5 Best Desktop Computers for an Average User (2025)

With this guide you’ll be able to choose the best desktop computer for everyday use. Used for checking email, streaming video, managing photos, editing documents, or handling household finances. These machines are suitable for home users, students, casual gamers, remote workers, and multitaskers.

While many desktops look similar, performance differences can be surprisingly dramatic.

You might assume that general-use desktops don’t require much power. But that idea often leads to disappointing purchases. Today’s everyday user is using his/her machine for web browsing, media playback, productivity apps, background updates, all simultaneously. That requires more than the bare minimum.

Our team evaluated desktop computers based on real-life, day-to-day scenarios. We’ve identified desktops that are fast, quiet, secure, and capable of handling casual multitasking.

Our evaluation focuses on processor speed, RAM capacity, storage type and responsiveness, graphics handling, port selection, and build quality.

Every desktop we feature includes at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, integrated or entry-level discrete graphics, and multiple USB ports (including USB 3.0).

Let’s break down what to look for and why it matters.

Processor
Your computer’s processor determines how smoothly apps launch, websites load, and tasks run in the background.

An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 provides noticeable speed gains over budget CPUs, especially when you have multiple browser tabs open or run several apps at once.

Even video calls and light editing benefit from a stronger processor.

RAM
Most casual users underestimate memory needs. But once your browser, music player, photo app, and video call are open, 8GB of RAM quickly feels tight.

We recommend a minimum of 8GB, with 16GB preferred for families, students, or anyone sharing the system. More memory allows for smoother app-switching, fewer crashes, and better long-term performance.

Storage
Speed isn’t only about the processor. A solid-state drive (SSD) dramatically improves boot time, file saving, app launching, and OS updates. Avoid traditional spinning hard drives even for budget builds. A 512GB NVMe SSD or larger keeps things snappy and helps your system remain responsive for years.

Graphics
For most everyday users, integrated graphics are perfectly adequate. Watching HD movies, scrolling social media, and using office software all run smoothly on built-in graphics chips. If you plan to play games occasionally or use light video editing tools, then an entry-level GPU like the NVIDIA GTX 1650 can offer a boost without pushing the price too high.

Ports and Connectivity
USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and Ethernet ports should be easily accessible. You may want to plug in a printer, camera, USB drive, or external display.

Having a good range of ports makes life easier, especially in shared or multipurpose setups. Also, these devices come with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6 for modern wireless performance.

We’ll show you desktops that strike the right balance between price, performance, and convenience, including compact systems that blend into a living room and towers ready for anything a household throws at them.

Also take a look at the Best Desktop Computer for Family Home Use in addition to the Best Desktop PCs with Dedicated Graphics Card. 

These are the Best Desktop Computers for an Average User:

CyberpowerPC Gamer Master Gaming PC, AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8GHz, GeForce RTX 4060 8GB, 16GB DDR5, 500GB NVMe SSD
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CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 7600
Processor Speed	3.8GHz
GPU	GeForce RTX 4060
Graphics Card Memory	8GB
RAM	16GB DDR5
Storage Space	500GB NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Dimensions	23.2 x 22.2 x 12.6 inches
Keyboard & Mouse	Included
Computer Monitor	Sold Separately
Advantages	Performance
Disadvantages	Storage

CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cool Gaming PC, AMD Ryzen 7 8700G 4.2GHz, GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB, 32GB DDR5, 2TB
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CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 8700G
Processor Speed	4.2GHz
GPU	GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
Graphics Card Memory	16GB
RAM	32GB DDR5
Storage Space	2TB PCIe Gen4 SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Dimensions	‎23 x 21.5 x 12.5 inches
Keyboard & Mouse	Included
Computer Monitor	Sold Separately
Advantages	performance
Disadvantages	None

Acer Nitro 50 N50-620-UA91 Gaming Desktop 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11400F 6-Core Processor NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 8GB DDR4
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CPU	Intel Core i5-11400F
Processor Speed	4.4 GHz
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
Graphics Card Memory	4 GB
RAM	8GB DDR4
Storage Space	512GB NVMe M.2 SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Dimensions	15.2 x 6.89 x 15.43 inches
Keyboard & Mouse	Included
Computer Monitor	Sold Separately
Advantages	Performance
Disadvantages	Storage

Dell OptiPlex 3000 3080 Desktop Computer - Intel Core i5 10th Gen i5-10505 Hexa-core (6 Core) 3.20 GHz - 8 GB RAM
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CPU	Intel Core i5 10th Gen
Processor Speed	3.20 GHz
GPU	Intel
Graphics Card Memory	Integrated
RAM	8GB
Storage Space	256 GB NVMe M.2 PCI Express M.2 SSD
Operating System	Windows 10 Pro
Dimensions	11.4 x 3.7 x 11.5 inches
Keyboard & Mouse	Sold Separately
Computer Monitor	Sold Separately
Advantages	Really affordable, value for money, many ports
Disadvantages	None

Skytech Omega Gaming PC, Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5 GHz, RTX 4070 Super 12GB GDDR6X, 1TB NVME Gen4, 32GB DDR5
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CPU	Ryzen 7 7700X
Processor Speed	4.5 GHz
GPU	RTX 4070 Super
Graphics Card Memory	12GB GDDR6X
RAM	32GB DDR5
Storage Space	1TB NVME
Operating System	Windows 11
Dimensions	‎23.5 x 21.75 x 14 inches
Keyboard & Mouse	Sold Separately
Computer Monitor	Sold Separately
Advantages	Performance
Disadvantages

MORE DESKTOP RECOMMENDATIONS:

Best Windows 10 Desktop PCs

Top Desktop Computers for Photo and Video Storage

Best Desktop PCs for Simple Use