Reviewed on November 24, 2009Massive case notwithstanding, the affordable Asus Essentio CG5270-BP004 delivers a competitive feature set with the horsepower to back it up. We recommend this system for light media editors and anyone who can make use of its straightforward performance and multipurpose features.TAGS:ASUS, graphics chip, USB port, Intel, Ethernet, AMD, HP, CPU, games, PC
Reviewed on November 23, 2009The HP Pavilion P6230y yields decent scores, but we have a hard time recommending a system that comes at a higher cost and a slower performance rating over competing systems. This system has a few uncommon features for its price, but nothing that makes up for its overall poor bang-for-the-buck.TAGS:HP Pavilion, ASUS, graphics chip, quad-core, HP, Ethernet, AMD, Intel, CPU, PC
Reviewed on November 1, 2006If you thought dual cores were over the top, get ready. Intel presents the Core 2 Extreme QX6700, a single CPU with four distinct processing cores. At $999, the first quad-core CPU will remain an enthusiast part for a while, but as a glimpse of the future, it's clear that clock speed is out and core counts are in.TAGS:Intel Core 2 Extreme, multi-core, quad-core, digital media, clock speed, dual-core, Intel, Intel Core 2 Duo, CPU, AMD, PC
Reviewed on December 10, 2007AMD's new Phenom quad-core CPU has little to recommend it over competing chips from Intel. The Phenom is marginally less-expensive, but not enough to make up for its subpar performance. Unless AMD drops prices more aggressively, it looks like Intel will maintain its grasp on the CPU market for the foreseeable future.TAGS:Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD, quad-core, Intel, dual-core, CPU, PC
Reviewed on September 29, 2009Extra performance by way of a low-wattage AMD chip helps Averatec's D1133 All-In-One stand out from its dismal Nettop competition, but it remains a below-average deal in the grand scheme of budget desktops. We see the appeal of Netbooks, but the benefits of Nettops like this Averatec continue to elude us.TAGS:Averatec, Lenovo, graphics chip, touch screen, AMD Athlon, speakers, ATI Technologies, AMD, movie, CPU, LCD, PC
Reviewed on February 26, 2009Maingear's X-Cube small form factor game PC has received a cleverly redesigned case and boasts strong bang for the buck in its niche. We wouldn't necessarily pick this configuration, and you can find a better deal in a standard-size gaming desktop, but you still might be charmed by its unique looks and its decent value.TAGS:Maingear, Velocity Micro, ATI Radeon, AMD, ATI Technologies, CPU, motherboard, Intel, games, PC, hard drive
Reviewed on July 20, 2006You'll want to give Shuttle's new AMD-based, small-form-factor gaming PC a week or two to see how the coming Athlon price drop will affect the price tag. Assuming that Shuttle continues its aggressive pricing, however, the XPC P2 2700 will deliver lots of bang for your buck.TAGS:Maingear, media card reader, Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD, pricing, Nvidia GeForce, AMD Athlon, Intel, games, CPU, video card, PC