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Top 15 Desktop PCs

Systems from Compaq and Micro Express debut on the power side of the chart, and Alienware introduces a budget PC.

Eric Butterfield

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Dimension 8400 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: August 23, 2004

1. Dell Dimension 8400

3.6-GHz Pentium 4 560 CPU, Two 160GB RAID hard drives, 19-inch LCD monitor, 256MB ATI Radeon X800 XT graphics, 12X DVD+RW and 48X CD-RW drives, Price when ranked: $2999

Bottom Line: This PC's new Intel processor and chip set, top-performing graphics card, and attractive LCD are a winning combo.

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Polywell Poly 939VF-FX53 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 05, 2004

2. Polywell Polywell Poly 939VF-FX53

2.4-GHz Athlon 64 FX-53 CPU, Two 74GB RAID hard drives, 19-inch CRT monitor, 256MB EVGA E-GeForce 6800 Ultra graphics, 8X DVD±RW drive and 16X DVD-ROM/52X CD-RW combo drive, media-card reader, Price when ranked: $2999

Bottom Line: This fast system offers high graphics and audio quality, though for the price you might expect better than a 19-inch CRT.

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Media Center PC M1050y PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 05, 2004

3. HP Media Center PC M1050y

3.6-GHz Pentium 4 560 CPU, Fixed 250GB and removable 160GB hard drives, 23-inch LCD monitor, 256MB ATI Radeon X600 Pro graphics, 12X DVD+RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, media-card reader, Price when ranked: $5100

Bottom Line: Handles most multimedia tasks, from TV to radio to video. Extensive features--including a huge LCD--justify the price.

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MicroFlex 36A PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 01, 2004

4. Micro Express MicroFlex 36A

3.6-GHz Pentium 4 560 CPU, Two 250GB RAID hard drives, 19-inch LCD monitor, 256MB ATI Radeon X600 XT graphics, 8X DVD±RW drive, media-card reader, Price when ranked: $2499

Bottom Line: Fast, affordable, and very expandable. Frame rates in our video game tests were good, but well below those of competitors.

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Mtower 64FX PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: August 23, 2004

5. Xi Mtower 64FX

2.4-GHz Athlon 64 3800+ CPU, Two 74GB RAID hard drives, 19-inch LCD monitor, 256MB Asus V9980 Ultra graphics, 12X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, Price when ranked: $3570

Bottom Line: Swift system comes with a great selection of software, room for expansion, and wireless support.

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Awesome 6500 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 04, 2004

6. ABS Awesome 6500

3.4-GHz Pentium 4 Extreme Edition CPU, Two 80GB RAID hard drives, 19-inch CRT monitor, 256MB EVGA E-GeForce 6800 Ultra graphics, 12X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, media-card reader, Price when ranked: $3199

Bottom Line: ABS's first system with Intel's new 925 chip set has good speed, a stylish retro look, and numerous features for a fair price.

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GX5000Z PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 01, 2004

7. Compaq GX5000Z

2.4-GHz Athlon 64 FX-53 CPU, Two 74GB RAID hard drives, 23-inch LCD monitor, 256MB NVidia GeForce 6800 Ultra graphics, 8X DVD+R/RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, media-card reader, Price when ranked: $5429

Bottom Line: Luxury-class price includes a $2200 wide-screen, HDTV-ready display. Frame rates in our video game tests were exceptional.

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Dimension 4700 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: August 23, 2004

8. Dell Dimension 4700

3-GHz Pentium 4 530 CPU, 160GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, Integrated Intel 915G graphics, 16X DVD-ROM and 48X CD-RW drives, Price when rated: $1299

Bottom Line: This update of a previous Best Buy uses a new Intel chip set to provide better integrated graphics and sound.

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Awesome 4300 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 04, 2004

9. ABS Awesome 4300

2-GHz Athlon 64 3200+ CPU, 200GB hard drive, 19-inch CRT monitor, 256MB ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics, 12X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, media-card reader, Price when rated: $1789

Bottom Line: Impressive performance and extensive features justify the high price; the quality of the CRT was disappointing, though.

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MiniBox PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: August 23, 2004

10. Polywell MiniBox

2-GHz Athlon 64 3000+ CPU, Two 80GB RAID hard drives, 19-inch CRT monitor, 128MB ChainTech SA5900X graphics, 12X DVD±RW drive, media-card reader, Price when rated: $1275

Bottom Line: Small system offers good performance and plenty of ports, but it has extremely limited expansion options.

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MicroFlex 3200 Plus PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: July 29, 2004

11. Micro Express MicroFlex 3200 Plus

2-GHz Athlon 64 3200+ CPU, 250GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, 128MB ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics, 8X DVD±RW drive, media-card reader, Price when rated: $1499

Bottom Line: Ties for fastest on the value list and produced high frame rates on games; it could use a better monitor, however.

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Gamer Infinity 8000 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 05, 2004

12. CyberPower Gamer Infinity 8000

3.6-GHz Pentium 4 560 CPU, 160GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, 128MB NVidia GeForce PCX 5750 graphics, 8X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, media-card reader, Price when rated: $1685

Bottom Line: Value-priced gaming system delivers great graphics and solid performance, as well as stylish looks.

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Gamer-EX PC PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: August 23, 2004

13. IBuyPower Gamer-EX PC

3.2-GHz Pentium 4 540 CPU, 120GB hard drive, 19-inch CRT monitor, 128MB EVGA E-GeForce FX 5750 graphics, 12X DVD±RW and 16X DVD-ROM drives, Price when rated: $1395

Bottom Line: Subpar sound and strictly average performance mean gamers should look elsewhere.

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Performance 64 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 04, 2004

14. Sys Technology Performance 64

2.4-GHz Athlon 64 3700+ CPU, 80GB hard drive, 19-inch CRT monitor, 128MB PNY Verto GeForce FX 5900 SE graphics, 16X DVD-ROM/48X CD-RW combo drive, media-card reader, Price when rated: $1674

Bottom Line: Plain-looking case, but impressive performance. A variety of software is included; speakers are lackluster, though.

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Bot PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 01, 2004

15. Alienware Bot

3-GHz Pentium 4 530 CPU, 120GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, Integrated Intel 915G graphics, 12X DVD±RW drive, media-card reader, Price when rated: $1583

Bottom Line: Conservative-looking for an Alienware box, this SOHO system is quick enough for office duties; the NEC LCD looked great.

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All systems are tested or retested under our PC WorldBench 5 test suite.

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