The 16 Best Desktop Computers of 2021 for Any Price Point

https://online02.com ^ | on April 1, 2021 in Computer | by Ashley Gerlach

[Red Badger]

I use a SSDD for that......................

[matthew fuller]

Great article, thanks.

[minnesota_bound]

I put together my own as it is simple to look up what the best parts are and then they just snap together along with some screws. Install Windows and your other software.

The last time was nearly 6 years ago and that desktop pc with a gigabyte motherboard has after upgrades to 32gb ram and a SSD. It is very fast. The Dell Optiplex 5040 desktop from work built in 2017 is slow as molasses as everything is in the “cloud”

I will build another one day but it is not really needed.

[Red Badger]

...is slow as molasses as everything is in the “cloud”

It's called 'The Cloud' because they don't want you to see what they are doing to with your data...................

[Maine Mariner]

I was in error. Acer bought out Gateway. I believe you are correct about Lenovo.

[shotgun]

Yep. Pre-SSD machines were like running a 386-25 back in the day

[Bob434]

I dunno but that. I bought the hp elite 970 i think it is, 12 core back in the day (did pay way too much for it though), and it has been a real workhorse, still is. Only problem I have had with it is the power supply went bad, and one video card, but those do go after while anyways. Back then it was a top of Line cpu. Put my own hard drives in it, as the one I got with it was outdated, but still running fine.upgraded to an ssd, that made it an awsome computer now.

I’ve only ever had one up, so maybe my experience is not the norm.

[Bob434]

Look for thunderbolt 3 or better yet 4 for the ports if they have them. Supposed to be wicked fast, if port speed is important to you.

I was waiting on 2-1 laptops to include them standard before buying again. Some ehave them but lack other features I want right now. I did buy an acer 2-1 but the pen issue with them is horrible, and their customer service is the pits. I sent it back., got a galaxy tablet instead jutz until new 2-1s come out with the feature I want

[Tallguy]

I usually read the reviews from 2 - 3 years back, pick one, then go look for a reconditioned model on Ebay. Watch what they go for at auction and see if you can get a quick hit on a “Buy it Now”.

Then I strip off all the OS and do a Linux/Ubuntu build. Done this 3X and I always end up with a fast, reliable system.

[Thud]

Desktops are better for games.

[KC Burke]

That and the BIM programs are true killers.

[daniel1212]

"1. HP Envy Desktop BEST DESKTOP COMPUTER OVERALL If you prefer the tower form factor in a desktop PC, then the HP Envy is absolutely the way to go. Thanks to a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 and 8 GB of RAM, it’s capable of handling any task you throw at it (within reason). It’s also good enough for gaming and VR and doesn’t look completely hideous. It even has a DVD burner, which is a rarity these days. With an extremely reasonable starting price of just $699, "

Absurd. i do not like to advertise for Amazon, but I think a far better buy would be,

Dell Optiplex 7010 Desktop Computer - Intel Core i7 Up to 3.8GHz Max Turbo Frequency, 16GB DDR3, New 1TB SSD, Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit, WiFi, USB 3.0, DVDRW, 2X Display Port (Renewed) CPU Model Core i7 Computer Memory Size 16 GB Configured with Intel’s top of the line Core i7 series processor $369.99 FREE delivery: April 8 - 13

[daniel1212]

" At minimum, you’ll want to buy computer with 4GB of RAM, but 8GB of RAM is preferable."

8GB of RAM? Try 16GB.

[Red Badger]

16GB Ram?

LOLOLOLOL!................

Try 128GB!.....................

[daniel1212]

" If you’re a gamer or a creative professional (photographer, illustrator, video editor, etc.) you will likely want an 11th generation Intel Core i7 CPU (or an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU)."

I do not play games, but usually have 6 or 7 browsers open, with over 600 tabs total (for different purposes, from forums to shopping), and about a dozen documents, and after a few days I tend to run out the 32GB of RAM unless i restart a browser or two. My is a budget build of a (under $400.00) AMD Ryzen 33200G 4.0GHZ O.C. with 32GB RAM. Thank God for instruments to be used for good in service to Him.

However, AMD (at least) CPU prices have skyrocketed, About a year ago you could get this:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/82zhy4

AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor   $144.99 
ASRock B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard    $90.99
Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL16 Memory    $52.99
PNY XLR8 CS3030 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  $64.98
   ADATA SU635 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive    $26.99
DIYPC Ranger-R8 ATX Mid Tower Case  $46.99
CoolMax 500 W ATX Power Supply  $23.53
Insignia NS-PCF8050 23.96 CFM 80 mm Fan     $7.95
Reeven Coldwing 65.2 CFM 140 mm Fan     $7.99

Base Total: $467.40
Promo Discounts: -$5.00
Shipping: $6.99
Total: $469.39

This is without the OS. Note the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G can by OC'd to over 4GHz, and comes with Wraith Spire Cooler. BIOS should be updated from AS Rock before installing that, and which should be done on the PNY XLR8 CS3030 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive. Read manual first.

Now the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G is $279.99. Even the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is $256.80!

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

I don’t like things about the company either but the HP Spectre laptop I have now is the best laptop I’ve ever had. I’ve also had good luck with Dell desktops

[Oatka]

I bought a ‘renewed’ Dell desktop 2 years ago for under $300, plenty of computer for me. I did replace the 22” monitor with a 31” HD monitor so I don’t need glasses to read the screen.

Almost the same here. Two years ago, I bought a renewed HP with Win 10 Pro, 16G memory, 128G SSD, 1TB HDD for $250 from Canada via Amazon. Used their "Try Prime for one week" and got free shipping. Unit inside and out looked new. Hooked it up to a 32" Sceptre for your same reason and now 22" looks tiny. Using it as I type this.

[Poser]

For those who build their own or are thinking about it, I suggest Logical Increments, a site with tested builds and parts lists at every price level. Part picker is good too for finding things that work together.

I still build my own and continue to upgrade them until the form factor of the motherboard and/or the component connectors are obsolete. I buy excellent mid-tower or full-tower cases that have room for multiple hard drives and large, modular power supplies.

[Bikkuri]

I’ve been building mine since around 1990 (Asus if my favorite for MB and accessories), but I absolutely hate Intel; I have built 2 during this time, and both gave me problems, and were a headache. I am very partial to AMD.

I agree about the cost of the video card shooting up, which is frustrating :/
(Very partial to NVidia.. hate Radeon/ATI.. hated when AMD bought ATI :p )

[Political Junkie Too]

I'm looking at gamer-type configurations because I want the power, but not to play the AAA games (of which I don't even own one).

-PJ