Best RTX 3080 gaming PCs in 2023

Nvidia’s RTX 3080 is the most popular high-end GPU of this generation. If you’re in the market for a new gaming PC, you’ll find RTX 3080s in dozens upon dozens of custom gaming PC builds. This graphics card has enough horsepower for a high refresh rate 1440p gaming with almost zero compromises. The RTX 3080 is also an excellent choice for 4K resolution, achieving at least 60 frames per second in newer AAA titles with all visuals set to ultra. Better still, the RTX 3080 offers a smooth ray tracing experience in many games, both in 1440p and 4K. As long as you don’t mind using DLSS and not cranking RT effects to their absolute maximum values.

With so many custom gaming PCs equipped with RTX 3080s, it’s hard to find the best ones. Many sell at unreasonable prices; many PCs include older CPUs not best suited for the RTX 3080, some configurations feature inadequate cooling solutions, etc. If you’re tired of combing through thousands of listings for days and days, why don’t you scroll through our list of the best RTX 3080 gaming PCs instead? We’ve gathered a number of excellent options – from bang-for-buck offerings that can be yours for less than $2000 to high-end gaming PCs featuring liquid-cooled Core i9s and tons of memory and storage.

If the RTX 3080 is too much for your gaming needs, you can read our list of the best RTX 3070 gaming PCs. If you want more choices when it comes to the GPU part of your next gaming build, check our list of the best prebuilt gaming PCs under $2000. And if you’re looking for more compact gaming machines, we have a guide for the best mini gaming PCs, just for you.

1. Gotham Tech The Oracle: Best value RTX 3080 gaming PC

cpu
Ryzen 5 5600X
gpu
RTX 3080
memory
16 GB
storage
1 TB SSD

This prebuilt configuration comes with a Ryzen 5 5600X, 16GB of DDR4 3200 MT/s memory, and a 1TB SSD. While it isn’t the cheapest custom PC with an RTX 3080, it’s definitely the best when it comes to sheer value. First of all, the CPU is an excellent pairing for this GPU, allowing it to shine both in 1440p and 4K.

You will get about five to ten percent fewer frames than what you’d get with the current flagship gaming CPU, the Core i9-12900K. On the flip side, you’ll also pay a lot less for this machine than a high-end option featuring a flagship CPU. When it comes to 4K resolution, the differences between the two CPUs should be negligible.

Other reasons for recommending this prebuilt PC include the overkill CPU cooling solution in the form of a 240mm AIO along with the case used. The Corsair 4000D Airflow is one of the best PC chassis out there and the best enclosure you’ll see on this list. It has excellent airflow while also being super easy to build in.

If you decide to swap the CPU or GPU in the future or build an entirely new PC, any of those procedures will be a breeze to do in this enclosure. Overall, the Oracle looks nice; it has excellent GPU & CPU thermals, it features enough memory for worry-free gaming, and its storage situation’s pretty good.

2. Alienware Aurora R10: Best bang-for-buck RTX 3080 gaming PC

cpu
Ryzen 7 5800
gpu
RTX 3080
memory
16 GB
storage
1 TB SSD

If you want the best performance for the least cash, we have an Alienware Aurora system powered by a Ryzen 7 5800 & RTX 3080 combo that can be yours for less than $1700! Crazy considering just how expensive Alienware gaming PCs are but yeah, the cheapest RTX 3080 gaming PC we could find features the famous alien logo.

When it comes to the CPU, the Ryzen 5800 is a low-power version of the 5800X. The two CPUs have virtually the same game performance, while the non-X version is much easier to cool. That’s good news here because the case housing this PC is pretty bad when it comes to thermals. Also, Dell’s using a tiny 120mm AIO that wouldn’t be enough to cool the 5800X.

Overall, you can expect about five percent slower performance in 1440p with this CPU compared to a Core i9-12900K. Again, in 4K, the performance between the two CPUs should be the same. As for the rest of the specs, they’re pretty good for the price. 16GB of memory is par for the course, while a 1TB SSD isn’t something we often see in big-brand prebuilt PCs costing less than $2000.

3. Continuum Micro Gamer PC: Best RTX 3080 Gaming PC with 32 GB of RAM

cpu
Core i7-12700F
GPU
RTX 3080
memory
32 GB
storage
512 GB SSD
1 TB HDD

If you want both an RTX 3080 and 32GB of memory in case you’re doing video editing or just want enough memory for heavily modded games, this compact gaming PC is our pick for the best RTX 3080 Gaming PC with 32GB of memory. The CPU here is the Core i7-12700F, which is one of the best gaming CPUs on the market. This low-power version of the 12700K is almost as fast in games while being much cooler.

You’ll notice the difference between the two if you decide to do some code compiling or heavy video editing, but for games, the 12700F is almost as fast as the best gaming CPUs out there. The CPU cooler here seems adequate to cool the 12700F but if you notice CPU thermals going over 95 degrees Celsius, get any of the air coolers featured in our list of the best coolers for i7-12700K.

Regarding storage, the Continuum Micro comes with a 512GB SSD and a 1TB hard drive. Not bad, but we always like to see a 1TB SSD in PCs costing more than $2000. Last but not least, the case here looks like it has decent airflow for this CPU & GPU combo. While not having a mesh front panel, it comes with relatively wide side intakes along with six RGB case fans, which is an excellent case fan setup.

4. Lenovo Legion T5: Best compact RTX 3080 gaming PC

CPU
Core i7-12700F
GPU
RTX 3080
memory
32 GB
storage
512 GB SSD
1 TB HDD

If your desk space is too limited even for something as compact as the Continuum Micro, take a look at the Legion T5. This prebuilt gaming PC from Lenovo looks excellent, is packed inside a great-looking case, and comes with an RTX 3080 & Core i7-12700F combo. Despite the case being smaller than the one used in Continuum, it has better airflow due to the mesh front and top panels assisted by five RGB case fans. Overall, this is the best compact RTX 3080 prebuilt gaming PC you can get. 

Aside from an excellent-looking case with decent airflow, the Legion T5 also has a solid CPU cooler. The heatsink looks thick and features four heat pipes, which should be enough to keep the 12700F under control. Regarding performance, you should expect the RTX 3080 to fully show its power, especially since the Legion T5 comes with 32GB of DDR5 memory. As for the storage, you’ve got a 512GB SSD and a 1TB HDD. Not bad, not terrible.

5. Corsair ONE i300: Best mini RTX 3080 gaming PC

cpu
Core i9-12900K
gpu
RTX 3080
memory
32 GB
storage
2TB SSD
2TB HDD

Now, if you want the absolute best SFF RTX 3080 gaming PC, the Corsair ONE i300 is the one to look at. This tiny enclosure looks like it came from the future, and inside it, you’ll find a liquid-cooled Core i9-12900K along with a liquid-cooled RTX 3080. Other specs include 32GB of DDR5 memory, a 2TB SSD, and a 2TB HDD. Overall, enough memory for the ultimate gaming experience and enough storage for every gamer.

Now, despite the 12900K here being liquid cooled, the CPU will probably throttle when doing CPU-heavy work. In games, on the other hand, this cooling setup should be potent enough to keep both the CPU and GPU under control. In other words, you should reach the same level of performance as you’d get on a PC with a better CPU cooling solution.

Overall, the Corsair ONE i300 is a definitive SFF prebuilt PC, and if we had to pick the best prebuilt gaming PC on design alone, this would be it. Of course, great looks and incredible engineering that allowed dual AIOs to be tucked inside a 12-liter case come at a price. If you want this PC, be ready to pay double the cost of our value pick.

6. Thermaltake Avalanche i380: Best RTX 3080 gaming PC with DDR5 memory

CPU
Core i9-12900KF
gpu
RTX 3080
memory
32 GB
storage
1 TB SSD

The Thermaltake Avalanche i380 is a high-end prebuilt gaming PC that features top-of-the-line components and a price to match. If you’re looking for an RTX 3080 and a 12900KF cooled by a 360mm AIO along with DDR5 memory that runs faster than 4800 MT/s, you’ve come to the right place. The 360mm AIO found here should allow the 12900K to spread its wings fully. In other words, the CPU should achieve maximum performance when it comes to heavy-CPU workloads such as video editing or rendering.

In games, the 360mm AIO will keep the CPU nice and cool, allowing the RTX 3080 to deliver the maximum performance possible. Next, 32GB of DDR5 5200 MT/s memory should boost performance in certain games and a few CPU workloads. Considering the price, we’d like to see 64GB of memory. While not crucial for gaming, this PC is a beast for video editing or any other professional workload, and 64GB of RAM would made it even better.

As for the rest of the specs, the case here looks very stylish, and while it lacks airflow, the huge AIO should keep the 12900K under control. Now, 1TB of NVMe storage is just too little for a PC that costs north of $3000. A 2TB SSD along with a 2TB HDD would be a much better offer. Overall, the Thermaltake Avalanche i380 is overpriced, but it comes with the fastest DDR5 memory in a prebuilt PC powered by an RTX 3080.

7. Sentinel Gamer PC: Best RTX 3080 gaming PC overall

CPU
Core i9-12900KF
gpu
RTX 3080 (10GB)
memory
64 GB
storage
1TB SSD
2TB HDD

The Sentinel is our pick for the best overall RTX 3080 gaming PC. If you want the best possible performance out of an RTX 3080 in games while also having the best CPU and 64GB of memory for serious work, this is the PC to get.

The only thing you should do if you want the best possible performance in CPU-heavy workloads is to swap the included AIO for any of the 360mm AIOs from our list of the best coolers for i9-12900K. If you only plan to use this PC for gaming, the included 240mm AIO should do the trick.

This CPU & GPU combo should allow the RTX 3080 to reach its potential, both in 1440 and 4K. As for the rest of the specs, the 64GB of DDR4 3200 MT/s memory shouldn’t noticeably affect gaming performance or the overall performance during heavy workloads.

Better still, lots of RAM is great for any CPU-heavy work you might use this PC for. As for the case, it lacks a mesh front panel, but side intakes, a mesh top, and a full-tower form factor should allow enough airflow to keep the CPU & GPU in check.

The storage situation here is much better than on most other PCs on this list. A 1TB SSD along with a 2TB hard drive should prove enough space for any gamer. On the flip side, you might want to add another fast NVMe storage drive if you plan on using the PC for video or photo editing.

Expert Writer