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       Boxy desktops seem to be a thing of the past. But for people who work or play at home, or for families who need to share a computer, a desktop computer can be a good choice, since desktop computers tend to offer better value, last longer, and last longer than laptops or all-in-one computers. Easier repairs and upgrades – a.
       Unlike all-in-one PCs, traditional tower desktop computers do not have a display. In addition to purchasing a desktop computer, you will need at a minimum a computer monitor and possibly a keyboard, mouse, and webcam. Most pre-built computers come with accessories, but it’s usually better to buy them separately.
       If you need a home computer or want to cut down on cords in your home office, it’s worth investing in an all-in-one computer like the Apple iMac.
       Cheap desktop computers are great for browsing the web, editing documents and spreadsheets, and playing simple games like Minecraft. If you want to play popular games like Apex Legends, Fortnite, or Valorant, you’ll have to spend more money on a budget gaming PC. If you want to play the latest and greatest games at higher settings, resolutions, and refresh rates, you’ll need a more expensive gaming PC. We’ll tell you which features to look for depending on your needs.
       We plan to test pre-built desktops in the coming months to find the best option. But many desktop computers (especially cheaper ones) work the same way. Here are the features we recommend you pay attention to when purchasing.
       A good desktop computer depends largely on its characteristics: the processor, the amount of RAM, the amount and type of memory used, and the video card (if it has one). Here’s what to look for.
       For a budget gaming PC, choose the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 or AMD Radeon RX 7600. If you can buy the RTX 4060 Ti for the same price as the RTX 4060, it’s about 20% faster. But if you’re paying more than $100 for a particular upgrade, you might want to consider a more expensive card. If you’re looking for a mid-range gaming PC, look for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 or AMD 7800 XT.
       Avoid AMD processors older than the Radeon RX 6600, Nvidia RTX 3000 series, GeForce GTX 1650 and GTX 1660, and Intel Arc GPUs.
       Whether you work with spreadsheets or perform professional photo editing tasks, a mini PC is a great choice for a home office or distance learning.
       If you need a desktop computer for basic web browsing, checking email, watching videos, and editing documents and spreadsheets (with occasional video calls), consider these features:
       If you want the cheapest desktop: At a minimum, you’ll need an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. You can find a great option with these features for around $500.
       If you want a desktop that will last longer: A desktop with an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD will perform faster, especially if you’re doing multiple Zoom calls while a task is running. resolved – and will continue for many years to come. These features typically cost several hundred dollars more.
       Entry-level gaming PCs can run a wide range of older and less demanding games, as well as virtual reality. (It also does a better job at video editing and 3D modeling than cheaper desktops.) If you want to play the latest games at maximum settings, higher resolutions, and refresh rates, you’ll have to spend more money on a mid-range gaming PC. .
       If you want an affordable gaming PC: Choose an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 or AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT. Desktop computers with these specifications typically cost around $1,000, but you can find them on sale for between $800 and $900.
       If you want to enjoy more beautiful and demanding games: building your own mid-range gaming PC may be more cost-effective than buying a pre-built model. Either way, in this category, look for an AMD Ryzen 5 processor (Ryzen 7 is also available) with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. You can find a pre-built PC with these specs and an Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics card for around $1,600.
       Kimber Streams is a senior writer covering laptops, gaming hardware, keyboards, storage and more for Wirecutter since 2014. During this time, they have tested hundreds of laptops and thousands of peripherals and created too many mechanical keyboards for their users. their personal collection.
       Dave Gershgorn is a senior writer at Wirecutter. He’s been covering consumer and enterprise technology since 2015 and can’t stop buying computers. This might have been a problem if it weren’t his job.
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       Wirecutter is The New York Times’ product recommendation service. Our reporters combine independent research with (sometimes) rigorous testing to help you make a buying decision quickly and confidently. Whether you’re looking for quality products or looking for helpful advice, we’ll help you find the right answers (the first time).