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Processor power is everything when it comes to impressing your PC-owning friends and, at present, nothing is going to get more heads nodding in approval than a 1.7Ghz processor. The Intel Pentium 4 is the only chip to go that fast at present and, despite mixed reviews, it's still extremely desirable.
The 1.7Ghz system we tested is from Hi-Grade's Ultis range. Pentium 4 PCs have not performed as well as hoped in our previous system tests, as most software available at the moment isn't optimised to make best use of its power.
The Ultis comes with 128Mb of memory but, as it is a P4 system, it uses high performance Rambus memory which is very fast but costly to upgrade. Should you want to upgrade, there are two empty slots available. A 40Gb hard disk should prove more than ample for storage.
The Ultis sets itself apart from the other P4 systems we've seen in the 3D graphics tests due, at least in part, to a graphics card based on nVidia's latest GeForce3 chipset. When matched up with the P4 firepower in the Ultis, the results were fantastic. It trampled over everything else, finally allowing the P4 to really strut its stuff.
If that isn't exciting enough for you, then the inclusion of Hi-Grade's own brand TFT monitor should impress. This thin, space saving display is a plus for those who find themselves in a tight corner. The monitor pivots 90 degrees so it can be viewed in portrait mode, which makes reading and editing long documents easier because you don't have to scroll so much. The monitor is a 15.1in model but its viewable area is equivalent to a standard 17in CRT monitor.
The downside of having a TFT monitor with such a raunchy graphics card is that you can't take full advantage. Like most 15.1in TFT monitors, the Hi-Grade does its best work at a resolution of 1024 x 768. Gamers with appropriate PCs prefer to use massive resolutions such as 1600 x 1200 so they get more of the action on screen and enjoy fantastic highly detailed graphics.
TFT displays do not update as quickly as conventional monitors either, so the screen images can look blurred if a lot is happening. With this PC being something of a smouldering games monster, we feel a 19in CRT monitor would have been more appropriate and would have solved both problems, probably at less cost.
The case which houses the PC is very big and rather counteracts the space saving attributes of the monitor. On the upside, though, it is full of upgrade possibilities, notably three free PCI slots, and there are also free 5.25in and 3.5in drive bays.
Separate Hitachi DVDRom and LG CD-RW drives let you watch films and provide removable storage respectively. The Cambridge Soundworks 5.1 speaker system is a top performer too and, along with the Creative sound card, provide all the top-quality noise you ever wish for. Similarly, the excellent Microsoft WorksSuite 2001 is sure to cover all your productivity requirements.
CONTACT: Hi-Grade
0800 074 0402
www.hi-grade.co.uk
ALSO CONSIDER: Evesham Axis 1.3 GeForce DDR. A powerhouse of a PC. £1880.
See also:
While we're still hoping for a G4 iMac, this latest machine is no slouch and, at £1199, it's reasonable value when everything is considered. 15 Feb 2002
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