Is there a better alternative?

Competitors to the Predator Orion 3000 include the Alienware Aurora R8, which was reviewed in a configuration outfitted with similar CPU and GPU options, and the HP Omen Obelisk.

　　Our $2,300 Alienware Aurora R8 review unit is perhaps the most evenly matched unit against the Orion 3000. Both units come with 9th-Gen Intel Core i7 processors and Nvidia RTX 2080 graphics, placing them on a level playing field. And in reality, both systems performed very similarly in our suite of benchmarks and games. If you choose the Aurora R8, you’ll get a unit that’s more upgradeable and can support dual graphics, but the tradeoff is that the Alienware’s case is bigger, made from plastic, and bulkier.

　　If you need an inexpensive gaming PC to get started today, HP’s Omen Obelisk is available in a variety of configurations that start at just $749, making it an excellent candidate for a starter rig. Though the Omen Obelisk ships with a larger case, this makes it easy to upgrade the internals. The open glass panel design means that you can showcase your PC’s build and add a liquid cooling system if you want something a bit more ostentatious than the quiet black frame found on the Orion.

　　For something a bit more affordable, Digital Storm’s Lynx is another affordable and solid option. Topping out with the same Intel Core i7-9700K processor seen on the Orion 3000, the Lynx manages to keep its cost down to just $1,999 by going with a slightly weaker RTX 2070 graphics card. Though this mid-range GPU won’t do much for enthusiasts, most gamers will find the performance to be sufficient for 1080p gaming, and you can always upgrade to newer or faster graphics in the future thanks to the unit’s upgradeable tower design.

　　

How long will it last?

Though it may be the entry-level tower in Acer’s Predator Orion series, this year’s Orion 3000 comes with a lot of staying power thanks to powerful silicon upgrades under the hood. The aggressive front plate design may make this desktop look dated as time passes, but given the Intel Core i7 processor and RTX 2080 graphics, it should keep running for a long time. Likely, you’ll want to upgrade to 32GB of RAM and larger 512GB solid-state drive if you intend to hang on to this desktop for some time.

　　

Should you buy it?

Yes, the Predator Orion 3000 is a great pre-built PC that delivers solid performance at a reasonable price point that’s competitive with other rigs.