CES 2025 showcased a plethora of exciting PC gaming advancements, including cutting-edge graphics cards and upscaling technologies from industry giants like Nvidia and AMD. While CES traditionally highlights individual components, this year offered a glimpse into the future of complete gaming PCs. Forget outlandish concepts – this year’s show floor featured genuinely impressive and aesthetically pleasing gaming rigs, many available for pre-order or launching soon. Here are the best gaming PCs of CES 2025.
Alienware Area 51 Returns
alt text: The revived Alienware Area 51 gaming PC showcasing its internal components.
Remember the iconic Alienware Area 51 chassis from the early 2000s? Dell has revived the legendary name at CES 2025, giving it a modern makeover. This new iteration resembles a high-end custom-built PC, boasting a sleek interior, optimized layout, and meticulous cable management. All components adhere to standard specifications and are upgradeable, with the stealthy all-black motherboard a particular highlight.
alt text: The Alienware Area 51 gaming desktop on display at CES 2025.
While the showcased model featured top-of-the-line hardware, the Alienware Area 51 desktop will offer a range of configurations upon its release in Q1 2025. Expect options including the latest Ryzen 9000 and Intel 200 processors, paired with powerful Nvidia RTX 50-series graphics cards.
HP Omen 16L: Compact Powerhouse
alt text: The HP Omen 16L compact gaming desktop.
HP’s Omen 16L, a miniature gaming PC, impressed with its sleek design. Its compact form factor is ideal for lower-power components, reducing energy consumption, heat, and noise. As HP’s smallest gaming PC to date, the Omen 16L still accommodates capable hardware like the Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti or AMD RX 7600, delivering high frame rates at 1080p in most games.
alt text: Internal view of the HP Omen 16L gaming desktop showing components.
These GPUs are not only powerful but also physically compact, contributing to the chassis’s portability – making it a potential LAN party favorite. For those seeking even lower power consumption or a more professional setup, APU-only configurations are available, though these will compromise gaming performance. Stay tuned for our in-depth review later this year.
Maingear Apex Force and Rush PCs: Art Meets Performance
alt text: Maingear Rush gaming PCs with custom artwork and water cooling displayed at CES 2025.
Maingear’s new Apex line undoubtedly stole the show with its striking designs. The tempered-glass, wraparound chassis showcase intricate hardline water cooling, uniquely designed distro plates, and vibrant RGB lighting that rivals enthusiast-level builds.
alt text: Close-up view of the custom watercooling loop inside a Maingear Rush PC.
Beyond the impressive hardware, these PCs feature stunning sticker art, adding a boutique touch. Maingear is making high-end custom water-cooled PCs accessible to a wider audience. While Maingear handles the initial build, maintenance will be the owner’s responsibility. Hardware options will range from modest to high-end, utilizing the latest CPUs and GPUs, each with a custom water-cooling loop. Pricing and release dates are yet to be confirmed, but expect a premium price tag.
Hyte Nexus-Powered Cases: Interactive Displays
alt text: The Hyte Y70 PC case featuring the Nexus interactive touchscreen front panel.
Hyte showcased a unique approach with its new cases featuring large touchscreens on the front panel. These screens offer a range of functionalities beyond aesthetics, from playing videos and displaying system information to controlling media, launching apps, and providing news updates.
alt text: The Hyte Y70 PC case with the Nexus touchscreen displaying information.
The Y70 chassis also incorporates a custom distro plate for enhanced water-cooling customization. For more CES 2025 news, explore our comprehensive coverage. Ready to experience the future of tech? Check out the best CES 2025 products available for pre-order now.
