Finding the right desktop computer is an important decision for many consumers. Most people have a set price range in mind, but are unaware of which model will work for their needs. There are many components to consider, such as the processor(s), RAM, hard drive storage and speed, and graphics card. In general, there are three different types of desktops: general-use, gaming and digital media. Each kind possesses particular qualities that emphasize a particular usage.
General-use computers are affordable and will run common computer applications. The average price range for a general-purpose desktop is $500 to $1,000 with a dual-core processor. General-use computers are aimed towards families and students. A good low-end to mid-range desktop should feature about 4 GB of RAM, and the graphics card for a general-use computer will usually be integrated, which means that it cannot be changed out for a better card. Several mid-range models have a 1 GB video card.
Gaming desktops are much more expensive; the high-end models can easily cost $3,000. They focus on power, speed and design, and the most important element is the graphics card. One of the most popular graphics cards available is the Radeon 5000 series developed by ATI. Aside from having powerful graphics cards, gaming computers are noted for being able to support multiple monitors, though some regular computers can also do this.
Digital media desktops are primarily used for editing photos and videos. These desktops focus on hard drive speed and CPU. Adobe Photoshop is an editing program widely used by designers, and it requires a large amount of CPU performance. A powerful graphics card is also needed to avoid taxing the CPU and memory. Get the best six-core or quad-core CPU and as much RAM as possible. Storage is relatively affordable, as 1 TB hard drives are common these days.