Professional animators give us some of the most memorable moments by presenting us with fun, animated movies. To create such delightful animation, one will need a desktop computer that can put out an equally good performance.
Gone are the days when hand-drawn cartoons were considered standard. These days, most of the animation is created by expert software engineers. But not all computers are capable of creating animations. They need to have the highest specs possible.
But what exactly are the things needed for a computer that can create animation? A workstation grade CPU, a strong GPU, a good amount of RAM, and plenty of storage are the things most required in a desktop computer that can create animation.
But as building a PC perfectly can be both time and resource-consuming, we have brought forth some of the best pre-built desktop computers for animation in 2024.
Let’s begin!
Our Product Recommendations
- Best Overall Desktop Computer for Animation – SkyTech Omega
- Best Premium Desktop Computer for Animation – SkyTech Prism
- Best Budget Desktop Computer for Animation – iBUYPOWER Element 9260
- Best Animation Desktop Computer w/ AMD Processor – Skytech Archangel
- Best Animation Desktop Computer w/ Intel Processor – HP OMEN
- Best Overall Laptop for Animation – ASUS Predator Helios 300 (New Release 2024)
- Most Portable Laptop for Animation – ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe
- Best Budget Laptop for Animation – Dell Inspiron i7559
- Best VERY Budget Friendly Laptop for Animation – Acer Aspire 5 A515
#1 – Best Overall – SkyTech Omega
The SkyTech Omega is one of the best desktop computers. It can also handle intensive animation processes with ease. This desktop can go toe to toe with some of the best machines out there.
Let’s start with the processor. The SkyTech Omega features an Intel Core i9-9900K Coffee Lake processor. It has 8-Cores and 16-Threads. The base clock speed is 3.6 GHz which can be overclocked up to 5.0 GHz. The motherboard is a Gigabyte Z390 UD with 10+2 Phase Digital VRM. It was specifically designed for Intel Core i9 Processor.
The graphics and memory portion of this desktop is equally good. The SkyTech Omega features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11GB GDDR6 Video Card. On top of that, it has 16GB RAM with heat spreader technology. And finally, there’s 1TB superfast SSD storage. It’s 30 times faster than an HDD.
As for the rest of the features, they are standard too. The SkyTech Omega has a PCIe 802.11 AC Wi-Fi with an antenna. It also possesses a decent amount of I/o ports including 2 USB 3.0 ports. Finally, it’s powered by an 80 Plus GOLD Certified 750-Watt Power Supply.
Our complaints? We weren’t a fan of the vertical port placement. On top of that, it gets pretty loud at times.
Overall, the SkyTech Omega is an all-around computer that can not only handle animation but also do a lot of other stuff. We recommend it.
Pros
- It features an 8 core Intel Core i9-9900K Coffee Lake processor that can be overclocked up to 5.0 GHz.
- Super strong NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11GB GDDR6 GPU.
- 16GB Ram and 1TB SSD make sure that the computer doesn’t lag out.
- Decent amount of I/O ports.
- Powered by an 80 Plus GOLD Certified 750-Watt Power Supply.
- The Gigabyte Z390 UD was specifically designed to run alongside Intel Core-i9 processors.
Cons
- Poor port placement.
- Gets loud at times.
#2 – Best Premium PC for Animation – SkyTech Prism
Wait what’s that? Do you want the best build PC money can buy? We’ve got you covered! The SkyTech prism is currently the best build PC.
Inside the Skytech Prism, you’ll find a 12-Core AMD RYZEN 9 3900X processor. It has a base clock speed of 3.8GHz that can be boosted up to 4.6 GHz. The motherboard on the other hand is an ASROCK X570 Taichi with a 14 power-phase design.
On the GPU front, we’ve got the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11GB. It’s the same as the Skytech Omega one. It also has one of the fastest memory interfaces with G.Skill TridentZ RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3600 RAM and 1TB blazing fast Samsung NVMe SSD. There’s also a 2TB HDD with 7200RPM.
The cooling system consists of 9ARGB fans and 360mm AIO Liquid Cooler. In terms of connectivity, it features Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax up to 2.4Gbps and all sorts of I/O ports. It’s powered by an 80 Plus GOLD Certified 750-watt power supply.
There isn’t a negative thing regarding this computer. However, it’s super expensive.
Overall, the Skytech Prism is the best Windows PC you can get for animation.
Pros
- The 12-Core AMD RYZEN 9 3900X processor is a beastly processor.
- Overclockable up to 4.6 GHz.
- Features the same Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11GB as SkyTech Omega.
- The Quad-channel 8GB G.Skill TridentZ RGB provides buttery smooth performance.
- Powered by an 80 Plus GOLD Certified 750-watt Power Supply
- 1TB SSD and 2TB HDD are pretty generous storage options.
Cons
- Super expensive.
#3 – Best Budget Option – iBUYPOWER Element 9260
Did you think we forgot about the budget option? No, we didn’t! Though desktop computers for animation can’t be that cheap as you need high specs throughout the build, the iBuyPower 9260 somehow provides a good balance between power and price.
The iBuyPower 9260 comes with an Intel Core i7-9700F processor. It has 8-Cores and a base clock speed of 3. 0GHz. The clock speed can be boosted up to 4. 70 GHz. For rendering graphics, you’ll be getting NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB which is a pretty mid-high range GPU.
The iBuyPower did a pretty good job of providing the user with more than enough storage. You’ll be getting both 1TB HDD and 240GB SSD. There’s also 16GB of DDR4-2666 RAM which makes the system run at a decent speed.
As for the rest of the features, they are good for the price you’ll be paying. The iBuyPower 9260 features a Tempered Glass RGB Gaming Case, a decent amount of I/O ports including 4 USB 3.0 ports and free gaming keyboard and mouse.
However, there isn’t any flash card reader. On top of that, you’ll also not be getting any advanced audio output options.
Overall, the iBuyPower Element 9260 is a value-for-money desktop computer that can do animation. It’s also the best budget pc build featuring an Intel processor.
Pros
- The 9th Gen core i-7 processor can be overclocked up to 4.7 GHz.
- The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB provides excellent graphics rendition.
- 1TB HDD and 240GB SSD storage options.
- The 16GB of DDR4-2666 RAM is enough for a smooth user experience.
- Wi-Fi enabled and has a decent amount of I/O ports.
- Free mouse and keyboard.
Cons
- Lacks a flash card reader.
- No advanced audio output options.
#4 – Best Animation Computer w/ AMD Processor – Skytech Archangel
Do you want a budget build featuring an AMD processor? We’ve got that covered too! The Skytech Archangel provides more than enough power for doing animation.
The Skytech Archangel comes in a white tempered glass case. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor with 6-Cores and 12-Threads. The base clock speed of 3.6GHz can be boosted up to 4.2 GHz. To maximize airflow, they’ve got 3 RGB RING fans. It also features the AMD high-performance wraith cooler, which is known for being one of the best coolers on the market.
The GPU on the SkyTech Archangel is the same as the one from iBuyPower. The GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB GDDR6 combined with 16GB DDR4 3000MHz makes even the most intensive animations render with ease. It also comes with 500GB which is 30 times faster than a normal HDD.
The rest of the features is more or less the same as iBuyPower 9260. Though there are a lot of I/0 ports, it features 2 fewer USB 3.0 ports than the iBuyPower 9260. It’s powered by an 80 Plus Certified 500 Watt PSU. It also comes with a free gaming keyboard and mouse.
Overall, the SkyTech Archangel is a pretty decent budget desktop computer for animation. In some cases, it’s even better than the iBuyPower.If you’re an AMD enthusiast, then you should go for this one.
Pros
- Decent cooling system with 3 RGB fans and AMD Wraith stealth cooler.
- Graphics rendition is handled excellently by the GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB GDDR6.
- 16GB DDR4 3000MHz and 500GB SSD provide a super-fast UI.
- Free gaming keyboard and mouse.
- Powered by an 80 Plus Certified 500 Watt PSU.
- The Hexa Core AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is a workstation-grade processor.
Cons
- No HDD at this price is a bummer.
- It can be a bit loud at times.
#5 – Best Animation Computer w/ Intel Processor – HP OMEN
Do you want the best PC for animation featuring an Intel Processor? Look no further! The HP Omen is the best desktop computer for animation featuring an Intel Processor!
Let’s start with the processor. It features a lightning-fast 9th Gen octa-core Intel corei7 processor. To keep everything cool, it features a 120 mm fan on the front as well as liquid cooling. There are also vents all around the edges.
As for the GPU, you’ll be getting an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB GDDR6 GPU. On top of that, there’s also a hyperx 16 GB DDR4-2666 RAM. The RAM can be upgraded to 32GB.
Let’s skip storage and talk about the rest of the features first. It features all the I/O ports you might need including USB 3.0 ports. You’ll also be getting a 1-year warranty alongside a free keyboard and mouse.
The storage option on the HP Omen is a bit of a letdown. Though it features 2TB 7200RPM HDD, it’s missing SSD. In 2024, no SSD for such a high-priced build is a bit of a letdown.
Overall, the HP Omen is a pretty decent high-end desktop computer for animation. Though it has a bit of flaw regarding the storage, it won’t cost you big in the long run as you can add an SSD later down the road.
Pros
- The lightning-fast 9th Gen octa-core Intel corei7 processor can handle even the most CPU throttling works with ease.
- The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti is one of the best GPUs currently.
- It features a superfast 16GB RAM that can be upgraded to 32GB.
- Decent cooling system featuring liquid cooler.
- All sorts of I/O ports included.
- 1-year warranty with free keyboard and mouse.
Cons
- No SSD at this price is a huge letdown.
#6 – Best Overall Laptop for Animation – Acer Predator Helios 300 (2021 New Release)
This is another animation computer that gives a great animation experience. It sports a widescreen and offers super-fast processing speeds. It is powered by a powerful and fast 7th Gen Intel Core i7 processor (with 8 Cores!). It gives you a great experience with its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 1630 with a dedicated memory of 6GB. It offers enough storage on its 256GB SSD and its 16GB RAM.
Pros
- The computer performs exemplary fast thanks to its large storage and high-quality graphics.
- It sports a large full HD display with a high resolution making it an ideal laptop for design work.
- Its matte screen is not only bright and clear but also long-lasting.
- Overall, the computer features a quality built for durability.
Cons
- The battery of this computer lasts for only 7 hours, which is less compared to the other that last for up to 13 hours.
- Sometimes, the system experiences a freeze.
#7 – Most Portable Laptop for Animation – ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe
The Asus ZenBook 3 Deluxe laptop is packed with everything that you need to excel in your animation stuff. This laptop is a perfect blend of magnificence and power and gives any animator nothing but the best balance between productivity, performance, and portability.
Pros
- This laptop comes with a 16GB RAM which means more than enough storage area for all your animation work
- The 14-inch full HD screen means you can enjoy playing back your content and comes in handy when watching any other multimedia
- The size also means the Asus ZenBook 3 Deluxe is quite portable which adds to its mobility
- Its features mean you get to enjoy high-quality graphics and is designed to boost your animation tasks
- It comes with the 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor which also means speed for your work and high-quality USB ports for when you need to save your work to an external device
- The audio system quad-speaker is quite powerful
- It has an excellent build which means durability
- Asus ZenBook 3 Deluxe can give you up to nine hours of battery life with just one charge coupled with a fast-charging system
Cons
- Higher-end price point.
- Some users have reported issues with its noisy fan
#8 – Best Budget Laptop for Animation – Dell Inspiron i7559
This computer is celebrated for its great quality graphics. It is powerful and sports large storage for storing your animated videos. It is powered by the 5th generation Intel Core i6 processor with 2.3GHz. This is bettered by the incorporation of NVIDIA GeForce GT960M with a dedicated memory of 4GB GDDR5.
The computer is further fitted with 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD with an added 8GB SSD for faster file transfers. This makes the computer ideal for amateurs as well as experienced animators.
Pros
- With a 15.6-inch UHD led Lit touchscreen, you can design the smallest details of your animation.
- This screen has a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels making it even better for heavy applications.
- On purchase, the computer comes with Windows 10 pre-installed.
- If you love a good-looking computer, the Dell Inspiron i7559-5012GRY sports a stylish look.
- Its +4K IPS display makes it easy for you to create animation.
Cons
- The computer features a glossy screen which makes it highly reflective, sometimes producing glare.
- When multitasking, the computer consumes a lot of battery power.
#9 – Best VERY Budget Friendly Laptop for Animation – Acer Aspire 5 A515
The Acer Aspire has been an option for budget-friendly laptops for years. Usually, for animation and 3D graphics, budget laptops are not an ideal choice. However, for those hobbyists looking to learn the ropes without committing a big portion of your budget, this may be a good option.
For starters, the unit is powered by a powerful and fast Intel Core i5 processor. This is improved by an Intel Iris Xe Graphics graphic card. It has 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, allowing you to multitask and store your animations respectively.
Pros
- You will have a comfortable experience creating animations thanks to the wide 15.6-inches LED-backlit display.
- Coupled with its high resolution, the display allows you to create the intricate details of your videos, rivaling some of the top design monitors out there.
- It offers you extended working time, up to 12 hours, thanks to its strong battery.
- It has an ergonomically engineered keyboard and touchpad letting you work fast.
Cons
- The wireless adapter on the computer is not stable.
Conclusion
Choosing a desktop computer for animation or a laptop for animation can be rough given the variety of different situations and budgets that might be possible. The options laid out above give a variety of choices for all sorts of preferences, situations, and budgets. We hope this has made your buying decision much easier. Thank you for reading!