Well, if by 'gaming' you mean Freecell or Solitaire, then basically any pc will do. HP & Dell are two decent choices for casual users.
On the other hand, if you want something that will run Call of Duty or other fairly new shooters/real-time strategy/MMORPG, then a custom-built desktop is the only way to go. I've built a lot of custom computers and that's my recommendation. Your first build is a little intimidating but there's lots of resources online. I like and recommend
Newegg as a supplier. Their prices and services are really hard to beat.
If you're not ready to build your own, look for a local computer store that's been around for a while & talk to them. It will be more expensive, but if something goes wrong you can blame someone other than yourself. Don't waste your time with big-box stores. Their stock is primarily designed for casual home or business use. Good luck!
Darrel