Systems
The introduction of the Intel NUC in the early 2010s kickstarted the ultra-compact form-factor (UCFF) trend for desktop systems. Processors with TDPs ranging from 6 - 15W formed the backbone of this segment in the initial years. The emergence of configurable TDPs for notebook processors has prompted some vendors to introduce UCFF systems with regular 45W TDP processors (albeit, in cTDP-down mode). GEEKOM, the private label brand of Shenzhen Jiteng Network Technology Co., has emerged as a popular UCFF system vendor in the last couple of years. After starting off with systems based on older processors, the company has moved on to introducing units carrying the latest and greatest from both AMD and Intel. The company has also been innovating on the form-factor side with...
When You Want A Little Gaming: The AVADirect Nano Gaming Cube
Boutique gaming systems are usually big, fancy, ornate affairs. They're often totally extreme, marketed to the Mountain Dew set, with massive cases and bright lights. So what happens when...
42 by Dustin Sklavos on 9/16/2010
CyberPower Gamer Xtreme 8500: How Far Can SLI 450's Go?
Prohibitively expensive gaming machines are nice to look at but such a nasty hit to the wallet that they can feel impractical. We thought the recently-reviewed iBuyPower Paladin XLC...
31 by Dustin Sklavos on 9/16/2010
iBUYPOWER Paladin XLC: Enthusiast Class
Our readership is composed largely of people who prefer to roll their own, but recently we've had the opportunity to take a look at some interesting desktop machines from...
49 by Dustin Sklavos on 9/2/2010
The Acer Aspire M3400: How Much Does $649 Buy?
Reviewing the Dell Studio XPS 7100 recently seemed like a reasonable enough move: we felt it was competitive with rolling your own machine at that price, or at least...
57 by Dustin Sklavos on 8/5/2010
Good From the Factory? The Dell Studio XPS 7100
The tricked-out Dell Studio XPS 7100 is an interesting beast. It lacks any overclocking extras and exotic cooling, but it comes priced to move. Packing AMD's latest hex-core Phenom...
69 by Dustin Sklavos on 7/7/2010
System Buyer’s Guide: $1700 Performance Midrange
Many things have changed in the nine months since our last midrange system guide hit the press, some for the worse—a moment of silence, please, for the passing of...
102 by Mike Jones and Jarred Walton on 5/12/2010
The Clarkdale Experiment: Mea Culpa
Several months ago, I wrote about my little experiment with Clarkdale, where I built a small form factor system, based around a Core i5 661 CPU, an Asus H55...
46 by Loyd Case on 5/4/2010
Loyd's New Year - A Trio of Problem Systems
Three systems, three different sets of problems. Loyd Case puts on his problem solving hat and shares what he learned.
109 by Loyd Case on 1/13/2010
Windows 7 Performance Guide
After nearly a year of serious waiting, the next Windows is here. Its arrival puts a stake in Vista, and may finally be what Microsoft needs to put XP...
205 by Ryan Smith and Gary Key on 10/26/2009
Digital Storm Core i7-965
Our first look at Digital Storm systems, with impressive, raw performance.
52 by Matt Campbell on 5/18/2009
Windows 7: Release Candidate 1 Preview
Following closely on the heels of Windows 7 Beta 1, Microsoft has released RC1 to the public. We find out what's new and how it stacks up to previous...
121 by Ryan Smith and Gary Key on 5/5/2009
IBUYPOWER Gamer Paladin F860-a
How does a Core i7 940 system with an ATI HD 4870 fare? Let's take a closer look.
32 by Matt Campbell on 4/14/2009
CyberPower Core i7-920
CyberPower's midrange Core i7 system takes a spin through our test lab, all without breaking the bank.
34 by Matt Campbell on 3/3/2009
Velocity Micro Edge Z55: Core i7-940 with CrossFire 4870
Velocity Micro is a prominent PC supplier with products available both online and in brick-and-mortar stores across the U.S. Has their popularity hurt their performance, or do they have...
28 by Matt Campbell on 12/12/2008
Maingear F131: Solid Contender
This is our first look at Maingear systems, and we like what we see. Note however that we say like, not love…
25 by Matt Campbell on 11/12/2008
The All-in-One Battle: Dell's XPS One 24 vs. Apple's iMac
These two stylish all-in-ones do battle and believe it or not, it's not as clear cut of a Mac vs. PC debate as you'd think. Faster gaming on...
61 by Anand Lal Shimpi on 10/30/2008
Überclok Reactor: Balanced Performance
Another spin around the block with Überclok, and we're still pleased with this up and comer.
30 by Matt Campbell on 10/10/2008
CyberPower: 4.0 GHz QX9770 and SLI GTX 280s
CyberPower is a well-known PC supplier. Today we review one of their monster quad-core machines with dual GTX 280s. How does it perform? In a word, great.
30 by Matt Campbell on 8/22/2008
HP Takes on Apple with the New Voodoo
HP and Voodoo finally start taking the Apple threat seriously and respond with one of the most innovative notebooks to come from a major PC OEM. Meet the...
56 by Anand Lal Shimpi on 6/11/2008
ASUS Eee Box Preview & Intel's Atom Benchmarked
We've been playing with a prototype of ASUS' Eee Box and we're finally able to bring you coverage on this sub-$300 PC. Complementing our Eee Box coverage are...
35 by Anand Lal Shimpi on 6/3/2008
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