HP Omen 35L: The Budget Gaming PC Steal of 2023 with a $1,075 Discount

No one thought a mid-range gaming PC could punch above its weight, yet here we're with HP's latest offer. The Omen 35L gaming desktop has seen a jaw-dropping price cut. A whopping $1,075 off brings its price down to $1,724, positioning it as a no-brainer for budget-conscious gamers.

A major shift for Budget Gamers

HP's Omen 35L is equipped with an RTX 5070 graphics card, Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. These specs are usually reserved for more costly machines. The RTX 5070 itself promises smooth gameplay at 1440p, which many mid-range PCs struggle with. But here's the kicker: it's not just about gaming. The Intel CPU shines in multi-threaded tasks, making it a decent choice for productivity too.

RAM alone has inflated to $400 in today's market, making the 32GB offering in this setup a notable inclusion. Forget the debates over whether 16GB is enough. For this price, you're getting future-proofing, especially as gaming requirements continue to climb. The included Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure you're not left behind in connectivity stakes either.

The CPU Conundrum

But there's a catch, and it's the CPU. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265F, while competent, does lag behind in pure gaming benchmarks compared to its pricier cousins. However, it's still offering over 100 FPS at 1080p in testing. That's more than playable for most gamers. And with Nvidia's DLSS 4 support, the 5070 can push up to 1440p, smoothing out the bumps where the CPU might falter.

The real question is, who stands to lose here? Enthusiasts chasing top-tier performance may balk at the 265F's limitations. Those looking for top-of-the-line might opt for the RTX 5080 variant, with its AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $2,499 after a $1,100 discount. But at nearly 50% more, it's a different proposition altogether.

Bang for Your Buck

Here's the thing, not every gamer needs or even wants the highest specs. For the average consumer and those new to PC gaming, the Omen 35L offers substantial value. It's a gateway into reliable gaming without the premium price tag. The added gift ofLEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knightsweetens the deal further, showcasing HP’s attempt to capture not just hardcore gamers but casual ones too.

In a market flooded with overpriced hardware, this is a refreshing change. It's a reminder that good deals are still out there if you know where to look. This isn't just a gaming PC. It's a signal that affordability doesn't have to come at the cost of performance.

The Verdict

So, is the HP Omen 35L the ultimate budget gaming desktop for 2023? If you're weighing pure performance against cost, it very well could be. The price cut makes it an attractive option for gamers who prioritize value over bleeding edge specs. At $1,724, it's hard to argue against a deal that gives so much while asking so little in return.