Here is a list of best desktops for network engineers which will make your search easy and it will guide you to buy a desktop without compromising the work effectiveness.
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In This Article
Minimum & Recommended System Requirements for Network Engineers
Network engineers need to run multiple high-end software and need to process huge data at a time. To do such work, they need to consider a desktop that has a minimum of 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, and AMD Ryzen 7 processor.
Low-end or basic desktops cannot deliver the desired performance to them. The professional network engineers can go up to Intel core i9, or better options.
Minimum System Requirements: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | 16 GB RAM | AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD.
Recommended System Requirements: Intel Core i9-10900K or better processor | 64 GB RAM or more | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti or better GPU | 1 TB SSD and 1 TB HDD or more storage.
5 Best Desktops for Network Engineers:
1. MSI MEG Trident X 10SF – Best Overall
Bottom Line: The MSI MEG Trident has obtained the top most position on our list and it has all the valid reasons to acquire it. It is equipped with an advanced and powerful Intel Core i9 processor. It’s overall performance and agility makes it the overall best device on our list for Network Engineers.
Key Feature
- Storage: 1 TB SSD + 1 TB HDD
- RAM: 64 GB
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel 10 Core i9-10900K
- OS: Windows 10 Pro
- GPU: 11 GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
The MSI MEG Trident X 10SF is a super-fast high-performance desktop PC which is so much capable of taking any kind of heavy workload and can smoothly run any heavy software.
This desktop PC is operated by Windows 10 Pro operating system.
It is powered by Intel 10th Gen Intel 10 Core i9-10900 K processors which are capable of producing a clock speed of 3.4 GHz
Which is able to give up to 30% of performance boosts which is equipped with a massive 64 GB DDR4 RAM is inside along with humongous storage option of 1 TB M.2 SSD (Solid State Drive) and a 1 TB HDD (Hard Disk Drive) with a rotational speed of 7200 RPM.
Which is more than enough to store files and to transfer large files with ease and allows the users to use it for longer durations.
It is plugged with the most powerful 11 GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti video card which handles the high-end heavy graphical work smoothly and easily without any difficulties and provides performance boosts up to 62% of fast performance.
It is very easy enough for the users to make some external upgrade according to their choice and preference in the near future if required.
This desktop computer is offered with a super silent cooling system and well manages the desktop PC system to keep it cool during heavy workload pressure and helps to provide long lasting and constant performance for a longer period of time.
It comes equipped with customizable RGB lighting which provides the users to set the lighting according to their choice and mood.
The looks of the MSI MEG Trident desktop PC is a very slim slick design that looks very composed and attractive with the customizable RGB mood lighting along with a visible side panel that is of transparent tempered glass.
It is equipped with many numbers of ports like 2 x USB 2.0 ports, 5 x USB 3.0 ports, 1 x HDMI, 3 x Display ports and 1 x Ethernet port.
It is also offered with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for better operation.
This desktop PC comes with a GK30 Gaming keyboard and a GM11 Gaming mouse in the box itself as the extra accessories.
The fast performance it provides and the way it handles the heavy workload is fantastic.
It is capable enough to make many users fall in love with it.
Pros
- Fast performance
- Attractive design
- Powerful
Cons
- No liquid cooling in offer
- Expensive
- High maintenance cost
2. Skytech Chronos Gaming Desktop – Runner Up
Bottom Line: This is a very efficient desktop, packed with decent specifications, and can deliver smooth processing with any high-end task. The network engineers will be pleased with its processing and it is a perfect PC for our runner-up position.
Key Features:
- Storage: 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD
- RAM: 16 GB
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- OS: Windows 10 Home 64-bit
- GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
The Skytech Chronos gaming desktop has very high specifications. For this reason, it can handle any type of high-end software or database very easily.
For high-end users (especially network engineers), this device is one of the best options. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is present in this PC.
There is 16 GB RAM and 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD that help it to process data at a lightning-fast speed. It also has a very eye-catching outfit.
There are dual RGB fans, and transparent side panels; Most of the useful USB ports and wireless connectivity features are present in this PC.
The users can attach multiple display units with this device and in the future, they can modify its specifications too.
Pros
- Option to attach multiple displays.
- Four RGB ring fans.
- Inbuilt Wi-Fi.
Cons
- Not always available in the stores.
- High maintenance cost.
- No CD/DVD writer.
3. ASUS ROG Strix GL10 – Value for Money
Bottom Line: If you want to find a desktop with an affordable price tag with decent specifications for the network engineers, then you can go for this desktop.
Key Features:
- Storage: 512 GB PCIe SSD and 1 TB HDD
- RAM: 16 GB
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super
If you are not a professional or a high-end network engineer, then you can consider this affordable device to do some elementary tasks related to this field.
The AMD Ryzen™ 7 3700X has enough power to deliver very smooth processing, with any moderate-level task. 16 GB RAM is sufficient for students of network engineering.
Having 512 GB SSD, this device can easily process huge datasheets. For storing other multimedia files, there is a 1 TB HDD in ASUS ROG Strix GL10.
Considering its price tag, we can say, it is offering a lot of things; such as a DTS audio system on the front panel, customizable RGB chassis, inbuilt Wi-Fi 5, and a great GPU.
Pros
- Stylish chassis with transparent panels.
- Easy to upgrade.
- Smooth processing with any moderate task.
Cons
- Sometimes it gets overheated.
- USB Type-C port is missing.
- Bulky outfit.
4. MSI MEG Trident X 10SD – Sleek Design
Bottom Line: This device from MSI is the most attractive machine on our list for Network Engineers. Beside its attractive looks it is powerful as well dressed with an Intel Core i7 processor. It is offered with easy upgrade features which make it an even more practical product for the users along with its design.
Key Features
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- RAM: 32 GB
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10700KF
- OS: Windows 10
- GPU: 8 GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
The MSI MEG Trident X 10SD is a high-end performance desktop PC that the user can buy.
It is operated by the Windows 10 operating system.
It is plugged with a powerful 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10700KF fast processor which is capable of producing a clock speed of 3.4 GHz and can boost up to 30% performance and it is equipped with Intel Z490 chipset inside.
This desktop PC is offered with 32 GB DDR4 RAM which produces a speed of 2666 MHz.
It comes along with a massive 1 TB SSD (Solid State Drive) which is enough for the user to store and transfer heavy files quickly without taking any extra time.
It is powered by 8 GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super video card which is really fast and works seamlessly without any difficulties and efficient in handling better graphics.
This desktop PC gets an effective cooling fan system for fast cooling of the desktop system to work efficiently and effectively without any drop in performance for a longer duration.
This device gets a robust and muscular look to it which is very attractive and it even looks more attractive with the customizable RGB lighting which allows the users to customize it according to their preference.
It is offered with an easily upgradeable feature which allows the users to modify the system as per their choice and taste along with, it gets side visible panel which is tempered glass and easily accessible for the up-gradation of the desktop PC.
It is equipped with various amounts of ports like 3 x Display ports, 1 x HDMI port, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 5 x 3.0 USB ports, 1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack and microphone jack, and 1 x Ethernet port.
It is equipped with inbuilt Bluetooth, Thunderbolt 3 port and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity with it for better connection and for easy operation.
This device comes with the GK30 Gaming Keyboard and the GM11 Gaming Mouse in the box itself as the additional accessories package.
It is a very powerful and fast-performing desktop PC system which is able to impress any users with its performance and with its great working experience.
Pros
- Attractive look
- Powerful processor
- Gaming keyboard and mouse is offered inside the box itself
Cons
- No liquid cooling is offered
- Expensive
- No HDD in offer
5. Asus ROG Strix G15CK – Good Connectivity
Bottom Line: This gaming rig from ROG is planted with multiple and updated USB ports along with wireless connectivity features. It permits the users to use extra peripheral devices which enhances a better working atmosphere. Its practicality makes it the best connectivity device for Network Engineers.
Key Features
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- RAM: 16 GB
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel 8 Core i7-10700KF
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- GPU: 8 GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
The Asus ROG Strix G15CK is a highly capable high-performance PC that is built to take the pressure of a heavy workload and makes it run very smoothly and easily for the user.
It is operated by Windows 10 Home 64-bit operating system.
It is plugged with the powerful 10th Gen Intel 8 Core i7-10700KF processor which produces a lightning clock speed of 5 GHz along with a 16 MB cache memory which is offered with ROG B4560 board and chipset in it to perform smoothly and fast.
It gets a fast 16 GB DDR4 RAM which is capable of producing a speed of 3200MHz along with a storage option of 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD (Solid State Drive).
This desktop PC is armed with an 8 GB DDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super video card which is very powerful to handle heavy workload efficiently and effectively with no difficulties.
It gets a very rigid look which stands out with a strong personality.
It gets a grab handle at the top to carry it to any suitable area as per the choice of the users which adds a bit of practicality to it to maneuver it easily.
This device gets a cooling system which is named the flow tech ventilation cooling system to enhance performance and efficiency along with Asus Aura Sync RGB lighting makes it more attractive to look at.
It is equipped with many numbers of ports to add external equipment by the users like 1 x HDMI port, 3 x Display ports, 9 x USB 3.0 Ports, 1 x Ethernet port and 1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack.
The gaming desktop PC is offered with the inbuilt Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity in it for a better and easy connection.
It is offered with ROG Strix Flare Gaming keyboard and Gladius II Gaming Mouse inside the box itself as the additional package.
Pros
- Gets gaming keyboard and mouse in the box itself
- Fast performance
- Powerful video card in offer
Cons
- No liquid cooling in offer
- Limited storage in offer
- Heating issue
How to Choose Right Desktop for Network Engineer?
Purchasing the best desktop PC for network engineering is not really tough work for the professionals but it is quite a terrific tough job for the new ones who are new in this field or have recently joined the field of network engineering.
Therefore the perfect powerful and capable desktop computer is very essential for the professionals or the beginners at the great setup can lead to smooth and fluent work.
Whereas the improper desktop computer set up can influence the work experience and the fluency of the professional working person.
Hence the proper correct capable desktop working station is very essential for the working professional or the network engineer to work flawlessly without any difficulties in work or neither in work experience.
There are various enormous amounts of options as well as desktop PC configurations in the market for the users and the buyers.
They only need the proper guidance and the proper knowledge to select and choose the proper desktop workstation to work smoothly with better work experience effectively and efficiently.
As the components and the parts of the desktop PC are so critical enough to understand in a short period of time which is quite difficult for the new people or the beginner.
As it requires quite a lot of professionalism to make it easy to understand easily and quickly and to keep in mind.
In this article, we are going to discuss the important components of the desktop PC required for the network engineering.
- Processor
In the field of network engineering, the processor acts a major role in this field particularly for the users while working on the network simulation, data service, and so on.
For this particular reason, the processor speed matters a lot for sending commands to various parts of the computer very quickly and easily.
The network engineer works on various and multiple servers at a single point of time in order to handle such pressure, the good fast, and powerful processor is very important in this field to work on with great potential.
It is very important to look after the core counts of the processor the more cores the more enhanced in performance, it is important to have a minimum of 8 cores for better performance.
It is very essential to have a good processor like the Intel i7 processor which is a minimum requirement in the segment of processor especially for this kind of specialized work.
It is always profitable and beneficial to have the choice for the Intel i9 processor. It is much better in performance and speed compared to the Intel i7 processor.
- RAM
In the field of network engineering, RAM plays a major role in the sense of multitasking in the field of network engineering.
The more RAM the more smoothness in multitasking in the sector of network engineering it is also important to inspect the memory speed of RAM which should be above 2000 MHz for better response.
The users sometimes slightly ignore the power of the RAM management in this type of work situations they get more obsessed with the storage, graphics card etc but ignore the RAM as well.
But every part must have the equal distribution of powers as well in configuring the perfect desktop PC for the users.
So it is very important to give special attention to RAM selection before the purchase of the desktop computer.
For any advanced and updated desktop computer, DDR4 is the basic need for the network engineer.
The minimum requirement is 16 GB RAM if there is a concern in budget then it will be a smart decision to have 32 GB RAM or above on their computer system to use it for a longer duration.
- GPU or Graphics Card
The Graphics card is for the high-end task in network engineering for the users to work smoothly, efficiently, effectively and to gain a better work experience with their work station.
The Graphics card plays a major role in the sector of network engineering and supports the desktop computer system to work smoothly without any difficulties in work experience.
It is enough to have the NVIDIA GTX or the RTX series that are much capable of handling such high pressurized graphical work.
If the buyer wants to purchase the desktop PC especially for the graphic then MSI MEG High End Desktop will be a great choice to go with if the budget is not the major concern in this case.
If the buyer wants to stay on budget and demand for a good graphics card then Acer Predator is a good choice to go with great efficiency of work experience.
- Cooling ability
This kind of PC also required a highly efficient cooling system to cool down the machine when it gets heated.
The most advanced and efficient cooling system available in the market is the liquid cooling system which is highly efficient and helpful in the purpose it is built for.
But it also has some disadvantages like its price, it is expensive and it is not very affordable for all stages of buyers.
So for the buyers those who are budget oriented they can go with the option of the cooling fans.
It is not effective like liquid cooling but works fair enough to cool down the heat of the system.
- Storage
To store files or important documents the act of the storage department is pretty essential to be looked after by the buyers.
The proper amount of storage is very important to haven the desktop PC for a better storage option to store files or documents.
The most responsive storage option is the SSD but carries the disadvantage of a higher price which is not much sensible and logical for most of the buyers.
The HDD might be or will be a great storage option for the buyers who are of a budget focused type and in search of value for money options.
But HDD tends to hold some disputes or drawbacks like slow loading and transferring speed compared to SSD.
Also HDD is affordable and offers more storage than SSD.
- Additional features
These are the extra additional packages of specs that are offered with the desktop PC for the extra additional practicality which is to work with ease.
The maximum section of the buyers neglects these additional features.
It is very beneficial to have these kinds of extra features like an extra display port supports for the additional display support externally.
It is also important to inspect whether it is offered with a higher refresh rate or VR ready or not.
There are some other specs like the support of HDMI port, USB ports, and the upgradeable feature which are very important for the users to use the device for a longer period of time with higher efficiency.
The wireless capability should also be looked after like the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for seamless wire free operation.
And the extra package of accessories like the keyboard or mouse if offered will be a great deal to purchase.
Questions & Answers:
Which Graphics card is good for a network engineer?
NVIDIA RTX or GTX series and the AMD graphics cards are good for smooth performing experience in network engineering.
How much RAM is required for network engineering?
The minimum requirement for the RAM in network engineering is around 8 GB but more is the smart decision to purchase.
Is liquid cooling essential for a network engineer?
Not really the liquid cooling is very much essential in this type of field of work but it will be great to have it for higher efficiency of work performance.
Which processor is good for network engineering?
The Intel i7 processor or the Intel i9 processor is the great choice for the smooth work performance for the network engineer.