WHAT'S HOT: With a 2.4-GHz Pentium 4 CPU and 512MB of 333-MHz DDR memory, this Xi earned a solid score of 123 on our PC WorldBench 4 tests, putting it at the head of the pack for similarly configured systems we've tested.

The black-and-gray midsize tower system--complete with an internal-temperature LED display on the front--nicely matches the other components, including a Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard combo, a Creative Inspire 5.1 5300 sound system, and a 15-inch ViewSonic ViewPanel VG150B LCD monitor. The six-speaker set delivered powerful sound in our CD audio and DVD movie tests. The films looked rich and crisp on the 15-inch LCD, which also displayed sharp, easily legible text and natural-looking flesh tones in other monitor tests.

WHAT'S NOT: The system posted high frame rates in our tests of Quake III Arena and Unreal Tournament thanks to the 128MB Leadtek WinFast Ti 200 graphics board, but the images appeared somewhat dark. While adequate for many users, the 40GB hard drive that came with our test system could quickly fill up for music and graphics fans. A 60GB model costs $54 extra.

WHAT ELSE: USB 1.1 and FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports are handily located on the side of the system, near the front panel. Another FireWire port and four USB 2.0 ports on the back of the system allow for fast data transfers to peripherals.

To open the tower, you just loosen two thumbscrews; the sturdy side panel slides off and on with little effort. Inside, only one PCI slot remains open for expansion; two hard drive bays and two bays for removable-media drives are also available. The interior is relatively neat and easy to work in, though it does not allow tool-less access to drives and cards.

The software bundle offers titles for both work and play, including Intuit's Quicken 2001, Sun's StarOffice, and the games MDK 2, Icewind Dale, and Jagged Alliance 2. The system manual contains a detailed glossary and thick chapters on general troubleshooting and upgrading, but the information is not specific to this model line.

UPSHOT: This reasonably priced, slick-looking power system is well equipped for home office and home entertainment use.

SUMMARY

Xi Computer 4240 MTower SP Home PC WorldBench 4 score of 123, 2.4-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 512MB of DDR333 SDRAM, Windows XP Home, 40GB hard drive, 40X/12X/40X CD-RW drive, 16X DVD-ROM drive, Leadtek WinFast Titanium 200 graphics card with 128MB of DDR SDRAM, 15-inch ViewSonic ViewPanel VG150B LCD monitor, Creative Labs Audigy Gamer SB0090 sound card, Creative Inspire 5.1 5300 speakers, network adapter, V.90 modem, midsize tower case; Quicken 2001, Sun StarOffice, McAfee Antivirus. Three-year parts and labor warranty; 24-hour toll-call tech support. $2499 800/432-0486 www.xicomputer.com