Best Budget Desktop PCs

If you are looking for an incredibly inexpensive desktop computer for basic computing needs such as internet and productivity software, then the eMachines EL1210-11 may be the system you are looking for. This system doesn't offer high performance parts or lots of storage, but it provides more than a stripped down nettop computer at the low price of just $350. It features an AMD Athlon X2 4050e+ dual core processor, 3GB DDR2 memory, 160GB hard drive, dual layer DVD burner and the Vista operating system. The system is also much smaller than a traditional desktop computer allowing it to be placed just about anywhere.

Dell's Studio gets my overall pick not because it is the fastest or the least expensive but because it does an excellent job of blending performance and features yet being customizable to the needs of the customer. Dell offers some great deals on the Studio Desktop both through specials and with packages that include some of Dell's excellent monitors. For $600, it is possible to get one with a Core 2 Duo E7400 dual core processor, 3GB of DDR2 memory, 500GB hard drive, dual layer DVD burner, Vista and even a 19-inch LCD Dell monitor. Those that need a little more performance or storage can tweak the configurations to best get the system that they want.

Those who need a computer for more advanced applications or heavy multitasking would do well to look at the Gateway DX4200-11. This system packs in an AMD Phenom X4 9550 quad core processors and 6GB of DDR2 memory to let it breeze through some of the toughest applications compared to the majority of desktops under $600 that feature dual core processors with less memory. The Gateway gives even more though because the system also comes with a larger than average 750GB hard drive and a dual layer DVD burner that can burn labels to Label Flash compatible media. The biggest drawback is the power supply that will prevent some higher end graphic card upgrades.

Gaming is something that most budget desktops are not well suited to because of the reliance on integrated graphics. The Cyberpower Gamer Infinity 3312 may not be a gaming powerhouse but the dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT graphics card does give it the ability to play most of today's 3D PC games at moderate resolutions up to 1440x900, the standard resolution for 19-inch LCDs. Performance is also quite good thanks to Intel's Core 2 Quad Q8200 quad core processor and 4GB of DDR2 memory. The system is rounded out with a 500GB hard drive, dual layer DVD burner and Vista Home Premium operating system.

With standalone Blu-ray players costing around $200, it is kind of surprising to see a budget desktop PC having the same playback ability but costing just $600. This is exactly what is being offered in the Lenovo IdeaCentre K220. Rather than a standard dual layer DVD burner, the system comes with a Blu-ray combo drive capable of playing back Blu-ray discs as well as having all the capabilities of a DVD burner. Performance is boosted by the use of 4GB of faster DDR3 memory compared to DDR2 found in most budget desktops. Rounding out the specifications are a Pentium Dual-Core E5200 processor, 500GB hard drive, GMA X4500HD integrated graphics and and Vista Home Premium.