Introduction
4K is considered the best possible resolution for gaming, given the crisp image and great levels of detail it provides. However, due to the increased detail, it’s also much more difficult to run at a smooth framerate compared to 1080p or 1440p. As such, a powerful, high-end PC is necessary to experience gaming at this resolution with any amount of stability. More specifically, a system with a powerful graphics card is essential, given how this resolution is almost entirely GPU bound.
Given the very high costs of powerful graphics cards currently on offer, consumers want to ensure that they can get the best value for money. This is why we’ve put together this roundup of the best appealing prebuilt systems that are more than capable of 4K gaming, so that consumers can experience the rich detail of this technology without sacrificing smooth framerates. We cover builds at a variety of prices, ensuring that consumers can find a system that fits their needs perfectly, whilst also covering what potential compromises will be made when purchasing a lower-end system for 4K gaming.
1. ADMI AWD-134F-47-100RV
CPU: Intel Core i5 13400F
PC/HH Says: A good mid-range CPU offering more than enough performance for 4K.
Memory: 32GB
PC/HH Says: 32GB provides great performance now and in the future, and is great to see in more budget systems.
GPU: RTX 4070
PC/HH Verdict: A highly capable GPU that is the bare minimum for a smooth 4K experience.
For consumers in need of a more budget system still capable of gaming at 4K, the ADMI AWD 100RV offers exactly that. This system pairs lower-end parts together to create a more accessible system that still holds its own in this demanding resolution. Whilst it does feature a lower-end CPU, and a more mid-range GPU, this prebuilt is still highly capable for the price. To decrease the costs further, ADMI have made some components compromises, such as the storage capacity, or PSU wattage.
The included RTX 4070 is by far the slowest GPU in this whole roundup, which does make sense given the system’s lower overall price. This graphics card from NVIDIA will still provide great performance, even at 4K, but will be limited in certain titles. Whilst this system does use slower DDR4 memory, it’s still great to see 32GB as a standard. The CPU, despite being a Core i5, does still offer more than enough performance for a more GPU-bound resolution such as 4K.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️Affordable | ❌Lower-end CPU |
✔️32GB of RAM | ❌Slowest GPU in this roundup |
✔️Highly breathable case | ❌DDR4 memory |
PC/HH Rating: 7/10
2. Corsair Vengeance A7300
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
PC/HH Says: A fantastic mid-range CPU, it offers more than enough performance for 4K gaming which is less reliant on the processor.
Memory: 32GB
PC/HH Says: 32GB of RAM provides versatility and great performance going into the future, and is essential in a PC at this price.
GPU: RTX 4070 Ti
PC/HH Verdict: A powerful current-gen graphics card capable of a smooth 4K gaming experience in most games, it will only struggle in the most demanding titles.
As can be expected from a Corsair prebuilt PC, the Vengeance A7300 offers a very strong aesthetic. Be it, in the high-quality Corsair parts used, to fantastic cooling, alongside the overall attention to detail, this is a near compromise-free PC. Naturally, all of this does come at a very high price, and whilst it does feature pricing that rivals the most high-end systems in this roundup, performance-wise this PC is relatively tame. Whilst the included RTX 4070 Ti is still a very powerful graphics card for 4K gaming, it will begin to struggle in the most demanding games currently on the market at the highest settings.
Overall, this system isn’t perhaps the best value for the performance it provides, the ease of mind and the overall great usability of the A7300 might still make it worth it for many consumers. The amount of quality-of-life improvements present in this PC do provide value of their own. Be it the great AIO cooler, a fantastic selection of front IO ports, or even the fully modular PSU, these changes make the system great to use, both now and in the future.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️Stunning aesthetic | ❌Expensive for the performance |
✔️Uses fast DDR5 memory | ❌Only 1TB of storage |
✔️High build quality | ❌Step-down GPU |
PC/HH Rating: 8/10
3. Cyberpower PC Gamer Supreme
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
PC/HH Says: A powerful CPU for gaming and productivity, it provides more than enough performance for a 4K gaming PC.
Memory: 16GB
PC/HH Says: 16GB is the bare minimum in 2023, and is very rarely seen in such expensive builds, in favour of 32GB instead.
GPU: RX 7900 XTX
PC/HH Verdict: The fastest GPU currently offered by AMD, this powerful card provides a smooth experience under almost all conditions.
Combining both a fast CPU and GPU, the CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme is a highly capable system. However, its relatively high price versus the specs does make it a worse deal for consumers looking for the best performance money can buy. This isn’t to say that the system will not perform well, seeing how it does feature a 7900 XTX GPU, one of the fast consumer graphics cards currently on the market.
One large difference between the Gamer Supreme and other high-end prebuilts, is the fact that it only has 16GB of RAM, which for the price is certainly a downgrade. Whilst 32GB is by no means a requirement for gaming, it has certainly become the norm for many PCs at this price, further adding to their versatility. What’s more, while the system does use DDR5 memory, it uses relatively slow modules, compared to other systems which now utilise this new standard.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️Very fast GPU | ❌Only 16GB of RAM |
✔️Fast CPU | ❌Relatively basic motherboard |
✔️Large 2TB SSD | ❌Very expensive |
PC/HH Rating: 6/10
4. Yeyian Gaming Desktop
CPU: Intel Core i7 13700KF
PC/HH Says: the 13700KF is a modern 13th-Gen Intel CPU, geared towards 4K gaming.
Memory: 32GB
PC/HH Says: 32GB is more than enough RAM, ideal for those that plan on playing the newest triple A titles.
GPU: RTX 4080
PC/HH Verdict: A powerful high-end card offering a smooth experience in even the most demanding games.
For a highly capable 4K PC that doesn’t cost as much as the most high-end units, the Yeyian Gaming Desktop offers a good compromise in terms of its price and performance. Whilst still featuring an awesome GPU, the RTX 4080, the systems lower price does make it a more accessible route into 4K gaming. Most other areas of the system do manage to keep up with the competition, be it the large 2TB NVMe SSD, the great airflow of the case, and 32GB of DDR5 memory.
Whilst it does use a Core i7 CPU, rather than a Core i9 to better rival the other high-end CPUs present in this roundup, this isn’t necessarily a large drawback, given how the CPU does matter less when gaming at 4K. The larger issue is the older, and more budget, Z690 motherboard the CPU rests in, providing somewhat limiting IO and expansion options for the price of the overall system. Despite this, it’s still a fantastic and well-rounded system offering an unmatched experience at 4K for the price.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️Fast graphics card | ❌Expensive |
✔️Large 2TB SSD | ❌Very simple motherboard |
✔️Good airflow | ❌Very plain aesthetic |
PC/HH Rating: 8/10
5. iBuyPower Creator LCMRG211
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
PC/HH Says: One of the fastest CPUs on the market, it’s not only perfect for gaming but also productivity tasks as well!
Memory: 32GB
PC/HH Says: 32GB of RAM is more than enough for most users in 2023, making the PC great for gaming and other tasks as well.
GPU: RTX 4090
PC/HH Verdict: The fastest consumer GPU currently available, the RTX 4090 provides the best performance of any gaming GPU on the market right now.
For consumers demanding the best possible performance that can be had from a gaming PC in 2023, the iBuyPower Creator LCMRG211 offers exactly that. Bundling the fastest gaming graphics card currently available, and the second fastest CPU, iBuyPower have put together a near compromise-free system. Despite this, there are still certainly some caveats, be it with the rather plain aesthetic, the simple motherboard or the very budget included peripherals. That is all on top of the very large price tag already present with this system.
The amazing performance however, will be worth it for many, as the RTX 4090 and Ryzen 7950X provide an unparalleled gaming experience at 4K. iBuyPower have tried to maximise their spending with certain components too, including the lighting-fast 32GB kit of DDR5 memory, or the large and fast 2TB NVMe SSD. As such, this PC is ideal for any consumers looking for the best possible experience, in even in the most graphically intensive games, with the PC also being very versatile for other intensive tasks as well.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️Fastest GPU on the market | ❌Very expensive |
✔️Very fast CPU | ❌Plain-looking aesthetic |
✔️Very powerful cooling | ❌Very basic included peripherals |
PC/HH Rating: 8/10
Conclusion
Gaming at 4K is a highly rewarding experience unmatched by almost anything else in PC gaming right now. Whilst this high resolution does come at a price, it can be certainly worth it for any gamers wishing to experience their favourite titles at best visual quality. In this article, we have also shown that gaming at 4K is possible with lower-end systems as well.
For gamers who do wish to experience 4K gaming with almost no compromises, these high-end systems are also available, offering some of the best performance possible from a gaming PC in 2023. There is a large spectrum of performance in 4K gaming, and in this roundup we’ve shown what consumers can expect, both in terms of performance and the overall quality of varying prebuilt systems, at various price-points, offering a great guideline for experiencing gaming at its best.
Frequently Asked Questions
What performance can I expect at 4K?
As 4K gaming is by far one of the most demanding resolutions currently available, performance will be heavily limited in most games, especially if you’re not using the most high-end GPUs currently available. Whilst simpler esports titles can still be enjoyed at framerates of 100+, even at 4K, more demanding titles could see the framerate being closer to 60 or less.
What can I do to increase my performance at 4K?
Upscaling technologies such as DLSS, FSR, or XeSS, are a fantastic way of making games more playable at 4K, with minimum impact on visual quality. Whilst FSR and XeSS are available on almost all GPUs, DLSS is exclusive to NVIDIA hardware, however provides the largest increases in performance.
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