Selecting a Prebuilt Gaming Computer

Gaming computers come in all shapes and sizes and can have very different configurations depending on the games you like to play. When choosing a gaming PC, the first decision you will need to make is whether to build it yourself or buy a prebuilt machine.

The benefit of building your own gaming desktop PC is that it is customizable, but finding parts and ensuring compatibility can be an added challenge. Not to mention, the act of actually building the PC creates the opportunity for user error. Prebuilt gaming PCs come ready to go out of the box and are made with components and features — such as the motherboard, hard drive, power supply, liquid cooling components, SSD, etc. — that are known to work together.

Because prebuilt gaming PCs are already assembled, you can rest assured that an expert technician put together the prebuilt PC with extreme care and attention to detail. Suppose you ever have problems with a PC build or have questions about where to go next. In that case, you can always check in with the professionals at Micro Center's Service Department.

Do You Need a Gaming Computer?

If you've never owned a gaming PC before, you may be asking yourself if you actually need one. The reality is that for serious or even entry-level dabblers, a gaming computer ensures optimal gaming performance and ensures that you get long-term use out of your build. Gaming computers allow you to experience the best visuals and provide more technically challenging gameplay.

Gaming computers are powerhouse machines capable of playing modern titles at the highest frame rates and resolutions available. This is made possible by the high-end components found in gaming desktops. Top-of-the-line graphics cards and processors combine perfectly to create the smoothest gaming experience possible. These PCs typically feature solid-state drives (SSD) that ensure fast load times and an overall improved gaming experience.

Select Your Prebuilt Gaming PC by GPU or CPU

Just because you're opting to go the prebuilt route doesn't mean you have no customization options. You will want to start by selecting which GPU (graphics card) or CPU (processor) you prefer. Most commonly, you'll find GPUs based on architecture from either NVIDIA or AMD, both of which offer premium performance ideal for gamers.

Micro Center proudly offers warranty-backed prebuilt options with the best NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs, including Intel Arc A770, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 3050, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, and more. We also offer popular options by AMD, including powerful prebuilt options with the AMD Radeon RX series, including the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT and AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT. Whether you're looking for something featuring the popular NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or want to try out the Intel Arc A770 graphics card, we've got you covered at Micro Center.

The graphics card isn't the only thing to consider when selecting your computer. You'll also want to check out the processors in each one of our gaming desktops. Choose from either an AMD or Intel processor for your gaming computer. We offer builds featuring AMD Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7, Ryzen 9, and more as well as Intel processors such as the Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, and Intel Core i9.

Industry-leading brands such as NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel offer a wide range of GPUs that can be bought individually or as part of a prebuilt machine. For gamers just starting out or anyone looking to build their gaming desktop over a long time, there are even some processors with integrated graphics that can be enough to play less resource-intensive games when paired with high-speed RAM and storage. In these cases, graphics cards can be added later to increase the machine's performance to wherever desirable.