Dell XPS Desktop 8960
CPU: Intel Core i7-13700 | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti | RAM: 16GB DDR5 | Storage: 512GB SSD
Best for: Everyday office use, gaming and streaming content.
Pros:
- Powerful hardware for work and play
- Understated, classy design
- Great port selection
Cons:
- Upgrading is tricky
The Dell XPS Desktop 8960 is the latest version of its iconic desktop platform, and it comes with all the upgraded hardware you’d expect from a 2024 desktop PC. It packs an Intel Core i7-13700 CPU with 16GB of DDR5 memory for blazing fast everyday use, whether you’re browsing the web or putting together office documents. It has 512GB high-speed SSD storage, so it boots up fast and performs beautifully even on long sessions of work and play. Speaking of which, if you or the kids want to use it for gaming in the downtime, the XPS Desktop is more than ready for the task. Its powerful CPU is paired with an Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti graphics card, which will let you play any game at 1080p and some even at 1440p.
You also get a great selection of ports on this desktop, including USB-C, USB-A and a headphone jack. It has fast 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, a Wi-Fi 6E connection and support for Bluetooth 5.2. You’ll be able to connect any accessories or other devices you need, whether it’s a printer, an external drive or your favorite keyboard and wireless mouse. The understated design can fit in just about anywhere, and though the upgrade potential is limited, you can open it up and tweak the internals easily enough if you wish.
Best Budget Desktop Computer
Everything You Need At Less Than $1,000
Acer Aspire TC-1770
CPU: Intel Core i5-13400 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 730 | RAM: 8GB DDR5 | Storage: 512GB SSD
Best for: Web browsing, office work and casual gaming.
Pros:
- Great performance from affordable hardware
- Lots of high speed storage space
- Great connectivity
Cons:
- Lacks dedicated graphics for AAA gaming
The Acer Aspire TC-1770 is an affordable desktop PC with some impressively capable hardware. It’s built around the excellent bang-for-your-buck Intel Core i5-13400 with 10 cores (6P + 4E) and 16 simultaneous threads, making it excellent for both demanding applications and multi-tasking alike. Its graphics are onboard only, but the Intel UHD 730 GPU is more than capable enough for casual gaming—just don’t try to play AAA games on it. It also has many of the excellent connectivity features of more high-end models, like Wi-Fi 6E, Gigabit Ethernet, and support for Bluetooth 5.1.
It also sports USB-C and USB-A ports and has an HDMI output and dual 3.5mm headphone jacks. The build quality isn’t the best at this kind of price, but that’s to be expected. It’s still sturdy and well put together—the panels just flex more than high-end models. Still, it looks understated with its black paint job, and at well under $1,000, this is an excellent all-round desktop computer.
Best Gaming Desktop Computer
The Best Hardware For The Highest Frame Rates
CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D | Graphics: Nvidia RTX 4070 Super | RAM: 32GB DDR5 | Storage: 2TB SSD
Best for: High frame rate gaming at 1440p.
Pros:
- Has the fastest gaming processor in the world
- Comes with a free mouse and keyboard
- Available with faster graphics if necessary
Cons:
- Some reports of limited longevity for the PSU
- Stronger GPU costs more
If you want a fast gaming PC at a fair price, it’s hard to beat this CyberPowerPC with its combination of the excellent Ryzen 7 7800X3D and super-powered Nvidia RTX 4070 Super. The CPU is the fastest gaming chip in the world right now, delivering blistering fast frame rates in any game you throw at it, and with the RTX 4070 Super at its side, you can play anything at 1080p or 1440p at very high frame rates. It’s not quite capable of smooth 4K gaming in everything, though if you lower some of the settings you can get the job done.
There have been some reports of CyberPowerPC power supply units (PSUs) causing some problems after about a year, so budget to replace that within the next year if you are concerned, but for most gamers it shouldn’t be an issue. The overall build looks great with a white paint job and tasteful RGB lighting. The CPU is liquid cooled for quiet operation, and you get 2TB of SSD storage space—plenty for even the biggest of game libraries.
Best Apple Desktop Computer
Tiny But Mighty
Apple Mac Mini M2
CPU: Apple M2 8-core | Graphics: Apple M2 10-core | RAM: 16GB Unified memory | Storage: 512GB SSD
Best for: Running demanding macOS apps.
Pros:
- Great performance and impressive efficiency
- Very compact and quiet system
- Excellent connectivity
Cons:
- Not as fast as newer M3 MacBooks
If you’re an Apple fan and you want a capable Mac desktop for everyday Apple applications and even more demanding ones, like Final Cut Pro, the Mac Mini M2 is a great option. Its M2 CPU is the most modest of Apple’s M2 range, but it still packs eight high performance cores that operate at impressive efficiency, keeping the system cool and quiet. It’s not quite as fast as the newer MacBook Pro M3 models, but it’s still plenty fast for everyday use. There’s 16GB of high-speed unified memory, giving it a useful performance boost, and you can configure it with up to 24GB if you need the extra RAM. It has 512GB SSD storage space, giving you quick access to all your files, and it supports Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI and Gigabit Ethernet, as well as sporting a headphone jack.
The pricing is relatively affordable, with the base model priced at just $600. If you have deeper pockets and want more memory, storage or bundled applications, that’s all available, too.
Best All-In-One Desktop Computer
Apples Latest And Greatest Streamlined System
Apple iMac M3
CPU: Apple M2 8-core | Graphics: Apple M2 10-core | RAM: 16GB Unified memory | Storage: 512GB SSD
Best for: Running the latest macOS apps without the need for anything else.
Pros:
- Streamlined setup with minimal cabling or accessories
- Impressive performance from the latest Apple silicon
- Supports the latest connectivity
Cons:
- Performance not as impressive as top desktop PCs
- Limited gaming ability
All-in-one PCs are one of the most straightforward ways to enjoy a desktop PC experience. They have the monitor, all the components, the power supply— everything—built into the back of the display. That means just one place to plug all the cables into, no added desktop tower taking up room. In the case of this M3 model iMac from Apple, you get an absolutely gorgeous PC, with a high-resolution retina display, impressive performance from the latest Apple processor, and lots of fast storage space.
The 8-core M3 chip (also available with 10 cores) has a fast 10-core GPU and Apples latest neural engine for AI enhancements. It has support for Thunderbolt 4 and USB4, with lots of ports to connect your devices too. It comes complete with the magic keyboard and mouse, which are plenty good for everyday use, and there’s support for Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E for fast networking.
- Forbes contributor Jon Martindale formerly ran his own PC hardware review website. He’s covers all sorts of tech essentials, like the best business laptops, Wi-Fi routers and 4K monitors.
- Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs has covered computers and laptops for over four years. She oversees the maintenance of this guide and the dozens of other tech stories in our library.
- We routinely update this guide to reevaluate our picks and make sure the advice we provide is accurate. It was last updated in June 2024 to add some new picks, including the Apple iMac M3 as the best all-in-one desktop computer and the CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme as the best gaming desktop computer.
How We Chose The Best Desktop Computers
To find the best desktop computers, we combined our first-hand knowledge of a wide range of desktops, with the opinions of our fellow tech writers here at Forbes, industry experts and robust research.
- The Forbes Vetted team has been hands-on with testing out many of the best desktop on the market. In addition to learning about them directly from the manufacturers, our team has attended events and product demonstrations to learn all the ins and outs of new computer technology.
- To bring you the best desktop computers available today, we first identified the leading brands in the space, which include Apple, Acer, CyberPower and others.
- In addition to our already extensive knowledge on the topic, we consulted other colleagues in the desktop computer space, and experts on desktop hardware.
- We evaluated each product, comparing components including the CPU, graphics card, motherboard, storage, memory, case and more.
What To Consider When Shopping For A Desktop Computer
The average quality desktop computer costs between $600 and $1,700. If you’re looking for a desktop computer that’s suited for gaming or you need a higher-performing option, consider investing in a desktop with more RAM and better graphics, which can cost upwards of $1,500.
The central processing unit (CPU) determines what tasks your computer can perform and how efficiently it can complete those tasks. For Windows desktops, Intel and AMD are the main CPU options, and you should ideally opt for one of their latest generation chips to ensure it can deliver the latest performance. For AMD, that’s Ryzen 7000 or newer, and for Intel that’s 13th or 14th generation.
For Apple’s Macs, the latest processors are Apple’s M2 or M3 chips. The higher end models have the Pro and Max moniker.
A computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU) is what allows it to render 3D graphics on screen. For office PCs, the onboard graphics on the CPU are plenty, but if you’re looking to do 3D design work or gaming, then you want a dedicated graphics card.
For that, you want something from Nvidia’s RTX 30 or 40 series, or AMD’s RX 6000 or 7000 generation. The higher numbered cards offer better performance, with standouts like the AMD RX 7600 offering great entry-level gaming power, and Nvidia’s RTX 4080 Super sitting near the top of the performance pile.
RAM (Random Access Memory) is where a computer stores the data it’s currently using, whether that be to run applications or multitask. A good general use desktop computer should have at least 16GB of RAM—anything less and you’re going to run into performance issues. Gaming PCs should target 32GB for modern gaming, while video editors should consider 64GB for maximum performance.
This refers to how much internal storage is available on the computer. These days, internal storage options typically range from 256GB to 2TB, although we recommend sticking with at least 512GB.
Which Brand Of Desktop Computer Is Best?
The best desktop brand depends on your overall purpose. For everyday use, Dell is a great choice that can be counted on for performance and reliability. If you’re an avid gamer, the power and leveled-up graphics of a Corsair computer—like the Vengeance i7500—may be a better bet. We also really like the CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme, even though it’s not as strong a brand, its bang for buck performance is unrivalled.
