#Best desktops upgrade#

Plus, there is plenty of space for inputs like computer speakers, headsets, and a gaming mouse. Add in an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with its own set of 12GB of dedicated RAM and, while the price of the Omen might be value-focused, its performance is certainly a step above.ĭownloading games also will not be an issue thanks to the dual inclusion of a 1TB 7200 RPM processor as well as a 512GB SSD for a total of 1.5TB of available game space. Running a Ryzen 7 3700X 8-core processor that can hit a boosted clock speed of 4.4GHz, the Omen 25L is also home to 16GB of DDR4 RAM. Thankfully, the HP Omen 25L performs way better than it looks. Hardware-wise, the HP OMEN 25L is a fairly plain-looking black box, save for the window on the side, so you can see all of the internal hardware at work. In this case, it means right around $1,500 if you want the absolute best bang for your buck while still being able to play most AAA games at or near 60 frames per second.

Best Value: HP OMEN 25LĪnytime you call a desktop gaming computer value-focused, it turns into a serious discussion over what value really means. Add in multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C ports for data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps, and this is one seriously powerful gaming computer. Liquid cooling also helps with overall noise, so while the R14 won’t be whisper quiet, you won’t be drowned out by the sound of a raging fan either.Īnother highlight is the internal AlienFX lighting so you can adjust RGB colors that shine on the internal hardware to create something of a personalized experience. The hardware itself, or the chassis as Alienware refers to it, is based on the company’s Legend Industrial Design and uses liquid cooling to keep CPU temperatures down so you can game longer. That’s doubly true when you include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU along with its 10GB of dedicated DDR6X RAM. Powered by a 12-core AMD Ryprocessor with 32GB of RAM, there is more than enough power here to push through as many AA and AAA games as you can throw at it. With so many available options, it takes a lot to stand out, and that’s exactly what the $2,400 Alienware Aurora R14 does. We buy all the products we test, from computers to Corvettes, so the models we review are no different from the ones you yourself might purchase.Choosing the best overall gaming computer, especially for a desktop, is an exercise in complete patience. (Consumer Reports is a nonprofit member organization that works for a fairer, safer marketplace. They may be a good choice for consumers who want something powerful to plop on a desk without giving it much thought.īelow you’ll find some of the best desktop computers in our ratings, available to CR members. Models tend to have a sleek design with small bezels surrounding the monitor. (CR has tested monitors, ergonomic keyboards, and ergonomic mice separately.)īy contrast, all-in-one desktops resemble a computer monitor, with the internal components located behind the display.

#Best desktops upgrade#

For example, the tiny Apple Mac Mini performs very well in our tests, but users can’t upgrade the memory or storage.įull-sized and compact desktops don’t always include a monitor, mouse, or keyboard. Compact desktops require less room but also give you less flexibility. Because of that value and customizability, desktop PCs are often the computers of choice for gamers, photo and video editors, and spreadsheet crunchers alike.Īt Consumer Reports, we group the models we test into three categories: full-sized, compact, and all-in-one.įull-sized desktops typically come in the form of a tower that takes up a lot of space but is easy to upgrade with additional memory, storage, and other components.