There are plenty of reasons to prefer a gaming PC to a console, even when talking about the PS5 or the Xbox Series X. Today, one in five PCs sold is designed for gaming, and the supply is plentiful. Choosing your PC to play video games can be a challenging adventure. We’ve put together this list to help Canadian buyers find the best PC to play their favourite games. In addition to saving time, you will make a thoughtful order that will prevent you from having to return an unsuitable product.
The Best Gaming PCs and Desktops In Canada
Looking for a gaming laptop?
Top Gaming Laptops To Game On The Go
Which PC Is Best for Gaming In 2021?
The best PC of the moment is undeniably the Alienware Aurora R11. If you are looking for a more compact yet equally powerful PC, you should choose the Corsair One a100. For value for money, you will have to select the Corsair One i164. For budgets under $1,000, the HP Omen Obelisk will be the best choice. One of our favourites is on our charts, the Alienware Aurora R10 is an excellent choice for your first PC or to replace an old one.
1. Alienware Aurora R11
Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5 10400F (6-core, 12 MB cache, 2.9 GHz to 4.3 GHz) to 10th Gen Intel Core i9 109900KF (10-core, 20 MB cache, 3.7 GHz to 5.3 GHz)
Graphic Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 4 GB GDDR5 to Dual Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 8 GB GDDr6 with Nvidia NVLink SL Enabled
RAM: 8 GB HyperX Fury DDR XMP at 2933 MHz to 64 GB Dual Channel HyperX Fury DDR4 XMP at 3200 MHz
Storage: 1 TB 7200 RPM Sata 6 GB/s to 2 TB NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD (Boot) + 2 TB 7200 RPM SATA 6 GB/s (storage)
The Alienware Aurora R11 Gaming PC (AWR11-3207) integrates an Intel Core i7-10700F processor coupled with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM (2933 MHz). Its NVIDIA RTX 2070 SUPER graphics card (8 GB of dedicated memory) is from the Turing generation. With the latter, NVIDIA is laying new foundations and setting new standards in terms of graphics performance. The brand new Turing architecture, combined with ray tracing technology, gives you ultra-natural and realistic lighting, reflections and shadows. The other prominent feature of these new RTX is 3D graphics rendering assistance via the Deep Learning Super Sample (DLSS). Nvidia trains its DLSS algorithm on an image bank; the technology is found via NVIDIA graphics drivers and is applied via the Tensor cores to the image for a more subtle anti-aliasing effect (while leaving free the CUDA core resources). This will offer you breathtaking graphic quality.
On the storage side, this PC integrates an uncompromising storage system consisting of a 512 GB SSD (M.2 PCIe), which boosts the overall responsiveness of your system and allows you to launch Windows 10 or all your software in just a few seconds. A 1TB HDD to make sure you don’t run out of space!
An innovative cooling system
A design never seen before for graphics cards in Alienware systems made possible by twin-rotor fans and a rear positive pressure limiter. The rear positive pressure limiter allows heat to escape through strategically located vents to aid airflow and thermal management. This new approach is designed for gamers.
A scalable system
As your needs may change over time, the Alienware Aurora R11 offers easy access to components. You can easily update your configuration parts: storage, memory, graphics card or processor, for example.
Full control of the PC
Thanks to its Alienware Command Center software, you will have full control of your PC. This Command Center includes features desired explicitly by gamers, such as self-tuned gaming profiles, a responsive user interface, and even intuitive overclocking options. Thanks to this feature, you will also view the thermal control of the computer, on overclocking, and on the AlienFX system. The AlienFx system allows you to change the PC (RGB) colours easily and thus record themes specific to each game.
2. Corsair One a100
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
RAM: 2x16GB DDR4-3200
Storage: 1TB FORCE MP600 M.2 NVMe SSD | 2TB 5400RPM 2.5” HDD
The Corsair One a100 is the brand’s first small-format desktop PC to feature one of the latest AMD processors. And not just any: the Ryzen 9 3950X, one of the tenors of the range. Corsair has bet on a cocktail of completely crazy components to accompany it, which explains this little monster’s oh-so (very) high price.
Processing Power
The AMD Zen 2 architecture delivers incredible single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. With the available 3950X processor, you can quickly launch your favourite games or get your most processing-intensive tasks done quickly.
Nvidia RTX Graphics Card
Enjoy incredibly lifelike images and smooth frame rates with the GeForce RTX CUDA graphics card featuring real-time ray tracing technology.
Up to 32 GB of Memory
The CORSAIR ONE features 32 GB DDR4 VENGEANCE LPX memory for an unmatched level of responsiveness that will meet the most seasoned gamers’ expectations. VENGEANCE is designed to last and perform.
Incredibly Quiet and Reliable
The 600-watt 80 PLUS®Gold certified output with precise voltage control ensures high performance in a small package. The Japanese-type capacitors certified to 105 ° C provide formidable reliability, and the Zero RPM mode keeps the noise level under control.
3. Corsair One i164
Processor: Intel Core i9-9900K
Graphic Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
RAM: 2x16GB DDR4-2666
Storage: 960GB M.2 NVMe SSD | 2TB 5400RPM 2.5” HDD
With the launch of the RTX generation of NVIDIA GPUs, Corsair has created real competition machines with its One range. While the One Pro i182 is aimed more at graphics professionals than gamers, the One i164 is the most advanced gaming configuration offered by the California manufacturer.
It is indeed difficult to make a more powerful gaming PC than this One i164! Proof of this is a combo grouping together the latest generation of graphics card and processor with a GeForce RTX 2080 Ti GPU (by far the best in terms of performance) Intel Core i9-9900K CPU, equipped with massive computing power.
Everything occurs on a Mini-ITX motherboard (Intel Z370 chipset), which also accommodates 32 GB of RAM with two 16 GB DDR4 modules clocked at 2666 MHz. Yes, the strong point of this configuration signed Corsair is indeed the proposed monstrous performance in a very compact format since this is Mini-ITX! The Corsair’s case is indeed relatively compact and has a capacity of 12 L, for a weight that barely exceeds 7 kg. Storage level, the i164 is also well-armed: with a 960 GB NVMe M.2 SSD and two 2 TB HDDs, it combines compactness and capacity.
Finally, we find in the case of this gaming computer a CPU / GPU liquid cooling to keep this beautiful machine cool. An extremely reliable 600W power supply powers the whole thing, the Corsair SF600, certified 80PLUS Gold.
4. HP Omen Obelisk
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-9700K (3.6 GHz base frequency, up to 4.9 GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology, 12 MB cache, 8 cores)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2070 Super™ (8 GB GDDR6 dedicated)
RAM: HyperX® 16 GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM (2 x 8 GB)
Storage: 1 TB 7200 rpm SATA to 1 TB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD
Obelisk by Omen is, above all, a beautiful case. A very compact model that allows the PC to fit anywhere, and it knows how to remain discreet with its matt black coating, even if the face, slightly crowded and welcoming the Omen logo, reminds us that it is a computer for gamers. But above all, the Obelisk has a transparent panel allowing you to see all the components in action, all illuminated by a few LEDs that can be configured or switched off via the Omen Command Center. Yes, it can quickly turn into a nightclub in the box, but at least everyone is happy with these few settings.
Regarding connectivity, HP did not look far; here, we have the basics, without frills. On the upper part of the case, we find the base, namely the power button, two USB 3.1 ports and two Jack 3.5 ports (microphone input and audio output), but it is on the back that the big one is located. Connectivity: The I / O panel thus houses five USB 3.1 ports (including a second-generation), a USB 3.1 Type-C port, an Ethernet port, three Jack 3.5 ports (audio input, microphone input, audio output), while the graphics card has three DisplayPorts, an HDMI output and a DVI-D port. It’s a bit tight if you’re the type who accumulates external hard drives and USB sticks in addition to the usual peripherals, but still sufficient.
Gaming Performance
The main thing with a PC of this kind is that it can entirely run popular games. As a reminder, this precise model of Obelisk is equipped with an Intel Core i7-8700 processor clocked at 3.2 GHz (4.6 GHz in Turbo mode), an NVIDIA GTX 1070 graphics card with 8 GB of video memory, a 16 GB RAM module, a 256 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD where Windows 10 is installed and a 1 TB HDD where we installed the games for this test.
5. Alienware Aurora R10
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Graphic Card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti (11GB GDDR6)
RAM: 32GB DDR4-2933MHz HyperX Fury XMP
Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
The essence of the Alienware Aurora R10 Gaming PC (AWR10-6243) is to offer a pre-installed hardware configuration that meets your gaming requirements. This PC provides excellent and immersive gaming quality. This Gaming PC incorporates an AMD Ryzen 9 3900 processor coupled with 32 GB of RAM. Its AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT graphics card with 8 GB of dedicated memory will offer you breathtaking graphics quality. Besides, this Gaming PC includes an uncompromising storage system: a 1TB SSD drive, which provides you with high storage capacity and speed.
As your needs may change over time, the Alienware Aurora R10 offers easy access to components. You can easily update your configuration parts: storage, memory, graphics card or processor, for example.
This PC is also “Wifi 6 AX” compatible. Wifi 6 can be up to 40% faster than the previous standard’s speeds (Wifi 5) and can cause up to 75% less latency. The Wifi 6 AX can transfer data with a speed of up to 2.4 Gbps, which is three times faster than the local Ethernet network.
An efficient cooling system
The Alienware Aurora R10 Gaming PC benefits from the Legend design with better air circulation than the previous generation. With more efficient air circulation, CPU temperatures are reduced, and the fans are less strained. The presence of a swivel arm at the power supply offers many advantages, such as graphics cards and expansion bays that can be removed without tools and compact chassis size.
Is It Cheaper To Build Or Buy A Gaming PC?
The main reason why building your PC is highly preferred over buying an already built system is, of course, to save money. Building is 9 out of 10 times a little cheaper than buying a pre-built system.
In some cases, you will save a significant portion of your hard-earned money. In general, the more you plan to spend on your PC, the more you will save compared to buying a pre-made model.
For most gamers, that reason alone justifies building your own computer. If you desire to maximize gaming performance and get the most bang for your buck (in other words, getting the maximum return on your investment), building a simple PC is economically unbeatable.
PC vs. Laptop? Which Is Better For Gaming?
Even with laptops’ tremendous technological advancement, the PC is still the best way to obtain the best performance and enjoy your favourite games. PC graphics cards are always faster than laptop graphics cards (although some parts are found in PCs and laptops). This is why on the graphics side, PCs keep one step ahead.
You get better performance on a PC, even if you have the same parts on a laptop. A desktop computer will run faster and easier with parts similar to a laptop. PCs usually come with full-size parts, which are often more powerful than those designed for laptops.
Is A Gaming PC Better Than PS5 or Xbox Series X?
Should you consider buying a PC in 2021, even as the PS5 and Xbox Series X bring the 4k gaming experience to the mainstream? The short answer is YES! You absolutely should. A PC easily beats next-gen consoles in terms of performance under any category and total cost of ownership.
The decision between PC and game console depends on the games you want to play. PC is the winner here in terms of game numbers, as there are thousands and thousands of titles available on storefronts like the Epic Games Store, Steam, Origin, and Battle.net.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much RAM Do I Need For Gaming?
For a gaming PC, 8 GB of RAM is the minimum, but for some reasonably hungry games, you will undoubtedly need a little more RAM and opt for 16 GB of RAM instead.
Is It Worth Switching To PC Gaming?
When you are new to PC gaming, it can be a daunting experience. However, you shouldn’t be afraid because there is a lot to love about PC gaming. Once you have built your dream rig, installed your favourite game, and seen how amazing it is when you first launch it, you can enjoy a fantastic gaming experience. It will then be difficult to look back!