Get a Desktop for the Most Gaming Power
1-Corsair One Pro
Corsair has made its name with high-end hardware and gaming peripherals over the years, putting out some of the most widely used RAM modules, PC cases, and other components on the market. It's never released a fully built desktop, though, coming closest with the Bulldog barebones kit, but that changes with the Corsair One Pro (starts at $1,799; $2,299.99 as tested). This compact, column-shaped PC boasts all the power of a bigger system, packed into a space-saving design with a sleek look. With enough muscle for smooth 4K gaming, and a dual liquid-cooling system to keep things running efficiently, the Corsair One Pro is our top pick for small-form-factor gaming desktops.
2-CyberPower Gamer Master Ultra
What Nvidia began with the release of its Pascal graphics architecture last fall AMD is now continuing with its new Ryzen CPUs: Both are changing how much performance you can expect for ever-decreasing amounts of money. The first computer we've seen that fuses both technologies is the CyberPower Gamer Master Ultra, a $2,399 gaming desktop that, when it comes to processing chores, can also hold its own against some desktops costing thousands of dollars more. If you're willing to shell out more cash, you can find a better pure gaming system. But if you want something that's capable at work as it is at play, it won't be easy to find something better balanced than this.
3-Origin Neuron
Consumer gaming and 3D performance are being pushed to absurd new heights on the back of Nvidia's Pascal graphics architecture and Intel's latest generation of processors. Both of these platforms are on full display in the Origin Neuron (starts at $964; $3,900 as tested), with dual GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards and an overclocked Core i7-7700K processor. These components help the Neuron blow past competitors in our gaming tests, it's also speedy with productivity pursuits, and comes with a huge amount of storage to boot. This configuration is expensive, but for what you get and relative to the Editors' Choice Digital Storm Velox, the pricing is fair. Given its superior performance and overall execution, the Origin Neuron is our new top pick for high-end gaming desktops.
4-Asus ROG GT51
The Asus ROG GT51 ($4,999) combines a powerful aesthetic with equally strong internal components, resulting in a distinctive looking and high-performing gaming desktop. Design-wise, it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's definitely a conversation piece—if you want your rig to look like the gaming system it is, it'll probably work for you. With dual Pascal graphics cards, a ton of RAM, and a useful array of ports and storage, the GT51 is able to run any modern game at maximum settings with ease, even in 4K. For those essentially buying without a budget, the Falcon Northwest Talon (2016) is our Editors' Choice gaming desktop for its superior power (making it even more future proof) and gorgeous paint job, but the Asus ROG GT51 earns an Editors' Choice of its own for its extremely fast performance at roughly half the price.
5-Digital Storm Velox (Core i7-7700K)
High-end gaming desktops like the Digital Storm Velox (Core i7-7700K) (starts at $2,262, $4,737 as tested) may be very expensive, but you never have to worry about being able to play the latest 3D games at their very best, whether on a high-resolution gaming monitor or a VR headset. This new iteration of the Velox features an Intel 7th Generation Core i7 processor running at an overclocked 5GHz. It's somewhat conservatively styled, even coming across as sedate compared with the flamboyant Asus ROG GT51$4,604.74 at Amazon, our last top pick. It's a grown-up gaming rig, but one you'll appreciate if you can afford it.