Group test: what's the best desktop PC?

The best 5 desktop PCs you can buy

By | PC Advisor |

We review the best five desktop PCs you can buy in the UK right now, if money is no object. Updated, 14 October 2011

5. Dino PC Maxosaur 2600K V2

Dino PC Maxosaur 2600K V2
  • Reviewed on: 12 August 11
  • RRP: £1499 inc. VAT
  • Rating: Rated 7 out of 10

Dino PC puts the Core i7-2600K to good use in its update to the Maxosaur 2600K. This revision also embraces a Z68 motherboard and is supplied with two 21.5in monitors. Both lack a digital input. Dino PC has fitted a factory-overclocked GTX 580 graphics card, a 64GB SSD and a 2TB hard drive. You also get a Blu-ray drive and some rather attractive Creative T20 speakers. It costs £200 more than its rivals, however.

4. CyberPower Infinity Achilles Extreme

CyberPower Infinity Achilles Extreme
  • Reviewed on: 12 August 11
  • RRP: £1298 inc. VAT
  • Rating: Rated 8 out of 10

An Intel Core i7-2600K-based powerhouse, the Achilles Extreme is the first PC we’ve seen to take advantage of Intel’s Smart Response Technology. This uses a low-capacity SSD to boost hard-drive performance. The Z68 motherboard doesn’t support integrated graphics, but a factory-overclocked GTX 580 ensures excellent gaming performance. A very good 24in BenQ display, a Blu-ray drive and a set of Creative speakers are provided.

3. Palicomp Phoenix i7 Stealth Extreme

Palicomp Phoenix i7 Stealth Extreme
  • Reviewed on: 14 October 11
  • RRP: £1399 inc. VAT
  • Rating: Rated 0 out of 10

Palicomp’s Stealth Extreme offers bags of performance. It costs £100 more than our Best Buy, but includes a superior system case with a top-mounted SATA dock and enhanced cooling. Key to its staggering performance is 16GB of DDR3 RAM and a 120GB OCZ Vertex 3 SSD. You also get a fast GTX 580 graphics card, a 34in monitor, a Blu-ray drive and stereo speakers, although the PC is held back somewhat by its P67-chipset motherboard.

2. Arbico Elite i7 2676 XL

Arbico Elite i7 2676 XL
  • Reviewed on: 14 October 11
  • RRP: £1274 inc. VAT
  • Rating: Rated 8 out of 10

Save for a few small improvements, Arbico’s i7 2676 XL is identical to its i7-2657 MX mkII. Its lower price makes it the cheapest PC here. Doubling the amount of RAM to 16GB has gained Arbico an extra point in WorldBench 6, while the SSD has been downgraded to an 120GB OCZ Agility 3, without a measurable reduction in performance. A 2TB hard drive is also provided. The weakest component is its graphics card.

1. Chillblast Fusion Pulsar

Chillblast Fusion Pulsar
  • Reviewed on: 14 October 11
  • RRP: £1299 inc. VAT
  • Rating: Rated 9 out of 10

The Fusion Pulsar combines stellar performance with a top-notch feature set and premium components. You get 16GB of RAM and a 120GB Corsair SSD, plus powerful gaming framerates from the factory-overclocked GTX 570. The Z68-chipset motherboard supports SSD-based caching and auto-switching graphics. A huge 27in monitor is also provided, along with stereo speakers and a Blu-ray drive. This PC delivers outstanding value for money.

Share this article




Comments

Tessa said: I'm useless with computers but with the best PC's and budget PC's, I haven't heard of the makes. After testing these, does it mean that they're miles better than the well known makes like Sony...etc..? Are these all reliable pc's ? Thank you.

Andycaka said: "off the mark"

ab said: is there anything affordable

Matt Egan said: Hi Jamie, I can assure you that beyond pointing out a genuine error Henry is absolutely not 'on to' anything. We've been publishing PC Advisor for 16 years, and IDG is the world's largest IT media company, in 90 countries and with more than 300 magazines. None of this happens if you allow editorial content to be influenced by advertisers: it simply doesn't happen. Not because we're great guys, but because it would be incredibly short sighted, and stupid. We reported the Mesh situation as honestly as we could without defaming Mesh old or new. We're not currently accepting reviews from Mesh, and every Mesh review on this site carries a warning about the financial situation.

Jamie Bell said: I think you have something there Henry...particularly after reading the editors reply to your comment; how condescendingly suspicious!

Matt Egan said: Hi Henry, on your first point you're absolutely correct. I have no idea why the date of the story was changed, but not the content. I certainly intend to find out! In the mean time I've updated it and you should see the correct - Mesh free - listing shortly. As to your suggestion that we praise companies that advertise and ignore those that don't, I can assure you that you are very wide of the mark. In fact, so far of the mark you are straying into libelous territory! It simply doesn't work that way, and nor will it ever. We review interesting products from any reputable vendor who is prepared to supply them, and our reviewers are entirely independent. There's just no sustainable model of doing it otherwise. I'd love to know what companies you think we are ignoring, so please let me know. A pound to a penny says that they are simply not supplying products: not every business enjoys the scrutiny of independent, expert testers.

Henry Wood said: If this was updated on the 3rd June as claimed, didn't anyone in your office point you to PCA's news story about MESH collapsing?I've recently renewed my printed subscription to PCA but I'm getting more and more fed-up of "reviews" praising companies which advertise in the magazine while ignoring many others. My finger is hovering over the cancel button.

Send to a friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:

PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.