Desktop computers may not be as popular as they once were, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their place. Keen gamers, designers and professionals still use desktops regularly as they can offer much more than laptops for the same price.

So what should you look for when it comes to choosing a new desktop PC?

Hard drive

This is the first thing many need to look out for. After all, if your desktop computer doesn’t have enough available memory, it’s going to run slow and you’re going to have to invest in an upgrade sooner rather than later. Think about what you need it for and how much information will be stored on it. If you use it for work, you may need to look at getting one with a hard drive capacity of 500GB to 1TB to be on the safe side. Designers however may need more as these files are much larger than word files.

RAM

Another very important factor to consider is the amount of RAM you will need. If you’re a hard-core gamer, you’ll need more than the Average Joe. Gamers often choose 16GB RAM as a minimum to ensure they get the very best image quality and their PC runs smoothly – no matter how many hours they clock up.

Processor

You’ll need a machine with a decent computer processor – no matter what you use it for. However for browsing, emails and word documents, this may be less of a concern. But if you want to catch up on the latest TV shows, watch movies and play games, speed will be your main focus when it comes to your computer processor. There’s many different processors currently on the market, with more popping up all the time, so do your research beforehand – or ask for technical advice before putting your money where your mouth is.

Screen

Many people now run their computers through a TV, so will only need to purchase a tower. This can prove to be extremely cost-effective as it frees up more money to spend on the actual machine, but if you don’t have a free TV to use, you’ll want to think about what screen you want to invest in. Gamers will want the very best resolution, so often purchase these separately anyway. However for an everyday PC, we recommend looking at screens no smaller than 20-inches, with the best resolution you can possibly afford to ensure you can keep seeing clearly for years to come.

If your PC has started to slow down, why not upgrade it yourself? It’s not as complicated – or as expensive – as you may think!