Prebuilt computers can save you the hassle of searching for compatible components and fixing hardware bugs, focusing instead on finding a machine that’s right for specific games or software. PC gaming is notorious for being the pricier option than consoles, and home office computers are often underpowered. Luckily, we’re looking at the best PC under $1,000 to get the most out of your budget.
Runner-up
Lenovo Legion 5i Tower (90RS0016US)
Lenovo features a 2.6GHz 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11400 CPU and a mid-range 6GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER GPU that supports most modern games. The 8GB of 3200MHz DDR4 RAM will soon need an upgrade, but the 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD offer plenty of storage in return.
$1,000 at Best Buy
Third alternative
Omen HP 25L (GT12-0124)
HP saves a little money with a 2.9GHz 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10400 CPU and 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM. Another PC with the powerful 6GB NVIDIA GeForce 1660 GTX GPU, but with less storage space on its single 512GB SSD. Upgraded DDR4 RAM and storage would benefit from this option.
$950 at Best Buy
Best for home office
Acer Aspire 27-inch Desktop (C27-962-UA91)
Acer’s Aspire All-in-One is a PC built into a 27-inch monitor. Its Intel 10th Gen Core i5-1135G7 CPU can be boosted from 1GHz to 3.6GHz, along with 12GB of 2666MHz DDR4 RAM. It’s the best PC under $1,000 for the home office, though consider an external hard drive to complement the 512 GB SSD.
Economic
HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop (TG01-1120)
HP includes a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10400F 2.9GHz CPU in this value version. It comes with 8GB of 2666MHz DDR4 RAM and a 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, an older-gen GPU that can still handle low to mid-range gaming. The 256GB SSD is small, so consider upgrading to the internal hard drive.
Choosing the best PC under $1,000
Approaching desktop computers as a beginner can be a daunting business. Thousands of components with speeds, sizes and brands make it difficult to find the perfect match. Fortunately, there are a decent number of manufacturers who put together pre-built desktops for us, making it easy to decide based on the specs required for our favorite software and games. Just beware of third-party retailers listing the wrong hardware, and check with the manufacturer for accurate specs.
CyberPowerPC has a decade of experience building desktops, laptops, and accessories. Their Gamer Master desktop is easily the best PC under $1,000, thanks in part to its AMD hardware that squeezes the most gaming performance out of its cost. For the home office, Acer’s 27-inch Aspire AIO Desktop keeps things simple with its space-saving all-in-one PC, as long as you’re prepared to plug in some external hard drives to combat the modest 512GB of storage.