Best desktop computer specs: how to choose a good PC

A decent desktop PC can make those daily computing tasks a breeze. No more drumming your fingers impatiently on the desk while you wait for your computer to sort itself out. 

Make the wrong purchase and you could end up lumbered with a computer that slows down over time, or you end up overpaying for specs that you don't need. 

In this guide, we'll run through the specifications to look for when buying the best computer for your budget, including what to look for if you want to future-proof your PC. Plus we cover the pros and cons of desktops versus all-in-one PCs. 

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Best desktop PCs under £750: the specs you need

You really don’t need to spend more than £750 to get a good desktop that will feel speedy when doing basic tasks such as checking your emails, doing online banking or browsing the web. 

If you’re upgrading from a computer that's a decade old or more (and you really should – find out more about Windows 10 losing security support), you’ll be amazed at how fast computers are nowadays.

All the advice here assumes you’re buying a new computer from a high street retailer or big online seller.

What to look for:

• Processor – Intel Core 5/i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 with at least six cores
• Graphics – Whichever ‘integrated’ graphics card comes with the processor
• Ram – 8GB as a minimum – don't go below this. If you can, it's worth spending more to get 16GB
• Storage – At least a 512GB SSD and, optionally, space inside the case to move over an old hard drive from your previous computer. You may need to consult the manufacturer to find out whether there is a space inside for this
• Ports on the front for easy access – At least one USB-A  port, a USB-C port, an SD card reader, 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack
• Ports on the back – At least four USB ports (type A or C), separate 3.5mm audio output and input jacks, HDMI.

Go to where to buy a desktop PC if you're ready to buy.

Looking for more storage? An external drive will cost less, and you won't need to crack open your computer to install it. Read our reviews on the best external hard drives to pick a speedy one you can rely on

Best desktop computers under £900: the specs you need

If you use a PC at home to work for multiple hours a day, or you can spend a little more, it’s worth investing in something that completely meets your needs and will serve you long into the future. 

The specs we’ve outlined below will work for anybody who needs a computer for multitasking and will also be a great pick if you edit photos from time to time.

• Processor – Intel Core 5 (or 14th-generation i5), Intel Core 7 (or 14th-generation i7), or AMD Ryzen 7. Ideally with eight cores
• Graphics – Whichever ‘integrated’ graphics comes with the processor, but a separate graphics card can also be useful
• Ram – 16GB to ensure your computer is futureproof
• Storage – At least a 1TB SSD, although you can save money by opting for less
• Ports on the front for easy access – At least one USB-A ports, a USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack, SD card reader
• Ports on the back – At least four USB ports (types A or C), separate 3.5mm audio output and input jacks, 1x HDMI.

You can easily get all this for under £900. If you compromise on Ram, you could squeeze in under £800 – but avoid doing this unless you really have to. The more Ram, the better.

Fancy something more portable? Take a look at our expert advice on laptops. 

Popular desktop PCs: where to buy

We've consulted our experts to help you pick a good desktop PC or all-in-one that meets our minimum and recommended specs.

A step up: ACER Aspire XC-102

• 14th-generation Intel Core i7 processor with 20 cores
• 16GB Ram
• 512GB SSD

You'll need to BYO-monitor and peripherals, but this budget-friendly PC is a step above our minimum specs without breaking the bank. It has nine USB ports (eight type-A, one type-C), HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity, plus a headphone jack. 

At 512GB of SSD storage, it's a bit light compared to other PCs we're recommending here. Check out our reviews of the best external hard drives if you need more space.

Pick up this desktop below: 

Need a new screen? See our expert pick of the best computer monitors

Recommended spec: ACER Aspire TC-102 Desktop PC

• 14th generation-Intel Core i7 with 20 cores
• 16GB Ram
• 1TB SSD

A step up in specs, but not too much in price – for just under £100 extra, you can get a larger desktop PC that comes with more storage than the model above.

It comes with Windows 11 Home pre-installed and a mouse and keyboard.

There are five USB ports on the front and four on the back, two headphone jacks, plus one HDMI and one DisplayPort for dual-monitor use.

Pick up this PC below: 

Recommended spec: ASUS V500 Mini Tower Desktop PC

• Intel Core 7 240H processor with 10 cores
• 16GB Ram
• 1TB SSD

This desktop comes with a newer Intel Core 7 240H processor (as opposed to the slightly older Core i7 processors in the above PCs). If you're looking to future-proof your PC somewhat, this is a good choice, even if it doesn't have as many cores as other models.

There are three USB ports on the front, four on the back, plus HDMI and DisplayPort connections for up to two monitors. It also comes with a mouse and keyboard.

Get this PC below:

Keep your new PC protected from scammers – see our pick of the best antivirus, including the best free software

Popular desktop PC retailers

Below, we've picked a few of the most searched-for retailers to help you decide where to get a desktop PC.

• Acer stocks a healthy variety of its own-brand desktops to buy direct. Prices start from around £650, and most come with keyboards and mice. It also offers free delivery in one working day on most desktops.
• AO stocks a wide range of desktop PCs starting from less than £500. It sells models from brands such as Acer, Asus and HP. You'll find workstations, all-in-ones and a variety of gaming PCs – with many under the £500 mark.
• Currys offers desktop PCs from brands such as Lenovo, HP, and Acer – selling tower PCs, all-in-ones and gaming PCs, starting from less than £400 for a tower desktop. You can get free delivery in three to five working days, or pay £5.99 for next-day delivery. Alternatively, order and pick it up the same day for free in-store, if it's in stock.
• Dell offers its own range of desktop PCs, starting from under £700. You'll find models that meet our minimum specs, with options to build your own too.
• HP sells its desktops direct, where if there's a sale on you can find models starting from less than £400. You'll find tower desktops, mini PCs, and AIO models. If you want more storage or Ram, you can configure PCs to your desired specs at an additional cost.
• Laptops Direct has several tower PCs, gaming desktops and all-in-ones available, starting from under £200 for some refurbished PCs. You'll find desktops from Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo, with options available for under £400. You can order some PCs with next-day delivery.
• Lenovo allows you to tweak your specs as you see fit on most of its desktop PCs. The cheapest PCs cost under £600 - use our advice on recommended specs to make sure you get what you need.

Don’t buy desktop PCs with these specs

While it’s tempting to try to save money on a new computer, there are certain specifications that should be avoided. You’ll run into some of these when shopping on marketplace sites such as Amazon or eBay, but we’ve seen some models on big retailers that we wouldn’t touch with a barge pole.

4GB Ram 

This is the smallest amount of Ram any Windows 11 computer can have. But these days, it simply isn’t enough unless you’re conducting the very lightest of work on your device. 

We'd recommend a minimum of 8GB for a Windows 11 PC. 16GB is even better and will help futureproof your PC.

Older processors

If you’re buying from an online marketplace or a discount site, check the age of the processor. 

This is easy to do: simply copy the name of the processor and paste it into a search engine. Then click on the result that takes you to the processor maker’s official website. Within the data, you should get a launch year or a launch quarter (for example, Q4 22 would be the fourth quarter of 2022). 

We’d say if the processor is more than six years old, it’s probably not worth buying the computer, even if it has Windows 11. If the listing doesn’t specify the exact processor, avoid it entirely.

Intel Celeron, Intel Atom, Intel Pentium 

While newer Pentium models aren’t awful, the price difference between them and a computer with a nice Core i3 is often under £50. As for Celerons and Atoms, however, these should be avoided as they’ll feel slow almost from the very start and feel even more lethargic as the years wear on.

Want more information about processors? See Intel processors explained

Desktop PC vs all-in-one

All-in-one computers are just that: it's the entire computer in one package, including the screen and speakers. However, manufacturers can compromise on the screen and speaker quality to keep costs down, plus a good desktop PC does have advantages over an all-in-one. 

What are a desktop computer's advantages and disadvantages?

You'll find that they come in various shapes and sizes – from large bulky towers that need to sit under your desk, to more discreet and stylish models that sit neatly on your desk or can be tucked away.

• More customisable – You pick the monitor you want, or reuse what you've got. Plus, you can make more significant changes internally, such as adding more Ram, a new graphics card, or a more powerful processor. A desktop can be kept ticking over longer than an all-in-one; you can replace the bits you need without having to get rid of the whole device.
• Can be cheaper – If you already have a monitor, keyboard and mouse, a desktop PC is better value than an all-in-one. 
• More powerful – While the basic specs might not look all that different, larger tower desktop PCs are generally a little faster than all-in-ones. That's because their internal components have more room to expel heat, meaning they can run faster for longer. The components inside of an all-in-one are usually more akin to what you'll find in laptops.
• Not as user-friendly – If tech daunts you, you might be slightly put off by custom-choosing a desktop's inner workings or connecting it up, compared to the ‘plug and play’ nature of an all-in-one.

Advantages and disadvantages of an all-in-one PC

• Easy set-up – Most simply require you to take it out of the box, place it where you want it, plug it in and turn it on. It’s also a good option if you don’t want to be bogged down by cables.
• Looks good – It looks far tidier and cleaner than a desktop PC. With a laptop, to achieve the same clean-looking desk and large-screen effect, you'll need a second monitor and a place to store your laptop and cables.  
• Flimsy accessories – While all-in-ones do come with accessories in the box and built-in speakers, they are usually rather basic. You’re stuck with those unless you want to shell out.
• More expensive – You can end up paying extra for convenience. You could find that an equivalently powered desktop PC is considerably cheaper, even once the monitor and accessories have been taken into account.
• Less powerful – If absolute performance is a must, you should opt for a good desktop PC instead.

Discover which models came out on top in our tough tests – see the best all-in-one computers.

How to choose good PC accessories

Once you’ve bought your new desktop PC, you’ll need to pick up some accessories, depending on what was included in the box. These will include a keyboard, mouse and speakers, as well as a monitor.

While there are a wide selection of peripherals for all budgets, it’s important to consider your own requirements and not be tempted by flashy products that you won’t make use of. 

How to choose a keyboard

Wired or wireless Most of us tend to use a keyboard in the same position, so it may not matter if you’re tethered by a wire. However, it’s always nice to cut out clutter, so one less wire can help keep your workstation tidy. A good wireless keyboard can be more expensive than a wired option, but gives a freedom that you won’t get with a wired one.

Ergonomic keyboards These are designed to feel more natural to type on, and can be a boon if you spend hours at a time typing. They tend to put less stress on the wrists and forearms, helping to cut down on chronic pain and repetitive strain. They take some getting used to, as the button placement is slightly different to a traditional keyboard. If possible, try one out before buying.

UK keyboards Keyboards have different layouts depending on the country they're intended for. This can be as small a change as the placement of the @ symbol, to the ordering of the letters. Check that the keyboard is UK standard, especially if you’re buying online.

Media keys For those using their PCs to play music and movies, a keyboard with dedicated media buttons can be extremely convenient. The inclusion of play, pause and volume buttons saves having to navigate to the program with the mouse.

How to choose a PC mouse

Wired or wireless – A wireless mouse is arguably more useful if it’s being used with a laptop, but if you want a wire-free work surface, then they can be a great choice for a desktop, too. As the power drain on a wireless mouse is low, you’ll find that the battery life is excellent – one set should last for months. Some models can be recharged over USB instead of having to replace the batteries.

How many buttons – Most desktop mouse designs have two buttons and a scroll wheel. More advanced models have programmable buttons that let you add your most-used keys to the mouse.

Ergonomic mouse – You’ll be using your mouse a lot, so it’s important that it feels comfortable. Ergonomic mouse designs pay special attention to the contours of your hand, with 'natural' button placement. They’re not for everyone, and can feel a bit strange initially, but can be useful for some conditions, such as RSI.

Left-handed mouse – Most computer mouse designs will work with either hand, but this isn’t always the case, especially for specially designed ergonomic models. If you’re left-handed, make sure that the one you pick feels comfortable.

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