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The best gaming PC is all about picking the system that matches both your needs and your budget. It's entirely possible to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a system if you want to, there's almost no upper limit. But spending your money wisely is a tougher job if you're working to a budget, as most of us are.

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I've tested hundreds of gaming PCs in my two decades as a tech journalist, and I know what's worth spending the money on and also where you can make a compromise. That's most important at the budget end of the market, but it can be important at the top end, too. Even in a $3,000 PC you want to know your money's being spent wisely.

In this article I cover the specs you should expect at any given price point, and also given my experience testing PCs built by many different companies over the years, which gaming PCs are the best for your budget. It's impossible to test every single configuration in the rich tapestry of gaming PCs, but we've had experience of all the main system builders' work, and have extensively tested the core parts in each. We know what graphics card works best at each price point, and what processor you'll need to make the most of it.

So whether you've got a tight $1,000 budget, or are willing to spend up to $5,000 on your dream machine, we've got the best gaming PC for you