PCMag has been testing and reviewing desktop computers since 1982, and our team collectively represents over a century of experience in that field. PC Labs was established not long after, in 1984, and with it came the standardization of our testing. We test desktops and compare them to others, considering price, features, design, and performance. We evaluate performance using a suite of benchmark tests, as well as real-world applications and gaming, to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each system. We also determine how well-suited they might be for your needs and your budget.
Though the portability of a laptop is enticing, you can’t beat the value of a desktop computer. For those who are more hands on, a desktop is endlessly customizable, letting you swap out parts as your needs change, add more storage, or even install fancy RGB lighting. Here are the best deals we’ve found on desktops for gaming, productivity, and everything in between.
Best Home and Office Desktop Deals
Our current best value pick and overall recommendation is the HP OmniDesk, which handles daily computing tasks such as web surfing and email drafting effectively. Our top overall recommendation is the Dell Tower ECT1250, featuring an Intel Core i7 CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, and a massive 32GB of RAM.
Best Daily Driver
HP OmniDesk Desktop
Specs: Ryzen 7, 1TB SSD, 16GB RAM
$578.49 With Code “UPGRADEPC11”
at HP
Our expert took a closer look at the HP OmniDesk at CES in January of this year. The difference between the new entries in the line comes down to “style touches and a focus on multiple choices of AI performance,” and the gray wood trim can certainly be called stylish. This more affordable model lacks AI processing hardware, but it features the latest AMD Ryzen processor and includes a wired mouse and keyboard. Measuring 13.27 by 6.10 by 12.40 inches (WDH), this desktop will fit into most desk setups, whether on your tabletop or under it. The $381.50 discount makes this budget tower even more affordable when you use code UPGRADEPC11.
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Best for Productivity
Dell Tower (ECT1250) Desktop
Specs: Intel Ultra 7, 1TB SSD, 32GB RAM
$799.99
at Dell
$1,149.99
Save $350.00
The Dell Tower ECT1250 is a compact desktop workstation that belies its impressive processing capabilities. This configuration utilizes a speedy Intel Ultra 7 CPU, ensuring you have the power you need to tackle productivity tasks, and sufficient RAM to multitask multiple browser tabs and applications. In fact, a graphics card is the only thing that stands between this desktop and the ability to game, edit videos, and more—and with this $350, you’re well on your way to buying a decent one. Upgrades are easy, too; the tool-less entry side panel and support for additional RAM, storage, and three PCIe expansion slots let this tower grow with your needs. Buy it as-is to meet your productivity needs or as an excellent base for a computing powerhouse.
Best Home and Office Desktop Deals
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Best Gaming Desktop Deals
The best value gaming tower currently on sale is the Alienware Area-51, which includes a potent CPU and graphics card. This will future-proof your gaming for years to come, even as titles become more demanding on your hardware.
Recommended by Our Editors
Best Overall Gaming Value
Alienware Aurora ACT1250
Specs: Intel Ultra 7, RTX 5060 Ti, 1TB SSD, 32GB RAM
$1,549.99
at Dell
$1,799.99
Save $250.00
As configured with an RTX 5060 Ti graphics card and 32GB of RAM, this Alienware Aurora ACT1250 gaming rig will play any of the games in your library, from Genshin Impact to Battlefield 6. Our experts haven’t had the opportunity to review this exact model yet, but in our review of the 2024 Aurora R16 model, our expert, Charles Jefferies, praised the refreshed design, which enables greater airflow and improved performance.
Plentiful ports, including USB-A, USB-C, a 2.5Gbps Killer E3100 Ethernet jack, an audio combo jack, and more, are a welcome feature for any gamer with gaming peripherals like mics and a multiple monitor setup. This $250 discount helps you secure a powerful gaming desktop that will withstand the test of time, even as video games become more demanding on your hardware.
Best for Affordable, Ready-to-Run Gaming
Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 10
Specs: Intel Ultra 9, RTX 5070 Ti, 1TB SSD, 32GB RAM
$1,799.99
at Lenovo
$2,799.99
Save $1,000.00
The 2024 Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 8 was praised for its quiet operation and attractive chassis. The Gen 10 may look slightly different, but the excellent airflow remains, and the brand has even added more powerful components, which address the cons listed, including a limiting 500-watt power supply and slow RAM speeds. Wi-Fi 6E connectivity ensures a fast and stable connection when you hop online, and the Windows 11 OS includes Copilot AI tools, such as document summarization and image generation, to maximize productivity. Also included is a mouse and keyboard, as well as three months of Xbox PC Game Pass (an $11.99 per month value), on top of the $1,000 price cut to really drive home the savings.
Best Gaming Desktop Deals
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
FAQ
How Much Should I Pay for a Desktop Computer?
Your money goes further with desktop PCs and their components than with laptops. You can find complete mini PCs for less than $400 and perfectly serviceable small towers for $500 to $600. Gaming desktops with dedicated graphics cards start at around $700. You can also find all-in-one (AIO) desktops, with the display and all of the computing components built into a single device, starting at around $600. The sky’s the limit once you get into high-end gaming PCs and business-workstation power desktops, but the prices above are in the right range for most mainstream buyers.
Is It Better to Get an All-In-One Computer or a Desktop?
Traditional tower desktops offer the most upgrade and power flexibility, at the cost of bulk. Most towers have generous interior space and full-size motherboards, so you can install one or more (sometimes many more) secondary storage drives, more RAM in empty slots on the motherboard, and a video card (if the PC doesn’t come with one). PC gamers will want to stick with a traditional tower.
An all-in-one desktop’s big appeal is saving you lots of space since the PC is built right in with the monitor, with the components living behind the display. It comes down to how much you care about the desk area your PC uses up and whether you happen to be shopping for a desktop monitor at the same time. Budget AIOs with basic feature sets are common, but spending more can gain you some combination of a touch-enabled screen, a panel with a high native resolution, roomier storage, and a more muscular processor. Higher-end AIO desktops tend to cater, though, to content creators and productivity-app power users, not gamers.
Is It Cheaper to Buy a Desktop Than a Laptop?
Desktops are usually a better value than laptops because your money goes further with desktop components in lieu of a screen, keyboard, and mouse. Building your own PC will often be the cheapest option, but for those who don’t have the know-how, even a pre-built PC tends to cost less than a laptop equivalent.
Is It Cheaper to Build a PC or Buy One Right Now?
It depends largely on the kind of desktop you are looking to buy or build. At the low end, economies of scale for the components, plus the cost of single Windows 10 or 11 licenses, tend to make buying a prebuilt PC a better deal. It’s when you get into the $1,000-and-up zone that building your own starts to make more sense, especially if you can reuse parts from an existing PC build. This will all likely remain the case as we’re in a market burdened by substantial shipping tariffs at the time of writing, though building PCs might lose its value luster as individual component sales get taxed as well.
How Much Does a Good Budget PC Cost?
Expect to pay at least $500 for a basic, competent small tower for day-in/day-out productivity and web work. You’ll find plenty of models for less than $500, especially in the mini PC class, but you should insist on at least 8GB of system memory for any PC, with 16GB required at minimum for AI tasks. For anything beyond basic productivity work, look for an Intel Core i5 (or Ultra 5) or AMD Ryzen 5 processor at least.
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Desktop on Sale?
Black Friday is typically the best time to buy electronics (computers included). You can also shop around the back-to-school season, which starts in July and usually features price drops on configurations geared toward productivity. However, if you need a deal outside of those shopping rushes, do more research on the product lines you’re looking to pick from. Determine the products that have most recently received annual updates with new processors and other parts. Then, find the previous, outgoing editions of those products. By the time the latest models are available, retailers are already clearing stock of those outgoing ones with considerable discounts.
Do Desktops Get Major Discounts During Black Friday or Prime Days?
Yes! We see substantial PC price cuts on both Black Friday and Prime Days. This includes even more attainable budget models and high-end systems discounted down to more approachable figures. All told those are the two best days of the year (Cyber Monday, too) to buy a new desktop online if you’re in need.
Who Has the Best Deals on Refurbished Desktops?
Dell Outlet is a great source of certified refurbished desktops in various conditions. Best Buy Outlet also deals in expert refurbished computers, but they also offer open-box options that are like new and can save you some serious cash.
Which Brands Offer the Best Desktop Discounts?
Some brands post deals and discounts on their products more often than others, particularly Acer. Dell, HP, and Lenovo also do this, but you should always double-check exactly what you’re getting and whether you can buy it for less at other retailers. Brands like Lenovo adjust their prices frequently, making assessing the raw value of deals you see there difficult. Notably, Apple has improved its image as a value-focused brand, permanently dropping prices on some of its laptops and often hosting limited deals on shopping holidays.
What Is the Best Desktop Under $800?
Our experts have named the Acer Aspire TC-1780-UA92 their top budget pick for its decent performance and Wi-Fi 6E support—all for around $600 (though it was just $479.99 as tested). For more budget options, check out our top picks for the best cheap desktop PCs.
What Is the Best Gaming Desktop Under $1,000?
While it was just $979.99 when we tested it, the new $1,049 MSI Codex R2 is the PC we’ve tested that is closest to that mark and worth recommending. The Codex R2 earned our Editors’ Choice award for its 1080p gaming performance and well-made, upgradable build. You might still find base models just under $1,000 (depending on the day), packing an Intel Core i5 14th Gen CPU and an Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card.
What Are Good Websites to Find Computer Deals?
Why, right here on PCMag! We have dedicated deals articles and comprehensive lists of configurations suited to different users.
About Our Experts
Joe Osborne
Deputy Managing Editor, Hardware
Experience
After starting my career at PCMag as an intern more than a decade ago, I’m back as one of its editors, focused on managing laptops, desktops, and components coverage. With 15 years of experience, I have been on staff and published in technology review publications, including PCMag (of course!), Laptop Magazine, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, and IGN. Along the way, I’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of laptops and helped develop testing protocols. I have expertise in testing all forms of laptops and desktops using the latest tools. I’m also well-versed in video game hardware and software coverage.
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Jade Chung-Lee
Merchandising Associate
Experience
When she isn’t perusing online stores for deals, Jade enjoys playing video games (mostly JRPGs and roguelikes), sorting board game components neatly into containers, and building Gundam models. Her love of electronics has persisted through her youth and has resulted in a collection of gaming peripherals including keyboards and controllers, scale figures, and art work. Jade lives in blissful harmony with her wife, cat, and two chinchillas—as well as a host of houseplants.
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