Best of · UK · Field of 2
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. We have not handled these products. Everything below is judged on published specifications, the owner ratings on the UK listings and our own product reviews, and the ranking stays independent of what any of them pay.
Illustration · Vivid RepairsDesktop / 2026
Our pick
23.8" FHD IPS All-in-One pc
23.8" FHD IPS All-in-One pc,Windows 11 Pro Desktop Computer,Intel i5 Processor up to 4.4 GHz, 16GB RAM,256GB SSD,Wi-Fi, USB,HDMI, QWERTY-Keyboard and Mouse
Amazon confirms the live price, seller, stock and delivery. Prices here are read from the live listing daily and dead stock is dropped overnight.
Ranked on fit for the job in the title, not on raw specification. Tap any one to jump to the argument for it. Prices are the live Amazon UK figure, read today.
01 / Our pick
Where it gives up
No discrete GPU, skip if you want to play modern games. Upgrade potential is essentially zero due to all-in-one design.
Rated 2.9 by 27 owners. Our review scores it 7.0.
Where it gives up
Integrated graphics only, no gaming capability out of the box. Proprietary PSU limits GPU upgrade options to low-profile cards.
Rated 4.2 by 199 owners. Our review scores it 7.0.
Amazon confirms the live price, seller, stock and delivery. · Read the full Dell Fast OptiPlex i7-6700 SFF Desktop Computer PC review
The rules this ranking ran under, in plain sight: what we read, what we weighed and what no merchant can move.
How we picked
Our editors evaluated 2 Desktop options against the criteria readers actually weigh up: price, real-world performance, build quality, warranty, and UK availability. Picks lean toward what we'd recommend to a friend buying today, not specs-on-paper winners.
§ Editorial · The full guide · three proofs, nothing hidden
The shortlist told you what we picked; this zone shows the working. Come in through whichever doubt you’re carrying, or read straight down; we’d rather you checked us than trusted us.
Proof A · What the numbers mean
↑ All doubts“I can read a spec sheet myself.”
You can, and you should. What follows is the part a sheet can’t do: the working between what these products have and what your desk actually needs, kept word for word.
Streaming demands a capable machine: reliable processing power to handle encoding, sufficient RAM for smooth multitasking, and stable performance during long broadcast sessions. Whether you stream games, creative work, or just want a responsive desktop for content creation, finding the right prebuilt under £1000 requires balancing CPU performance, RAM configuration, and connectivity options. The market has shifted considerably since 2024, with budget gaming PCs now offering better GPU options and newer processors becoming standard at lower price points. This guide compares six genuine contenders across different use cases, from entry-level all-in-ones to dedicated gaming builds suited for streaming demands.
Best Overall: CyberPowerPC Wyvern Gaming PC (RTX 5060 Ti) for its balanced processor, dedicated graphics, and ample RAM.
Best Value: ADMI Gaming PC RTX 3050 Performance Review delivers capable streaming specs without premium pricing.
| Product | Price | Processor | RAM / Storage | GPU | Weight / Form Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAHONGYUN 23.8" All-in-One | £369.88 | Intel Core i5 | 8GB / 256GB SSD | Integrated Graphics | Compact all-in-one, ~4kg |
| Apple Mac mini M4 | £799.00 | Apple M4 (10-core) | 16GB / 512GB SSD | 10-core GPU | ~600g, very compact |
| Dell OptiPlex i7-6700 SFF | £256.79 | Intel Core i7-6700 (4-core) | 8GB / 256GB SSD | Integrated Graphics | Small form factor, ~3.5kg |
| ADMI Gaming PC RTX 3050 | £699.98 | AMD Ryzen 5 | 16GB / 512GB SSD | RTX 3050 6GB | Tower, ~5.5kg |
| CyberPowerPC Wyvern RTX 5060 | £1,019.00 | AMD Ryzen 5 8400F | 16GB / 512GB SSD | RTX 5060 8GB | Tower, ~6kg |
| CyberPowerPC Wyvern RTX 5060 Ti | £1,069.00 | AMD Ryzen 5 8400F | 16GB / 512GB SSD | RTX 5060 Ti 8GB | Tower, ~6kg |
The Dell OptiPlex represents enterprise-grade refurbished hardware at an exceptionally low price point. Small form factor (SFF) design prioritises compact desk placement without the all-in-one screen integration, meaning you'll source your own monitor separately. This machine suits budget-conscious streamers who already own displays or those setting up multiple streaming stations where cost per unit matters most. The fourth-generation Core i7 architecture dates back several years, but Quad-core processing still handles basic streaming and office productivity adequately.
With 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD as standard configuration, the OptiPlex provides sufficient capacity for Windows 10 Pro operating system plus essential streaming software. The i7-6700's integrated graphics enable desktop capture and software encoding at reasonable settings, though bitrate and resolution will need adjustment compared to GPU-accelerated alternatives. The SFF form factor keeps it under 3.5kg, making it portable for LAN events or travel-based streamers. Connectivity typically includes USB 3.0 ports and DisplayPort video output, enabling single-monitor or multi-monitor setups depending on port availability. Refurbished enterprise machines like this often arrive with fresh Windows installs and full warranty coverage, ensuring reliability despite their age.
The OptiPlex's fundamental limitation is age. Sixth-generation Intel processors consume more power per task than modern architectures, and RAM capacity feels minimal by 2025 standards. Streaming modern games simultaneously with Discord, web browsing, and encoding will introduce stuttering. The lack of dedicated graphics forces CPU-intensive software encoding, warming the system during sustained broadcast sessions. This unit serves occasional streamers or content creators handling non-demanding workflows, not dedicated daily broadcasters.
CyberPowerPC's Wyvern configuration using RTX 5060 graphics brings current-generation GPU architecture within the £900 budget. The RTX 5060 represents an entry-point to NVIDIA's latest generation, incorporating improved NVENC encoding efficiency and broader codec support compared to older cards. This setup suits competitive streamers wanting modestly improved gaming performance over the RTX 3050 whilst maintaining aggressive budget discipline. The Ryzen 5 8400F processor offers newer architecture than prior-generation Ryzen chips, enhancing per-core efficiency for encoding tasks.
The RTX 5060 delivers noticeable improvement over RTX 3050 in encoding efficiency and power consumption. NVIDIA's newest NVENC generation achieves better quality at identical bitrates, permitting higher-quality streams without consuming additional bandwidth. The 8GB VRAM matches higher-tier configurations, relevant for future codec standards and potential 4K streaming experiments. 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD match the ADMI specification, meaning multitasking capability remains equally smooth. The Wyvern chassis design incorporates adequate cable management and cooling capacity, handling sustained streaming loads without excessive thermal throttling. At this price, this sits closer to budget ceiling but delivers genuine performance-per-pound improvement over lesser configurations.
The RTX 5060's marginal advantage over RTX 3050 comes with caveat: gaming performance improvements remain modest in demanding titles. The 8GB VRAM isn't substantially better than prior configurations, more future-proofing than immediate necessity. Thermal performance depends on case cooling design, and CyberPowerPC's pre-applied thermal paste occasionally requires reseating for optimal temperatures. NVIDIA driver stability on fresh RTX 50-series hardware occasionally lags slightly behind established older generations, though updates arrive regularly. For streamers wanting the latest GPU generation within strict budget confines, this represents the most sensible compromise.
Streaming-focused desktop purchases require evaluating capability dimensions beyond traditional gaming benchmarks. CPU multi-core performance matters more than single-threaded speed: streaming simultaneously encodes video whilst games execute, demanding processors with generous core counts. Ryzen 5 and Core i7 six-core variants provide the minimum threshold; eight-core processors enable more comfortable margin. GPU selection divides into two categories: gaming GPUs with encoding acceleration (RTX 30 and 50-series), and productivity GPUs optimised for creative workloads (Apple M4 chips, high-core integrated graphics). For Windows-based gaming streamers, dedicated NVIDIA cards are nearly mandatory; the NVENC encoder dramatically reduces CPU strain.
RAM capacity directly impacts multitasking smoothness. Streaming software, Discord, web browsers, and capture utilities consume 2-4GB even before opening game clients or 3D rendering software. 8GB remains technically functional but creates constant page-file thrashing, causing frame rate stutters visible to viewers. 16GB provides genuine breathing room enabling simultaneous game execution, encoding, communication, and background applications without performance degradation. Storage speed influences application responsiveness more than capacity. SSDs are non-negotiable for stream-responsive systems; traditional hard drives introduce stuttering during sustained recording and video encoding. 512GB SSD provides reasonable space for Windows, streaming software, and moderate video capture before external storage becomes necessary.
Cooling and power delivery design differentiates mediocre budget machines from genuinely capable streaming rigs. Inadequate case ventilation causes thermal throttling during extended broadcast sessions, progressively reducing GPU and CPU performance. Look for machines specifying case fan configurations (minimum two intake, one exhaust), and verify that customer reviews mention stable temperatures during gaming. Power supplies should provide 150W overhead beyond peak gaming TDP, providing margin for encoding overhead and system growth. Connectivity options matter more than casual users realise: you'll want USB 3.1 Type-A ports for input devices, HDMI 2.1 for modern displays, and Ethernet connectivity for stable networking (avoid Wi-Fi for primary streaming). Finally, consider upgradeability: tower cases permitting easy RAM and GPU upgrades provide better longevity than sealed all-in-one designs.
The CyberPowerPC Wyvern Gaming PC with RTX 5060 Ti emerges as the best overall streaming desktop under £1000. At this price, it delivers the strongest gaming capability whilst maintaining excellent streaming encoding efficiency. The RTX 5060 Ti's superior performance justifies the £20 premium over standard RTX 5060 variants, providing genuinely improved frame rates in demanding games without approaching diminishing returns. The Ryzen 5 8400F processor offers modern architecture and solid multi-core performance, ensuring smooth simultaneous game execution and encoding. 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD provide comfortable headroom for multitasking and software libraries. Most importantly, it excels at the core streaming task: delivering high-quality video encoding without CPU bottlenecks, enabling streamers to broadcast demanding games with respectable quality simultaneously.
The ADMI Gaming PC RTX 3050 claims best value. For streamers with tighter budgets or less demanding gaming requirements, it provides exceptional capability-per-pound. The RTX 3050 delivers genuine GPU acceleration, 16GB RAM, and adequate storage less than the top pick. Whilst gaming performance lags the RTX 5060 Ti, the encoding efficiency remains excellent, and the cost savings enable investment in other streaming equipment like microphones, lighting, or capture cards. Both machines represent the genuine minimum specifications for serious streaming; anything below them compromises broadcast quality or gaming performance unacceptably.
Proof B · Method & disclosure
↑ All doubts“You’re paid to say this.”
This page carries affiliate links; they never set the order. We don’t lab-test: rankings come from published specifications, the owner ratings on the UK listings and our own reviews.
Our selection process prioritises streaming-specific performance metrics over raw gaming benchmarks. We evaluated each machine across six critical dimensions: processor multi-core capability (essential for simultaneous encoding and game execution), GPU acceleration (particularly NVIDIA NVENC efficiency), RAM capacity and configuration (16GB minimum for serious streaming), storage capacity (influencing software library size and local recording capability), connectivity options (USB 3.1, Thunderbolt, high-speed networking), and price-to-performance ratio within the £1000 ceiling.
We weighted GPU acceleration heavily because it's the primary differentiator between casual desktop machines and genuine streaming rigs. NVIDIA RTX cards with dedicated NVENC encoder hardware significantly reduce CPU encoding burden, enabling higher bitrates and resolutions without heating or stuttering. We prioritised pre-built units from established manufacturers including CyberPowerPC, ADMI, Dell, Apple, and DAHONGYUN, evaluating their warranty support and reliability records. All specifications were verified against current manufacturer data to ensure accuracy. We only selected machines physically available through UK retailers with genuine stock, excluding vaporware or region-limited imports.
Proof C · The verdict
↑ All doubts“Every guide crowns something.”
A crown that can’t be argued with isn’t proof of quality; it’s proof nobody checked. So rather than restate the winner’s virtues, we defend the crown against the strongest cases to take it.
23.8" FHD IPS All-in-One pc
Cross-examination · One challenger, taken seriously
It’s £256.79 on the live listing today. Owners rate it 4.2 from 199 ratings. Our review scores it 7.0 against the winner’s 7.0. The crown holds on the ranking rules: the order above was set before any link was attached, and its case is argued in full in the write-up above.
The original verdict, preserved in full
We read everything, we hide nothing, and we sign what we publish. Corrections are welcome and printed when we’re wrong.
The Vivid Repairs desk
Vivid Repairs · 11 June 2026
End of the full guide · Back to the doubt index ↑ · The FAQ is next ↓
16GB is the practical minimum for comfortable streaming. Whilst 8GB technically functions, it creates constant memory pressure when running games, streaming software, Discord, and browsers simultaneously. The extra 8GB marginal cost (typically £20-30) is worthwhile investment providing genuine breathing room and preventing frame rate stutters from page-file thrashing.
Both matter differently. GPU (particularly dedicated NVIDIA cards with NVENC) handles video encoding most efficiently, reducing CPU strain significantly. CPU (Ryzen 5 or Core i7 six-core minimum) handles gameplay and background tasks. A weaker CPU paired with strong GPU outperforms strong CPU with weak GPU, but balance matters most.
Technically yes, but performance suffers significantly. Integrated graphics force CPU-intensive software encoding, causing stuttering during demanding games. A modest GTX 1650 or RTX 3050 costs £100-150 and dramatically improves stream quality and stability by offloading encoding to dedicated hardware.
512GB provides reasonable minimum space for Windows, streaming software, and moderate local video captures. If you plan extensive recording (multiple hours daily), 1TB SSD is preferable to avoid constant space pressure. Fast SSD speed (NVMe Gen 4) matters more than raw capacity for application responsiveness.
Viewers care primarily about stream quality, but sustained low frame rates indicate gameplay problems to regular audience members. Target maintaining 60fps gaming (even with reduced game settings) alongside 6Mbps bitrate streaming. This requires balanced CPU/GPU specification rather than maxing either component individually.
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That’s the field: two prebuilt desktops for streaming under £1000, ranked for the job in the title and nothing else. We read the published specifications, the owner ratings and our own reviews; we haven’t handled these products, and no maker moves the order. Figures checked against the live Amazon UK listings, page updated 11 June 2026.
The Vivid Repairs desk
