Best PCs for Playing Overwatch

Overwatch is one of the most popular multiplayer games on the planet, with more than 25 million players fighting it out in the colorful battlefields of Blizzard's team-based shooter. Fortunately for those who want to get in on the fun, the game will run on just about anything short of a toaster, meaning you won't have to shell out for an expensive desktop or upgrade to a high-end graphics card.

Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly laptop for practicing on the road or want a powerhouse capable of running the game in 4K, here are the best PCs for playing Overwatch.

Overwatch System Requirements

Overwatch's base requirements include an Intel Core i3 processor and integrated Intel graphics, meaning you can even run it on many mainstream desktops or laptops without discrete graphics cards. If you want to run the game at decent settings, though, you should shoot for a Core i5 CPU and at least an Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 or its AMD equivalent.

Because Overwatch is a fast-moving, competitive title, you should prioritize finding a machine that can run it at 60 frames per second at 1080p; higher resolutions will look nice but won't up your game. Here are the full system requirements, via Blizzard:

Swipe to scroll horizontally

	Minimum	Recommended
Operating System	Windows 7/8/10 64-bit	Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
Processor	Intel Core i3 or AMD Phenom X3 8650	Intel Core i5 or AMD Phenom II X3 or better
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce GTX 460, ATI Radeon HD 4850 or Intel HD Graphics 4400	Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7950 or better
Memory	4GB	6GB
Storage	30GB	30GB
Internet	Broadband internet connection	Broadband internet connection
Minimum Resolution	1024 x 768	1024 x 768

MORE: The Best Gaming Desktops Available Now

Console Replacement: Alienware Alpha (starting at $499)

Credit: Jeremy Lips / Tom's Guide — (Image credit: Jeremy Lips / Tom's Guide)

You don't need a PS4 or an Xbox One to play Overwatch comfortably from your couch. Alienware's living-room-friendly Alpha is both a worthy console replacement and an affordable mini PC, with a $499 configuration that meets Overwatch's minimum requirements and a $749 model that can handle the game's recommended specs.

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170T
GPU: Custom Nvidia GTX GPU
Memory: 4GB
Storage: 500GB hard drive

Budget Desktop: CyberPowerPC Gamer Ultra GUA3400A ($559)

CyberPowerPC's Gamer Ultra is one of the cheapest preconfigured gaming desktops you can find that's capable of running Overwatch at solid settings. With an AMD FX-6300 processor and Radeon R7 250 graphics, this machine exceeds the game's minimum specs while coming pretty close to the recommended specs.

CPU: AMD FX-6300
GPU: AMD Radeon R7 250
Memory: 8GB
Storage: 1TB hard drive

Easy to Upgrade: Alienware Aurora (starting at $799)

Our current favorite overall gaming desktop, the Alienware Aurora is a compact and stylish machine whose starting $799 configuration will easily run Overwatch at 1080p at 60 fps. And should you want to play the game in 4K down the line, the Aurora is a breeze to upgrade.

CPU: Intel Core i5-7400
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 460
Memory: 8GB
Storage: 1TB hard drive

MORE: The Best Gaming Laptops

Budget Laptop: Dell Inspiron 15 7000 (starting at $799)

Credit: Jeremy Lips — (Image credit: Jeremy Lips)

The Dell Inspiron 15 7000 is a handsome but unassuming everyday laptop that happens to double as a decent gaming machine. With an Intel Core i5-6300HQ processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 graphics, this notebook can easily handle Overwatch's recommended settings.

CPU: Intel Core i5-6300HQ
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050
Memory: 8GB
Storage: 1TB hard drive

Midrange PC: Lenovo Ideacentre Y900 (starting at $1,299)

If you're willing to spend a bit more for peak performance, the Lenovo Ideacentre Y900 is a solid midrange option. This system's starting $1,299 configuration will run Overwatch at high settings at 1080p with no issues, while its GTX 1070-powered $1,499 model is ideal for playing the game at 4K. No matter which configuration you choose, the Y900 is very easy to upgrade.

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 2TB hard drive with 120GB SSD

MORE: The Best Headsets for Immersive Gaming

All-in-One PC: Lenovo IdeaCentre Y910 AIO (starting at $1,499)

The Lenovo IdeaCentre Y910 is an all-in-one PC that packs everything you need to start gaming right away, including a built-in 2560 x 1440 display, an Intel Core i7 processor and a GTX 1070 graphics card more than capable of running Overwatch at the highest settings. This desktop also packs a RealSense webcam ideal for live streaming, and is highly upgradable.

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
Memory: 12GB RAM
Storage: 1TB hard drive, 128GB SSD

Powerhouse Laptop: Razer Blade ($1,799)

The Razer Blade is a good laptop pick for folks willing to splurge on power and portability. The Blade's Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card and Intel Core i7 processor are more than capable of running the game at ultra settings at 1080p, and its 0.7-inch-thin design makes it ideal for traveling competitors. Razer's signature Chroma lighting is optimized for Overwatch, meaning the Blade's RGB keyboard will light up dynamically based on what's happening in-game.

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700HQ
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Memory: 16GB
Storage: 256GB SSD

Mike Andronico is Senior Writer at CNNUnderscored. He was formerly Managing Editor at Tom's Guide, where he wrote extensively on gaming, as well as running the show on the news front. When not at work, you can usually catch him playing Street Fighter, devouring Twitch streams and trying to convince people that Hawkeye is the best Avenger.