Desktop Processors
While there are many different desktop processors or CPUs, most come from just two manufacturers: AMD and Intel. Intel processors generally offer better performance but are more expensive than AMD processors. However, the main difference between processors relates to the number of cores they offer and their relative speed.
Most manufacturers present a performance rating system for their desktop PCs, but comparing across brands isn't always easy. Your best bet is to look for PCs in your price range and then research the processors to ensure they are powerful enough for your needs.
Memory
Memory, or RAM, plays a significant role in the speed and performance of a PC. The higher the RAM, the better the performance. Experts recommend at least 8 gigabytes of memory, but 16 GB offers better performance. For gaming and other power-computing uses, 16 GB is the minimum you should consider.
Although DDR3 and DDR4 memory were the standards for desktop computers for many years, DDR5 is now preferred. When buying memory, try to buy as few DIMMs as possible to allow for future memory upgrades.
Dual in-line memory modules contain one or several RAM chips on a small circuit board with pins that connect it to the motherboard.
Hard Drives
While some desktop computers still rely on hard disk drives, most newer PCs ship with solid-state drives for storing and caching data. SSDs are preferable since they're faster, more efficient, and more durable than HDDs.
There are two main elements to consider when shopping for hard drives: size and speed. A modern desktop hard drive should have at least 1TB of storage space. Most traditional HDDs run at 7200 RPM in terms of speed, but some green or variable-speed drives consume less energy (SSDs don't have an RPM number to consider because there are no moving parts). Most motherboards now support RAID to install several hard drives on your machine.
RAID stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Drives or Disks. RAID solutions create more storage at a lower cost.
Optical Drives (CD/DVD/Blu-Ray)
Some desktops still come equipped with a DVD burner, but most, especially small form factor PCs, are doing away with optical drives. Your desktop needs a Blu-ray drive to watch new movies in HD. If the computer you want doesn't have optical drives, purchase an external CD, DVD, and Blu-ray player.
Video and Graphics Cards
If you don't play PC games with 3D graphics, you don't have to worry about a dedicated graphics card. Gamers should consider a DirectX 12 card with at least 8 GB of onboard memory. Pick a budget video card if you're interested in accelerating non-3D tasks. Factors to consider include performance, the amount of memory on the card, the output connectors, and the version of Direct X supported.
External Peripheral Connectors
Check how many and what type of external ports are available on the computer for use with future peripherals. There are a variety of high-speed peripheral connectors now available. It is best to get a PC with at least six USB ports but there are also USB hubs available if your dream computer doesn't have enough ports. Other higher-speed connectors include eSATA and Thunderbolt, which can be especially useful for external storage. Many desktops also have SD card readers.
Desktop Monitors
While there are all-in-one PCs with built-in monitors, you still need to consider the quality of the screen. Most monitors today are based on LCD technology, and the only significant difference between them is size and cost. Some other factors, such as color accuracy, may be vital if you plan to use the desktop for graphics work. 24-inch LCDs are the most common, thanks to their affordability and support for full 1080p high-definition video. Larger screens, such as 27-inch LCDs and 4K displays, are also dropping in price.
Who Should Buy a Desktop PC?
Buying a desktop PC is a good idea if you want a household computer for the whole family to use. Desktops are more versatile than laptops since they have more ports for different types of monitors, keyboards, and other accessories. If you're a graphic designer or visual artist, you'll want a desktop with one or more large monitors.
When it comes to gaming, desktop PCs are more powerful than most laptops and even dedicated video game consoles. If you like VR games or online games with 3D graphics, you need a desktop and a comfortable gaming chair.
What to Do After You Buy a Desktop PC
Once you've connected all the peripherals and booted up your PC for the first time, take steps to secure your PC from outside attacks before you connect to the internet. Connect your desktop directly to your modem for a more reliable signal. If your desktop comes with a warranty, you may need to register it.
More Tips
Although you may be tempted to buy the cheapest desktop PC you can find, it's better to spend money on a device that's slightly more powerful than you need than one that's slightly less powerful than what you need. Just keep in mind that you'll also have to buy a lot of accessories unless you get an all-in-one desktop or you have existing hardware that will work with your new computer.
FAQ
When is the best time to buy a desktop PC?
If you're buying a computer for school, look for back-to-school sales in the fall. Otherwise, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are your best bets.
What is the best mini desktop PC?
The best mini PCs include the Razer Tomahawk, Acer Chromebox CXI3, ZOTAC ZBOX Edge MI352, MSI MEG Trident X, HP ProDesk 400 G5, and the Apple Mac Mini. If you want a kit to build your own, consider the Intel NUC 9 Extreme NUC9i9QNX or the Raspberry Pi 400.
Who makes the best desktop PC?
It depends on what you're looking for, but the top PC brands include Dell, ASUS, HP, and Acer.
You can have the best musical ideas and plugins on earth, but it isn’t going to do you any good if you are not mixing effectively because of your studio monitors.
In this guide I’ll talk about the 5 tips you can take to monitor better in your studio towards a better mix.
My first advice to your studio monitors is to only buy monitors with speaker cones of at least 6 inches. A 5-inch monitor speaker may be cheaper and easier to carry around but I can personally tell you that you’ll mix better on 8 inch studio monitors.
The problem with 5 inch speakers is that they are unable to produce lower end frequencies. That means you won’t hear the lower bass end while mixing.
You can’t hear below 45Hz. It’s our human listening limitation.
You might say hey, 45Hz is pretty low and that’s fine. Well, I don’t care which speaker company you’re currently looking at, every company would boast about how low their speakers are able to output sound at even if it isn’t true.
The truth is you’ll still lack the low end bass on 5 inch speakers.
Because of that, you’ll tend to mix in more bass when doing mixing. Your mix may sound good on the 5 inch speakers but it’ll just sound too bassy when you play it on systems with bigger speakers.
Always only buy monitors with at least 8 inches speaker cones and your mix will be better. 5 inch monitors can be handy as a 2nd pair of studio monitors to reference your mixes on but if you’re buying your first pair of speakers, raise your budget and go for an 8 inch.
Your studio monitor placement is really important. The ‘sweet spot’ for monitoring in front your speakers refers to listening to your speakers in the middle of the axis. This is so you listen to your speakers from left and right equally.
As you sit down on your chair, your ears should be at the same level of the speaker’s tweeters. This gives you an optimal listening position where you’ll be able to hear your mixes accurately. When placed too low, you’ll tend to hear too much bass.
To raise your speakers, it’s good to use speakers stands. Speaker stands also isolate your speakers from having your speakers on your tables. An inexpensive speaker stand that you can buy for your studio is the Samson MS200 speaker stands which really is a simple speaker stand yet quite effective.
Even if a mix sounds bad, by listening to a mix too long, your brain will begin to familiarize with it and you’ll be tricked into thinking that the mix is good.
Never mix for more than 45 minutes sitting in front the mixing desk.
That is why producers normally take a few days and sometimes even weeks to finish a mix. They refresh their ears and perception towards their mix by getting off the mixing board and then coming back later.
I used to sit down for hours at one go, producing music. Not only that made my eyes got worse, my mixes weren’t solid at the end of the day as well.
Today, I use the pomodoro technique to help me manage my time when working in the studio. The Pomodoro technique is a technique where you use a timer for about 45 minutes. Once the timer goes off, take a 5 minutes break. Just stop doing whatever you are doing and take a break. Perhaps take a walk or go drink some water. Then go back and set the timer for another 45 minutes.
This technique of working is said to increase mental agility. However true it is, I know one thing. It definitely help your brain perception on your mixes.
Placing your studio monitor sideways may look cool but if they aren’t designed to be placed horizontally, then you might just be monitoring your mixes poorly.
Turning your speakers sideways causes a few problems. First, you’ll be experiencing phasing problems when you move about your studio. A slight shift to the left or right will just throw your optimal listening position down the drain.
Secondly, the wave-guide of your speakers are designed to broaden the sound waves from the speaker cones. Putting the speaker on its side will just cause the sound waves to bounce off your table or speaker stand, giving you poor monitoring. With all the sound waves bouncing, it defeats the purpose of sound treating your room as well.
If you seen pro studios doing it, it’s usually just to get the small near-field monitors out of the way for the bigger passive speakers.
I cringe whenever I see monitor speakers with digital EQ or room corrections.
Many studio monitors have these types of features built into them to help you tune according to your room acoustics.
While this might sound like a good idea for your home studio, which is most probably not very expensively treated. However, you must always remember that you can’t cheat your way out in a badly treated room. You can’t cheat physics.
There are no speakers that can give you good monitoring even with the help of digital processing if your room has uncontrolled acoustics.
Take more time into learning how to treat your studio and pick up some DIY skills into building sound absorption panels and more. Also it usually is more about getting familiar with your speakers then to go out to look for the best monitor speakers you can find. The best home studio monitors are those that you truly understand and know your mixes on.
I’ll leave you to look for the best studio monitors for your home studio. With these tips, you should be able to get a grip on which studio monitors to buy.
Having a good set of studio monitors you can trust is most important of all in the studio and will be the determining factor that would make your music or break your music. Which studio monitors are you favourite? Comment below.