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Top 10 Value Desktop PCs

Our top-rated value desktops cost less than $1,500 and have plenty of computing bang for the buck.

Edited by Danny Allen

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PCW Rating: 86.4PCW Rating: 86.4PCW Rating: 86.4

Last Rated: May 04, 2009

BEST BUY!

1. Micro Express MicroFlex 450B

CPU: 2.83-GHz Core 2 Quad Q9550, Graphics Adapter: Sapphire HD4870, Monitor Model: LG W1942TQ, Total HD Size (GB): 500GB Hard Drive, WorldBench 6 Word Score: Superior,

Bottom Line: This power desktop delivers a whole lot of performance without a whole lot of price.

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Price When Reviewed: $1199 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 85.8PCW Rating: 85.8PCW Rating: 85.8

Last Rated: May 04, 2009

2. Micro Express MicroFlex 82B

CPU: 3-GHz Core 2 Duo E8400, Graphics Adapter: nVidia GeForce 8800GT, Monitor Model: Samsung 740BX, Total HD Size (GB): 250GB Hard Drive, WorldBench 6 Word Score: Superior,

Bottom Line: The MicroFlex 82B has limited storage, but provides plenty of horsepower without draining your savings.

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Price When Reviewed: $699 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 83.2PCW Rating: 83.2PCW Rating: 83.2

Last Rated: May 04, 2009

3. Gateway FX6800-01e

CPU: 2.66-GHz Core i7 920, Graphics Adapter: ATI Radeon HD 4850, Total HD Size (GB): 750GB Hard Drive, WorldBench 6 Word Score: Superior,

Bottom Line: With top-notch performance, design and expandability, the FX6800-01e is one of the better value PCs in the category, period.

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Price When Reviewed: $1130 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 81.0PCW Rating: 81.0PCW Rating: 81.0

Last Rated: May 04, 2009

4. Polywell Minibox 798G-940

CPU: 3-GHz-Phenom II X4 940, Graphics Adapter: nVidia GeForce GTX285, Monitor Model: Samsung SyncMaster 2253w, Total HD Size (GB): 1500GB Hard Drive, WorldBench 6 Word Score: Superior,

Bottom Line: The portable Minibox boasts Nvidia's latest graphics card, and an amazing amount of storage and connection options.

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Price When Reviewed: $1299 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 79.3PCW Rating: 79.3PCW Rating: 79.3

Last Rated: May 04, 2009

5. Dell XPS 630

CPU: 3.16-GHz Core 2 Duo E8500, Graphics Adapter: nVidia GeForce 9800 GT, Monitor Model: Dell SP2208WFP, Total HD Size (GB): 640GB Hard Drive, WorldBench 6 Word Score: Superior,

Bottom Line: Customizable desktop system provides affordable performance in a stylish package.

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Price When Reviewed: $1404 Check Latest Prices
Build your own at Dell.com

PCW Rating: 77.6PCW Rating: 77.6PCW Rating: 77.6

Last Rated: May 04, 2009

6. Dell XPS 625

CPU: 3-GHz-Phenom II X4 940, Graphics Adapter: ATI Radeon HD 4850, Total HD Size (GB): 500GB Hard Drive, WorldBench 6 Word Score: Superior,

Bottom Line: The Dell XPS 625 is a strong Phenom II-based desktop PC, but for an extra hundred bucks or so, you can get even more value.

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Price When Reviewed: $1449 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 75.9PCW Rating: 75.9PCW Rating: 75.9

Last Rated: May 04, 2009

7. eMachines ET1161-03

CPU: 2.3-GHz Athlon 64 X2 4400+, Graphics Adapter: nVidia GeForce 6150SE, Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive, WorldBench 6 Word Score: Fair,

Bottom Line: With an upgrade or two, the ET1161-03 could become a pretty good general-purpose value desktop..

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Price When Reviewed: $400 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 75.4PCW Rating: 75.4PCW Rating: 75.4

Last Rated: May 04, 2009

8. Maingear Dash

CPU: 3-GHz-Phenom II X4 940, Graphics Adapter: XFX ATI Radeon HD-4850, Monitor Model: Samsung SyncMaster T220, Total HD Size (GB): 500GB Hard Drive, WorldBench 6 Word Score: Superior,

Bottom Line: Maingear's Dash minitower desktop PC packs an overclocked Phenom II CPU and provides excellent graphics performance.

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Price When Reviewed: $1399 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 75.3PCW Rating: 75.3PCW Rating: 75.3

Last Rated: May 04, 2009

9. Polywell Poly i7050

CPU: 2-GHz Pentium Dual-Core E2180, Graphics Adapter: Nvidia 7150, Monitor Model: KDS 92BW, Total HD Size (GB): 250GB Hard Drive, WorldBench 6 Word Score: Fair,

Bottom Line: Delivers solid performance for basic tasks but not for fast-action games, and a compact case limits expansion.

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Price When Reviewed: $499 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 74.1PCW Rating: 74.1PCW Rating: 74.1

Last Rated: May 04, 2009

10. Dell Studio Slim

CPU: 2.33-GHz Core 2 Quad Q8200, Graphics Adapter: ATI Radeon HD 3450, Monitor Model: Dell SP2009WFP, Total HD Size (GB): 640GB Hard Drive, WorldBench 6 Word Score: Very Good,

Bottom Line: The compact Dell Studio Slim provides above-average application performance and connectivity, but upgrades are limited.

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Price When Reviewed: $1164 Check Latest Prices
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