You can find a more detailed description of our test methodology on our page on how we test computers.
The list of benchmarking software and comparison criteria we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. We also place importance on how well they work given their cost and where the manufacturer has potentially made upgrades or tradeoffs for its price. If a desktop is intended for gaming, we'll also run benchmarks from Guardians of the Galaxy, The Rift Breaker (CPU and GPU) and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.įor the hands-on, the reviewer uses it for their work during the review period, evaluating how well the design, features (such as the screen, camera and speakers) and manufacturer-supplied software operate as a cohesive whole. We test all desktops with a core set of benchmarks, including Primate Labs Geekbench 5 and 6, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10, a variety of 3DMark benchmarks (whichever can run on the desktop), UL Procyon Photo and Video (where supported), and our own battery life test.
A final review verdict is a combination of both objective and subjective judgments. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features with respect to price. The review process for desktops consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our reviewers.