Top 10 Value Desktop PCs
Our top-rated value desktops cost less than $1,500 and have plenty of computing bang for the buck.
Edited by Danny Allen
Bottom Line:
The compact Dell Studio Slim provides above-average application performance and connectivity, but upgrades are limited.
PC World Rating:
74.1 (Fair)
- CPU: 2.33-GHz Core 2 Quad Q8200
- Price When Reviewed: $1164
- Graphics Adapter: ATI Radeon HD 3450
- Monitor Model: Dell SP2009WFP
- Total HD Size (GB): 640GB Hard Drive
- WorldBench 6 Word Score: Very Good
Bottom Line:
Delivers solid performance for basic tasks but not for fast-action games, and a compact case limits expansion.
PC World Rating:
75.3 (Good)
- CPU: 2-GHz Pentium Dual-Core E2180
- Price When Reviewed: $499
- Graphics Adapter: Nvidia 7150
- Monitor Model: KDS 92BW
- Total HD Size (GB): 250GB Hard Drive
- WorldBench 6 Word Score: Fair
Bottom Line:
Maingear's Dash minitower desktop PC packs an overclocked Phenom II CPU and provides excellent graphics performance.
PC World Rating:
75.4 (Fair)
- CPU: 3-GHz-Phenom II X4 940
- Price When Reviewed: $1399
- Graphics Adapter: XFX ATI Radeon HD-4850
- Monitor Model: Samsung SyncMaster T220
- Total HD Size (GB): 500GB Hard Drive
- WorldBench 6 Word Score: Superior
Bottom Line:
With an upgrade or two, the ET1161-03 could become a pretty good general-purpose value desktop..
PC World Rating:
75.9 (Fair)
- CPU: 2.3-GHz Athlon 64 X2 4400+
- Price When Reviewed: $400
- Graphics Adapter: nVidia GeForce 6150SE
- Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive
- WorldBench 6 Word Score: Fair
Bottom Line:
The Dell XPS 625 is a strong Phenom II-based desktop PC, but for an extra hundred bucks or so, you can get even more value.
PC World Rating:
77.6 (Good)
- CPU: 3-GHz-Phenom II X4 940
- Price When Reviewed: $1449
- Graphics Adapter: ATI Radeon HD 4850
- Total HD Size (GB): 500GB Hard Drive
- WorldBench 6 Word Score: Superior
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