When it is time for a new rig, the debate inevitably surfaces about whether it’s wiser to assemble a system from custom parts or purchase thebest-prebuilt gaming PC. While buyers can often save money by carefully selecting their components, it’s still a fairly time-consuming process. Fortunately, companies like Alienware, Skytech, and CyberpowerPC are amongst some of those that can offer prebuilt PCs that not only look unique but alsohouse cutting-edge components like NVIDIA’s RTX 4090 GPUswhile taking away some of the guesswork for users wanting a turnkey solution in 2024.
Purchasing a gaming PC with powerful CPUs such as the Intel Core i7 14700K/ Core i9 14900K or AMD’s highest-end Ryzen 7 7800X3D/Ryzen 9 7950X3D along with the best GPUs requires both, time and money to ensure one gets the best value for their money. With thousands of dollars on the line, it’s vital to know exactly what components are in these prebuilt PCs and if their value justifies the asking price.
The underlying component choices including the motherboard, memory, and case can make a difference between a sound investment and one that can be a source of multiple issues in the future. This means that taking a deeper look at the components of prebuilt gaming PCs, especially when leveraging high-end components such as the RTX 4090, is crucial to get a stable, value-centric, and powerful alternative to building one’s own.
Skytech Eclipse Gaming PC
Well-Balanced Power On Tap
The Skytech Eclipse Gaming PC offers a heavy-duty Intel Core i7 14700K CPU paired with an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU along with 64GB of DDR5 RAM and 2TB of NVMe storage in tow.It also throws a free RGB keyboard and mouse combo into the mix while offering some of the best gaming performance one can buy with the penultimate Intel 14th generation CPU in tow.
The Skytech Eclipse Gaming PC is possibly one of the most balanced gaming PCs currently available to end users. It leverages its new 14th generation Intel Core i7 14700K’s 20 cores to deliver excellent gaming performance and productivity potential in a neat package. It throws in 64GB of fast DDR5 RAM, a single 2TB NVMe SSD, and an up-to-date 1000W or higher ATX 3.0 PSU to keep the RTX 4090 humming without issues.
The Best Buy-centric offering of the Skytech Eclipse Gaming PC comes at the same price as Amazon’s offering above but has 32GB of DDR5 RAM on offer instead of 64GB while using a Core i9 13900K CPU instead of the 14700K above.
The accompanying 420MM liquid cooler might be seen by many as overkill for other CPUs, but both Intel’s 14700K and the flagship 14900K require some of the best cooling in the business to ensure high, sustained boost clocks across the board. This coupled with an excellent case, a mid-range motherboard, and a free keyboard and mouse combo square off what is an excellent offering for a prebuilt RTX 4090 PC even as the GPU alone pushes above $1800 for most SKUs at multiple retailers with ease.
The Skytech Eclipse Gaming Prism PC is priced at an arguably justifiable $3500 on Amazon simply because of what its internals clock in at individually. When one considers the cost of the components in play separately, the sum of all the parts gets considerably close to Skytech’s ask. Users also benefit from a professionally assembled PC versus having to go it on their own, an enterprise that is not suited to all users. For gamers who can justify the additional 4 cores and the higher 6 GHz clock speeds that also allow them access to Intel’s AI version of the XTU toolkit, theSkytech Eclipse Gaming Prism also comes in a 14900K flavorif they are willing to spend the additional $400 that is tacked onto the price tag.
Note:Users report Skytech using mid-range RTX 4090 SKUs for their GPU options, but experiences may vary based on the availability of certain RTX 4090 SKUs. This could mean visual and/or minor performance differences between models purchased from the same vendor over time.
CORSAIR VENGEANCE i8200 Gaming PC
A Different Aesthetic Ballgame
The CORSAIR VENGEANCE i8200 Gaming PC is the PC peripherals manufacturer’s take on what an extremely high-end gaming PC would look like with an RTX 4090 and a 14th generation Intel Core i9 14900KF CPU.With some of the best cooling on offer and high-end RAM, storage, and power supply choices in tow, the CORSAIR VENGEANCE i8200 Gaming PC is an institution unto itself for gamers looking for simply the best prebuilt gaming PC money can buy in 2024.
While there are cheaper options that offer similar performance, the CORSAIR VENGEANCE i8200 Gaming PC pulls out all the stops in a bid to offer a higher-end RTX 4090-centric experience to gamers, using its expertise in the industry and leveraging its brand value with a 2-year warranty in tow for gamers looking for a better experience, albeit at a large premium even in 2024.
This is made possible largely thanks to the extensive use of Corsair’s highest-end performance gaming PC parts which include seven of its high-end LL RGB fans in addition to one of its best CPU coolers to avoid throttling the powerful Intel Core i9 14900K, which delivers both a polished and performance-centric approach to what is arguably one of the highest-end gaming PCs money can buy off a shelf at the moment.
With a 1000W Corsair PSU, 64GB of premium DDR5 RAM (32G x 2, 6600 MHz) and 4TB of M2 SSD storage (2 x 2TB), the CORSAIR VENGEANCE i8200 Gaming PC might be more than the sum of its parts, but the parts are also earning their keep albeit at a premium of nearly $1000 over its nearest competitor that offers an RTX 4090 with similar hardware in play.
Corsair’s significantly higher ask of $4500 does tend to somewhat price it out of the market versus most of the RTX 4090-based models it competes with, especially since it uses parts readily available to users via retailers such as Amazon and Newegg. This means that determined PC builders will be able to build an equivalent PC for less money. Its selling points are the after-sales service, peace of mind, and having a turnkey solution. Whether that is worth the premium that Corsair wants for its products is another story altogether and the jury might still be out on that part.
Amazon’s listing of the CORSAIR VENGEANCE i8200 Gaming PC comes with 2TB of SSD storage versus Best Buy’s 4TB configuration. Given the similarity in prices, purchasing a unit at Best Buy might be ideal for users given the free additional storage on offer.
Thermaltake Apollo i4790 Gaming Desktop
A Premium Thermaltake Offering
The Thermaltake Apollo i4790 Gaming Desktop is a different breed of gaming PC as it combines the power of Intel’s best 13th generation CPU, the Core i9 13900K with Nvidia’s current flagship RTX 4090 with a complete makeover in its own image.With a reputation for some of the best cable management in the business coupled with plenty of storage and RAM for gamers and an all-white design for those who are particular about their theme choices, the Apollo has something for everyone looking for a high-end gaming PC in 2024.
The Thermaltake Apollo i4790 Gaming Desktop is a great gaming PC that can double as an excellent productivity gaming PC even as it trades at a small discount for the sum of all its components in 2024 compared to many DIY options. It uses last year’s Intel Core i9 13900K CPU that still packs a punch and goes above and beyond on the branding end, with Thermaltake’s footprint across the board, in a good way.
The PC uses a Thermaltake PSU, Case, Case Fans, Liquid cooler, and RAMs, making the build hosted in a Ceres 500 chassis a treat to look at while also maintaining an advantage beyond aesthetics over most of its custom-prebuilt PC counterparts thanks to Thermaltake’s penchant for having some of the best cable management in the business for a well-established PC brand. While users can upgrade to a slightly faster 14th-generation CPU, with more storage and memory, the Thermaltake Apollo i4790 Gaming Desktop offers a more-than-adequate offering to gamers looking to game without bottlenecking the RTX 4090 in any meaningful way on most titles in 2024 and beyond.
While some users might not be thrilled about using a 13900K CPU in 2024 given the higher clocks on offer on the 14900K/KF and its added APO scheduler tweaks and AI tuning in play, the Thermaltake Apollo i4790 Gaming Desktop offers a great high-end desktop at a price tag that marks where most entry-level RTX 4090-based PCs start at without making any meaningful compromises.
Skytech Gaming Azure PC
Built To Game
The Skytech Gaming Azure PC Desktop combines the fastest gaming CPU money can buy (AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D) with the fastest GPU on the block, the Nvidia RTX 4090.Built for speed while catering exclusively to gamers in particular, the Azure offers a decent overall configuration including a 360MM liquid cooler, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1TB of fast PCI-E 4.0 NVMe storage in a package that gets the job done and then some for gamers in 2024 and beyond.
For users planning to get the RTX 4090 in a prebuilt configuration primarily for gaming, the Skytech Gaming Azure PC is a cut above the competition even as it clocks below most of its peers. It does so by leveraging the cost-effective AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D versus its more expensive Ryzen 9 and Core i9 counterparts.
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D however is no slouch when it comes to gaming and it is considered undisputedly the fastest gaming CPU currently on offer. Adding in a mid-range motherboard and an entry-level 360MM cooler given the relatively lower demand in terms of power and cooling it exhibits also helps with keeping the price down.
The Skytech Gaming Azure PC does hold its ground where it matters however. It pairs a 1000W Gold-rated PSU and 32GB of DDR5 RAM to keep things humming for gamers. It also comes with more dedicated information about the internals of the PC than most other system builders do, allowing users to make a more informed choice.
At the same time, while Skytech does offer a dedicated consumer hotline for support with their prebuilts, many do have issues with the wait times and the relatively slower email-based communications they receive. What Skytech could do better is at least offer 2TB of NVMe storage at the price point it does offer the Azure ($3,000+ at the time of writing) as opposed to the 1TB it ships with currently.
Users needing to both, game and use the PC for productivitymight be better off going for a Ryzen 9 7900X3Dwhich is on sale in a similar configuration at Newegg currently.
Velztorm Praetix Gaming Desktop PC
A Well-Packaged, Well-Stock Player
The Velztorm Praetix Gaming Desktop PC offers a full set of performance-centric hardware bundled in an attractive case. It offers a mix of SSD and HDD storage for users needing a more cost-effective solution as it adds a 360MM radiator to keep its Intel Core i9 14900K CPU cool.With an RTX 4090 in tow and a 1000W PSU to power it, the Praetix is a high-end gaming PC that handles the needs of the most demanding consumers in 2024 with ease.
For users needing a powerful Intel-based CPU paired to the RTX 4090, the Velztorm Praetix Gaming Desktop PC delivers Intel’s finest CPU to date, the Core i9 14900K, along with plenty of hardware upgrades under the hood. It throws in an SSD+HDD storage combination that totals 3 terabytes, while doubling the RAM on offer to 64GB of DDR5, making for an impressive, but overkill configuration for most users.
It uses a 1000W PSU to power the demanding RTX 4090 and the Intel CPU that it houses while using a 360MM radiator to keep things cool even during periods of high CPU usage. On the packaging front, most users report that it comes considerably well-packed compared to the competition and also has excellent on-call customer support for users who need an additional hand while setting up what could be their first gaming or productivity PC in a while.
It does, however, come at a premium that not all users would be willing to pay given its higher-end storage and memory choices, but it more than makes up for it for users needing a future-proof RTX 4090-based PC that comes with the best Intel can offer in 2024.
Yeyian Odachi Gaming PC
Powerful, Efficient All-Rounder
The Yeyian Odachi gaming PC is based on the industry-leading Ryzen 9 7950X3D chip. The only graphics card worthy of this CPU is the Geforce RTX 4090, and it’s found in this build along with 32 GB of blazing-fast DDR5 memory. Gamers are well-prepared to install their entire library of titles with a 2TB NVMe and a 2 TB 3.5" hard drive. The Yeyian Odachi also ships with a 360mm AIO premium liquid cooler for exceptionally cool and quiet operation.
In recent months, a new premium CPU arrived with a focus on producing the highest framerates yet. TheAMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor features 16 cores and a 3D V-Cachewhich adds layers of cache to the chip enabling it to handle more instructions simultaneously. This AMD CPU is more expensive than the Intel i9-13900k but manages to pump out better frame rates, especially in games that fully take advantage of the 3D V-Cache technology. Combined with an RTX 4090, one would think a prebuilt PC would cost more than a comparable Intel build.
However, the Yeyian Odachi offers both these advanced components, without costing significantly more. Yeyian isn’t as well known as some other prebuilt gaming PC manufacturers, but over the past 6 years, it has developed a reputation for assembling systems with top-tier hardware for reasonable or even discounted asking prices at times versus the sum of all their parts.
The company also boasts a Shield Silver Warranty which promises lifetime technical support plus a 2-year guarantee on parts.
The all-black appearance of the Odachi is not unique but has a clean and sophisticated look. A clear side panel showcases a generous 7 RGB fans plus a 360mm liquid cooling system. Since DDR5 memory is a requirement for the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and the x670 motherboard, 32 GB of compatible RAM is ready to go for buyers. The 1000-watt 80+ Platinum power supply isn’t as beefy as some other gaming PCs in this price range, but theRyzen 9 7950X3D has less demanding power requirementsthan its Intel rival. This more efficient gaming CPU also contributes to keeping the Odachi chassis cool, although some users report excessive noise levels.
The NVIDIA RTX 4090 is undoubtedly responsible for some of this noise, but the 7 preinstalled case fans also are potential culprits. All in all, there is very little to complain about with the Yeyian Odachi Gaming PC. Buyers will find it challenging to assemble a build on their own with these parts for much cheaper and won’t benefit from the excellent Yeyian technical support and warranty coverage. The Odachi is one of the best prebuilt AMD-based gaming PCs using the top-tier RTX 4090 graphics card squared with a powerful, but efficient AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D CPU at its core.
Reasons To Consider Picking A High-End Prebuilt Gaming PC In 2024:
Prebuilt systems do have various advantages that should also be considered when debating the merits of going for a prebuilt PC or building one:
How To Choose A Prebuilt RTX 4090 Gaming PC In 2024?
An RTX 4090-based prebuilt PC will already be in the uppermost echelons of gaming PCs given that it houses a GPU that costs anywhere from $1600 to over $2000 with ease. With that being said, one can verify their purchase tides them further than most of their peers by considering the following factors when buying a high-end prebuilt gaming PC that sports Nvidia’s finest to date:
Upgradeability: Most prebuilt PCs tend to skimp on some of the more crucial parts of a system to meet price targets as well as cut costs to make them more profitable to their manufacturers. This can sadly affect the upgrade potential of a gaming PC if something like a power supply is picked that is “just” enough for example while not having any headroom for upgrades. Another notable area where this might happen is the motherboard where few if any prebuilt PCs will have anything but the most basic motherboards in play.
While RTX 4090 builds do see builders opt for more mid-range motherboard options, this issue can still be a factor for users needing anything from extra USB ports or headers on the motherboard to space for an additional hard drive or SSD. This means looking up reviews or guides that cover that aspect of the high-end gaming PC one is looking to buy even as manufacturers provide increasingly obscure information on this front.
Memory & Storage: While memory and storage are not a concern for most users buying a high-end RTX 4090-based PC, user needs can vary and some offerings are more equal than others in this regard. Ideally, an RTX 4090 PC is accompanied by fast, low-latency DDR5 memory and at least a respectable PCI-E 4.0 SSD, but configurations do vary making some research on this front necessary.
At the same time, user requirements can vary with some requiring considerably larger amounts of storage or memory for their current use cases or future upgrade needs making some models better than others.
CPU Offerings: While most RTX 4090-based PCs tend to be coupled with gaming CPUs, such as Intel’s Core i7 13700K or the Core i9 13900K or AMD’s 7000 series X3D CPUs, some of these such as the Ryzen 7 7800X3D are more custom-built for gaming than others, offering better, more efficient gaming performance than their peers.
On the flip side, some power users who also game might want a higher core count and lean for something like the 16-core Ryzen 9 7950X3D or the Core i9 14900K/KF CPUs instead. This makes taking a second look at the offered CPU as part of the build a key differentiator between PCs designed explicitly for gaming and productivity.
FAQ
Q: Is the RTX 4090 overpriced?
While the prices of RTX 4090 pre-built can seem high, they seem somewhat fair when one considers that it is both a flagship GPU and one that has no equal competitor in terms of raw performance, matching the RTX 3090’s MSRP from the last generation.
Q: Is RTX 4090 better than 3090?
The RTX 4090 outperforms the RTX 3090 considerably in every benchmark in 2023, offering a considerable upgrade to users in the process of gaming or other use cases.
Q: Is The RTX 4090 The Fastest GPU Currently?
Yes, based on current benchmarks, the Nvidia RTX 4090 is by far the fastest GPU currently available to retail customers, including gamers, power users and enthusiasts alike.
