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Gaming Computers: Ratings of Sources
Total of 23 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. PCMag.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktops
by Editors of PCMag.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPCMag.com is a top source for reviews of desktop computers. This site does a great job of comparing desktops within individual reviews, and the substantial variation in ratings makes it easy to spot the best performers. Ratings are provided, and the very best computers earn Editors' Choice awards. Several gaming and other high-end desktops win that award.
2. CNET
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Reviews
by Editors of CNET
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCNET's thorough and balanced reviews are complimented by ratings that have grown notably tougher of late. Editors are specific about configurations tested, and they measure performance with applications and benchmarks. CNET doesn't cover as many desktops as PCMag.com, but it's still one of the best sources for computer reviews. Several high-end PCs earn Editors' Choice awards, including the Digital Storm ODE Level 3 and the 27-inch Apple iMac.
3. Computer Shopper
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Reviews
by Editors of ComputerShopper.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentComputerShopper.com reviews a good number of high-powered desktops, but most earn similarly high ratings. On the plus side, individual reports are detailed and balanced. The top picks earn an Editors' Choice award. Several all-in-one and gaming desktops earn those awards, including both versions of the 2011 Apple iMac, the Digital Storm Black Ops Enix, the Maingear Shift Super Stock, the Falcon Northwest Mach V, the HP TouchSmart 610q-1065qd, and the more mainstream Dell XPS 8300.
4. MaximumPC.com
As of Oct. 2011
Systems
by Editors of Maximum PC
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHigh-end enthusiast publication Maximum PC reviews at least one computer in each monthly issue. Reviews are oriented to gamers who want overclocked CPUs, video cards and RAM -- a strategy that maximizes performance and minimizes computer life. Computers are rated, with top choices earning the site's Kick Ass! award. The Maingear Shift Super Stock and Falcon Northwest Mach V gaming desktops both earn this award, although the Velocity Micro Raptor Signature Edition, Falcon Northwest FragBox, HP TouchSmart 610 and iBuypower LAN Warrior II all earn very high 9 out of 10 ratings as well.
5. ConsumerReports.org
As of Oct. 2011
Desktops
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org has excellent testing and detailed ratings that make it easy to compare desktops. However, the site focuses on inexpensive computers, and some of the recommended computers have been discontinued. Unlike other technology reviewers, which feature pages of in-depth analysis, ConsumerReports.org writes only a few short paragraphs about each computer.
6. PC World
As of Oct. 2011
Desktops
by Editors of PC World
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPC World's computer reviews are a mixed bag. Testing is conducted, but not well documented. Ratings are provided for most, but not all, computers. Write-ups are shorter than at many other sources, but they provide enough to get the gist of the reviewers' impressions. The magazine has increased its coverage of high-powered gaming computers, and has reviews for several high-end desktops from the likes of Origin, Digital Storm and Polywell. The site also offers top-ten lists of various classes of PCs, such as mainstream PCs and performance PCs.
7. Engadget.com
As of Oct. 2011
Reviews
by Editors of Engadget.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEngadget.com doesn't review as many desktops as PCMag.com or CNET, but the test-based reviews are thorough and balanced. While the site no longer offers numerical ratings, the editors leave no doubt about their feelings for a product. All-in-ones and Apple computers get most of the attention here.
8. Macworld
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Macs
by Editors of Macworld
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMacworld is a good source for reviews of Apple Mac computers, covering all of the latest models as soon as they are released. Testing is comprehensive and discussion satisfyingly long. Comparisons are made to other Mac computers, but not PCs. However, all of the new Apple desktops get the same rating -- 4 "mice" out of 5 – and no current computer stands out among the rest.
9. Anandtech.com
As of Oct. 2011
System
by Editors of AnandTech.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAnandTech.com has excellent reviews of desktop computers. Although the site is geared toward serious computer users who can digest these highly technical reviews, there are some evaluations of boutique gaming systems from manufacturers like CyberPower, Digital Storm and Origin. The biggest downside is that the desktops aren't rated, although editors sum up their recommendations in the concluding paragraphs.
10. TrustedReviews.com
As of Oct. 2011
PCs
by Editors of TrustedReviews.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTrustedReviews.com, a British-based technology site, has a small but useful selection of computer reviews. Desktops are tested extensively and rated on a variety of criteria; overall ratings are also given. The best computers receive a Recommended award, although no current PCs earn that distinction.
11. HotHardware.com
As of Oct. 2011
Systems
by Editors of HotHardware.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHotHardware.com periodically evaluates specialty computers in comprehensive and balanced reviews. Testing, documentation and relevant comparisons are excellent. HotHardware.com doesn't rate products, but does hand out Approved, Recommended or Editor's Choice awards. Unfortunately, only a few desktops have been reviewed recently. The HP Pavilion Elite H8-1050 earns an Editor's Choice award in a three-system back to school PC roundup; the other two computers in the review, the iBuyPower Gamer Power BTS11 and the Dell Studio XPS 8300, nab Recommended Awards. The Digital Storm BlackOps Enix is also Recommended.
12. About.com
As of Oct. 2011
Personal Computer Reviews
by Mark Kyrnin
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMark Kyrnin, About.com's guide to PC hardware, offers reviews of several computers, as well as lists of the top models in several different classes, such as best all-in-ones, best performance desktops, and so on. The reviews are based on features and expected performance, but if testing is done, it is not discussed. One downside is that some of the recommended desktops are older, discontinued models. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
13. DesktopReview.com
As of Oct. 2011
Expert Desktop Reviews
by Editors of DesktopReview.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDesktopReview.com is the sister site to the highly regarded NotebookReview.com. Although reviews here are equally detailed, the site has reviewed few desktop computers recently. Most of the ones covered receive high ratings of 4 stars out of 5 or higher.
14. PC World (Australia)
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop PCs
by Editors of PC World (Australia)
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentReviews by PC World (Australia) aren't as detailed as some of the ones at other sites, but they offer numerical ratings based on hands-on testing and are more in-depth than the reviews at its U.S. counterpart, though some reviews are also picked up from that site. Fewer systems are covered, however, and some of them aren't available on U.S. shores.
15. PCMag.com
April 27, 2011
Readers' Choice Awards 2011: Desktops and Laptops
by Ben Gottesman
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPCMag.com conducts yearly surveys of service and support. Readers report instances of repair, experiences with tech support and their general satisfaction with their computers. Apple wins the Readers' Choice award, earning the highest ratings on every category. Asus and HP earn Honorable Mentions. Compaq posts the lowest ratings among desktop computers.
16. ConsumerReports.org
As of Oct. 2011
Brand Reliability
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org surveys its readership and gathers responses from nearly 20,000 readers who have purchased a desktop computer between 2008 and 2011. One brand stands out for having the fewest serious problems or needing repair less frequently, but most other manufacturers have similar repair rates.
17. HardwareHeaven.com
As of Oct. 2011
HardwareHeaven's Reviews
by Editors of HardwareHeaven.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHardwareHeaven.com is a source for reviews of high-end gaming systems designed for serious gamers. Although the site focuses on content for do-it-yourselfers who build their own gaming desktops, editors do have some reviews of complete systems, although recent reviews have been few and far between. The technical reviews -- and computers themselves -- may be overkill for the average reader, but serious gaming fans will find them well worth a read. The desktops are rated on individual criteria like build quality, design and performance, and the best computers receive Bronze, Silver or Gold awards.
18. DigitalTrends.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Computer Reviews
by Editors of DigitalTrends.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAlthough its reviews are somewhat detailed, DigitalTrends.com doesn't test very many desktop computers. Only a few desktops have been reviewed over the past year, and they have all been high-end gaming PCs. The Origin Genesis and Maingear Shift earn an Editors' Choice award, while the iBuyPower Erebus and Falcon Northwest FragBox garner a Recommended Product tag.
19. Wired
As of Oct. 2011
Desktops & Accessories
by Editors of Wired
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWired only reviews desktop computers on occasion, and the reviews aren't as detailed as sources we rank higher. Even so, the test-based reviews are fun to read. Each desktop is rated on a 10-point scale, and Wired's editors are quick to point out pros and cons. The Maingear Shift and HP TouchSmart 610 get high scores.
20. CNET (Australia)
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Reviews
by Editors of CNET (Australia)
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCNET (Australia) covers far, far fewer PCs than its U.S. sister site, with only three current models reviewed -- and they are all all-in-one PCs. The site's review of the 21.5-inch Apple iMac was copied from CNET, but the other two are CNET (Australia) originals. None of the all-in-one PCs receives a rating of 8 or higher, but the older Alienware Aurora ALX impresses its reviewer and earns an 8.5 score.
21. BestBuy.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Computers
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBestBuy.com has a small selection of desktop computers suitable for gaming and other tasks that require high performance. User reviews are reasonably detailed, but few high-end desktops have accumulated enough ratings to draw any conclusions.
22. NewEgg.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop PCs
by Contributors to Newegg.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentNewegg.com is a technology retailer that lets users post reviews of desktop computers that they own. One advantage over similar sites is that reviewers are required to state their technical proficiency and how long they've owned/used the computer, so it is easier to put individual reviews into context. Although a number of high-end computers, including gaming computers, are listed, most only get a handful of reviews.
23. Amazon.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Computers and Servers
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThough Amazon.com is normally a good spot for reading user reviews, the desktop computer category here won't provide much help. Among high-performance computers, gaming computers get very little feedback, while some entertainment-oriented all-in-one systems attract only one or two user reports.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

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