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Top 10 Performance Desktop PCs

Intel's Sandy Bridge processors are still the popular kids on the block, but the new Sandy Bridge Extreme Edition has arrived, to take top honors on our Performance PC benchmarks.

Edited by Nate Ralph, PCWorld   

Rating & Price
Products
1
PCWorld Rating

Micro Express MicroFlex 79B

This Micro Express machine packs Intel's new Sandy Bridge Extreme Edition processor, serving up tons of power and great performance, for a mere $2000.

Full Review - Rated: December 20, 2011
2
PCWorld Rating

Primordial Computers Satyr

This is the perfect machine for tinkerers: it's cheap(ish), and has a huge, roomy case.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: October 31, 2011
3
PCWorld Rating

AVADirect X79 Silent Gaming PC

The AVADirect Silent Gaming PC is a speedy, powerful, pricey machine in a quiet package.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: November 23, 2011
4
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $2,040

Alienware Aurora

The new Alienware Aurora is well-designed with a great case and a few neat features, but it’s a little pricey and doesn’t keep up with category leaders in our performance tests.

Full Review | Video Review | Specs - Rated: July 08, 2011
5
PCWorld Rating

Digital Storm ODE

The Digital Storm ODE performance PC offers high-end power at a low price.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: July 26, 2011
6
PCWorld Rating

Polywell Ignition X7900i-3960

The Polywell Ignition X7900i-3960 comes packed with every performance PC lover's dream parts, but carries a rather steep price.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: February 10, 2012
7
PCWorld Rating

iBuyPower Gamer Paladin HS11

We love this performance desktop’s speeds, but its omission of a Blu-ray player leaves movie buffs in the cold.

Full Review - Rated: January 04, 2012
8
PCWorld Rating

Polywell Poly 990FX-8150

The Poly 990FX-8150 fails to stand out in a crowded category, offering general and gaming performance bested by machines that cost hundreds less.

Full Review - Rated: February 13, 2012
9
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $1,105
Buy at Lenovo.com »

Lenovo IdeaCentre K330

You can do a lot with the super-fast speeds on Lenovo’s inexpensive PC: You just can’t put that much more into this system.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: October 11, 2011
10
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $1,359

WarFactory Sentinel

The WarFactory Sentinel is a great and cost effective gateway to PC gaming.

Full Review - Rated: October 13, 2011

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