Evesham nForce GT

Elsewhere, the wireless Microsoft keyboard and mouse are good examples of their type. The mouse is comfortable in the hand (whether right or left) and the keyboard is good for prolonged typing. The Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speaker set is more of a compromise: the unsubtle subwoofer leads to a distorted and uneven low end. There's plenty of scope for upgrading, though, with the integrated Creative Sound Blaster Live! audio providing 7.1 surround and Dolby Digital support.

All the care that Evesham has obviously taken in putting together a high-performance system on a shoestring budget is reflected in the warranty. The two years of on-site cover, with a further year of return-to-base, is reassuring.

If you're desperate for a small-form-factor case, the JAL Daphne is still a good buy, but the Evesham is far better value. If you're looking for a flexible and powerful mid-range system, the nForce GT is hard to beat.

Author: CLIVE WEBSTER