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Mesh Matrix 1400 DDR VFM

The fastest processor from AMD beats in the heart of Mesh's new system.

Price: £1174

Manufacturer: Mesh

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Verdict

A fast system that should last and offers good value.

Tim Smith, Computeract!ve 06 Nov 2001

A fast processor is worth nothing if the PC around it is not up to the job - a fact Mesh has taken to heart with its Matrix 1400. The 1.4Ghz Athlon is the fastest processor from AMD so far and, teamed with a generous 256Mb of memory and a 40Gb hard disk, this is a PC that should keep Windows users happy for some time to come.

Setting up the system is easy enough, thanks to a helpful poster explaining the basics. All sockets on the back of the case are colour-coded and match their relevant plugs.

The keyboard and mouse are both made by Microsoft and are of the high quality you'd expect. The wheel mouse makes it easier to move around Windows and the keyboard includes several hotkeys to quickly launch specific programs.

Although 19in monitors are becoming common with PCs in this price range, Mesh supplies a 17in model with the Matrix. The Mitsubishi Diamond Plus 730 is, however, a very good monitor with a flat screen and a clear image.

The one place where the VFM part of the name is really noticeable is in the graphics card. The GeForce 2 MX graphics card is no thoroughbred but it produces reasonable results in games. Hardcore players will want something meatier to complement the power of the processor but for most people, it's not going to be a problem.

As it is mounted in an AGP slot, you could upgrade it at a later date but contemplating future upgrades when buying a PC is not the way to go. Mesh will supply a better video card at extra cost.

The Creative SoundBlaster Live sound card is excellent and the four speakers with sub-woofer work well with both games and movies.

Mesh has made it as easy as possible to get inside the PC. The case opens with the pull of a switch, so not even a screwdriver is needed, and it can be locked to keep prying fingers out. That said, the screwless theme continues to the expansion cards, which are fixed with a sprung metal bracket rather than a screw. This complicates using any of the three vacant PCI slots, as simple screwdriving is far easier than wrestling with a clamp.

Other than that, the spacious interior and tidy cabling make fitting cards or adding memory relatively simple and also helps air flow freely through the case to keep everything cool. With a DVD-ROM and CD-RW drive fitted, you'll struggle to find anything to fill the empty 5.25in drive bay.

It's fair to say that this system lived up to expectations, with one of the fastest benchmark scores we've ever seen. There are aspects where the specification has been pared down a little to meet the price point, but none are so critical that the system is badly held back by them. The inclusion of the excellent Microsoft Works Suite 2001 is a welcome bonus.

With a PC this powerful, the crucial question is whether anyone really needs this kind of number-crunching potential. Unless you play demanding games, the answer is probably no.

However, the advantage in buying a powerful PC now is that you'll still be able to use it long after lesser systems have breathed their last. So if you're looking for a system that has staying power, this is the one to go for.

Contact
Mesh: 020 8208 4709 www.mesh.com

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Reviewed in Computeractive, Issue 85

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