This guide focuses on the best Core Ultra 3 desktop computers available to buy right now. We’re here to help students, remote workers, everyday multitaskers, and first-time buyers choose a desktop that balances price, AI capability, and future-readiness.
Entry-level chips have a reputation for being underpowered. But Intel’s new Core Ultra 3 processors change the game. These chips bring Intel’s Meteor Lake architecture to the mainstream. They’re designed to provide AI acceleration, hybrid performance cores, and advanced media capabilities.
Many buyers are usually skeptical. Can an Ultra 3 chip really support real productivity, light creative work, and web-centric apps? That’s the concern we tackle here.
The problem isn’t the Core Ultra 3 itself, it’s usually the systems built around it. Some desktops pair it with slow RAM, poor thermals, or non-upgradable designs. Others skip modern connectivity or use older display outputs. That’s why we’ve evaluated not just the CPU but the entire system architecture.
Let’s break it down. First, CPU architecture. Every desktop in this category runs a Core Ultra 3 100U or 125U processor. These chips use a hybrid core design, with 2 Performance-cores (P-cores) and 8 Efficient-cores (E-cores), plus an integrated NPU. That NPU brings AI-enhanced noise suppression, super resolution upscaling, and adaptive power management into basic desktops. For day-to-day use, this means smoother meetings, longer uptime, and more responsive interactions across apps.
Next, the integrated graphics. Core Ultra 3 processors ship with Intel Arc iGPUs, which support AV1 hardware encoding, 4K HDR video output, and DirectX 12 Ultimate. For users working in Canva, watching YouTube in 4K, managing spreadsheets with macros, or even trying light video trimming in CapCut or Filmora, this GPU provides stability and clarity.
Memory configurations matter, especially for multitasking. Desktops in this range should come with at least 8GB of LPDDR5 or DDR5 RAM, though we strongly recommend 16GB where possible. Having modern memory reduces load times, improves app switching, and supports more browser tabs.
Storage is another core factor. We look for NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSDs, starting from 512GB, to ensure responsiveness. These drives drastically shorten boot times, enhance OS-level performance, and make updates or background syncs feel invisible. Slower SATA SSDs or eMMC storage options create a bottleneck that wastes the efficiency gains of the Ultra chip.
Then there’s port selection. A good Core Ultra 3 desktop should offer USB-C (with DisplayPort), USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, and Ethernet. These allow multi-monitor setups, high-speed peripherals, and fast file transfers. We avoid systems that skimp on ports or use outdated video outputs like VGA or DisplayPort 1.1. On top of that, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 help maintain reliable wireless performance, which matters for anyone working in a cloud-first setup.
You should expect a balance between intelligent performance and platform efficiency. These are systems for light productivity, media consumption, low-intensity creative work, and smart multitasking.
From this point on, we’ll introduce the top Core Ultra 3 desktop computers that pass our performance and usability benchmarks. We’ve selected systems that are quiet, reliable, and modernized, with thoughtful thermal design, up-to-date I/O, and actual AI benefit, even on a budget.
You can also take a look at the Best All in One Desktop Computers in addition to the Best Mini Desktop PCs.
These are the Best Intel Core i3 Desktop Computers:
Contents
- Apple Mac Mini (i3 - 8GB RAM - 256GB)
- Acer Aspire C24-963-UA91 AIO Desktop PC
- Acer Aspire TC-885-ACCFLi3O Desktop Computer
- HP Pavilion Desktop PC - 590-p0033w
- HP ProDesk 600 G1 Small Form Factor Desktop Computer
- Dell Inspiron 3471 Small Desktop PC
- Dell Inspiron 3670 Desktop Computer PC
- Dell Inspiron 5490-24 Inch All in One FHD Touch
- Intel BOXNUC8i3CYSN1 NUC 8 Home - Mini PC
- Dell Inspiron Small Desktop 3471
- ASUS All-in-One Desktop PC - 23.8 Ryzen 3
- Acer Aspire TC-885-UA91 Desktop PC
- Dell Inspiron Desktop 3880
- Intel BOXNUC8i3CYSM1 NUC 8 Mini PC
- Acer Aspire TC-895-UA91 Desktop
Apple Mac Mini (i3 - 8GB RAM - 256GB) |
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| CPU | Quad-core 8th-Generation Intel Core i3 Processor |
| Processor Speed | 3.6GHz |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics Card Memory | 0.1GB |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 256GB |
| Operating System | Mac OS |
| Dimensions | 8.15 x 8.03 x 2.56 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Sold Separately |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Performance, Portable and Compact |
| Disadvantages | Storage Capacity may be insufficient for some people |
Acer Aspire C24-963-UA91 AIO Desktop PC |
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| CPU | 10th Generation Intel Core i3-1005G1 Processor |
| Processor Speed | Up to 3. 4GHz |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics |
| Graphics Card Memory | 0.1GB |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 Memory |
| Storage Space | 512GB NVMe M. 2 SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 21.2 x 1.46 x 15.7 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Included |
| Computer Monitor | 1920 x 1080 23 inch |
| Advantages | Good Performance, Affordable |
| Disadvantages | NA |
Acer Aspire TC-885-ACCFLi3O Desktop Computer |
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| CPU | 8th Generation Intel Core i3 8100 Processor |
| Processor Speed | 3.6GHz |
| GPU | 13.78 x 6.42 x 13.39 inches |
| Graphics Card Memory | 0.1GB |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 2666MHz |
| Storage Space | 1TB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 13.78 x 6.42 x 13.39 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Included |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Large Storage, Quite Affordable |
| Disadvantages | NA |
HP Pavilion Desktop PC - 590-p0033w |
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| CPU | Intel Core i3-8100 processor. |
| Processor Speed | 3.6 GHz |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics Card Memory | NA |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM memory |
| Storage Space | 1 TB 7200RPM SATA hard drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 20 x 15 x 10 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Not Included |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Good Performance, Large Storage Capacity |
| Disadvantages | |
HP ProDesk 600 G1 Small Form Factor Desktop Computer |
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| CPU | Intel Core i3-4130 |
| Processor Speed | 3.4 GHz |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics |
| Graphics Card Memory | NA |
| RAM | 8GB RAM, |
| Storage Space | 500GB HDD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | Mini |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Sold Separately |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Affordable, Good performance |
| Disadvantages | No Dedicated GPU |
Dell Inspiron 3471 Small Desktop PC |
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| CPU | 9th Gen Intel Core i3-9100 |
| Processor Speed | 4-Core, 6MB Cache, up to 4.2GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics Card Memory | NA |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 SDRAM |
| Storage Space | 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 15 x 13 x 3 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Sold Separately |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Large Storage, Good Performance |
| Disadvantages | |
Dell Inspiron 3670 Desktop Computer PC |
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| CPU | Intel i3-9100 |
| Processor Speed | 4-Core, 6MB Cache, up to 4.2GHz |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics Card Memory | NA |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 1TB 7200 rpm Hard Drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 11.61 x 6.3 x 14.71 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Not included |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Affordable |
| Disadvantages | NA |
Dell Inspiron 5490-24 Inch All in One FHD Touch |
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| CPU | Intel Core i3 |
| Processor Speed | 2.1 GHz |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Graphics Card Memory | 0.1GB |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 1TB SATA SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 26 x 20.55 x 10.3 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Included in Sale |
| Computer Monitor | 24" Touchscreen Anti-Glare FHD (1920 x 1080) Display |
| Advantages | Performance, Quality Display |
| Disadvantages | NA |
Intel BOXNUC8i3CYSN1 NUC 8 Home - Mini PC |
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| CPU | Intel’s 8th Generation Intel Core i3-8121U |
| Processor Speed | 2.2 GHz |
| GPU | Radeon 540 discrete graphics |
| Graphics Card Memory | 2GB GDDR5 |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage Space | 4 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 6.1 x 5 x 4.6 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Sold Separately |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Cheap |
| Disadvantages | |
Dell Inspiron Small Desktop 3471 |
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| CPU | 9th Gen Intel Core i3 |
| Processor Speed | 4.2 GHz |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics Card Memory | NA |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 256GB SSD + 1 TB SATA HD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 19 x 15.25 x 10.5 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Sold Separately |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Large Storage, Compact Form Factor |
| Disadvantages | |
ASUS All-in-One Desktop PC - 23.8 Ryzen 3 |
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| CPU | AMD Ryzen 3 3250U Processor |
| Processor Speed | 3.5 GHz |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Graphics |
| Graphics Card Memory | na |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage Space | 256GB PCIe SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 21.3 x 16.1 x 6.5 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Included |
| Computer Monitor | 23.8 inch 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Advantages | Large Display, Good Performance |
| Disadvantages | Storage Space |
Acer Aspire TC-885-UA91 Desktop PC |
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| CPU | 9th Generation Intel Core i3 9100 |
| Processor Speed | Up to 4. 2GHz |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics Card Memory | 0.1GB |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 512GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 13.78 x 6.42 x 13.39 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Included |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Affordable, Good Performance |
| Disadvantages | storage capacity |
Dell Inspiron Desktop 3880 |
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| CPU | Intel Core i3 10th Gen, |
| Processor Speed | 3.6 GHz |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics Card Memory | NA |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 1 TB Drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 18.9 x 15.7 x 12.7 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Not Included |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Large Storage, Good Performance |
| Disadvantages | NA |
Intel BOXNUC8i3CYSM1 NUC 8 Mini PC |
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| CPU | Intel’s 8th Generation Intel Core i3-8121U |
| Processor Speed | 2.6Ghz |
| GPU | Radeon 540 discrete graphics |
| Graphics Card Memory | 2GB GDDR5 |
| RAM | 8 GB of LPDDR4 |
| Storage Space | 1 TB SATA HDD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 4.61 x 4.41 x 1.5 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Sold Separately |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Performance |
| Disadvantages | NA |
Acer Aspire TC-895-UA91 Desktop |
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| CPU | Intel Core i3-10100 |
| Processor Speed | 4-Core Processor (Up to 4.3GHz) |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics Card Memory | 0.1GB |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Space | 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 13.78 x 6.42 x 13.39 inches |
| Keyboard & Mouse | Included |
| Computer Monitor | Sold Separately |
| Advantages | Affordable |
| Disadvantages | storage capacity |
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