Quantcast

Top 15 Desktop PCs

Two fully loaded new systems bearing Athlon's 64 FX-53 chip debut on this month's power list, but that power doesn't come cheap.

Richard Baguley

Compare ProductsCheck boxes to
Ultimate M6 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: May 24, 2004

1. ABS Ultimate M6

2.4-GHz Athlon 64 FX-53 CPU, Two 74GB hard drives configured as RAID 0, 250GB hard drive, 19-inch LCD monitor, 256MB ATI Radeon 9800 XT graphics, 8X DVD±RW drive, 16X DVD-ROM drive, flash media reader, Price when ranked: $4972

Bottom Line: This system combines superior performance, excellent graphics quality, and great design. But that's what you'd expect for just under $5000.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
MPC Millennia 920i Creative Studio PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: March 29, 2004

2. 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 drive, 52X CD-RW drive, Zip 750, Price when ranked: $2999

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

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Presario 8000z PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: April 28, 2004

3. 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 drive, 48X CD-RW drive, Price when ranked: $2178

Bottom Line: This newly configured 8000Z sped through our tests, but the model we reviewed lacked open drive bays to boost storage.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Aurora Extreme PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: May 24, 2004

4. Alienware Aurora Extreme

2.4-GHz Athlon 64 FX-53 CPU, Two 74GB hard drives configured as RAID 0, 250GB hard drive, 22-inch CRT monitor, 256MB ATI Radeon 9800 XT graphics, 8X DVD±RW drive, 48X CD-RW drive, flash media reader, Price when ranked: $4619

Bottom Line: The first system we've tested to reach 150 on PC WorldBench 4. The large, sci-fi-themed case offers plenty of room for expansion.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
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 74GB 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 one of our best performers; funky, almost demonic black gaming chassis has a flimsy door.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
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: $2600

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

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
ABS Awesome 5500 Extreme PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: January 31, 2004

7. ABS ABS Awesome 5500 Extreme

3.2-GHz Pentium 4 Extreme Edition CPU, 160GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, 256MB ATI Radeon 9800 XT graphics, 8X DVD±RW drive, 16X DVD-ROM drive, flash media reader, Price when ranked: $2429

Bottom Line: System uses Intel's game-centric CPU. It produced top-notch frame rates in gaming tests, but the monitor was mediocre.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
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.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
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: This strong performer (except on graphics tests) can handle most tasks, but the dark, fuzzy LCD makes doing them a chore.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
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.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
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: $1400

Bottom Line: Well-rounded machine can handle basic text and spreadsheet documents, as well as multimedia presentations. Price falls $100 this month.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
VAIO PCV-RS520 Desktop PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: May 24, 2004

12. Sony VAIO PCV-RS520 Desktop

3-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 160GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, 128MB ATI Radeon 9200 graphics, 8X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, flash media reader, Price when rated: $1599

Bottom Line: Stylish design and competitive performance are undermined by an inferior keyboard and tinny-sounding speakers.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Check Latest Prices
Vision 64 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: May 24, 2004

13. Velocity Micro Vision 64

2.2-GHz Athlon 64 3400+ CPU, 200GB hard drive, 19-inch CRT monitor, 128MB EVGA GeForce FX 5900XT graphics, 8X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives , Price when rated: $1739

Bottom Line: This PC has a stylish case and tidy interior. It is one of the fastest value systems we've seen.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Gamer Ultra 7000 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: May 25, 2004

14. CyberPower Gamer Ultra 7000

2.4-GHz Athlon 64 FX-53 CPU, 120GB hard drive, 19-inch CRT monitor, 256MB XFX GeForce FX 5700LE, 16X DVD-ROM drive and 52X CD-RW drive, Price when rated: $1695

Bottom Line: The bright green case and lights will appeal to kids, but this system fared only so-so on graphics tests.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Poly900VF PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: January 31, 2004

15. 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: $1185

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

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices

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

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No

Today's Special Offers