Investing in a good gaming PC with a $1,500 budget allows you to play the latest games while having room to upgrade later. At this price point, you can find PCs optimized for virtual reality and models with the newest GPU architectures for improved performance.
I evaluated over a dozen options to select the top gaming desktops and laptops under $1,500 based on value, specs, upgradability, and overall gaming experience.
How I Made My Picks
I used the following criteria to select the best gaming PCs under $1,500:
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Performance: The PC can handle recent AAA games at high frame rates and settings. I prioritized PCs with the newest GPUs and fastest processors.
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Value: The asking price fits within the $1,500 budget while providing strong specs. I looked for balance between CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage.
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Upgradability: There is room to add more RAM, additional storage, or a better GPU down the line. Easy access inside the case is a plus.
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Design: The overall look and build quality meet gamer expectations. Bonus points for configurable RGB lighting.
Using these criteria, I hand-picked desktops and one laptop that provide the best bang for your buck while meeting the needs of most gamers.
The 7 Best Gaming PCs Under $1,500
1. Best Overall: Skytech Chronos
The Skytech Chronos gaming desktop is the best option under $1,500 thanks to its balance of strong performance and attractive, customizable RGB design.
Inside you get an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processor with 8 quick cores along with an NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti graphics card. This GPU is only slightly behind the mighty 3080 in benchmarks. Together they allow you to game in 1440p at high frame rates.
Storage comes from a speedy 1TB NVMe SSD so you can quickly boot Windows 11 and load games. The 16GB of DDR4-3200 RAM gives you room to multitask and play games simultaneously.
The tempered glass case shows off the RGB fans which you can control through software. There are plenty of extra bays and ports for adding more drives and peripherals down the road.
For just under $1,500, the Chronos brings together fast specs and sharp gamer aesthetics. The AMD/NVIDIA pairing provides FPS muscle for years while leaving room in the budget for accessories.
Key Specs:
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB NVMe SSD
Pros
- Great 1440p gaming performance
- Customizable RGB lighting
- Lots of room for future upgrades
Cons
- Case cable management could be better
- Skytech is a lesser known brand
2. Best Prebuilt Under $1,000: HP Omen 25L
The HP Omen 25L gaming desktop delivers exceptionally strong 1080p performance while costing under $1,000. This leaves budget for accessories and future upgrades.
Inside you get a speedy hexa-core Intel Core i5-12400F CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics. Together they handle the latest games at over 60 FPS when gaming in full HD.
The clean white chassis shows off the configurable front RGB light bar. HP also includes their Omen Lighting Control software so you can make custom lighting profiles.
With a low starting price but potent specs, the Omen 25L is the best value gaming PC under $1,500. You can use leftover budget to buy monitors, headsets, and other vital peripherals.
Key Specs
- Intel Core i5-12400F
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB SSD
Pros
- Great 1080p gaming value
- Integrated and customizable RGB lighting
- Leaves budget for accessories
Cons
- Only 8GB RAM
- 512GB SSD may require upgrade for some
3. Best Small Form Factor: Corsair One a200
The uniquely designed Corsair One a200 packs desktop-class parts into an ultra compact 12-liter case. This capable yet tiny gaming PC is perfect for small desks and spaces.
An Intel Core i7-11700 processor and NVIDIA RTX 3070 graphics card provide high frame rates, while 32GB of RAM lets you game and create content simultaneously. There’s also a speedy 1TB NVMe SSD for quick access to games.
The anodized aluminum chassis looks like a small workstation yet houses premium gaming hardware inside. An integrated liquid cooler keeps temperatures low and noise to a minimum.
If you want no-compromise gaming power in a stunningly small size, the Corsair One a200 is easily the top choice under $1,500.
Key Specs:
- Intel Core i7-11700
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- 32GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB NVMe SSD
Pros
- Extremely compact 12-liter case
- Powerful specs for the size
- Quiet integrated liquid cooling
Cons
- Limited future expandability
- High price for specs
4. Best AMD Laptop: ASUS ROG Strix G15
The ASUS ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition gaming laptop provides superb 1080p gaming powered by AMD’s newest mobile processors and graphics.
You get AMD‘s excellent Ryzen 9 5980HX CPU with 8 fast Zen 3 cores along with a Radeon RX 6800M GPU. This hardware allows you to game on the go while rivaling many desktop setups.
The vivid 15.6-inch 165Hz IPS display combined with the RGB keyboard make for an immersive experience. There’s also a healthy 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.
For those wanting a powerful AMD-based gaming laptop under $1,500, the ASUS ROG Strix G15 is the clear choice.
Key Specs
- AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX
- AMD Radeon RX 6800M
- 15.6” 165Hz QHD Display
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB PCIe SSD
Pros
- Great 1080p gaming performance
- High refresh rate QHD screen
- Quality construction and design
Cons
- Battery life only around 4 hours
- Runs warmer than some competitors
5. Best Value Prebuilt: Skytech Blaze 3.0
If you want a affordable prebuilt gaming PC from a boutique builder, the Skytech Blaze 3.0 is the best value option under $1,500.
It comes well-configured with a 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 5600G APU, RX 6600 XT graphics card, 16GB of fast DDR4 RAM, and a 500GB NVMe SSD. This hardware combination delivers smooth 60+ FPS gameplay in 1080p.
While most boutique PC companies only offer black cases, Skytech uses a unique dark blue color scheme for the Blaze 3.0 model. You can also select an optional tempered glass side panel.
Given the potent AMD desktop specs and reasonable price point, the Skytech Blaze 3.0 gives you the most gaming performance per dollar.
Key Specs
- AMD Ryzen 5600G
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 500GB NVMe SSD
Pros
- Great 1080p gaming for the price
- Unique blue color scheme
- Boutique builder quality
Cons
- Limited future upgradability
- Skytech still relatively unknown
6. Best Micro ATX: ABS Master Gaming PC
The ABS Master Gaming PC squeezes NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti graphics and Intel‘s 12th Gen CPUs into a space-saving micro ATX case.
Inside you get Intel‘s Core i5-12400F processor with 6 efficient performance cores along with an RTX 3060 Ti. This compact hardware has no issues pushing 60+ FPS in the latest games at 1080p max settings.
There‘s 16GB of DDR4 RAM for smooth multitasking and a speedy 512GB NVMe SSD. The Master also comes with Windows 11 pre-installed.
If you want a compact yet mighty gaming PC, the Master Gaming PC from ABS is the best micro ATX choice under $1,500.
Key Specs:
- Intel Core i5-12400F
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB NVMe SSD
Pros
- RTX 3060 Ti graphics in mATX form
- Capable 1080p gaming performance
- Quality case and motherboard
Cons
- Limited future expandability
- ABS a lesser known brand
7. Best Entry-Level: CLX Set Gaming Desktop
The CLX Set gaming desktop delivers good 1080p gaming performance while costing just over $1,000. This leaves budget for accessories and future upgrades.
Inside you get AMD‘s 6-core Ryzen 5 5600G APU and Radeon RX 6600 graphics. There‘s also 16GB of RAM and a speedy 512GB NVMe SSD. Together these parts allow you to game smoothly even in demanding titles.
The subtle case design with dark tempered glass front panel will look great on any desk. CLX also includes their proprietary Control Center Software for controlling case lighting and system monitoring.
For an affordable prebuilt under $1,500 that doesn‘t sacrifice performance or quality, the CLX Set gaming desktop is a fantastic choice.
Key Specs:
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 8GB
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB NVMe SSD
Pros
- Strong 1080p gaming performance
- Quality case with tempered glass
- Leaves budget for accessories
Cons
- Lesser known boutique brand
- Expandability somewhat limited
What to Look for in a Gaming PC Under $1,500
Processor (CPU)
For the best gaming performance under $1,500, you‘ll want at least a 6-core processor like Intel‘s Core i5-12600K or AMD‘s Ryzen 5 5600X. These deliver smooth 60+ FPS gameplay.
You can also find even faster 8-core chips like the Ryzen 7 5800X or Core i7-11700K which help push higher refresh rates if paired with an equally capable GPU.
When comparing CPU specs, look at number of cores, power draw, and max boost clocks. Just don’t sacrifice too much GPU power in favor of a pricier CPU since graphics matter more for gaming.
Graphics Card (GPU)
The graphics card plays the biggest role in gaming performance, so it helps to understand how different models compare.
In general under $1,500 you‘ll see RTX 3060, RTX 3060 Ti, RX 6600 XT or RTX 3070 graphics in prebuilt PCs. These deliver smooth 60 FPS gaming at 1080p maximum settings.
The RTX 3070, RTX 3070 Ti, and RX 6700 XT can push higher frame rates at 1440p resolution. So if you have a high refresh rate 1440p monitor, aim for one of those.
Pay attention to VRAM too. You’ll want at least 8GB to handle recent game textures and effects smoothly.
RAM
When it comes to RAM, 16GB is the ideal capacity for gaming in 2023 while staying under budget. This lets you have multiple programs and browser tabs open while playing games.
Speeds of DDR4-3200 or higher allow for responsive system performance too. Just don’t compromise on capacity for quicker frequencies since capacity matters more.
Storage
For your primary drive, you‘ll want a fast NVMe solid state drive (SSD) with at least 512GB capacity. This allows short game loading times and quick Windows performance.
Some PCs also add a secondary high capacity traditional hard drive for extra game storage. While not as fast, it does give you more space for a game library at a low cost.
So aim for a 512GB SSD minimum, with potential to add more storage later.
Cooling & Power Supply
Make sure any prebuilt gaming desktop you choose comes with a reputable power supply (650W+) from brands like EVGA, Corsair or Seasonic. These ensure stable clean power.
You’ll also want effective cooling whether it’s air cooling or all-in-one liquid cooling. This keeps your CPU and GPU operating properly under load.
Well designed cases that promote healthy airflow are critical too. You can always add more fans down the road if needed.
Do You Need to Spend the Full $1,500?
The quick answer is no—you can build a very capable 1080p gaming PC for under $1,000 in 2023.
Spending up to $1,500 gets you modern CPUs and GPUs optimized for 1440p gaming, but isn’t mandatory if gaming at 1080p.
Here’s a quick rundown of gaming PC tiers to help decide where to set your budget:
- Entry-level: $700 – $900
- 1080p gaming
- Mid-range: $1,000 – $1,500
- 1080p or 1440p gaming
- High-end: $1,500 – $2,000
- 1440p gaming at high FPS
So decide based on your target resolution and FPS. Going above $1,500 primarily brings higher resolutions, refresh rates, better graphics settings—not necessarily more enjoyable games.
Build Your Own or Buy Prebuilt?
The final decision is whether to build your own desktop or buy a prebuilt gaming PC instead. Here are quick pros and cons of each route:
Building your own:
- Pros
- Better price-to-performance ratio
- Select every single part
- Great learning experience
- Cons
- Time investment for assembly
- No tech support or warranty
Buying prebuilt:
- Pros
- Warranty and tech support included
- No research or assembly required
- Component compatibility ensured
- Cons
- Usually some price premium
- Less customization flexibility
- Varying build quality
If you‘ve built PCs before and like picking parts, I‘d suggest going DIY. But quality prebuilts guarantee compatibility and support if you want simplicity. Either way you choose, use this guide‘s recommendations above.
Bottom Line
Investing $1,000 to $1,500 gets you a future-proof gaming PC able to run any new release smoothly. I recommend the Skytech Chronos as the best overall choice under $1,500.
But also compare models like the HP Omen 25L for value or Corsair One a200 if you prefer small PCs. Use this guide to match specs and features with your needs.
Let me know if you have any other questions about finding the ideal gaming desktop or laptop at this mid-range price point!
