Quantcast
Subscribe to magazine

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
ABS Ultimate M6 PCW Rating: 4.5PCW Rating: 4.5PCW Rating: 4.5

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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
MPC Millennia 920i Creative Studio PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

Last Rated: March 29, 2004

2. 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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
HP Compaq Presario 8000Z PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

Last Rated: April 28, 2004

3. HP Compaq 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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Alienware Aurora Extreme PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Polywell Poly 900NF3-FX53 PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

Last Rated:

5. Polywell Poly 900NF3-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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Gateway 710X Performance PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5

Last Rated: April 28, 2004

6. Gateway 710X 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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
ABS Awesome 5500 PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5

Last Rated: January 31, 2004

7. ABS Awesome 5500

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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Dell Dimension 4600 PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0

Last Rated: February 26, 2004

8. Dell Dimension 4600

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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
EMachines T3085 PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0

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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Dell Dimension 2400 PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0

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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Gateway 510XL PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5PCW Rating: 3.5

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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Sony VAIO PCV-RS520 PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0

Last Rated: May 24, 2004

12. Sony VAIO PCV-RS520

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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices 		Check Latest Prices
Velocity Micro Vision 64 PCW Rating: 4.5PCW Rating: 4.5PCW Rating: 4.5

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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
CyberPower Gamer Ultra 7000 PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0PCW Rating: 4.0

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 Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Polywell Poly 900VF PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0PCW Rating: 3.0

Last Rated: January 31, 2004

15. Polywell Poly 900VF

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 Review • Test Report • Check 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

Name City
Address 1 State Zip
Address 2 E-mail (optional)