Buying a desktop PC should be fairly simple. Work out what you need it for, choose a suitable specification and you're done. In reality, the sheer number of processors, memory options, storage capacities and different types of PC can make comparing them surprisingly difficult.
The good news is that you probably don't need the most powerful computer you can afford. You need one that's powerful enough for what you actually do.
A PC used for email, web browsing and Microsoft 365 has very different requirements from one used for gaming, video editing or CAD. Getting that balance right can save you money while making sure your new PC doesn't feel out of date sooner than it should.
This guide takes you through the important bits, without getting unnecessarily technical.
Start with what you will use your desktop PC for
Before comparing processors or deciding whether you need 16GB or 32GB of RAM, think about what a normal day at your computer actually looks like.
Do you spend most of your time in Outlook, Excel and a web browser? Do you play games? Are you editing video or working with specialist software?
Your answer will tell you far more about the PC you need than simply looking for the fastest processor within your budget.
Everyday home and office computing
For web browsing, email, Microsoft 365, shopping, streaming and general admin, you don't need an exceptionally powerful desktop PC.
A modern Intel Core 3, Core i3 or comparable AMD Ryzen 3 processor can comfortably handle lighter everyday tasks. Moving up to a Core 5, Core i5 or Ryzen 5 is worth considering if you tend to have several applications open at once or simply want a little more performance in reserve.
For a new everyday PC, we'd generally look for 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. It's a specification that gives most people plenty of room for normal multitasking without paying for performance they're unlikely to use.
Business desktop PCs
Business PCs tend to have a lot going on at once.
You might have Outlook running alongside Teams, several Excel spreadsheets, a browser full of tabs and whatever specialist software your company uses. None of those applications is necessarily demanding on its own, but together they can make a poorly specified PC feel slow.
For most office users, an Intel Core 5, Core Ultra 5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor paired with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD is a strong starting point.
There are other things to consider for business use too. Windows 11 Pro, security features, Ethernet, multiple monitor support, warranty options and the physical size of the PC can be every bit as important as outright performance.
Gaming PCs
Gaming PCs have different priorities.
The graphics card becomes one of the most important components because it has a major influence on the games you can play, the resolution you can play them at and the graphical settings you can use.
The processor still matters, particularly in games that are CPU intensive or when you're chasing very high frame rates, but balance is important. Pairing an extremely powerful processor with an underpowered graphics card rarely makes sense for a gaming PC.
RAM, SSD capacity, cooling and the power supply are worth considering too, particularly if you want the option to upgrade your PC later.
Creative and professional PCs
Video editing, photography, software development, 3D modelling, music production and similar workloads can demand considerably more from a computer.
Depending on the software you use, you may benefit from a higher-performance Intel Core, Intel Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen processor, 32GB or more RAM and dedicated graphics.
For specialist applications such as CAD, engineering, 3D rendering and scientific software, it may be worth looking beyond a conventional desktop and considering a professional workstation instead.
Choosing a desktop PC processor
The processor, or CPU, is one of the specifications you'll see highlighted on almost every desktop PC.
It's important, but don't fall into the trap of assuming that a higher number automatically makes one PC the better choice.
For everyday computing, a modern mid-range processor provides more than enough performance for most people. Moving further up the range becomes worthwhile when your applications can actually make use of the additional processing power.
As a rough guide:
Intel Core 3 / Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3: Good for everyday computing and lighter office work.
Intel Core 5 / Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5: A strong all-round choice for home and business users.
Intel Core 7 / Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7: Better suited to demanding multitasking, gaming and creative applications.
Intel Core 9 / Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9: Intended for high-performance gaming, content creation and specialist workloads.
You'll also see newer processor families such as Intel Core Ultra, including processors designed for newer AI-assisted workloads.
It's worth paying attention to the processor generation as well as its name. An Intel Core i5 from several generations ago isn't directly comparable with a current Core i5 simply because they share the same badge.
How much RAM does a desktop PC need?
RAM is effectively your computer's short-term working space. The more applications and files you have open, the more of it you're likely to use.
For most people buying a desktop PC today, 16GB RAM is the sensible starting point.
8GB RAM
8GB can still handle basic computing, particularly if you mostly browse the web, send emails and work with simple documents.
It gives you less breathing room for multitasking, though. If you're buying a new PC that you expect to keep for several years, we'd usually choose 16GB where the budget allows.
16GB RAM
This is the sweet spot for most home and business users.
It's enough for Microsoft 365, web browsing, video calls and general multitasking without having to think too much about how many applications you have open.
32GB RAM
32GB starts to make sense for more demanding users.
Gaming, software development, large datasets, video and photo editing, and other creative applications can all benefit from the extra memory.
64GB RAM and above
Most people simply don't need this much memory.
64GB and higher capacities are generally aimed at professional workstations, virtual machines, demanding content creation and specialist applications.
One of the advantages of many desktop PCs is that RAM can be upgraded later. If that's important to you, check how many memory slots the PC has and how much memory it can support.
How much storage do you need?
Most modern desktop PCs now use an SSD as their main storage, and that's something we'd strongly recommend.
An SSD makes a noticeable difference to how quickly Windows starts, applications load and the computer feels during everyday use.
For most people, 512GB is a sensible starting point, while a 1TB SSD gives you considerably more room for applications, games, photographs and files.
A 256GB SSD can still work perfectly well for an office PC where most files live in OneDrive, SharePoint or another cloud service. Just bear in mind that Windows and your installed applications will take up some of that space before you've saved a single document.
Gamers and creative users should think particularly carefully about storage. Modern games can be huge, while video projects and high-resolution photographs can quickly eat through hundreds of gigabytes.
Integrated or dedicated graphics?
This is one area where it's very easy to spend money you don't need to.
For email, Microsoft 365, web browsing, streaming and most everyday business tasks, integrated graphics are usually perfectly adequate. You don't need an expensive graphics card just to run Excel across two monitors.
Dedicated graphics become much more important for gaming, video editing, 3D modelling, rendering, CAD and applications that can use GPU acceleration.
If you're buying a gaming PC, the graphics card should be one of the first specifications you compare. If you're buying a PC for general office use, it may barely feature in your decision at all.
Tower, small form factor or mini PC?
Desktop PC doesn't necessarily mean a large box sitting underneath your desk.
Modern desktops range from traditional towers to compact systems small enough to mount behind a monitor.
The right choice depends on how much space you have and whether you want to upgrade the computer later.
Tower PCs
A traditional tower generally gives you the most flexibility.
There's more room for graphics cards, additional storage, cooling and expansion cards, which is why towers remain particularly popular for gaming and high-performance PCs.
The obvious downside is size. If desk or floor space is limited, a large tower might be unnecessary.
Small form factor PCs
Small form factor PCs, often shortened to SFF, are particularly popular in offices.
They take up much less room than a traditional tower while still offering the performance needed for most business applications.
The smaller case does mean there can be restrictions on graphics cards and other upgrades, so it's worth checking the specification if you expect to expand the PC later.
Mini PCs
Mini PCs take the space-saving idea even further.
Some are small enough to sit almost unnoticed on a desk or mount behind a compatible monitor, making them ideal for reception areas, offices and anywhere desk space is at a premium.
That compact design usually means fewer internal upgrade options, so choosing the right specification from the outset becomes more important.
Do you need Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro?
For most home users, Windows 11 Home provides everything they'll need.
Businesses may require Windows 11 Pro because it includes additional security, networking and device management features intended for professional environments.
If you're buying computers that will be managed by an IT department, it's worth checking your organisation's requirements before ordering.
You may also come across desktop PCs supplied without an operating system. These can make sense for businesses that install their own company image, but they're probably not what you want if you're expecting a PC that's ready to use when you take it out of the box.
Wi-Fi or Ethernet?
Because desktop PCs don't move around, a wired Ethernet connection is often the simplest option.
It can provide a fast, reliable network connection and is particularly useful in offices, for gaming and when transferring large files.
But don't assume that every desktop PC has built-in Wi-Fi.
Many business desktops are designed primarily to use Ethernet. If you can't easily run a network cable to where the PC will be used, make sure Wi-Fi is included before buying.
Bluetooth is worth checking too, particularly if you use a wireless keyboard, mouse, headset or other accessories.
Check the ports and connections
Ports aren't the most exciting part of buying a new computer, but you'll notice very quickly if the one you need is missing.
Think about everything you currently plug into your PC. That could include monitors, a keyboard and mouse, webcam, headset, printer, external storage and other USB devices.
Depending on your setup, useful connections can include USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet and audio connections.
If you use two or more monitors, pay particular attention to the display outputs. Don't assume that because a PC can connect to one monitor it will automatically support the multi-monitor setup you have in mind.
Think about your monitor too
One advantage of buying a desktop is that you're free to choose a monitor that suits you rather than being stuck with the display built into a laptop.
For general office and home use, 24-inch and 27-inch monitors are popular choices. Full HD can be perfectly adequate, while QHD gives you additional resolution and workspace.
Creative users may care more about colour accuracy and resolution. Gamers are more likely to be looking at refresh rate, response time and technologies such as adaptive sync.
If you already have a monitor you want to keep, check its connections against the new PC before ordering.
Can you upgrade a desktop PC later?
This has traditionally been one of the biggest advantages of choosing a desktop over a laptop.
Many desktop PCs allow you to add more memory or storage later, while larger systems may also let you replace or add a graphics card and other components.
But upgradeability shouldn't be taken for granted.
Compact business PCs and mini PCs can have much less room for expansion than a traditional tower.
If upgrading matters to you, look beyond what the PC contains today. Available RAM slots, M.2 slots, SATA connections, PCIe slots, power supply capacity and physical space inside the case can all determine what you'll be able to change in the future.
How powerful does your desktop PC really need to be?
It's tempting to start with your budget and simply find the most powerful computer you can get for the money.
A better approach is to start with what you actually need it to do.
Someone who spends most of their working day in Outlook, Teams and Microsoft 365 is unlikely to get any meaningful benefit from an expensive gaming graphics card. Equally, buying the cheapest office PC available isn't going to end well if you intend to edit 4K video on it every day.
Aim for enough performance to comfortably handle what you do now, with a little room for your requirements to grow.
That usually represents much better value than either buying far more performance than you'll ever use or choosing a PC that only just copes from day one.
Our quick recommendation
If you're looking for a straightforward starting point, we'd consider the following a good specification for a typical home or business desktop PC:
- Intel Core 5, Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5 or better
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD or larger
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Wi-Fi if you need a wireless connection
- Suitable HDMI or DisplayPort connections for your monitor
- Windows 11 Home for general home use
- Windows 11 Pro where required for business use
Gaming, creative and professional users should then increase the processor, RAM, storage and graphics performance according to the applications or games they actually use.
Ready to find your next desktop PC?
Tech Verse offers desktop PCs for home, business, gaming and professional use, from compact everyday computers through to high-performance systems.
If you already know what you're looking for, browse our Desktop PCs and use the available filters to narrow down the range by specification.
Buying desktop PCs for a business, school or organisation? Request a no-obligation quote from Tech Verse and we can help you find suitable systems for your requirements and budget.
