivers capable business performance in a compact chassis with modern Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Its slim design includes a rare built-in DVD-RW optical drive and extensive port selection with 8 USB-A ports, DisplayPort 1.4a, and HDMI 2.1 for legacy and modern peripherals. This desktop is best for office administrators and data-entry teams who need a space-saving, wired-ready workstation with optical media access.

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Dell Pro QCS1255 2025 desktop
Price $1,227

Dell All-in-One 884116482222 White 2025

59.8 Gaming Score
Intel Core 7 150U64GB RAM2TBNVIDIA GeForce MX570Aaio
Why we recommend this ▼

A generous 64GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB SSD paired with a discrete GeForce MX570A GPU make this system stand out for heavy multitasking beyond typical office AIOs. The included bonus docking station set adds a full 1TB of external storage and extensive connectivity, significantly boosting its value proposition. This desktop is best for home office power users and business professionals who need to run numerous demanding applications simultaneously and require substantial local storage.

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Dell EBT2250 Black 2025

59.5 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 7 26516GB RAM1000GBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060mid-tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with dedicated NPU and RTX 5060 graphics provides AI-accelerated performance for demanding creative and multitasking workflows. The mid-tower chassis prioritizes practical expandability and a quiet thermal design, allowing for easy future upgrades to memory and storage. This desktop is best for developers and workstation users who need a capable, upgradeable Windows 11 machine for AI-enhanced tasks and moderate 3D rendering.

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Dell Pro Tower QCT1255 2025

58.5 Gaming Score
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G8GB RAM256GBAMD Graphicsmid-tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G processor with integrated Radeon 740M graphics provides capable performance for office multitasking in a mid-tower chassis supporting full-size expansions. Its Windows 11 Pro operating system and wide connectivity, including HDMI 2.1 and seven USB-A ports, offer a solid foundation for managed IT environments. This desktop is best for business users needing a reliable, entry-level workstation for data entry and standard productivity applications.

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Dell Pro Tower QCT1255 2025 desktop
Price $911

Dell Pro Slim 1209W 2025

56.2 Gaming Score
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G8GB RAM256GBAMD Graphicssff
Why we recommend this ▼

The compact 5.89kg chassis houses an AMD Ryzen 5 8500G 6-core processor at 3.5GHz with integrated Radeon 740M graphics, delivering efficient performance for business multitasking. It differentiates with broad connectivity including 7 USB-A ports, USB-C, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort, plus Windows 11 Pro in a space‑saving design. This desktop is best for office workers and home office users needing a reliable, small‑footprint PC for everyday productivity and light workflows.

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Dell Precision T7810

54.1 Gaming Score
Xeon128GB RAM480GBNVIDIA Quadro K5000workstation
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Best Desktops under $2,500 for gaming

Best Pick

Dell Alienware Aurora ACT1250 Basalt Black 2025

85.7 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 9 28532GB RAM2TBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Timid-tower
Why we recommend this

The 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 285 (up to 5.6 GHz) and RTX 5060 Ti 16GB GPU deliver high performance, while liquid cooling and optimized airflow yield 20% quieter operation and 7% lower temperatures. Its basalt black chassis has a clear side panel, AlienFX lighting, and robust connectivity: Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi 7, 2.5G Ethernet. This desktop suits home office power users and developers needing quiet AI-accelerated multitasking and rapid code compilation.

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Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 Graphite 2025

80.9 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K64GB RAM11.8TBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070mid-tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and 12GB GeForce RTX 5070 with DLSS 4 deliver a 26% multi-core performance uplift over previous XPS desktops for demanding distributed workloads. Its massive 16TB dual-NVMe storage and 64GB of DDR5 RAM are housed in a refined aluminum-bezel chassis with Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. This tower is best for data scientists and 3D artists who need expansive local storage and GPU-accelerated rendering in a minimally designed, expandable workstation.

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Dell Tower ECT1250 Black

71.9 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 7 265F64GB RAM2TBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060mid-tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The Intel Core Ultra 7-265F 20-core processor and 64GB DDR5 RAM drive heavy multitasking, while the RTX 4060 GPU and 2TB NVMe SSD ensure smooth content creation in a mid-tower crafted from recycled materials. Its sustainability stands out with EPEAT Silver and ENERGY STAR certifications, along with 8 USB ports and Wi-Fi 6 for extensive connectivity. Best for home office professionals and developers who require a powerful, eco-conscious desktop with expansive connectivity.

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Dell Alienware ACT1250 Basalt Black 2025

69.6 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 716GB RAM1TBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The 20-core Intel Core Ultra 7 265F with AI Boost and RTX 4060 graphics delivers strong 1080p gaming and multitasking performance, backed by liquid cooling and a customizable AlienFX-lit chassis. Its extensive connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, and 2.5Gb Ethernet, while the clear side panel and included peripherals add out-of-box value. This tower is best for developers and gamers who prioritize a balance of CPU-heavy workloads and 1080p ray-traced gaming in a visually distinct, pre-built system.

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Dell OptiPlex QCS1250 Black

68.7 Gaming Score
Intel Core i7-1470064GB RAM4TBNVIDIA RTX A1000sff
Why we recommend this ▼

A 20-core Intel Core i7-14700 and NVIDIA RTX A1000 8GB GPU power this SFF desktop, delivering strong multi-threaded performance in a compact chassis. It pairs 64GB of DDR5 RAM and a 4TB NVMe SSD with USB-C, DisplayPort, and Wi-Fi 6 for generous, fast storage and flexible connectivity. This system is best for developers and workstation users handling containerized environments, large codebases, or data-intensive virtual machines that benefit from Windows 11 Pro reliability.

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Dell ECT1250 Black 2025

66.4 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 932GB RAM1000GBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050mid-tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K with its 24 cores and dedicated AI Boost NPU provides exceptional multi-threaded compute, though the RTX 3050 with only 6GB VRAM creates a clear bottleneck for GPU-intensive tasks. The system offers strong wired connectivity with legacy DVI and multiple USB-A ports alongside modern Wi-Fi 6, all backed by a 2-year warranty. This tower is best for software developers compiling large codebases who need raw CPU power and 32GB of DDR5 RAM but won't be training local AI models or doing serious 3D rendering.

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Dell ECT1250 Black 2025 desktop
Price $1,969

Dell ECT1250 Black 2025

65.8 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 7 26564GB RAM1000GBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265's 20 cores and 64GB DDR5 RAM handle heavy multitasking and compilation workloads, while the RTX 3050's 8GB VRAM supports light creative tasks. Its Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure stable wireless connections, and the 1TB SSD offers ample storage for large codebases. This tower suits developers and workstation users needing strong CPU performance over graphics, though its compactness scores low.

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Dell XPS 8960 Graphite 2023

65.7 Gaming Score
Intel Core i7-1370032GB RAM1.5TBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The 16-core Intel Core i7-13700 processor and 32GB of DDR5 RAM provide strong multitasking muscle, while the RTX 3050 with 8GB VRAM handles entry-level creative workloads. Its dual-drive storage combines a 512GB NVMe SSD for speed with a 1TB HDD for bulk storage, all housed in a Graphite chassis with extensive port selection including 7 USB-A slots and an SD card reader. This tower is best for home office power users and developers who need a reliable, wired desktop for coding, data analysis, and light content creation.

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Dell Pro Max Micro 537DY Black 2025

65.4 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 7 26532GB RAM512GBNVIDIA RTX A1000Mini
Why we recommend this ▼

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 vPro with 20 cores and an NVIDIA RTX A1000 with 8GB VRAM delivers certified ISV stability for data analysis and AI-assisted tasks in a 2.9-liter chassis. Its dense connectivity includes three DisplayPort 1.4a outputs and dual USB-C ports, supporting up to four displays from a desk-space-saving form factor. This system is best for financial analysts and CAD designers who need a compact, vPro-manageable workstation with professional graphics, not gaming.

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Dell Pro Max Micro 537DY Black 2025 desktop
Price $2,477

Dell Pro Slim QCS1250 Black 2025

64.6 Gaming Score
Intel Core i7-1470032GB RAM1TBNVIDIA RTX A1000sff
Why we recommend this ▼

The Intel Core i7-14700’s 20-core hybrid architecture and 33 MB cache deliver strong multi-threaded speed for demanding workflows in a compact SFF chassis. Its NVIDIA RTX A1000 with 8GB VRAM drives up to four displays, making it a capable multi-monitor workstation for data-heavy tasks. This desktop is best for developers and business users who need reliable, ISV-certified performance without sacrificing desk space.

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Dell Pro Max T2 2025

61.1 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 5 23516GB RAM512GBNVIDIA A1000mid-tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 processor with a dedicated NPU and NVIDIA A1000 8GB graphics card makes this mid-tower a capable entry-level workstation for AI-assisted tasks and data analysis. Its 32L chassis provides vast connectivity with 4 USB-C and 6 USB-A ports alongside expansion-ready storage slots, offering strong utility for a business desktop. This system is best for data analysts and business users who need a reliable, expandable desktop for running complex datasets and local machine learning models.

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Dell Pro Max Slim XD7H4 2025

58.7 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 716GB RAM512GBNVIDIA RTX A1000sff
Why we recommend this ▼

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor with its dedicated AI Boost NPU and an NVIDIA RTX A1000 8GB GPU provide certified ISV stability for data analysis and model optimization in an 8.5-liter chassis. Its vast connectivity, including three DisplayPort outputs and eight USB-A ports, supports complex multi-display and legacy peripheral setups without adapters. This desktop is best for financial analysts and data scientists who need a compact, secure Windows 11 Pro workstation for large datasets and entry-level AI inferencing.

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Dell Pro Max Slim XD7H4 2025 desktop
Price $2,390

Best Desktops under $4,000 for gaming

Best Pick

Dell Alienware Aurora R16

90.3 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K32GB RAM3.0TBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080mid-tower
Why we recommend this

Equipped with an RTX 5080 16GB GPU and Intel Ultra 9 285K processor, this mid-tower delivers high frame rates with DLSS 4 and ray tracing for AAA gaming. Its redesigned thermal system with a 240mm liquid cooler runs 20% quieter than prior models, complemented by a 1000W Platinum PSU and clean internal cable management. This desktop is best for competitive gamers and streamers who need a powerful, upgrade-ready system that stays cool and quiet under sustained load.

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Dell Aurora R16 EXTREME Aurora Basalt Black 2024

77.1 Gaming Score
Intel Core i9 14900K96GB RAM21TBNVIDIA GeForce RTXmid-tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The liquid-cooled Intel Core i9-14900K with a 6.00GHz Turbo Boost and 96GB of DDR5 RAM provides extreme multitasking power, while the clear side panel showcases the build. It combines a massive 20TB HDD with a 1TB SSD for expansive, high-speed storage, though its 23.13kg weight limits portability. This mid-tower is best for developers and business users running memory-intensive simulations or local AI models who need vast local storage over a compact footprint.

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Dell XPS 8960 Graphite 2023

74.1 Gaming Score
Intel Core i9-14900K32GB RAM4TBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Titower
Why we recommend this ▼

The 24-core i9-14900K processor with a 6.0 GHz boost clock delivers top-tier compilation and multi-threaded performance for complex development workloads. A dual-drive setup combining a 2TB NVMe SSD and 2TB HDD provides both rapid project access and expansive local storage, backed by 32GB of DDR5 memory. This tower is best for software developers and data scientists who need extreme CPU compute and CUDA acceleration without prioritizing a compact footprint.

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Dell Pro Max FCT2250 2025

69.7 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 932GB RAM1TBNVIDIA RTX 2000 Adamid-tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 processor with integrated AI Boost NPU and NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada graphics with 16GB GDDR6 memory provide certified reliability for complex data analysis and machine learning tasks. Its 32L chassis offers vast connectivity with Wi-Fi 7, six USB-A ports, and four Mini DisplayPort outputs, though it sacrifices compactness at 23kg. This workstation is best for data scientists and engineers running AI-accelerated business applications who need a stable, ISV-certified platform over portability.

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Dell Pro Max FCT2250 2025 desktop
Price $3,994

Dell Pro Max Tower FCT2250 Black 2025

68.5 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 7 265128GB RAM512GBNVIDIA RTX 2000 AdaTower
Why we recommend this ▼

Equipped with a 20-core Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor and NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada graphics with 16GB VRAM, this tower handles demanding data analysis and machine learning tasks with ease. Its 32L chassis provides extensive connectivity including dual DisplayPort 1.4a and nine USB ports, alongside room for storage expansion. This desktop is tailored for data scientists and business analysts running AI-powered workloads and large-scale computations.

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Dell ECT1250 Black 2025

66.4 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K48GB RAM1000GBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050tower
Why we recommend this ▼

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K with 24 cores drives strong multitasking and productivity, paired with 48GB of DDR5 RAM for handling large datasets and complex workflows. The RTX 3050 provides entry-level ray tracing and AI-enhanced visuals, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure modern, stable connectivity. This tower is best for developers and workstation users who prioritize CPU compute and memory capacity over compact size or high-end graphics.

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Dell Pro Max Slim FCS1250 2025

65.6 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 732GB RAM512GBNVIDIA RTX RTX2000sff
Why we recommend this ▼

The 20-core Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor and NVIDIA RTX 2000 with 16GB VRAM deliver certified ISV stability for complex data analysis and AI-assisted tasks in a compact 8.5-liter chassis. Extensive connectivity with Wi-Fi 7, triple DisplayPort, and ten USB ports ensures seamless multi-display and peripheral integration for space-constrained offices. This desktop is best for financial analysts and data scientists who need a reliable, small-footprint workstation for large datasets and machine learning model optimization.

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Dell Pro Max Slim FCS1250 2025 desktop
Price $2,979

Premium Desktops for gaming

Best Pick

Dell Alienware Area-51 Lunar Silver

92.1 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K32GB RAM2TBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080desktop
Why we recommend this

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and RTX 5080 with 16GB VRAM drive top-tier 4K gaming, while the 360mm liquid cooling keeps the 34.6kg chassis exceptionally quiet under load. Its innovative thermal design and extensive connectivity—including Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt, and 16 total USB ports—make it a future-proofed command center. This desktop is best for high-refresh-rate 4K gamers and 3D rendering artists who need a powerful, quiet, and expandable tower.

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Dell Pro Max Slim CTP9K

66.5 Gaming Score
Intel Core Ultra 9 28532GB RAM1TBNVIDIA RTX A2000 ADAsff
Why we recommend this ▼

The 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 285 and NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada with 16GB VRAM deliver certified workstation power in a compact 8.5-liter chassis. Its vast connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 and a total of four DisplayPort outputs, supporting complex multi-monitor setups from a space-saving footprint. This desktop is best for data analysts and CAD designers who need ISV-certified reliability and AI acceleration without sacrificing desk space.

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Dell Precision 5860 Black

64 Gaming Score
Intel Xeon64GB RAM500GBNVIDIA A200mid-tower
Why we recommend this ▼

Equipped with an Intel Xeon W3-2423 processor and 64GB of ECC DDR5 memory, this mid-tower workstation provides reliable error correction for mission-critical applications. The Nvidia RTX A2000 with 12GB VRAM drives four displays via mini DisplayPort, while the 1350W Platinum PSU leaves substantial headroom for future GPU upgrades. This system is best for engineers and architects running certified ISV applications who need a stable, expandable platform rather than compact portability.

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