Here's how we evaluate desktop PCs, which are some of the most powerful pieces of tech you can buy.
Desktop PCs come in two flavors. You’ve got prebuilt machines and DIY systems that people build themselves. We review both, whether it’s a fully-configured PC from a company like Dell or HP or the individual components that power the PC you built yourself.
We take a careful look at the dimensions of the systems we review so that you know how the PC will fit into your office, home theater or living room. Basic functionality and build quality are key, as well. A good desktop needs to have easily accessible ports. Some products come with panels that cover their optical drives or flip-up front-facing ports. If these exist, they must have a robust feel and simple operation.
Tool-free design features and readily accessible expandability are also a boon. We prefer case panels that pop off with a latch system, hard drives that can be exchanged without hassling with screws and RAM slots that are free for an upgrade. Even small systems can make hard drive swaps a breeze — if they’re properly designed.
Warranties and peripherals can also be a defining trait. If all other things are equal a system with a 3-year warranty will be a better buy than one with a 1-year warranty. Manufacturers are notoriously stingy with warranty periods, so we always comment when a system offers exceptional service at no additional cost.
We wrap up our suite with 3DMark’s Time Spy, Fire Strike, and Sky Diver tests, three synthetic benchmarks that offer a good window into overall graphics performance. If a system is built for gaming we also conduct real-world game tests at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K with titles like Civilization VI, Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. We also test the system with creative applications, such as the Pugetbench Premiere Pro benchmark.
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