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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Choose a gaming PC by first deciding which games you want to play, at what resolution, and with which graphics settings and frame-rate target. Then compare the complete system—graphics card and VRAM, processor, system RAM, and storage—with each game publisher’s current requirements. There is no single specification that guarantees the same experience across every demanding open-world game.
Start with the experience you want
Before comparing PC model names, write down the games you play and the target for each: 1080p, 1440p, or 2160p (4K); a graphics preset; a desired frame rate; and whether ray tracing matters to you. A PC that meets a game’s low-preset, 1080p target is not automatically suited to 4K, higher settings, or ray tracing.
- Check the latest requirements for each game. Requirements can change with updates. Note the game version or update covered by the publisher’s table.
- Set your display target. Match the resolution you will actually use, not just the resolution named on a component listing.
- Choose your performance and visual priorities. Decide whether you value a higher frame rate, higher visual settings, ray tracing, or a balance.
- Compare every major component. Check the exact CPU and GPU, the GPU’s VRAM, installed system RAM, and the storage drive—not just a broad tier label.
- Check the complete PC configuration. For a prebuilt, confirm the exact installed parts. For a laptop, account for its thermal and upgrade constraints as well as its component names.
Use game-specific requirements, not a universal spec list
Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty provide a useful example of why a target matters. CD PROJEKT RED’s current requirements apply to both titles starting with Update 2.0 and list separate configurations for standard graphics and ray tracing. The figures below are the publisher’s targets for these titles and presets, not a universal benchmark for open-world games. The publisher says expected FPS can vary with hardware and software, settings, and output resolution.
| Target (Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty, Update 2.0) | Publisher-stated target | CPU | GPU and VRAM | System RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-ray-traced minimum | Low preset, 1080p, expected 30 FPS | Core i7-6700 or Ryzen 5 1600 | GeForce GTX 1060 6GB, Radeon RX 580 8GB, or Arc A380; 6 GB VRAM | 12 GB | 70 GB SSD |
| Non-ray-traced recommended | High preset, 1080p, expected 60 FPS | Core i7-12700 or Ryzen 7 7800X3D | GeForce RTX 2060 Super, Radeon RX 5700 XT, or Arc A770; 8 GB VRAM | 16 GB | 70 GB SSD |
| Non-ray-traced ultra | Ultra preset, 2160p, expected 60 FPS | Core i9-12900 or Ryzen 9 7900X | GeForce RTX 3080 or Radeon RX 7900 XTX; 12 GB VRAM | 20 GB | 70 GB NVMe |
| Ray-tracing minimum | Low ray-tracing preset, 1080p, expected 30 FPS | Core i7-9700 or Ryzen 5 5600 | GeForce RTX 2060, Radeon RX 6800 XT, or Arc A750; 8 GB VRAM | 16 GB | 70 GB SSD |
| Ray-tracing recommended | Ultra ray-tracing preset, 1080p, expected 60 FPS | Core i9-12900 or Ryzen 9 7900X | GeForce RTX 3080 Ti or Radeon RX 7900 XTX; 12 GB VRAM | 20 GB | 70 GB NVMe |
| Ray-tracing Overdrive | Overdrive preset, 2160p, expected 60 FPS; DLSS Frame Generation enabled for the publisher’s measurement | Core i9-12900 or Ryzen 9 7900X | GeForce RTX 4080; 16 GB VRAM | 24 GB | 70 GB NVMe |
These are publisher-stated configurations, not a guarantee that every PC with the listed parts will deliver the expected FPS in every situation. CD PROJEKT RED says its updated minimum targets 1080p, low preset, and an average of 30 FPS; its 2023 explanation also notes that the requirements target 1080p or 4K output for specified presets and that actual results can vary. See the current Cyberpunk 2077 system requirements and the publisher’s explanation of the PC requirements update.
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- POWERHOUSE 8-CORE GAMING PERFORMANCE — Driven by the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F with 8 cores and 16 threads, boosting up to 5.0 GHz for smooth, responsive gameplay and the ability to handle AAA titles, streaming, and background tasks all at once
- NEXT-GEN BLACKWELL ARCHITECTURE — The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge Blackwell GPU architecture, delivering a massive generational leap in rasterization and ray tracing performance so you can experience your games the way they were meant to be played.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
- Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.
What to compare in the hardware
Graphics card and VRAM
The GPU is central to graphics performance, but a GPU name alone does not tell you whether a PC fits your target. Compare the exact card and VRAM with the requirements for your resolution, preset, and ray-tracing choice. In the Cyberpunk example, the listed VRAM rises from 6 GB at the non-ray-traced minimum to 16 GB at the 2160p Overdrive target. That illustrates how requirements can shift with the target; it does not establish a universal VRAM rule for other games.
Processor
Do not treat the CPU as an afterthought or assume that a more expensive processor will compensate for a GPU that does not suit your target. CD PROJEKT RED describes Cyberpunk 2077 as both graphics- and processor-intensive, and its table changes the CPU recommendations across tiers. Compare the named CPU in the PC you are considering with the requirements of the games you intend to play.
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- Game changing graphics: Step into the future of gaming and creation with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 graphics, powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture.
- Marathon gaming unlocked: This high-performance technology ensures clean energy is consistently available, unleashing the top-level power of Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor as you game, livestream, and multi-task for hours on end.
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- Dell Services: 1 Year Onsite Service provides support when and where you need it. Dell will come to your home, office, or location of choice, if an issue covered by Limited Hardware Warranty cannot be resolved remotely.
System RAM
Check the amount of installed RAM against your games’ requirements and leave capacity for the operating system and background applications. The Cyberpunk Update 2.0 table ranges from 12 GB at its non-ray-traced minimum to 24 GB at its Overdrive target. Those figures are specific to the listed game targets, not a universal amount for all open-world games.
Storage
Check both the required drive type and available capacity. The cited Cyberpunk requirements call for an SSD and list NVMe storage for some higher tiers. CD PROJEKT RED says it discontinued HDD support in the updated requirements because SSDs offer faster loading, improved streaming, and better overall performance compared with HDDs. That explains this game’s requirement change; other games may have different storage requirements.
Rank #3
- Processor specifications: Adopting AMD Ryzen 5 5600 processor, with a basic clock speed of 3.5GHz and a turbo frequency of 4.4GHz, it can achieve fast response computing performance
- Graphics Card: Features GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card with 6GB dedicated video memory for gaming and multimedia applications
- Memory configuration: Equipped with 32GB DDR4 RAM (16GB * 2), providing sufficient memory capacity for multitasking and demanding applications
- Gaming Performance: Designed to handle modern gaming titles and graphics-intensive tasks with smooth frame rates and visual quality
- Desktop System: Complete gaming desktop computer system ready for setup and use out of the box
Resolution, preset, and ray tracing
Read the whole performance target together. “60 FPS” means little without its resolution and preset, and a standard-graphics requirement is not a ray-tracing requirement. The publisher’s Cyberpunk table separates those cases: for example, its non-ray-traced recommended target is 1080p at high settings, while its ray-tracing recommended target is 1080p at ultra ray tracing, with different listed parts.
Desktop or laptop?
A gaming desktop is a practical starting point if you want to compare exact components and retain more flexibility to upgrade. A gaming laptop can suit a portable setup, but do not assume that a laptop and desktop with similar component names will have equivalent performance or upgrade options. HP’s 2026 manufacturer guide says laptops have different thermal and upgrade limitations than desktops, and that cooling and power delivery typically are not user-upgradeable. Treat that as manufacturer guidance, not an independent desktop-versus-laptop benchmark. HP also recommends matching components to the games a buyer plays; its suggested configurations are vendor advice, not neutral minimum requirements for every game.
Rank #4
- POWERED BY RTX 5070 12GB + RYZEN 7 9700X - The GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 graphics card pairs with an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 9700X processor to drive smooth 1440p and 4K gameplay, giving this gaming PC the headroom for modern titles, streaming, and creative work.
- 32GB DDR5 6000MHz MEMORY & 1TB NVMe SSD - 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive deliver quick load times, smooth multitasking, and generous storage, keeping this prebuilt gaming desktop responsive under heavy workloads.
- BUILT-IN 11.3-INCH Smart DISPLAY - An integrated smart screen shows real-time CPU and GPU temperatures, usage, and weather while you play, adding a distinctive and functional touch to your battlestation.
- 850W 80+ GOLD POWER SUPPLY, 360MM LIQUID COOLING & WiFi 7 - An 850W 80 Plus Gold certified power supply provides stable, efficient power with headroom for future upgrades, while a 360mm AIO liquid cooler, WiFi 7, and an ARGB mid-tower case keep the Ryzen 7 CPU cool and connected in a clean build.
- READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX - Arrives fully assembled and tested with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so your prebuilt gaming computer is ready to set up in minutes. Assembled in the USA, and backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime free technical support.
Check a prebuilt PC before buying
- CPU: Verify the exact processor model, not only a label such as “gaming” or “high performance.”
- GPU and VRAM: Confirm the installed graphics card and its VRAM, then compare them with the target requirements.
- RAM: Check the installed capacity rather than assuming it from the PC’s price or product tier.
- Storage: Confirm the drive type and capacity; check the game’s stated storage requirement.
- Target match: Compare the complete configuration with the publisher’s requirements for your intended resolution, preset, and ray-tracing use.
- Upgrade plans: If you expect to upgrade, verify compatibility with the motherboard, case, power supply, cooling, and drive interface before choosing parts.
There is no tested model recommendation or current regional price comparison here. Compare the actual local price and configuration of the PCs available to you rather than buying on a generic tier name.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- CPU: AMD Ryzen7 5700X (up to 4.6GHz) 8-Core 16-Thread to easily handle multi-line tasks
- Main board: MSI B550M-A PRO motherboard provides reliable performance and stability
- GPU: Geforce RTX 5060 8GB GDDR7 Graphics Cards (Brand may vary) Support DLSS 4 multi frame generation, ray tracing, and Reflex 2 delay optimization
- RAM: 32GB DDR4 3200MHz (16GB*2) SSD: 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe
- Power supply: 650W (80plus bronze) certified for energy efficiency and stable performance
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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