Best OMEN Gaming Desktops for Casual Gamers
Do you love video games as a relaxing hobby or for spending time with friends? You’re not alone. A large percentage of casual gamers (63%) play simply to pass the time, with 33% choosing games that are easy to understand and enjoy.
No matter your personal reasons for gaming, most people agree that it’s much more fun when you have the right equipment. Slow or outdated devices can steal the joy from your favorite platformer or first-person shooter. Even if you don’t play competitively, you deserve a gaming desktop that can keep up with the graphics and memory requirements of modern, best-selling titles.
Why OMEN for Casual Gamers?
While HP’s OMEN brand is synonymous with quality and performance, it’s not exclusively for competitive or professional gamers. OMEN desktops offer high-speed hardware, customized software, and beautiful design that feels at home in your entertainment area or office.
Both kids and adults enjoy using HP OMEN desktops. And because casual gamers often use their computers for other activities (like schoolwork and productivity tasks), these machines excel at multitasking while maintaining their durability.
All OMEN desktops provide access to the OMEN Gaming Hub, which scans your PC to add all games to a single library. Launch any game, whether it’s from Steam, Epic, or Xbox, from a single, searchable interface. You no longer need to remember which platform hosts each game. The Hub also offers exclusive giveaways, DLC invites, custom wallpapers, and more.
OMEN PCs come with HP’s customer support and warranty protection. Beyond the standard warranty, you can purchase HP Care Packs to extend coverage and protect against accidents for up to three years. If you think you might need help using your PC, the HP Smart Friend service provides access to helpful agents 24/7 who can assist with transferring files to your new OMEN computer, installing software, or troubleshooting internet connections.
Top OMEN Gaming Desktops: A Quick List
The OMEN line offers options for every casual gamer. These models stand out as fan favorites, each providing the tools you need to game in style:
- OMEN by HP 25L Gaming Desktop
- OMEN 35L Gaming Desktop
- OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop
With a range of features and prices, there’s an OMEN desktop suited for your lifestyle and gaming preferences.
In-depth Reviews
Not sure where to start? Each HP OMEN PC has its own style and capabilities. Let’s take a closer look at the top options available for casual gaming.
OMEN by HP 25L Gaming Desktop
The OMEN by HP 25L Gaming Desktop features a sleek, minimalist design that fits seamlessly into any home environment. With tool-less access, you can easily upgrade components and expand capabilities as your gaming needs evolve. Like all OMEN products, it comes with the OMEN Gaming Hub for intuitive game library management, RGB lighting control, and a customizable gameplay experience.
- Windows 11 Home
- Intel® Core™ i7-14700F (up to 5.4 GHz, 33 MB L3 cache, 20 cores, 28 threads)
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 (8 GB GDDR6 dedicated)
- Kingston FURY 16 GB DDR5-5200 MT/s XMP RGB Heatsink (2 x 8 GB)
- 1 TB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD
The OMEN 25L strikes an excellent balance between performance and affordability. Its Intel® Core™ i7-14700F processor delivers ample power for popular titles like Fortnite, Minecraft, and The Sims 4, while the NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 graphics card with 8 GB of dedicated memory ensures smooth visuals and gameplay.
With 16 GB of memory, you can easily switch between gaming and productivity applications, and the spacious 1 TB SSD provides fast load times and plenty of storage for your game library. The compact design makes it suitable for smaller spaces while still allowing for future upgrades.
OMEN 35L Gaming Desktop
The OMEN 35L Gaming Desktop offers enhanced cooling capabilities with a more spacious interior design. It features a stylish chassis with clear side cover and RGB lighting that you can customize through the OMEN Gaming Hub. The tool-less design makes it easy to access internal components for upgrades or maintenance.
Intel-based model:
- Windows 11 Home
- Intel® Core™ i5 14th generation processor
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 Ti (8 GB GDDR6 dedicated)
- Kingston FURY 16 GB DDR5-6000 MT/s XMP RGB Heatsink (2 x 8 GB)
- 1 TB PCIe® Gen4 NVMe™ M.2 SSD
AMD-based model:
- Windows 11 Home
- AMD Ryzen™ 7 8700G (up to 5.1 GHz, 16 MB L3 cache, 8 cores, 16 threads)
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 (8 GB GDDR6 dedicated)
- Kingston FURY 16 GB DDR5-6000 MT/s EXPO™ RGB Heatsink (2 x 8 GB)
- 1 TB PCIe® Gen4 NVMe™ M.2 SSD
With its Intel® Core™ i7-14700F processor or AMD Ryzen™ 7 8700G and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ graphics, the OMEN 35L delivers excellent performance for casual gaming and everyday computing tasks. The system’s cooling design includes 2x 140MM front fans and 1x 120MM rear exhaust fan that help maintain optimal operating temperatures with 10-14% thermal improvement over previous designs, even during extended gaming sessions.
The fast DDR5 memory provides smooth multitasking capabilities, and the system can be easily upgraded with additional RAM or storage as your needs evolve. The OMEN 35L represents an excellent middle ground in the OMEN lineup, offering a good balance of performance, expandability, and value.
OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop
The OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop is the flagship model in the OMEN lineup, featuring advanced cooling technology and premium components. Its spacious design provides excellent airflow and ample room for expansion, while the tool-less access makes upgrades simple and straightforward.
- Windows 11 Home
- Intel® Core™ Ultra9 285K (up to 5.70 GHz, 36 MB cache, 24 cores, 24 threads)
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 (32 GB GDDR7 dedicated)
- Kingston FURY 64GB DDR5-5600 MT/s XMP RGB Heatsink (4 x 16 GB)
- 2 TB PCIe® Gen4 NVMe™ Performance M.2 SSD
The OMEN 45L delivers exceptional performance with its Intel® Core™ Ultra9 285K processor and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 graphics. This powerful combination can handle any game a casual player might enjoy, from graphically intensive titles to fast-paced multiplayer games.
With 64 GB of high-speed DDR5 memory, the system provides smooth multitasking capabilities and responsive gameplay. The OMEN 45L represents the premium tier of HP’s gaming desktop lineup, offering future-proof performance that will satisfy casual gamers for years to come.
For those seeking alternative configurations, the OMEN 45L is also available with Intel® Core™ Ultra7 265K processor and various NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ options including the RTX™ 5080, RTX™ 5070 Ti, and RTX™ 4080 Super.
Setting Up Your OMEN Desktop for the Best Casual Gaming Experience
After purchasing your OMEN, taking time to properly set it up will ensure the best experience from day one. Here’s how to get started:
- Initial setup: Follow the quick-start guide to connect your desktop to power, monitor, and accessories. Remember that OMEN desktops don’t include a monitor, so you’ll need to purchase one separately. HP OMEN monitors are designed to complement your desktop perfectly.
- Connect peripherals: This is the ideal time to connect your gaming headphones, mouse, keyboard, and other accessories. For a complete gaming setup, consider adding a HyperX gaming headset and the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless Gaming Mouse.
- Expand storage or memory: If you purchased additional components, the easy-access case makes installation simple. No tools are required to open the case and add memory or storage.
- Configure BIOS settings: Before you start using your PC, take a moment to explore the BIOS settings. Set the date and time, select boot options, and review your system information.
- Customize RGB lighting: Use the OMEN Light Studio to set up your LED lighting with your preferred RGB color scheme. You can control lights on compatible products including the OMEN computer chassis, OMEN displays, OMEN mouse, and select third-party lighting devices.
- Organize your game library: Launch the OMEN Gaming Hub to scan for installed games and create your centralized game library. Customize performance settings for individual games to optimize your experience.
Always follow the instructions provided for any accessory or component you pair with your HP OMEN. Consult your user manual or the HP website for guidance on HP products.
How to Choose the Best HP OMEN for You
Choosing a gaming PC is a significant decision, and it’s worth taking time to consider how you’ll use your computer over the next few years. While gaming is one aspect, OMEN desktops are equipped for much more than casual gaming sessions.
These powerful machines excel at video editing, 3D rendering, graphic design, and other demanding tasks, making them ideal all-in-one solutions for creative work as well as gaming.
To choose the right model for you, ask yourself these questions:
- What is your budget? OMEN desktops span several price points, from the more affordable 25L to the premium 45L.
- What games do you play most often? Different games have different hardware requirements. Check the recommended specs for your favorite titles.
- Do you have space constraints? The OMEN 25L has a smaller footprint, while the 45L is larger but offers more cooling and expansion options.
- Do you prefer AMD or Intel processors? Both offer excellent performance, but some users have preferences based on previous experience.
- Will you use the PC for other tasks? If you plan to use your OMEN for work or creative projects, consider models with more RAM and storage.
- How important is future upgradeability? All OMEN desktops support upgrades, but larger models offer more expansion options.
Summary
Any HP OMEN desktop can be customized to suit your specific needs as a casual gamer. They all deliver on quality, value, and versatility, with configurations available to match your performance requirements and budget.
The OMEN 25L offers an excellent entry point with its compact design and solid performance. The OMEN 35L provides enhanced cooling and more powerful components, while the OMEN 45L represents the pinnacle of OMEN desktop performance with premium features and extensive customization options.
For a complete gaming setup, don’t forget to explore HP’s gaming monitors and HyperX accessories, which perfectly complement your OMEN desktop. Ready to elevate your casual gaming experience? Explore the full range of Gaming PCs & Laptops at HP’s official store.
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