Reviewed on June 30, 2009HP's Pavilion p6110y isn't necessarily an offensive system, and its case might even entice you to give it a second look. We just wish HP had taken a more substantive approach to help this desktop stand out. Its FireWire port might sway you, but otherwise you can find more interesting features from other PCs on the shelf.TAGS:HP Pavilion, HP Pavilion SlimLine, ASUS, FireWire, HP, retailer, HDMI, Gateway Inc., Intel Pentium, Intel, motherboard, PC
Reviewed on November 3, 2008Thanks to an expensive new motherboard requirement, Intel's new Core i7 desktop processors will remain enthusiast and professional-level parts until more affordable complementary hardware comes out later next year. Speed never comes cheap, however, and if you're willing to spend for it now, you'll find yourself in possession of the fastest CPU on the market.TAGS:Intel, chipset, Intel Pentium 4, CPU, motherboard, memory stick, Intel Pentium, platform, dual-core, AMD
Reviewed on March 19, 2009Apple's new eight-core Mac Pro demonstrates marked improvements over the older model in high-intensity digital media and multitasking scenarios. We also love the design tweaks that improve on Apple's already industry-leading sensibilities. Any Apple-bound design professional would welcome this new tool in his or her arsenal.TAGS:tray, Apple Macintosh, digital media, Apple Computer, CPU, motherboard, memory, card, NVidia, hard drive, video card, Microsoft Windows
Reviewed on February 12, 2009We expect anyone who purchases the Dell XPS 625 will be pleased with its robust midrange gaming components and the software that makes it easy to overclock them. We just wish Dell had been more aggressive with its pricing and that you didn't have to spend more money to make the most of this system's standout features.TAGS:Dell XPS, Gateway Inc., Dell, AMD, motherboard, 64-bit, chipset, Intel, PC
Reviewed on November 17, 2008With lots of useful features (some cleverly hidden), Gateway's FX6800-01e stands out from the boring mainstream pack. It also uses Intel's new CPU and motherboard combination to provide speed and upgradeability. You can find faster PCs for a similar price, but few with this much promise.TAGS:Gateway Inc., media card reader, 64-bit, USB port, motherboard, PC, Intel, hard drive, Microsoft Windows
Reviewed on November 6, 2008Falcon Northwest's latest Mach V provides a model for the coming trends in high-end computing. From the latest Intel CPU, to solid-state storage, to copious amounts of memory, there's lot to admire about his PC. You will also have to pay for it, which unfortunately will thwart all but the most well-off gamers and enthusiasts.TAGS:Intel Core Microarchitecture, Intel, Hitachi Ltd., PC, hard drive, games, CPU, motherboard
Reviewed on April 23, 2009The AVADirect shopping experience can be daunting, but for the tech savvy buyer willing to navigate the many options available for this system, you'll find that AVADirect's Custom Gaming PC is competently built, with options for blazing fast overclocking, all at an attractive price.TAGS:Intel Core Microarchitecture, Blu-ray, overclocking, degree, motherboard, PC, Intel, games
Reviewed on November 21, 2007Despite the usual caveats of an ever-fluctuating 3D market, for the moment, at least, ATI's new Radeon HD 3850 graphics card delivers the best bang-for-the buck in PC graphics hardware. Until now we haven't had an acceptable sub-$200 option for PC gaming this year. Thanks to AMD, now we do.TAGS:Radeon, DirectX, ATI Technologies, card, Nvidia GeForce, video card, NVidia, motherboard, games, 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, AMD, ATI Radeon, ATI Technologies, CPU, games, PC, motherboard, Intel, hard drive
Reviewed on January 18, 2007Thanks to its market muscle, Dell's XPS 710 H2C delivers state-of-the-art gaming power for significantly less than its boutique competition--and with (basically) identical performance. That fact and the near-silent operation granted by its brand-new cooling hardware make this desktop a CNET Editors' Choice winner.TAGS:Dell XPS, quad-core, Velocity Micro, Dell, Alienware, NVidia, chipset, video card, motherboard, Apple Computer, games, PC