Multivision Ionix Ultima 35

Inside, you'll find a 120GB Seagate SATA V hard disk and, with 8MB of cache and a RAID controller on the motherboard, there's room to expand too. Behind the aforementioned fascias, there's a 16x DVD-ROM, as well as a handy DVD+RW/-RW combo drive offering current DVD burning speeds, although CD burning is a little slow at 16x.

What's more, DVD movie soundtracks will be suitably rumbling with a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 and a set of Inspire 6700 6.1 speakers. Plus, with EAX Advanced HD support, this will be great for gaming too.

Add in the excellent, three-year, on-site warranty, with a further three years' return-to-base (labour only), and the Ultima initially looks tempting for £1,299. That is, until you compare it with the Dell Dimension 8300, which offers a better speaker set and monitor, as well as similar (sometimes faster) performance for the same price. But the Multivision is still a well-balanced system, and in real games the FX 5900 Ultra is a top card. If you're looking for a good-value enthusiast's gaming machine, the Ionix Ultima 35 is worth a look, but otherwise go for the Dell.

Author: Ross Burridge