Buying Guide
The Best Black Gaming PCs
From the Element Black to the Velztorm Praetix 3D: five gaming PCs ranked on VRAM and memory, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Black cases suit dark setups. Every pick has a black case, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for graphics card, VRAM and processor; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
iBUYPOWER Element Black (Ryzen 7 8700F, RTX 5060 8GB)
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for iBUYPOWER Element Black (Ryzen 7 8700F, RTX 5060 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
iBUYPOWER Slate Black (Ryzen 7 7700, RTX 5060 8GB)
32GB of RGB DDR5 on AM5.
Best for: Buyers who want 32GB of RGB DDR5 on AM5.
Our take Check price for iBUYPOWER Slate Black (Ryzen 7 7700, RTX 5060 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
iBUYPOWER Y40 PRO Black (Ryzen 9 7900X, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB)
A 12-core Ryzen 9 7900X and a 2TB SSD.
Best for: Buyers who want 12-core Ryzen 9 7900X and a 2TB SSD.
Our take Check price for iBUYPOWER Y40 PRO Black (Ryzen 9 7900X, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB) (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
iBUYPOWER Y40 Black (Core i7-14700F, RTX 4070 Super 12GB)
An RTX 4070 Super with a 2TB SSD.
Best for: Buyers who want RTX 4070 Super with a 2TB SSD.
Our take Check price for iBUYPOWER Y40 Black (Core i7-14700F, RTX 4070 Super 12GB) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Velztorm Black Praetix 3D (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5080 16GB)
The top of this price range, adding a liquid-cooled CPU in a Y60 case.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Velztorm Black Praetix 3D (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5080 16GB) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
iBUYPOWER Element Black (Ryzen 7 8700F, RTX 5060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
iBUYPOWER's Element Black pairs a Ryzen 7 8700F with an RTX 5060 and 32GB of DDR5-5200.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
It has the most memory of the RTX 5060 systems here, tied with Skytech's 32GB build. On VRAM it ties with the Slate Black 7700 at 8GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the Slate Black 7700 at 1TB.
It shares an RTX 5060 graphics card with the Slate Black 7700; the Velztorm Praetix 3D goes with an RTX 5080 graphics card. You get a ryzen 7 8700F processor here, which sets it apart from the Velztorm Praetix 3D and its a ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. It shares a DDR5-5200 memory type with the Slate Black 7700 and Y40 PRO; the Velztorm Praetix 3D goes with a DDR5 memory type.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Slate Black 7700 the next step up. What it gives up: VRAM of 8GB, behind the Y40 PRO (16GB); by contrast, the Y40 PRO offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Processor: Ryzen 7 8700F
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5-5200
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 5060 graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- 32GB of DDR5 RGB memory
- Ryzen 7 8700F processor, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- VRAM of 8GB, behind the Y40 PRO (16GB)
Also Consider2 of 5
iBUYPOWER Slate Black (Ryzen 7 7700, RTX 5060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Slate Black 7700 pairs a Ryzen 7 7700 with an RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of DDR5-5200 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want 32GB of RGB DDR5 on AM5.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On SSD capacity it ties with the Element Black at 1TB. It shares an RTX 5060 graphics card with the Element Black; the Velztorm Praetix 3D goes with an RTX 5080 graphics card.
You get a ryzen 7 7700 processor here, which sets it apart from the Velztorm Praetix 3D and its a ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. It shares a DDR5-5200 memory type with the Element Black and Y40 PRO; the Velztorm Praetix 3D goes with a DDR5 memory type. Check the Slate Black 7700's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
At 8GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games. It was priced above the Element Black and below the Y40 PRO at the time of writing. It gives ground on VRAM, where the Y40 PRO offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Processor: Ryzen 7 7700
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5-5200
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 5060 graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- 32GB of RGB DDR5 on AM5
- Ryzen 7 7700 processor, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- VRAM trails the Y40 PRO (16GB)
- SSD capacity trails the Y40 PRO (2TB)
Strong Alternative3 of 5
iBUYPOWER Y40 PRO Black (Ryzen 9 7900X, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Inside the Y40 PRO are a Ryzen 9 7900X and an RTX 5070 Ti with 16GB of VRAM, backed by 32GB of DDR5-5200 and 2TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers who want 12-core Ryzen 9 7900X and a 2TB SSD.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Element Black cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it ties with the Velztorm Praetix 3D at 16GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the Y40 4070 Super and the Velztorm Praetix 3D at 2TB.
You get an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card here, which sets it apart from the Velztorm Praetix 3D and its an RTX 5080 graphics card. You get a ryzen 9 7900X processor here, which sets it apart from the Velztorm Praetix 3D and its a ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. It shares a DDR5-5200 memory type with the Element Black and Slate Black 7700; the Velztorm Praetix 3D goes with a DDR5 memory type.
Check the Y40 PRO's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. It was priced above the Slate Black 7700 and below the Y40 4070 Super at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5070 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Processor: Ryzen 9 7900X
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5-5200
- SSD: 2TB
Pros
- A RTX 5070 Ti graphics card
- 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 32GB of RAM
- A 2TB SSD
Cons
- Costs more than the Element Black at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
iBUYPOWER Y40 Black (Core i7-14700F, RTX 4070 Super 12GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Y40 4070 Super brings to the table is an RTX 4070 Super with a 2TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want RTX 4070 Super with a 2TB SSD.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Element Black, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB VRAM and offers a 32GB memory. Its 12GB VRAM ranks third of 5 here, behind the Y40 PRO (16GB) and ahead of the Slate Black 7700 (8GB). It matches the Y40 PRO and the Velztorm Praetix 3D on SSD capacity (2TB).
No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 4070 Super graphics card; compare the Y40 PRO, which has an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card. No other pick in this guide offers a core i7-14700F processor; compare the Y40 PRO, which has a ryzen 9 7900X processor. It is the only pick here with a DDR5-5600 memory type; the Element Black has a DDR5-5200 memory type instead. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Y40 PRO and the pricier Velztorm Praetix 3D, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 4070 Super
- VRAM: 12GB
- Processor: Core i7-14700F
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5-5600
- SSD: 2TB
Pros
- A RTX 4070 Super graphics card
- 12GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 32GB of RAM
- A 2TB SSD
Cons
- Costs more than the Element Black at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Velztorm Black Praetix 3D (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5080 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Velztorm's Praetix 3D puts a liquid-cooled 9800X3D and an RTX 5080 in a Y60 case.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Element Black cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 1000W power supply is the largest among the RTX 5080 systems here. It matches the Y40 PRO on VRAM (16GB). It matches the Y40 PRO and the Y40 4070 Super on SSD capacity (2TB).
No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5080 graphics card; compare the Y40 PRO, which has an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card. No other pick in this guide offers a ryzen 7 9800X3D processor; compare the Y40 PRO, which has a ryzen 9 7900X processor. It is the only pick here with a DDR5 memory type; the Element Black has a DDR5-5200 memory type instead.
It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Y40 4070 Super and the rest. The trade-off is memory; for more, the Element Black offers 32GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5080
- VRAM: 16GB
- Processor: Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 2TB
- Power supply: 1000W
- Warranty: 1 year manufacturer
Pros
- A RTX 5080 graphics card
- 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- An Ryzen 7 9800X3D with 3D V-Cache
- 32GB of RAM
Cons
- Costs more than the Element Black at the time of writing
How We Chose These Black Gaming PCs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Element Black to the Velztorm Praetix 3D, state graphics card, VRAM and processor.
- Who each pick suits
- The Element Black for the lowest price of the group at our last check; the Slate Black 7700 for 32GB of RGB DDR5 on AM5; the Y40 PRO for a 12-core Ryzen 9 7900X and a 2TB SSD.
- Price range
- From the Element Black to the Velztorm Praetix 3D, all sat in the over $1500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Black Gaming PC
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
VRAM across these picks
Here VRAM runs from 8GB on the Slate Black 7700 to 16GB on the Y40 PRO. The Y40 PRO is the pick for VRAM.
SSD capacity
Here SSD capacity runs from 1TB on the Slate Black 7700 to 2TB on the Y40 PRO. Start with the Y40 PRO if SSD capacity decides it.
Processor
The Element Black lists Ryzen 7 8700F; the Slate Black 7700 lists ryzen 7 7700; the Y40 PRO lists Ryzen 9 7900X; the Y40 4070 Super lists Core i7-14700F; the Velztorm Praetix 3D lists Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
Memory type
The Element Black, the Slate Black 7700 and the Y40 PRO list DDR5-5200; the Y40 4070 Super lists DDR5-5600; the Velztorm Praetix 3D lists DDR5. Settle this first, then compare prices.
What to check at home
Check the Element Black's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
Trust specific listings
Prefer listings that name every part: CPU model, GPU model and VRAM, RAM, SSD and PSU. Vague terms like "Core i7" or "brand may vary" leave room for weaker parts.
How to Choose a Black Gaming PC
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | Element Black | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want 32GB of RGB DDR5 on AM5 | Slate Black 7700 | 32GB of RGB DDR5 on AM5 |
| Buyers who want 12-core Ryzen 9 7900X and a 2TB SSD | Y40 PRO | A 12-core Ryzen 9 7900X and a 2TB SSD |
| Buyers who want RTX 4070 Super with a 2TB SSD | Y40 4070 Super | An RTX 4070 Super with a 2TB SSD |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Velztorm Praetix 3D | The top of this price range, adding a liquid-cooled CPU in a Y60 case |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Y40 PRO leads on VRAM at 16GB, ahead of the Velztorm Praetix 3D at 16GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Element Black | RTX 5060 | 8GB | Ryzen 7 8700F | 32GB |
| Slate Black 7700 | RTX 5060 | 8GB | Ryzen 7 7700 | 32GB |
| Y40 PRO | RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | Ryzen 9 7900X | 32GB |
| Y40 4070 Super | RTX 4070 Super | 12GB | Core i7-14700F | 32GB |
| Velztorm Praetix 3D | RTX 5080 | 16GB | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 32GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Velztorm Praetix 3D worth paying more than the Element Black?
On paper it adds VRAM (16GB against 8GB) and SSD capacity (2TB against 1TB). The Element Black was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Element Black the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits keeping the budget tight.
Do the Element Black and the Y40 PRO differ on graphics card?
The Element Black and the Slate Black 7700 use RTX 5060; the Y40 PRO uses RTX 5070 Ti; the Y40 4070 Super uses RTX 4070 Super; the Velztorm Praetix 3D uses RTX 5080.
What should I check before buying the Y40 4070 Super?
Check the Y40 4070 Super's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The Y40 4070 Super's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Element Black and the Slate Black 7700 apart?
The Element Black: 32GB of DDR5 RGB memory. The Slate Black 7700: 32GB of RGB DDR5 on AM5. The Y40 PRO: a 12-core Ryzen 9 7900X and a 2TB SSD.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Element Black, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Slate Black 7700 for 32GB of RGB DDR5 on AM5, the Y40 PRO for a 12-core Ryzen 9 7900X and a 2TB SSD and the Y40 4070 Super for an RTX 4070 Super with a 2TB SSD if those matter more to you.
Check the RGB can be turned off if you want a stealth look.