We bought and tested 5 best gaming PCs under $1500 to play modern games at the highest settings possible. We stress-tested every gaming PC by putting a heavy gaming workload and running benchmarks. We tested and compared $1500 prebuilt gaming PCs from brands like HP, Lenovo, Alienware, and Skytech to find out which one offers best pefornance for the money spent.
A $1500 budget cap is enough to buy a gaming PC that runs modern games like Call of Duty Warzone, Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake 2, Resident Evil 4, Diablo IV, etc without any hassle.
When buying a $1500 gaming PC, there is alot to consider like design, power, hardware, size, etc. Investing in a high-end gaming computer is unnecessary if your gaming taste is limited to 1080p. For 1080p gaming, I suggest you to go for gaming PCs under $1000 budget. However, breaking the 1080p gaming barrier and hitting over 60fps at 1440p or 4K settings requires you to have a powerful gaming machine.
During my search for the sub-$1500 gaming rigs, I looked for the prebuilt machine equipped with the latet CPU and GPU. After all, these are the two most factors that define the performance of a gaming machine. Luckily, most prebuilt PC manufacturers are using either Intel Raptor Lake CPUs or AMD Ryzen 7000 chips for building upper-tier gaming PCs. On top, most of these machines are backed by Nvidia RTX 40-Series GPUs to deliver the best gaming experience. Some branded prebuilt rigs are even upgradable, making them future-proof for years.
What are the Best Gaming PCs Under $1500 in 2025?
The best prebuilt gaming PCs under $1500 are menitoned below.
| Gaming PCs | Reasons to Buy | Prices |
| HP Pavilion Gaming 15L | Editor’s Pick | $1,339 on Amazon |
| Lenovo Legion Tower TS Gen 8 | Best Value for $1500 | $1,444 on Amazon |
| Alienware Aurora R16 | Best Powerful 4K Gaming PC Under $1500 | $1,449 on Amazon |
| Skytech Chronos Gaming PC | Good $1500 Gaming PC for eSports | $1,099 on Amazon |
1: HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop – Editor’s Pick
Brand: HP | Processor Type: Intel Core i7-13700F | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | RAM: 32GB DDR4 | Drive Capacity: 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD & 1TB HDD | Chassis Color: White | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11 Home
The HP Pavilion Gaming PC 15L is a powerful prebuilt gaming PC with exceptional design. It features a 16-core CPU to handle the toughest gaming tasks, and it has enormous storage for games.
Reason to Buy:
HP has come a long way in the race of prebuilt gaming computers. The HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop is one of the machines from HP that brings a lot of gaming performance at a reasonable price. This gaming computer is powered by Intel’s Raptor Lake Core i7 13700F 16-Core CPU with a boost clock speed up to 5.2 GHz.
Technically speaking, having a 16-Cores CPU won’t improve your gaming performance. Modern games do not occupy more than six cores on a CPU. However, the abundance of CPU cores makes this gaming computer future-proof for upcoming years.
The HP Victus 15L Gaming PC, though, has high-end CPU, it homes a mid-range RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6 GPU. In a time when Nvidia RTX-50 Series graphics are becoming popular, an RTX 3060 does look like an outdated option. However, the massive 12GB of video memory makes the RTX 3060 handle modern games at 4K settings. The beefy VRAM covers the other flaws that come with this mid-range graphics card.
Further on, HP has allocated a gigantic 32GB of DDR4 RAM on HP Victus 15L gaming PC. Modern games, though, do not require more than 16GB of RAM, having a beefy RAM allows you to interact with heavy multitasking without slowing down your machine.
Just like a beefy GPU and VRAM, the HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop comes with a massive storage space. It has a 2TB of NVMe SSD and 1TB of HDD space to install hundreds of games.
When it comes down to chassis, I liked the simple and classic white chassis chosen by HP to build this machine. Many gamers that like RGB lights and glass panels won’t find this gaming PC attractive. However, a white PC case stands out in a world where everyone prefers RGB lights, tinted glass panels, and black-colored PC cases.
The HP Victus 15L comes with all the advanced I/Os and useful features a gamer requires like built-in Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, RJ-45, keyboard, and a mouse. Finally, it comes with Windows 11 Home pre-installed. However, for better gaming performance, I recommend upgrading to Windows 11 Pro.
2: Lenovo Legion T5 Gen 8 – Best Value Gaming PC for $1500
Brand: Lenovo | Processor Type: AMD Ryzen 7 7700 | Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4070 | RAM: 16GB DDR5 | Drive Capacity: 1TB NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Stacked with a 16-core processor and Nvidia’s powerful RTX 4070 graphics card, the Lenovo Legion T5 Gen 8 brings serious 1440p or 4K gaming performance with ray-tracing/DLSS 3.0 to your table.
Reason to Buy:
The Lenovo Legion T5 Gen 8 is powered by AMD Ryzen 7 7700 Octa-Core CPU with a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz. Built on AMD’s Zen 4 architecture, the Ryzen 7 7700 chip puts the Lenovo Legion T5 Gen 8 ahead in the gaming competition when paired with a powerful graphics card like the RTX 4070 12GB GDDR6X.
I’ve played games on many sub-$1500 prebuilt gaming PCs, but the Lenovo Legion T5 Gen 8 beats most of them in gaming at 1440p or 4K resolution. May this could be due to fact that Lenovo has chosen the most compatible PC parts to build this machine.
Apart from a powerful Ryzen 7 7700 processor, what makes the Lenovo Legion T5 Gen 8 good at gaming is the RTX 4070 12GB GDDR6X graphics card and 16GB DDR5 RAM. The RTX 4070 GPU brings added features like 2nd-gen Ray-Tracing and DLSS 3 for an immersive gaming experience.
The inclusion of 2nd-generation Ray-Tracing offers superior performance over the previous version. This makes the RTX 4070 a solid contender in AAA and eSports games. The RTX 4070 has 12GB of GDDR6X memory to scale any modern game at 4K resolution without losing FPS. I tested games like CyberPunk 2077 and COD: Modern Warfare maxed out at 4K settings without any stutters or lags.
The combo of AMD Ryzen 7 7700 processor and RTX 4070 graphics card results in a strong performance score in every benchmark test. No matter which resolution you play at, you can expect a powerful gaming performance with this machine.
The downside to Lenovo Legion T5 Gen 8 is limited 1TB of storage to install games. Unlike the HP Victus 15L, which comes with 2TB of SSD and 1TB of HDD, the Lenovo Legion T5 Gen 8 only has four M.2 slots on the motherboard for storage upgrades.
I fell for the design on Lenovo Legion T5 Gen 8 which boasts an eye-catching gaming aesthetic when viewed from the front. It has massive RGB fans that are concealed behind the mesh panels for a steady flow of fresh air inside the case. The side glass panel offers a clear view of the inner workings of your PC, adding a dynamic visual element to your setup.
Lastly, the Lenovo Legion T5 Gen 8 Gaming Desktop comes with all the much needed I/Os like the Type-A USB, USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, and USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports. From a gamers’ perspective, these I/O options are plentiful to have in a gaming PC under $1500 budget.
3: Alienware Aurora R16 – Best Aesthetics Gaming PC Under $1500
Brand: Dell | Processor Type: Intel Core i7-14700F | Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4060 | RAM: 16GB DDR5 | Drive Capacity: 512GB NVMe SSD + 1TB HDD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11 Home
With the Alienware Aurora R16, Dell continues to offer what pro gamers want, “Pure Performance”. Equipped with Intel Raptor Lake’s best gaming CPU, the Core i7 14700F, the Alienware Aurora R16 elevates your gaming to the next level.
Reason to Buy:
The Alienware Aurora R16 is a powerful gaming PC under a $1500 budget to play modern games at 1080p, 1440p, and even 4K settings. The Aurora R16 offers a significant improvement over the previous Alienware Aurora R15 version in cooling and gaming performance.
Powered by the Intel Core i7 14700F processor having 20 cores (8 P-cores and 12 E-cores), the Aurora R16 is ready to grind any heavy gaming or content creation workload. Although the base clock speed on cores is lower, each core boosts up to 5.4 GHz when under heavy workload.
Aurora R16 is backed by an RTX 4060 8GB graphics card. I believe for a powerful CPU like the Intel Intel Core i7 14700F, an 8GB graphics won’t do a justice. Dell should have gone for an RTX 4070 or RTX 4080 instead. However, the RTX 4060 is a decent card to play games at 1080p or 1440p settings.
The RTX 4060 in this sub-$1500 gaming machine handles modern games at 1440p 60fps settings. But for playing games at 4K settings, you may have to lower some in-game settings like Shadows, Textures, etc. My personal take on 4K gaming is to have at least a 12GB graphics card. A mid-range graphics card like RTX 4060 might struggle if exposed to 4K gaming.
In terms of storage space, the Alienware Aurora R16 provides two options just like the HP Victus 15L. It has one 512GB NVMe SSD and 1TB HDD for storing games and useful data.
The most eye-catching feature of Alienware Aurora R16 is its design. This is one of the most aesthetically appealing gaming PCs under $1500 budget. On the front of the chassis, it has a RGB strip that encircles the air intake to pull in fresh air. Further, there is a gigantic RGB fan at the back pulls the hot air outside to maintain an optimal temperature inside the chassis.
The Alienware Aurora R16 comes with advanced I/Os including USB-Type A, USB-Type C, etc for connecting advanced peripherals. Though, the number of ports on this machine are limited compared to other similarly priced machine, they are enough to connect much-needed gaming hardware.
The only downside of Alienware Aurora R16 is its limited upgradability. Dell has used a proprietary motherboard, which makes it difficult for users install their prefered hardware.
4: Skytech Chronos Gaming PC – Best Gaming PC Under $1300 for eSports Enthusiasts
Brand: Skytech | Processor Type: Intel i7 12700F | Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4060 | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Drive Capacity: 1TB NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Silver | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Windows 11 Home
The Skytech Chronos takes your gaming to the next level. Expect more than 60+ FPS, thanks to the RTX 406 GPU and Intel Core i7 12700F chip. Oh and what a beautiful PC case this has been!
Reason to Buy:
Skytech Chronos is a gaming PC tailored for eSports titles, which means it offers serious gaming performance in popular games like Apex Legends, Roblox, PUBG, and Overwatch 2.
This Skytech Gaming machine is crowned with Intel Core i7 12700F CPU 12-Core CPU and Nvidia RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6X graphics card for higher gaming performance. The higher compatibility of both hardware make the Skytech Chrono perform better in modern games at higher settings.
Though, Skytech has chosen mid-range parts to build this gaming machine. The ample chassis allows you to add or upgrade high-end hardware in future. Unlike, the Alienware Aurora R16 that limits the room for upgradability, the Skytech Chronos gives you free hand on installing your favourite parts.
In terms of design, the Skytech Chronos Gaming Desktop is truly a masterpiece. There are three powerful fans at the front of this machine, allowing it to pull in more air for better cooling. One exhaust fan rests at the back of the chassis to pump out hot air.
The Skytech Chronos Gaming machine comes with a transparent side glass panel. The side panel on Skytech Chronos allows you to peak inside this beast. The RGB illuminated exhaust at the back provides a real-show to gamers in dim light conditions.
Skytech Chronos is powered by a 600W PSU, ensuring reliable power delivery for demanding gaming sessions. This Gold-certified PSU supports high-performance components and enhances system stability and energy efficiency.
Like most prebuilt gaming machines, the Skytech Chronos features advanced ports, built-in Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity to keep you connected. Skytech has included an RGB keyboard and mouse to match your build with the rest of the gaming setup.
5: PCPartGo Predator Legacy – Best $1400 Gaming PC for AAA Gaming
Brand: PCPartGo | Processor Type: Intel Core i5-13600KF | Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti (16GB) | RAM: 32GB DDR5 | Drive Capacity: 2TB NVMe SSD | Chassis Color: Black | Style: Mid-Tower | VR Compatible: Yes | Operating System: Not Installed
Our Predator Legacy Gaming PC is tailored for high-end 1440p gaming. With an Intel i5-13600KF CPU and RTX 4060 Ti graphics card, this build handles every modern game like a breeze. That’s not all, we have graced this machine with a glass chassis to give it a hardcore gamer feel.
Reason to Buy:
Our Predator Legacy Gaming PC is powered by Intel Core i5 13600KF and RTX 4060 Ti to deliver impressive gaming performance at 1080p and 1440p settings.
The Intel Core i5-13600KF on this gaming build packs eight cores and 20 threads to bump up the over 60fps on your screen. In addition, the RTX 4060 Ti, with its gigantic 16GB of VRAM lets you play most games at 1440p and 4K settings. However, for playing games at 4K, you may have to tweak a bit with your in-game settings.
For seamless multasking and content creation tasks, we have opted for G.Skill 32GB DDR5 RAM for this beast gaming PC. The Predator Legacy gaming machine features a 2TB NVMe SSD. Additionally, the G.Skill Trident Z5 RAM sticks with their glowing RGB accents add a vibrant touch to the interior, creating a mesmerizing light show that enhances the overall aesthetic of your setup.
We have opted for the Gorilla Glass PC case that lets you view the inside peripherals from the front, side, and top. This adds more look and feel to this gaming machine. Inside the PC chassis, we have installed the DeepCool LS720 Liquid Cooler, which not only provides exceptional cooling performance but also features stunning RGB lighting to illuminate your system.
Predator Legacy Gaming PC combines power and aesthetics in a single package. Buy this $1500 gaming PC to play your favorite AAA and eSports games at higher settings.
What to know before buying a $1500 gaming PC?
Before buying a $1500 gaming PC, you should know about the following things.
- Don’t Overthink Between Intel or AMD: Let’s be specific, there’s not much difference between the latest generation of Intel and AMD CPUs in gaming. Intel tends to perform better in gaming because of its better single-core performance. AMD CPU is highly efficient in content creation tasks like video editing, 3D animation, etc. Lastly, don’t fall for more than 8 cores on a CPU if you are restricted to gaming.
- Think Twice About RAM: A good gaming PC comes with at least 12GB or 16GB of RAM for AAA games and multitasking.
- Go with SSD: An SSD significantly reduce game loading time and make your computer run faster. Consider buying a gaming PC with at least 512GB SSD storage space.
- Ports: Always look for advanced I/O ports (USB-C, USB Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 1, etc) to connect modern peripherals. Ports at the front of the case are handy for connecting peripherals like flash drives, headphones, mic, etc.
- Look out for Deals: The best time of the year to buy a gaming PC is around Cyber Monday or Black Friday. This is when you’ll find cheaper deals on gaming PCs from reputed brands.
- Warranty and Support: Always choose a brand with customer support or warranty. Don’t buy a prebuilt PC without any warranty from the seller.
- Future-proofing: Buy an upgradable gaming PC. Don’t go for a prebuilt gaming PC with a proprietary motherboard or limited space to install hardware.
Which brands offer the most reliable gaming PCs under $1500?
The brands that offer the most reliable gaming PCs are HP, Alienware, Skytech, Lenovo, and PCPartGo. These brands offer excellent customer support and warranty with prebuilt gaming rigs.
Which $1500 prebuilt gaming PC you should buy?
Based on our $15000 gaming PCs review, the HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop offers the best value for the money. The Victus 15L has a fast processor, a powerful GPU, and up to 3TB storage for installing games.
Can you upgrade a $1500 gaming PC easily in the future?
Yes, most $1500 gaming PC are upgradable if there is enough headroom inside the chassis. Some gaming PC brands like Dell build prebuilt gaming PCs on proprietary motherboards that are difficult to upgrade. As an example, Dell Alienware Aurora R16 on our list has limited room for upgrade.
What games can you run on ultra settings with a $1500 gaming PC?
You can run most modern game on ultra settings on a $1500 gaming PC. However, the average frames rates or FPS to expect at ultra settings depends upon the hardware used to built a gaming PC (CPU, GPU, RAM, etc).
Are $1500 gaming PCs good for 4K or just 1080p/1440p gaming?
Not every $1500 gaming PC is good at 4K gaming. It all depends upon the hardware inside a gaming PC to decide whether to handle games at 4K or limit to 1080p/1440p resolution.
How do $1500 gaming PCs perform for streaming and content creation?
A $1500 gaming PC performs good in streaming and content creation due to enough RAM (16GB or more) and multi-core CPU.
Should you buy a gaming laptop or desktop under $1500?
Whether to buy a gaming laptop or desktop under $1500 depends upon your personal preference. A $1500, though, powerful cannot be upgraded like a $1500 gaming desktop.
Is building your own PC cheaper than buying a prebuilt under $1500?
Yes, building your own PC is cheaper than buying a $1500 prebuilt gaming PC. Building your own PC gives you freedom to choose hardware at lower cost. Further, there are no assembly and hidden cost incurred when building your own PC.
Do $1500 gaming PCs include a monitor, keyboard, and mouse?
Not every $1500 gaming PC includes a montior, keyboard, and mouse. However, few prebuilt gaming PCs like Skytech Chronos come with a gaming keyboard and mouse.
Mosaab Jamal Ahmed brings 12+ years of PC Hardware experience to the table. His journey began in 1998 with a Pentium 1 PC, igniting his lifelong fascination with computer hardware and video games. Over the years, Mosaab has honed his skills in upgrading and building gaming PCs. He has built dream gaming machines for multiple brands and local businesses throughout his career. Mosaab’s areas of expertise are building custom gaming PCs, in-depth PC hardware analysis, and PC hardware reviews.