You have a pretty decent amount if you have 1000 dollars to spend on your next gaming PC. It is more than enough to build a gaming PC that can last you well up to 5 years without any issues. But building a PC on your own can be tricky for many people because it requires skills, knowledge, and a little bit of experience in technical things. Building a custom PC can lead you to many unwanted troubles without these abilities. Hence, going for a prebuilt gaming PC is a perfect option for you in such a situation. Now you might be thinking that self-building a PC would have cost me less, and the prebuilt one will not be a value-for-money deal. Well, you’re mistaken. Nowadays, in the pandemic time, PC component supply has been drastically affected.
As a result, PC component prices are touching new highs. Parallelly, there is no major change in the price of pre-built gaming PCs. So, it busts the myth of high prices for a budget pre-built gaming PC. But if you are thinking of a high-end gaming PC, a prebuilt gaming PC can be significantly more expensive than a custom build. Hence, it purely depends on your requirements. But this post is dedicated to gaming PC under $1000; you can instinctively go for the prebuilt PC under this price range. These prebuilt PCs are not just great in gaming performance but also value-for-money deals for other productivity tasks. So without wasting any time, let’s have a look at them.
Recommended: Best Gaming PC under $1500
10 Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $1000 in 2023
Here is the list of the best pre-built gaming PC under 1000 dollars you can buy in 2023:
1Acer Predator Orion 3000 (Best Gaming under $1000)
When we speak about the best gaming PC under $1000, it means we are looking for a balanced machine that can offer a seamless gaming experience. The Acer Predator Orion 3000 Gaming Desktop comes with a nice set of powerful hardware at a price of around $1000. It packs hardware like 12th Gen Intel CPU, SSD Storage, DDR4 RAM, etc. The PC has a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700F CPU, a 12-core powerful CPU having 20 processing cores.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-12700F
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 12GB
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD
- Weight: 16.58 lbs, RGB Case: Yes
Moreover, This CPU belongs to Intel’s Alder Lake series, built over 7nm fabrication. It has a base frequency of 2.10GHz, which is pretty impressive. But if that’s not enough, then this CPU is overclockable at up to 4.90GHz. Coming to the GPU part of the cabinet, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 3060 sits beside the i7 CPU. This GPU consists of 12GB of GDDR6 super-fast video memory, making it kind of a beast at this price. This GPU has a 15Gbps memory speed and 1875MHz maximum clock speed.
Apart from that, the gaming build is supported by 16GB of DDR4 RAM coupled with a massive 512GB NVMe SSD storage, leaving room for improvement. This is a pretty good solution for fast storage while staying within the budget, but capacity could be a concern. The PC also comes pre-installed with 64-bit Windows 11. Like the HP PC, this pre-built PC also weighs just over 22 pounds, making it very lightweight. However, this is not a gaming-oriented rig by going with its appearance, but it can handle all the major games because of its powerful processors and graphics card. This is one of the finest offerings from Acer under $1000.
2Skytech Blaze (Runner-Up)
Skytech Blaze can provide the best possible performance at a low price. Therefore, it is here at the top of my list. This is one of the best pre-built PCs under $1000. Most of the time, this prebuilt gaming PC keeps in stock for under $1000. Talking in detail, the cabinet’s main processing power is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor. It is a Hexa-core processor having 6 cores and also comes with 12 processing threads. The processor belongs to the AMD 5000 series and is fabricated over a 7nm process.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 12GB VRAM
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 500GB NVMe SSD
- Weight: 29.5 lb, RGB Case: Yes
The provided processor comes with a base frequency of 3.3GHz that can be further boosted to 4.4GHz of max clock speed. Coming to gaming performance, the PC can run most AAA titles at a smooth 60fps+. This is majorly due to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card. This graphics card has 12GB of video memory, which helps while gaming at high settings. Both CPU & GPU are powerful enough to handle high-end gaming, making it an ideal choice for gamers in a budget segment. Regarding the design, the PC is loaded with RGB lighting and a tempered glass side panel to cover the side lighting, which makes it an eye-catching gaming PC with durable body construction.
For memory and storage, this CPU has a combined 16GB DDR4 RAM, along with pure PCIe NVMe SSD storage of 500GB. As for the operating system, the Skytech Blaze has pre-installed 64-bit Windows 11 out of the box, a recently updated Windows operating system. Necessary connectivity options are included with this gaming PC, so you can easily connect external devices conveniently; web browsing is also working like a charm. Overall, this is one of the best options if you have set the price at $1000 for your next gaming PC. It has everything you can expect from an affordable gaming machine.
3HP GM Pavilion Gaming Desktop (Best Value Pick)
If you find a powerful value-for-the-money desktop, like me, I have a purely AMD-based gaming PC for you for under $1000. The name of the PC is HP GM Pavilion Gaming PC. The desktop has Intel CPU, Nvidia RTX 3060 12GB VRAM, and much more. Talking about the specs in more detail, the HP Pavilion Gaming PC is powered by the AMD Ryzen 5700G CPU. It is an octa-core CPU with 16 threads and performs at a base frequency of 3.8GHz. The overclocking capacity of the CPU is up to 4.60GHz, which is more than enough.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5700G
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 3060 12GB VRAM
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Weight: 13.14 lbs, RGB Case: No
As for the GPU, the cabinet is fixed with Nvidia RTX 3060. It has a dedicated 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM with base and boosted frequencies of 1530MHz and 1725MHz, respectively. In context to Nvidia’s GPU, the RTX 3060 is competent in handling decent gameplay. Possibly, this is the cheapest RTX 3060 gaming PC making it one of the finest choices for gaming lovers. Hence, you don’t need to worry about anything unless you prefer extreme gaming. Moreover, there is 16GB of DDR4 RAM, working at 3200MHz frequency, and 512 GB SSD storage. The pc comes pre-installed with 64-bit Windows 11.
As for the power, the cabinet has a 500W of power supply to supply sufficient electricity to the components. Speaking of the design, it looks somehow boring because there is no RGB backlighting. Even being very simplistic, it can serve you with gaming and other powerful heavy workloads. Leaving aside the design, it is a powerful PC available at a very affordable price. The laptop weighs just over 13 pounds, making it one of the lightest machines on our list. In conclusion, if you have a limited budget yet need a powerful PC, this is an ideal choice for you.
4Skytech Shiva II (Powerful Configurations)
While there are very few pre-built gaming PCs in the $1000 budget having RTX 3060, I somehow managed one more recommendable desktop PC for you. Another pretty value-for-money prebuilt PC under $1000 is from SkyTech. This time it’s the Skytech Shiva II instead of the Blaze. There is not much difference b/w Blaze and Skytech Shiva II; both are considered based on the requirements. While the Blaze was more for balance performance, the Skytech Shiva II is loaded with the latest structure making it more attractive. In comparison to its predecessor, it is available at a more affordable price with slightly more powerful configurations.
- Processor: Intel Core i5 12400F
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 3060 12GB VRAM
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 500GB SSD
- Weight: 30.6 lbs, RGB Case: Yes
Like most PCs in this budget, it has the Intel build, which comes with the Intel Core i5 12400F. It is a capable 6-core CPU having 12 processing threads as well. This CPU has a base clock speed of 2.50GHz and has the capacity to get overclocked up to 4.40GHz. As for the graphical processing power, the PC is loaded with the Super variant of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. This GPU has 12GB of GDDR6 video memory, which is comparatively a pretty great deal for the price. Collectively, this is the best-in-class GPU found in this price range. Apart from this, the PC arrives with decent RAM and storage options.
We advise you to make this at least 16GB for a smooth gaming experience. This gaming justice with having a pretty good pair of RAM. Hence, you get 16GB of RAM to smoothly most of the AAA titles. Apart from that, there is 500GB of NVMe SSD storage for fast read and write speeds. On top of that, the PC also comes pre-installed with a 64-bit Windows 11 Home. Besides, those RGB fans are present to enhance the gaming experience. Overall, this is a perfect gaming PC if you add a few bucks more and take your budget to $1000.
5Skytech Nebula Gaming PC (Latest Configurations)
Are you looking for the latest configurations on your next gaming PC at a very affordable price? I think I have something for you. Have a look at the Skytech Nebula Gaming PC. It has a perfect combination of Intel CPU and RTX 3050 GPU, making it a powerful performer on a budget. The RGB casing in this PC makes it look desirable in terms of design, and most gamers love the RGB environment while playing the games.
- Processor: Intel Core i5 12400F
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3050
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Weight: 26.9 lbs, RGB Case: Yes
Regarding the specifications, the PC has the Intel Core i5 12400F CPU, which is undoubtedly a perfect fit for such a gaming build. The processor has 6 cores accompanied by 12 processing threads and is an excellent option for all kinds of heavy tasks like gaming, video editing, Photoshop, AutoCAD, Solidworks, 3D rendering, photo editing, etc. Its base clock speed is 2.500GHz, going as high as 4.40GHz. Coming to the GPU of the PC, as I’ve told you, it has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, which is by far one of the finest options under $1000. The GPU serves faster memory and more CUDA cores in comparison to its predecessor, GTX 1650.
Moreover, This PC is loaded with 16GB of DDR4 RAM with 3200MHz frequency and 1TB of SSD storage. A 64-bit Windows 10 is pre-installed, and all the components are fixed on a B450 MB motherboard. It also has a 600 Watt power supply to keep the hardware running. All the essential connectivity ports are present on this PC. There is one more variant that comes with a more powerful RTX 3060 GPU and increased RAM. Hence, if you can spend a few extra bucks, you can undoubtedly go with the higher variant. Altogether, this PC offers 100% true value to what you are paying for it.
6ROG Strix G10 (Good Budget PC under $1000)
If aesthetics are your topmost priority, the ROG Strix G10 is for you. The desktop comes with a super sleek attractive-looking design out of the box. I bet you would love its design at first glance. More importantly, its powerful hardware allows a very good gaming experience. The ROG Strix G10 is powered by the Intel Core i7-11700 chipset under the hood. As we know, the chipset belongs to Intel 11th GEN. series built on a highly power-efficient 10nm processing node. So, it allows the PC to run cool even with continued gaming.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-11700
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Weight: 24.6 lbs, RGB Case: Yes
Moreover, the chipset comes loaded with an octa-core CPU, generating a 2.5GHz base clock speed, going up to 4.9GHz while running in burst mode. This CPU makes your PC ready for any task like gaming, productivity, creativity, entertainment, etc. As for the graphical processing, there is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. The provided GPU comes with 12GB of dedicated VRAM, allowing it to run smoother for basic to mid-level gaming. Furthermore, its memory clock speed is 15Gbps and is packed with 3584 CUDA cores for the best possible processing. Its base and boost clock speeds are 1320MHz and 1777MHz, respectively.
Besides that, you will get 16GB of DDR4 RAM to handle the processing power. For storage, it has 1TB, so you’re never short on storage. The PC is also pre-loaded with 64-bit Windows 11 Home. The overall specifications are very good, and this price also justifies its true value. The only problem with the gaming rig is its limited availability. Hence, you get a chance to pick this machine; you can go with it as long as you are fond of RGB casing because there are RGB components supplied with this PC to make it an attractive choice for gamers.
7Skytech Shadow Gaming PC (Decent Value)
The Skytech Shadow is a new entry on our list, and I must admit it deserves to be the primary choice under $1000 due to its best-in-class GPU, powerful processor, and massive one-terabyte storage. Speaking of its configurations, the gaming PC comes loaded with a 10th-generation Intel Core i5-10400F chip bringing decent capabilities on board for handling high-end gaming. This is a Hexa-core chip with 6 processing cores and 12 threads that generate a 2.90GHz base clock speed, going up to 4.30GHz maximum clock speed. Moreover, it operates on a 14nm processing node, providing sufficient power efficiency while running heavy games.
- Processor: Intel Core i5-10400F
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3050 8GB VRAM
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Weight: 37.2 lbs, RGB Case: Yes
However, its processor is not its key selling point because better options are available in this segment. But its graphics card makes it a unique gaming rig priced under $1000. The Skytech Shadow gaming PC comes loaded with Nvidia’s latest RTX 3050 GPU under the hood, combined with 8GB of dedicated VRAM. It takes advantage of Nvidia’s latest optimizations for the RTX 30 series, such as dedicated Tensor cores, real-time ray tracing, and great efficiency in handling influential games. Catering to a very narrow budget, it has become one of the primary choices for gaming lovers.
Furthermore, the gaming rig packs 8GB of DDR4 RAM at a faster 3200MHz. However, the RAM seems to be on the average side, but its faster speed makes it a great option. On top of that, there is 1TB of SSD storage, which is more than sufficient to store large gaming files. There is no compromise made in the design section as it seems very attractive due to the installation of RGB components. It weighs around 38 pounds, which is perfectly fine. Apart from that, all the essential connectivity ports are available, along with a pre-installed Windows 10 operating system. If you plan to buy a $1000 gaming PC, this is a highly recommended option.
8AVGPC Hellfire II (Another RTX 3050-powered Gaming PC)
The AVGPC Hellfire II Gaming PC has all the specifications one can expect for a $1000 gaming PC. It has a Ryzen 5 processor, RTX 3050 GPU, and RGB components. The PC comes with AMD 5000 series AMD Ryzen 5 5600G chip under the hood. It is a 6 cores processor with 12 processing threads built over 7nm fabrication. The processor serves 16MB of cache and works at a base clock speed of 3.9GHz. It can be further overclocked up to 4.4GHz, serving a good future-proofing. However, this is not the best processor you can get at this price, but it works perfectly fine with most mid-range games to play at high settings.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 3050 8GB VRAM
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 240GB NVMe SSD
- Weight: 31.5 lbs, RGB Case: Yes
On top of that, the Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU has been packed with 8GB of GDDR6 video memory. It works at a boosted clock speed of 1778MHz and has a memory speed of 8Gbps. The cabinet is fitted with a 650W power supply that is perfect for overclocking to power all this. Powering with a powerful CPU, the GPU takes control to handle heavy gaming, and you can expect 60fps with a heavy gaming workload. Moreover, the CPU is packed with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which operates at a frequency of 3200MHz and is coupled with 500GB of pure NVMe SSD storage. This kind of RAM & storage is like a dream come true at this price range. Hence, you can expect a very smooth gaming experience.
Moreover, it comes with a pre-installed Windows 10 Home out of the box. There is also a standard 1-year limited warranty on the PC as well. As we know, Skytech has a very good reputation for delivering a good gaming experience; we can expect the same from this machine. Overall, this is a fully functional gaming rig with an RGB casing, making it illusionary for gamers. In conclusion, this PC is suitable if you need a decent amount of RAM/storage along with a powerful GPU. Despite having an unknown branding, it becomes a very well-placed gaming PC for under $1000 because of its very powerful hardware components.
9Acer Nitro 50 (Powerful 12th Gen Processor)
The Acer Nitro 50 can be a good option if you’re looking for a gaming PC with high SSD storage and the latest processor. As one can expect from a gaming PC under $1000, the PC has good specs and delivers fast SSD storage. The CPU performance of the PC has been backed by the hexacore 11th gen Intel Core i5-12400F CPU. It has 6 cores and 12 threads with a base clock speed of 2.5GHz. The CPU is overclockable up to 4.4GHz as well. It has been built over the 14nm process and has a TDP rating of 65W.
- Processor: Intel Core i5-12400F
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1650 4GB
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- Weight: 16.37 lb, RGB Case: No
The GPU of the desktop is Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 with 4GB video memory of GDDR5 type. The GPU has a memory speed of 8Gbps with a max clock speed of 1695MHz. This GPU is pretty good and can serve 60+ fps in most games. As for the RAM and storage, the PC is loaded with 8GB of RAM, working at 3200MHz frequency, and 512GB of pure SSD storage for the best possible combination of high capacity and fast storage. It comes pre-loaded with a 64-bit Windows 11 Home operating system.
Unlike some other popular PCs under $1000, this gaming rig arrives with some external accessories, like a keyboard and mouse, to save some additional money. In terms of connectivity, there are many ports provided with this PC, including 5x USB Type-A ports, 2x USB Type-C ports, ethernet ports, and so on. Not only that, it doesn’t compromise wireless connectivity because it comes loaded with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth connectivity. Overall, it is a very well connectivity gaming PC at a reasonable price tag. I bet you won’t regret picking this PC as long as it is available for under 1000 dollars.
10iBUYPOWER Pro SlateMR 281i (Value Option)
If you need a best-in-class gaming PC for around $1000, there is no better choice than the iBUYPOWER Pro SlateMR 281i. The only thing is that sometimes you need to pay a few extra bucks. But this money will bring you a full-fledged gaming rig at a great price. The iBUYPOWER Pro SlateMR comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor. This processor uses a Hexa-core CPU with six processing cores and 12 threads, making it an ideal choice for multi-threaded tasks. Accordingly, it offers a 3.90GHz base clock speed, going up to 4.40GHz maximum clock speed.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 6GB VRAM
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 500GB NVMe SSD
- Weight: 36.2 lb, RGB Case: Yes
On top of that, the graphics processing is handled by the Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU coupled with a dedicated 8GB of Video RAM for handling high-end gaming. This is one of the best options available, around $1000, and you can’t expect a better GPU than this around this price range. Subsequently, it offers a smooth gaming experience even for AAA titles. Speaking of the design, there are multiple RGB fans used to give it a beautiful look, especially for gaming lover audiences. Alongside, the company offers a gaming mouse and multi-color RGB backlit keyboard, which could be handy accessories if you are buying it for gaming.
Apart from that, this gaming pc holds 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which is a decent addition to smooth functioning. While most other gaming PCs also offer similar RAM, it becomes an average option. The gaming rig doesn’t compromise the storage section because of 500GB SSD storage. It isn’t the best option in terms of storage, but not bad either. Other connectivity options are intact, including 4x USB Type-A ports, RJ45 Ethernet port, and WiFi. The gaming PC operates on the latest Windows 11 operating system out of the box. Overall, this is a worthy option if you are looking for a gaming rig for around $1000 with a decent design and powerful hardware components.
Buying Guide – How to Choose the Best Gaming PC under $1000 in 2023?
Here are some crucial aspects you should look for before purchasing any gaming PC, not only under $1000:
A Powerful Processor
The processor provides enough juice while processing the data. Therefore, it becomes essential to find a powerful processor to take care of high-end tasks, such as gaming. With the price of $1000, we recommend picking at least an i5 processor, and if it belongs to the 11th-generation Intel family, that is a perfect choice. If you want to see beyond Intel, AMD will serve you with Ryzen 5 Chip. However, there is limited availability of the 5000 series, but if you get a chance, it is my primary choice over the Intel i5 as far as gaming is concerned.
Dedicated GPU
The Graphics Processing Unit, commonly known as GPU, is another crucial component that directly affects the gaming performance of a computing machine. However we have already included suitable options, but it is my duty to tell you that a dedicated GPU can significantly improve gaming performance compared to an integrated GPU. You should consider at least a GTX 1650 GPU, which arrives with 4GB of Video RAM, given the limited budget. But it is also possible to get RTX 3060 with 6GB VRAM on a few pre-built gaming PCs. Apart from that, the latest RTX 30 series is pretty much accessible with Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU costing less than $1000. We would highly recommend going with the latest RTX 3050 GPU under this price bracket.
RAM & Storage
Random Access Memory, commonly known as RAM, is a temporary memory that works like a human brain to command data processing. Hence, getting a decent amount of RAM becomes vital to avoid any unnecessary bottleneck. Indeed, most gaming PCs under $1000 tend to offer 8GB RAM. But we recommend to expend it up to 16GB if you want a lag-free gaming experience. On the other hand, storage helps to store data using internal memory. So, it is your personal preference how much data you want to keep. An ideal option is to go with up to 256GB SSD, and more is always better.
Importance of Ports
Apart from finding the competence mentioned above, you shouldn’t ignore the importance of ports. Before purchasing a gaming PC under $1000, you should check whether it adopts necessary ports such as USB Type-C, USB 3.1, Micro SD card reader, etc. Having all type of ports are required for better connectivity. Other than that, some people also need a DVD writer. But unfortunately, most f modern PCs avoid this functionality. But external optical drives can be easily bought from the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best-prebuilt gaming PC under $1000?
$1000 is a pretty decent budget, and you can get a bunch of great pre-built gaming PC options. I have listed the best pre-built gaming PCs under the $1000 budget, and each one has some specific specifications shining out. The best is the one that fits your needs perfectly, which in this case is gaming. In my opinion, the Skytech Blaze is a great option. If you want the most powerful specifications, you can consider Skytech Shiva II.
Can you get a good gaming PC for under $1000?
Well, the answer is yes. $1000 is a fairly decent amount if you’re spending it only on the PC. And there is no doubt that this amount of money is very much enough to get a good gaming PC without any major compromise.
Is it good to buy a pre-built gaming PC?
Well, that depends on factors like whether you have a good knowledge of technical stuff or not. If not, then there is no chance that you will build a gaming PC on your own to save some extra bucks. Buying a pre-built gaming PC will keep you away from the hectic process of buying each component separately and assembling them.
However, if you’re a tech nerd and know how to assemble a PC, I would never recommend buying a pre-built PC for yourself.
What are the important specifications to look for in my gaming PC?
You should look for a gaming PC with 500GB of free SSD space. And for that, having at least a 240GB SSD is a must. However, I would strongly recommend you go for 500 GB of SSD storage in the long run. Also, always prioritize SSD storage over HDD storage as your main storage unit. But if you’re not going to upgrade the storage, go for a good storage combo of SSD and HDD.
What are the important specifications to look for in my gaming PC?
A good Graphics Card (GPU) is one of the most crucial things in a gaming PC, followed by a good CPU and fast RAM. It would be best if you looked for a GPU that offers at least 4GB of video memory, a CPU with at least 4 to 6 cores, and a RAM of 16GB.
Final Verdict
So these were my recommendations for the best pre-built gaming PC for a budget of $1000. Reputable brands assemble all the listed PCs, and you don’t have to worry about the quality of the internal hardware used. All of the gaming PCs are capable of serving high frame rate gaming in long gaming sessions. Each listed gaming PC has at least one uniquely shining hardware that makes it different from other PCs on the list.
Hence there are options for different gamers who have different requirements because some want more RAM, some want more storage, some want the best possible GPU, etc. I hope this list of the best pre-built gaming PC under $1000 added some value to your life. And it will help you make your buying decision. If you want a portable machine, you can also consider buying the best gaming laptops for under $1000. But it will not be as powerful as the prebuilt PC. If you think we have missed any valuable machine, you can tell us in the comment below!