Best pre-built PCs for playing Minecraft in 2024

The best pre-built PCs for playing Minecraft don't need to be particularly powerful. Minecraft, at its core, doesn't require a lot of computing power, and you can play the game on just about anything with a processor. This no doubt adds to its massive appeal, and it also gives you plenty of options when it comes to choosing a new PC.

Minecraft is available in two different PC versions: Java and Bedrock. If you're running the Java version of Minecraft, having a beefy PC means you'll be able to test out some shaders and mods that significantly change the look and feel of the game. And as for Bedrock, you can check out ray-tracing enhancements with the right GPU.

Don't want to build your own PC? No problem. Not everyone has the time to purchase separate parts and assemble something themselves. The Windows Central team has tested and reviewed a bunch of great pre-built PCs, and I've collected the best of the best right here for playing Minecraft.

The quick list

The best pre-built PCs for Minecraft in 2024

Below is where you'll find a more complete breakdown of what makes each of these PCs so great, further helping you make the right decision when it comes to a new pre-built PC for Minecraft. We've tested and reviewed all models here at Windows Central except for the Maingear MG-1, but I have been using the Legendary edition for about a month and absolutely love it.

Best affordable gaming PC

Lenovo's LOQ brand is a more affordable alternative to the high-end Legion series, and the LOQ Tower (Gen 9) is a top option if you want to spend less on a gaming PC that can run Java and Bedrock versions of Minecraft. It might not be enough for ray tracing, but its discrete GPU will allow you to turn up render distances and work with some mods.

At the time of writing, a model with Intel Core i5-14400F processor (CPU), NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB M.2 SSD is down to $580 at Best Buy.

In their Lenovo LOQ Tower (Gen 8) review, Windows Central Staff Writer Zachary Boddy called it "a gaming PC perfectly capable of playing all the best PC games at medium-to-high settings at an FHD 1080p resolution, with framerate (at minimum) being a stable 60 frames-per-second." That holds true for the Gen 9 model.

This ultimately means that you're getting an affordable pre-built gaming PC for more than just Minecraft, perfect for any younger users or anyone who is just getting started with PC gaming.

Its compact design and proprietary parts make it unsuited for enthusiasts or those who want to upgrade in the future, but for a lot of people that won't matter much.

👀 Read our full Lenovo LOQ Tower (Gen 8) review

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Best custom gaming PC

Maingear is a boutique PC builder that's been around for more than two decades — we favorably reviewed the Maingear Vybe in 2020 — and it continues to deliver enthusiast-level custom PC builds with deep customization options.

I've had the Maingear MG-1 on my desk for about a month, and I can honestly say that it's one of the best pre-built PCs I've ever tested. Maingear uses standard parts throughout, meaning you won't encounter odd proprietary designs that don't fit in other cases or can't be upgraded in the future. The MG-1 feels like I built it myself, except with better cable management than I'd be able to accomplish.

There's a ton of hardware from which you can choose, resulting in a range of MG-1 PCs that cost anywhere from about $1,200 to $4,000 and beyond. The only real drawback I encountered was a lack of dust screens on the PC case.

If you want to build a custom PC with the parts of your choosing but don't have time to do it yourself, this is the next best option. You'll pay a premium on the assembly, but the stellar customer support and warranty help make up the difference compared to if you purchased the parts and assembled them on your own.

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Best All-in-One PC

HP sort of reinvented the All-in-One (AiO) PC with the Envy Move. It looks like a traditional AiO when it's sitting on a desk, but it has a built-in battery, feet that pivot to hide away, and a carrying handle on the top. This allows it to be used anywhere, even outside of the family room where you usually keep your PC.

Windows Central Editor Ben Wilson, in his HP Envy Move review, remarked, "It's perfect as a shared computer, with flexible input options for all ages, and the built-in battery gives it versatility similar to a laptop."

The AiO is configurable with up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U CPU, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for solid performance, and the CPU's integrated Iris Xe graphics (in the Core i7 model) will handle Minecraft and plenty of other lightweight games.

The built-in speakers pump out impressive audio, and the built-in 23.8-inch display boasts 99% sRGB color, more than 350 nits brightness, and a crisp QHD resolution with a 75Hz refresh rate. At about $750 for a high-end model, this is a great option for families who want one versatile PC for everyone.

👀 Read our full HP Envy Move review

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Best compact gaming PC

I love compact PCs thanks to their ability not to hog a ton of office space, and you don't have to build your own to land something with strong gaming performance. 

The ASUS ROG G22CH (DB978) comes with up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900KF CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, which is more than enough to handle modded or ray-traced Minecraft as well as most modern AAA titles.

The chassis measures 4.5 (W) x 12.7 (H) x 11.3 (D) inches (11.5cm x 32.3cm x 28.7cm), with a removable vented side panel, a decent selection of ports and even customizable RGB lighting.

But how does the performance hardware fare in such a cramped space? Windows Central Editor Rebecca Spear noted in her ASUS ROG G22CH review that "the [PC] does an exceptional job running even the most intensive graphics smoothly and manages to do a fantastic job keeping itself cool in the process." This does result in some loud fan noise when the system is under load, but that's an expected tradeoff.

👀 Read our full ASUS ROG G22CH review

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Best high-end gaming PC

Lenovo's Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) is one of the best options for any PC gamers who don't plan on making major future upgrades themselves yet still want enough performance for 1440p and 4K gaming.

With up to a 14th Gen Intel Core i9-14900KF CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and 2TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage, you can be sure that heavily-modded and ray-traced Minecraft will run without problems.

Windows Central's Zachary Boddy noted in their Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) review:

"Lenovo has maintained a careful balance between the raw power packed into this chassis, the quality and understated design that allows for easy access, and a reasonable price tag for everything you're getting."

Enthusiasts will still want to turn to something like the Maingear MG-1, but casual gamers who just want a high-end gaming PC with RGB lighting and ridiculous performance should appreciate what Lenovo has to offer.

👀 Read our full Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) review

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Best handheld

The refreshed ASUS ROG Ally X is the best gaming handheld on the market today, and the fact that it natively runs Windows means you won't have to go to any great lengths to get Minecraft running.

The performance hardware inside, including an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU, integrated Radeon graphics, and 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM, will easily handle Bedrock Minecraft, and the 7-inch FHD display is more than big enough to see your world clearly. I play Minecraft on my Steam Deck all the time with no issues.

With a larger battery, twice as much storage space, and new control hardware, the ROG Ally X bests its ROG Ally predecessor in all areas save pricing. Windows Central Senior Editor Rebecca Spear noted in her ROG Ally X review:

"In the end, if you are really excited about the ROG Ally X or don't have an original ROG Ally yet, then I do recommend getting this newer model. However, if you're on a budget or already have an ROG Ally, this expensive device might not be the best fit for you."

You can find the original ROG Ally with Z1 Extreme and 512GB SSD for about $650, while the new ROG Ally X with the same CPU and twice as much storage space for about $800.

👀 Read our full ASUS ROG Ally X review

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Cale Hunt

Minecraft is easily one of my favorite games of all time, and I've played all versions on a wide variety of hardware. I know what it takes to run shaders and mods, but I also know how little you can spend on a PC and still have it run the game without issue. With all of Windows Central's PC reviews considered, I've collected a range of hardware here that will suit plenty of gamers.

How to choose the best pre-built PC for Minecraft

Thanks to rather relaxed PC system requirements for both Bedrock and Java versions of Minecraft, any one of the pre-built PCs listed here will get the job done.

If you want something that leans heavily towards affordable, the Lenovo LOQ Tower (Gen 9) is an easy recommendation. At the time of writing it's down to $580 at Best Buy, and its pairing of the Intel Core i5-14400F CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU will easily handle either version of Minecraft even with some decent modding. 

However, if you'd like to get in on Bedrock ray-tracing improvements or want the ability to add shaders and mods to Java, you'll need to take things up a notch. Despite Minecraft's initial simple look, it can quickly become a system hog.

Maingear's MG-1 is a top pick for enthusiasts who want a PC that feels like it was built right at home. There are deep customization options available (right down to the cabling), and the attention to detail is evident throughout. Maingear uses non-proprietary hardware, allowing for easy future upgrades.

If you aren't as concerned about making changes in the future, Lenovo's Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) is a powerful gaming PC available at a competitive price. And if you'd like strong performance without a massive case, the ASUS ROG G22CH will get the job done.

If a desktop PC isn't the way you want to go, be sure to have a look at the best laptops for playing Minecraft.

You don't need a gaming PC to enjoy Minecraft

As mentioned, Minecraft's low system requirements mean you don't need to buy a gaming PC. Basic Minecraft will run well on integrated graphics, which is why we've included the HP Envy Move All-in-One in this list.

The Envy Move has what it takes to be your family's only PC, and its portable design will certainly appeal to those who don't have a dedicated PC desk in their house. Its 23.8-inch display has a crisp QHD resolution, there's a built-in battery for use away from an AC outlet, and it has performance hardware inside for light gaming purposes.

Should I wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday to buy a pre-built PC?

Although there have been some major deal events already this year, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are traditionally when you'll find the best prices on PC hardware, including pre-built systems.

I've been tracking deals throughout November, and though Black Friday lands on November 29 and Cyber Monday on December 2, 2024, the savings are well underway. Some retailers are even offering price protection in the weeks leading up, allowing you to shop without worrying about further price drops.

In the case of my top budget pre-built choice, the Lenovo LOQ Tower (Gen 9), it's already enjoying a $320 discount at Best Buy. That's the best price I've spotted, as even Lenovo's official site is selling at full price at the time of writing. It's possible that the price will drop further in the next two weeks, but the $320 discount is worth nabbing while it lasts.

My favorite custom PC, the Maingear MG-1, is also on sale ahead of Black Friday. You can save up to $466 at the time of writing, and there are plenty of other PCs on sale to consider. Maingear's site says these are Black Friday sales, so prices might not drop any further.

HP's Envy Move AiO has been enjoying a $250 discount for months, putting it at $650. Considering this seems to be the new standard price, I'm expecting to see it drop further on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Lenovo always goes big for Black Friday, and you can already save up to 75% on PCs. The best deal at the time of writing is 18% off a model with an RTX 4080 SUPER, but I'd definitely hold out for much lower prices closer to the end of November.

As for the ROG Ally X, it dropped to $700 earlier this year but has since returned to its regular $800 price. It's hard to say if it will be discounted on Black Friday/Cyber Monday, but I do know that the ROG Ally (non-X version) is currently down to just $350 at Best Buy. If that's any indication of the coming weeks, November could be the right time to buy a new handheld.