The best Desktop PCs include everything from the best gaming PCs to all-in-one systems (where the PC is built into the display).
TL;DR: The Best Desktop PCs:
- Dell XPS 8960 Desktop
- MSI Aegis ZS Gaming Desktop
- iBUYPOWER Y60
- HP Pavilion 27 Touch Desktop
- CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR
- ASUS ROG G22CH DS766
While basic desktops can handle office and browsing tasks, they can struggle with the best PC games. Some upgrades are possible, but you will quickly run out of options, especially if the manufacturer uses a wacky motherboard or a tiny chassis.
You can have the best of both worlds, you just have to make sure you pick a computer with at least 16GB of RAM, a solid multi-core CPU and a graphics card strong enough to handle whichever games you’re trying to play. Trust us, there are plenty of desktop PCs out there that fit the bill.
The Best Desktop PCs:
1. Dell XPS 8960 Desktop
The best desktop PC
Pros:
- Handles media production and gaming
- Considerable upgrade potential
Cons:
- Proprietary PSU adds a challenging dimension to upgrades
It might look like a dull black box, but the Dell XPS 8960 includes everything you need for the ultimate desktop experience. Combining 14th generation Intel Core i9 processor with 32GB RAM, GeForce RTX 4070 and a sizable 2TB SSD, the XPS 8960 will have no problem tackling anything you throw at it..
With this beefy graphics card and high-end processor, this PC stomps most AAA games, especially if you’re comfortable playing on one of the best 1440p monitors. The good news is, other than an odd PSU connection, Dell is using standard-sized components here too, so you can upgrade this PC for years to come without worrying about compatibility.
2. MSI Aegis ZS Gaming Desktop
The best budget gaming PC
Pros:
- Good case cooling
- Quality MSI components
Cons:
- Sub-par CPU cooling
The best gaming PCs are expensive, but if you’re looking for an affordable gaming tower, the MSI Aegis ZS is perfect. Not only does it come with a powerful RTX 4060, but it’s also paired with a 1TB SSD, which is one hell of a deal at $1,249. MSI does offset the cost a bit with some bloatware, but you can easily get rid of all of that in less than an hour by digging around in the settings.
This is a perfectly balanced system for both content creation and gaming, thanks in large part to the eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 7700. Combined with the RTX 4060, this machine can whip through pretty much any creative workload, whether you’re editing videos for YouTube or building up 3D mesh rigs in Blender.
3. iBuyPower Y60
The best looking Desktop PC
Pros:
- 16-color RGB lighting in a tempered glass case
- Handles gaming well at 30FPS
Cons:
- Looks like a fish tank
iBuyPower might sound unfamiliar andlike a third-tier Marvel villain, but it’s been making some of the best gaming PCs for years
The iBuyPower Y60 showcases its impressive components with a gorgeous tempered glass chassis, which resembles some kind of exotic fish tank. But this beauty is more than skin deep, thanks to the 14th-gen Core i9 processor and RTX 4070, which makes it an absolute behemoth in PC games. Unless you’re dead-set on using one of the best 4K monitors, this gaming PC can easily handle any game or production workload you throw at it.
Plus, the iBuyPower Y60 is decked out in RGB lighting, so you can be sure it’ll be the centerpiece of any room you put it in
4. HP Pavilion 27 Touch Desktop
The all-in-one desktop PC
Pros:
- 27-inch Full HD touch display
- Stylish system that matches an iMac for aesthetics
Cons:
- Not enough front ports
All-in-one (AIO) PCs are nearly impossible to upgrade in any way, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth your time. Just take a look at the HP Pavilion 27: It features a full-fat 13th-genCore i7 desktop CPU, discrete GeForce graphics, and a 27-inch 1080p touchscreen display. That’s a lot of power for what is essentially a monitor with a computer built into it.
This is the closest you’ll get to an iMac while running Windows, and is even paired with surprisingly decent speakers and a 1080p webcam, making it the perfect companion for work and play.
5. CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR
The best RGB desktop PC
Pros:
- Beautiful RGB lighting
- Awesome gaming performance
Cons:
- Sub-par cooling
We challenge you to look at this PC and not think “that’s a gaming PC”; but there’s more than meets the eye. Sure, the 14th-gen Intel CPU and RTX 4060 Ti makes it look like it’ll only appeal to gamers, but the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR is awesome at pretty much anything you can do with a computer.
You get more than great performance, though. The CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme, much like its name suggests, is absolutely covered in RGB lighting that will make this rig really stand out on your desk. The only problem is that the case fans leave a lot to be desired, especially if you want to really push the system. Investing in some of the best PC fans to upgrade this system will really take it to the next level, though.
6. Asus ROG G22CH
The best mini gaming desktop PC
Pros:
- Tiny
- Liquid AIO CPU cooler
Cons:
- Fans are noisy
The Asus ROG G22CH is a tiny little gaming PC from Asus, and despite its diminutive size, this machine is strapped with more than enough hardware to handle pretty much any workload.
The ROG G22CH features a 13th-generation Core i7 CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. These are decidedly last-gen components, but they’re still more than powerful enough for the most demanding games right now, especially at 1080p.
Because of the small size, you need to position the ROG G22CH upright, so that air can properly flow through the system and cool the components. Don’t worry too much about how it should be oriented, though, because there are LEDs that subtly guide you to the right position. And because this machine uses an off-the-shelf Asus motherboard, you can easily slot in upgrades as time goes on.
Just like other mini PCs with powerful components, this machine can get a bit noisy, but because you have a full liquid-cooled gaming rig in such a tiny box, it’s easy to get used to..
How to pick the best desktop PC
If you’re buying a desktop PC for gaming, you should probably pick one that can be upgraded. There are plenty of desktop PCs that can easily be opened and tinkered with, and with new graphics cards and SSDs coming out every year, you don’t want to get locked into old hardware.
You should also look for a desktop PC with the most recent processors and graphics. Because while there are dozens of computers out there being sold with year-old hardware, you’re probably looking for something that will last you a few years. No one wants to drop a thousand bucks on a desktop PC only to find out that it is outdated when you take it out of its box.
Cooling is also important. As a general rule, desktop PCs are way better at cooling their components than the best laptops are, but you should keep your eye out for a system with proper ventilation, both in the front and the rear of the system.
FAQ
Is $500 good for a gaming PC?
There’s an increasing number of compact and inexpensive PCs that claim to be gaming PCs, without really earning that title. Many systems in this price range don’t really ahve the graphics horsepower to handle most modern games, and are probably suited to indie games at best.. $500 might be a good price for a teenager’s first PC, but it’s not going to provide the AAA performance a top end system can deliver.
