Dell Dimension XPS Desktop (Dell-DXPSRH)

WHAT'S HOT: Dell has gone after game fanatics with its loaded Dimension XPS systems, and the latest XPS model we received is no exception. But this one has a twist: With its DVD+R/RW drive and other video authoring tools, it will lure moviemaking power users as well. It arrived with a 3.06-GHz Pentium 4 CPU and 1GB of 400-MHz DDR SDRAM. Its score of 127 on PC WorldBench 4 puts it a little ahead of similarly configured systems.

For playing games or watching movies, it's hard to beat the 18-inch Dell UltraSharp 1800FP LCD monitor, which displayed rich colors in our tests. The Dimension XPS's 128MB ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics card delivered the second fastest frame rates we've recorded for systems running Unreal Tournament 2003 set at 1280 by 1024 resolution and 32-bit color depth.

Those who want fine sound quality will appreciate the output generated by the Logitech Z-680 speaker set, which consists of four satellites, a center speaker, and a solidly built subwoofer, working in concert with a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 sound card. In our tests, this audio powerhouse sent out sumptuous sound, with warm, rounded bass notes, and crisp, nuanced trebles in a DVD movie and vocal music.

This XPS comes with twin 120GB Serial ATA hard drives hooked up to a RAID card to provide a hefty 240GB of fast storage. This system should appeal to video editors, too: Dell throws in its Movie Studio Plus hardware, which allows you to capture video from an analog camcorder or videotape.

Minor nips and tucks to the Dimension XPS's sturdy case include a new (and less awkward) way to access the system's interior. Instead of pressing oval latches on the top and underside of the case (as with old-style Dimensions), you use only one large latch (which nicely fits your palm) on the side panel. Once you move the latch, you can open the case like a book. The well-conceived design merges the front of the case and the drives into the opening side panel, allowing easier access to the drives and bays as well as providing more room to access system memory and the expansion slots.

WHAT'S NOT: In a tower this large, we expected to have more expansion options. Our review unit had room for just two extra drives (one of which must be a hard drive.) And although this system is already loaded, only one PCI slot is free, which means you'll have to think hard about what you may want to add. Finally, gamers take note: Dell locks some BIOS settings so that the processor can't be overclocked. It's necessary to prevent overheating and damage to the CPU, the company says.

WHAT ELSE: For connecting USB devices, the Dimension XPS has an impressive total of ten USB 2.0 ports--two up front behind a door located on the top portion of the front panel, and eight on the back of the case. The PC also has one FireWire port up front and three (included with the Movie Studio Plus add-in) in back, for connecting compatible digital camcorders, hard drives, or other high-speed devices. Movie Studio Plus also includes a breakout box that gives you the connections you need to convert analog video to digital or vice versa.

Dell's documentation includes a setup poster and system-specific user manuals filled with helpful tips for troubleshooting and system upgrades. The keyboard has eight hot-keys, plus a separate bank of controls for adjusting volume settings and navigating CD and DVD tracks. The bundled software sticks pretty much to home office applications, including Windows Office XP Small Business Edition, as well as Britannica 2003 and Roxio VideoWave Movie Creator for video authoring, but no preloaded games--somewhat surprising in a gaming-oriented PC.

UPSHOT: This snazzy-looking XPS has plenty of multimedia muscle for gaming and movies. But you'll have to supply your own games.

SUMMARY

Dell Dimension XPS $