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When deciding between purchasing a desktop computer or a laptop computer, you'll need to consider a handful of criteria and make a determination that fits your needs the best. Below is a chart that compares the two types of computers, providing pros and cons for each to help you make a more informed purchasing decision.

In the end, the final decision depends on what your needs are. While the above chart may make it look as though Desktop computers are the best overall option, if portability is a big need of yours, the laptop is the best option. There are some limitations to consider, but they are not overly significant for most users.

However, if you want the most bang for your buck and portability is not necessary, a desktop is likely the best choice especially if price is important. Desktops are optimal choices for graphic intensive gaming, use of CAD applications, and for those who prefer to have the option of upgrading more easily. However, they are also perfectly fine for the basic computer user who just needs e-mail and Internet access.

Additional information

See our desktop and laptop definitions for further information and related pages.

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When deciding between purchasing a desktop computer or a laptop computer, you'll need to consider a handful of criteria and make a determination that fits your needs the best. Below is a chart that compares the two types of computers, providing pros and cons for each to help you make a more informed purchasing decision.

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Top 10 things to consider when buying computer.
When entering into the world of computers it can get very easy to get confused and loose sight of your goals and sometimes your budget. Here's the top 10 things to consider;
1. Most importantly, know what you want to use it for and set aside a realistic budget.
Your budget
The first thing that most of us are constrained to is budget so this is the first thing you should consider. We always want the best but we need to be grounded on what we can afford. So Get a budget and stick to it.

Laptop or Desktop?
The next thing you should be looking at is your requirements. Do you need a laptop or desktop? What is the machine going to be used for? Once you have done this go back to number one and see if these are compatible often they are not first time round. You either need to adjust your budget or adjust your goals to make them more compatible with each other.

Now its time to look at the computer.
There are many things to consider when actually buying the computer, here I will list the most important so you can choose wisely.

2. The Processor
This is the most important factor when choosing a computer nowadays and there are many factors in processor choice the main thing is that in my opinion Intel are at the moment making the best chips and their core 2 duo range is the best so go for one in this family and you will be ok.

3. RAM (Computer Memory)
Essentially, the more rams you have, the more browsers and applications you can open. 4Gb is the most basic nowadays. 8GB is the sweet spot for most people. If you are a gamer, photo or video editor, or planning to do CAD/CAM work, you need at least 16GB of Ram. Make sure you get windows vista 64bit as your operating system.

6. Hard Drive
This is the next piece you should tackle. Computers today usually come with 250GB and 750GB of space in the hard drive. As more people are storing their information online on cloud storage, you may want to rethink of buying a huge hard drive space.

Google provides the 1st 15GB of free & monthly fee of $1.99 for 100GB and $9.99 for 1 terabyte.

Mega provides free 50GB

pCloud provides free 10GB

MediaFire provides 10GB

Dropbox provides 2GB

Where to get free cloud storage;

7. Graphics
Now all computers come with some form of graphics built in. But my recommendation is to go with something a little better possibly from NVIDIA or AMD. They make your computer resolution better. AMD cards are good for mining while NVidia is good for Adobe programs.

8. Computer Software
Most computers comes with microsoft software. The latest is Windows 10.

9. Anti-Virus Software
The last thing to do with the actual computer is a good virus and spy ware package. Don't be under any illusion this is possibly the most important part of protecting your computer. It will get attacked at some point be prepared when it does.

10. Your Computer Lifeline, Internet
Finally the internet, get a good internet provider broadband at least. No computer is complete without a good internet.

I hope this list is helpful in helping you make vital decisions when buying your new computer.

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Top Ten Things to Consider When Buying a Computer

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Top 10 things to consider when buying computer. When entering into the world of computers it can get very easy to get confused and loose sight of your goals and sometimes your budget. Here's the top 10 things to consider; 1. Most importantly, know what you want to use it for and set aside a realistic budget.

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So, you're in the market for a new computer but aren't exactly sure what device you want or need? What follows in this guide will help you have a strong understanding of what pre-built desktop PCs can offer you, as well as the multiple variations of these products.
Prices and availability of products discussed were accurate at time of publication, but are subject to change.
Why a Desktop PC?

If you can live without the portability of a laptop or tablet, desktop PCs can provide you with more power as well as a different form of convenience. Compared to laptops, most pre-built PCs are more upgradable. Sure you can swap out hard drives, SSDs, and memory sticks on some laptops, but their CPUs and graphics are often soldered in, so your processing and graphics power will stay the same until your next purchase.

Depending on the manufacturer, pre-built PCs can swap out most, if not all, components, including the graphics card, motherboard, and CPU. You do need to make sure to check back on your specifications though, whenever you're changing out components.

Another great thing about desktops? You don't need to worry about charging a battery. Just plug it into a viable outlet and you're good to go. Fortunately, since you're going with a pre-built instead of do-it-yourself, you also don't initially have to worry about compatibility issues or making sure your PSU can handle your components. Down the line when you do decide to upgrade, you can use Newegg's power-supply calculator to ensure your system has the right amount of power.

Operating System

Without an operating system, desktop PCs would just be immense paperweights with limited computing functions. A computer's operating system is the overarching software that connects physical hardware and software applications together.
Windows
Made by Microsoft, Windows is one of the world's most popular operating systems with the most current version being Windows 10. If you're a hardcore gamer, Windows should be your operating system of choice due to the fact that most of the latest PC games are only available on Windows.

Like the majority of their releases, Microsoft's Windows 10 comes in a and edition. The main difference between these versions is that Pro comes with enterprise business features such as group policy management, remote desktop and other IT-related business support. It's best to use the latest version of the OS but, but as of writing, the Windows 7 operating system is the minimum requirement for games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice or video-editing applications like Adobe Premiere.
Mac
The other major entry at the forefront of popular operating systems for desktop PCs is Apple's macOS. As of writing the most current version of Apple's flagship operating system is macOS Mojave. The Mac platform houses a fair amount of support for the latest games, but not enough to be useful to hardcore PC gamers. Whereas Windows can be considered an open environment when it comes to modding or developing components and software, Apple's system is closed.

You have to abide by Apple's rules, but the protection and privacy options you get with your Mac is top-notch. But this also means upgrades or self-repairs cannot be as easily executed on your Mac system. Nevertheless, millions of users love the features of macOS and Apple's computers have become known as the machines of choice for artists and designers. Though prices may be high, the power and lifespan of the latest products generally match the initial investment.
Chrome OS
A fairly new competitor, Google's Chrome OS is an operating system based off Linux. Similar to their Android-based mobile operating systems, the latest Chrome OS desktop PCs utilize the Google Play Store for getting apps like Microsoft Office programs or streaming services like Netflix or YouTube. Chrome OS desktop PCs can be highly cost-effective and useful for simple home entertainment, student work or small- to mid-sized businesses.
Linux
Though Newegg only caries a few Linux-powered systems, this free, open-source operating system is highly efficient and effective for those interested in running server or large mainframe systems. Currently, one of the most-used distributions (distros) of Linux is called Ubuntu, but the beautiful thing about Linux is that users can choose from a number of publicly shared distributions and decide whichever one best fits their purposes.

Form Factors

Desktops come in many shapes and sizes. Called form factors, the outer physical dimensions and properties of your desktop PC's case (or chassis) can help determine its level of functionality.

Traditional Desktops

Let's start by talking about the classic that received its name for its tendency to have itself and its users work on a desk. Traditional desktop PCs have evolved over the years to play different roles due to the evolution of form factors.

These are the forms most commonly seen out in the wild-whether at work or a friend's house. From full-sized towers to micro-sized towers, the difference between these form factors lies within the amount of components that can be packed within as well as overall price of the system. These system sizes are most commonly used by gamers, graphic-design artists, video editors-basically anyone who needs high system performance.
Small/Slim Form Factors
For those looking to save on work-space and are not worried about having the latest, full-sized, high-powered components, these smaller form factor desktop PCs can provide effective ergonomics and functionality. Both large to small-sized businesses benefit from implementing a fleet of small/slim form factor desktops so long as they are able to run the necessary business applications like documents, spreadsheets and IT software.

Budget gamers also benefit from the small/slim form factor that house just the right size and power of components that can run low to medium settings on the latest games, all while saving space for their gaming battlestations and being as mobile as a desktop PC can be.

We'll go into more detail later but, the majority of desktop PCs need a monitor or other display to work properly. The exception to this rule? An all-in-one desktop PC. As the name implies, all-in-one desktops house every necessary computer component into a single chassis that includes an integrated display screen in front.

From iMacs to Windows all-in-ones, component power and screen size determine the product's final price. The bigger the screen and the newer the components, the higher the price. Because of this variation, all-in-one desktop PCs can be used at a variety of levels from simple browsing machines to high-powered graphics workstations.
Computer/Compute Sticks
Technically, these aren't your everyday desktop PCs that come to mind, but they certainly deserve a shout out for their impressive functionality in such a small size. You're not going to get a gaming powerhouse with these sticks, but if you just need something to stream videos or browse the Internet, these products get the job done and are virtually non-existent in your work or home-entertainment space.

Components to Consider

Now, what's actually inside a desktop PC is what you should be looking out for. Knowing the hardware specifications of any desktop computer will help determine the product's final price. The latest and greatest components will cost you a pretty penny, but will provide you with the best power and computing capabilities on the market. On the other hand, being cost-effective will save you money but may limit what you can get done with your machine.

The brains of the entire operation, central processing units (otherwise known as CPUs or processors) carry out the instructions needed to properly run a computer, as well as the input commands a user (you) provides. The desktop-processor brands you'll see in the market come down to two main companies, Intel and AMD.

When it comes to processors, what you should first be looking out for is the amount of cores. Cores in a CPU determine the amount of processes that can be run at the same time.

CPU clock speeds can also be important to look at before your purchase, but can ultimately be altered down the line if you decide to overclock.

Intel have long been known for their highly efficient and immensely powerful processors that come at a bit of a higher cost. Considering high ROI (return on investment), Intel fans have been content to pay the price for these processors' long-term efficiency and functionality. In recent years though, Intel have expanded their lineup in the desktop PC market to include more budget-friendly processors without sacrificing too much on power.

Over the years, generations of Intel Core processors continue to be released, but it's easy to note the hierarchy of power from the starter-class i3 to the super-powered i9 series

Higher-end Intel-powered desktops are well-equipped to run intensive programs such as games like Respawn Entertainment's Apex Legends or video-editing software such as Adobe Premiere. As, we'll cover later, the power of your graphics card is also an important factor in determining if you can run these software programs. Fortunately, buying a pre-built desktop above can guarantee your graphics card will be at the same level as the CPU that's included.

For years, AMD have been known as the manufacturer that provides effective processors at a lower price than their competitor Intel. At times, this meant that the computing power of these processors came as second-best, but with the introduction of their Ryzen series processors, AMD have raised the bar, changing how they're seen in the CPU market's landscape.

Before releasing Ryzen, AMD marked their CPU-power and generational differences within the thousands. For example, certain AMD FX processors split their 4-, 6- and 8-core processor classes with the naming convention of FX-4120, FX-6120 and FX-8120 respectively. Following that, the upgraded generation of these processors were named: FX-4300, FX-6300 and FX-8300. As of writing things are a bit clearer, as we are currently in the 2 nd generation of Ryzen processors.

Higher-end AMD Ryzen and FX-powered desktops will be generally be capable of running your games and productivity software of choice. As we said before, the power of your graphics card will also determine what software you can run, but pre-built systems generally include GPUs that are around the same performance tier as the included CPUs.

Integrated Graphics & Graphics Cards

Now that we've covered the most important component in a desktop PC, it's time to move on to the next important unit: GPUs (graphics processing units)! Similar to CPUs, GPUs are components dedicated to accelerating the manipulation and creation of computer graphics and visual images.

Before we get into desktop systems that use a dedicated graphics card, we'll look at PCs that utilize integrated graphics. Integrated graphics refer to GPUs that exist on the CPU and allow for video output when no graphics card is installed. Intel started it off with Intel HD and Iris graphics, while AMD coined the term APU (accelerated processing unit) to market their CPUs that came loaded with integrated graphics.

When shopping for systems with integrated graphics, you'll notice that these systems are a bit more affordable than the systems that come with dedicated graphics cards. Of course, a less expensive system usually means fewer high-tier games/applications you can run.

Systems with graphics cards

Alright, now we can move on to the heavy hitters: pre-built desktops that come with dedicated graphics cards. Just like the CPU market, graphics processing units are designed by two dominant forces: NVIDIA and AMD.

If you see GeForce in your desktop's product title or specs chart, the graphics are from NVIDIA.

If you see Radeon on your item's page, you've got yourself AMD-powered graphics.

Though there are many series of graphics cards, we can generally break it down to two categories: desktop GPUs vs. workstation GPUs. Both types of cards can be found in either a traditional or all-in-one desktop-PC chassis. The main difference between these two categories of graphics cards is their function. Desktop GPUs are generally used for gaming, video/photo editing, and streaming, while workstation GPUs are used for running professional high-level programs like 3D-modeling and computer-graphic image creation and manipulation.

Simply put, a gamer will use a desktop GPU, while the game developer that makes the game they're playing will utilize a workstation GPU to create and edit assets like in-game 3D character models.

RAM

Random-access memory (otherwise known as RAM or desktop memory) helps speed up your computing experience by storing system info for in-the-moment and follow-up functions you request. As software like games and applications become more advanced, the need for larger-sized desktop memory is needed in order to efficiently run your PC. As of writing, you'll need at least 8GB of memory to run video-editing software like Adobe Premiere. The latest games currently vary from a 2GB-8GB RAM minimum, but the safest current bet is to go with 8GB. Of course, if you're just trying to run Microsoft Office programs, 2GB will work just fine.

For most manufacturers' pre-built desktop PCs, desktop memory is one of the components that can easily be changed out down the line. But you have to be wary of maintaining both type and speed.

Type refers to the data-rate standard of each module. Following DDR3, today's current standard is DDR4 (double data rate 4). Desktop-memory speed, similar to a CPU's clock speed, is measured in megahertz (MHz) and works within the parameters of a clock cycle and CAS (column access strobe) latency to determine how quickly systems instructions can be carried out.

Systems with DDR4 are the right choice if you're interested in future-proofing your home system. If you're running older programs and games, or just want to stream entertainment media, going with DDR3 may be a more cost-efficient option.

Storage

Main storage for pre-built desktop PCs comes down to internal hard-disk drives (HDD) and the newer format of internal solid-state drives (SSD). Following standards that determine product price and efficiency, the current way most users utilize desktop-PC storage goes as follows:

Use a large-capacity HDD to store your large collection of media files such as movies, music, pictures, important documents, etc.

Use a small to medium-sized SSD to house your operating system (OS) and essential programs.

This common, useful configuration involves both an SSD and an HDD in a single system, though options with only HDDs or only SSDs are both available as well, depending on your needs.

The amount of storage you want for your SSD is between 120GB-240GB. This gives you plenty of space to store your key operating-system files as well as ample room to keep your other most-used files and/or applications. Because HDDs are becoming more and more affordable every day, the standard size you'll be looking at getting should be between 500GB-2TB.

Ports

Internal storage devices aren't the only way to store or access files. Like any computer, desktop PCs come with a plethora of ports that provide you with plenty of expansive options, including external storage.

USB

Having been the standard since 1996, USB (universal serial bus) ports power the majority of connected devices that use wires. To name a few products, desktop-PC USB slots can power printers, external hard drives, keyboards, mice and webcams-all from virtually every brand.

Back in the day, computer users would have to use the included CD in their specific product box that contained drivers (code that helps the computer recognize physical input commands) to have their systems recognize and properly utilize their device. Granted, many manufacturers still provide a driver CD, but if you're running the latest operating system like Windows 10 or macOS Mojave, all you have to do is plug in your USB device and the computer system will find and install the best driver for the job.

Of course, like any technology, the USB protocol has evolved over time. As of writing, USB 4 has just been announced and will be released before the end of 2019. What this means for you? Nothing, unless you're looking to re-vamp your current line of devices (smartphones, audio cards, etc.) Desktop PCs come standard with USB 3.1 and USB 2.0 Type-A ports (the larger rectangular slot-shape) and both are backwards compatible, giving users ultimate compatibility for using newer as well as legacy peripherals.

Audio In/Out

If you're using wired headphones or headsets with microphones, these 8mm jacks found on the front and/or back of your desktop PC are what you need to plug into. Usually the front I/O panel has these 8mm jacks differentiated by a microphone icon (audio in/mic in) and headphones icon (audio out/headphone jack)

Video (VGA, DVI, HDMI and DP)

On the back side of your desktop PC case is where you'll find the standard video connections: VGA, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort (DP). As to which is better...well, it's not as easy as saying "this is better than the others." VGA is indeed older and can have trouble converting its analog signal to digital signal, but DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort generally come down to what ports are on the back or side panel of your output source (TV or monitor). For gaming use, both HDMI and DisplayPort have their advantages, and the right choice for you depends on your graphics card, monitor, and other aspects of your setup.

When connecting a display to your desktop PC, you will need to take note of whether or not your system has a dedicated graphics card or is running off your CPU's integrated graphics. Knowing this will help you determine whether you need to plug into the motherboard (the larger panel, that usually stands vertical) or if you need to plug into the graphics card (a horizontal panel that just has the aforementioned video ports).

PS/2

Like VGA, the PS/2 ports on your desktop's motherboard panel can now be considered a legacy port. Since 1987, the light-green port has been used for computer mice while the light-purple port is for keyboards. Nowadays, the port has been split in half, allowing for only one or the other. Nevertheless, unless you're somehow stuck with an older keyboard or mouse, you'll be using a USB or Bluetooth-compatible input device.

Ethernet/RJ45

Using the RJ45 (otherwise known as Ethernet) port is the fastest and most reliable way to connect to the Internet. As long as you have a router or range extender that works properly and has an Ethernet port, all you have to do is plug both ends of an Ethernet cable from the network device to the back of your desktop PC. It does need to be noted that not every Ethernet cable is built the same though. Wired Internet speed can depend on the category (for example, Cat 5 versus Cat 6) as well as the physical length of your cable (shorter = faster).

Networking

Continuing from the previous section, networking for a desktop PC can come in the form of a physical Ethernet-cable connection. So, the question arises, what about wireless WiFi networking? Unless it's an all-in-one desktop computer, the majority of pre-built desktop systems do not come with integrated WiFi connectivity. Fear not though, adding a WiFi card can be as easy as connecting two Lego pieces, by connecting it to the expandable PCI-E slot inside of your desktop PC.

Peripherals/Accessories to Consider

Monitors are the standard output video source for desktop PCs. Whether you're gaming, working on graphic design, or need multiple monitors for running an efficient multi-tasking workload, you should note not all monitors are built the same. Generally speaking, if you're looking to do some high-end gaming, you'll need a monitor that has a high refresh rate (for example, 240Hz) and a low response time (1ms). Graphic designers will need a monitor that shoots for a 99% sRGB color-reproduction value to ensure their works look great across any other monitor.

As mentioned before, the standard ports on your pre-built desktop computers that connect to the latest monitors are DVI, DisplayPort and HDMI (unless you have an older monitor that only uses a VGA port).

Similar to needing a monitor, you'll probably find it difficult to use your desktop computer without a keyboard and mouse. Going wired is easy: just plug in your keyboard and mouse then you're ready to compute. If you want to utilize a wireless keyboard and mouse, you'll need to check whether it's RF (radio frequency) or Bluetooth-enabled.

RF keyboards and mice come with a USB dongle that plugs into your desktop PC and provides a signal that's specific to the keyboard and/or mouse, giving your devices wireless functionality.

Getting Bluetooth devices to function on your desktop PC is similar to using an RF dongle in that you will have a PCI-E Bluetooth card or USB Bluetooth adapter plugged in to your system. The benefit of getting a PCI-E card or USB Bluetooth dongle set up is that you can use any of your Bluetooth-compatible devices with it-as compared to the RF receiver that's only compatible with the devices it came packaged with.

Any Bluetooth or RF audio devices will need to be set up as described in the previous section. If you have a wired headset or headphones, simply plug them in to their respective ports on the front or back of your desktop computer. The front panel will have relatable icons for your mic or headphones while the back panel may have a pink-colored 8mm jack for microphones and a lime-green jack for headphones.

If you want to raise the bar, internal and external sound cards may be the route to take. Providing higher-quality sound and physical controls for volume as well ¼" input/output-jack options, sound cards can be what you need to get professional-sounding quality. Similar to the devices we mentioned before, sound cards can either be installed externally via USB or internally via PCI-E.

Video Tech

From simple webcams to high-quality video-capturing tools, your processor and graphics card will help determine the type of device you can utilize along with the editing software you need to complement your work. Simply put, if you're running a system that was made in the last five years, you can just plug your new video device to your computer's USB port.

For streamers though, the standards and setup needs can be a bit different. If you're only looking to capture your gameplay for later edits to upload to sites like YouTube, a capture card can serve you well. Alternatively, if you want to livestream your gameplay along with a live cam of yourself, a two-PC setup may best suit your needs.

Like it sounds, a two-PC streaming setup works as follows:

One desktop computer is the gaming computer that is stocked with components that will run your game at your preferred settings.

The other desktop PC houses video-editing friendly components and any peripherals needed for livestreaming and capturing the gameplay from the gaming PC.

Choose the system that's right for you

Technology is always advancing, so make sure to check back frequently for the latest updates on pre-built desktop PCs. As you can see, there are a variety of flavors when it comes to these systems, so if you need a little push in determining what kind of system you need, you can start by browsing three main categories: gaming desktops, business desktops, and student desktops.

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How to choose a desktop PC - Newegg Insider

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So, you're in the market for a new computer but aren't exactly sure what device you want or need? What follows in this guide will help you have a strong understanding of what pre-built desktop PCs can offer you, as well as the multiple variations of these products.

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Whether you love first-person shooters or hunting for treasure in pixelated paradises, there are times when you've wanted a little more from your gaming experience.

Maybe you want to experience your virtual worlds in higher definition, or you're curious about exactly what makes your computer run the way it does.

Building your own computer is the answer. Not only do you have complete control over which components you choose, you also get to peer under the hood and see what makes a PC run.

If that sounds intimidating, take a deep breath and relax. There's no need to break out the soldering iron. All you need to build your first gaming computer is the right set of parts, a screwdriver, and some patience.

Here are the components you'll need to build your first gaming PC.

Memory

Storage

Case

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Here Are All the Parts You'll Need to Build Your First Gaming PC

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Whether you love first-person shooters or hunting for treasure in pixelated paradises, there are times when you've wanted a little more from your gaming experience. Maybe you want to experience your virtual worlds in higher definition, or you're curious about exactly what makes your computer run the way it does.

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What Computer Parts do you need to build a PC, you ask? Does this mean you want to build your own PC? That is absolutely splendid! 🙂

Building your own Computer from individual PC Components has so many benefits compared to just going out and buying a pre-built PC:

It's a lot of Fun! The anticipation of the individual Parts being delivered to your House, the shiny Boxes with all the different components in them, not to mention researching what parts you actually need, which you are doing right now!

By building your own Computer you gain a lot of knowledge into the inner workings of Hardware Components, how everything fits together and you will be able to troubleshoot if any Problems occur later on much easier, than when you have no Idea what is actually going on inside a PC Case.

Knowing the ins and outs of assembling a Computer and what Parts a Computer needs will also let you upgrade your Computer in the future, and buy components that you can actually upgrade easily.

Another very important factor is optimization. He who knows how a Computer works can also optimize it as much as possible.

Optimize by overclocking, by getting the right Parts for your specific purposes, be it Gaming, 3D Rendering, Modeling, Graphic Design, Video Editing or so many other purposes you can use a Computer for.

Building your own Computer is a lot cheaper than getting a pre-built PC. You can usually save around 30% in Cost when researching and buying the PC Components individually yourself.

And the best of it all, building a Computer is so easy, it's kind of interesting that not more people are doing it!

Anyway, we now definitely know that we are on the right track in looking into building our own Computer, that's probably why you came here for in the first place.

If you already have a grasp on what general type of Computer you need, what specific Parts do we need to build a PC?
Here is the Computer Parts List with all the basic Hardware Parts that you will need for a functioning PC:
Computer Parts List (PC Components)

Let's take a closer look at them:

The Computer case is nothing more than a fancy looking box that holds all of the PC's components. It can be opened and closed and usually has pre-defined areas with screws and holes where all the other Components are supposed to be placed and attached to.

PC Cases come in different colors, sizes, with or without fans, some have LED lights some don't, some have glass side panels, some others look absolutely crazy.

Usually, you can think of a PC Case as a black (or white) Box with some buttons on top. This is where all of your components will fit into, when you are done with building your PC.

You don't actually need a case, you could also just lay all of your components on the floor or mount them on the wall, some people do, but being able to just pick up the entire Computer by picking up the Case comes in handy at times.

Some Cases that are extremely popular and often recommended are the NZXT H700i - ATX Mid-Tower or the Phanteks Enthoo Pro.

Motherboard

Next up is a very important part, the Motherboard. The Motherboard is a Printed Circuit Board that every other Computer Hardware Component will be attached to. It is like a central Hub that manages all the other Parts.

The Motherboard has connectors for cables like power cables and data cables, slots for cards like GPUs & sockets for CPUs.

There are also lots of little building blocks like transistors, capacitors, jumpers and lots of other tiny parts, that all go towards making your different hardware components work well together.

Check out the best Motherboards for the popular AMD Ryzen CPUs here.

Processor (CPU)

Now, into the Motherboard Socket, the CPU is plugged in. Every CPU type has a specific Socket, that is named like 2066, 1151, AM4, TR4 and so on, and the Motherboard will need the exact same socket to be compatible with the CPU.

This is usually the first step in picking new parts for your own pc build. Pick a CPU, check what socket it has, and then pick a compatible Motherboard. Continue on from there.

A CPU is the Central Processing Unit of a Computer, and without it, nothing really works.

Almost everything you do on a Computer will have to be calculated by the CPU in some way, so having a fast CPU (high clocks and high core count) will make your PC faster.

Head on over to the Custom PC-Builder Tool, to find the right CPU and Computer Parts for the type of Computer that you are looking at assembling

Anything that draws power also produces heat and the CPU produces lots of heat.

This means it has to be cooled to be able to operate flawlessly. What do we need for cooling a CPU? A CPU-Cooler! 🙂

Some CPUs like the AMD Ryzen 3rd Gen Series ( 3700X/ 3900X and so on) already have CPU-Coolers included in the CPU Box, but lots of others, like the popular Intel i9 9900K do not.

Make sure you have a CPU-Cooler that is compatible with your CPU and Socket. It is the same as with Motherboard Socket and CPU Socket. The Cooler has to fit the CPU and Socket.

Example: Are you planning on buying an LGA 1151 v2 CPU like the Intel i9 9900K? You need an LGA 1151 v2 Motherboard and an LGA 1151 v2 CPU-Cooler too. Easy as that!

There are two mainstream CPU-Cooler types. One is the Air-Cooled Tower Cooler and the other is an AIO Closed Waterloop CPU Cooler.

The AIO Closed Waterloop Cooler cools overclocked CPUs & CPUs that run hot for long periods of time better but can be noisier (usually has more fans and the added pump noise) and needs more room in your PC-Case, as it is attached to the side walls of the case, connected to the CPU with some Water Pipes.

The air-cooled tower CPU cooler (See Image above) is great at cooling short performance bursts, is nice and quiet and needs less room in the case. It is simply placed on top of the CPU where it sits and goes about its cooling-work.

Graphics Card (GPU)

Next up is the Graphics Card. Its purpose is the calculation of anything having to do with visuals and outputs these visuals (Images, User Interface, GUI) onto the Monitor.

There are two main types of GPUs, the integrated GPU (iGPU) and a discrete GPU.

The integrated GPU is integrated into the CPU. This means, some CPUs already have a graphics chip built in and you will not need an additional GPU to attach a monitor to.

When your CPU has integrated Graphics (like the Intel i7 8700K CPU) it will output to the display Adapter on the Motherboard. The thing with integrated GPUs though is, that they are very limited.

They are usually good enough for light tasks such as Word-Processing, some minor Games and the like but as soon as you want to dive into graphic-heavy tasks such as 3D GPU Rendering, High-End Gaming, Video Editing, Graphic Design or lots of others you will have to get yourself a discrete GPU.

A discrete GPU is a GPU that is not part of the CPU. It usually comes on its own little Printed Circuit Board (like the one in the Picture above), that is then plugged into a PCI Express Slot on your Motherboard.

Some modern GPUs include Nvidia's RTX generation such as the RTX 2070, RTX 2080, RTX 2080Ti and so on. The competitor AMD also has a solid line-up with RX VEGA Series, RX 5xx Series GPUs and the NAVI Series.

The two Manufacturers, Nvidia and AMD are fighting a fierce battle in getting a lead over the other, but at the moment it seems as though NVIDIA would be the Brand to pick over AMD if you are looking for the maximum performance you can get out of a GPU.

Random Access Memory (RAM) is the temporary thinking storage part of the Computer if you would compare it to a brain.

The RAM stores Data that is actively being worked on by the CPU. It can read and write very fast but loses everything it had stored once the power is turned off.

RAM kits consist of RAM Modules. You can get just one Module or 2 Modules / 4 Modules or even 8 Modules for Motherboards that support this many RAM Modules.

A Motherboard has RAM slots where RAM gets plugged in to. RAM comes in different sizes starting around 4GB and going up to 32GB per Module on current systems. Having more Modules of course will multiply your RAM amount.

Find out what RAM performs the best for your future PC build.

Storage (HDD / SSD / NVME SSD)
There are 3 main mass-storage types:
Because RAM can't store anything without power and we do want to be able to turn off our computer from time to time, we need a storage medium that retains its stored data, even when the power is off.

The HDD, the SSD and quite a new type of SSD, the NVME SSD.

All three do pretty much the same, they store data for you. The main difference between the three is the speed.

An HDD (which still has mechanically moving parts) is the slowest of the three and will usually read and save Data at about 100MByte/s.
So, yes, if you can swing it, get an NVME SSD such as the Samsung 970 Evo Plus!
An SSD will already read and write at around 500MByte/s and an NVME SSD currently reads and writes sequential Data with up to 3500MBytes/s.

Both HDDs and SSDs are plugged into a SATA plug onto the Motherboard via a SATA Cable. They also need Power that they get through a Power Cable from the PSU (Power Supply Unit, I'll talk about that later!)

The NVME SSD though is just plugged into the Motherboard directly, it is very small and needs no extra cables.

Your Motherboard, of course, has to support NVME SSDs and have an M.2 Slot available. But almost all modern Motherboards nowadays have at least one of these. Highly recommended!

More Cooling

We talked about CPU Cooling a bit already. The CPU is not the only PC Component that needs cooling in a Computer.

The GPU of course also needs cooling, but every discrete GPU that you can buy already comes with an attached Cooler on top of it, so we don't have to worry about extra cooling for the GPU.

Now, as the PC Case is usually closed and the PC Components inside the Case need preferably cool(ish) Air to be able to be cooled, there should be a way to blow (usually) colder air from outside of the PC's case into the Case.

This is done by attaching Case Fans to the inside of the case. These then pull in cool air at the front of your PC and blow out the hot Air at the back of the PC.

This way the inside of the PC-Case and all of your PC Components ideally stay nice and cool.
So do you need to get extra Case Fans?
Usually not, as the Cases are shipped with extra fans that will do just fine for this purpose.

If you are thinking about building a really quiet/silent PC though you might want to get higher quality Case Fans than are shipped with a standard case.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

We have got ourselves a bunch of nice PC Components already, but nothing much usually happens without a power supply to supply power.

There are so many PSU brands with different wattage or efficiencies out there, that it can be quite difficult to decide which one to buy.

The important thing is to know how much Wattage your current PC Build will need to run stable and maybe how much you will need in the future if you are planning on adding more components, like extra GPUs or Drives.

You should then of course (now already) buy a stronger power supply, that will later also be able to handle the extra components.

If you are unsure of how much Wattage your current or future PC Build actually needs head on over to the Wattage Calculator here that tells you exactly how much you need.

Some great Power Supplies that I can recommend without hesitation, are the CORSAIR RMX Series (2018), RM650x and the Seasonic FOCUS Plus 650 Gold PSUs. Another great PSU Brand is bequiet, but of course there are others that you might prefer.

That's about it for our Computer Case. Everything that goes into the Case we have already discussed. We can close our case now and see what else we need to finish our PC Build.

You will, of course, need some kind of display device such as a monitor to be able to see what's going on. Monitors come in all kinds of sizes, color, resolutions, aspect ratios and so on.

A popular modern Display usually is a 24" Full HD Monitor from Brands such as Asus, Dell, LG, and many others.

If you are looking for a Gaming monitor you might not need the IPS type Panels that have better color display and contrast.

Check this in-depth article on what is important in a great Monitor.

If you are into Graphic Design and Professional Color grading or Video Editing you should probably invest more into a good Monitor.

The Monitor is attached to either the discrete GPU or the Motherboard, depending on what type of GPU you have.

Operating System

Windows 10 is the currently leading Operating System that will operate your PC-System. Lots of online Stores offer Volume License Keys that usually don't cost you more than 15$ per license.

Of course, you will need to install the OS onto your Computer.

There are several ways to do this. You can use a Win10 DVD if you have one and your PC has a DVD Player.

Nowadays though, as optical Drives are becoming a thing of the past, the Operating System is usually either downloaded directly from the Internet (for you to create your own boot medium on DVD or thumb drive) or you can buy it on a USB Drive that you can install Win10 from.

Input Devices

Don't forget a Mouse and Keyboard! 🙂 There are lots of other Input devices such as Graphic Tablets or Pens that you can also use, of course.

Tools needed to assemble a PC

That's pretty much it for PC-Components & Input Devices. You now have all the parts needed to build a functioning PC.

Phillips head screwdriver (a magnetic one for finding those dropped screws)

Anti Static Wrist Strap (So you don't damage any PC-Parts with static electricity)

To actually assemble a PC you will need:

Check our PC-Assembly Guide to learn how to build a PC.

Custom PC-Builder

Ready to pick some concrete PC-Parts? Head on over to the Custom PC-Builder Tool for some great suggestions.
CGDirector PC-Builder Tool What Computer are you building? Need Help? We reply to every comment 🙂
Select the main purpose that you'll use the computer for and adjust your budget to create the perfect PC with part recommendations that will fit within your budget.

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Parts Needed to Build a PC (Computer Parts List & Explanation)

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What Computer Parts do you need to build a PC, you ask? Does this mean you want to build your own PC? That is absolutely splendid! 🙂 Building your own Computer from individual PC Components has so many benefits compared to just going out and buying a pre-built PC: It's a lot of Fun!

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Info and Video on How to Build a Desktop Computer

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Info and Video on How to Build a Desktop Computer

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This is the second part of CNET's guide to building your own computer. Make sure you read part one before proceeding.
Now that you have decided to build your own computer, you must have a basic understanding of what each component does. You didn't really think we would just jump right into building it, did you? These are the components that are found inside today's desktop computers:
Storage
The operating system and all your files are stored on your computer's internal storage. There are two different kinds of storage options available: hard disk or solid-state. The cheaper option is to go with a traditional hard disk, as these drives are available at a lower price per gigabyte.

Hard disks contain small moving parts that are more fragile than their solid-state counterparts, and while they can be had for significantly less, there are some drawbacks. Your computer will not power on as fast as it would with a solid-state drive, and it will also experience slower read and write speeds.

Solid-state drives, on the other hand, are relatively new and therefore still quite expensive. These drives use flash storage that has no moving parts and is much quicker than a normal hard disk. A popular option is to use both of these storage devices: the solid-state drive for the operating system, which will result in faster boot times, and the larger hard disk for your documents, music, movies, and so on.

When shopping for a hard disk you can't go wrong with devices from Seagate and Western Digital, while solid-state drives from Samsung, Toshiba, OCZ, Kingston, Crucial and Intel, among others, should serve you well.

Ensure the hard disk speed is at least 7,200 revolutions per minute (RPM), and uses a Serial ATA (SATA) connection capable of speeds of 6GB per second. The solid-state drive you are looking for should be listed with multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory.
Central processing unit
The central processing unit, more commonly known as the CPU, processes hundreds of thousands of commands each minute, and can be considered the brain of your computer. The processor will be one of the most expensive components in your computer, but there a few things you need to understand before you look for the fastest one.

Two companies, AMD and Intel, offer a wide-range of computer processors, both of which have their pros and cons. Intel's chips generally perform slightly better than comparable AMD chips, however AMD's chips are available at a lower price point.

So, what's the best processor?

It all depends on what you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend. AMD chips aren't bad, and are perfect for making sure you don't go over your budget. If money isn't a problem, though, I recommend an Intel processor.

But wait, there's more.

The brand of a processor isn't the only thing to research. Processors are available with a variety of cores and are clocked at different speeds. You may think a faster clock speed means better performance, however, this isn't always the case.

While a quad-core processor will generally perform better than a dual-core model clocked at the same speed, a plateau effect can begin to occur with a higher number of cores. Most games and programs aren't designed to take advantage of more cores; in most cases a hexa-core processor or higher is just overkill.

Things can get more complicated when you look at dated models, for example an old quad-core processor can be outperformed by a newer dual-core model. Before you get caught up in the speed and number of cores a processor has, take a step back and a deep breath.

When shopping for processors you will see something called L3 cache; this is used to store data that the processor needs to access at a moment's notice. The more cache a processor has will only benefit you. Lower-end CPUs usually have 4MB, while mid-tier and higher-end models have anywhere from 6MB to 15MB of L3 cache. A processor with 6MB or 8MB of cache should be more than sufficient for today's games.

To future-proof my desktop, I usually go for the newest CPU model, or close to it. Remember, faster speeds and more cores translate to more money, more heat, and more electricity. A high-end quad-core processor should be more than enough for the latest PC games.
Motherboard
If the CPU can be considered the brain of a computer, the motherboard is the heart and soul. Every component connects to the motherboard, which then pumps commands to others parts of the system.

When choosing the correct motherboard there are certain rules that must be followed: socket compatibility, size, slots, and ports.

Before purchasing your new motherboard you have to ensure that it supports your processor brand (AMD or Intel), and that it is also compatible with your specific processor model. Next, you have to make sure that it will fit inside of your case.

Desktop motherboards come in a variety of sizes, the most popular being Mini ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, and Extended ATX. Each size offers different features, for example a larger Extended ATX motherboard will have more sockets and ports than a smaller Mini ITX motherboard.

Some of the top motherboard brands include ASUS, MSI, Gigabtye, AsRock, and EVGA.

Graphics
The second most expensive item on the list will likely be the graphics processing unit, or GPU for short. The graphics card slides into one of the PCI, or Peripheral Component Interconnect, slots on your computer's motherboard. When shopping for a GPU there are three options to choose from: NVIDIA, AMD, or integrated.

Both NVIDIA and AMD produce consumer-level graphics cards, and similar to the Intel versus AMD processor battle, both brands have their pros and cons.

If you have a high-end processor there is also a good chance it includes an integrated GPU, such as Intel HD Graphics or AMD Radeon HD. While these cards are sufficient for basic Web browsing, word processing, and video streaming, they won't perform nearly as well as a discrete graphics card.

NVIDIA and AMD are on par with each other in terms of graphics and power. In fact, with each new card, NVIDIA will leapfrog AMD, and vice-versa. AMD also offers cards with 3GB of RAM, which tend to perform better when using multiple monitors, and their cards are usually slightly more affordable.

GPUs are available with a range of options, including 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, and 6GB of RAM. As mentioned above, the more RAM a graphics card has doesn't necessarily mean it will perform better. RAM is most useful when using multiple monitors, if you won't be doing this than you skip that 6GB card and save yourself a good chunk of money. Cards with 2GB or 3GB of RAM should be plenty for high-end gaming.

It should also be noted that just because you may use an AMD processor, it doesn't mean you have to use an AMD graphics card. The only requirement is that your motherboard has the proper socket for your card, most likely PCI Express or PCI.

Personally, I prefer an NVIDIA card over AMD when it comes to high-end gaming. NVIDIA's cards include a technology known as PhysX, a physics engine that is used in many new games, that makes for a more dynamic gaming experience.

Some popular GPU manufacturers include EVGA, Sapphire, MSI, and ASUS.
Random-access memory
RAM, or random-access memory, is quickly accessed by your computer to perform tasks while a specific program is running. RAM cards plug directly into the memory slot on the motherboard and are available in three different speeds: 1,330MHz, 1,600MHz, and 2,400MHz.

Motherboards have a different number of memory slots, some have only two and others can have up to six. Before buying your RAM, check how many slots your motherboard is equipped with and what speeds it supports.

The difference in RAM speeds is minimal, especially when going from 1,330MHz to 1,600MHz. You will see somewhere around a 4% performance boost when upgrading from 1,600MHz to 2,400MHz, however the cost usually isn't worth the small increase.

Most of today's games can run fine on computers equipped with 8GB of RAM. Upgrading to 12GB or 16GB can help future-proof your system, but anything higher is just overkill. Be sure that the RAM is also listed as DDR3, which is the fastest type available, with 240-pin being the most popular.

There are hundreds of RAM manufacturers out there, some of my favorites include Corsair, Mushkin, Kingston, Crucial, and G.Skill.
Power supply
The power supply transforms the electricity from your wall socket to give life to your system and all the components inside of it. Companies that offer pre-built computers like to skimp on the power supply in an effort to lower prices and offer more affordable devices, however this is not advised. A power supply that is underpowered could short your system and cause irreversible damage to those expensive components you just bought.

Power supplies are offered in modular and non-modular configurations. Modular models include cables that are detachable, requiring only the ones you will use to be connected to the device. A non-modular unit has all the cables connected to the power supply, regardless if they will be used or not.

Modular setups tend to be more expensive, but the payoff is less clutter and better air circulation throughout the case.

The next thing you need to look at is efficiency. Power supplies are rated through a voluntary certification program known as "80 PLUS." Ratings are issued on a scale of Bronze, Silver, Gold, and the highest efficiency of Platinum. You may occasionally see companies label power supplies with other ratings such as "85 Plus," however, these are not official standards. The power supply on my personal desktop computer has a Silver efficiency rating.

The last step is calculating the proper wattage your system requires. Not enough power can result in malfunctions and damage to the hardware, while too much is a waste of money. To be exact, you must measure how much power each component requires and add the totals together. An easier way to do this is to use one of the many online power supply calculators (here are two good ones from Newegg and ASUS).

Some popular power supply brands include Seasonic, XFX, Antec, OCZ, Corsair, and Enermax.
Optical drives
With the rise of cloud services and digital downloads, optical drives are becoming less of a requirement and more of a luxury item. You will need a CD-drive to install your operating system, but other than that I rarely use mine. For the best experience, I recommend a Blu-Ray/DVD/CD drive, which will turn your computer into a home entertainment system.
Wireless card
For Internet access, you will need to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer, attach a wireless card to the motherboard, or use a wireless USB dongle. The option is up to you, an Ethernet connection is faster than wireless, while a wireless connection is gives you more freedom, that is unless your modem is close by.
Case
Cases come in a variety of sizes and finding the right one is always a difficult process. You want a case that is big enough to fit your components and any future upgrades you may purchase, but you also want one that has excellent air flow and expresses your personality to the fullest.

One thing you must pay attention to is the size of your motherboard. Your case has to be compatible with the motherboard you decide to buy, whether it is Mini ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, or Extended ATX.
Fans
Most cases have at least one front-facing fan that is included, as does the processor, graphics card, and power supply. You will be required to purchase a few others, however, to ensure your system won't overheat.

The amount of fans required differs based on the size of your case and the components inside of it, but there is usually an intake fan in the front and on the side, and an outflow fan on the back and top of the case. Fans are available in a range of colors and give you the freedom to provide a unique look for your computer.

When purchasing fans, be sure to buy the correct size for your case.
LED lighting
What better way to set your computer apart than to add custom LED lights. This is purely a cosmetic move and is completely optional, but it is, at least in my opinion, a great way show off your hard work and the dedication you spent building your new computer.
Operating System
All those shiny new parts are no good without an operating system. Nearly everyone reading this will choose some form of Windows, although another (and free) alternative is one of the many Linux-based operating systems such as Ubuntu. These can be more complex than Windows, in addition to having fewer compatible programs and games available than Microsoft's operating system.

Another choice you must make is between Windows 7 and . I prefer the look and feel of Windows 7, but that is just a personal preference. I would also avoid OEM or "Builder" versions of the operating system, as they can only be installed on one PC. Make sure you purchase the 64-bit version and not 32-bit, which has limitations on RAM.
Where to buy
One of my favorite places to shop for computer parts is Newegg. I have been using the site for years and have had nothing but pleasant experiences with their unmatched customer service. I am also lucky enough to live near a Micro Center, which offers everything you need, and more, to build your own computer. Other sites such as TigerDirect, and even Amazon, have a great selection of parts.

I cannot stress enough the importance of reading customer reviews and doing proper research. Building your own computer and buying the right components should not be something you do on a whim. Before you spend hundreds of your hard-earned dollars, make sure you know what you are doing.

If you have bought all your parts and are ready to set things up, check out part three of our guide to building your own computer.

If this all seems a little above your skill level, remember there's no shame in buying a new computer. Scan our lists of the best laptops and best desktops you can buy right now. We won't judge.

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What you need to know before building your own computer

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This is the second part of CNET's guide to building your own computer. Make sure you read part one before proceeding. Now that you have decided to build your own computer, you must have a basic understanding of what each component does. You didn't really think we would just jump right into building it, did you?

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Video on How to Build a Desktop Computer

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Video on How to Build a Desktop Computer

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How To Build A Gaming PC - FULL Beginners Guide

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Starting at $379.99

With the large hard drives and expandability of the Inspiron Desktop, you'll never be pressed for storage space. Space-saving desktop design perfect for small spaces and ideal for expandability.

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All-in-ones featuring premium materials, high-end features and meaningful innovation for an amazing experience.

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Starting at $379.99 With the large hard drives and expandability of the Inspiron Desktop, you'll never be pressed for storage space. Space-saving desktop design perfect for small spaces and ideal for expandability. Starting at $449.99 All-in-ones featuring the latest processor options, ample storage and ports, and all of the essentials for everyday computing.

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Buying Guide: The Best Desktop Computers for 2022

We've reviewed an impressive variety and capability of desktops above, right? We don't deny that a laptop or tablet is a better pick for people who depend on business travel, or whose computing consists mostly of basic surfing and typing from the living-room couch. But for small offices, families, creative pros, gamers, and tech tinkerers, desktops are often the best choice and the best value.

While desktops don't come in as many distinct form factors as laptops, there's great variation in computing power and room for upgrades and expansion. Let's dive into these, and a bunch of other important factors, as you prepare to buy your next desktop.

How Much Should I Spend on a Desktop?

One of the desktop's most alluring promises is the value it delivers. Your money simply goes further with desktop PCs and their components. Instead of buying a $700 laptop with a competent Intel Core i5 processor, you can get a $700 desktop with a more powerful Core i7 CPU in it, and maybe even squeeze in a dedicated graphics card.

You can find complete mini PCs for very light work and display-signage tasks for under $300, and perfectly serviceable small towers for $300 to $600. Gaming desktops with dedicated graphics cards start at around $500. You can also find all-in-one desktops, with the display and all of the computing components built into a single device, starting at around $400.

The thing with desktops is, opting for a cheap one does not carry some of the same risks you'd face with a like-priced laptop. A $250 Black Friday special or a steeply discounted refurbished desktop could perform just fine for basic computing, and you wouldn't need to worry about the wear and tear on cheap materials that you might with a laptop of a similar price. That inexpensive laptop would be subject to the vagaries of daily commuting and the occasional drop from a coffee table. The desktop, in contrast, would need to stay put and just work.

At the top end of the market are business workstations, tricked-out gaming rigs, and magnificently engineered all-in-one PCs that cost several thousand dollars. Not only will a $3,000 gaming tower offer immense computing power today, but it should come with so much room for expansion and potential for upgradability that its useful life will be far longer than any laptop's. And that's before you even delve into the wild world of custom PCs: automotive-grade paint jobs, liquid cooling, and fanciful lighting and wiring.

IT-manageable, security-conscious business desktops-most of them nowadays made by Dell, HP, and Lenovo-have their own pricing dynamic and tend to cost more, all else being equal. That's because of their premium warranty or support plans, as well as the possible addition of enterprise-specific silicon focused on manageability or security. Sometimes, part of the cost premium of business desktops reflects the PC maker's guarantee that it will stock replacement components and upgrades for that line of machines for a fixed future period. That allows IT pros to count on the ability to continue servicing a fleet of a given business machine over that stretch of time.

Windows vs. Mac: Settle on an Operating System

The Mac vs. PC debate is one of the oldest in modern technology, and we're not going to pick a side or try to settle that particular religious war here. But if you're not wedded to one or the other by years of habit (or the peripherals and software you own) and are open to switching, here's a quick rundown of your choices.

Windows is the latest iteration of Microsoft's operating system. Desktops that use it and previous versions of the OS are what most people typically rely on, so you'll be assured of the best compatibility and the widest selection of third-party software. Desktops running Windows are also readily available below $500, making them attractive to casual users, families looking for a second PC, and bargain hunters.

Macs are an excellent choice if you're already in an Apple-centric household, since they offer seamless compatibility with iPads and iPhones, including the ability to send and receive messages on any device connected to your iCloud account. The cost of entry will be higher than with the least expensive PCs, however.

Google's Chrome OS is a viable alternative to Windows and macOS, but desktops running it (called Chromeboxes) are rare and best suited to niche uses like powering a restaurant menu display. A fourth option is to buy a desktop with no operating system at all and install an open-source one of your choosing, such as Ubuntu Linux. We don't recommend going this route unless you're technically savvy, willing to experiment, and okay fixing software compatibility issues and other quirks.

What Desktop Form Factor Do I Need?

Macs and Windows PCs are available in all three of the major desktop form factors: mini PCs that can fit on a bookshelf, sleek all-in-ones with built-in (and usually high-resolution) displays, and traditional desktop towers that are bulky but offer room for more or less easy expansion. These three forms each have strengths and weaknesses, and none of them is an obvious best choice for everyone. You'll have to choose based on what you plan to do with your desktop and where you plan to put it.

For truly cramped quarters or light workloads, as well as for people who love the efficient use of space, a mini PC could be the best choice. They come in sizes ranging from tiny sticks not much larger than a USB thumb drive to small-form-factor (SFF) towers that may be nearly a foot tall but have compact footprints. The very smallest sizes have the benefit of disappearing behind an HDMI-equipped monitor or TV, and they contain a processor, memory, storage, and ports to hook up keyboards and mice. They're economical and power-efficient, and can serve as adequate web browsing or multimedia viewing platforms. But know that the models at the truly tiny end of the scale offer no room for adding extra internal components, and their preinstalled parts are usually difficult or impossible to upgrade.

That said, you can find a fair mix of what qualify as mini PCs that do offer the ability to customize or upgrade components. Models based on or inspired by Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) platform can be as small as 5 inches square but still allow for one or two solid-state drives of your choosing, and the ability to choose and install your own RAM. They're bigger than the "stick"-style PCs but much more flexible.

Traditional tower desktops offer even more flexibility, but also a lot more bulk. Nowadays, the differences between midsize and full-size towers are less well-defined, and some of the new PC case designs-from cubes to glass boxes-defy easy categorization. Still, nearly all desktop towers have generous amounts of interior space and full-size (a.k.a. ATX) motherboards, so you can install one or more (sometimes, many more) secondary storage drives, more RAM in empty slots on the motherboard, a video card if one isn't installed, and in some remote cases, even a second graphics card for extreme gaming or graphics-accelerated tasks. (Note that not all desktop mini towers and towers can take a graphics upgrade. That is where reviews come in.)

An all-in-one (AIO) desktop is quite a different animal than both of these form factors. An AIO can save you some space, since the display is built in. An AIO's value proposition comes down to space saving and whether you happen to be shopping for a desktop display at the same time. Though you can find budget AIOs with basic feature sets, lower resolutions, and non-touch screens, many new models offer touch-enabled screens, and some AIO panels have exceptionally high native resolutions of 4K (3,840 by 2,160 pixels) or even 5K (5,120 by 2,880 pixels). Touch displays make them excellent choices for watching movies or serving as a multimedia hub in the kitchen or other public area of your home, though the very highest resolutions target content creators rather than consumers.

With a few exceptions for business-oriented models, you will give up a lot of room for expansion in an AIO versus traditional desktop tower. Cracking open an AIO for an upgrade or fix, while not impossible, is a bigger deal than opening the side of a desktop tower. Apple's late-model iMacs are particularly difficult to open.

How Much Processing Power Is Enough?

One of the main benefits of a desktop tower is that it will use a desktop-grade CPU. That may sound obvious, but it's a key distinction.

AMD and Intel, the two biggest makers of processors for PCs, offer desktop-class chips and laptop-class chips to system manufacturers, but often the CPU model names are similar and tricky to tell apart. For example, you will see Intel's Core i7 in both laptops and desktops, but having a "true" desktop CPU versus one made for a mobile device makes a big performance difference.

A desktop CPU gives you more power for complex content-creation work, PC gaming, or math and scientific projects. Faster processors with four, six, eight, or even as many as 18 cores will benefit software written to take advantage of the extra cores. The desktop version of a given CPU will consume more power and generate more heat than versions designed for laptops, which must be incorporated into environments that have less thermal and power-delivery leeway. A desktop CPU also has greater wiggle room to incorporate a key feature, multithreading, that allows each of the CPU's cores to address two processing threads at a time instead of just one. Multithreading (which Intel calls "Hyper-Threading") can deliver a major performance boost when engaged with suitably equipped software.

The very highest-end desktop chips may require liquid cooling systems, which limits their use to high-end towers with lots of interior space. Processors in these families are specialized and expensive, and you'll only want them if you have very specific software needs that you know, explicitly, can leverage their higher base and peak clock rates, as well as all of their addressable cores and threads. These are not casual purchases.

Many AIOs and mini PCs, conversely, use the same efficient, cooler-running types of CPUs that you'll find in laptops. Intel typically labels these mobile-first chip designs with a CPU name containing "U," "H," or "P"; most desktop chips instead have a "T" or a "K," or just a zero at the end. A mobile CPU might have the same number of processor cores as its desktop counterpart (four- and six-core chips are common in both), but its maximum power consumption will often be far lower. Also, the typical base and boost clock speeds may be lower, and the chip may not support multithreading. That said, many desktop PC buyers will be fine with these lower-powered CPUs for everyday work, and a little more.

For a typical tower using a true desktop-grade CPU, mainstream users should look for an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5; the Core i7 and Ryzen 7 are also excellent, powerful choices, but overkill for most folks who aren't serious PC gamers, intensive multitaskers, or prosumer or pro video or image manipulators. If CPU power is critically important, though, these should suffice. The Core i9, Ryzen 9, Ryzen Threadripper, and Core X-Series are worthwhile only if you know your workflow is being held back by too few cores or threads, or you have extreme needs in terms of internal storage (for which the Threadripper and Core X can help with internal resources). Again, see our deep-dive on desktop CPUs to understand the nuances of these higher-end choices.

Do I Need a Powerful Graphics Card?

All computers have a CPU, but most laptops and many cheaper desktops don't have a dedicated graphics processor, or GPU. Instead, their display output comes from a portion of the CPU, a slice of silicon known as an integrated graphics processor (IGP). An IGP is fine for basic tasks, such as checking your email, browsing the web, or even streaming videos. Doing productivity work on an IGP is completely within bounds. Indeed, most business desktops rely on IGPs.

That said, an IGP is not the answer for anyone who wants to run intensive 3D games, render architectural simulations, or perhaps train an artificial intelligence algorithm. These situations-especially games, but often pro-grade apps, too-can benefit from more muscular graphics. Times like these call for a graphics card, which will bring its own GPU to the game, and the most powerful of these are found in desktop PCs.

Choosing a graphics card is a complex affair. Gamers should consider the capabilities of their monitor first. A 4K monitor or one with a high refresh rate (144Hz or greater) will require a very powerful GPU (or occasionally even two GPUs) to display games at the monitor's maximum potential. If you're just looking to do some middle-of-the-road gaming on a 1080p monitor (and not looking to win any professional esports crowns), a mainstream card like those in Nvidia's GeForce GTX series will do just fine. At the high end, current GPU choices for gaming desktops comprise Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3000 series, and AMD's Radeon RX 6000 series. The RTX 2000 series and RX 5000 series respectively indicate previous-generation cards.

Meanwhile, creative professionals and other power users should consider the graphics-acceleration recommendations of the apps they plan to run, using the software maker's system requirements as a guide. Graphics-accelerated video rendering or AI programs can benefit from the same types of GPUs as intensive 3D games. Professionals eyeing workstations will want to consider Nvidia's RTX A series lineup or AMD's Radeon Pro models. Check out our deep-dive guide to graphics cards for much, much more on the nuances of today's video cards.

How Much Storage and Memory Should My Desktop Have?

While powerful CPUs and GPUs are mostly relegated to desktop towers, nearly every desktop form factor can handle copious amounts of storage and memory. This is thanks to the advent of higher-capacity memory modules and especially solid-state drives (SSDs). The latter take up vastly less space than the spinning hard drives of old.

It's still possible to find desktops with only spinning hard drives, but we recommend avoiding these and choosing an SSD as the main boot drive whenever possible. Some desktops feature a single-drive combination of an SSD and a hard drive. A "true" SSD is really the only way to go as a boot drive today, though, considering how far prices have dropped in the last couple of years.

A single 500GB or 512GB SSD is fine for most users. A 250GB or 256GB SSD is also a common size for a boot drive these days, but it's a little tight if you store much locally. Anyone with large media and game collections will want to consider several terabytes of storage across multiple drives. Consider choosing a fast SSD as the boot drive, and one or more large-capacity but slower hard drives for bulk storage of capacity-sapping video or games. A typical configuration in this case is one 512GB SSD and two or more hard drives with at least 1TB of space on each. Such a setup can be more affordable than you might think-an SSD plus one hard drive is sometimes seen on under-$1,000 desktop towers.

If you think you'll add storage later, consider how many expansion bays your desktop has. A combination of two or more 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch bays should be enough, as these can accommodate any type of traditional SSD or hard drive. You'll also want to ensure your desktop has at least one M.2 slot to accept a PCI Express SSD as the main boot drive, since that will offer the fastest throughput speeds. In most new systems, the boot drive will come as an M.2 drive. These drives are very small, the size and thickness of a stick of gum.

While a desktop's SSD stores your data, its system memory (or RAM) works with the CPU to run apps and helps define its capacity to multitask. Memory capacities of 8GB or 16GB are fine for most users, and these are the most common configurations on entry-level or midrange desktops of all forms and sizes.

Few people will see much benefit from memory amounts above 16GB, but there are exceptions. Gaming PCs above the budget level should have at least 16GB of RAM, and 32GB is a prudent upgrade for esports hounds who want to play and simultaneously edit and stream in-game footage.

Finally, assuming your professional software can address higher memory amounts, professional workstations should have at least 32GB of memory with error-correcting code (ECC) capabilities to keep everything running smoothly. You'll want to follow the guidance of the software maker, in that case.

What Wired and Wireless Connectivity Does My PC Need?

You might be able to excuse a relative lack of input and output ports on a sleek AIO. The screen and speakers are built in, and you'll likely use a wireless keyboard and mouse, anyway. But mini PCs and desktop towers need the right selection of ports. At a minimum, they'll have to connect to a display, speakers or headphones, and a power source.

On all but the very tiniest of mini PCs, you should look for at least three USB 3.0 (or higher) ports, at least one of which should be the newer, oval-shaped Type-C variety if you have any compatible peripherals that plug directly into that kind of port. You'll also typically find an HDMI output (and perhaps another video output or two, such as DisplayPort or VGA), a 3.5mm audio jack, a connector for an external Wi-Fi antenna, and a receptacle for a physical lock. Note that some mini PCs use scaled-down "mini" versions of HDMI or DisplayPort, which require a different kind of input cable or a dongle. Make sure the machine's video outputs are compatible with your display and its cabling.

Larger tower PCs will have many more ports, offering support for pretty much any peripheral you need to connect. Expect six or more USB ports, for starters. On larger towers, one or two of these should support Thunderbolt over USB-C. Also a given: an Ethernet jack for wired networking, and multiple DisplayPort and HDMI jacks on the dedicated GPU (assuming there is one) for connecting one or more external monitors. Note that a tower with a graphics card may also have video outputs that stem from the motherboard, but you should only use the video outputs on the GPU.

Many towers will also have multiple audio ports, including possibly an optical output and ports for individual speaker channels in a surround-sound setup. Make sure that these match up with any gear you may have; the number of surround-sound jacks can vary depending on the PC and its motherboard. Note that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, while reliably present on even the cheapest laptops and many smaller desktops, is not a given on larger towers.

High-end workstations and gaming desktops sometimes have a second Ethernet port for doubling network bandwidth or for always-connected redundancy, while business desktops sometimes offer legacy connectors such as VGA video outputs, PS/2 peripheral ports, or serial ports. The throwback-style ports are there for people who still need to use them with older, specialized hardware such as point-of-sale scanners or industrial equipment. Of course, you can buy dongles and adapters for these special port needs, but the possibility of having them built in is a key benefit of choosing a desktop over a laptop.

When evaluating a desktop, beyond looking at what ports are present, also evaluate where they are. Are they easily accessible? Towers tend to have a few commonly used ports on the top or front (usually a headphone jack and few USB ports). Some AIOs, in contrast, have some of their key ports hidden behind the stand, in hard-to-reach places.

Screen Size, Expansion Bays, and More

Some buying concerns, no less crucial than the ones above, apply only to certain types of desktops. Deciding on a screen size and type is critical for AIO shoppers, for instance. A touch-enabled display with support for in-plane switching (IPS) to widen viewing angles is nice to have for an AIO that serves as the family's calendar or photo album, but know that touch support is not currently available on Apple's iMacs.

Give some deep thought to the screen resolution, whatever the panel size. A 4K or even 5K resolution makes for a breathtaking screen, especially one that's 27 inches or larger, but such resolutions often add significantly to the price. As a result, you may want to settle for a screen with a full HD or 1080p (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) native resolution and spend money to upgrade other components instead.

Also look for multiple cameras, one facing the rear, that could make an AIO a good choice, say, for an ID-card printing station. Fan noise is also a consideration with AIOs, since their computing components will be on your desk instead of hidden underneath it.

Desktop towers have many of their own idiosyncrasies. Enthusiasts who like to tinker with components but aren't interested in building their own PCs from scratch will need to pay special attention to the number and type of expansion bays and how easy it is to access power and data cables.

They should also check the maximum wattage rating of the power supply unit (PSU) and whether or not the case has the clearance for bigger coolers (or the mounting points for liquid cooling gear), if they might plan to add a more powerful CPU later on. A low-wattage PSU, such as a 300-watt model used in a desktop with integrated graphics, might preclude adding a graphics card later on without upgrading the PSU, too. Note also, that some very inexpensive desktop PCs use low-wattage, custom-design PSUs that can't support a graphics card and also aren't easy to upgrade, due to their use of nonstandard connectors on the motherboard side. Again, this is where a careful reading of reviews comes in.

Desktop towers and mini PCs also require separate speakers or headphones to deliver audio. If you don't already have them, you'll have to spend extra money to buy some, and in the case of dedicated speakers, they'll take up room on your desk. For people who don't care as much about audio quality and just want loud enough audio to hear family members on the other end of a Skype call, the built-in speakers of an AIO should work just fine.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Desktop?

For most people in the market for an inexpensive desktop tower, there's no single best time to buy. While traditional sale holidays such as Black Friday can net you the odd bargain, when you find a system whose features, price, and performance match what you're looking for, take it home.

That said, people who need copious amounts of CPU or GPU muscle (and who have a clear idea of what hardware moves the performance needle with the apps they use) should pay attention to PC-component release cycles. Traditionally, Intel has announced new desktop CPU generations once a year, with the new chips showing up in PCs in the fall or early in the holiday shopping period. (This has shown more variance in recent years.)

New graphics-card releases are less frequent and depend on the vagaries of technical advances-Nvidia's highly successful GeForce GTX 1000 series, for example, was the cutting edge for several years before the first GeForce RTX cards were announced.

Keeping track of PC-component release cycles helps you become aware of what's new before you buy, and also what is going off-market. For shoppers seeking maximum value or on a tight budget, getting a desktop based on a discounted last-generation (but still powerful) CPU or GPU can be the way to go.

Shoppers looking for an all-in-one PC, meanwhile, should pay attention to announcements from Apple. Many other manufacturers end up copying-and, sometimes, improving upon-the field-leading designs of the Apple iMac.

Where Should I Buy a Desktop?

Since you won't be lugging a desktop around nearly as much as you would a laptop, it's less important to handle the chassis and test-drive its build quality in the store before you bring it home. Still, if the desktop comes with peripherals included, it can be helpful to type a few lines and move the mouse around in the store. And setting eyes on an all-in-one desktop is more crucial than with a typical tower desktop or mini PC. The screen is an integral part of what you are buying, and eyes-on time matters, especially if you're not well-versed, say, in the differences between a 24-inch and 27-inch panel, or a 1080p screen versus a 4K one.

If you limit yourself only to the selection at your local electronics outlet, though, you'll miss out on many great desktops. In fact, some configurations can be exclusive to a single reseller, such as Best Buy, Costco, or Walmart. Other merchants, such as Micro Center, frequently have in-store-only deals that aren't available anywhere online.

This is where return policies come in handy. If you find a desktop with your ideal specifications online but can't audition it locally, a seller with a liberal return policy is your best friend. Just make sure you've got adequate time to return it, if it ends up not working out.

How Long a Warranty Does My Desktop Need?

Most desktop makers offer one-year warranties on parts and labor, with extensions available for as many as five years at an additional charge. Before you pay to extend the warranty, though, check your credit-card account benefits guide-your issuer might cover mishaps for a short period of time after you buy a new product, and possibly extend the manufacturer's warranty, too. (Many MasterCard accounts include a doubling of the standard warranty period, up to one year, for example.)

If your card issuer doesn't cover you, and you plan on keeping your desktop for several years, look into the cost of added coverage. Some manufacturers and resellers offer wide ranges of extended warranties; expect to spend $100 to $300 for one of these options. Our rule of thumb is that if a warranty costs more than 15% of the desktop's purchase price, you're better off spending the money on backup drives or services that minimize downtime and protect precious data that you can't replace.

Should I Buy a Refurbished Desktop?

Many people considering desktops in the $200-to-$500 range should also consider a refurbished machine. They can be excellent values in certain circumstances.

Large corporations lease fleets of desktops for a few years at a time, after which third parties refurbish them and offer them for resale on eBay, as well as via retailers such as Best Buy, Newegg, and TigerDirect. To find them, search or filter the product category pages for "off-lease" or refurbished systems.

These refurbished PCs are often surprisingly cheap ($150 to $250 is common), and many are desktop towers, so they're easy to upgrade or service if a component goes south. They do come with drawbacks. Their components are usually several years behind the cutting edge, they may be in imperfect cosmetic condition (some refurbishers grade condition on an A-B-C scale), and different refurbishers can have varying levels of attention to detail.

Still, if you're looking for a cheap desktop to stow in a cabinet or under a desk, used just to check your email and calendar, refurbs can be a fine option. Just be sure to buy from a seller with a reasonable return policy in case you get a dud.

So, Which Desktop Is the Best One to Buy?

Armed with all of the knowledge and decision points above, you're almost ready to shop. The final consideration is how well a desktop PC performs. We review hundreds of PCs every year, evaluating their features and testing their performance against peers in their respective categories. That way, you'll know which are best suited for gaming, which is our favorite general-purpose all-in-one, and which is the best if all you need is a small, powerful system you can get up and running quickly.

Our current favorite desktops are below. Not finding anything that looks good? Check out the full feed of all of our latest desktop reviews, as well as our narrower-focused guides to our favorite all-in-one PCs, business desktops, and gaming desktops.

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Buying Guide: The Best Desktop Computers for 2022 We've reviewed an impressive variety and capability of desktops above, right? We don't deny that a laptop or tablet is a better pick for people who depend on business travel, or whose computing consists mostly of basic surfing and typing from the living-room couch.

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Shop a wide selection of Desktop Computers including Towers, All-in-Ones, and Minis at Amazon.com. Free shipping and free returns on eligible items.

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Where to Buy Pre-Made and Computer Parts - Frys Electronics

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Get a computer designed to meet your needs, including laptops, desktops, all-in-one computers, monitors, and computer hardware at Best Buy.

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OutletPC - Lowest Prices Online for Computer Parts, Laptops, & Desktops

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Computer Hardware Parts, Motherboard Combos, Barebones, Desktop PCs, & Laptops. Wholesale Prices Direct To You! 1000's of deals on PC Components.