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WHAT'S HOT: Throw a Pentium III-800 CPU into a Windows NT 4.0 machine, and you've got ripsnorting speed: This Dell's score of 201 on our PC WorldBench 2000 test suite is the highest attained by any NT system we've seen. Top-drawer extras include an 8X/4X/32X CD-RW drive, an Iomega Zip 100 drive, both a modem and a network card, and Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business Edition.

WHAT'S NOT: Although Dell provides ample documentation for the standard equipment, our unit lacked paperwork for some extra components. A $116 price drop makes the system more affordable, but it's still the second most expensive machine on the chart.

WHAT ELSE: This PC uses high-speed Rambus DRAM (RDRAM), which is designed to rev up memory-intensive apps. You'll also rev up the overall cost of the system if you upgrade the RAM in the future, as this type of memory is expensive. Despite all of its add-in goodies, the XPS B800r still provides two open PCI slots and three open bays in its neat interior. You also get a quick-setup manual and a thick troubleshooting guide.

BEST USE: For users who must have everything--regardless of sticker price--this Dell looks like a million bucks.

SUMMARY

Dell Dimension XPS B800r PC WorldBench 2000 score of 201, Pentium III-800EB CPU, 128MB of RDRAM, 256KB L2 cache, 20.4GB hard drive, Windows NT 4.0, Celestica NVidia GeForce 256 graphics card with 32MB of SDRAM, 19-inch monitor, 8X/4X/32X CD-RW drive, Iomega Zip 100 drive, V.90 modem, network card, Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live sound card, Altec Lansing ACS340 speakers, Microsoft Office 2000 SBE; 3-year parts warranty, 1-year labor warranty, free unlimited support, 24/7 toll-free support. $2619 800/388-8542 www.dell.com