Scouring the internet for the best PCs of the year can be confusing and tiring, but we're here to lend a hand, intrepid gamers, giving you the skinny on the best gaming PCs under £1,000. In recent years, we've seen a meteoric rise in the popularity of PC gaming. With an audience of approximately 1.8 billion PC players (and rising) it's safe to say PC gaming is a huge platform that's here to stay.
While consoles are fantastic ways to experience gaming - you'll find that console gaming doesn't have the freedom, the open customisation, and the sheer library of games available to PC gamers.
Best gaming PCs under £1,000 in 2024 at a glance:
• Best overall gaming PC under £1000: ADMI Gaming PC, Intel 12400F - View at Amazon
• Best budget gaming PC under £1000: CYBERPOWERPC Wyvern Gaming PC - Intel Core i5-10400F - View at Amazon
• Best gaming PC under £1,000 for graphics: SCAN Argen Gaming PC - Core i5 RTX 4060 Ti 8GB - View at Amazon
• Best-designed gaming PC under £1,000: ACER Nitro N50-650 Gaming PC - View at Currys
To help you easily uncover some excellent gaming experiences, we’ve rounded up the best gaming PCs under £1,000. These incredible budget PCs we’ve selected are all ready to go, carry some very impressive specifications, and provide a solid base for future additions and upgrades.
These powerful PCs will be ideal for accessing smooth and immersive gaming experiences. With hugely respectable CPUs, GPUs and RAM, our selected options are perfect for gamers, content creators and budding streamers. All of our picks fall between £500 and £1000. If you’re on a tighter budget, head over to our article breaking down the best budget gaming PCs. At the bottom of this page, we’ve included a quick reference guide to some games' system specifications, including Fortnite and Call Of Duty. There’s also a guide to some key computer terminologies to bust some jargon, like CPU, GPU, and SDD.
Best gaming PCs under £1,000 in 2024
Please note: All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
Best overall gaming PC under £1000
Description
This one-of-a-kind gaming PC is in short supply, so you'd better get yours ASAP. Aside from the brilliant Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card, this has 16GB of RAM - capable of crushing anything you could throw at it. It's got a very respectable 1TB of SSD storage, too.
Alongside a mid-range but still decent Intel Core i5 CPU, there's a large white-fronted mesh case for plenty of airflow - plus if you're itching for some RGB lighting, this has you covered. If a typically chunky gamer PC case is a little too big and you're looking for something considerably smaller - check out our excellent mini PC picks.
Despite not having a cutting-edge CPU, with this much RAM and that RTX 4060, there's no doubt that the rig can perform brilliantly with any of the latest games. It's a bit of a steal at well under the £900 mark.
Pros
- The fantastic RTX 4060 GPU from Nvidia is right up there with the best gaming PCs
- Generous 1TB SSD for fast boot and load times
- The case has good airflow and looks modern too
Cons
- A weaker CPU than some other here (but that's down to balancing the cost with the all-important RTX 4060)
Best budget gaming PC under £1,000
Description
CyberPowerPC's Wyvern has been a mainstay of great budget gaming PCs for a while now, and with some timely graphics card price drops, there have been some noticeable performance upgrades to match.
Undeniably, the most notable feature of the CyberPowerPC is its phenomenal Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU with 8GB of onboard RAM. As a budget pick, this is a powerful graphics card - able to handle plenty of cutting-edge games at 4K, no questions asked. And, thankfully, even after squeezing that Nvidia card into the case, the rest of the components haven't suffered too much from the budget price tag.
The CPU is an Intel Core i5, and 500GB of SSD storage is still perfect for a fast-booting operating system - although, in terms of game installs, heavy users may be upgrading with an external or internal HDD or SSD in no time at all. The case is perhaps a little basic in terms of design, too. That said, thanks to the CyberPowerPC Wyvern's fantastic graphics card and RAM, this gaming PC is still absolutely worth it.
Pros
- Great RTX 3050 graphics card - especially good value at this price point
- A solid amount of RAM and a respectable CPU will keep this performing well over time
- 500GB of SSD storage is good for a budget machine
Cons
- Weaker CPU than some others here
Best gaming PC under £1,000 for graphics
Description
SCAN has been crushing the competition when it comes to assembling some of the best-priced, most aesthetically pleasing gaming PCs to be found on the internet. So, it makes total sense for this graphics beast to be packing an Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti graphics card with 8GB of video RAM.
Outwardly, the SCAN Argen Gaming PC gaming PC might lack some of the polish of the higher-priced PCs in the ADMI lineup, but inside it really packs a fantastic punch worthy of your attention. Although we'd have liked to have seen a stronger processor over the Intel Core i5, it's still up to the task and will happily run your games, thanks in part to the 16GB of RAM and of course that monster of a GPU. there's plenty of storage space with 1TB of SSD for an entire library of games. It's absolutely worth considering for gamers and even for PC video editing once you've finished blasting your enemies.
Pros
- Fantastic bleeding-edge RTX 4060 Ti graphics card with great VRAM
- There is plenty of fast SSD storage for both your OS and a good selection of games
- 16GB of RAM hits the sweet spot for most gaming requirements
Cons
- PC case might not be for everyone
Best-designed gaming PC under £1,000
www.currys.co.uk
Description
Acer's Nitro line is simply fantastic for affordable, high-performance gaming without spending your entire payslip for the month. This Nitro N50-650 is more bang for your buck than ever before. Rocking an NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage, you can start playing your favourite games right away.
But, let's look at the case design. It's all subjective of course, but we think that anyone who wants their rig to look like a gaming rig will love the angled RGB-enhanced lines here; Not to mention the hexagon side grille and overall aesthetic.
Pros
- Massive gamer aesthetic at play with the RGB lighting and modern case design
- RTX 4060 GPU is cutting-edge graphics for all your AAA games
- Loads of SSD storage - ideal for the fastest load times
Cons
- Not for the gamer who likes to keep things understated in the case department
Best gaming PC under £1,000 for CPU
Description
With a huge amount of RAM, a stunning RTX 3060 GPU, and a unique, eye-catching case, ADMI has once again knocked it out of the park when it comes to its great spec and excellent value gaming desktop. It's such a well-rounded machine, it's ideal for both gaming and as an office PC for work.
Fortnite, Call of Duty, CS: GO, and even the Spider-man port will run a dream on this machine. The 1TB SSD is going to boost your load times - especially in games such as Skyrim or GTA V Online, where you're constantly going through load screens. But, it's the monster of a CPU that takes the cake here - it's an Intel i9 with 8 cores - that means you'll have the raw horsepower to feed the rest of the components with an endless lightning-fast stream, of data. No bottlenecks here. As the SPU is one of the more difficult upgrades too, this is more or less future-proof for years to come; allowing you to easily upgrade the storage or RAM as you go.
Pros
- The 8-core i9 CPU will eat up all the data you can throw at it - ideal for gaming, video editing and more
- RTX 3060 GPU is a great pairing with all that CPU power for a fast gaming experience
- Amazing 16GB of Corsair RAM that runs at 3200Mhz - again a great addition ot the rest of the spec for speed
Cons
- The chunky Cooler Master case design may not be for some
Best gaming PC under £1,000 bundle
ViboxDescription
Vibox is a leader when it comes to solid gaming PC bundles, and this one really does hit the mark. First, let's see what the bundle gives you. A 1080p monitor, a gaming keyboard with RGB lighting, a matching mouse, a mouse mat and even a gamer headset with a mic. Now, don't expect these peripherals to be perfect alternatives to those from brands like Razer or Corsair - they'll be serviceable budget items that do the job. But, if you're on a budget and need a gaming rig that gives you a whole system in one go, you can't go far wrong. Plus, you can then upgrade at your leisure.
As for the all-important machine itself - this is absolutely where the money has been well spent. The graphics card is an Nvidia RTX 3050 with a reliable 6GB of onboard RAM. And then there's the 16GB of actual system RAM and a 1TB SSD for your data. It's a bit of a hidden over-specced gem for the price. Don't miss this one if you're looking for a respectable gaming rig for less.
Pros
- Unbeatable value as a one-stop-shop complete gaming PC solution
- Brilliant base spec with an RTX 3050 GPU and 16GB of RAM - ideal for modern games
- Modern gamer-friendly case design will fit in your game room perfectly
Cons
- Peripherals are basic - you'll want to replace the keyboard and mouse at some point
Best gaming PC under £1,000 that balances spec with cost
Description
In perhaps the most impressive spec here, pound for pound, this PC from ADMI really has balanced things out extremely well. There's power right where you need it at just the right level to keep the price tag nicely under the £1k mark. After all, we all know that £999.99 is technically under budget here; but ideally, it'd be great to get a machine that really performs while still leaving enough budget for keyboard, mouse and more.
This machine really shines, with an RTX 4060 graphics card- the star performer here. That said, you do still have 16GB of RAM, a Ryzen 5 CPU and a 1TB SSD for good measure. The case is even a Lian Li model - although not the prettiest of its line-up - but a Lian Li it is. Stunning value and balanced performance.
Pros
- Brilliantly balanced spec which doesn't cut the wrong corners, retaining sheer performance
- RTX 4060 GPU for the latest and greatest gaming experiences
- 16 GB of RAM is a nice surprise - we were expecting 8GB for this price.
Cons
- The case is well-engineered, but a little outdated style-wise
Best gaming PC under £1,000 with liquid cooling
Description
Liquid cooling of any description doesn't normally come cheap, and many PC builders shudder at the thought of fitting any liquid cooling solution into their home-grown rigs. While the Veno Scorp cooling here is a self-contained CPU cooler rather than one of the fancy neon-esque full-system cooling solutions, it's still a bit of a find in a pre-built PC.
Spec-wise we have a blistering graphics card inside - the RTX 4060Ti. Much like our pick above for the PC with the best graphics card, this card is up there with the best right now. This system, however, does have a middling CPU - a Ryzen 5 - compared to our choice for the system with the best GPU. That said, a Ryzen 5 is far from a budget choice, providing plenty of power to the system. 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD finishes off the package nicely.
Pros
- A monster of a GPU with the Geforce RTX 4060Ti - this will run any game right now at top settings
- Liquid CPU cooling will boost your Ryzen 5500 CPU beyond normal limits
- Eyecatching case design screams 'gamer'
Cons
- Case design may be divisive - it's a love-it-or-hate-it deal
Best gaming PC under £1,000 for RAM
Currys/PCSPECIALISTwww.currys.co.uk
Description
The PCSPECIALIST Icon 240 Gaming PC is a brilliant choice for those who want to prioritise RAM. It comes with 16GB, but you can further upgrade that to 128GB should the need arise. That's not the only impressive set of specs it has either. We're always a fan of seeing a terabyte of SSD storage, which will prevent the struggles of balancing uninstalling games constantly to juggle space.
If RGB aesthetics are to your liking, you'll definitely appreciate the customisation on offer here. Each fan can be individually adjusted, so you can create your own light show. The interior of the case can be seen through the glass panel, illuminated as well by the cooler.
Pros
- 16GB RAM is more than suitable for most gaming needs
- Solid and dependable GPU
- 1TB SSD is always great to see
Cons
- Only one HDMI connection
Best gaming PC under £1,000 for ventilation
AWD-ITwww.awd-it.co.uk
Description
A hot summer's day is a gaming PC's worst enemy, but the AWD-IT AIR Mesh is able to fight it off. Thanks to the enhanced airflow due to the mesh section, as well as the fantastic set of three fans, this PC has no trouble keeping cool. You can max out your settings and it will still run as smoothly as ever.
The AIR Mesh is built to order, so you actually get the opportunity to pick out some upgrades. You'll definitely go over £1,000 with just a handful of noticeable improvements, but if you're willing to go a bit over budget, you can seriously enhance this machine.
Pros
- Excellent three-fan ventilation
- Mesh improves airflow
- Lots of optional upgrades
Cons
- Better storage options are available, but cost extra
Best gaming PCs under £1,000 in 2024: Buyer's guide
Prebuilt or custom?
Many popular prebuilt rigs can start at over £1,000, with the option of custom configurations only adding to the cost. Custom-built PCs are often heralded as a more economical way of getting into high-spec PC gaming. This is all good, but a self-build can feel like an overwhelming prospect to a newcomer in a world already heavy with jargon, abbreviations, and acronyms. But you can grab the best gaming PCs under £1,000 that are pre-built and more than up to the task. The key is to know what to look for - here are some tips, up next.
What to look for in a gaming PC and how to choose the right one
Choosing a new PC can be complicated at the best of times, but it can seem even more so when you throw gaming into the mix. With the choice of components, codes and frequencies being so vast, it can be a little overwhelming. But have no fear. You can read on to find out what to look for in a gaming PC and how to choose the right one for you.
So you've spent a ton of money on your PC and are running low on funds, what now? Well, we've compiled the absolute best budget gaming monitors so you can get to gaming without breaking the bank completely.
If you would like to read more about what specific PC components do, scroll down to our Terminology 101 guide.
Number one: What games do you want to play?
This can be a specific game or genre. Think about what you want to play, look up the specifications required, and search for a gaming PC based on these stats. This can help you prioritise your needs and maximise the impact of your cash.
Blockbusters like Call of Duty Modern Warfare II and _Red Dead Redemptio_n 2 and the next-generation update of The Witcher III are very resource-heavy, requiring plenty of RAM and a powerful GPU. However, older releases and indie games, from Civilisation 5 and Portal 2 to Stardew Valley and Among Us, aren’t going to need as much oomph.
Read our comprehensive guide to resolution here.
Number two: Do you want to use the PC for other tasks, like Photoshop or video editing?
If so, then powerful GPUs and CPUs are be needed, even if you only ever play Minecraft. This is also the case if you’re planning to stream your content on platforms like Twitch.
If you plan on using your PC for creative pursuits, you'll also want to consider your monitor choice. When doing so, pay particular attention to the panel type and colour spectrums supported. This will need to balance with refresh rates and response times for gaming, too. You can read about the best monitors here.
Number three: How many games do you have or want, and how big are they? The answer to this question will determine how much storage you need and in what form. Only want to play CS:GO? Cool - a 240GB SSD will do for a start. Want to play Microsoft Flight Simulator and COD: Warzone? Well, that’s over 200GB combined - so you need a big SSD or HDD. Remember, you'll need some space for updates, too.
If you plan on editing photos and videos, you’re also going to find memory getting tight. An external drive will help with these, but we recommend that games are always stored internally - ideally on SSD or at least a fast HDD.
Note that storage will also need to take into account operating system files.
Don't forget peripherals
Once you’ve picked out your chosen PC tower, you will want the best gaming peripherals. Check out our round-ups of gaming keyboards, gaming mice and gaming monitors – there’s something for every budget.
Now you've got your PC, you're probably wondering, what should I play? Here are the best PC games available right now.
Quick reference guide: Popular game specs
Specifications as reported by wepc.com
Fortnite
• CPU - Minimum: Core i3 2.4GHz / Recommended: Core i5 2.8GHz
• RAM - Minimum: 4GB RAM / Recommended: 8GB RAM
• HDD - Required: 16GB free space
• GPU - Minimum: Intel HD 4000 (integrated graphics) / Recommended: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660, AMD Radeon HD 7870, or equivalent with 2GB memory or higher VRAM.
• OS - Required: Windows 7, 8.1, or 64-bit Windows 10
Minecraft
• CPU - Minimum: Intel Core i3 3210, AMD A8 7600 APU, or equivalent / Recommended: Intel Core i5 4690, AMD A10 7800, or equivalent
• RAM - Minimum: 4GB RAM / Recommended: 8GB RAM
• HDD - Minimum: 1GB free space / Recommended: 4GB RAM free space
• GPU - Minimum: Intel HD Graphics 4000 or AMD Radeon R5 series, NVIDIA GeForce 400 Series, AMD Radeon HD 7000 series / Recommended: NVIDIA GeForce 700 Series or AMD Radeon Rx 200 Series
• OS - Minimum: 64-bit Windows 7 or later / Recommended: 64-bit Windows 10
Call Of Duty: Warzone
• CPU - Minimum: Intel Core i3-4340, AMD FX-6300 or equivalent / Recommended: Intel Core i5-2500K, AMD Ryzen R5 1600X Processor, or equivalent
• RAM - Minimum: 8GB RAM / Recommended: 12GB RAM
• HDD - Required: 10-20 GB of storage space
• GPU - Minimum: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, AMD Radeon HD 7950, or equivalent / Recommended: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, AMD Radeon R9 390, AMD Radeon RX 580, or equivalent
• OS - Minimum: 64-bit Windows 7 or later / Recommended: 64-bit Windows 10
Gaming PC Terminology
CPU
A Central Processing Unit, or CPU, processes and executes instructions. Processors often consist of multiple cores, and the higher the number of cores the more processes it can carry out, improving performance. CPU is clock speed is also important, and is measured in GHz. While there are CPUs capable of great things, for a good experience your average player will typically want between 3.7Ghz and 5GHz.
RAM
Random Access Memory, or RAM, is a component that temporarily holds bytes of information for quick and random access by the CPU. The information will be related to programs and services that are in use. The more RAM available, the more quick-access information there is available to the CPU, thereby improving computer performance.
Gamers will want no less than 8GB of RAM.
DDR3 RAM versus DDR4 RAM
DDR3 and DDR4 are generations of RAM. DDR3 was introduced in 2007, and DDR4 in 2014. The main differences between the two relate to the voltage used, latency times, clock speeds, and overall performance. For most entry-level users, the variations between the two will not matter, as both perform very well.
The difference becomes more important when upgrading motherboards, CPUs, and RAM, as the two types cannot be interchanged or exchanged. Newer machines tend to use DDR4, though DDR3 is still readily available and can be more affordable.
Graphics cards
A graphics card’s job is to convert CPU data into visual output. There are many types, specifications, and sizes of graphics cards. Typically, these cards have dedicated RAM and processor(s), fans and heat-syncing solutions. Sometimes graphics cards are referred to as GPUs, which is just an abbreviation of the card's processor name, a Graphics Processing Unit.
Looking to build your own ultimate gaming PC? Here are the absolute best of the best graphics cards available now.
Dedicated graphics cards improve the visual experience and improve a PC’s overall performance – they are seen as essential components for gamers.
Some CPUs and motherboards have in-built graphics cards. While acceptable for standard computer usage, these in-built options are insufficient for high-performance gaming, especially when compared with dedicated graphics cards.
Best gaming PCs under £1,000 in 2024: FAQs
Are gaming PCs better than consoles?
There are some essential differences between a console and a PC. Knowing what these are is essential to making your own mind up on which is best. A console is really a tightly controlled bespoke PC with components that can rarely be upgraded or swapped out - with the exception of hard drives (but even then, it's not for the faint-hearted. They do, however, offer some seriously powerful custom-designed hardware in the form of CPUS and graphics power. If you're not into the ins and outs of owning and updating a gaming PC, a next-gen console is the way to go. But, PCs have the edge when it comes to bleeding-edge graphics and choice.
A gaming PC doesn't have to be used purely for gaming, it can be used for other highly demanding tasks such as editing and rendering, as well as your essential browsing which has always been suited much better to a PC than a console. For games, PC has always had the best of both worlds. You get PC-exclusive titles from gaming platforms like Steam, but you also get Microsoft's store, packed with Xbox titles, so you'll never miss a chance to play the latest Bethesda titles, or Halo for that matter. Plus, because a PC isn't as locked down as consoles, you can indulge in some modding. That means proper game upgrades, fan-based content, and true freedom to play your way.
What is the difference between HDD and SSD memory?
You can read our guide to SSDs. You can also browse the best SSDs on the market.
Hard drive disks (HDD) are mechanical, writing, and reading information on spinning disks (or platters) via an actuator arm, which moves across the platter. The platters are broken down into a series of tracks and sectors. It's within these that data is stored and addressed with a location.
Solid State Drives (SSD) write and read using flash memory, much like USB flash drives. Data is stored in grids and blocks, and though the process is more complicated than in HDD, the available space is utilised more efficiently thanks to a series of processes that go on behind the scenes.
HDD is reliable, though they are large and rely on mechanical procedures to store, write and read memory. SSD is a newer technology and uses no moving parts: it's far quicker at data retrieval, is smaller in size, and runs more efficiently. SSDs are popular within the gaming community due to their rapid load times. HDDs are cheaper, and are available with much larger storage capacities.
It is common practice within the gaming community to have both an SSD and HDD in a build.
William Lobley is the Deputy Tech & Fitness Editor for What's The Best. Here, he oversees, curates and researches listicles and reviews as many products as his home office can handle.
He has spent nearly five years writing about tech, audio, outdoors and fitness and has reviewed everything from smartphones to ice baths. In addition, he's well-versed in sniffing out the best deals and savings the internet offers.
When not at his desk writing, reviewing or deal-hunting, he'll be relaxing with Japanese crime novels, bingeing some classic anime, strolling the countryside or at the gym listening to the heaviest metal Spotify has to offer.
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