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Best Entry-Level Gaming PCs for Young Gamers in the UK
March 27, 2025
Finding the right gaming PC for children can be a challenging balancing act between educational requirements and gaming performance. In British households, desktop and laptop computers have become essential learning tools, and many parents are looking to secure dedicated machines for video games. But what if you need one versatile machine to handle both schoolwork and gaming? Is there a PC that can satisfy both educational needs and provide enjoyable gaming experiences?
For young gamers in the UK, selecting the appropriate entry-level gaming PC is crucial for the optimal experience. In this article, we’ll explore gaming desktops specifically designed for children. The best gaming computers not only deliver powerful performance for games but also fully support educational activities. We’ll guide you through choosing the ideal gaming PC for kids that fits within your budget while delivering excellent performance, and even provide advice on future-proofing your investment to ensure the best value for money.
What Features Do You Need?
Let’s start with hardware. High-quality components play a crucial role in delivering a smooth gaming experience. If you’re new to PC gaming or buying your first gaming PC, you may opt for an entry-level gaming computer. Instead, look for one that’s best for you and the games you play.
A mid-range processor, like an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, along with 16 GB DDR5 RAM, supports most video games. Storage-wise, solid-state drives (SSDs) are the trend. Look for a good amount - 512GB to 1TB SSD. Some PCs have the option to combine both SSD and HDD (hard-disk drive) which is great because you’ll have more space - fast SSDs speed up load-times, while a large HDD gives you tons of space to store games.
Next, you’ll want a good graphics card for smooth gameplay. Gaming PCs require significant power and thus a dedicated graphics card is crucial. For children, a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or higher GPU supports 1080p gaming at 60 fps. On this note, if looking at a laptop or desktop monitor, consider one with a high-refresh rate (144Hz+) and IPS or OLED panels for good colour.
If you’re a parent, you may want some parental controls to manage play time and ensure age-appropriateness of content. Many operating systems come with built-in controls to set time limits, restrict access to games/websites and monitor what your child sees online. These features ensure a balanced and safe gaming experience for children. If you want extra protection, installing a child-safe web browser and antivirus helps.
HP Entry-Level Gaming PCs
Reviewed as some of the best entry-level options, these ensure great gaming experiences without breaking the bank. Here are some PCs to consider for young gamers.
The HP Victus series
The HP Victus is a great starting point for new gamers, with both desktop and laptop options. The Victus offers a solid build and is among the best in budget gaming PCs.
If you want a desktop, the Victus TG02-0039na Gaming Desktop is excellent for the price-conscious. With a powerful AMD processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU, it supports most games and gives you plenty of power for future titles. For those who want a different configuration, there’s the Victus by HP 15L TG02-0007na Gaming Desktop - NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1660 SUPER™.
- Powerful AMD processor for excellent performance
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 Ti graphics for immersive gameplay
- Seamless switching between gaming and productivity
- Bluetooth® connectivity and multiple USB ports
This desktop delivers impressive performance for both gaming and schoolwork, making it an ideal choice for young gamers who need a versatile machine.
The HP OMEN series
Known for high-end gaming, the HP OMEN is our flagship series when it comes to satisfying gamer needs. It delivers extraordinary gaming PC power and is ideal for enthusiasts. These PCs come equipped with slightly more powerful internals, with Intel i5-i7 and AMD Ryzen 7 processors standard.
Priced a bit higher than the Victus, gamers will see a difference in performance and visuals when they play, especially when in-game settings are maxed. OMEN starter models like the OMEN 25L GT15-0011na Gaming Desktop - NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060 and OMEN 25L GT15-2009na Gaming Desktop - NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 SUPER come with AI-powered GPUs and more refined build-quality. For those seeking even more power, the OMEN by HP 45L GT22-1015na Gaming PC offers exceptional performance with a unique cooling chamber design. You also get OMEN Gaming Hub to personalize everything from FPS to RGB lighting.
- Intel Processor for incredible performance
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ graphics for stunning visuals
- Tool-less access to internals for easy upgradability
- Modern design with full controllable RGB lighting
For more serious young gamers who want the best performance, the OMEN series provides cutting-edge technology and future-proof specifications.
Price-Performance Comparison
| Feature | Victus Series | OMEN Starter Models |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | ££ | £££-££££ |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen | Intel Core i5-i7 |
| Graphics | Entry to mid-range GPUs for 1080p-1440p gaming | Higher-end GPUs for 4K gaming |
| RAM | 8GB - 16GB | 16GB - 32GB |
| Storage | 256GB - 512GB SSD | 512GB - 1TB SSD |
| Build Quality | Good | Excellent |
| Upgradability | Moderate (limited expansion) | High (multiple expansion ports) |
Making the Right Choice
Optimal gameplay settings may vary from game to game, but for the most part, you’d want a balance between frame rate performance and graphics. In general, popular video games like the latest Call of Duty and FIFA titles benefit from a great GPU, strong CPU, and ample RAM and storage. The PCs mentioned above provide a solid foundation to enjoy popular franchises with some headroom for future releases.
If you’re thinking about buying a PC for school, both the Victus and OMEN lines are more than sufficient, and with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, students have a powerful productivity ecosystem at their fingertips. For household needs, these starter models are versatile enough to handle photo/video editing and stream movies and TV shows in 4K.
If you plan to store movies, photos and documents, alongside games on your PC, consider adding extra storage. Models with additional slots for RAM and PCIe can help future-proof your investment, so consider this as well. A prebuilt gaming PC with upgrade potential is a smart choice for British families looking for long-term value.
Value Features
All our PCs come with standard warranty coverage, typically one-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects. For extra peace of mind, extended warranty options including accidental damage protection are offered through HP Care Pack services. With pickup and return included, these services can be beneficial, especially if your child is prone to mishaps.
Support options for our gaming PCs reflect our commitment to customer satisfaction. Users have access to technical support via phone, chat and email. HP Support Assistant comes pre-installed and gives you additional tools to troubleshoot and run diagnostics. HP’s online support forums and community also offer valuable resources for self-help and peer assistance. In a sense, you’re fully covered no matter which PC you purchase.
Other value features include OMEN Gaming Hub, offered on all HP OMENs, which optimizes performance and customizability for all your games. Light Studio feature lets you customize colours, animations and lighting across your hardware and peripherals with 16.8 million colours to choose from.
Future-Proofing your Investment
This is the idea that adding new components in a PC can prevent aging and make it run longer. Even if you have the best PC right now, there’s a chance that it’ll fall behind in a couple of years, so future-proofing is a concept to leave room for upgrades. To do this, take note of the motherboard, CPU, GPU, RAM and memory - as these will be the main components affecting longevity. Understanding what you have also ensures new components complement the rest of your system.
Next, look for a PC with expansion slots and compatibility with newer tech. Pay particular attention to PCIe slots (currently PCIe 4.0 or 5.0) and their ability to accommodate GPUs and NVMe SSDs in the future. Invest in systems with both traditional HDDs and fast SSDs to expand storage as you download more games.
PCs like the OMEN by HP 45L GT22-1015na Gaming PC come with multiple drive bays, so upgrading storage is easy. This versatility makes it one of the best gaming PCs for future expansions.
Lastly, consider RAM. While 8GB might suffice for games today, you’ll probably need 16GB or 32GB to remain competitive in the future, so consider this as well.
As with all modern PCs, regularly maintain and clean it to prevent dust build-up. Dust impairs cooling which will affect overall performance. Also keep your BIOS and drivers updated so that everything runs smoothly with the latest software.
How to Set up your PC
Unboxing and setup can be confusing, but don’t worry, here’s how to do it: Complete these steps to get your machine up and running smoothly.
- Set up the space: Desktop models with their fans and multiple heat pipes need proper ventilation, so make sure the space you have is properly ventilated.
- Connect peripherals: Connect the monitor, keyboard and mouse, then afterwards, plug into a power source.
- Install software: Boot up the PC and follow instructions on-screen to install essential software. If you have an OMEN, check if OMEN Gaming Hub is installed; if not, install it.
- Set up user accounts: Create a parental admin account for you and a separate user account for your child. To calibrate parental controls, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info to create your administrative account, then with this account sign-in to the Microsoft Family Safety and select your child’s account to manage settings.
Next Steps
Now that you’re familiar with the fundamentals, it’s time to take the plunge and gift that lucky child with a gaming PC perfect for them. PCs are an investment, but can last a long time and serve multiple purposes, from conquering virtual worlds to school assignments.
For UK families looking to balance educational needs with gaming performance, HP offers excellent options through our Victus and OMEN series. If you’re still unsure or have questions, please visit any of our UK stores - our knowledgeable staff are more than happy to help you find the perfect gaming PC for your young gamer.
