Evesham e-style AX64

Elsewhere, the offerings on the rest of the chassis are standard, with six USB 2 and two FireWire ports split between the rear backplane and the discreet front panel, and the Microsoft wireless keyboard and optical tilt mouse combo is easy on the limbs. The case has three fans: one on the heatsink; one in the front to expel air; and one in the 250W PSU. Even with these fans the system is reasonably quiet, and if you chose to add a TV tuner and use it as a media centre, it would do an admirable job.

Given the size, price and power on offer, the AX64 would make an excellent general-purpose system for anyone but gamers. It would also make a great choice for students away from home, particularly as it could also be pressed into use as a fully fledged TV and media system without taking up another inch of space. Although the disappointing single year of warranty and lack of 3D prowess keep the AX64 off the A List, it's still a great way of getting dual-core performance for an attractive price.

Author: David Bayon