You might think desktops are inching towards oblivion, especially with portable laptops and ever-evolving smartphones dominating the market. But alas, the Desktop is the progenitor for a reason. The level of customization and range of tasks you can achieve is still unbeatable (beast-like performance). Check out our list of the Best Desktop Computers For The Money for all the details!
There are two types of desktops: pre-assembled desktop and desktops that you assemble yourself like the ones you see on gamer vlogs. Pre-assembled desktops would be ideal for students and working professionals.
Honestly, assembling a computer yourself might sound cool and fantastic but if you make a mistake you might lose a shit load of money. So we at Discount Age have compiled a list of the best desktop computers that are true value for money.
After having reviewed all the best desktop computers in the UK in 2022 based on various features like specifications, performance, features, functionality, design, price and much more; my team and I zeroed in on 8 that really stood out. These products were put through a series of stress tests to determine the best. We found that:
The desktop computer that's worth money in the UK is the Apple iMac 24" 4.5K Retina Desktop. Not only does it have a powerful processor but it also has a massive 24-inch display that comes with a fantastic 4.5K resolution that supports a billion colors and is powered by Apple's best processor yet, the M1. It's perfect for content creation.
Here's the list of the top 8 desktop computers for the money
- Overall Best Desktop PC - Apple iMac 24" Retina All-in-One (2021)
- Desktop Computer for College Students - Dell XPS 8930 SE
- Designed for FPS Games - HP Omen Obelisk
- Most Portable Desktop Computer - Apple Mac Mini
- Desktop PC for Heavy Gaming - Lenovo Legion Tower 7i
- Perfect for Designers - Microsoft Surface Studio 2
- Desktop Computer Bundle - AWD-IT Gaming PC Package
- Most Customizable Desktop Computer - Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
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How did we test these desktop computers?
We put over 50 different desktop computers through different tests to determine which one's are worth the money.
The first test we carried out was the productivity test where we looked at how performance driven these machines were. Multiple applications were run simultaneously and only the ones that delivered peak performance with no drop in efficiency were shortlisted for this article.
Next we tested out the graphics performance of these computers and found that not all of them deliver the same levels of Hi-def graphics. Some claimed to be ideal for games, whereas others were marketed for graphic designers. The desktops mentioned below are ideal for both and while they all offer different specs in terms of graphics, they deliver as promised.
Finally we considered the build quality and whether the rigs came with adequate ventilation or a decent cooling system. This test was carried out by playing different high resolution games and while rendering videos. The desktops mentioned below are some of the most efficient machines around and are worth every penny.
Each product was rated on a scale of 1-5 with 4.5 and 5 being allotted only to those desktops that are truly worth it.
Check it out!
List of Desktop Computers For The Money 2022
#1 -- Apple iMac 24" Retina All-in-One (2021)
The Apple iMac 24" is the best all in one desktop for designers and content creators. It's actually pretty amazing that Apple has still somehow managed to cram modern and high-end tech behind that large 24-inch screen. But it's a legendary device nonetheless and It certainly is one of the Best Desktop Computers For The Money.
- The massive 4.5K display supports a billion colors and while this screen is beautiful, it is not meant for gamers. Using this computer for gaming alone would be quite unfortunate as this device was built purely to support video editing and other forms of graphic designing.
- This is because of the brightness, the pixel count can offer an unbelievable amount of detail for video and photo editors. More importantly, this desktop can easily handle heavy media software.
- Which brings us to the performance of this wonderful computer. Although the mac has still maintained its old design, it's packed with the latest and greatest tech. It is equipped with the Apple M1 chip and an 8‑core CPU that can definitely handle heavy applications with ease.
- The 2TB Fusion drive is decent enough as far as storage components go. But when compared to the older iMac models, Apple has finally provided an option for buyers to select between an 8GB and a 16GB RAM variant.
- The Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPU is an amazing graphics card usually meant for VR gaming. So it can definitely help provide an amazing visual experience.
- Of course, this desktop computer comes with the ever-popular Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2.
What's in it for you: This all in one desktop computer is pretty amazing and definitely worth it. Especially if your a video or photo editor. It delivers a brilliant performance and is perfect for both professional and home use. The iMac 24" 2021 model is by far the fastest and most powerful Mac desktop Apple has ever created.
| CPU | Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU |
| RAM | 8GB RAM / 16GB RAM |
| Storage | 1TB or 2TB Fusion Drive |
| Graphics | Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPU |
| Display | Retina 4.5K display, 24-inch (diagonal) |
Rating - 4.8/5
- Productivity/Performance - 5
- Graphics - 5
- Ventilation - 4.5
#2 -- Dell XPS 8930 SE
The Dell XPS 8930 SE is the perfect desktop for college students and for those who have a very tight budget. By perfect I mean, that you actually get more than what you pay for.
- This is such a perfect desktop. It certainly might not look amazing but damn its too perfect. Not only does the basic configuration give you amazing performance it can be upgraded whenever you want. Not a lot of desktops have that freedom. For example, you can't upgrade the processor of an iMac, you're pretty much stuck with it. But this dell is more a one-time investment in an asset that continues to grow.
- Honestly, the basic config is good enough to deal with the majority of tasks and applications used by students or at home. It comes with a 9th gen Intel core i5. This 6 core beast can easily handle high-end software, even games. After all even the iMac is equipped with the same processor and the same 8GB RAM.
- If you mistook "you can play games" for you can also play some low-quality 8-bit games. You're are in for a surprise. This desktop comes with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card, so the sky is the limit.
What's in it for you: It is perfect for those on a tight budget. You get a lot. For a good 1000 quid, you can expect a video editing and high-end gaming level performance. And not a lot of computers allow expansions. It is the best of the Best Desktop Computers For The Money.
| CPU | 9th gen Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 1256 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti |
Rating - 4.5/5
- Productivity/Performance - 4.5
- Graphics - 4.5
- Ventilation - 4
#3 -- HP Omen Obelisk
Most of the gamers out there want a gaming mini pc but don't want to spend time building it from scratch. And that's completely acceptable. After all, it a tedious and expensive job to build your pc. And if something goes wrong, you'll lose a lot. This is where the HP Omen Obelisk comes in.
- With the Obelisk, you get a pre-assembled gaming PC that performs like a beast. More importantly, the obelisk allows for various customisations and unlimited upgrades.
- You don't need to feel left out of place when your gaming buddies boast about their assembled PC cause this PC is absolutely brilliant and will definitely give you bragging rights.
- It comes with a 3.20 GHz Intel 6 Core i7 8700 processor with 8 GB RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card.
- The most useful aspect is the fact you can actually save a lot of money by buying this. For example, if you buy less expensive and parts with low power. You can still more or less get amazing performance. So, yeah it definitely is one of the Best Desktop Computers For The Money.
What's in it for you: The configuration of the obelisk will let you play even the most demanding games in high 4K resolution. Generally, you get about 100FPS and if you overclock it, this beast reciprocates with a greater push. The Spacious chassis always gives you room to cutomise and upgrade as you see fit.
| CPU | 3.20 GHz Intel 6 Core i7 8700 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 2TB + 256GB SSD |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 |
Rating - 5/5
- Productivity/Performance - 5
- Graphics - 5
- Ventilation - 5
#4 -- Apple Mac Mini
If you have a really tight on budget and need a computer to help you out with general tasks, the Apple Mac Mini will be perfect for you.
- You'd be surprised to find that the Mac Mini is actually pretty damn old. It was the second oldest apple product. But, no need to fret, this one is was redesigned and launched in 2018.
- It delivers a relatively decent performance. Especially with its 3.0GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 processor and 8 GB Ram.
- It's really not bad especially for its price of 700 quid.
- The only issue is the obvious lack of space. Even the crappiest desktops come with at least 1 TB these days. So, the 256GB SSD isn't the greatest. You're better of going for the 512 GB version.
- Playing games should be the last thing on your mind as this computer does not have a dedicated graphics card.
What's in it for you: Well it can save you a lot of time and money if your job revolves around basic computation. But, if you want to use this for gaming you are out of luck.
| CPU | 3.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i3 processor or 3.0GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB or 512GB SSD |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Does have a dedicated Graphics Card) |
Rating - 4.5/5
- Productivity/Performance - 4.5
- Graphics - 4
- Ventilation - 4.5
#5 -- Lenovo Legion Tower 7i
The Legion Tower 7i is a mid-tower case that has a neat design and outstanding aesthetic balance. The pre-installed CPU liquid coolant along with two 120mm fans greatly improves the devices cooling capabilities versus a traditional heat sink. Additionally, the SSD storage performs well when compared to others in this price range.
- The Legion Tower 7 unleashes over-the-top performance via the 10th Gen Intel Core K-Series processor for ultimate in-game dominance. Push your system to the top of the rankings with 10 cores, 20 threads and up to 5.3GHz Turbo Boost.
- Further, you can game/ stream like a pro without lag or dropouts thanks to Intel WiFi 6, able to enjoy truly blistering and lag-free streaming even on multiple devices at once.
- And best of all, the RTX graphics card boosts user performance by up to 25% and is over 600 times faster than the previous generation of GeForce graphics cards.
- The Tower 7i comes with a 32GB DDR6 RAM as well as a 1TB SSD for all your gaming and media needs.
What's in it for you: the Legion 7i might be a bit expensive, but it's probably one of the decked up gaming desktops available in the market today. The fast processor, brilliant graphics and liquid cooling system make this desktop worth every penny.
| CPU | Intel Core i9 3.6GHz Processor |
| RAM | 32 GB |
| Storage | 1 TB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX SUPER Series |
| Display | No Display, Desktop Only |
Rating - 5/5
- Productivity/Performance - 5
- Graphics - 5
- Ventilation - 5
#6 -- Microsoft Surface Studio 2
The price on this desktop might shock you, but it was honestly never meant for the average user. This one is purely for very specific industry professionals like content creators like digital artists, graphic designers and video/photo editors. In fact, one on the higher end of computers, the Surface Studio is actually worth the money.
- The massive 28-inch screen gives you all the room you'll ever need to work on your art. You can go to unbelievable detail by zooming down to pixel level. You get fantastic brightness and colour quality.
- The Surface Studio 2 works on an Intel Core i7-7820HQ Processor and a 32GB RAM so it can definitely handle heavy photo editing and illustration software with ease. Thankfully it also comes with a 2TB SSD. So it'll boost the speed and accessibility quite a bit.
- Graphics is the key factor in this one and it doesn't disappoint, it is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB GDDR5 memory.
What's in it for you: It might be expensive but is a great asset for a digital artist and video/photo editors. The most amazing this is the performance and the pen. Yup, the pen is super important as it'll give you the freedom to do amazing things. With palm rejection, you can draw in detail and with accuracy.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-7820HQ Processor |
| RAM | 32GB DDR4 RAM |
| Storage | 2TB SSD |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB GDDR5 memory |
| Display | 28” PixelSense Display, 4500 x 3000 (192 PPI) Resolution, sRGB, DCI-P3, and Vivid Display |
Rating - 4.5/5
- Productivity/Performance - 4.5
- Graphics - 4.5
- Ventilation - 4
#7 -- AWD-IT Gaming PC Package
For just under £600, this all in one kit is definitely one to consider buying. Manufactured by ADMI, this gaming PC comes fully loaded with a powerful processor, graphics and storage. What's more, the kit includes a 24" HD IPS monitor as well as a gaming keyboard/mouse set and a pair of gaming headphones
- .The AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors are great for people who love gaming; streamers, developers and designers. Whether you're looking to to play the latest games or design the next skyscraper, these processors will surely handle everything you throw at them with ease.
- For fast operation and smooth graphics, the desktop comes with a 16GB DDR4 RAM and is coupled with a 1TB hard drive that's more than enough to store all your games, movies and files.
- The system runs on Windows 10, but can be upgraded to Windows 11 for a more fluid-like experience.
- The side panel of the CPU is see-through and at the top you will find two powerful fans that help keep the entire rig running smoothly.
What's in it for you: This complete kit is a must-have and since it costs so little and includes all the necessary accessories/components, it's worth every penny.
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600G - 6 Core / 12 Thread - 3.9GHz Base / 4.4GHz Boost |
| RAM | 16GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM |
| Storage | 1TB Hard Drive |
| Display | 24 Inch 1080p Widescreen HD Monitor |
Rating - 4.5/5
- Productivity/Performance - 4.5
- Graphics - 4.5
- Ventilation - 5
#8 -- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is the best budget desktop computer in the market. This is actually the primary reason it made it onto this list. Priced at a mere 51 quid, this powerful CPU can ensure you can complete your tasks with ease. Of course, high end gaming would be out of the question.
- Unlike majority of the desktop computers out there, this workhorse doesn't come with it's own exterior or even a chassis of any sort. Yes, you only get the Motherboard and the other integral components a unit. So, if your planning on buying this computer, be ready to shell out a few more pounds on a chassis.
- This board is pretty much the only thing you get with this computer. There won't be any peripherals. So, don't be surprised when you find a computer without a monitor.
- When it comes to the specs, this computer is pretty solid. The CPU consists of a Broadcom BCM2711 and Quad core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8). It is more than enough to execute word processing and other office tasks. It also has a fairly decent OpenGL ES 3.0 GPU that can run Adobe Flash.
Check out alternatives of Raspberry Pi.
What's in it for you: All in all, this computer is perfect for a backed set up in a company. While it will be difficult to execute video editing tasks, data entry is a piece of cake.
Rating - 4/5
- Productivity/Performance - 4
- Graphics - 4
- Ventilation - 4
Buying UK Desktops
What is the UK best desktop computer for home use?
The best desktop for home use is the Dell XPS 8930 SE. It is probably the most perfect desktop in existence. Not only is it budget-friendly, it delivers more that it's supposed to. For a price of £1000, you get an unbelievable configuration: 9th gen i5 processor with 8GB RAM and a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti.
It is definelty more than enough for home use. Check out our list of the Best Desktop Computers For The Money for all the details!
What is the UK best desktop computer for 2022?
It would be hands down the HP Omen Obelisk. Yes, it is a gaming computer but it definitely deserves the title of the best computer in 2022. You get a beast like over performance for a good price. What more can you ask for? Space for unlimited customization and limitless upgrades? Yep, you can check that off too. Check out our list of the Best Desktop Computers For The Money for all the details!
