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Top 15 Desktop PCs

Several newcomers, including a supercompact model from Shuttle Computer, round out this month's chart.

Melissa Perenson

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ABS Ultimate M5-64 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: March 29, 2004

1. ABS ABS Ultimate M5-64

2.2-GHz Athlon 64 3400+ CPU, Two 80GB hard drives configured as RAID 0, 19-inch CRT monitor, 256MB ATI Radeon 9800 XT graphics, 8X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, flash media reader, Price when ranked: $2319

Bottom Line: PC delivers top-notch performance at a bargain price, plus a strong selection of software; bundled CRT is bulky.

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Presario 8000z PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: April 28, 2004

2. Hewlett-Packard Presario 8000z

2.2-GHz Athlon 64 3400+ CPU, Two 80GB hard drives configured as RAID 0, 17-inch LCD monitor, 256MB ATI Radeon 9600 Pro graphics, 8X DVD+RW and 48X CD-RW drives, Price when ranked: $2328

Bottom Line: Housed in a svelte midsize tower, this newly configured 8000Z sped through our tests; but it lacks drive bays to boost storage.

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Performance 64 3400+ PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: February 26, 2004

3. Sys Technology Performance 64 3400+

2.2-GHz Athlon 64 3400+ CPU, Two 120GB hard drives configured as RAID 0, 17-inch LCD monitor, 128MB PNY Verto GeForce FX 5700 Ultra graphics, 8X DVD±RW, flash media reader , Price when ranked: $2522

Bottom Line: One of the fastest systems we've tested, this industrial-black Sys came with a fantastic-sounding audio system.

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MPC Millennia 920i Creative Studio PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: March 29, 2004

4. MPC (Micron PC) MPC Millennia 920i Creative Studio

3.2-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, Two 160GB hard drives configured as RAID 0, 19-inch LCD monitor, 256MB NVidia GeForce FX 5950 graphics, 8X DVD±RW and 52X CD-RW drive, Zip 750, Price when ranked: $3398

Bottom Line: PC comes with great speakers and a sleek LCD. The software bundle is geared toward photo and video enthusiasts.

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Poly900 NF3-FX53 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated:

5. Polywell Poly900 NF3-FX53

2.4-GHz Athlon 64 FX-53 CPU, Two 74.3GB hard drives configured as RAID 0, 19-inch CRT monitor, 256MB NVidia GeForce FX 5950 Ultra graphics, 8X DVD±RW drive and 52X CD-RW/16X DVD-ROM combo drive, flash media reader, Price when ranked: $3499

Bottom Line: This loaded tower was our top performer; funky, almost demonic black "gaming" chassis has a flimsy door.

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Gateway 710X Peak Performance PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: April 28, 2004

6. Gateway Gateway 710X Peak Performance

3.2-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 250GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, 256MB NVidia GeForce FX 5950 Ultra graphics, 8X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, flash media reader, Price when ranked: $2400

Bottom Line: The matching LCD on this silver-and-black midsize tower produced sharp text at all font sizes.

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Dimension 8300 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: March 28, 2004

7. Dell Dimension 8300

3.2-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 250GB hard drive, 19-inch LCD monitor, 128MB ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics, 8X DVD+RW and 48X CD-RW drive, Price when ranked: $2697

Bottom Line: Well-equipped to handle media, this 8300 has a 250GB hard drive, a fine 19-inch LCD monitor, and a great sound system.

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Dimensions 4600 (2.8GHz) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: February 26, 2004

8. Dell Dimensions 4600 (2.8GHz)

2.8-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 120GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, 128MB NVidia GeForce FX 5200 graphics, 16X DVD-ROM and 48X CD-RW drives, Price when rated: $1089

Bottom Line: This well-appointed Dell offers fine performance for its configuration; it includes an attractive LCD and good speakers.

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T3085 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: April 28, 2004

9. EMachines T3085

2.167-GHz Athlon XP 3000+ CPU, 160GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, Integrated NVidia GeForce4 MX graphics, 8X DVD±RW and 52X CD-ROM drives, flash media reader, Price when rated: $1198

Bottom Line: Strong performer (except on graphics tests) can handle most tasks, but the dark, fuzzy LCD makes doing them a chore.

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Dimension 2400 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: March 29, 2004

10. Dell Dimension 2400

2.67-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 80GB hard drive, 19-inch CRT monitor, Integrated Intel 845GL graphics, 16X DVD-ROM and 48X CD-RW drives, Price when rated: $699

Bottom Line: A large CRT monitor and a generous, home-oriented software bundle highlight this bargain system.

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510XL PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: April 28, 2004

11. Gateway 510XL

3-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 160GB hard drive, 15-inch LCD monitor, 128MB NVidia GeForce FX 5200G graphics, 8X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, flash media reader, Price when rated: $1500

Bottom Line: Well-rounded machine can handle basic text and spreadsheet documents, as well as multimedia presentations.

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Vaio PCV RS530G PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: February 26, 2004

12. Sony Vaio PCV RS530G

3.2-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 160GB hard drive, 15-inch LCD monitor, 128MB ATI Radeon 9200 graphics, 8X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, flash media reader, Price when rated: $1900

Bottom Line: Sony's media PC is loaded with amenities for watching and recording television, playing music, and working with images.

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Pavilion A450e PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: March 29, 2004

13. HP Pavilion A450e

2-GHz Athlon 64 3200+ CPU, 200GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, 128MB NVidia GeForce FX 5600 graphics, 8X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, flash media reader, Price when rated: $1725

Bottom Line: Fine performance, a plethora of USB 2.0 and FireWire ports, and a great monitor grace this home or office PC.

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Poly900VF PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: January 31, 2004

14. Polywell Poly900VF

2-GHz Athlon 64 3200+ CPU, 80GB hard drive, 17-inch CRT monitor, 128MB NVidia GeForce FX 5200 graphics, 16X DVD-ROM and 52X CD-RW drives, Price when rated: $1195

Bottom Line: This was the fastest PC on our value list at running productivity applications, but graphics performance was disappointing.

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Shuttle XPC K6200 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: April 28, 2004

15. Shuttle Shuttle XPC K6200

2.8-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 100GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, Integrated ATI Radeon 9100 IGP graphics, 8X DVD±RW drive, Price when rated: $1499

Bottom Line: The XPC's compact size is appealing, though there's little room for upgrades. The monitor's plastic sheen caused glare.

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All systems are tested or retested under our PC WorldBench 4 test suite.

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