The Best Desktop PCs of 2024

Desktops are the workhorses for when you need ultimate power

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Desktop PCs come in a mind-boggling array of shapes and sizes, from streamlined all-in-ones to giant towers. Their functions are as varied as their forms, from the affordable Chrome-based PC built for lightweight productivity to liquid-cooled gaming rigs that can pump out buttery smooth frame rates or fast render times for high-resolution video editing.

We researched and tested some of the top options from well-known brands. Here are the best desktop PCs.

Best Overall

ASUS ROG G10CE

ASUS ROG G10CE

Amazon

Pros
  • Great price-to-performance ratio

  • High quality build

Cons
  • Noisy

The ASUS ROG G10CE is our pick for the best bang for the buck. It offers a respectable setup with the latest hardware, including a powerful graphics processing unit (GPU) and plenty of storage capacity. That’s enough to max out settings in the latest games at 1080p or do power-hungry graphic design or video editing tasks.

While the case is flashy-looking, its build quality is a cut above what most of us have typically seen from an officer tower PC. The only downside is that it gets pretty loud when playing particularly demanding games, but overall, you’re getting a lot of power in a well-built package at an attractive price point.

CPU: Intel Core i7-11700F | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD, 2TB HDD

Pros
  • Relatively low price

  • Small size

  • Minimalist design

Cons
  • Small selection of ports

  • Expensive to upgrade

The M2 Mac Mini is the second generation of Apple's ARM-based processor, offering minor upgrades over its predecessor.

If you prefer Apple's operating system, the Mac mini is a great minimalist PC. It'll fit almost anywhere and isn't intrusive like many desktop machines. It's also relatively affordable for a Mac but worth spending more at the outset for a more capable configuration because upgrading it down the road will be pricey.

CPU: Apple M2 | GPU: Integrated 10-core GPU | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD

Best for Students

HP Pavilion TG01-1120

HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop, 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10400F Processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics, 8 GM RAM, 256 GB SSD, Windows 11 Home...

Amazon

Pros
  • Affordable price

  • Dedicated GPU

  • Great looking design

Cons
  • Not much storage capacity

The HP Pavilion TG01-1120 hits the sweet spot for price and power with reasonably powerful components that can handle graphic design or other demanding tasks for almost any class or curriculum.

On the downside, this PC doesn't have much storage. Now, its solid-state storage offers a speed boost over a hard drive, and because it's expandable, adding an internal or external hard drive won't set you back that much should you need extra storage.

CPU: Intel Core i5-10400F | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD

Best Design

Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R14

ALIENWARE AURORA RYZEN™ EDITION R14 GAMING DESKTOP

Dell

Pros
  • Stunning exterior

  • Powerful up-to-date components

  • Plenty of customization options

Cons
  • Build is more form over function

Desktop PCs come in many shapes and sizes, but few stand out quite as much as the Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R14. It’s hard to say whether the Aurora R14 looks more like an alien spacecraft docked on your desk or a jet turbine from some futuristic fighter jet.

Either way, the unique streamlined design of the R14 makes it instantly stand out from the crowd of glass-paneled RGB-lighted towers. Unlike previous generations of Alienware’s Aurora PCs, the R14’s interior is worth showing off with a transparent side panel and higher-quality components. It can also be outfitted with all the latest and greatest hardware at a price.

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800 | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 TI | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512TB SSD

A woman using a desktop computer to edit photos.
@lelia_milaya via Twenty20

What to Look For in a Desktop PC

Graphics

While some people can get by with a more basic PC for web browsing and simple productivity tasks, if you do anything like video editing or play the latest games, you will want a dedicated graphics card (GPU). Nvidia makes the best GPUs now, and most people will find that any of their latest 30-series GPUs provide excellent performance. If you’re on a tight budget, settling for an older, less powerful GPU is fine.

RAM

Having enough Random Access Memory (RAM) on your PC is essential. Typically, you want to have at least 8GB unless you're considering a low-power Chrome OS device. If you're going to do more multitasking, content creation, or gaming, then you want a minimum of 16GB.

Storage

Most people will want at least 512GB. Ensure the primary storage is solid-state (SSD) rather than a hard drive (HDD), as an SSD is much faster than an HDD. You can always add more internal drives if your PC has space; if not, external hard drives or Network Attached Storage (NAS) is an option. However, be aware that external storage is much slower.

FAQ
  • Do desktop PCs come with a monitor, mouse, and keyboard?

    Except for all-in-ones and some bundle deals you might occasionally find at retailers, desktop PCs usually don’t include a monitor. They do, however, almost always come with a mouse and keyboard. However, these accessories are typically low quality; you’ll probably want to invest in upgraded peripherals for a better experience.

  • Should you build your own PC?

    Building your PC can be a rewarding and cost-saving experience. You get to pick out components, and a PC's assembly is more manageable than you might think. However, it is time-consuming, and if you're doing it for the first time, it can be scary, and there is some risk of damaging expensive components.

  • What should you do with your old PC?

    There are several ways you can recycle your old PC. Some people use older PCs as media servers to store and stream videos. Some people install Chrome OS or Linux onto older PCs since they often run well on lower specifications. You can also see if your local school district takes donations or if there's a computer recycling center nearby. If you go that route, scrub all your personal data off the computer first.

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