Gateway 710XL

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Gateway's latest XL is a refreshed version of the 700XL system we tested earlier this year. This newer model arrived with top-notch components geared toward boosting overall system performance. Though it's still outfitted with an Intel 3.2-GHz Pentium 4 processor, Gateway improved on some of the specs over the model we previously reviewed. This 710XL configuration doubled the DDR400 SDRAM to 1GB, and traded up the graphics board, moving from an ATI Radeon 9800 graphics board with 128MB of DDR memory on the previous 700XL to an NVidia GeForce FX 5900G Ultra with 256MB of memory. This system's graphics performance packs more punch, and we got some of the highest frame rates we've seen at the display's optimal resolution of 1280 by 1024 pixels and 32-bit color depth. At this resolution, this system's performance beat out that of many other gaming heavyweights, including Alienware's Aurora Extreme.

Like its predecessor, this model retains a useful list of hardware and software that will be especially useful in video applications. Its twin 250GB Serial ATA hard drives are connected via a RAID controller and show up as one gargantuan 500GB hard drive. That adds up to the most storage we've seen in a desktop to date. Gateway bundles Pinnacle Studio 8, a full-featured video-editing package, and adds its own illustrated video-editing guide to help. You can burn the video to DVD with the dual-format (DVD+R/W and DVD-R/RW) rewritable DVD drive. Previously an option, but added as standard on this model, is a six-in-one media card reader that accepts CompactFlash I and II, Secure Digital and Multimedia Card, Smart Media, and Memory Stick formats.

In image quality tests with the 18-inch LCD, colors looked vibrant in a photo test screen, a DVD movie, and games. In addition, the Boston Acoustics BA7900 5.1 speaker set provided excellent sound quality. It aced our audio tests during the DVD movie and on vocal tracks. Helped by the Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 sound card, the speakers and subwoofer produced thundering bass, crisp trebles, and wall-rattling sound effects.

What's Not: This PC comes with a hefty price tag. That's not surprising, however, considering its long list of high-end components.

What Else: Though this configuration still carries Intel's 3.2-GHz Pentium 4, the increased RAM didn't boost its overall performance. In PC WorldBench 4 tests, it earned a 126 score--identical to that of its previous configuration.

Though colors looked fine on the LCD, we didn't think small-size letters and fonts were as sharp or as focused as those on other large-screen displays we've seen.

Other features we liked in previous 700XL systems have been carried over here, too, such as the easy-to-open case and the roomy interior. Our review system had two available externally accessible drive bays, two open RAM sockets, and three open PCI slots. The eight USB 2.0 ports (two on the front of the case) and two FireWire ports (one up front) provide plenty of ways to connect peripherals.

Upshot: This full-featured, powerful desktop offers a treasure trove of top-grade components for video editing and entertainment at a lofty price.

Mick Lockey