Desktops

AVADirect Core 2 SLI DDR3 Gaming System
AVADirect has a very strong value proposition in its Core 2 SLI DDR3 Gaming System. Assuming you can navigate the daunting shopping Web site, we recommend this system to tech-savvy shoppers who know exactly the components they want.

HP TouchSmart IQ506
HP's new-and-improved TouchSmart all-in-one PC refines the touch-based concept it introduced last year. Faster all-in-ones, and Apple's iPhone, make the TouchSmart seem a bit behind the times, but the convenient software and its kitchen-friendly design offer functionality that's unavailable elsewhere.
Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 (2.16 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, 22 in, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Desktop, 667 MHz, Core 2 Duo, 1 year warranty, Personal computer, 256 MB

Gateway FX7026
The Gateway FX7026 offers a quad-core processor at a modest price tag with specifications that any high-end gamer will be satisfied with. You might want to replace the peripherals and the video card down the road, but this system is an excellent option for a nonconfigurable, off the shelf desktop.
Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 (2.5 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Tower, 667 MHz, Core 2 Quad, 1 year warranty, Personal computer, 512 MB

Averatec All-in-One
Like other Windows-based all-in-ones, Averatec's All-in-One can't compete with the iMac for sheer power. The Averatec's larger screen and few features it has that Apple doesn't might be enough to sell you, but the iMac remains the all-in-one to beat.
Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 (2.4 GHz), 2 GB DDR II SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, 22 in, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, All-in-one, 667 MHz, Core 2 Duo, 1 year warranty, Personal computer, Max 2 x 2 GB module

Gateway FX541XT
Gateway's highest-end performance desktop aspires to be everything to everybody. It takes a few missteps, but mostly it succeeds, especially with its price.
Specs: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 (3.66 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, Tower, 800 MHz, Core 2 Extreme, 1 year warranty, Media center, 512 MB

Gateway GT5674
The Gateway GT5674 is a low-cost quad-core desktop that delivers excellent bang for the buck. The problem is, most mainstream users don't need four processing cores and can get away with a dual-core PC for even less.
Specs: AMD Phenom X4 9500 (2.2 GHz), 3 GB DDR II SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Tower, 667 MHz, Phenom X4, 1 year warranty, Personal computer

Alienware Area-51 ALX (Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770)
Alienware delivers most of what we expect in a high-end gaming PC, but without 64-bit Vista support, the Area-51 ALX's overall performance is limited. It's the fastest thing going for PC gaming, but at this price we expect the complete package.
Specs: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 (3.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 160 GB Standard, Vista Home Premium, 1333 MHz, Core 2 Extreme

Maingear Prelude (AMD Phenom X4 9850)
The Maingear Prelude has the best bang for the buck among midrange gaming PCs. It also has a certain stocky visual appeal. It's missing a few features, and you'll have to jump through a few hoops to make upgrades, but on balance, this system is a great deal.

Falcon Northwest Mach V (Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770)
The Falcon Northwest Mach V is an expensive, very well-built high-end gaming PC. It features the latest in almost everything, with the top-end performance to match. True snobs will want faster memory, but aside from that, the Mach V gets almost everything right.
Specs: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770, 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1000 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition, Tower, Desktop, 1066 MHz, Core 2 Extreme, 2 modules at a time, 1 GB

eMachines T3646
eMachines T3646 is one of the cheapest desktops available, and unfortunately it shows. It offers some compelling performance, but basic capability is more important in budget systems, and we found this system came up short compared with others in its price range.
Specs: AMD Sempron LE-1250 (2.2 GHz), 1 GB DDR II SDRAM, 160 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Tower, 667 MHz, Sempron, 1 year warranty, Personal computer, Max 2 x 1 GB module, 128 MB