Desktop PCs

Overview:

Pros:

• Decent Image Quality
• Ideal for gaming
• Small form factor
• Customizable
• Not noisy compared to competitors like AlienWare

Cons:

• Expensive
• To exploit the full potential of the 4GB HD , a 64 bit OS needs to be used
• Processor and Graphics support used-  not latest

Review:

Shuttle Inc. is a Taiwan-based manufacturer of motherboards, complete PC systems, and monitors . Shuttle has been one of the world’s top 10 motherboard manufacturers, and gained fame in 2001 by introducing the Shuttle SV24, one of the world’s first commercially successful small form factor computer.

The XPC P2 3700G - Gaming like never before:

The XPC P2 3700G, the latest addition to the burgeoning family of Shuttle PCS, provides enough features to embarrass most desktops that are twice its size. It takes the SD37P2 Intel i975X - based chassis that adds in with an Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 CPU, 4GB RAM a single 400GB hard drive, and an NVIDIA GeForce 7950GX2 1GB graphics card. If a miniature PC with Alienware-type performance is your idea of an ideal gaming machine, you are reading the right review.

One can easily book a Shuttle XPC P2 3700G direct from Shuttle’s Web site, where you configure the specifications to your heart’s delight.

Design:

The Shuttle XPC P2 3700G Desktop PC is based on the XPC Barebones SD37P2 chassis, something that is about half the size of a traditional desktop PC. Do not get disheartened by the size, because what it lacks in size it makes up for in its looks.

The fold down sections:
The front side of the unit is constructed as three distinct fold down sections. Each of these sections has a front panel with a subtle brushed-metal effect that adds to the looks. Design features that add to the looks are a silver detailing down the front right, which makes a great contrast, and the curved disc eject and power buttons. There is a third curved button, which is a hard drive activity LED.

Reveal the ports:
The P2 3700G Gaming PC has glossy reflective sections running along the bottom, top and right-sided front bezel is glossy reflective sections. The section to the bottom opens to reveal a reset switch, microphone and headphone ports, USB ports- 2 in number, and a four-pin FireWire port. The left and right sides of the machine host a set of vents and beautifully engraved Shuttle logos.

The rear side of the 3700G is much more complex. A large circular vent that expels hot air from the CPU and two Digital Visual Interface (DVI) ports from the GeForce 7950 GX2 graphics card are seated in the rear side. One will also find a six pin FireWire port, a LAN port, five discrete 1.5 mm audio ports, six USB ports, two SPDIF inputs and outputs, an external Serial ATA (SATA) port and a LAN port.

Interior Design:
The interior design of the Shuttle XPC 3700G is very clever. The top part of the unit acts as a host to two 3.5-inch drive bays. Banging the top of the PC, just for the fun of it, is not advisable unless you fancy damaging one of the drives.

The CPU is seated near the front of the PC beneath a large aluminium heat sink and an even bigger fan. It is hard to imagine how Shuttle managed to include two PCI Express ports in the same box, but both the slots are occupied, just like all four of the PC’s DDR memory slots, clever engineering one might call it.

Features:

The Shuttle XPC P2 3700G desktop Computer uses a proprietary Shuttle FD37 motherboard along with an Intel 975X chipset. These being very well exploited  by an Intel Core 2 Duo X6800 CPU and 4GB of DDR2 667MHz memory, ensure maximum throughput and performance.

Graphics - at its best:
Graphics is totally sorted out on the XPC P2 3700G. It uses a high-end Nvidia GeForce 7950 GX2 card, which is considered to be the fastest in the world. The Nvidia Geforce 7950GX2 is a dual-GPU making gaming at high resolutions a great experience. A better choice for the 7950GX2 would have been a DirectX 10 Geforce 8800GTS or GTX, but these cards are simply too long to fit into the Shuttle case.

Like a dual-core CPU, the XPC P2 3700G uses two graphics processors, have 16 vertex shaders, a monstrous memory bandwidth of 76.8GB per second 48 pixel pipelines. The card is also HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compatible. Though it is SLI-capable and can be attached to a second identical card, there is not much space inside the PC to accommodate this.

Multimedia capabilities and Storage:
Shuttle XPC P2 3700G comes with Windows XP Professional Edition, and has opted not to supply the PC with Windows XP Media Center Edition. This does limit the multimedia user experience to some extent, but multimedia file hoarders will love the 400GB hard drive. A 400GB hard drive is all that is required to provide enough room for well over 500 DivX movies or over 100,000 MP3s. Get yourself a decent set of speakers and you can enjoy either through 7.1-channel high-definition audio via the onboard Intel sound card.

One of the inherent problems associated with the usage of 4 GB of RAM in a Windows XP 32-bit based system is the reservation of part of the memory for PCI addressing. In this case, users will only able to see around 3 GB of system memory. To harness the full physical benefits of having 4 X 1GB sticks of RAM in the system, you will have to use a 64 bit OS.

Power Supply:
The 350 Watt power supply is seated internally and is very small in size, actually the smallest that can power such a highly specified system. A lot of hot air is vented out of the chassis, but it manages to remain quiet even under full load for very long periods of time.

Performance:

If  you are looking for a PC that will not bat an eyelid at any task, whether it be video encoding, gaming or word processing, the XPC P2 3700G is what you should invest in , it is unbeatable.

Impressive:
The performance of the Shuttlt XPC P2 3700G is undeniably impressive. What is even more pleasing is the ability to integrate so much hardware into a chassis that isn’t even half the size of machines with the same performance capabilities. To be able to cool the components, effectively, in a whisper-quiet mode is also something that has to be appreciated.
Everything is not the Latest:

Although it is a reasonably good performer, size and power considerations dictate that the P2 3700G does not cater for the very latest hardware. It is in fact one step down from the best in each area - Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 is being used  instead of QX6700 , NVIDIA’s GeForce 7950GX2 instead of GeForce 8800 GTX, DDR2-533 instead of DDR2-1066 to name a few. Hardware enthusiasts should possibly look for a better machine with the latest in the market.

Noise and Power:
As mentioned before, the system is quiet. The CPU fan (CPU + 92mm exhausting fan) is set to operate in Smart Fan mode and the system fans (rear 60mm fans) are operated as an ultra-slow fan speed. It is one of the quietest high-end systems, and no component overheating or CPU throttling was in evidence with these cooling settings.

Shuttle’s stout 400W PSU may be small on size but big on performance, even after a 12-hour burn-in test, the system just works fine.

Heat:
The temperature of the warm air being pushed out from the PSU fan is around 48 degree C with an ambient temperature of 21 degree C. Kudos to Shuttle for having developing a SFF XPC that makes use of high-end components but still somehow manages to keeps the noise down.

Warranty:

Shuttle’s live support is available through a toll free telephone number. Shuttle also offers a 2-year collect-and-return service that begins on the date of invoice and which aims to turnaround systems, from initial pickup to return delivery, within 7 working days.

We, however feel that a 3-year warranty should be standard for high-end systems, especially when a lot of money has been invested.

Verdict:

The Shuttle P2 3700G is without doubt an excellent performer and has a design that is eye catchy. But as mentioned before, all the parts inside are not necessarily the latest and the 4GB system memory is of no use unless used with a 64 bit Operating System, which is, we believe a huge disadvantage. However, even if we consider all these disadvantages, the advantages make them negligible. We are sure and confident that this Shuttle PC will do well because it is aimed at a young market that requires impressive performance in a small form-factor system.

Our final verdict would be that, if you are the kind of person who would not mind spending a lot of money on a quality machine that has amazing gaming capabilities, the Shuttle XPC P2 3700G is a definite impresser. Starting with great looks to awesome graphics, this machine is definitely WORTH YOUR MONEY.

Check reviews, specs of Asus Desktop PCs, Dell Desktop PCs in our website.

Shuttle XPC P2 3700G Gaming Desktop PC - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Shuttle
Model Name	Shuttle XPC P2 3700G
PC type	Gaming Desktop PC
Series	XPC
DIMENSIONS AND DISPLAY
Dimensions (H x W x D)	8.3 x 8.7 x 12.8
Colour	Black
Display	Not Included
PROCESSOR, MEMORY, STORAGE
Processor type	64 bit- Intel Core 2 Duo E6300
Clock speed	1.86 GHz
Multi-Core processor technology	Dual-Core
DVD-Writer - IDE	Intel Execute Disable Bit Intel Virtualization Technology Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology
Chipset	Intel 975X Express
Cache	2MB L2 Cache
RAM	Installed: 1GB Max: 8GB
RAM type	DDR2 SDRAM
RAM details	Memory speed: 533 MHz Memory specification compliance: PC2-4200 RAM form factor: DIMM 240-pin Configuration: 2 x 512MB
WLAN Standard	Network adapter - Integrated
Storage Controller Type	1 x RAID - Integrated, Serial ATA-300
Storage Controller Second Type	1 x IDE – Integrated, ATA-100
Hard drive size	200 GB
Hard Drive type	Standard - Serial ATA-300
Spindle speed	5400rpm
Optical drive	DVD-Writer - IDE
GRAPHICS, VIDEO AND SOUND
Graphics Processor	ATI Radeon X1600 XT
Graphics Controller	PCI Express x16 - Plug-in card
Sound output mode	7.1 channel surround
Sound Card	Integrated
Audio Input	Headphones
Audio output compliant standards	High Definition Audio
COMMUNICATION FEATURES
Ethernet	Broadcom BCM5789
Modem	No
Networking-Data link protocol	Ethernet , Fast Ethernet , Gigabit Ethernet
Networking-Features	Wake on LAN (WoL)
Memory card reader	optional with 22-in-1 card reader
CONNECTIVITY	Microphone Headphone (Line-out) 2x USB 2.0 Firewire (4 pol. mini port) VGA Sub-D connector (analog) DVI-I connector (digital/analog) TV connector (S-Video/Composite) 6x USB 2.0 Firewire (6 pin) GigaBit LAN (RJ45) External Serial ATA Hotplug (eSATA) 8-ch Audio line-out (2x rear/front, bass/center, surround/back) Audio Line-in SPDIF: optical in/out, coaxial out CMOS button optional Wireless LAN module (PN18)
SOFTWARE
Operating System	Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Other software	Nero 6 , CyberLink PowerDVD 6
POWER
Power device type	Power supply
Voltage Required	AC 120/230 V
Power provided	400 Watt
Cooling technology	4th Gen. I.C.E. heatpipe cooling with linear fan control, improved airflow dynamics with 3 cooling zones
COMPLIANCES	EMV-guideline 89/336/EWG electromagnetic tolerance, LVD-guideline 73/23/EWG use of electric devices within certain voltage-limits
Box contents	Shuttle XPC P2 3700G PC Software and drivers Instruction manual
WARRANTY	Limited warranty - 2 years - Pick-up and return

ALIENWARE AREA-51 7500 – THE ULTIMATE GAMING PC?

Overview:

Pros:
1.    Feature rich
2.    Impressive Performance
3.    Excellent cooling system – AlienIce

Cons:
1.    Heavily priced
2.    Quite noisy
3.    The looks can seem gaudy to some people

Review:

Alienware is an American based computer hardware company that assembles third party hardware components into computers with high end gaming capabilities. Alienware products also support intense application such as video editing, audio editing and simulation.

The new generation of 7500 gaming desktops introduces a more durable and stylish breed of cases known as the P2, or ‘Predator 2′ series. Alienware has indeed redefined what is cool with its latest Area-51 7500 desktop Computer. With this PC, you can experience gaming like never before. One major reason why it is considered as the ultimate gaming PC is because of its astounding gaming features.

Design:

The Handsome Gaming PC:
The Alienware Area-51 7500 looks outstanding. It takes its design cues from the previous generation of Alienware desktops but is even more menacing, more handsome and more desirable than ever. The previous versions of Alienware did have some problems with regard to the built of the outer casing, the minute you your hands on them; you get a feeling that it is going to fall apart.  Though it is aimed at gamers, who typically love garish designs, we defy anyone not to like the glossy paint and the silver rib-like protrusions that wrap around either side. It is available in four colours; black, blue, green and silver.

Lit by the LEDs:
Various LED lights are strategically positioned around the case, such as the optical and floppy drive bays and below the row of USB, audio and FireWire ports at the front of the case. The latest iteration in the Alienware lighting system is the software controlled illumination system, which allows the colour of the illuminated areas can be controlled. The lights are intelligent and can signify events such as new e-mail, power low, and all of the lights can be changed to any of the 24 colours. Alienware divides the case into five different zones, and you can choose the colour of the lights you want in each one, so you can make the system as garish or as sinister-looking as you want. Yes you read it right, the colour of the lights are customisable, sounds like great fun. Want to know more? We will discuss more about it later.

Built:
The Alienware Area-51 7500 Gaming PC model features a stunning gloss black exterior with a silver trim and a custom lighting control mentioned above. The gorgeous case is finished with a glossy coat of paint for an extra shiny look. The glowing alien heads on the sides and front and the sleek silver ventilation panels adds to the beauty of this wonder machine.

Keyboard and Mouse in AREA-51 7500:
A very impressive Logitech G15 gaming keyboard is offered with the 51-7500. This adds a real Star Trek feel to the Alienware, thanks to its flip up LCD screen, a volume control wheel, numerous extra shortcut buttons and blue backlit keys. The Logitech MX 518 mouse supplied is also equally solid.

Slots and Connectivity:
The front panel is made to slide sideways and rotate, to reveal a 20x Dual Layer DVD Writer, a 28-in-1 memory card reader, some repositioned USB ports, a FireWire port, microphone and headphone sockets. The Area P2 51-7500 PC comes with 2 sets of USB ports, and 2 sets of Firewire ports, each on the front and rear sides.

Intuitively placed ports:
Getting files on and off the system is made all the easier thanks to a pair of front-facing USB ports and a single six-pin FireWire port, plus there are headphone and mic sockets so you do not have to deafen your neighbours with the sound of virtual gunfire. There are four additional USB ports at the rear, an external Serial ATA port, plus parallel and USB ports. Parallel ports are a surprising addition on modern PCs, but they are a welcome addition for anyone with legacy devices.

Features:

Motherboard:
The motherboard is an Asus P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe and is based on the nForce4 chipset. Both the North and the Southbridge are passively cooled. The motherboard has two x16 PCI-Express slots but only one card has been supplied - it is SLI though in the guise of a GeForce 7950 GX2. The second slot is free should you wish to add a second one and go quad SLI though you’d need to change the PSU to be able to run though. The card is EVGA branded and the runs at the standard GX2 clocks of 500MHz for the core and 600MHz for the memory (1,200MHz effective).

RAM Memory:
This is backed with 2GB of DDR2 system memory. It is branded Patriot, which we must admit is one that we have never heard of, but at least it runs at 800MHz, which is more than could be said for the memory in the Dell XPS 700. There are two free slots too, so you could add more if required.

Hard Drive:
Storage is another of the 7500’s strong points. Skinflints can buy the standard 250GB hard drive, but if you are a multimedia file hoarder you will be better off spending an extra £100 to get the twin 250GB hard drives in our review sample. A RAID 0 configuration, for improving disc access times or providing automatic backups to the secondary disk is also available. Sadly, RAID is absent; hence the second hard disk is essentially just a dumping ground for games.

Blu-ray Drive available in Area-51 7500:
A Blu-ray disc drive is available, but if you have no interest in watching Blu-ray flicks do not bother spending on it and stick with the ordinary 18x dual-layer DVD-rewriter drive. This can write up to 8.5GB of data to compatible discs, which is nowhere near as much as Blu-ray’s 25GB single-layer capacity, but it is fine for making the odd backup.

Your Command Centre:
Alienware Command Centre is a feature of Alienware built systems that provides intuitive, user-friendly access to exclusive applications, including AlienFX lighting effects, Alienware thermal controls and AlienFusion power management. The latest updates and releases are downloaded directly into Command Centre, creating a constantly evolving tool for personalizing your system.

Alienware FXEditor:
In order to increase the gadgetry of the system, Alienware has offered a user customizable lighting scheme via its Alienware FXEditor. The colour scheme is split into 5 zones. Zone 1 includes the optical drive bay while Zone 2 is the Alien head, on the front of the system that is, the shape that looks like an alien head. Zone 3 features the front ports of the system while Zone 4 controls the lighting coming out of the dual front vent area, that is, the areas that look like the alien gill. Zone 5 is relegated to the Alien heads on both sides of the system. Using the Alienware FXEditor, you can customize the lighting of each zone with a custom colour palette in the FXEditor. It is one of the coolest things you might want to have in a gaming PC, yet useless at the same time.

AlienIce cooling:
The AlienIce video cooling system maximizes airflow to keep the components in the machine running efficiently. With fans that are strategically placed throughout the chassis, AlienIce provides superior cooling. By combining negative and positive fan rotation with a low drag intake, AlienIce makes sure that there is a proper airflow throughout the machine, that prevents overheating and system crashes. AlienIce is quieter than most cooling systems, and hence will not disturb game play.

Easy Access:
Just a peep into the Alienware Area 51 PC , and you will get to know why it is called easy to handle. The core components of the system like the Motherboard ant the memory chips can be accessed easily without the help of any complex tools. With the inbuilt two zone internal theatre lighting system that is powered by rechargeable batteries, one can service the system even without plugging in the supply cord.

Active Venting:
One other exclusive feature of the 51-7500 desktop PC from Alienware is that it helps your system stay cooler in the heat of battle. A series of motorized vents can be programmed to allow greater airflow in high-performance situations. Technology at its peeks, one might say.

Multi-GPU Support:
Mans desire for power is un-quenchable, one might want to add a second graphics card to increase his gaming performance by up to 100%, something that pretty much everyone does. With dual graphics cards, one can power up to four independent digital displays. You can stay deep within your game on a main monitor and still keep up with your other tasks.

Performance:

A system with the specifications of a quad core CPU, 2GB RAM and a RAIDed 10K hard disk drive has got to be quick. And fortunately, it is. With the hardware configurations this system has, and the AlienIce cooling, the system has all the horsepower it needs to run the hottest games as well as the more system intensive applications like video and audio editing. The graphics are super smooth and responsive, another unique feature of the Alienware built systems.

Noisy:

The Alienware Area-51 7500 gaming PC is a bit loud. Adjustable fan controls would be a benefit.

Warranty:

The Area-51 7500 Desktop Computer system comes with one year parts and labour warranty and it can be upgraded if required.

Verdict:

Alienware makes excellent use of the power of the new Core 2 Duo Extreme Edition, and the P2 chassis allows easy internal access and innovative lighting, thanks to the amazing design of the system. The Alienware is well built, well specified and fast, while it is only a noisier than it has to be because of power supply irks. And just like all the other Alienware computers, the Alienware Area 51-7500 too is expensive, in fact very expensive! However, when you take into consideration the improved design, the flawless interior, the impeccable performance and the support package as a whole, this is a PC you will want to own, that is, by parting with serious chunks of your salary.

Check other Gaming Desktop PC Reviews, Best Selling Zoostorm Desktop PCs in this website.

Alienware Area-51 7500 Gaming Desktop - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Alienware
Model Name	Alienware Area 51-7500
Type	Gaming and application PC
Dimensions (W x D x H)	48.29 cm X 25.32 cm X 63.5 cm
Display included	No
Case Colours available	Black, Green, Blue, Purple and Silver
Processor Type	Core 2 Duo
Multi-Core processor technology	Yes
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo X6800
Clock speed	2.93 GHz
Upgradable	Yes
Upgradable	Asus P5n32 - SLI Deluxe
Chipset (Northbridge)	nVidia nForce4 570 SLI
Chipset (Southbridge)	nVidia nForce4 570 SLI
System Memory	2 GB ( 2 X 1 GB PC2- 6400 400Hz )
Memory Slots (occupied /free)	2/2
Max memory supported	8GB
Hard Disk manufacturer and model	Samsung SP2504C X2
Hard Disk Size/interface and Speed	250 GB SATA 7 , 200 rpm, 8 MB Cache
Primary Optical Drive and make	NEC DVD-RW ND3550A
Graphics processor	nVidia GeForce 7950 GX2
Memory	1 GB ( 500/600 MHz )
Display Connectivity	2 X DVI, S- Video
Audio Manufacturer / Model and Channels	Creative X-Fi 8 Channel output
Network Card	Marvell Yukon 88E8053 Gigabit
USB 2.0 ports	4
Firewire ports	2
PS/2 , Parallel , Serial	0,1,0
Card Regular slots	CF/SD/MMC/MS/XD
Other ports	E-SATA , MIDI , headphone & microphone
Accessories	Logitech G15 Keyboard ,Logitech MX518 Mouse
Warranty	1 year parts and labour onsite warranty

If you are in search for a pre-built PC, then the first and in most of the cases, the only manufacture’s name that would have sprung in your mind is without any doubts, Dell. But, Mesh is yet another manufacturer who for sure deserves some consideration as they have been doing so well in the past few years. You have a spectrum of choice in the market when you are looking for a Gaming PC, while some are cheap, most of them out there are definite to break your savings. It is a real challenge for the manufacturers to create a PC that is a blend of both affordability and performance. Mesh has made such an attempt.

Finally comes the AMD dual core:

The dual core processors of AMD had taken the performances of PCs to a new height, but the company remained adamant by having its flagship FX series only to single core roots. The rife speculations on when AMD would announce its dual core version of its famous Athlon 64 X processor is finally over with the Athlon 64 FX 60. With the help of this fastest gaming CPU available along with some twin graphics cards, Mesh has surprised everybody in the market by almost achieving its goal of great performance at reasonable pricing. In the following review, let us analyse if the PC has cut ant corners or manages to live up to the full potential without any discrepancy.

Design:

Muted design:
The Mesh X-treme FX60 has an attractive silver and black chassis. You will find that the design of the PC is not that striking as a typical AlienWare PC. Though the design will not achieve a turn back at the PC, with the absence of all the attention seeking colours and flashing lights, it will not adulterate your interior decor of your home. The designers of Mesh have come up with some very clever colour coding. The silver highlighting that is in the facia of the casing matches with the widescreen monitor and the peripherals, the Logitech cordless keyboard and rechargeable cordless optical mouse.

20-inch Viewsonic Monitor:
With the Philips’ 200W6CS 20” Viewsonic widescreen monitor Mesh has made sure that you can get the most out of the Mesh X-treme FX60 AMD Desktop Computer. Style wise the Viewsonic takes some getting used to with a somewhat dated looked chassis with a row of silver buttons at the base. The quality of the pictures is very high, with the native resolution being 1650 x 1050 pixels and with that, you will be able to work with a significant number of applications simultaneously, hence take full advantage of widescreen movie playback. The colours are accurate and even quoted a response time of 16ms.

Shortcomings of the monitor:
There is little to be worried about with viewing angles as images take on a slight red caste towards the extreme edges, but not enough to notice during day-to-day use. Another gripe with the monitor is that, as in the case of the base unit, this one too lacks a memory card reader. However, since mesh offers you with various options for configuration, you can either upgrade it or just remove it from the package. Consider a TFT with a lower response time in case gaming is your first priority as there is some visible lag.

The peripherals:
Logitech has offered wireless mouse and keyboard that will help you to keep the desktop uncluttered. But still, we would not trust a wireless mouse for gaming as this one especially is not Logitech’s faster response time laser mice.

Twin Optical drive with Floppy drive:
Mesh has employed twin optical drive in the PC with a long lost floppy disc drive on top of these. It is disappointing that one is a DVD-ROM drive, especially at this price point and another issue that we would like to point out is that, both the drives share an IDE port on the motherboard which resulting in holding up of operations while using both the drives at once. But this is a very small compromise made by a machine that devoured every task that is placed before it. The addition of a floppy drive is quite a surprise and a contrary with the ultra modern PCs of this decade. The base unit has everything that you would expect it to have like, a circular power button, set of status lights and also a pair of front facing USB ports. There is also the reset button that can be only accessed with something like a pen tip, yes that is frustrating. That is all we have in front.

The speaker system:
Though the desktop PC does not take much of space, you will have to spare a fair bit of space to install the accompanying creative T7900 speaker system as its sub-woofer system is quite heavy. You will also find seven other interesting speakers that accompany the device for which you have to stick on the cables to the wall to avoid your lounge flooded with wires, giving it an untidy look.

Adequate IO ports:
The collection of input and output ports is quite impressive. Along with the pair of USB ports at the front of the base unit, there are four more of them at the rear. The other connectivity options include a six pin FireWire port and a pair of Ethernet ports. They function in the same fashion as the hardware router that enables you to share a wired internet connection with a second PC and the one equipped with Nvidia’s Active Armour keeps you out of reach of the viruses, worms, hackers and the other possible internet threats.

Features:

In the official website of Mesh, you will find a number of configurations in which this X-treme FX60 gaming PC is available.

The AMD Athlon FX-60 dual core processor:
As we had mentioned in the introduction, the most important and selling point feature of the Mesh X-treme FX60 is its AMD Athlon FX-60 dual core processor. This processor is the one that is a reference model and topping the charts of the gaming processors. It is a chip that primarily aims at the gamers and ultra power users and so its benchmark store of 1.34 comes in as no surprise. The Athlon FX60 has a performance that will humiliate any other desktop PC while performing ordinary desktop applications. You must not get deceived by its modest clock speed of 2.6Ghz, as you will not be able to find a better all rounder for consumer PCs. Both offer 1MB of Level 2 cache for each core, and aside from the clock speeds the difference is that AMD’s FX range is multiplier unlocked. This enables enthusiasts to over-clock without having to adjust memory or Hyper-Transport speeds. This is a good thing in the case of this system as Mesh has only fitted standard PC3200, which is not really suitable for overclocking.

Motherboard:
Yet another monster that has joined hands with this processor is the proven Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe motherboard. Though this motherboard is not specifically designed for multimedia and gaming capabilities, it is still a very impressive performer in its own area and is the best when it comes to booting. The only issue that we have with the system is that, Mesh has employed an active heat sink in order to cool its chipset which in turn will add to the overall noise of the PC.

Dual graphics cards:
Joining this “all stars” combo is a pair of Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT graphics cards. These cards are flawless when they work in single, and give a much better performance when in tandem but they prove to be quite noisy. With the solo performance, they do not prove to be as good as the swift 7800 GTX or the latest 7900 GTX cards, but when put into operation in tandem they prove to be a very impressive solution.

Storage options:
The X-treme FX60 comes with a great deal of storage too. You will find a number of configurations that Mesh has put out for you. One of the most common storage configuration is, 300GB of Maxtor 6L30020 serving as main storage, with a 200GB Maxtor 6L200M0 acting as backup and RAM of 2GB. Though the arrangement is slightly unbalanced, 500GB of data storage is nonetheless a generous proposition.  The former has 16MB of cache and the latter has 8MB. Both spin at 7,200rpm.

And the fastest option is a RAID 0 disk configuration that has two 250GB drives. In order to make hard copy back-ups, opt for the Sony DW-Q30A DVD rewriter which is again one of the fastest rewriter available in the current market. With the help of this rewriter you will be able to burn DVD+/-RW backups at up to 16x, and in addition to this, the unit has dual-layer support that allows you to use CDs that are as massive as 8.5GB. By adding the Sony DDU-1615 DVD-ROM drive, Mesh has made disc to disc copying possible.

Thrilling Audio:

The acoustic capabilities of the PC are in par with the visual treats offered by the same. The Mesh X-treme FX60 is equipped with one of the best consumer sound card available in the market, the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi that occupies a PCI slot in the motherboard, and the Creative T7900 7.1-channel speaker system. The latter might be an overkill for most, but with these two systems joining hands, they prove to be the ideal combo to enjoy the games in surround sound and so create your own high end audio. We are sure that this will be great news for the budding music producers.

Performance:

Mesh X-treme FX60 Desktop Computer has a startling performance which does not come as a surprise since the PC is equipped with the AMD Athlon FX-60 CPU. The PC attains a score of 6302 in the PCMark 2005, which is only a wee bit less than the score of the Alienware Aurora 7500. The gaming performance of the PC is also astonishing.

If you are working with the multimedia files, the FX60 will simply revolutionise the way you work, it would not even care to blink. When PhotoShop CS2 is opened simultaneously with another MM application, we were not able to slow it down by any means, no matter the complexity of the effects that were applied to the image.

The Cool and Quiet function keeps power consumption low, so the processor does not heat up too much and require the fans to go into overdrive. This function works effectively in the case of the Mesh.

Software Bundle with X-treme FX 60:

The OS included in the system is, Windows XP Home Edition. X-treme FX60 is bundled with a very interesting and useful collection of software that includes Microsoft Works 8.5, Cyberlink PowerDVD 6, Power2Go 4, PowerProducer 3, PowerDirector 3, PowerBackup 1.1, PowerCinema 4 and MediaShow 3. With the Microsoft Works you can start word processing and spreadsheet tasks straight away and with all the other software, you can produce some professional editing stuff. The bad news is for the gamers as the PC does not come with any games, so install the collection that you have to get the most out of the hardware.

Premium guarantee:

Mesh reassures you with an excellent three year on-site guarantee for X-treme FX60 that includes free parts and labour and 24 x 7 online support. This is very catchy as most of the manufacturers will charge you heaps for this level of support. You will also be provided with a very handy lifetime hardware support telephone line that will help you out in case you get struck down somewhere.

Verdict:

The Mesh X-treme FX60 is a well put together system with plenty of room to upgrade and a very satisfying guarantee. With such a specification, the FX60 will never fail to impress you, but what tops it off, is the price of the PC.  If you are looking for the latest and the greatest in the market, the FX60 is an ideal choice, you must have deep pockets though, but the system is worth every penny that is paid for. For options, you might also want to consider the Evesham Axis Blaze 1800 XL which is specifically for Games and applications.

Check other Gaming Desktop PCs, Zoostorm Desktop PCs in our website.

Mesh X-treme FX60 Desktop PC - Technical Specification Details

Manufacturer	Mesh
Model Name	Mesh X-treme FX60
Type	Gaming and application PC
Monitor	Philips’ 200W6CS 20″ Viewsonic widescreen LCD monitor
Display technology	TFT
Processor Type	Dual core
Multi-Core processor technology	Yes
Processor	AMD Athlon FX60
Clock speed	2.6 GHz
Upgradable	Yes
OS Provided	Windows XP Home Edition
GPUs	2x nVidia GeForce 7800 GT
RAM installed	2GB
Max supported RAM	4GB
RAM technology	DDR400
Chipset type	nVidia nForce4 SLI
Motherboard	Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe
Hard drive type	1x Maxtor 6L300S0 & 1 x Maxtor 6L200M0
Hard drive size	500GB (300GB & 200GB)
Cache	16MB
Spindle speed	7200 rpm
CPU and GPU Cooling fans	Yes
Primary optical drive	Sony DVD-RW DW-Q30A 16x DVD+/-R, 16x DVD+RW, 16x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+DL, 4x DVD-DL, 16x DVD read
Secondary optical drive	Sony DVD-ROM DDU1615 16x DVD read, 8x DVD-DL read
Audio controller	Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi
Supported channels	7.1 channel
Additional features	Optical and Coaxial SP/DIF on Integrated Audio
Speakers	Creative T7900 7.1
Modem	56K
Network card	Integrated nForce4, Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet
Ports	8 x USB2.0 2 x FireWire
Peripherals	Logitech Cordless Rechargeable Desktop keyboard Logitech Cordless Rechargeable Desktop Optical mouse
Warranty	Three years on-site

Back in the year 2007, Dell had purchased the Alienware, which seemed to be a very controversial merge of two very different companies. Alienware, which was hungry to raise its capital in order to fund its world-wide expansion, found that Dell would serve to be a great partner as it would benefit by being able to meet the demands and also by Dell’s famous supply-chain efficiencies, both being great advantages for the company. And in turn, Dell has also an advantage of gaining access to the lucrative high end PC gaming market.

Many of the consumers had thought that Dell’s XPS gaming brand would disappear into darkness after the company had bought Alienware. Dell has proven everybody wrong by moving on to manufacture some of the remarkable gaming rigs and the flagship model being the Dell XPS 710 H2C. Basically, this new model resembles its predecessor, the Dell XPS 710, so what is the difference? Dell has introduced in the model two key elements that the company has never used in any of its previous PCs. The first fact being that the PC is factory overclocked and the second key element is that, the system makes use of a Space-age Water-cooling System.
Most of us would say that a thousand pounds is quite a handsome sum to spend over a PC. So, why not take an ultra big leap and spend three times that amount over this absolute stunner from Dell? And keep in mind that this price is even before you have even paid for the monitors and speakers.

Like it or Hate it design:

The Dell XPS 710 H2C Desktop PC has been built into the familiar XPS 700 chassis and has a very intimidating chassis with a love-it or hate-it styling. It looks as though it is ready to swallow you up like a real monster. We are not hesitant to call the PC a monster because of its big size and the loud whooshing sound that it makes as you hit over the power button. And the chassis is subtly slanted towards the front as though it is going to pounce right on top of you, and for those who are ready to go near it, there is a real treat waiting. The exterior of the desktop is made out of glossy black aluminium and that is not similar to the cheap plastic crap that you get from the Alienware PCs. But unfortunately, this sturdy material is not provided throughout the system as its rear is constructed out of a flimsy looking plastic grille that looks as though it will break off on heavy handling.
Ignoring the flimsiness, you will able to find a set of four funky LED lights on the tower that would glow down on the grill in such a way that the glow beams disappear gradually into the case. These lights are very attractive and there will be hardy anybody who would not like it. Another place where Dell has lit up the PC is on its rear, that is, the IO panel has been fitted with LED and you can easily see in which port hole you are jamming in your cables.

Add or Remove to the order:

By default, a Dell 2007WFP 20″ LCD Monitor is included with an order. Dell also offers a Razer Tarantula gaming keyboard and a Razer Copperhead mouse. We would frankly ask you to cut down these options to save some money. All H2C systems also come with a pre-installed copy of McAfee Security Center, complete with a 15 month subscription.

Features:

Quad-Core Processor:
Coming to the part of features, the Dell XPS 710 H2C Desktop Computer has a very serious set of specifications. It runs on the Intel quad-core QX6700 Processor, which has four separate cores over a single die. In addition to this, the PC has been factory overclocked from the default 2.66GHz to an unimaginable 3.2GHz. This is like putting in the masters of all types of sciences into a single chip and feeding them with a whole lot of protein and Omega 3. We hope now you understand how quick the system is going to be.

The Cooling System:
There is more than simply speed to the XPS 710 H2C. The tag “H2C” (Hot to Cold) in its name specially refers to the CPU cooling unit inside the PC that keeps it super quiet. Dell has done a great job by installing a Space-age two part cooling system which has been custom designed for the Dell XPS 710 H2C. This technology combines the standard water cooling with that of thermo electric heat dissipation, this is something of the sort you can find in the NASA space shuttle. The principle behind its working is that, the ceramic tiles in the system deflects heat away from the processor and the clever circuitry employed by Dell makes sure that the chip is not destroyed by condensation just by regulating the temperature.

One major benefit of this system is that, it does not involve any fans for the sake of CPU cooling which in turn has made the system an exceedingly quite operator. You will really thank Dell for employing this system if you had ever seen the noisy Velocity Micro Raptor Signature Edition and even the WidowPC IX2 SLI with their very annoying side panel fans. This rig is for the well-heeled gamer who wants to be on the cutting edge of tech and have the reassurance of buying from the largest PC maker.

Limited Memory Bandwidth:
The standard RAM provided in Dell XPS 710 H2C is 2GB although it can handle a maximum of 4GB. And this 2GB memory has been split across as two 1GB DDR2 667MHz modules that run in a dual channel arrangement for quicker than a normal memory access. So far we have said you about all the peaches and cream, and here is the sour part of the story; the Dell motherboard in the 710 H2C does not have support for the 800MHz memory. And for the price tag that the PC has got on it, the buyer will be mad to know that he will encounter issues while trying to upgrade, however, the current performance of the PC is not affected. The system’s memory bandwidth is limited as Dell remains to be tied to a slightly older motherboard chipset than its competitors.

Stunning Graphics Card:
When you have a look at the graphics card offered by Dell, you will be absolutely blind of all the other shortcomings of the PC. Dell has equipped XPS 710 H2C with two Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX graphics cards that run is a tandem Serial Link Interface (SLI) configuration.  Each of it has 760MB of RAM for a total video memory of 1.5GB and each of those have enough power to make F.E.A.R run like pong. In addition to this, to make things work hundred percent, the PC has an Ageia PhysX card and this sits in a port that is adjacent to the graphics card and offers you with additional 3D physics processing in compatible games. This also helps you to calculate how the objects in a 3D space should react, this is a task that will be mostly handled by the processor and graphics card. And whether it is worth having such a card totally depends on the type of games you play, we say so because there are very few titles in the market that are compatible with PhysX.

The 1TB HDD:
Though we cannot say that the storage offered by the Dell 710 H2C Gaming Desktop PC is generous, we will have to admit the fact that it has been well thought out. You will be able to get about 1TB of disk storage, but the default configuration is very basic. Yet, this is plenty of space for games, home videos, and other data. We find that everything has been installed on a pair of 160GB drives on a RAID 0 stripe, this is a type of arrangement where the data is interleaved across two disks for faster file access. The drive has a very swift spindle speed of 10,000rpm, which you must have never heard before as a standard hard drive spins at about 7200rpm. So it is not at all a surprise that the Dell XPS 710 H2C PC is no stoop in the tasks that are disk intensive. Note that, the 1TB split is done in such a way that there are two 10,000rpm 150GB drives and single 750GB 7200rpm unit.

Additional features:
In rest of the system, you can expect features that you will be finding in a high end gaming PC. Dell has included a Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme Music sound card, a DVD burner, and a standard DVD/CD-RW combo drive to lend multimedia punch. You will also find a media card reader and a floppy disk drive behind the front panel door. It is disappointing that Dell has not included a Blu-ray burner as an option in this model as it has already extended the next generation movie hardware to its XPS laptops. Bear in mind that you do not get a flat panel or speakers as standard, Dell is assuming that you will want the XPS to slot into an existing home entertainment setup. Anything less than a large plasma or LCD screen and a thumping audio system would fail to live up to this astonishing PC.

Operating System:
Initially the PC came with only Windows XP installed; this was mainly because there was no SLI Nvidia Drivers for Windows Vista at the time of PC construction. However, they are available now and so you can enjoy the incredible capabilities of both 710 H2C PC and Windows Vista, but keep in mind that Dell does not yet offer Vista Pre-Installed.

Performance:

All of this stuff would mean nothing if the XPS 710 H2C Gaming PC did not perform, but it does so in spades. WOW!!! : This is the only word that actually describes about the H2C’s performance capabilities. The HDD of speed 10,00rpm RAID 0 aided the system to boot up in under 30 seconds and scores the highest ever in the PCMark tests. Its gaming performance let us down in no ways, scoring the highest in all possible tests it is put into. It is playable at both 1280 x 1024 and 2560 x 1600. Thanks to the dual graphics card technologies and the very expensive high watt power supplies that are necessary to run them. The H2C got the fastest 3D numbers in Vista testing, and though you will experience a slight performance hit when you switch from Windows XP to Vista, it is a relatively minor one.

Warranty and Support:

Dell offers its XPS 710 H2C a standard one year warranty for parts and labour which also includes the overclocked CPU. You also get 24 x 7 toll free phone support and one year onsite service. We should also appreciate Dell for its “Dell Connect Service” which is a remote control tech support feature that gives a Dell Tech direct control over your PC.

Verdict:

The Dell XPS 710 H2C desktop PC is a stunning looking PC that works at a lightning speed. On the negative side all that we have to mutter about is its rather limited default storage and the limited memory bandwidth that prevents us from using the other technologies employed in the PC to be used to the fullest. However, after using this system, any other PC you work with will feel like a pocket calculator; such is its impact. We have nothing to stop you if you have three grand and urge to play all the high tech games.

Read reviews of Inspiron 545, XPS One 24, Inspiron 530 from Dell in this
website.

Dell XPS 710 H2C Gaming PC - Technical Specifications, Configuration Details

Manufacturer	Dell
Model Name	Dell XPS 710 H2C
Type	Gaming PC
Monitor included	No
Dimensions (H x W x D)	22.5″ x 8.6″ x 24.25″ (with stand) 21.86″ x 8.6″ x 24.25″ (without stand)
Processor Type	Intel® CoreTM 2 Extreme: Default or Intel® CoreTM 2 Extreme X6800
Multi-Core processor technology	Quad core
Clock speed	Over clocked to 3.2Ghz
Upgradable	Yes
OS Provided	Genuine Windows ® XP Home Edition
GPUs	2 X 768MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX - SLI Enabled
RAM installed	2048 MB
Max supported RAM	4GB Samsung Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
RAM technology	DDR2 SDRAM @ 667MHz
Chipset type	NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI Intel Edition (D)
Motherboard	Dell 0UY253 BTX Motherboard
Hard drive type	2x Western Digital WD1600 10,000rpm
Hard drive size	320GB
SLI	Support NVIDIA SLI graphics cards (both at x16 mode)
CPU and GPU Liquid Cooling	Dell H2C Two Stage Hybrid Cooling System
LAN	Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit LAN Controller
Audio	Creative Labs X-Fi Xtreme Music Integrated audio (disabled by default
Physics	AGEIA PhysX physics accelerator
Installed Drives	2 X Western Digital Raptor 160 Gig (10,000RPM, RAID 0) 1 X Seagate 750 Gig (7,200 RPM) 1 X Philips DVD-ROM 1 X TSSTcorp DVD+-RW
Expansion Slots	2 x PCI Express x16 slot 1 x PCI Express X8 slot 1 x PCI Express x1 slot 3 x PCI
Drive Bays	4 x 5.25″ external bays 4 x 5.25″ internal bays 2 x 3.5″ external bays
Internal Connectors	1 x ATA100 channel (up to two devices) 6 x SATAII (RAID 0, 1, JBOD) 1 x FDD channel 3 x PWM controlled fan headers 2 x USB ports 1 x IEEE 1394a port
External Ports	2 x IEEE 1394a ports (1 front, 1 back) 8 x USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 6 back) 1 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet port 1 x S/P DIF out (optical) 8 x Audio ports Video: 2 x DVI + 1 x S-Video per video card Legacy: 2 x PS/2 ports, 1 x Serial port
Included Accessories and Extras	Razer Tarantula Gaming Keyboard Razer Copperhead Tempest Blue Gaming Mouse DVI to VGA Adapter Dell XPS mouse pad Norton Internet Security 2006 Edition (15-months) Roxio Creator Dell Edition 2.0 Deluxe FREE Black T-shirt printed with H2C logo FREE Leather H2C branded binder
Power Supply	1000W
Warranty and support	1 year Limited warranty

Zoomstorm has designed 7875-0001 while keeping home users in mind. Size and durability are the two key factors that govern Zoostorm 7875-0001 Celeron desktop computer. Compact size makes it perfect for home-office users looking for a system that fits into cramped office space. On top of that, it guarantees minimal set up time by providing pre-installed version of Windows Vista Premium with every Zoostorm desktop PC.

Design Factor:

A modest design with shiny black face, greyish dull body, and a silver band pasted right across its face makes up the exterior decor of Zoostorm 7875-0001 PC. I/O ports and high speed USB ports are fitted on the silver band. A power button distinguishes itself on the black polish of the CPU unit.

There is nothing exquisite about the design of this desktop computer that will awe you except its simplistic finish.

It is true that the idea behind designing Zoostorm 7875-0001 is to offer straightforward design that can boost performance and support powerful computing need. So if you are okay with simple ‘look and feel’ and performance is your criteria then this is the system you should go for.

Inside the PC:

Speed and performance are impossible without good in-built specifications. Thankfully, Zoostorm PC features most up-to-date hardware components. At the core of the system resides Intel Celeron Dual Core (Multi-Core processor technology) 64-bit processor that does all the data processing and takes care of performance output. The Intel® Celeron® E1400 processor works at the maximum speed of 2.00GHz which is sufficient to meet most of the processing requirement. The system also allocates 512 KB of shared L2 cache (with Front Side Bus speed of 800 MHz) for processor’s day-to-day job. For enabling efficient multitasking feature the Intel® Celeron® processor comes with two built-in processors operating independently at the cores as a single physical package. However, they maintain the same level of frequency at all times. This characteristic of the processor makes it energy efficient even when the system works at its peak for maximum dual-core performance. This configuration of Celeron® processor is even perfect for single-core desktops. Its value is incomparable in terms of delivering a balanced level of high quality computing.

The processor performance and speed are backed up by architectural features as well which include Intel 64 Technology, Intel Wide Dynamic Execution, Enhanced SpeedStep technology, Intel Advanced Smart Cache, Enhanced Halt State (C1E), Intel Thermal Monitor 2, Intel Advanced Digital Media Boost Intel Smart Memory Access, and Execute Disable Bit capability. The expansion and connectivity slots include a LGA775 Processor Socket.
For multitasking and real time access the processor is helped out considerably by 1GB of DDR2 RAM which works at 667MHz. The permanent storage is allocated to 160GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive. The capacity of permanent storage unit is all encompassing for stuffs like media files, image files, and other personal work. Storing and later retrieving large word files are not a problem with Zoostorm 7875-0001 desktop rather it facilitates in managing all the files at one place.

Features:

Apart from the roomy storage unit the system provides on board LAN, 5.1 channel surround sound, Vista Premium ready graphics card all hooked on to the motherboard and ready to play once you start the system. For ensuring excellent graphics output the system is back up by SiS M672 Integrated DirectX 9.0 2D/3D Graphics Card.

The optical storage is DVD±RW (±R DL) compatible that allows you to record for up to four hours of highest quality video on a disc that also holds 8.5GB data. The recording capacity for DVD+R DL is almost double compared to traditional DVD recording media. No only that because the disc is single sided, you do not need to flip it over halfway through playback or recording.

Other features include superb optimisation for high performance computing that takes advantage of its pre-fitted components suitable for this size of chassis. This makes Intel based mATX PC is ideal for use in the office or at home.

This is a plug-and-play system. For the purpose of reducing set up times Zoostorm provides preinstalled version of Microsoft Windows Vista Premium. However, the system is not without its drawback. It does not come with monitor. Please note that, there is no Windows CD supplied with this system, but a HDD recovery solution is available on the disk. A mouse and keyboard are pre-packaged with the box. Zoostorm also offers 1 year return to base parts and labour warranty with this desktop PC.

Verdict:

Zoostorm has efficiently put together all the components for 7875-0001 to boast its day-to-day performance. The best part of this system is its large storage unit. Roomy storage definitely makes it popular among home users. Also, there is no need to buy external hard drive for freeing up your system’s space. With 160GB hard drive you can save up all your movie files, office work, personal albums all in one place. 1GB RAM is also sufficient for running multimedia files, downloading music or editing large word files all at the same time. With pre-installed MS Vista checking e-mails, browsing internet, playing music is just a click away. Mostly, meant for home users, but it can very well work as an office computer where everyday tasks involve storing, updating, and retrieving large office files. In other word perfect for firms which are involved in administrative job.

Apart from excellent word processing, generating reports the system is well-equipped to handle multimedia games. However, the games which can only run on multimedia PC may not work on Zoostorm 7875-0001 Desktop PC, but that does not mean you are devoid of gaming pleasure. Games that do not require lot of multimedia features and hungry for massive power and memory can work well on this PC.

Therefore, this system is perfect for anyone looking for a replacement of its old computer or addition to its home office.


Zoostorm 7875-0001 Celeron Desktop PC - Specification Details

Manufacturer	Zoostorm
Model Name	7875-0001 Celeron PC
Hard Drive Capacity	Serial ATA 160GB
Optical Drive	DVD±RW (±R DL)
Graphics Hardware	SiS M672 Integrated DirectX 9.0 2D/3D Graphics Card
Memory	1GB
Processor	Celeron Dual Core E1400 Processor
Processor Speed	2.00GHz
I/O Ports	3x USB 2.0 ports (compatible USB 1.1)
Software	Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Warranty	12 months