Top 10 Value Desktop PCs
Our top-rated value desktops cost less than $1,500 and have plenty of computing bang for the buck.
Danny Allen
Bottom Line:
The compact Dell Studio Slim provides above-average application performance and connectivity, but upgrades are limited.
PC World Rating:
70.5
- CPU: Core 2 Quad Q8200
- CPU speed: 2330
- Graphics adapter: ATI Radeon HD 3450
- Monitor: No
- Hard drive size: 640
- WorldBench rating: 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:
72.8
- CPU: Pentium Dual-Core E2180
- CPU speed: 2000
- Graphics adapter: Nvidia 7150
- Monitor: No
- Hard drive size: 250
- WorldBench rating: Fair

Bottom Line:
Maingear's Dash minitower desktop PC packs an overclocked Phenom II CPU and provides excellent graphics performance.
PC World Rating:
70.9
- CPU: 3-GHz-Phenom II X4 940
- CPU speed: 3000
- Graphics adapter: XFX ATI Radeon HD-4850
- Monitor: No
- Hard drive size: 500
- WorldBench rating: Superior

Bottom Line:
With an upgrade or two, the ET1161-03 could become a pretty good general-purpose value desktop..
PC World Rating:
72.6
- CPU: Athlon 64 X2 4400+
- CPU speed: 2300
- Graphics adapter: nVidia GeForce 6150SE
- Monitor: No
- Hard drive size: 320
- WorldBench rating: 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:
73.4
- CPU: 3-GHz-Phenom II X4 940
- CPU speed: 3000
- Graphics adapter: ATI Radeon HD 4850
- Monitor: No
- Hard drive size: 500
- WorldBench rating: Very Good




