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Systemax Core2 Quad Gaming Computer

Wednesday, December 5th, 2007 | Desktop Computer Reviews, Gaming Computer Reviews | No Comments

A performance specced, but well-priced desktop computer for the home office that can handle occasional gaming stints.

Those who keep up with our desktop computer reviews know that Quad core is not particularly new, but is still the latest selling point for CPU manufacturers. The quad core experience gives you extra computing power by expanding the number of processing cores to handle more tasks, which is a departure from the style of just increasing the clock speed to get more performance. Desktop computer reviews in the past saw a massive increase in heat buildup as manufacturers pushed their processors ever-faster. The approach of more cores looks to be the focus of speed increases for now.

With a decent motherboard, and most of the obligatory extras there is very little need for upgrading of this Systemax computer. Here is a rundown of the specifications:

• Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 CPU
• Windows XP Home
• SLI capabilities
• 2 GB 800 MHz DDR2
• 250 GB SATA II hard drive
• Gigabit LAN
• GeForce 8600 GT 512 MB PCIe Video Card
• RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5
• Eight USB ports
• Firewire
• PCI and PCIe expansion slots (two each)
• Built-in audio

Quad core processors are all good, and although there is a difference between them, it will probably not be noticeable. Two gigs of RAM is a definite plus, and is about the most memory which will help the system to perform better. Gives a boost to Vista too (although only Windows XP Home is included in the package).

The graphics card will suit non-pro gamers. Even with newer games, performance will be pretty top-notch and as long as the highest quality settings are not chosen should return high frames per second.

Storage is fine, with 250 GB at your disposal. This is the one area where an upgrade might be necessary. With all those RAID features available an extra drive could get: a RAID 0 for nice boost in performance or a RAID 1 for data protection, RAID 5 requires at least 3 drives and RAID 0+1 requires 4, so take your pick.

Other features include USB, firewire, optical output and gigabit Ethernet. Just what the doctor ordered.

There are no special rebates required with this computer, which I prefer and at a whiff under $1000 gives a fair amount of computer for the money.

Tags: Desktop Computer Reviews, Gaming Computer Reviews

MSI K9MM-V Socket AM2 Barebone Computer with AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz

Friday, November 23rd, 2007 | Barebones Computer Reviews, Desktop Computer Reviews | 3 Comments

A barebone computer kit taking advantage of the best of AMD’s previous technology, this Athlon 64 based computer offers enough punch for a decent day-to-day computer, as our desktop computer review will reveal.

AMD has a lost a bit of its star status as the competitive underdog with its delayed release of quad-core CPUs and delays in a lot of their newer products. The last generation of chips are nothing to be laughed at and still offer enough for home computing applications.

The Athlon 64 managed to pose a serious challenge to the Pentium 4 a few years back, and when the Pentiums were becoming hot enough to warm a family during cold winter nights, the AMD processors were still taking things in their stride.

The 2.2 GHz model represents the mid-range of the old AMD Athlon 64s. And good prices are available because stock needs to move and make way for new models.

Here are some of the main features:

• Mid-tower case
• AMD Athlon 64 2.2 GHz
• MicroATX motherboard
• 100Mbps Ethernet
• AGP 8x expansion slot
• SATA with RAID 0 and RAID 1
• 200 GB IDE hard drive
• 20x DVD writer
• 1 GB PC4200 DDR2
• USB 2.0

My preference is for functional computers that are meant to do a task, despite what the latest technology might be. The fastest computer I run is an Intel Pentium 4 2.2GHz, which is more than adequate. It’s for that reason that I find this deal so appealing.

Firstly, a processor that more than meets the needs of Internet browsing, listening to audio and typing documents, with enough to do other things from time to time.

Secondly, its smaller than a full-size computer. MicroATX is a little smaller than ATX, which I like, don’t need a huge PC if it’s not necessary. The case is also plain looking, but not ugly, serves its purpose.

A gigabyte of memory is fantastic for running multiple applications. Although the processing power might be too little for Windows Vista, it will work wonders on an XP system and allow many applications to run at the same time.

One gripe is the specification of an IDE hard drive, if a computer has SATA, use it. With that said, this is an older model and gets the price advantage. To use SATA and the RAID functions you will have to buy two more hard drives.

Overall the deal is great. Good system with the right extras in the right places, there is also a DVD burner to top things off. A well-rounded system with a tried and test processor and a little extra memory to boot.

Tags: Desktop Computer Reviews

Systemax Venture Intel Core2 Duo 2.2GHz and 2GB DDR2

Sunday, November 18th, 2007 | Barebones Computer Reviews, Desktop Computer Reviews, News | No Comments

The Systemax Venture Intel Core2 Duo based computer provides a balance of power and value, with relatively new technology it manages to keep pace with latest developments, while steering clear of ridiculous pricing.

I am always aware of how much new stuff costs, with the rapid drop in prices within a few months of the launch of something new I can always wait. Based on an Intel Core2 Duo processor and with an Intel 945GC + ICH7R chipset, the combination works well, and give a nice overall set of features. They are some of them:

• 2.2GHz Intel Core2 Duo
• 2GB DDR2 RAM
• 500GB SATA II hard drive
• DVD burner

The bits and pieces of this barebones desktop computer look tempting, but lack a little in the up-to-date department. Let’s have a look.

The processor is one of the original, slower Core2 processors, with only a 800MHz FSB, it lacks the speed of the newer 6000 series processors that support 1066/1333MHz FSB. This is not bad in itself, but does mean that any upgrade in processor will mean an upgrade to the motherboard.

The motherboard, based on the Intel 945GC Northbridge chipset is really designed for the older Pentium 4. It only offers up to a 800MHz FSB and will hold back many of the faster chips available today. The other features of the motherboard are quite admirable for a low to mid-range motherboard.

There is a PCIe x16 slot available for a graphics card, good. There are some PCI slots for older cards, good. The SATA ports support RAID, so performance can be increased, or data safety can be increased, both good. The usual array of features are built-in. A network port a few USB ports, and one of the fancy little extras is a panel for memory cards on the front of the box itself.

For the price it does meet some needs. It is great for a computer for right now, but is a little limiting with future upgrade potential, but will remain quite viable for a few years still.

Tags: Desktop Computer Reviews

Gateway GT5220 Refurbished AMD Athlon 64 X2 Desktop Computer

Saturday, June 16th, 2007 | Desktop Computer Reviews | 1 Comment

This desktop computer review uncover a $400 cheap computer, and adding in a monitor would still not push the price far above the $500 mark. But will it perform for such a low price?

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ is about the cheapest in the X2 series from AMD. This is not a bad thing and still gives a fair amount of performance. It is based on the newer AM2 socket type, which means that you would not be stuck if you wanted to upgrade to a faster CPU at some stage.

The standard set of features is good, having all the necessary extras. A PCIe slot means you will be able to upgrade to a super-fast graphics card, or even a little faster if you wanted to. But I wouldn’t do that unless you are into games or run huge, or multiple monitors.

There is a DVD burner, which is always a plus. Other extras include a card reader that is built into one of the drive bays, a great convenience if you are taking photos and using memory cards a lot. All the other ports are at the front too, making them very accessible, these include 2 USB ports, a firewire port, microphone input and sound output.

The standard hard drive is 250GB and uses an IDE connection. This is fine, but SATA would be the best choice, but that only really applies if you are upgrading to a really fast hard drive.

The choice of Windows XP Media center Edition keeps the cost of the computer down. It doesn’t offer all the features of the professional edition, but should do for home use. Vista is all the rage, but this computer should handle it as it has 1GB or memory, which is about the least I recommend for Vista.

The price is right and the features are good, the case is very user friendly and gives easy access to all the ports you need. It is not the most powerful machine around, but will handle all office applications and general use applications. A good buy, especially considering the price.

Tags: Desktop Computer Reviews

Systemax Tigershark Intel Pentium D Dual Core Based Nvidia SLI ready Gaming Computer

Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006 | Desktop Computer Reviews, Reviews | No Comments

Systemax have become a large producer of computer systems, proudly boasted as being assembled and supported in the USA, they have a good choice of computer components to round out their systems.

The TigerShark is a computer system based on the Intel Pentium D Dual Core processor, and ready for SLI gaming.

The case is fairly functional with the see through side panel that so many people associate with gaming computers. The front panels open up to reveal the optical drives and the USB ports are at the side of the front panel.

By packaging the standard model with the Pentium 805, they have managed to keep the price down. The 805 however is only cool for those who like to overclock as the standard speeds are not that impressive, especially seeing how much this computer system costs. You can upgrade to faster options if you want, which will only cost you a little more, and are probably worth it.

The Asus P5ND2-SLI nForce motherboard is a good choice and cannot be changed anyway. You have the choice between the 7900GT and GTX from BFG for the graphics card and you can opt for two cards for SLI.

Hard drive options are numerous, but keeping with speed, many of them offer the Raptor series from Western Digital. There are also options for RAID arrays, bigger drives, and apart from the main setup, room for extra drives so you can have a fast operating sytem drive and a big, second drive for all those DVDs and home movies on you computer.

The rest of the computer components are quite standard and many of them you might want to choose something besides the standard options. If you do order something else, you will have to do the installation yourself, so if you really don’t like to put in computer components by yourself, go for the standard ones.

Finally, if you really want a fast computer, but are don’t want to get down and dirty building your own system, this one will do nicely. Those who want ultimate customization will likely need to choose parts individually.

Tags: Desktop Computer Reviews, Gaming Computer Reviews