Desktops have become a very important device in today's world. They are so very useful for one and all that it becomes very difficult for one to stay without. We hardly find a place nowadays that does not have a PC. It has actually become more of a necessity than a luxury. Basically a PC has a CPU, RAM, Hard drive, Optical drives like the CD and DVD drives, at times the video cards, external connectors and of course, a monitor. Depending upon the requirements, the specifications also change inside the desktop computer. CPU is the brain of the computer and RAM the Random access memory. If the speed of the computer has to be high, the capacity of the CPU and RAM has to be high.

There are different versions and types of desktops that have come out in the market. The hardware components differ in each version. In order to save money, it is better to buy the type that would suit one's requirements and needs.

For someone who uses the Home PC occasionally, the following specifications are enough: a CPU of capacity more than 800MHz with a hard drive of 40 GB or more, a RAM capacity of 512MB or more, Microsoft Works or Microsoft Office with child filtering software along with anti-virus software. The desktop should also have USB ports with FireWire and a version of 2.0. CD/DVD writer with an Ethernet card is also helpful. All these are required if the desktop is for home purpose.

If the desktop is to be used as a Home office PC, then a processor of more than 800MHz speed, a hard drive of more than 100GB, a RAM size of more than 1GB, accounting software like Microsoft Money along with the Microsoft Office software, anti-virus software to save the system from virus threats, a USB version 2.0 port with FireWire, CD/DVD writers and Ethernet card for effective wireless technology is required. All these are a must for Home office set up. However, better versions can also be bought, but the essential requirements are the above mentioned ones.

If the desktop is to be used as a Multimedia Power PC wherein more of photos, video and music files are to be saved, then the following requirements are required: the processor should have a greater capacity of 3.0 GHz or more, a hard drive of more than 100GB memory space, more than 2 GB of RAM space, DVD burning and CDR-W software, anti virus software to safeguard the PC from viruses, a CD/DVD writer, Ethernet card along with sound cards and video cards, for that extra storing space.

Some people are very fond of computer games, and if the desktop is to be used for playing lots of computer games, then a fast internet connection is also required apart for the below mentioned requirements: a CPU of more than 3GHz, a hard drive of more than 80GB, a RAM of more than 1GB, a USB version 2.0 port with FireWire, a CD/DVD burner, Ethernet wireless connection with sound cards and video cards. Finally, to save guard all these, anti virus software from a good company.

Depending upon specific needs and requirements, the types of Desktop PCs have to be chosen. This helps in being cost effective, by buying only all that is actually required and used largely, than wasting money on things that are of no great use for one.