This comprehensive and detailed guide will explore the top-rated and expert-recommended gaming desktops and laptops you can purchase today without exceeding a $1,500 budget.
I‘ve analyzed technical specifications, real-world gaming benchmarks, cooling performance, upgradability, warranties and other factors that matter to identify the best-value gaming computers for enthusiasts in 2023.
Whether you are looking for your first-ever gaming PC, want to upgrade from an older rig, or desire no-compromises performance for smooth 1440p or 4K gaming, this guide has a suitable option for you after hours of expert and hands-on testing.
I‘ll be referencing gaming results from reputable sources like Tom‘s Hardware and PCWorld throughout this post so you have complete confidence in my picks.
Let‘s examine what you can expect in terms of performance when spending around $1,500, and key factors to consider when choosing your next immersive gaming platform in 2023.
What to Expect from a $1,500 Gaming PC in 2023
A gaming desktop with a budget of $1,500 gives you access to very powerful components that can handle modern AAA games with smooth frame rates (FPS) at high-to-ultra settings in 1440p and comfortable FPS at 4K as well.
For example, pairing an Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU with an Nvidia RTX 3070 or Radeon RX 6800 XT graphics card allows gameplay at:
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QHD 1440p – 100+ FPS at high settings in esports/competitive titles like Valorant, Rocket League. 60-80+ FPS for single player titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla at max settings.
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4K UHD (3840 x 2160) – 60+ FPS in multiplayer games at high settings. 30-60 FPS for story driven single player titles at max settings.
Comparing desktop and mobile offerings in this budget shows that gaming laptops include mobile versions of flagship GPUs that are adequate for 1440p gaming but might struggle to deliver smooth 4K 60+ FPS without compromises. But modern laptops make up for this with excellent portability convenience.
For desktops, investing in a high airflow chassis or liquid cooling allows you to push the latest Intel 12th gen or AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs to high clocks for max FPS. Laptops run into thermal constraints more easily but offer upgrades to RAM, storage and Wi-Fi over time.
Let‘s examine the 7 best choices available now in detail!
