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Diablo IV PC performance, system requirements, and the best settings to use

If there’s a single upside to the collapsing standards of technical competence among big-budget PC games, it’s that when something like Diablo 4 comes along and simply performs well, there’s an almost pleasant relief to it. Like your bus arriving on time, a minute after watching the previous, late-arriving one flip onto its roof attempting a handbrake turn.

It’s not perfect, but Diablo IV does run smoothly for the most part (also sorry Google, but I’m going back to Roman numberals), and its system requirements on PC are as likely to involve museum pieces as they are the latest and priciest graphics cards. I’ve put some hours into the early access build and have come up with a best settings guide, but in truth, this will likely just optimise your framerates – Diablo IV’s higher quality settings rarely trouble it, especially at 1080p.

Watch on YouTube

What is the best class in Diablo 4? Watch this video to find out.

It even works quite well on the Steam Deck, thanks to a combination of low hardware requirements and Blizzard’s good work in making Diablo iV playable on gamepad controls. We’ll focus on desktop performance and settings here, though.

Diablo IV system requirements and PC performance

Even if you’re still making do with decades-old kit, Diablo IV is all but certain to run on your PC, and it scales well up to gleaming 4K too. The only real points of potential bother are the always-online requirement, the bumper 90GB of storage you’ll need for installation, and the use of an SSD specifically. Diablo IV will still function if you whack it on a hard drive, but expect lengthy load times, as it can take a while to get into the game even on a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD.

Diablo IV minimum PC specs (720p / 30fps)

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or newer)
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K / AMD FX-8350
• RAM: 8GB
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 / AMD Radeon R9 280
• DirectX: DX12
• Storage: SSD with 90GB available space
• Internet: Broadband connection

Diablo IV Medium/recommended PC specs (1080p / 60fps)

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or newer)
• CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K / AMD Ryzen 3 1300X
• RAM: 16GB
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 / AMD Radeon RX 470
• DirectX: DX12
• Storage: SSD with 90GB available space
• Internet: Broadband connection

Diablo IV High PC specs (1080p / 60fps)

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or newer)
• CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
• RAM: 16GB
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
• DirectX: DX12
• Storage: SSD with 90GB available space
• Internet: Broadband connection

Diablo IV Ultra 4K PC specs (4K / 60fps)

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or newer)
• CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
• RAM: 32GB
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080/ Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series for DLSS 3 / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
• DirectX: DX12
• Storage: SSD with 90GB available space
• Internet: Broadband connection

Half the GPUs listed in these specs are so old that I don’t have any of them in my cupboard o’ things, so to test Diablo IV’s low-end performance I subbed in a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti. This is a little less powerful than the GTX 970, so for 60fps at 1080p, I’d say Blizzard’s recommendations are pretty spot on: with a Core i5-11600K and 16GB of RAM, the GTX 1050 Ti averaged 66fps on the Low quality preset and 56fps on Medium.

Going up the 10-series one step, to the GTX 1060, further proved that older hardware ain’t no thing to Diablo IV. Again using 1080p, this card averaged 107fps on Low, 87fps on Medium, 75fps on High and 62fps on Ultra. Pre-RTX Nvidia GPUs can’t take advantage of Diablo IV’s DLSS support, but AMD FSR 2 is available for upscaling duty on GTX, Radeon and Intel Arc models.

At the luxury end of the scale, I’m less convinced that 4K does in fact need an RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT, or indeed 32GB of memory. My RTX 3070 was perfectly capable at this resolution, averaging 64fps on Ultra quality, and DLSS 2 upscaling – on its sharpest-looking Quality setting – worked wonderfully to bring that up to 96fps. There was some very occasional mini-stuttering, but I don’t think that’s specifically down to a lack of RAM or VRAM as I also sometimes got it on lower resolutions and settings.

Yes, unfortunately Diablo IV can stutter, though at least it’s a rarer occurrence than it’s been in most big 2023 releases. I’ve only noticed it three or four times across hours of play, and mainly while exploring open areas; I’ve yet to have these hiccups interrupt a raucous skeleton fight while dungeon diving.

The only other fix-starved problem I encountered was a dodgy DLSS 3 implementation. Anyone with an RTX 40 series GPU can enable AI frame generation for an easy framerate boost, as well as standard DLSS 2 upscaling for the same purpose, but when selecting both together, frame generation stops working. For me, anyway – I haven’t seen much widespread complaining from other early access players, so whether this issue occurs may involve some basic bad luck. Hopefully it gets patched regardless – though for what it’s worth, the DLSS + frame gen combo is far from essential on the invariably mighty RTX 40 family. I tried the (current) weakest of the lot, the new RTX 4060 Ti, and this averaged 52fps at Ultra / 4K without any help at all. Quality DLSS bumped it up to 83fps, while un-upscaled frame generation got it to 69fps – so if you also can’t combine the two, DLSS is the tool to use.

Diablo IV best settings guide

Outside of those two blemishes, Diablo IV is technically sound enough that maxed-out quality is probably worth trying, at least on relatively new hardware. Orrrrrr you could spend a few seconds customising the toggle-rich amassment of individual settings, balancing visuals with speed to make performance even better. Think of it as min-maxing, only for ambient occlusion instead of the rate at which you throw bones at demons.

First, we’ll look at each of these settings to find out their performance impact, before building a best settings list from the results. Our control GPU will be the still-popular GTX 1060, running at 1080p – so we’re looking to improve on the Ultra preset’s 62fps average.

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Attribution

DLSS/FSR 2: Diablo IV provides a choice of upscalers. The best-looking of these is DLSS on its Quality setting, though that’s exclusive to GeForce RTX GPUs, with DLSS 3’s frame generation further limited to RTX 40 series models.

The GTX 1060 doesn’t fall into either camp, though can still use FSR 2, the Quality mode of which turned that 62fps average into 72fps. It’s worth considering, though arguably more so at 1440p and 4K than at 1080p. DLSS, meanwhile, improved the RTX 3070’s Ultra / 4K performance by 50%, and the RTX 4060 Ti’s by 60%.

Texture Quality: There’s actually little to gain from lowering this, judging by how Medium textures only added 2fps to the GTX 1060’s average. You could try Low, but it’s ugly as sin.

Anisotropic Filtering: Again, leave this at full whack. Dropping from 16x to 2x didn’t improve performance at all.

Shadow Quality: Switching from Highest to Medium shadows yielded a rise to 67fps, and didn’t make Diablo IV’s visuals much worse off. I’d lower this one.

Dynamic Shadows: A tough choice here. Disabling the dynamic shadows toggle had performance shoot up to 77fps, but the visual loss was stark – it does look weird, even by high fantasy standards, for your character not to cast a shadow. Maybe switch it off for very low-end PCs but keep it on otherwise.

Soft Shadows: Turning this off added a mere 1fps to average performance, so probably isn’t worth it.

Shader Quality: No change at all for the GTX 1060 when dropping shaders from High to Low.

SSAO Quality: Now here’s another setting for the chopping block. Switching from High to Low is barely visible in motion, yet propelled the GTX 1060 up to 69fps in a single click.

Fog Quality: Low quality is worth trying, as it got the GTX 1060 up to 67fps.

Clutter Quality: Go for Medium quality here, I reckon. There are lower settings but Medium delivers a healthy performance boost as it is, allowing the GTX 1060 to average 69fps.

Fur Quality Level: Alas, this breaks the streak of impactful settings, as lowering fur quality didn’t improve my average FPS at all.

Water Simulation Quality: Despite the occasional appearance of some rather rank bodies of (likely body-filled) water, toning down liquid effects won’t help performance much. I got 62fps on Ultra and Medium quality alike.

Anti-Aliasing Quality: Keep this turned up, as the Low setting only netted an additional 1fps. Though if you elect to use one of the upscalers listed above, Diablo IV’s own AA gets overridden anyhow.

Geometric Complexity: Keeping this on High can be good for very fine environmental details, but the performance gain from Low – I got 67fps – is hard to ignore.

Terrain Complexity Detail: Another borderline meaningless 1fps difference between High and Low. Look elsewhere for changes.

Physics Quality: No difference at all to report between High and Low physics simulation, so stick to High.

Particles Quality: Surprisingly, given the glitter bag of visual effects that explodes in most enemy encounters, dropping this from High to Medium did nothing to average FPS.

Reflection Quality: It’s 62fps once again from Low reflections, so High is fine to keep.

Screen Space Reflections: I got a little 4fps boost from disabling SSR, though the aesthetic quality of some areas definitely diminished. Maybe worth turning off in a pinch, but there are better settings to drop first.

Distortion: No performance change here, with the GTX 1060 scoring 62fps with distortion both on and off.

Low FX: This is a more visibly noticeable version of what I imagined Particles Quality would be, toning down the visual richness of various attack and spellcasting effects. It’s not much help, though, doing nothing to improve on that 62fps average.

The game’s generally good performance lets us be picky with which settings to sacrifice, with some of those only needing to drop to Medium – not always Low – in exchange for a healthy FPS increase. Here’s what I’d call Diablo IV’s best settings on PC:

• Shadow Quality: Medium
• SSAO Quality: Low
• Fog Quality: Low
• Clutter Quality: Medium
• Geometric Complexity: Low
• Everything else: Ultra preset equivalent

With just these five adjustments to the Ultra preset’s settings, the GTX 1060’s average performance lept from 62fps to 92fps: a 48% increase with only minor reductions to visual quality.

As for upscaling, I don’t advise it at 1080p, partly because you’ve a good chance of high performance at native resolution anyway and partly because even DLSS can look blurry at Full HD. For 1440p and 4K, sure, throw it in. I’d recommend the Quality setting for both DLSS and FSR, depending on what your graphics card supports, with DLSS being ideal.

90,000 ranking of the top 11 office PCs according to KP. Photos, videos, cost, customer reviews, tips for choosing

A huge number of office computers are presented on the modern market in 2023. An ordinary user can be guided by the “price equals quality” setting when choosing a technique, or rely on maximum performance. But this is not the right approach, since each type of activity requires certain parameters: good graphics, a productive process and a high level of data security. Speaking of the last factor, many PCs have a TMP module installed (a chip that makes the computer resistant to tampering and malware).

Thus, when choosing an office computer, it is important that it works stably and quickly in standard programs, does not make noise and does not take up much space.

Buying a PC, for example, for home use, a person determines the budget himself and relies on personal preferences. For the head of the company, it is important that the device works for a long time and properly copes with tasks (work in text editors, high data processing speed) and is inexpensive.

It is better to choose computers based on at least a quad-core processor. If your work is related to graphics and design, then you need to select models with an advanced video card (for example, from Intel).

Today’s executives are increasingly opting for monoblocks (PC in one case with a monitor), but the price of such a device is much higher. But, when buying a regular system unit, it is worth considering that you will have to additionally purchase a keyboard, mouse and monitor.

The article presents the best computers for the office in 2023, as well as experience and expert advice on choosing the right PC.

Editor’s Choice

DELL Vostro 3681 SFF

DELL Vostro 3681 SFF. Photo: market.yandex.ru

The computer is suitable for professional activities, as it has high performance, which makes it almost universal. The compact body makes it easy to place the device in any office. A powerful 6-core Intel Core i5 processor is installed here, which quickly copes with many office tasks. On a computer, you can work with both text documents and graphic applications.

In addition to the CPU (Digital Processing Unit), the machine is equipped with 8 GB of RAM and integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630, which allows you to multitask and use any resource-intensive applications (for example, Platrum, Photoshop).

Dell Mobile Connect technology allows you to synchronize your phone (on iOS or Android) via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth with a PC by installing a special driver from the official Dell website. Thanks to this application, you can send SMS from your computer, make calls from it, access photos and other files on your phone. This is one of the few models that allow you to connect to the Internet through the built-in Wi-Fi module. The SSD is 256 GB and the HDD is 1 TB. Linux OS is installed on the computer.

Key Features

Pros and cons

Powerful processor, large storage HDD (1 TB), built-in Wi-Fi, integrated graphics

Linux operating system is not liked by many users due to the difficulty of reinstalling

Rating of the top 10 best computers for the office in 2023 according to KP

ASUS D500SA-510400106R

ASUS D500SA-510400106R. Photo: market.yandex.ru

This is a compact and powerful computer based on the Intel Core i5 processor. It provides fast performance of various office tasks (work with text editors, graphics programs, analytics), and also has an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 video card. The PC has 8 GB DDR4 RAM, which is enough for comfortable work.

Windows 10 Pro is installed on the computer, so you don’t need to make additional settings, and you can work right after purchase. Built-in memory for software installation and data storage is 256 GB, it is also possible to build an additional hard drive. The work of 6 cores and a processor frequency of 2.9 GHz allows you to process multiple data streams at once.

The compact size makes it possible to equip the workplace even in a small space. The kit comes with a mouse and keyboard. According to customer reviews, the PC lacks wireless interfaces (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).

Key Features

Pros and cons

operating system Windows 10 Pro, mouse and keyboard included

No wireless interfaces

HP 290 G4 MT Micro-Tower

HP 290 G4 MT. Photo: market.yandex.ru

This is a great model for the office, combining the powerful functionality of the 10th generation Intel i3 processor, fast graphics adapter Intel UHD Graphics 630

and a large amount of 8 GB of RAM, as well as the ability to expand the graphics potential of the computer thanks to PCI-e x1 and PCI-e x16 slots for installing a video card.

The PC is more secure against data leakage and hacking. It features a discrete TPM and HP DriveLock (tamper proof). Wired devices are protected with a built-in cable lock system. In addition to a 256 GB SSD, the computer is equipped with Multi-Core technology. It was created to optimize the operation of the device, as a result of which the PC performance is increased and the clock frequency is automatically selected (the manufacturer notes that the technology does not work with all applications).

The model has many configurations: the amount of RAM (4 or 8 GB), the type of processor (Pentium, i3, i5), the presence or absence of an OS, a video card (610 or 630), the amount of drives (from 128 GB to 1 TB) , with or without a drive.

Key Features

9003 3

Pros and cons

Smart security, Multi-Core technology, multiple build configurations, Windows 10 Pro operating system

Weak graphics card, Multi-Core works with certain applications

Lenovo IdeaCentre 3 07ADA05

Lenovo IdeaCentre 3 07ADA05 . Photo: market.yandex.ru

Compact and powerful office computer. Powered by a powerful AMD Ryzen 3 processor. Combined with a large amount of memory (128 GB SSD, 1 TB HDD) and AMD Radeon Graphics 9 integrated graphics0003

Efficient multitasking is achieved. However, this video card is not suitable for heavy programs, for example, for the active use of graphic applications. Since the hard disk capacity is 1 TB, you can store all the necessary documents and files on your computer without using additional drives.

The model has many ports for connection: 8 USB 2.0, some of which are located on the front side for convenience. There is also a 7-in-1 card reader and an HDMI port.

Key Specifications

Pros and cons

Ergonomic design, high speed, multitasking, large amount of memory, card reader

For complex graphics programs it may be rather weak, design for an amateur

MSI PRO DP21

MSI PRO DP21. Photo: market.yandex.ru

High performance is ensured by a 10th generation Intel Core i5 quad-core processor and 8 GB of RAM. To protect cryptographic keys that are used for passwords and other confidential data, a software TMP module is installed. The computer is equipped with an Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics card. A large amount of SSD memory equal to 256 GB will allow you to store a lot of files and documents.

MSI Center software, which includes useful programs (such as Command Center, Mystic Light), optimizes system performance and manages applications and media quickly.

The computer is equipped with an impressive number of ports, some of which are intended for connecting commercial equipment (for example, a magnetic card reader). This model has a built-in high-bandwidth Wi-Fi module, as well as a Bluetooth 5.2 interface for wireless connection of peripherals.

Key Features

Processor	Intel Core i3-10105
Cores	4
Processor frequency	3700 MHz
Video card type	integrated
Video card	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Total SSD	256 GB
GPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Ports and Connectors	HDMI, 4x USB 2. 0
Operating System	Windows 10 Pro

Pros and cons

Software TMP module for enhanced security, many different ports, built-in Wi-Fi module

No wireless interfaces, inconvenient location of ports on the edge of the board

iRU Office 512 90 017 iRU Office 512. Photo: market.yandex.ru

To perform ordinary office tasks, it has a good Intel Pentium Gold G6400 processor and 8 GB of RAM, expandable up to 64 GB. The Intel UHD Graphics 610 video adapter allows you to work in professional graphics programs. However, under heavy loads, the cooling system can make noise.

The computer is light and compact, so it fits perfectly even in a small room. The components are selected in such a way as to ultimately provide functionality for performing various office tasks (working with text, accounting, searching for information on the Internet). The cost of the computer is quite budget compared to competitors.

Key Features

Pros and cons

64 GB expandable memory, high performance (4 GHz processor)

Noisy cooling system, simple design

Acer Aspire XC-1660

Acer Aspire XC-1660. Photo: market.yandex.ru

This is a compact computer that can handle a variety of tasks. The six-core Intel Core i5 10400 processor with a clock speed of 4.3 GHz and 8 GB of RAM will allow you to work simultaneously even in resource-intensive applications (for example, Planner 5D, Photoshop). Graphic processing is carried out using an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics card with 4 GB of video memory, which makes it possible to create complex projects in professional programs (for example, SketchUp).

Built-in SD-card reader allows you to receive information from memory cards without additional adapters and adapters. The large 512 GB SSD storage capacity allows you to store many documents and files right on your computer. The disadvantages of this model include the lack of wireless interfaces, which increases the time of data exchange and heating of the case during prolonged use of the PC.

Key features

9002 8

Pros and cons

Fast multitasking, large internal memory, 4 GB VRAM

No wireless interfaces, can get warm under heavy loads

DEXP Aquilon O255

DEXP Aquilon O255. Photo: market.yandex.ru

The PC performs well in multitasking conditions, working in several applications in the background. The device operates on an Intel Pentium Gold G6405 processor with a three-level cache (storage and processing of information takes place in three different memory chips) and 8 GB of RAM, reaching a clock frequency of 4.1 GHz. But, according to customer reviews, in multitasking mode, the cooling fans are very noisy.

With its sleek design and compact size, it fits perfectly into any office environment. 240 GB of free memory on the SSD-drive will allow you to store the necessary data without resorting to the use of additional media. HDMI and VGA (D-Sub) video connectors are provided for connecting monitors, and for various peripherals and audio equipment there are USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and 3.5 mm jack ports. OS not installed.

Key features

Processor	Pentium Gold G6405
Number of cores	2
Processor frequency	4. 1 GHz
8 GB
Video card type	integrated
Video card	Intel UHD Graphics 61
SSD configuration	240 GB
Operating system	no OS

Pros and cons

Works fast even with several applications at the same time, large memory, components from Intel

Noisy, no operating system installed

Must A6 9500E

Must A6 9500E. Photo: market.yandex.ru

An office computer based on a dual-core AMD A6 9500E processor with 4 GB of RAM has an integrated graphics core (a simpler and minimized video card) AMD Radeon R5. SSD memory is 120 GB, but it may not be enough to store data, and there is no possibility of expanding it.

The PC comes pre-installed with Windows 10 Pro and comes with a mouse and keyboard. This is a budget option for the office, designed to work with documents and simple programs (Word, Excel).

Key Features

90 028

Pros and cons

Budget cost, Windows operating system installed 10 Pro, mouse and keyboard included

Small amount of memory, not suitable for complex professional programs

Emilion WorkMach 2100

Emilion WorkMach 2100. Photo: market.yandex.ru as well as Office 2019 software. Thus, you can use all the functionality you need for office work: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project, Visio, Access and Publisher. The entry-level video card Intel HD Graphics 2000 is quite an office option.

The RAM is 4 GB and the SSD is 120 GB non-expandable.

The model is based on the Intel Core i3 2100 processor, which ensures fast and stable operation. The computer is small and quiet. The case is equipped with perforations, due to which an effective natural cooling process takes place. There is also a built-in Wi-Fi module and additional interfaces: DVI and VGA output.

Key features

9 0033

90 088

Pros and cons

Fast work, installed Windows 10 Pro, Office 2019 software , built-in Wi-Fi module

Small SSD memory, DDR3 processes information more slowly (unlike DDR4, which is used in almost all modern models)

X-Com Business D0035709

X-Com Business D0035709. Photo: market.yandex.ru

The computer features fast operation and low power consumption (according to customer reviews), as it has 8 GB of RAM and is equipped with an Intel Core i3-10100 quad-core processor. The model is ideal for solving standard office tasks (for example, working with tables, text), and if you need to work with graphics programs, you can install a more advanced video card (for example, NVIDIA MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti) instead of the existing Intel UHD Graphics 630.

Your computer is equipped with a 240 GB SSD for storage of various files and documents. However, the device does not have wireless interfaces, which increases the time for data exchange and Internet connection. Also, the lack of an OS does not allow you to start using your PC immediately after purchase.

Key Features

Processor	Intel Core i3
Cores	4
3600 MHz
RAM	8 GB
Video card type	integrated
Intel UHD Graphics 630
Total SSD	240 GB
Connectors and interfaces	HDMI output, USB 3. 0 interface
Operating system	OS not installed

Pros and cons

Powerful processor, value for money, the ability to install a more efficient video card

Lack of wireless interfaces, no operating system installed

cost and good performance. Pay attention to models from popular brands, as they usually give a guarantee on their products for at least 1 year. In the office, the computer almost always works, so you need to choose a product with high-quality components and conscientious assembly.

Processor

For an office computer, you need a powerful processor with at least two cores and two threads with a frequency of at least 2-3 GHz. For example: AMD A8, A10, Intel Pentium G4620. Top processors are Intel i3, i5 and higher.

RAM

The amount of RAM together with the processor makes up the overall performance of an office computer. This affects the speed of work and the ability to multitask. The more RAM, the more applications can run simultaneously. A good indicator is the volume of 8 GB and above.

Total storage capacity

In addition to RAM, which is required for the operation of the operating system, computers are equipped with built-in memory for data storage. Most modern models use an SSD drive, but in some versions it is possible to connect an additional hard drive. SSD memory has faster read and write speeds than HDDs. The recommended storage capacity for office tasks is 256 GB or more.

Video card

An office computer does not require realistic and vibrant graphics, unlike a gaming PC. But this does not apply to professions related to design, photo and video editing and design. Many models are equipped with Intel UHD Graphics 630, which are great for working in office programs.

Expert review of office computers

Vyacheslav Makarov, B2B purchasing manager of NBCom Group, shared his personal experience of using an office PC:

“I just have a regular computer: Intel Core i7 6700 processor, 16 GB DDR3 , SSD – 256 GB, HDD 2 TB, GTX 1070 graphics card and 600 W power supply. I think I got it in 2016. Collected myself. The task was to meet the budget and get a sufficiently powerful stuffing.

I have not changed anything since then, because at the moment the performance is enough for my tasks: office work and the use of text applications, non-top games in Full HD resolution, various software.

Although the equipment was selected so that it was possible to sell old spare parts about once a year and buy new ones, paying a small difference, and at the same time be constantly on modern hardware.

Popular questions and answers

Expert Vyacheslav Makarov also answered questions from KP readers about choosing office computers.

How can I save money on buying a computer for my office?

It all depends on the task and the specific case. For example, sometimes it is more convenient and cheaper to buy not stationary PCs for the office, but thin clients (thin clients) – input and display devices. Simply put, these are small silent computers without a hard drive that do not count anything themselves. The operating system is loaded and the data is processed on the server. The task of thin clients is only to display the received information on the screen and give access to the Internet. This scenario is convenient when there are many people in the company. For example, 100-150 employees who perform routine tasks in undemanding programs, such as 1C.

If you have the opposite situation: 5-10 employees in the state, and you cannot keep your server with the ability to deploy remote clients, then the optimal build configuration is selected, taking into account the fact that these PCs can later be “upgraded”. Thus, during long-term operation with properly selected components, you can confidently keep the average computing power of the company’s PC fleet at a high level by buying more memory or pointwise replacing components with more powerful ones. And a complete replacement of the PC itself is not required.

You can assemble the system unit yourself or order assembly from companies that supply equipment. In this case, you will not overpay for the brand and unnecessary pre-installed software. Also, in your own assemblies, you can use components of past generations, but meeting modern requirements. They will cost less.

Which is better for the office: a desktop PC or a monoblock?

Depends on the workplace. Sometimes it is physically inconvenient to place a separate system unit, monitor, pull wires, and so on. Then it is advisable to put a compact solution in the form of a monoblock. On the other hand, all-in-ones are usually made from laptop components that can be scaled down in performance to reduce heat. A stationary PC for the same money allows you to get a more powerful configuration, and its repair is many times easier than repairing a monoblock.

How much RAM does an office PC need in 2023?

8 GB can be considered optimal. Because on average, when working in a browser, mail, 1C, Excel and other office programs, a comparable amount of RAM is used. But it is worth considering exactly your type of activity, nevertheless, in most cases, an office computer is equipped with 4 GB of RAM, which is quite enough for an employee.

What size power supply is best for an office PC?

The power of the power supply is the maximum value it can supply to the PC components. There is a second value – the total power consumption of PC components. If you count them, then for an office PC it will be about 60–80 W for the processor, 20–25 W for the motherboard, another 50–100 W for additional equipment (disks, peripherals, and so on). In total, you get about 150-200 watts.

There must also be a power reserve so that the power supply does not work all the time at 100% load, otherwise this will accelerate its depreciation. The most effective performance indicator is in the region of 80-90% power. Total we get about 250 watts. But such power supplies, as a rule, are not made.

The average power supply starts at 300W, and the most common value on the market is 450W. A video card consumes a lot of power (up to 300 W), but they are usually not installed in office PCs, so additional power is not required for them.

Accordingly, a 300-450 W power supply will be the best option for an office computer, it makes no sense to take more.

I built a silent, miniature and powerful PC for 189,600 ₽

This is a story from the Community. The editors asked leading questions, carefully edited and designed according to the standards of the magazine

Vladislav

assembled a miniature computer

Author profile

I work as an engineer in IT.

I work in software, and hardware is just my hobby. I have been using two systems for a long time: macOS for work and surfing, and Windows for games. Over the years, he owned a Macbook and a PC at the same time, and sometimes installed a Hackintosh on a stationary computer to switch between operating systems.

Captcha – about neural networks for work and life

News about neural networks and ways to make life easier with their help. Twice a month on Wednesdays in your mail. Free

Passion for unusual assemblies

From school, I used to build my own computers. About seven years ago, I started experimenting with non-standard solutions – in terms of form factor and components. Then I bought myself a new PC in an unusual Xigmatek Aquila case with an Intel Core i5-3470 processor. Later added a Radeon R9 graphics card to it290X.

At first, the PC seemed strange to me, but over time I realized its convenience. The motherboard was on top horizontally, and below it were drives and a power supply. The advantage of this arrangement is excellent airflow. Yes, and it looked beautiful. The only drawback was that the PC did not fit into the Expedit IKEA shelving unit with the table top attached. And it took up a lot of space on the table.

External view of one of the models of the IKEA rack “Expedit”. Source: ikea.com

In 2017, I decided to build a PC that would still fit into a rack. I found the Cooler Master HAF XB EVO case – it looked like a black cube and fit perfectly. I assembled a computer for it from new components – with an AMD Ryzen 5 160 processor and a GeForce GTX 1080 video card. I used it for games and VR, but it still worked on Apple laptops.

Two years later, I assembled a PC in the Cooler Master NR200P case – it also fit on that shelf, but took up even less space. I rarely used the computer and sold it in 2021.

/list/macos-games/

12 good games you can run on macOS

The decision to upgrade your PC and the build process

With the proceeds, I bought a Mac Pro 2013, which is popularly called the “bucket”. I wanted to give up my laptop and work on a desktop PC, so I upgraded the RAM and processor as much as possible. I consider the 2013 Mac Pro to be one of the best computers ever made: it’s original and technically advanced. But not perfect – I was put off by high noise levels, macOS software issues, and a weak graphics card.

Then, inspired by the 2013 Mac Pro, I decided to assemble something similar, but on my own. My build had four goals:

1. Maximum silence. No water cooling, only air. The pumps are noisy, crackling and make all sorts of unpleasant sounds.
2. Similar dimensions to Mac Pro. The PC should not take up space on the table, it can be put in a backpack and carried away.
3. Perfect support for macOS. The processor must be from Intel, and the video card must be from Radeon.
4. Starting Windows for games. There are no restrictions here, because Windows runs on any desktop hardware.

I started building in September 2021. The budget was not limited, but still I did not want to spend more than 300,000 R.

The main feature of the computer is the ACAT S1 aluminum case with a volume of 7 liters. At the time of purchase, it was the smallest full-fledged closed case that can accommodate a discrete graphics card, albeit of a limited length. And the compact SFX-L power supply.

Chassis – front view

Hardware and accessories ~189 600 Р

Name	Cost
ASRock Radeon 6600 XT Challenger ITX 8GB	57 000 R
Kingston HyperX DDR4-3200 32 GB RAM x2	27,000 R
Corsair MP600 Pro 2TB SSD	25 000 R
Intel Core i5-11600K	~25000 R
Housing ACAT S1	~16000 R
Motherboard ASRock Z590M-ITX/ax	~15000 R
Power Supply Fractal Design Ion SFX-L 650W Gold	10,000 R
Cooler Thermalright AXP-100 Full Copper	~7000 R
Three Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM fans: for the processor, for the power supply and for blowing. And a 3D printed transition frame	4600 R
PCI-E 4.0 cable	3000 R
Two SATA SSDs with a total of 3 TB from past builds	0 Р

Name

Price

ASRock Radeon 6600 XT Challenger ITX 8GB

Kingston HyperX DDR4-3200 32 GB RAM two pieces

27000 R

SSD -Corsair MP600 Pro 2TB

Rs. ock Z590M-ITX/ax

~15000 R

Power Supply Fractal Design Ion SFX-L 650W Gold

10000 Р

Thermalright AXP-100 Full Copper cooler

~7000 Р

Three Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM fans: for the processor, in the power supply and for blowing And a 3D printed transition frame

4600 R

PCI-E 4.0 cable

3000 R

Two SATA SSDs with a total capacity of 3 TB from previous builds

0 R

I have given only the components that are now in the PC. I’ll tell you about what I replaced after the first assembly.

Video card. In 2021, the choice was limited, so I put the Sapphire RX570 Pulse into the assembly. In Moscow, the video card was sold for 20,000 R, but in the neighboring region I found it for 14,000 R.

Later, through Avito, I bought a PowerColor RX 5500 XT – the only ad in Russia. It cost me 30,000 R — two and a half times more than it was bought in the store six months before the sale.

In January 2022, I discovered that there were a few Radeon graphics cards in our stores – among them I found the Challenger ITX RX 6600 XT and immediately purchased it. This is the only model of the company in the “short” format.

/best-gpu/

The best video cards for games and work: 6 options from 15,445 R

Flex cable. I inattentively deciphered the description of the case in Chinese and only on the fourth attempt did I correctly select the PCI-E cable for the video card of the required length, shape and fasteners.

WiFi module. The only thing I installed in a PC after 2021. I had to replace the Intel AX210 with Fenvi’s BCM94360NG for native support for wireless interfaces, AirDrop and PC unlock via Apple Watch. I didn’t do it right away because I was afraid that nothing would work. In the then current Z490 and Z590 chipsets, motherboard manufacturers blocked the installation of third-party Wi-Fi modules.

The performance of my PC

I built the computer as a workstation for coding and virtual machines, but it also copes well with heavy tasks – for example, with video editing. And when surfing, the computer is even more responsive than my MacBook Pro 16 with M1 Pro. It’s just more fun to work.

I built a Hackintosh PC because my primary operating system is macOS. Windows for gaming is installed in parallel. All modern games run great at high settings.

From non-standard parameters – I spent a lot of time setting fan curves, and also dropped the frequencies on the video card a little. Lost about 5% of performance, but lowered the temperature by 10-15 °C and extended its life.

The only disadvantage of the assembly is just related to the video card: I hear the whistle of the chokes. In Cinebench R23 Multicore on macOS, the processor heats up to 9 at TDP and PL2 170 W7 °C, then at TDP and PL1 125 W, the temperature drops to 85 °C. In the built-in benchmark of Cyberpunk 2077 on Windows, the processor keeps an average temperature of 82 ° C, the video card – 71 ° C.

Impressions of the computer and plans

The computer fully met my expectations – it copes with all tasks by 100%. Firstly, we got a volume of 7 liters and a weight of 5.5 kg, that is, the PC, plus or minus, is similar to the Mac Pro 2013. As I wanted.

Secondly, the PC is slightly, but still more productive than the Mac Pro 2013, and most importantly, more energy efficient. While coding and surfing, the computer is so quiet that it is almost impossible to hear it. I may have very high noise requirements, but the Mac Pro 2013 seemed loud to me.