1. Fastest overall
2. Fastest gaming PC
3. Fastest affordable
4. Fastest Mac
5. Today's deals
The quest for the fastest PCs and workstations is more relevant than ever in today's dynamic work environment, where hybrid work models are becoming increasingly common while the demand for high-performance computers is at an all-time high. Whether you're a professional seeking to enhance your desktop setup or a gamer looking for the ultimate experience, speed is still paramount.
However, determining the fastest PC involves more than just scrutinizing the CPU. As we discuss in our 'what is a processor' explainer, a processor is the brain of the computer, but it's only one piece of the speed equation. The overall perceived performance also hinges on the synergy between the CPU, RAM (both size and type), graphics card, and other components.
For instance, while 8GB of RAM might suffice for standard office tasks, creative professionals often require significantly more memory to run resource-intensive apps, so even the fastest CPU won't help much if there's a bottleneck in the system's memory.
So, our focus extends beyond just the raw processing power and speed of the fastest CPU to consider a more holistic view of the best computer and best workstation models on the market. We break down the fastest PCs and workstations by category, including essential aspects such as price, dimensions, and use cases, while tailoring this guide for those looking for pre-assembled desktop PC options that will give them the fastest overall performance for their needs and budget.
The fastest PCs and workstations of 2024 in full:
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The fastest workstation overall
For unrivaled speeds, professionals should look no further than the Bizon ZX9000 workstation, a monstrous PC that offers enterprise-grade performance for a handful of use cases. These include AI, big data analytics, high-performance computing, business intelligence, and academic research.
Why is the Bizon ZX9000 the fastest? It includes the latest 128-core AMD EPYC 9754 Bergamo processor, which is by far the fastest CPU on the planet right now. This is partnered with up to 80GB of dedicated graphics in the form of two NVIDIA H100 GPUs and up to 256GB DDR4 RAM or 128GB DDR5 memory. This comes alongside the option to fit the Bizon ZX9000 with a 30.72TB PCI-E 4.0 NVMe SSD.
There’s a host of additional tweaks you can make to the Bizon ZX9000 to really push it to the limits, including packing it with the latest network adaptor, RAID controller, as well as a second SSD to reinforce the first. The most expensive configuration will set you back more than $150,000 – but there’s little beating it for sheer performance
The fastest gaming PC
There’s truly a fine line between the fastest gaming PCs, which is perfectly exemplified by neck-and-neck benchmarking between the MSI Infinite RS 13th and the Alienware Aurora R15, based on testing by our sister site Tom’s Hardware.
Both are fitted with the Intel i9-13900KF and similar GPUs – MSI RTX 4090 Surpim Liquid X and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 respectively. But the former just edges it, besting the latter in single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, according to Geekbench 5 testing. This comes alongside wins (or ties) when being put through the paces on a number of high-intensity titles including Borderlands 3, Far Cry 6, Grand Theft Auto V, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
Both systems are worth considering and, ultimately, other factors may come into play if you’re deciding to purchase one or the other. Price, for one, is key, while data writing speeds may also play a role; the MSI’s data transfer speeds are significantly slower than the Alienware, and both were beaten by the HP Omen 45L. You may want to look elsewhere for the best gaming PC, depending on your criteria, but there’s little doubt the MSI Infinite RS 13th is number one for speed.
The fastest affordable PC
Dell has a stellar reputation for building professional-grade machines, and its XPS line of notebooks and desktops has been close to unrivaled for many years. The engineering and precision that’s gone into building these devices through the years is something to be marveled at – and, while rivals have kept close tabs and many have surpassed Dell in the last few years – the XPS line of enterprise-grade devices is still nothing to be balked at.
Finding a high-performing desktop PC for under $1,000 is a challenge in regular circumstances, but the XPS 8960 delivers with an entry configuration priced at just $637.99 at Dell's site, and several configurations staying under the $1,000 ceiling (including a build with a Core i7-13700K which spent the better part of this year atop our best processor list).
If you need more memory, a dedicated GPU, or more storage, the Intel Core i5-13400 or Core i7-13700 CPU will still be more than enough for everyday office tasks. You can even pair the Core i7-13700 with an Nvidia GTX 1650 Super, 16GB DDR5-4800 memory, and a 512GB NVMe SSD for just $987.99 on Dell's site. It’s perfect for remote or hybrid workers looking for a new home PC, or for professionals hoping to get more bang for buck than a laptop might offer.
The fastest Mac workstation
Fitted with Apple’s 24-core M2 Ultra CPU, the latest high-performance custom-built processor, is the Apple Mac Studio. It’s unbeatable for performance across Apple’s range of macOS devices, including iMac and MacBook Pro devices as well as Mac Studios powered by the M2 Max CPU.
Professional creatives, in particular, will be salivating at the prospect of the performance gains against Apple’s previous generation of processors. The M2 Ultra-fitted Mac Studio, which boasts up to 76GB GPU and up to 192GB unified memory, performs transcoding tasks, video exports, 3D rendering, or complex simulations several times faster than previous Apple chips, for example.
The Mac Studio is also paired with 64GB unified memory, configurable to up to 192GB, alongside a maximum 8TB SSD. With the M2 Ultra, the Mac Studio can support up to three 8K displays at 60Hz, and has a variety of ports including HDMI, USB-A and Thunderbolt 4, alongside an SDXC card slot. This comes alongside Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E.11.
Today's best deals
