Shop for desktops

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.9 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: Velocity Micro's Edge Z30 is the best deal going right now for midlevel gaming PCs featuring Intel's new Core i7 chips. The overclocked Core i7 860, a fast Nvidia graphics card, and a solid selection of features all around make it easy for us to recommend this system to anyone looking for a capable gaming desktop. Read review

Specs: Intel Core i7 860 (2.8 GHz), 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: Earlier this year Sony was the unquestioned king of all-in-ones designed for home entertainment. The new Vaio L117FX retains and improves on many of the features we liked about older models, but revamped all-in-ones from its competition make the new Vaio seem a touch overpriced. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400S (2.66 GHz), 6 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Media center

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Dell Studio XPS 435 successfully overcomes our bias against desktops that claim to be experts at everything through charming case design and a strong configuration at a relatively fair price. It misses greatness because of a handful of minor missteps, but if you need a do-it-all mainstream tower system, this Dell more or less covers all the bases. Read review

Specs: Intel Core i7 920 (2.66 GHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1000 GB Standard, nVidia GeForce GTX 260 1792MB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English, Personal computer

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Dell Studio XPS 8000 offers a strong combination of midrange performance parts that should satisfy anyone looking for a midtower desktop for general productivity, digital media editing, or gaming. It lacks a few performance-oriented extras, but it makes up for any deficiencies with its attractive looks. Read review

Specs: Intel CORE I5 750 (2.66 GHz), 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1000 GB Standard, nVidia GeForce GTX260 1792MB GDDR3, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Gateway One ZX6810-01 makes a strong first impression for Windows 7-based all-in-ones PCs, with fast performance and an attractive case design. Its touch input and accompanying applications fall flat, but there's enough respectable computer here that it's worth a look. Our only suggestion is that you wait to inspect the rest of the new Windows 7 crowd once they are released. Read review

Specs: Intel Core i7 Q8200 (2.33 GHz), 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, RADEON HD 4670, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

Manufacturer description: Transform your screen into the ultimate entertainment empire with the Studio XPSTM 8000. This sleek and sophisticated desktop boasts Intel Core i7 processors, 3D capabilities and stunning graphics options with ... Read more

Specs: Intel Core i7 I7-860 (2.8 GHz), 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The $799 ZT Affinity 7334Ma's stellar performance benchmarks, Blu-ray drive, and plenty of room for expansion give it a step up from the competition. ZT still needs help in the external design department, but this system certainly earns our recommendation as a workhorse do-it-all system. Read review

Specs: AMD Phenom II X4 945 (3 GHz), 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4200, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.1 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Gateway's DX4300-03 is a game attempt at a digital media hub-style PC, but the value proposition just isn't here. Slow performance in particular drags this desktop down, and unless you particularly value a TV tuner, you'll find faster, more capable computers not much farther down the retail shelf. Read review

Specs: AMD Phenom X4 9750 (2.4 GHz), 8 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, ATI Radeon HD 4650, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: The Aspire M3802 sports a striking glossy black exterior that will add a touch of class to any room of your house. What's more, this desktop packs a powerful ... Read more

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 (2.5 GHz), 8 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 220, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Personal computer

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: By tweaking its internal components to achieve maximum 3D performance, Velocity Micro has made its $999 Edge Z5 one of the most impressive lower-end gaming desktops we've ever seen. As long as you don't mind sacrificing a bit of productivity speed to get it, we recommend this system to any PC gamer on a budget. Read review

Specs: Intel Quad-Core Q9400 (2.66 GHz), 4 GB, 750 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: Velocity Micro's Edge Z55 provides a powerful example of the leap ahead in performance afforded by Intel's new Core i7 CPUs. Velocity Micro's own overclocking efforts don't hurt either. Any PC gamer would love to make this upper midrange desktop their own. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: Unleash the multimedia power of the Gateway DX series, with robust features like powerful Core 2 Quad processing, hefty memory and a large hard drive. This potent has everything you ... Read more

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 (2.66 GHz), 8 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 220, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Media center

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: Delve deep into gameplay and high-end graphics creation with the intensive multi-core performance of the 3.08GHz Gateway FX6801-01 Desktop. Outfitted with the cutting-edge Intel core i7 processor, true-to-life NVIDIA ... Read more

Specs: Intel Core i7 950 (3.06 GHz), 9 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: Fresh from Widow, this gaming system comes equipped with Intel's Core i7 processor, offering levels of performance never before imagined! Utilizing triple channel DDR3 memory and an onboard memory ... Read more

Specs: Intel Core i7 920 (2.66 GHz), 12 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: Acer's Aspire Predator G7710 desktop offers an outstanding gaming experience for users who play for the fun of facing and overcoming the impossible: an original, aggressive chassis design conceals ... Read more

Specs: Intel Core i7 940 (2.93 GHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB Hot-swap, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel Core i7 960 (3.2 GHz), 12 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1500 GB, Dual 1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon HD 5870 CrossfireX Enabled, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: Velocity Micro's first full-fledged home theater PC pulls very few punches in providing a complete digital media experience. It's big, it lacks a built-in audio receiver, and it invites PC gaming into the living room, which has never been the best fit. It's also the victim of a few Vista-related growing pains. On balance, though, Velocity Micro has as complete a home theater PC as we've seen. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad Core (2.4 GHz), 2 GB, 400 GB Standard, NVidia GeForce 8800GTS, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: The ZT Affinity 7300 desktop provides ultimate performance in a sleek, stylish case. Powered by the latest Core 2 Quad processor, this customized system provides quad core processing power for ... Read more

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 (2.5 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 7050, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel Core i7 920 (2.66 GHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 640 GB, Single 1.8GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: The ZT Affinity 7424Ti-42 Desktop enables advanced home computing, with a powerful Intel Core i5 Processor 750 providing outstanding performance for demanding tasks like managing and manipulating digital images, audio ... Read more

Specs: Intel Core i5 750, 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 8200GS, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Personal computer

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400S (2.66 GHz), 6 GB DDR II SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, NVidia GeForce GT 240M, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: We have one major issue with the Velocity Micro Raptor Signature Edition (the price), and two minor ones (it's loud, for one), but those aside, this is one of the most feature-complete high-end desktops we've reviewed. Its performance is media-creation- and game-minded, and anyone buying it for those or almost any other purposes won't be disappointed. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 (2.66 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 150 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Personal computer

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

Manufacturer description: The Gateway LX6820-01 Desktop is an impressive entertainment hub packed full of features for the media-minded enthusiast. Add superior speeds from the pairing of an Intel core 2 quad processor ... Read more

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 (2.66 GHz), 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 230, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Media center

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel Core i7 860 (2.80 GHz), 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1536 GB, 1024MB nVidia GeForce GT220, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel Core i7 920 (2.66 GHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 640 GB, Single 1.8GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit